CHAPTER 21
The next day, Shaurya was about to leave the house when his father stopped him. "Shaurya, I never did anything for you as a father. I know you have many complaints, but I always wanted your happiness. When I saw Prisha, I knew she would change your life."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I did wrong to you and Prisha. I shouldn’t have forced you. Now, I won’t interfere in your life. It’s your decision, but I want the best for my son and daughter." After another pause, he continued, "I wanted to apologize to Prisha but never found the courage."
"I wanted to tell you something. She didn’t take money for herself." Before he could continue, Shaurya interrupted, "I know she took money for her mother. I overheard you telling Mom how you blackmailed Prisha."
His father looked surprised. "Our accountant informed me that you knew about the money transfer. I thought you might have misunderstood Prisha."
"In the beginning, I thought she was a gold digger. But after living with her, I know she can be anything but a gold digger or greedy," Shaurya said proudly.
"Shaurya, if you knew she didn’t take the money to marry you, then why did you call her a gold digger?" his father asked in shock.
"Because she’s a girl, not a reform center. Changing me was your responsibility, not Prisha’s," Shaurya said coldly and walked to his car.
Entering Prisha's house, he saw her mother-in-law cutting vegetables while Tina watched television. He walked towards her and was about to touch her feet, but she stepped back and walked into the kitchen. Shaurya felt hurt, but he knew he deserved it. After all, he had hurt her daughter.
"Come, I’ll show you the guest room," Tina said excitedly, hoping to rekindle their relationship during his stay. Maybe, seeing her change in behavior, he would forgive her and want to get back together.
"No need, I know the way to the guest room," he replied and walked to the guest room, carrying his luggage.
A week passed, and there was no improvement. He didn’t get a chance to talk to Prisha. She left early in the morning and, when home, mostly stayed in her room. He could see the hatred and anger in his mother-in-law’s eyes, and he knew it was justified. On the other hand, Tina didn't miss any opportunity to talk to him, which he found most annoying.
Night:
They were having dinner when suddenly Shaurya began scratching himself. His face started turning red. Prisha asked with concern, "Shaurya, what’s happening?"
"I don’t know. I think there’s cashew in the food," he said, scratching his face more intensely. Prisha rushed towards him. Seeing the marks on his skin, she understood it was an allergic reaction. She glanced at her mother, who was smiling. Prisha was shocked and realized her mother had done this intentionally.
She turned her attention back to Shaurya. "Go to your room. I’ll call Jasmine aunty to send some medicine and cream."
A little later, Prisha was applying cream to his face. "Are you still in pain?" she asked with concern.
Shaurya, watching her with a soft smile, shook his head. "No, I’m fine."
She nodded and helped him lie down. "Call me if you need anything or if you feel you need to go to the hospital." He nodded, feeling happy to see her concern. Finally, he had a chance to spend time with her.
At Midnight:
Shaurya opened his eyes, feeling someone’s gaze on him. He saw Prisha’s mother. "Mom, what happened?" he asked worriedly.
"I’m sorry. I did it intentionally. I wanted to give you pain. I don’t understand what came over me at the time. But please forgive me. Prisha scolded me and told me your allergy is serious and you could have been hospitalized," she said with a guilty expression.
"Mom, it’s alright. I know you didn’t want to hurt me; you just wanted to punish me. Please don’t feel guilty. I understand. Go and sleep. It’s getting late," he said softly with a smile. Prisha’s mom looked at him with confusion, then walked back to her room.
The Next Day:
Prisha was about to enter Shaurya’s room when she overheard Shivay and Shaurya talking. She heard Shivay shouting, "What? How could she do this? What if your allergy had gotten worse?"
"Shivay, stop shouting. She was angry at me and used this method to vent her anger. And believe me, she did nothing. I would kill the person who hurt my Prisha," Shaurya said with a smile. Prisha, who was listening, was shocked when he referred to her as 'my Prisha.'
She turned towards her room, her mind racing with thoughts. Why was he doing all this? Was he staying here intentionally? Did he want to give their marriage a chance? If so, why didn't he just talk to her? Why all this drama?
As Shivay was leaving, she hurriedly rushed towards him and said sternly, "Bhai, I want to talk to you."
Shivay nodded, "What happened?" She asked him to walk to a nearby restaurant.
Sitting across from him, she said, "I heard Shaurya saying, 'My Prisha.' What is this, Bhai? What's going on? Please tell me honestly."
"Prisha, in the beginning, Shaurya was acting. He was planning to take revenge on you, but slowly he started loving you," Shivay said, shocking her.
Still reeling, she asked, "If he loves me, why did he leave me?"
Shivay sighed, "Prisha, Shaurya has an addiction to alcohol and cigarettes."
"But he stopped drinking and smoking when I asked him to," she said, confused.
"Prisha, he drinks and smokes after you sleep. Once a week, he went to his flat and spent the whole day drinking and smoking. After he fell for you, he tried to stop but failed miserably."
He continued, "Besides this, he never wanted to have his own child." Prisha was stunned. Shivay explained Shaurya's addiction, his childhood trauma, and the reasons behind his actions.
"He really loves you, Prisha. I've seen how broken he was without you. But he stayed away for your happiness. He thought he didn't deserve you. He believed you deserved a perfect life partner like Aditya and the chance to become a mother."
Shivay added, "Shaurya has stopped going to the office. He's been attending a rehabilitation center to treat his addiction and seeing a doctor for his childhood trauma. He's trying his best to become a better husband for you. He can't sleep without alcohol and feels restless all night. He's going through so much pain just for you."
