~•} C H A P T E R|18 {•~
Just a centimeter.
Just a centimeter away his fist halted and he pulled his hand back to see her.
Whereas she was breathing heavily with her eyes closed shut in fear, prepared for the hit which never came.
Not feeling any pain, her forehead creased as she slowly fluttered her eyes open.
Her eyes connected with his, and he stepped back maintaining some distance and not looking into her eyes anymore.
Her lungs constricted painfully as again that unsettling feeling germinated inside her.
The chat message her father sent in the evening swirled in her mind.
'Everything will be fine. Don't worry he won't leave you.'
Inhaling a sharp breath she balled her fists to muster the courage to execute what she thought.
It was no lie that her parents wouldn't help her in this case or if she wanted to separate.
So he was her only hope.
She knew he was hurting from inside due to the false allegations of forcing himself upon that girl when whatever they did must be consensual.
Even when he cheated on her, he had become a victim of false accusation himself and that was wrong.
And it was true that he was deeply regretting his earlier actions of performing adultery.
Regret was almost visible on his face!
But the thing was, what was done was done. They should look forward to what was to happen and what should be happened.
They needed to converse like adults rather than wasting her and his time in these guilty games.
He was already regretting and guilty so she didn't want to increase his guilt anymore.
A mutual separation would be enough. She would be fine with that because he didn't keep her in dark that he loved her and then cheated on her. Yes, cheating hurt but due to love not being involved it wasn't that painful and the suffocating feeling would go as soon as they separated, she was sure!
Also, she wasn't a superwoman who had the power and energy to fight against him in court alone without the support of her family. She didn't have the energy to bear the hate from his fans. She didn't have the energy to go through the dirty allegations and mind games lawyers tend to play.
She was just a normal woman who didn't have the will and energy to go through all that and destroy her mental health...
She was being selfless, selfish, and smart at the same time.
Selfless to not punish him that severely and check on him even when he cheated on her. Selfish enough to use his regret in right place and to divorce and be free from all this mess as quick as she could.
And a mutual divorce would take a year or two but a non-mutual divorce would take years!
Also, she knew that a non-mutual divorce with him, a Rathore who had all the connections wouldn't be a cup of tea especially when her parents wouldn't support her too.
So she needed to talk and make him agree to separate with mutual consent. He could regret the much he want afterward she could care less because it wouldn't change what had happened, that he cheated on her.
She knew that his mind was havoc just as hers.
Right now he was very sensitive and that look in his eyes she earlier saw proved it. She needed to deal with this with utmost patience and maturity or else it wouldn't take a second for their conversation to turn into a big argument.
An argument that would lead to her loss.
Closing her eyes for a second, she slightly turned so she was looking directly towards him and mumbled, "Aakarsh.", her voice low and restrained.
His eyes darted towards her.
His eyes...
The darkest shade of brown which was almost black... the same shade which earlier took her breath away.
But today, those eyes were making her breath hitch. There was something in them...
Something which she didn't know how to identify.
She wasn't an eye-reader after all.
But whatever it was, it made that suffocating feeling inside her increase.
Regret trapped her as she think about how she was going to manipulate him.
She felt guilty.
This wasn't a person she ever wanted to be. A manipulative person.
Perhaps, time and circumstances tend to change a person into something they didn't ever want to be.
She always was a naturally kind and generous person, inheriting her personality from her mother.
Yet, she was strong-willed to fight and protect the person she loved the most in the world, her sister. It was an instinct for her to take the blame for the things Naina did since childhood to save her from their father's wrath even when she was the younger one. She knew how sensitive Naina was just like their mother and even a single harsh word tends to hurt Naina deeply.
And their mother's death affected Naina way too deeply than her. Naina was more connected with their mother than she was.
She didn't want to admit but somewhere she knew that she was deprived of parental love and care. Naina being the first and more sensitive child was always more connected with their mother. And even if their father didn't admit it, he had that ounce of love and affection for Naina and her half-brother Dhruv unlike her.
Though she preferred it this way, she wasn't able to look at their father the same way she used to in her childhood after that incident.
The incident when her mother committed suicide and she knew that her father was the reason for it.
That man cheated on her mother with the same woman she now called mom.
And the audacity of that man was that he didn't even try to hide his contentment when her mother died.
In front of the world, he grieved for a year before marrying again but she knew that it took him only four days to bring their mom in the house and dared to introduce her as a mom to a child who just lost her mother four days ago.
It was the same reason she was grateful to God that Naina didn't end with someone like Aakarsh.
Naina ended up marrying Aadarsh, who might not be the perfect person but was the most sensible man in the whole household.
There was always a fear inside her that what if Naina too followed her mother's footsteps if something hurt her deeply in the future.
