THE TRUE ALPHA AND HIS GIFTED WITCH.

Chapter 18 ''Its better to give her the half truth to keep her safe!''

Madhu’s POV
I was standing on the porch, my hands gripping the railing, feeling the cold breeze against my skin. Until now, I can't move on from the traumatic event I experienced on the train. Vasu was lying on the ground, bleeding, a gun pointed towards him. Oh my god! One wrong move, and I could have lost him today. I inhaled sharply, a tear rolling down my cheek. I don't know what's wrong with me – fainting? Blackouts? That doesn't make any sense. I have a hunch that Vasu is hiding something from me; I can sense it in his eyes. I really want to know what's going on.
I was lost in thoughts, and I felt a hand offering me a coffee. "What are you thinking?" my brother asked. I took the coffee mug from his hand and took a sip, letting out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, I really need this," I said. He smiled at me and then posed a question while sipping his own cup, ‘’ I asked you a question ?’’ . I struggled to find the words, but I needed to discuss this with someone. Clearing my throat, I managed to say, "I've been thinking about my blackouts." I took another sip of coffee. My brother turned his head towards me, a quizzical expression on his face. "It's probably nothing. It might just be due to the shock of seeing him like that. You're fine. Don't overthink it," he reassured me, though his gaze remained fixed on the sky.
I know my brother very well; when he hides something, he can't meet anyone's eyes. We both had our coffee in silence. I cleared my throat and turned towards him, curiosity dancing in my voice. "What's going on, K?" I asked. He furrowed his brow, saying, "What are you talking about?" I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest, saying, "What is Vasu hiding from me?" He sipped his coffee and started to cough, stammering, "What? Ahmee… It's nothing…" My brother knows what's bothering Vasu, but he won't tell me. Fine, I'll find out for myself.
I placed my coffee cup on the side table. "Okay, it's getting late. We should get going," I suggested."You're not going anywhere, Ms. Madhu," Vasu's voice came angrily from behind me. I turned my head towards Vasu; he was standing a few feet away from us. He approached us and pointed a finger at my brother. "You, go to your house and tell Priya to pack Madhu's essentials for a week or two. Bring everything here." Confusion swirled within me; I had never seen Vasu like this before. He then turned around  "And you, Ms. Madhu Krishana," he said, facing me directly, "Read my lips carefully – YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! YOU ARE STAYING WITH ME," he emphasized each word, his tone serious and intense. He walked towards me.
My brother nodded and started to leave, but I stopped him. "Wait! What is happening? Both of you are acting really weird, and I know you're hiding something from me. I can see it in your eyes. So spill the beans now!" I yelled at them, folding my arms across my chest and raising my eyebrows in frustration.
My brother's gaze locked with mine, and he smiled. "It's probably better if I leave you two alone," he said, tapping Vasu's shoulder before walking past him. Vasu nodded in agreement. Once my brother had left, I approached Vasu. "What's going on? Please talk to me," I asked softly.
Vasu's dark eyes met mine. He sighed and walked past me, stopping in a corner of the porch and leaning his right shoulder against the pillar. I sighed and followed him. "Something is going on," he said, releasing a sigh. "What is it?" I asked, continuing to walk towards him. "Your life is in danger!" he declared, causing me to come to an abrupt halt. My entire body felt numb, as though someone had given me a sedative. "What?" I whispered. "What are you saying? My life is in danger because of who?" I nervously questioned as I slowly approached him.
I heard Vasu emit a deep sigh. "Because of me! You crazy girl!" he exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. He turned around abruptly, his emotions clearly in turmoil.
Tears welled up in his eyes. He sighed and leaned his back against the porch railing. "I can't lose you. I can't see you getting hurt because of me! If anything happens to you... I will di…" His words trailed off, and I quickly intervened, placing my index finger on his lips to stop him. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, tears rolling down his cheeks.
I gently cupped his face with both of my hands, our eyes locking. I wiped away his tears, never having seen him in such a vulnerable state before. "I can't lose you, Madhu," he whispered, his grip on my wrist tightening. Tears welled up in my own eyes, but I fought to hold them back in front of him.
"Hey !.. Listen!’’  I forcefully lift is head to meet his gaze ‘’ No one can touch me when you're with me. No one has the guts to harm what belongs to you, and there's no chance in hell that I would get hurt because of you," I reassured him with a smile.
He closed his eyes, and the tears continued to stream down his cheeks. His hands snaked around my waist, pulling me close to him. His head found a resting place on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, gently caressing his back. "It's okay... You're fine... We are fine..." I whispered softly to him.
We remained in that embrace for a while, finding comfort in each other's presence. Suddenly, Vasu's phone started to vibrate. I thought about pulling away from the hug, but he held me tighter, his grip refusing to relent. "Don't go... Stay with me..." he pleaded. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. "I'm not going anywhere... Just answer the phone," I said, my fingers continuing to stroke his back. He shook his head slightly.
