23rd February

"Do all princesses have a happy ending?" Dev asked as he turned off the TV and shifted his innocent eyes on Shreya who was checking the formal contract papers, which she received from a special kids' school.

Since December, she had been trying to get into a special needs school. Although it wasn't needed, when Shreya asked Priyasha about applying to such school, her mother-in-law was actually elated. She excitedly encouraged her to do so and even found her some of the schools' details who specialized on autistic children.

A few of them responded back and one of them took her personality test last week. Fortunately, she got selected. The school authority asked her to sign the contract and join at the earliest.

Abhimanyu neither showed any willingness nor objected. He simply listened to her conveying the news before submerging himself among the files again.

After that night's argument, he took her to her parents' house only to usher her out of there within an hour. (A/N - this bitch!) No matter how much she tried to persuade him, he paid no heed to her pleading. The situation aggravated her badly so she decided to give a silent treatment. However, it was of no use.

Abhimanyu was a man, who was unable to yield any kind of reaction under a provocation. So, it was her own defeat because he never tried to woo her. Not even once. His indifference got the best of everything and she gave up at one point. Rather, she broke the silence and asked him straight up if he'd allow her to live at her parents' house for a week, to which, he surprisingly said yes.

Unfortunately, she didn't receive the opportunity to do so yet. Because the school she applied to, wanted her to join at the earliest.

Shreya shifted her attention on the innocent question Dev asked and deliberately answered him, "Well, most of the time, it's a happy ending."

"And if it's not?" Dev inquired again.

Shreya anchored her eyes on Dev and smiled. "Then it's not the happy ending. The story is yet to end."

Dev nodded sagely and fell silent. Shreya went back to reading the contract. After a momentary silence, Dev asked again, "What is a happy ending?"

Without looking up, Shreya answered, "When everyone gets the things they desire, and their wishes get fulfilled, then it's a happy ending."

"But the road to the happy ending is twisted." Before Shreya could answer him, a familiar voice echoed across the hall. Both Shreya and Dev raised their eyes and beamed.

Dev chirped, "Vijay dadu (Vijay is Abhiraj's friend, i.e., Dev's great uncle. So, he calls him Dadu.), have you brought me the thing I asked you?"

Shreya's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She glanced between them questioningly while Vijay smiled and nodded, "Of course, dadubhai (endearing way to call grandson)!"

Vijay came and sat down beside Dev before bringing a paint brush set out of his coat's pocket. "Is this the right one, dadubhai?"

Dev took the set from Vijay and examined it closely for a few seconds before grinning ear to ear. "Yes. This is the one I wanted. Thank you, Vijay dadu!" he exclaimed and gave a quick hug to Vijay before sprinting off to his room.

Vijay chuckled endearingly while his gleaming eyes followed Dev.

Shreya smiled watching the two. Vijay shifted his eyes on her and asked, "So, Shreya, how are you doing?"

Shreya nodded shyly. "I am doing alright. How are you?"

"Good, good. I'm quite alright. In fact, couldn't be better after Ritu regained consciousness. How is she?"

Shreya nodded. "She's much better, and making steady progress. I talked to her physiotherapist this morning. She'll start walking independently in a few days, he assured."

"That's wonderful!" Vijay exclaimed. "What about your mother-in-law? Is she eating properly now?" His tone changed a bit. Vijay's steady gaze lingered on her for a moment to detect any lie in her words as she honestly answered, "She seems happy since yesterday. Papa took her out yesterday evening and returned today morning."

Vijay raised his eyebrows and blinked averted his eyes. "Well..." he cleared his throat, visibly feeling unprepared to gain the unexpected information before asking, "They haven't told where they were last night, have they?"

Shreya shook her head bashfully and looked down. Questioning her parents-in-laws about their rendezvous was never really an option. They informed nothing to her about this outing. So, taking it as a cue she stayed away from meddling with their personal affairs. Even though, one thing she was certain that it was some special plan made and carried out by her father-in-law, Abhiraj Roy.

After she moved in the Ishani (the name of their villa), she had been observing everyone in this family closely, and reached a conclusion where Abhiraj was a close-to-a-perfect-man she had ever met in person. Except his enigmatic ways of executing a task, to the point it appeared really strange, Abhiraj was everything a girl would want in her man. She'd had such thoughts frequently because it was so in-the-eye around the house. Her father-in-law cares for each and every person in the house as every family person should, but his care for his wife, Priyasha, was eccentric.

Although Priyasha never mentioned this, it was sorely visible how much she and Abhiraj were codependent on each other, and obsessively so. While Ritu was in coma, Priyasha had almost given up on life. She barely ate or slept and stayed beside Ritu's bed since morning to night. As a mother, her grief-stricken actions were understandable. But what surprised and warmed up Shreya's heart was Abhiraj's constant surveillance over his wife.

