Arjun and Aanchal both kept on loosing themselves. Everything reminded them of Raghav and Pallavi.
But no matter how much Arjun's heart desired and pleaded to rekindle his childhood bond, his Mind, his Ego came in between.
His life was ironical now!
The feelings of hurt and betrayal refused to die! But whenevr he decided to take control of his life, the memories of old times would resurface!
It's been almost 2 months since the two had left and eversince then, their especially Aanchal's life kept on getting quiter!
Hemant and Kaku did try to nudge the three, time and again but neither of them gave in!
Life gave Arjun one chance at trying to build things up with his little one...Diwali was round the corner and so was Pihu's 19th birthday!
Arjun initiated a lot of preparations for the festival and Aanchal too tried to stay happy for the sake of her brother.
She was however missing Pallavi and Raghav terribly. She although did put up a brave face!
"Ma I won't be able to come for Diwali...please Aap aur Papa Delhi aa jao!" Pallavi spoke over the phone and Kaku went helpless.
"Beta Diwali toh apne ghar me hoti hai na...Ghar aur Cafe me Diwali Pooja nahi ho...achha nahi hoga Beta" Kaku tried reasoning
"Beti akeli reh le chalega aapko, Cafe akela nahi rehna chahiye na!" Pallavi replied in a curt manner
"Pallavi aisa nahi.." Kaku replied but Pallavi had disconnected the call by then.
"Aanchal Beta Diwali par hum dono Delhi jaa rahe hai...tu please Ghar aur Cafe me Pooja kar lena." Kaku told Aanchal who went upset by this thought..just why something major had to miss in her life all the time??? Did she not have the right to stay happy?
Aanchal was disheartened to say the least, her heart knew how much she missed Pallavi...she was the one Aanchal could have shared how Raghav's absence was daunting her...but even she left!
2 days before Diwali, Kaku handed over the keys to Aanchal and with a heavy heart Aanchal went back home to find Arjun waiting impatiently for her.
"Kahan reh gayi thi Pihu?? Kabse wait kar raha tha!" Arjun was sounding excited after months together
"Baith idhar...dekh main kya laya hoon tere liye!"Ye" and he handed her a beautiful packet, she was surprised and looked at him and the packet.
"College ka Farewell tha, us din sab ladkio ne saree pehni thi...sab bahut achhi lag rahi thi..maine soch ke rakha tha...jab tu milegi na tab tere liye bhi saree hi lunga...
Ye saree teri hai...tujhe pasand tha na yeh rang...Main soch raha tha.. abhi Diwali pe lage to phen lena, tu aa na ek minute room ne please"
Arjun looked at her with pleading eyes and Pihu who got a little terrified still followed him to his room.
"Baith na" and Arjun emptied his drawer for her. "Tu maanegi nahi...par beta ye sab..sab tera hai!.He showed her the clips, the nail paints, the duppata, teddy bears..everything he had bought for her over the years! "Ye payal bhi li thi, tere liye..aur ye choodiyan bhi"
And just as he held her wrists to make her wear the bangles she snapped badly..."Nahi please nahi"....the glass bangles fell from Arjun's hand and broke into pieces.
Arjun was startled at her reaction, she was scared looking at the bangles and then at the saree in her hands.
Farewell...saree...bangles...In an instant her eyes widened and her mouth went dry, looking at the saree and broken bangles.. she threw the saree across the floor and ran into her room..crying badly!
Today, she was again caught in the horrors of her past! On one hand, she did realize how lovingly Arjun must have bought everything for her over the years and on the other she feared if he came face to face with her reality...he might abandon her again! What if he too didn't believe it like Dadi? She had beaten her up so badly...broke all her bangles and even burnt her hand!Aanchal closed and locked the door of her room and cried inconsolably...she hated herself!! Her past had consumed her mind entirely.. she couldn't escape from the horrors of it.. even today!
What if Arjun too gets angry!! What would he do to her....who would be able to save her then??Even Kaku and Hemant were leaving!
Aanchal was terrified to the core and these thoughts only made her loose her consciousness!
