章 53: Old wounds (Unedited)

|Innaya|

In life, if there was something I hated the most then it was the accusation of being labeled responsible for. That was the worst childhood memory of mine where I was held responsible for all the mishaps in the life of people related to me. It took me very long to recover. After growing up, I made it to the point of not having much contact with others to save myself from trouble.

I never wanted to give anyone a chance of using anything against me. However, who knew that despite my careful consideration of avoiding troubles, I would end up creating the biggest trouble of my life. So, when Sahil held me accountable for everything that resulted in Eshan's disappearance, I couldn't help but remember my not so happy childhood.

Knowingly or unknowingly, Sahil's words opened my old wounds. I froze in my place as those unhappy memories crawled disgustingly in my mind.

"Sahil, we understand that you are worried about Eshan. We all are but that doesn't give you any right to slander Innaya. She is his wife and she is worried about him too." Ayush decided to step forward and he calmly explained to Sahil. His calm voice pulled me out of the dark abyss I was sinking in.

Judging from the anger in Sahil's eyes, I understood that it would be futile to explain anything to him. In his eyes, I was the culprit and righteously he had every right to hold me responsible.

"Ayush is right. You should apologize to her." Sameer nodded his head in agreement.

"Apologize? To her?" Sahil pointed his finger at me as his face scrunched in disgust. "You must be dreaming?" he rolled his eyes disdainfully. "Just because you all are blinded by her fake innocence, that doesn't mean I am too. I know all about her. She is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. Bloody opportunist."

"What the hell is wrong with you? You know what, keep that shit to yourself. We have more pressing matters to handle than handling your bratty tantrum… You might as well leave and give us some peace to think things through and rationally." This time Barun reprimanded Sahil without giving him any face.

"Nothing is wrong with me. It's you… all of you. This heartless woman is responsible for this mess. She's fooling all of you but I will bring her true colors in front of your eyes."

I flinched at the harsh words and accusations, Sahil was throwing at me, though what he said wasn't complete truth but it wasn't complete lie also. Tears gathered in my eyes but I refused to cry in front of them. Not because it would make me feel guilty or pathetic but because I didn't want to.

There were very few people in front of whom I had cried. The people who were close to my heart were the only once whom I trusted. In front of them only I dared to let go of all my masks.

"Leave," Ayush yelled, losing his composure.

In fact, all three of them looked very angry.

"Ayush—"

Sameer held Sahil by the back of his collar and pushed him in the direction of the door. "Shut up. I don't want to hear another word. That's enough. Do you think Eshan would appreciate this kind of behavior? Just leave, Sahil and don't bother coming back."

Sahil stumbled because of an unexpected push from Sameer but he balanced himself in time. Sahil turned around and this time the anger in his eyes had risen to an altogether different level. Instead of looking at anyone, he turned his gaze at me and didn't try to hide his murderous intentions and hate.

The wave of pure panic hit me. I haven't been on the receiving end of such anger for a long time.

His eyes.

His eyes reminded me of that man.

The man I had tried forgetting so hard. I even wished to suffer from amnesia so that I could forget that part of my past.

I wanted to leave, I wanted to run. Sahil scared me. His eyes were scaring me. For me, they weren't his eyes but the eyes that belonged to the man who was, unfortunately, my father.

"Do you know what she did? She accused Eshan of having an affair. Do you believe, Eshan? The man who took her in when he could have found someone better, she accused him."

"What?" Collective surprised or rather shocked gasps rang around me but as if I couldn't understand what was going on. My senses long ago had stopped working. My eyes were glued on the Sahil's as if they were being controlled. I couldn't move them. My whole body was paralyzed in fear.

"That's nonsense. Sahil, shut up."

"What? You will believe the girl whom you know from the only couple of months but not me. What purpose do I have for saying this? This woman, here is the real villain. Since she came into our lives, nothing is the same. We are fighting because of her. If not for her do you think Eshan will behave irresponsibly? One month. It's been one month and we have no news of him. And, here this woman is enjoying the misfortune of our friend." Sahil shouted angrily.

Sahil's outburst scared me more. It was the same. My father used to be this angry. The present and past combined together were now creeping on my whole being. My back was drenched in my sweat. My forehead was perspiring. Instead of Sahil, my mind was showing me my father's face. The face that was blurry all these years. I knew my mind was playing tricks but I couldn't help it. I couldn't control my body that was shivering in fright.

I didn't realize how it happened but one moment I was watching Sahil arguing with others and in the next moment I saw Sahil's angry figure rushing towards me. At that moment, not only was his face replaced in my mind but the whole person. The person rushing towards me with the intent of killing was not Sahil but… my father.