Diane cringed under the look Abhay Raichand was giving her. The fury emanating from his very being was almost tangible, it was so intense. She gulped, the sleep gone from her eyes. She did not know him very well, but she could tell that an angry Abhay Raichand wasn't a good sign, when the anger was directed at her.
"So it was all your doing" His voice was calm, but the dangerous tone made her take an involuntary step back.
"I-I don't know w-what u r saying" she squeaked, failing to keep the panic out of her voice.
"U don't? I see" the anger increased in his tone, although his voice was still even. "Well let me remind u. Does the name Piya Dobriyal ring a bell? Or maybe the words'pictures? Party?"
Diane visibly paled, her nervous eyes darting all around the room, unable to meet his.
"Speak up."
His tone was like whiplash now and she flinched, her hands clutching the hem of her shirt so tight that her knuckles turned white. The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"I-I didn't want'believe me'when-when Piya was suspended'they let my cousin sister fill up the space't-temporarily. She's not qualified yet'but I was there'and-and they didn't want to waste time looking for another'" she gulped before she continued. "She's still at college'my sister..the only family I have left'and'and'it gets hard for me sometimes'managing her and myself'so'so I thought'if'if the job was permanent'then it would be easier'"
"And u chose the filthier, easier way out? " Abhay's words dripped with sarcasm, with disgust. "Being a girl, u chose to disgrace another female in the lowest way possible'"
"I'I didn't want to" said Diane desperately, tears now spilling from her eyes. "I-I did take the p-pictures, b-but I would-ve backed o-out'I realized how low I was being'I-I couldn't bring myself to'"
"Clearly that is not the case" Abhay's teeth were clenched now, his hands curled into fists in an effort to gain control over the rage rising in him. He was sure that had Diane been a boy, he would not have hesitated to hit her. "The pictures state otherwise."
"H-He made me" Diane mumbled, looking down at the floor. "I'I wouldn't have published'but I needed the money'and he was giving me a good offer'"
"He?" Abhay spat out. "Your loyal boyfriend Shekhar? U both have a habit of putting the blame on each'"
"N-no'not him" Diane's viane voice was barely audible now. "It was another man. I-I'd never seen him before'"
"Who?" Abhay grated out, blood pounding furiously in his ears.
"I-I don't'never saw him b-before'he was handicapped'on a w-wheelchair'"
Her words seemed to echo in the silence, as he stared at her, filtering through the furious haze, finally registering'
"Handicapped'on a wheelchair'there was only one person like that who would want Piya'
The realization hit him with force, the shock almost made him stagger backwards.
His own father'
Abhay stared at Diane who had crumpled to the floor now, not really seeing her.
Her next words barely reached him. She seemed to be speaking to herself more now..
"I'I felt so guilty'I still feel'can't face her'I tried to apologize'but she's already left'"
The last few words made him look at her sharply. "Left? What do u mean?"
Diane shook her head. "I don't know'.but she's not here in Dehradoon'"
Abhay's throat constricted, a cold fear gripping him'.she'd left home? Where was she? God, if anything happened, how could he ever'
"I'I'feel guilty'it eats into me'but for my sister'" Diane's shoulders were slumped defeated.
"U're right, U r guilty" Abhay's voice was shaking now, fear, anger, and something else gnawing into him. "U destroyed the life she was building" U tried the same, remember? A small voice popped up in his head for the first time in many years and he closed his eyes, trying to stem the guilt and agony rising in him. But his conscience wasn't listening. With great difficulty he spoke. "Does ur sister know what u've done? How she's gained her position?" Diane shook her head, tears still falling down her face. "Okay then. I'm sparing her. But I am not going to let u work anymore. U will resign first thing tomorrow. I'll make sure of it. The damage u've done cannot be mended, but u can pay for it." His eyes were cold. "Ur sister will manage, I'm sure she'll be better off without someone like u.Maybe staying away will not make her corrupted." Is it u speaking? The voice in his head sounded disbelieving. U didn't think twice a few days ago while trying to punish an innocent for her brother's mistakes. Abhay took another deep breath, the voice eating into his very soul. "And don't u dare go in front of Piya again." He warned. "The day u feel u r worth at least half of what she is, u will go to her and apologize."
*************
Abhay stormed into his father's room, not caring how late it was. Chand wasn't asleep . He raised his eyebrows as his son stormed in, fury burning in his eyes.
"How dare u Dad?" Abhay spoke without preamble. "How could u do it, without thinking once of the consequences?"
