"Pain."

~~~~~~

At 7:00 AM.

Shivya woke up and looked down at her chest. She saw he was snuggling to her in sleep. She kissed his forehead and looked at the clock.

Shi: Kinshuk ko 8 baje kaam par jana hai abhi mujhe khana bhi banana hai.

She carefully removed him from her and went to get fresh. Then went down in kitchen while dialing Basant's number.

At 7:20 AM.

Someone came in from the window after opening it in Sumedh's room. He went near the sleeping figure. Sumedh felt the presence of someone and opened his eyes weakly. He got shocked to see a man in clown mask he tried to move back but was not able to because of weakness.

Sum: Diii-mmmmhhhhhh!😶

The goon put his palm over his mouth tightly and hovered over him locking him.

He was wriggling in his grip while crying as he was feeling suffocating. The goon took out a cloth from his pocket and pressed it over his mouth and nose making him feel breathless. He was crying a mess and was continuously trying to got rid off him.

Suddenly Shivya came in and got shocked seeing the sight. She kicked the goon on his butt making him lose his balance. He stood up and ran with the speed of flash and jumped from the window being successful in escaping. 

She went near Sumedh and hugged him.

Shi: Sumi Shaant hoja Shh Shaant.

Sum: Di.. mujhe.. mujhe saans nahi aa rahi.🥺

He panted.

Shi: Tu deep breaths le.

He tried but it didn't helped, he cried more. He was afraid. She rubs his back to comfort him he tried to say something.

Shi: Shh Chup Shaant gehri saans lene ki koshish kar, meri copy kar.

She took deep breathes while he copied her and after 15 minutes he got calm. She made him look at her and wiped his tears.

Shi: Sumi tu jaa ready ho ja mai aati hu.

He hold her hand.

Sum: Please mujhe akela chodh kar mat jao.

He pleaded.

Shi: Sumi.

Sum: Please Di.

Shi: Thik hai Sumi tu ghabra mat mai yahi hu.

Sum: Pakka di?

Shi: Ha baba.

She sat on couch waiting for him. In 10 minutes he came out and went towards her. He hugs her, she hugged him back.

Shi: Chal niche chalte hai

He nodded. Both stood up to go down. He hugs her arm being scared.

(A/n: This incident made insecure so much already he is in a trauma.)

Both went downstairs he was peeping out in fear from the stairs.

Shi: Sumi chal.

He went ahead with slow steps holding her hand tightly.

Shi: Tu yahi par baith mai khana le aati hu.

He nodded in no.

Shi: Sumi.

He looked at her with pleading eyes. She sighed and both went in kitchen. He was not ready to leave her even for a second. She made him sit on couch and sat beside him she fed him poha with her hands. After 4 bites he stopped.

Sum: Bas di.

She hugged him tightly and realized he is shivering.

Kinshuk came and saw Sumedh being scared. Kinshuk put his hand over his shoulder but he jerked his hand and started crying.

Sum: Nahi nahi please nahi.😭

Kinshivya got shocked seeing his reaction.

Shi: Sumi dekh tere Kin Bhaiya hi to hai kyu dar raha hai?

He hid his face in her chest and cried more.

Kin: Mujhe jana chahiye.

He left without eating food.

Shi: Sumi tujhe pata hai mai aur dau humesha tere saath hai.

He nodded.

Shi: Fir tu kyu ro raha hai? Shaant hoja

She rubs his back.

Shi: Please Sumi.

He stopped crying.

Sum: Please mujhe akela chodh kar mat jao di please please please.

Shi: Shaant mai yahi hu.

She pecked his forehead. He was shivering. After sometime he calmed down. He realized because of him Kinshuk went with out eating.

Shi: Kya hua Sumi?

Sum: Di, meri vajah se bhaiya khana nahi kha kar gaye.

He was guilty.

Shi: Koi baat nahi Sumi.

Sum: Mujhe unse shama maangni hai.

Shi: Theek hai Sumi. Mai teri help karungi.

There is a misunderstanding, but Shivya and Kinshuk love each other truly.

~~~~~~

At 7:00 PM.

Kinshuk came back. Shivya opened the door. That was awkward. She tried her best to not look in his eyes but his gaze made her look at him. The had a eye lock. A comforting one. They saw love in each other's eyes.

Sum: Di.

Sumedh came. They looked down. Sumedh gave him warm water to drink.

Sum: Mujhe shama kar dijiye bhaiya.

Kin: Kyu? Tumne kya kiya?

