Lakeerein - Ties That Bind Us

44| Chapter 40: Ilzaam

Pagdandiya

The name which had brought an unforeseen, devastating and unforgettable storm in her life. The name which had brought her world to crumbles. The name which had broken her, transformed her and which had been akin to a glass shard piercing her heart that she couldn't pluck out. The name which hadn't just ruined her world but also another person's as well. It was a mere village, hardly traceable on the map but for her it meant only disaster. She had managed to remain afloat amidst this catastrophe but only she knew what she had lost to do so. And hence, she wanted not even a minute part of it for her daughter.

But fate really wasn't her friend! Isn't that precisely why, she brought in something Malini had always been craving for ie. a sibling but unfortunately (according to her), she was somebody from the only place she wanted no relations or associations with - Pagdandiya
For years had she dreaded this day for she knew that'd break on the last thread of her sanity she had been holding onto all these years.

Could it be her daughter?
___________________________________________

Imlie was heading towards her corner, having prepared the food and prasad needed for the Pooja. It'd be better if she stayed away from all of it. After meeting Malini Didi, she had started feeling better but just a few moments later, her heart submerged in grief. A moment between Anu and Malini had reminded her of her Amma. But right the next moment, her harsh, inconsiderate behaviour towards her and her own words echoed in her ears, the hurt on her Amma and Dadda's face flashing in her mind again and again, stabbing her hard. So all she wanted to do was retreat to her corner and speak to her Sita Maiyya.

"He...l...p....h..el...p" somebody's faint voice and weak hits alerted her even as she rushed towards the room at the farther end. It seemed to be locked. The person repeated their words and she immediately recognised it to be Malini's voice!

"Malini Didi!"her name escaped her lips and she immediately pulled out her pin to open the lock.
___________________________________________

Malini had just gone to adjust her saree in the first free room she found. But the door had banged shut due to wind and had gotten locked by mistake. It shouldn't have been a big thing. But it was because Malini was claustrophobic and the darkness in the room due to the drawn curtains did not help either. Her frantic banging at the door had seeped out the last bit of her energy. She felt sweat beads drip down her forehead even as her breaths got shallower. Fear had clouded all her senses and all of a sudden, she seemed to sense no ventilation despite the open window.

With her condition worsening, she couldn't really recognise who it was but she felt somebody trying to unlock the door. Her head felt extremely heavy and just as the door opened, she collapsed on the person, who held her firmly, despite losing balance herself.
___________________________________________

Imlie stumbled back due to Malini's weight on her and would have fallen had it not been for a pair of rough hands that had steadied her, holding her shoulders. Aditya held her by her shoulders while Imlie held Malini properly and firmly. He held onto Malini from the other side and the two took her into the room. They gently placed her on the bed and Imlie adjusted her saree pleats decently before covering her unconscious form with the bedsheet.

Without a word, he gripped her wrist and pulled her out of the room, shutting it gently behind. She showed no signs of reaction even as she allowed herself to be pulled out.
Once they were out, he jerked her hand abruptly and glared at her, his eyes red with anger.

"What were you even thinking when you did that? Malini is claustrophobic dammit! There are so many things that could have gone wrong!!"

Her face which had been devoid of anything now had her eyes showcase just one emotion - hurt. The fact that he hated her to such an extent that he was willing to believe she would do something to Malini which could jeopardize her health pierced her broken heart. The agony she had been battling and trying to suppress so far just only increased tenfolds.

"I understand and know very well you hate me Babusaheb. But despite all of that, the least I had the expectation of from you was to know me enough to atleast understand, I mean no harm to anybody's life! But alas!" she said and looked away.

"You mean no harm to anybody's life Imlie but your presence is doing harm to every minute of my existence. I wish we had never met! I wish you weren't a part of my life. Everything would have been simple and proper. Your presence in my house and life are just complicating things. (Takes a deep breath) Look Imlie, get this straight. Malini and my family mean the world to me. If anything happens to any of them, I won't be able to tolerate!" he fumed.

Before she could reply, she heard her name being called out by Malini and  immediately rushed inside, with him following in behind her.
___________________________________________

"Everything would have been simple and proper. Your presence in my house and life are just complicating things. Look Imlie, get this straight. Malini and my family mean the world to me. If anything happens to any of them, I won't be able to tolerate!"

Aditya's words repeatedly played in her mind as she stabilised herself holding the pillar. She had just come to look for Malini when she saw Aditya and Imlie speaking something. From what she could see, she could make out that he was immensely angry at Imlie and she looked extremely hurt. She moved closer to hear what they were speaking, trepidation rushing through her veins and stood rooted to her spot when she heard his words. Her hands shook and body shivered even as she looked at her to be son-in-law and her daughter's sister - the expressions on their faces, the intensity in their eyes and she knew it then, the sinking feeling in her stomach confirming her instincts - what she had feared uptil this moment was to turn true!

Love,
Pratyusha