Ananya's POV

I entered the house with a heavy heart, the emotion that I was feeling at that moment were too much for me to handle. I just wanted to lie down in the lap of Maa and pour my heart out.

With the hope of seeing her smiling face I opened the door, but instead I saw Nathan standing in front of me.

Although he managed to give me a smile, his eyes reeked anger.

But as soon as he saw the state I was in, his stance softened. He came to me and pulled me in his arms.

"Are you alright my Love?"

And just listening to his soothing voice made me melt in his arms. "No I am not. I missed you so much."

"Darling, we were just together till a few hours back. Now don't tell me you just want me to move in with you to avoid missing me so much."

His joke made me giggle, but the pain wouldn't just go away.

"Come, let's make you sit, and then you can tell me everything that happened in your Dance session that made your beautiful eyes so sad."

He was leading me into the drawing room, when the guilt of all the lies I told him took over me. I held his hand in mine without moving even a step.

"Nathan! I was not in the Salsa class. I never joined any. I was at Alex's all evening. I am sorry for lying to you all these days, but I have been spending time at Alex's every evening."

With his back still facing me and his hand in mine, I could feel his body flinch. Maa was walking towards us, and I could see the smile on her face disappear while she was staring at Nathan.

"I will give you two some privacy." She excused herself.

"Nathan. I am sorry I didn't mean to hurt you or anything."

Nathan turned to face me when he said, "Ananya. I am sure you have a reason for doing this." But his eyes did not mean even a word of what he just said.

Nathan's POV

I heard a car stop right in front of the house. I slightly moved the curtain and peeped out.

I was expecting to see Alex, but to my surprise it was Lexstur senior who had come to drop off Ananya. I gripped the curtain tightly in anger.

But this was no surprise to me. I knew she was having an affair with Alex, while she was fooling around with me. Either she was making a fool of both of us, or Alex had her playing with me in some sick kinda game which I didn't quite understand.

Or was she after money? Both I and Alex were rich, heir to each of their father's empires. I must say, she played the innocent card too well. Who would believe, the shy timid Ms.Donavan was a gold digger.

But I will have my answers today.

I stood in front of the main door, waiting for Ananya to come in while Mrs. Donavan was busy working in the kitchen.

I saw the look of surprise in her eyes.

"Are you alright my Love?"

But it wasn't the look of surprise in her eyes, it was pain that clouded her eyes.

"No I am not. I missed you so much."

I did not understand why she was so visibly sad. Wasn't she supposed to act all lovey and happy in front of me, was this not their plan?

"Darling, we were just together till a few hours back. Now don't tell me you just want me to move in with you to avoid missing me so much."

I made a lame attempt at joking which made her lips curve into a smile, but her eyes were still dull and gloomy.

"Come, let's make you sit, and then you can tell me everything that happened in your Dance session that made your beautiful eyes so sad."

I tried to lead her into the drawing room, but she did not move and held onto my hand tightly.

"Nathan! I was not in the Salsa class. I never joined any. I was at Alex's all evening. I am sorry for lying to you all these days, but I have been spending time at Alex's every evening."

I closed my eyes as I could feel the hot stream of blood running through my veins. She has the audacity to accept her lies.

Is this some new game of hers? My mind was startled with all the possibilities that came with her confession. I can't give in to her games.

"I will give you two some privacy." My stream of thoughts was interrupted by Mrs. Donavan who left us alone.

"Nathan. I am sorry I didn't mean to hurt you or anything."

It' too late to apologize Ms. Donavan. Now what is this new game you are playing?

I had to play along for a while.

"Ananya. I am sure you have a reason for doing this. Come let's talk. You can share anything with me."

"Nathan, promise you will not leave me alone!"

One day Ms. Donavan, I will ensure you are all alone one day, for all the pain you have caused me. My feelings for you were always true. But I know now, you never cared.

We sat on the couch in the living room facing each other. I looked into her pretentious eyes. They seemed real to me for an instance.

"Alex and I have been best friends since college. He has been there for me in my toughest of times. He made me smile, when I was drowning in my pain. I have always trusted him. It's as if he has become an integral part of my life. And I can never imagine my life without him."

Is this supposed to make me feel all OK. Let me get her back on track.

"Did something happen with Alex? Did he say anything to you?"

"You remember the day when we had that fight?"

