Chapter 11

"Shreya, take this" said Daya pressing a bunch of keys in her hand.

"What's this?" asked Shreya.

"These are the keys to the farmhouse, silly." said Daya.

"The farmhouse keys?! I - I can't possibly stay there! It's yours and Priya-"

"Yeah, noone knows about it except us which is a good thing. Where the hell were you planning to go then?" asked Daya.

"I don't know! I checked a few hotel rooms online. I think I can afford -"

"Shut up" said Daya kissing her fervently. "You are staying at the farmhouse. That's decided. Go on. And text me when you reach there. I am sorry I can't drive you myself"

"It's okay. I understand" said Shreya looking at him. "I am going to miss you so much"

"Yeah me too. But I promise, I'll be with you soon" said Daya.

"Yeah, bye" said Shreya.

Daya watched from the living room window as her car drove away.

"I don't want you seeing her anymore. Outside the house I mean" said Rhea and Daya turned around to find her standing in the living room.

"Rhea what you saw that day... I ... I am sorry. It's not like what you think" said Daya.

"I don't care how it is! I just wan her out of our lives! She ruined everything. I still can't get that image out of my mind... you and -"

"What image?" came Priya's voice.

"Mom? You're back early!" said Rhea and ran to give her a hug.

"Yes sweety... no traffic today. What a relief! Anyway what were you two talking about?" asked Priya.

"About our last trip. Rhea loved the place. She wants to go back again... you know even after that bad incident..." said Daya.

"I wouldn't dream of going back there" said Priya. "Anyway, you know what I am really tired of cooking. Can we go out for dinner?"

"Can we just order something? I am really tired" said Daya dully.

"No, I want to go out" said Rhea.

"Fine yoh guys go then and get something for me" said Daya.

"I want you to come with us Dad" said Rhea.

"Rhea don't force-"

"What's up with you? Can't you come with us to one freaking restaurant for dinner? I'll drive if you like. Can you go and call Shreya?" said Priya looking at her daughter.

"She is not here" said Rhea.

"Not here?" said Priya.

"Yeah, she left" said Rhea.

"Left? Where? Daya, what's all this?" asked Priya.

"She's not gonna live with us anymore. She left sometime ago" said Priya.

"Wha- but why?" asked Priya.

"I don't know. Dad does. But it's fine she left. I didn't want her here anyway" said Rhea.

Daya gritted his teeth but he couldn't say anything in presence of Priya.

"Okay I am not understanding anything" said Priya. "Is anybody going to explain? And Rhea she is your friend. I mean she is older than you but she came here because of you in first place. And she didn't tell you why she left suddenly?"

"No mom, she didn't" said Rhea.

Priya looked from one to other looking irritable. "I don't know why but I think you guys are not telling me something. I am going to call Shreya"

"Don't. She won't answer anyway" said Daya.

"Let's just stop talking about Shreya alright? Let's just go out and have dinner" said Rhea.

"I told you I am not coming" said Daya.

"You are" said Rhea.

"No, I am not! And you can't force me" said Daya heatedly.

"Fine, then I don't want to have dinner either" said Rhea.

"Yeah, whatever" said Daya and left the room towering with rage.

Priya could sense that something was terribly wrong and it was connected with Shreya's sudden departure. What could it be? The more she thought about it, she more worried she became. However she intended to get to the bottom of things.

She tried Shreya's number but her cellphone was switched off as Daya had rightly said. She tried to ask Rhea but she refused to talk anything about it.

At night when Priya came to bed, she saw Daya sitting on the bed staring into the void. He looked thoroughly depressed about something.

"What is it? Tell me please" said Priya.

"Please go to bed Priya. I am in no mood to talk" said Daya.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON DAYA?" Priya yelled. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS HOUSE! FIRST OUR DAUGHTER DISAPPEARS FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION, THEN SHE REFUSES TO TALK OR LOOK AT HER FATHER FOR NO REASON, AND NOW THIS! IS ANYBODY EVER GOING TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING TO ME?"

"Stop shouting please! The neighbours are sleeping" said Daya exasperatedly.

"TO HELL WITH THE NEIGHBOURS DAYA! MY LIFE'S TURNED UPSIDE DOWN HERE, WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE?" shouted Priya.

"Fine. Do whatever you like" said Daya.

"YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY EVERYTIME LIKE THIS OKAY? YOU HAVE TO TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG! I CAN'T STAND THIS SHIT ANYMORE! TALK TO ME!" Priya screamed.

"YEAH YOU GUESSED RIGHT! NOTHING'S FINE. I HATE EVERYTHING AT THE MOMENT!" said Daya angrily. "But I can't tell you what's wrong. Don't ask me why. I just can't. And I don't think it's gonna be fine ever again"

"Why can't you tell me, huh? I am your wife! Why can't you..." Priya broke down sobbing. "Is - is this about us? Speak out... we can find out some solution... your silence is killing me Daya... please speak out..."

"I am sorry. I can't" said Daya and got up.

"Where are you going?" asked Priya as she saw him grab his car keys from the desk.

"I need to be somewhere alone. Don't wait for me" said Daya and left the room leaving Priya sitting in stunned silence.

Daya didn't know how long he stayed at the beach, drowning away his sorrows in a bottle of alcohol. Luckily for him, the beach was completely empty.

His life had turned a mess just in a span of few hours. He was torn between the love for his daughter and the woman whom he loved. He didn't know why but couldn't even the sight of Priya even though he knew she was at no fault. He didn't even feel sorry for her plight. He knew his relationship with Shreya was not going to remain a secret for long. Someday either he himself or Rhea were going to speak out. But he was genuinely worried about the consequenses. He didn't know what was he going to choose if a time really came for him to make a choice. And he knew that time was not far. His head felt heavy. The swirling thoughts were making his head spin. He had never felt so helpless ever in his life. It must have been 2.30 am when he finally felt his eyelids droop.

Sneak peek into the next chapter - Priya finds out Daya's dirty little secret. How will she react?