Yashika The uncanny puzzle of KING[ 18+]

30 - Confessions of past

All I sought were her words—my first and last answers. After that, I would never wish to see her again.

AUTHOR'S POV

Digvijay took a deep breath, awaiting her reply. With every breath, he fervently hoped that his Yashika was not treacherous, but all the evidence and her confession suggested otherwise. "My little warrior, please say it's a lie," he whispered, his voice cracking for the first time. He held both her hands, intertwining their fingers, and brought one hand up.

His eyes were fixated on their hands. "You know, when I first beheld you, I couldn't look away. My heart kept insisting you were innocent, you were innocent. When you stood strong before me without any fear, I felt there was no one stronger than you." He took a step forward, still gazing at their joined hands, while she took a step back.

"When you defied my wrongful and disrespectful command to change in front of me and stood in freezing water despite knowing you might perish, my respect for you grew immensely." A tear rolled down his cheek, but his gaze did not falter. Yashika's eyes softened, her lips quivered. Her fingers longed to wipe away his tears and let him feel the warmth of her love.

"And... and when you ran to the roof and leapt, when you said it was I who broke you, it was I who killed your spirit, I felt something shatter within me for the first time. Without a moment's hesitation, I leapt from the roof to save you from those lions." He closed his fingers, wrapping them around hers, tightening his grip.

"When I saw you lying in a pool of blood, with claw marks marring your face and body, I realized I was losing the girl I had begun to fall in love with. Yashi, you know, being a warrior, I've always been on the battlefield, and as the eldest son and heir to the throne, I was constantly surrounded by enemies. I was taught not to trust even my own shadow." He pressed her hands more tightly, causing her to hiss softly.

"But when I saw you, my heart and mind waged a war. Each time I doubted your intentions, my heart would betray me and favor you. I felt I was losing control, so torturing you seemed like an easy escape. I knew I was doing wrong, but I was lost in the battle between my heart and soul." Digvijay's other hand cupped Yashika's cheek. There was desperation, a need, and the anguish of a broken man in his eyes.

"YOU know, after I brought you back covered in blood, I cried for the first time ever. I felt helpless. I thought I might lose you forever. I don't know what good deed I might have done in my past life that God answered my prayers and brought you back to me."

"Since that very day, I punished myself every night." Yashika had a confused look on her face. Digvijay removed the shawl he was covering himself with and turned around. His back was covered with lash marks. There were countless marks, each one deeper than the last. When Yashika saw, a loud gasp escaped her mouth. Her hand went to her mouth, her eyes widening. She looked horrified at the sight before her.

"Rajasa!" Yashika's hand reached to touch his back, but at that very moment, Digvijay spoke, "STOP! Do not." She halted, her hand still suspended in the air.

"Until the day you emerged from your darkness and chose to spend the night with me under the moonlight, I have punished myself every night. Each night, I would lash myself with a whip, hitting until I had no strength left. I knew I could not feel your pain, not even a fraction of it, but I tried to bear some of what you must have endured because of me. The day you forgave me, I could not believe my fortune. How could I be blessed despite my horrid deeds? But I was wrong..." Digvijay's voice broke, unable to continue. He could not blame the woman he loved, and he could not punish the woman he had come to revere.

"I never want to see you again," he declared, turning to leave. But Yashika stopped him in his tracks. "How can you leave without hearing my side of the story?" she questioned. He did not reply, so she pressed on.