Arjun on the other hand was astonished by her behavior! Just what on earth would he do??? She knew what she meant to Arjun, how much he tries to be calm and patient with her..just how lovingly he had bought everything for her!! Could she not accept anything normally??
Arjun always felt indebted towards his younger one, but today his frustration had reached another level...She never believed he loved or cared for her and today when he again showed his care and concern, she not only chose to walk away once again but also walk over everything!
Arjun didn't deserve this! The amount of efforts he takes, the patience he shows hasn't been easy for him. Even when it came to Raghav, Arjun's heart knew how difficult was it for him to stay without Raghav. Even then, he never even questioned Aanchal once...but today...Enough is Enough!
A surge of anger rushed through his mind! He has had enough...enough of her..she better apologize and answer for her reaction.
And without another word, he went up to Aanchal's room
Arjun seethed in anger and knocked her door.
"Pihu!" He yelled
"Pihu....darwaza kholo..." he knocked hard but the door wasn't locked.
As the creaked open the door..he found his little girl lay unconscious on the floor!
Arjun in an impulse got scared.
"Pihu?? Pihu??" Arjun patted her but realized she was completely unconcious and had high tempreature suddenly! Also her breaths slowly were getting shallow!
Arjun rushed her to the hospital and informed Kaku and Hemant who were leaving for Delhi.
The couple rushed to the hospital only to find an anxious Arjun listening to the doctor.
"BP bahut low hai...shallow breathing...asaan shabdon mein kahoon toh..its a Panic Attack! Kuch hua hai aisa jisne purani memories to ko trigger kiya iss tarah?"
Arjun was dumbfounded! Panic attack! Triggers... just what was going on?
"Kya hua Aanchal ko? Behosh kaise ho gayi?" Kaku enquired and Arjun reminisced the entire scene.
"Main toh Diwali ke liye Saree aur choodiyan laya tha...infact itne saalon se jo kuch bhi uske liye liya tha...sab uske haathon me diya...par pata nahi..choodiyan use pehna raha tha..saare uski god me thi...
Usne sab phek diya...saare choodiyan toot gayin..roti hui apne kamre me bhag gayi...main jab tak use baat karne gaya toh dekha behosh thi kamre me...
Kya hua achanak main khud pareshan hoon!"
The couple looked at eachother apprehensive, a certain fear emerged in their hearts and face!
Before they could respond, Hemant's phone rang
"Papa train aa gayi? Aap baith gaye?"
"Nahi" Hemant replied in a broken voice
"Papa...Papa...kya hua...all ok...Papa?"
"Pallavi, Aanchal had a panic attack...woh admit hai...Diwali ke liye Saree aur choodiyan Arjun laaya tha uske liye...woh phirse bahut darr gayi Beta! Behosh ho gayi..hum hospital main hain!"
Hemant somehow completed his words..he was getting choked up while Kaku tried pacifying
"I am coming Papa....main aa rahi hoon...Aap aur Maa wahin rahiye!" Pallavi spoke holding her breath and cut the call.... to make another one
"Hi...kaisi hai?" Raghav smiled and answered
"Vapas aa jao Raghav...Please....mere kehne se...Vapas ghar aao!"
"Pallavi....kya hua?" Raghav got anxious
"I will reach tomorrow...you come soon! Iss waqt hume wahan hona hoga!"
Pallavi wiped her tears and gathered her stuff, cursed herself multiple times and prayed even more!
She was going back...going home...to and for the one..she had meant everything...friend, sibling, home!
"Darna nahi hai Aanchal....main aa rahi hoon...please..please hold on!Sab theek ho jayega...main aa rahi hoon" She kept on mumbling to herself
Arjun with everyone passing minute was getting stressed...just what was happening around??
"Kaku kya ho raha hai yeh...Pihu...kya ho gaya use! Please bataiye!"
Arjun pleaded, the couple themselves were distraught and breathless. Hemant wiped his tears.."Kya bolu??" His voice barely audible...Kaku finally let out a deep sigh and recounted the fateful recollection that sent shivers down Arjun's spine!
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