BALH Paanch Saal Baad Part 98

Priya was in the Office, when there’s a knock on the door. “Come in” she said.

“Good Morning Priya.” Dev greeted and came in.

“Good Morning Dev, Please sit.” Priya asked him to make himself comfortable.

“So, your daughter was not happy to see me yesterday.” He said.

“No, she is not happy with anyone around, especially me.” Now Priya looked up and looking straight to Dev now, “And that made you skip the coffee I offered with lame excuse.”

“You are a mind reader.”

“Hmm.. don’t know, but I felt you were lying to me last night. See this.” Priya handed some papers to Dev, “how’s the idea?”

“I will see. But first tell me what did you said that, you are your daughter’s problem?” Dev said enthusiastically pushing the papers aside.

“Long story Dev, will tell you sometimes else.” But Dev insisted her to share, so that he can also help her on the same. “Ok. Actually Dev she is has become a spoilt brat. Rich and influential father’s name has made her that.” She sighed deep, “And when we tried to control she revolted, badly.” Priya briefed him as much as she could, that included her medical condition also.

“Priya, you are much brave than I imaged you to be.” He smiled, “and as I said I might help you in this, and I can”

“How?” Priya reacted almost jumping off from her chair.

“Advik, Agarwal’s son, whom you meet yesterday, for a brief time before he left. Actually he is a doctor. A Psychiatrist, though he is doing his masters, but he is a genius of a kind. Already many publishing, many speeches and many more. He is brilliant. He is from friend circle. You can trust him. Let me call him” Dev pulled out his phone.

“Wait Dev.” Priya said, “I need to speak with Ram.”

“Oh Come on ! He will not mind for this little thing.” Dev dialed the number, he spoke to the boy, on the other side, while Priya sat there as a listener. “He will be here at 2, he is at hospital right now and tell me what I should order for you.”

“For me?” Priya said in surprise.

“You didn’t have had your breakfast. Isn’t it?” Dev smiled.

“Ho…ho..how do you know?” Priya was shocked to know.

Dev laughed aloud. “Sorry actually Apeksha said me and as she is busy with some clients and I am free, I offered her with this favor.”

“Thanks Dev, but …” priya could barely finish, Dev stood up and walked to her chair, pulling back the chair smoothly, he stood with his hands extended, like a gentleman, he asked her to join him very politely. “But.. I  ...” she is interrupted, “Priya now I really have to pull you out and I have to find a new job for me.”

“Why?” she asked

“Because your husband, my boss will fire me immediately or else I have to run for life.” He smirked.

“My husband is not hitler.”

“More than that? Oh! I didn’t know that” Dev could barely suppress his laugh. Priya smacked softly on his hand, “ruko Ane do unko, bolti hoon yeh sab.” before they walked out towards the cafeteria, as Priya expressed her willingness to have breakfast there.

~~

At the University…

Pihu was roaming around the campus clueless and alone. She looked up to the sky, the light blue colour pinched her eyes badly. She looked around, as tears rolled down her cheeks. She ran towards the washroom, for the shelter. Locking her inside a washroom cubicle. Her sob turned into wailing with a very little passing time.

“Are you Ok?” there is a knock on the door. “hey? Who’s there? Open the door!” Someone banged from outside. “Hey Open the door please. Who’s there?”

Pihu knew her presence is disclosed to someone, who is now concerned about her. She cleared her face as much as she can in that short time, unbolted the door and came out. She stood in front of a girl, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, average height, stood infornt of her. “hey!” saying very politely she continued, “Are you ok?” the girl led Pihu to the wash basin. You need to clear up girl. Pihu nodded in disagreement. “You must!” She turned the tap on. Pihu this time, felt the need of clearing up her face. Fresh water drained out the stress momentarily, as she sprinkled it over her face. The girl standing next to her handed some tissues to wipe out the extra water. After she is done, the girl led her back to the open space. They settled down near the mobile coffee stall. Handing the coffee cup to her, she sat near her on the grass.

“ I saw you yesterday at class.” The girl started, “But I guess you haven’t noticed me. I was just by you one row rear.”

“Sorry. I didn’t noticed you.” Pihu said mildly.

