Crossing The Devils Path

chap 29- messed up

This chapter is dedicated to my most beloved senior in college. I really adore this girl💗 the most friendly senior from all the others.
So this chapter is dedicated to
niltasoodnew.
Happy Reading people :*
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Richard's pov;
I was waiting for her to reply. She looked.like she was fighting an internal battle whether or not to.tell me.
Was it so bad? But she really liked Dante atleast as a friend she was fond of him. I will strangle his neck with my bare hands if he did so much as even hurt a strand of her hair.
I sounded like a lovestruck teenager but i didn't care. Not now atleast, when Richa needed me. I was going to be her shield and protect her regardless of whether she wanted me to be there or not.
I took her hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. She looked in my eyes and I could see was struggling with her emotions. Without a thought I bent a little and kissed her forehead. Dhe smiled weakly at me and then opened her mouth to talk.
" I.. Want to go home" she said sp softly that i wouldn't have heard if I wasn't paying close attention. Her words struck like an arrow at my heart. Here I was, waiting for a chance to tell her that she meant the world to me and that's what I wanted to make her...My world. But her words left me speechless.
" Why what happened? You know I can't let you go. Not for my plan but atleast for your own sake." I said truthfully trying not to sound desperate to make her stay.
She nodded and looked down.
I pulled her to me and she hugged me instantly as if that was what she exactly needed.
" Dante..he tried to f..forced himself on me. I..i was in my towel and he jjjust enteredd..t..the room " she stammered and then sobbed in my chest. I soothed her by rubbing her back up and down. After a while her sobs died down. She stopped crying bt my anger was boiling like a pot of soup simmering on the flame. Nevertheless I kept my anger in check for Richa. I had to be there for her and not push her just like the doctor said.
So I held her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips and pulled away. Even through her tear streaked face I could see her blush.
"Baby you need to rest. I will meet you at breakfast tomorrow morning. Its already 2 am now." I said rising and pulling the duvet over her body. She nodded and closed her eyes. I stood there staring at her till I was sure she had fallen into deep slumber. Tip toeing out of the room I marched to my room. Anger boiling in my every vein. I took my bag, exited the room and went to the gym.
Luckily I had a gym at my own house otherwise It would be difficult to hit a gym this time at night.

Two hours later...
I looked at the time and saw it was 4 am already. Sleep would definitely not come to me. So i decided to take out my frustration on the punching bag.
But my body gave way and I sat on the ground. Sweat dripping from my body and a whirlind of thoughts, emotions and anger consuming me.
I love Richa so much that it hurts now. I will protect you Richa whether its from my bestfriend, my father or even....... Me.
With this promise i stood up and freshened up. I dressed up in my suit and went to check up on Richa. She was sleeping with a frown on her forehead. She looked like she was fighting her internal battles.
And the hardest battles are not the ones fought on a battlefield with brave soldiers, guns or shields
The hardest battles are fought in our minds and hearts.
Where whichever side wins.
Its a part of us we loose....

