Chapter 5
It was the next morning. I woke up thinking about yesterday’s events. Was it a dream? Did it really happen? But then everything came rushing back. Every bit of pain I felt came rushing back. My eyes felt so heavy and my lips were so dry. I cried so many tears yesterday, I just wanted to hide away and cry.
Yuvani came into the room and sat on the bed. She held my hand ‘Hey Krishna, are you ok? Look you need to eat something. Come on, you need to get up now and join us for breakfast. Everyone is waiting for you,’ I nodded.
I got up, got dressed and walked to the breakfast table. The whole family was sat there having breakfast. While walking over, I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I walked over to the only spare seat, it was next to Sayyam. I sat down, I couldn’t face everyone.
‘Are you ok?’ I heard a deep voice ask.
I looked up, it was Sayyam. He wasn’t looking at me, his eyes were focussed on his cereal bowl. I felt so embarrassed crying in his arms last night. I didn’t say anything.
‘Khalo Krishna.’ Suhani Aunty said to me with a big smile. She is always so happy, she has such a bubbly nature. Her smile makes me feel at ease.
‘Aunty, I’m going home today.’ I told her.
I heard a spoon drop. It was Sayyam. He looked at me surprised.
‘Why?’ Suhani Aunty asked. ‘Stay for a few more days, we like having you here.’
‘I need to go home, Ma is at home on her own.’
‘Ok, I understand. Sayyam will drop you.’ She said lovingly.
After breakfast, I said my goodbyes to everyone and hugged them all. It is always emotional when leaving Birla house, it’s like leaving home.
I walked towards the car. Sayyam was stood there with his back leaning against the car. He was wearing a black shirt with blue jeans and black sunglasses on. He was looking away.
When I walked towards him, I looked at him and said thanks. He ignored me and walked over to the drivers side of the car. We both got into the car.
‘Put your belt on.’ he said sternly, again not looking at me.
‘Oh! He speaks?!’ I said in a surprised tone, smiling at him. I tilted my head slightly to try and get him to look at me. He gave me a stern look. I was trying to lighten the mood, but this guy is always so serious. I tried to put the belt on but was struggling.
‘Don’t you even know how to put a belt on?’ He said angrily. He leant over, took the belt out of my hands and put the belt on. He was so close to me, I felt uncomfortable. There it was, that unknown feeling again whenever he is close to me. My heart started to beat faster. I didn’t want to make eye contact. Every time I look into his eyes, something happens to me.
‘Th-thanks.’ I said nervously.
He didn’t respond. He switched the engine on and drove the car.
For a while there was silence, it felt so uncomfortable. I switched on the radio to avoid the silence.
‘Don’t touch my car.’ He switched off the radio.
‘What is your problem?’ I asked him. He didn’t respond.
‘Answer me!’ He again didn’t respond. His eyes were focused on the road.
‘What is wrong with you? Why are you so arrogant?’
He braked harshly and the car came to a stop. He looked at me angrily.
‘Why are you so annoying?! Just shut up and sit quietly.’ He pointed his finger at me while shouting.
‘Fine!’ I shouted back.
‘Good’ he said.
‘Good!’ I folded my arms and looked away.
I couldn’t believe how much he had changed. He was so cold hearted.
I didnt speak to him anymore throughout the journey. I kept thinking how he had changed so much.
When we got home, I got out of the car and said thanks. Again he didn’t respond.
I walked towards the house and turned around, he was still there. I was confused, why is he waiting? I rang the doorbell, my mother opened the door.
‘Ma!’ I was so happy to see her, I hugged her so tightly, I didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to tell her everything.
‘Who is that in the car Krishna?’ She asked.
‘Oh, it’s just Sayyam.’ I said not bothered about him at all.
‘Sayyam? Tell him to come in! Go on!’ She pushed me slightly.
I walked towards the car and knocked on the window. I didn’t look at him. He wound the window down.
‘Ma wants you to come in.’ I walked away. I didn’t think we would listen to me anyway.
I heard footsteps behind me. I turned, it was Sayyam. He took his shades off and put them in his shirt pocket. I stopped and was surprised at what I saw. He had a big smile on his face and rushed towards my mother.
‘Soumya Aunty!’ He said so happily and hugged her so tightly. My mother was so happy to see him too. She held his arm and took him inside.
He spent the whole morning at the house. They were laughing and talking so much.
I was speechless, this isn’t Sayyam. Who is this guy? Who is he and what has he done with Sayyam?
‘Krishna, can you prepare some kheer for Sayyam please?’ Ma asked.
‘Why? I’m sure he’s not hungry. He just had breakfast.’ I didn’t want to help him.
‘Krishna!’ She said sternly, looking at me with big eyes.
‘It’s Sayyams favourite.’
After preparing the kheer, I gave the bowl to him. He ignored me the whole time, I didn’t even get a thank you.
‘Aunty, thank you so much!’ He ate the kheer really quickly.
‘I better go back now Aunty. Suhani Aunty will be worrying about me.’ He said politely.
‘It’s ok beta.’ She put her hand on his head gently.
‘Come tomorrow, I have a job for you.’ He nodded and smiled at her and left.
‘Ma, why did you tell him to come back?’ I was annoyed.
‘Chup kar, Sayyam is a lovely boy. He is good at heart.’
‘He doesn’t seem good to me. I don’t like him.’ I said to her.
‘Give him a chance Krishna. Once you get to know him, you will see what the real Sayyam is like. He has had a rough childhood.’ She said gently.
I was curious. I sat down next to her. ‘Why what happened?’
‘You know his dad is in prison. You remember all the bad things he did with the Birla family?’ She said looking sad, remembering the past.
I remembered how Sayyams dad tortured their family, especially Suhani Aunty and Yuvraj Uncle. He made their life hell.
‘It was Sayyam who reported Sambhav to the police.’ She looked at me. ‘His mother didn’t believe what had happened and she hated Sayyam for doing that. She didn’t treat him well. After all this happened, she decided to move away to London. Sayyam moved with her, hoping their relationship would improve but she wasn’t interested. She doesn’t love him.’ Tears started flowing from her eyes.
I was shocked. I didn’t know all this had happened with Sayyam.
‘Why is he so serious and arrogant all the time?’ I asked.
‘Krishna, sometimes people behave a certain way to hide what’s really going on and how they are really feeling.’
That’s when I realised that under that cold exterior, there is a person with real feelings. A person who is hurting, needs support and needs a friend…
Precap- Soumya asks Sayyam to stay over at their house for a few days to help them both.