Sapphire Moonlight

Chapter 5: A Beacon in the Darkness

The days ticked by in a tense rhythm. Susheela, still smarting from Alia's insensitive remarks, maintained a frosty distance from her future 'granddaughter-in-law.  Shiva, secretly amused by the turn of events, busied himself with work-related calls and meetings, his loyal companion Ash ever-present at his side. Shiva, forced to play along, felt a growing sense of despair. The thought of being shackled to a gold-digger like Alia was suffocating.

One afternoon, while Shiva was dictating an email to Ram, a shrill bark erupted from Ash. The German Shepherd sprang to his feet, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

"Whoa there, boy," Shiva soothed, his hand instinctively reaching out to stroke Ash's head. "Easy, girl. What's gotten you riled up?"

Alia, who had entered the room unnoticed, stood frozen in mid-step. Ash's menacing posture and the raw possessiveness in his bark were unmistakable warnings.

"Oh, come on, Ash," Alia cooed, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. "It's just me. Don't be a bad boy."

He could sense her presence drawing closer, the unmistakable click-clack of her high heels echoing on the marble floor. Ash let out a sharp bark, a warning that sent shivers down Alia's spine.

Ignoring her completely, Ash continued to growl, his eyes fixed on Alia. She took a tentative step forward, but the growl intensified, accompanied by a threatening show of teeth. Alia flinched, a flicker of fear crossing her face.

"Shiva, darling," she called out, her voice strained. "Can you call off this beast? He's scaring me!"

Shiva, sensing her discomfort, sent a calming command Ash's way. The growling subsided, replaced by a low whine. However, Ash remained alert, his body positioned between Shiva and Alia.

"He's just being protective," Shiva explained, his voice devoid of warmth. "Perhaps you should announce your presence before entering a room, Alia." The unspoken criticism hung heavy in the air.

Shiva, ever in tune with his companion, felt Ash's protective stance shift slightly. Alia was attempting to circumvent the dog, a sly move that sent a jolt of anger through Shiva. "Alia," he said, his voice firm. "Please stay where you are. Ash isn't comfortable with you getting too close."

Alia hesitated, her voice dripping with faux concern. "But Shiva, what if you need something? Can't I at least help you?"

"I appreciate the offer," Shiva replied, "but Ash is here for a reason. He's more than capable of assisting me."

A faint scent of her perfume, a cloying sweetness, reached his nostrils. He could almost picture her, a calculated smile plastered on her face, her eyes glinting with avarice. He knew she wouldn't give up easily.

Suddenly, a sharp yelp pierced the air, followed by a clatter of dropped objects. Alia stumbled back, a startled gasp escaping her lips. Ash, sensing her retreat, stood guard, his tail wagging proudly.

"Goodness gracious, Shiva," Alia exclaimed, feigning innocence. "Must you keep that beast on such a tight leash? He nearly scratched me!"

Shiva, his face hardening, held his ground. "Ash is a trained service dog, Alia. He senses danger, something you seem to be oblivious to," he retorted, his voice laced with a barely concealed threat.

"Alia! What happened?" Susheela's voice boomed from across the room, laced with concern.

"Oh, nothing serious, Mrs. Roy," Alia stammered, her voice shaky. "Just a little misunderstanding with Ash. He seems... a bit aggressive today."

Shiva could hear the lie in her voice, but decided not to escalate the situation. "Don't worry about it, Nani," he interjected. "Just a playful scuffle."

Alia, flustered and embarrassed, mumbled an apology and retreated from the room. As the front door slammed shut, Shiva sighed. Ash, sensing his mood, nudged his hand with his wet nose, offering silent comfort.

Later that evening, Susheela informed them that a potential caretaker would be arriving for an interview. Shiva, curious about this mystery candidate, felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps this person wouldn't be another social climber like Alia.

The doorbell chimed, and a moment later, Sachichit entered the living room, a young woman by his side. Her smile was warm and genuine, reaching her eyes that sparkled with a hint of mischief. Ash, still unconvinced, continued his low growl, a rumble deep in his chest.

"Shiva, this is Isha," Sachichit introduced her. "She's been like a sister to me ever since we were kids. I told her about the situation, and she didn't hesitate for a second."

Isha stepped forward, her voice a pleasant melody. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Roy. Sachi told me all about you, and I'm happy to help in any way I can. Looks like I have to pass the canine inspection first," Shiva chuckled, a genuine sound that rarely escaped his lips these days. He bent down and scratched Ash behind the ears, the dog's growl subsiding into a contented sigh.

"He's just protective," Shiva explained, his voice warm. "Don't worry, he won't bite."

Isha stepped forward, her hand outstretched. "It's nice to meet you too," she added, reaching down to scratch Ash behind the ears. The dog, usually wary of strangers, surprised them both by leaning into her touch.

A brief interview followed, during which Isha discussed her experience caring for elderly patients and injured individuals. She spoke with honesty and a genuine concern for others that resonated with Shiva.

Shiva, captivated by her voice and the warmth that radiated from her, offered a smile. "Thank you, Isha. Please, call me Shiva."

Susheela, though initially skeptical of a woman caretaker, seemed impressed by Isha's qualifications and demeanor. "Alright," she conceded, "why don't you start tomorrow? We'll see how it goes."

Isha's arrival was met with mixed reactions. Ash, after a cautious sniff test, declared her an acceptable presence, much to Shiva's amusement. However, Alia, clearly threatened by Isha's competence and growing closeness to Shiva, took every opportunity to undermine her.

One evening, while Shiva was settling in for the night, Alia sashayed into his room, a cloying perfume announcing her arrival. He tensed, Ash growling softly beside him.

"Just checking on you, Shiva, darling," Alia purred, her voice unnaturally sweet.

"Everything's fine, Alia," Shiva replied curtly. "Isha will take care of anything I need."

Alia ignored his response, placing a hand on his shoulder. Ash immediately lunged, snapping his teeth mere inches from her hand. Alia shrieked, scrambling back in fright.

"Get your beast under control, Shiva!" she shrieked, her carefully crafted facade crumbling.

"He's just protecting me," Shiva countered, a hint of steel in his voice. "Perhaps you should respect personal boundaries, Alia."

Alia, red-faced with fury, stormed out of the room. Shiva, shaken but resolute, reached out and stroked Ash's head. "Good boy," he murmured.

Despite Alia's attempts at sabotage, Isha quickly proved to be an invaluable asset. She was efficient, organized, and possessed a dry wit that Shiva found refreshing. They developed a comfortable rapport, Isha possessed a calming aura that soothed the constant tension Shiva had become accustomed to. Her presence was a stark contrast to the high-strung entitlement he usually encountered from the women in his life.

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