“We can talk about that when I come back. Just don't worry. And what is this old hag lady doing with you? Don't tell me she's in our house. Throw her out now,” Priyank narrowed his eyes.
“I am not an old hag. You are a psycho,” Mary stated in an angry, loud voice.
“I can hear you. Don't scream in my ears,” Priyank answered lazily.
Priya looked at the banter Mary and Priyank were having.
She didn't know why she found it way funnier than the situation even was.
They both were talking as if they were friends.
“I am going to scream all I want. Just bring my daughter back, or I am not leaving your house,” Mary retorted from the other side of the phone.
Priyank's lips curved into a smile. “I will think about it. But maybe you need to work on your tone, or else it might offend me and I won't come.”
The threat was evident in Priyank's words, his choice of words and voice all calm. Still, any sane person could hear the underlying stress.
“What is your issue with my daughter? Why do you have to do this?” Mary's voice this time turned low, sounding like she was on the verge of crying.
“She is safe with me. As she already told you, I am helping her. That means you should be grateful,” Priyank stuck to the lie Priya wanted to feed everyone.
Even knowing that they could understand that Priya literally lied, it seemed like Priya was all in believing that she did it right, so not an issue at all.
“Let me talk. Why are you talking to my Mother Mary?” Priya snatched the phone away from Priyank's hands as she could hear how angry Mary was.
“You are fine, right, Priya? How did you get into an accident in a café? Daisy told me that she met you there. How did you get there?” Mary bombarded her with questions.
Priya licked her lips as she had already lied, and she didn't know how to smooth out that lie.
In her whole life, she never lied like this. Maybe small things, but not big ones. To be true, before meeting Priyank, she never even lied about small things.
Priya took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure despite the mounting pressure. "I... I don't remember much about the accident, Mother Mary. It's all a bit hazy," she replied, her voice faltering slightly.
Mary's tone softened, filled with concern. “You are in pain?”
“I'm fine now. It's not that painful. Not bad at all. Don't worry too much about it,” Priya tried to soothe her.
“Then when are you coming back? I'm here all stressed,” Mary poured her emotions out.
“I'll be coming soon,” Priya tightened her grip on the phone, unsure herself of when she would meet Mary. It's all so bad.
Priyank looked at Priya, seeing the whirlwind of emotions in her eyes.
“You're fine, Priya, right?” This time Daisy asked.
“Yes, Aunty, I'm fine. And thanks for being with my Mother Mary,” Priya spoke, feeling grateful.
She never thought Daisy would meet Mary, and she could imagine how much that support meant in her absence.
But it's Daisy's own son, who is the cause of everyone's misery, so she couldn't say for sure.
Priya's heart felt heavy with the weight of the situation.
“It's nothing. I know how stressed she must be. I was so worried that day when you vanished into thin air, and we both knew it's Priyank. Now that you've at least called, it means you're safe,” Daisy spoke.
“Mom, what do you think of me? Of course, I wouldn't hurt her,” Priyank questioned.
Priya's eyes narrowed as she heard his so-called lying and fake innocent voice.
Two days in a coma and some wounds on her face and head— that's what he did to her, yet he claims he wouldn't hurt her. Such a joke of the year.
“That I know how much you won't hurt her. We're scared because it's you,” Daisy's voice filled with sarcasm towards her own son.
“She's saying that I helped her. Now you're blaming your own son? So wrong,” Priyank complained, frustration evident in his voice.
“She says a lot of things, and you think we believe all of them? At least some we don't,” Daisy retorted, her tone tinged with scepticism and concern.
“Okay, Mom, it's already night. I think you all should rest,” Priyank interjected, his words rushed and evasive.
He knew the more his mom would talk, the more likely it was that something might slip from his mouth, and he definitely didn't want that.
“When are you coming back? That's the important thing. Don't dodge the question,” Daisy pressed, her voice tinged with worry and urgency, betraying her concern for Priya's safety.
“We're coming tomorrow,” Priyank answered. Now that Priya was nearly fine, he didn't want to keep her in the penthouse. He had his own plans to execute that would resolve everything.
Priya's ears perked up when she heard his words, stating that he would take her back tomorrow.
She was not expecting this sudden change in plans after his so-called love confession and the threat that he wouldn't let her go.
Now, he was agreeing to take her back, which seemed out of character and sent shivers down her spine.
“I will be waiting. You won't go back on your words, right?” Daisy tried to confirm, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“I don't break my word. Don't worry. Goodnight,” Priyank assured, his tone firm but reassuring.
“Goodnight,” Daisy responded softly before the call ended.
After that, Priyank cut off the call and turned to Priya, who was looking at him with a mix of emotions.
“Let's go to my house tomorrow. Your mother Mary is there too. For now, sleep,” Priyank spoke, not giving her a chance to react. He gently carried her to his room and laid her down.
Then, he took her in his arms, cradling her close. He kissed her forehead tenderly, whispering, “Don't have nightmares tonight. Just dream sweetly.”
Priya's heart raced as Priyank held her close, his touch both unsettling.
‘What nightmares?’ she thought, as she had never experienced them before.
But she felt so weak, weighed down by the events of the day, and her eyes began to droop shut.
"Have a nice sleep, Angel," Priyank whispered softly, his voice a gentle caress in the darkness.