Chand's eyes remained cold. "I don't know what u mean, Abhay" said Chand coldly. "But I have more pressing matters right now instead of listening to ur nonsense riddle'"
"Piya" Abhay said. For a few seconds there was silence as they stared at each other. "Don't pretend u don't know Dad, and don't think I wouldn't know. U know all too well what I'm referring to."
There was a short pause. "I see u can make ur brains work after all, Abhay" said Chand, starting to wheel his wheelchair around, away from Abhay.
"Don't leave Dad" said Abhay furiously. "I'm talking to u. I'm demanding an explanation!"
Chand turned to look over his shoulder at Abhay, his eyes narrowing slightly. "There's nothing to explain. U know the reasons. Since u were being a fool and failing to do anything, I decided to step up."
He looked away and wheeled towards the door. Abhay glared at his retreating back, and his anger increased, growing like a raging fire in him. With a few quick steps, he reached the door, blocking Chand's way.
"Our conversation isn't over, Dad," he said coldly, looking straight into Chand's steely eyes.
Chand gave a short cold laugh. "As far as I'm concerned, it is."
"U haven't given a thought to what u've done to her? Her life?" The pain in Abhay's voice could be heard, seeping in through his anger. "The scorn, the talks, and she's left'left'where'I don't'"
"This was planned" said Chand. "She deserved it."
"She did not" Abhay snapped back. "She's innocent Dad. Don't u'haven't u'do u think Di would have wanted it?"
Pain flitted for a brief second through Chand's eyes, the pain of a tortured father who's felt the loss of his child. Then it was gone, to be replaced by dark anger.
"My daughter's dead" his tone was colder and more menacing now. "So I wouldn't know what she would have wanted. But I know what I want to do to avenge her death, and that's what I am doing."
"U're doing the wrong thing, Dad!" Abhay snapped. "I don't think she even knows!"
"Once a fool, always a fool, Abhay!" said Chand furiously. "And now even more so. I've warned u again and again, don't follow the way of the heart. It's foolish, impulsive, it's destroy u, pull u into the dark."
"Don't lecture me." Abhay said, clenching his fists. "It's u who don't know what u r doing. U've done enough damage. Stay away as far as I'm concerned Dad. And let me go my way. Don't interfere, or u'll be sorry."
"Oh, so is that what it has come to?" Chand whispered. "When did u become so'foolish? So weak? A coward?"
Abhay gritted his teeth at the taunt. "U sure I'm the weaker one, the coward, Dad?" he said, struggling to keep his voice even. "I'm not so sure. U tell me not to follow my heart, Dad. I don't know whether I even have one, you've taught me to kill it long ago, so I don't know what I follow. But do u follow your own advice? Then why don't u utter Mom's name ever?"
"Abhay, you're crossing ur limits" Chand's eyes blackened with fury.
"I don't think I am" Abhay said, the anger making him tremble. He wasn't going to be his Dad's puppet any longer. "U know what I think Dad?In reality, u're saving ur own heart from breaking. U do love'and u still love her'u love Mom." The anger and agony mingled in his voice, and a lump rose in his throat. "And u're afraid that if u think of her too much, U'll open ur heart and fall in love with her all over again." He turned around and stormed out of the room, leaving Chand staring after him, his grip on the wheelchair suddenly painfully tight as his son's words echoed in his ears.
*************
NEXT DAY:
Misha had come across someone she knew and was talking to her, catching up with each other. Piya stood a little distance away, waiting for her. Misha had come back early today morning from nght duty at the hospital and she and Piya were returning back to the orphanage. Piya looked around, feeling better than she had in days. They were near the Shimla mall, and could see people milling around, locals and tourists alike, some riding horses, others working, or simply enjoying the beauty of the hills around. She suddenly spotted someone who looked vaguely familiar from the distance. As the person turned in her direction, Piya realized who it was. Jeh.
"Hey, isn't that ur classmate? The one with a crush on you? I remember u telling me about him." Said Misha coming up behind her. "Something Jay'"
"Jeh. Jeh Khurana" Piya corrected her.
"Yeah, yeah how could I forget? The lover boy" said Misha grinning. "Hey won't u greet him?"
Piya hesitated, her mind going back to the scandals. Jeh was sure to have heard it, and she didn't know what his reaction would be.
Misha saw the look on her face and exhaled. "Are u nuts or what? He's ur friend, after all. He's known u right since u were at school. He even likes u. U don't believe he'd actually not believe u do u?"
Piya sighed. Of course, she was being foolish. Everyone was not Madhu. Or Abhay, another voice spilled out before she could stop it, the mere thought of him making pain so intense rise within her that it felt as if someone was suffocating her. She plastered a smile on her face and shook her head, blinking back the wetness in her eyes. Jeh was coming nearer. He had not seen her yet. She called out "Jeh!"
