Crossing The Devils Path

chap 19- heart to heart talks

Hii readers. How are you all doing? Well my dear people how do you all like the new cover?  Please let me know.
I find it very impressive and most importantly fiery and passionate like the book.
All credits for the cover goes to my friend durrat. Thanks alot to her and since u made a lovely cover this chapter is dedicated to you:*
Enjoyyy and let me know guys
how  are you all liking the book. And dont forget to vote.
Te amo:*
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Richard's pov:
I hadn't slept all night. Richa's face was all I could think of. She looked devastated, broken and pale. She had lost all the colour from her face when i saw her last night. But i couldn't understand why she was such a mess. She looked like she had been holding alot inside. Her brown eyes were swirling with emotions i couldn't decipher. She said she missed her family but this was way more than that. I didn't want to push her but my curiousity was at its peek. I don't know what came over me but i went over and hugged her.
I thought maybe just maybe she might feel better. But when i hugged her it was me who was feeling better. The way her body leaned on mine made me feel a sudden urge to protect her. I don't know who hurt her but i will never let any other living soul hurt her ever again. She made me feel what I had buried deep inside my heart after Samaira. I wish I met her before.  I would never hurt her.
But aren't you the one hurting her right now? Keeping her away from her family,  from what makes her happy? Is your revenge so important? 
My conscience mocked me. I sighed. Life was playing with and my emotions and I could was sit behind and watch. I had to avenge my father and most importantly my mother... And yet here was Richa doing everything for me without even knowing the reason.  I had come to Richa's room to tell her what she meant to me. I wanted to give us a chance something tugged in my heart everytime I saw her.
I was brought back to reality when i felt someone move in my arms. It was Richa twisting and turning the entire night. I tried to hold her in place but every time she just moved closer and clutched my shiry tightly. She was holding me close as if her life depended on it. I felt hurt seeing her she looked like she was having a struggle within her. She kept murmuring things all night.
I really felt bad seeing her like this. Seeing her in pain made my heart ache too. Without thinking, I kissed her forehead.  Her eyes shot open. Brown beautiful eyes staring into mine. They had a hopeful look and I smiled hoping she would feel better.
"Good Morning baby" I said
She chuckled softly.
"baby?" she laughed.
I just nodded my head in return.
After that we were silent but my hand was moving up and down on her in an attempt to soothe her.
"I met him in college. It was my last year and a few weeks before graduation when he asked me out. We had always been friends and I had this little crush on him since the day I saw him in my class.  We became friends instantly and soon we had a group. We would hangout together,share secrets and the best part was my family liked him. So when he asked me to be his girlfriend I was on cloud nine. After graduating we both became busy with our jobs but we dated for almost two years after that and he treated me like a princess. His princess.
I loved him more then I was ever capable to love someone. When i used to look in his eyes all I would see was admiration, love and  care. One day i came home to see a party going on in my house. When I entered everyone cheered and there was Sameer standing on his knees with a ring in his hand. That day was my birthday and he proposed to me. He asked my parents for my hand in marriage and they gladly agreed. That was the happiest day of my life." Richa said.
I was completely taken aback. She was telling me about her past without me asking her. In a way I felt happy that she trusted me now. The painful look in her eyes was now replaced with a fond look. She was reliving the best day of her life back then.
Then she turned to me and continued her story while I listened intently
"We got engaged on my birthday and two months later I was standing in my wedding dress."  her body shivered slightly and i pulled her closer.
She gave me a sad smile,
"I was waiting at the mandap for him. Its a stage sort of thing, on which the bride and bridegroom take 7 rounds. It symbolizes togetherness for 7 rebirths. Its all a part if Hindu marriage rituals. "  she explained
"I waited and waited till an hour passed. My nervousness was replaced with anxiety and fright. I couldn't understand what took him so long. A few minutes later, Rahul, Sameer's friend came running towards my family. He said Sameer was gone withour a trace. No letter,  no belongings...he had left nothing behind."  her tears were flowing one after the other but I didn't wipe them away. I knew she needed to let it all out.
"He never came back Richard. I searched everywhere and every place for almost a year. Then a lost hope and focused only on my job. The happy and bubbly Richa was replaced by a workaholic woman who just existed.  She did not live." she said and buried her head in my chest.
Anger coursed through every vein in my body when i heard her story. Her past was even more painful then mine.
How could that man be such an idiot to break her heart? How could she love that man so much?
"He is gone Richa and he is never coming back. I am here and will always be. Don't cry for that useless,  heartless and despicable man who didn't know your worth" I said through gritted teeth.
"I wish what you said were true" she said softly.
I didn't understand what she meant but she looked in my eyes again and said
"Thankyou Richard for being there, I really needed it. And umm about that day with Dante, I am sorry I slapped you" she said
I laughed seeing her apologising for slapping me because i kissed her.
God this woman! What was she made of? She is a real something.
"Its ok Ironica. But ouch! My face still stings. I can think a kiss on the cheek will help reduce the pain"  i said winking
She blushed again. To my suprise, she got up a little and
placed  a lingering kiss on my cheek.
Wow her lips feel so nice on my skin.
Now we both sat up and were facing each other. My arms missed her presence but i had no choice. Breaking the silence I said
" Oh but listen.. I am not going to say sorry for kissing you. I really enjoyed it "
She widened her eyes and shook her head in a no. Then she playfully smacked my arm
"You are shameless Mr Carlson" she said smiling
"Only for my ironica" i replied.

An hour later we were both in our separate rooms, getting changed for breakfast. When i reached the dining table I saw Richa sitting there lost in thought. She was busy reading something which seemed like the newspaper. I took a seat next to her rather then opposite her. But did not even look up once. So i looked into what she was doing.  A wide grin broke on my lips seeing the picture of me and Richa on the front page of the newspaper. It was taken when i was on my knees proposing to her and she was blushing and looking at me. 
I wanted to frame that picture. But i snatched the paper from her hand. After what she told me in the morning I knew she was still upset. So i decided to take her out today. She gave me a confused look when I took the paper from her hand.
"Amore see how hot we look together. Stop staring at the newspaper baby it will burn under your stare" I said trying to light up her mood.
" when are you going to stop with your endearments for me?" she said huffing. She looked so cute when angry.
"never" I replied winking
I realised I had been winking alot around her. I smiled at the thought.
We started eating in silence when suddenly Richa asked me
" Why is this plan so important for you?" she asked
"Its the only thing I have been living for.  Otherwise after Samaira... I had nothing to live for" I said tried to sound indifferent.
"Its not just a plan its a revenge, to avenge my mother.." I said determinedly.
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So what do you all think? Revenge,  suspense, love,hatred.......
Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen.  I am going to take you on a rollercoaster of events and emotions.
Hang on till my next update.
Bye everyone :*