(Mature Language 18+; Double Updates: Chapters 42 & 43!)
"WHAT?"
Heaving a deep sigh, he continued, "Yes, Kitty has a hole in her heart. I need money for operation and I really don't know how long she can live without being treated. So, I wanted easy cash and believe me I was totally against doing this but I couldn't help. I was bound. Kitty is the only family I have and I can't lose her. No one helped me with the finance. I know no reason is enough for what I have done to you and I am really guilty. But please, I am telling you the truth. My daughter is dying, I need to save her. I can't lose her."
If the truth about the 'setup' came as a shock to her then learning about Kitty illness came as a bigger shock. Not even in her wildest dreams she ever thought that this sweet girl was in so much trouble.
Even though she absolutely hated Nicholas' way of getting money, she still knew how desperate he was to save his daughter. It was quite evident. For sure, she hated how he traded his conscience and tried to frame her but at the same time she felt so sad for Kitty and wanted to do something for her.
Whatever happened, it wasn't Kitty's fault and she definitely didn't deserve to die. She couldn't believe how such a little girl was struggling to live every single day. And obviously, being the sweet person that she is, she wanted to do something for Kitty and do her best to save that girl's life.
Her revere of thoughts broke when she heard Nicholas going on his knees and pleading her, "I know I did wrong but believe me. I just wanted to save my daughter. I was so desperate that I didn't think about the consequences or anyone else. Punish me all you can but please let me save my daughter."
Moved by the little girl's health condition, she looked at Eric and asked softly, "Can we please help Kitty. She cannot die. She is innocent."
As she let out her request, he looked back at her and smiled softly saying, "You are the kindest person I have ever met. Sweetheart, I already took care of it. I am your husband and I know what you want. She will be operated this evening. She is already admitted in the hospital and that's the reason she isn't back from school yet. Xavier is taking care of it."
To say she was pleasantly shocked would be nothing. Yes, by now Kitty should have been back home. With all this drama, no one really paid attention to the fact that Kitty wasn't home yet. She felt so happy learning how generous her husband is. He easily knew what she wanted and had even acted on it before she could ask him. Well, why not? Just like her even Eric believed that Kitty was not the one at fault and she definitely needed someone to help her.
Even before she could say something, Nicholas gasped softly and asked hurriedly, "What? What did you say? Operated?"
As Mahima turned and shot Nicholas a tough yet unpleasant look, Eric clenched his jaw tightly and nodded his head saying, "You heard that right. Your daughter will be saved. She is innocent and I know you can't pay for the operation. Whatever happened, it was not her mistake and she deserves to live."
As Eric's words ringed in his ears, Nicholas cupped his mouth feeling guiltier than ever. He couldn't believe how the people whom he wanted to trouble were indeed helping him irrespective of knowing everything. He didn't know how he was supposed to thank them for being such amazing people with golden hearts. They both looked so divine to him.
After all they do say... 'To err is to human and to forgive is to divine'! Don't they?
* * *
Well, everything was nearly settled. People got what they deserved and were kept in places where they belonged. Even though setting up some innocent person was wrong, still considering no one was physically hurt, this issue could not really go to the police. Because without any strong base, a case cannot be developed. Plus, he didn't want to draw attention from public and put Mahima under spotlight. But that didn't mean the culprits weren't punished. Well, Eric is a powerful man and definitely knew how to handle them without drawing attention.
Starting with Tony... He got what he deserved. His greediness actually paid him well. Not only did he ask for a lot of money from Sandy for these photographs but when looked upon, the investigator found that he has been involved in dealing with the illegal supply of drugs. Of course being the greedy fellow that he is, he thought dealing with drugs would give him easy cash but all he got in return was locked up in prison for a good amount of time.
As far as Sandy goes, like I said, she wasn't arrested as nothing life threatening happened. But of course, it is safe to say her life was actually trashed. With his great approach Eric did manage to keep her name in the police records as a suspect for almost every little crime in the city. Her job was gone and after what she did, Eric did ensure that she found job nowhere. So, she ended up on roads with no money and Eric's men always watching her.
Let's talk about Mia... At first Oscar didn't believe that his daughter could do something like this, but after looking up at all the proofs, he was shocked. He couldn't believe how jealous his daughter was of Mahima. He knew this cruel behaviour was not normal and totally uncalled for. Even though he knew Mia won't be arrested, but being a father he pled Eric not to send her to jail and to give him a chance to set her straight himself.
After a hell lot of requests, Eric finally gave in only one condition that Mia must not be seen anywhere. Even a small scratch on Mahima and he would hunt Mia down no matter what! Of course, Oscar agreed and thanked him for sparing Mia and giving him a chance to punish her himself. He blamed himself for not seeing how cruel his daughter turned out.
He was so mad at her, that he had practically shut her off from his life first by cutting off all her allowances, blocking all her credit cards and signed all his properties to orphanages saying that she didn't deserve even a penny from him. He wanted her to learn life the hard way. Like promised, he did send her away from everyone to give her what she actually deserved. But little did she know that she was always watched by her father's men as well as Eric's.
So, with no money, she did end up on roads. She couldn't help but think a life in prison would have been better than this as at least she would have been getting timely meals and sleep. But this life, this was so painful and tough. She had never in her wildest dreams had thought that her own father would be so hard on her. Well, she deserved it. Didn't she?
Last but not the least... Nicholas!
"Thank you! Thank you so much. I really don't know what to say. I don't know how to thank you enough for saving my daughter." Nicholas thanked Eric with tears welling up in his eyes while Ruby and Charlotte stood on either side of Mahima giving her the much needed moral support.
