ODD

Prachi sat on her bed, fiddling with the hem of her palazzo as the Doctor explained her medicine timing and dosage. She could have burst out in laughter at the look of rapt attention on Ranbir's look if they were alone. But they weren't. They were far from alone as Every Single Member was in her room!

Beside her, Shahana sighed for the sixth time since they reached home. That was about half an hour ago.

"What is it?" Prachi discreetly whispered to her.

"They never stepped near your room, and today they are not leaving," Shahana whispered back.

As much as Prachi wanted to chide Shahana, she couldn't help but agree. Noone except Shahana and Piyush was a regular visitor of her room. Aaryan usually just came to check on her or rely on messages. Aarav and Ranbir had just entered about four or five times each. Besides that, no one has ever come to her room. And now, seeing everyone overcrowding her room was super overwhelming.

"Do Not put pressure on that hand," The doctor addressed Prachi, "And make sure to not over-exert yourself, both of you." She added to Shahana as well.

"Thank you, doctor." Vikram said and lead the doctor out.

"Prachi are you okay?" Pragya asked, taking her daughter's hand in her own. "Do you need anything?"

"Umm, Maasi, I think we should let her rest. Right, Prachi?" Shahana added.

"And don't you think that you should rest too?" Purab asked her while Shahana looked on.

"I.. I think everyone should rest." Prachi replied, hoping to have some alone time to think.

Everything that had happened in the last three days was too much for her to wrap her head around. And she desperately wanted to have some alone time to untangle her thoughts.

"That's true. We all should go, freshen up, have some rest." Aarav agreed, and Prachi gave him a grateful look.

Following his words, everyone started walking out of the room and Prachi heaved a relaxed breath.

"Prachi, child, you too change and have some rest, I'll send you something to eat." Pragya cooed sweetly before taking her leave.

As everyone left, Prachi limped over to the door, quickly locking it, and limped back to her bed. She heaved a deep breath to control her heartbeat after all the hobbling she had done. She looked down at her bandaged leg and cast on her left hand and shook her head.

One would have thought that her lifetime quota of injuries must have been filled long ago, but no, look at her now, perfectly unfit.

After gaining a bit of control over her uneven breathing, she stood up to do another round of limping over to her wardrobe. But this time, she could only reach her dresser before she was out of breath. Giving up on the idea of getting to her wardrobe, she leaned against the wooden, white, chest and started rummaging in the drawers to find something comfortable. 

But to her never-ending unfortunate luck, the only piece of clothing she could find, that wouldn't take any external help in wearing, was a nuisance she thought she had gotten rid of.

Filled with anger, she threw the soft fabric on her bed and, fueled by anger, dragged her leg to the wardrobe. She quickly scanned every approachable inch of her vast wardrobe that she could reach without straining her body and, upon finding nothing, banged her good fist into the wall. 

She dejectedly made her way back to her bed, cursing herself for keeping most of her loose clothing on the upper shelf. But she didn't know that those oversized t-shirts would be needed in these early months of the year. 

Huffing, she sat on her bed, leaning back on her right hand. She stared and stared at the piece of clothing she had mercilessly thrown at the bed, still lying there innocently. Finally sighing, too fed up with the clothes she currently wore that reeked of the hospital, she decided to wear the balloon sleeve midi dress Shahana had gifted her.

Not that she hasn't worn it before, or rather been forced to wear it before. And also not that she will parade the house in it. 

Quickly changing the clothes, making sure she didn't temper her wrapped shin, she dumped the older pair of clothes in a corner too tired to walk back to the laundry basket and swiftly lay back on her bed. 

She turned and then turned again. But just as she thought, being alone had taken her mind to a wind whirl of thoughts. Jumping from one to another in the vast sea of unrealistic seeming things that had happened to her.

Sanju kidnapped me, seriously, he should have known better. But at least now he won't bother me anymore, Prachi thought as she recalled his filthy hands grasping her arms. The dress she was wearing was full-sleeved, and she was hearty thankful for it. The burning sensation in her body was enough of a reminder for her and she was grateful that at least her bruises were covered. 

Bruises in the form of handprints dotted the entirety of her arms and shoulders. And from the dull burning in her neck, she was sure the same patterns were embedded there too. She shuddered just thinking how they had grasped her neck from behind, almost pulling her hair out with the sheer force they used to pull her back.

She hasn't got out that feeling when a new thought made its way stomping to the front of her mind.

'Where was Rhea?'

