25 - Crazy mood swings

Diya pov

"I am not coming with you, Diya," Yaashvi said inferred strongly in her 'not in mode' tone.

"You are being adamant and you are coming with me," I said stuffing her things in her bag ready to drag her with me. The thought of hearing the not so happiest thing is really difficult for me and alone with Adivk, the person whom I don't trust completely is a bit strange to handle at the situation.

She pulled her bag to herself as my grip on it was still tight to not let her go easily as she wished, "I need someone with me at that time to digest something strong, I don't know what he is going to tell me but don't you think getting all these things in my mind in such a short of time will be hard to manage?" She continuously stared at me.

"When are you going to face the reality Diya?" She asked letting her bag go to my will.

"See I know I am weak but as I said this is something I am not habitual of, these all are completely, utterly different for me. Having heartbreak, facing problems, living with a family" I sighed hard, "these are completely different for me, my mother was not there to show me what family looks like, my father failed to show me the real world of hardness and reality"

"That's where you are wrong Diya, you are not ready to accept the reality, you are letting your fear win over your confident self, your father won't be there for you hereafter and even if he is a good father he will--" I felt the blood rising in me, "stop accusing my father," I said sternly in a harsh tone.

"See, you got your answer yourself, even if Advik says the truth about your father you won't believe his words cause that's what the image he has created in front of you exactly as Arjun did. And you being a fool nodding your head taking all their lies as love and affection" her tone was harsh like splashing cold water over my face slamming the truth on me.

"Trusting our loved ones is wrong?" I laughed bitterly looking at her, "Diya, believing is not faulted but being foolishness is" she looked around as I am fighting myself not to let her words affect me, "you are not helping me Yaashvi" I said defeated.

She shook her head making me sit, "Diya, listen carefully, you can't force someone to love you and your mistake is you are placing blind belief on two persons who will never reflect your feelings"

I scoffed in anger, "stop speaking rubbish" who said my father is not reflecting my feelings, "if you are defending your father then just think about it" I cut her in middle again angrily, "he is not what you also believe in--" she glared at me again, "then how concerned he is in his daughter's life while you are grieving in pain every single day"

"I hide it from him"

Her gaze disagreed with my statement, "if a person is much concerned about his daughter's well-being or loves her like anything he will hear her heart without getting a word from her" I stayed silent but her every statement is breaking me.

I don't want this to be just a drama for whatever it might be, I can't tolerate another heartbreak.

Being alone is doing something in me unbearable.

"Meet Advik tomorrow alone and face the reality and I will be just a phone call away from you, if I come along with you I will kill that bastard with my bare hands for torturing you" I nodded and went home with my mind full of confusion and grief of pain.

Advik refused to tell me today as he wants to take me somewhere to reveal the truth at once I refused to go along but after his sincere apology and compulsion, I agreed to meet him taking a day off from the office.

I directly went to my room after informing Arjun's mom that I don't need dinner but being stubborn she said she will send food with some maid, to which I agreed halfheartedly. To take a short bath I went inside the restroom and came out within a few minutes and saw something which I never expected to be.

It's Arjun sitting there on the bed removing his tie in a tired look in deep thoughts without even blinking his eyes, the tiredness of his eyes spoke he had a rough day to deal with, those wrinkled white shirt folded to his elbows made him look extremely handsome along with those strong jaw trimmed beard.

The hotness emitting his frame is hard to ignore for any girl around him, the rough attitude, smoking hotness, and king-like walk is something I admire a lot about him.

"stop staring" I jerked up hearing his stern stone voice all of a sudden in such a peaceful environment where I am describing and in taking his view, "I am not, just wondering what business do you have here" I indicated my(his) room, "in my room"

He raised his eyebrows with a stern look, "You are staring more like eating me" he defended not answering me, "As I said I am not, that too when you have someone else in your life" Lies again, the thought of him loving or being with another girl scares the shit out of me and the pain is unbearable and also the video is still nagging me.

"I asked what are you doing here" he removed two buttons of his shirt and said, "this is my room and I have all rights to be here" he paused, "answer me honestly, what is--" I cut him, "your father won't let you be here"

He sighed irritating, "what is Advik talking with you" he continued his question not answering me, "get out" I whisper yelled at him.

