- Chapter 8 -
Dreams. Everyone had them. Arnav didn't. He had nightmares. In fact, his entire life was a nightmare. From the time he had lost his parents, till date, when he, the mighty Arnav Singh Raizada, had been shamefully dumped. Sometimes he wondered what his life would have been like if his past was not as gruesome as it was now. He wanted to feel normal. He wanted to live like an average man. But he couldn't. He was Arnav Singh Raizada. He had never listened to his heart. In fact, he had managed to form such a hard barrier around it that he barely ever felt the pain that he had once endured. Or so he liked to believe. Only he knew his dilemma. First Kiran... and now this.... Only he was stupid enough to bring a strange girl into his home and let her into his life. I thought you wouldn't become moved by emotions, Arnav. He thought, finally, before he gave a last look at the sleeping angel before him and closed his eyes.
Where am I?
Ir was the first thought that entered her mind as the bright sunlight fell on her face. She winced, feeling her head throbbing with pain. She didn't recognize the place. But she was inside. On someone's bed. How did I get here? But she had no answers to her questions. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the strange form that was resting his head on her lap. She had an urge to push him away, frightened at her new surroundings. His face was hidden amongst the kurta of her suit. She couldn't see who he was. But whoever he was, it was clear that he had brought her to this place. Should I be scared of him? She wondered. Fear was the most logical reaction at such a situation, wasn't it? But somehow she was nothing but awestruck, looking at the sweet figure huddled against her. Slowly, she brushed her hand through his hair, sighing at the feel of it. This felt so strange...and yet so perfect. She heard a slight moan escape his lips and froze instantaneously. What am I doing? She thought, pulling away, horrified. She slid out from underneath him, awakening him in the process. Her knees weakened when her eyes fell upon him.
"You?!" She gasped. "How did you get here? It was you who brought me here, isn't it? How did you find me?!" He looked at her, his eyes widening and then hardening in anger. How dare this chit of a girl question HIM?! Suddenly, her hands reached for her neck, feeling the emptiness against it. Her face paled and her heart was sinking. Her dupatta was missing. "I knew it." She murmured."I knew it the moment you asked me to come home with you in the hospital. I had guessed your intentions then and there. Hai devi mayyia! God knows what happened last night." Hot tears welled into her eyes as she moved away from him, frightened and angry all at once.
"Listen to me." Arnav whispered, clenching his fists. The girl fell on her knees, sobbing. "What's left to listen?! How could you...? How could you even think of me like that?! All bloody men are the same." She screamed, making a futile attempt to cover her neck and chest with her arms. She knew it was only a dupatta. She knew it didn't mean anything. But somehow, she felt as if she had endured all of this before.... That she had experienced this very same situation.... with him...? Or with someone? She didn't know. But all this was reminding her of memories that were aching to be brought back. "I hate you. I hate you so much Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!" She screamed at last. And that was it. That was the last straw. Arnav rushed to her, clutching her by the arms and pulling her to her feet. "Look at me." Her eyes remained fixed to the ground, defiantly. His fingers reached under her chin, lifting her face and ensuring that her eyes were locked onto his. "First, when I tell you to do something, you do it - no questions asked. Second, learn to shut up. Give your mouth a rest and listen to me, dammit." She looked at him, furiously, stupefied by his behaviour. "Nothing happened last night." He said, finally. "I just... I was looking for you. You left the hospital." The way he stated the final sentence sounded less of a fact and more of an accusation. "Do you have ANY idea of what I went through when I couldn't find you?!" He shouted, shaking her fiercely. "I was going crazy thinking about where you could possibly be while shunning the frightening thoughts about what might have happened to you! And you know what the worst part of it was?! That I felt responsible for losing you!" The girl's brown eyes were widened in shock. But Arnav was too furious to stop there. "And you?! You actually thought I would take advantage of you?! OF YOU?! You think too highly of yourself. What do you have? Nothing. Not the looks, not the personality. Just, NOTHING! And yet, you dare to think that I might want to do such a thing to you?!" Arnav was heaving with anger. For a second, he thought he might explode. He was known for his fury after all. "You know what, leave. Maybe I was wrong to bring you here. Just...go away."
He pushed the stunned girl away from him and strode out of his bedroom, leaving her alone once again.
For the longest time, he stood staring at himself at the enormous wall mirror that hung in his stylish washroom. He couldn't believe himself. What had gotten into him last night? Had he really slept with his head in her lap? Why? Why had he not been able to stop himself? Even in his most sober state, he had behaved as if he was drunk. How could he have gotten so carried away? And then this morning. Why had he been so hurt at her accusations.
I would have been hurt if anyone had said that to me.
