Entrapment - A New Dawn

Chapter 1 - Returned and How

Keeping his tearful gaze on pretty reflection of her smiling face in his rear mirror, Advay breathed, "Chandini."

And in over five years, he had actually breathed. The air had not just reached his lungs, it had reached it heart, and deep in to his soul too.

With his eyes moist with tears, a smile curled his mouth as he sighed finally, in relief.

"Jeejuuu..."

"Chandini," he choked.

But the moment he found Shikha turn her head, and gasp first, before squealing "Jiji" at the top of her lungs, he turned in his seat, to grab her so she didn't open the door and jump out of the car.

"Leave me." Shikha fought him. "Jijiii."

"Calm down." Advay pulled her back, and glanced at Veer to help him hold her back, but his brother too was lost in trance at the sight before him, of that of Chandini greeting some of the parents and smiling at them, before following the crowd up the stairs.

"I said leave me."

"Don't be silly." Advay snapped. "Sit quiet. And watch."

"She's alive."

He sighed when she glared at him in horror, and then back at her sister too.

Advay too glanced out of his window, and pursed his lips. She was alive.

Yet, tears blurred his vision, as he watched her delicate face shining with a smile. Four and a half years, he reminded himself. She looked just the same... a vision in yellow... just like how she had done all those years ago when she had crashed into his arms... her long hair swishing behind her, her delicate hands full of bangles, and her sweetest smile adorning her face.

"How dare she, Jiju? How dare she?" Shikah was fuming mad, yet couldn't help break into a sob.

"Shikha....calm down."

"No, I won't." She reached for her door again, but Advay locked her door and wiped his face.

His heart ached at how pretty Chandini looked, and happy too. Her features were glowing. She probably looked the happiest since he'd known her as an adult. Perhaps she was happy without him.

"I need answers."

"Shikha. Calm down." Veer finally spoke. "Let us wait and see."

But when Shikha looked out of the window again, she covered her mouth and gasped. "Jiju....She's wearing a sindoor," she whispered, and then it all dawned upon her. "Who is she here to collect Jiju? Who is here for?"

Advay too had noticed that. Her Sindoor was cutting through her parting like a scar. And a delicate black chain adorned her neck. Maybe she had married again. Maybe she had found her happiness in the arms of another man. A man who probably treated her right.

Yet, he couldn't help smile at the collar that glittered around her neck. Wife or not, she was still his slave, and a dark possessiveness took over him.

"Jiju, do you think she's married," Shikha choked?

"I don't know, Shikha" Advay too choked, as he wore his shades and watched his wife step into the gates.

"Jiju..." Shikha shot out her eyes of the vehicle again. "This is a school...who is she here for?"

"Kya farak padta hai." His tears rolled. "Until an hour ago I thought I had lost her forever......at least she's alive."

Once all the parents disappeared into the gate, Advay leaned back and sighed. "She's alive. Thats all that matters to me." Relief finally swept through him. "Now I can live, just by watching her from a distance."