CHAPTER 12
Shreya was shedding tears sitting on her bed. The hatred she had seen in Daya's eyes for Purvi was not letting her to keep calm. She was worried for Purvi. She was trying to figure out what would happen next.
Suddenly the door opened and Shreya found Daya standing at the entrance. She wiped off her tears and faced him a bit scared. Daya slowly walked to her. Shreya looked into his eyes trying to read them. Daya stared at her for a minute then leaned towards her and rubbed her tears with his thumb.
"Daya.. Shreya uttered
"Shhh!" Daya made her silent. "Tum kuch nahi bologi Shreya sirf meri baat sunogi."
Shreya shut her mouth and continued watching him.
A faint smile appeared on Daya's lips, "Shreya main samajh nahi pa raha hu ki tum ro kyun rahi ho? Main tumhe kaun si takleef de raha hu? Agar main kisi cheej se pyar karta hu aur sari duniya use mujhse door Karna chahti hai then what do you expect me to do? Main chup chap dekhta rahu use khud se door jate huye? Aur agar main use khud se door jane se rokne ke liye kuch karta hu to wo galat hai?"
"Da... Shreya began but Daya again muted her.
"Just listen to me Shreya. My mom was my first love. Lekin wo mujhe humesha ke liye akela chod ke chali gayi. Bahut chota tha main. Main use nahi rok paya, kuch nahi kar paya. Ekdum akela ho gaya tha main. Meri maa ko gaye huye 10 din bhi nahi huye the , Dad ne wo jegah kisi aur ko de di. Main phir kuch nahi kar paya." Daya banged his fist on the table making shreya to shudder. "Aaj phir wahi situation hai mere sath Shreya. Lekin aaj main kamjor nahi hu. Tumhe khud se door jane se rokne ke liye jo bhi kar sakta hu main kar raha hu. To kya galat kar raha hu main?" Daya uttered a sharp shrill cry.
Shreya remained silent.
Daya looked at her, "But now I am tired Shreya. Jab tum khud mere sath nahi rehna chahti to tumhe jabardasti apne paas rakhne ka kya matlab hai?" He caught Shreya's hand and showed her the door, "jao Shreya, darwaja khula hai. Chali jao yaha se, jaha bhi jana chahti ho, chali jao."
Shreya looked at him unexpectedly. "Daya, ye kya keh rahe ho tum? Main nahi jana chahti tumhe chod kar. Agar mujhe Jana hi hota to kab ka chali gayi hoti. Police ke samne jhooth nahi bolti. Purvi mujhe yaha se le jane aayi thi. Kya wo opportunity nahi thi mere liye? Main chahti to usi waqt uske sath chali jati tum kuch nahi kar sakte the. Lekin main nahi gayi daya, kyunki main tumse door jana hi nahi chahti. Jo bhi hai jaisa bhi hai lekin mujhe tumhare sath hi rehna hai. Mujhe kahi nahi jana Daya." Shreya said taking his face in her hands.
Daya removed her hands. "Nahi Shreya, tum jhooth bol rahi ho. Tum mere sath khush nahi ho. Please jao yaha se." He took a pause and added, "Shreya main chahta hu ki jaise mere liye sirf tum ho usi terah se tumhare liye sirf main rahu. Main tumhara pyar kisi se share nahi karna chahta. Lekin wo possible nahi hai, so please go Shreya. It's impossible for me to live without you, so I have chosen freedom for you and death for myself!" He said and took out a bottle of poison from his pocket.
Shreya looked at Daya dumbfounded.
Daya opened the bottle and brought near his mouth. Shreya let out a cry, "Daya" she snatched the bottle from his hand and threw away. She caught Daya by his shoulders, "Ye kya karne ja rahe the Daya tum? Kyun? Oh God! Ye soch bhi kaise liya tumne?" She cried and punched his chest continuously for some minutes. Daya remained silent. When Shreya got tired of hitting his Strong body then hugged him. "I love you daya. Please trust me. Mere liye sirf tum ho. Na tumse pehle koi hai na tumhare baad koi."
Daya hugged her back shedding tears on her shoulders.
