𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐘𝐄'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕
Goosebumps erupted over my skin as I caught sight of her unfurling her pallu. She just undid it and fell on the bed on her back as if the exhaustion was too much to handle.
I quickly averted my eyes and shut the door quietly. I could never bring myself to look at her like that without her consent.
Rose deserves respect, admiration and even worship. She is the purest soul I've ever come across. She deserves much more goodness than life has ever offered to her.
And now, I'll provide every ounce of respect, love and care she's entitled to. She deserves nothing less and I'll make sure I provide her with all of it, every drop of it, till the very last breath I take.
I hurried down the stairs. Once, inside my room, I locked the door and pulled back the rug, revealing the hidden latch that led to the wooden basement underneath. I climbed down the old, timber steps that produced a creaking sound with every fall of my feet.
When I reached the bottom and tapped the switch, instantly the room flooded up with light and my world came in front of my eyes.
This basement that lays in front of my eyes holds special memories. It has witnessed the transformation of a mere 'child'- just like she regarded me as to a grown up, twenty- nine years man now. Stronger and powerful.
This Drishye is not the one Ms. Chhavi Sharma had known a decade ago. He's no longer that soft spoken, introverted, shy kid who could barely muster the courage to speak in class.
That Drishye had died the moment his Miss Rosy dismissed his devotion as a mere infatuation. Poor him...his soul never rested in peace...
At present, late Drishye is very proud of the 'Drishye' his resilience has created. His devotion for his Miss Rosy made him tear himself apart and rebuild, piece by piece, into the partner she deserves.
How do people say that 'true' love can never change you? That love would accept you the way you are? Stupid them. Love is the very force of divine which makes you confront every flaw. Love is the chisel that sharpens raw stone into the most brilliant diamond. It cuts, shapes and refines until you become worthy of it. And love has cut me deeply to forge the Drishye worthy of his Rose.
Yet, even this version of me is incomplete without my Rose. I'm like the symphony missing its final note. Only she's that note who can transform me into a beautiful, complete tune.
And now, after a penance of three thousand seven hundred and thirty-six days, I've successfully completed the first step- bringing my Ghar ki Lakshmi home.
And on this precious occasion, I'll lighten the entire mansion to give her a warm welcome.
I quickly unboxed the cartons of diyas I had stacked over the years in the hope of celebrating Diwali. This is my Diwali. My Rose is back to me after ten god damn years, just like Shree Ram returned to Ayodhya from his exile. And like the people of Ayodhya who welcomed their king, I welcomed my queen- my Rose, back from her exile, back to the one who truly saw her, admired her, cherished her, honored her.
I lit the entire country house with three thousand seven hundred and thirty-six diyas- one for each day she had been away. Watching their illuminance, my heart clenched with both joy and fear. I wish she could participate in her own homecoming.
But I knew revealing my heart too soon would be a mistake. If she knew my true intentions now, I might lose her again. And this time, it would be forever.
CHHAVI'S POV
Life is so ironic, isn't it?
Ten years ago, I used to be an assistant professor at one of Indian's top engineering college.
Drishye used to be my student back then. He was a sweet, reserved nineteen years old, trying to juggle life.
He was a very hardworking student not skipping a single class whether it rained cats and dogs or the sun scorched or chilled winters hit the city.
I used to provide extra classes to him in the library because according to him, he struggled with mathematics- my core subject. But in reality, I quickly realized that wasn't true. Mathematics wasn't his weakness, it was his strength. He often outperformed-
"Mumma, I'm done."
Aahana's yell interrupted my the flood of thoughts clouding my brain. I blinked, snapping out of my haze and realised I was laying sprawled on the bed with the loose end of the wet saree trailing on the floor.
"Aahana, beta come here."
I said gently, straightening up on the bed.
She slowly walked towards me with her head low. My baby was still disappointed with me. My heart ached for her. My precious child is tangled into the mess I hadn't been able to shield her from.
"Baccha, this is Drishye uncle...and this is his house." I said softly, my fingers gently combing through her damp hair. "We need to stay here for sometime until..."
The words caught in my throat. How could I explain the unthinkable to her? She's so small, so tender. Will she be able to take her father's betrayal. I feel pity for my own daughter. She's so unfortunate to have such a heinous father like Vinesh, the very perosn who should've been her hero...
"Where is papa, mumma?"
She asked in a soft voice tinged with sadness.
"Uh...papa? Papa had to...had to go away...for...for a while, baccha."
I felt so guilty for lying to her. The innocence in her eyes, the way she looked at me with trust, made it all so much worse.
I swallowed hard and forced a smile while my hand cupped her small face.
"Don't worry. He'll come back...very soon."
She just nodded and said nothing. I felt so unsettled than ever. I lied to her again...
"Mumma, go and change. You'll fall sick."
She said with a small, brave smile that nearly undid me.
My eyes almost lost control over the tears in front of her innocent face. My vision blurred as I stood up quickly, needing to escape before she saw me break. I rushed to the bathroom, closed the door, and latched it with trembling fingers. The moment I was alone, the dam burst. Warm tears cascaded down my face like Niagara falls.
How long could I keep pretending? How long could I protect Aahana from the truth?
Question after question swirled in my mind like a hurricane trying to break free.
Suddenly, Drishye came to mind. A pang of guilt coursed through me. here I was, spiraling into my thoughts, while he was downstairs, probably preparing dinner for us. I need to check if he needs help wtih dinner. I'm already burdening him too much by being an unexpected guest at such an odd time.
I wiped my face with shaky hands and took a deep breath, forcing the storm inside me to quiet down.
I quickly freshened up and changed into a clean pair of salwar-kameez. The fabric was thin and I shivered slightly as the chill of Dehradun's March evening settled over me. It reminded me that I didn't carry any warm clothes with me. For now, I had to make do and hope that Aahana wouldn't catch a cold.
Pulling myself together, I stepped out of the bathroom. Aahana was sitting on the bed, her tiny fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. She looked up with worry etched on her face.
"Mumma, are you okay?"
She asked softly.
I mustered a small smile.
"Yes, beta. Mumma is fine."
With that, I walked to the door, pausing to glance back at her reassuringly before making my way downstairs to see if Drishye needed any help.
As soon as I stepped out of the guest room, my jaw dropped. The entire wooden house shimmered like a new bride adorned for her wedding. Diyas illuminated every corner, their golden flames flickering along the floor, trailing up the stair railing, lining the windowsills and resting in the corners of the doors. Simultaneously, a delicate, mystic smell wafted through the air. It hit me instantly, soothing my senses and loosening the grip of anxiety that had been holding me throughout the day.
I walked down the wooden stairs, admiring the beautifully decorated house. The structure of the house is so beautiful. The walls were made of sturdy and smooth oak wood and the ceiling was made of glass, showing the beautiful view of the dark night sky above. In the center of the living room was a open roof skylight allowing the moonlight to illuminate the room. The maze directly under it bedded beautiful couches. The surrounding area was decorated with an array of various plants.
The house gives a serene, peaceful, homely feeling. It automatically cools down your nerves. Just magical!
As I walked through the house, the gentle glow of the lights and the beautiful plants made me feel so relaxed. I love the feeling.
I've always loved plants and gardening. Sadly, the endless work never gave me the opportunity to indulge into gardening.
Suddenly, as I wandered around the house, I froze in shock when I felt a presence behind My back. My body shivered and a chill ran through my spine as the voice whispered sending shivers down my spine almost paralyzing me on the warm floor I was standing.
"Welcome home, Miss Rosy."
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