"Oh! I thought the one I'm living with."
Drishye stood there, baffled and caught completely off guard. Before he could gather his thoughts, she quietly added a 'Good night' and stepped into her room, locking the door behind her without sparing him another glance.
For a moment, he remained rooted to the spot with her remark replaying in his mind like a sharp echo in a barren cold mountain.
Without wasting another minute, he turned and walked briskly to his room which was situated on the ground floor, just beside the dining space.
He quickly latched the door and leaned against it, releasing a heavy breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
We're not far from the moment now.
The thought clawed at his mind as his heart banged against his ribs, visualizing all the possible consequences of the revelation he had kept buried for years. A storm of emotions swirled within him setting a hurricane of panic, guilt and fear, all intertwined with a tinge of excitement in his mind because that sharp- witted brain of hers didn't fail to read in between the lines.
That was her. The Chhavi Sharma he remembered, the one who used her intelligence with such elegance was resurfacing and despite the grim circumstances, it sent a flutter through his chest.
But it wasn't the time to bask in the hope of her revival. Not now. Pushing those happy thoughts aside reluctantly, Drishye sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. He replayed every possible outcome of the sin he had been brewing for years.
Would she forgive him? Could she? Ever?
He knew a single truth could shatter everything he had worked to build. Yet, holding on to the secret any longer felt like dragging both of them deeper into quicksand. Moreover, he never really intended to hide it from her. Irrespective of the way it started, he had long ago decided, he'd come clean if she ever confronted him. He would never lie to her.
Even though guilt was suffocating him but what scared him more was how would she react when the truth finally surfaced? Would she hate him? Turn him away? Or would she finally understand the lengths he had gone to for her and Aahana's safety?
His hands curled into fists. He didn't regret protecting them but he regretted the price he to had paid, eventually.
Drishye stood and paced the room with his mind spinning. He paused by the window, looking out into the dark night.
You knew this shall happen eventually.
He told himself, closing his eyes. But deep down, he knew that he'll have to seek embrace in his mother's lap once she decides to leave him again.
...
Later in the morning, both of them woke up early. Despite Drishye's numerous attempts to shoo her away from the kitchen, Chhavi adamantly snatched the pans and spoons right out of his hands and snapped, hovering on him.
"You don't decide what I do, Mister."
Drishye leaned back slightly, crossing his arms with an amused smirk as he clearly enjoyed the way she was hovering over him.
"Oh yeah?"
"Oh yeah!"
She shot back firmly as she turned to the counter with a whisk in hand.
He chuckled softly, watching her determination.
"Well, Missy..." Drishye teased as he leaned closer. "You're dropping Hana to school today. You need to get ready, too!"
Chhavi paused for just a second before narrowing her eyes at him. With a confident smirk tugging at her lips, she replied.
"Oh, little boy, do not underestimate an Indian mother. She can do it all. And, in time. Now, watch me!"
Drishye let out a mock gasp and stated abruptly.
"Doesn't mean she has to do it all! Other members of the family were not on sleeping pills I'm sure."
Chhavi's hand froze mid-stir. A shadow passed over her face as she lowered her gaze to the batter in the bowl.
"None were on sleeping pills. They just chose not to help."
She admitted. Her lips quivered a little.
Drishye felt something sharp twist in his chest. He regretted the remark he made.
Before he could think twice, he stepped behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he scooped her effortlessly into his hold.
Chhavi gasped, utterly startled by his bold move as he spun her to face him. Her breath caught when their eyes met. Confusion, shock and a hint of blush were etched on her pretty face.
Time halted for some seconds.
The student had officially broken his formal code, the one he had tried very hard to maintain these last few days and had been maintaining for a decennary. The one that kept his yearning at bay.
"Next time," his voice dropped an octave. "Call me a little boy and watch me do big boy things to you."
Chhavi's mind spiraled like a pulsar, spinning faster and faster, emitting bursts of energy she couldn't contain.
A heat she hadn't felt in years crept up her neck and her thoughts scattered like marbles on a hard floor. Nobody- nobody- had ever talked to her like that. Not even her husband.
"Boy things? Not men things?" She tilted her chin defiantly. "I want a man, not a boy."
She spat without skipping a beat.
