Chapter 38 | Him
My apartment has never had such a good amount of attention ever since I moved in. Five of us occupy the previously untouched couches but the glasses of water on the table are still resting unwanted even though I can sense the dryness in each one of their bobbing throats as they gulp down any remaining saliva in their mouths.
Nobody dares to look at each other.
None of us want to know what the other might be thinking after what I’ve told them about our current situation. The wrath from morning has subsided into a more tolerable version of exasperation.
The faces here, have all been traumatized by the story I told them. I did not tell everything, but what they needed to hear the most. Short and precise as to keep my muffin’s pride undamaged.
Apeksha being Apeksha breaks the ice. “So, what’s your plan? If she’s gone for so many days, what have you been doing? There’s a good chance she might –” Defeat filling her insides as she trails off. Although I have made sure to not disintegrate my muffin’s dignity.
“I’m doing what I can...”
“How do I know if you are persistent?”
“Is that even a question? You out of all the people, you know how persistent I can be...”
Anushka interrupts, eyes narrowing in vexation, “You know Bhai, I still can’t believe you stalked her. Why would you do that? I could have directly arranged at least a decent conversation... you wouldn’t have to be a criminal.”
I sigh and before I could reply, Mahika jumps in.
“And I’m amazed that my sister was being harassed multiple times and she never gave me even the slightest hint about it. So many times, I even saw her receiving gifts from our mailbox; I thought my sister’s gotten popular.” She seems hurt as she shakes her head in dismissal, frustrated, “Siblings are useless. But we cannot afford to lose them or stop loving them either.”
“There may still be things that you might want to know, but I’ll leave it for Disha to tell you guys. As for you...” I turn to face Anu, “...you might have to stay back. I have some things I need to make sure you’re not missing out on...”
Divit shifts uncomfortably and when I meet his eyes peeking from below the thick lashes, it gives me a hint of warning. I return him a look of affirmation. I’m not a fool to tell her that it could have been her if not Disha. Can’t make my little sister scared for her life when she has us both beside her.
But it still shouldn’t have been her... Tears rim my eyes and I swallow them back quickly before anybody can notice.
“What are you talking about?” Anu’s inquisitive gaze lingers between me and Divit.
“I went back to meet Dad.”
AFTER HOURS OF METICULOUStrying, Divit and Anu finally manage to convince the others to go back and wait for me to call them up on her whereabouts.
I knew Anu shouldn’t be knowing about the cabin, but Divit insisted me to take her back there.
She, as is, had to come to terms with the fact that her brother was in fact technically the son of a drug lord. So, she might as well know that I despise the very thing.
When I was dying, she was too little to have any understanding why I was being detached. Even now when I get a flashback of those episodes, the fear and guilt almost has me paralyzed. Toppling the dreams of incessant freedom from my head, down the gutter.
But now... now she has a right to know. And for what reason, and because of who... she needs to know everything.
Anushka sits teary eyed as the knowledge of not just my misery dawning upon her, but the fact that Disha is in hands of the same monster.
“So much was happening and I had no idea about it...” Anu buries her face in her palms, “Why didn’t you ever tell me about it, Bhai?”
“Would you do it if you were in my place? Would you choose to drag your sibling into the mess that you had no chance escaping? Because if you do then I beg to differ. I wouldn’t ever think of destroying your sanity Anu, even if that meant I had to deal with it alone.”
Besides I had Divit to rely upon while I fought the demons inside my head. He knows every minute of my torture and maybe that’s what makes him one of the most important people in my life.
“Get some rest, Anu. You have an early flight tomorrow. And don’t worry about Disha... She is my responsibility. I’ll bring her back no matter what.”
Even death will touch me only when I have her into safety. She’s in this mess because of me and I’ll be the one who pulls her back out of it.
“You’re Anu, right?” Anya’s voice startles us.
Anu nods in confusion before eyeing me questioningly.
Anya’s face lightens up as she extends a hand towards her. “I’m Anya. Nice to see you in person. Divit here, tells me quite a lot about you. And I must say you’re far prettier than what I had heard.”
Anushka, visibly uncomfortable by the revelation tries to come up with a fake smile while taking her extended hand before turning to look at Divit who has already been glaring at Anya for the past ten seconds or so.
“Anu was just heading to sleep, weren’t you little sis?” I signal her to leave.
She smiles at Anya one last time, “Nice meeting you, Anya.” A quick look at Divit and then she heads in.
I huff a sigh before falling to the couch. “I need some time alone.”
“Yeah, me too.” When I look at Divit he’s folding his shirt sleeves, still staring at Anya who by now looks worried.
“Stop scaring the poor woman, Divit. I’m too tired to argue.” I respond, exhausted.
I turn my gaze to her, “If he does anything remotely inappropriate, let me know.” She nods nervously, before leaving with him.
Night time calls for profile digging of the faces again... all the videos that have been popping up... every one of them. I need to record all of their names. A ping on my phone and my heart skips another beat.
Another trauma. Another hole in my sanity. Another sleepless night...