"Nope" he walked to the closet, "I am staying here until I wish to leave this house" his shirt was now on the floor with his vest covered back facing me, "have some manners" he is still standing shamelessly checking into the closet, "my closet was robbed by some thief I guess" I gulped down, "Mmm, at least I have some decent pants"

Panic arose in me, "I don't want you to be here, I will talk with your father" I stood up and walked to the door, "wasting time on watering sun, snow" I squeezed my eyes in irritation, "got permission from your father in law and mother in law they are happy with my presence"

"Again a lie?"

"Not lie, just a truth-filled with a lie to do something which has to be done before but my fault" he walked into the restroom and I blocked his way, "what are you talking about?"

"Curious. Are we snow?" His smirk did nothing other than resentment, "do one thing arrange the bed and bring food for me, planning against your dad is taking some time" I gulped my tears, "can you not let me be in peace for some time?"

He went ahead of me entering into the washroom, "I had some argument about us with my dearie love, so kind of distraction" he shut the door on my face.

How dare he? How dare is he using me?

"I will fucking kill you if you dare to come out of there Mr. Verma, do you think I will be dancing to all your tunes whenever you want? I feel disgusting being with you Arj-- Mr. Verma, being in the same place as you are like banging my head on a rock. How can a person be like you with such a selfish intention without bothering about others feelings--" he came back out again angrily, "I feel like-- like dying rather than--"

My words went off when his hands covered my mouth with a furious look from him looking deeper deep down to my eyes staring at y soul intensely.

The warm tears touched his hand while I stood motionlessly at him with a fragile heart ready to break any second into millions of pieces without making any noise but gifting me unbearable pain.

Being a substitute for his love is nerve wreaking for me, "you are speaking loud enough to let my parents hear" I tried to back away as my legs felt weak to respond to him.

The firm hold of his hand on my back made stop me from breaking down at the thought of being exploited in his life games.

Taking revenge.

To get rid of his love fight.

As usual, you are being used by him again, Yaashvi was right I am being foolish in their games to let them hurt me however I like.

Pushing his hand away from my mouth I took a few steps away from his intense gaze.

I remember the days when he never let me feel that I am alone when my father is hell-bent involved with his business, those days I felt something in me like those are the days I felt alive.

"You are using me as a punching bag to relieve all your stress" I sniffed painfully, "your single second of presence in my life is like a hell to me. If you want any distraction fighting with your love, I have nothing to do with it. Do you know the stress it is getting into my mind because of your words?" I clutched my head as I felt pain erupting inside my head.

He throws me a pitiful glimpse but I continued, "I always had dreamed of having good memories with you but now I see only pain" I don't know where to clench.

My heart

Or

My head.

Both are painting a lot like being smashed hard.

"I was just lying," he said taking a step towards me with a concerned look I have ever seen.

Anger arose in me, "that's the only thing you always do, lying to me but living a happy life and come to me like you did nothing to me and showcase to the world that you are the best husband in the world. The lies you are feeding to my heart is on--" I cried in pain holding my head which is tormenting me.

"Diya" he took my hand from my face softly and wiped my tears where I instantly melted.

I am doing mistakes again.

I am letting him take control of me, his touch is again.

But this touch is not something different it felt sincere and lovely.

"I swear on me Diya, I came to be with you" a second paused in silence, "to keep you safe, you don't know the hidden danger around you. But I do," he said cupping my face in his hands gazing me softly, his eyes are begging me to believe him.

"I don't need your protection," I said softly as my pain is increasing every passing second.

"Believe me but I do. You are my responsibility" his thumb caressed my cheek softly, I pushed his arms away again.

"Protecting someone is what strangers do" I looking into him for a second wiping my tear, "what are you Arj-- Mr. Verma"

He tightly shut his eyes but opened it back to look at me, "you need to sleep, your eyes are red"

Again twisting my question is some other thing. And I simply got the answer.

"I got it" I turned around but his hands stopped me gently holding my wrist

"Do you want me to be honest with you" my heart fluttered a moment with unknown feelings.

