The Desert Lily

Chapter 16

Not proofread (I'm lazyyyyy 😝)So plz point out all those mistakes you see. I would like to correct them.

Ayush drew in a deep breath as he stood infront of Praniti's portrait. A cup of coffee sat evaporating on a table nearby. He inhaled the cool air around yet again.

"Praniti.. I... Married... "he stuttered.

"Yes... I married her. Your best friend. Did I commit a mistake? Did I.... cheat you by doing so? If yes... I'm utterly helpless... After seeing her looking after our Prarthana like a mother...I just.. Felt it was you... She is able to see our baby like her own. She loves our daughter... And her kids.. They lack the presence of a father. I've heard Kevin asking Samaira about his father. She replies that he doesn't have someone like a father. Whenever I hear so.... I feel really very bad...When my parents too wanted me to wed her... I... I'm sorry Praniti... I have committed a grave mistake against you.. I'm sorry. "he broke down.

He sat hugging his knees below her painting,drops of saline left his eyes.

Mohini entered the room out of nowhere.

"Son, did you drink the coffee? "she asked calmly as she didn't notice his crying face.

"Ne. No.. "his voice faltered and she suddenly knew something was wrong.

"What happened son? "she asked as she turned on the lights.

She was stunned. There were about twenty painting canvases in the room. Each one had a painting of Praniti.

"When... Did you do these? "she asked as she walked to his dishelved self.

"Nights... All these nights.. I spent painting.... Her.. I just can't sleep without her by my side. "

Mohini kneeled down before him and pulled up his sunken head. His eyes were red.

"Son.. I.. know how much you love Praniti. I really do. But now.. You're someone else's husband.You have certain responsibilities. And there's something you should see. "Mohini suddenly stood up rushed outside.

She came back after a few minutes with a book which seemed like Praniti's diary.

She opened it and flipped the pages. Stopped doing so, when she reached a particular page. She handed it over to him.

Ayush read it carefully. His late wife's words made him gasp out of shock as well as sorrow. He never knew she was the owner of such a golden heart. The guilt he had a few minutes back vanished completely. The words he read gave him a new feeling of verve.

But still.... He couldn't control his eyes from discharging a liquid.

He held the diary close to his heart and leaned on the wall.

Pranithi's smile filled his closed eyes. Soon it was faded and another face painted itself. He closed his eyes tighter,trying to decipher what exactly was going on inside him.

................

The night breeze touched the still leaves making them rustle. The moon stood shining, looking fondly at the lilies which just bloomed.

Samaira crossed her arms and looked at herself in the mirror. She was clad in a white saree with golden brocades and a peacock blue blouse. She looked beautiful as always but her eyes lacked something.

She tucked some of her hair behind her head with a clip.

She then started walking to a room which once belonged to Praniti and Ayush. The whole journey gave her a different feeling altogether.

She was none to fill Praniti's void, she knew very well. She also knew Ayush won't ever be able to see her as his life partner. She knew she herself won't be able to love her husband.

She brushed off all the thoughts and prayed to god almighty.To provide her with strength and love so that this new beginning of her life would be smooth.She reached the bedroom's door and was about to open it when she heard a conversation going on inside.She decided to listen what it was all about.

"So you are my new father?"she could make out it was Kevin.

"Yes.Yours and Reyan's."she knew the baritone very well.

"Yayy!I got a daddy.My clashmates used to teashe me ash I don't have a daddy.My Ayush uncle became my daddy.My clashmates will be jealoush now."Kevin exclaimed.

"Why would your classmates be jealous baby?"Ayush asked lovingly.

"Becaushe I have the most handshome daddy now."

She then heard a thunderous laughter of the duo.So loud that her eardrums nearly bled.She too smiled as her eyes brimmed with tears.She slowly entered the room to see Kevin clinging onto Ayush and the latter placing a kiss on the little boy's forehead.

Kevin saw her and smiled joyfully at her. Ayush turned around and saw who was at the door. He placed the kid down and walked towards her to stand before her.

"You won't have to say he doesn't have a dad anymore. I'm here for him. For them."he said and her heart melted like a candle. She nodded her head and picked up Kevin. He hugged her tightly and told her about the new father he got.

"You can sleep on the bed with the kids. I'll sleep on the couch. "he said and Mad his way to the sofa. She nodded her head again and laid on the bed with Reyan and Kevin.

They had to catch a flight to Dubai tomorrow. So a long peaceful sleep was needed. But both of them couldn't even close their eyes. They wondered what their life has in store for them. What will they have to face? Together.

.....................

It was three in the morning and their flight was at six thirty.Ayush stood by the balcony as he placed a cigar between his lips. He inhaled slowly and smoke came out of his mouth.

"You smoke? "asked Samaira who saw him in the balcony.

"I... Not always. "he said as he threw the cigar away which fell into the dustbin nearby.

"You shouldn't.You're a doctor. Someone who should be a role model to others. Moreover... Someone whom you love dearly never liked people who smoke. "

"But she loved... loves me... That's enough for me. "

"But what about the promise you made? You promised her that you won't walk around like Kabir Singh. Now just look at yourself. You'll put Kabir Singh to shame. Cigarette,overgrown beard.."

"As if you look so good and your friend wanted you to look like this. Eyes with dark circles, tired body,sad face... "

"Both of us cannot get out of this. I know. "she said as she breathed in a huge sigh.

At three forty five, they left to the airport. To a new beginning. To a new destination. Together.

................

I just saw Dear Comrade. Vijay Devarkonda had me drooling over him. After Pabsu, he's the only one I have drooled over like this 😁
I even feel like writing a fanfic. (that won't happen though)

Now, how was the chapter? Do leave your valuable comments and votes.