A Twist of Fate (Slow Updates)

3

What in the name of all that is holy is Vikram Shroff doing here? Ananya thought as she looked at him in pure disbelief.

"I have the same question."

Vikram stated calmly as his eyes roamed all over her body, remembering her slender legs, though she was not too tall just 5 feet and 5 inches but her confidence and honestly always made her appear taller, her flat stomach, her ample bosom which was now heaving, her slender neck, right up to her face with a sharp nose that was flaring, her high cheek bones and her big brown eyes that sparkled now that she was angry. He noticed the whites of the knuckles as she clenched the door handle. He gave her a curt nod. "You might break that."

"Ugghh!" She growled and released the handle from her deathly grasp. Under his roaming eyes she had turned crimson, fighting hard to control the long buried feelings and letting her anger take over.

"YOU set this up? Didn't you?" Ananya exclaimed loudly.

"What? This set up?" He said tiredly, his voice laced with impatience, "Ananya please, don't flatter yourself!"

"You don't look too surprised to see me here!"

"That's because I was told about you this afternoon as we started for this place!" He took a couple of steps closer to her and exclaimed harshly, the anger evident in his eyes, "You have been staking me! Haven't you? You must have heard about this and decided that a month in an isolated place with me would be the best to get you what you want!"

"This is the bullshit! And you know it!" She ejected sharply, completely flabbergasted. "If I had known YOU were the 'Uncle' I'd have refused to do anything with this! It makes me sick to live under the same roof as you!"

"Mamu?" a small thin voice spoke from the car cutting off whatever Vikram was about to say and he turned towards the car. Opening the door, he gently helped the little girl out of the car. "Yes, it's alright! We have reached... You fell asleep." He smiled at the little girl, his tone a complete contrast to the one he just used with Ananya. Kudrat held his hand tightly and leaned into his legs. "Jai's still asleep?" He asked her as he brushed her hair away from her face as she nodded in response and yawned.

He walked her up to the front door where Ananya stood still, regarding the whole scene with affection, her anger melted as she looked at Kudrat. She had never thought that Vikram could be capable of so much gentleness. It was clear that his niece adored him. "Hello Kudrat" Ananya smiled at the shy little girl. Kudrat looked at Ananya and murmured an inaudible "hello" as she hid behind Vikram. "Hey! That's can't happen... you can't hid behind me." He smiled down at Kudrat. "Come out and say hello to Ananya!" He said and pulled her encouragingly and indulgently up front.

"That's okay." Ananya said, "She's tired. It is quiet a journey from Chandigarh to here. Come on sweet heart, let's get you inside, it is cold here." Ananya said in a warm tone as Kudrat took the hand that Ananya had held out for her. "Where is Jai?" Kudrat stopped near the door to look at Vikram. "He's sleeping Kudrat, I'll just carry him inside. You go on in!" He encouraged her.

"Do you want to eat something sweetie?" Ananya asked Kudrat. She was a wee bonny girl with two pigtails. She was tall for her age and her big brown eyes were laden with sleep. "No" she shook her head. "Come on then, we'll get you into bed." Ananya said.

Vikram entered the house with Jai on his shoulders. Jai was still sleeping but Ananya noticed that he was a handsome little boy with thick eyelashes, similar to Vikram's. Vikram carried Jai up the stairs as Ananya holding Kudrat's hand followed behind. Vikram put Jai atop the bed in the bedroom facing Ananya's room. He gently removed the covers and then made quick work of Jai's shoes, jacket and sweater. Ananya helped Kudrat with her clothes and to change into night clothes as Vikram left to get the bags inside.