Chapter 81
Big Sis
To the rest of the world, Arnab and Madhu Dobriyal were blissfully celebrating 25 years of marriage. But underneath those happy faces, and with the presence of their family’s greatest secret at that very party, the joy wasn’t able to fully manifest upon their faces. Guilt, and anger, it dominated the waves of the room, enough for the vampires to sense it.
Abhay quietly sipped on his champagne, taking the smallest glances at Piya. His instincts were trying to warn him of some impending problem, but he couldn’t quite tell what it was. At least he was close to her this time.
With a slight grimace, Siddharth turned away from the Dobriyals and drowned out their conversation. He nudged Abhay’s shoulder, and gestured towards their general direction. The mood for the Raichands had soured before they even got there. Mandu was trying to distract herself by doing what she did best, talking with other people, tactfully avoiding a conversation with any Dobriyal.
“The fact that Piya is able to stomach this astounds me. I can’t even stand him anymore, and we’re not remotely related.”
Abhay nodded, emptying his glass. The waiter came by and took it with. Piya was only able to drown out her negative thoughts by means of her friends’ jokes. Kabir was in an especially good mood today, and continued to make her and Ruhi laugh. Abhay was thankful towards him, for once. His own humor needed some work. As long as she was happy.
“I’ve never seen a more shameless man. Celebrating his marriage anniversary in front of her.”
“Piya cut all ties with him after her mother passed. She’s more worried about Misha finding out, than she is about him.”
Piya looked at him, and shook her head. She felt that same wave of strong negative emotion from him.
Are you okay?, she asked, in his thoughts.
I’m fine. Are you?
Piya couldn’t say anything and let the silence answer for her. It was then that Misha excused herself upstairs, just before the cake was to be cut. She carried a CD in her hands. Piya didn’t know why, but she felt an uneasiness looking at that CD. Her palms began to sweat. Abhay followed her eyes.
“What happened, Piya? You’ve been very quiet since you got here.” Ruhi asked, holding her shoulder. Piya nodded and took in a deep breath.
“I’m okay. Don’t know why, but I’m feeling a little uneasy.”
“Do you want anything? I can get it for you? Water, or juice?” Kabir pressed. Piya shook her head.
“No it’s okay. I can go by myself. It’s just right there…..”
She mindlessly began to wander to the bar. Abhay followed. Appearing just behind her, he took her hand and squeezed it gently. Piya looked up at him, realizing that she had been standing alone and empty-minded. How many minutes had passed again? She wandered off from the rest of the group, now standing at the bar like she said she would, but without a perception of time and space. With all the what-ifs floating in her mind, she quickly forgot her own words and actions. The bartender pushed a glass of juice to her.
“Your juice, ma’am.”
“Mine?” She asked. She couldn’t even recall ordering.
“Can’t remember? Are you okay?” Abhay asked, as he cupped her cheeks.
“No. That…”
Every thought in her mind erased itself. She turned around and pointed at the stairs, where Misha just went minutes ago. That CD. Abhay looked up again.
“Do you know what’s in it?”
Piya pursed her lips and shook her head. She had no idea. That is what scared her.
“I’ll be back.” He said, kissing her cheek. Some noticed and began their gossip, taking more notice of Piya. It was no news by now that the youngest Raichand was now engaged. Everyone wanted a glimpse of Piya now. Abhay shot them all with subtle glares and ascended the steps. Something was wrong with that CD, and what Piya was feeling was a weaker version of a vampire’s intuition. She couldn’t see as much detail as him though, only sense it.
Sameer saw Abhay heading towards the office, and excused himself from a conversation with some of their longtime business partners. Deciding to follow, he separated himself several steps behind Abhay.
What is he up to?
——————————————————————————————————————————
Misha popped the CD into the laptop, and began to check the slideshow one last time. She only got to see the first few pictures on the projector before the party started. If this gift wasn’t perfect, she would first go and scold the clerk who put the CD together.
He better have done a good job. I paid good money for this.
It looked so much nicer on the bigger screen, the photos of her parents. Arguably the best parents in the world. She couldn’t wait to see the nostalgia and happiness on their faces when they relieved those memories.
“Music is perfect, all of their favorite songs. Pictures are looking good too.”