He thought, trying to find comfort. But he knew he was lying to himself. He had never bothered about what others thought about him. He was a self-made man - ruthless and heartless. Then what now? Why had he felt so affected by her words? And perhaps it had not been the best of ideas to tell her to go away. From what he had learned about her so far, he knew that she wouldn't hesitate to walk away once again. He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to talk to her. But he couldn't just let her leave!
Besides, she's not completely alright yet.... She still looks feverish. He would keep her in his house will she strengthened, and then that was that. Destiny would decide her fate. Groaning in defeat, he strode grudgingly out to inform her of his decision.
The girl sat on his bed, holding her knees in her hands, feeling shocked. What had just happened to her? Why was she so scared of him one minute and so... so close to him the next? Why had she gotten so upset when he had insulted her? When he had told her that she had nothing to offer him? Was she hurt? And there came the question again: why? Who was he to her?! No one. Someone who claimed to have saved her from the accident. She closed her eyes, sighing. Claimed to have saved me? Why am I not able to trust him? Why would he lie about saving me? And then it struck her. She owed this man her life. If he hadn't come to her rescue on time.... She shuddered, thinking about what could have happened. And here I am, She thought, Yelling at the man who saved my life! She buried her head in her hands, feeling the tears spilling down her cheeks. What has gotten into me? Was I always like this? A new bout of fear came over her. She still couldn't remember who she was. And how long exactly had it been since her accident? A day? Maybe more? This wasn't normal.... I need to know what's going on with me. She thought, frightened of herself. Suddenly she felt a rough hand land on her shoulder. "Hey..."
Her heart fluttered in her chest. It was him. "Hey..." She replied back, trying to keep her voice steady. He sighed. "Look. I'm not good with all this... apologizing business. The point is... I didn't mean what I said before... about never wanting to see you again.... I mean... you can stay... until you get better. But that's it. Then you're on your own. Got it?"
She shook her head. "No. You were right. I was wrong. I've bothered you enough already.... You had to go through so much trouble for me... saving me twice... first getting me to the hospital and now bringing me to your house....I can't accept anymore favours from you. I should go."
The words escaped her lips regrettfully. She had no idea what was to come next. How would she survive in such a large city with no money, no family (at least not that she knew of) and no shelet? Heck, she didn't even know her name! The fear she felt at that very moment was overwhelming. But she had truly meant what she said. He didn't deserve this. What had he ever done to get a girl like her behind him? It wasn't fair to him.
In the very next moment, thankfully, Arnav voiced her fears. "And where exactly are you planning on staying?" The young girl's eyes were laced with tears. She didn't know. She didn't want to think about what would happen next. Most likely, she would find herself on the streets, in no time at all, hungry and tired. Who would bother offering her even a job in a city with so much competition? And had she ever had any work experience in her life? She couldn't remember. Of course, a shabby looking, exhausted girl asking for work would not exactly be a plus point for her. Most likely, the person whom she was asking the job to would kick her out. She didn't have a chance.
"I...I don't know." She admitted. "But I'll figure something out." Would she? She was not certain.
He sighed, folding his his arms on his chest. "Who are you trying to kid? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Somehow, the girl felt offended.
"But I can't possibly allow you to let me stay.... I'm not so selfish Mr. Raizada." He looked at her, surprised at her behaviour. She was surely an original piece. How could anyone, who practically looked like they were dying, refuse such an offer? It was truly astounding. "Look. I'm not interested in keeping you in my house either. But I don't want to be responsible if anything happens to you after you leave, because guess what? If something DOES happen to you, I'll be the first person that the police come after. And trust me, I DON'T plan on living the rest of myself in jail. So you are not leaving, and that is FINAL." His eyes were flaring red with anger. No one refused Arnav Singh Raizada. No one.
The young woman gazed searchingly at him for a few moments. What was this man made of? At times, he was so angelic... the way he had laid his head on her lap and slept. And then the very next, from he transformed into a devil, anger literally reverbrating through his form. At last, she gave a sigh of defeated relief and followed him out of the bedroom.
House? Scratch that. More like a mansion. Almost like the ones shown in movies. Except those were sets, made of plastic and styrofoam. This? This was the real thing. The moment she entered, she felt as if she were a peasant, walking in to meet the owner of the mansion - the king. She felt almost insulted. This was not the place for someone like her. She didn't belong.
It wasn't that she didn't like the house. In fact, it was far from it. She adored the house. The way he had decorated it, with just the perfect touch of serenity. The abstract art that lined the walls.... the water fountain in the middle of the main hall with two stone angels at the top. It was downright gorgeous. But a person like her would never feel entirely comfortable in such an enormous mansion. It was just too much.
Nevertheless, the appreciation she felt for Arnav had grown ten-fold. Despite being of such high standards, he had never really made her feel... less in value than him. And she doubted many people had that skill. She continued her walk through his house, awed at every aspect of it.
