Learning to Love

Chapter 21

“My meeting is scheduled in 3:30 this afternoon.  Until then, I’m all yours.” Aman said to her.  

Priya blushed.  She couldn’t believe what she thought he was insinuating. She looked down, trying to get those kinds of thoughts out of her head.  

“Sorry you had to do all of this because of me.” Priya apologized.  

“It’s no problem, really.  None of my meetings besides this one are really that important.” Aman said.  He meant it. He was happy to be with Priya when she really needed him.  His only regret was that he wasn’t able to beat the shit out of whoever did tried to do this to her.  

“Sir, everything is prepared,” Kamla, Aman’s head maid, announced.  

“Thanks, Kamla.” Aman said.  “Come with me.” he said to Priya.  He took her hand and took her upstairs.  

“Aman,” Priya said unsurely.  

Aman led her into his bedroom and closed the door.  He motioned for Priya to sit on the bed.  

“Priya, I don’t want to upset you, but will you please tell me what happened?” Aman requested.

“We...already talked about this.” Priya said.

“Barely.  You know who tried to do this to you. I know you do.  You wouldn’t just follow a stranger somewhere.” Aman reasoned.  

“I...I don’t know who it was.” lied Priya.  

Aman walked closer to her.  He put his hands on her shoulders.  He lifted her chin, so that she was looking at him.  

“Look at me, and tell me you don’t know the man who tried to rape you.” Aman demanded.  

Hearing Aman say those words made Priya want to crawl into a corner and sob.  She was almost raped.  Rakesh wanted to rape her.  

“Aman, please.” Priya didn’t want to talk to him anymore. She just wanted to be alone.  She moved his hand off her shoulders and left his room.  

“We’re going to have to talk about this, Priya. You can’t keep running away from me.” Aman called as Priya walked down the hallway.  

Priya stopped suddenly.  She turned around and walked back to Aman’s room.  

“I would never run away from you, Aman,” she said, looking straight at him, “You’re the only one I feel safe around,” she added quietly.  

“Then talk to me, please.” Aman said.  

Priya thought about what Rakesh told her.  She needed to make sure there was no chance Rakesh and Payal would get married before she told Aman anything.   

“I will...when I’m ready.” Priya answered.  

“Fair enough.” Aman conceded.  

He decided that he and Priya should sit down and watch a movie.  This way, time would pass quickly and there would be no chance of him asking Priya about the incident that happened last night and upsetting her.  Aman told Priya that she could pick the movie, but she insisted that she was okay with whatever he wanted to watch.  At first, Aman wanted to bother her and choose a steamy, romantic film, but he decided not to be cruel and chose a light-hearted comedy.  

Aman watched Priya more than he watched the movie.  Everytime she laughed, he felt a little more at ease. He was afraid she’d fall into depression thinking about what happened last night.  Aman inadvertently moved closer to Priya.  She didn’t notice until he put his arm around her, or rather his arm lazily rested on the couch behind her head.  She felt the need to lean into him as they sat in silence watching the movie, but she was much too shy to actually do it.  Aman turned to Priya and noticed that she’d stopped watching the film and had her eyes on the ground.

 “What’s wrong?” Aman asked.

“Nothing.” Priya said, blushing.  She was thinking about Aman, but of course, she couldn’t admit it.

Aman went back to watching the movie, but turned to glance at Priya every few minutes.  Priya, aware of Aman’s constant glances, kept her attention on the movie.  

“Sir,” Kamla came into the living room, “some businessmen have started arriving early for your 3:30 meeting.” she announced.

“Dammit.” Aman cursed, irritated that people were arriving so early, “I guess we’re starting the meeting earlier.  Sorry Priya.”

“It’s okay,” Priya smiled.  

Men started arriving.  They stood in the foyer, shaking Aman’s hand.  Aman didn’t bother introducing Priya to his colleagues.  He knew she wouldn’t appreciate the attention.  She’d even retreated into the kitchen as soon as the first few men started to arrive.   Aman led the group down to his conference room.  He went in the kitchen in search of Priya.  

“This hopefully shouldn’t take too long, maybe for a few hours.  I can call Neha and Payal and tell them to come back if you need company.” Aman suggested.  

“No it’s fine.  Let them have fun. I’ll just...be here.” Priya replied.  

“Okay, I’ll try to wrap things up quickly.” Aman said before leaving and going to the conference room.  

Priya started fiddling with some things to cook with.  Even though, Aman never wanted her to cook, she felt that she’d feel less anxious if she distracted herself.  

Priya was engrossed in cooking.  She heard the doorbell ring.  She looked around for any maids or butlers that may be around. After seeing no one around, she decided that she would just answer the door.  

Priya flung open the door.  

“Well hello, Priya.” a devious voice said.  

Priya looked up and saw Rakesh, standing in the doorway with a smug expression on his face.  

 

Mmmkay short chapter, but a fast update. Next chapter will be longer and more action packed.  Haha there was a cliffhanger this time! Rakesh dares to show his face again! What will Priya do? Will she tell Aman the truth?

Next update will be up definitely in less than a week, probably much less than a week. Literally, all  I do is write wattpad chapters haha.  

Priya’s outfit on the right :)

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