Of course, she already knew 'How' her twin could be. Shahana had filled her with all the necessary details of the happenings that she missed. And so much she had already figured out before it when she had seen Ranbir with her. Prachi was not dumb and had guessed that Ranbir being with her could only mean that the deal she had struck with Rhea regarding her parents was out front to everyone. 

But she could not deduce where Rhea was. Shahana would have told her but Ranbir had strictly forbidden her to mention the person around Prachi. 

Everyone had visited Prachi at least twice, but still, she hadn't had even a glimpse of Rhea since she had entered the house. She knew better than to hope for her visit, in fact, a part of her was glad that she hadn't had to face her. Still, Prachi had thought to see Rhea when she crossed her room to get to her own room. But to her surprise, Rhea's room was locked.

Her pondering was interrupted when someone knocked on her door and she remembered that she had forgotten to unlock it after changing. 

'Maa must've brought something to eat.' She thought before once again hobbling over to the door. 'All the hopscotch played in childhood is finally paying off.' She smiled as she turned the doorknob and pulled the door open.

"Thank god, I was really hungry," Prachi said as she turned back leaving the door open, and started limping back to the bed, finding it too difficult to stand and welcome anyone perfectly. 

She had just taken a couple of steps back before the ground disappeared from under her feet. She gasped as she felt warm hands on herself and her body cradled against someone's body. A familiar scent filled her pallet and she swatted the chest she was against.

"Ouch, is this the way you say thank you?"

 "What are you doing here?" Prachi asked as Ranbir placed her on the bed.

"I brought food." Ranbir exclaimed happily lifting the plate from the table where he kept it to free his hands.

"I can see that, what I meant was why did you bring it? Where is Maa?" Prachi rephrased.

"Vo actually you know, Aunty is super sweet. She herself asked me to bring this for you, and even asked me to feed you, as your hand is injured. So, as the good boy that I am, how could I refuse her? So I agreed." Ranbir smiled proudly as Prachi just looked at him blankly.

"Done?" She asked as he finished, "now tell me what happened?"

Ranbir gasped dramatically, "You don't believe me?-" Prachi shook her head, "How cruel you are! You always do this. You never understand me, if it would have been that Aarav, you would have been jumping on one leg to show your happiness. But who am I? huh? Just me. I do not even get a small, teeny-weeny smile, let alone a thank you. You've changed Prachi, you don't acknowledge my gestures, being romantic is a far-fetched--"

"The. Truth." Prachi cut off his over-dramatic performance with a hard stare.

Ranbir huffed and mumbled something while moving the spoon within the soup bowl.

"What?" Prachi asked leaning forward to catch the words. Ranbir took a deep breath, gently pushed Prachi straight by the shoulder, and began again.

Pragya gently stirred the soup as it simmered to get a little thick, simutaneously putting back the ingredients she used to their original place. Pallavi stood next to her, attentively observing the recipie. Ranbir took a deep breath before entering the kitchen nonchalantly. 

"Hmmm... this smells good." He praised and Pragya smiled in response. 

"That is why I'm learning the recipe, I'll try it myself too." Pallavi chimed in and Ranbir just looked on.

"This is Prachi's favorite soup. You know, when she was a child, she used to specifically ask me to make this when she used to get sick." Pragya replied as she carefully poured the soup into the bowl.

"No wonder, you make everything so yummy." Ranbir grinned.

"Hmm, let's give this to Prachi, she must be starving."

"Aunty," Ranbir interrupted and Pragya looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Does Shahana have any favorite soup?" 

Pragya looked quizzically at the out-of-the-blue question but answered nevertheless, "Yes, Shahana like the carrot soup."

"I think you should make some for her too, she must be hungry too," Ranbir said, picking on some coriander leaves placed on the kitchen island.

"I don't think so," Pallavi replied, "Aryan took some fruits for her about an hour ago."

'He is getting even more caring and cutesy than I imagined. Arre romantic hona hai to ho par mere ideas par kyun paani fer raha hai? Apna to kaam kar gaya par mera to bigaad diya na.' Ranbir cursed Aryan under his breath.

"Hmm, you said anything?" Pragya asked.

"Uhh, umm," Ranbir stuttered before answering, "Yeah, umm, but that was an hour ago. She is weak, I think you should make it for her."

"Okay, I'll make it, let me give this to Prachi then I'll make it." Pragya replied.

"But," Ranbir interjected, "But, Shahana has to take medicine, and if you took this to Prachi, feed it to her, and then return to make the soup for Shahana, she might go to sleep till then."

