I NEED TIME

PRESENT

"This is what happened", I said

"But still speaking to a guy at late night, do you think that was all fine", Krish encountered a question for me

"We were speaking about nothing wrong, he had been to Australia recently where he by mistake had encountered a meeting with Catherine and things went a little bad so he was telling about all those to me"

"I see"

"Yeah", I said.

Krish took steps closer to me and tried to reach out for my hand while I moved back in a reflex to his touch on my hand, I signaled him to not touch me or get closer to me and went to my room, got ready to go out.

"Dad I am going to Mathew's place, there is food for two of you in the fridge, so heat it and eat", I said

"Did you eat?", dad asked me

"No, I don't feel like eating anything now"

"Megha first go eat, you are pregnant keep in mind that there is another life growing inside so go eat to at least feed it"

"Wait, what is Megha pregnant?", Krish asked confused

"Yes she is", dad said and a smile appeared on Krish's face

"Yes, I am I thought that I was pregnant with Abhishek's kid but it turns up to be a kid of Krish. You are going to be a father and I will be a mother soon, happy right now let me go", I said while Riya and her newly married husband entered the house.

"Look who is here, nice to see the newly wedded couple. What a surprise to have you here", I said with sarcasm filled in my voice "Megha I am sorry", she said

"I have had enough of all of your sorry asking crap"

"We thought hiding the truth could make you happy"

"Exactly that is the reason why I am angry with you all. You all assumed that this all hiding his identity will make me happy so you kept me in dark. Wow, I am so lucky to have such an understanding family", I said angrily and walked out of the house.

I drive to Mathew's house, I stood in front of his door thinking whether to go in or not because I felt that this may disturb him and at the same time I wanted to speak to him so I can find some clarity in life. As I stood there thinking Sahana came running to me, threw her tiny hands around my waist, and hugged me tightly. She held my hand tightly and took me into the house and made me sit on the couch. She bought me a glass of water and informed Mathew about my arrival. Mathew came and sat next to me, saw my face for a few seconds, and then called Sahana closer.

"Sweetie I need to discuss something with Megha mausi can give us some room?", he asked her

"Sure daddy", she said and ran into her room.

"Megha what happened?"

"Nothing", I replied

"You know that I can easily find out if you are speaking the truth or lying. So tell me now what is bothering you"

"Actually my husband Abhishek is Krish...", I narrate the whole story.

As I complete my narration he had a smile on his face with a flavor of concern. He walked to the kitchen put some food on the plate and walked toward me. He handed me over a plate with 2 idlis and chutney and ordered me to eat it as he sat next to me thinking something.

"Congratulations, soon-to-be mommy", he said as I finished eating

"Thank you, Mathew, shall I ask you something", I said

"Shoot it"

"You just completely heard whatever happened, so what is your opinion about the situation"

"Both of you love each other a lot. There is no fault on either of you both, but you shouldn't have acted that rude with Krish"

"But"

"See you have spoken to me many times complaining about yourself that you are in love with Abhishek because he resembles Krish, right?"

"Yes"

"Accept this Megha he did all these to make you happy and not to hurt you. Maybe his means was wrong but this action of his is shouting how much he loves you."

"I guess I need some time, to process all this. Shall I stay here for some time"

"As though you always stay here with my permission just make yourself home," he said, I stayed in his house until night and then went back home.

The house was completely dark, I turn on the light and didn't find Krish in the living area, I walked around the house and at last found him in the room sitting in dark, I switched on the lights and he turned towards me.

"Abhi... Krish I am leaving for Chennai in two hours", I said as I walked towards my cupboard to pack my bags.

"Why?", he yelled, holding my wrist.

"Remove your hand don't you dare touch Mr. Krish Malhotra, and I will be working in dad's hospital over there"

"But why? I'm sorry Megha I know I should have told you the truth long back", he said as tears rolled down his cheeks "Please don't do this, please don't be mad at me, please don't leave me I can't leave without you", he fell on his knees in front of me and started crying

"Give me some time to process all this and how do you even expect me not to be mad at you, after whatever has happened after knowing that you hid your identity from me"

"I'm sorry I di...didn't know h..how you wi..will react if you know the tr..truth", he held my wrist again

"How will I react? Seriously Krish I would have been happy for heaven's sake", I pulled my hand back "Why don't you just accept that you don't trust me?"

"I trust you, I have never trusted anyone as much as I have trusted you", he said as he stood up

"Then you wouldn't have lied"

"I wanted to start everything fresh with you, I LOVE YOU MEGHA, I can't lose you again", he said staring straight into my eyes

"Sorry you are late, you lost me already and I will stay with you for the sake of this child growing inside me, I can't punish this innocent creature for the fault of his/her irresponsible father", I said

Then I packed my bags and walked out of the house. I was too emotional to drive so I sent a text to Mathew asking if he could drop me at the bus stop.

Within a few seconds, I got a call from him

"Where are you going?" Mathew asked with an angry and worried tone.

"Chennai", I told him

"With whom?"

"Alone"

"Have you gone nuts Megha, like seriously you are pregnant and you are planning to travel all alone yourself"

"Hmm"

"I know you are hurt because of whatever happened..."

"And that is why I want to go somewhere, to vent out everything and be alone. I somewhat understood what he has done but I need my time and space to digest all these things"

"Okay then let's do this"

"What?"

"Let me accompany you"

"No please", I said with my voice breaking.

Mathew arrived within a few minutes and dropped me at the nearest bus stop. He bought me my bus ticket and some snacks.

After bidding goodbye. I settle on my assigned seat and cry myself to sleep.