Vansh's Farmhouse :: Bangalore

a/n :: fictional medical scene ahead.

• author •

Two weeks later,

It was a known fact that Vansh's taste was not only that of comfort but also of aesthetic opulence. Everything he had touched and designed became an exquisite sight for the world.

And, while he took pride in each of his masterpieces there was one in his collection that everyone shunned. But he loved it. The brainchild of his dearest friend, Mayura, the famous VR logo. Simple and elegant, exuding an air of mystery; just the way Vansh desired.

Passing through the gates and into the front lawn, Mayura was hit by a feeling of home at the sight of the building.

Fresh vines dangled down the building with flowers attached at their ends. The grass was wet with a sweet scent; the mud soft, drawing her in. The backyard was no lesser than a jungle with its thick greenery that was well maintained.

A refreshing scent of Jasmine lingered in the air, pinning Mayura's body in place. Her hands gripped her bag strap tightly, mind fogged by the delectable scent. Seeing her frozen in place was a worry for the staff yet none bothered to disturb her. They crept around her quietly, making sure to not break her reverie.

The winds rustled through her thick and long locks, carrying the familiar scent of Vanilla with it. And Mayura knew of only one person with such a light scent.

"Rai!" She beamed, finding him under the shade nearby. Vansh smiled at her, his arms open in welcome. Mayura ran to him, her arms wrapped around his torso tightly and face pressed against his chest.

Overcome with longing and loneliness, she tightened her grip on him and buried her face deeper into his chest. Vansh wrapped his arms around her shoulders, suspicious of her tightening grip. He cupped her face tenderly and, looking at her in the eye, asked, "What is bothering you, my darling?"

"Nothing," she smiled, loosening her grip on him. "I just missed you."

'I am in a place where I'm unwanted, Rai. It is a sin to expect me to be happy.' She thought with a smile, concealing her disturbed feelings from him. "Waise, tum yahan kaise?"

Freeing herself from his hold, they held hands. Vansh's large and rough palm blanketed her small and calloused palm. "Teen din baad meri ek meeting hai, uske liye aana tha. Phir socha thoda pehle aa-jata hoon taaki tumse mil loon."

Stopping in his tracks, he held her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You must've been lonely without me, right, darling!"

As Mayura snuggled in his embrace and he rested his chin on the top of her head, a glint caught his eye.

It is ready. It signalled.

"Let's go inside and talk, bunny." He spoke in a calculated tone. Holding her hand, he practically dragged her inside. Mayura struggled hard, trying to match against his long strides with her short and stumbling ones.

"Slow down, Rai. I don't have long legs like you." She panted, chasing after him. Vansh slowed down, watching her catch her breath.

Reducing his pace, he led her into the main hall. Mrs. D'Souza stood by a recliner chair, a tray hidden beside her. Mayura's eyes lit up on seeing her. "D'Souza aunty!" She exclaimed in joy, hugging the older woman. Mrs. D'Souza smiled, hugging her back.

"Don't tire yourself out, bunny." Vansh voiced his concern and made her sit on the chair before she could notice the tray.

"Vansh, don't take so much stress! Itne se mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Also, I am still not done hugging D'Souza aunty." She pout, trying to stand up. Vansh immediately held her by her shoulders and forced her to remain seated. It was then that her eyes fell on the tray and the medications inside.

She shrieked, climbing up over the arm rest to run away, just as Vansh had predicted. She always threw a tantrum when it came to taking her injections.

"Vansh, no! You know I hate injections." She whined, moving off the chair.

"Stay quiet!" Vansh ordered gently, his hands on her shoulders as he pushed on the seat. She grumbled, trying to shake him off. The room echoed with their banters, while Mrs. D'Souza patiently went on with her work.

Taking out the digital thermometer, she turned it on.

"Baby," she called Mayura. The latter looked up at her with a gleam in her eyes. "Yes, D'Souza aunty," she answered, only to have the thermometer put into her mouth. "No more tantrums." She added sternly making Mayura pout.

Straightening herself on the chair, she pleaded them through her eyes, trying to avoid her monthly dose. Pushing her into the seat, Vansh wiped her face with a damp towel to cool her body. "I know you hate injections. But you cannot avoid this, bunny."

Mrs. D'Souza took out the thermometer, noting down the reading in a file and showed it to Vansh. "Another five minutes," he decided.

