RiAnsh TS : Shadows Of the Past *completed* - Page 2

Ridhima

I checked the clock for the last time. My brother must have retired to his room. He has an early morning conference. I purposely skipped the dinner so that I can materialize my plan. My heart said it was wrong and outright cruel. The guy did nothing but to love me, the only person who never saw me like a piece of meat. But my head was adamant. It crushed my heart reminding me of the reality of the situation.

I walked towards my closet and grabbed my black satin robe. Putting my arms through the armholes I wore it against my naked skin. The coolness of the fabric hit my burning skin. I was filled with rage. Nothing else mattered. My only mission was to show him who I am. He didn't understand my words so now I want to show the ugly side of me through actions.

I stashed the golden belt loosely so that its good enough to show what I intended to show him.

I went back to my dressing unit and checked my hair. I wore curls. Yes, have spent an hour on my make up and hair. And right now with those sexy curls, red pouty lips and smoky eyes, I was looking like a perfect plaything. I wore those black killer heels that I was wearing when the accident happened. Men loved me in those shoes. And today I am dressed to kill, kill his love for me.

**

I waited for 20 more minutes to pass. Then I peeped outside to check whether my brother was in the ladies. Satisfied he wasn't I walked towards Vansh’s room with determined steps. Even though my heart screamed to stop, my brain overruled my decision to retreat back. My way might not be the best but it will ensure that he is out of my life forever. When he sees me like this he will never turn to me ever again even if I beg him to stay.

Taking a deep breath I hauled near the door, surprised that it wasn't locked. Without thinking twice I entered the room. He was standing near the cupboard changing into his nightwear. I was dumb folded at first. He had an amazing body. I felt funny in my tummy seeing them flex as he tried to put his black t-shirt on. He froze midway sensing something and then turned. His eyes widened seeing me standing at his doorstep. He was clearly not expecting me. Good, I wanted to startle him. His eyes held mine for long and never going to other places except for my face. I slowly closed the door behind and walked ever so slowly towards him.

I held my stash and he fluttered but continued to watch me. I reduced the gap between us and undid my belt completely.

"You want me like this, don't you? I like it really dirty baby". My breath kissed his chin. I jabbed his skin with my index finger cornering him against the mirror. He watched my finger dig against his muscle leaving behind crescent marks on his skin.

I have painted my nails red and I know men like it when they saw the contrast against their skin.

Before he could realize I dropped my robe. His breath hissed as he realized my state. He licked his lips nervously clearly unable to comprehend my next move. I could see tiny droplets glittering his forehead.

But his eyes never left mine. Not for once did he break that contact except when I jabbed him. I have to give that to him. After all he is a man and clearly a red-blooded man. It was taking every ounce of his will power to stop himself from touching me. But I want him to touch me so that I can rub that on his face. I wanted to insult him, scream at him and make him realize that it was just lust nothing else.

But when he didn't move an inch I did the last that that might snap him. I plastered myself with him. Before I could do anything his hand gripped my wrist and suddenly he flipped out position. My back hit the cold mirror making me shiver.

"Trust me Ridhima, I want you so bad. And if it were under some other circumstances I would have taken you right here and right now. Don't underestimate my soft nature towards you firecracker. I will make sure when I take you you remember that for the rest of your life. His breath kissed my lips and I quivered like a virgin. I will ruin you for others precious when the time comes. Took every pain that you have suffered. Make you see the the life is beautiful and that the four letter word called love exsist.

Then he looked towards my wrist and loosens his grip. He adjusted his grip and then kissed my bruise. And I forgot everything. His lips lingered for a few seconds saying how sorry he was not able to save me from it.

I closed my eyes unable to take his tenderness. No one has ever touched me so tenderly. No one has ever apologized to me for the pains they have inflicted in me but this guy who gave nothing but love kept on apologizing.

He removed my hair from my nape and kissed on the almost fading bruise. "Give me one chance Ridhu, I will make sure you blush when see any bruises on your body instead of staring at them with disgust".

Then he kissed my cheeks tenderly. "You know what I see now? I see a desperate woman who wants me to hate her. But precious, you will always remain that sweet innocent girl to me regardless of what you had to endure. When I see your bruises", he traced them with his coursed fingers and I sighed, "I see a strong woman who never gave up. You are a fighter, not a coward. You might not be physically strong as far as they were concerned but they could never destroy you completely and that is the reason you are here showing me the world you lived. I am so proud of you. I know how hard it was for you to look like this", he gestured with his hands, "it is something you will never want to go back to".

I don't know when my eyes started leaking. It was just too overwhelming. His love for me was selfless. He was proud of me despite knowing what a piece of shit I am. He wants me despite knowing that I don't own this body anymore. He loves me despite the stunt I have pulled on him right now.

"I don't want to fix you Ridhima. I want to be fixed to you. I want all of you even your ugly side. I not only love that cute little girl untouched girl, but I love this woman in front of me with all her scars and pain. I can't promise you that I will make you forget everything that has happen to you. But I promise you will find me by your side during all your worst days.