Sum: Meri vajah se aap subah khana kha kar nahi gaye. Mujhe shama kar dijiye.

He looked down.

Kin: Sumedh meri taraf dekho.

He looked up.

Kin: Tumhe lagta hai ki mai tumhe kisi bhi tarah se harm karunga? Sach batana.

He shook his head.

Kin: Fir mere saamne dare - dare se kyu rehte ho?

Sum: Mujhe shama kar dijiye.

Kin: Theek hai Sumedh. Koi badi baat nahi hai. Tumhe mujh par vishvaas hai?

Sum: Hmm.

Kin: Fir ek baar bas ek baar smile kar de. Please, mere liye.

Sum: 😊

Kin: Ye hui na baat.😉

He winked. Sumedh chuckled.

Shivya was watching the bonding of them. She got lost in her thoughts. She thought to think about the misunderstanding again. May be she don't know something.

Sumedh ate with Kinshuk and Shivya. Sumedh cooked Kinshuk's favorite dish with Shivya to pacify him.

~~~~~~

At 8:00 PM.

The door bell rang. Shivya opened the door. Sumedh was right behind her clutching the corner of her dress. Basant was there. They met each other. Kinshuk was in his room. Basant went and got fresh.

After sometime. All sat together Shivya told him the morning incident. Basant looked at him who was fidgeting his fingers, sitting beside him looking down. He hugged him.

Bas: Itna kyu dar raha hai Kanha? Hum sab tere saath hai. Dar mat please.

He nodded.

Bas: Khana kha liya?

He nodded. He looked at Shivya for assurance.

Bas: Chal sone chalte hai.

He was suddenly panic stricken.

Sum: Nahi mujhe nahi jana please.😨

Bas: Par-

Sum: Mai yahi so jaunga par mujhe vaha nahi jana please.

Bas: Ka-

Sum: Nahi nahi nahi.😨

Basant looked at shivya. She just went from there to kitchen hiding her tears. Basant sighed and picked Sumedh in his arms while he wriggled. 

Sum: Mujhe vaha nahi jana. Chodhiye mujhe.😥

He took him to bedroom and made him sit on the carpet.

Sum: Dau please mai yaha nahi rehna chahta.

Bas: Kanha mat dar please na.

Sum: Please meri baat samjhne ki koshish kijiye.

Shivya came with a glass of warm milk.

Shi: Sumi, ye pi lo.

He took it from her hands and gulped it down in one go. She widened her eyes.

Shi: Sumi!

She exclaimed. Basant was startled.

Bas: Shivi kya hua?

Shi: Itna garam dudh tha tumne pi kaise liya? Thoda wait karna tha na.

She was worried. He was huffing. His mouth was burning. The milk was very hot.

Bas: Kanha, thoda sa thanda pani pi le.

Sum: Maine aap logo ki baat maani na. Aap log bhi meri baat maniye. Mujhe jaane dijiye please. Mujhe yaha par nahi so na.

Shi: Sumi phele pani pi.

She forcefully made him drink some water for his own good.

Sum: Please, jane dijiye.

Basant was irritated now.

Bas: Chup! Ek shabd aur nahi. Chup chap lait.

Sum: Dau ab aap bhi mujhe daanto ge?😖

Bas: Chup chap lait ja varna daantne ke saat maarunga bhi.

Sum: Koi baat nahi sab maarte hai, aap bhi maar lena.🥺

He made him lay forcefully. Basant laid beside him and hugged him so that he can't go. Shivya laid beside him.

Shi: Dau, kya kar rahe ho? Sumi dara hua hai.

He was sniffing. She hugged him and wiped his tears.

Shi: Sumi, vishvaas kar kuch nahi hoga. Dau aur mai hai yaha par tere saath. Maine gates aur windows acche se band kiye hai. Shaant ho kar soja. Hmm.

Sum: Thik hai di.

He closed his eyes and hugged her to sleep. She smiled and caresses his curls. 

~~~~~~

At 5:00 AM.

Sumedh was peacefully asleep. He furrowed his eyebrows in sleep. He was having a nightmare.

'He saw some people entering in Singh mansion.'

He clutched the duvet.

'He saw them lighting the fire in the mansion.'

His breath became heavy.

'He saw Mallika fighting with some people.'

He punched the pillow in sleep.

'Someone from back attacked her and shoot her.'

Sum: Mallika!

He yelled. He woke up. He sat up. His eyes fully wide. He sniffed. Tears forming in his eyes. He sobbed. 

Bas: Kanha!

