Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

20 - A SERENE NIGHT

நல்வாக்கு ஊர் சொல்லும்
காலம் வரும்
அல்லல் இருளை விரட்டும்
விடியல் வரும்!
(The world will shower wishes on us.
The distress will chase away the darkness.
There will be a dawn!)

As Krishna refreshed himself, he went to Ajay's sister Divya's room to call Paayal for dinner. With a warm smile, he ventured into Divya's room where the air was filled with laughter and chatter. Paayal, feeling like a fish out of water in the unfamiliar circumstance and language, was waiting for Krishna. As soon as she saw Krishna in the room, she stood up immediately, a smile blooming in her face.

"Shall we go for dinner?" Krishna asked.

"Yes." Paayal nodded, approaching him.

They walked out of the room. The dinner feast was arranged outside the home, under the canopy in the garden.

When they navigated through the hall, Paayal's eyes casually landed on the TV which was telecasting a romantic song where the hero was kissing the heroine's cheeks while holding her in a romantic way. She stopped her legs immediately, squeezing her eyes shut, the thoughts of how that pervert's disgusting lips touched her body flashing in her mind, stirring a thunder within her. The simple visual in the TV unleashed a storm within her, shaking her soul. The unwanted emotions surrounded her like unwanted guests.

Amidst the vibrant celebration ambience, She stood there, as if a statue, her heart hammering with an unspoken fear, her eyes forming tears.

Sensing the change in her emotions, Krishna looked at her puzzled and asked with concern and worry, "Paayal, What happened? Why are you suddenly seeming upset? Any problem?"

Without a word in response, She abruptly ran back to Ajay's sister's room (the only room she knew till now).

"Paayal, What happened?" Krishna ran behind her with worry and anxiety. He didn't see Paayal's cry for the last two weeks. He thought that she forgot all her worries and started a new life. But this incident hitted him with the reality that she didn't forget her worries. Though she looked alright outside, she was not alright inside, he understood. He wanted to know her problems and help her. But, he couldn't. He felt helpless as she was not opening up. He could only worry.

On reaching Divya's room, Paayal stopped herself without entering the room, unwilling to disrupt the lively atmosphere around the bride.

Krishna reached her and asked restlessly, "What happened Paayal? Why are you crying suddenly? Any problem?"

Paayal shook her head in negative, fighting back with her tears and pleaded, "Please take me to your room."

"Okay. But what happened?" He asked in a soft tone, looking around anxiously to make sure no one was watching them. "Tell me what's wrong."

She wanted to unleash her unwanted emotions in the form of tears immediately and wished for some moments of tranquility. She was not in a position to answer him. She yelled, losing her control, "I said to take me to your room."

"Okay, come," He acquiesced, guiding her to Ajay's room. As soon as they reached Ajay's room, she bursted out in tears, locking the door to hide herself and her emotions from others.

Krishna's heart shattered once again to witness her cascade of tears. The weight of the unspoken sorrow fell on him, leaving an indelible ache in his heart.

But, More than comforting his own aching heart, He needed to console and comfort Paayal.

He held her hand, leading her to the sofa to sit while saying in a soft tone, "Please stop crying. What will they think, if anyone sees your crying? Please stop crying, and tell me what the problem is. Let's face it together. I already told you, I will be with you in all your struggles na."