Turning around I saw him looking at me with many questions and determination. Not trusting myself I nodded in yes.

"Who will you choose me or your father" my heart dropped, "how can I choose between you both?"

"You have to" his voice came as cold as ever.

"Me or Meera" his eyes settled on me examine my single intake of breath, believe he did except this question coming from me.

"Meera" I saw his mobile on the mattress without wasting a second, I  smashed it hard on the floor leaving it into thousand of pieces, "rot in hell, you bloody cheating betrayer cunning fox" my screams echoed the whole room, while these tears are continuously streaming down my cheeks.

He moved not from his place, not even sparing a glance at his not so good broken new looking iPhone.

"Would you choose me if I choose you?" I stayed immobile glaring at him.

"See, you are not ready to accept anything about your father"

Interjecting him I spoke, "also I still chose to be your side even after knowing you killed some innocent people" his face reflected shock which got disappeared within a seconds. He walked past me not looking at me and took another mobile from the dresser and did something in it and directly went into the washroom leaving me confused as hell.

Why is he not disagreeing that he killed those people?

Did he kill them? For vengeance?

What is his point of view? He never tried to open up with me.

And yes I can't ever choose him over my father nor my father over him, maybe there might be some misunderstands just like the video of him killing some people, it might be morphed or there might be some reasons.

The lot and lots of questions were running in my mind but due to this heavy headache I decided to take a nap, but I saw a big box near the bed.

Is it some other thing that was sent by the same people who sent the video? With shaky hands, I opened it slowly and saw a cute blue color 5feet large teddy bear with a tag hanging in it.

The tag has very familiar handwriting, Arjun.

I assume it's your mother's gift to you.

I looked keenly at it, it's the same teddy which I lost before 9 years, I still remember that day where I made our house into two for searching the teddy.

How did it come into his hands?

But anyway it's the only good thing that happened today, I got my teddy back. My mother's first gift to me. For a few minutes, I felt my headache is gone. Climbing the bed I lied hugging my teddy facing the opposite direction to the washroom from where he just emerged. I looked at him in the mirror.

Some strange feeling of warmth spread over me while hugging this teddy.

He is just in his towel hung low around his body drying his head with another one but what catches my attention is the chain on his neck.

It has the ring I gave him when I tried to look it better he wore the t-shirt quickly.

Am sure it's the ring I gave him, "do you want to see me changing my pants too?" I forgot to notice his moves he is now looking at me in the mirror, I quickly covered my face with a blanket to hide the embarrassment.

Feeling a big rock on the chest for a second and the next second it's replaced me something light and warm is the heavenly feeling.

I refused to express it as Yaashvi told me I am not in a stable mind.

Maybe I am loving him more than I love my dignity of pride.

I felt the bed sink on my other side raising my heartbeat, the distance I felt is decent but still, he managed to make my heart flutter.

He is insulting you day and night but that one teddy makes you go after him, Diya?

"Why did Advik joi--" not there again, "I am sleepy" I closed my eyes shut as he sighed deeply and stayed silent. Taking this as cue I slept peacefully. After a long time cuddly with my long last teddy.

.

.

.

.

I am standing in front of a coffee shop at 7 in the dawn waiting for Advik to show up at 7.30.

"I know you would be fast" his voice came from my back who is sweating badly as he walked miles.

Wiping the sweat off his face he signaled a taxi to stop when he said some address we started to drove towards the destination with utter silence invading both of our thoughts.

"Something wrong?" His confused voice broke my thoughts from today's early morning where I liked myself to be invisible from Arjun and his question-answer sessions.

"No, nothing" I just want to eat something.

He took a box from his bag and hand it over to me, to  "have it"

"What is it?"

"Fried rice, you can eat, it will take 35 minutes to reach there" I took it without hesitation earning a throaty laugh from him. I must say girls around him are lucky he has such a charm.

When I opened the box my lips automatically craved into a thin smile with the aroma from it, "it's not what it smells like" his sweet voice came, "I am learning to cook. It won't be good"

"Thanks," I said looking at the food and started to eat it. It's not good but det bad. At least his wife is lucky to have a husband who knows cooking.

