Chapter 238 - Learning about the truth (1)

|Innaya|

The heart thudding loudly under my ear had already proven the truth behind Eshan's words. His faltering voice lodged straight deep in my heart, reminding me of the reason why I chose to stay quiet in the first place. Just like him, I was also afraid of losing him.

The face of the man standing so close to me held no expressions. However, the tears glistening in his eyes had my heart breaking in millions of pieces all over again. The unfamiliarity I had felt previously from him evaporated instantly, leaving behind the clearer conscious. 

"Hey!" I reached out, cupping his face. Our roles switched faster than the light today. One moment he was comforting me, and in the next moment, I was the one consoling him. 

Eshan blinked, pushing back his tears as he tilted his head back. I felt his face slightly snuggling in my palm before he held it and brought it down from his face.

At this moment, I could see the loneliness and fears of his which he did not bother hiding anymore. At this moment, I understood his rage, biting words, sarcasm, and his need to distance himself. 

He was trying to protect himself. That was basic human nature. We all try to protect ourselves subconsciously in the face of the danger. That's our natural instinct. 

"Look at me." I insistently tugged at his forearm when he refused to face me. 

"I'm sorry for putting you through this, but I had no idea about my mother's visit to you. All along I was thinking that Karan was the one behind your distress. Never would have I thought that it was my mother who had put you through this." He shook his head. "You were wrong. I'm not good enough for you. I-"

"It's already been 20 minutes. Don't tell me you're sleeping in there. Let me remind you again that your parents are waiting downstairs, and if both of you don't come out soon… then they will be the one taking this door down," Arjun said, abruptly interrupting us once again.

Turning my head in the direction of the closed door, I wondered why he was being so insistent. He did not need to stand guard on the door at all. That was until he mentioned my in-laws. It acted as a reminder that things were far from being the end for the day.

Eshan sighed before he collected himself. 

"I love you! You have to remember that," I said, successfully holding Eshan's attention with a simple declaration of my love. 

That forlorn look on his eyes did not sit well with me. Watching him that way was akin to stabbing myself with sharp, long needles. Yet, when he looked at me with a surprised gaze that I found myself reaching out for his neck and bringing his face closer to mine.

"Right now my mind is a big mess. I don't know what I'm saying and how I'm behaving. Let's just keep this aside for a while." Eshan changed the topic. I did not know if he did it deliberately or he was just too stressed. In any case, we had to consider his parents.

After whatever had happened I should not be giving them any chance of getting displeased with me. So, I nodded affirmatively.

We then took close to fifteen minutes to get out of the bathroom after Arjun gave his friendly reminder. Thankfully, Eshan allowed me to clean myself after sitting me down near the bathtub. While he showered with curtains closed, blocking my view. Not that I was peeking, but my eyes had wandered for a brief moment at the faint outline of my husband through the semi-transparent curtain. Keeping a tight leash over my palpitating heart I focused on the task in my hand. 

***

"I can walk with your support," I whispered to Eshan, tugging at the fabric of his cotton V-neck grey t-shirt. Eshan refused to budge as he strode out of our bedroom. He had changed into the grey cotton t-shirt and black pants. I had chosen a pink full sleeves cotton top and a white skirt reaching all the way down to my ankles, hiding my swollen feet.

"Oh! You're finally out. Thank god! I thought I would turn into a statue by how long I kept waiting for you," Arjun dramatically muttered. 

I thought he had left after Eshan had asked him to get out not so politely. Turned out he had merely left our bedroom. Beside him, Fortune jumped around, slightly tugging at my dress.

Arjun's behavior might be seen as a casual one, but on careful observation, I noticed the silent exchange between him and Eshan. His blue eyes had masked the concern for me after a temporary slip. That was enough for me to know that he cared.

Eshan started walking away from our bedroom. With each step of his, my heart started thumping loudly in my ribcage. 

***

"How are you feeling now? How's the pain in your leg? Why are you so late? Did he give you trouble?" Eshan's dad asked me the moment Eshan carried me down the stairs. 

Being carried around a bridal style was not exactly a good thing before in-laws. The embarrassment made me keep my gaze lowered without wandering anywhere. 

"Oh! Nothing Uncle. How can he give her trouble with me being around?" Arjun ruffled my hair as he walked beside us as if surveying the task Eshan was carrying out of being my human transportation. 

"Good. Tell me, if he gives you a hard time. I'll sort him for you." Eshan's dad nodded, smiling at me.

Eshan's mother was not around in the living room. The first thing I had done was to search for her. Some noises came from the kitchen's side. I assumed that she was inside there, taking care of our food.

Suddenly I lost my appetite. I did not wish to have anything cooked by her.

*

VOTE<>COMMENT<>REVIEW