chapter 31

"What do you say now? "Swapna looked at Manasi who is silently listening to Neeraj and Bhumi's conversation.Swapna made listen to Manasi every word they shared. So that it can enlighten her, bring some peace to her mind."Sorry" Manasi spoke crouching her eyebrows, She did a terrible mistake and her misfortunate she can't correct it now.She realized it but too late."Sorry...Do you understand... You did a terrible mistake." Swapna slapped her.Slapped her again, Manasi didn't respond to her, stood there calmly. It angered her more, Swapna wants Manasi to speak something but she opted to stay quiet.Neeraj caught Swapna's hand, Who doesn't know what she is doing in outrage."Swapna, Enough, Stop"Neeraj shouted at Swapna asking to stop slapping Manasi."Leave me, Neeraj, She lost all her senses, Do you have any idea what you have done?" Swapna shouted in rage.Manasi gasped some air, She knows she is at fault, so nothing left for her to defend her actions."What happened if anyone took advantage of Bhumi in her drunken state?""We can't even show our faces to Kunal, Do you understand.""We all might have died with guilt all our entire lives." He looked at Neeraj."Think about Bhumi once, We too have a girl, What has happened to her, her life?"Swapna is shedding few tears."Sorry Di" Manasi opened her mouth, but it didn't alleviate her outrage."I am sorry and I don't have any idea that she has some problem with alcohol." Manasi closed her eyes.She did a mistake she believed Sanjana, Now paying for it.This time she said the truth in a sincere tone, but no one will believe itSwapna looked at Manasi, She looks so pale and lost in thoughts.Her eyes are moist and couldn't meet their eyes, Stood there gazing here and there."Manasi, Speak" Swapna looked into her eyes, She didn't speak anything."I have gone through the pain once" Swapna remembered her nightmare, How Mrudul kidnapped her.Neeraj knows she empathized with Bhumi's situation."You envied her and jealous of her, But why?""Because she grabs all the Viraj's attention.""Because your Jiju treats her as his sister.""Such a fool you are?""Viraj is her best friend and they are friends since their childhood.""What do you expect? Viraj should stop talking to her, stop seeing her because you hate Bhumi?""Then what are friends for?""Tell me?","Neeraj treats her as his little sister because he knows the pain of losing mother." Swapna closed her eyes and felt a lump in her throat."Swapna stop, She understood her mistake, no need for long lectures," Neeraj said in a calm composed tone."And what will we gain by slapping her, giving long lectures"He glared at Manasi.Manasi kept quiet all the time."I did a mistake and I am sorry for it." She accepted it without any fear.Swapna looked at her in disbelief."Don't you repent for your deeds? Swapna looked surprised."Yes, I do," Manasi answered calmly.Neeraj understood what is Manasi going through but Swapna can't guess a single expression of her."Look at her, She stood like a rock" Swapna mumbled."Leave her alone for some time."Neeraj took Swapna to their kids and went back to Manasi.Manasi slumped there on the couch with a pale face, She is thinking about something oblivious of her surroundings."Manasi" Neeraj called her slowly."I can understand what you are going through. But I can't tell you I forgive you." He sighed.She nodded looking away."It's easy to earn hatred but takes years to earn some trust."Neeraj kept it short."You need to work hard to earn your sister's forgiveness."He said in a stubborn tone.She simply nodded and sighed."I am sorry Jiju, That's what all I can say, I did a mistake and it's too late to rectify it. I knew it." She spoke."I just wanted to know whether she loves him or not, But I am proved wrong," She answered."I wanted to prove her wrong, Nothing more, but what just happened.....is a terrible mistake....." She admitted."I am sorry" She concludedHe looked at her for a second and walked away leaving her alone.Kunal finally came to Sanjay's guest house.Sanjay and Bhumi are sitting on the lawn. Kunal came straight to Bhumi and hugged her.Her face is so pale, She couldn't digest what he told her."Not to wait.." She realized and looked at Kunal."Are you okay?" He asked again.She just nodded trying to smile again.Sanjay is standing there with a sullen expression on his face.Bhumi is controlling her tears, they are about to gush out.Does he know what just he said? She looked at him in disbelief."Sanjay" Kunal called him and hugged him."Thank you" He mumbled.Sanjay did the same thing, punched Kunal's stomach."....." Kunal muttered something trying to act normal.Bhumi stood there like a rock looking at Sanjay, how could he act so normal.How?Both the friends talked for a while, Sanjay looks so casual, so normal.She just sat there listening to their conversation absentmindedly.His words are like daggers.His words are like bitter venom.She squeezed her eyes shut.Kunal asked her to move, he wants to go home, Sukriti is waiting for her home, They took Rahul back to home.She looked around for her things, grabbed a cellphone, her torn dress, placed in a cover.Sanjay is still quiet, she couldn't believe it, How could he?She walked behind her brother with moist eyes, she is walking with a heavy heart.Suddenly a message got popped up."I am sorry" She squinted to see the name.It's Manasi."I am sorry for things I did.""I know sorry isn't enough""I will try to earn forgiveness.""Still I hate you, you are too perfect, Who won't love you?."She finished reading it and looked at Sanjay.Thank youTake carePls vote and commentPls let me know how it is.Bye.