"Arjun bro is at Verma mansion?" I nodded and continued to eat, "is it the reason for your such a disastrous look?"

I frowned at his comment, "am not that awful"

He laughed again holding his stomach, "look at yourself in the mirror, bird nest-like hair, wrinkled dress, the chain you always wear is missing and most importantly you are wearing your bedtime flats" how did I miss such a horrible mistake that too in front of this jerk brother.

"No talking while eating" I ate as fast as possible as he looked outside the window in deep thoughts, I stayed silent to let him be the way he needs.

The man who sat beside me is someone foreign to me, his life of luxury when I first saw him is nowhere to be seen, the boy who was born with a silver spoon is cooking himself, walking with drenched sweat, working for just 50k under some small company.

"Bhai(brother) is always a silent man ever since I remember him but the constant smile on his face is what inspired me more.

He won't hurt anyone, he will be the first one who helps others when they are in need until now, you should have seen him in those days" a beautiful smile formed his lips.

Just like he is remembering the good golden days with a happy brother who he is loving more than himself, the pain in his eyes explained stories when Arjun was against him.

"Do you know what Arjun bhai used to call me?" His eyes shone with happy unshed tears.

I shake my head in no.

He smiled again, "tomato" he blinked his eyelashes, as I eye him without disturbing his happy moments with his brother, "I was chubby like a pumpkin and he thinks my cheeks will be always red and fluffy like a tomato.

He will watch me silently while I do all the naughty things like bringing our home upside down when my parents are away, he is my tutor, he is my savior, he is my father and mother, my best friend. He never likes to socialize with others.

He created a new world for me for my happiness while my parents were busy in their own world, he is my crazy obsession. The love I had for him can't be easily explained, things he did for me maybe more than thousands, even he is just two years older than me he is more matured with a highly talented person more than my father" he paused.

A long pause.

Silence.

More silence.

He is struggling himself gulping hard, "when I was 15, I went on 15 days All India tour from our school. At that time my parents were also on a month away from home for business. I had to return to the home before 3 days due to the illness for our students. When I came home I saw my brother lying silently on the bed.

His eyes are empty.

The warm feeling which his eyes never failed to emit was covered with coldness.

He seemed to be lost in his thoughts for days, maids told me he refused to have food for 3 days.

I felt like the person I saw is not my brother but someone who is filled with pain and rage burning inside his heart"

Arjun pov

11 years back

"Do not roam around here and there, don't do any heavy works, ask the maids to do work" he bends down and kissed her cheeks lovingly, "take care of my little cupcake" Rihaan said lovingly kissing his pregnant wife.

Yes, his name is Rihaan. We both met in our music class due to our similar names, he is a keyboard player while I am a guitar player. We have known each other for 4 years and he is five years older than me. He lost his family six years back in a horrible accident.

Ever since he lived his life aimlessly, not caring about others. But after Chaaya entered his life, he is a different person.

He started to talk more, he started to care more, he started to live his life, she became the reason for his life to live.

Chaaya. Beautiful woman with a golden heart who took the human again out of his hollow shell.

I hate being alone in my house when Advik is not there so I choose to come here accompanying my friend.

She is in her last trimester annoying the hell of Rihaan but he never showed face to her, the love he had for her is something too pure.

"Take care love, bye" he went out before warning me to not let her do any work.

In the evening she came down the stairs in a feet length kurta, "don't tell me you are going out" she shook her head.

"No, am not" I relaxed a bit, "we are going to buy me some ice cream"

"Yeah, your husband can come and kill me?"

She walked out taking her purse without responding to me.

"Chaaya don't go please I will buy you ice creams, a lot" she pouted and shook her head.

"I want to go to the ice cream parlor and have my ice cream, I need some fresh air to breathe, Arjun. Don't behave like Arjun and come with me, I will buy you some"

"I don't need ice cream and I am not carving for it so I am not going to allow you out"

"Then I am not talking to you" I shrugged my shoulders, "don't care about it, your safety is my priority"

Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, "you don't know how I feel, seeing these four walls the whole day is not doing anything good other than stress to me. You want me and my child to be unhealthy? Then okay, I am not going anywhere" such a drama queen.

