The next day dawned bright after the darkness of the storm faced last night. Imlie woke up at the first call of dawn and waited for Aditya to wake up so that she can tell him that she'll go first.
Aditya woke up a few minutes later and that's when she explained to him that she'll go first and he can come behind sometime after since at no cost the villagers should come to know that they were together the entire night. Though against lies, Aditya just agreed to her except he told her he needed to accompany her till the entrance of the forest since he dint know the way back. Imlie agreed and they set out immediately only to see two large trees lying uprooted on the ground due to the storm, blocking the way.
Both sighed in irritation. All sorts of troubles had to befall them at this time only? If only they knew this was just the beginning!
"What do we do now Babusaheb? Niether of us is strong enough to lift this up!" Imlie said.
"I know. hmmm....we have just one option"
"What?"
"Climb!"
"Ok.....wait what?"
"Yes, we have to climb this" Aditya repeated. How much ever stupid it sounded, he saw no other option. Imlie understood this as well so she nodded.
"I'll go first and then help you across, okay?" he asked and she nodded. She knew the height difference between them would come to use and he can pull her across but she cannot.
He gave her his bag to hold and as cautiously as possible, crossed the fallen trunk. Steadying himself in the gap between the uprooted trees, he held out his hand for her. She put the bag at her back and moved forward. Supporting herself with one hand on the trunk, she stretched across to hold his hand. As soon as her comparatively small hand slipped in his, he held in firmly, helping her across.
They successfully reached the other side and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally!"both exclaimed and moved towards retracing their steps to find the entrance of the forest. The forest has always been forbidden to visit with the villagers citing all sorts of lame things. Imlie never believed in them but she dint have the time to go against either. After an endeavour of 20 mins, they reached out of the forest. They halted for a second during which she indicated him that she's going and he should come behind in sometime. He nodded. But just as she turned to go, she saw all the villagers along with her Nakli Nani and her Amma standing in front! She gulped! Her worst fears had come true.
"Amma" she said and ran to embrace her mother who too spread her hand. But just as she reached her, she was pushed to the ground by her Nakli Nani who stood glaring at her. Both Meethi and Aditya had instinctively taken a step forward when Imlie was pushed, which dint go unnoticed by Nakli Nani. She smirked.
Imlie had always been the fruit of sin in her eyes. She wanted her to have a pathetic life but much to her dismay, Imlie's stars were in her favour. She was as bright as light itself and that is what irked Dulari for she wanted Imlie to have a life like herself - dark. She had tried various methods to suppress her but she had shined despite everything. But now she had found the perfect way to push her down and get her to lead a life full of pain. Yes, Dulari had overheard one of their conversations the other day when they were talking about some Malini whom Imlie addressed as Didi. She had come to know that Aditya was committed. And that's when her wicked mind plotted how to bring about what she intended to do. She had seen the spark between the two and though she knew their camaraderie was just of friendship, she decided to use all of it for her benefit. It was easy to instigate the villagers. She only needed a few things.
She had seen Aditya gifting Imlie bangles. And then she had overheard what happened at the temple as well. This was more than enough spark to light a fire. But to top it, they had gone to the forest which was like ghee to the fire.
So all she had to do was throw some instigating words and they would either be killed or forcibly married - either ways, it meant her complete destruction!
And so despite being aware that nothing would have happened between them, she went ahead pouring out all disgusting things, maligning the relationship Aditya and Imlie shared. If only she knew, what she thought she was doing was putting a stop to Imlie's life was in actuality meant for her to shine later on!
___________________________________________
He knew that the distance between them was affecting her just as much as him, if not more. He knew what had happened years back wasn't her fault. He was aware he wasn't the only one who had lost that day. Yet he couldn't bring himself to bridge this gap that had come between them.
They were close yet far. Bound yet loose. And despite both wanting to get a middle ground at least, they were just constant at their own ends. True after that day they had broken apart. True that after that day they had remained connected just because of their son. But he knew very well that they remained connected despite being far because their love wasn't that weak to let them just shatter apart. But unfortunately, it wasn't that strong either to pull them close.
It wasn't just her who had restless nights. He too experienced just the same. Just so many times he had wished to take her in his arms and tell her he felt just the same. So many times had he wanted to hug her and whisper sweet endearments in her ears, assuring her he loved her just the same. So many times had he wanted to tell her he is aware of her fears and that despite this distance between them, his love for her hasn't reduced. But he couldn't. Maybe because everytime he tried, that unbearable sight would flash infront of his eyes and thus, the father in him comes to the fore, defeating the husband he is.
Love,
Pratyusha
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Lakeerein - Ties That Bind Us
Fanfiction------ Can Be Read As General Fiction ------ One night. One event. Lives of two people altered completely. When Aditya Kumar Tripathi, Chief Executive Reporter at Bhaskar times stepped into Pagdandiya and met Imlie, he did not know how his life woul...
