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C9 Chapter 8

Ana's Pov

I found Utkarsh's behaviour unusual. He was burning like a sun ball as soon as I entered dad's room. But it felt bizarre that dad appeared relaxed and happy. The ambience of the room was screaming that there is something I need to know but I did not want to discuss anything in front of dad as it may aggravate his condition.

Dad spoke to me a few things after I went to his room with the food. He was being queer in his talks that I need to take care of mom and convince my brother to excuse him on his behalf. With the passing minutes I was getting more paranoid by his words. I looked at Utkarsh with questioning eyes but he was giving away nothing by his impassive looks.

My senses were indicating me that something miserable was going to happen to dad in a short time but I pushed away the wretched thought chanting positive words. The best doctors in the city are taking care of dad and he will soon return back home hale and hearty. I kiss my dad's cheeks and he gives me a smile squeezing my hand. I felt very happy at that moment. Dad is always with a positive thought. He was promising me with his twinkled eyes that everything will go on in the best way but my happiness was only short lived.

I held Utkarsh and cried unstoppable. He dropped me in the house and immediately left but before that he kissed my head and looked into my eyes for a second. There held a promise in his look as he spoke "take care doll" the same words which he always uttered before going out since my childhood but this time I felt a premonition of a dangerous shadow lurking us. I don't want death hazards absorbing another member in my family.

"Utkarsh" I mumble resting my hand on his hairy cheek. "Don't cry." He insinuates wiping my tears away. "I will come back soon." Encircling my arms around his broad shoulders I let my body suck in the tranquilizing warmth of his muscled chest and kissed his cheeks standing on my tippy toes. Oh God please keep my man safe.

Hiding my face from him under the shadow of my curls I rushed straight to my bedroom and cried endless on my bed. I do not know why all this is happening in my life? I feel very distressed. I lost my dad, my mother is in coma and my brother left our home. With various incidences rolling in my mind, I find my tears invincible as I hear a knock at the door.

Aunt Geeta came in and brought me to a tender hug moving her hand on my back in a soothing way. Her motherly love brought an outburst of tears and I cried obstreperous letting out all my emotions. She allowed me to cry and pour my heart out whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

I saw Ajit uncle coming in through my tear stricken eyes. He ran his hand lovingly on my head and I couldn't stop crying into his avuncular chest. He gently rubbed my arms consoling and whispered "from today onwards call me dad. I raised my head to look into him and he looked at me full of endearment. Aunt Geeta joined us and hugged me from the side.

I lost my dad and the suspense is killing me about who is the person that is responsible for his death. I found my dad as always a friendly person. I wonder he could have such a big enemy who wouldn't hesitate to end his life. I tried to enquire dad about it several times but he never answered me. The only reply which I used to get from him was "Utkarsh will take care of everything." Dad trusted Utkarsh so much and it made me happy but I could clearly note that there was some news dad shared with Utkarsh which he kept away from me. With the behaviour of aunt Geeta and uncle Ajit, I knew I am the only person left in darkness.

Why are my family hiding things from me? Am I a fool incapable of handling situations?

It's already ten passed ten but Utkarsh hasn't reached home yet. I am worried like hell. My eyes go red because of lack of rest. Aunt Geeta persuaded me to sleep but currently it felt like a territory I wasn't allowed to step in. What if Utkarsh was in some kind of threat? Calm down Anastasia. Utkarsh is busy with some important work. I pat my racing heart doing a self talk.

All of us had a silent dinner and Ajit uncle and Geeta aunty were exchanging glances at each other speaking with their eyes. I doubt they already know the reason why Utkarsh is late. Uncle tried consoling me that Utkarsh is always late from work but little did he know I wasn't a kid anymore to believe in their false stories. What sort of work is it which keeps him busy so late in the night also when his office is at Mumbai and not Delhi? I contemplate there are many things in our families which are encrypted. Thinking in various scenarios about why he could be late my eyelids drop and unknowingly I sink into the warm comforter placed in the drawing room.

Somewhere in the middle of the night I hear the opening of the main door. I panic who it was this late in the night and hide myself behind the sofa to check upon the person. It was Utkarsh. I relax and come out of my hiding place hugging him tight. He trailed his hand on my back to comfort me and asked "Doll shouldn't you be to sleep?" I dropped my head down playing with the hem of my night shirt and mumbled meeting his eyes. "I was waiting for you to come home." He chuckles and raises my chin to peck the cheeks and my body goes placid dissolved by his touch.

His coat was gone and his white dress shirt was folded to his elbows. His thick black hair became messy as though he had run his hands on it several times and then suddenly I notice something. There are blood strains on his shirt. My eyes start welling and voice goes numb in trepidation. Did somebody try to harm him? Holding his hands my eyes start inspecting his body with my tearful eyes. Shit! How couldn't I notice this earlier?

I didn't pay attention to what he was speaking next and my eyes were trained to his blood strained shirt. I held his face in my trembling hands and began to inspect his lower body checking for wounds.

He understood my transience and spoke. "Calm down Ana, I am not injured anywhere. There was dog barking which came by my way. As it obstructed my path, I had to kill it." He spat with venom in his voice. "Certain things shouldn't be left to your hired hands. You should deal with them personally." He tells me with a declaration. What is he talking about? I look at him puzzled. He pats my shoulder with a smile. "Goodnight doll. Sleep tight. From today forward nobody is going to harm you." I wasn't able to understand head and tail of what he spoke and look at him confused. He takes my hand in his big, warm ones and brings me to bed kissing my forehead. "Sweet dreams my sweetheart."

There was no doubt that his statement was rather encrypted, and it has a meaning beyond the calming words he just spoke but I did not try to provoke the matter because I already knew, I wasn't going to get an answer. It was too late in the night. So I reserved my good bit of confrontation to the next day.

Is Utkarsh hiding from me something very important?

I feel very sorry for Ana, poor girl had so much to face at such a young age.

Dear Friends

Please share any of your stories with me and maybe I can incorporate them in one of my next novels.

And as a thank you gift I will send one of my stories to you completely free.

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