CHHAVI'S POV
"Home."
Drishye has never hesitated to show his will to make me his. He has been like this since college- unapologetically affectionate towards me. And now, after all these years, nothing about it has changed. If anything, it's only intensified.
The first time I saw him again, ten years later, on that chaotic day at the airport...I was struck by how much was the same. His eyes held the same adoration they always had, their silvery pupils sparkling like tiny pearls.
As much as I didn't want to come to his home, deep down, I knew why I had resisted. I knew that stepping back here would take me to the point I had fought so hard to escape from a decade ago, by the skin of my teeth. And, a part of me knew the truth I was too scared to admit- if I ever stepped back into his world, succumb to my dormant desires, there would be no turning back.
And now, here I am, standing on the precipice of my undoing.
In these past few days, my heart and body have betrayed every shred of restraint I thought I had. The sound of his deep and smooth voice, the intensity laced in his words and his touch...
Even the slightest brush of his fingers against mine sets my skin ablaze. And oh! That feeling...
It's terrifying and intoxicating all at once.
Drishye makes me feel like a woman. Not a machine. I feel very feminine when I'm around him. My heart flutters and my nerves burn. Even though I want to run away from the feeling but it makes me want to feel it all the time.
Suddenly, I heard the tires of the jeep screech. My body jerked forward but the seat belt came to my rescue.
I looked around and realized we were in the middle of the bustling main market street.
"Please wait here for a moment, Madam."
He said as he unfastened his seatbelt.
Before I could ask what he was up to, he stepped out of the jeep and walked towards a woman selling flowers. I watched him through the windshield. He was talking to a lady with his hands tucked casually into his pockets. She seemed to be in her early thirties, probably the same age as me but more beautiful.
The lines of his face screamed tension, so did the woman's. I could understand very well that they're discussing about something serious, not flowers, atleast.
For a fraction of second, I thought I caught her stealing a glance in my direction but it was so quick that I felt I might have imagined it. She returned her focus to him as if nothing had happened.
Curiosity was itching my skin and my heart was scratching the ground to make a run in no time.
Suddenly, she nodded her head and stomped into the tent behind the roofless shop. And within some seconds, she emerged out of the tent, carrying a large bouquet of delicate white and red roses. Roses!
I watched her hand the huge bouquet to him but my eyes didn't fail to catch a glimpse of a note tucked neatly under the cellophane wrap.
Drishye nodded at her and she nodded back. Both of them were expressionless, not letting me take any hints of this meeting. They didn't seem to talk like some random shopkeeper and customer.
He turned on his heel and marched back toward the jeep.
Before I could gather my thoughts, he yanked the door open and climbed in. The scent of fresh flowers flooded my nostrils.
"This is for you, Miss Rosy."
He said, handing me the bouquet.
"Thanks..."
I murmured, admiring the bunch of flowers while running my fingers through the crinkle of the wrap. As I turned the bouquet over, I realised that the note attached to it earlier was gone.
But I didn't ask. Maybe I didn't want to hear an answer. Rather I asked about the flowers.
"Why'd a man housing a huge garden at home buy flowers?"
I asked in a teasing manner.
Drishye chuckled, leaning back in his seat as he placed his hands on the steering wheel.
"Wo baat jara aisi hai ki Gulaab ko nahi pata ki wo gulaab hain. To unko ye ahsaas ek guldasta deke karwana padta hai."
(The thing is, Rose doesn't know she's a rose. You have to make her realize it by gifting her a bouquet of rose.)
I was completely baffled. I just hated how he had this uncanny ability to turn the tables. He always had a way with words that left me speechless, flustered and completely off guard.
My cheeks were burning like hot coal.
"You've become such a flirt, haven't you? I never knew you could change so much."
I shot back, trying to regain some semblance of control over the conversation.
"Abhi aapne jana hi kitna hai mujhe, madam ji?"
(How much have you even gotten to know me, madam?)
He replied with a smirk, ending the sentence with a wink.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at my lips.
He chuckled and for some inexplicable reason, I couldn't help but chuckle too. The next moment, we were both laughing loudly.
When I could not take it any longer, I leaned back, clutching the bouquet a little tighter.
I glanced at him and he was already looking at me with a wide smile and sparkly eyes- those affectionate ones I was thinking about minutes ago. I smiled back genuinely without bothering to hide it.
He shifted his gaze to the road ahead and so did I. I brushed my hair behind my ear, hearing him roar the engine to life. I stole quick glances at him from the corner of my eye.
Drishye's an enigma. He never lets me comprehend what truly run through his mind. Every expression, every shift of muscle on his face, all of it seems deliberately calculated and chosen.
I see what he chooses to show me. He never hides his affection for me and I always find them lingering in his smoky pupils, absolutely unhidden. But those smoke laden eyes are not entirely about affection and love. They're a mystery. They're always trying to keep me away from something.
