The Weeping Stars

Desperation

Indra took a few more days to recover fully. In fact, his forced incubation allowed him to slowly take stock of the situation and hatch a plan. He needed to be devious, fast and one step ahead. The fine net that has been spun around his business and the one he can feel closing in on his personal life has to left intact. He has to use the same net to reel in his enemies, one by one. All he needed was to buy time.

'It seems our nurse did a great job!', a cool voice interrupted his thoughts.

Indra did not want to be reminded of Isha. She is the only thing holding him back. In everything he plans, Isha seems to take the central stage.Some of the frustration seeped into his expression as he turned to answer his brother.

'She did not stay in her position for long. I have not seen much of her for the last two days! Where is she?'

Ishaan sauntered into the room and pulled up a chair. 

'Mother seems to have taken her under her wings. After school, she mostly spends her time with mum sad other ladies, preparing for the festivities. If I am not wrong, mother does not care much for her nursing skills!' 

Indra's brows drew together in a furious frown. He did not expect this. 

'It's my mistake, I should have been more careful. I am not ready to tell the whole world about me and Isha. That would spoil everything!'

Ishaan did not like the tone of this. Isha is not a dirty secret that can be shoved under the carpet.

'You cannot treat Isha like this. You need to acknowledge your relationship. That's the least you can do under the circumstances!', Ishaan burst out.

Indra smiled coolly. '

All in good time. Although I admit I find it hard to keep my hands off her, I have not compromised her completely. Isha is innocent, and I need to protect her!' Indra added with suppressed vehemence.

 Ishaan felt a shiver of fear as her watched the lethal gleam in Indra's eyes.

'My marriage to Usha is the only thing that can hold her Dad off for some time. They can harm Isha easily, while wrecking our business. I have an obligation to protect the vast empire our family has built over the years. I just can't put my feelings first. I have decided to get engaged to Usha. This will buy us precious time. We will use that time to turn the tables on them.'

'What will happen to Isha in the mean time. Anyone can see her love for you shinning in her eyes.   How will you stop her from claiming you as hers?' Ishaan asked incredulously.

Indra's expression turned bleak. 'I will teach her to hate me, just enough to break her heart and drive her away from here.' 

Indra could feel waves of disapproval coming from Ishaan. 

'Why don't you try taking her into your confidence? She will understand I am sure!' Ishaan was fed up with his brother.

Indra signed. 'Have you seen how innocent she is, how she wears all her expressions on her sleeve. Do you think she will be able to act or lie? I want her out of here somewhere safe.'

He did not disclose his initial suspicions. Guilty or innocent, she needs to be away.

'Lets hope you don't drive her straight back into  Nitin's arms!' Ishaan cautioned before leaving.

Indra glared at his brothers back. The mention of Nitin spoiled his whole mood. He needed to do something about that immediately. But what?

Isha's days were so busy, she hardly had any time to visit Indra. Ashe did not dare to venture out at night. But her heart longed to see Indra, to touch him, to be near him once more. she was finding it difficult to concentrate on the most mundane tasks. Right now they were selecting the colours for Rangoli. Suddenly her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

'In your room now!'

Isha quietly slipped out of the group. She was finding it hard to believe that she was sneaking into her own room like a thief.

In her room, she found the door locked from outside. Inside, it was empty. Or, it seemed to any casual onlooker. He was standing in the shadows. Isha rushed into his arms.

Indra crushed her into him and slammed his lips onto hers. The kiss was not gentle, it was one of  fierce determination. It burned Isha to her core. She could not breathe. When eventually Indra let her go, she could feel every pulse beating furiously.

'Did you breakup with Nitin?' 

It took a few moments to sink in. Isha was taken aback. She wriggled for some space, but it only seemed to bring her closer, if that's possible.

'I did meet him to break it off. But he has asked for some time. He does want our parents to know right now'

'Why?'

'He needs some time to break the news. He said it would look odd if we broke it off suddenly. He just wants to carry on as usual for a few days, until Diwali.'

'And you agreed', Indra asked in an ominous voice.

Isha grew uncertain as Indra's hand fell from around her. She felt lonely. 

'It did not seem like an unreasonable request', Isha murmured uncertainly.

'What reason did you give him?'

'I told him I am in love with someone else' Isha did not miss how Indra tensed at her words. It can be her imagination, but a look of pain flashed on his face. It was gone in seconds, but it was there. Isha suddenly felt a distance between them, much bigger than the few feets that separated them.

Isha closed in the distance and wound her arms around his neck. She leaned up to kiss away the tension on his face. It was like she poured her whole heart into the kiss. 

Indra just wanted the moment to go on for ever. He has never been good with words. This was how he could tell her what she means to him. He wanted to entrench these moments into her memory permanently; so deep that when her mind is surrounded by the storms of doubts, she could find the truth in these moments.

Her eyes were closed, lips were swollen in soft pink with a mysterious smile. This is the memory Indra will carry with him till he could tell her how much he loves her. 

'I will be away for a few days. Will come back on Diwali. You will take good care till then, right?'

That brought Isha out of her daze in a blink. Going away?

'Where?'

'Everywhere! I have been here for too long. My work needs me. Just promise me something, you will not go alone anywhere!'

Isha nodded absentmindedly. She was busy counting the days till Diwali.

'Don't worry. ' he waved his phone, 'I will be in touch'. With that he slid out of the room silently. Isha felt the whole room has lost its warmth.

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