Shattered (Age Gap Romance )

Chapter Four

      "Papa! How are you?" She picked up her father's video call once she was alone.

     "Are you coming from somewhere, Dhri?" He asked her.

     "I got a job. It's not what you think, I'm not partying." She rolled her eyes. Her father still thought of her as a little girl even though she was almost married, a few weeks ago.

     "I'm glad, sweetheart. But how are you feeling? I don't approve of this therapy business but if your brother recommends someone then you can-"

     "I'm fine!" She chirped. "Papa, stop worrying about me. I'm absolutely fine." She said trying to wave away the dark feelings that emerged. Optimism is the way! That was her motto and she was going to live by it.

        "Dhri. Papa loves you, you know that, right?" It might've been a rare sight to anyone else but she knew that her father had a soft corner in his heart for her.

     "I love you too, papa."

     ***

            "Forgive me father for I have sinned." Samrat muttered bowing his head, kneeling at the confessional. Visiting the church had provided him with a sense of comfort, he had visited the church near by his house because of a teacher at his school who was kind to him and a catholic.

      He still remembered following her to this church. It had been long since she had died. But he could never forget the peaceful look on her face as she exited this church. He had hoped to steal some of that peace.

       "Tell me son."

     "I have acted in anger. Lost myself and behaved like a beast."

        He bowed his head, but Samrat knew he wasn't being honest. He hadn't confused to the rush of lust he felt for her. Even now, he could feel his body aflame thinking of her.

    In order to shrug off this feeling, he spent an hour inside the chapel, reading the bible and yet his mind wandered to her. He had noticed how her breath hitched when he leaned in to open the car door. His nostrils were still filled her perfume.

         He pushed his face into hands, groaning. This was getting out of control. She looked too innocent and she was innocent for him to drag her into his mess. Yet, the more he wanted to stay away, the more she was thrust upon him.

     Shaking his head, he went back to reading the bible, 'Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.'

   "Really?" He asked sarcastically rolling his eyes to the cross.

    ***

       The next morning, Drishti walked to the office but all her co-workers looked at her weird. She entered the owner's office.

    "Drishti! Good morning." Her boss greeted her.

      "Hi. Myra. I got your text."

     She watched her heavily pregnant boss lounge on the chair. The woman never took a break.

    "Drishti...what was that yesterday?"

     "I don't understand?"

    "I meant your boyfriend storming the gallery, hurting a patron and dragging you off before the event ended."

    "He's not my boyfriend."

    "Phew! I'm glad he's not. Ranes and me don't mix. And he's especially that Sakshi Rane's cousin. "