"Uncle! There was a time when I was deeply hurt and did not want to return home. I was determined not to see her face again, but I had never imagined that I would have to see her like this," Bhargavi said. Though her eyes were moist, she did not let a single drop of tear slide down her face.

"Promise me Uncle you will stay by Maa's side always. She can be rude and insensible at times but you will never give up on her," Mr. Banerjee understood that Bhargavi had seen the love and concern he had for Ms. Nalini in his eyes. He was both amazed and impressed by the way Bhargavi dealt with difficult circumstances. He mutely nodded a yes in reply.

Bhargavi's attention was caught by Parul who was trying to grab Mayank's arm, pleading him to do something. She swiftly walked in their direction and heard Parul say,
" Mayank Bhaiya. Don't blame yourself for everything. You did your best.

You know there's a girl in school named Ayeshi. She spread false rumours about me in school. I was so upset when she became the school pupil leader. But then I learnt that she was always forced by her parents to be the best, the most perfect person.

If she lost the election as school pupil leader, her mother would emotionally abuse her saying things like I gave up so much for you but you're just good for nothing."

Bhargavi realized that Parul was trying her best to cheer up Mayank who seemed distraught. She turned around and walked away knowing that there was certainly nothing to worry about. Most probably, Prabir was right.

Just then she heard Mayank's husky voice, " Parul! Don't you hate me? You know what I tried to do with Bha... Bhawani and even your brother?"

"Nope! I hate what you did...not you. Di suffered a lot because of you and Bhaiya too but when Bhaiya has forgiven you, I have no reason to still be upset with you.

Bhaiya always tells, we should learn to forgive and forget and not let hatred built up within us", Parul replied back smiling.

Teary eyed Mayank pulled Parul in a tight embrace and mumbled," I will always protect you. I am sorry. I am so sorry."

*******

"For Heaven's sake Bhawani stop digging your own grave.

You shouldn't beg someone to stay in your life. He chose to walk away from your life. He chose to loose you.

You even went to the extent of slapping your own sister because of Ishaan, who warned you and  was only trying to protect you from getting hurt.

And you never felt the necessity to apologise and ask for forgiveness," Prabir's tone was extremely rough and it made a shiver run down her spine. 

"Bhaiya. I am sorry. I am really sorry. I tried to apologise but I didn't have the courage to face Di.
Maa and Di are all I have, please save Maa. I swear I will never smoke again. Please Bhaiya", Bhawani urged whimpering like a little child.

"Bhawu. I'll try my best. I don't have a  magic wand,"Prabir replied back curtly. He wasn't in a mood to be compassionate and console her, rather, he was agitated and furious.

Prabir was not oblivious that all hell would break loose if Bhargavi found out what had happened. All her wrath would be diverted on Ishaan and Bhawani. He himself made a mental note to settle some scores with Ishaan for having played with the feelings and emotions of Bhawani.

Walking away from Bhawani, he found Mr. Banerjee weeping with silent tears that held the loudest pain, unable to control the emotional turmoil within him. Bhargavi did nothing to console him and sat stiff on a bench with wrinkled brows, while Parul was repeatedly saying," Baba. Have faith in God. Nalini Aunty will be alright."

Mayank stood at a distance lost deep in thoughts. He had his hands clasped together as if praying.

Prabir slowly paced in Mr. Banerjee's direction," Baba. Maa...She will be... She'll get through this. Both of you have a long way to go. Don't ...don't give up yet," he fumbled kneeling down and wrapping up his father's palms in his. His gemstone green eyes shone brightly with moisture filled in them. Parul in the meantime tried to gently wipe off the tears of both her father and brother, which brought a slight smile on Prabir's face.

"Baba. This little girl of yours grew up real fast,"Prabir said warmly with a smile, patting Parul's head.

After sometime Parul softly quizzed Prabir," Bhaiya is Bhargu Di okay? She has been sitting alone for quite a while.
She shoved me away when I asked her if she needed something."

"Don't mind her words Paru. She has been going through a lot,"Prabir began but was interrupted by Parul.

"Bhaiya! Di said nothing that I should mind. She only requested me to leave her alone.

How can a person stay so strong at times like this? Is she really okay?"

"No she's not okay but she will never admit it.  Come with me," Prabir whispered and led her to Bhargavi.

"Bhargu," Prabir called grasping her attention. She looked at them for fraction of a second and then looked away as if trying to conceal her emotions.

"Parul. Please come and sit here," Bhargavi said politely.

With Parul occupying a seat beside her, Prabir questioned in a very sad tone, " Am I not allowed to sit here?"

Bhargavi patted beside her, prompting him to sit and pinched his nose lightly.

"Parul. This situation is not something you have dealt with before," she said cajoling Parul. " You might have never seen your Baba behaving like this."