Finally, my heart won over my head. I wanted to scream and hug him and tell him that I love him too. I wanted to tell him that I want to hold him and cry my heart out when I have panic attacks. I want to make love to him till I forget my name and forget everything I have been though.

I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me with nothing but love. I opened my mouth to say that I love you when someone opened the door and burst in.

**

"You son of a b*tch, get off her you motherf**ker. How dare you touch her?" my brother screamed at Vansh.

Vansh quickly grabbed his shirt and threw it towards me and then turned and shield me so that my brother doesn't witness my nudity. With shaking hands, I fumbled with his T-shirt.

My brother rushed towards me and pulled Vansh off me. I don't blame my brother. From the door, it must have looked like Vansh was forcing himself on me because his head held my wrist.

Protective instinct took over him as he punched Vansh on his face.

"Stop it bhaiya", I screamed as both of them rolled on the bed. My brother managed to punch him a few more times before Vansh tossed him on the bed. They have reversed their position.

"Listen to me", Vansh tried to make him listen. But instead of listening my brother punched him at his stomach.

"Bhai, please listen to him. It was not what it seemed like", I cried.

"Stay out of it choti. I have got this".

"You have got nothing bhai", unable to see Vansg in pain I screamed on my brother. "It's me who is f*cked up not him. If you didn't realize it is his room, not mine. I came to his room".

"Ridhima!", Vansh warned me clearly not wanting to expose my behaviour in front of my brother.

"It was me who came and stood naked in front of him showcasing myself like a Christmas tree. I wanted him to behave like those men. I wanted to rub it on his face later and tell him that he is no different".

Angrey’s hand stopped in the mid-air hearing my words. I felt like trash making my brother going through this. It wasn't a part of my plan to involve my innocent bro who did nothing but to protect me after I was back from hell.

Then he stared at Vansh who was bleeding from his mouth. It pained me to see him in that state. All he did was to look at me like I am some precious thing close to his heart. Damn, I am his heart. The way he was looking at me with a hooded gaze I felt like punching my brother for hurting him so much without listening to either of us.

Angrey got up and stood nose to nose with me. He was very angry I could make out but schooled his features immediately when he saw my tears.

"I hope you come out of this baby girl. I am really worried about you. Not all men are monsters. There are men like us who want to take care of you".

I hugged my brother than like my life depended on it. "I know Bhai. I know", I sobbed.

"Shh! I love you, sweetheart. And I have got this", he hugged me tighter. But all I was thinking was Vansh. How his hug is going to feel.

Then he realized me and went towards Vansh who was now standing. "I am sorry brother. I had no idea..."

"It's okay man. No offence was taken. And we are in this together. I love your baby sister if you must know".

"Hey! My brother growled".

"Now don't act like an a**hat brother. You know me since we used to share our under-wears. I have told you before that I love her. You didn't seem to mind at all".

"That was then...and now".

"She is the same girl Angrey".

I had no idea that Vansh told my brother about his feelings for me. Bhai never mentioned it to me.

Sighing my brother pulled Vansh into a man to man hug slapping his shoulders soundly. "I know what you are getting into Vansh My sister isn't the same person anymore".

"She is the same one for me. Umm well, a hell of a sexier version though".

"You son of a... I love you bro", my brother squeezed him for the last time and then turned towards me.

"He waited for you for his entire like a baby girl. Don't hurt him, please. If you don't love him, it's your choice but doesn't hurt him. He is like my second skin".

I could see my brother's eye water and before it spilt he walked out of the room.

I looked at Vansh who continued to blood. Seeing it blood it pains me as well as made we fill proud of my brother. I was touched by his protective instinct. For once I felt secure in my life. And what can I say about this man? He took every shit my brother threw at him without retaliating once. For me.

I walked towards him and cupped his face. Then kissed on his bruises just like he did on mine.

"I am sorry", I said in a small voice.

He hugged me then. I burst out in tears unable to control anymore. All he did was to hold me tightly until I was exhausted from crying.

He took me in his arms and carried me to the bed. "Let's get some sleep, shall we?"

"I don't want to sleep tonight Vansh. I want to be with you".

"I promise to stay with you whole night precious. There is nothing else to watch other than seeing you sleep peacefully".

"I want to dream".

"Let me help you do that".

"Are you are genie now?"

He smiled at me sweetly. "Kya hokum hai mere aka?" that earned him a giggle... a f*cking giggle.

"I want to sleep in your arms".

"Wish granted". He kissed the tip of my nose. "You almost killed me a few minutes back firecracker with your gorgeous body.”

"I love the sound of your giggle. I want it more often.”

I sighed against his chest feeling contained.

Note:

Thank you to all my readers who were there with me in this small heartwarming journey. I hope to come up with these kinds of short stories in future.

Comments and Likes, please. It will encourage me to write more.

This one-shot is totally inspired by "You loved me at your weakest" by Evie Harper. It is one of the most painful and emotional books I have ever read.