She saw Jeh halt, turning towards her, a strange look on his face as Piya and Misha walked up to him.
"Hi Piya" there was a stiffness in his tone.
Piya chose to ignore it. Maybe he was stressed due to some reasons. She smiled a little more warmly. "What brings u here, Jeh?"
"Business" said Jeh, shortly. "Piya..erm..I need to go"
Piya frowned. He had never tried to walk away from her before. In fact, he never missed a chance to talk to her before.
Her heart sank as a realization hit her.
"U believe the papers, d-don't you?" she asked her voice uncharacteristically quiet.
Jeh shot a look at her and looked away, shifting awkwardly on his feet. Piya got her answer.
"I don't believe u Jeh" Piya was surprised at how calm her voice sounded. "I guess I should have known."
"Piya" Jeh sighed. "I want to'but the papers'and all of it in my party'the complications.."
Piya stared at him. The tears prickled her eyelids. The effort of holding them back hurt.
Misha stepped forward staring at Jeh, her arm going protectively around Piya's shoulders.
"U coward. I heard u loved her." She snapped.
Piya tugged at her arm. "Let's'let's go Mish."
"No Piya" Misha tugged her arm out of Piya's, her other arm tightening comfortingly around her. "Let me speak." Her eyes blazed furiously at Jeh. "I can't believe ur love can be so weak. U make me want to laugh. U can go around proclaiming that u can love, when in reality u r nothing but a fool. Concerned nly about status. Reputation in society. As long as ur position is intact, u love. Otherwise, poof!!!!! ur love vanishes."
"Mish,please'"
"No let me finish Piya" Mish said, her voice more serious than Piya had ever heard. "People like them need to hear. These false, fake people."
Jeh stared back at them, his mouth hanging open, his eyes confused and shocked.
"Excuse me, but I'm not the one who fell over someone and caused scandals" he said angrily. "The questions'God'"
Misha glared at him. "If I wasn't out here in the middle of a mall, I'd have slapped u" she said, coolly, her eyes looking as if they were made of steel. "But I guess it's worthless to draw attention to spineless hypocrites like u. Come on Piya. U're better off without them."
She led Piya away, but not before Piya looked back at Jeh once, not believing that he was the same friend who'd once proposed to her in college.
*************
The doctor gazed at the woman sitting across her in the chair across the table, and couldn't help but admire the quiet strength and determination oozing out of her. She sighed. Haseena aunty was one of her favorite people and she'd come to mean so much more to her than just a patient.
"Haseena aunty, please. " she tried to plead once again. "Speaking off the records, if u consider me as your daughter, please, agree to the surgery. The hole has become larger in the last few months, u know that. And u've developed symptoms of arrhythmia. I'll have the tests re-examined to confirmed, but ASD like urs needs operation."
"No, my dear" Haseena cut across her calmly. "U know my reasons. I've lived a lot of life; seen a lot around here. But my children" a warmth filled her face, love shone in her eyes. "They are just starting to live life. Money used on them will be far more worthwhile. Securing their future is more important'"
"U can contact ur family'I'm sure'" the doctor hesitated, knowing that this topic hurt Haseena for some reason.
"No" Haseena's voce was a little firmer now. She took a deep breath and smiled. "Death is inevitable. Why waste money fighting it? Instead, I want to give these children the life they want,. God has placed them in my care."
"Think about the children at least'they have no one except u'please'"
"I would have worried till a few days earlier" said Haseena, still calm. "But I'm not worried. If something happens to me, they do have someone. I'm sure Piya will take care of them. She's a young girl, but wise and loving."
"U do know any moment u can have a heart attack?" the doctor snapped. She knew her job did not include scaring patients or losing her temper, but she loved Haseena aunty just too much.
"I'm aware" Haseena said smiling. "Which is why I want to spend every moment of my life with them, child. There's nothing more a mother wants."
**************
That day, after returning home, Piya cried in Misha's arms.
"Hush, Piyu, hush" said Misha, patting her on the shoulder awkwardly. "Don't waste ur tears over people who aren't worth it."
But she held Piya to her, letting her cry her heart out, letting it out of her, hoping that it would lessen even a part of the sadness.
Finally she pulled back. Tears still sparkled in her eyes, but a new determination was burning in her eyes. "U're right Mish. I can't let other people trample me anymore. I haven't done wrong, and I won't allow this to ruin my life" her voice came out strong, strengthened more by the pain she'd gone through, the pain which still burned in her. "I haven't forgotten my wish to be independent, Mish" she said. "No.listen" she said as Misha opened her mouth to protest. "I will stay here, don't worry. But I want to look for a job. Here. In Shimla. Anything will do. And in between I will help Haseena aunty with the orphanage."