"How about --"

"No,"

"But I'm on my cycle!"

"Doesn't matter. We'll increase the dose to balance it."

Vansh dismissed all her pleas and excuses. "Vansh please na," she asked in a small voice because of which Vansh started to melt and reconsider his decision.

Mrs. D'Souza, to save her troubled master, decided to intervene. Lovingly, she cupped Mayura's cheeks and spoke. "Baby, if you take your injections I will make your favourite badam ka halwa for you."

"Pakka?" She asked in a curious tone. Before she could even reply Mayura, with a childish innocence, repeatedly asked her, "Pakka? Pakka? Pakka? Pakka?" Her voice held a sense of urgency, similar to that of an excited child.

"Yes, baby. If you take your injections, I will make it for you."

"Can I get the halwa now and injections later, D'Souza aunty?" She smiled sweetly.

"No. First injections, then halwa."

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise!" She chuckled, turning on the thermometer.

"Vansh ki kasam?" She asked, only to have the thermometer put back in her mouth. She frowned a little and sat back on the chair comfortably.

"Yeh kya tha?" Vansh asked, half-growling and half-chuckling. Mayura shrugged, putting on a facade of innocence. "Is my life so cheap to you, you chipmunk?" He asked, pulling her nose. Mayura shook her head in denial, her eyes glinting in mischief.

While time ticked for the thermometer, Mrs. D'Souza took out another machine and put the strap on Mayura's upper arm, measuring her blood pressure. Vansh rubbed circles on her temples to help her relax.

Just as soon as Mayura had gotten over her denial of getting the injections and started to relax, Mrs. D'Souza placed the injections with a clatter on the tray, driving away all her courage.

Unconsciously, she clenched her right fist and chewed on the index finger of her left hand. "Open it," Vansh sighed, tapping her fist whilst pulling her finger away from her mouth. The skin was red, covered in saliva and bite marks. He shook his head in disbelief, his eyes widening in horror at the unhealed wounds on the fingers of her right hand. "Don't do this ever again."

Mayura looked away and nodded slowly, embarrassment tucked deep in her heart. Mrs. D'Souza put away the injection, fetching a bottle of antiseptic and placed it on the table.

Mayura shuddered as Mrs. D'Souza opened the packet of alcohol pad and, Vansh rolled up the sleeve of her right arm. Putting her head back on the head rest of the seat, Vansh covered her eyes with his palm, "Deep breaths, chestnut. This will be over before you even know it."

"It will hurt." She cried softly.

"It won't, baby." Mrs. D'Souza assured, rubbing the alcohol on her arm. "Ek second ka dard hoga bas."

Mayura gulped, her eyes shut tightly, as she chewed on her finger again. Vansh, pulling her finger away, held her hand down on the arm rest. "No!"

"Sorry." She stammered.

Vansh hummed, pressing a kiss to her crown. "Relax, bun! Mrs. D'Souza won't hurt you. You're her favourite, after all." He whispered with a chuckle.

Mayura nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. Even in the darkness, she could make out well the actions of Mrs. D'Souza.

Attaching the needle to the syringe tube. Piercing the medicine bottle, she drew out the medicine.

"More," Vansh ordered, watching her take out another bottle and drawing in the medicine.

Mayura stiffened in fear, even with Vansh rubbing circles on her temple. Feeling Mrs. D'Souza's touch on her arm, she sucked in a deep breath.

The coolness of the alcohol calmed her momentarily before the needle pricked her. Mayura flinched, clenching her jaw tightly.

"Ho gaya, baby. Relax!"

She grunted, unclenching her jaw. Mrs. D'Souza placed the injection in the tray, pressing a cotton ball on the site of puncture. Taking the second injection, she took out two small vials of another medicine. Her movements were slow and measured, giving time for the initial medicine to get absorbed by her body.

"Done?"

"Five minutes,"

Taking another alcohol pad, she slowly rubbed it on her lower arm, closer to her wrist. Releasing her left hand, Vansh held her right arm down tightly while ensuring to keep her eyes covered. Mayura could feel her heart racing as the time drew near. She felt the back of her shirt drenched in sweat.

"I am right here, chestnut. Don't worry!" He reminded, tightening his hold on her and rested his chin atop her head. Mayura gulped inaudibly. Vansh's eyes were fixed on the movements of Mrs. D'Souza. As the injection pierced her skin, she let out a cry of pain. "Ah!"

