Chapter 25 - I hate to leave you alone.

|Innaya|

Eshan was just at few millimetres gap distance, while his eyes flickered to my lips before they locked with mine. Too stunned with recent activities and the intensity in his eyes, I stood without moving.

My mind swirled with different possibilities about interpreting the current situation, like pushing him to create some distance or letting him know he was crossing the line or pulling him closer and losing myself in the depth of his beautiful eyes and let him have the control.

Was he going to kiss me? For the third time from when we met, I wondered. He leaned in while I closed my eyes when all I wanted to keep them locked up with his. My heart thudded widely in my chest as the nervousness bubbled within me. I could feel his breath on my lips, it was as if our breaths were mingling with each other and creating the harmony of their own.

I opened my eyes when I felt the absence of his warmth. Eshan had stepped back and was looking at me with the small smile playing on his lips. He shook his head before he ran his hand through his hair, messing them.

"I will be in my study." He informed before briskly walking away, leaving the room.

I just stood dumbfounded at my place thinking- what the hell just happened? If he wanted, he could have just used the situation for his advantage. No one would have stopped him, not even myself.

I stared at his retreating back. Today his thoughtful action won him my respect. Because even though I could have gone with the flow now, I certainly would have regretted it later. Eshan considered that and acted with more thoughtfulness.

*

"You broke my trust?"

"You disappointed me."

"How careless you can be?"

"Can't you just do one thing properly?"

The angry voice that greeted me, as I entered the study room with breakfast tray had me, staggering in my steps. Somehow managing the tray and preventing the food from falling, I stared little afraid at the person in front of me.

With the sleeves of his white shirt folded till his elbow, his right hand holding his mobile near his ear and other massaging his temples Eshan restlessly paced in front of the study table.

"I don't need your apology. Book the next flight available." His loud frightening voice and his angry eyes scared me. I had never seen Eshan angry. He was always sweet, caring one. I now understood all the rumours about his anger.

His anger took me back to my past, past because of which I was afraid of many things. Anger topped that list. Not wanting to be subjected to his anger or be the object for him to take it down upon, as silently as I could, I started backing away.

I did not realize in the attempt of keeping my eyes on him, I had missed the door behind me and my back collided with it, earning a painful hiss from me, and sadly, attention from him.

Eshan rushed towards me; taking the tray away from my hands. He placed it on the t-table. The anger that was there a few moments ago was replaced by regret on his face.

"I am so sorry sweetheart. I did not mean to frighten you. Are you alright?"

I could just stare at him as he led me to the couch. He made me sit and he kneeled in front of me- just like the morning. I inhaled sharply as he buried his face in my lap mumbling something incoherent. Some time passed with us staying in the same position.

I sat unable to decipher the situation. His anger scared me but this behaviour worried me. Eshan took my hands that were lying limp on my sides and wounded them around his neck while wounding his around my waist.

"I have to leave for New York now," he almost groaned as if it pained him, even to talk about it.

I waited for him to explain. My fingers on their own accord started gently roaming in his already ruffled hair.

"Due to some misunderstanding and negligence from the staff of our company, I will have to be there to sort out the whole matter as the CEO." After long ten minutes of heavy silence, he answered.

"What's the problem, Eshan? I know you will solve it."

"I don't know how much time it will take, sweetheart. I hate to leave you alone."

"Why will I be alone?" I asked, feeling sad that he did not want to take me with him.

"You have the conference next week, Tesoro." He mumbled.

How could I forget about it? Even in this state, he remembered about me first. It touched my heart. However, it was not the time to feel sad, instead, I knew I had to encourage him, assure him so that he could relax and handle that issue with full concentration.

"Eshan, it's alright. I won't be alone as Amma will be there. In addition, I will be busy in the preparation, so you don't have to worry about me. You concentrate on resolving that issue." I tried in a soft tone, hoping it did not give away the sadness I was feeling.

It took some more convincing and after many instructions about taking care, his friends' numbers along with the special request to Amma of taking my care, he agreed.

Within an hour, his bags were packed and he left for the airport with one last hug and few kisses on my forehead and cheeks, leaving me all alone.l

*