Rukmini

Chapter 21: What Is Happening ?

'Why would you be sorry, my love ?', Vikramaditya asked.

'Because, I didn't know about all this earlier. It's all my fault.', I sobbed bitterly.

'About what, doll ? What's your fault ?', he muttered in a confused manner.

'I didn't know that you loved me so much. I never had any clue about the love you had for me.....', I took a breath and continued, '..... I really didn't know. I always thought that you just "wanted" me and never "loved" me. I am so sorry Vikramaditya, I am really so sorry !'

He studied me for a second as I sobbed bitterly.

'My love, it's all right. Now you know about it, don't you ? Don't say sorry to me. I'm just happy that you've realised my love for you.', he said patiently as he comforted me.

What a gentleman .......

'No, it's not all right. It's all my fault.', I cried out to him as realisation was dawning itself onto me.

'Shhhh. First of all stop crying. Secondly, tell me why you think it is your fault ?'

'It is my fault. I know that. So-s-sorry Vikramaditya. ', I said and was about to turn away, when he caught my wrist and pulled me right back into his arms.

'Tell me Rukmini. What is your fault ?', he whispered into my ears.

I giggled softly as his hands moved from my wrists to my shoulders. He spun me around to face him and put his hands on my waist to prevent me escaping. He wrapped both my hands around his neck and pulled me closer to him by my waist.

'What is your fault ?', he said as he sniffed at my neck. I moved my neck in order to give him more access and buried my hands in his hair.

'Uh-uh, Vikramaditya, please, no.', I managed to speak as I got mystified by his scent.

'Hmm .... You smell so good, my love.'

'Really ?', I asked.

'Yes.', he said, nuzzling into my neck even more.

'I can't say the same for you though.', I giggled.

'Now is that true ?', he asked me playfully.

'Vikramaditya Rakeshrao Deshmukh, have I ever lied to you or anyone ?'

'Should I feel offended at that, princess ?', he pretended to be hurt.

'You may., but first let me tell you what I actually meant. What I meant to say was that you don't smell good. You smell amazing. I could breathe in your scent forever.'

'You still didn't tell me. What makes you think it was your fault, baby ?', he asked me, as he kissed my forehead.

'If I would have tried to listen to you earlier, all this wouldn't have happened. Mainly, just imagine the amount of time we would have got to spend with each other as a couple. In all these years, we could have strengthened our bond.', I said and cupped his face in my hands.

'Oh my God, Rukmini !'

'What happened Vikramaditya ?', I asked, getting worried as he began laughing.

He pulled me closer to him and continued to laugh while he caressed my cheeks with his own.

'Vikramaditya Rakeshrao Deshmukh, here I'm getting worried and guilty to death, and you're laughing at me ?', I said, and pulled myself away from him.

I gave him an angry look combined with a pout.

'You look so cute when you pout, my love. I am not laughing at you, I will never do so. Believe me. I am laughing at the fact that you actually gave all these things a thought.', he said and gave me a soft smile.