A/N Hello guys. I know I said three chaps to go, but this is the second last chapter. Next one will be the last one.

A short preview:-

A sixteen year old kid (Daya) is able to see and communicate with unhappy spirits. Afraid of his unusual behaviour, his elder brother (Rahul), after consulting many doctors, calls his psychiatrist friend (Abhijeet). Abhijeet leaves Bombay and comes to Banglore to treat Daya. After meeting him, he recalls of having dealt with a similar case before (Yug Gupta). Yug though, had shot himself dead infront of Abhijeet, because Abhijeet was lacking to help him. Reluctant at first, Daya agrees to tell Abhijeet his secret, on a condition that Abhijeet has to tell him about his own secret first. Abhijeet agrees only to know that Daya already knew half of it. He first doubts that he came to know about it from Rahul, but then knows comes to know Yug himself had told about the whole thing to Daya. Hence, he starts believing Daya and vows to help him in order to rectify his failure and save a life unlike before.

...

Last chapter:-

After helping one of those unhappy spirits, Daya and Abhijeet return home. In anger, Rahul gives Daya a letter from his college, mentioning his absence for a long period now. He warns him to start attending his lectures otherwise on their mother's return, he'll have to deal with her himself.

...

Daya's friends are mentioned in 3rd chapter when Abhijeet asks Rahul about them. Rahul says that he had one or two in school. He further adds, "Exactly toh nahi pata lekin unn logonke parents ne mumma ko kaha tha ki Daya ko unke saath na rehne de. Uske baad fir Daya..usne kabhi unse baat nahi ki."

...

Daya's grandmother and the effect of her death on Daya's mother is mentioned in chapter 4. Passing of Daya's grandmother was a shock to his mother and so she had consulted a psychologist for her own. She was suffering from depression. The psychologist didn't help her much, and so Daya was unsure about Abhijeet.

...

Now, my friends, have a happy reading :)

Few hours passed by. Not receiving a single word from Daya, Abhijeet decided to check on him. He knocked on the door and a reply came from Daya's side as, "Mai aapse koi baat nahi karna chahta, bhaiya."

Abhijeet bit his lip. Daya was expecting Rahul to be here and now-

He shook his head, disappointed in his hot headed friend and once again knocked on the door, calling out for Daya. "Daya mai hun, please darwaza kholo."

He heard hastening footsteps and soon the door flew open. Daya's cheeks were red due to embarrassment. "I'm sorry, mujhe laga-"

Abhijeet smiled at him, "It's okay."

When they settled down to talk, Abhijeet asked, "Tumne dawaiya li?" Daya nodded silently. Abhijeet smiled then, saying in a soft tone, "Rahul ne jo kuch bhi kaha, kya tumne socha uske baremein?"

Daya slowly lowered his head. "Mai nahi jana chahta wahan. Lekin mai..mai-" he took a deep breath, "mai mom ke wapas aane par unhe face bhi nahi kar sakta. Aur issbar toh bhaiya bhi mere khilaf honge. Mujhe samaj nahi aata mai kya karu."

Abhijeet listened to him silently and then said, "Calm down. Aur mujhe batao ki problem kya hai? Kyun nahi jaana chahte tum college wapas?"

The question made Daya awkward. "Aap jaante toh hai."

"Kya?"

Daya jerked his head away, irritated. "Mera bartaav..aap jaante hai ke yeh log mujhe sab jagah dikhai padte hai. Bhale hi sab mujhse madat nahi mangte, magar mai unhe dekh sakta hun. Issi wajah se.." his voice lowered down, "Issi wajah se mera bartaav thoda ajeeb..sab mujhe..freak..freak samajhte hai. College mein koi mujhse baat tak nahi karta."

Abhijeet scrunched his nose. "Daya please, you aren't a freak. Aur jab mai tumse pehli baar mila tha, tab ke Daya mein aur aaj ke Daya mein zameen aasman ka farak hai." Daya looked at him wanting to hear more. "Tumhari problem yeh thi ki tumhe samajh nahi ata tha ki kya kiya jae. Par ab voh solve ho gai hai. Tum ab nahi darte ho unn logonse jo tumhe dikhai padhte hai. Phir college jaane mein harz hi kya hai?"

Daya still wasn't assured. So Abhijeet said, "Ek baar koshish toh karo. Ab yeh toh tumhe bhi pata hai ki tum dhire dhire badal rahe ho. Aur mazboot, aur behtar ho rahe ho, haina?" He smiled gently at the confused kid before him.

