Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

15 - LOVE BLOSSOMS?!

இடி விழுந்த வீட்டில் இன்று
பூச்செடிகள் பூக்கிறது.
(The house where the thunder fell,
is blooming with flowers now)

"Paayal... " Pranav's high-pitched yelling voice echoed through the room, causing a sudden disruption in the air, shaking Paayal and Krishna. They had a sudden jerk. Paayal released her grip from Krishna immediately, and began, "Dada..." Her voice was soft with a hint of explanation. But Pranav cut her off in a flat voice. "You don't need to say anything."

Then he turned to Krishna, and maintained his flat voice, "Krishna, You may leave now."

Krishna was reluctant to abandon Paayal alone when her brother was in a misunderstanding. He explained politely, "Dada, please don't misunderstand. She was crying. I just consoled her."

"I know. I just want to talk with her alone. You may go now. And you can come to our home as usual. I don't have any misunderstanding about you. I clearly saw that you were not hugging her. She was the one who was gripping you," Pranav clarified, his voice being firm.

Krishna perceived his flat and firm voice as an outcome of misunderstanding, He further explained, seeking an understanding, "But Dada, She didn't do it in a wrong intention. She needed some comfort...."

Pranav cut him off, asserting, "I know everything. I know what is happening in her life. You just leave now. I want to talk with her,"

"Dada, Don't scold her. I was the one who persistently asked about her problems..."

Pranav's voice was raised by now. "Can't you hear me? I don't need any explanation from you. I told you to leave,"

Krishna couldn't speak anymore. He passed a helpless look at Paayal. Paayal blinked her eyes reassuringly, indicating not to worry.

"Try to explain to him," Krishna made a helpless face.

"I told you to leave," Pranav interrupted their silent conversation.

Krishna took his bag half heartedly, and walked out with a burdened heart. Pranav closed the door behind Krishna. Krishna turned back to the closed door, yearning to seek an understanding from Pranav. But, Pranav was not ready to listen to anything. Helplessly he turned back towards his bicycle, his eyes noticing his own uniform white shirt which was wet because of Paayal's tears. She let out a gallon of tears, it seemed. Those weightless tears put a heavy weight in his already burdened heart. He stopped his steps, touching those tears, feeling an unbearable pain and weight in his heart which he never experienced before.

He had heard and read that love would bring solace to the hearts. But he didn't know why his love was bringing him pain to his heart from the beginning. He didn't know why he should see Paayal in the street, why he should like her, why Paayal should join his school, why he should try to make Paayal smile by feeding, Why she should yell at him, why she should apologise, why should look at him in her mother's place, why he should accept to be in her mother's place, why she should try to end her life, why he should save her, and now...why she should hug him and cry. He knew nothing! He had a train of questions. But all those train of questions gave him only one answer. That is, They were born to live for each other. Despite the unbearable pain he felt in his heart, he softly caressed those tears and thought, "The love I have for you engulfs me with so much pain to see you in a turmoil. But, I love you. I will live for you, no matter what! No matter how painful it is! I will try to bring you out of the turmoil. I will try to make you smile. This is my promise I make to myself. I am also just like you. I will never break the promises,"

He resumed walking towards his bicycle. He memorised some words which she said in Marathi. He tried to recall those words so that he could seek a translation. But he couldn't even recall a single word which she said in Marathi, as it was the first time he was hearing Marathi. Helplessly he left for his home.