116 A Peek Into His Past II; Two Surprises
Anna froze the moment he popped the question at her, she could see the shock in his dumbstruck gaze and only then did her eyes divert to the hands that clutch tightly to the collar of his shirt.
âI_â the lady who was constantly yelling her worries at him, had suddenly gone mute at his question and her hands recoiled themselves from his collar and she met his gaze.
âI donât know.â
âYou saw my past.â He concluded, already taken aback by it without shifting gaze. Anna averted her gaze and shook her head in denial.
âI_ how is that possible?â
Annaâs mind was already on a quick rampage when she felt Roshanâs hand slide to the side of her neck as he moved her hair the other way, taking view of the bite mark on her alluring neck.
Just staring at it got him tempted to take another bite and taste her sweet blood again, but restrained himself, knowing he couldnât do it without permission.
Could it be because of the bite mark??
Annaâs heart picked up speed after seeing how intently he stared at the mark on her neck and she shifted away from his heating touch, covering the side of her neck with her hair.
.....
âIt doesnât matter, what matters is what you went through, has life always been like that for you?â
Remembering the sight of how he cut himself and opened his flesh was a sight she couldnât bear to recall, it was just horrible and to think a little child could do something like that to himself, he must have been really depressed.
Roshan stared at her face with a look of interest and when Anna was starting to get bothered about what he was staring at with such glint in his eyes, she felt his hand gently reach to wipe away the tears she didnât even realize was rolling down her cheek already.
He brought his hand back and stared at the single bead of tear resting on his index finger. A slow smile curled the side of his lips before he lifted his gaze to meet her stare.
âWhat are you smiling about?â She asked and he returned his gaze back to the glistening tears at the top of his finger.
âIs this tears or water?â He popped a silly question at her, and he sounded very curious to know what it was, leaving Anna to shake her head in disbelief and she facepalmed before raising her head to meet his stare.
âAre you being serious?â
âIâm the one with the memories, but youâre the one in tears.â He pointed out.
Anna quickly wiped her face with her palm in case there were more tears on her face. She met his gaze and realized he was just teasing her, and it only added to her already sad mood. How is he still like this after experiencing all that? She was even scared to hear more of his childhood stories and she understood why it got so difficult for him to say them out.
She thought she had the worst time of her life but didnât even realize how miniscule it was compared to that of Roshanâs. As scared as she was, she still wanted to know what happened after that, did he kill the rabbit? Was that why heâs like this? What happened to his father?
âStop that, I honestly feel bad for you.â She truthfully told him and he knew, itâs the first time someone had to cry over him. He wasnât someone who spoke about his past but he did and she saw it herself. What shocked him more was the tears in her eyes and they glistened with genuine worry.
He cupped her face with his palm and wiped another tear that was threatening to fall from the brim of her eyes.
âHow cute.â
He smirked, looking breathtaking as she noticed his mesmerizing face was close to hers. Annaâs heart fluttered in rhythm to his words and she blinked.
âCute?â
His hypnotizing gaze fell on her lips and Anna felt her breath seize. The forest grew quieter than usual and all that Anna heard was the sound of her own heart beat thrashing loudly against her ears.
Just when she thought heâd kiss her again, he moved back and lifted his gaze back to meet her stare.
âWe should leave, they can get suspicious if we stay out too long.â
His words broke her from her thoughts and Annaâs mind returned to the forest that was beautifully glowing with fireflies.
Roshan got to his feet and kind-heartedly let his hand out for her. Anna smiled faintly and placed hers on his before getting to her feet.
âCan we take a walk? Even if itâs for a few minutes, please?â She begged, she wasnât ready to return to the Mayorâs mansion just yet, she wanted to take a walk around the street of Ark Ville, if they were going to leave here soon, they should use the opportunity to view the beauty of Ark Ville.
Not only that, she wanted to spend a few more minutes with Roshan cause once they reach the mansion, sheâll have to check on Nickâs wound.
âMmn.â He nodded to her surprise and her eyes shone brightly as though saying a silent âyay!â
He locked their fingers and together, they walked out of the beautiful forest that was glowing romantically with fireflies.
