D&S

Chapter # 2

Ester, I have begun to make an eternal prayer that my every breath would have your name on it. You might not know it, Ester but I have seen the shadow cast under your glimmering eyes; showing your despair.

***

' Congratulations on your wedding, Mr and Mrs La Corte.

-Grace Joseph.'

A shallow breath escaped my lips, my mind was clouded with mystifying thoughts that are causing a commotion in my mind. My heart began to beat fast. Unwanted feelings arouse in me, making me feel slightly scared. Just thinking what Henry is planning to take Ester away from me is drowning me in apprehensions. I don't want to lose Ester, I want to be with her forever.

Back then, I was the one who pushed her away, I realized my mistake and want to redeem for it. I want to be with her till my last breath, I want to hold her close. When I decided not to push myself away from her anymore, everything was trying to push us away, trying to isolate us. Before, I pushed her away. Now, I have accepted her, I will never back away. I have finally found my liberation, I won't let it go.

I wanted to throw these flowers away but I knew that I have to give Ester an explanation for it; for what I am not ready yet. So, I left it there. I curled the card in my hands and put it in my pocket. I freshened up and went to have dinner.

We were having dinner in silence but Ester spoke up, "Did you find any note?" She asked.

"No, I didn't." I lied.

"Oh. Anyways, how was your day?" She asked cheerfully. I know that lack of our conversations made her feel dejected and I also want to talk to her.

"It was fine.. How was yours?" I asked, trying to start a conversation. She was taken aback by my words, like she didn't expect me to ask her about her day.

"Oh, My? Umm.. It was fine.. Uh.. There was just nothing to do." She said and chuckled nervously.

"I didn't put any restrictions on you, do whatever you want." I said, taking a bite. She lowered her head and replied, "I forgot that I am not under the rules anymore.. "

I felt guilty when she said that, my heart pricked upon hearing her words. I opened my mouth to say something for her consolation but I know the only thing that can escape my lips would be an apology.

"Forget it! Tell me how's the food? I cooked it." She asked, trying to lessen the tension in the air.

"Really?"I asked, fake surprise. But I know she is the one who cooked it. Uneven dishes, Indian course with a French dessert is something only she can do.

"Yes! Tell me?" She asked hopefully.

"It's..." I trailed off, taking a bite which made her look at me intently wanting to hear my comments.

"Very Delicious." I said, smiling widely. Her face lit up in happiness when she heard it. She chirped, I felt at ease to look at her like this, to see her smile.

After dinner, I was laying on the bed, my one hand under my head while my other hand holding Ester close to me, rubbing circles over her shoulder with my thumb. She was playing with my shirt. We remained like that, receiving immense lull to be with each other. The serenity of having her close to me is filling my heart with content.

"Desmond.. " I hummed in response as she continued, "Are you gonna talk to me in my sleep again?"

My eyes widened for a second, but soon I regained my posture. I wonder when she found out. "No, I won't. There's no need for it anymore." I replied.

"Then why did you do this before?" She asked softly, looking at me. I looked at her, she was looking at me innocently, wanting to know why. I know she has a lot of questions in her mind but she is trying to know things gradually and I also want to tell her too.

I was scared to love her and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't be able to pull myself away from her and before I knew it, I began to like talking to her in her sleep.

My hand from her shoulder moved to her cheeks, caressing them gently, my lips curved upward slightly as I pecked her lips. "Good Night, Ester." I said. She puffed and looked down.

"Night." She said grumpily.

"Ester.." I called her, she just hummed and I continued, "Look at me." She raised her head and looked at me with a frown. I grinned and kissed her. She was taken aback, she gripped my shirt firmly, shaking slightly. I slowly pulled away and whispered, "Can you wait, Ester?"

She looked at me for about a minute and then nodded. I pulled her more close to me as she slept in my embrace, giving me endless solace in her arms.

After a while, I exhaled, wrapping my arms around her and turning to her and began to say in a low voice,

"Ester. I promise to be with you forever. I won't push you away anymore. I swear I will spend every moment of my life to make things right. I just want you to be with me and never leave me. I can't live without you, Please never leave me ever again."

"I promise.. I won't.." She replied back in a whisper. A tear rolled down my cheek. I can't even tell you Ester how much I want to embrace you, I was so scared before and now the benediction to have you in my arms now and forever is bliss. I remained silent and closed my eyes and soon we drifted to sleep.

The next day, I was in my office, thinking about what happened yesterday, tearing the note to pieces, burning in rage.

I gritted my teeth and pulled my hair in frustration. Here I thought that nothing can come between me and Ester anymore. I am pretty sure Henry is doing this, he is the one who wants revenge. He thinks that it's my fault that Grace died.

 In a sense it was but he still thinks that I am the Desmond I used to be before my marriage; insensible and a heartbreaker. I took a deep breath and decided to go home and talk to Father about it.

I went home and went to Father's studies. I entered and saw Father looking stressed.

"Good. You came by yourself." Father said, trying to remain calm. I walked closer, closing the door behind me.

"Tell me Desmond, How much do you want to disgrace my name?" I raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?"

He slammed an envelope on the table, I looked at it, there are some pictures of mine with different girls.

"It's before my marriage." I replied calmly, taking a seat.

"And who will believe it?" He asked, agitated.

"Ester." I replied, leaning back.

"Look Desmond, I don't want you to cause any trouble. I don't know who is doing this but make it stop."

"Henry is doing this. He thinks that Ester will have the same fate as Grace."

"What happened to her is not your fault." Father reasoned, I let out an empty laugh and replied, "It was indirectly all my fault, Father." Father also took a seat, I straightened up and unbuttoned my coat,