"But this soup-" Pallavi tried but Ranbir cut her off, taking the bowl from Pragya.

"But this soup will get cold till then. Hmm... what to do? What to do?" He pretended to think stirring the spoon, while Pragya shot an amused look to Pallavi, who was stifling her smile looking at her dramatic son. 

"Yeah, I have an idea, why don't you prepare the soup for Shahana and I give this to Prachi. Don't worry, I'll give her the medicine too. Yes, this is a good idea. I'll also tell Shahana to stay awake as you'll be making soup for her. It's a good idea, right?" He asked hopefully.

Pragya acted to think for a moment while Ranbir gave a gummy smile. 

"Hmm, it is a nice idea. How good of you to think of it Ranbir." Pragya smiled.

"Thank you, aunty." Ranbir thanked her and practically skipped out of the kitchen.

"Ranbir.." Pragya called and he halted his steps and turned back to look at her.

"You could have just asked to take the soup for Prachi." Pragya said and Ranbir turned a deep red before running upstairs.

Prachi burst out laughing while Ranbir pouted. 

"What yaar Chikchiki? I literally embarrassed myself and you, instead of praising my hardwork, you are laughing at me!"

"Serves you right." Prachi retorted.

"How come?" Ranbir asked, offended.

"Who asked you to do that poor excuse of acting in front of Maa and Pallavi aunty?" Prachi asked and Ranbir pouted again.

"Don't talk," Ranbir said when he couldn't come up with a witty enough reply. "You are injured. Injured people do not speak too much."

Prachi looked at him funny at his stupid reasoning.

"Here, have this." Ranbir said, forwarding a spoon to her.

"I have cast on my left hand, I can feed myself very well." Prachi said, forwarding her own hand to catch the spoon but Ranbir pulled back.

"Oho, I have to teach you a lot don't I?" Ranbir asked and Prachi looked at him confused.

"Arey Prachi we do somethings to romanticize the moment. Do you think that I'll leave the chance to tell our future kids how I saved their mother from goons and then I used to feed her myself so that she can heal without any strain, do you think you'll steal this golden story from our future kids with your practicality?" Ranbir asked while Prachi looked on, her brain had already short-circuited on the 'our kids' part.

Ranbir fed her and Prachi ate mechanically. Her emotions run in all directions like preschool children who got an unscheduled last-minute holiday. 

These emotions. They weren't new to her. But feeling them after such a long time, it felt... Odd. Foreign. Fake, even. 

She knew that they were genuine. Ranbir's love for her was genuine. Her brain knew that everything is sorted now. But her heart? Her bruised heart refused to feel them. Her heart denied even acknowledging them, fearing that she will come out of the shell she was in and all the heavy blows will start pounding in full force again. 

She wanted to feel free, alive, like she used to. She wanted to escape, but a part of her wanted her to stay in the protective walls she had built so securely around herself.

"Very good." Ranbir said putting down the glass after giving her medicine as well and looked at Prachi who had a blank look on her face.

Ranbir took her face in his hands, breaking Prachi's trance and looking intently at her. Trying to decipher her thoughts. All these months he saw emotions flickering in her eyes, one after another. He always wanted to know what thoughts went through her mind. And now, he had the chance.

"Prachi? What are you feeling?" Ranbir asked, and Prachi's eyes glistened. Tears filled up her eyes, blurring her vision. 

As soon as her eyes filled up, her automatic defense mechanism turned on. Ranbir could swear that he heard a click in Prachi before her eyes, her expressive eyes turned hollow.

Ranbir knew what was happening. He himself has been doing the same. Throwing the emotions in a bottomless pit and putting forward a strong facade. He also knew that those emotions creep back up in loneliness, to seek their revenge. Hitting with such a force that it actually, physically hurts.

"Prachi, I'm here for you." He whispered softly, "I'll always be here. For you. Don't bottle them up. I know it hurts. Please tell me, what do you feel?" 

He mentally congratulated himself when he saw emotions returning to her eyes. His happiness was, but, short-lived. Her eyes looked at his painfully. He could see her soul suffocating from the burden she carried.

"You have to let it out, Prachi. What do you feel?"

"I- I don't know." Prachi's voice broke. 

The words came out as mere whispers that evaporated before she could even complete her sentence. Ranbir felt his own eyes well up, but he knew he had to do this. Or these emotions will turn to wounds that'll never heal.

