Samjhota [The Compromise]

17: The First Night II

Losing touch of Vaani's hand, Raina turns sharply only to catch a glance of Arya. Finding him there elated her especially when her younger brother arrived home after months. Vaani's eyes carried the longing, those pearls of love lost in them. He was in front of her yet not hers, not even she held the right over him now. With every step taken the distance shortened as if the mere sight of a smile on Arya's face was a medicine to her wounded heart which freezes the moment Raina runs to Arya and wraps to him tightly.

"dee"

A smile infused in sadness surfaces over his face while the eyes still holding contact with Vaani's, strived to hold back the tears that dared to flow. The bridal attire which adorned Vaani indeed proved his suspicion to be apparent that Vaani was Shaurya's bride, his wife.

The reel of the dreams flash in front of the eyes, that took a moment of realization to shatter. The mind that was clouded slowly cleared and those words never even got a voice.

"Shaurya Bhai is married to Vaani. Vaani is Shaurya Bhai's wife."

Raina pulls him back slowly only to encounter the gloominess shadowing over his face. "What happened to you?" she questions but little did he even glance at her but rather had those eyes on his love. Her heart forced the steps to advance towards Arya but Vaani held back, weeping within for not fulfilling the desire to wrap around her love.

Before a single step can be extended Raavi holds her arm, pulling her onto the dance floor. The lips hurt even upon a smile but Arya's mere presence brought a genuine one. In all these hours she was joyful genuinely only by his one glance. Vaani finds herself in the center of everyone who danced to the beats of the music but in front was Arya whose hands rose to hold Vaani's freeze the moment Raavi breaks the moment.

"Bhabhi, you know how happy everyone was for this wedding. Finally, Shaurya Bhai's life would have a new beginning, away from all those accusations." her tongue slips for which she earns a sharp look from Raina. The eyes widened involuntarily realizing that the words should never have left her lips but it was too late, escaped words can never be silenced. Not even for a while do they want Vaani to even know of the reason behind the wedding.

Creases form between Vaani's brows watching her suspiciously whose conscience remained aware of the accusations stuck on Shaurya but were still unaware of the cause of this wedding.

"Accusations? Is she talking about the murder and rape charges? That means Ahana was right." Vaani ponders holding back her tears to flood her eyes.

"Bhabhi, you know, right? These media people publish anything. Please don't believe any of it. Shaurya Bhai is a very good person. He's a perfect brother, and he was and will always be a perfect husband too." The cover up she attempted went in vain but a smile on Vaani's face responded letting her believe that she trusted Raavi even though she didn't.

"haan (yes)"

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The beeping sound echoed into the room slowly fading into Ahana's ear whose eyes fluttered gradually into consciousness with a trail of tears rolling to the pillow. The weakness struck her body forcing it to remain on the bed. With the blurriness gradually disappearing, the ceiling light glares at her with the vision apparently emerging out to be clearer. her eyes darted around and the night cityscape visible from the hospital room encounters her but along came the questions erupting in her mind.

"How did I get here? I was in the car. Who brought me here? And this... (she notices the drip attached to her arm)? What happened to me?"

A click resonated into the room and the door opened marking the arrival of Piya who beams on finding her sister conscious. She paces to her, sitting by her side. The report was still held in her hands.

"Piya, how am I here? And who brought me here?" before the question can be completed. Piya responds eagerly.

"Dee, Shaurya Bhai brought you to the hospital. You were unconscious in the car."

The cause doesn't take an instant to strike Ahana: Her pregnancy.

"So what? After killing the heart, even if he does a little bit of care then what difference does it make?"

"Dee, You are pregnant." Piya reveals with a delight in the tone to which Ahana remains nonchalant.

"I know"

"Dee, I've seen the feelings in Shaurya Bhai's eyes for you. the concern flashing in them, I have witnessed it." she holds her hand with the eyes meeting Ahana's, with a hope.

"Shaurya Bhai and you can be together again."

"That will never happen." Ahana yanks her hand off her hold, with her high pitched voice making it clear to Piya.

"And what about Mehak? Don't you want to punish Mehak's killer? Dee, Mehak is just missing. Maybe she's still alive. Perhaps you're forgetting that we've never found her body."

"I remember it very well. And just now, you were telling me to stay with Shaurya, and suddenly, now you think he's the culprit?"

"No, Dee, I never thought of him as a criminal, but maybe staying close to him will clear your misunderstanding. Maybe you'll find out something about Mehak."

"Mehak is dead!!! It's been months, if she were alive, she would have come by now." being despondent Ahana turns her face away towards the towering windows, profound within a melancholy resides, that Shaurya is married now.

"Dee, maybe you'll find out something. That night, Mehak was with Shaurya Bhai." getting to her feet, the report is slid to the bedside table.

"Use your pregnancy and get closer to Shaurya Bhai. Prove that everything you've been saying to the world is true."

"Accepted. Every word I said is the truth, and I'll provide you the proof myself, no matter what I have to do for it. And Vaani..."

Before she can proceed her eyes notice Gaurav's presence at the doorstep putting a cease to her words.