Shi: Sumi, kya hua? Tum thik to ho? Kya hua? 

He started crying. 

Shi: Kya hua Sumi? Sumi, kya hua?

Her voice was desperate and tensed. 

Sum: Sab kuch khatam ho gaya di, Singh mansion ko jala diya di. Aur.. Aur Mallika ko maar diya di.😭

He hiccupped while crying. Basant made him rest his head on his shoulder.

Bas: Kanha, shaant, Kanha aisa kuch nahi hua. Tumne avashya hi koi bura sapna dekh hoga.

He shook his head, crying more.

Sum: Nahi.. Mallika ko maar diya hai. Maine.. maine apni aankho se dekha dau😭

He cried. Basant patted his back to calm him while hugging him.

Bas: Bas.. bas.. shaant.

~~~~~~

Mallika's Side.

She was sitting in a corner of jail staring at ceiling.

Suddenly she heard some sobbing sounds. She saw sumedh was sitting in other corner hugging his knees burying his face in them. A girl same to same like Mallika beating him with belt. He was yelling. He screamed at the top of his lungs and fell on the floor being faint.

It happened few months ago in real in her basement.

Mal: Jaana.💔

She cried. She was hallucinating. She was thinking all this is real.

Sumedh and Mallika both are suffering.

~~~~~~

At 9:00 AM.

All were eating breakfast.

Bas: Shivi mujhe uss Mallika par shak hai. Vo Kanha ko humse dur karna chahti hai.

He said coldly. He hates Mallika very much.

Shi: Mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai dau.

She agreed.

Sum: Par dau, di mujhe aisa nahi lagta.

They looked at him.

Sum: Queen apni baat ki pakki hai. Vo jhoot nahi kehti.

He said looking down.

Shi: Fir jo kal aaya tha vo kon tha?

She asked curious.

Sum: Queen ke dushman.

He said being sure.

Bas: Tum itne sure kaise ho, Kanha?

Sum: Kyunki mere aur Queen ke upar pehele bhi ek attack hua tha.

He trembled remembering those memories.

Basant has found a job in R. K. Industries. Shivya is working in the same company. Anyone of them always stays at home for Sumedh.

~~~~~~

At 4:00 PM.

Shi: Sumi ready hoja, chal bahar ghum kar aate hai.

Sum: Di please, mujhe nahi jana.

Shi: Chal na, enjoy kar ke aayenge.

Sum: Please nahi Di.

Shi: Apni di ki itni si baat nahi manega?

Sum: Thik hai di.

They left.

~~~~~~

At 4:30 PM.

They both were roaming happily in the park. He was holding her hand while she was cracking jokes to make him happy and was successful in it. Kinshuk was with them.

There were not much people as it it starting of January only kids and their mother's were there. Aunties gossiping and kids playing.

Suddenly someone from back put his hands on Sumedh's eyes to surprise him.

Sum: Nahiiiiiii!!!

He screamed and hugged Shivya. The person was shocked.

Shi: Sumi, kya hua?

He was panic stricken and was crying badly. Shivya glared Siddharth. Siddharath and Avneet wanted to surprise him but they unknowingly messed up. Suddenly Sumedh fainted.

~~~~~~

At 10:00 PM.

When he opened his eyes, he was on bed beside Shivya. He sat up.

Sum: Shama kar dijiye di, Mai bhaybheet ho gaya tha.

He looked down.

Shi: Koi baat nahi Sumi.

Siddharth knocked and came in. Avneet was with him.

Sid: Hello Sumedh.

Sum: Hello.

Shi: Mai 2 min mai aayi.

Sumedh didn't wanted to let her go but he has to. Shivya left.

~~~~~~

Avneet's POV

Avu: Hello Sumedh.

He is Sumedh. Queen' Sumedh. He is here, it means Queen let him go. How?

Comparatively to the the picture Sumedh is looking young. Who is he?

Sum: Hi..hi.

He was nervous.

Avu: Mai Avneet-

Sidd cut my words in between.

Sid: Teri bhabhi.

He raised his fake collars. Drama king. I rolled my eyes.

Sum: Avneet bhabhi.

He mumbled. I blushed listening bhabhi.

Sid: Chal chal have, sidhe - sidhe bol na tujhe party chahiye. Tu achanak se gayab kaha ho gaya tha?

He was missing?

Sum: Iss baare mai baad mai baat kare please?

He was uncomfortable. Sidd asked a simple question. Why is he nervous?

