DRISHYE'S POV
I parked my car in front of my villa, the one my assistant had left at the airport in Dehradun.
It's raining profusely. Something very unnatural to happen in the month of March. Probably, nature's way of welcoming my Rose.
I chuckled at my thoughts. How poetic!
I glanced at the rearview mirror and there she was, the love of my life, my Goddess, my beautiful, exhausted Rose dozed off with her little girl nestled against her. She occasionally stroking her shoulder, comforting her even in sleep. Mother instincts!
She's so pure...
For the first time, she was getting the sleep she deserved- a sleep of lifetime, I suppose. My heart clenched as I thought about the pain she had endured, the turmoil she had to go through...unfair and undeserved. She hadn't asked for any of it. She wasn't meant for a world filled with deceit and cruelty, with people like the filthy Joshis. Motherfuckers!
She deserved to be cherished. To be adored. To be worshipped like the Goddess she is.
She has no idea how much beautiful she is, how her presence alone has the power to heal my decades long broken heart.
I watched her delicate eyelashes flutter. They were resting after a long time. How many times were their soaked in tears?
Well, now they'll never have the reason to fall in the first place. I will not let that happen at any cost.
But suddenly, realization hit me like a truck and my heart sank, instantly.
What will happen when she finds out the truth?
I clenched the steering wheel when felt a sinking feeling gnawing my chest.
Will she leave me again...why can't she accept me?
She didn't come to you by her own choice either. You still hope she'll see you the way you see her?
My conscience mocked and it stung. She had no choice left. I just happened to be present in the airport and that led her back to me. But in the end...was it real? Was any of it real?
A bitterness bubbled up my throat which I forcefully swallowed.
But then... why did I do all of this?
The question cut through the haze of doubt in my mind. All the ten years of my life I dedicated to bring her into my life. To make her mine.
So, when I'm finally in a position to win her? Why should I give up?
It was her who chose the wrong person while the man who was ready to kiss the floor she walkes on was begging for her love. Hence, she suffered.
She brought this upon herself. But now... now that she's here, with me.
And, she'll be safe. She'll be away from the world filled with filthy assholes like the Joshis. None can touch her now. She's mine. All mine. To cherish, to love, to worship.
And I'll make sure she understands my worth. And hers. Who she truly belongs to. Who deserves her. Who is her worshipper.
I've spent a decade worshipping her from afar. Now, I'll pray to her everyday, every moment with her in front of my eyes, breathing the same air as mine.
She's my Rose, my goddess and she'll soon realize that she's always been mine.
I felt so happy in my heart. So thrilled. Finally, the ghar ki Lakshmi will grace my house, filling it with her divinity.
The overwhelming emotion almost brought tears to my eyes but I quickly brushed them away when she stirred awake.
"Drishye...have we arrived?"
She asked in a soft and groggy voice.
"Yes, ma'am. It's raining outside. I'm sorry, I don't have an umbrella right now."
"No, no. It's fine. We can manage."
I felt a surge of intense feelings inside me and got out of my car. Instantly, the rain cascaded down my body soaking through my clothes. I walked to her side and gently opened the door.
She gently shook Aahana awake.
"What's her name?"
I asked feigning innocence.
"Aahana."
"Sweet..."
"Aahana, baccha, we're here. Wake up."
She whispered, brushing the little girl's cheek.
Little Aahana rubbed her eyes sleepily with her cute pink palms and looked around to grasp where she was.
Throughout the flight, she had been whining about not going to Ladakh, constantly asking for her father, irritating my Rose. Yet, Rose, kept giving her random excuses as politely as she could. Sometimes, I'm at awe. Does she not get tired of beign good?
I shot a glare at Aahana, and she instantly stopped asking about her father. I don't want her turning out like him- her father. My Rose needs peace to bloom. Her father and grandparents had never given her the light or water she needed to flourish except herself, who's the source of her only happiness- like carbon dioxide to green plants.
Now, if she acts like a toxin, it'll only become difficult for her because, I won't let my Rose wither at any cost.
