MY AVERAGE LIFE

Part 33

Sharath Pov:

I was very upset about their behavior. If this is how they behaved when I warned them, how would they have behaved if I hadn't warned them? I gritted my teeth and held the steering wheel more tightly. I still have a lot to do to win Shivani over, and I don't want anyone hindering me. I guess Shivani got the idea of how messed up my family is too. I didn't want to reveal too much about my family this early, as I didn't want to scare her.

 I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a light touch on my hand. It felt good and I stared at it for a movement before looking at the owner of the hand. I thought she would ask questions or pity me, as others did when they got to know about my family. But to my surprise, she just joked about my driving skills, teased me, and asked for ice cream. I shook my head but internally cooed at her antics to get ice cream that to from a stall. 

I felt good that she didn't judge me or pity me, but somewhere I wanted her to ask something. I don't know what I wanted her to ask, as I used to hate it when someone questioned my relationship with my family. But I wanted Shivani to ask. So, I asked her. But when she mentioned a fake relationship, it hurt me a lot. I know there is time till she becomes mine, but I wanted her to care for me.

 When she held my hand and turned me toward her, my anger disappeared. I still maintained a poker face to see what she would say. But when she said she cared about me and didn't want to make me uncomfortable, my heart melted. When she said she would wait until I got comfortable, it made me feel things that I didn't knew. I couldn't even express it. I couldn't control myself and hugged her. I said, "I want to tell you, but can we stay like this?" No matter what, I didn't want her to see me vulnerable. How could she marry someone vulnerable? I knew I couldn't keep a straight face. I have no problem telling others what happened with a straight face, as I already told my friends. But Shivani is special. She brings out every emotion in me. She took a second before nodding my head, I sighed, and hugged her tightly, closing my eyes and feeling her close to me.  

"My father married that woman for the company shares, even though they hate each other and she also got profits from marrying my father. They were not involved with each other physically, but they both had affairs. After 5 years of marriage, my father thought he needed an heir to the company, so he talked to that woman and told her to stop sleeping around and give him a son. After that, she could do anything she wanted. She agreed to the conditions of getting profits from my father's company, and that's how they had me."

My voice turned rough while talking. Now Shivani is hugging me back and rubbing my back making me feel better. My eyes are still closed. "Neither my father nor that woman cared about me, so my grandparents moved in and took care of me. They never said anything to my parents because my father told them he would only get married if they didn't involve themselves in their issues after the marriage. I also never called them father and mother.

When I was 10 years old, a guy came to my house and claimed to be my father. When we asked that woman, she just shrugged her shoulders and said she slept with both of them during that time, so she didn't know. The man who came here asked for money to not disclose this matter, but she didn't care. she asked for a DNA test,  I know she didn't care about me, but... but..." I am struggling and getting frustrated and breathing heavily, not finding the right words. "Shh, it's okay. Take your time. I am here, okay. I will listen to you, take your time. Just calm down," she said, rubbing my back. It helped to calm me down. I took a deep breath before continuing.

"But my father said there is no need for a DNA test and that I will be his successor no matter whose son I am. I know he said that because if he didn't accept me, he would have to make another one, and he hates that woman. We have a strict rule in our family that a couple shouldn't get a divorce, but if they do, They will be left with nothing. I know he was selfish, but I can't ignore the fact he was okay with me. So, from then on I called him father, but I wanted the truth.  so, after a few days, I went and did a DNA test, and I was my father's only. 

I was so happy and went to tell him that i was his and hoped that he would be nice to me after that, but he just nodded and left, crushing my little hope." Neither did I move nor did Shivani stop caressing my back. I never knew I was holding back my tears until one escaped from my right eye. I quickly wiped it away and was about to step back from the hug, even though I wanted to stay like this forever. But Shivani quickly pulled me back into the hug and said while still caressing my back, "You don't need to hold back, let it out." 

"I'm fine now, Shivani. I don't need to cry," I said, trying to control my voice. I was on the verge of breaking down in front of her. I don't know how she manages to resurrect emotions I thought were long dead, but she does."Sharath, it's just us, let it out. I'm here for you," Shivani said, while trying to control her sobbing.

I was about to let go of the hug to check on her, but she didn't let me. "Shivani, why are you crying?" "Then cry with me, Sharath. Just cry," she said, letting the tears flow. "Don't bottle up your emotions, Sharath. You're not a machine. Let it out, I am here for u" she continued.

That's it. My last resistance broke, and I cried in her arms. She just held me tightly, letting me cry, and she even joined me in crying. Silly girl. I never thought that crying my heart out would make me feel better. Or is it just Shivani's presence?