chapter 73

[ Aru's p.o.v ]      I felt her lips against my skin, my wrists held above my head restraining my movements as I squirmed in her hold . She was above me trailing kisses down my neck while I struggled to even breath. " Vibha- stop." , I could only force out the words in a plea. " Why? Don't you like it? Don't you like me?"" No. Stop."       I felt the weight on me shift. My hands were no longer bind. I opened my eyes as I watched her step back. The eyes which initially held the mischievous look were drained of all emotions. She turned around and left . " Wait- Vibha. Where are you going? Vibha! No! Wait! Don't go!"      I woke up panting. That was a dream. A stupid dream ! What was I even thinking of it to be real? But why did she leave me? She just walked away? Out of my life? No! She won't ! That was a dream. A nightmare to be specific. But what if- no no no!      I got up and washed my face. It was already 5 in the evening. Perhaps I should find myself something to do before I go crazy for real. Like I have any sanity left even now. I headed to the kitchen. I can try cooking. That's one of the most complicated tasks I can think of and I am sure it can keep my brain occupied for good.    I searched a random recipe on YouTube and followed the instructions. I am not sure how long I have been at it but even tasks simple as cutting onions took me almost half an hour with a bucket of tears. I was mixing the dough when my phone started dinging. Who is spamming me so much? Vibha? She was the only person I could think of, I wished for. I had my hands covered in floor and I don't know what to do about it. I tried to navigate my phone using my elbow.     It was an unknown number and they had sent me photos. Should I just block it? I can check it out though. It can be random advertisement or some relative sending invitations for wedding or birthdays but so many photos? I washed my hands as curiousity took the best of me.       The photos felt familiar, the background, the top- wait, it was Vibha. Those photos were from our college. I remember what she wore and I can recognise her even from her hairs. She was talking to some boy, she had him caged against the tree. Is it her thing to do so ? But why? A few more photos were sent. They didn't show her face clearly but that definitely was her sitting in the cafe with some guy. Were they same person? It felt so. From the shirt colour and hairstyle. They were same. But what was she doing with him? Who even was he?      I wasn't much bothered by them when I realised I don't know who this person is sending me messages. Should I text back? Block? [ On Text ] A: who are you? ??: The guy in the photo. She's my girlfriend so stay away from her.     What kind of message was that? When did she get a boyfriend? She didn't right? This was ought to be a prank. I  blocked the number . I felt weak in my knees and weird ache in my chest. This has to be prank. She won't . She won't love someone else. She won't -    But what if? What if it's true? What if she actually found someone else? Who was he? From office? No no . He was in first photo. He must be someoen from college. It doesn't matter. She doesn't love him . They are fooling. Tricking me into jealousy and confession? Is it the same trick again? It must be. I tried to convince myself and got back to my task.     What was the dream then? Was it message? Some kind of warning? What if it was? What if it meant she'd actually leave me? I can't -     The door opened and I flinched so bad that I sent the plate crashing down. Luckily it was empty. Vibha stepped in kitchen and gave me a concerned look but her face it was different. Not the usual one, neither was it tired . It had a different disturbed expression.     " Sorry. ", I mumbled. And she just went out. No response? What's happening? Is It- no no . It can't be. I followed behind her to the bedroom as she kept her things aside removing her accessories. " How was your first day?" , I managed to raise a timid question. " Fine ." , it was monotone. She wasn't interested in talking to me. She wanted me gone. She had someone else. Someone who was hers , who cared about her, who loved her, who.    She looked at me judging me from head to toe.    " I was cooking." , I answered. I don't know why I felt the need to . But I did. She just gave me an acknowledging nod and  entered the washroom. She didn't say anything. I still  felt a stinging sensation, a weird kind of hurt. Why was her mood affecting mine so much?     I went back to kitchen. My actions were mindless , I didn't want to do it anymore. I kind of had thought of surprising her but now I am scared. What if she doesn't want to talk to me? What if that dream was real ? What if she is leaving me? What if she has someone else. My throat choked up , I didn't know why. Why just her mood affected me so much? I felt suffocated, my emotions peaking as my actions became more slower reduced to null.        " Why are you crying?", I flinched at the intrusion. I turned around reaching for my eyes but she caught my wrist just before I could.         " Your hands are of spices. You'll end burning them. ", she snapped as she yanked my hand off. I gazed at the floor trying to blink my tears away.      