Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

XX. the dream

sumedh :

I sat back in my cabin, it was almost past 3 a.m.
And I did not find the will to trudge back home.
I sat with a pen, opening it's cap and putting it back again.

"You are seriously here till now? I know you love work but sleep for God's sake.", Diwan said walking in.
"Kal se Kinjal ko aane se mana kar dena. The sponsorship remains, but she doesn't have to be around here.", I said without looking up.

Diwan raised a brow.

"I thought you loved her.", Diwan said softly.
"And now I have fallen out of love.", I replied as I stood up, heaving a sigh.

"Pandrah saal, Sumedh. Aur ab tere saamne hai aur tujhe aachi nehi lag rahi? Theek toh hai?", Diwan asked, absolutely taken aback.
"Aksar cheezen dur se hi khubsurat lagti hai. Unhe dur hi rehne dena chahiye. Jis Kinjal par mera dil aaya tha.. woh aisi nehi thi.", I said straightening up.

"Kaisi?"
I looked at Diwan. There was no way I could escape without replying. I sat back on my seat.

"Selfish."
"Kyu?"
"I looked up Samar's case, Diwan. There was a lack of witnesses. Kavya se baat Hui toh usne bataya ki Kinjal ne Paritosh ko witness banne se mana kia tha. Dad was not in his senses. Which left only Anuj Kapadia as the witness. Obviously not enough. Jo apne bhai jaise dewar ke saath aisa kar sakti hai..", I sighed.

The truth stung.
Apparently my sister too was that selfish.

Strange, really.
Even the most selfish people had love for their family.

Diwan nodded, sighing.

"Kal Baa Bapuji aur Samar ki wife, beta yahan aa rahe hai.. Kavya ki request thi.. that they should meet me. Anyways, family hai.. milna toh padega hi.", I added.

Just then my phone buzzed.
It was Maa's number.

I picked up the call immediately.
"Sab theek hai na?"
"Nehi.. woh..", It took me a moment to recognise the male voice.

"Dad?", I asked immediately.
There was a momentary pause, and then he said "Hmm".
I drew in a deep breath.
"Kya hua hai?", I asked simply.
I was already over conflicted with my over concern for my newfound mother. I could do without emotions for a while with my father.

"Actually.. hum yahan Anuj ki shaadi pe aaye the.. Anu.. I mean tumhari Maa ne drinks pee li.. abhi iss halat mein ghar le jaana hai.. meri car toh hai nehi aur cab.. it will be a little awkward..", He said.
I gulped.
"Don't worry. I'll be there.", I said as I stood up and strode out of the cabin.

As much as I hated relations, I somehow could not find the will to push these people away.
I didn't even know them, or love them, and yet I was running to help them.
And the one I did love, I did not want anymore.

•

vanraj :

There was a strange silence in the car as Sumedh drove it.
He had obviously noticed the lipstick marks on my shirt and his drunk mother, but refrained from comments regarding it.

We were heading to his mansion because he said it was his "duty" to give his parents the best facilities.
I was deeply impressed, by the way.