Parul hugged her tight and asked with utmost curiosity," Di are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me Paru. You shouldn't leave your father alone," she replied with a strained smile on her face noticing Mr. Banerjee sitting alone.

Parul nodded silently and left. Observing her leave, Bhargavi slowly rested her head on Prabir's shoulder.

"This is a very dark night sky with only one brightly shinning star that provides me hope,"she murmured slowly, closing her eyes.

"Bhargu. Did you inform your father about the accident?" Prabir threw the most difficult question cropping up in his mind.

"No! Why would he be bothered about Maa? I haven't informed anyone as I don't want people to flood in the hospital paying their courtesy visits," she hadn't been able to complete her sentence when her eyes fell upon Vishwesh and Shekhar running towards them.

Bhargavi sat up straight, sparing an annoyed look in Prabir's direction.

"During times of crisis, we should reach out to others and share our pain," Prabir whispered and stood up to greet both of his friends.

"Prabir how is Aunty?" Vishwesh asked almost out of breath.

"She has fractured her hip bone and the doctors will be operating on her tomorrow. Other than this she has no other injuries," Prabir informed.

"How long will it take for her to recover?" Vishwesh enquired next.

"It may take several weeks or even months."

"Umm...Prabir. Why is Mayank here and how are you letting Bhawani get so close to him?" Shekhar quizzed.

"Might I say, I am smelling some jealousy," Prabir said laughing.

Vishwesh was puzzled.He wasn't able to understand how Prabir was so calm and even cracking up jokes, when the person he treated like his mother was hospitalized, and his marriage was about to be ruined.
He marked Bhargavi's face, which was emotionless but she seemed to be immersed in deep thoughts.

"W..why would I be jealous?" Shekhar asked hesitantly. 

"I don't know Shekhar, what would you do if you were me. But I have already forgiven Mayank. His father is in jail, mother is bedridden, the girl he loved passed away.

Bhawani is suffering from severe heartache. Ishaan broke up with her. She tried to smoke up all her worries. And now Maa ended up like this. I don't have words to console her.

If Mayank can bring a smile on her face, I will be indebted to him,"Prabir sighed.

"Maa caught her smoking?" Bhargavi asked irritated listening to the entire conversation.

"Bhargu. Please calm down,"Prabir instantly whispered, urging her to keep a check on her temper.

"Don't ask me to calm down. I work hard, real hard Prabir...to provide for her education, trying to nurture her future," Bhargavi blurted out thoughtlessly in an outburst of emotions.

Embracing in his arms Prabir whispered in her ears,"Shhh! Bhargu."

"Don't Shhh me. Call Ishaan. I want to know what exactly happened between them.
If that bloody bas**** was so damn worried about his future and never was serious about this relationship, why did he have to play with someone else's emotions. Was this all a game for him?"

"Madam let me handle this. I don't want you to tear into him and reduce him to skull and bones.

You had urged me to keep a tab on him, and try and find out what kind of a person he is. I had a very clear picture that he's not a person who can break someone's heart.

This is all my fault. I made a wrong judgement and caused all this trouble."

"Firstly, it's not your fault. And secondly, Bhawani is mature enough. If she trusted a person blindly, she will have to pay the price."

"Bhargu. She's a child... She's heart broken. Please have some mercy on her. She's scared... afraid that you won't forgive her. She's blaming herself for what happened to Maa.

She needs you baby. She needs you to rely on...to depend on, not Mayank."

Reflecting on her mistake, Bhargavi felt ashamed of herself. She had abandoned her sister in the most difficult of her times.

Bhargavi called Bhawani, leading her out of earshot of everyone she began to speak in a very concerned voice,
" Some people are not meant to be in our lives Bhawani. Maybe this breakup saved you from further pain and agony."

Bhawani hugged her sister and began to cry like a child, "Di first you were hurt...you got stabbed and now Maa...

Di I am truly sorry."

"How did you know that I was stabbed?"

"Prabir Bhaiya told me, when I admitted that I was wrong about Ishaan...and you were always right Di. I also admitted that I...that I even slapped you.

I know Bhaiya is still angry with me. Though he went to my school for the Parent teacher's meet and is helping me in every way he possibly can."

"You mean Prabir was deliberately rude and harsh with you?" Bhargavi asked as a wicked smile flickered over her face.

She recalled his face when he had seen her back, bruised and black. Then the smile disappeared from her face, the instant she remembered how he had punched his hand on the wall unable to subside his anger.

Searching for him, she was startled to find him surrounded by a group of people, including Rakesh, Sachin, Dhruv, Sarvesh, Mr. Ritvik. The noise had almost reached a clamour till Prabir instructed them all to get dispersed.

They were poles apart she reflected. When she didn't want anyone to find out about her mother's condition and sympathize her, Prabir depended on his friends for mental and emotional support.

Author's note:

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