That was the exact reason, she didn't tell Naina that it was their father who was responsible for their mother's demise.
Also, she didn't want to take away the only parent of Naina and make her an orphan like her.
A deep sigh escaped her lips as her shoulders drooped.
Why always me, God?
She thought, her attention once again shifting towards the man whose burning gaze she was able to feel on herself.
His once sweat glistening body now dried with a towel which hung around his neck as he intently looked towards her to continue.
"Aakarsh... I know... you didn't force or harassed someone... She is framing you on this..." She started, her voice controlled and tone soft, not wanting to say something which would anger him further. After all, she needed his consent in court.
She saw his breathing turn sharp and tension in his neck chords became evident. His jaw clenched sharpening his jawline even further as he spoke out enraged, "I don't want to talk about this, Raina. Stay out of this matter."
She did notice the way his fists clenched as he tried to control himself from lashing out at her like he did many times in the past.
This should have made her feel better but it didn't. It was the bare minimum he could do after he cheated on her and she didn't go gaga at this bare minimum.
Something in her got irked. The pent-up anger, frustration, and hurt surfaced at his rude remark and behavior.
He cheated on her.
He was the one who indulged himself in adultery.
He was the reason, he had to face all this now.
Yet,
He was throwing tantrums!
He was losing his calm!
No!
She should be the one throwing tantrums, losing her calm, and throwing rude remarks but here she was being sensible, trying to initiate a conversation and come to a decision.
But no, he had to get short-tempered.
Enough!
She had enough of all this.
Not anymore she could be the sensible one.
If he wanted to argue.
He wouldn't be the only one.
He cheated yet he dared to yell. She thought, rage blurring her senses as well.
"Don't show me this attitude, Aakarsh when it was you, who cheated. You were the one who should be ashamed yet you are yelling out loud proudly like you didn't just perform adultery in front of the whole world!" She hissed glaring at him.
He flinched visibly as something in his attitude changed, as he breathed in deeply looking down. His shoulders slumped as he stepped back looking hurt for the first time in front of her.
His deep eyes bored right into her blazing ones as his lips parted ever so slightly and he murmured,
"I didn't cheat. I didn't."
His tone lacing with desperation and a plea.
A plea to believe him.
Her heart thudded loudly in her ribcage hearing those three words which she didn't expect.
A hope.
Hope was all she needed to stop that suffocating feeling inside her.
A hope that she didn't get since the last day and wasn't even hoping to get.
A hope that he most probably didn't cheat on her.
But the sane part of her mind was yelling that he might be doing this to get her support and get out of the situation he stuck himself in.
But still, now there were chances,
Chances that he didn't cheat.
Even if they were low.
Her heart was ready to embrace them and weave the many dreams.
Which might be false or come out as true.
But she needed an explanation. An explanation that would shush off the sane part of her mind.
An explanation that would satisfy her heart.
As not everything could be seen through eyes nor everything could be assured by the tone of his voice.
She was a human who couldn't read minds or eyes.
So she needed a fucking explanation that why did he come to the hotel room especially looking like that!?
Her eyes darted towards the place she saw him seconds ago, only to find it empty.
Her eyes widen as she saw him leaving the place, her eyes focused on his retreating back.
She wanted to yell,
Scream for him to come back and explain but her throat felt clogged... with many emotions, she felt in a single hour.
She exhaled deeply closing her eyes while leaning on the wall.
Maybe...
Maybe they both needed time to prepare for the explanation that was coming up.
The explanation which would decide their future...
Together even as land-lord and tenant or separated like husband-wife.
Because still, she wasn't sure.
Wasn't sure about what exactly the definition of cheating was for him.
Maybe it was the sexual intercourse for him and not the kissing.
But for her, even if he thought of the other girl in that way and they went inside the room but didn't exactly do that...
It was still over.
Their relationship would be over then.
From her side.
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Ishani paced back and forth inside the hall as they waited for the private jet to come and fetch them.
Whereas Vardhaan was sitting on the couch, his index finger touching his forehead as he thought about something deeply and with a lot of concentration.
For the first time, she saw him being completely serious.
The playful demeanor of Vardhaan Rathore vanished the moment Bhavna Rathore called and asked them to come back as soon as possible!
Well, the reason was what surprised her.
The moment they switched on the television they were greeted with many news regarding Aakarsh.
And none in his favor.
It took her a few moments to realize that maybe all brothers were the same.
But still, cheating was not something acceptable even if someone was not happy with the marriage.
Why couldn't people control themselves till the marriage dissolves?
Why taint the sacred bond!?
But yes, some did.
Just like his brother and she could feel the disgust germinating inside her as she thought more.