I had been trying so hard to hold back my own emotions, but I could no longer contain them. "Please, stop crying... I can't bear to see you like this," I managed to say through sobs, my own tears now falling. He abruptly pulled away from the hug and stood up straight, studying me intently. I instinctively took a step back, feeling a mixture of emotions in the tense air between us. "If you're scared... I am too. If you stay strong... I will stay strong, because you are my strength and mean so much to me. So please... don't make me weak," I spoke softly, my head bowed as I conveyed my feelings.
Vasu remained silent, and I slowly raised my head, our eyes locking. His hand tenderly landed on my cheek, wiping away the tears that had fallen. "Shh... It's okay," he comforted me. Then, he asked, "So, are you ready to hear what I'm going to say?" I nodded in response. He cleared his throat and took a step closer, eliminating any space between us. He took my hand in his, interlocking his fingers with mine. "I am going to send you to a safehouse until we figure this out," he revealed, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. "A safehouse?" I whispered. He nodded affirmatively. "The Institute," he specified.
No... I can't stay away from him . It's next to impossible. My heartache evident in my voice. Releasing my hand from his, I hugged him tightly, resting my head on his chest. He reciprocated the hug, holding me close. "How long will I be staying in the safehouse?" I inquired, my voice muffled against him.
He continued to embrace me, his hand caressing my back gently, and then he let out a deep sigh. "Maybe for a while, until everything gets sorted out. So, is that a deal?" he proposed. Inside, I wanted to protest, to shout that I couldn't bear to be apart from him. My anger melted away when it came to his concern. If he believed that The Institute would keep me safe, then I would comply—for his sake. With closed eyes, I sighed and hugged him even tighter, silently conveying my reluctant acceptance. "I'm waiting for your answer, sweetheart," he murmured. I nodded in response, my voice quivering. "Will you visit?" I asked, my curiosity tinged with hope, desperately wishing for a positive response. For a moment, there was a smile in his voice as he replied, "No, I can't." His words shattered my heart into a million pieces, and tears welled up in my eyes. I buried my face into his chest and began to sob softly. He continued to soothe me, his hand gently stroking my back. "So... this is the last evening we'll be spending together," I whispered against the fabric of his jacket, my words heavy with sadness.
I heard Vasu release a deep sigh, and he gently pulled me away from the hug. I clung to his jacket's lapel tightly, my fingers gripping the fabric. His hands cupped my face, and he asked softly, "Why are you crying?" Lifting my head slightly, I locked my gaze onto his. "I can't stay away from you," I finally confessed, my voice trembling with emotion.
A smile spread across his lips, and I was taken aback. "If I'm going to be coming with you, then why should I visit?" he replied with a hint of playfulness, his words lightening the heavy atmosphere. My eyes widened in surprise. "What? Are you going to come with me?" I exclaimed, my mind racing with questions. "What about your job? And who will take care of Ma when we're both away?" I inquired, my concerns pouring out.
He maintained his smile and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Yes, I'm coming with you. Do you think I would let you face this alone?" he asked, his determination evident. I shook my head, my heart swelling with gratitude and relief. He scoffed playfully. "Then let me worry about my job and Ma. Your safety is my first priority," he declared, his words resonating deeply within me. With that, he pulled me into another tight hug, and I rested my head on his chest, finding solace in his embrace.
Suddenly, a thought popped into my mind. "If you ask this idiotic question, he'll get upset," my inner voice cautioned. Despite the warning, I couldn't suppress my curiosity. "Can I ask you something?" I inquired. He chuckled, curiosity evident in his voice. "What?" he asked. "Are you really going to leave everything behind for me?" I asked, my voice filled with uncertainty. His reaction was swift, and he growled softly as he pulled away from the embrace, his expression intense. "You're my life! Don't you dare ask me this question again!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of protectiveness and frustration. He enveloped me in a hug once more, comforting me. A swell of warmth spread through my heart at his words. "Don't think too much about it. It's just a temporary solution until we figure things out. After that, everything will be back to normal. I promise you," he reassured me, sealing his promise with a tender kiss on my forehead.
After his reassuring words, I gradually began to calm down. However, an unusual sensation washed over me; I suddenly felt cold and began to tremble. "Hey, are you okay?" Vasu asked, concern evident in his voice as he gently pulled away from our embrace. I nodded in response. "It's freezing..." I managed to say, my teeth chattering slightly. "Relax, wait here. I'll be back," Vasu said, leaving the porch in a hurry. He returned a few minutes later, draping a warm blanket over me. "Better?" he inquired, and I nodded gratefully.
