THE TRUE ALPHA AND HIS GIFTED WITCH.

Chapter 11 . I need you by my side to get through this

Vasu’s POV
When I woke up, it was bright outside. Inhaling sharply, I grabbed my phone and find it was already 7:30 am. I jerkup from the bed , headed straight to the bathroom, and freshened up. Choosing a white shirt and grey pants, I got dressed in a hurry, berating myself for sleeping in so late. Hastily grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I hurried downstairs, realizing I had a lot of work to do today. How could I have overslept? As I walked down stairs, I gasped in shock. Everything was set up for the Pooja. My father's photo had been placed in the center of the living room and adorned with flowers. The Pooja is typically conducted by a priest whom I had met during the investigation of a previous case back in India.
He is Mr. Aakash, in his early thirties, and a priest who had also arrived. I  greeted him, saying, "Good morning, Aakash ji." He turned his head and responded with a wide smile, saying, "Hi, Vasu! How are you?" I pushed my hands into my pockets and replied, "I am fine! When did you arrive? How did you manage to do all the work alone? Why didn't you call me before you reached?" Before I could finish, he interrupted me "Listen! I know you very well, okay? I came early with my assistant and prepared everything," he assured me, tapping my shoulder. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh of relief.
I heard the sound of a wheelchair approaching the living room, and I turned my head to see my mother, accompanied by a caregiver, making her way in. Aakash Ji, my mother, and I were engrossed in discussing the Pooja preparations. However, I couldn't help but wonder where Madhu was. I needed her presence beside me right now, as I lacked the courage to face the day alone. She had promised to be here with me today. "Where are you, sweetheart?" I whispered, constantly checking my phone and glancing towards the front door. My mother, who was standing beside me, took hold of my hand. I looked at her, and she asked, "Are you okay, Vasu?" I nodded, and just then, the sound of the doorbell chimed through the house. I knew it was Madhu. "I'll go and check, Ma," I said.
I walked as quickly as possible and opened the  door. There she was stood, as stunning as always  ever. I pulled Madhu towards me and embraced her tightly. My head found its place in the crook of her neck as I breathed in her scent. She gently caressed my back and greeted me, "Good morning." I whispered in response, "Good morning! Where have you been? I missed you." Her laughter reached my ears, and she replied, "I am right here, where I will always be!" Stepping back from the hug, her hand rested on my cheek. "What's wrong? You seem restless..." she began to say, but I interrupted her, saying, "You're late!" Our eyes locked in a gaze. She cupped my face and smiled. "Vasu, I'm staying next door. Besides, it's only 8:15 am!" Madhu explained, planting a kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. She smiled and apologized, "I'm sorry..." but I interrupted her, saying, "It's okay! Shall we go inside?" She inquired, and I nodded in agreement.
We both stepped into the living room, catching the attention of Aakash Ji and my mother. My mother opened her arms, and Madhu rushed to embrace her. Aakash Ji cleared his throat and spoke up, "Um... May I know who she is? Only family members are allowed..." Before he could finish, my mother intervened, declaring, "She is my future daughter-in-law." A smile spread across my face, and Madhu's eyes locked with mine. "Yes, she is family. She's staying," I confirmed. Madhu stood up, and I extended my hand. She placed her hand in mine, and I pulled her to my side, wrapping my arms around her. I could sense Madhu's gaze on me. "What happened? Was today restricted to only family members?" she inquired. "It's nothing, sweetheart!" I reassured her, tightening my grip on her shoulder.
Aakash Ji didn't argue and instead suggested that we could begin the Pooja. He left with my mother and the caretaker, while Madhu and I remained in the living room. "Vasu! I need your help," she requested. Before I could inquire further, she continued, "Mamma had made some arrangement for the Pooja." I furrowed my brow in surprise and asked, "What?" She smiled and explained, "Sharadha Ma informed my mother about the Pooja. So if you can send someone, I'll go and fetch the boxes." I pulled her into my arms , her hands resting on my forearms. She gasped, "What are you doing? We're in the middle of the living room." I sighed and leaned my head against hers. "You promised me you wouldn't leave me alone, sweetheart," I said. Madhu let out a sigh. She wrapped her hand around my neck. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll go and get the boxes and come back... or we can both go, Vasu," she suggested. I couldn't argue with her; I liked the idea.
Together, Madhu and I made our way to her home, where Karan, Malathy Ma, and my father also joined us. Once we retrieved the boxes, we returned home. With everyone's assistance, we began to arrange everything for the Pooja. They all settled in the living room, while I remained standing in the dining area. Suddenly, I felt a hand encircle my waist. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, softly .She leaned her head against my back from behind and whispered into my ear, "It's time!" I turned around to face Madhu, and she said, "Let's go." I nodded in agreement.
We all gathered and sat for the Pooja, with Madhu beside me throughout the entire ceremony. The Pooja lasted approximately 45 minutes, and once it was concluded, we all stood up and proceeded to perform the concluding rituals one by one. As I was engaged in conversation with Aakash Ji, Karan called me, "Vasu! Can you come here?". I turned my head towards Karan and responded, ‘’I'm coming." Aakash Ji placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "You go ahead, Vasu. I will take my leave." Madhu joined me by my side and handed me an envelope, saying, "Ma asked me to give this to you." I knew it was meant for Aakash Ji. I passed the envelope to Aakash Ji, and he nodded in acknowledgment. I sensed something is off with him , his gaze kept drifting towards Madhu. In response, I placed my hand on Madhu's waist and drew her closer to me.
