Harsh

Priyank snapped back, not angrily but not softly either.
What did she think his mother was?
Even for the world, his mother wouldn’t sacrifice him. Maybe she would, but who knows? He did feel a sense of obligation to save others, like Mary did. His mother could sacrifice him too, but he wasn’t going to admit that.
He was his mother’s priority, so it wasn’t an issue for the time being.
“My mother wouldn’t even consider it. I’m sure you threatened her,” Priya dug her nails into his chest, even through his shirt, scratching his skin.
Priyank winced a little as her nails dug into his skin. “You’re not the one and only child of your so-called Mother Mary, so of course, she has her choices to make. She chose the other kids, leaving you aside. I won’t do that to you for anyone, that’s for sure.”
He patted her head, relieved to see her seeming more relaxed, her breathing returning to normal.
He could banter with her for a whole lifetime if it meant he could ease her pain. He was willing to sacrifice his anger and pride for her sake.
“I hate you so much… You are never going to get my love, never,” Priya declared, her nose flaring, her cheeks puffing up.
“It’s fine, don’t love me. You hate me; that’s enough for me,” Priyank kept patting her head as if soothing a tantruming animal. She did look cute with her red and puffy cheeks.
If he was in her head, he didn’t mind if it was because of hate or love.
What mattered was how he was in her head. That was paramount.
The rest was inconsequential.
What he felt for her wasn’t just love; it was beyond that. He could call it love, but deep down, he knew it beyond the definition of so-called love.
Priyank sighed inwardly.
As Priya’s breathing gradually steadied and her demeanour softened, he found himself grappling with a mix of emotions.
He couldn’t deny the anger and frustration that simmered beneath the surface, but beneath it all, there was a flicker of something else a stubborn determination to see this through, to make things right, whatever it took.
Gently, he continued to stroke her hair, offering what little comfort he could muster.
“I may not be able to earn your love, Priya,” he said softly, his voice tinged with sincerity. “But you belong to me, all of you, not even a piece, but entirely.”
The comfort he felt when the words left his mouth was evident. He knew Mary was out of the picture, Priya had no one else. He wouldn’t have to share her with anyone; she would be solely his.
Priya looked at him, more tears sliding down her cheeks.
She couldn’t help but feel the cruelty in his words, the happiness he seemed to derive from her misery.
On one hand, he was patting her head, as if comforting her, and on the other, he was speaking these hurtful words.
“Shhh! Don’t cry, I’m here now, Angel. We’ll be husband and wife soon, and you’ll be a part of my life. As long as you don’t provoke me, I swear you’ll have everything you want.” Priyank’s voice carried a mix of reassurance and determination.
“Can I have Mother Mary? Can I have my life back?” Priya’s voice trembled with desperation, her eyes pleading for the life she once knew.
“This is exactly the provocation I’m talking about. Don’t do it, and things will be fine. Don’t worry,” Priyank’s tone was firm, yet there was a hint of frustration beneath the surface.
“I provoke you? Or is it you who provokes me, without caring about anything?” Priya’s words were laced with accusation, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt.
Priyank’s jaw tightened, his anger evident as he struggled to contain his emotions. He wanted to lash out so badly, but at the same time, he didn’t want to hurt her.
“You know that’s not fair, Priya,” he said, his tone strained. “I confessed my love to you, but you rejected me. That’s why this happened.”
Even though his voice wasn’t raised in anger, the blame in his words was unmistakable. To him, Priya’s rejection of his confession felt like the greatest betrayal.
If only she had accepted him easily, he would have been willing to tolerate Mary’s presence in their lives. Despite his dislike for her, he would have controlled his feelings and accepted her for Priya’s sake.
He would have embraced Mary as his family, something he wouldn’t do otherwise. His only family was his mother, and now, perhaps, Priya too. But for Priya’s sake, he would have made the sacrifice.
But no, she had to push him to resort to rejecting him.
Even now, he was being lenient with Mary, considering her his mother-in-law and the orphanage kids as his family, simply because they were connected to Priya.
That’s why he had made such a generous offer to Mary.
Otherwise, he would have handled the situation in the way he always did with violence, bloodshed, and death.
“You mean to say I can’t reject you? You think I have to accept your love just because it’s you? Have you proved yourself? Have you even tried to show that you really love me? All you’ve shown is how you can hurt me and snatch my family away, like you did just now,” Priya questioned, her grip on his shirt loosening.
Her hands grew sweaty, a little blood smearing on Priyank’s shirt and staining her nails. She had dug them into his chest earlier unnoticed.
“I am your family now,” Priyank replied nonchalantly.
“How did you become my family? I don’t consider you my family,” Priya announced.
“You will, sooner or later. You’ll have to, because you have no one else other than me. And I don’t think, with your IQ, you can survive a day without me,” Priyank kissed her forehead, as if he hadn’t just spoken harsh words to her.
Priya’s heart sank at Priyank’s words, a mix of frustration and sadness washing over her. She couldn’t believe he was asserting himself into her life so forcefully, claiming a position she wasn’t ready to give him. Yet, deep down, she knew there was some truth to his words.
With her family torn apart and her future uncertain, Priyank was the only constant in her life.
And she didn’t want this constant presence at all – she was all alone now, with the monster himself.