Daya gave him a hesitant smile too but it wore off and he sighed. "Kya aapko sachmein lagta hai ki mujhmein ache badlaav ho rahe hai?"

Abhijeet nodded, assuring him. "Of course. Tumne shayad abtak notice nahi kiya. Par ab tum situations se bhag nahi rahe, balki unhe face kar rahe ho." He smiled at him, "Hospital mein doctor se baat bhi tumne ki, uss ladki ke ghar mein bhi tum gae. Yahan takki Rahul se baat bhi tumne ki. Jab hum pehli baar mile the, tab jaise tum rote, darte nahi ho ab. Yeh saari positive signs nahi hai, toh kya hai?" Saying so, he patted Daya's back who finally smiled back at him.

"Theek hai." Daya said. "Mai koshish karunga. Mai kal jaunga college. Magar.." he trailed off.

Abhijeet, in a promising tone, "Agar tumhe koi bhi problem hui toh tum bas ek call kar dena. Mai bilkul bhi daudke nahi aaunga."

Daya looked at him in surprise, Abhijeet winked mischievously and added, "Matlab, car se aaunga na."

That worked as a small chuckle escaped Daya's lips, and Abhijeet joined him.

...
Next morning

"Bhaiya?" Daya called as he knocked on his elder brother's door and opened it slightly. "Mai andar aau?"

He saw Rahul working on the study table. Rahul glanced at him but then resumed his work. "Aaiye. Aapko permission ki zarurat kabse padne lagi?"

Daya bit his lip, closing the door behind him. He stood there for a while, not receiving any further acknowledgment from Rahul. He sighed, remembering Abhijeet's words when they were having their breakfast.

"Usse jaake baat karo Daya. Aaj tum college jaa rahe ho na. Use batake jaana. Dekh rahe ho na? Voh breakfast karne bhi nahi aaya."

And hence, here he was.

"Bhaiya?" He called, innocently, "Naraz ho?"

"Nahi." Rahul replied, coldly. Daya bit back a smile, observing his stubborn brother.

He took baby steps near him and knelt down beside him, "Phir mun kyun pher rakha hai aapne mujhse?"

Instead of replying to him, Rahul picked up his laptop and sat on the bed. Daya frowned. He stood up, whinning, "Bhaiya!"

"Mai kaam mein busy hun." Said Rahul, ignoring him.

Daya looked at him sternly. "Mai college keliye nikal raha hun." He turned away while Rahul immediately looked up in shock. "Socha aapko batate jau magar-"

"Sachmein?" He heard Rahul exclaim. He turned at him and gave him a genuine smile. "Sach bhaiya. Mai college jaa raha hun."

Rahul smiled back at him. He came near him and gave him a quick hug. "Thanks Daya, samajne keliye. Iss sab mein tumhari hi bhalai hai."

Daya nodded, smiling. "Haan. Janta hun. Abhijeet ne bhi mujhse baat ki. Unke kehne par hi mai raazi ho gaya."

A sad shade passed Rahul's face. "Oh."

Daya furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Kya hua aapko?"

Rahul sighed. "Tch. Kal gusse mein maine use kuch zyada hi bol diya. Aur phir maafi bhi nahi mangi."

Daya smiled at him. "Toh maang lena. Voh abhi ghar par hi toh hai. Aap bhi na bhaiya."

Rahul tried to smile too. "Hmm..theek hai. Tum jao ab. Der ho jaegi."

Daya nodded. He waved him a goodbye and left the room. Rahul traced his steps till he vanished. He resumed his work once again when his phone buzzed, informing him about a text message.

Abhijeet - Gussa shant hogaya ho toh sahab kamre ke bahar aane ke kasht karenge?

A sudden realisation of the reason behind Daya's visit stuck Rahul, and he shook his head, smiling disappointedly.

Rahul - Kahan ho?

Abhijeet - Niche intezar kar raha hun. Kaam khatam karke aao. Kuch baat karni hai.

Rahul furrowed his brows, confused.

'Bas dus minute', he texted back.
...

The day at college went by smoothly. Daya didn't interact much with others, but he didn't really feel alone or scared either. He was enjoying his own company. As long as he felt comfortable, he didn't mind being there and so, he didn't mind calling Abhijeet.

At evening, Rahul's driver picked him up from the college and dropped him home. Daya thanked him politely but as he entered his home, he heard some voices coming from the hall. It was difficult to understand what they were saying due to their continuous babbling. He peeked inside and his mouth slowly dropped open seeing three familiar figures. He took a step back, stunned.

