Vodka on the rocks

Enough!

Pallavi expected to fall on the ground hard and probably break her jaw as a result. It wasn't as if the reality slamming on her face hadn't broken her jaw seconds prior to this, but suddenly her brain had blanked. She couldn't think anything. She wanted to break her fall as an instinct which is the base of one's senses of survival but it seemed the shock of it all had numbed her motor receptors as well.

Vijay Deshmukh, the gentle fun loving and protective father she had taken care of and respected like a daughter suddenly had an 'in law' attached with his designation. She has lost her Baba. Her mother who did nothing to save her and stood mum felt like a happy illusion of her addled brain. The rest of her so called family joined her, some in sorrowful stares and others in barely restrained glee.

She couldn't believe that they all had accepted that she was the one who had done the abortion. Only because of a pregnancy and abortion report whose validation was shady at best. They all believed a stranger ..... a doctor but a stranger nevertheless and decided to declare her guilty. She could still feel the sting on her father.. in law's fingers on her cheek and around her forearm gripped so tightly that it left bruises as she was dragged like a sack of potatoes and flung out of the house.

She realized she was still falling. Maybe her internal musings happened in a span of a few milliseconds. But somehow those milliseconds made her see a bigger picture than her entire life had. And one person's words resounded in her brain. The same man whom she loves to hate and could fight with, for hours. The man who had become somewhat of a begrudging mentor to her in the business prospective. The man whom she thinks is the world's most complex onion. Whose various peels she is slowly unwrapping one by one hoping to find something brighter than he thinks he has in the centre.

The man whose words she had never thought she would even consider let alone think as true suddenly stood glaring in her brain.

"People are social animals Pallavi. They love to stay in groups. And that is probably the only reason families are formed. Actually at the base, each human being only serves their own self interest. You might move heaven and earth for the one you think you love but when time comes, you will hold as little importance to them as a used refill of a pen. Remember... this is a dog eat dog world and here, only one rule applies irrespective of caste, colour, class, gender or profession - Survival of the fittest. So if you wish to survive, think only and only about yourself and spare others thought only if you are able to spare it."

I am sorry Raghav. I am sorry I was sceptical about your words. I am sorry I never took them seriously and I am sorry you had to face such a weak and pathetic rival like me. But I promise you, I have understood what you mean now. I needed a tight slap on my face. I got it. And now I am grateful I have understood.

Her body prepared for the pain of the impact automatically as she expected to crumple but the impact never came. No to be honest it did, but the impact was softened. She did crash against something hard but not cemented. It felt like velvet covered and warm. She felt her air leave her lungs in a whoosh and her trembling frame was suddenly encased within strong arms. She identified his cologne immediately. The familiar whiff of old spice, aqua and nutmeg mixed with a mild hint of whiskey which always seemed to wrap around him like an annoying blanket.

Still she looked up from the dark maroon vest and saw his handsome face lined with something akin to concern face her down. She must be looking quite a sight she thought. Mascara blotted cheeks where the remains of dried tears still stuck like a painful reminder of the time prior. But his eyes didn't change their colour like she had feared. It remained soft.

She wanted to move away from him but her limbs protested. She had no strength left to hold herself upright. She thought about what a sight they might be making. It will just cement her fam.. no, the Deshmukh family's allegations against her. That she had aborted his child. Their illegitimate child.