PAIN AND GUILT

PAIN AND GUILT
Rishabh's heart pounded in his chest as he left Avani's house, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Vikram pulled him away, trying to ease the turmoil etched on his face. In the dim glow of the streetlights, he felt a crushing guilt settle within him.

"What have I done to her? I shattered her," Rishabh murmured, his voice choked with regret. His eyes, once filled with confidence, were now clouded with remorse and confusion.

Vikram, equally baffled and concerned, needed answers. He pulled out his phone and dialed Smriti's number, hoping to understand the situation.

After what felt like an eternity, Smriti approached them, her eyes blazing with fury. She directed her anger at Vikram, her voice sharp like shards of glass. "Didn't I warn you? He was not supposed to go near her unless I talked to him."

Vikram, caught in the crossfire, tried to explain it to Smriti, but Smriti stopped him showing her right-hand palm, "You didn't tell me about the office event, I didn’t say a thing. I had no idea he would be there; let alone the impact it would have on Avani."

Smriti's frustration overflowed. "This stunt you pulled today... why didn't you inform me?" She held her head in her hands, her anger mixed with anguish.

Rishabh, desperate for answers, implored Smriti, "Tell me why she reacted like that. Why is she taking medicines?"

Smriti's words cut through Rishabh like a knife. Her anger was raw and justified, her frustration palpable. Vikram, understanding the depth of Smriti's emotions, gently restrained her, trying to soothe the storm within her.

"Why are you even asking this? What were you expecting? That she will come and hug you? Do you even care, Rishabh? Why are you even back... to increase her pain? What do you want to prove now?" Smriti's voice cracked with a mix of anger and heartache. The depth of her concern for Avani was evident. Rishabh felt the weight of her words, a painful reminder of the consequences of his actions. Avani's suffering had not gone unnoticed, and the pain he had caused was mirrored in Smriti's tear-filled eyes.

"For God’s sake, Smriti, please tell me what medicines she is taking!" Rishabh's voice was almost a shout, a plea born out of a deep concern for Avani.

Closing her eyes, Smriti started unravelling the painful truth. "One year back when you left her, today is the same day, right? She locked herself inside the room. She didn’t come out for 2 days, without food, without water. The only thing I could hear was her loud sobs; I was scared to leave her like that. So, I started working from home for a few days. After 2 days, she came out of the room. I tried to talk to her, she was like a walking dead. It was unbearable to look at her. After that, I thought she would come back to normal eventually with time, but she was just getting worse. She hardly used to talk, only when her family members called; she used to talk to them with a happy face. She didn’t want to trouble them. After 10 days, one morning when I went to her room, she was burning with a very high fever, her face completely lost colour, and I was scared to death. I immediately called the doctor, and he came home and started her treatment. I came to know she is suffering from a nervous breakdown. I was alone here handling things. I was so scared and worried for her. One time, I thought to tell Vikram, but Avani would feel more disturbed seeing him around. So, I flushed out that idea. The medicine you asked about is to control the triggers of anxieties, which she has to take for some time. After 20 days, she was back in the office, but it was not the same for her. She turned more rude, cold. She restricted her world, started wearing a mask showing everyone that she is all fine and happy. She goes straight to the office, comes straight home, and locks herself in the room. She talks to no one other than me. But, I always knew the storm she is hiding inside. This is the pretty much-condensed version, Rishabh, about Avani’s situation…"

Smriti's words hung heavy in the air, a stark revelation of Avani's pain

that Rishabh could no longer ignore.

"Why do you want to know? You are happy in your life. She is trying to move on, so let her do that. She is shattered. Leave her alone, I beg you," she said, while Vikram held her in a comforting embrace.
Rishabh ran his fingers through his hair, his gaze fixed on the floor. The realization of his role in Avani's suffering weighed heavily on him. With a heart full of hope, he turned back to Smriti with pleading eyes.

"Please, Smriti, all I am asking is just one chance," Rishabh pleaded desperately, his voice was laden with sincerity and remorse.

"Baby, let him try once, please," Vikram implored in gentle tone urging Smriti to consider Rishabh's request.

"I am no one to give you any chance. Only Avani holds that right. She is sleeping right now. Go ahead, but make sure she shouldn’t wake up," Smriti said, her voice was filled with caution, and granted him permission with a warning.

With a heart full of determination, Rishabh rushed to Avani's apartment. He entered inside and went straight to her bedroom. There she laid, vulnerable in her slumber. Tears had dried up on her cheeks, leaving behind traces of her pain. Her beautiful black hair lay scattered on the cushions, covering her face delicately. Her eyes were shut, long, curly eyelashes casting shadows on her cheeks. Her creamy skin seemed to glow even in the subdued light, flawlessly luring him to touch her face.

He sat down beside her on the bed, with gentle touch, he caressed her head lovingly. Unable to control his emotions, he lightly kissed her pink lips and then her cheeks. A lone tear escaped from his eyes, mirroring the pain that etched on her face. Her eyes flickered beneath closed lids, creases were forming on her forehead, as if she was caught in a tumultuous dream, unaware of the storm that awaited her waking moments.

"I am so sorry...Avani. I promise; I will love you so much that you will never remember the past. I will heal you. I will heal your broken heart, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice filled with determination, leaving a last peck on her lips he quietly left the room with heavy heart.