Misha looked at her for a long time and a soft smile stretched her lips. "Come here" She hugged Piya tight. "I'm so proud of U Piyu, my friend, my sis." She said. "Whenever I'm free , I'll help u to search for a job, Ok?"
Piya nodded, hugging her back tight.
A broken heart would never heal fully. But she could teach it to remember the lessons learnt.
********************
Piya splashed her face with water from the basin, and looked up at the mirror to look at herself. Misha was asleep tired after last night, but sleep had evaded her. When had sleep and her become strangers? Ever since he happened to u, a voice whispered. Piya gripped the edges of the basin, closing her eyes, as the pain rose in her. It was in these moments, these silent, alone moments, when she would do nothing, that her thoughts always wandered back to him. Happened? When had he ever "happened" to her? She thought., unable to stop the tears. He'd taken away her home, her old life, forcing her to move away from the city. He'd broken her trust. Yet, she couldn't forget him. He'd saved her once, when she'd been ill and had almost fainted, saved her from those ruffians in the alley. Her mind went back to her first kiss. Their first kiss together. In the rain. And then how he'd danced with her. Had she been so foolish that she'd imagined the passion in his eyes, the desire in the way he'd held her, the fire that had consumed them both? She bit her lips as a whimper escaped her. She wished she'd never met him. It hurt too much.
**
Abhay stood at the window of his room, his mind even more of a mess ever since his fight with Chand. He'd never attacked his father that way, taking his mother's name, but last night, he hadn't been able to control himself. The anger had made him impulsive; making him say whatever had come to his mind. When had life become so complicated? As soon as he'd thought it, he smiled wryly. When had his life not been complicated? Abhay sighed painfully as a face swam to the surface of his mind. Yet again. He couldn't help it. He couldn't help himself from thinking about her. She'd touched him in a way no one ever had, he had to admit. But he had given her pain. And more pain. What else was someone like him capable of? He didn't deserve even to think about her, Abhay thought. After all that he'd done, all that she'd faced because of him. His thoughts wandered back to the party. He'd never admit it to himself, but a part of him knew. That all of it had been real. The dance, the strange unnamed feelings, the kiss, the care and protectiveness he'd felt when he'd seen her, drunk and vulnerable. But she'd accused him so easily of publishing those pictures. She didn't believe him, did she? Does she have reason to? A voice whispered. When have u given her reason to?
**
She was a fool, Piya thought. No matter how much she told herself that it was all a mirage, that it was an impossible dream, that he'd made sure to give her enough proofs of what would happen if she gave his heart to him, she still couldn't let go of him, his thoughts. When had she become so'.helpless? No matter how strong he'd make herself, no matter that she'd force herself to lie, no matter how strong she'd be on the outside, she'd never control her heart. Her heart still ached for him, weaved foolish dreams around him. And that was why it hurt. So much.
**
He wished he could be normal. Like all those boys who can freely love, freely smile, give joy and spread smiles. But he wasn't. And he'd never be. He wished he'd never met her. Then he would have not landed here, waging a war against himself, hurting her, wounding her. She'd brought back to life his conscience, and he could feel his heart beat after so long. Should he hate her for that? Should he hate her for bringing a storm in his life'a storm that would never leave him the same again?Abhay took a deep breath. No, this would not do. He'd undo the damage in her life, the damage he'd caused. The scars would never heal fully, but he would do what he could. He had a conference in Shimla tomorrow at the Raichand headquarters there. After the conference, he'd search for her. A fear gripped him as he wondered where he'd be. She'll be all right, he tried to reassure himself. He needed to find her. Heal her. And he'd do it.
**
Did he spare her a thought? Did he even Did he even think of her? Don't be foolish, Piya, she told herself. He doesn't have time for u. Why on Earth will he think about u? What r u to him?Piya wiped her tears away and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She needed to rest. Tomorrow, she'd start looking for a job. She'd decided to do something different. After meeting the children at the orphanage, she wanted to do something for little kids. She wanted to teach, make them independent. She wanted to look for a vacancy in a primary school. She washed her face one more time, and turned to leave the washroom. But the ice-blue eyes still haunted her.
YOU ARE READING
FADING DARKNESS
FanfictionLove,they say is a power. The gentlest yet the strongest of all.Will her love teach him how to love?Will it burn down the fire of his revenge and break down his walls?Will their hearts entwine forever? Or will the flames of his hate and revenge dest...