"Freshen up." She was shaken out of her thoughts by Arnav's voice. "I'll have Hari Prakash get breakfast on the table. You should get something to eat." The girl nodded, wondering where she would find a bathroom in such an enormous palace of a house. And then, as if he had read her thoughts, he responded. "The washroom is to the left, right down that hall." She gave him another nod, moving in his mentioned direction.
She almost fainted when she saw the washroom. Washroom? Forget that. The room was big enough to live in. Every inch of the room was spotlessly clean. Not a speck of dirt in sight. As if it hadn't been used at all. From inside the exquisite glass shower, she could smell fine perfumes of different soaps, making her feel light headed. Slowly she walked to the large, ovular wall mirror. So this is how she looked? Not ugly... but not exactly beautiful either. The lines of her face were soft and her skin was a palish brown - as if she hadn't seen the sun for a few weeks. They were her eyes that caught her attention. Somewhere along the lines of black and brown. She wasn't sure exactly which. But those eyes.... Were they really her own? She felt as if she were looking at her body through someone else's shoes. She sighed, leaning against the countertop. It was so horrible... the feeling of not knowing who you are.... How was she ever going to figure anything out? She turned the metal handle of the tap to the left.
Cold. The water pounded against the skin of her hands. She closed her eyes, ignoring the shiver that raced up her spine. Slowly bending down, she leaned her head into the sink, splashing her face with the icy water. It felt nice. Ironically, comforting to her confused mind. I need to know who I am. She thought. I need to remember. This is not right. Who was she? Who was her family? Did she even have one? How did the accident happen? Why didn't she remember anything? Why wasn't Arnav telling her more? Why was he behaving so... strangely around her? The hurdle of questions whirring around her mind were dizzying to say the least. I'll figure it all out. She promised herself. But first... I have to thank him. Properly. He had already done a lot more than necessary for her. She reached for the towel next to her and buried her face into it. Why was her life so complicated? And there it was. Another question that she had no answer to. Sighing, she returned the towel to its rightful spot and made her way out.
He pushed the stunned girl away from him and strode out of his bedroom, leaving her alone once again.
For the longest time, he stood staring at himself at the enormous wall mirror that hung in his stylish washroom. He couldn't believe himself. What had gotten into him last night? Had he really slept with his head in her lap? Why? Why had he not been able to stop himself? Even in his most sober state, he had behaved as if he was drunk. How could he have gotten so carried away? And then this morning. Why had he been so hurt at her accusations.
I would have been hurt if anyone had said that to me.
He thought, trying to find comfort. But he knew he was lying to himself. He had never bothered about what others thought about him. He was a self-made man - ruthless and heartless. Then what now? Why had he felt so affected by her words? And perhaps it had not been the best of ideas to tell her to go away. From what he had learned about her so far, he knew that she wouldn't hesitate to walk away once again. He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to talk to her. But he couldn't just let her leave!
Besides, she's not completely alright yet.... She still looks feverish. He would keep her in his house will she strengthened, and then that was that. Destiny would decide her fate. Groaning in defeat, he strode grudgingly out to inform her of his decision.
The girl sat on his bed, holding her knees in her hands, feeling shocked. What had just happened to her? Why was she so scared of him one minute and so... so close to him the next? Why had she gotten so upset when he had insulted her? When he had told her that she had nothing to offer him? Was she hurt? And there came the question again: why? Who was he to her?! No one. Someone who claimed to have saved her from the accident. She closed her eyes, sighing. Claimed to have saved me? Why am I not able to trust him? Why would he lie about saving me? And then it struck her. She owed this man her life. If he hadn't come to her rescue on time.... She shuddered, thinking about what could have happened. And here I am, She thought, Yelling at the man who saved my life! She buried her head in her hands, feeling the tears spilling down her cheeks. What has gotten into me? Was I always like this? A new bout of fear came over her. She still couldn't remember who she was. And how long exactly had it been since her accident? A day? Maybe more? This wasn't normal.... I need to know what's going on with me. She thought, frightened of herself. Suddenly she felt a rough hand land on her shoulder. "Hey..."
Her heart fluttered in her chest. It was him. "Hey..." She replied back, trying to keep her voice steady. He sighed. "Look. I'm not good with all this... apologizing business. The point is... I didn't mean what I said before... about never wanting to see you again.... I mean... you can stay... until you get better. But that's it. Then you're on your own. Got it?"
She shook her head. "No. You were right. I was wrong. I've bothered you enough already.... You had to go through so much trouble for me... saving me twice... first getting me to the hospital and now bringing me to your house....I can't accept anymore favours from you. I should go."