She reached down to scratch her leg, taking peeks at the screen with the volume low. These stupid dresses always made her itchy. Perhaps it was the netting or sequins. Just a few more hours and she could change into her sweatpants, and wash off the makeup her mother put on her.
The song switched at a turning point in the video, the part she hadn’t yet watched. Pictures of her childhood, and her parents’ college days. Nothing but good memories. But one photo was all that was needed to ruin her happy family fantasy. That stain was then plastered upon the screen, bright and in her face. It was a photo of Arnab, and a lady that was not her mother. And a girl that wasn’t her.
The confusion settled when she recognized who that lady was, and by relation, who that girl was. She fixed the screen’s angle and rubbed her eyes, making sure she was seeing things correctly.
“Isn’t this…..Piya’s mother?”
She stood up from the chair, hitting the pause button.
“How is this possible?” She asked herself, trying to suppress the panic swirling in her head with humor. “Does papa have a twin? He never said anything.”
Piya too….that’s her. But she too never said…..
“Abhay!”
Misha looked up, finding Abhay just outside the threshold of the office door. Sameer was behind him, pulling him back by the shoulder. Abhay glared.
“I need to talk to Misha.” He said, firmly.
“She’ll be downstairs soon. Please leave.”
Abhay was very close to hurting him. But he reigned in his beast, assuming control. Misha shook her head, her fingers shaking. She began to search the drawers for the photos she put back. It had to be there somewhere.
“Leave all that, both of you. Sammy, come here.”
Photos fluttered and swayed in the air, falling to the floor in a messy pile. Sameer stared at Abhay for a moment more, then went to Misha. His eyes widened as he looked at the screen, then at the mess of photos under his feet.
“Mish, what are you--?”
“What’s this?” She asked, eyes filling with dread. Now her fingers were shaking violently, the offending photo in hand. Sameer shook his head.
“This….”
“Papa! Mumma!” She yelled, without a care in the world. Piya heard it from downstairs, and shuddered. Abhay returned to her side. What was done was done. She knew.
Guests turned heads. An unnerving silence and gossip passed through the crowd in waves. Arnab and Madhu both looked at each other. Misha sounded upset. Or angry. Or both. They rushed upstairs, leaving the guests confused and worried. Her shouts to them got louder, and Sameer couldn’t quiet her down. Piya pressed herself into the wall, staring at the floor, body shaking. Abhay held her shoulders, and helped her sit down. But she didn’t want to sit down.
Upstairs, before the pair could process the mess Misha had made of the room, she began to question them. Arnab only needed one glance at his daughter to know she was very upset about something. His hands were shaking too. He never saw her this angry before.
“Papa, who’s this?” Misha pressed, shaking the photo in her hands. She turned the laptop to show them the bigger image. Arnab was at a loss for words, and lowered his head in shame. She hated his silence. “Papa!”
“I….”
Downstairs, Piya couldn’t stand around anymore. She ran up to the office, to the commotion and ensuing fight, and Abhay went after her. She entered at the wrong time. Misha’s cutting stare pierced her heart. And Arnab’s, fueled her dormant anger. Her heart fell to her stomach.
“Misha dear, listen….we can talk about this later…”
From Madhu’s body language and tone, Misha was shocked. Why wasn’t she angry? Did she know about this?
“You knew all this time, mumma? You hid such a big thing from me and Sammy?”
Sameer didn’t say anything to that statement. It had been years since he was able to express that frustration out in the open. All the pent up frustration, clearly out in the open. He grasped Misha’s shoulders, but she pushed them away. She was angrier that he was.
Piya was sobbing. Misha looked once at her, and voiced her single thought without even meeting her eyes.
“Piya, just go. I’m not in the mood right now.”
“But—“
“Just go!” She yelled. Piya flinched.
Jaan….
Abhay took her hand and led her away from the chaos. The Raichands left the house immediately, shielding Piya from the countless eyes staring at her. Even her own friends gave her puzzling glances. Misha stared out the office door, heart breaking into a million pieces.
——————————————————————————————————————————
“She hates me, Abhay. She hates me.” Piya sobbed, grasping at his shirt. She wanted to go somewhere far, far away. The fear she and Madhu shared, the fear of their family falling apart, came true. Misha looked to be the most devastated by the news, and Piya could never forget the way she looked at her.
