Pranushka Short Stories - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Ever since she heard about accident.She couldnt cry.Fear and an unknown feeling of being left alone again gripped on her.Sonali her best friend was her only family after her father passed away.Sakshi still remembers the day Sonali came to their orphanage.A place her father started and she used to visit.Within time she made that place her family not being able to cope up with loneliness.Both grew up together.Be it fulfilling Sonali's every wish.Or her being protective and caring towards Sakshi.
"Im Sorry.We couldnt save him.Shes critical."
The doctor said words and left.Sakshi stood still not being able to let news sync with her.Her face lost color as she looked upon them taking away body.Yes it was now.Arjun.Sonali's husband and her love.He was no more.She went inside room and heard machines.Finding her on bed lifeless.With drips attached.She felt tear trickling down her cheek.Wiping it away she went close to Sonali.Holding her hand.She cant lose her.
S-"Sssakshi.Sakshi."
Sonali was too weak to open her eyes full.her life was destroyed and she was aware of it.Still she wanted to say something to her best friend.She was only person left in this world now.Whom she can rely on.She cried not able to accept what fate threw on them.Sakshi held her hand.
Sak-"You will be fine.Nothing will happen."
S-"Arrjjun.Left me.I know.I.I cant.Im leaving Sakshi.You.You need to give me word."
Sak-"Just shutup.Hear me out.Nothing wil happen to you.Doctors.I will call the doctor."
Sonali held her hand tightly.She was breathing heavily as beep of machines made Sakshi scared.
S-"Promise me.Sakshi.You will.Take care of him.Please.He.Has.Only you now.Give me word.You will fulfill my last wish.Arjunsss wish.Sakshii."
Sakshi watched her life taking turn she never expected it would.Within a minute she felt Sonali's cold hand on hers.Dead silence felt in room.She was gone.Doctors came in checking on her and the harsh truth was said.
It was raining and she stood outside her house.The loneliness coming back again.Sonali was gone.Only person who was her family.Been three days she havent gone to orphanage also.Getting inside house she could hear rain pouring down heavily now.Her eyes went to pictures on wall.Her and Sonali from childhood.Till they were grown up.The moments perfectly captured.Arjuna and Sonali's wedding picture.She remembers how her friend confessed to her falling for Arjun.A handsome guy with most beautiful heart.After meeting him she was convinced he would give all happiness to her friend.With time when things didnt go well.Arjun family didnt agree to get him married to Sonali.Only because she was orphan.Sonali would have gone into depression if not.She found Arjun leaving his family for her and they got married.Life was going smoothly.They were happy in their small beautiful world.Why it had to break down like this.
Sakshi opened her eyes.Hearing cries of someone precious.Most precious to her now.As if little one knew he was left alone now.Just like her.She looked at his parents pic.It was Arjun and Sonali 's wedding anniversary.They wished to celebrate together but Sakshi insisted.They spend some time alone.She would take care of baby.Little did she know this would end up like this.How much time did they even get to spend with their baby.She kissed baby and held him close to her heart.No matter what she is there for him.
S-"hey.I know.I cant take their place but.Im here for you and I know.You here for me.Right."
Baby as if understood her words.Stopped crying and hid his face on her neck.She hugged him tightly and patted him to sleep after feeding him milk.
Later at night sleep was far away from her eyes.She was looking at Sonali's things.How she kept everything with her.Their childhood memories toys dresses and little things.Which celebrated their friendship.She was keeping them safely when her eyes fell on something.It belonged to Arjun a locket.She opened it and found two pics inside there.One was Arjun and other one.She frowned her brows and remembered.Sonali mentioning to her once.Arjun's brother.Whom he loved a lot more than anything.He claimed his brother would do anything for him.But if he did why none of them came to even see him last time.
Though its been days time.Sakshi was on two minds.She cant think of getting separated from Sonali's last symbol.The baby.Was hers now.He will be with him.But the promise she made.It was her last wish and Arjuns.She has to work out something.
