Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

17 - HER TRUST

வந்தால் அலையாய் வருவோம்!
வீழ்ந்தால் விதையாய் விழுவோம்!
மீண்டும் மீண்டும் எழுவோம்!
எழுவோம்!
(If we choose to come,
We will come as sea waves.
If we choose to fall, we will fall as seeds.
We will rise again and again!
We will rise again!)

The earth rotated a few more times, marking the passage of days. It had been nearly one month since Paayal's abortion. Krishna and Paayal emerged from their school in the evening shadows, and strolled in their familiar path. That day, Paayal didn't want Krishna to visit her home, as she had to visit the hospital. It was her second follow up check-up. She had her first follow up check-up a week before. Usually, the bleeding from medicinal abortion would stop within 10 to 18 days. Though Paayal's bleeding stopped, she still had spotting even after 18 days. So the doctor decided to wait for one more week and scheduled another appointment after a week to check whether the gestational sac flushed out properly and whether she was healing properly or not. So, She had to visit the hospital that day. But, She just told Krishna that she and Pranav were going to meet a friend. Krishna too agreed.

While strolling towards their home, Krishna asked, "Paayal, Have you asked Pranav Dada about going to Ajay's sister's wedding? Have you got his permission?"

"Oh, I forgot about it. It's only 4 more days for the wedding, right? I will ask him today. Even if he dissents, I will coax him to agree," Paayal declared firmly, her voice carrying a determination.

"Haa, I know, you are such an adamant," He giggled.

"What? Am I adamant?" Paayal pouted.

"Yes, You are!" He complained with a pout and added, "Because, I can understand your trust in me. You won't even talk with other boys. But, You are even ready to come with me alone for two days. So, it's because of your trust in me. Though you have this much trust in me, you are adamant about not telling your problems with me. So you are an adamant."

Paayal's face lost its colours, her mind pondering over the terrifying night which changed her life.

Krishna noticed the change in her face. He realised he made her remember her problems unnecessarily which she didn't want. He admitted immediately, feeling guilty, "Hey Sorry, I will not talk about it. Don't make a long face now. Smile please."

Paayal forced a smile.

Her forced smile was a sign that she was still wandering in the world of trauma. He disliked it. In an attempt to bring her out to the present peaceful world, he asked, "Shall I tell a joke?"

"Hmm.. " Paayal hummed.

"Which tree can't be grown on the soil?" He asked.

Paayal was not in a mood to think and answer him. She simply replied, "I don't know. You yourself say it."

"It's Chemistreee..." He stretched the word like singing playfully.

Paayal smiled, furrowing her eyebrows. "It's not just a joke. It's a lame joke,"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway you smiled na,"

"What to do? If I don't smile, you will say another lame joke. I am not ready to take such risks." She giggled.

Feeling elated to see her rare giggles, he blurted, "Hmm, This is my Paayal. I like it when you giggle."

"What did you say? My Paayal??" She asked shockingly in a reflex to know what he actually meant, though a warm feeling embraced her at the mention of 'My Paayal' from him.