At 12:30 p.m. ~
Vikrant sat in his office, reviewing some files when a knock echoed at the door. It was his assistant.
“Sir, all the work has been completed,” Arun said.
“Hmm... Great,” Vikrant replied, not looking up from his papers.
Arun hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Sir, may I take the afternoon off?”
Vikrant looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, you can. But is everything alright? You don’t usually take time off without a reason.”
(Arun, loyal and dependable, had been working with Vikrant for years. His advice had proven invaluable to the company, and they shared a solid bond.)
“That’s not it, Sir,” Arun said, shaking his head.
Vikrant leaned back in his chair, his interest piqued.
“Then what’s going on?”
Arun paused, still a bit hesitant, before explaining, “Well, my girlfriend has been asking me to take her shopping, but I’ve been too busy. Now that I’ve finished my work for the day, I was thinking of taking her.”
Vikrant’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke coldly, “Alright, you may leave now.”
Arun bowed slightly, grateful. “Thank you, Sir.”
Vikrant got up from his revolving chair, the soft squeak of the leather breaking the silence. His office was simple yet modern, large desk, a few scattered papers, and a couple of awards hanging on the walls.
The polished wood floor reflected the soft light streaming in from the city outside. He walked over to the window, which took up most of the wall. From here, he could see the busy city below, but from this height, it felt peaceful.
The bright afternoon sun bounced off the buildings, casting sharp, clear plight across the streets.
Vikrant stood there quietly, his presence calm yet strong, blending into the stillness of the room. Like the city outside, he was always moving forward, but never in a rush.
After a moment, he turned back to his desk and sat down. He picked up a set of watch designs from the table, ones drawn by his wife. He lingered on them for a moment before placing them back on the table. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back slightly and spun his chair with the light push of his feet.
Then, his gaze shifted to his watch.
“Hmm... The flight is at 4 p.m. I still have some time,” he muttered to himself. Standing up, he walked towards the door, his steps steady. He sat in his car and ordered,
“Drive me home,” he said, his voice firm and decisive.
The driver acknowledged with a nod and began driving toward his parents’ villa.
He reached…
Vikrant entered the villa, his footsteps breaking the silence.
A servant approached him, taking his coat with a respectful greeting.
Vikrant glanced around, his voice tinged with mild curiosity. “Itni shanti, sab log kahaan hai?”
(“So much silence, where is everyone?”
The servant replied, “Malik sab aapne kamre mein aaram kar rahe hain.”)
(“Everyone is resting in their rooms, Sir.”)
Vikrant walked toward his room. Upon entering, he found Ishita sitting on the bed, filling the pages of her diary with her thoughts. A guitar lay beside her, and a soft lofi song played in the background, filling the room with a comforting warmth.
I had been so absorbed in my diary that I didn’t notice him standing in the doorway, quietly watching me.
Finally, sensing a gaze, I looked up. Surprised, I saw Vikrant ji standing there, looking at me.
“Kya baat hai humari ardhangini itni khoi hui hai ki unhe pata hi nahi, ki unke ardhan aa gaye.”
He fumed inside.
(“Wow, my better half is so lost in her own world that she doesn’t even realize her husband has arrived.”)
Then a little smile appeared on his face, almost unnoticeable.
“Ye kudrat ka karishma khud mein dooba hua kitna accha lagta hai. Jee karta hai, bas doob jao is khubsurti mein.”
(“This wonder of nature, completely immersed in itself, looks so beautiful. I just want to sink into her beauty and stay there.”)
He stepped inside.
I looked at him.
Then while removing his watch he said in teasing tone, “Maaf karna, kahi aapko disturb to nahi kiya humne?”
(“Sorry, I hope I didn’t disturb you.“)
I smiled and shook my head in response, signaling ‘no,’ and closed my diary.
“Kahaan kho hui thi aap?” he asked, his voice polite but curious.
(“Where were you lost?”)
I smiled softly, shaking my head again. I wanted to say something, but I knew it would be pointless. He wouldn’t understand. So, trying, felt like a foolish act.
Then Vikrant removed his coat while I was putting my guitar into its bag. As I struggled with the bag, facing away from Vikrant ji, he removed his shirt, leaving him only in his pants.
Vikrant, “Ishita?”
I turned toward him, but upon seeing him shirtless, I quickly turned back, flustered.
Vikrant noticed her struggle. He came over, gently taking the guitar and the bag from her hands, and expertly packed it for her.
Then in calm voice he said, “Pack your bag. We’re leaving at 4 p.m. for Hyderabad.”
I was confused. It had only been a few days since we arrived, and now we were leaving so soon.
My eyes asked the question he hadn’t answered.
Vikrant looked at her and replied, “I have some urgent work, that’s why.”
As he handed me the packed guitar and walked towards the bathroom, he added, “Hurry up, Ishu. Before the Hyderabad flight, we’re going somewhere else.”
I smiled and nodded, but a lot of questions were racing through my mind. Pushing them aside, I focused on packing my bag.
“Ishu, what a cute name!”
I smiled again, realizing that I had given a new name.
After some time, Vikrant came out of the bathroom. Once he was dressed, he helped her with the packing.
It’s true - work gets done faster when you have a companion. We finished quickly.
Vikrant, “Ishita, is there anything left to pack?”
I shook my head to signal ‘no.’
Vikrant, “Okay, so work’s done. Shall we leave now?”
I gestured, “Where?”