Reaching the street of Ark Ville, Annaâs eyes feasted on the exquisite stalls that were still open and the ladies who were selling kept calling them with sweet names to check their products.
The night was lit with lanterns and candle lights hanging on the shops of marketers and some lights had different colors. Roshan suddenly stopped at a particular stall that sells all sorts of beautiful dresses and his eyes shifted back to Anna.
âYou wanted dresses, right?â
She nodded excitedly and he let his eyes roam the dresses before moving to speak with the owner of the stall. It was a young lady who attended to another woman who came to shop.
âThis is wonderful miss, you look like an angel from heaven in this dresses.â Came the complement of the young lady to her customer and when her eyes diverted to Roshan, a welcoming smile adorned her Rosy lips
âLovely evening to you young sir, what can I offer you?â Asked the lady in a polite manner.
âNot me,â he responded, âbut her.â
The ladyâs gaze shifted to Anna who offered her a sweet smile in return and she surprisingly tilted Annaâs head up with a finger, her eyes sparkling with interest.
âSheâs beautiful, is she your wife?â Asked the lady and Annaâs face turned visibly red at her question. She was about to explain to the lady, already shaking her head in denial when Roshan spoke first.
âSomething like that.â He intertwined their fingers romantically, meeting Annaâs dumbfounded stare and he winked.
âRight darling?â
âD_darling???â Anna felt a thousand butterflies swim up to her heart when he called her that, despite feeling all fluttered, she wondered if Roshan had gone crazy over the night. Heâs probably teasing her again.
She tried to free her hand but he held it tighter, unwilling to let her ruin the moment for him with her boring lecture of decency.
âI see.â The young lady gave a knowing smile, âa lover then? You donât have to worry, sheâs in good hands with me and Iâll make sure to give her the best of our best.â She assured him and only then, did he let go of her hand and Anna hurried to the young ladyâs side.
âI want to check a stall, Iâll be back in a few minutes.â
âWhat stall?â Anna asked, hoping he wasnât leaving her here and running away, but he just stared with a dreamy gaze.
âThatâs not your business, your business is here, and you better be done before I get back.â
He looked at the young lady, âIâll be back.â
âTake your time.â She waved and Roshan walked out. Anna didnât really trust that man but the young lady had her attention immediately when she took Anna deeper into her stall.
âI have all the most wonderful dresses in Ark Ville, Iâm not called The Lady Of All Dresses for nothing.â She giggled cheerfully and Annaâs jaw nearly dropped after sighting a lot of beautiful dresses in her stall.
âJust tell me the one you want.â Said the lady with delight and Anna just smiled.
âCan I have a look at that please?â
âSure, anyone you like. Is it a dress for a ball that you need? Or a simple glorious gown? Or maybe something transparent to attract your lover even more to you?â
Annaâs cheeks burned at her last word and she froze for a few seconds. When she met the ladyâs gaze, she winked at her, signifying they were both ladies and had nothing to hide.
Few minutes later when Roshan returned, Anna was already done shopping for the dresses that she needed and as promised, he paid for the dress, surprising Anna herself. The young ladyâs face lit up.
âDo come again!â
Roshan had no response to give for that and walked out. Anna returned her friendly wave before walking away as well.
She looked at the being who silently walked beside her and she smiled gratefully, holding the shopping bags in her hand, âthanks for the dresses.â
He suddenly stopped walking, leaving Anna to stop in her tracks as well. She was about to ask why he suddenly stopped walking when he held her right hand and to her surprise, he wore a gold and white designed enamel bracelet around her wrist. It was so beautiful that Annaâs mouth hung agape.
It had a large number of smaller silver white stones decorating each side of the bracelet and a bigger one at the center, giving that glistening effect of a magical, cold, winter night.
This must have cost a fortune!!
âFor me?â She asked, still surprised and he nodded, feeling a bit bashful with himself since itâs the first time heâs doing something like this for anyone.
âI saw it when we walked past a stall earlier and thought itâd suit you. So I got it for you.â
After saying it, it finally clicked, he went back to a stall to get her this??
âItâs beautiful.â
âCome on, we have to hurry back,â and he walked out, quickly changing the subject and avoiding the conversation.