The instant the words left her lips, she screamed at herself in shock, at the filthy insinuation that laced her response. Where had that come from? When had her mouth and brain decided to betray her like this?
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as the silence stretched for another minute. Her cheeks burnt with a beetroot blush she couldn't stop from forming.
Even though he was very much amused hearing such words escape the 'oh so cultured ex- professor', Drishye didn't miss a beat.
With a teasing smirk curving his lower lips and darkened pupils, he declared.
"Careful what you're asking for, Miss Rosy," he murmured in a dangerously soft, silk- laden voice. "This Drishye is no longer that little nineteen years old boy. He's twenty-nine now. And he knows how to be a man and a boy- depending on what his Rose demands."
She couldn't stop her feet from curling with a heating sensation seeping into them. The way his gaze was gawking at her, made her feel as if an intoxicating smoke was wrapping her soul and threatening her to unleash the desires she had carefully kept sealed within her.
"All they need is one cue from you," he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "and they'll greet you on their knees."
She fell her knees tremble, her guts churn and her teeth nibble her lower lip. And oh! Her heart. It was on a marathon. It was too much for her to handle.
Before she could even analyze the coherence of his words well enough, Drishye's hand moved with a sinful slowness, reaching behind her. His fingertips deliberately grazed the bare skin just above her waistline, leaving behind feathery touches to linger on her skin.
A sharp exhale escaped her lips as goosebumps rose on her skin while an iota of pleasure settled at the tail of her spine. Her south had started feeling moist already. This is the intensity of his effect on her.
He didn't stop there.
While holding his gaze with hers, he dipped his finger into the bowl of batter, scooping just enough before raising it to his lips.
Chhavi stood frozen- partly startled, partly mesmerized by his smoldering eyes and his teasing expressions as he brought the finger to his mouth and slid it past his beautiful lips.
Slowly.
Sensuously.
Seductively.
His gaze never wavered. Neither did hers.
The way he deliberately licked the batter clean made her stomach flip. An urge to lean closer to his lips brewed within her but she refrained herself from doing so.
Blood rose to her neck, flushing it red. Her cheeks and ears were on wildfire.
For the first time in a very long time, someone had made her feel praiseworthy and not as a 'good for nothing' woman or a wife bound to fulfill her duties but as a woman deserving of attention. Deserving of affection.
And Drishye knew exactly what he was doing.
He was giving her what every woman deserves but hardly some get, everything Chhavi didn't get from her own husband.
Attention. Appreciation. A reason to feel wanted again.
And, desired.
But never, never, had she imagined it would come from him. Her student.
The one from whom she tried to run away, years ago.
Her gaze darted to his face, searching for mockery or anything that would make this easier to dismiss the brewing hope within her. But there was none. Only bold, unapologetic sincerity.
Drishye stepped back slightly, the smirk still lingering at the corner of his lips.
"You're staring, Miss Rosy."
He teased softly, breaking the tension just enough to make her cheeks flush deeper.
Chhavi turned sharply, grabbing the spatula with way too much force.
"Stop calling me that."
She mumbled while settling the pan on the stove, hoping to mask her embarrassment.
"Why not?"
He deliberately questioned in a lazy drawl tone, knowing how easily her heart could betray her.
Chhavi bit her cheek, ignoring the tremor in her hands. She quietly tried to focus on the task at hand even though, her brain kept flashing his image licking the batter clean from his fingers.
She tried hard to hide her ruffled state from him.
Drishye leaned against the counter with his arms crossed, watching her with a look that was too intense for comfort.
His tone shifted to a gentle one as he spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.
"I'm serious, ma'am. Stop letting them live rent-free in your head. You're better than this. You always were. Move forward."
Her hands stilled. The spatula trembled slightly as she placed it down.
"I don't know how to be that woman anymore. She's too lost to be found back."
She admitted quietly, turning away from the stove.
Drishye pushed off the counter and stepped closer.
Don't come closer. Please, please, please!
Closing the space between them, he gripped onto her shoulder.
God! My heart will fail!
"You don't have to find her, Miss Rosy. You just have to stop hiding her."
His words knocked the air out of her lungs. She looked up at him, startled.
A dangerous realization settled within her.
