Shadows of control { Under Editing }

16. He agreed.

The next morning, the dreadful moment arrived. Ansh had already ordered the maids to pack our luggage . We were finally leaving the cozy confines of this house, where I'd spent the last three days caged in this room only.

As I descended the stairs, I was met with a sea of familiar faces. Everyone was gathered, saying their goodbyes. Ansh, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, was bidding his goodbye.

But I wasn't ready to leave. This house, this family, had become my haven. I felt safe, protected, and truly loved here.

Just as I was about to join Ansh, Devika, the strong and unwavering matriarch, stepped forward.
"You're not going anywhere,"
she declared, her voice firm and resolute.

Ansh tried to reason with her, assuring her of a brief visit in some another language I was unable to understand but I could feel the intention behind it.
"Dadi, hum wapas aajaenge abhi Jane dijiye"
(Grandma let us go now we will come again)

But Devika's tone left no room for argument.
"Bilkul nahi"( No)
"If you cross that threshold,"
she warned, her eyes piercing,
"don't expect to come back for my funeral."

A hush fell over the room. Everyone was stunned by the intensity of her words. The carefree atmosphere of departure had been replaced by a heavy silence.

Ansh's jaw clenched, a silent protest against Devika's words. Yet, he knew better than to argue. There was an undeniable power in her words, a force that commanded respect and obedience. With a heavy heart, he turned and ascended the stairs, leaving the room filled with an awkward silence.

I hugged grandma tightly, tears streaming down my face. She gently stroked my hair, her voice filled with concern.
"Are you okay, girl?"
she asked.

I managed to nod, my voice barely a whisper.
"Why are you crying?"
she inquired.

I couldn't find the words, so I simply confessed,
"I just want to stay with you all."

"Of course, you're ours,"
Devika reassured me with a warm smile.
"You can stay as long as you want."
Her words washed over me, a comforting balm to my troubled hear.

After that, I headed to our room, where Ansh was sitting, his frustration palpable.

A few hours later, I mustered up the courage to approach Ansh. I wanted to discuss returning to work. Finding him in his home office, I knocked softly. He nodded, signaling me to enter. I stood awkwardly by the door, waiting for him to acknowledge me. He gave me a curt nod, his gaze cold and distant.

Gathering my courage, I began,
"Actually, I wanted to talk something."
He ignored me, his attention fixed on the file in his hand. I took a deep breath and continued,
"I want to join the office again."

Finally, he lowered the file, his eyes boring into mine. The silence that followed was heavy and tense.

He scoffed,
"Why do you think I would trust you again?"

I pleaded,
"Ansh, For saving the thing I betrayed you, now you own that thing. So, there's nothing left for which I could repeat my act again"
I pleaded, my voice filled with desperation

"It was the only thing left that mattered to me.
Please, give me one last chance."

I pleaded

"I won't make the same mistake again. I swear."

"Please....Trust me..."

My heart raced as he turned to face me, his gaze piercing, dark.

"Another act like that,"
he warned, his voice low and menacing,
"And I'll make you regret your existence."

"Understood?"

I nodded, relief flooding me.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

His lips twitched, and I could have sworn I saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"Don't thank me."
he said, his voice low and dangerous,
"You haven't earned it."

I swallowed hard, my excitement tempered by his warning.

"I will, I promise."

Ansh's eyes didn't leave me as I walked out of the room, but this time, I felt lighter, like a burden had been lifted.

Tomorrow, I would begin my journey back. I was one step closer to regaining my independence.

Relief washed over me as I realized he had finally agreed. I thanked him profusely, the weight of his approval lifting my spirits. He watched me, perhaps a bit amused by my newfound joy. As I left the room, I couldn't contain my excitement. Tomorrow, I would reclaim my independence, one step at a time.