She held my face in the cup of her palms and her thumbs wiped off my tears. Her eyes radiated concern even if she didn't say anything yet. I don't know what to say. I don't even have courage to say anything. I just threw my arms around her neck burying my tears on her shoulder. It didn't even take a second until I felt her hand on my head patting me slowly as her other arm rubbed soothingly against my back.      " Shh. What's wrong? " , she asked as she kept patting me.      " Please don't leave me. " , that's all I could choke out before breaking down into another burst of tears.      " I won't. Why would you think that?" , I felt her arms leave me and I was scared . She stepped away for a moment and I looped my hands around her once again pulling her into a tighter hug. She stumbled a bit but I felt her palm rest against my head back.      " I am just turning off the gas . I am not going anywhere. How about you wash your hands and we have a talk?" , she asked giving me a pat. I reluctantly let go and headed to the tap. As my hands rubbed each other under the cold water I stole glance at her. Her eyes were red as mine. Did she cry as well? She looked tired as if all she wanted was to go to bed but still here she was handling my tantrums. I seriously feel bad. Feels like I wrong her.       She walked over and closed the tap giving me a blank stare. How long was I standing here believing my staring was a mere glance?     " What's wrong?", her tone had shifted to a demanding one. I don't like how it's progressing. I don't want to anger her.      " I - I just I was cutting onions so-" , I tried to lie. Why? That must have caused her to bite inside of her cheek to restrain herself from cursing at me.     " Anything else?"      " I am sorry. "     " You can come to me if you feel like talking about it . " , she left. Just left. There was no persuasion, no authority it was as if we were strangers. Am I overthinking ? Is she just down and I am being too sensitive or is it really that she's tired of me? She's considering of giving up on me? Tired of her efforts not being acknowledged, tired of being pushed away? Have I done this?      The turmoil within pushed me off the edge and before I could have thought it through I just ran behind her hooking my hands against her tummy engulfing her into a backhug. " Please don't. I want you. I need you." , I mumbled. " You want me as?" " As my only one, and only mine. My soulmate, my lover , my friend, my girlfriend, my wife, my family, anything and everything, I just want it to be you and only you. I want to be with you, be yours and have you mine , just mine. No sharing."    My grip has faltered as I spoke and she gently held onto my hands as she turned around in my hold now facing me. I didn't even dare to look up. I was way too overwhelmed by emotions , so much that I couldn't even decipher them ." Woah woah- what's the auspicious occasion today? What do I owe this honour to?" , she teased and I punched her lightly while hiding back in the hug. She just chuckled and held me tighter.       I don't know how long we stayed like that but it felt just right. It felt like home and no more guilt . She was mine. Right? She didn't reply though. I just dumped a confession there was no response. I pulled away abruptly shocking her. She looked at me confused and a bit hurt at the gesture. " What happened?" , her eyes searched mine for an answer but I was the one who needed it. " I-"" What's wrong?"" You didn't answer." , I mumbled looking everywhere but at her. " Oh darling. You scared me for a second. ",I heard her sigh then laugh it off. " Well. There was no question though?", she said it casually despite that annoying ever-present smirk. Now she's going to do this? Really?" You know."" No I don't."     Look at the act of innocence she's putting up only to get on my nerves. It already takes me a lot to stand here after my confession and now this girl. She won't back away unless she gets what she wants though. " Will you be my girlfriend?" , I finally asked. I am sure I asked it loud enough. " What was that I didn't hear it." This girl -" Will you be my girlfriend?", I repeated. A bit louder. " Darling you gotta be louder . The air molecules didn't even vibrate . How are they going to transmit the words to me?"     I am done. That's the end of my patience. I finally looked at her totally not innocent face and pulled her closer by the hem of her top until we were just a few inches apart. She was caught off-guard to react.    " You know what. I don't even want to ask anymore. Starting today, now on you are my girlfriend. You are mine. Only I have the right to love you romantically, to hold your hand , to go about boasting I am your partner. Only I get your attention and I am the only one you can flirt with. I don't like sharing, I don't like seeing anyone else claim my girlfriend as their nor do I allow loosing you. So make it clear, you are mine since today till forever. Got it?"     That was the most obidient pup nod I ever received from her. I let go off her and she just stood there like a terrified statue. " You have anything to say? " " My wife is really fierce." " So you better know the consequences if you mess with me."" Definitely never doing that my Queen." " Good for you. " Â