“You are from India Right!” as she said, Pihu looked up and nodded in agreement. “Hi. I am Mia.” She extended her hand. Pihu remained awe struck, the student’s file she had with her is there, and she couldn’t even recognize her, though she knew the reason, not for a once she had the thought to go through her file. She smiled weirdly this time. “Your name” Her voice took Pihu out of her thoughts.

“Pihu.. Pihu Kapoor” she said.

“Nice to meet you Pihu.” Mia shook firmly “Missing home, family? Mom Dad?”

“No they are all here only. I mean Mom”

“Then missing Home?” Mia smiled.

“No actually I don’t know, But I don’t feel, like to be here. I don’t know what I am going through. I don’t know.” Pihu ducked her head down.

“Hey! Is everything Fine with you? You can share with me, I can help you, may be.” Mia held Pihu by her shoulder.

“no it’s fine. I need to go. I am not feeling well at all. Can you tell me where I can find Kunal, he is my student counselor. I need to see him.” Pihu looked worried.

“Calm down, calm down darling.” Mia’s try to console her went in vain. She called her student counselor to search for Kunal, and within 15 minutes or a few more, he came up to them. Pihu ran straight to him, “Please mujhe ghar bhejdo. Mujhe ghar jana hai, aur nahi bhej sakte ho toh . toh … toh mar do mujhe” She behaved like a demented. Kunal Tried to calm her, but more he tried to make her understand, more she reacted like a mad, insane girl. For that moment without thinking Kunal promised Pihu to get her back to her home at India, which actually made Pihu calmer. Mia kept on looking the two talking without understanding a single word. Kunal thanked Mia before he walked away with Pihu.

Kunal took Pihu to the parking area and asked her to go to her home now, and when ever her release papers will be ready he will inform her personally. Pihu took the same to be true and agreed to leave for her home. After sailing her safely in her car, Kunal called Priya and informed about Pihu.

~~

Pihu was in her room, when Priya rushed in. “What happened baby?” Priya sat just by Pihu.

“Nothing!’ she snapped out.

“Pihu Kunal Called me, there is something that is worrying you, tell me please.” Priya caressed her lovingly.

“Mom, why can’t you leave me alone!!!!!” Pihu screamed to the highest pitch of her voice, raging in anger. Her eyes are blood red, clearly indicating, she is crying since long. “Priya tried to touch Pihu, she repulsed back, “Go away Mom.. Just Go away! Udhar sab ko mere khilaf kar diya app ne and here KUnal, I trusted him and he is also your informer works as you say.”

“no Pihu, He called me to inform about you, asked me to take care of you.” Priya tried to sit by her.

“Oh Mom! Get way. Jut go away.. Take care ?? My. Come on mom App na apki bhalai dekhti ho.  No one else’s Meri life mein jaise bhi jiu  what’s wrong with you and you know you are jealous of me.”  Pihu smiled weirdly.

“What Jealous??”

“Yes Jealous. You know why Papa loves me more than you, and he gives more importance to me now and you couldn’t handle the same and you took me away from him..”

“Pihu what….” Priya couldn’t complete and Dev came straight inside who heard Pihu from right outsode the room. He looked at pihu then to priya, both of them are devastated in own way, but at that moment Pihu is more vulnerable. “Priya Come with me.” Dev whispered into Priya’s ears. She snapped at him, which cleared that she was offended with him. “Priya come.” Now he clutched her wrist tight. Pihu snapped out a look at both of them, as Priya looked back to Dev as a reaction to his action. “Priya Just Come with me.” Dev almost dragged her out of the room

“How dare you Dev?” Priya snapped out

“I am sorry Mrs. Kapoor. I am extremely sorry. But if you would have stayed there, Pihu would continue to react bad to worse to worst.” Dev said apologetically, “and you were also in the same leg like your daughter, arrogant.” As he saw Priya to calm down a little, with heavy breathes, he added “So I did.. what I did.”

Priya dropped herself on the couch just behind her. “I am sorry Dev. I am out of my mind. I am really sorry.” Priya broke into tears badly.

“Calm down Priya, please calm down.” Dev pulled out the phone, “ I am calling Ram.” He was about to dial the number when he is stopped by Priya. “Why? He should know this.”

