"The Truth Within" ( Short Story) Part V (Ends)

{Part II}

Dhruti : U caught me right Nidhi. I lied. I lied and I lied. At that moment when I was lying, I was completely taken aback by the question. I felt I shouldn't answer but then I did enjoy listening and clapping when others were put across something similar. So I thought to continue there. I couldn't ever say the truth the secret to all I couldn't and I had a choice of either saying the truth or playing along with the life of my parents itself as I was swearing on them and saying… I took the decision to play along their life .. and for that I thought I need to punish myself by playing with my life as well.. I could have lied with anything like 'I killed someone.. that would also be a lie right?… but I wanted to face a lie which will effect me .. when I have taken the toll of wrongly swearing on my parents I thought I have to speak a lie which takes a toll on me. I did that.. I said I am not a virgin, which takes toll on me. If there is anyone, with whom I want to lead my whole life its Sudhir. And I took that risk… I took the risk of putting myself ashamed in front of him.

Nidhi kept silent… and after a while she asked,

Nidhi: Was the truth that huge to swear by ur parents life Dhruti.

Dhruti remained quiet.

Nidhi: Oh ok.. I get it, It may be right.. U don't want the secret out to anyone. I want to respect that emotion within u. U just take care. I am there for u.

She was moving out and Dhruti called her back.

Dhruti: Nidhi when u have come so far to knowing I lied and that lie was better than speaking the truth for me swearing on my parents. I never felt anyone would get that.. Let

me share with u my life's darkest truth, the truth within me which has shaken my life. I guess I need to get it out some day to someone and feel better… U know me well let me make u know the internal turmoil of mine…

Her eyes were moist and had a want to be cared by someone close. She choose Nidhi to reveal the truth within her.

Nidhi and Dhruti sat…

Dhruti: Nidhi I was just 17 years old when my Nanaji expired, we went to our nana's house. Nanaji had left a will giving away the house and jewllery in my name. My Naani was already very sick and cant see as well properly so he had told till his wife is alive she will enjoy the comforts of the house and after her , I will. My parents went to a temple on the 14^th day while my Naani asked me to stay back with her. I sat and she spoke, she asked me to take out a box full of jewellery, which I had to keep it with me. I took that and a letter was in it. My Naani asked me to read it. My naani told me her elder daughter had written it. I was shocked as I never knew my mom had an elder sister.

Nidhi looked at her face, Dhruti was going through a choked voice and Nidhi didn't knew whether to let her say or to stop her from going through revealing the darkest truth kept secret within her…Dhruti Continued…

Dhruti: It was a suicide note

Nidhi was numb hearing it..

Dhruti: The note informed she is dieing, she wrote she never forced herself on to my dad.. My naani told me more facts some mentioned in the letter and some that she knew. My dad was coming frequently here for the paper work of some land. His visits increased. My massi who was a widow. Her husband had died within a week of her marriage as the river flowed on to the stone where he was sitting and the stone along with him and his friend were swept away into the river. My dad got attracted to her, her caring nature, her hardworking self. Food made by her was delicious. Dad started coming and bringing some thing or the other for her. My massi couldn't stop her self from enjoying those gifts.. Somewhere she would feel this is not right but later felt just accepting care concern isn't wrong.. she was lonely and a little bit of love suddenly with genuineness made her feel good. My Nana n Naani were also always asking her to take special care of my dad as he was their Damad.. They didn't knew what was stored in.

Dhruti took a deep breathe and continued.

Dhruti: My Massi and dad slowly grew fond and slowly developed a lot of liking. My Massi realizing she was steeping into her younger sister's life felt she should not cheat her sister. She tried to keep herself away from all this.. The more she would get herself detach from my dad, the more my dad would do weird things, which would scare her. He would scream, yell and not have food.. such things disturbed her. They both came on a understanding as my Massi couldn't see him get hurt nor wanted her sister to cry. My dad said he would divorce my mom. My Massi still wasn't sure if that would be right. She couldn't see her younger sister be a divorcee she knew what a life is after ur husband leaves u. She had went through a lot of that.. She wanted him to be with her.. she asked him to inform her sister about their relationship.. Somewhere she wanted to take the punishment from her sister facing what she feels.. how she will stop her husband .. could she was not in her mind.. how she will was that she thought.. My dad told her he had informed and she is ok with the relationship.. My Massi was scared and didn't believe him.. Many times as she herself didn't have the courage she indirectly hinted my mom that my dad was coming too frequently here.. He may forget her as he is spending a lot of time here.. She informed that somewhere my mom should control my dad ….my mom didn't tell her anything.. She kept saying I know.. I know… let him do what he wants… let him.. I cant do anything… I am ok with his priorities.. it leaves me less responsible of the many things he can face.. My Massi was very disturbed but somewhere she knew initially her sister disliked but may be she has given up.. When her sister is taking her hand away from doing anything.. Why is she taking her hand away from feeling awesome about the love my dad was showering on her.. she knew the relationship is not legal… but she had assumed my dad as a lover who cares and does so much for her..