I turned to him and asked.
"I thought you'd get me blue roses."
I literally cannot acknowledge what came in my mind when I spit this out.
"What if you had thrown them away, again?"
I visibly trembled. I didn't need any reminder of that fateful day.
He noticed my reaction and chuckled softly, returning his gaze to the road.
"You freaked out seeing the blue flowers in my garden that day," he said. "So, I didn't take any chances with the flowers from there. I wanted to gift you flowers, so I bought them for you."
"Acha..."
I murmured, unsure how to respond.
"What 'acha?'"
He teased, pulling me out of my symphony.
"What 'what acha?'"
I retorted.
And then, without warning, he leaned toward me.
The sudden proximity made my back hit the door of the jeep in reflex. My breath hitched as his face hovered dangerously close to mine. The ardent in his eyes locked me at my place. My eyelashes were too scared to even blink.
"Batai kya 'acha?'"
(Shall I say what is 'acha?')
I was staring at him tongue- tied, mind- blanked under his piercing stare. My body froze as a rush of electricity shot through me, leaving me acutely aware of every hair on my lower back.
He had his one hand on the wheel, steering it continuously. The jeep swerved slightly. I panicked internally, worried we might hit a tree or a truck but not a single word escaped my lips.
He was gawking at me, relentlessly.
And then, just as suddenly, he chuckled and straightened up, leaving me gasping for air.
"It's fun to fool around with you, ma'am."
"Yeah, of course! You're not exactly a gentleman with manners."
I snapped, rolling my eyes and heaving a sigh.
"Oh, Missy," he drawled, a sly grin curving his lips. "You've no idea how manner less I can really be."
"Very manner less I'm sure! Like a bad man!"
I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Call me filthy, ma'am. Filthy"
His tone was dripping with mischief.
"Yes, filthy you're!"
I huffed.
"Nasty I'm."
He added with a wink, clearly enjoying my flustered state.
"Yes! Nasty too!"
I exclaimed, faking anger, though I was certain my cheeks were betraying me with a crimson flush.
"Yes!"
He echoed with exaggerated enthusiasm, his grin widening as if he'd just won some playful argument.
He almost hopped in his seat. I could see him all excited. His silver eyes gleamed, shimmering like the moonlit waves of an enthusiastic ocean.
"God! What're you!?"
I laughed out loud.
Our conversation didn't have any point but it was fun.
The car became quiet for a moment, accommodating the hum of the engine but my heart refused to slow down. It wasn't fair how easily he could make me feel like this- all smileys and butterflies.
I hated it.
But, oh, how I secretly loved it.
"I like you, Drishye."
The words slipped out, suddenly and unplanned yet strangely steady. My heart resumed its zumba routine, pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it amidst the motion of the jeep and rustling of the wind.
I saw his hands tighten on the wheel, his knuckles turning slightly pale. The muscles in his jaw tensed. But he didn't utter a word.
The street was mostly empty, so was the space between us. He kept his eyes fixed on the road. I kept anticipating his reaction but none came from him. My own mind was racing, wondering if I'd made the biggest mistake of my life or it was too much for him to take.
I felt a lump rise in my throat as the seconds dragged on.
"Drishye..." I started hesitantly. "I know you didn't expect this. Not like this. Not so soon...ten years later is not soon either but yeah...I do like you. And it's not simple. I mean...I just came out of a bad marriage- well, not entirely. It's not over yet. The end is still uncertain and I don't even know how it'll end." I paused, fumbling with my thoughts. "But I do keep feeling things. And about you...Am I giving you hopes? I am. But I need more time to figure myself out. I...I..."
He cut me off.
"You like me as a man?"
"Yeah..." I murmured, my cheeks burning. "Yeah, as a man."
"Like, as a woman to a man?"
He clarified, gearing up.
"Yes," I admitted, barely above a whisper. "As a woman to a man."
"That's it," he said, his lips curving into a soft smile. "You don't need to explain any further."
"Yeah, but legally, I'm still married." I blurted out in a trembling voice. "And I don't think I can... do things with you. I mean...I...I..." I stopped, realizing what the hell I was speaking. "Wait! I'm making it weird, aren't I?"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Listen to me, Rosy. I know you're not divorced yet. And I promise, I won't do anything that feels wrong to you or something you're not ready for. Nothing beyond your comfort zone."
"Okay..."
I whispered, relief washing over me. Yet, the heat on my cheeks were not gone.
"Yeah." He continued in a steady and warm voice. "I know it's not easy for you to move on from one person to another. Of course, you're not playing some game of passing the ball. You giving me a chance again, after everything, was my biggest prize. And now, acknowledging your feelings for me? That's just the cherry on top."
The sincerity behind his words made my chest tighten, tugging at something deep within me.
