INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 12

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The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden hue over the large estate Ananya and Rihaan called home. Rihaan was sitting on the plush sofa in the living room, his eyes wide and glossy, his hands trembling slightly. The usually cheerful, childlike expression on his face was replaced with confusion and fear. He clutched a stuffed toy—a small, well-worn bear named Bobo—as if it were his only anchor to reality.

Ananya sat beside him, her heart breaking at the sight. She had always known Rihaan’s innocent, childlike mind made him vulnerable, but today’s events had shaken her to the core. The moment she saw Rihaan's face, she knew something was horribly wrong.

The woman—a new employee —had taken advantage of Rihaan’s innocence. She had tried to manipulate him, her intentions far from pure, and it wasn’t until Ananya walked in that the situation was cut short. The woman had been immediately fired from the company, but the damage was done. Rihaan was scared, confused, and overwhelmed.

Ananya’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. But she pushed it down. Right now, Rihaan needed her calm, her care. She could deal with the woman later. For now, she had to focus on comforting Rihaan, who was clearly struggling to process what had happened.

She gently placed a hand on Rihaan’s shoulder. He flinched slightly at the touch, and Ananya’s heart ached even more.

"Rihaan," she whispered softly, her voice tender, soothing. "It’s okay, you’re safe now. I’m here with you."

Rihaan turned to her, his eyes wide with unshed tears. "Anya… I… I didn’t understand… She… she was being nice at first, but then… I didn’t like it… I didn’t know what to do…" His voice trembled, each word heavy with confusion and fear.

Ananya pulled him into her arms, holding him close. She could feel the tension in his body, the way he was holding back tears, trying so hard to be strong. But she knew he didn’t have to be strong, not right now. She was here to protect him, to shield him from the world’s cruelty.

"It’s okay, Rihaan," she murmured, stroking his hair gently. "You didn’t do anything wrong. She was wrong. She shouldn’t have done that to you. But you’re safe now, and I won’t let anything like that happen again, I promise."

Rihaan buried his face in her shoulder, finally letting the tears fall. "I was scared, Anya… I didn’t know what to do…"

Ananya’s heart broke a little more with each word. She tightened her hold on him, rocking him gently, like a mother would her child. "I know, sweetheart. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. But I’m here now, and I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again."

They stayed like that for what felt like hours, Ananya whispering soft reassurances, Rihaan crying softly into her shoulder. She could feel his grip on her tightening, as if he were afraid she might disappear if he let go. Ananya didn’t mind; she would stay with him as long as he needed.

Eventually, Rihaan’s sobs quieted, his breathing slowing as he began to calm down. Ananya continued to hold him, stroking his hair, resting her chin on the top of his head.

"Anya," Rihaan whispered after a while, his voice hoarse from crying. "Why would she do that? I thought… I thought she was nice…"

Ananya felt a surge of anger rise within her again, but she kept her voice calm. "Some people pretend to be nice, but they’re not. They take advantage of others, especially those who are kind and trusting like you. But that doesn’t mean everyone is like that. You have to be careful, but you should also know that you can always come to me if something doesn’t feel right."

Rihaan nodded slowly, sniffling a little. "Will she come back?"

"No," Ananya said firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt. "She will never come near you again. I promise you that."

He seemed to take some comfort in her words, his grip on her loosening slightly as he finally allowed himself to relax.

"Thank you, Anya," he whispered, his voice small and vulnerable.

Ananya cupped his face in her hands, wiping away the remaining tears with her thumbs. "You never have to thank me, Rihaan. I’ll always protect you. No matter what."

Rihaan gave her a small, shaky smile, his eyes still filled with a mix of emotions. "I’m glad you’re here with me."

"And I’m glad you’re here with me too," Ananya replied, cupping his cheeks with care. "Now, why don’t we go watch your favorite show, hmm? We can sit together, and I’ll make you some hot chocolate."

Rihaan nodded, the idea of something comforting bringing a bit of light back into his eyes. "Okay… I'll choose."

Ananya helped him up from the sofa, keeping a protective arm around him as they made their way to the den. She turned on the TV and settled Rihaan on the couch, wrapping a soft blanket around him. He clutched Bobo to his chest, still a little shaken, but visibly calmer.

As the animated characters danced across the screen, Ananya went to the kitchen to prepare the hot chocolate. She moved quickly, her mind already formulating a plan. Her anger, which she had kept at bay for Rihaan’s sake, was now simmering dangerously close to the surface.

Once the hot chocolate was ready, she brought it to Rihaan, watching as he sipped it slowly, a small smile playing on his lips as the familiar taste brought him comfort.

"I’ll be right back, okay?" Ananya said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

Rihaan looked up at her and nodded. "Okay… don’t be too long."

"I won’t," she promised, passing him a soft smile before stepping out of the room.

Once she was alone, Ananya’s expression hardened. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. It rang only once before a voice answered on the other end.

"Yes, ma’am?"

"Get rid of her," Ananya said coldly, her voice laced with a deadly calm. "I don’t care how you do it. Make sure she never works in this city again. And I want everything—her finances, her connections, her reputation—destroyed."

The voice on the other end hesitated for only a second before replying, "Understood, ma’am. It will be done."

Ananya ended the call and took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to regain her composure. The rage inside her still simmered, but she knew she couldn’t let it consume her. Rihaan needed her, and that was her priority.

She returned to the den, where Rihaan was still curled up on the couch, his eyes fixed on the screen. The sight of him, so vulnerable yet so trusting, filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.

"Did you miss me?" Ananya asked, sitting down beside him.

Rihaan looked up and smiled, a genuine smile this time, though still tinged with a bit of lingering sadness. "Yeah… but I knew you’d come back."

Ananya pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Always," she whispered, holding him tight. "I’ll always come back for you, Rihaan."

And as they sat together, the warm glow of the TV flickering across their faces, Ananya knew she would do whatever it took to protect him. She would destroy anyone who tried to harm him, just as she had done today.
She would move heaven and earth to keep him safe.

But why?

It was a question she didn't knew the answer of or... don't want to know.
But one day she have to answer it to herself .

One day.

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