Chapter 26 - Someone from past

|Innaya|

Life can be too unpredictable at times, who better than me would know this? Less than two months ago I came to know about Grandpa fixing my alliance without my knowledge. I met that person and got engaged on the same day and within two weeks, I was married. A month full of surprises for both of us and we were off to Mumbai at Eshan's home, correction our home. It was not even few hours after we landed and my past came rushing back almost knocking me out in the process.

It would be inappropriate of me to not give credit to Eshan, he has been the constant support, and driving force in the time of my need, and apart from that, I found him always beside me. He understood all my worries regarding this relationship and my changing feelings even before I could voice them or better realize them. I often wondered about him being the mind reader because he knew much more about myself without me ever telling him. I found an odd comfort in his arms as if they were meant to be my safe haven.

I missed my safe haven. My heart pleaded me to listen to his voice while my logical mind butted in saying I should stop being clingy wife. I debated with myself on calling him as I sat under the big mango tree in our garden, fiddling with my mobile.

Should I call him, or shouldn't I? Staying away from him was affecting me in the worst way I could have never imagined.

His arms provided my mind the nightmare-free sleep. I never had trouble sleeping after marriage, all thanks to his presence beside me and his arms around me.

Why I had to have the conference coming in this week? If not for that I would have never stayed awake in the night, because then, I would have accompanied Eshan on his business trip to New York.

'Stupid conference!'

Eshan left all alone without me, considering the conference date and that conference was canceled, how wonderful!

Only if organisers had informed early, things would have been different. I exhaled heavily as the longing in my heart only increased as I recalled how exactly four days before when my husband caught on my little adventure and the self-guilt and how our morning- afternoon to be precise had turned out.

The ringing tone of my mobile pulled me back from my reverie. Excited I glanced at the caller Id, hoping it to be my husband, only to be left disappointed at the other name flashing on the display.

Why was he calling me?

*

Why someone I don't know, would want to meet me? I did not understand. Why would Roy Sir want to introduce me to anyone, I was just another student for him, wasn't I. Then why? My mind was in a mess.

In the morning when I was leaving the house, Arjun met me outside. He insisted on coming with me, saying I was new in this place. I found that reasonable and thus Arjun accompanied me to the address Roy sir had given, when he had called and now we stood outside the apartment at the given address.

Sir opened the door after Arjun rang the doorbell. "Thank you for coming here. Please come inside," he smiled while opening the door wide. His smile faltered as he noticed Arjun standing behind me.

"Is he accompanying you? Who are you?" Sir questioned Arjun while Arjun came to stop beside me.

"Yes. I am her brother. Does that bother you?" Arjun replied sternly.

I could feel the protectiveness from Arjun's voice. Him declaring himself as my brother was unexpected but not unacceptable at all. I would love to have him as a brother.

"No, it's alright. I was just surprised. Wait a minute, brother? But you are th single child, aren't you?"

Surprised at the knowledge Mr. Roy possessed, I chose not to reply. Me being the single child or not wasn't of his concern in any way.

"Sir, can you please proceed with why you called me here?" I asked, wishing to get done with it as early as we could. I wanted to talk with my husband. From yesterday morning, we hadn't talk. I already was feeling restless.

"Oh, yes. I am sorry," Mr. Roy apologized before moving away and leading us into the living room.

"Have a sit," Mr. Roy offered, before himself taking the chair opposite us. He looked hesitant for some reasons, I could not exactly pinpoint the issue, but there was something unsettling about this whole situation.

"Innaya, I know whatever going to happen now onwards is going to be difficult for you but I request you to completely hear her out." Mr. Roy joined his hands as if pleading me

Baffled out of my mind, I stared incredulously at him.

"Who?" Arjun asked the question, which was on top of my tongue. I mentally thanked him.

"Can you please come with me, I can't bring her here." Mr. Roy stood up, pointing towards the door at the end of the hallway.

I nodded, considering his hesitation and my growing curiosity.

I entered after him in the room; I figured that was the bedroom, knowing well Arjun was following me. For some odd reasons, Arjun's presence assured me. It was weird but being with Arjun felt like, Eshan was closer to me, maybe because they were best friends.

The dull colour of the room gave it rather gloomy look. My eyes searched for 'her' he was referring to and they came to rest on the woman lying on the bed. She appeared terrible, her face was turned to other side but judging by the wheelchair and other medications kept on the side table along with how frail her body looked, I realized she must be going through something serious. She looked old and worn out.

I staggered back as her face turned towards us.

"You-"

'No, this can't be happening now. No, God!'

Bile started rising in my throat as the familiar fright crawled on my whole being. Tears gathered in my eyes, and my head started hammering with all those horrible memories.

"Ayu..." her broken voice called me, with the name I had tried hard to forget.

"Do...not... Don't... call me that," my voice came out in a stammer, but I didn't care at this point. All I wanted was to turn and run far, far away from her presence, yet I felt frozen with the fear.

"Innaya," Arjun's touch on my shoulder, startled me. His worried eyes were fixed on me as he held my shaking figure by my shoulders.

"I am sorry... but I don't want to do anything with her," I almost cried with fear.

"Please Innaya. She is dying," I heard pleading voice of Roy sir, but nothing mattered anymore as I silently begged Arjun to take me away.

Arjun nodded before leading me out of that apartment.

"Please hear her out. She is adamant about not getting treatment as she feels she deserves this," I could hear Roy Sir trailing behind us, but I didn't care. I wanted to get away from that place.

"Leave us alone for awhile," Arjun spoke without turning back. He walked me to the car parked in the parking.

*