"Take as much time as you need, Miss Rosy." He said, his gaze soft but firm. "This man has waited for you for ten years. Then why not a little more time?"
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I stared at him. My chest swelled with a feeling I couldn't quite name. I just knew it made me happy and sad at the same time.
The rest of the ride was silent but peaceful. For once, I didn't feel all over the place and it was nice.
When we arrived at his country house, I straightened up as the jeep rolled to a stop in front of it.
Before I could even undo my seatbelt, he plunged out of the car, racing to my side. He opened the door with an energy that was almost childlike.
"Welcome home, once again."
He said, a wide smile lighting up his face. His cheeks were flushed red and in that moment, he looked impossibly cute.
I bit my lip, suppressing a grin and placed my hand on his.
"Your home is pretty, Drishye."
"It wasn't until you and Hana graced it."
He really had a way with words and I couldn't help but shake my head at his effortless charm.
He guided me inside through the front door.
As we stood in the center of the house, he turned to me. Looking at me with a serious expression, he announced.
"Miss Rosy, I have something to show you."
"What is it about?"
I asked, intrigued by the sudden shift in his tone.
"Come with me."
He said simply, gesturing his hand for me to follow.
He led me to the left wing of the dining area. We walked down a quiet corridor, sunlight streaming in through the French windows, bathing the house in a soft, golden glow.
He stopped in front of a large teak door, taking a deep breathe before unlocking it.
"This is my room."
He said, flicking on the lights.
The brightness of the yellow bulbs made me squint for a few seconds. As my eyes adjusted, I took in the space. It was large, similar in structure to the room Hana and I shared but it was barren.
Just a plain wooden bed stood in the center, covered with a thin, worn sheet. No mattress, no pillows, no decorations, nothing that made it feel like someone truly lived here.
While I was observing the room, Drishye moved to the center of the space and went down on his knees. He grabbed the sprawled rug across the wooden floor and began to roll it up.
I was about to ask him what he was doing when I saw a rectangular carving etched into the floorboards.
My brows furrowed in surprise.
"What's that?"
He glanced up at me with a faint smirk as though he'd been anticipating my reaction.
"Something I've been waiting to show you."
He reached down and pressed his fingers against a small knob embedded in the carving. With a firm pull, the knob came loose and the rectangular panel jerked open with a sharp creak, revealing a wooden ladder disappearing beneath the hidden compartment.
I gasped, taking a step closer.
"Drishye, what is this?"
"My safe space."
He whispered softly, extending his palm toward me.
I stared at him, my heart pounding. Safe space?!
"Don't worry. You'll be safe. I'm with you."
He added, tenderly.
As he stepped onto a ladder that descended into the compartment, the old wood creaked under his weight.
I hesitated, glancing between him and the dark opening below.
He looked up at me while standing three- four steps down the ladder.
"Come."
He said softly, guiding me down the ladder.
Taking a deep breath, I slipped my hand into his outstretched one. He gripped me tight and I dipped a leg into the open space beneath.
He climbed down further, still holding onto my hand. I stepped onto the first rung of the ladder and the wood groaned under my weight. It made me flinch and tremble but I didn't trip due to his hold on me.
But before I could take the next step, I gasped as I felt his strong hands wrap around my waist, lifting me effortlessly into the air.
My feet dangled as he pulled me down, and for a moment, I felt weightless- like I was flying. My heart raced, my cheeks burning with a blush like a teen. It felt ridiculous how easily he could fluster me every now and then. Yes, I admit that I no longer have that superiority over him like I did years ago.
"I got you."
He murmured as he gently landed me on the cold floor below.
The basement was colder, the chill wrapping around me like a sudden breeze. The dim light from above barely reached us, and the space was cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of neon lights bordering the ceiling. The soft hum of electricity buzzed faintly in the background and the frosty, earthy smell terrified me to the core.
I turned to him, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.
He stepped closer, appearing like a shadowy figure in the neon haze.
"Come with me."
He led me deeper into the basement and I followed him hesitantly. My mind was spinning with questions.
As we ventured further into the dimly lit space, my eyes landed on a massive console glowing faintly under the neon lights.
My heart raced and a bead of sweat slid down my temple.
What on earth does he have to show me?
Drishye marched to the console swiftly and tapped in a passcode. The console blinked and suddenly, more neon lights flickered to life. Symbols, diagrams and lines of text began to float in the air, forming a seamless holographic interface.
"Welcome, Drishye."
A mechanical voice announced, flinching the life out of me.
I froze, staring at the holographs swirling around us.
"What... what is this?"
I stammered, glancing at him.
He was glaring at the whitish-blue lights, illuminating his face. He didn't blink. Instead, his fingers hovered over the holographic interface.
Finally, after some minutes, he said in a low and commanding voice.
"This is your truth."
I frowned, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of his cryptic words.
"What truth?"