The words escaped her lips regrettfully. She had no idea what was to come next. How would she survive in such a large city with no money, no family (at least not that she knew of) and no shelet? Heck, she didn't even know her name! The fear she felt at that very moment was overwhelming. But she had truly meant what she said. He didn't deserve this. What had he ever done to get a girl like her behind him? It wasn't fair to him.
In the very next moment, thankfully, Arnav voiced her fears. "And where exactly are you planning on staying?" The young girl's eyes were laced with tears. She didn't know. She didn't want to think about what would happen next. Most likely, she would find herself on the streets, in no time at all, hungry and tired. Who would bother offering her even a job in a city with so much competition? And had she ever had any work experience in her life? She couldn't remember. Of course, a shabby looking, exhausted girl asking for work would not exactly be a plus point for her. Most likely, the person whom she was asking the job to would kick her out. She didn't have a chance.
"I...I don't know." She admitted. "But I'll figure something out." Would she? She was not certain.
He sighed, folding his his arms on his chest. "Who are you trying to kid? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Somehow, the girl felt offended.
"But I can't possibly allow you to let me stay.... I'm not so selfish Mr. Raizada." He looked at her, surprised at her behaviour. She was surely an original piece. How could anyone, who practically looked like they were dying, refuse such an offer? It was truly astounding. "Look. I'm not interested in keeping you in my house either. But I don't want to be responsible if anything happens to you after you leave, because guess what? If something DOES happen to you, I'll be the first person that the police come after. And trust me, I DON'T plan on living the rest of myself in jail. So you are not leaving, and that is FINAL." His eyes were flaring red with anger. No one refused Arnav Singh Raizada. No one.
The young woman gazed searchingly at him for a few moments. What was this man made of? At times, he was so angelic... the way he had laid his head on her lap and slept. And then the very next, from he transformed into a devil, anger literally reverbrating through his form. At last, she gave a sigh of defeated relief and followed him out of the bedroom.
House? Scratch that. More like a mansion. Almost like the ones shown in movies. Except those were sets, made of plastic and styrofoam. This? This was the real thing. The moment she entered, she felt as if she were a peasant, walking in to meet the owner of the mansion - the king. She felt almost insulted. This was not the place for someone like her. She didn't belong.
It wasn't that she didn't like the house. In fact, it was far from it. She adored the house. The way he had decorated it, with just the perfect touch of serenity. The abstract art that lined the walls.... the water fountain in the middle of the main hall with two stone angels at the top. It was downright gorgeous. But a person like her would never feel entirely comfortable in such an enormous mansion. It was just too much.
Nevertheless, the appreciation she felt for Arnav had grown ten-fold. Despite being of such high standards, he had never really made her feel... less in value than him. And she doubted many people had that skill. She continued her walk through his house, awed at every aspect of it.
"Freshen up." She was shaken out of her thoughts by Arnav's voice. "I'll have Hari Prakash get breakfast on the table. You should get something to eat." The girl nodded, wondering where she would find a bathroom in such an enormous palace of a house. And then, as if he had read her thoughts, he responded. "The washroom is to the left, right down that hall." She gave him another nod, moving in his mentioned direction.
She almost fainted when she saw the washroom. Washroom? Forget that. The room was big enough to live in. Every inch of the room was spotlessly clean. Not a speck of dirt in sight. As if it hadn't been used at all. From inside the exquisite glass shower, she could smell fine perfumes of different soaps, making her feel light headed. Slowly she walked to the large, ovular wall mirror. So this is how she looked? Not ugly... but not exactly beautiful either. The lines of her face were soft and her skin was a palish brown - as if she hadn't seen the sun for a few weeks. They were her eyes that caught her attention. Somewhere along the lines of black and brown. She wasn't sure exactly which. But those eyes.... Were they really her own? She felt as if she were looking at her body through someone else's shoes. She sighed, leaning against the countertop. It was so horrible... the feeling of not knowing who you are.... How was she ever going to figure anything out? She turned the metal handle of the tap to the left.
Cold. The water pounded against the skin of her hands. She closed her eyes, ignoring the shiver that raced up her spine. Slowly bending down, she leaned her head into the sink, splashing her face with the icy water. It felt nice. Ironically, comforting to her confused mind. I need to know who I am. She thought. I need to remember. This is not right. Who was she? Who was her family? Did she even have one? How did the accident happen? Why didn't she remember anything? Why wasn't Arnav telling her more? Why was he behaving so... strangely around her? The hurdle of questions whirring around her mind were dizzying to say the least. I'll figure it all out. She promised herself. But first... I have to thank him. Properly. He had already done a lot more than necessary for her. She reached for the towel next to her and buried her face into it. Why was her life so complicated? And there it was. Another question that she had no answer to. Sighing, she returned the towel to its rightful spot and made her way out.
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