Who told you to keep those photos? Who?!
She yelled at Arnab in her thoughts, things she couldn’t say out loud. Abhay listened to it all, and shook his head. Despite their mutual dislike, and Abhay’s natural distance, he knew that Misha wouldn’t ever turn her back on Piya like this. She just needed time to process the news. It was like a bombshell.
“No, she doesn’t. Misha is not like that.” He assured, ruffling her hair.
He made her look at him. Her eyes were dry, swollen, and itchy at the corners. A raging headache from the stress began to make her look ill. Abhay wiped her face with his handkerchief, and pressed a palm to her temple. Her headache cleared quickly with his healing. Mandu brought in a glass of water.
He cradled her in his arms and rubbed her back, helping her drink. Piya held onto his shirt, not wanting him to leave. Mandu mindlinked with Abhay instead of voicing her thoughts out loud. Piya needed rest, lest she stress herself out more.
Abhay, I think a nap would do her good. I don’t want her to fall ill.
He nodded in agreement, and began to ease Piya into lying down. She looked up at him in confusion, then met with a focus of stormy cobalt blue. Her eyelids began to fall, with his comforting whispers. She could hear them in her head. He was putting her to sleep.
“Get some rest….” He whispered, tucking her in. All their phones blew up with messages and missed calls. Siddharth was outside, having a shouting match with Arnab over the phone. Abhay turned his off, and threw it aside. He cleared Piya’s face of stray hairs and kissed her forehead. The tips of their noses touched, and his fingers curled into locks of her hair.
Now able to sense her myriad of emotions, it only made sense to project his to her again. Forever within his heart, the love he felt for Piya would always remain strong. Letting control slip, he let the emotion out, in body language and in its manifestation. Piya looked more relaxed and calm, and stopped fidgeting in her sleep. Abhay stroked the softness of her cheeks for a few minutes more, until the negative emotions inside her were quelled for the time being.
Such an innocent girl like you doesn’t deserve this much torment.
Piya, deep in sleep, felt like he was forever holding her in his arms. It made it easier to sleep that way.
But I am here for you. You aren’t alone.
He closed the door, and let her sleep. Outside, he could see Siddharth still on the phone, and Mandu trying to calm him down. Piya was like family to them now. Anything that hurt her, hurt them.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t call us again, regarding this matter, Mr. Dobriyal.”
He hung up, and looked at Mandu, nodded and rubbed his temples. Abhay watched from the top of the step, hands balled into tight fists. Siddharth shook his head and trudged inside. Abhay stopped him by the shoulder.
“What was he saying?”
“He wants to meet Piya. I said no, end of story. What a shameless man.”
“I--”
“You will do nothing, Abhay. We have enough problems as is. Just stay with Piya. That’s all she needs right now.”
He opened his fists on his own, and stared at the steps. Only she knew how lonely she felt at this time. Abhay was now adamant that Arnab Dobriyal would have nothing to do with the wedding.
“Let’s stay here for tonight. I’m sure Piya wouldn’t mind.” Mandu said.
Even the three had nothing to say to each other. Abhay began to snoop around in the kitchen, since they left before dinner and Piya hadn’t eaten since noon. He began to search the pantry, almost empty for the week. She hadn’t picked up groceries either, but there was enough for one serving of pasta. He went to work immediately, before his rage settled in his mind and he hurt that man for real this time. Inside, Piya was waking. His compulsion didn’t last too long, perhaps a miscalculation from just how powerful their blood bond was. And a vampire couldn’t compel themselves, after all. She covered her head with the blanket, and forced her eyes closed again, holding the framed photo of Sugandh in her arms. She missed her a lot tonight. Whenever Piya was upset, she would play the violin for her. Now there was only silence.
Mumma…...come back. Please?
It was an impossible wish to fulfil. She curled up into a tighter ball, hiding. The smell of his cooking managed to sneak through the sheets despite it. Her stomach growled. Piya was too drained, emotionally and physically, to leave the bed, but she was just as hungry too. She rubbed her eyes and trudged out, blanket around her shoulders, frame in hand, and peeked outside the door. The three were talking in low whispers, some of which she could now hear. She looked at Abhay in particular, just as he was to crush a clove of garlic with the knife.