"Try." He nodded softly.

"I don't know how to tell. I can't find the right words." This time a tear did escape.

"Just tell me. Throw them out, I'll understand." Ranbir assured. 

"I- I feel," Prachi tried to understand how she feels, "empty. Like nothing matters anymore. I know that everything is fine, that everything will get better, but at the same time, I'm scared. I'm scared that life will take another turn and I'm not ready. I don't want to feel anything. This... this feeling is scary. It's haunting, I don't want to feel it. But it feels better than anything else because I know it won't hurt to feel hollow.

I want to face everyone, to ask them what was my fault? But I also don't want to meet anyone. I don't want to tell anyone how I feel because it'll only make me relive through all of it again. I want to live with my family, but I also want to live alone. I always craved for this family, but now I feel that I was better all alone. I want to cry, but I don't want to do it in front of anyone because then I'll have to explain why I'm crying. I- I want to go away."

Ranbir gathered her in his arms, letting her cry it all out. Prachi cried and cried, fisting his shirt as she shook violently, her breaths coming raggedly. But Ranbir knew that just crying for one time won't heal her. It'll take a long time for her to come out of this trauma. He slowly felt her calm down, her hold on him ging limp and her breathing turning even.

He laid her back, carefully straightening her injured leg and supporting her left hand on the pillow. He covered her with a thick blanket, noticing her choice of clothing he was sure that she was bound to feel cold during the night.

Mentally noting to himself to make sure she got some change of mood, he slowly slipped out of the room.

~*~

Later that night, Aarav, Piyush, Ranbir, and Aryan gathered in the former's room. All claimed different corners of the room as they pondered over the same thoughts. 

"It is just as bad as I had feared it to be." Aarav said, pondering over whatever Ranbir had told them.

The boys had been knit closely after finding out the doings they did to execute their plans and bring the truth in front of everyone. When Ranbir had found out that Aarav did all this for the good of his Prachi, an unshakeable trust was planted in his heart for the latter. And since it was to bring him and Prachi together in the long run, he got a grateful feeling for the boy.

"It's even worse cause she's been like that for months." Aryan added, gritting his teeth as he looked out of the window at the dark night.

"I can't see her like this." Ranbir sighed.

"What do we do?" Piyush asked.

"Let's start with the basics. A full-fledged apology. From everyone." Aarav said, determined.

"But that'll only make her wounds fresh." Ranbir said, clearly against the idea. 

Gratefulness be damned, he won't tolerate anything that'll hurt Prachi more.

"Doesn't mean she doesn't deserve one." Aarav replied.

Aryan snorted, "She deserves a million of them, every day, for the rest of her life," And then sighed, "but let's just make it one and that's all. It'll be out of the way and at the last, it is up to Prachi what she decides." He seconded the thought.

Ranbir looked at him in disbelief, but after getting a reassuring nod from Aryan, he held his temples between his hand for a moment before agreeing.

"And what after it?" He asked. "I mean, the apology won't act as dittany that a few drops and the person will be as good as new."

"No, the apology won't be dittany. And Prachi won't be healed by dittany as well, it's going to take a lot of patience, love, crying, laughing and Episkeys' to heal her. Remember, she'll heal, but the scars will always be there," Aarav said in a totally professional tone. Ranbir wondered if this was how the psychiatrists protected their own subconscious feelings: by turning them off.

"She will hate everyone at times, herself included. It will be up to you two and Shahana to make her feel loved. Because you three are the ones she truly trusts. Especially you Ranbir, Prachi wasn't kidding when she said that she don't want to expose herself to anyone. I doubt that she even has that old bond with Pragya aunty too, and even if she does, she won't go to her for help because she thinks that aunty has already suffered enough. Just make her feel secure. That's it."

Everyone nodded, pledging to make sure that their brave lioness feel free to rule again.

A/N:- Hey doves, all the lovers and single, Happy Valentines Day.

I just remembered a parody by the Merrel twins. It goes like :-

"It's Valentine's Day, a day to be happy when you have your bae.

It's Valentine's Day, a day to remind you that you have no bae."

And ain't it true? Look at the irony, Roni, who portrayed the single twin on V'day, got married to Aaron this passing December.

Moving on, here is the next chapter for you all. Make sure to give your reviews. Please Vote and Comment if you liked the chapter. Will try my best to post the next one soon.

Lots of Love,

Simran

P.S.- Was gonna update it on Wednesday, but it's here earlier for you @team_ksj Enjoy. :)