I woke up with a heavy, pounding headache. My eyes fluttered open, and a groan escaped my lips as I tried to sit up. The room around me was unfamiliar, the soft scent of cologne and something else I couldn't quite place lingered in the air. I ran a hand over my face, feeling the coolness of my skin, then froze as my fingers brushed against fabric.
Ashtram's shirt.
I looked down, realizing I was still wearing his oversized button-down shirt. Panic surged through me, my heart racing in my chest. How had I ended up here? The fragments of my memory were scattered, each one a sharp, jarring image that didn't make sense.
I tried to focus, closing my eyes to recall what had happened. I remembered... kissing him. A surge of heat ran through my veins as the image of his lips, of the softness and urgency of that kiss, flooded my mind. Then it came crashing down - the moment I tried to undress myself in front of him. The memory made my stomach twist in knots.
No, no, no... What had I been thinking?
I cringed, guilt and embarrassment flooding my system. Ashtram... he hadn't taken advantage of me. In fact, I could recall his steady, calm voice as he had stopped me. His strong hands had gently held me back, but there was no anger in his touch, no malicious intent. He had only tried to protect me from myself.
He must think I'm insane, I thought bitterly.
I pushed myself up slowly, the room spinning slightly as I caught my breath. I felt the weight of the moment, the shame of not being in control of myself. The guilt gnawed at me, sharper than the headache that pulsed behind my eyes. What had I been thinking? Why had I let myself go so far?
I couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at my insides. The guilt was still suffocating, and my head felt too heavy to think clearly. I needed a moment to breathe, to clear my mind. I pushed myself off the bed and made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath my feet grounding me in the moment.
I splashed cold water on my face, the chill momentarily numbing the confusion and guilt swirling inside me. I leaned over the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were bloodshot, my face pale, and there was a certain vulnerability about me that I couldn't deny. I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol still lingering in my system or the emotions that had overwhelmed me, but I didn't recognize the girl staring back at me.
With a deep breath, I stepped back from the mirror and dried my face with a towel, pushing away the thoughts threatening to consume me. I needed to focus. I needed to get control.
When I exited the bathroom, I was greeted by a soft knock on the door before it opened slightly. A maid entered, carrying a tray with a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
"Good morning, ma'am," she said with a polite smile as she set the tray on the bedside table.
"Thank you," I murmured, trying to sound normal, but my voice cracked with the weight of my thoughts.
She stepped back, ready to leave, but I stopped her.
"Wait," I said, my voice a little firmer now. "Where is Ashtram?"
The maid paused, looking at me with a polite expression. "Sir is in his study room, ma'am."
I nodded absently, feeling a strange tug at my chest.
In his study room?
I couldn't help the surge of emotions at the mention of him. Was he angry with me? Was he upset?
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down. I didn't know what I was expecting, but I had to face whatever this was between us, whatever had happened last night. I couldn't hide from it any longer.
Vedant stepped into the study, his expression still tense. "How is Niranya now?"
"She's sleeping," I said, glancing up. "I ordered the maid to bring her lemon juice when she wakes up."
Vedant nodded but paused, glancing at me.
I leaned back in my chair, meeting his gaze. "What about Megha? How is she?"
"She's fine. A little shaken, but she'll be okay," he answered.
I let out a slow breath, trying to push away the weight of everything going on. There was still a lot to deal with, especially when it came to Niranya.
Vedant's voice cut through my thoughts. "You should tell her the truth, Ashtram. There are already too many misunderstandings between you two. It's time."
I ran a hand through my hair, my mind racing. "How do I tell her, Vedant? How do I say that I'm not a normal person? That I've been alive for the last 200 years?" I stood up, pacing. "Will she even be able to bear it? How will she react?"
Vedant watched me quietly for a moment, his face serious. "She deserves the truth. It's the only way to end the lies, the distance. If she truly means something to you, don't keep her in the dark."
I clenched my jaw, the weight of his words sinking in. Could I really risk it? Could I tell her the truth and watch everything unravel?
I stopped pacing, my chest tightening with every thought. "Will she be able to bear that, Vedant? That she married a cursed man... No, I forced her into this." My voice cracked, the guilt seeping through. "I didn't give her a choice. She never signed up for this-this darkness, this life."