It was true that he couldn't always stay at home to accompany his wife, but he always called home to ask someone to look out for Priyasha whenever she seemed to need something. In fact, it surprised both Priyasha and the person attending to her aid, that how come they knew when and what she needed.

For example, Abhiraj would always make sure whether Priyasha took her medicines before lunch or dinner. Sometimes when Priyasha wouldn't carry her phone with her, Abhiraj would call either Shreya or the residential phone to ask them to remind her about the medicines. Aside from his usual duty as the head of the family, he was particularly vigilant of his wife to the point it appeared more obsessive than enamored.

One such weird event happened the day after Ritu got her senses back. Priyasha was taking a bath and unfortunately, she fell asleep in the bath tub. Meanwhile, Abhiraj was in office. Others present in the house were busy doing respective works. So, no one really knew what was happening. But after a while, Shreya received a sudden call from him, asking her anxiously to check on Priyasha immediately.

"Shreya! Go check on your mother-in-law right now! I'm afraid she might've lost her consciousness," he gasped breathlessly. "I am on my way to home. Please hurry up!"

"What?" exclaimed Shreya. "When did that happen?" She put down the book she was reading and ran towards Priyasha's room.

Eventually, they were able to rescue Priyasha and learned she fell asleep. Priyasha herself was astonished to see her husband rushing in to her side at an odd hour.

She gazed at Abhiraj in awe and asked quietly. "How did you know?"

Not that Shreya didn't think of the coincidence, but she had no resolves to ask that out loud. So, she remained quiet and observant. Abhiraj, however, never answered that question. He only tended to his wife's comfort and pretended nothing was unusual.

But Shreya knew it wasn't a normal occurrence. There must be something escaping bare eyes. It was rather strange and incomprehensible.

Vijay cleared his throat. "Knowing him since a very young age, he has been planning this for a quite while then. Good, it's good." He nodded while crossing over his fingers. "If it's making them happy, then it's good." He looked sideways in her direction. "And what about Manyu? How's everything? Is he behaving properly?"

Shreya blinked and straightened up. She wasn't expecting that sudden question.

Vijay added, "I heard he didn't let you stay at your maa's place for puja. Is it true?"

Shreya felt her ears have turned hot. She couldn't make eye contact with Vijay and lie to his face. She studied her finger nails instead. Wise choice.

"Shreya," Vijay continued with a soft tone. "I know this is all an arrangement to escape the brouhaha that's going on in the media because of those clips, but that doesn't mean you have to kill your desires every time he asks so. He doesn't own you, Shreya." He paused momentarily.

Shreya was certain her ears and face were bright red at this moment.

Vijay asked quietly, "If you are to stay with him, learn how to defy him when he tries to oppress you. You cannot stay with him if you let him have his way every time. Are you getting my point? Manyu's disorder can make your life a living hell if you continue to cope with him without a word. You need patience I know that. But you should be aware of when to draw the line. Right?" He paused and stared at her.

Her vision turned blurry with each of his words. But she couldn't say a word. She had no heart. Vijay quietly mumbled, "I know it's difficult but you are very brave Shreya. I am just not saying this for the sake of it. And if you ever need someone to talk about him, don't hesitate to reach me. I'll put some basic emotions and common sense into his big brain. Alright?" he grunted.

Shreya laughed airily while two drops of tears slid down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them off. She knew Vijay was trying to pacify her. But no words could pacify her if her fate was linked with Abhimanyu. The price she had to pay for loving him was excruciating. She had to act compliant for him while he overlooked her emotions and desires habitually. It was a continuous struggle because of his sheltered life style. His lack of interest in performing the social role interfered every time there was some kind of progress.

She quietly said, "He's trying his best."

Vijay leaned back. "Is he?" His tone was doubtful. "How many sessions he attended of his CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)?"

Shreya took a deep breath before answering truthfully, "Three."

"Out of?"

"Eight."

Vijay shook his head and exhaled audibly. "It's really important that he regularly attends his CBT, which he isn't. And you're saying he's trying? Shreya, are you fooling yourself?"

She shook her head without making an eye contact.

Vijay said, "Look, I'm not trying to discourage you. But you need to be strict. It's very rare that Manyu shows his interest in anyone, but lately, and fortunately so, he is showing interest in you. Which is, of course, a positive sign. And I know it for sure, only you can change him. So, do your part efficiently."

"Vijay uncle, you're saying as if I don't try enough," Shreya countered softly.

"I'm not saying that. I just want you to be happy if you've made your mind to stay with him. What will you do if he wishes to part from you after the completion of the contract?"

Shreya didn't respond. She didn't know what would she do if that day came in her life.