Noticing his presence, the three faces turned towards him. Their chattering halted at once and some genuine smiles appeared on their faces. A hint of empathy in them.

"T..tum log.." Daya stuttered, "yaha..yahan pe?"

The three nodded. The only girl among them took a step ahead and said softly, "Hume Rahul bhaiya ne bulaya tha Daya. Unhone humare parents se bhi baat ki."

Daya looked at her in shock. "Bh-bhaiya ne baat ki?"

She nodded. "Voh dono upar tumhara intezar kar rahe hai. Jaake aao. Hum niche hi khade hai."

He hesitated for a moment but receiving assuring nods from those he used to call friends once, he hurried upstairs. His heart was beating faster while he was hardly managing to breathe properly. He immediately went at Rahul's room and knocked the door. On hearing, 'Aajao', from inside he pushed the door open and walked in.

"Bhaiya aapne unn teenon ko kyun-" his words remained stuck in his throat, for Abhijeet too was present there. He glanced between the two of them and was going to leave the room when Rahul spoke, "Daya ruko tum yahi."

Daya looked at him and then signalled towards Abhijeet, who instead smiled at Rahul. Rahul smiled back at him and said, "Daya, unn teenon ko maine nahi, Abhijeet ne hi bulavaya hai."

"Kya?" He said in shock. "Lekin kyun?"

Rahul shrugged, leaving the room. "Usise puchlo."

He watched him leave and then turned at Abhijeet. Abhijeet gestured towards the couch and both of them sat down.

"Abhijeet," Daya initiated, anxious, "aapne unhe yahan kyun bulaya hai? Aapko pata hai, unke parents ko unka mere saath rehna bilkul pasand nahi hai."

Abhijeet grimly nodded. "Mai jaanta hun. Unhone tumhari maa se baat ki thi na.. isiliye tumne apne doston se baat karna band kar di. Hai na?"

Daya nodded, fidgeting with his fingers. Sweat drops were clearly visible on his forehead. Abhijeet immediately placed a hand over his shoulder and commanded, "Breathe. Daya, breathe." It was then that Daya realised he was panicking. He inhaled sharply and started coughing. Abhijeet rubbed his back, "Aaramse."

When he calmed down, Abhijeet forwarded him a glass of water. "Yeh lo." Daya took it and gulped down all the water in a go, making Abhijeet exclaim again, "Daya, aramse!"

He nodded and placed the glass on the floor. Abhijeet patted his back and asked in a serious but kind tone, "Ab theek ho?"

Daya nodded, shrinking into himself. Abhijeet waved his hand in front of him, "Sun rahe ho meri baat."

Daya flinched slightly, but nodded once again. Abhijeet didn't ask anything then, allowing Daya to calm down. But as soon as he was normal again, Abhijeet said, "Voh tumse milne aae hai aur unke parents ko yeh baat pata hai. Unki permission leke hi yahan aae hai voh teeno."

Daya looked at him and Abhijeet nodded, assuring him. "Haan. Maine unhe yahan isliye bulaya kyunki voh kabse tumse milna chahte the Daya." He smiled at him, "Aur tumne mujhe bataya hi nahi ki tumne apna yeh secret mere alawa kisi aur se bhi share kiya hai."

Daya gazed at him for a brief moment and then smiled sadly. "Mera secret? Nahi Abhijeet, yeh sirf mera secret nahi hai. Yeh hum chaaron ka secret hai. Aapko pata hai? Hum charon ne ek dusre se vaada kiya tha ki kuch bhi ho jae, hum iss secret ko humesha sambhal kar rakhenge. Par-" he downed his head.

Abhijeet took a deep breath, "Toh phir..vada kisne toda?"

Daya looked at him and snorted. "Maine."

Abhijeet tilted his head, puzzled. Whereas, Daya continued, "Mera hi bartav badalne laga tha na, toh sabko mai ajeeb lagne laga tha. Problem child," he smiled sadly, "problem child kehte the mujhe sab. Isiliye toh mere doston ke parents ne bhi unka mere saath rehne, khelna sab band kardiya tha, mumma se baat karke." He looked away. "Mumma ne bahot daanta tha uss din mujhe. Usi time, ek do mahine baad, nani ki death hogai. Aur mumma khud itni pareshan rehne lagi, ki mujhe meri problems ke baremein baat karne ka koi mauka hi nahi mila."

The air fell silent after that. After a while, Abhijeet nodded understandably. He said, "Tum teenon ne apne dost Sheetal ki maut hote hue dekhi thi, hmm?"

