Unwavering Desire

Chapter 12

ATREYI'S POV :-

Haha caught you! Staring at me from such a long time, what did you think I won't notice? Huh! Atreyi notices everything.

But instead of embarrassment a smirk was playing on his lips as he said, "Apka hukum sar aankhon par" and clicked a picture of mine on his phone.

God did you pour every drop of cockiness present in your human making factory in this man? But as usual no reply came from God.

Without saying anything I descended the stairs and took a seat on the single sofa away from Atharv. No, I never said his presence affects me, no it doesn't.

My eyes land on the two cups of hot coffee placed on the table in front of us.

"I told you to make yourself comfortable but not so comfortable that you start using my kitchen." I said because I never liked when someone used my kitchen especially without my permission.

"Oh please! I just did you a favor. This cup of coffee is going to be the best coffee you will ever have Miss Atreyi Banerjee." his cockiness just did a high jump and touched the ceiling.  

Ignoring his words I take a sip of the coffee, and the delicious liquid travelled through my mouth further refreshing me. Not going to lie the coffee is good, everything is in the perfect amount just the way I like.  But I can't accept that now, can I?

So, I just ignore his words and continue enjoying the drink. 

"About today..." he tried to start the topic, but I cut him off and said, "Let's not talk about that. I am thankful that you came to help me and brought me out of that situation. Without your help I don't know what I would have done. Thank you so much Atharv but that's the end of it, no more discussions about it."

"Okay I will not talk about it, not even mention about today's incident in front of anyone but I can never forget the way you reacted, the way you cried in my arms, the way you chanted the same words as a broken record does. You may force me to not talk about it, but you can't force me to forget about it. I can never forget the way my neonata broke down in front of me, I can never erase that scene from my mind." 

His words are making it hard for me to hold back my tears, to hide the tale where this festival of colors turned into festival of dread for me, where Atreyi lost her innocence and all colors were snatched from my life in one go. He would never understand my perspective, nobody ever does. 

Dusting those memories and the urge to spill it all out to him under the rug; I look directly in his eyes and say, "Leave Atharv. It's going to rain and you don't even have your car with you. If you leave now, you might reach home before the rain could strike." 

I watch as his shoulders drop, and he forces himself to stand up; dragging his feet over the floor and just before stepping out he said, "Close the door Atreyi." 

I walk up to the door and close it without looking at him otherwise I would have called him back and asked him to hold me in his arms and make me feel protected just like he did in the morning.   

With my back touching the door, I slide down as my knees give up and tears roll down my eyes. I wish I could just let everything out for once and not feel the weight of parents' death on my shoulders.  

ATHARV'S POV :-

You can through me out of your house neonata, but you can't through me out of your life; that's my decision. You might not have told me, what happened to you today but that day is not far when you will come to me on your own and tell me your story. I am sure of it. 

You are my mystery and I will take my sweet time solving you. I can promise of you that, neonata.   

I walk towards my house as the rain starts pouring on me and wash away Atreyi's scent from my body. Standing at the gate I don't know what I miss more; Atreyi or her scent.

 I should ask her what perfume she uses, so I could gift the same perfume to future wife. Thus, having her scent around me always. But, I can just marry her so I can have around me all the time. 

Oh, no! What am I thinking? I can't marry that witch; she sucks the soul of the innocents in her past time. Maybe, that's why I am so interested in her because I am her next target. I have to look into her witch craft practice the next time I visit her house. 

"Now you got the time to show up at MY HOUSE. You eloped with my daughter from the university and you thought I won't know, huh! Even a leaf can't move in the university without coming into my notice. Where's my daughter?" a loud voice boomed through the downpour, even scarring me a little. 

I am definitely not prepared to face this man right now. I can't hide today's incident from him but I also can't tell him what happened today; he will chop my head and savor the taste in dinner, even might as well feed spoonful of my brain to "his daughter". 

"Will you give me the time to explain ?" I asked politely. Can't get into the bad side of this old man right now. 

"You have two minutes. Speak before I break your face." he said. Not even letting me to get in. 

You can't even prepare instant noodles in two minutes and this man right here wants me explain today's events in two minutes; what is wrong with him. Just then, I sneezed and chachi's voice came from inside the house. "Let him get in and freshen up, then you can interrogate him as much as you want." 

"Okay, but you can only come in. You will freshen up after answering my questions." he said and to the side to let me get in. 

"Now speak." he said as chachi handed the towel to me. 

"Actually Atreyi wasn't feeling well and told me to take her home. That's it." I tried to formulate a lie that doesn't sound like a lie. 

But chachu's  face told me that he bought none of that. "Do you want me to believe that lie?" 

Yes, that would have been nice. Just accept it, please. 

But of course that didn't happen. He grabbed my collar and asked, "Either you speak up right now or I just break your face; choice is yours." 

Knowing him, he will actually punch me and won't even feel bad about it. So, I decide to let him know the half, which isn't technically a lie, is it?    

"Actually, Atreyi had a panic attack, so I decided to take her home and let her rest." I spoke. 

"She had WHAT?" 

"Panic Attack. It wasn't that severe though. She is quite well now." I tried to calm the lion.   

"Why? Why did she have a panic attack when I warned you several times to take care of her. Did I not tell you Atharv?" He asked as disappointment flashed through his eyes. 

Now I am feeling even guiltier for choosing Holi as our troop's festival. If I hadn't been this adamant all of this would not have happened. Atreyi would have been well and would have attended the rally.   

"I was going to her cabin only when she called me and was repeating some incoherent words while crying uncontrollably. After looking for some time I finally found her in her cabin covered in colors." I admitted not being able to hold back any longer.  

"Atharv you disappointed me today. I thought you could take care of her but I was wrong, so wrong. Go! Go to room and freshen up otherwise you will catch cold." saying so he turned away and left.  

I should have taken care of her but better late then never. Today you are saying that I can't take of my neonata but the day will come when you will say that nobody can handle her better than me, I promise you of that chachu. Atharv Malhotra promises you of that. 

______________________________________________________

Principal Sir :- Vote and i will forgive this idiot. 

Atharv :- I am not an idiot chachu. *whining like a toddler*

Principal Sir :- You just keep your mouth shut.