Chapter 12

...Next day...

Chandhini woke up in the morning with a heavy heart. Last night she had stayed awake late thinking about what happened at dinner. How embarrassing for di, what would Sid will be thinking, the more she thought, the angrier she got.

Why Swathi couldn't had said these things some other time. At least, the witch will be going back today, so Chandhini didn't have to bear her long. She happily got up and then suddenly thought that in a months' time, swathi will be here as Advay's bride and then, we will all have to bear her.

Feeling sad again, she took a shower. Something must be done to teach her a lesson, so that she would not think to mess up in front of others again but what?? An idea took shape in her mind and Chandhini quickly got ready for college, she was late and she had missed the test but she hadn't prepared it any way. She only studied during final exams and gained enough marks so she could be promoted to next level.

Books did not interested her. In beginning everyone used to despair over her exam results because everyone in the family was straight A holder but with time everyone got used to it except for Advay who had somehow wanted her to be an engineer and kept trying to get her interested in the field. The mechanical puzzles were old remnant of his attempts.

As she thought everyone was at table and Swathi was sitting beside Advay. She said something which made everyone smile except Advay who Chandhini guessed was angry at Swathi for what happened at dinner.

Chandhini said loudly ''Morning everyone''

Arnav looked at her and smiled, 'Morning little one. Today, my chandhini seem very happy.''

Chandhini ,''yes,baba I am very happy today. I really like sid jiju, di was so happy, it is making me happy too. Here, let me transfer my happiness to everyone''

She gave him a kiss on cheek, then gave one to ayi, everyone was smiling at her antics.

Chandhini moved to Veer and kissed him on cheek, then Sheekha, and then right in front of Swathi she kissed Advay too.

She started to move away but Advay grabbed her and kissed her on right cheek and then left. Chandhini felt stunned, she had not expected this.

She could feel Swathi's angry gaze on her. Advay probably was being more affectionate after the drama at the dinner and thinking she might be hurt by Swathi's words. She pasted a smile on her face and went to her chair and sat down for breakfast.

...

Later at night Chandhini was lying on her bed trying to sleep and not think about what happened in the morning, when there was a knock on the door and ayi entered. Chandhini sat up in her bed.

Khushi held a glass of milk in her hand. She gave it to Chandhini to drink and sat down on bed. Chandhini drank the milk knowing any protest will go unheard.

Khushi ,''Megha called today, she told me to pass her love to you''

Chandhini laid back on bed and asked,'' How is she? Is she enjoying the trip?''

Khushi,''yeah..., she also told me what happened at dinner.''

Chandhini said nothing.

Khushi continued, 'If anything like this happen again, tell me. You know Chandhini you are my daughter and no matter what anyone say, you are one of us.''

Chandhini nodded and said,''I know ayi'' she held her hand and gave it a squeeze,'' no matter what anyone say I know you love me.''

Khushi covered Chandhini's hand with both of hers and sat there for some time and then said,'' I don't know how to say this but since I am an ayi, I think today I have to speak up and I am saying this as your ayi '' she stared at Chandhini and then said, 'what happened today at breakfast, should never happen again.''

Chandhini suddenly felt like her heart was beating faster, and looked away from Khushi, she knew to what Khushi was referring.

Khushi continued, 'He does not understand but you do. Try to stay away from him because Swathi is going to be his wife and no wife can bear it that someone else is centre of her husband's attention.''

Chandhini closed her eye trying to stop her tears. Khushi bent forward and kissed Chandhini on her head and said, 'Let it go, it will only hurt you my child.''

Chandhini nodded unable to say anything else.

Chandhini kept her eyes closed, she felt Khushi cover her with blanket and turn off the light and closing the door. Chandhini turned her face into pillow and let it mute her cries.

Khushi stood silently outside the door tears streaming down her cheeks knowing chandhini was crying inside but knew she could not do anything to make it better. Chandhini needed to let these tears out. She needed a reminder that Advay belonged to someone else.

...

From next day, Chandhini tried to avoid Advay as much as possible, she started going to college with Veer saying that because of Advay she got late for her morning class, she signed up for some clubs so that she could spend time in college and khushi started to pick Chandhini from college.

At home, whenever Advay was around, Chandhini would find something to do which will keep her away from him.

This continued for few weeks, then one night Advay knocked on her room and entered, Chandhini was playing angry bird on mobile. She pretended to be totally focussed on game and said, 'yes''

Advay came and sat on bed beside her. He didn't say anything for some time which was sure indicator he was deeply troubled by something. Chandhini didn't say anything. The silence stretched and finally Advay spoke first, 'Are you angry at me for what happened at hotel?''

Chandhini,''No, why do you say so?''

Advay,'' You are ignoring me.''

Chandhini,''No, I am not.''

Advay,''Yes, you are, even right now you are ignoring me.''

Cjadnhini,''Advay I am just trying to play my game.''

Advay,''It says game over.''

Chandhini grew silent and then threw the mobile beside her and said,'' I am not angry at you.''

Advay,''You are angry at swathi?''

Chandhini,''No,I am not.'' which was truth, she was not angry at her any more.

Advay kept staring at her.

Chandhini,''It's really late, I need to sleep.''

Advay looked hurt at her words but didn't say anything. He went out and Chandhini closed the door and then leaned against it. It was so difficult to stay away from him and act aloof.

...

The next day Chandhini waited for ayi to pick her up but no one came. She tried to call her but her phone was switched off. At that moment driver came with Veer's car.

Chandhini tried to call Veer and he picked up phone,''Bro, where is ayi, I am trying to call her but she is not picking her mobile.''

Veer,''she is with me, we are at hospital.''

Chandhini panicked, 'what? What happened to ayi, she is alright??

Veer,'' Yes, she is ok. Everything is okay, the driver is taking you to hospital, I am waiting for you outside.''

Chandhini looked outside the window, 'We are almost there.''

She gave a silent prayer for ayi's health, the car stopped and driver opened car door, Chandhini got out and searched for Veer and then seeing him, she disconnected the call and went to him. Veer saw her and hugged her, 'Don't worry.''

Chandhini her voice gone teary asked,''Ayi is really okay?''

Veer nodded. He held her hand and led her to elevator on 5th floor, they went down a corridor and entered a room and then down another corridor, entered a room. Ayi and baba were sitting there on a sofa, their faces ashen and Sheekha was pouring soup in a bowl and on bed Advay was lying, his arm and head bandaged.

Everyone looked at her. Chandhini felt her legs give out. Veer quickly held her. If she had known Advay was in hospital, she probably wouldn't have made this far and that was the reason why veer didn't tell her.

Advay'I am fine, just a small accident.''

Chandhini went to him and touched his arm, trying to assure herself he was okay.

She stayed there whole day with ayi and baba until he was discharged and they brought him home. She stayed with him even through the night in case he needed anything and thus, her one attempt to separate herself from him its natural death.

...