“No, I don’t want him to get worry. Please Dev don’t inform him. Right now I want this to control by myself. I .. I.. I don’t want him to know.” Priya looked relentlessly restless. Dev do agreed to her, but only when she agreed to take his help until Ram comes up. Dev called up Apeksha, who was already informed about the incident by the college authorities, immediately with keeping Priya in dark about the same.

While Dev, was busy in calling doctors, Priya stalled herself outside Pihu’s Room. Pihu lept on wailing, helplessly Priya had only to stand there and listen to the same. Twice after the first attempt she tried to get inside and  comfort Pihu, but her daughter howled at her like a wounded soul with no reason. She as a mother felt guilty of putting her daughter in such a trauma, once for a second she has thoughts of going back to India and let Pihu do what so ever she wanted to. But how could she do that, she is the mother, Pihu is her part and letting her drown will be same as killing herself. Dev finished his calls and was walking up stairs with Apeksha. Seeing Priya , Apeksha paced up and hugged Priya. Dev stood helpless, he knew Priya has to be consoled, calmed down at the same time Pihu will be needing the same much intensely than her mother.

He courage to advice at last, “Apeksha, I think you should console Pihu first.” When Apeksha looked straight to speak, the former interrupted, “ Look I know Priya needs the same, but the young girl needs it most. I am not a doctor but, please console her, She is not accepting Priya and I am an outsider you can only take care of her.”

“I do agree Apeksha.” Priya wiped her tears, “He is right. You should try atleast and please agree with her if she demands anything and don’t wait for my nod, there’s no need of my permission or views. Just make her feel home.” Priya almost pleaded. Apeksha walked inside exhaling deep breath of grief.

Priya and Dev could only hear Pihu to shout at Apeksha asking her to close the door if she want her to speak and survive. Next moment Apeksha showed up to the door and before closing the door, she could see Priya’s helplessness and did as demanded by Pihu in disagreement. What was going inside is neither known to Priya nor to Dev. When they were pacing up and down at the lobby, two men walked upstairs along with the domestic help assigned for the Kapoors there.

“Hello Doctor Mat.” Dev greeted him with a warm shook.  Now he looked around, “Priya this is Dr. Mathew, my friend and a great doctor of this field and this.” Pointing to the young boy, “This is Advik”

“Where is she ?” the doctor asked, “ And what actually happened?”

Priya and Dev was briefing the incident when Apeksha came out and there was a peace inside the room completely.

“Ho..how’s she Apeksha?” Priya tried to peep inside the room, when Apeksha stopped her from doing so.

“Wait Priya.” Apeksha held her back, “Doc please see her, See her for her good.” The doctor showed his concerned to learn the case history so that any work can be done for curing her. Apeksha insisted him to see her before anything. When the doctor walked inside, Apeksha held Priya’s hands and looked down, “ Priya I don’t want to say this but..” She was stressed out.

“Anything Apeksha.. I will do anything.” Priya replied.

“Look Priya, I don’t know how to tell you this or how to tell all this to bhai.” Now this time Apeksha is interrupted again, “ No Apeksha, Mr Kappor is not going to know all this. “

“How Long Priya. One day two Day, Five Days maximum to seven days. How can you stop a father from speaking to his daughter, only one. Will you be able to take that if you were in his place?”

“I would have died. But what I will tell him, that I let him down.”

“Look  ...” Apeksha held Priya, “You have to accept it Pihu is not well and somewhere knowingly and unknowingly..” Again she stopped, “How can I tell this to her Dev.” She gathered immense courage to speak, “ You and your actions has taken her to this, We dragged her to this. And Priya it’s disheartening, but Pihu hates you. She don’t want to see you either.”

The child that grew inside her slowly, who breathed with her, whom she nourished with herself for 9 months , inside her, in her she sees her world, for whom she can die, a part of hers hates her. Tears rolled along her cheeks. “Apeksha take care of her. Please go inside and look after her.” Apeksha has no more words to tell, she asked Dev to look after Priya, while she walked inside Pihu’s room.

