Chapter Text
Priyanka was aware that perhaps she had taken things a bit too far that night. She went into the night with the best intentions. If Doug had wanted a relationship with his parents, then she was going to try. But she couldn’t deny that seeing their smug faces after so many years just clicked something in her. When Doug’s father had blown up at Connie, Priyanka was ready to take him down, but her husband had already started off.
Connie darted out of the room and Pryianka tried calling after her, but she was gone. She debated quickly about going after her, but the red in Doug’s eyes caused her to stay. Connie was getting out of the situation and that’s what was important. She would be safe, if she just stayed by the car everything would be okay. It was now important to try and get Doug out of the battlezone.
“You constantly made me feel like I wasn’t good enough! That I could never compare to him! I let everything you ever said just tear me away inside. I was stupid to think that after 20 years things would change! You could never accept change!”
“You have been the one constantly throwing order and tradition out the window! Things have been done the same way for so many years for good reason. You just ignored where you came from and who you are!”
“Doug, please, let’s just get out of here…” She tugged on his arm, but he didn’t budge.
“It’s taken me a long time to figure out who I am. And who I am exists completely without you! For Christsake’s why even come here in the first place if you’re not going to accept change and recognize things beyond traditions! To get rich and have nice things?” he gestured around the room. “Well congratulations! You’ve got the nice china,” Doug took a plate and threw it against the wall. Priyanka flinched, her own fear rising as she saw a side of her husband she never saw before. “and a big empty house all to yourselves. You’re going to die alone here because you couldn’t see past your own hate to accept your only sons.” There was silence. But Doug wasn’t going to let it get taken by his father again. “Come on, Priyanka, let’s go.” She didn’t need telling twice.
As terrified as she was, the doctor dare not say anything until they reached the car. She had fear that Doug might explode at her and didn’t want anything to still be in earshot of anyone else. Getting outside the cool spring air was refreshing. It was dark out, Connie wasn’t around, but Priyanka would deal with that in a moment. She had to focus on Doug.
His arms on the hood of the car, he let his head hang. It was silent except for the birds chirping. Priyanka hesitantly reached out and placed her hand on his back, she made small circle movements. Then he started to laugh. “It feels so good… To finally have said all that.” he sniffled, an indicator he’d started to cry.
“Doug… I’m sorry-”
“Don’t be,” he stood up straighter and looked at his wife. “The kid in me who still loves and has hope for his parents wanted it to work out. But I’m glad it didn’t. I don’t think I’d want them back in my life again, even if they had changed. They caused me so much pain, they don’t get to have any part of my life now. The perfect life I have with my beautiful wife and daughter.” Doug took Priyanka’s hand in his, and smiled at her. It wasn’t a mere moment before he dropped it however suddenly looking around. “Connie. Where is Connie?”
As if on cue, Priyanka’s phone buzzed. “A certain lion took her to see a certain magical boy. She’s safe. ”
Doug smiled reassuringly. It was probably for the best that she’d gotten out of here. He didn’t blame her. If anything he wanted to wrap her up in a big hug and make sure that she’d remember nothing of the night tomorrow, or at least that she knew not to believe anything his father said. “Good.”
Priyanka gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Come on, let’s get going, we’ve got an hour long drive ahead of us.” Doug nodded and headed to the drivers side before being stopped. “Maybe it’s best if I drive? Just in case?” He knew she was right, and handed her the keys.
The car ride home was mostly silent, save for the background cd Priyanka had put in. She was mostly ready to move on, but the scene of Doug exploding and throwing that plate just kept playing in her head. “You’re sure you’re okay?” She reaffirmed. “Things nearly got pretty violent there... “
His hands fidgeted, “I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never felt that angry before… I don’t know. I think I’m okay… It was just the heat of the moment. I’m not proud of what I did.”
“Alright, I believe you.” Priyanka smiled at him. It was just about showing support now. They arrived back home around 20 minutes later, and exhaustion hit them both unbelievably hard. After everything it felt like they’d been up a full day yet it was only 9pm.
“What time did Connie say she’ll be home?” Doug stifled a yawn as he got into bed. Priyanka closed her eyes, and sighed.
She had been so close to get away with it, just a little while later and he would’ve been in bed, not caring. Priyanka went back to brushing her hair, “Connie is going to stay the night at Steven’s…”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t too tired to miss that sentence, “Like hell she is,” he started to get out of bed.
“Doug, I already told her it’s okay.” She put down her brush and sat down on the bed pulling him back down next to her. “She’s been through a lot tonight. She needs the comfort of a friend. It’s not like the two of them are dating now… And even if they were what’s the issue?!” Priyanka didn’t think she’d ever be okay with her daughter spending the night at a boy’s house unsupervised, but there was a lot that had happened over the years that Priyanka wasn’t prepared for. “I trust her. I trust, Kahaani. We have to trust that we raised her right. She’s a smart girl.”
He huffed slightly, “Fine, it’s alright tonight, but I am not letting this become a regular thing. She’s still my little girl.”
Priyanka smiled and kissed him on the cheek, “I know she is. Come on, let’s get to bed, it’s been a long day.”