Whispers of Hope ✓

CHAPTER 24

ISHITA'S POV....

I opened my eyes slowly; I don't know when I slept as I looked around my surrounding. Joshua is sitting on the balcony. His head and his back are rested on the glass door and he was sleeping in sitting position only. When did he come? I didn't get to know about it. I am looking at him and started to think how I slept here.

I was waiting for Joshua because I wanted to tell him about my past. Now it's my time to face my past. I wanted someone who will listen to me, never judge me with my past, with whom I can share everything about it and I found that one person. It is Joshua only. I don't know what will happen when he gets to know about my past or I can say about my horrible past.

I was waiting for him to come. I was sitting in one of the mattress which is available in balcony. My love for balcony will never change. It makes me help to connect with the nature and I am a nature person.

I am in Delhi now and I hope, somehow I can meet Sheetal aunt. I am missing her so much.

"Hey, you woke up" Joshua said coming closer to me. I am still lying on the mattress and looking at his face. He holds my face with his one hand and his one hand is on my hair. I am feeling comfortable with his touch. I saw his eyes. It was swollen and red. It looks like he cried so hard that his whole face is red.

He gently kissed on my forehead and I closed my eyes. I am feeling so close to him. So close that I can't even describe it. He then rests his forehead on mine. He looks at me

"Are you feeling fine now?" he asked me to as I nodded.

"What happened to you? Why are your eyes red? Why did you come so late? Did you cry?" I asked him so many questions. I am worried about him as I wondered all possible reasons he cried.

"Nothing happened to me. I am perfectly fine. I was coming here but then the car got punctured so I got late." He said and still didn't tell me why he cried?

"Why did you cry? Your eyes are red."

"I didn't cry. Actually last night I didn't get proper sleep so I am just a bit tired. Nothing else." He said and then I remember that he didn't sleep at night. Oh god, just because of me he is suffering so much. How stupid I am that I didn't take proper care of him. Because of me, he is having so many problems.

"Shhh...Don't think too much okay. I am perfectly fine. Now get up. You have to get ready." He said and I frowned.

"are we going somewhere?" I asked him

"We are going to have dinner and also I have a surprise for you. So get ready. I got a dress for you and I hope you will like it. Also it's evening so you don't have to sit long here now." He said and makes me get up. We both come inside and he said to get ready. He went outside. My attention went to a dress lying flat on the bed.

I took hold of the dress mesmerized at its beautiful stature. I never knew that Joshua has such a good taste in these as well. The dress held intricate designs and seams looked so professionally done.

I instantly went inside the washroom and after taking a shower, I came outside by wearing only a bathrobe. I wore the long black suit and it fits me perfectly as it looks like that the dress was only made for me. I combed my hair and left it open but I did the partition between my hair. I wore the long earing only as it completes my look. I am not fond of makeup so I applied a cream, light lipstick which I always applied, Kajal in my eyes and that's it. I am ready now. I took my dupatta and I am ready now.

There is a notification pop-up on my phone. I took it and opened the message. It was from Joshua. He said that he is waiting for me in pool area. I went outside, locked the door and started to go near the elevator. I come inside the elevator and reached the ground floor. I saw Joshua back from afar. I stood behind him and I think he felt my presence as I watched him turned around and saw me standing in front of him already. He looks at me from bottom to top. I am smiling at him and he is having a 'wow' expression.

"You look gorgeous. This dress perfectly fits you." He said and I am feeling shy

"Thank you for this dress. I didn't know that you have a good taste in ladies dress as well." I said to him and he smiled ear to ear

"Actually when I was coming, I saw this dress in one of the mall and I like it so I thought to buy it for you. I am glad that you like it." He said to me.

"I love it. Thank you so much." I said and he forwarded his hand

"Let's have our dinner" He said and I put my hand on his. Joshua holds my hand and I am surprised to see the decoration. The whole pool is decorated with flower petals. Two chair and table has been arranged near the pool. Our table was also decorated with red rose petals. It looks so romantic in evening time. I looked at Joshua and he was already looking at me. Our hands are still intertwined.

"Come." He said and makes me sit in one of the chair and he himself settle in front of me.

Waiter came and we order our foods. When the waiter went to fetch our orders, I looked at him.

"You were talking about this surprise?" I ask him because this surprise was something for me which I can't describe in words.

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it. But what is the occasion?"

"There is no occasion. I just wanted to spend some time with you." He said and holds my hand.

"Ish, I want you to enjoy this time of yours." He said looking into my eyes and I can see the genuineness in his eyes. I nodded my head with a smile.

Joshua started to talk about his office and I got to know that now there is no need of me to go to office. I thank God that now I don't have to go there. It's not like I don't want to go but it's like I don't want to go outside from here. I just can't. I was thinking all this when the waiter serves us our food. Joshua ordered the non-veg but I already told the waiter to not put spices as Joshua is allergic to spices. I ordered the Indian Thali (plate) which only has Indian dishes. I missed all these foods. I also ordered some sweets and I know Joshua will like it. We were eating our dinner by chit-chatting. After dinner, we sat on our seats when I started to speak. It's a perfect time to tell about my past.

"Joshua, I-I want to talk about some-something." I said to him and fidgeting my fingers with my dupatta.

"Yes, tell me."

"I-I actually....I want to tell....you about...." I don't know how to say this but he cut the conversation in middle

"About your past." He said and I look at him. How did he know that I am about to talk about my past?

"How did you know what I'm about to say?" I asked him

"Today I met your Sheetal aunt who works in your orphanage." He said and that's it. I got numbed by hearing this. Tears started to form in my eyes. I don't know if my aunt told him everything or not but I can sense it that he already knew about my past. About that which I was hiding for so long. I can see tears in his eyes. We both are in tears now. I don't know if Joshua will judge me with my past or not but I know one thing that I did hide this from him.

He stood up and came near me. He bended on his knees and holds my hand fidgeting with my dupatta. He put his head on my lap and started to cry.