Back to present Vikram's face was drenched with tears now.He shut his eyes as Sakshi's words gave him an unbearable pain.Hers was same.Eyes red with tears but they had rage too.
S-"Arjun always mentioned about you.But I never saw your face.When I searched with your name.I was shocked to find out you were same person.I met in Italy year ago.That morning I left and you were sleeping.We had nothing.Except talking our heart out.I knew you were decent.I had hard time to convince myself to bring him to you.If it wasnt their last wish.I wouldnt have thought to bring him here to people like you.Who disown their family like this.What was Ajrun's fault?That he fell in love with orphan?Why couldnt you accept her.Would have given her family but no.Before I took decision of coming here.I had to fight myself.I couldnt decide if hate for you people was more or promise.I gave to my friend.Your brother loved you.Used to say one day you would come.Accept them and.That day never came.He wanted his baby to be with you.Arjun and Sonali were so excited to become parents.Waited for each day and when he came.They.Name him."
V-"Ansh."
She looked at him surrpised or rather shocked at how he knew it.He gathered himself and faced her.This time he was calm.A storm passed him or he was still battling inside.Sakshi for moment felt bad seeing him like this.Much hatred she had for him and his family before coming here.She couldnt come to terms with it as she met him here.More she got to know.
V-"Why didnt you tell me truth.Once if you have tried.Why you had to do all this.I deserved to know.Way before Sakshi."
S-"Because I dont trust you or your family.How can I give his responsibility to you knowing well.How you mistreated your own brother.Forgotten him.Didnt even feel like asking about him in all these years.I thought alot.Had no way.I wanted to know if you good enough to take his responsibility.Thats why I wanted to see.If you get to know its your baby.What would you do.Its not about money or custody.I can give him all comfort in world.But.The promise which made me helpless.I had to."
She went to baby picking him up in her arms.He stirred in sleep with his tiny fists catching her hair.She kissed her head.Vikram felt pang in his heart.He wanted to hold him.He was his Arjun's baby.A part of his blood and flesh.He wished to give him out all love.But how.Did he lose right.He didnt say word and left from there.Sakshi heard door and shut her eyes.Was she going to lose Ansh now.She cant live without him.
After their father's demise he always thought of protecting his little brother.Arjun a piece of his heart.He loved spoiling him with anything he would ask for.Saving him from their mother's anger and making sure.He didnt face any difficulty or pain in life.
V-"Arjun stop.Where do you think you are going."
Ar-"Anna please.I made it clear I love Sonali and cant live without her.If she doesnt have place in this house.Better I should leave."
V-"Arjun.You want to leave Mom and this house?is it that easy for you.Dont be so impatient.We will find way."
Ar-"I love her Anna.Mom will not accept her she gave her decision.You know that well.Tell me.Are you with me on this?"
V-"Arey give me some time.I will convince Mom.You wont go anywhere.hear me out."
Next day he knew he went away leaving this house.After got phone call.Everything ended there.He couldnt even wait for him.Arjun was very impatient unlike Vikram.His mother always feared that.He was being impusive.Little did they know time would come.When they will be far away from each other.He never wished it to happen.Getting to his luggage he looked for something.Impatiently and found it.Small photo frame.Which had him and Arjun with their mother.He sat on floor and keeping it close to his heart.He weeped and was lost in pool of memories.Their happy moments.Arjun kept his word.Once he revealed to him his wish.If he has son what he would name him.Vikram gave name Ansh as he liked it.He didnt knew till the end his brother would respect his wish.
It was passed evening and house was in dead silence.Vikram have locked himself in room whole day.While Sakshi scared to come out with Ansh.Not ready to let him go.Mani and Nikhil tried whole day and finally.They found door open.
They were shocked to see their friend in such broken state.Knowing well how much Arjun meant to him.They have seen brothers bonding and love being friends with him longest time.In all these years they have seen him hiding his pain.Today it all came out.Vikram looked at Mani and hugged him crying his heart out.
V-"I lost him.Mani.How could I.I have been such worse brother."
M-"Vikram.Please.Get yourself together."
V-"I lost my Arjun.Mani.Forever.What will I tell Mom."