He took hold of my hands and began rubbing them, his gaze briefly landing on my lips. His thumb lightly brushed against my lips, and then he whispered in a husky voice, "I'm trying very hard not to kiss you, sweetheart." His words sent a jolt through me, and my heart raced in response. His hands then slipped around my waist, pulling me so close that there was barely a millimeter of space between us. I gasped at the sudden intimacy, my eyes widening. "What... are you doing? Any time, my brother will be here," I stammered, my voice shaky. His breathing was rapid, his eyes locked onto mine. "Let him come," he declared and gently kissed my forehead. My hand instinctively rested on the peak of his jacket's lapel. "Vasu," I whispered. "What?" he replied, his tone filled with anticipation. A smile played on my lips. "No one is stopping you. I'm all yours," I confessed, my breath hitching as my heart raced. His right hand cupped my cheek, tilting my head up slightly. He leaned in, our lips now just a breath away from each other.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted us, and my brother's voice filled the air. "Ahem... you two... better lock the door!" he teased. I quickly pushed Vasu away, our intimate moment disrupted. Vasu appeared shocked, and he cleared his throat. "Can't you knock, dumbass?" he retorted. My brother smirked, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. Vasu and I exchanged a brief glance, both of us sharing a moment of embarrassment. We moved to the living room, and my brother continued to smile. "Here's your stuff... and this is dinner for both of you. Vasu, I need Sharadha Ma's belongings. She'll be staying with us. Also, inform her caretaker to come to my house from tomorrow onwards," my brother instructed, throwing my bag onto the sofa and placing our dinner on the center table.
Vasu nodded in acknowledgment. As my brother prepared to leave, I walked up to him. "You knew, didn't you?" I asked. He nodded, his understanding evident. Sensing Vasu's presence behind me, I realized that Vasu wouldn't have taken any action without my brother's consent. "So, what about our families?" I inquired. Vasu was about to speak, but my brother intervened. "We've already fabricated a cover story. You're staying here with him tonight, just in case... I mean, if something happens, we'll be able to manage," my brother explained. He turned to me, his voice tender. "Take rest, sister. I'll see you tomorrow," he said before departing.
I furrowed my brow in confusion. "Cover stories... May I know by whom?" I questioned, curious about the details. Footsteps approached behind me, and Vasu's voice chimed in. "By us," he replied. I rolled my eyes at their secretive behavior. "Stop it, sweetheart," Vasu said with a scoff. I folded my arms across my chest, skepticism clear in my expression. "Definitely, it won't work out. If you're going to say that I'm staying somewhere for a few days... the first person who's going to freak out is..." I started to say, but my brother finished in unison with me, "Mamma."
Continuing my line of thought, I added, "What about Papa? He'll be worrying about me too!" Both Vasu and my brother exchanged glances. I walked away from them, stopping in the middle of the living room. "Let me talk to our families!" I declared.
Both my brother and Vasu immediately protested, almost in sync, "NO!" I furrowed my brow at their reaction. "What... What are you going to say? Are you going to tell them your life is in danger because of me?" Vasu began to yell, advancing towards me with a sense of urgency.
In a flash, Vasu stood before me, his intensity almost overwhelming. I felt a surge of frustration, wanting to react with anger to his seemingly irrational thoughts. But I took a deep breath, suppressing my emotions. I closed my eyes briefly and exhaled. "No, I'm going to give them a better explanation. So that no one has to worry unnecessarily!" I responded, matching his tone. After a moment of tension, I continued, "Shall we leave now, then?" I asked, eager to move forward from the discussion.
Vasu and my brother locked eyes and nodded in agreement. I removed the blanket and placed it on the sofa. Vasu walked towards me, wrapping his hands around my shoulders. "I am nervous," he admitted.I smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, I've got this!" I replied, adding a wink. He shook his head slightly. Together, Vasu, my brother, and I started walking toward the front door. I grabbed my belongings, and we exited from Vasu’s home, making our way to my house. During the journey, I sensed Vasu's growing nervousness. I took his hand and intertwined our fingers. Upon reaching my house, I rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, the door swung open. "Hey... Anut came home!" Meenu exclaimed excitedly and rushed toward me. I lifted her into my arms and gave her a warm embrace. While still holding Meenu, I made my way into the living room. "Hey, listen!" Vasu's voice called out from behind me. I turned to face him, and he let out a sigh. "Tell me first!" he requested. With a smile, I posed a question, "Do you trust me?" He nodded in affirmation. "Then whatever I'm going to tell them, just play along," I instructed, planting a kiss on his cheek. He groaned in mock frustration. "Sweetheart, you're making me nervous!" he exclaimed, his face reflecting concern.
I chuckled softly. "Now it's your turn to come up with an excuse about your bandage," I quipped, before turning and making my way into the living room.