I Still Love You

Chapter 18

"Stay where you feel respected."

Meera changed into comfortable nightwear and lay down on the bed thinking of all the events happening in her life. She wanted to get rid of these thoughts so she stood up and went to the balcony.

She stood there looking at the moon with various thoughts wandering in her mind. Her marriage -honeymoon-the mishap-Rishab's anger-their child-divorce.Thinking about her married life, tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Karan too was on the balcony of his room, on a call with Anamika. He looked at Meera and disconnected the call and looked at Meera who was crying as her heart pained.

"Bhabhi" Karan called her and Meera wiped her tears and turned towards him. Her eyes are red and puffy. His heart pained seeing her sister-in-law and friend crying. Meera looked at him.

"Please open the door, "Karan said and Meera looked at him and nodded slowly. Karan left his room and went out and saw Kriya standing there with a tense expression.

"I was on the balcony and I heard a sobbing sound. Let's check on Bhabhi once."Kriya spoke out and Karan nodded and both went to Meera's room and knocked on the door.

Meera opened the door and they both entered inside. Karan hugged Meera as tears streamed down her eyes. Meera hugged him back.

"Bhabhi kya hua?Please bataye"Kriya asked and Meera looked at her and hugged her. The trio hugged each other as tears streamed down Meera's eyes.

Karan broke the hug and made Meera sit on the bed with Kriya and Karan beside her.

"I'm f-fine. I need to rest"Meera said in a croaky voice Karan and Kriya looked at each other and Karan knowing how sensitive Kriya is, he asked her to bring water. Kriya left the room and Karan looked at Meera.

"Aaj phir jhagda hua hai?"Karan asked and Meera looked at him and nodded her head slightly.

"Vihaan Bhai will make him understand. You don't stress yourself please" Karan said and wiped her tears.

Kriya entered the room with water for Meera who drank a few sips and kept aside and sat on the bed with the support of the headboard.

Kriya looked at Meera and kept her head on her lap and lay down on the bed.  Karan too lay on the other side of the bed and spoke with them.  They both lay and Meera sat there thinking about her life.

Kriya was fast asleep in her lap and Karan who got up to leave for his room saw Meera. He didn't want to invade their privacy so he stood up and started leaving when he heard Meera.

"We took one step in understanding each other but the next day we were back to square one. I can't leave you. Your hopes are killing me from the inside. I so wish that I should have died but you saved me again."

Meera murmured while every word she murmured contained pain. Her heart clenched knowing that in the next 6  months, they won't be together. The pain she felt was making it difficult for her to breathe.

Karan sat beside Meera and called her. She looked at him as tears cascade down her eyes. He sighed and side-hugged her while she cried her heart out.

"Bhabhi you're a strong woman and I'm so extensively proud of you for what you are and who you are. If I had to go through this pain I would've given up but you held on him and let him do everything he wanted. I don't know the entire thing that happened but don't lose hope. Just know that this brother of yours is always with you in every situation."

Karan said while Meera looked at him and spoke. She felt his words were genuine and she could see his care and the respect he has for her made her feel she isn't alone.