His face covered in tears.Nikhil and Mani tried best to hide the tears.It was break down moment for all.
After some time they made Vikram have his medicine forcefully and he was much better calm.Still holding photo frame with him.He looked down lost with puffy eyes.
M-"We tried to look for him in all these years.Not single day.who knew this would happen.Its shocking."
N-"life plays hide seek with us sometimes.We had no option.But to accept fate."
V-"I should have been with him that day.Instead of going on that damn trip.Its all my fault.We lost him."
M-"Dont be so harsh on yourself Vikram.It is not your fault.You get that.What Im not getting.Sakshi.Why she had to lie and make up stories.If we knew its our Arjun's baby we would have.This is strange.And those dna reports.How did they match Vikrams.Sakshi doesnt know anyone here.How she managed to get fake reports."
Mani found Nikhil avoiding his gaze.And he got it.
M-"Nikhil.You.You knew this all along?What the."
Vikram stared at his closest friend in disbelief.Nikhil shut his eyes and knew it was time to face it.He could see pain in Vikrams eyes.
N-"yes.But I can explain this."
V-"Why did you do this.You think you can explain anything Nikhil.Really.You knew it.How I have been in these years like mad guy trying to find him and.Why."
N-"I came in this alot later.Guys.Trust me."
M-"Right.I called you to help us and you backstabbed us.Siding with Sakshi."
N-"I didnt knew her either.Hear me out once."
Sakshi was in garden discovering the beauty around.Her love for trees and nature found trance here.She found Nikhil standing there with two mugs of coffee.A smug look on his face.
N-"Day starts better.With strong coffee."
She gave nod and smiled at him.They walked towards the beautiful open area.Seated now with steaming coffee.She could feel Nikhil's gaze at her.And felt conscious.
S-"Thanks for the coffee.Its good."
N-"Well I heard.Good conversations also start off better with coffee."
He sipped from his mug and could feel stare from her.She frowned her brows.There was unknown fear inside.
N-"So.You and my friend possibly ended up together.And have baby.Interesting.Shall we believe this had happened for real."
S-"Its upto you.I told my part."
N-"A part which lacked.Depth.And logic."
S-"excuse me."
N-"spill the beans.I know my friend is not at fault here."
S-"Wow defnding rightly.Believe what you want to.Wont change truth.I stand to my words.thanks for coffee.again."
She got up and was walking towards gate inside.When heard his voice and stopped.
N-"Sakshi Varma.The only daughter of rich business tycoon.Whose worth is lot more.Properties around world and.She is left with no one from family now after fathers demise."
Nikhil now walked towards her.With coy smile on his face.He could see color fading from her face.
S-"you have been stalking me.or what."
N-"this much loyalty.Vikram deserves from me."
S-"what do you want?"
N-"the truth."
S-"Then go and say it to your friends.Why wasting time here.Now that you caught such big thing."
N-"I can read people well Sakshi.for some reason.You can say I have restricted myself not disclosing this to anyone.Till now.I want to know your story."
She shut her eyes and took deep breathe.This wasnt planned.
Back to present.Mani gave sarcastic look to Nikhil.Vikram caught his head.It was too much for day to take it on him.
M-"Wow.Instead of telling us truth you were helping her.Excellent friend you are."
N-"Mani.I had my reasons."
M-"Nikjhil.You could have solved this puzzle way before.You didnt do it."
N-"Im telling you.I had my reasons."
M-"What was the reason."
Vikram caught his head not being able to take the chaos.
N-"Vikram.He is the reason.I have seen something in his eyes for Sakshi.I wanted her to.Stay."
Before Mani could say anything.He looked at Vikram who just shut his eyes and dint say word.His silence said alot.Nikhil made it point then.
The early hours of morning.It was still dark and Sakshi was sleeping.Drained and tired of all emotional breakdown.Someone entered the room making sure she doesnt wake up.With slow steps person came and looked at baby sleeping peacefully on crib.He carefully picked baby and shifted him in his arms.Giving look to Sakshi left the room with baby.