Heir Of Darkness

The Respect

The flashes of the cameras no longer appealed me. The reporters were still waiting for my answers like in the past but unlike before this time there was no restriction that could bind me from uttering anything. The book of pain was to be opened to them.

" Is it true that Arnav Malhotra is in a relationship with Sheetal Mehta? Ms.Mehta has reportedly arrived at your home to have you beaten according to the statements of your maid. Is it true, Khushi?"

I closed my eyes to blink back the tears which were brimming in my eyes which pricked with pain. I wanted to answer their questions but the recollection of the memories they have specified has turned out to be more labyrinthine than I had contemplated.

" The statements of Ramya are true. Ar-" I suddenly realized that even uttering his name without feeling a pang of despondency but I knew I had to continue, to ensure that he gets what he deserves, " HE was in a relationship with her. She used to physically abuse me and wanted him to leave me but due to financial problems, HE couldn't leave me. He wanted money and he thought I would be able to prove it and that made him stick with me. In fact, the night I had tried to------attempt suicide, HE was with her. He never did a single thing to save me from her wrath and my love for him bound me to him. But now I know he deserves punishment for abetment to suicide and so does she."

I could see Lavanya consoling Mumma from the corner of my eyes but I chose to ignore it because I knew that once I turn my face her, I will never be able to come back from there.

Reporters wrote down my words. I felt destiny laughing at me mockingly that the person who gave life to the story of someone was doing it in real life too. It seemed like a predicament where I could neither laugh at the irony of the situation nor wail at its cruelty.

" Khushi, you are pregnant with Arnav Malhotra's child. And according to your latest statement, you don't want him around you. Are you considering an abortion?"

The very thought of abortion had me twitching and twinging in deep pain. I would never do it. Even if I hated the baby's father. It was not the baby's mistake. It was my mistake to have trusted someone with my everything not the baby's and the unborn doesn't deserve the punishment.

" No. That was never an option. I love my baby and if I had known I was pregnant, I would have never attempted suicide."

I was breaking down. I was not able to concentrate any more. I could feel the control slip out of my hands as the sand slips put and I wondered how I would put the press away when Arnav Singh Raizada took the control for me,

" I think that would be enough. She just recorded her statement for the police and now answered some questions. She just recovered from the comatose and it is not advised for her to take anymore stress. So it is my ardent request that we continue this session some other time. You will all be informed. Thank you so much for being here."

My respect for Arnav was ever growing. From the minute I had known him to be the savior of my child to the minute just before the recording of the statement when Mumma told me that he was the one who stayed with me all the night and the reason for his feelings was that his sister had unfortunately found the same fate as that of mine but was more unfortunate as she didn't have anyone to save her.

My lips curled into a smile before I had known for the first time after I had arisen from my deep sleep.

A man like him was sure made to counter jerks and to make sure that people don't lose trust on humanity...

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