Not able to control herself anymore, she taunted, "Your brother is the same as you!"
"Will you just shut your fucking mouth for some time woman! Don't get involved in my family matters for fun." He harshly told shushing her off who sulked in a corner not in a mood to fight now when he looked almost murderous.
Who knew, he might even kill her in anger so it was better to sit quietly, right?
Ishani scoffed as she saw her mother's message on her mobile phone.
'Be with your family and try to support them as much you can in this time of misery. Pandit Ji told that you should fast every Monday and all this will end soon.'
She read the message in her mind as her lips twisted in a bitter smile.
Time of misery.
She chuckled bitterly as she read it again. How was this time of misery when the great Rathore himself brought this upon herself?
And fast?
Why would she do it for the wrong person and why would god listen to her prayer for the wrong person.
Yes, she would fast if that was what keeps her mother sane but not for the person. For the justice that should be served despite the family name and reputation...
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Ruhanika sighed looking at the empty side of the bed.
Her husband who was being civil with her nowadays wasn't here and was sitting at the desk inside the room.
For sure, this was stressing him.
Stressing him way too much as he as the eldest brother failed to keep his younger one on the right path.
Well, this was something which even she didn't expect even if Aakarsh was never too good with her.
But again, who was she to comment on a human whose mind is insane.
Nobody could guess what a human could do and what potential of good or bad things to do he had.
The same was the case with Aakarsh.
But never once she thinks he could steep low to this extent.
She sighed rubbing her tired eyes and called, "Yuvraj Ji,"
"What I am expected to do right now, Ruhanika? Should I just sit here and do nothing or should I save my brother?"
She was taken aback by his question or more precise questions. Never did she expect him to ask her all that but once again... human nature couldn't be guessed.
"I don't know..." She answered truthfully looking in his direction as he ran his hand through his hair for the umpteenth time.
A habit he had when he was stressed.
"I should save my brother and the family reputation." He stated.
Her shoulders slumped as she sighed not knowing if she liked what he said or not.
"But at the same time, I shouldn't do injustice to the poor soul who is suffering because of my brother's deed." He continued.
She could feel the sheer wrath in his tone as he spat out each word.
For the first time, she felt...
That he wasn't as heartless he showed he was.
He might not be the best person in front of her and the world but she knew he loved his family.
And if he was ready to keep Raina over his brother because of what Aakarsh did.
She knew maybe...
She was with the right person.
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Aadarsh's ear perked up as he heard the door of their bedroom open again.
A hesitant-looking Naina entered inside.
He was currently laying on the bed closing his eyes, in other words, he might look asleep to her.
He felt her climb the bed slowly as she laid down beside him, careful enough to keep the distance between them.
He frowned not understanding her.
It was so unusual of her behavior.
But then it made sense, he told her to stay away.
But now he wasn't liking it.
Though he appreciated her efforts of understanding him and giving him the needed space.
Or else he might have lashed out at her which he didn't want but at that time the situation wasn't under his control.
His twin dared to cheat!
The brother he was closest to!
How dare he!
That moron dared to cheat and make eye contact with him.
That cheating bastard!
He came out of his thoughts when he felt a kiss on his cheek.
A light brush of her lips before she lay down on her side maintained the difference between them.
He fought back the smile which was threatening to curve at his lips as he turned and spread out his arms still closing his eyes.
Acting like he was sleeping.
It didn't take her a second before sliding towards him and wrapping her arms around him.
Slowly he completely turned towards her while snaking his arms around her too he smiled when she tucked her head just below his chin.
Finally, he felt satisfied and calmed after the stressful day...
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Raina anxiously fiddled with her fingers while constantly looking at the wall clock which indicated 11:30 pm.
She had finally made up her mind to listen to the explanation he owed to her but unfortunately, he wasn't here.
He didn't return after that.
She knew he didn't go out due to the circumstances.
But then the question was where he was?
She had already looked for him in the garden and other guest rooms but he wasn't there.
Suddenly something popped in her mind and she stood up.
Indoor pool!
Yes, he might be there.
She hurried towards the indoor pool and there he was!
With his naked back turned towards her and feet inside the water.
Slowly she approached him and hesitantly kept a hand on his shoulder.
He flinched not expecting and getting started.
His gaze turned towards her as he stood up.
"Aakarsh, I need an explanation." She voiced out coming straight to the point.
But unlike the reaction she was expecting, she felt him nod his head with a relieved look on his face.
She expected him to get angry or argue but here he was all ready to explain.
Not to say that the look on his face he didn't expect her to be here.
Not at all!
She felt him point towards the couch as they sat down on the couch together.
He gulped before exhaling deeply as his lips parted...
~~~~~~
Write a comment ...