"Yes I do remember the day, because it was the day when we finally kissed."

"No. I mean yes. The same day, when we had that fight and I left angrily, I met Alex. We were talking and then he got angry after knowing that I have feelings for you. He was not in his senses and he.."

"He did what baby? Tell me."

"He kissed me forcefully. I tried to stop him. And so I pushed him hard, that is when I slapped him. I slapped Alex."

This can't be true I thought. Did it really happen? There is a fair chance it did. Oh my god! Have I been doubting her for nothing? I saw them kissing and I left. I didn't think that this could be a possibility. How foolish of me?!

"What? You slapped him? Really?"

She gave me an angry stare, seeing me so amused with the thought of her hitting Alex.

"Yes. I did. I didn't mean to. But how could he kiss me? He was my friend, my best friend, but I have never seen him as a lover. If at all, I should be angry at him for keeping his feelings from me. He had no right to behave with me that way."

"Ananya, you need to give him time. Let him lick his wounds away, and once he realizes that you never meant to hurt him, he will himself come to you." I was relieved. Everything I was thinking all these days was just my imagination. She really loved me. I was so wrong. Now that she was opening her heart out to me, I felt that connection back. I have really been an idiot. She is indeed as innocent as she appears. My heart was content beyond words.

"Nathan. Are you angry that I lied to you? I have been feeling so guilty all these days for hiding things from you, but I wanted to sort it out with Alex first before i told you."

She felt guilty for hiding it from me. Her words made my entire soul engulf in guilt. These last few days i have not been honest with her. I have been playing a game with her, while she had no clue.
How could i do this to her? I did this once before when i doubted Alex before even investigating the matter completely. And the culprit turned out to be someone else.
I am being hasty in concluding things.

I wish she doesn't read the guilt in my eyes. But i need an answer to this one question of mine. I desperately need to hear it from her.

"Ananya, i am sorry for what happened between you and Alex. I really am sorry. I know he means a lot to you and you are upset with how he has been avoiding you. But i really need to know what you feel for me. I love you Ananya, I have felt this intense attraction towards you since the day i have saw you the first time.
I may not have been at my best with you the last few days. But knowingly, unknowingly i have given my heart to you and with it the power to hurt it or make it really very happy lies in your hands. Make me the happiest man today Ananya."

I moved and kneeled across her holding her hands in mine. After knowing the truth my heart was racing, my hands were sweaty. I knew i had a chance now. A chance to have her in my life forever. To be with her forever. Her eyes lured me into this frenzy of emotions. But her silence was making my mouth dry.

I know my intentions were not right but the love i felt for her was always real.

Mrs.Donavan entered the room to pick the phone which seem to have been ringing for a while.
Neither me nor Ananya had realised that the phone was ringing. As i was waiting for my answer i saw Ananya steal a glance at Mrs.Donavan as if she was asking for her permission. But i didn't mind.
I held her hand in mine and kissed them softly. I could feel how my touch made her body shiver. Although it made me feel that i have an effect on her and in a good way.
As soon as my lips left their trace on her hands she moved her gaze towards me. She looked more confident now when she dived in my soul.

Was she shy? Why was she smiling like this? She was blushing.
"Nathan, I don't know what to say. I mean I know what I want to say but I just don't know how to say it."
I couldn't help but smile. Even without her actually saying it, the shyness in her eyes, her now red cheeks, the smile on her lips said it all to me.
"I think i know what you want to say."
I bent forward to steal a kiss to seal our love but she was so shy, she just covered her face with her hands and hid in the embrace of my arms.

How I want to hold on to this moment for ever. She was mine. Her heart belonged to me now.
I just let her be there for a while then gently held her shoulders to get a look at her face. It was still red as a rose.
"Hey, I actually wanted to tell you something else today. I finally got a meeting with Alex and as i had promised you I will be formally apologising to him. And i want you to be there with me. This way you can get to speak to Alex as well."

Her face froze and smile disappeared. She looked tensed now.
"Hey you dont have to if you don't want to. I will understand."
I tried to calm her down.
"Nathan, i can't thank you enough. I want to be there. I am just feeling a little scared."
"Don't worry. I will be there with you."

She finally smiled. I didn't want to leave her today. I just wanted to be with her.
She made me the happiest man today. And i promised myself i will never soubt her again.
I love you Ananya. I really do.