CHAPTER LXXXI
PLOT STORY:
The story revolves around Ava and Dwan, two characters entangled in a complex web of past betrayals, present struggles, and uncertain futures. Ava's health is declining, and Dwan is torn between caring for her and pursuing a new life with Rohit.
*Key Plot Points:*
1. Ava's past: Ava and Ruby's friendship is revealed, with Ruby's betrayal and Dwan's abandonment in the jungle.
2. Present struggles: Ava's health decline, Dwan's care, and Rohit's support.
3. Emotional conflicts: Ava's pain, Dwan's guilt, and the weight of past betrayals.
*Themes:*
1. Betrayal and forgiveness
2. Loyalty and sacrifice
3. Love and compassion
4. Mortality and the past's impact on the present
*Possible Directions:*
1. Ava's health crisis deepens, forcing Dwan to confront her feelings.
2. Rohit's role expands, potentially creating tension or support.
3. Flashbacks or revelations further complicate the relationships.
MAIN STORY:
Dwan, her steps heavy with a mixture of sorrow and obligation, carried the tray of food to Ava's room. The aroma of the meal, once a comfort, now seemed to mock the situation. Ava, her face pale and drawn, barely glanced at the offering. With a voice as fragile as a fallen leaf, she asked, "Why, Dwan? Why did you do this?" The question, laden with unspoken pain and a lifetime of shared history, hung in the air. Dwan, weary of the constant inquiries and the unspoken accusations that followed, offered no response. The weight of Ava's expectations, the burden of her illness, and the unspoken fears between them had become a heavy cloak.
Ava's health continued its relentless decline. Each passing day brought a new wave of weakness, a new struggle to breathe. The vibrant spirit that once filled her eyes now flickered like a dying ember. It felt as if the world was slowly slipping away from her grasp. Her thoughts were consumed by a haunting image: Ruby's face, etched with unshed tears, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that Ava could no longer decipher. The memories of Ruby, the shared laughter, the whispered secrets, the unspoken promises – all of it flooded Ava's mind, a bittersweet torrent of the past.
Meanwhile, a new chapter was beginning in Dwan's life. Rohit, a man who brought a smile to her face and a warmth to her heart, entered the scene. She dreamed of a future with him, a life filled with love and companionship. Yet, even amidst her own desires, her primary concern remained Ava. With a heart torn between her own happiness and her unwavering loyalty, she sought Rohit's understanding. "Will you help Dwan care for Ava?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her request heavy in the air. Rohit, a man of compassion and kindness, understood the unspoken bond between the two women. He readily agreed, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of impending sorrow, a promise of support that eased the burden on Dwan's shoulders.
Ava, her heart heavy, sat alone in her room, the silence amplifying the turmoil within. Memories flooded her mind, vivid and painful, of the day she encountered Dwan after what felt like an eternity. It had been a weekend getaway with Ruby, a time meant for laughter and escape. Ava had left Ruby basking in the carefree joy of the beach, the sun kissing their skin, while she retreated to the resort, drawn by the responsibilities of work. It was there, amidst the sterile calm of the resort, that a wave of shock crashed over her as she saw Dwan.
Dwan, her face a canvas of relief and desperation, had rushed towards Ava, enveloping her in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down Dwan's cheeks as she sobbed, "Ava, you have no idea how much I missed you. Everyone used to come and talk to me – Jonathan uncle, Emily aunty, and even Aashutosh papa, but you never came to talk to me. The silence was deafening without you." Ava, utterly stunned, felt a mixture of disbelief and a fragile hope flicker within her. "Dwan," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "you were alive?" Dwan, her voice trembling with emotion, replied, "Yes, I was alive. But you won't believe what Ruby did to us! First, I have to talk to Papa. I need to tell him everything."
Ava, her voice laced with sorrow, had to deliver the crushing blow, "But Dwan, Sir has passed away." The words hung in the air, heavy with grief. Dwan's eyes widened in horror, a gasp escaping her lips. "How?" she managed to choke out. Ava, her voice filled with pain, recounted the events, the details etched into her memory like a brand. Then, Dwan, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and betrayal, revealed the truth that had been buried for so long. "Ava, I ran with Ruby towards the jungle that day, seeking freedom, seeking a new beginning. But Nikolas's truck came there. Nikolas got a call and got out of the truck to answer it, leaving us vulnerable. Ruby, in a moment of madness, climbed into the truck. I even pleaded with Ruby, asking her what she was going to do. But in a flash, she hit me with the truck and left me there, abandoned and broken."
In the present, the weight of the revelation, the betrayal, and the loss threatened to consume Ava. Her voice cracked, a raw, heart-wrenching scream tearing from her throat, "No! Ruby didn't do anything; it's all a lie!" The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on her. The memories, once a source of comfort, now felt like a torment, each one a fresh wound. She remembered the shared laughter, the whispered secrets, the bond they had forged. Now, it was all tainted, poisoned by the venom of betrayal. Ava's hands trembled as she clutched at the remnants of what was once a cherished friendship, the pieces of her heart scattered across the floor like shattered glass. The truth, a bitter pill to swallow, had unraveled everything she thought she knew, leaving her adrift in a sea of pain and uncertainty.
Dwan, her face etched with a mixture of exhaustion and determination, battles with the overwhelming task of comforting Ava. Each gentle touch, each whispered word, is a testament to her unwavering love, a desperate attempt to soothe the storm raging within Ava. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she manages to lull Ava into a fragile sleep, a temporary respite from the encroaching darkness.
Ava, her body frail and spirit dimmed, hangs precariously close to death. The battle within her is fierce, the odds stacked against her. Ruby's memories, like relentless waves, crash over Ava, each one a blow that chips away at her strength. The weight of the past, the echoes of regret, and the fear of the unknown all conspire to drag her further into the abyss.
In the quiet moments, as the world around her fades, Ava's thoughts drift to Aashutosh. His words, once a beacon of hope, now resonate with a poignant truth. "You know, Ava," she hears him say, his voice filled with a tender conviction, "when we love someone, we should never abandon them based on what others say. We must always uphold trust, no matter the obstacles that come our way." His words, a bittersweet reminder of a love that defied the odds, now serve as a source of both comfort and profound sorrow.
To be continue....