Darkhaast

~ 27 ~

"I love you," he mumbled before passing out. His words echoed throughout her house, sending shockwaves down her skin. Mahi struggled to hold him, and Gurpreet came to support them. Ridhi Ma watched from her door. Mahi couldn't tell what was on her mind. It was one of those things where Mahi asked herself, 'Do I even want to know?' For she feared this incident would lessen Ridhi Ma's love for her.

The taxi Abhimanyu came in left, tired of waiting for him. So Mahi and Gurpreet held Abhimanyu by his arms and struggled to place him. Unconscious, he was dead weight.

"Couch pe?" Gurpreet asked about where to stash him for the night. Mahi shook her head.

"Naaz shouldn't see him like this. She'd tell Roohi."

"Phir?"

"He can sleep in my room." Gurpreet gasped.

"He'll sleep in my room," Mahi repeated, "and I'll sleep on the couch. If Naaz asks, I'll tell her I was too lazy to walk back to bed after watching TV." Mahi looked to Ridhi Maa for a reaction. Ridhi Maa's face was stoic.

Mahi and Gurpreet dropped Abhimanyu on Mahi's bed; from there, Gurpreet and Ridhi Maa watched Mahi care for him. She removed his shoes and fixed his pillows before covering him with a blanket. Even in fury, Mahi was so delicate with him, a sense of helplessness emanating from her.

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Abhimanyu stirred in his sleep, trying to turn on his side to evade the piercing sunlight, but a weight on his chest prevented him. Unwillingly, his eyes adjusted to the light, and he found Ellie, Mahi's ragdoll, staring at him on his chest. It was a bizarre experience to be the object of Ellie's relentless stares. The tiny furball didn't take her eyes off him or blink, baffled at his presence in Mahi's home.

Mahi's home! It occurred to him that he wasn't in his room. He was in Mahi's, but how and why? He rummaged his mind to remember, but it was so foggy.

The washroom door creaked open, and Mahi entered, soaking the floor behind her with wet locks. She ruffled her hair, spattering drops around her before brushing it. She looked so divine, Abhimanyu wondered if he was still dreaming.

Ishq Ki Dhooni Roz Jalaye, Uthta Dhuan Toh Kaise Chhupaye

Ho Akhiyan Kare Jee Hazoori Mange Hai Teri Manzoori

The rose gold faded from her hair, and her caramel brown roots shined under the light. She wore an amber honey sharara, her white dupatta waiting for her on the dresser chair. The scars she'd always hide were out in the open with her sleeveless top, and she didn't flinch. Mahi was raw and whole.

"Mahi," her name brought him to life.

Kajra Siyahi Din Rang Jaye Teri Kastoori Rain Jagaye

Man Mast Magan Man Mast Magan, Bas Tera Nam Dohraye

"Agar mujhe dekhne se fursat mil gayi ho, toh aspirin le lo. It's on the side table." Her harsh tone broke the reverie for him and Ellie, who leaped off and circled Mahi. Like an obedient child, Abhimanyu followed her instructions.

"You look stunning. Kahan jaa rahe ho?"

"Lagta hai raat ka nasha utra nahin jo aisi madhoosh baatein kar rahe ho." Mahi decorated her feet with jhanjars, never looking up to see him in the mirror.

Nasha? Madhoosh? Last night's memories flooded back. "Oh shit!" Abhimanyu hopped off the bed with such urgency one would think he was a superhero out to save a burning city.

"Tumhe kal raat yaad hain?" He cornered her against the door. She recoiled from his lousy, intoxicated breath.

"Nasha mein tum thee, main nahi. Ofcourse mujhe yaad hai." She draped the dupatta over her chest. Mahi put her palm against his chest, putting an arm's length distance between them. Woh dehleez Abhimanyu ke liya mithi thi, Mahi ke liya nahi.

"I'm sorry." Her heart thawed unconsciously, hearing the sincerity in his voice.

"You should be. Agar Naaz ne tumhe dekha hota aur Roohi and Abhir ko bata diya hota, toh kya sochti bache?"

"You didn't let me finish." He brushed her hair behind her ear to adorn her with golden jhumkas she laid on the dresser. "I'm sorry for how I did it, but I meant it." He whispered; his warm breath on her skin made her heart wild.

Chahe Bhi Toh Bhool Na Paye

Man Mast Magan Man Mast Magan, Bas Tera Nam Dohraye

"Abhimanyu-"

"I love you." He backed up and put his shoes on nonchalantly as if he hadn't just uttered three words that changed everything.

"Baaki saab ghar par hai?" He asked.

"Nahi, Mumma Gurudwara gayi hai, Gurparab ki taiyaariyan mein help karne ke liya. Ridhi Maa bhi saath mein hai aur Naaz school."

"Yes!" Abhimanyu raised his fist in the air, up and down, thrilled he wouldn't have to jump out through the window to get home. Mahi gawked at his enthusiasm. "Sham ko milte hai!" He rushed out. 

Abhimanyu didn't realize how much lying and hiding was weighing him down. Having shared his feelings with Mahi, he felt he could breathe again.