I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
Without a word, he moved his fingers effortlessly across the holographic screen. Tabs and links kept shifting in response to his touch. The display changed rapidly, almost too fast for me to follow, until he paused at a page.
I leaned in and my breath hitched in my throat.
It was my picture. From ten years back. I looked much younger and prettier.
"Wh-What is this?"
I stammered as my gaze flickered between him and the glowing screen.
"It's the folder under your name."
He replied, tapping the screen again, causing a cascade of numerous files to open up. My name was written everywhere with bulletins of my previous career, place of birth, identity proofs and a lot more
The first was a scanned document of my degree or at least what was left of it. The watermark had been tampered with and the signature- it was not mine.
"Why- why does it not have my sign?"
I asked. It was getting difficult for me to breathe.
"He destroyed your records, Miss Rosy." Drishye began, in a voice restrained with anger. "Your degrees, your teaching certifications, your professional profiles...Everything that tied you to your career, to your identity was meticulously erased over the years."
Countless email evidences flooded the screen- ones sent to universities and boards of accreditation, all under my husband's name- the great Vinesh Joshi, to ruin me.
I staggered back. It was too much for me to take. My hands instinctively went to my chest as I struggled to breathe.
"But why?" I whispered, tears pooling in my eyes. "Why would he do this?"
Drishye turned to wards me, with his hands in his pocket.
"To make you dependent on him." He said bluntly. "To ensure that you'd never leave because without those papers, without that identity, you are-"
"A nobody."
I finished, my voice breaking.
He nodded. I saw his jaw tighten.
"He wanted to keep you in his cage, forever and make you dance on his fingers."
He said. I could feel the anger behind his voice.
"His main purpose was to snatch the property, especially the company your father left under your name and make you his slave."
Tears spilled over as I stared at the screen.
My achievements, my reputation, my entire life before that man- all of it reduced to fragments, scattered and irretrievable.
Drishye stepped closer, his hands gently resting on my shoulders in a bid to steady me, to soothe me.
He said in a a softened voice.
"But you're not his slave. You're not a nobody. You're you. And if he thought he could erase you, he underestimated just how strong you are."
I looked up at him. My vision was blurry. My heart felt heavy and in pain.
"We've to retrieve you and show him exactly what and who he was playing with."
He encouraged but I didn't yet recover from the shock.
"How is that possible?" I exclaimed in a trembling voice. "We decided I would restart as a professor but...everything is ruined!"
Drishye sighed. I felt the palm of his hand rubbing my back to comfort me.
"I've been trying to retrieve everything for a long time."
He admitted.
"Oh!" I narrowed my eyes. "Since when?"
He hesitantly shifted his gaze to the glowing console in front of him.
"Pretty long, Miss Rosy. Pretty long."
He said evasively, avoiding my eyes.
He exhaled heavily, finally meeting my gaze.
"Alright. First, we still need proper legal backing to restore everything completely. I'll be leaving for Delhi tomorrow to finalize the legalizations and track down the remaining records."
"Okay..."
"I've arranged for someone to stay here with you both while I'm gone." He explained. "Her name is Noor. She is an expert cook and care- taker. Most importantly, she'll be with you and Ahana at all times. No compromise in this."
"We'll be fine here. I can take care of us."
I protested.
He shook his head firmly.
"No. You'll do as I say."
I blinked, startled by his sudden command.
"Miss Rosy." He interrupted gently but firmly. "This is non-negotiable. You and Ahana's safety come first."
Reluctantly, I nodded, still uneasy.
"Alright." I murmured. "But I don't like the idea of being watched over."
He smiled faintly, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"Try getting used to it."
I sighed and he stepped away to wrap up.
While he was arranging the files back into the folder, I wandered into the space with my aching heart.
What more do I have to learn about myself? About the monster I was living with?!
I looked around the room, aimlessly. The dim neon illumination gave an eerie vibe.
"Since when have you had this basement set up?"
I asked casually, rubbing my eyes.
"Long enough."
He said cryptically, dodging the question yet again.
I rolled my eyes but didn't push further. Instead, I let my curiosity lead me as I peered around, taking in as much as the limited brightness let me.
The sleek consoles, the tangled cables and the hum of the equipments made me feel very far off from the real world.
How long has he been having this set- up underneath? What else does he do here?
And then, something caught my attention.
In the far corner of the basement, tucked away beside a worn-out box, I noticed a faint glimmer.
I stepped closer to take a more pronounced look at it. It was a circular carving with intricate patterns in reds and golds and had a mettalic shine. My fingers itched to touch it.
But just as I bent down to take a closer look, the lights flickered and went out, once again welcoming the darkness.
"Let's go back."
Drishye announced.
Reluctantly, I let him lead me back toward the ladder while the mysterious object still lingered at the back of my mind.
⋆｡°✩₊ °✦ ‧ ‧ ₊ ˚✧₊ °✦