"It's almost done, baby." She reassured, pressing a cotton ball near the needle to absorb the blood. Vansh's grip tightened, a lump forming in his throat at her cry. He swallowed it quickly, focusing on the injection.

Mayura grit her teeth, swallowing her painful cries. Pushing back her tears, and resisting the urge to clench her right fist, she pulled her left hand closer, biting the same finger very hard.

The skin broke with her teeth sinking deep towards her blood vessels, cracking them. Blood oozed out of the wound, a small trickle running down her palm.

"Bas, baby. Dekho, hogaya abh." Mrs. D'Souza reassured, pulling out the needle. She pressed down the cotton ball on the mark, gently rubbing over it. Vansh moved away and straightened his back, relieved that it went successfully.

Mayura grunted, her head falling back on the seat and her hand limply fell on the arm rest, her blood staining the expensive fabric. She was drenched in sweat. "Mhm," she cried, panting in pain and exhaustion.

Taking off the cotton, Mrs. D'Souza replaced it with the band-aid, a gasp leaving her lips when she saw the blood. "Baby, aise kyun karti ho?" She asked in a motherly tone, grabbing a ball of cotton and soaked it in the antiseptic. "Khud ko aise chot kyun deti ho?"

"Sorry," she slurred. Vansh leaned in, his nails digging into the sofa at the sight of her wound. "Mene mana kiya tha na," Vansh scolded. "Kabhi toh meri baat sunn liya karo!"

"Sorry," she repeated, hissing in pain from the antiseptic burn. Vansh sighed, sitting on her right and wiped away the sweat from her face, using the damp towel.

Mrs. D'Souza wrapped a pad of cotton around her finger, wrapping up a layer of gauze over it. Tying a knot at the end, she carefully placed Mayura's hand on her lap and shifted to her right palm, nursing the wounds on her fingers.

✎

Vansh always took advantage of Mayura's drowsy nature, by asking her questions that she would've generally avoided. And Mayura, who would answer him in complete honesty, never remembered anything.

"Careful!" He said, his arm around her as she tripped on her own feet. Holding his shoulder, she tried to balance herself, her vision a blur. Rubbing her eyes, she shook her head to wake herself up.

"Aao," Vansh offered her his hand, wrapping his other arm around her. He pulled her close, allowing her to lean on him for support. Holding her in a firm grip, he led her towards the backyard.

"Darling," he called, his voice a tone of worry. "How are they treating you?"

"The usual, Rai." She slurred, putting her arm around his torso for support. Then, with a click of the tongue, she added. "Nahi, now it's worse. They say I'm an outsider. They say I'm not a part of them."

Vansh clenched his jaw, helping her sit on the stone bench and sat beside her. He entwined his fingers with hers, gently stroking her hand.

"Mayu," he started in a low tone. "You know, I don't come from a normal family. My life is not normal either. There are a lot of threats and dangers, and I don't want you --"

"No!" She interrupted him. "I will not leave you. Tumhe joh sochna-samjhna hai, karlo, Vansh. But I'm not leaving you." She scolded, holding his hand firmly. "I'm either staying with you in this, or taking you away with me. There is no in between."

"Okay, okay, shaanth. Gussa nahi. Tabiyat kharab ho jayegi." He comforted, surprised by her strength.

"Aaj ke baad tumne yeh phir se bola na, toh dekhna phir. Tum mujhse bahut zor se pit jaogi. Itna, ki hospital mein pade rahoge zindagi bhar." She warned, making him chuckle.

They sat in silence, Mayura with an angry pout and Vansh with an amused smile. The wind blew through the leaves, and Mayura put her head on his shoulder. "Vansh. I want to break up with Vihaan."

Vansh had a part of him that rejoiced at the news. Yet, a part of him was also concerned and curious. "Why, darling? Did you loose feelings for him?"

She shook her head slowly, rubbing her arm in nervousness. "I still have feelings for him, Vansh. These feelings, they will never die. But, but he doesn't love me, Vansh."

"I am always getting in his way, making him angry and unhappy. I don't want that! I want him to be happy, even if it means that I have to let him go." In a very low voice, she added. "I don't want him to hate me."