For the first time, she looked at herself from someone else's perspective. From his perspective.
Why was she hiding herself? What made her want to hide herself? Where is that Chhavi Sharma?
The thought terrified her.
"Do you realize that your lack of self-confidence was their upper hand?"
Drishye's voice pulled her back.
She nodded weakly as her throat went dry.
He didn't let her look away.
"Do you realize-"
The sudden sound of footsteps froze his words mid-air. Both of them turned their heads toward the staircase.
Aahana was making her way down, dressed up in her school uniform with her bag hugging her back and her hands holding a comb and some ribbons.
Drishye straightened, stepping back a little as if the moment hadn't existed at all while Chhavi quickly busied herself with the pan on the stove.
"Good morning, Mumma! Good morning, Iyes!"
Aahana chirped as a bright smile lighted up her face.
Both Chhavi and Drishye greeted her back, pretending as if nothing weird happened earlier.
Drishye ruffled Aahana's hair as she passed by.
"Let me comb your hair, Hana."
Aahana grinned and settled on a chair while handing her comb and ribbons to Drishye.
Chhavi glanced at Drishye, who was watching her closely again while tying the little girl's hair with a knowing smile playing on his lips. She quickly turned back to hide the silly smile that curled her lips without her permission.
Eventually, Chhavi focused on preparing the pancakes, pushing her heart-skipping thoughts aside while Drishye busied himself setting the table.
Once the three of them sat down, they had a light, fulfilling breakfast with lots of chitter- chatter which mostly took place between Drishye and Aahana while Chhavi listened to them carefully with a smile on her face.
"I loved the pancakes, Mumma."
Aahana said, swinging her feet under the chair.
Chhavi smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face.
Drishye leaned back in his chair as he sipped the last of his juice.
"I know right, Hana! I tasted the batter."
Now, that was totally unnecessary. Chhavi was very well aware of his intentions behind his words. He was also gawking at her shamelessly with a smirk.
She shot him a glare while he grinned without remorse.
She scoffed, rolling her eyes though her lips betrayed a shy smile.
After breakfast, Chhavi grabbed Aahana's school bag and guided her toward the door.
Aahana cheerfully waved at Drishye while he waved back.
As Chhavi adjusted Aahana's backpack, Drishye's voice pulled her attention.
"Come back soon, Miss Rosy. I need to show you something."
She looked up at him. Her brows furrowed slightly.
"What is it?"
He shrugged casually and replied.
"You'll see. It's important."
Chhavi gave him a skeptical look but said nothing as she ushered Aahana outside.
Drishye stood by the window, watching them disappear down the street. His expression darkened just slightly as his thoughts drifted.
Time to move forward.
He turned away as his mind raced with the measures he needed to take next.
CHHAVI'S POV
We took the path through the woods- the one closer to the school and accessible only on foot. Drishye had shown us this shortcut the day we returned after enrolling Aahana.
Rays of sunlight seeped through the canopies of the tall forest conifers, scattering golden patches onto the moist soil. The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth. The narrow path was quiet and abandoned as if Dehradun was still waking up.
I replayed everything in my mind, over and over. There's no reason I shouldn't give Drishye a chance- give 'us' a chance. But then...those texts. Those clips. Didn't everything feel a little too planned? Almost out of my control.
Me running to the airport with Aahana, desperate to escape, only to stumble across him out of nowhere. Ending up at his place, far away from the city I'd called home for over a decade. And then realizing that he still had feelings for me, feelings he hadn't even tried to hide.
Him enrolling Aahana into a school. Then, those blue flowers, the blue rose and now these blue bangles! I looked down at my wrists, scanning the shiny blues dangling around them. Who could have access to his premises hence, could break into my room, other than him?
It didn't sit right. How much of this was coincidence?
I exhaled softly, tightening my hold on Aahana's hand.
The sound of twigs snapping underfoot pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced down at Aahana. Her rosy cheeks were glowing under the morning sun filtering through the trees.
"Mumma, why are you quiet?"
She asked looking up at me.
I smiled quickly, shaking my head and pushing my worries down where they couldn't be seen.
We walked in silence for a while after that. The path was lined with overgrown bushes and wildflowers struggling to bloom.