Both remained in the hug sobbing and crying but saying nothing. Daya separated slowly and cupped her face in her hands. He started kissing her all over her face like he has got to kiss her for the last time. Shreya smiled and pressed her lips against him.
o-o-o-o
Next day seemed normal. Shreya assumed Purvi has left the city. Daya got up in the morning and repeated his routine. He got ready for his office and came to Shreya.
"Shreya, I am leaving, take care of yourself." He said and kissed her head.
"Bye!" Shreya uttered returning the kiss on his cheek.
Daya smiled and came out of the room. He put the lock on the door keeping Shreya behind that. Shreya had become habitual of that so she was okay with that.
Daya put the key in his pocket and drove away in his car.
As soon Daya left Purvi appeared there hidden somewhere nearby. She had not come with an empty hand this time. She was holding a mettle cutter in her hands. She knew she has not much time to waste. So she quickly moved towards the main entrance of the house. She cut the lock hanging on the door and stepped inside. She was already aware about the room in which Daya had locked Shreya. She moved towards the room.
"Shreya!" She called her softly.
Shreya heard her voice and almost jumped on her feet. She rushed towards the door, "Purvi? Tum andar kaise aayi? What are you doing here?"
Purvi had already started cutting the lock, "Shreya main tumhe yaha se le jane aayi hu." She said from outside
Shreya gritted her teeth, "Kyun? Maine tumse kaha tha na door raho meri life se? Kyun jaan boojhkar khud ko khatre me daal rahi ho. Purvi jao yaha se please!" Shreya urged.
"Just a minute Shreya, I am cutting the lock!" Purvi said almost finishing cutting the lock.
Shreya banged her head. Purvi cut the lock successfully and opened the door.
"Come on Shreya chalo mere sath!" Purvi said holding her hand.
Shreya jerked her hand. "Dimag kharab ho gaya hai tumhara. Tumhe pata bhi hai tumne kya kiya hai? Yaha camera hai Purvi. Daya 24 hours mujhe monitor karta hai. Use pata chal gaya hoga ki tum yaha aayi ho. Aur iss baar use koi nahi rok sakta. Wo maar dalega tumhe. Wo 5 minutes me aa jayega yaha. Tum please chali jao yaha se please, I beg of you!"
Purvi denied, "Don't worry shreya, maine yaha aane se pehle police ko inform kar diya hai. Wo bas aate hi honge. Daya humara kuch nahi bigad sakta. main tumhe apne sath liye bina yaha se nahi jaungi? Just look at yourself, kis baat ki saza mil rahi hai tumhe, tumne aisa kya kiya hai jo tum ek prisoner ke terah kaid hokar rehne par majboor ho? Kya apni family apna sab kuch chodkar tum iss insaan ke sath yaha aisi zindagi jeene aayi ho? Tum Daya se itna pyar karti ho par badle me tumhe kya mil raha hai? Do you deserve that?"
Shreya closed her eyes and sighed, "Purvi ye behas karne ka waqt nahi hai. Tum jao yaha se. Mujhe Daya ko chod kar kahi nahi jana. Mujhe apni nahi Daya ki fikar hai. Main chahti to kab ka bhaag chuki hoti yaha se. Lekin agar main chali gayi na to Daya khud ko khatam kar lega. Aur main use nahi kho sakti. I love him. Main uske sath zindagi bhar aise reh sakti hu. Daya ko badalne ka sirf ek solution hai, mera pyar. Main use dheere dheere badal dungi. Lekin uske liye mujhe use ye bharosa Dilana hoga ki main use chod kar kahi nahi jane wali. Jis din uska ye bharosa tuta wo bhi toot jayega."
Purvi looked at Shreya, "Shreya, maine Daya ki halat dekhi hai and it's critical. He needs help Shreya. He needs a treatment. Uska pagalpan dusro ke liye kam uske khud ke liye jyada dangerous hai. Agar abhi use treat nahi kiya gaya to bahut badi problem ho jayegi. Shreya, hum ek achhe psychiatrist se bast karenge. Daya theek ho jayega. Tumhara pyar tumse koi nahi cheen raha. Wo humesha tumhare paas rahega aur tumse pyar karega lekin paglo ki terah nahi. Ek normal aur sensible insaan ki terah not like a maniac. Socho Shreya, apni shadi, apne pyar ke future ke bare me socho!" Purvi said squeezing her shoulders.