"Its time I fight your battles for you Richa. You have gone through enough. Now let me take your pain away. Sleep well my princess. I will be back soon"
I said kissing her forehead .
With that i softly closed the door and headed to my destination.
Throughout the drive a soft smile lingered on my lips. All those words which I said to Richa weren't practiced. They came from a place deep inside my heart which I had locked up for myself. Until Richa unknowingly opened every door and every way to my heart.
Seeing the driveway I slowed down to park. Quickly I got out and went to inside the building.
I could hardly wait. My conscious was glaring at me and my heart felt like it had been severely injured seeing Richa in that state.
Once I reached the door I didn't even bother to bang on it. I knew where he kept his keys. But we both had an extra pair of our house keys with each other in case of each other.
I unlocked the door and shamelessly walked inside. I searched for him in the hall but there was no sight of him.
So I walked towards the bedroom. I heard faint moans coming from there but I didn't care. My anger had reached its boiling point. How dare he force himself on my Richa and sleep here with some girl. How dare he enjoy his night with some woman when my Richa is left in tears and trauma.
I yanked open the door and rushed in. I was mentally prepared for what I was going to see inside. Clothes were fallen on the floor and Dante was busy hovering over the women covering herself with the bedsheet. On hearing my foot steps they turned in my direction and their eyes widened. I couldn't waste time so I just walked to Dante's bed and caught him by the arm literally dragging him out of the room, only clad in boxers.
" What the hell man? What do you think your doing barging in my ho.... " he started but my hand landed a hard punch on his face before he could complete.
Blood started dripping from his lower lip. Before he could reacr further I dragged him all the way out of the house, catching him by the neck.
The fact that I had a more muscular and stronger body than his made me thank the god for my gyming sessions. He quietly sat in the car while I drived.
" she told you didn't she? " he asked wipping the blood from.his lips.
My hands clenched tighter on the steering wheel and my knuckles paled.
" sorry man I hadn't planned it she looked irresistible when I saw her...in.." he left the sentence incomplete. Thats when I turned to see him. He genuinely looked sorry and ashamed but I wasnt satisfied. I drove in brooding silence till I reached my house.
I parked and went to open Dante's door when suddenly, he opened the door and I fell on my back. I cursed as a surge of pain shot through my back. Nevertheless I got up to kick him but he shot his hands in the air
In defense and said
" Come on man I had to do it. You know me I always want equal. Now please do not drag me inside I am ready to come in a civilised way. "
He offered me his hand and I took it. Standing up, we both went inside and stopped outside Richa's room.
"you know what to do right" I whispered yelled to him.
He nodded in agreement and I pushed the door open.
There she was.... sleeping like an angel. A soft smile playing on her lips. I had to wake her up but seeing her sleep like that made me smile too. I motioned to Dante to get out and he complied. I was about to leave too when I heared Richa whisper some words..so I went closer and kneeled down on the floor next to her side of the bed.
" I love you Richard " she said and smiled again. Although she was asleep a blush crept onto her face. My heart was soaring with love for this woman now. She was stronger than I thought.
I kissed her forehead, switched off the lamp and went outside, softly closing the door behind me.
I went to my room and changed. Then I left to find Dante. I knew where he would be. Opening the door of the gym I saw Dante punching the sack so hard that it was about to fall off the hook.
" Dante" I called.
No response, only silence.
" Dante!" I spoke with a cold voice.
He just looked at me and slowly his eyes went lower to the ground.
In all my 25 years of life never had I seen Dante look so genuinely sorry. But his eyes said more... More then just sorry. As if he was in pain too.
We both sat next to each other on the ground.
"She trusted me so much. She called me her Fidante and all I did waa scare her. Hurt her. She looked so broken, her face still tear stained." he said with great effort as if it was difficult to speak.
I heard him in silence. I didn't want to be consumed by my anger again. I needed to know his side too.
"When you brought her here..I just wanted to get in hee pants once..."he continued.
I clenched my fists and my breathing became laboured.
"but then I got to know her. She's ao different, she's strong and fragile at the same time. Kind and hilarious, fiesty...shes.."
"perfect" we both said together and sighed.
" But shes mine" I added.
" yes she is she really loves you. Her eyes talk so much" he said sounding sad.
" I am going to apologize to her properly tomorrow " he said getting up to leave.
" Stay" I said " your hurt and tired ".
He nodded and we both walked out in silence.
" Hey dude, thanks for the punch. I deserved it" He said smirking.
" But I didn't deserve what you did" I said faking anger.
" Oh the car thing? Thats karma" he winked and we both went our ways.

I got up early to make breakfast for Richa. I could cook well but i hadn't done that in a very kong time. Maybe because I didn't have someone to cook for.
Now you have. My mind said and it made me smile. Infact, I had been smiling alot lately because of Richa. My thoughts, worries, .. everything was about her now. It scared me to love her so much I was scared of losing her too...just like Samaira.
I sighed, atleast the thought of Samaira doesn't make my heart ache anymore. I feel nothing for her now. Not even hatred. I took the tray of food and went to Richa's room. She was still sleeping soundly when I enetered. I placed the tray on the bedside table and bent down to kiss Richa on her forehead.
"Good morning" I whispered softly to her.
She slowly opened her eyes and smiled looking at me. My heart skipped several beats... her smile was adorable and heart melting.
We both sat up and ate ohr breakfast. I made small talk occasionally but Richa was busy eating. So I decided to enjoy the silence and ate my breakfast staring at her.
When she would glance at me she would blush and resume eating. Once we were done I called the maid to take our plates away.
" The food was yummy" she said excitedly. I shook my head at her enthusiasm. Who could say she was the same women who brokedown in my arms yesterday. Her courage left me awe of her every single time. Hearing a knock I turned around towards the door. Dante came in wearing his spare pair of clothes which he would keep at my place.
I looked at Richa but she visibly paled and clutched my hand tightly.