Parivara: Story of a Family

19 : In the Light

In the next couple days, Aditi avoided going out of her room very much, because she was really avoiding Vishu. Her nightmare had scared her so deeply, she couldn't even sleep properly anymore. She kept picturing Vishu being dragged away by guards and being hung to death. It would all be her fault; the man she loved would die because of her.

"Boo!" Vishu whispered in her ear, and Aditi jumped. She was lying on a blanket on her chamber floors, and had been too lost in thought to even realize he was there. Before anymore words were exchanged, Vishu bent his head down and placed his lips onto hers, kissing her slowly and sweetly. Aditi could feel her body melting under him, and it took all of her willpower to gently push him away. Vishu squinted his eyes at her as he grabbed a pillow and lay on the ground beside her. "I knew it."

"Knew what?" Aditi asked nervously, avoiding eye contact.

"You've been avoiding me," Vishu answered plainly.

"No. No, I haven't." Aditi denied, not too convincingly. "I've just been very busy. Maa keeps giving me projects to do. Sewing and singing lessons, and all."

"Aditi, that is a horrible excuse." Vishu told her, looking at her as if he'd expected more. "And even if it had been a good excuse, I can tell when you're lying. You forget who you're talking to."

Aditi lay on her back stiffly, staring up at her ceiling. She wasn't sure what to say next, or how she could get rid of him. His mere presence sent tingles down her spine, and she was worried her willpower couldn't take anymore.

"Just tell me what's wrong," Vishu whispered, and his eyes were so big and warm, Aditi felt safe enough to answer. She told him about her nightmare, every detail. Her parents, the guards, how real it had all felt. She found herself shivering after it was all said and done, but she swallowed her fears and wrapped her arms around herself to stop it. Vishu gave her a small smile and said, "Don't let nightmares scare you so much. It doesn't mean anything."

"But it does mean something, Vishu! You don't understand. The guilt and sadness I would feel if it were to come true... it would kill me, too." Vishu saw how distressed she was, and reached a hand out to pat hers and comfort her. Aditi sighed and slowly moved her hand from under his. "I think it would be better if we went back to the way things were before."

Vishu was quiet, his eyes searching her, but finding no satisfactory answers. "What do you mean, the way things were before?"

"I mean," Aditi spoke slowly, trying her hardest not to let her emotions take over. "When we were friends and only friends. Nothing more."

She thought he'd be angry, but Vishu only smiled again. "Not possible."

"What?" Now she was the one searching him for answers.

"It won't be possible," Vishu explained, sitting up straight and looking at her as if she should already know what he meant. "Aditi, the way we feel about each other is not something we can hide. Even before, it was a special bond between us, and now it's even more special. We pledged marriage to each other! We could never pretend we didn't feel for each other, and we wouldn't be able to stand not being together."

Aditi was a little breathless from his winded answer, but she awkwardly answered, "Yes we can."

"Oh really?" Vishu raised his eyebrows at her. "I give it a day, maybe. You won't be able to last longer. We need each other, and you'll come back to me when you realize this." He reached out and pinched one of her cheeks playfully before standing up and leaving the room.

Aditi felt her chirpy self want to come out and say something along the lines of, "You'll break first! I can control myself!" but she let him go. She doubted herself, wondering exactly how much willpower she would have to summon in the coming days. It was all up to her not to break control, and she knew it would be a struggle.

***

Divya was taking a stroll through the gardens, enjoying the warm day. It was so pleasant out, it was easy to forget her troubles. Lately, times had been tough for her, but the sun against her back made her forget her pains. Suddenly, she felt a splash of water hit her back, and she turned to see Rakesh standing in the middle of a fountain.

Divya laughed at the sight and called out, "Pagal! (Crazy person!)"

"Come, be my pagli (crazy girl)!" Rakesh held his hand out, and Divya giggled but moved toward him anyway. She took his outstretched hand and allowed him to help her into the fountain. The water was cool, but refreshingly so. Divya allowed her skirts to get wet, and it felt nice to wiggle her toes underwater. Rakesh pulled her close and held her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

"Arre (hey), what if someone sees?" Divya asked him, but her tone was light and her eyes had mischievous sparkles in them, like Rakesh's.

"I've told you before, I don't care if someone does." He smiled brightly, his cheeks breaking into their happy little dimples.

"You're in a good mood today," Divya replied, raising her eyebrows and dimpling herself.

"As are you. It's such a beautiful day, and I thought what better way to spend it than with a beautiful girl?"

Rakesh dug his face into her neck, and Divya slapped him away teasingly, giggling out, "Besharam! (shameless!)"

"But really," Rakesh said, holding her tight and looking into her eyes. "We've been so troubled lately, and I can tell you haven't been well. I just thought it'd be nice to relax and have fun for a change."

"Thank you," Divya whispered, laying her forehead agonist his. Rakesh tilted his face to the side and claimed her lips with his, kissing her with more warmth and joy than the sunny day could've ever provided her.

Little did the happy couple know, they had a spy watching them from behind the bushes by the fountain. Payal watched as Divya and Rakesh kissed each other and embraced passionately, her smirk growing wider and wider. It was almost too good to be true.