Avantika was served a toasted bread and a cup of tea as she requested in her room. She had already lost her appetite at the thought of going back to the Jaiswal mansion.
She was in a daze when Viraj opened the door of the passenger seat for her. The drive was slow and silent. Viraj happened to recall a incident when he had stopped for a cup of tea by the roadside tea-stall. He looked at his wife, who was lost in her own shell. He wondered if she ever had a hearty laugh.
"How about a cup of tea?" he asked out of nowhere and she looked at him, startled.
"Tea? Where?"
He smiled. "There is a small tea stall nearby."
She nodded and looked ahead. Viraj soon stopped the car by the roadside tea stall. He opened the door of the car to step down and she too followed him. Unknowingly, Viraj's eyes searched for the couple that he had encountered the last time, who happened to share a cookie. He smiled at his silly thoughts and ordered two cups of tea and two pieces of cookies.
Unaware of his raging emotions, she concentrated on devouring the cookie and sipping on the tea.
Her heartbeats peaked up as the Jaiswal mansion was visible from a distance. Her tension flowed in waves and he could feel her restlessness. He sighed and slowed down the car. She was startled and looked at him when the car came to a complete stop.
"What's wrong, Avantika?" His voice was full of concern.
She blinked at him once and looked down, and shook her head in denial.
"Are your scared?" He asked again.
She took a moment to respond and again shook her head. He looked at her timid form for a brief moment. Her fears were completely justified. He knew where she stood and he also was aware that it would take time for her scars to heal. She had seen Samar on the verge of death and he and his family was responsible of her life-long trauma. He could not expect her to trust him any given moment. The trust needed to be build, and the base at the given moment was nowhere.
"No one will hurt you. I Promise." He uttered with sincerity and she looked up at him. Slight moist was visible in her big dark eyes.
"I can't say that you need to trust me, but atleast give me one chance to prove that my family means no harm to you. You are as important to them as you are to me. And if you still need time, I can call for a driver here, and he will take you back to the farmhouse or to your parents, wherever you want. I will come back to you in two days time, once Mikhail is better."
Avantika could not believe that he was ready to compromise to this extent. She decided to keep her fears at bay and give him a chance. She could always have a chance to call her Karan Bhai and go back. He deserved to be trusted atleast once.
"Lets go." Her timid reply was not enough for him to start the car again.
"Are you sure? I can always drop you to your parents."
She thought for a moment. The choice of going to her parents' place was more appealing than facing the angry Jaiswals. Her young mind was seeking safety over a challenge.
She sucked in a sharp breath, not knowing how he would react to her wish.
"Can you really drop me there?" Her question broke something within him, but he managed to pull up a small smile. Instead of replying to her, he ignited the engine and turned the car towards Shekhawat Mansion. Her comfort was everything for him. Her reluctance to step in Jaiswal mansion was justified. He wanted to give her enough time to know him better and understand him.
A sense of relief washed over her as the proud Shekhawat mansion came into view. Her instant relaxed demeanor did not go unnoticed by him, and a wave of restlessness washed over him. He was not aware if she would ever be ready to come back to him.
As soon as the car entered the Shekhawat mansion and Viraj stepped down, he was surprised to see that he was immediately surrounded by the security of the mansion. Avantika gasped loudly and she was immediately pulled behind him. The fact that last time when Viraj and Mikhail had visited the mansion and had threatened Radhika and Avantika had made the security on alert and Viraj was on the gunpoint of the head of the security of Shekhawat mansion.
"Leave the Princess". Bhoora roared.
Viraj raised his hand in surrender. "I need to see Karan. I mean no harm to the Princess."
Bhoora looked at him for a moment as if not believing him and walked ahead near Avantika.
"Bhoora!" She exclaimed. "Clear the way for him."
He looked at her for a moment and then back at Viraj who was giving him calculative looks.
"I only take orders from the twins." He replied curtly. Looking back at the head of security, who still had the gun pointed at Viraj, he added, "hold on until I get the Prince down."
He walked away leisurely.
Karan was trying to put little Mukta to sleep, who was burning with fever and was giving him a hard time. She missed her parents. He was shocked to know that Jaiswal Prince was held at gunpoint at the entrance of the mansion. He ignored his shocked wife and rushed downstairs with the child in his arms, followed by visibly pregnant Meera.
"Avantika!" He whispered and was surprised to no end on seeing his sister standing behind Viraj.
"Put the guns down." He ordered and the security immediately backed away, but was on high alert.
Avantika threw herself in his arms and Karan held her close and let her feel that she was safe. A weird sensation enveloped Viraj that he could not offer her same sense of comfort and safety. Karan raised his eyes to look at him. Their recent encounter was not very good and he was still apprehensive about everything.
"Come in." He said out of courtesy.
"Will your security tolerate me in your mansion?" Viraj asked playfully, to lighten the situation.
Though Karan knew he did not meant the comment to be playful, he could not bring himself to smile at that. Viraj could feel the tension and chose to walk in without anymore words.
While the men chose to settle in the living room, Avantika did not know what to do. She sat down when Karan pulled her to sit him. He gently cradled now sleeping Mukta in his arms. Both Viraj and Avantika could see how tenderly he handled the child. They were sure, he loved kids, he was just stressed out.
"To what do we owe your sudden presence?" Karan asked looking at Viraj.
Viraj held his gaze for a moment and then looked at his wife.
"Your sister preferred your home on her own. She find herself safer at Shekhawat Mansion than the Jaiswal Mansion."
Avantika looked at him with a small gasp and Karan took a moment to look between the two. He finally smiled.
"Its good to see you after so long. Go and meet Badi Maa. She really missed you." He said looking at Avantika.
She nodded meekly and walked away with a glance towards Viraj.
"Is everything alright between you two?" Karan asked when she was out of earshot. He was ready to take her responsibility, if she decided to stay away from the Jaiswals - No questions asked.
Viraj nodded with a deep sigh.
"Everything is really complicated. She has trust issues, with my family. I understand where she comes from." Viraj spoke with his head hung low.
Karan nodded. It was not that simple.
"What has she decided? I mean.... She showed up today, unannounced?"
"I really don't know. All I know is, she is not fine coming back to the mansion. That's why I brought her here. All these days we were at my farmhouse. I hope she has a change of heart."
Karan rubbed his forehead in defeat.
"Give her some time, Viraj. She is too young. And probably scared too. I will talk to her." He tried to assure.
"No, Karan. I will talk to her myself. It's my cross to bear. I understand that she needs time. And I will give her all the time she needs. Till then... take care of her. I will take her back when she will trust me completely. I will wait for that day."
Karan was filled with gratitude. After Samar, Avantika too, was in good hands.
-------------------------------
Another chapter up
Vote and comment
Love