Prisha had tears in her eyes as Shivay held her hand. "You are like my sister, and I would never want anything bad for you. I'm telling you, no one can love you like Shaurya. He has many flaws, but he is willing to change for you. And I believe, with your love, he will change and become a better man. Please, try to give him a chance."
Prisha didn’t say anything. She stood up and said, "Please, don’t tell Shaurya about our meeting." He nodded, and she walked back into the house.
As Prisha climbed the stairs, her thoughts were consumed by Shaurya. Was his reason justified for leaving her? It was her choice whether she wanted to stay with him or not. He had taken away her choice by deciding for their relationship.
Lost in her thoughts, she missed a step and slipped down the stairs. Her loud scream echoed through the house.
Hearing her scream, Shaurya and Prisha’s mother ran towards her. Shaurya rushed to her side, cradling her head in his lap. "Prisha, what happened?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"Shaurya, take her to the hospital," her mother urged. He nodded, then picked Prisha up in his arms and carried her to the car, followed by her mother.
Shaurya paced in the hospital corridor, looking anxiously at Prisha's mother. "Mom, don’t worry. She will be fine. Nothing will happen to her," he said, as much to comfort himself as her.
After some time, the doctor came out and said, "Don’t worry, she is fine now. She has fractured her leg, so she needs complete bed rest for two weeks."
Shaurya sighed in relief and thanked the doctor. Prisha was still unconscious. Shaurya walked over to her mother and said, "Mom, you haven’t eaten anything. Please have this. Otherwise, you will get sick." She took the sandwich he offered and started eating.
Prisha’s mother watched Shaurya as he sat holding Prisha’s hand. It was difficult to understand him. One side, he had left her, and here, he behaved like he couldn’t live without her. She pushed all her thoughts aside, focusing solely on Prisha.
Later,
Prisha was lying in bed while her mother was feeding her,"Mom, please stop. I’m full," she said, but her mother didn’t listen. At that moment, a nurse entered to check on Prisha.
The nurse smiled and said, "You are very lucky. Your husband is so loving and caring. He didn’t leave your side until you gained consciousness. Even now, he’s sitting with the doctor, asking about your therapy. He even looked after your mother. Lucky girl." Prisha didn’t say anything, just smiled.
After the nurse left, Prisha’s mother said, "Shaurya’s behavior is confusing me."
Before she could speak, Shaurya entered and asked, "The doctor has told me you are fine now. You just need bed rest. Do you want to go home or stay here?"
"Home," she answered. He nodded and was about to inform the doctor, but his phone rang. He walked to the attached balcony. Prisha watched him, noting his messy hair and tired eyes; he looked like a zombie. He hadn’t slept properly since she was admitted. She heard him say, "No, cancel today’s meeting." He smiled and walked out to meet the doctor.
At home,
Shaurya gently placed Prisha on the bed and said, "I’m going to bring your medicine and other things." Then he turned to her mother, "Mom, cook something for her.She has to eat with her medicine." Saying this, he walked out to get the medicine.
Two days passed, and Prisha hadn’t fully recovered. She still had pain in her legs. Shaurya was taking good care of her.
It was midnight, and Prisha was not feeling sleepy. She closed her eyes, sensing someone entering the room. She heard Shaurya’s husky voice, "Get well soon, my love. I can’t see you in pain."
"I felt I am unlucky for you. Do you think the same? I was afraid to ask, what if you say yes." He chuckled at the last sentence. He sat there for five minutes, then walked out of the room.
Prisha turned to the other side and murmured with a small smile, "Stupid."
Three days later,
Shaurya helped Prisha to sit on the sofa and heard her mother’s concerned voice, "How is she? What did the doctor say?"
"Don’t worry, she is fine," he replied. They had just returned from the hospital after a follow-up. He passed the medicine to Prisha and said, "After taking this medicine, eat something. I have an important meeting to attend." With that, he walked to the room.
Prisha watched him leave, her thoughts swirling with newfound hope and confusion. Was it possible that Shaurya truly wanted to change? She shrugged her thoughts and focus on her mother.
"You know, when Shaurya’s parents and Jasmine aunty came to meet you, Jasmine was saying he has changed a lot. He has become so responsible. I totally agree with her."
They were chatting when Tina entered the house. She looked at Prisha's leg and said, "I heard about this. So sad."
Turning to her mother, Tina announced, "Mom, I got a job in Bangalore. I am leaving today; my flight is in a few hours." Then, turning to Prisha, she added sarcastically, "I wished I could be here when you get divorced. But all the best. You have Aditya, a middle-class and average man just like you deserve."
Prisha remained silent in response.
Tina smirked and started to walk to her room. Intentionally, she brushed against Prisha’s leg, causing her to hiss in pain. Prisha's mother was about to scold Tina when Shaurya’s angry voice interrupted, "Tina!"
He rushed toward Prisha, cupped her face gently, and asked with concern, "Are you okay?" Prisha nodded, though the pain was evident on her face.
Shaurya stood up angrily and confronted Tina, "What the hell are you doing, Tina? Can't you see she has a fracture?"
"I’m sorry, but it was her fault. She should stay in her room in this condition," Tina retorted, glaring at Prisha.
"Shut up! I know you did it intentionally," Shaurya snapped back at her.
"Fine, I did this intentionally. Now what will you do? Send me to prison?" Tina taunted him. Shaurya was about to reply when Prisha held his hand and said calmly, "Shaurya, please don’t fight. Can you please take me to my room? I want to rest." Shaurya glared at Tina once more, then gently picked up Prisha and carried her to her room.