Daya looked at him with a jerk. "Aapko..kaise?"

Abhijeet pressed his lips tightly, "Baat ki maine tumhare doston se."

Daya kept staring at him and nodded with quivering lips. "Jee.." his voice cracked, "dekha tha humne. Sheetal ka..uska.. accident hote hue dekha tha humne."

Abhijeet listened to him calmly. "Aur..?"

He looked at Abhijeet with tear-filled but angry eyes. "Aur hum kuch nahi kar pae. Vahi the hum, uske saath mein. Hum paancho jan cycle chala rahe the. Uss..uss road se bahot kam gadiya guazarti thi, bada sunsan ilaka tha. Isliye hum humesha vahi jaya karte the." He lowered his head, fixing his gaze on the floor. "Uss din pata nahi kahi se ek gaadi bahot hi speed se vahan aa rahi thi. Voh meri taraf aa rahi thi."

His voice quavered. "Sheetal ne mujhe bachane keliye mujhe vahan se dhaka de diya. Magar usi mein uss gaadi ne use..." he trailed off, not being able to complete as he closed his eyes in pain. He continued in a soggy voice, "Usne mujhe bachane keliye apni jaan dedi. Aur tabhi se..tabhi se mere saath yeh hadse hone lage. Sheetal..sabse pehli baar maine usi ki.." A sad shade passed across his face. "Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha. Mere dostone dekha ke mai kaise har waqt darta-ghabrata firta tha. Aur unhone mujhse sab kuch nikalwa liya. Maine unhe sabkuch bata diya." A rueful smile appeared on his face. "Aa..aapko pata hai? Inn teeno ne mujhpe shak nahi kiya. Jaise maine sab aapko bataya tha na, vaise hi sab inhe bhi bataya tha. Mere zariye yeh log Sheetal ke saath baatein bhi karte the. Magar ek din.."

...

He peeked his head from behind the curtains, watching as his friends' mothers were complaining to his mother.

"Dekhiye," one woman said sympathetically, " aapke Daya ko madat ki zarurat hai. Uske saath rehkar pata nahi humare bache kaisi behki-behki baatein karne lage hai."

Another woman inclined her head in agreement. "Bache abhi bahot chote hai. Hum nahi chahte ki unpar koi bura asar ho."

Daya's mother looked between them and joined her hands together. "Samajh gai mai. Abse Daya aapko aapke bachon ke aas pass bhi nazar nahi aaega." She said with a straight face.

Hearing his mother say that, Daya ran towards his room and loudly slammed his door closed. He leapt on his bed, crying silently.
...

He paused, staring at nothing in particular. "Uss din maine Sheetal ko aakhri baar dekha. Maine uski awaz tak nahi suni phir kabhi. Voh shayad yahi chahti thi ki uske jaane ke baad bhi hum saath rahe, khush rahe." He inhaled sharply, "Aur jab usne dekha ki uski wajah se humme darar aa rahi hai, tab voh chali gai. Mujhe inn mushkilo mein akela chhodkar. Par mai shikayat bhi kisse rakhta? Galti toh meri hi thi na? Aur maine apne saath saath apne doston ko bhi musibat mein dal diya."

He covered his face with his arm, shaking slightly.

"Tumhari galti nahi thi Daya."

He jerked his head up on hearing the voice. No, it wasn't Abhijeet, infact Abhijeet was nowhere in sight. Before him stood his three childhood friends having the same pained looks on their faces. He stood up slowly, "Tum..log..?" He whispered.

The three of them immediately sprung at him and secured him in a hug. Their crying voices broke his walls too, and he started sobbing just as hard or maybe more. Unknowingly, he was uttering "I'm sorry", over and over again.

"Tumne chup chup ke milne bhi aana band kardiya yaar." One of the guys said, ignoring his murmuring.

Daya wept, "Mumma ko pata chal gaya tha yaar...unhone bahot daant lagai thi."

The other guy scolded him with, "Isliye apni sab problems chupa ke rakh li? Ek baar bata deta yaar." He parted away. "Ghar chhodkar tujhse milne aata mai."

Daya lowered his head, crying silently. Seeing that the girl motioned his friends to quieten down. "Tu abbhi rota hua bilkul tamatar lagta hai na? Ekdum laal"

Daya snorted, whereas smiles appeared on his friend's faces too.

"Acha yaar," he spoke after some time, "tum log yahan aae kaise?"

The girl answered him saying, "Rahul bhaiya ne call karke yahan bula liya hume."