Nidhi could see there was anguish inside Dhruti..

Part {III}

Dhruti: Nidhi.. My Massi and dad were getting quite close. My Nana n Naniji got a hint and tried dad doesn't come here often, even if any paper work was left.. My dad started hiding and meeting my Massi in hotel or guest house.. and slowly they met hiding from the society's eyes.. My Massi got pregnant.. she had aborted twice thrice but this time she didn't want as the day she got the news was Krishna Janmashtmi.. My dad didn't want the child and told her strictly no further argument.. My Massi came here to meet my mom and pleaded .. she came and was for a shock.. my mom n dad both pushed her away saying they wont allow this.. My dad told her she can be a 'keep' and be happy with him fulfilling her needs but she cant think of being his wife.. My mom was glowing with happiness with his words.. My massi was heart broken she didn't want to hear something like 'keep'.. but considered their relationship as beautiful and not for fulfilling each others needs but bonding an emotional attachment too…  She felt him to be a lover and not a mere man fulfilling her physical needs…  She begged literally to let her keep this child.. she got angry when both of them asked her either abort or they will not spare her.. she didn't agree.. The next thing was my mom n dad came to Nana Naanis house saying my massi with someone got too far and she should abort.. My massi told the father of the child was my dad, my dad disagreed and my mom supported him saying.. as they got to know and they are trying to advise Massi she is pointing at them.. as my mom also supported no one believed my Massi..

Dhruti was almost feeling herself to be guilty as she narrated the whole revelation she had faced…

Dhruti: My Dad and mom asked her to sign some papers which were of the land for which my dad use to frequently travel there. .. my massi slowly realised the land was in the name of both the sisters and my dad n mom were scared if she marries anyone else the major part of the land may go to someone else.. There were arguments, false accusation.. but massi didn't budge now..she didn't sign nor did she abort.. My mom n dad did many things, spreading wrong things about her. She couldn't believe the man she loved so much was now without fear lying saying she was carrying a low caste guy's child. Someone who left the village after having an affair with her that provoked the villagers. Her sister whom she looked after and always felt guilty, never wanted to hurt her was spreading rumours supporting her husband. A sign on the paper was what they needed to go away from the village. She thought a lot if she signs will they accept the truth of who the father of the child is she knew they wont, they r very shrewd.

Nidhi: Ur Naana Naani , did they support her?

Dhruti: I asked the same thing to Naani.. she was crying.. and she said.. she knew her elder daughter was saying the truth but when her younger daughter was wanting to be with her husband and supporting him .. the thing was whom should they try ..to sort .. Elder daughters life was already in mess and they didn't support their elder daughter … they felt at least one is happy in her own married life how to spoil that… my massi didn't had any grudges against them as she felt that what she foolishness did was not to be proud of by her parents… she never wanted support from them.. she just wanted her child to come into life… her heart was shattered, her trust was broken and her character was tarnished… One day my Nana and Naani went out and someone locked her from outside. She for hours was screaming for help,. She was hungry,. She was thirsty but couldn't come out. At night Naana naani came and saw her unconscious in the room. She was taken to a hospital and Nana naani gave her some food to eat… within few hours she had a miscarriage.. My Naana n Naani hid from her the fact that the food she ate was prepared by my mom… it was later Nana Nani realised mom was responsible for the miscarriage. Both situations were created by my parents they had locked and served unhealthy meal too.

Nidhi was almost feeling angry hearing it... She couldn't believe Dhruti's mom, aunty whom she respects more than her own mom whenever she had compared both could be so insensitive..

Nidhi: So she committed suicide after that.. and died..

Dhruti: Oh she wanted to and wrote the letter… she was about to jump into the well but Nanaji saved her. My massi was mentally depressed after that and slowly she became very quite.. she suddenly disappeared from the village one day, few people saw her in rags at some place like a beggar sitting ..  My dad proved she was dead in court and took away the land, which was in her name. My nanaji got to know this after the deal was over.

Nidhi: Nobody tried to bring her, search her?