A rush of adrenaline coursed through her. What was he thinking, handling garlic? Did he forget what he was? She sprinted to him, and snatched the clove and remaining bulb from his grasp.
“What do you think you’re doing!?” She yelled angrily, taking his hands and checking for any strange reactions. They were fine. No burns or scars. She was expecting something closer to the wounds left by silver.
“Cooking you dinner….?” He replied so naively.
He never had to think about garlic as a thing to avoid since it really wasn’t a threat to them. In fact, he forgot that humans considered it so. It had no basis; vampires weren’t evil spirits that could be scared off. It was just a crop. Siddharth couldn’t help but burst into laughter, breaking the tensed atmosphere unintentionally, seeing the way she held the garlic away from him. Humans had their own silly interpretations on these things. Piya was still learning the correct ones. He took the garlic from her to reinforce the harmlessness of it, and placed it back on the cutting board. His hands were held up in front of her.
“See? The garlic thing is a myth, Piya. It won’t hurt us.” Siddharth said, lowering his hands.
“Really?” She asked, wiping tears with her arm. She looked at Abhay and frowned. She was still upset with him. “You tell me the most complex of things about vampires, and leave out the fact that garlic does nothing to you?”
“It….slipped my mind.”
The topic shift to garlic was just what she needed. A good distraction.
“I used to be addicted to the stuff, and wanted it to be added in all sorts of savory dishes….” Mandu muttered, recalling her childhood. Small laughs and giggles erupted from all, seeing her nostalgic expression. “What?”
“Nothing, I just remembered how you used to sneak it into food after we got married. Even in things that didn’t need it. At least you spared the sweets.”
Surrounded by the usual banter, Piya was starting to feel better, and held onto the backside of Abhay’s shirt. He turned back, kissed her head, and continued to cook. She watched quietly.
“Hungry?” He whispered.
Her stomach growled on cue, though she wasn’t in the mood. She hid her face behind his back and eventually nodded against it. He smiled, and took her hand.
“Come here.”
He lifted her onto the counter, meeting eyes, and finished plating the pasta. Her mouth watered just by looking. She made a note to ask him to teach her to improve her cooking someday. She watched quietly, hugging the framed photo again.
“Try it.” He said, holding up the fork.
She nodded and took the bite. Eating his cooking was something else. It made her feel good inside.
“It’s good. But I’m—-“
“No talking. Only eating.” He scolded. She knew he wouldn’t leave her alone without finishing her food. It tasted too good to waste too. She let him feed her, taking in a silence that was more comforting than the one hours before. Her eyes filled just thinking of it. How would she go to campus now? How would she face anyone?
Abhay placed the dishes in the sink and wiped her tears constantly. Piya looked towards the front door, feeling a premonition that something was about to happen. Heart filled with worry, not dread. The storm picked up and swirled outside. Rain poured from the sky like the tears from her eyes. Maybe half an hour passed. The doorbell rang once. Then twice. Then several more times. Working up the appearance and courage to answer, Piya went to check, rubbing her eyes. She opened the door, finding Misha. A flash of lightning cracked ominously, revealing the underlying sadness and tension between both sisters.
Misha was there, along with a suitcase or two. She wasn’t here to fight.
“Misha, you—-“ Her voice shook again. Misha looked like she had been crying too. Soaked in rain and carrying a broken umbrella. Her scooter was parked down the steps. Piya was confused. Siddharth pulled Abhay back by his shirt, before he did anything he shouldn’t.
Misha didn’t know how exactly she ended up here. She felt bad, for herself and for Piya. Her parents betrayed her, even her own brother hid the truth from her. He made a mistake, telling her that in private. She never yelled at any of them in such a way before. Without thinking, she cleared her art supplies and clothes from her room, and haphazardly arrived at Piya's villa.
What have you done to yourself, Piya?
She thought she looked terrible after crying so much. Piya looked much worse. It was probably her fault. She was the one who told Piya to go so heartlessly. But she wanted to make things right. Afterall, Piya was the only family Misha could turn to. She didn’t want to go back home anymore. An impulsive decision in the eyes of others, but one she stood firm on.
