Dawning

Chapter 5

"You remember the guy Sukhi helped a few months ago? Because of whom he missed his games selection?"

Hardy started out with a little background, if Jassi was going to resent him in the end for bearing the bad news, she might as well have the proper information. Jassi noded and urged him to continue.

"Well, that's me. Jassi, there is no easy way of saying this. But, Sukhi, he didn't clear the test. I feel myself responsible for it all. So I came here. I want to help you Jassi. You can come back to India with me."

"Why didn't Sukhi tell me this?"

Jassi was grateful for the stranger's offer at help. But she could tell he wasn't telling the complete truth.

"He.. he couldn't take the shock of failure. He took his own life. I'm so so sorry Jassi." Hardy finally looked up into her eyes.

Her resolve shattered. Jassi didn't make a sound, but her eyes, they had lost the gleam completely. Hardy was looking at a woman now who believed she had just lost everything. She had lost the last hope she ever had. Jassi continued to weep silently.

Hardy didn't know how to react. So got closer to her pulled her into a hug, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
After a while, Jassi got herself under control and pulled herself out of the embrace.

"Please leave." Her voice was barely above a whisper. But Hardy heard her alright.

"Jassi.." he began.

"No! Please leave. You can't help me anymore. I don't want to leave with you." She explained as sternly as she could.

"Jassi you can't stay here. I've read your letter. You've told me your story, when you believed I was Sukhi over the phone. I can't let you live with that monster. Jassi please." Hardy was almost pleading now.

"Hardy ji, thank you that you came all the way here. Thank you that you cared more than my bauji ever would, but please leave now. I've made up my mind."

Jassi got up and folded her hand infront of Hardy, begging him to leave. This shocked and saddened Hardy. But for now, he didn't have another option. He couldn't force her to come with him. If he did, then how different was he from her husband?

"OK. I'm leaving now. I was supposed to stay here with a friend for as long as it took me to make the arrangements to take you back to India. But I suppose there is no point in staying now. I'll come back tomorrow morning, just in case you change your mind. Take care."

Hardy got up, ready to leave. Just as he was about to exit the door, he turned around,

"Just remember, getting you married to that man was a mistake your father did. I'm sorry no one could help you at the time. But you don't have to pay for the mistake your whole life. You are more than just someone's wife. You care allowed to have a life of your own. Take care Jassi."

And then he walked away. The door shut with a thud behind him.

-----

Later in the evening when Vishal came back, drunk as usual, he was in a bad mood.

"Who was he? Huh?" He grabbed Jassi by her arm roughly.

"Vishal ji please, it's hurting." She whimpered.

"Then tell me who the hell was he? Was he the old lover you left behind in the village? Haan? Did he come back to 'save' you?"

Vishal pushed her down on the ground. Jassi hit her right side of the face on the cabinet door. It was going to bruise and it was going to take more than makeup to cover.

"He- he's just a family friend. He won't come back again. I swear."

The indirect mention of sukhi brought another wave of sadness along with the physical pain for Jassi and she stammered to get the words out.

"You bet he won't."

Vishal responded angrily. He tried hitting her with a bottle he grabbed from the table. Jassi blocked with her left arm, and it shattered right there, followed by Jassi's scream.

That sobered Vishal enough to rush her to the hospital. He told the doctors that she fell from stairs to avoid any suspicion and promptly disappeared.

-----

In another part of the city, Hardy reached the friends place who had agreed to let him bunk for couple of nights in a house that was already shared by 8 other men. He spent the whole night tossing and turning. True, Jassi had kicked him out. He probably deserved it for lying to her. But she didn't deserve to stay in the hellish relationship. The soldier inside him was not ready to give up just yet. He made a decision to try again one more time in the morning.

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Author's note: I promise it starts in chapter 6.