“Priya.” Dev softly called her. “ I know it’s the toughest situation in life, though I have never seen my daughter to grow even, But I can understand what you are going through. Please collect yourself and let me inform Mr Kapoor back in India. He is the father and he needs to know all these, more importantly you need him now, here.” Priya didn’t respond back. “Should I ?” Dev asked.

“Please.” Priya replied.

Looking at the mobile , where five time zones are set, he sighed deep before calling. Priya sat right there at the ground with her hands wrapped around her knees, she sobbed. Standing there helplessly and terrified about Ram’s reaction Dev waited for the Kapoor to receive the call.

As Dev uttered Hi, Priya looked up. With the same tensed adorned face Dev looked back.

“Hello Dev… Hello are you there?” Ram’s voice could be heard being the phone not in speaker, for the uncanny silence prevailing there.

“Ye.. yeah.. Hi Ram.” Dev Addressed.

“So How’s your new student learning?” Ram seemed to be relax, “ She is a good learner but more than that a teacher to everyone she meets. Don’t tell her about your broken marriage and all those things,  itna gyaan de degi you cant even imagine.”

“Ram.. Ram…” Dev Interrupted, “ I need to share something with you urgent.”

“Yes, Dev” Now his voice turned to concern from being so relaxed, “What’s happening? Priya is Okay na? Is she all right?”

Priya could only hear the last line clearly. Her heart started beating fast against her chest.

“She is Okay Ram, but you must fly down here as soon as possible. Situations are not good here. Pihu.” Dev sighed while Ram screamed, “What happened to my daughter????”

“Nothing.. but she is not doing good. She is distorted, crumble in her own thoughts. Priya also needs you.” Dev tried to speak further..

“Who needs and don’t I can understand. Just let Priya Know I am taking the next flight to Melbourne.” Ram disconnected the call without letting him to speak further.

“He Is coming” Dev Looked at Priya.

“I know.” Priya wipped out her tears, and stood up, “I know Mr Kapoor is coming, and he is angry with me that also I know. You know Dev how much protective he is about Pihu, Once Pihu got herself hurt, which many of the toddlers do get, he blamed me for that and here Pihu’s life is in stake, he will never forgive me. Never.”

“I don’t see your fault in this. Where is your fault? Every Girl of Pihu’s age goes through some changes, for Pihu the case worsened but we are handling this and I am sure Ram will also handle this along with you.” Dev tried to convince.

Priya smiled hopelessly, “I know him Dev, I know him more than he does know about himself. What makes him mad and what makes him calm that I know and any harm to Pihu he gets mad. He can do anything to get his daughter back to track, so what if he has to go against me or even has to leave me. He will never give a second thought to it..well you leave it Dev, what ever it will be I will handle. But I must appreciate I got a good friend in you. Thank you for everything.”

With the sound of the door unbolting, Priya and Dev stepped closer. Apeksha with the doctor and Advik came out, “She is sleeping.”

“Can I?” Priya expressed her willingness to see her daughter.

“Yes Mrs. Kapoor” the doctor allowed her.

Priya carefully walked inside the room. She saw her daughter lying on her back, with much calmness on her face. Walking upto her, carefully so that she don’t make Pihu awake sit by her, caressing her hairs she leaned closer to her and softly kissing her forehead she rested her head over hers. Apeksha noticed the whole turmoil from the door. Priya once again looked at her sleeping beauty, taking her hand on her hand she kissed it, Mamma Loves you baby. She wants the best for you always till the world exists, even after me.” The Doctor whispered something to Apeksha, nodding to the same, she walked in and requested Priya to come along.

Back At Mumbai, the sudden departure news of Ram, has aken the family aback. Natasha who was present there at that time, showed her concern and insisted Ram to take any one them, i.e her or Kartik with him to Australia. Thinking Ram  neither agreed company of any family with him nor did he disclosed the whole thing to the family. Keeping the Kapoors and Sharmas in much darkness he left kapoor mansion for the airport.

At Australia, then, The doctors along with the other three settled at the living room.

“Please tell me the whole thing Mrs. Kapoor then I will tell you about her status.” The doctor said.

Priya almost took 45 minutes to brief every details and answer the queries of the doctor related.