I cleared my throat and addressed Aakash Ji, saying, "Alright, Aakash Ji, thank you for today. We may need you to visit us again soon to finalize the dates for our wedding." While speaking, I could feel Madhu's gaze on me. I sensed her eyes widening, and her face blushing. Aakash Ji nodded in acknowledgement and left . Turning my attention towards Madhu, I noticed her cheeks turning even redder as she buried her head in my arms, overcome with shyness.
I kissed her hair affectionately and smiled, saying, "Alright, shall we go now?" She lifted her head and gave me a quizzical look, asking, "Where are we going?" Without saying a word, I made my way to my room and pushed the door open. I retrieved a file from my study table—it’s Madhu's certificate file. I had informed Karan to bring it so that we could submit the application at the NYPD office. Returning to the living room, I noticed my mother still standing near my father's photo. I approached her and knelt down beside her. "I wish he was here with us today, beta," my mother said, her eyes filled with tears. I took hold of her hand and whispered, "Me too, Ma." I turned my head to meet her gaze and asked, "May I ask you something?" My mother nodded without taking her eyes off my father's photo. "Madhu and I need to go somewhere; it's important. We'll be back soon," I explained. To my surprise, my mother remained neutral in her reaction. She turned her head and smiled, saying, "Go! Carry on, son. But promise me both of you will return soon." I smiled at her and replied, "Promise, Ma," then planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
I went to the dining area where Madhu was talking with her parents and brother. Sneaking up behind her, I cleared my throat. She jerked and turned around, exclaiming, "You scared me!" I smiled and said, "Ohhhh... So, if you're done talking with your parents, shall we go?" Furrowing her brow, she began explaining all the work she still had to do. I signaled to Madhu's parents and Karan to leave us alone. They understood and left. However, as she kept talking, I realized she was going on and on. "Sweetheart, listen," I tried to interject, but she cut me off and continued talking. Growing tired of her constant chatter, I grabbed Madhu by her waist and pulled her close to me.
She gasped, her eyes widened, and her hands rested on my arms. Our noses and lips were inches apart, and my gaze locked with hers. "You talk too much!" I told her, tightening my grip on her waist, causing her to gasp again. She started to stutter, saying, "What are... you doing? Pappa, Mamma are here... take your hands off me, Vasu," with one eyebrow raised. My lips formed a smile as I thought, ‘Why is she so cute when she stutters?’ Shaking off my thoughts, I replied, "Not anymore, sweetheart! They have already left. See for yourself," with a wink. Madhu turned her gaze towards her parents, who were now talking with my mother in the living room. I could sense her blushing.
I removed my hand from her waist and led her towards the study room. Pushing open the door, we both entered. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. My head rested on the crook of Madhu's neck as I took in her scent. "Thank you," I whispered. She pulled away from the hug, her eyes peering into mine. Furrowing her brow, she asked, "Why are you thanking me?" She placed a hand on my cheek, gently caressing it. I leaned into her touch and replied, "Thank you for today... it means a lot." Her brown eyes remained locked with mine, and with a smile, she wrapped her hands around my neck. "You're welcome. By the way, you don't have to thank me. It's my responsibility because you are my responsibility ever since the moment you confessed your feelings to me. I'll be with you in every situation, whatever path you choose. I'm always here for you. So, you're stuck with me forever," she said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile. I cupped her face in my hands and said, "I love you," then kissed her forehead.
We hugged again, staying in each other's arms for a few more seconds. "We're getting late; we have to go, sweetheart," I said, straightening myself and holding her hand. She furrowed her brow, about to ask where we were going, but before she could speak, I interrupted, "I can't say where we're going, but it's a surprise for you." She grew nervous and said, "Vasu, I'm afraid of your surprises." My lips formed a smile, and I rolled my eyes playfully. "No need to be afraid, sweetheart! I promise you'll be fine," I reassured her. Interlocking my fingers with hers, I grabbed a file, which was actually her certificate file, but she didn't notice. Madhu and I exited the study room, walking towards the living area where my mother and her parents were talking. Karan noticed us and approached, asking, "Going somewhere?" I had already informed him that I was taking Madhu to submit the application at our office. Before I could respond, Madhu spoke up, "Can you or Priya sis stay with Sharadha Ma for a while? I know I should be with her, but Vasu is taking me somewhere... and I have no idea where..." Before she could finish, Karan interrupted, saying, "I will take care of it. You go, sis." He said, "Thank you, buddy," I expressed my gratitude to Karan.
We both left the house and headed towards the car in the parking lot. As we were walking, Madhu suddenly stopped abruptly and turned her head from side to side, as if she were searching for someone. I approached her and asked, "What's wrong? Why do you look tense?" Her eyes continued to search for something, and she tightly held my hand when I placed it on her cheek. "No... It's nothing... I just felt like someone is following me or watching me!" she said, fear evident in her eyes. I had never seen her so afraid before. Cupping her face with both of my hands, I reassured her, "Listen, sweetheart! No one is here. This is our premises, and no one can enter this area. Okay?" I tried to comfort her and alleviate her fears.
She shook her head, still visibly trembling. "No, Vasu... in the morning, I felt the same way I'm feeling now," she told me in a trembling voice. Understanding her need for reassurance and wanting to make sure she is  safe, I responded, "Okay, stay in the car. I will check." I ensured and made her seated in the front seat and then proceeded to thoroughly search the surrounding areas, looking for anyone with an unknown identity. However, I found nothing. After some time, I returned to the car and took the driver's seat. Madhu's brown eyes focused on me as I signed, "No one is there. I checked all the potential hiding spots near our homes, and it's clear, sweetheart." Her anxiety seemed to calm down slightly. Wanting to reassure her further, I said, "It's nothing. You'll be fine," and she nodded in response. I drove the car out of the parking lot, and within a few moments, we were on the highway..