Sid: Ek baat bata tu achanak se roo kyu pada? Tu meri touch se kaise dar gaya?

Sumedh is restless. He is fidgeting his fingers. Shivya came in and saw him being uneasy.

Shi: Sumi.

She came near him hold his hand squeezed it lightly. Maybe trying to assure him something.

Shi: Shi Sid, Avu tum dono niche khana khane ke liye aa jao.

We came downstairs.

Avu: Sidd, Sumedh ka pura naam hai?

Sid: Sumedh Mudgalkar. Tumne kyu pucha?

He glared me. I slapped his shoulder playfully.

Avu: Aree yaar, aise hi pucha tha. Relax mai sirf tumhari hu. Aur tum sirf mere ho.

He chuckled and pecked my forehead making me blush.

Sumedh Mudgalkar? He was Malhotra na. What is happening? I am being kept in dark. I need to contact Mikks.

I called her. Her number was switched off. I am worried what's happening. I need to meet her.

Avu: Sidd, mujhe kuch dino ke liye Delhi jana hai.

Sid: Achanak se?

Avu: Sidd Mikks se milna hai.

Sid: Kal chale jana, aaj raat mere saath reh lo.

He knows very well that I will not take him with me. He knows me so well.

Avu: Thik hai Sidd.

Avneet's POV Over

~~~~~~

Upstairs

As soon as Sidneet left Shivya hugged him.

Shi: Sumi, stress mat le hum sab tere saath hai. Tujhe darne ki koi jarrurat nahi hai.

Sum: Mai karu di? Mujhe bahut dar lagta hai.

Shi: Uske baare mai mat soch, aur kabhi mai mat samjhiyo ki tu akela hai. Tu jitna jyada uske baare mai sochega vo tujhe utna jyada pareshan karegi. Lambi saans le aur shaant hoja.

He took deep breathes and became calm.

~~~~~~

Few days later.

Shivya took him to market. So that he can enjoy.

The four left to hospital. When his name was called he with Basant and Kinshuk went in. Shivya was told to stay outside as only 1 person can go with him. Kinshuk requested to the doctor to let him in.

Doc: Please have a seat.

They sat.

Doc: Hello Sumedh.

Sum: He.. hello.

He looks down.

Doc: I am your doctor. My name is Ivaan.

He nodded.

Doc: Tumhe khaane mai kya pasand hai?

He was too nervous to answer a simple question. Ivaan just wanted him to be comfortable with him as friends do. It's his work.

Bas: Kanha javab do.

Sum: Kadi Chaval.

He whispered.

Doc: Who is your favourite person?

Sum: Mere.. dau aur.. di.

Doc: Basant aur Shivya?

He nodded.

Doc: Aisa kyu?

Sum: Kyunki vo humesha mere saath dete hai. Vo mere liye sab kuch karte hai. Vo mujhse bahut pyaar karte hai.

Ivaan asked some more questions before coming to a conclusion.

Doc: Theek hai Sumedh. Mujhe tumhare dau se kuch baat karni hai. Tum bahar wait karo.

Basant went with him and made him sit with Shivya.

Doc: Sumedh is disturbed. His mind, his peace is disturbed. Sumedh ke saath past mai kuch hua hai?

Bas: Doctor hua to bahut kuch hai lekin Sumedh nahi chahta ki vo sab mere aur Shivya ke ilava kisi ko bhi pata chale.

Doc: It's okay. His mind is stuck on that incident. Sumedh ko uss trauma se bahar nikalna hoga. I suggest to change his surroundings. Travelling and visiting places might help.

Bas: Theek hai.

He nodded.

Doc: Did he gets any kind of attacks?

Kin: Few days ago he went through a silent panic attack.

Basant looked at him shocked.

Doc: Then what did you do?

Kri: I tried to calm him by telling soothing words.

Doc: Don't let him be panicked. It can lead to his death. I am not scaring you but it is the truth.

Basant was to much shocked. His eyes filled with tears.

Kri: Yes doctor.

Doc: Kuch dawaiya likh ke de raha hu. Sumedh ko next Thursday yaha le aana. For his next session.

Bas: Thank you doctor.

Kinshuk and Basant went outside. Basant saw Sumedh who was giggling with Shivya. The thought of loosing him sent shivers to ran down his spine. He hugged him. Sumedh was shocked but slowly hugged him back.

Sum: Dau.. Sab theek hai?

Bas: Hmm.

~~~~~~

'Your trauma is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility.'

"Radhe Radhe"

Word Count: 2573.