Oneshots- S3 (Completed)

69| The Phoenix Within

A girl named Gautami is sitting on the floor of her apartment, hugging her knees to her chest. Her arms and legs scarred with bruises. Eyes are filled with tears streaming down her face as she stares at her reflection in the mirror.

Gautami (whispering to herself): How did I let it come to this? How did I let him destroy me this much and that bad? I cannot be this weak, right?

Just then, her phone buzzes on the floor beside her, displaying a message from Adi: I will be late again tonight. Do not wait up for me.

Gautami (clenches her fists with anger flashing in her eyes): I would not wait Adi. Not anymore.

The doorbell rings. Gautami flinches but then takes a deep breath and stands up. She opens the door to find Abhyudaya, her best friend from childhood she had not seen in years.

Thanks to Adi for that. He had threatened her not to meet Abhyudaya anymore and forget him otherwise the outcome would not be good and she may get to see Abhyudaya dead forever for her own mistake.

Abhyudaya (with concern in his eyes): Gautami....I heard what happened. Are you okay?

Gautami (forces a weak smile): I am fine Abhyudaya. You did not have to come all this way. You know what would have happened to you if Adi was here.

Abhyudaya (in a gentle but firm voice): I know Gautami but I had to see you. I missed you so much and do not lie to me. I can see what is going on. You do not have to go through this alone anymore. I am here now.

Gautami's resolve starts to crumble and she lets Abhyudaya into her apartment. They sit down on the couch and Gautami breaks down, telling him everything.

Gautami (while crying): He cheats on me, lies to me and then blames me for everything. He....he hurts me Abhyudaya. I do not know why I stayed for so long.

Abhyudaya (in a soft voice): You stayed because you believed he could change. Because you loved him. But Gautami, love does not mean letting someone destroy you.

She looks down at her bruised arms, guilt and shame filling her heart.

Gautami: But what if he is right? What if I am the problem?

Abhyudaya (holds her hand gently): No Gautami. You are not the problem. He is. And you do not have to prove your worth to anyone, especially not to such a person like him.

Gautami looks at Abhyudaya, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes for the first time in years.

Weeks pass and with Abhyudaya's constant support, Gautami begins to rebuild her confidence.

They are currently sitting in a café, discussing about what to do next.

Gautami: I do not know if I will ever feel like myself again. It is like he took a part of me I can never get back.

Abhyudaya: It is absolutely okay to feel this way. But you have to remember that the real you, the strong and independent Gautami is still there. You just need to find her again.

Gautami (nods slowly): You are right. I cannot let him have that power over me anymore.

Abhyudaya: Exactly. And like I told you before, you do not have to do it alone. We will take it one step at a time together.

As Gautami starts to regain her strength, she begins collecting evidence of Adi's longtime abuse and infidelity towards her.

With Abhyudaya's help, she records conversations, takes pictures of her injuries and saves messages as valuable sources of proofs.

One evening, Gautami comes home to find Adi sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone as usual.

She stands in the doorway, her heart pounding but this time, it is not out of any sort of fear.