“You know, I always wanted a sister. Sammy was always irritating. Where were you hiding all this time? Huh?” She started, trying to crack a joke in this awkward circumstance. The rain was hiding her tears, but Piya could tell.
Piya held the door, and squeezed it tight. The suitcases were concerning to her. She couldn’t stop looking at them.
“Misha I….I never wanted this to happen. You weren’t supposed to know.”
“Oh please! Don’t hide the truth like my family did. I’m not a kid anymore.”
Piya shook her head, waving her hands in front of her.
“That’s not what I meant-----”
“I don’t want to stay in that house. So I ran away. Don’t ask me to go back, otherwise I’ll never talk to you again. I promise you that.” She asserted, holding a finger up to Piya’s face.
Mandu excused herself to the bedroom, feeling a strange upending of emotions. She wondered if she and Maithili could reconcile like that. Probably not, but it was a nice fantasy. Her little sister was no longer the one she loved. At least Piya could have the happiness she couldn’t. Siddharth followed her inside to check on her, and to let the two talk it out alone. Abhay wouldn’t budge.
“Does my big sis still love me?”
Piya nodded, and threw her arms around Misha. She couldn’t describe the feeling of relief she had within her heart. Some things were still okay between them. Abhay was right, after all. She shouldn’t have doubted Misha in the first place.
Misha looked over Piya’s shoulder, and noticed Abhay’s staring. She found it awkward, and directed her next sentence to him.
“Hey Raichand, eyes over there. Don’t ruin the moment.” Misha flicked her finger in the other direction. Abhay held in his smirk and walked off, checking on Mandu and Siddharth. Piya took her hands, which were shaking from the cold, and gestured inside.
“Come inside. Before you get si—“
Before she could complete her sentence, Misha sneezed loudly. Piya jumped, and then the two burst into laughter. Just like their good days. She helped Misha pull the suitcases inside, and went in and out of the bedroom with a towel in hand. Draped around Misha’s shoulders, she closed the door behind them. The Raichands began to excuse themselves for the night, but Abhay lingered for a few more minutes.
He was mildly upset that he had to separate for the night, even though he knew how important this moment was for her. He stood at the doorstep, her face resting between his palms.
“Take care of yourself, alright? Make sure to eat and get rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
“I will. Promise.”
“Good night. I love you.” He whispered, kissing her forehead. She whispered an ‘I love you’ back, and waved him goodbye as he went down the steps. Misha watched them quietly, pretending to warm herself with the towel. Once Abhay walked outside, she went after him, while Piya went to fetch her a fresh set of clothes before she got too sick. Organizing her belongings would take too much time.
Misha opened the door, and called out to him as he descended the last step. The rain began to soak her hair again. She groaned. This had better be worth it.
“Hey, Abhay…..”
He stopped in his tracks, and turned around. She didn’t call him ‘Raichand’ this time. A strange surprise. Misha went down as quickly as she could, holding the towel above her head as an umbrella. He didn’t even offer her his for just a minute.
“You sound awfully polite for once. Good. Piya is already shaping up to be a good influence on you.”
“This isn’t time for jokes. I….I just wanted to thank you.”
Intrigued, he turned back completely, and looked at her. Never did he think he would see the day, but thanks to Piya, anything was possible.
“For what?”
“For being with her. Especially tonight. I can’t excuse the pain that...my father has caused her, but I can at least thank you all for standing by her when I couldn’t.”
Abhay looked towards the villa with a small smile and chuckled. He wanted to mess with her for the sake of their dynamic, but held it in. Even he could read a room somewhat well.
“Is that a compliment?”
“Sure, it takes a lot to get a compliment from me.”
She hesitated for a moment, but then extended her hand. Abhay wasn’t sure what to make of it. This was out of character for her. And this was so awkward for the both of them. He cleared his throat and glanced at the door. Piya would relentlessly tease him if she saw. Misha was thinking the same thing.
“Acquaintances?”
Abhay stared at the outstretched hand, and took it for its genuinity. They shook on it.
I guess I can get along with her, for Piya’s sake.
“Acquaintances?” He said.
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