.Priyal.

I woke up, got down from the bed coming out off the duvet and ran a hand in my hair. I looked into the mirror with sleepy eyes. I yawned and finally looked at myself properly in the mirror with all messed up hairs and geeky-sleepy and red eyes. The new day, new challenges, and a new quest for me- finding Aarush's past. Not just as a psychiatrist but as his good friend too.

But, I need to remind myself of some things. He is just my mere friend and patient. My relationship with him is cordial, and I only love Darsh. I don't know, but I felt so connected and attracted to him. But, with goals clear in my mind, I won't mess up, at least that's what I think.  Also, to repay all the things that Manish uncle did for my family. My family isn't there with me. Maybe, for a few days, I can find my family in Aarush and his family.

I worked out and called Nisha di. She was back from San Francisco, USA, from an outing. I decided to take her with me to Sahay Mansion. She was behaving weirdly at the mention of going to an Indian house. I don't know what was up in her mind. I took her with me.

I went into my Black Mercedes. Alas! No Lamborghini. I would definitely buy one after Aarush would get fully recovered. With this thought, I didn't get to know when my car escorted me to the big and gloomy Sahay Mansion. I nudged Nisha di to wake her as she was now also sleeping in the car. How can someone sleep so much?

.Nisha.

I was back at home after my 1-month outing with my friends, but my sissy didn't let me sleep and forcefully took to a place, yes that's the great Sahay Mansion. I want sleep, 14 hrs is so short. I sleep 17 hours a day, 3 hours for my talking with friends, 1 hour night club and rest of the time eating and eating. But, she is so cute and always takes care of me like my mom. I went inside the mansion.

.Priyal.

It was a woman in her late fifties who opened the door, must be Mrs. Mohini Sahay. The mansion was so changed. The white walls had become pale, the furniture was not maintained, and the only thing that sustained was sadness. My eyes became moistened. Why did my dad get transfer? Because of that, we had to leave. 

Nisha di was not even bothering to give a look to Mohini aunt. All that mattered to her was Instagram. 

I bent down to touch her feet. She smiled and blessed me. Her eyes held confusion. 

"Who are you?" she asked. 

"I am Priyal, Aarush's psychiatrist and Ritvik Banerjee's daughter, who worked with you in the past. And, she is Nisha Banerjee." I replied. Her facial expressions suddenly changed, it was emotionless. She turned towards the other side and her back faced us. I put my hand on her shoulder. I could hear her sobs. I went towards the other side and embraced her. She patted on my back. Was this the motherly love which was devoid in my life for around a decade? 

"Priyal, please don't show this arrogant lady, the love she doesn't deserve. I have done so much wrong with you but you and your parents only cared for us. When Ritvik and Vasundhra left, our business got shattered. Manish became a heart patient, and we lost the charm of this house, Aarush. And, Anshul, he has lost everything. He has become the boy with the qualities which we hate, a total spoilt child. But, with you, our happiness is coming back. I know I am sounding selfish, but, never please leave us again, for your best friend Aarush only, please stay here." she was emotional and guilty. Every word of her was a booklet of so many feelings.

"Now that I am back, I will set everything right. But, I definitely have to go someday, right?" I replied and she saw me with pursed lips. 

"That's nice. A great development in an arrogant lady. Thanks to the circumstances." Nisha di gave a sarcastic comment. I glared and she settled on the sofa. Aunt's face was again dull. I embraced her again, and she gave me a genuine smile.

"Can I get the rights of being your second mother again?" she asked me. 

"You were always that for me." I replied and Nisha di had gone away. Maybe, went to sleep. 

Her smiled glistened, and she kissed me on the forehead.

Now,  I was in front of Manish uncle. I broke down seeing him in that condition- bed-ridden. I walked and sat beside him. I took his hand in mine, and he opened his eyes. He muttered, "Pri? You are my Pri, right? God bless you my girl!"

I was shocked that he recognized me. I composed myself asking him about how he identified me. 

He smiled a bit and said, "My child, we are like father-daughter. By the way where are Nisha and Ritvik? Also, where's my sister in law Vasundhra?"

At the first comment, I smiled. But, the second comment made me emotional, tears formed and started dropping from my cheeks. 

"They are no more. We lost them in a car accident when I was just 14." I broke down. Mohini aunt embraced me. They both were shocked and sobbed. 

"We both are your parents, Pri." Mohini aunt said. 

"Right. Call me dad, and she is your mom, ok?" Manish uncle replied. 

"But..." I couldn't complete as they glared. I gave up and called them mom and dad. 

"By the way, I am taking no fees from you. And, my P&N Indian branch will be merging with Sahay Publications. You're the MD." I announced. 

They wanted to retort but, couldn't. 

"But, publications?" Mom asked me. 

"For financial support, I created this company. And, did Prateek sir reach you?" I replied. 

"Yeah, so the leading cardiologist treated Manish for free because you sent him?" Mom asked and I nodded. She embraced me and blessed me. 

"Do you know Mohini, P&N Publications is the leading company in India. I keep a track of this." dad replied and mom looked at me with proud eyes. 

"Who said that I don't have  daughter? I have a daughter who is far more perfect than I would ever expect." Mom said. 

"Mom, where's Anshul bro?" I asked her. 

"Must be in his room."she replied, and I nodded. I went to meet him.

"Time for the completion of my goal." I murmured. 

I peeped in Anshul bro's room, and he was sleeping on the couch. A smile played on my lips and I splashed a bucket on water on him. I remembered that I used to do it in childhood to wake him up. He woke up with a thud and rubbed his eyes. 

"Priyal?" he said. He also identified me. 

"You splashed water just as in childhood and I met Nisha a few minutes back. That's why." he replied. 

He went to freshen up. When he came, I embraced him. Tears glistened in my eyes. 

"How are you bro?" I asked him. 

"How would I be? When you and Nisha left, we both, Aarush and me, used to cry as we lost our best friends." he replied.

"Bro, we both love Aarush, right? You as his brother and I, as his best friend. For diagnosing him, I want to know his past. Will you help me?" I asked him. 

"Definitely." he replied. 

"Everyone think that I am a spoilt soul. But, only I know what I went through. I became so to be away from all the sadness and pain. And, I ended up walking on a wrong path. But, yes, let's forget this." he said with a cracked voice. I embraced him. 

"Bro, tell me only if you're comfortable." I patted his back. 

"I am fine. So, yeah! 

Aarush was totally devastated when you left him. He lost his better half with you. He was broken and I was too. That's why, I don't know what actually happened to him. 

He was the topper and a happy go guy. But, later, he became an average student and a depressed boy. Many people were called for his diagnosis, but everyone failed. I suggested that we should contact you, but we lost the contact. Your dad was already shifted to another company. No one believed, but I want to say that psychotic traits started to get reflect in him only when you left." 

I looked towards him. Anshul bro was breaking while telling every word himself.

❁✪❁✪❁✪❁✪❁✪❁✪

Another horrible cliffhanger? Haah! That's my job to make you excited.

Did you like the bond between Priyal and Sahays?

And, Aarush's past would be continued from here. 

Drop your views in the comment section and do vote. Share this as much as possible. 

Much love, Priya