Chapter 27 - I am missing you ❤

|Innaya|

After around half an hour later, I stopped shaking as well as I felt little better being away from that woman. After making me sit, Arjun had patiently waited for me to settle down.

"Look I am not aware of your past with that lady but don't hurt yourself because of it. You are not comfortable and that's why we are leaving," Arjun offered while taking the bottle from my hands.

"But she is -" I couldn't complete that sentence. She was horrible to me even to the point of being inhuman, but I could never wish for her death.

Arjun nodded in understanding, before he cleared, "I know. It's completely your decision. My opinion doesn't matter. I can only suggest you something."

Wiping my tears, I took his words in a consideration for a while. "Tell me," I gestured him after I made my mind.

"The history you share with that lady is not good. However, I think you should at least hear her out. God is punishing her. This is about you. Sometimes it's not about letting go, it's about accepting the past. I know it hurts but unless you accept, it's going to haunt you. I understand it's easy to say, but you need to try. At least that's what your Grandpa would have said." Arjun finished with a thoughtful look

"It's difficult." I was scared; my past was not something I liked, I would rather chose not to talk about it.

"I know it is. Life is never easy. We have to make it. You understand? Ok, how about you only listen to her instead of being in her presence?" Arjun put forward his thought.

Puzzled, I waited for him to continue. Taking a cue he started, "I'll call that professor of yours and ask him to put that lady on phone. You just listen to her and then decide. Look I know you don't want her to die."

He was right. I didn't want her to die. Moreover, what he proposed was not that bad because that meant I was nowhere near to her. Mustering all my remaining courage, I nodded. He smiled encouragingly before talking the same with Mr. Roy. I just listened to one-sided conversation before Arjun put the call on loudspeaker.

"I am sorry... I know you don't want to see my face and I deserve your every bit of anger. I am disgusted with myself for hurting a child. I did not realize that in my love for my child, I was crushing— crushing another one... I am sorry." Muffled cough followed her apology leaving uncomfortable silence behind.

"No amount of my apology will be enough for the pain I had caused you," I heard her after her coughing stopped, her voice was defeated and low, yet I heard each word crystal clear.

Controlling my tears and my emotions, I replied, "Get treated. There are people who care for you... I am not one of them."

"Innaya, please," Mr. Roy requested but I knew better. The wounds that woman had given me were deep and raw, even after all these years.

"I hold no grudges against her, that's all," I stated before disconnecting the call.

I sucked a sharp breath before closing my eyes to stop myself from doing anything inappropriate.

I leaned forward, putting my face in my palms. I closed my eyes, trying to erase this morning.

"You did well." Arjun patted my head.

"Thank... you," my voice came muffled, with all the bottled up emotions.

"Let me tell you a secret of your husband dearest. Well, he is quite possessive about you." Arjun completely changed the topic as he whispered the last part, as if he was sharing some top secret.

"No, he is sweet," I protested before I could stop myself as I instantly straightened up.

"Aha... Sweet, huh? Not bad," Arjun grinned, before rubbing his hands gleefully.

"Ok, you know Aunty, as in Eshan's mother wanted a daughter first. But then Eshan happened. So she used to dress him up like a girl and she had a nickname for him "Eshu." He snickered to himself before continuing, "Eshan hates that name as everyone used to make fun of his name as it sounds girly."

"That's a cute nickname," I retorted. 'I seriously find that nickname cute.'

"Imagine the host of news show announcing, "The great Eshu Singhaniya won the businesswoman award of this year," he laughed at his own joke that I found silly before he added, "and Eshan filing the complaint against that news channel."

"God, it's hilarious." Arjun had tears in his eyes as he laughed his heart out. However, he was right. I did imagine him filing the case and in his childhood getting dressed as the princess by my mother-in-law. Indeed, it was hilarious. A smile broke on my face remembering Eshan's situation.

"Your husband has a long life. See." Arjun sobering up a little, pointed his mobile screen towards me, where 'Eshan Calling' was flashing

"Eshuuuuu," Arjun drawled Eshan's name while putting the call on loudspeaker.