“Ishu kal ke incident ke baad dukhi lag rahi thi, shayad bahar jaane se mood fresh ho jaye.”
(“Ishu looked down after what happened yesterday, perhaps a little time outside would lift her spirits.”)
He fumed silently inside.
Vikrant replied, “That’s a surprise.”
I smiled a bit and turned to walk inside to change. But then Vikrant stopped me.
Vikrant, “Kahan ja rahi ho ab?”
(“Where are you going now?”)
I showed him my saree and used hand signs to explain that I was going to change my clothes.
Vikrant, teasing me, “Saree pehennay aati hai? Aise hi acchi lag rahi ho, chalo, vaise bhi zyada time nahi hai.”
(“Do you even know how to wear a saree? You look perfect like this. Come on, we don’t have much time.”)
I nodded and went with him. Vikrant told the driver to come out of the car so he could drive himself. I sat in the front seat beside him.
After 15 minutes...
We reached.
Vikrant, “Ishu.”
I looked at him, and he continued.
“When I was little, I didn’t have many friends, so I spent hours here, alone with my loneliness. Want to see?”
I nodded.
I, too, had been a lonely girl when I was younger, not because I couldn’t make friends, but because of my fate. And whether anyone believed it or not, I was cursed. My tears blurred my vision.
Vikrant opened the door, breaking the chain of my sad thoughts.
“Ishu?” he called, offering me his hand to help me out.
I slowly placed my hand in his and stepped out. It was a forest area, and all I could see were trees everywhere. I wiped away my tears.
Vikrant, “What happened, Ishu?”
I moved my hands, signaling that I had nothing to say.
Vikrant, “Kya aankh mein kuch chala gaya? Idhar dekho.”
He said, gently touching my cheek with his hand. Then, he blew air into my eyes, trying to clear anything that might have gotten in.
I didn't resist...
(“Did something get into your eye? Look here.”)
Vikrant, “Ab theek hai?”
(“Is it better now?”)
I nodded slightly. Then, he took my hand and led me with him, into his world.
It was hardly a 2–3 minute walk. I could hear the sound of water falling. Then, Vikrant moved some long leaves aside, and what I saw was beyond words. It was a hidden waterfall. I was amazed by its beauty. I had never seen such a breathtaking place before. Slowly, I moved closer, admiring the view.
Vikrant stood behind Ishita, admiring her beauty, which seemed to shine even more as the as his beauty met the beauty of nature.
(His beauty = Ishita 💕)
Then he slowly approached the water, dipped his hand into it, and splashed a few droplets on me. Some landed on my stomach, while others splashed across my face.
“Where were you lost now?” he asked, walking toward me. He wrapped his firm arms around my waist, and my hands instinctively rested on his shoulders.
For a while it seemed like a dream ~
He softly kissed my forehead, then whispered gently in my ear, “Do you like it?”
I smiled and nodded.
Then, he lifted me effortlessly in his arms and said, “Will you tell me about yourself more?”
I looked at him, confused. Then, he gently led me with him and sat on the large rock near the water. I ended up sitting in his lap, feeling shy. He handed me a rock, and I took it, still puzzled.
Vikrant, “Just because you can’t speak, does that mean we can’t talk?”
I smiled softly and began writing in the wet soil.
“So, what do you want to know?”
Vikrant, “Start wherever you feel comfortable.”
He was trying to make her comfortable with him.
I was unsure where to begin. After a few moments, I wrote, “Thank you.”
Vikrant, “Thank you? Why?”
As tears blurred my vision, I wrote, “For everything. For treating me so kindly, always caring for me, and especially for today.”
Then, I hugged him, unable to hold back the tears. I was overwhelmed. It might seem like a small thing to someone, but for me, this small act was a luxury. After losing my parents, I had become like a caged bird.
Vikrant, “Ishu, what happened?”
He was confused, but of course, it wasn’t surprising. He must have been worried.
Time passed, and we spent it together. He seemed like he wanted to talk, but I just wanted to rest in the peaceful environment. The melodies of birds filled the air, and I drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
Ishita’s grip on him started to loosen.
“Ishu, are you asleep?” he whispered softly.
He gently pulled her into his arms, laid her back on the seat, and fastened the seatbelt.
“I don’t know what happened suddenly... Seems like she didn’t like the place,” he muttered to himself, a little unsure.
Then, he looked at her.
“She looks so peaceful when she sleeps. I wonder… is she missing her family?” he asked quietly, his thoughts drifting.
"I took her here to make her feel better but ended up making her sad."
“It’s okay. Once we reach Hyderabad, I’ll take her to meet her uncle and aunt. Maybe that’ll help her feel better,” he continued thinking, trying to reassure himself.
After a while ~
Ishita woke up due to the speed breaker.
She looked at him through sleepy eyes, then turned to look outside.
“Good morning. Toh aap bata na chahengi, aisa kya hua jo aapki aankhon se moti girne lage?”
(“Good morning. So, would you like to tell me what happened? Why did tears started falling from your eyes?”)
Ishita took her phone and typed,
“Kuch nahi, bas purani baatein yaad aa gayi thi.”
(“Nothing, just some old memories came rushing back.”)
After a while, she typed something and showed it to Vikrant.
“Sorry for troubling you like this.”
Vikrant replied, “You don’t need to apologize. I understand.”
Naina.writz ~
Thanks for reading!💕
***
**
*
Write a comment ...