Chapter 80 - Emotionally Pathetic Mess

|Innaya|

" Thank you !" I gratefully looked at Arjun once we were away from the earshot of other men standing in the garden. He just saved me from being in an awkward position. Those hateful eyes of Sahil were still haunting me. For a moment out there in the garden, I had caught the scornful look on Sahil's face. It scared me.

Arjun just smiled in response and followed me to the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and took out the almond cake I baked in the afternoon. Eshan and I had only finished half of it.

"Cake? Wow! It's my lucky day. Give me. Give me the plate." Arjun childishly snatched the plate from my hands. I smiled at his enthusiasm, being with him made me temporarily forget about people out there.

Arjun leaned against the kitchen counter and started eating.

"At least sit on the chair, and then eat," I helplessly said, seeing him gobbling it like a toddler, discarding all the manners.

I busied myself with preparing an early dinner when Arjun did not move. "Do whatever suits you," I mumbled under my breath.

"So?" Arjun raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Puzzled, I waited for him to explain as I started washing the vegetables.

"How are the things going on between the two of you?" Arjun asked, trying to be casual and uncaring, but in fact, he was worried. He did not know how things were because it was the first time he was visiting us after Eshan and I reconciled.

I smiled at his concern. He played a big role in the improvement of Eshan and my relationship. "Good, thanks to you."

"Where were you for so long?" I asked. I did not realize but I had missed him. For the two months, he was mostly around me, and suddenly when he disappeared, his absence was palpable. I missed him.

"You missed me?" Arjun laughed.

I nodded. I did miss him.

"Innaya, I would say this again. Let him in. Let him know about your past when you are ready. These past days weren't easy for him too. He also suffered. Don't blame him, and don't blame yourself also. I'm not saying all this for criticizing you. I just care about both of you," Arjun gave me a small smile.

He placed his empty plate down.

His words reminded me again of what had transpired in the past. He was right. I should let Eshan know about my past. I hummed in response.

Then, I suddenly remember the photo because of which I had misunderstood and cooked something which was allergic to Eshan. I stopped chopping. Wiping my hands, I picked up my mobile.

"Who's the chef in this photo?" I pointed the screen towards him once I found that photo. Arjun had never said it was Eshan's favorite food. I had assumed it, so I could not blame him.

"Why?"

"I made the dishes thinking it was Eshan's favorites. I didn't know about his allergies." My face fell, thinking about my incompetence.

Arjun walked near me. "Now you understand why we need to talk things through. You saw something. You assumed something, and you acted accordingly. But, then what's the result? You ended up being hurt, and he was hurt too," he gently taught me the important lesson which I had learned after going through so much of hardships.

I inhaled sharply. Only if I had talked things through… nothing would have had happened. Remorse of my actions again hit me and I bit my lips controlling an urge to cry.

Arjun patted my head. "What you saw were my favorites, and I'm also a very good cook. Your husband is not the only one who can cook. Other people are also good at it," Arjun boasted, conveniently diverting the topic.

"Why don't give me a hand then?"

Arjun looked at me in a surprise, not expecting that reaction from me.

I laughed at his surprised face. Did he really think that I would ask him to cook? If he had not asked me to cook though that was just to take me away, I would have tried his cooking. However, I wanted to cook for him, to show my gratitude for his help. I knew that it was not enough for what he had done. Even if I were to cook every day for him, it would not be enough.

"I—"

A loud crash sounded from the garden, and I abruptly stopped whatever I was going to say. Arjun looked towards me, and in that one look, I realized that the situation outside was not good.

We both rushed out at the same time.

*

When we reached outside, I was stunned. The once peaceful ground had turned into a battlefield. The coffee table was turned upside down. Chairs were thrown aside, and in the middle of it were two figures locked into a fierce fight. My heart jumped in my chest when I saw Sahil delivering a heavy punch to Eshan's stomach.

Eshan staggered back, but he managed to stay on his feet. Considering the force used by Sahil, I was pretty sure it must have hurt like a hell.

No one was stepping forward to stop them.

My feet were frozen watching them exchanging blows. I was not ready to face Sahil because of how much he reminded me of my father. I could also not watch Eshan getting hurt. I could step forward and subdue Sahil for I was a black belt holder in karate, but I could not move. Tears of frustration gathered in my eyes.

I was never good at watching violence. It reminded me of my past, horrific past. The scars of that period were still fresh in my mind. I would carefully avoid everything remotely close to violence.

Watching the scene unfolding ahead was like a harsh reminder of my past. It was pulling me back into that zone- helpless zone.

"Shut the hell up." Eshan roared angrily. I missed what Sahil said, for my ears rang with cries of my childhood self.

"Stop, no- make it stop... please," I cried, covering my ears to block those voices. I was back to the time which had passed very long ago. I was back in that dark room; where except my battered body no other human being was present.

"Ahh… no, please, stop," I sobbed, dropping on the ground. The painful blows landing on my body were too much for my eight-year-old self. Even after so many years, I could feel the pain from them. I forgot everything around me. I wanted to break free from that memory, but I was helpless.

My mind was trapped in that memory. Sahil's action again transported me back in my past, leaving me in an emotionally pathetic mess.