Chapter - 22
“Danish,what are you doing son?” “I’m reading Dad!” The four years old replied enthusiastically. “Look, I learned a new word.” He pointed to his book, “It’s rigrat.” “Regret?” “Yes! What does it mean Dad?” “It means when you do something and after a while feel bad about it?” “How come?” “Hmm, let me see,” Nishant sat beside Danish and took him into his lap, “Remember when I bought you that toy gun and you immediately shot Saavi?” “Yeah,” His face fell, “I didn’t mean to hurt her Dad, I thought it would be fun.” “I know dear,” Nishant ruffled his hair and smiled, “You were only trying to have some fun with your sister. But you didn’t realize that she was gonna get hurt. So the sadness you felt, it was a form of regret – something you did with pure intention and still it ended upbadly.” He hugged the child affectionately, “The good news is now you know the consequence of your action and you will never repeat it, right?” “Right, I’ll never do anything to hurt my sisters. I’ll always protect them.” “That’s like my boy! Now come on, it’s time for dinner.” “Dad do you have any regrets?” “Not that I can think of…” “What if someday you have that?” “Well…I’ll follow your example and never repeat that mistake, sounds good?” “Yeah, one day when I’ll grow up, I’ll become like you – strong and brave. I’ll never hurt anyone Dad. I’ll always protect everyone, like Superman!”
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Nishant flinched recalling the past. Regret! Such a small word but with enough weight that can crush someone beyond repair. On the day he taught Danish its meaning, he was a proud father, a content family man, a valorous Reevavanshi. Months later, he became a shell of what he once used to be. Regret being his only companion that haunted him throughout the day – where did he go wrong? How could he love the person who slaughtered his family with Mohana? And when he found out the truth, why couldn’t he do what a Reevavanshi was supposed to do? Why couldn’t he kill her and avenge his deceased ancestors? Was it because he was still in love with her? If that was so, then why did he push her away? Why did he endanger her and Piya’s lives when he knew Mohana was still out there, waiting for an opportunity to struck their family?
“I know we’ve separated; and I shouldn’t have disturbed you like this. But you’re the only one who can help me. If not for me, for our Gudiya’s sake, please… Please help me!”
“We don’t know how the fire started; we could only retrieve two dead bodies from that building - one of a woman and the other of a girl, that too totally burned.”
It’s ironic how Danish died believing his father was a superhero. If only he knew, his father failed him and his sisters every single time they needed him. He promised his son that he would learn from his mistakes, but did he? Torn between his loyalty toward his ancestors and his wife, he could not do the right thing. Neither could he stop loving her nor could he accept her back in his life. If only he had listened to his heart that day and accept Divya’s heartfelt apology, perhaps she would have been alive, perhaps Piya and Saavi would have a normal childhood. Instead, he did what the last standing son of the Reevavanshis should have done – punishing the offender of his clan, even if it meant to destroy his own little family.
Years passed by, he never truly made up his mind whether he took the right decision or not. He was certain that he was responsible for his family’s destruction. There was no two ways about it. But did he at least fulfill his duties toward his clan? Or there also he faltered? He could have never know. The only thing he could do was stay true to the promise he made to Danish and never repeat that mistake again. Yet, here he was, repeating the same vicious cycle again; he chose to believe in Piya. He let her follow a path filled with uncertainties when he should have begged her to snap out of her madness. So what if Piya would never smile in the absence of Ansh? At least she would be alive. But he bowed before her determination and now his daughter was dying in front of her.
“Bring us the Neel Heem, Naman, hurry!” “Look, the Neel Heem is also turning red, what does this mean?” “I know what I have to do to get back Piya.” “You need to act quickly,” Nishant could hear the words floating. He looked on as Naman and Saavi tried their best to revive Piya. He watched Ansh regaining his consciousness and then going back to save Piya. However, none of it mattered. It was time he accepted the truth – his Gudiya was gone. No power on earth could save her anymore.
“Baba!” Nishant felt as if his heart skipped a beat when he heard the voice. Could it be… “Look at me Baba. I’m back, I’m alright.” Piya wiped Nishant’s tears with a smile. “Gudiya!” Nishant hugged Piya tightly, “I thought I lost you!” “Didn’t I give you my words that I’ll return to you? When have I ever broken my promises?” “Di!” Saavi ran toward their direction and enveloped them both in a bone crushing hug, “Don’t you ever scare me like that!” “I’m sorry Saavi,” She pressed her forehead against Saavi’s, trying to comfort her. “I couldn’t endanger your life for my own selfish reasons. I couldn’t do that...” “But you thought I’d survive without you?” “I...” “It took me a lifetime to accept Mom’s departure. If something happened to you, I won’t be able to live. I love you!” “What did you just say?”
