the beauty and the beasts

Chapter 9

Author's POV.

Anirudhh stopped the car outside Shreya's house. Shreya stared at the house with eyes filled with tears. No matter how strong a person is they do have weaknesses. Shreya was a strong girl, but what weakened her was her parents, her home.

She lovingly stared the place where she spend all of her childhood, teenage and adulthood.

Tears escaped her eyes but unlike yesterday when, her eyes were filled with tears of pain and hurt today her tears were of happiness and hope. A hope that someday everything will get back to normal. She understood that whatever happened was her destiny.

She ran out of the car towards the main door of the house. She rang the door bell, she was relieved and happy that finally she will be able to meet her parents.

Shreya rang the door bell after a few minutes her mother opened the door. Shreya hugged her mom tightly and tears escaped her eyes more fiercely.

"Mom. I love you" she said with tears in her eyes.

"Shreya, Baby. How are you?" Her mom asked while stroking her back.

Shreya pulled back and stared at her mom. Its just been one day. But for Shreya it has been a decade since she met her parents.

"Where is dad?" Shreya asked her mother.

"Shreya?" Her dad called her. She ran towards her dad and engulfed him in a hug.

She cried. However strong she remained all day. All her strength weakened looking at them.

Anirudhh stood there and looked at Shreya with an unknown emotion. His eyes were unreadable. He gave a curt nod to Shreya's dad. Shreya noticed it but she ignored it, she was really happy to react at that moment.

Shreya was busy talking to her parents, while Anirudhh stood there looking at thier small family reunion.

While talking to her parents Shreya noticed Anirudhh standing a few steps away from them, she stopped talking and excused herself from her parents and started walking towards Anirudhh. As Shreya was a couple of steps away from Anirudhh, he moved away from her. He moved towards the couch and sat there.

Shreya was stunned and she was confused as to why Anirudhh ran away from her. She anyhow ignored that and spent the evening with her parents talking to them and enjoying whereas Anirudhh sat on a corner silently.

Soon after dinner Shreya had to again leave; she became sad and tried to stop her tears but they betrayed her.

While returning Shreya sobbed silently while Anirudhh drived the car silently.

****

Shreya went to the bathroom in their room while Anirudhh used the bathroom of living room.

Shreya layed on the bed after a few minutes Anirudhh came and layed beside Shreya on the bed. Shreya was shocked for a few seconds then she tried sleeping; but she was not getting any sleep because something was confusing her. She tossed and turned on the bed and finally when She lost her patience she angrily sat up and tried to call Anirudhh but as soon as she saw him sleeping peacefully she lost her anger and confusion; she again tried to sleep but yet again she was unsuccessful; she whispered "Anirudhh?" No response; this time a little louder "Anirudhh?" He stirred a little; she took a deep breath and this time she tapped his shoulder and called him louder "Anirudhh?"

Anirudhh slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. They both stared at eachother until Anirudhh called her "Shreya." Shreya came back to senses.

"Uhh.. Anirudhh! Can we talk?" She asked. Anirudhh looked confused but nodded his head.