Starry Possession : Whispers of the night

4.

Aagastaya's POV:- 

I finished my work as soon as possible to attend lunch with Airu. I rang the bell, and a messy version of Airu opened the gate. She was lost in her thoughts, so I snapped my fingers before her.

She came out of her trance and started to guide me when  I decided to initiate a conversation when I already knew she would avoid it.

As usual, she ditched replying to me and continued moving in ignoring my existence. I did not let her leave my site. I was continuously gazing at her throughout the way.

I joined others in the room when Airu did her cheerful antics and made everyone laugh. She behaves super okay in front of others but to me, it seems like an act.

Lunch was going on the fun with little bickering between Aadil and Vansh and Airu playing with Amy. 

Telling you that little girl can leave us all to go to her Airu didi. I don't know what wonder she did in a single day.

Suddenly uncle started something serious and I could feel a serious shift in the atmosphere. When my uncle told us about Aunty having been diagnosed with cancer along with financial problems, I was taken aback.

This family was one of the happiest and healthiest families. I could see them all struggling financially, physically, socially, and of course mentally. 

I took a quick look towards Airu struggling amongst herself trying to stand strong for her family before going forward and comforting Aunty.

" How I wish I could have connected you Airu so that you had at least one person to share your pain with," I murmured seeing Airu silently crying holding Aunty.

We all took a leave after assuring our family. I directly went to my room and started researching breast cancer. I called my uncle to ask  for reports and he said 

"I will tell Aira to send it in the morning as she has already left for her room. "

" Okay, uncle I will call you later then?"

"Wait beta {son} "

"Yes, uncle?"

" Beta I wanted to ask you one more thing "

" Sure uncle "

" As you know this diagnosis of Asha's cancer is from three months back and we are already done with surgery. Of course, it has affected us all but.."

" Yes uncle don't hesitate, you can tell me anything"

" It is about Airu. She is getting affected the most. I know she shows she is strong but deep down she is the most broken. "
I am shocked. Of course, I noticed it but I did not think Uncle noticed it too. She was pretty good at hiding. Maybe she left herself loose in some places. I wanna know more.

"How do you say that uncle?"

"She had two panic attacks, it was mostly when your aunty and I argued but our argument was not extreme. It was not even an argument, it was a mere disagreement but she suddenly started hyperventilating. She was having difficulty breathing and tears were flowing out of her eyes continuously. It was only in the first month and after that, no such case occurred. So I wanted to confirm that how we should deal with it?"

" I am worried for my little princesses. I know I failed as a father when I could not provide her even with the little things she wanted in her university days. She never lived a normal life due to our conditions nor did she have any friends with whom she shared her feelings. I am just so confused. "

I am stunned to speak. My bachu, My Airu is suffering this much. She is so strong that she is still fighting so strongly. I have seen many person's giving up at this moment but she is fighting like a queen. Although she has many fresh wounds they are not stopping her on her quest. But I promise I will be there for her, however, she wants as her armor, as her companion, as her bandage whatever.

" No uncle you did your best and you were successful in your task. You have raised two exceptionally brilliant, mature, kind, and sincere human beings that are required today. So I never expect you to speak like yourself again and Aira is a fighter. She can fight her battles and she knows when to ask for help. So for the timing focus on Aunty. But I assure you I will keep a look on her too"

"Thankyou son so much"

"Don't uncle and now take rest and have a peaceful sleep"

I kept the phone aside and took a long breath. I walked to the balcony and saw her room was closed but she was not in it. So I decided to look at the terrace ' OUR HIDEOUT PLACE'.

I reached our joined terrace to see the sight which clenched my heart. Airu was sitting next to the wall crying her heart out. It was as if she was shouting out of pain but still no voice could be heard as if she had trained herself to cry silently. Tears were regularly flowing from her eyes while she was sniffing. Her hands were on her head while her elbows were supported on her knees. 

I moved towards her slowly. My heart broke with each step I took. She looked up to meet my eyes and her eyes widened. She quickly gathered herself cleaning her face and nose removing the marks of tears. She stood up as if nothing happened.

" Bacha, what happened why are you crying?"

" You are mistaken Mr Mahajan, I was not. Just something went in my eyes so they were itching" she said directly looking into my eyes.

And my heart once again broke at how she had mastered the art of lying. I wonder how many times she lied to speak it so confidently by looking into my eyes.

"So if you could excuse me "

She was leaving when I held her wrist and turned her towards me and without a word embraced her in a tight hug tucking her face in my neck with my one hand on her head and one on her back.

She started protesting but seeing my grip getting tighter her protests died and she stood like a lifeless statue. I embraced her as tight as possible and slowly patted her head.

I could feel her getting relaxed and some moments later I felt some tears falling on my neck and I could hear her sniffing in my neck.

I continued to pat her back and eventually her legs gave out and she fell on the ground leaning on me and crying hysterically. I sat down along with her, rubbing her back just letting pain flow off her.

No words were exchanged and eventually, she slept crying in my arms.

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Hope you like the chapter ......

Author:- Blithe

Words:- 1137

and don't forget to smile ☺