“I love you! Yes, I see the shoch on your face but I don’t care. Enough with living with this fear that whoever I love will leave me someday. I want you to know what you mean to me. You need to understand Jiju is not the only person who’ll be affected by your absence. Dad and Naman are my strength but they are not everything. I love you Di! I really really do. We may not have years of memories. That doesn’t mean my feelings for you is any less than what others feel for their siblings. You got Adi and Pari. I only have you, the last reminder of our mother. Don’t leave me just because I’m elder and stronger. I need you as much as your kids do, perhaps even more. I...”
“You don’t have to say anymore,” Piya hugged Saavi again, “I know that fear, I have lived with that apprehension my entire life to understand its weight. And I’m so sorry that I failed you so badly. I should have known better. I can’t bring back the lost time. But from this moment on, I won’t let you feel that void ever again, I promise.” “I’m glad that at least something good came out of that God awful spell. ” Piya looked back at Naman. “You made her say I love you,” He said smiling while a lone tear escaped his eyes, “I never thought I’d hear Saavi Ji say that in this life.” “Thank you Naman! Thank you for everything; if it weren’t for you, I….” “Where is Ansh?” Nishant and Saavi got confused and looked at Naman’s direction. It took them a moment to realize they got so excited seeing Piya regaining her consciousness that they didn’t notice Ansh was still lying unconscious.
“Oh no!” “It’s okay, don’t panic Saavi, Ansh is okay.” Piya tried to force a smile to reassure everyone. “Please don’t tell me he’s up to something. I’m this close to shoot him with a Patal Ketki laced arrow.” Nishant was about to say something but stopped midway. It had been years since Naman and Ansh mutually decided to bury the hatchet and move forward cordially. He knew Naman no longer viewed Ansh as a threat or harbored no ill intentions. However, given the fact he had witnessed him striking Piya in the dreamland, Nishant understood well from where he was coming. “What’s going on Gudiya?” “A lot of things to be precise, for now, you just need to know one thing – Ansh knows the reality. He’s aware that he created a parallel universe and he hasn’t lost his mind and I’m not gonna leave him for that matter.”
“Okay… then why is he still linked to that world?” “Because I wanted you to ask something,” Piya stopped for a second, giving the Reevavanshis some time to compose themselves, “The moment Ansh wakes up, it severs the connection between the two worlds. Before we proceed with that, I can take you all to the dreamland for one last time. We can say goodbye to our loved ones.” “No!” Nishant replied firmly, “The last time you tried to teleport multiple people it nearly killed you…” “That’s because Ansh was resisting me and I was overwhelmed with everything that was going on there. It’s not the same anymore. I have found peace,”
Piya’s voice had something that touched Saavi. She looked at her sister closely. She wasn’t bluffing. She truly looked content. Did something happen there? “Considering the look on your face, I’m assuming you’re trying to connect the dots. Probably you’ve already deciphered what happened back there.” Piya smiled at Saavi. “But that’s not important, even though it’s not real, an ideal version of our loved ones exist – living the live we always dreamed for them. If you want to say goodbye, now’s the time.”
Naman stood perplexed. After expressing his feelings for Saavi indirectly, if he wanted to go back to see Dilruba one last time, what would that tell about him? How to define what he felt about those two women? One, who was the love of her life, the woman who completed him and gave him their child. And then there was Saavi, the friend who supported him from downward spiralling, the mother who nourished Dafli risking her own life. He respected her, was indebted to her, and more importantly he was in love with her. Then how could he break her heart?
Nishant looked away to hide his tears. All this started because of him. Ansh might have case the spell however, he was the one who longed to reunite with his family. So what if it’s an illusion? An ideal version of world existed where he could love Divya without feeling guilty about it. A home that was filled with his kids’ laughter. Maybe Ayush pursued music there. Who knew how Danish grew up to be? Would it be too wrong if he wanted to hug them all before closing his eyes?
Saavi noticed Nishant and Naman’s expression and hid a sign. She knew her father always prioritized fulfilling a Reevavansh’s duty than giving into his own feelings. At the same time she was aware of his soft, broken heart that yearned for his lost family. She knew given the chance, her father might do the supposed right thing and decline Piya’s proposal. But sooner or later he would regret that choice. And Naman… She knew he loved her. Nonetheless, she couldn’t deny it was Dilruba’s departure that kind of forced their relationship. Otherwise they were perfectly okay with being each other’s friend. Then how could she burden him? He deserved to say goodbye to the woman he loved.
“I want to goback Di,” “But..” “Saavi Ji…” “I want to see Mom one last time. Dad, Naman, let’s stop thinking about our responsibilities for once in our life and give in to our hearts’ desire!” “Hold my hand.” Piya held Ansh’s hand and forwarded her another arm toward Nishant, Saavi and Naman. As she started chanting the spell, one by one, everyone fell asleep, unknown to what was awaiting them…
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