Vedant remained silent for a moment, before his voice softened. "The curse... it's part of you, but it doesn't define the love you share."
But I couldn't shake the feeling of self-loathing. "I never gave her the chance to choose for herself," I muttered.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from outside the door. My heart skipped a beat. A vase had broken.
I turned toward the door just as it creaked open slightly, revealing Niranya standing there, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and confusion.
"Oh no..." I muttered under my breath. She must have heard everything.
Vedant and I locked eyes, both realizing the same thing. The silence between us was deafening, broken only by the sound of her soft breaths.
I could see the tension in her posture, her hands trembling slightly as she stood frozen in place. She knew.
As I walked toward Ashtram's study room, my mind was swirling with guilt about last night. I needed to apologize, to explain. I couldn't believe I had acted the way I did, but somehow, my body had taken control, and I had lost all sense of myself.
But as I drew closer to the door, I suddenly heard voices. The door was slightly ajar, and I paused, my heart racing as I tried to listen in.
I froze when I heard Vedant's voice first:
"How is Niranya now?"
Ashtram's voice followed, calm yet heavy:
"She's sleeping. I ordered the maid to provide her lemon juice when she wakes up."
There was a brief silence before Vedant spoke again, more seriously this time:
"You should tell her the truth, Ashtram. Already too many misunderstandings between you two."
Ashtram sighed deeply, his voice tinged with something... regret?
"How do I tell her that I'm not a normal person? That I've been alive for 200 years?"
He let out a bitter laugh.
"Will she be able to bear it? How will she react?"
My heart clenched at the words. What was he talking about?
Then I heard Ashtram's voice grow more distant, almost self-loathing:
"Will she be able to bear that she married a cursed man... No, Vedant. I forced her."
I gasped softly, unable to stop myself from stepping forward, my foot knocking into a vase in the process. It crashed to the floor with a loud sound, and I froze.
The air between us thickened. I could feel their eyes on me even before I looked up. I had heard everything.
"Angel, listen to me!" I called out, my voice filled with desperation as she turned and ran in the opposite direction.
I rubbed my face in frustration and sprinted after her. "Jaan, please, let me explain!" I shouted, my steps quickening.
But she didn't stop. Her figure moved like a blur through the corridor, her breaths ragged, her hands shaking as she clutched the folds of her kurta.
"Niranya!" I yelled again, but she didn't even look back.
She reached the first door she could find and slammed it shut before I could get to her. I heard the lock click, and my heart sank.
I stopped just outside, pressing my palms against the cold wooden surface. "Angel, open the door," I pleaded softly, my forehead resting against it. "Please... just let me explain."
But there was no response-just the sound of her sobs muffled by the barrier between us.
Vedant approached me cautiously, placing a hand on my shoulder. His voice was calm but firm.
"Ash, give her some time. Don't force her now," he said, glancing at the door where she had locked herself in. "She's overwhelmed. Talk to her later when she's ready."
I clenched my fists, my gaze fixed on the door. Every fiber of my being wanted to break it down, to hold her, to make her understand. But Vedant was right.
I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening as I nodded reluctantly. "You're right," I admitted, my voice low. "But it's killing me to leave her like this."
Vedant gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "You'll get your chance, Ash. Just not now."
I took one last look at the closed door, whispering softly, "I'm sorry, Angel," before stepping back, the weight of the moment pressing down on me like never before.
As the night deepened, my worry for her grew unbearable. She hadn't eaten lunch, and now dinner, too. I couldn't let her punish herself like this. My Angel didn't deserve this pain, even if she was angry at me.
I called the maid to prepare a plate of her favorite dishes. Taking it from her hands, I walked to the door where Niranya had locked herself. The silence behind it was suffocating.
Balancing the plate in one hand, I knocked firmly on the door. "Jaan, open the door," I called softly, trying to keep my voice calm despite the storm raging within me.
No response.
I knocked again, this time louder. "Angel, please don't do this to yourself. You haven't eaten all day."
Still, there was silence.
My patience wore thin. I couldn't bear the thought of her starving, punishing herself for my sins. "Jaan, open the door now, or else I'll have to break it," I warned, my voice sharper, filled with a mix of worry and determination.
I pressed my ear to the door, hoping for a sound, a sign that she was there and listening. My fingers tightened around the doorknob. "Don't make me do this, Angel," I whispered, my heart aching as I waited for her response.