Vansh grit his teeth, repulsed by her words. Vihaan had done her so dirty in love. He hurt, isolated and abused her; made her feel small and insignificant and yet, instead of realising that he was the wrong one, she blamed herself.

He took her into a tight hug, allowing her to snuggle into his warmth and kissed her crown. "Shush, bunny." Her face was expressionless, her eyes dull and dry without a sign of tears.

As they pulled away, Vansh noticed Mrs. D'Souza by the entrance. He turned his gaze back to Mayura.

"Am I bad person, Rai?"

"Not at all, darling."

"Then, why can I not be loved like others?" She asked, her voice cracking. "If I am not a bad person, why can my family not love me? My mother, my father, my family, Vyom. What should I do for them to love me?"

"Don't do anything, bunny. Don't do anything." Vansh cupped her face, making her look at him. He wiped away the lone tear using his thumb. "They don't deserve your love and attention. It isn't in their capacity to love someone so precious like you."

Mayura nodded, blinking back her tears.

"Don't waste your time seeking for their love and attention, bun. You are special, different from the rest. Aur aise khaas logon se pyaar karna, har kisi ke naseeb mein nahi hota hai." He smiled.

"Iska matlab," Mayura fiddled with her fingers, "yeh sirf tumhare, Angre aur Mrs. D'Souza ke naseeb mein likha hai?"

Vansh chuckled. "Apni kismat toh mein khud likhta hoon. Aur jis lakir tum na ho, waisi kismat mujhe manzur nahi." He spoke in a dark tone while his eyes held a cold and void stare.

His words brought her relief. "Do you like being with me, so much, Vansh?"

He smiled and tucked her loose hair strands behind her ear. "Tum nahi, toh koi aur bhi nahi. Tumhare jaise log badi muskil se milte hai iss duniya mein."

Loyalty. She is the epitome of loyalty in his world.

He caressed her cheek, his finger brushing against her ear ring. "Party ki raat joh hua, nahi hona chaiye tha. It was your first time attending such a party aur unn logon ne sab barbad kar diya."

"Koi baat nahi, Vansh." She said warmly, holding his hand. "Tumhare saath mujhe wakt bitane ko milta hai, mere liye utna hi kaafi hai. Aur logon ka kya hua kar sakte hai? We cannot control them, can we?"

'I will do that!' He vowed, nodding. With his index finger, he gestured Mrs. D'Souza to join them.

Mayura threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Being around you makes me so happy, Vansh!" She beamed, "Thank you for being my friend."

'You have earned this, my chestnut. Your loyalty and kindness have won you my complete trust.'

A terse smiled appeared on his lips. Vansh's phone rang, forcing him to break the moment.

Incoming call from Angre.

Vansh moved away and Mrs. D'Souza caught a sleepy Mayura before she could get hurt. "Look after her. I have to attend a call."

Mayura snuggled into her warmth while Vansh walked away, not before ruffling her hair.

Vansh stepped away, answering the call. "Bolo," he spoke in a cold tone.

"Pehla consignment Brazil pahuch gaya hai." Angre spoke in a professional tone. "Doosre wale ka sample mein aapke paas la raha hoon. Aap ek baar check kar lete."

Vansh leaned against a tree and kept his eyes fixed on the ladies, humming in reply. "Theek hai. Par dhyaan se, kaafi nazrein hai uss par. Kisi ko bhanak nahi lagni chaiye."

"Mein sambhal loonga, boss." Angre assured. "Mein aaj raat tak wahan aa-jaunga."

"Theek hai," Vansh affirmed, noticing an exhaustion in his tone. "Kya hua? Itne thake hue kyun ho?"

"Kuch nahi boss, woh Vihaan bhai..."

"Phir se?" Vansh groaned. He pursed his lips, frustration overcoming him when he remembered Mayura's words. "Rehne do, Angre. Abh koi zaroorat nahi hai."

"Par boss, usne Mayura di ko phir se hurt kiya toh?" Angre asked in a concerned voice.

"Don't worry, Angre!" He smirked. "A little bunny told me that she wants a break-up."

Angre was flabbergasted. "Sacchi? Mayura di, who was crazy in love with Vihaan, said that she wants a break-up?"

"Yes," Vansh asserted. "Aur yeh baat, usko bhi pata chalne do."

"As you wish, bhai." He obeyed, cutting the call.

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