She throws her purse and stood in front of me sadly wiping her fake tears.

"I pity Rihaan" I took her purse and strolled outside hearing her giggle from behind.

After having some walk she started to talk again, "are you dating any girl?" I looked around the area to find no one around us, strangely this place is not like this, it is always crowded. Strange.

"Nope," I said handling another ice cream to her.

Opening that like a child she took a bite, "you know Rohini? My friend" I nodded, "she has a sister, Prathini"

Not so good topic to discuss with a woman that to pregnant moody women.

"So?"

"Why don't you date her? She too has a crush on you" that's why I have been avoiding her.

"I am not interested, Di(sister)"

She stopped for a second and looked at me with a questioning gaze, "are you gay?"

Where the hell did this came from?

"No," I said instantly and replied, "where are getting these crazy ideas?"

"From you" I frowned, "me?" She nodded, "I have never seen you with girls other than your brother and Arjun"

"I am not"

"I am not believing--" she stopped and grabbed the 3rd ice cream from me, "--you until I see you date someone" I laughed at her and went to throw the paper on the dustbin.

When I turned around I saw her talking with someone, it seems like she is telling routes to a man.

When I took a few steps to her the man saw me and immediately took her hand and dragged her harshly, "Hey, who are you" I ran to her, "leave her hand" I shouted on top of my lungs.

She is crying out for help holding her stomach safely, "Di" when I was near her I felt something hard hit my head from the back.

The sudden iron force made me stumble on my feet making my visions blur for a second, "Arjun" I heard Chaaya's voice crying, "leave him please" she cried white trying to wiggle out of the man's arms.

"Let her--" I coughed hard when I felt another rod hit bargaining "Arjun" I tried to stand up but my back felt like it's broken into pieces.

I saw her blurred image coming in my direction, "Arjun, go away" I groaned in pain when a knife came in contact with my side, "please don't do anything to him"

I felt something hot running down my body, my blood.

"He is bleeding, please don't hurt him more" I heard a disgusting laugh from a man, "we need you to come with us, beautiful" took the knife from my side groaning in pain.

"Arjun no" Chaaya tried to stop me but before she stops me I stung it on the leg of the man behind me, who cried in pain but another man slapped me hard on my face. I saw another man grabbed Chaaya's hair forcefully, "you bastard, be a man and fight with me" I shouted.

He laughed and whispered something in her ears, my eyes seem to lose their vision gradually.

She walked and sat on the car at the opposite side, "Chaaya-- what are you--"

"I can't risk your life Arjun" she turned to the man, "at least take him to the doctor" tears were continuously falling down her cheeks.

"Once we get what we want" they grabbed me to another car, "do you think you are a strong, kid?" A man kicked on my side exactly where the knife was stabbed.

"Ah---" I cried as my eyelids snapped open, "bastard" I felt an injection been injected harshly on my neck. Slowly I felt myself drowning inside the darkness.

.

.

.

"Arjun" I tried to open up my eyelids, "Arjun wake up" I heard Rihaan voice, "Chaaya-- where-is she?"

When I finally opened my eyes to see him, he is looking around fearfully searching for her, "she is not here" he is crying badly.

I stood up holding his arm and started to search around the dark building, "heroes here" a mockery voice made us halted in our steps.

"Vishwanath?" Rihaan said shockingly, "where is my wife?" Even I can't see his face clearly but something in his eyes is not good, he looked like a psychopath who is ready to do anything when he wants something. I saw he is hiding something in his suit, probably paper.

He laughed evilly, "secure" he faked a thought, "but safe? I doubt that," he said rubbing his beard.

"Dare you to touch her"

Rihaan left my hand and marched towards him angrily but two of his man stopped him and tied both of us to a pillar.

"Believe me I am not a lustful man but I can't say the same with my men" I felt like snapping his head or ripping it off his body.

Another side anger on myself for not able to help her in such a situation. I felt useless.

"Let the show begin," Vishwanath said taking a chair like a majesty sipping the tea which was served hot.

"Okay, let's talk business"

"What business?" Rihaan asked him.

"Your business, our business" Vishwanath said, "what about transferring your business to me?"