Chapter-70: Unforgivable.

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Maya stares at Kuhu without an ounce of sympathy. She has no respect for the woman she is standing before. Maya keeps staring blankly at Kuhu as the woman fumbles with her words, trying to explain how she is innocent yet again after being spared for the same in the past. Kuhu, her entire life, kept blaming Mishti for having to share her family with an outsider yet here she is defending herself after causing the death of a woman who willingly made her a part of this family. If it had not been for Ketki, Kuhu would never have known Kunal. Of all the people in the house, it was Ketki to whom Kuhu owed her happiness. As her tears spill onto the floor below, Kuhu realises that what she wanted her whole life- to take control of everything and to be the most loved- is not the same anymore. Only as she looked into Maya's eyes did Kuhu realise just how much she deceived herself into believing that her happiness lies at the head of the dining table, at the top of the hierarchy but she was wrong. She lost what was precious to her, leaving an emptiness that was neither filled by time nor space. All she had was the bitterness left behind by the fact that her daughter was taken away at the tip of a deal. A deal that should never have been made. If only she had never agreed to let go of Maya in return for Amish. If only she had never agreed to the deal.

Before she could articulate her thoughts, Maya turned to leave. Kuhu couldn't even open her mouth as she looked at Maya's back, who was walking away. Kuhu's breathing increases rapidly, almost to the point that she chokes on air. Kunal who had been silently standing aside, after noticing Kuhu's state, rushes to her in concern.

"Kuhu!" Kunal shouts as Kuhu trembles in his hands. "What happened? Maya?!" Maya freezes in her place but doesn't turn around. As a doctor, Maya never thought there would ever be a patient she didn't want to save, but here she is, unwilling to turn around so that she could escape having to save a criminal. If only her feelings mattered. "Maya! Please."

Maya balls her fists, resigning to her duty as a doctor when a hand wraps around hers. She is so startled that when the hand starts pulling her, she doesn't utter a word. Her eyes travel upwards to find Ranav scowling for the very first time. There was no sign of the smile she was so familiar with. He pulls her out of the house and turns around, looking way too serious, which is out of character.

"Just stay here." He tells her and leaves her standing there before she can answer. His retrieving back is the last thing Maya sees as he disappears into the house.

***

Ranav knew panic attacks more than he'd like to admit. His mother, his sister, Ruhi and himself had a few episodes of such overwhelming anxiety in their life. He knew what to do but that was not why he helped Ms. Kuhu. He helped her because if he didn't, Maya will. When he saw her hesitate, he knew just how reluctant she must feel to perform her duty as a doctor, and the last thing he wanted after knowing Ms. Kuhu's past was to have Maya anywhere near her. There was no way he would let her feel obliged to care for that woman, which is why he didn't think twice when he dragged her out of the house.

After helping the woman, he walks out of the house before anyone can register. He finds Maya aimlessly, fiddling around with her feet, and smiles. She looks at him and frowns. He walks to his jeep, gets into the driver seat and looks at Maya. Maya looks into his eyes. Ranav hasn't said a word to her but the invitation is evident to Maya as she walks to the passenger seat. Maya understands that right now she is tired and needs some time away. She gets into the passenger seat with conviction, trusting the person to take her away. Maya does not realise at the moment just what transpired between the two of them as she allowed Ranav to take her away, a right she gave him, a right that was supposed to be reserved for Akshay.

As soon as Maya steps into his jeep, Ranav's heart grows lighter and lighter like it's about to fly away like a hot air balloon. He wouldn't even turn his head towards her for fear that his feelings would show on his face. He clutches his hands on the steering wheel as he pulls the jeep out of the house and onto the road. Where do I take her? He wondered. He glanced at her from the side of his eyes to find her leaning her head over the window, looking at the world outside. She looks so detached at the moment that Ranav's excitement to be alone with her feels pointless. She's not here for you. The thought hurts more than he had anticipated. He looks down, gulping his disappointment as he focuses back on the road. He could feel the back of his mind tingling with her presence, a magnetic force pulling his attention to the side. He knew where to take her. He smiled once again as he pulled the window down for her, allowing her to connect with the passing wind and the wonderful smell of soil, moist with rain.