Finally, the sound of the lock clicking broke the silence. The door creaked open slightly, and there she stood. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her face pale, and her lips trembling. My heart ached at the sight. Seeing her like this because of me felt like a dagger twisting in my chest.
Relief flooded through me as I exhaled deeply. "Jaan," I murmured, stepping closer, careful not to overwhelm her. "Please, Angel, have your dinner first. Then I'll explain everything to you, bachha. I promise," I pleaded softly, my voice laced with guilt and tenderness.
She hesitated, her gaze searching mine, as if trying to decide whether to trust me again. After what felt like an eternity, she gave a small nod, her movements heavy with exhaustion.
I gently took her hand and led her to the nearest couch, making sure she was comfortable. Placing the plate on the table, I knelt before her, my hands trembling slightly as I picked up a spoonful of food. "Just one bite, Jaan. For me," I coaxed, my eyes fixed on her, silently begging her to eat.
She opened her mouth reluctantly, and I carefully fed her the first bite. A wave of emotions crashed over me-relief, guilt, and an overwhelming need to protect her from everything, even myself.
As I continued feeding her, I spoke softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I never wanted you to know this way, Niranya. I wanted to tell you when the time was right. I didn't want to scare you or make you feel trapped." My voice cracked slightly, but I kept going, desperate for her to understand.
She didn't say anything, just watched me with those beautiful, teary eyes. Each bite she took felt like a small victory, yet her silence weighed heavily on my chest.
"Please, Jaan," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Let me fix this. Let me make it right. Just don't shut me out again."
Her hands clenching the fabric of her dress. But she kept eating, and for now, that was enough.
As I fed her the last bite, she looked up at me, her gaze softening ever so slightly. Her voice, though hoarse from all the crying, carried that gentle concern I had come to cherish. "Did you have your dinner?" she asked quietly.
Her question caught me off guard, and I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite the heaviness in my chest. "No, Angel," I admitted softly. "I was more worried about you."
She frowned, her brows knitting together in disapproval. Without a word, she reached for the spoon and held it out, gesturing for me to eat. "You need to eat too, Ash," she said firmly, her tone carrying a hint of that caring authority I couldn't resist.
I hesitated for a moment, watching her fragile yet determined expression. "Jaan, you don't have to-"
"Eat," she interrupted, her voice leaving no room for argument.
I sighed and leaned forward, letting her feed me. The tenderness in her every movement, the way her fingers brushed against mine, reminded me of why I called her my Goddess. Even after everything, even in her hurt and confusion, she still cared about me.
Each bite she fed me felt like a balm to my tormented soul, her presence grounding me in a way nothing else could. I couldn't help but marvel at her purity, her capacity to care so deeply despite the pain I had unknowingly caused her.
I opened the door, unable to ignore the concern laced in his voice. My heart was torn, still reeling from everything I had overheard. But a part of me knew I needed to give him a chance to explain, to tell me the truth.
As soon as the door creaked open, his face lit up with relief. "Jaan, please have your dinner first," he said softly, his voice pleading. "I promise I'll explain everything after that."
I nodded, knowing I couldn't deny him this. He led me to the nearest couch and carefully placed the dinner plate in my hands. Gently, he began feeding me, bite by bite, his eyes never leaving my face, as if trying to read every unspoken word in my heart.
When I noticed he hadn't touched any food, I couldn't stop myself. "You didn't have your dinner, did you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
He shook his head, his lips twitching in a faint smile. "No, Angel. I was worried about you."
Without hesitation, I took the spoon and held it out to him. "Then let me feed you," I said firmly, not giving him a chance to refuse.
His eyes softened, and for a moment, he looked vulnerable, almost childlike. I fed him slowly, watching as he accepted each bite in silence, his gaze filled with emotions I couldn't quite place.
After we finished dinner, I placed the plate aside and looked at him, my heart hammering in my chest. "Now, please explain everything, Ash," I said, my voice trembling but determined.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood up, scooping me into his arms effortlessly. I gasped in surprise, but he simply walked to the bed and sat down, placing me gently on his lap.
His hands cupped my face as he looked into my eyes, his expression solemn yet tender. "Okay, Jaan," he murmured. "I'll tell you everything about my past... so listen carefully."
And with that, he began.......
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