Dhruti: My Naana Naani were very sad they couldn't help Massi out. They knew her only mistake was that she fell in love with my dad and continued it knowing it was wrong. She was wrong, my dad was and my mom too.. but the only one who suffered and who faced humiliation, actually who's life got ruined was my Massi. Naana Naani couldn't do anything.. They searched for her and finally after a search of 2 years they found her. Naana Naani hid this fact from villagers, from my dad n mom. After around 3 years, my mom dad got to know this and mom was carrying me at that time. Dad didn't want the problem again to arise he had declared her dead and had set up a building on the same land. He spoke with my Naana n naani scolding them why they did this. Naani went to meet My massi and she go to know from the mental asylum where she was staying that Massi ran away form there.. Massi's condition in the mental asylum was getting better , she had also started recognizing Nana Naani, asked them to bring what all she likes to eat, she had began to smile and talk with them. But what happened she ran they were confused. They were very upset as they had with great difficulty searched her through the lanes and streets of so many cities and with difficulty brought her and improved her condition. Naanaji was shattered and Naani was in pain. They later got to know my dad opened the way for her to run from there. He had bribed someone form the asylum to do it. Naana was informed by the asylum's nurse when they were crying inconsolably. The nurse was close to them during the stay of massi there. Nana naani can never forgive dad for this. As my mom was carrying me at that time that they didn't take action it was an emotional moment or else they would have taken some serious action against my parents. After that they never met, spoke with my parents. After that they never could know even if Massi was dead or alive.

Nidhi and Dhruti were quite for a while…

Nidhi: Naani told u all this… after so many years …  why?

Dhruti: Naani informed me the wishes which rnt written in the will but nana ji n naaniji always shared with each other. The jewellery given to me were the ones of my massi when she got married, it remained with them… Naanaji n Naaniji wanted me to use the jewellery and also the house trusting me somewhere and wanted me to fulfill one wish of theirs, they knew their elder daughter was not that bad and characterless as all feel or think. They want Massi's name to be taken with a little pride. They want to give something in her remembrance. They don't trust dad or mom to do anything even if they mention it in the will. Naani asked me to make a trust or a samsthan with the money in the name of Massi. That's why naani told me the whole truth in detail.

Part{IV}

Nidhi: U questioned these with ur parents.

Dhruti: In the beginning I was just shocked angry and couldn't believe.. was scared as well. I had a number of pics of massi n my mom together. I collected them and when we reached our home. I asked them who was the girl in the pic along side her. Mom told me she was a neighbour, they stayed close by. I went in my room wondering how to get the truth. I was very upset and thought to directly question them. I went towards their room and heard mom n dad speaking, where dad told her she should have said the girl in the pic is  her sister. Mom replied shrewdly saying why not say she was his 'keep'. Dad kept quite and both went on to doing their work. I now got some truth from their mouth.. I was in tears realizing the two people in my life who r the most important people whom I admire I idolize r guilty of crimes. I still was angry and after few weeks thought to counter them, accuse them and make them commit all the things, they did and ask them to support me in making a trust in the name of Massi. . I questioned why they hid the fact that I had a Massi? Mom dad were in a fix to answer.. In that little argument, I realised one more fact, my younger brother Gaurav he is two years younger to me but he couldn't take my stand of arguing with my parents. I was 17 and he was 15 but he was supporting them saying don't argue don't question them, don't u dig old things… He was continuously telling me that; did mom n dad do anything less for u? No  then why u want to start with why n what mom dad think about Massi who is no one in our life. All went against me didn't let me even reveal the truth which I knew. I somehow felt I may be alone to stand firm in doing anything and if my parents know they will never support me so I thought to give myself more time to think. Actually I couldn't say the whole truth about them to Gaurav as well , he wants to become like my dad , he is the most pampered and loved one in the family and fear for his future if he gets mentally disturbed with all this truth secret of the past…

Nidhi: So this is the truth within u which u never wanted to share with anyone, not wanting anyone else to look into the eyes of ur parents with this truth about them in their mind… U still love ur parents.. U can be against them by ethics not by affection…

Dhruti had tears in her eyes and a smile, as she was very happy to hear it from Nidhi. Dhruti was glad she shared this with Nidhi who is getting the exact feelings inside her.

Dhruti: I admired my father respected him so much. I was proud of the fact that from been a small time crop seller he created such a huge construction business. I loved him through out as he gave me everything I ever asked for, may be much before I asked anything. My dad for me was my pride and someone whom I idolized. My mom was no less, running a women's hostel I felt she was my role model. She is an example of a strong-headed woman. The two people whom I trusted the most; felt I knew them well and thought I will follow them and follow their path were the most strange people. They became strangers to me. My brother whom I loved and cared was protective towards my parents it helped me to realize what I lost was a family in whole after knowing the truth but if I try to reveal the whole truth to Gaurav he may also loose the family .. may be he will believe me or may be he will not believe me, whatever but he will also feel the same. I decided to finish my studies and along side plan for a trust in the name of my Massi. My darkest revelation, the secret truth within me  is the fact that my Dad is a womanizer which I now very well know, as am now opening my eyes observing things better than before, my mom encouraged him and both of them planned & killed an unborn child. They are responsible for ruining the life of a widow and with her also her parents. Nidhi don't u think its better I hide the truth?