As they pull into what looks like an empty field, Maya perks up, wondering where he brought her. The jeep comes to a stop and both of them get down.

Maya looks around curiously but there is really nothing in the field. She couldn't understand why they were there. She looks at Ranav in question but he just smiles and walks to a shed in the middle of the field. She follows, still confused about everything. He opens the door to a set of gardening tools and seed bags.

"So Bachon!(Kids!), today we are going to learn how to plant." Maya smiles, amused at his tone. Ranav throws his usual bright smile at her as he gets to work. Maya has been dealing with death too much, what she needs right now is exposure to life. The thought provoked this idea in his head and he knew just what he needed to do.

"This is Docman's land and he was planning to plant some vegetables here, so since we both are free, why not do it for him?" Ranav says.

"Though I don't know why I should help you, fine, let's do it. I am only helping you this one time, though." Maya says with a faint smile.

They both get to work as Ranav teaches her how to plant. Maya was not new to planting, but planting vegetables is indeed a little different from planting flowers because planting flowers is all about keeping them beautiful but planting vegetables is all about keeping the plant healthy and safe from pests. Through the next hour, They plant various vegetables across the field. It was not a big field so the work was pretty much done by sunset. Maya felt her mood lift at the possibility of seeing a field full of greens in the future. She looks at Ranav, who stands beside her looking at the field with a smile of his own. Thank you, Mister.

After all the work, they finally get back in the car. As they ride in silence, they both settle into a comfort zone, which is new to Maya. Maya never gets so comfortable with someone she met a few months ago. Little did she know that she was opening doors to an incomplete story. A story to which she could still not promise a good end.

Why does this person feel so familiar yet a stranger? Maya wondered.

They are not even halfway back when Maya notices Ranav struggling with his grip as he massages his arms while driving. She asks him to pull to the side.

"Are your arms sore?" Maya places her hand on his arm and Ranav goes still under her touch. He slowly pulls away, dismissing the idea of reaching out for her.

"No, just a little tired."

"Do you want me to drive?"

"You? You are even more tired than me. You said your arms hurt and that I am to be blamed, remember?" Maya purses her lips in annoyance. Maya did throw a tantrum at the field but why does it sound so childish coming from Ranav?

"Fine. But let's at least take a rest. You can't drive back like this. We'll stay here for the night and leave when your arms feel better." Ranav almost chokes on thin air at her suggestion. It is understandable that for Maya, who was brought up in London, staying the night with a friend is nothing but just that but Ranav knows just how much of a deal it will be made into here. He shakes his head, immediately rejecting the idea.

"No, I can drive just fine." Maya frowns at him.

"Why are you so tense? I am not going to bite." She says looking seriously, but a faint lift of her lips gives away that she was just teasing him. Looking at a bewildered Ranav, a giggle breaks out from her. Ranav pouts, still smiling as he swats her arm away.

"Stop it!" He says barely keeping in his own laughter.

"But seriously, You can't drive. We can at least stop at a Dhaba for a while and start later." Though he still does not support the idea, he couldn't say no to her twice. It's fine. No one's gonna know anyway. He reassured himself.

As they found a Dhaba to eat and rest for a while, they were unaware of the trouble they were calling in. The world has a way of pulling you into a tornado in your darkest time, but will they survive the impact? Was their friendship enough to serve as an answer?

***

Hey readers,

Long time no see? Yeah, I know, I am barely updating and I am sorry. I just moved to a different country and adjusting to the new place. With a whole load of work, it got really hard to complete the chapter, but here it is. We are nearing the real twists and turns of the story and I hope we buckle up for what's to come. Vote for the chapter, if you like and comment your thoughts. See you in the next chapter...

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