My phone buzzed in my palm and it didn't even take me a thought to realize who's it.
Unknown: Mademoiselle, beware of the wolves. They don't give a second chance.
I deserve a second chance, Miss Rosy.
Second chance...
Drishye's words crept my thoughts.
A chill ran through me suddenly and I looked over my shoulder instinctively. Empty. Just the woods stretching endlessly behind us. But the feeling of being watched lingered like a stain on my skin.
Me: I'm more interested in the wolf who's pretending to be the shepherd.
The message sent but my veins felt like they were frosting. An icy current coursed through me that no warmth could thaw.
My eyes scanned the woods. Neither there were wolves nor the silhouette of the one I was looking for. Only the rustling of the wind and the dancing of leaves captured my sight.
I shook my head, trying to push the paranoia away.
I felt difficult breathing.
"Everything okay, Mumma?"
Aahana's voice broke through my thoughts. I looked at her curious eyes peering up at me.
I forced a smile though my insides twisted.
"Of course, sweetheart. Let's walk fast. We might reach late otherwise."
I tightened my grip on Aahana's tiny fingers and fastened my steps. My heart pounded in my chest, louder than the muffled sounds of her shoes crunching on the damp earth. It was getting difficult for my child to walk but at present, nothing else mattered to me other than her reaching her school safely.
A corner of my heart knew he would never kill us but what I didn't know is why is he doing this?
I didn't dare to look at the screen of my phone, afraid that his message would pop as soon as my eyes landed on it.
I felt my head spinning.
I felt my phone buzz again. My heart lurched, dread pooling in my stomach. I hesitated but my thumb hovered over the screen before my brain could decide.
Drishye: Hi, ma'am. Please, take the main street while you return. I'll be waiting at the second turning.
I chuckled. The lack of certainty of who the hell was after me was ripping my brain.
Somehow I dropped my daughter at her school with the load of thoughts crushing my brain and walked towards the main street. It took me hardly five minutes to reach where his jeep was parked with him standing beside it.
He was dressed in an effortlessly casual winter collection- a black turtleneck sweater hugging his lean frame, paired with a dark woolen overcoat that fell just below his knees. The sleeves were pushed up slightly, revealing the prominent trace of veins under some light strands of hair along his forearms which disappeared into the dark gloves warming his fingers. His tailored grey trousers complemented the polished leather boots that crunched against the frost-bitten ground. A thick charcoal scarf loosely draped around his neck completed the look. He was looking incredibly handsome in those warm drapes. His edgy jawline adorned with a light stubble of brownish- black beard paired with blood red lips and smoky grey eyes made him look like an English prince.
I walked towards him. He was walking towards me with a warm smile etched on his face.
Upon reaching me, he undid his scarf and wrapped it around the frame of my neck.
I blinked up at him, stunned. His expressions were nothing but nonchalant. As if he was always meant to take care of me.
The scarf smelled faintly of him- of cedarwood and of warmth providing a strange comfort to my uneasy heart.
He stepped back slightly, his hands brushing my shoulders before falling into his coat pockets.
I tightened the scarf instinctively around my neck, clearing my throat to dismiss my perplexity.
"Come."
I followed him without protest while he walked ahead while I trailed behind him. Our boots crunching against the frost-kissed ground was the only shared sound between us.
He walked ahead and stopped by the passenger side of the jeep. Curling his fingers around the knob, he pulled open the door and turned towards me.
"After you, Miss Rosy."
I slipped into the seat, sliding pass his huge frame. I felt so small in front of him even though I used to be the one who taught him at college.
Before shutting the door, he paused, scanning my face with his silver eyes. I pretended to fix the overcoat I was wearing just to avoid his eyes that miss no chance to ignite a wildfire within me.
As he rounded the front of the jeep, I watched him in the reflection of the windshield. He was a man women die for- soft, gentlemanly, kind, well- mannered. I don't know what is stopping me now, when even the formal code doesn't exist between us.
When he slid into the driver's seat, he cast me one last glance and hovered over me. I shook a little on my seat, visibly startled by his move. He reached for the seatbelt, pulling it down my body and tugging it by my side.
"Where are we going?"
I asked, looking at him while he started the engine.
Looking straight ahead, he replied.
"Home."
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