Pranushka Short Stories - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Sakshi shut her eyes and tried to get herself together.because she knew she had to be answerable for lot of things now.Vikram came to her and caught her from shoulders.His eyes were cold and red.He was seething in anger.
V-"What.Did you say?"
Her lips quivered.She tried to speak but.His hold made her scared.
S-"Vikram.Listen to me.I."
V-"Just.Tell me damn it.What you said.Is it."
S-"Yyyyes."
He had enough.He left her and banged his fist on the wall.Sakshi bit her lips.She knew this day would come.She has to face it but didnt knew.It would happen like this.
Nikhil and Mani came and they heard everything.Nikhil kept hand on Vikrams shoulder.
N-"Vikram.This is not place and time.Blood has been arranged.We did formalities.You need to be calm."
Mani looked at Sakshi.He couldnt come to terms if what they heard was true or.There was some other turn to this.
Vikram was in his room.From time they returned it was already morning.No one spoke word.Sakshi took baby and shut herself in room.While Vikram did same.It was as if one night changed a lot of things.He was slowly breathing.Trying to grasp whatever happened.He shut his eyes and only thing he could hear was.Her words.She lied to him.It was all lie which he was ready to believe.Nikhil came and sat beside him.He knew his friend was strong but when it was about emotions.He never let it out.
V-"I made fool out of myself.How could I.She.Lied?No."
N-"Vikram.Look at me.Just answer me.Did you really believed something happened between you and her.And baby was yours."
Vikram didnt say word.He kept on fighting himself inside.Nikhil smirked and looked down.
V-"I think I got my answer.For last time I would suggest you.Talk with her.You cant be like this."
Goswami and others were packing everything.Instructions were given by Mani.They will be leaving in afternoon itself.Nikhil came there and asked Mani through eyes what was happening.
M-"What?dont you think drama has ended.What else left here.Goswami didnt I ask you to do something.Why are you standing here."
G-"Sir."
Goswami looked down then at Nikhil.From his face it was visible he didnt wanted to follow this one order.
M-"Why are you giving this look.Did you call cops or not?"
N-"Mani.What.Are you doing."
M-"What I should have way before.This mess wouldnt have happened.We are leaving right now.This is the end to the much happening drama here."
N-"I dont think we should involve cops here.Calm down Mani."
M-"I cant.anymore.She is dangerous.She lied to this extent.Good that truth came out from her mouth else.Vikram was falling for her.She should be handed to law.Goswami will you.Wait I will do it myself."
They saw Sakshi standing with baby in her arms.Who was fast asleep.her face was pale.She held onto baby and her bag.
S-"Im sorry.For all troubles.I think I should be leaving now."
M-"Stop.Where do you think you are going Ms Sakshi.To trap someone else?Or to media to frame Vikram because your lies are exposed now."
Sakshi shut her eyes.She didnt wanted to take this further.Baby started crying and she tried to calm him.For some reason Nikhil couldnt disbelieve her seeing her face.
N-"Mani.Calm down."
M-"She can lure you all.Gain sympathy but not me.For moment even I felt if it was Vikrams mistake but now that we know truth.Dont try to stop me Nikhil.And you Ms Sakshi varma.Wait till I hand you over to cops.We cant leave her like this.What if she creates another drama."
The baby was crying restlessly.Sakshi looked at Mani in disbelief.But she stood firm and strong.
S-"Listen I dont want anything from anyone.I give a word.Let me leave.He is not well please."
M-"Another drama.Now taking help of baby and faking innocense.Such cunning you are.But we wont melt this time.Goswami lock her in room till they arrive.Actually I will do it myself."
Nikhil and others were too shocked to react at that moment.The baby was crying loudly in Sakshi's arms.Mani held her hand and was about to drag her to room.When he felt hand stopping him.He looked up and found Vikram standing there with anger written on his face.Sakshi had tears brimming in her eyes.The cries of baby was tearing Vikram from inside.He couldnt see this happening.Glaring at Mani who took his hand back and looked down.Vikram pulled Sakshi to his side.
M-"Vikram.you are repeating same mistake.We cant trust her."
Without saying a word Vikram caught Sakshi's hand and took her inside room locking door.Shocking Mani and others.Nikhil smirked.He could sense there was more to this.
Sakshi pacified baby and tried to pat him to sleep.She felt her throat dry and cursed herself for bringing all this to little one.He doesnt deserve this.Baby was somewhat calm now as she gave him pacifier.
Vikram kicked door and then looked back at her.She got scared seeing this side of him.She knew him to be calm person.But right now all he could see was rage in his eyes.He came to her and before he could shout.His eyes went to baby.Something makes him weak every time he comes close to him.He pulled Sakshi little far and she caught his hand.
V-"I want nothing.But the truth."
S-"Why?Dont you think I already said it.How does it matter to you anyways.Im a fraud.Who lied to you to get your fame and money.You do believe that.Then why asking me all this again."
He caught her from shoulder and bring her closer to him.Their faces were too close.Like always the heat and tension building up.
V-"Why.Why did you do all this.Sakshi."
She pushed him and came out of his hold.Her eyes spat equal rage now.
S-"Huh.Your friend gave you all answers.I dont think Im answerable to anyone now.I want to leave."
V-"Not so easily.Before you tell me the damn reason.Why did you come to my life.How did you make me believe something.Which never existed.How did I ended up.Doing things I never thought I would.Tell me."
S-"Should ask this yourself first.from time I came here.Whatever I said it was true."
V-"Oh really.After confessing your lie.You are saying you were being true.I trusted you.You cant break me and leave like that.Answer me.This baby.Why do I feel connected with him.When he is not mine.Why did you bring him here Sakshi.How could you use him like this."
S-"Stop it.Just stop.This use and throw suits for rich people like you.Who have certain standards to maintain in society.In family.For whom relationships and emotions.Dont have any value."
She went to baby and touched his head.Kissing his hand.Drop of tear trickled down her cheek.
S-"he is mine.He belongs to me.If at all means wish he could.Be mine biologically too.But.Im helpless."
She wiped tear and turned back to him.Her expression hardened.
S-"From time I came here.Have been saying this to you.He belongs to you and this holds truth.Say it fortunately or unfortunately.I had to come here.If it wasnt for promise I made to someone.Yes.I didnt give birth to him.But that doesnt change fact I.Im his mother.But you.Didnt you feel connected to him.When you held him.When his cries and pain made you feel something.Because he does belong to you."
She went back to her bag and got something.She took Vikrams hands and kept something in his palm.He frowned and felt his knees going weak.It was locket.Something precious than anything else in world for him.Tears brimmed in his eyes.As he touched it and saw pictures inside it.One of them was his.He looked back at Sakshi who was looking at baby.
V-"Who gave you this."
S-"He is your blood.Every single time I wished if I could change this truth.He belongs to your family.He is yours.If it wasnt for last promise I made to them.I wouldnt have come here."
With each step Vikrams heartbeat increased.He couldnt wait anymore.He came to her facing her with calmness which was killing him deep inside.
S-"Arjun and Sonali.Hope you still remember.You had a brother.Who loved you unconditionally."