"Shut up Arjun," Eshan snapped.

Hearing his voice after a whole day, felt too good.

It provided comfort to my troubled heart.

"How unromantic of you, here your wife is missing you and you are getting angry." Arjun signaled me to keep quiet, by placing his finger on his lips. I willingly agreed.

"You aren't my wife. If you are feeling so lonely then get married and bring your own wife," Eshan irritatedly retorted.

"You can't crack a joke, my friend." Arjun laughed at the Eshan's misery.

"Where is my wife? Why the hell you are with her?" Eshan changed the topic. Him enquiring about me caused the fluttering in my heart. His care and concern always for unknown reasons made me happy.

"Your beautiful wife is in safe hands." Arjun winked at me. He was riling Eshan and it was the matter of sometime before he succeeded.

"Hai dimenticato cosa è successo l'ultima volta che l'hai fatto?"

"No, non l'ho fatto, ma è meglio che tu stia attento a questa conversazione. Ne ha bisogno e non ti preoccupare, sta bene e con me."

'There they go with their secret language. I need to start learning it soon.' I mentally noted.

"Let me talk to her," Eshan's calm voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Desperate huh?" Arjun teased, while suggestively looking at me.

I averted my eyes as I felt myself blushing.

"Arjun," Eshan warned.

"Eshuuuuu, she can hear you. Ever heard the term loudspeaker?"

"You monkey."

"Same pinch my brother from another mother."

"Innaya, can you please take the mobile and turn off the loudspeaker mode?" Eshan sweetly asked me.

"I will be just back, non chiedere informazioni sulla nostra posizione o altro. Te lo spiegherò dopo." Arjun left the car, closing the door behind him and he willingly placed mobile in my hands.

"Hello Tesoro, missed me?" Eshan asked after he was sure Arjun left.

I did not answer. I too missed him but had no courage to admit.

"Innaya?"

I hummed in response.

"I am not getting any sleep here," Eshan said seriously.

"Why, what happened? Are you alright?" Alarmed, I bombarded him with questions.

"I'm missing you... Very much, how can I sleep without holding you?"

"Eshan," I chided him while my heart madly thudded.

"God," Eshan groaned loudly.

"What happened?" I was worried about him. Was he in pain? Had he injured himself?

"I missed, listening to how wonderful my name sounds from your lips."

Officially, it seemed like he vowed to tease me with his this new side- cheesy side.

"When will you come back?" I asked after I made sure I would not stammer.

"I am not sure about it Sweetheart. The problem is nowhere near being solved. I am afraid that my stay will stretch longer than intended." Eshan sounded tired.

"Are you taking good care of yourself? Don't miss me so much." The caring Eshan was back.

"You don't neglect your health. Take care of yourself and don't skip the dinner. You tend to do that and sleep empty stomach when your attention is occupied by your work..." I almost ordered him, remembering his workaholic nature.

"Eshan," I asked when he did not reply.

"Eshan..."

"Eshuuuuu..." Frustrated I used his nickname when he remained silent.

"I am sorry, I didn't want to hurt you. You were irritating me, so. Sorry Eshan," I rushed as I realized what I did.

"That's alright Sweetheart. I am not mad. Your address just took me by surprise, however, I don't mind you calling me that," Eshan stopped my blabbing before he tenderly added the last line.

"Knock, knock. Are you both done with your lovey-dovey talk? We have to leave. I don't want my virgin ears to hear something inappropriate-" Arjun's voice startled both of us while his comment annoyed Eshan and embarrassed me.

"Shut up"

"Shut up"

Eshan and I both snapped at him but it was more out of embarrassment.

"Bye Tesoro, take care. I will call you later." Eshan softly added. I could hear the longing in his voice.

"Hmm..." before I could stop myself, I whispered back," Eshan, I am missing you, bye."

I clutched the mobile near my chest after I disconnected the call, not before hearing his gasp of surprise as if he didn't expect that from me. I did not expect that from me, nevertheless, it felt right.

At that moment, Eshan and nothing else, occupied all my thoughts.

*