His male friend nodded. "Tune toh kuch bataya hi nahi. Tujhe Sheetal ke jaane ke baad bhi voh sab nazar aata hai na?" He in fake anger, added, "Agar aaj Abhijeet jee hume yeh sab nahi batate toh hume kabhi kuch pata hi nahi chalta."

Daya looked at him in shock. "Abhijeet ne? Unhone tum sabko sabkuch bata diya?"

The three nodded, confused at his reaction. He anxiously rushed past them. "Tum log yahin ruko, mai abhi aya." He was going to leave when stopped mid-way and turned back hesitantly. "Jaana nahi, haan?"

His friends smiled at him and bobbed their heads in a 'yes'. Giving them a small smile, he ran out to find Abhijeet. He wasn't panicking because Abhijeet told it all to his friends, he just hoped Rahul wasn't a part of the listening group. He found Abhijeet on a call in the hall and he immediately jumped infront of him, taking him by surprise.

"Aap!" He exclaimed firmly. "Aap chaliye mere saath."

Abhijeet frowned in confusion but let Daya drag him, besides, he also cut the call. Daya brought him to his own room and closed the door behind them. When he turned, he found Abhijeet's questioning gaze over him.

He walked towards him anxiously and whispered, "Aapne sabko sabkuch bata diya?"

"Kya? Tumhare doston ko?" He said and smiled sheepishly. "Haan..matlab sab kuch nahi, bas thoda thoda."

Daya clicked his tongue. "Unko nahi!"

Abhijeet raised his eyebrow, "Phir?"

"Bhaiya ko!" He revealed what was troubling him and Abhijeet couldn't help but chuckle. "Aap hasiye mat. Bataiye mujhe. Bata diya aapne sab bhaiya ko?"

Abhijeet controlled himself and but couldn't help smiling. "Nahi baba, usse kuch nahi kaha maine."

Daya looked at him in confusion. "Phir unn sabse bhaiya ne kaise baat ki?"

Abhijeet winked at him. "Maine aapke bhaiya se kaha ki aapke doston ko phone karke yahan bulale. Aur phir maine aapke doston se baat ki. Bas."

Daya narrowed his eyes at him. "Aapko mere doston ke baremein kisne bataya?"

Abhijeet smiled at him. "Rahul ne bataya tha, jab mujhe yahan aae kuch hi din hue the na? Tab."

Daya smiled too then. He took a sigh of relief and sat down on his bed. "Theek hai. Jabtak bhaiya iss baremein nahi jaante, tabtak theek hai."

Abhijeet stared at him silently and said after a moment, "Kyun nahi share karna chahte yeh sab apne bhaiya ke saath tum?"

Daya glanced at him before looking away. "Bhaiya meri baat kabhi nahi manenge. Voh bahot sceptical hai. Voh mera yakin nahi karenge."

Abhijeet sighed. He sat beside him. "Jab mai tumhara yakin kar sakta hun, tumhare dost tumhara yakin kar sakte hai, toh bhaiya kyun nahi."

"Aapka toh theek tha." Daya said. "Aapne Yug ki wajah se mera yakin kiya. Mere dostone isliye meri baat mani kyunki voh Sheetal ko jante the..par bhaiya.."

Daya looked at him with pleading eyes, making Abhijeet shake his head in disappointment. "Mai yahan humesha keliye nahi hun na, Daya? Mera ghar Bombay mein hai. Ek, do din mein toh mai yahan se chala bhi jaunga. Phir kya?"

Daya's shaky breath made him stop. He found Daya gazing at him, aghast. "Aap..jaa rahe hai?"

...

"Daya ke aane se pehle mujhe Aditya ki call aai thi, sir." Abhijeet told. "Yahan ke patients ko meri zarurat thi. Mai vahan pe aur zyada din nahi ruk sakta tha. Aur Daya apne aapko samjhne bhi laga tha. Dar use sirf iss baat ka tha ke uska parivaar use thukra dega. Mai jaanta tha ki agar voh apni family se iss baremein baat karle, toh uska aakhri dar bhi khatam ho jata."

He heard Mr. Pradyuman sigh. But when he turned at him, his sir gave him a small smile. He returned it saying, "Do din baad uski maa bhi aa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ki isse behtar mauka aur koi nahi hoga. Jaa hi raha hun toh, sab kuch theek karke hi chala jau."

A/N I hope y'all liked it. Thank you for all the reviews!

Next will be the last chapter :)

Take care,

Janhvi.