The Mafia's Collateral

Part 59

Arohi's P.O.V.

"I need to speak to Ananya in private," Mafia said. "Deep..." I started but he looked at me and nodded. I trusted him and stepped out the room. Avinash and I stood outside and waited. "Why didn't you tell anyone about your marriage before?" I asked Avinash. "I never thought that it was important," he said looking away. I went to him and held his arm turning him around saying, "You didn't think it was important? Avinash, who hides something like this? And what was the need?" "If you think that I made any mistake by doing so, then I'm sorry," he said irritated. "It's not that Avinash!" I said frustrated. "Then what is it about?! Everyone is holding me responsible for this happening! What did I do so wrong?" he yelled. Mafia opened the room door and came out with Ananya worried hearing him yelling. Dad and Uncle Zeeshan also came and hearing and looked at us all silently. Avinash looked at me angrily and then left. "What happened?" Dad asked concerned. "Nothing Uncle, Avinash got a bit irritated with me and we had a little argument so he got angry," Mafia said smiling. Uncle Zeeshan frowned and said, "That's strange. He was jolly a while ago." "Uncle you know his temperament. He gets irritated for small things," Mafia said. They nodded and turned around and left. "What happened?" Mafia asked me once they were gone. "Nothing," I said frowning and left.

Deep's P.O.V.

Arohi frowned sadly and left. Avinash was also angry. I looked at Ananya and said, "Think about what I told you. Please, just this once." I left her and went to Avinash's room to see him angry as ever. He looked up at me and turned away. I went silently and sat next to him on the bed. "Are you too angry?" I asked softly, "Won't you talk to me?" "Sir, I know that you have come here to defend Arohi and I don't want to hear anything so please, I want be alone," he said. "You know Arohi! She speaks anything! Why take her words to heart?" I said. "Why is everyone holding me responsible for Ananya's state? Did I tell her love me?" he said. "Don't be stoned heart Avinash. You know very well what it feels like to be heartbroken," I said. "What should I do?" he asked. "Tell her the truth," I said making him raise his fearful eyes to me. I nodded. "Tell her Avinash. Tell her the entire truth. Perhaps that can solve something. Tell her why you can't give her a place in your heart. Six years ago, whatever happened, tell her," I said encouraging him. Shaking his head, he said, "I can't." "Then remain with your burden like this," I said. I got up and left. I know that my words will affect him and make him realise that I am telling him his own good. I went to Arohi's room next to console her. I stepped inside saying, "Hey." She got up from laying on her bed and sat down. I stood in front of her with folded arms and asked, "What did you tell Avinash?" "I didn't tell him anything. He took out his frustration on me for nothing," she said. I sat down next to her. "I know Avinash, he isn't the kind of person to feel bad for small things. Tell me what you told him," I said. "All I asked him was why did he hide his marriage from us," she said. "He had his compulsions," I said. "Yeah right," she said and rolled her eyes. "Oh come on now! I thought that at least you would understand him," I said. "Where is his wife? Where is this wife of his that he upsetting us all for?" she asked. I frowned even remembering what he had to go through because of her. Turning to me, she rested her hand on mine and said, "You are with him since childhood. You would know. Tell me."

I frowned at her and said, "I know what happened but I can't tell you. Perhaps it's right to hear it from him." "And our promise to never keep secrets from each other?" she asked. "Let's not bring that in here," I said. "So you're not going to tell me?" she asked. "Even if I wanted to, I can't," I said. "Fine, then don't tell me!" she said annoyed and got up. She was about to leave when I held back her hand. "Arohi, let's not fight now. Please," I requested. "Even I don't want to fight but you have left me no choice," she said. I stood up and went closer to her. My hand held her neck and raised her head to me. "Have you forgotten the promise you made to me this morning?" I asked. "Have you forgotten the condition I placed this morning?" she asked. "Did you try?" I asked. "I did! But she's my sister Deep! And she's hurting!" she said. "So you're backing out?" I asked. She removed my hand from her neck and said turning around, "I can't do this." I was disappointed, this would be an understatement. "Fine, if you have made up your mind then I won't force you. But I always thought that you will stand by me Arohi," I said dissatisfied. I left her room and went to the garden. I sat down and looked at the kids playing when Uncle Zeeshan came and sat next to me. He remained silent and waited for me to talk. I took a deep breath and said, "Ananya loves Avinash." "Hmm...I know," he said. I looked at him surprised and asked, "How?" "The way she began to feel all concern for him and just by the look in her eyes, I knew," he said. "And she knows that he is married," I said. "Does she know the entire truth?" he asked. I shook my head. "I told Avinash to tell her but you know his heart," I said. "He isn't going to agree so easily," he said. "And Ananya also wants to stay away from him now," I said. "This is the problem of you young people. You guys are hasty! You guys act without knowing the entire story!" he said. Patting my back, he said, "Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine." Doll came running to me and stood in front of me. "Deep, where is my boyfriend?" she asked cutely.