While these thoughts ran through my mind, I saw my Rose get down the car with the hem of her saree wrapped around her Aahana's head. It's not like it won't let her get wet...
"Umm...let's get the luggage."
"Don't worry about that. Let Aahana inside."
The little lady clung onto her mom's saree with a cute saddened and sleepy face. She was clearly disappointed with her mom's sudden decision to come to a 'random' student's place.
"Um.."
"Don't worry, Miss Rosy. Go ahead."
I insisted.
"O-okay..."
She muttered, clearly feeling awkward. I know it. Nevermind, we'll get over that too.
She briskly walked down the stone floor along with her daughter and waited for me under the shade.
I unlocked the trunk to get the luggage and rushed to them. She tried pulling a bag or two from my hands but I didn't let her.
Ahh...Rose is guilty for troubling me.
But, Rose. I'm the goddamn trouble.
I ran a hand through my soaked hair, brushing off the drizzle. Her saree was drenched and Aahana's clothes were clinging to her small frame. They both needed to dry off quickly.
"Get Aahana a warm bath. Otherwise, she'll catch cold."
Get yourself a warm bath, Rose.
I unlocked the large teakwood door. As soon as it opened, the earthy scent hit my nostril lifting up my mood, effortlessly. I turned around and welcomed the little ladies inside.
Both of them looked around the house with curious doey eyes.
Aahana has the eyes of her mother, except for the color. It irked me.
No, no! We decided we'll accept all of her, right?
My conscience alerted me.
I smiled warmly at Aahana, bending down to her level. I gently caressed her soft cheeks.
"Welcome home, Hana."
She shook her head with a pout and replied innocently.
"This is not my home. My home is in Lucknow, uncle."
Smile, Drishye! Keep smiling.
"Aahana!"
Rose snapped almost scaring little Aahana.
I need to be in her good books. So I gently side hugged her and intervened.
"Ma'am, its alright."
"No, please, Drishye. You're helping us so much. She needs to understand how to behave."
Rose's voice was firm but I could see the guilt eating at her.
She stared back at Aahana and yelled.
"Apologize right now, Aahana. You don't say things like that to someone kind enough to welcome us in the middle of the night."
I walked back to Rose and whispered.
"Does she have any idea about what's happening?"
Her eyes softened, almost tearing from the guilty of yelling at her daughter who has no idea of the monster her father is.
My heart clenched feeling the turmoil she is going through. I wish I could take them all right away...
Hana stood with her eyes fixed on the floor and quivering lips.
"Oh, dear. It's alright."
I almost ran to her to hug her by her side. She didn't even reach till my knees.
"I... I'm so-so hic sorry, uncle."
She mumbled between soft sobs.
I patted her head gently.
"No, no. Its fine, cutesy Hana. Now go and change, dear. Come. Let me show you your room."
I lifted the two bags they both brought with themselves and lead them upstairs to the guestroom.
It was a huge room with a large semi- circular bed at the centre, draped in soft creme linens that I had chosen myself. The French windows were adorned with pretty saplings and the Bohemian artworks hanging on the walls added an earthy and comforting feeling.
I'd personally decorated the entire room with her in mind and waited for years for my Rose to grace it with her presence. For years I kept it pristine, hoping that one day, she would find her way here. We'd take time and fall for each other. But that day never came. She didn't search for me. I remained a faded memory in her mind.
Until I found a hook to pull her here.
"Beautiful."
She murmured bringing a smile to my face. My heart was literally dancing in happiness. Rose likes the room.
"I'm glad you liked it. This will be your room for now. Get yourself settl-"
"Drishye, we won't stay here long... I don't want to trouble you..."
The nth knife she stabbed into my heart.
Hurt me but you're mine. I don't care.
I forced myself to nod and replied
"Don't worry about it. Freshen up, first."
She hummed while nodding.
"If you need anything, just let me know. I'll go prepare dinner."
I turned to leave, gripping the door handle but just as I was about to close it, my breath caught in my throat. Goosebumps erupted over my skin as I caught sight of her unfurling her pallu.
⋆｡°✩₊ °✦ ‧ ‧ ₊ ˚✧₊ °✦
Vote please!