Chapter 8

Vikram sat, his heartbeat racing, curious about what she might say. He looked into her eyes with a curious frown and eagerness. She slowly lifted her head and began, "I...I don't even know where to begin. What you said has left me so confused and scared. I understand you, and I've seen the loneliness you carry in your heart. I know what it's like to feel alone, to have no one to call your own. And I understand how much it hurts when the people who should care for you don't.

But... how can someone like me fit into your life? You're from a world so far above mine. If people knew about this, they'd say horrible things, not about you, but about me. They'd say I'm after your money or that I've somehow trapped you. I'd be branded as someone I'm not, and I don't think I could bear that.

You deserve someone who can proudly walk beside you, someone your family and the world will accept. I'm not that person. I've spent my life being invisible, staying in the background. If I step into your world, I'll bring nothing but trouble for you, and for myself as well.

I've already been through so much pain, and I don't want to add more to it. Please try to understand, I respect you, and I feel for everything you've endured, but this... this can't happen. Please... let this go," she said, trying to make him understand.

He got angry at her words and stood up, slamming his hand on the table. "Enough! I don't want to hear another word of this nonsense. Do you think I don't know how this looks? Do you think I care what anyone else thinks? Let the world say whatever it wants—it doesn't matter to me. What matters is you.

You keep talking about status, about what people will think of you, but have you ever thought about what I feel? I don't care if we come from different worlds. I don't care if people think I've lost my mind. All I know is that from the moment I saw you, I couldn't look away. I don't need to justify my feelings to anyone, least of all you.

You can try to push me away with your excuses, but it won't work. You think I'll give up just because you're scared of what others will say? No. I've made up my mind. I want you, and nothing will change that.

You say you don't understand why I love you? I don't need a reason. I don't need time or words to prove it. I just know what I feel, and I'm not going to let you walk away. You can keep doubting me, keep building walls, but I'll tear them all down until you see the truth. I'm not going anywhere," he declared, storming off to his room and slamming the door behind him.

Lakshmi flinched at the sound that resonated through the mansion. She was too shocked by his words. She didn't know what to do. With a sigh, she moved to the kitchen to finish her work before heading to her quarters.

Two days later, in the evening, Lakshmi was working in the kitchen, and Vikram was walking in the garden, sipping his coffee. But the reason behind his walk was Lakshmi. He wanted to see her all the time. He noticed that she looked tired and pale. Usually, she worked while talking and smiling with Latha, but today something was different. Vikram wanted to go to her and ask what was wrong, but he couldn't right now. So, he waited until night.

When everyone had settled down to sleep, he slowly went to the servants' quarters and knocked on Lakshmi's door. After a few knocks, Lakshmi opened it. Vikram pushed the door open, entered, and locked it behind him. Lakshmi was scared to see him there at that time and asked, "Why are you coming here like this? What if someone sees you? Please don't come here at this hour like this," she pleaded.

"Lakshmi, stop. I've already told you I don't care about anyone else. All I care about is you. So tell me, why do you look so tired? Are you not feeling well?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Lakshmi looked at him in shock, wondering how he had noticed, and replied, "No, nothing. I'm alright," avoiding his gaze.

"No, you don't seem normal. Please tell me," he insisted.

Not knowing how to tell him she was on her monthly cycle, she hesitated.

"Tell me, please," he repeated.

"It's just my monthly cycle," she admitted, lowering her gaze to the floor.

"Oh. Are you in pain? Do you need anything?" he asked with genuine concern. Though Vikram didn't know much about such things, he had read that women needed special care during this time. He pulled a chocolate from his pocket and offered it to her, saying, "Take this. I heard girls crave chocolates during this time."

Lakshmi frowned at his words but slowly took the chocolate from his hand, wondering why women would crave anything during their periods. All she knew was that women were not allowed to enter the house and were isolated during this time. Even her mother had made her stay away during these days. Nevertheless, she was touched by his gesture and said, "Thank you."

Vikram smiled and asked, "Do you need anything else?"

Lakshmi shook her head.

"Okay. Take a rest. No need to come to work tomorrow. I'll check on you," Vikram said.

"No, no. Rekha madam will shout if I take leave unnecessarily. I'm okay," she replied.

"Alright. At least rest well now," he said. As he was about to leave, he turned and added, "Eat the chocolate this time, at least. Don't give it to anyone." Then he left.

Lakshmi locked the door and leaned against it, smiling as she looked at the chocolate he had given her. After her parents' death, she had no one to care for her, but seeing his concern, she felt a pang of fear that she might fall in love with him. She sat on her bed, opened the chocolate, and took a bite. She moaned, enjoying its taste.

Her thoughts drifted back to his words, and her heart began to race. Closing her eyes, she scolded herself mentally, determined not to entertain such feelings toward him. Yet, as she lay on her bed, she couldn't stop thinking about him before drifting to sleep.

After a few days, while Lakshmi was serving coffee to Rekha, the latter gestured for her to place it on the table. Rekha, who had been observing Vikram's behavior toward Lakshmi, had grown increasingly resentful. She had begun targeting Lakshmi, finding faults in everything she did.

As Lakshmi placed the coffee on the table, her hand trembled slightly, spilling a few drops. Seizing the opportunity, Rekha shouted, "Is this how you work? Useless girl! If you can't do your job properly, maybe you should leave!"

Lakshmi lowered her head, her hands trembling as she clutched her dress tightly. Just then, Vikram entered the room and heard Rekha's scolding. His voice cut through the tension like a knife, "Stop it. Is that how you speak to her?"

Rekha, startled, turned toward him. "You don't interfere in this. She is a maid, and she should know her place."

Vikram's eyes blazed with anger. "Her place? She works hard to keep this house running while you sit here finding fault in everything she does. First, learn to respect people, whether they're a maid or a billionaire."

Rekha's face turned red with fury, but she stormed out of the room without another word. Lakshmi, stunned by Vikram's defense, stood frozen. For the first time since her parents' death, she felt someone was willing to stand up for her. She hesitantly said, "You didn't have to do that. What if she gets angry?"

"I don't care," Vikram replied firmly and walked toward his room, leaving Lakshmi overwhelmed with gratitude and confusion. She felt a mix of emotions—relief, fear, and an unspoken happiness.

On the other side, Rekha seethed with anger. Vikram's words, spoken in defense of a maid, burned her pride. She clenched her fists, vowing to wait for the right moment to teach both of them a lesson.

Days passed, and the dynamics between Vikram and Lakshmi began to shift. Vikram made an effort to make her feel comfortable, often asking about her well-being or ensuring she wasn't overworked. Lakshmi, in turn, grew less fearful of him. She began to see that he wasn't the intimidating figure she'd imagined but someone kind and considerate.

The way he treated her, the respect he showed her, and his genuine care began to chip away at the walls she had built around herself. Vikram, too, noticed the change. She was more casual with him now, smiling softly when they spoke.

However, their growing closeness did not go unnoticed by his scheming mother. Rekha, always watching from the shadows, couldn't tolerate Vikram paying attention to a mere maid, because She had her own plans for him. Rekha intended to marry her brother's daughter to Vikram. However, since he was not of marriageable age yet, she had not yet devised any concrete plans. But as she observed the growing bond between Vikram and Lakshmi, her anxiety began to rise. She knew Vikram would never heed her wishes, so she realized that she had to act strategically in this matter. Otherwise, they risked losing all his wealth to a girl.

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