Aap Koun Hai? PT 1

What to do????????

I don't know what to do.

My father marched to the corner of the room, his head hung down solemnly, leaving me to myself again. But this time I am grateful for it- because right now-I am on the brink of exploding.

I clump up my blue bed sheets, my gaze focused downwards on it as tears prick my lids. What should I do?

That question sends me into a spiral .

Should I tell the police about my dad? He did help commit the murders, facilitate the shootouts.

I turn to him, who doesn't dare look in my direction, and then to Mr.Leela who remains pokerface.

And then he parts his lips "I didn't come here to witness all of this" he says "Nor do I care about your personal matters as long as I am not affected"

He then flits to my father, who bites on his nails, now knowing he is the reason for my state

"I just came to offer my condolences. And maybe guide you. "

He then locks eyes with me, I think to open my mouth and argue with him. Like why is he helping me and not acting like the jerk he was.

But before I can investigate.

He speaks "I don't know about Vihaan and all, but I just think you might want this."

And he hands me a pamphlet-of a journaling school.

My head shoots up to him in an instant but just as my father, he doesn't betray a hint of emotion.

"You are good at what you do-business isn't made for you-this is for your future"

I lean across to see my father, watching grimly, I know it irks him- for his own daughter to go to a school picked by his enemy rather than him.

But if it does bother him, he doesn't let it show.

"Do as you wish" he exhales and Mr.Leela's lips curl into a smile

"Good luck for the future bacha" he sings, sauntering out the room, but gives my father a side eye first and then exits the doors.

I watch him leave , his demeanor contorting into his same stiff stance.

And then I drop down to the pamphlet.

Gargi school of Journaling. It read.

Another rich people school

But somehow it didn't scare me anymore.

I get to actually do all the stuff I do on Drama Quill and get money from it? I don't have to hide or be afraid...Neha won't be there.

However I lurch myself, in the back of my head he is still there- Vihaan. What about him? Will I see him again? Will he forgive me?

Do I really deserve to go to this school after everything?

"I'm sorry" My father's voice mutters and I look at him, but he doesn't meet my eyes.

"For everything..." he swallows and I know this is hard for him "For leaving you, for Vihaan..."

"But I only helped, that night at the dinner, where there was a shootout. That wasn't supposed to happen. I was only supposed to deliver the gun to Ahaan that's it-but I don't know who did that, I hadn't given him the gun by then-"

I pass him a sag smile, as I sink deeper into my bed. "I don't want to think about all that Papa. It's done now. Vihaan is gone. And he won't forgive me even if I go to him. Just-Just let me move on"

And for the first time in a while I see him smile. "Of course. Tell me the name of your college and I'll fund for it"

I pass him the pamphlet and as he reads it there is another knock on the door.

A nurse enters, dressed from top to bottom in blue. "The patient's mother and brothers would like to see her. " She informs

And not a minute after her sentence, the door burst open and in came running the people I love the most. Sam and Tam ran over, pushing past my father to the side of my bed, their eyes moist with tears as they bombard me with a thousand questions.

"Didi, how are you?"

"How did you get in this position?"

"I am going to kill that Vihaan for doing this"

"Didi do you need some food or water ma made egg curry so-"

"Okay slow down" I laugh, and their mouths stop running and rest at a smile.

Tam snaps "Do you know how worried we were for you? And look at this idiot laughing"

He attempts to hit me behind my head, but I catch his hand and twist it.

We laugh and giggle and tease and I've never felt more home, more grateful than now.

"I am happy you're okay" he admits with a defeated smile, as his hand clutches the wrist I twisted.

My grin widens and I continue talking to them for a while, but from the corner of my eye, I catch my father, at the corner watching us silently, a mixture of loss yet satisfaction battling on his face. Sam and Tam haven't seen him yet.

I am about to call him over, when a silhouette appear in front of the opened door, blocking the hospital lights, tall and straight-

Vihaan?

I think for a minute. The hope stirs in my chest, even though I know it's out of reach Maybe...Just maybe.

By now all of our heads are snapped to the figure, and the anticipation grows with every second that ticks by, even my dad spins his head.

But that hope came crumbling down when the person stepped into light.

Ma

Her eyes welled with tears, scouring the room, they land on my dad, their eyes connect, but it was only for a moment, before my mom tears away and runs to me instead. She kneels down beside me, clutching my hands,crying.

I don't understand

She didn't react to father at all.

Wasn't this her first time seeing him face to face in years? Or did she just not care anymore?

"Ma Papa" I begin, but she places a palm on my mouth, her wild red eyes, glowering into mine.

"Shh" she whispers "I was very foolish and stuipid . He is the reason you are like this. I know everything. How can you expect me to love a man who endangered my daughter?"

She knows?

Did Papa tell her?

I cast a glance at him, and he stares somberly as confirmation.

He then pushes off the wall, his face drained and ambles out the hospital.

"Can we take you home now? Is everything over?" Ma asks.

And I mull over her questions. Is everything over?

Is this really the end? Will I never meet Vihaan again?

And my stomach drops to my feet at the possibility. It's a daunting thought which I know is mostly possible.

But the sliver of hope in me fights back-maybe...just maybe we'll meet again.

But there are other things to sort out as well. Like Drama Quill. Do I want to continue doing it? Look what it had caused, is it really worth it?

Either way, Mr.Leela gave me the opportunity to go to this Gargi School for Journalists, and Papa did say he would pay.

I don't know.

"We will figure everything out" Ma says reading my mind, her hand squeezing mine.

"And we are there too didi" Sam jumps in and Tam nods in approval.

"If someone hurts you again, just tell me their name and I'll take care of them" Tam warns fisting his fingers.

I never knew I was this lucky

What do you think will happen next?

Will Payal and Vihaan get back together?

Please vote,share and comment ❤️ 🙏