Like a Shadow to You

Chapter 3: Like a Shadow to You

The rain continues to pour in Thekkady. The tourist spot is known for its chilly weather. Akash and Banu stayed in a two-story cottage that seemed to radiate an air of serenity. There are a couple of guards in disguise who are given the duty to maintain security around the house. They take shifts and keep a watch to ensure Banu is safe.

Despite this, Akash could not have a peaceful sleep. The moment he closes his eyes, something pops up in his mind making him jump from his bed. He turned to his left side to check up on Banu. Secretly admiring her while she is asleep is something he does every day.

Unlike what he thought, Banu was fully awake and frowned upon the fan. He knew that she wanted to have a long talk about what was going on. Keeping her in the dark was bothering him as it troubles her. But things had gone to a different level.

Instead of letting her deep in her thoughts, he pulled her towards him. The sudden action startled her causing her to push him away. Disappointed with her reaction, he opened his mouth.

"Banu, why are you still awake?" he asks, voice laced with concern.

Looking deep into his eyes, she says, "I could ask the same of you. Do you have an answer?"

"Not again. I'm working on something right now. I'll give you all the answers by the time I settle the matters. Have trust in me until then, " he pleads.

She caresses his cheeks and starts to speak. "It is not that I don't trust you. I have a gut feeling that all that's going on involves me. If it is, don't I deserve to know the complete story? Akash, I'm capable of dealing with things related to me on my own. When I can't, I will seek your help. I don't want to be the helpless princess anymore, especially learning after how things ended up with my father."

When she utters the last word, she starts to sob. For the first time, he let her shed her tears. He knew that she had held back her sorrow for a long time. Though he is aware of her regrets, he doesn't know the way to resolve them. One thing he became clear is that it is pointless to hide all the things from her. The night was going to be a long one for both of them. Akash broke the silence and started to narrate the incidents that happened behind her.

"From the second we met, I have never ignored your sentiments. Whatever happens, I bring the matter to you and ask for your opinion unless it's related to my work. You know that I don't like beating around the bush. Let me get straight to the point. Your father's death is the outcome of Aravind's plan. He tried all his ways to bring your father under his control. The power he had over the business circle helped him wipe off your father's earned name. Physically and mentally, your father was exhausted with his continuous attacks. But he refused to surrender to him. As Aravind could not get your father under his full control, he bribed his acquaintance to murder him."

This piece of information broke her heart. She has once befriended Aravind and sought help to support his father from his financial crisis. Though she knew that he was not a saint, she never expected him to be such a cruel person. His betrayal riled up her in many ways as she remembered all the moments when her father trusted him more than her. She was never fond of her father because of his felonious activities. But he cared for her a lot since her mother's demise.

".. there's more you should know. His target has always been you. He is working on all means to track your location. More than the history between you two, he is keen to find out the complete details of your father's hidden valuables. Your father is a smart man, so he lied to you about losing his wealth while concealing all the money."

This new information made her eyes widen. She became curious to learn about her father's plan.

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The story gets more interesting, right? Well, there are still many unsaid stories of the characters. Give your ratings before you move ahead with the next chapter.