Shreya started thinking about what Purvi said. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped as the door opened and Daya came inside. The color drained off from shreya's face. "Daya!" She uttered in shock and apprehension.
Purvi turned and looked at Daya. He was staring at both of them strangely. He shut the door behind him making both Purvi and Shreya scared of him.
He started taking slow steps towards them.
"Da..Daya listen to me..." Shreya said stammering. But no words reached into daya's ears. All he could see was-
Purvi laughing evilly at him. "Dekho Daya, main Shreya ko tumse door lekar ja rahi hu. Tum akele ho. Nobody loves you Daya."
"Han Daya, I don't love you. Main ja rahi hu tumse door!" Shreya said hatefully to Daya.
Daya pulled his own hair in frustration. Purvi and shreya shivered.
Daya kicked the table in front of him. He gnashed, "No! Tum Shreya ko mujhse door nahi le ja sakti, main shreya ko kahi nahi jane dunga!" He snarled and rushed towards purvi.
Purvi and shreya were shocked.
Daya pounced upon purvi and grabbed her neck.
"Daya leave her!" Shreya appealed.
Daya slapped Shreya and pushed her aside. She fell on the floor. Daya caught purvi's hair and dragged her mercilessly on the floor. "How dare you! Tumne socha bhi kaise ki tum Shreya ko mujhse door karogi. Aaj main tumhe nahi chodunga!" Purvi cried in pain.
She caught daya's hands trying to free herself. Daya slapped her tightly.
"Stop it Daya!" Shreya shouted
"Umm..hhumm!" Purvi struggled to breath as daya grabbed her neck in his hands throttling her. She started suffocating. She was kicking the floor with her feet to make herself free. Daya started laughing maniacally as if enjoying purvi's screams.
Shreya saw Purvi. She rushed to save her. "Daya chodo use, mar jayegi wo" she shouted hitting daya on his arms.
Daya again kicked her away and laughed. Purvi closed her eyes due to shortness of oxygen but daya didn't leave her.
Shreya saw that and she got no other option to save her. Her eyes fell on a knife kept in the fruit basket on the table. Her hands grabbed the knife.
"Daya chod do use nahi to main tumhe maar dalugi" she warned Daya raising the knife at him.
Daya looked at her and laughed.
"Daya I said leave her else I would kill you!" Shreya shouted.
Daya stopped laughing slowly and started sobbing. "Really Shreya? You want to kill me? Maine is duniya me sabse jyada tumse pyar kiya aur badle me tum mujhe maar dalna chahti ho? Thank you so much shreya! Come on kill me! Come on shreya, kill me!" He shouted pushing purvi aside.
As Purvi came out of his grip she started coughing and breathing heavily lying on the floor. She got her life back from his hands.
Daya took hold of shreya's hand holding the knife, "kill me Shreya, soch kya rahi ho? Maar dalo mujhe. Kill me shreya, kill me!" He shouted forcing shreya to attack him with the knife.
"No daya, stop it!" Shreya cried.
Daya snatched the knife from her hand, "tum nahi marogi na mujhe, koi baat nahi main khud maar dunga khud ko, yahi to chahti ho na tum!" Daya said showing the knife to her.
He raised the knife to hurt himself but Shreya caught his hand. "Nahi Daya ruk jao. Chod do ise, tumhe lag jayegi!"
Both started fighting for the knife. Purvi saw this and found shreya struggling to save daya as he was totally determined to kill himself. She too got up and rushed to help shreya to snatch the knife from his hand.
Meanwhile the police arrived and they took Daya in their custody.
"Chodo mujhe! I want to kill myself! Shreya wants me to die, mar jane do mujhe. Please someone kill me!" Daya was screaming under the grip of Strong police cops.
Shreya broke down seeing his pathetic condition. Purvi embraced her in comforting arms.
Daya's condition was out of control. He was sent to a mental hospital for proper treatment.
In present (connects to the first chapter)
Shreya came out of the dreadful memories. Purvi and Shreya were still sitting on the bench. Daya's treatment was over and he was fine now. He was getting a discharge today. Shreya used to come everyday to see him but she never met him for the last 12 months. Finally she was going to meet her new Daya.
The doctor called Shreya in his chamber. She went inside followed by Purvi.
"Yes doctor!" Shreya said and her heart bounced inside her chest seeing Daya sitting on the chair in front of the doctor. He was looking more handsome and calm.
