Hiding Behind Smiles

9| I don't have an inhaler.

Ridhhant's POV

I ate the noodles I made and wondered how did I even live like this, in such a hollow house.

How was I even living before she entered my life?

I let out a tired breath and went to the terrace.

"Maa you remember how you used to bring the leftover food for me from the main kitchens of the royal kitchen? We used to eat those together though we didn't have money and you did a little job working as a maid we were happy in our own world.

We are so happy until Dutta uncle left and came the new chief of the maids. He never let me meet you Maa. What did we even do? You did your work so good and I helped you too. I'd sit quietly and not disturb the other maids.

How it all changed...he brought all the darkness Maa, all the darkness.

I am glad he isn't here now, but nor are you. I miss you Maa, I miss you so much." I was talking to Maa when my phone rang.

Atharva. Jackass.

"Hello chutiye." (Asshole)

"Chup Kar behenchod." (Sister-fucker)

"What happened? So angry?"

"Your future father in law gets into an accident and who the hell will tell me?" Father in law? Accident? Wai-what?

"He isn't my future father in law, he is my assistant's dad. Uffo how's Bhabhi (sister-in-law) Yaar (buddy)?" I asked.

"Bhabhi is all good well I didn't know we pay all the bills and stay there for so long when our assistant's dad is injured."

"Blaaah! Okay fine my friend's dad." I said. This was the truth.

"God. Can't you just admit the shit you like her!" He shouted.

"Calm down bro. People nowadays; your wife is pregnant and the mood swings are visible on you too. Do jism ek Jaan (Two bodies one soul) ohho!" I said in a teasing tone.

"Shut up!" He growled.

"Go take care of Bhabhi or the volcano will erupt on me whole night. Shoo!" I said cut the call not giving him the time to reply.

I got up and went to my room.

"Hey Ridhu how are you?" The tall man dressed in a proper uniform walked up to the kid with a evil grin.

"This cutie has to be fine isn't it?" A woman said from the corner and walked up to little Ridhhant.

The boy was shivering and tried to his behind the curtains. "Aww the cutie is shy" the woman said grabbed his arm tight and pulled him out.

Grabbing his delicate chin in her hands she held it tighter, "Reply when I ask you something. You don't wanna get beaten by our new chief isn't it? My. Cutie. Is. Fine. Isn't. It?!"

"Ye-yes I am fi-fine. No pl-please Samar uncle is bad, he be-eats very hard." The boy cried and struggled to get out of her clutch.

"Today we want you to go to the library and there's this secret door we will tell you about that properly, you steal the jewelleries and give them to us." The man said in a serious tone.

"Bu-but maa says stealing is ba-bad. Don't do it. She said we sh-should be loyal for whom we work. We get paid for wo-working for them." The kid said with pure innocence.

"Shut up asshole!" The man cursed at the child and kicked him at the stomach.

"Your Maa is a slut who sleeps around the chief of servants and you are her bloody son!" He shouted.

"Noooo!" I sat up panting and sweating, I looked around to see the dark room. I wiped my sweat and went to the window to stare at the palm trees.

I stared how blissfully they swayed like there's no chaos in world. The psithurism hringing in air like bright shades of yellow to calm me down.

I sat there for some minutes feeling the gentleness of nature and after a few more minutes I saw the time.

3:37 am.

I signed and knowing I wouldn't sleep again I went to make tea for myself. I took one sip and the taste was no where of Naina's.

I went upstairs to my room at the end but before I saw Naina's room's door opened. I opened it fully and went inside, I know I shouldn't but I did.

It smelled like her.

I sat on her bad and took her duvet and inhaled the scent. So much like hers, if her scent can leave me in haze I wonder what her touches would do.

Her lips on mine.

Her forehead on mine, her warmth lingering on my surfaces.

Her darkness lighting my darknesses.

She having feelings for me, the way I do.

"Ridhhant?" I froze. I was too scared to turn around. That voice that sweet voice, I'd have been happy if I heard her in another situation.

Right now I'm in her fucking room! Holding her blanket and inhaling it like a drug addict.

"Ridhhant? Are you okay?" I slowly turned around.

What the fuck is she doing here at 3 am?!?

This is fucking scary for fuck's sake! I want mother earth to swallow me.

"I-i am completely fine."

"What are you doing in my room? And what were you doing with my blanket? Why were you smelling it?" Shut up.

Where the fuck is my inhaler? Shit I don't have an inhaler. Okay. It's okay. breathe Ridh breathe. Phew think of something bitch.

"Uh I was just.."

"Truth Ridhhant." Shit.

"I was wondering would you go on a date with me?" The fuck?

"What?!"

"Date?"

"How's that related to you entering my room?"

"Ehh I came here to as-ask you?"  The fuck the fuck the fuck the fuck.

"At 3?" She raised her brows making me nervous than ever.

"Yes..you didn't show up in the terrace." I said rubbing my nape and looking anywhere but her.

Dear lord what the hell am I saying.

"I was with my parents, remember?"

"Oh yea-yeah how did I forget?" I said faking excitement.

"Sit here Ridhhant." Huh?

I did what she said at the end like a lost puppy and sat before her in the bed..

"Just tell me what were you doing here, stop hiding it. Please it's not like I'd leave."

"No guarantee there, I guess." I said

She signed and said, "Full guarantee. I. Won't. Leave. You." She stated firmly and I decided to speak. That takes every bit of courage in me. I collected the particles of courage from the corners of my heart and opened my mouth.

"I was kinda missing you? So I wasn't sleepy and was drinking water and while passing...

I saw your door open, I came in..it smells like you so I picked your blanket and was inhaling your scent. It calms me down. Don't take me as a pervert, it just calms me down."
I said in one go and immediately stood up and rushed to my room and locked the door.

Did I just ruin it all?