The colours of love

Nana?

"Excuse us, Manya," Mrs.Ishwari said,  as she entered the office.
I silently walked out of Dev's office. It was the very same night and Dev had called me to give me my pay cheque. There were no questions asked, no explanations demanded. I was just asked to collect my payment and leave. I was about to collect the cheque, when Mrs.Ishwari walked in.

For past half an hour, the mother and son have been inside the office. I was in Anna's room, pacing around feeling guilty, defeated and totally clueless of what might be happening in the room.
"Poker! Annaya wants to speak to you," Maan said, as he walked in to the room. I froze. Anna nudged me slightly. My mind was on auto mode, rewinding and replaying everything that transpired between Dev, Adrith  and I. As I walked into his office, Mrs.Ishwari walked out of office, not before giving me a stern look. I was scared. My eyes followed the path she took and lingered on the door, which was closed now. I heard someone clear their throat. I turned to look at Dev, who was looking at me so intently as though he was boring a hole in me. I lowered my eyes, not able to meet his.
"So, Adhya is my daughter?" he asked, his tone accusing.
I knew what I did was not wrong, but why did I feel...guilty?
I nodded, knowing my voice would fail me. I was not ready for this. I was not ready for the confrontation. Especially when I have failed at the task I was given, when I have failed to make Anika and Shiv cherish their happiness.
"Why did you not want me to know that I had a daughter?"
I swallowed the lump formed in my throat. You were the first one to know about her, about my pregnancy.
I half smiled, shaking my head I gave him my reason, " I did not want her... us to become a burden to you, a liability in your life."
He nodded, scratched the corner of his eyebrows, something he does when he is irritated or when he doesn't like something that is happening. Did he not like the fact that he had daughter? That's it, be prepared to walk out of his life Manya.

Dev quietly walked to the door and opened it while I stood rooted in my place.
"Let's go."
I turned so fast, that I had trouble balancing myself.
"Where?"
"I have lost four years of my daughter's life. I don't want to loose more."
My knees buckled, they gave away as I crashed down. He had accepted his daughter. That is it? No questions? No accusations, that I am lying? No demands for proof? I looked into Dev's eyes to see if he was joking, a little hint of humour before he asks me get out of his place and not bring up this topic, ever. But all I found was seriousness and determination.
"Oh my, Vadina!" I heard Anna gasp, and walked into the office pushing her brother. "You alright? I heard a thump, so I came to check? Do you feel okay?" she ranted. I hadn't taken my eyes from Dev, yet, who was glued to his place. I felt Anna nudge me, I slowly got up taking her hand, "I am fine," surprised but fine.

Next half an hour went by, as I packed my clothes. It was ten in the night, but still Dev was ready to drive 700 kilometres. The way he said, "We are going to leave in half an hour, get ready and be at the garage," left me with no room for discussion. The walk to the garage was too awkward. I knew they had accepted me but gauging Dev's expression and reaction which was nill, I felt bad that I had caused some disturbance in this beautiful family. Maan carried my luggage till the garage in spite of my resistance and loaded the luggage in the car. Dev was leaning on the car staring into the space.
"Annaya."  With that Dev seemed to snap out of his trance. He opened the car and sat in the driver seat. Maan  side hugged me and said, "you will be fine."
I genuinely thanked God letting me meet this family. As I got in the car, i noticed that there were many gifts in the back seat. I then looked at Dev, whose face gave away absolutely nothing. With the marriage mishap last night, we had barely slept, I would not suggest him drive for 13 hours straight but, I guess I have no say in it.

The next two hours pass with me sitting stiff as ice in the deadly silence. I looked over at Dev to see his death grip on the steering. His knuckles are white, it could be because he might upset, angry or disappointed. But I know he was harbouring a negative feeling, for sure. I looked at his face trying to decipher his thoughts, but I am clueless. He is closed, totally guarded.