The Things That I Left Behind..

Chapter-22

Playlist:
From Jab we met :) {I love this movie too much  }

Recap:

Sara was hospitalised and then discharged.She was returning back to Mumbai but changes her plan when she faces a conflict with Mr Malhotra. Shyra,her former colleague encourages her to stay at her home,Smith Household.

_____________________________________________________

C h a p t e r - 22

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile,
a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

― Leo F. Buscaglia

______________________________________________________

Usually when you are sad,you just watch a chick flick or maybe eat your comfort food.
Maybe you just talk it out.
Wallowing in self pity is easy.
But to come in terms with easy things is hard.
I had never been the type of girl who would get past the bad days easily.
It would take me days and months or years to understand that there is nothing left.

For last two days,I hadn't stepped out of the home.
The Smiths had been graceful and didn't question me much.
I cried,ate,talked with family and slept.
This was my schedule for last two days.
I wanted to roam the rich streets of London.
But my self pity and guilt had me caught up.
The selfish part of me wanted to stop caring for everyone's feelings but a small part of me still cared for feelings.
Perhaps it was not a small part.Because if it had been then,I wouldn't be crying.
I heard a gentle knock and saw Mrs Smith standing.
I instantly got up and tried to tame my hair before Saying,"Hello Mrs Smith."
She looked at me and smiled,"I hope I didn't disturb you."
I shook my head and gave her an apologetic smile,"No. Actually I have been rude guest.I should have been a helping hand to you guys."
Mrs Smith laughed and said,"It is okay.We have had rude guests so I will assure you that you are a good one."
I smiled as she led me to living room.

The lights had been lit and the bright sky had blended with the darkness.
Mr Smith sat on his seat watching television.
It looked to me a bit funny as I had pictured him as a rugged rough guy who would drink beer and watching some sports thing.
I definitely didn't expect him to be sipping fruit juice and being emotional as protagonist was separated from her male lead and kept saying that she hated him.
It didn't make sense to me.
But I shrugged it off the thought as I  thought even my life wasn't making sense.
I again zoned out before Mr Smith spoke,"Sara?"
I turned to him confused and said,"Yes?"
He assessed me like a doctor before he spoke,"Are you okay?You don't need to tell us but if you told us,we can help you."
I shook my head and gave a shaky smile dismissing the question before I excused herself to help Mrs Smith who was preparing penne alfredo.
Mrs Smith smiled and spoke,"Hey Sara.Can you please help me set up the table?"
I nodded and spoke,"Sure."

As we quietly set the plates and cutlery,Mrs Smith spoke,"I never understood why he liked to watch these shows.It is literally senseless.Like one day,they argue,then they marry,then they again argue,before confessing and again fighting before the leads try to fall in love with others before coming back to each other.And that's not even bad okay?Worse is when guy literally manhandles the protagonist,I mean they literally represent dysfunctional and toxic relationships."
I watched surprised as she continued to rattle off with some technical terms before I asked,"Were you a medical student?"
Mrs Smith said as she recounted,"A brilliant one may I say.My hubby and I were loggerheads with each other.We did Mbbs before we did our speciality course.I wanted to be a gynaecologist and he was going to be like a psychologist or psychiatrist."
I looked amused and I couldn't help but ask,"What stopped you?"
Mrs Smith smiled sadly before whispering,"Love."
I looked confused and she looked as if at a distance,"He belonged to a Christian community.His parents had migrated and were already based in India.They dabbled in exporting business before it came to a failure.His parents suffered depression and committed suicide. You get it why he wanted to be psychologist or psychiatrist?I belonged to this Rich Hindu family.Same old Bollywood story.My family threatened to kill us and all that threats. "
I was perplexed and looked back at Mr Smith who still seemed to sip his fruit juice.I suddenly had so much respect for him.
Mrs Smith continued as she watched Mr Smith,"They decided to get me married and I would have been fine with their decision.But they decided to get me married to this old guy around 65."
My mouth dropped open and she said,"I had the same look except that I had made up my mind.If they were being selfish,I could be too.We decided to run away."
Still shocked I asked,"But why London and why are you both not doctors?"
Mrs Smith seemed to be in her own flashback before she said,"As I said,my family was rich and that guy used all their connections.But my hubby used his connections,we got a visa and we flew here to stay with his uncle who was childless.Our degrees had been confiscated by my parents. They were anyway ruining my life and I still feel like they somehow ruined his too.He left his dream to be with me."
I gave her a side hug as she sniffed.
Suddenly we heard Mr Smith wallow in laughter as he spoke,"That's the most absurd show I had ever seen."
We watched him and I said,"But he never regrets.Does he?"
Mrs Smith looked wary,"I wouldn't know."
Suddenly,Mrs Smith gave me a bowl of ice cream and spoke,"Enjoy his absurd show.I will check the food."
I nodded and sat down before I heard Mr Smith,"So kiddo,how does it feel to be out of the room?"
I smiled,a bit guilty and spoke,"I am sorry."
Mr Smith sipped his fruit juice as he said,"Big deal! Never mind.Just so you know,we heard your screams at night."
I choked on my ice cream and looked at him.He looked as if he was just asking me about the weather.
I stuttered,"It's..not ..."
Mr Smith kept his fruit juice aside and said with a serious look,"Look.I have studied medicine and all those things.I know when I see one."
I went silent.
Usually I would snap at people when they tried to interrupt my business or anything.
But today I couldn't.
I gulped as I looked down.My eyes were filled with tears.
Mr Smith turned towards me and talked softly,"Sara,unless you don't talk it out or take a solution,your fears will only distort you."
I wordlessly nodded and he lowered the television's voice.
He took a deep breath and spoke,"I hope you know that you can speak to me.I won't tell anyone.Not even my own daughter."
I looked at him as he continued,"I know you may say it's easy to say it out but it's difficult but believe me I know that."
He seemed to have his eyes teared up as he spoke,"My parents never talked it out.They bottled up their frustrations that ate them up.I know fears are irrational,so is loneliness when you can't seem to decide if you should share."
I only managed to ask,"Is that why you ran away so far from India?"
His dark mood seemed to be gone as he chuckled,"It wasn't the fear that led me to elope with my beloved.It was more of a instinct to protect my love.It was more easy,practical for me."
I will never understand what that means.
He watched my expression and said,"Love can make you do so many things.You wouldn't know."
I scoffed internally.
I wouldn't know?!
His love was what led me to my ruination.
But he told with a serious expression,"But Blind love..Well it consumes you until it leaves you destroyed."
I tilted my head and ask,"What is that supposed to mean?"
He smiled and said,"Nothing.Now tell me have you ever written a letter?"
Uhh?