Vijay prodded, "Will you give up? Just like that? Everyone gives up on him! I thought you could at least..."

Shreya interrupted, "I won't give up. I promise." The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

Vijay closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before exhaling audibly. After a moment, he started, "You know, these exact words were said by Priyasha when Manyu was only five."

Shreya looked up inquisitively but remained mum. She didn't want to disrupt the old man who was palpably trying to recall something.

Vijay opened his eyes and continued. "It was the day when Jatayu (a company branch of Permabell) had a successful launch. Abhiraj, Priyasha and I... we went to the party Rishi's father, Shyam had thrown, and where we learned, Shyam had married, Zinnia, a dark past of our lives we thought we've gotten rid of. But how wrong were we!" Vijay paused and looked at Shreya's way. "Do you know how Abhimanyu got that scar on his eyebrow?"

Shreya could literally hear her heartbeats which were beating so loud and fast. She had always wanted to know his scar's story. In fact, she had once asked Abhimanyu about it. But he told her nothing as he himself didn't remember anything about it. He was too young to remember.

She shook her head timidly.

Vijay gazed in front, looking at nothing in particular. "I still remembered that day, vivid and alarmingly so. The same day around midnight, Abhiraj called me panicked, directionless. With trembling voice, he informed me about Manyu's abduction."

Shreya flinched at the shocking info.

Vijay continued nonetheless. "I wasn't expecting such news at that time. It took me a while to register what he was saying, and when I did, my hands and feet turned cold. We searched everywhere, but couldn't find him for nearly 72 hours."

Shreya's hands trembled. She sat there staring at Vijay with a horrified face.

"I never seen Abhiraj like that before what I saw that day. He looked beyond broken, and scared. Which is quite unlikely of him, considering I knew very few men as fearless as him. It was that day when Priyasha was the stronger between the two. These exact words-" he looked at Shreya, "What you said a few minutes ago, she said exact those words. And truly she didn't give up. After almost 3 days, we found Manyu in a horrifyingly serious state. Clotted blood covering his eyebrow and temple, hand bound, deprived of any food or water, and... unconscious."

Shreya didn't realize when tears had started pouring down her eyes. She covered her mouth. A heart-wrenching whimper erupted out of her mouth.

"But that man of yours..." Vijay shook his head slightly. "He's a fighter. He made it. However, this unfortunate incident frightened Abhiraj severely. He decided to send Manyu away, so that no one could find his whereabouts. And then, everything just..." he trailed off.

By the time he finished, Shreya was a sobbing mess. She stuttered in a quavering voice, "How can I... give...up... on him when... he's been through... so many pains?... Tell me... Vijay... uncle... how am I supposed to... ever... fall out of love... with him? I... can't ... leave... him." She continued to cry while Vijay wrapped a hand around her and patted on her shoulder.

A while later, when she quietened a bit, he asked, "Where is he anyway?"

Shreya wiped off her tears before answering. "He's been after a property these days. Today the bank is conducting the auction. I think he's..."

Vijay scooted back from her and nodded. "Oh yes! Basu's orphanage. He mentioned about it. Let's hope the result is positive. He won't like it if someone else get their hands on that property."

Shreya nodded absent-mindedly.

Vijay cleared his throat. "Okay, I should go and meet Ritu. She's in her room, right?"

Shreya affirmed as Vijay stood up. He passed a sad smile to her before walking off.

A strong voice nagged at the back of her mind. How could she detest Abhimanyu for being the way he was? She wiped off her blurring eyes again when Ram strode towards her with an envelope on his hand.

"Boudimoni, this has come for you."

Her brows curled in confusion. "What is it?" She took it from his hand and observed the blank frontside of the envelope.

"I think, boro dadababu has sent it for you."

"Okay, I'll see. You may go now."

Ram hesitated for a moment then said, "Someone is waiting for you outside the villa. Boro dadababu has sent a car for you."

Shreya's mouth fell open. Abhimanyu sent a car for her? Now? She looked at the wall clock. It was almost eight p.m. She opened the envelope and brought out a card with a single word written on it. Saree.

She blinked. Flustered.

"Erm, okay. I'll see into it. You go and do your work."

Ram nodded and left.

Shreya got up and went to her room. Perplexed, she dialed his number and as she was expecting, Sunny answered. "Hello, Shreya."

"Where is he?"

Sunny paused for a moment before answering, "He's working on something. I think the car has reached. Please, get ready and come quickly. I'll leave soon."

"Where are you?"

"We... well, I think it's best you come and see for yourself. Be quick," he said and cut the call off.

Shestared at the phone screen for a minute, dumb-struck. Then, knowing it won't change anything if she tried to call again, she went to the wardrobe and tookout a lavender colored cotton silk saree.

(...continued to part 2)