Prerish: A Collection of Tales ✔️

~ Shot - 2 ~

As Rishab gently laid Prerana on the bed, she clung to him, a silent plea in her grip. He didn't resist, instead settling in, letting her sleep soundly in his arms. His gaze was fixed on her, a soft tenderness in his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. Time, an hour or perhaps two, slipped by.

Prerana stirred, a subtle shift indicating her awakening. Rishab looked down as her eyelids fluttered open. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, met his, and a wide, genuine smile blossomed on her face.

"It wasn't a dream," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep and disbelief. "You're really here."

"Prerana, what was all that downstairs?" Rishab's voice was a low rumble, concern lacing his words. He needed answers, and the raw emotion of the last hour was still a fresh wound.

She looked at him, her smile fading, replaced by a profound seriousness. "You really want to know why I did that? What all this means?"

"That's exactly what I'm asking, Ms. Sharma," Rishab retorted, a touch of annoyance creeping into his tone. Her evasiveness was wearing thin.

"Come with me," Prerana said, her voice firm, the last vestiges of sleep gone. She gripped his hand, her touch surprisingly strong. "I'll tell you. Or rather, I'll confront you. Something I should have done a long, long time ago."

She pulled him up and led him down the stairs. As they descended, Anurag and the others looked up, their expressions a mix of relief and trepidation. They saw it in Prerana's face—a newfound peace, a serene calm that had been painfully absent for the past week.

"Prerana, are you alright now?" Anurag asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

"I'm fine, Mr. Basu," she stated, her voice resonating with an unfamiliar resolve. "And now, it's time to get some facts straight."

She didn't hesitate, pulling Rishab forward until he stood directly in front of her mother and sister, the stage set for a long overdue reckoning.

"Mrs. Veena Sharma and Ms. Shivani Sharma," Prerana's voice cut through the tense silence, sharp and unwavering. "You dared to disrespect my husband without knowing anything. So today, let's talk everything crystal clearly."

Veena flinched, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Prerana, I'm your mother! What are you talking about?" Her voice was laced with a dawning dread.

A bitter, knowing smile touched Prerana's lips. "What, did you think I didn't hear what you and your younger daughter said to my husband that day? I was right there, you know."

Veena rallied, her chin lifting defiantly. "Well, you're right, we told him something. Because your happiness lies with Anurag, so like any mother and sister, we did what we needed to do."

"You're right, Maa," Prerana conceded, her voice dripping with irony. "You asked him if he could keep your daughter happy, didn't you? I'll tell you: there's no need for him to keep me happy, because I was already happy. He was the one who taught me how to be happy, by giving others happiness." Her gaze then shifted, fixing on Shivani.

"And Shivani, you declared he could never be the husband I dreamed of, right? You're correct. I never dreamed of him as the husband I wanted. But the truth is, I can never get a better husband than him. Anurag can't even be compared to the dust on my husband's shoes. Do you know why? Let me tell you."

Prerana took a step forward, her voice rising, each word a hammer blow. "Anurag's love shackles me to his family and him. I'd have to crush my dreams, and it comes with a lot of demands. But Rishab's care and concern come with freedom, comfort, and safety, letting me fly high in the sky to achieve my dreams."