“It’s serious. She thinks all these things are being done for her bad and due to your stubbornness. Even she didn’t like her father to be around. She thinks there is no worth of hers in her parents’ life. She is of a worth zero in your lives. All these episodes that happened in past over the time, has scratched out the love that you have for her. Even such abrupt decision on your part is bad and harsh both at the same time. People do need time to leave some bad habit which he/ she incurred with passing time and what she was doing in her life is nothing but a habit. She is little bit of allowing Apeksha to be with her and I will come time to time to look at her but Advik will be here when ever needed and how frequent if it is. We have to take precautions, antidepressants and regular counseling sessions, which Advik will take care off and I am also on board.” Now the Doctor turned to Priya, “ Mrs. Kapoor, I know for mothers it is hard to give space to their children, and when it comes to the only one, it becomes even more harder, but let me tell you, right now you have to give your daughter some space. I hope you understand.”

“What are the symptoms doctor that you are all taking so much of precautions?” Priya asked staring right at the floor.

“Priya” Apeksha sat by her, “ You said na Kunal called you, when Dav informed me, I had a chat with Dev and Pihu’s Batchmate and classmate Mia, she informed me about the whole college drama, which you are not being informed in detailed.”

“But why?” Priya was astonished to be kept in dark by Kunal.

“It’s not why? It’s that they didn’t get that chance, you almost panicked and came to home, Isn’t it ??” Priya didn’t respond back to Apeksha, when she continued, “ Priya, Pihu has locked up herself in the washroom, she behaved almost maniac there at college, even she asked Kunal to deport her or kill her and here also she said the same to me, and reason is being you.”

“Arey yaar mein dushmaan thodi na hoon uski. Maa Hoon uski. Jaan hain meri. How can I think her bad?” Priya was restless that time. “upar se Mr Kapoor  he is coming I don’t know Apeksha what is in store for me.”

“I don’t think anything wrong in store for you Priya. Ram will understand the same.” Dev said, while Apeksha agreed with him.

“Leave it! Doctor please tell me what I have to do to get my daughter back. Fore mostly I cant allow her to get drowned even if she considers me to be her greatest enemy or envy whatever. What I can say I want my Daughter back. I want my little Pihu Back. Please get her back.” Priya started sobbing.

“Aunty!” For the first time the boy spoke, “ I am Dr. Mathew’s Assistant, but I have seen studied and dealt with many such cases. Children often consider their parent to be more interrupting than others. They take their parent to be granted then momentarily clash happens, if a child understand why he/she is being obstructed this, I mean to say the situation pihu is in doesn’t happens but if they don’t this happens even worsely. I will just say her case is bad not worse. She can be tackled with counseling and with minimum medicine.” He wanted some reaction but when there came no reciprocation, he continued, “ Dev Uncle has already asked me to pay a visit just yesterday, and I didn’t even thought to see her like this.” Advik moved straight to Priya knelling to her, he took her hands on his and added, “ She will be all okay and fine. Your little one will be back. Don’t worry she is not a bad stage. She is fine just overcastted and shadowed by her thoughts of getting jailed, barred, which she is not actually. Trust Us.”

“Thank You.” Priya tried to smile.

“Lets get going now Sir.” Advik stood up.

“Yeah!’’ The Doctor added, “ Any emergency Ma’am Drop me or Advik a call or even to my assistant if I am not available.”

After the doctor’s left Priya excused herself to her room, she stood by the window pane, looking to the horizon she closed her eyes tight when the thought of facing her husband the next day hit her mind. Back at Mumbai, almost paying the double cost, managing one economy class seat Ram to fly towards his destination, cursing himself for his daughter’s this condition.

Priya typed a message in her phone, “Mr. Kapoor I don’t know what next day will bring to me. But all I can say is this situation can’t be handled by e alone. I need your help and support. I am waiting for you. Come soon. PS: I don’t have enough courage to speak to you even, I don’t know how will I face you.”

She hit the send button without even thinking.

Ram who was about to put his phone to flight mode, received the message. After reading the same he raged with anger even more than before, till then he controlled his anger for Priya, the message triggered his anger, he typed “ I will never forgive you Priya for this.” Without any other thought he send the same and put the phone to the flight mode. Unfortunately for Ram, and fortunate for Priya the same didn’t get delivered to the recipient for network Issues.