Nidhi: Hmmm yaa when it comes to family.. How could u ….

Dhruti: I think I had option either to reveal the truth about them, which will make them look culprits or wrongly lie swearing on them. My friends their parents who know n respect my family would start looking, talking and writing about them with hatred and disrespect. Can my parents at this age face humiliation accepting the truth? Which they couldn't in front of me? I took the risk left now it on God … I don't know if what I did is right… but I don't think I did anything wrong…  I can't let the truth within me about my parents to be seen in every eye when I will face them or my parents or brother will face them. I will keep the truth within me and do what I think has to be done to somewhere try to fulfill the last wish of my Naanaji. Also, do something where the wrong deeds done by my parents can be wiped little with some good deeds by me & my family in the near future.

Nidhi:  What about U… and Sudhir.. U will tell him this secret truth within u and justify urself and clear his misunderstanding.

Dhruti again had tears in her eyes and she smiled as well. Nidhi was a bit taken aback by her smile.

{Part V}

Dhruti: Two people whom I loved cared respected the most broke my trust. And I thought the world as whole was bad. Sudhir and U,  I know both of u from long time. U have seen the change in me where I have detached myself from everyone not wanting to let anyone come close to me… I had you and Sudhir in my life whom I didn't have to give chance to come closer.. u both came without making me realize it… I didn't feel it I literally absorbed it. I always thought to share my inner truth pain with u both but I never wanted to in the end, as I was scared to trust u both to that extent. Sudhir's dad and my dad are friends as well. So it was quite obvious to not let him know of this fact. Nidhi… Sudhir proposed me, I said No as well…. He proposed me again.. and I had to say 'yes' as my heart was in pain to see him in pain when I said NO… I loved him I knew it. I said yes but somewhere still kept him at a distance and we both felt the gap but he gave me time. Nidhi.. I feel so lucky today to have him.

Dhruti smiled and tears flowed away…

Dhruti: Yesterday night I was very upset & disappointed I prayed to God… Closed my eyes.. Sleep wasn't in my eyes but nightmarish as I closed my eyes.. I screamed and freaked out wondering Sudhir left me … now with him not there in my life how will I.. I cried n cried… At that point he called up.. he heard my voice.. asked me.. "U love me Dhruti.." and I said, "I only Love u Sudhir. There are so many things.. I cant tell u all that.. but I really love only u.." His voice choked for the first time… he said .. he feels so nice to hear me show the pain in my voice of the fear of loosing him.. he said, " Dhruti , U said U are not a virgin.. It speaks having a physical relationship but u didn't give away ur heart to anybody else right? I said, " Yes, My heart is , was and will be always urs.." Sudhir and I cried for a while and later he said, 'Virginity can be lost in love, in fun, by force, by choice or an error or uncontrolled self mind.. Dhruti we have been together from a long time.. U have accepted my love and confessed me ur love few months back. From that time I have seen U, known U more n more. Dhruti I know ur character, I can never doubt that. I trust u and this truth made me to know ur past can be there, whatever it be I will trust what u say. U said You LOVE ME .. those words made me realize u love me n ur eyes didn't show an amount of guilt or cheating so there is nothing for me to feel insecure. I wont say I was not shocked or felt bad.. I did but somewhere my LOVE , my heart made me to understand ur side rather than get angry on U… I love u Dhruti.. I still am the same… nothing has changed…"

Nidhi was smiling looking and hearing Dhruti. Dhruti was glowing with happiness though her eyes were filled with tears.  

Dhruti: U both are there for me and nothing else could I wish from God. Nidhi, I will reveal my Truth within me to Sudhir but it makes me happy to know he still loves me. He didn't just thought about what I said and what it meant but he also went into the character I have and the woman I am whom he fell in love, he took into account my eyes which never lie my love for him and he truly loves me.  .. My friend u both have made me to feel if there are people in the world who are fake  who are selfish and not to be trusted .. in the same world there are people who are genuine and good as well. U both have made my life beautiful.

Both hugged each other..

The truth within came out with it one more fact came out that not everyone's life can be as rosy as it looks. Not every Truth said is what it looks like but there can be many things connected which only close pals will know. At the same time even if we know how terrible their life looks or is, there can be few beautiful and precious things they have which God provides to balance them to go through the difficult path of life. If difficulties and worries bother u, there are always ways, solutions which God sends along to get through them as well.  Truth is not simple and every one feels unprepared to face the truth.

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It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.

People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true.

To a true artist only that face is beautiful which, quite apart from its exterior, shines with the truth within the soul.