NEW ASHLOK FICTION : GUILTY Chapter 29page 140 - Page 25

When she refused to get married at such Young age, her father told her at least now be of some worth to your family. That day she realised her family never really cared for her. If she lived or died.

But that same realisation gave her renewed hope. She had nothing to loose. Her most priced possession was her family. She loved them with all her heart. She never thought ill of them. Made up excuses for their behaviour. Her mother was tried to love her. But she never felt any love from her either. All she felt was resentment.

As she entered her new home, she made a promise to herself that she would try and be the best wife she possibly can. She survived this far without any love, what if he really loves me. Even tonight he's much older than me at least he wanted me to be in his life.

She was determined to make the best out of the unpleasant situation she was put in by her loving parents.

Everybody thought her to be weak. But she was the opposite. Anybody else would've just been devastated and would want to run away. Take the easy way out. She on the other hand was more determined to make this marriage work. She wanted to make it against the odds. And she had no idea what those odds were and how gravely mismatched those odds were against her.

She was taken to their room. It was a beautifully decorated. Pristine white everywhere. She imagined heaven must be like this. She was searching for her bags. Nothing was to be seen. That was the least of her concerns. At the church and afterwards at the grand reception she hardly managed to utter few words to her husband.

She remembered how gently he held her when they shared their first dance as Mr.& Mrs. Stanley Almeida. He moved with grace and ease. He did look her in the eye. But she wasn't so brave. Not yet. He had complimented her twice that day. "You look beautiful" he had said on their way to the hotel from the church while in the car. And later "you dance really well" she was too anxious to register any of this.

She slowly walked upto the huge four. Poster bed complete with a Canopy. Done in hand made Italian lace. It looked as taken from a fairly tale. Just then she heard the door open ever so slowly. And he entered. She froze in her spot. She wasn't sure what she should do. She could hear his footsteps getting closer. Her heart was beating so fast so loud she felt any closer it would just jump out of her chest.

Astha! He said. And felt his hand on her shoulder. Her entire being became numb with fear. She gasped and it didn't go unnoticed by him either.

Astha! You don't have to be afraid of me. I don't bite. I know you must be having many quesions. I will answer them as truthfully as I can. Please come and sit here" saying he gestured her to sit on the bed. She nervously obeyed him.

Astha! First of all thank you for agreeing to marry me. I know you could've married any guy. Better, younger, good looking. Instead you're stuck with me. Don't hate me. But please believe me, I mean no harm, I will keep you happy always. I'll give you everything you'd ever want. I'll love the best way I know. This all may seem very strange and novel to you. We don't have to rush into anything. I will not do anything that you're not comfortable with. All this is now yours. Don't feel or think like an outsider. I know you need time. And I will give that time and space for you to get used to this new life. You have my word.

I know you've had a very long and tiring day both physically and emotionally. Freshen up and get some sleep" he said.

She was in a emotional turmoil. Here was this total stranger whom she's supposed to spend the rest of her life with, talking to about giving her space and promising her to love and care for her. And then there was her family who didn't give a rats ass about her feelings, her dreams her happiness. She didn't know when tears started to flow from her eyes.

She looked up when she felt his hand close to her face. It was the first time she really looked at his face. Without anybody staring at them. Without any pressure. He looked guilty. Was he guilty of making her cry or something else. For marrying her maybe. He had very kind eyes. That's what captured her first. She's never been this close to another man. Seeing his face eased her anxiety little bit. But she was still extremely tensed. He gently wiped the tears with the back of his fingers. She thought her skin would crawl when he touched. But it didn't to her utter surprise. Her silent cry turned into a full fledged sob.

"Please don't cry" he urged her. She tried to stop. But it just wouldn't. She didn't know how to. What she did next even surprised him as well. She just hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and just held her. She felt safe. She knew she'd be ok. She felt something that she's never felt before. She felt wanted. She felt needed. He didn't say anything. Just let her be held. After few more minutes she was calm. She suddenly pulled away from his embrace, held her head down out if shame. He slowly tilted her face with his hand. Made her look at him. "I'm sorry" she managed to whisper. "Don't be, I'm not" he said with a grin on his face. He looked much younger when he smiled. She liked his smile as well.

"I can't find my bags" she said trying to change the atmosphere. He got up and extended his hand towards her. She placed her hand on his palm and he pulled her up every so slowly. He walked towards a door, that was next to impossible to see. The door opened as he stepped closer.

And her jaw dropped seeing what was behind the doors. It was a huge walk in closet. All her clothes neatly arranged and lot more empty space left to be filled. Other side had all his clothes neatly arraigned. Colour coded, themed. One end all his formal suits, traditional suits, cashulas, warm clothes, shoes, belts. Ties. It was a site to behold. And now her clothes were there too.

There was no comparison between her side and his side. He said, "I must take you out shopping" Looking at her with amusement.

Who did all this already. I have my staff. They're very well trained and very capable. I'll introduce them to you tomorrow. You can tell them to do anything. I don't want you to do any household chores. They will take care of everything. I'll give you some privacy. Saying he turned to walk out of the closet. "Thank you" she managed to say finally. "For what" he asked grinning. "For this and for everything" she said shyly. "I didn't do anything. Thank Filo. She's the one who overlooks everything in the house" he said walking out.

After taking a much needed bath she slowly stepped out of the bathroom dressed in a simple white cotton nightgown to see him watching TV. She was sure there was no tv in the room when she went inside the bathroom. Now from where did this appear. He looked at her when she came out. He quickly got up and gave her the remote and told her to watch anything she likes and that he's going to shower and change as well and get out of this monkey suit.

She couldn't help,but smile at his monkey remark.

She sat on the left side of the bed. She waited anxiously for him to come out. She slowly leaned on the headboard. Trying to wrap her head around everything that happened and mostly all that he told her. She was trying to make sense of it all. Trying to think what her life's going to be from this day forward.

She looked at the phone. Saved his number... Det. Lovemehotri. she also thinking about him

ahaam ahaam 😉