"Come Shreya, the formalities are completed. Here is your husband!" Said the doctor.
Daya turned and looked at Shreya. As his eyes met her, a tear drop came out of her eyes and rolled down her cheek.
"Shreya!" He called her name.
Shreya kept staring at him unblinking. He was looking quite a stranger. So Shreya hesitated and looked down. But Daya moved and hugged her and she felt it's not any stranger, it's her love, her life, Daya! She hugged him back.
Purvi smiled at them with teary eyes.
Daya separated and placed his hand on shreya's cheek, "how are you Shreya?"
"I am okay!" Shreya uttered.
Daya smiled then his eyes fell on Purvi.
"Purvi" he said and moved to her. He gently pulled her in a warm hug, "I am sorry for everything Purvi!"
Purvi smiled and happily accepted the hug.
"The doctor told me that I had almost killed you!" Daya said embarrassed.
"Never mind!" Purvi laughed.
"Thanks Purvi, Shreya ka khayal rakhne ke liye. Humesha uska sath dene ke liye!" Daya said obligingly.
Purvi exchanged glances with shreya and looked at Daya, "Kyun kya Shreya se sirf tum hi pyar karte ho?"
Daya smiled. Shreya came to Daya, "Chalo Daya, ghar pe sab tumhara wait kar rahe hain."
Shreya took Daya her home, where their whole family was waiting for them. Daya wholeheartedly met with everyone. He first time called his step mother as 'Maa' without any hesitation. Shreya was so happy seeing Daya so much changed. Everything was fine now. She was happy getting her lovely husband back in her life.
o-o-o-o
Some days later
Shreya and Daya were lying in bed. Shreya was moving her hand on his chest. "Daya, humari shadi ko itne din ho gaye hain. I think now we should think about extending our family."
Daya looked at her face confused, "What do you mean?"
Shreya blushed slightly, "Daya, I want a baby! I want to be a mother. I want to give birth to our child."
Daya separated from Shreya and looked bewildered.
"Kya hua Daya?" Shreya asked.
"What are you talking Shreya. What's the need of a baby. Kya mera pyar tumhare liye Kafi nahi hai? Tum humare beech kisi aur ko kyun lana chahti ho?" Daya said getting hyper.
Shreya was stunned. She was speechless. "Ye kya keh rahe ho Daya?" She asked in a trembling voice.
Daya turned to her. "Shreya, when I say I can't share you with anyone, I mean it. Humare beech kisi ko nahi bardasht kar sakta main. Humare khud ke bachhe ko bhi nahi." Daya said with a strange look in his eyes.
A shiver ran down shreya's body. She held the corner of the bed for support as she felt herself fainting. She was in a great shock. She could see the old Daya back.
"Noooo" she screamed, "Aisa nahi ho sakta Daya, aisa nahi ho sakta." She broke down and began to run out of the room terribly scared of him.
"Shreya!" Daya said and held her hand.
"Just leave me!" Shreya shouted hitting his arms.
Daya started laughing and wrapped his arms around her, "Relax Shreya, relax! Hang on! Main sirf majak kar raha tha. I am sorry! I am extremely sorry Shreya, wo purana daya mar chuka hai and he will never be back. it was just a stupid prank!" Said daya holding her tightly in his arms.
Shreya calmed down slowly and looked at him.
Daya cupped her face, "Sorry! I love you so much Shreya. You want a baby?" He smiled, "I want two!" He rested his forehead against her, "I promise main humare bachho se bhi bahut pyar karunga. I'll make a good father."
Shreya closed her eyes letting out a deep sigh, "Don't do it again Daya, I was almost dead. Next time I may get a heart attack!"
Daya laughed, "Sorry! I don't remember but kuch aise hi torture kiya hoga na maine tumhe?"
"I have forgotten all that Daya. It's time to start a new life. Let's just never think about the past." Shreya said staring into his eyes.
Daya kissed her forehead and secured her in his arms. Shreya smiled resting her head against his chest. She never felt so much soothe and warmth in his arms.
o-o-o THE END o-o-o
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A/N: hmph! It was the most difficult chapter for me to write. I discarded a lot of ideas for the climax and preferred to end it on a happy note. Topaz007 , hope you are satisfied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm and support!