Of course everything was out in the open and her family stood in great support to her. Well, why not? She never did anything wrong and her family knew how great this woman is. No matter what, they were going to stand with her, for her!
As decided, Kitty was operated and was doing much better now. She was being discharged from the hospital the next morning.
Crossing his arms across his chest, Eric looked at Nicholas with the same tough look playing on his face and said, "You are responsible for your actions. I have run a background check on you and as much as I hate it, your records are clean. But that doesn't mean that I will leave you for the stunt you pulled by trying to trap my wife. As much as I want to kill you, I know your daughter needs you. So yes, you can go live your life with Kitty but keep one thing in mind, I will always be watching you. So you better behave and be thankful to this second chance."
As Nicholas lowered his gaze feeling ashamed, Rowan shot him a dirty look and said, "You tried to trouble my daughter and don't think that we are going to forget that. Whatever reason you had, you way was wrong. And nothing goes unpunished."
"I understand Sir. And I am very ashamed of my actions. But I promise I will never do any such thing again in my life. No matter what! I am sorry. Thank you for not sending me away from Kitty." Nicholas spoke softly trying not to break. His voice and his gestures held tremendous guilt and shame. But then again, what's done is done. Nothing can bring back the lost trust and confidence. Right?
"Well, you better thank Mahima for that. She is the one who convinced Eric not to send you to jail." Rowan hissed averting his gaze while Nicholas looked at Mahima with glossy eyes and asked, "Even after what I tried to do with you, why did you help me?"
"Because I know the pain of living a life with no parents' love. Kitty has already lost her mother and she needs her father by her side, to teach her what's good and bad, to teach her everything about life and most of all to love her and to protect her from every evil. I was never loved by my parents and I know how terrible it can be while growing up. I don't want Kitty to see the same what I saw. She deserves a good life. So, please take care of her and love her the way she deserves. Remember that it is not her fault for your problems and never blame her for something she hasn't done. Take care!" Mahima replied with tears welling up in her eyes as the memories of her father ill-treating her flashed in her mind while Charlotte gently rubbed her arm comforting her. Even before Nicholas could say anything, she wiped her tears and left.
* * *
"Hello Kitty! How are you feeling now?" Mahima asked sitting next to Kitty who smiled at her cheekily and gave her a thumbs-up saying, "Hello! I feel very good."
The next morning she and Eric had come to visit Kitty for the last time. As she smiled back and thanked Lord Shiva for blessing this little girl with long life ahead, Kitty gently tapped her shoulder and asked, "Doctor did magic, so can I run in school and make new friends?"
To say her innocent question touched Mahima's heart would be nothing. She could clearly relate how Nicholas always asked Kitty not to run here and there worrying about the little girl's health.
Gently ruffling Kitty's hair, she giggled and nodded her head saying, "Yes, you can run, dance, play. Do anything you want. No one is going to stop you sweetie."
As Kitty clapped her hands in ecstasy, Eric stepped inside the room with a huge teddy bear in his hands.
"Wow! Is this big teddy for me?" Kitty asked looking at the teddy bear with her eyes nearly growing wide as saucers while Mahima giggled and nodded her head saying, "Yes, it is for you my dear."
"Yaayyyy! Kitty has another teddy!" The little girl chirped when Eric hunched a little forward and gave it to her. Seeing how happy this little girl was just by holding a teddy bear really amused him. He couldn't help but wonder, do children really get happy by such small and sweet things?
His revere of thoughts broke when he heard Kitty's soft voice, "Thank you!"
"You're welcome!" He smiled and replied softly squeezing Kitty's chubby cheeks.
For the rest of the hour he sat there watching Mahima playing with Kitty. She looked so happy when she was around this little girl and for some strange reason, he felt happy around her too.
* * *
"I am really sorry for everything. I know... I know what I did was not forgivable but if you think I can... then... can you please forgive me?" Nicholas asked desperately hoping to win her back but she looked at him with tired and complaining eyes.
"I don't know. I understand you were trying to save Kitty but what you tried to do was horrible. And I actually trusted you. You could have told me everything, I would have helped you. But you broke my trust and I can never see you as my friend again. I am deeply hurt because of you but I do love Kitty with all my heart. I am so sorry. Have a good life ahead. Take care of Kitty." Mahima let it all out while Eric stood next to her sensing how greatly this had affected her.
Because the woman he knew could forgive anyone. But yes, just like Santosh, Usha and Dheeraj, she is not ready to forgive Nicholas too. Even though the situations are totally different, she was still the one who was deeply hurt and he could definitely understand what must have been going through her.
Holding Eric's hand she looked at him and asked, "Can we leave? I want to go home."
"Of course sweetheart! Everyone is waiting to spend some family time with us. Ready?" Eric replied dropping a soft kiss on her head while she smiled softly and nodded her head.
Looking at Nicholas for one last time, she turned around and left along with her husband not before saying, "Goodbye forever!"
And Nicholas' heart shattered into a thousand pieces hearing her unaffectionate 'goodbye' but like who was he to complain? His actions deserved this. He lost a friend forever. His guilt kept growing intense with each passing day and he has to live with it. This is such a huge punishment anybody could give.
Living with guilt and regret is the worst. And knowing that the person you once tried to harm is the reason behind your happiness yet doesn't want to be a part of your life or want you to be a part of theirs can be a lot more heart breaking than anything. This was the biggest lesson he learnt!
Bittersweet memories!
And just like that, the chapter named 'Nicholas' in her book was finally over!
* * *
So, how was the chapter. The drama is over. I hope you all liked it. Let me know what you think about it and also what would happen next. Thank you so much for your votes and comments!
Next Update: Thursday!
Much Love,
Manasa DVLK!!