Aviram :

When I had opened my eyes, I had found myself on the cold marble floor of the courtyard.
Getting dragged into a dark room by the top of my collar.

"Let him be, Vinay.", I had heard Anamika.
"No darling. I have been tormented for years because of him, today is my chance.", Vinay had replied nastily as he picked up an ancient whip kept at one corner of the room.

And he had ruthlessly hit me. He pushed me, made me sit with my back against the wall.
Through the blur of tears I had noticed the fine outline of a girl.
"Also.. dear Bhai Sahab.. I forgot to mention.", He said kneeling before me, with a menacing smile.

"Your so called daughter.. Nayan.. she is my blood. I am her biological father.", He whispered the words I had feared.

Nothing hurt more than the truth he said.
I lay immobile, unable to speak or even react. Looking at Anamika who did not even care to feel ashamed.

She really hated me, didn't she?
Another punch across my face and my world blacked out.

I slowly opened my eyes. My whole body felt numb with pain.

And then I felt a hand on mine.
I blinked once or twice and then realised.
I was on a hospital bed. I could hear the constant beeping of the ECG machine.

I drew in a deep breath.
The hand over mine immediately moved and I felt it on my bruised cheek.

"Ram..", I heard.
It took me moment to recognise her.

"Devika..", I whispered, barely audible.
Her eyes were swollen, she looked like she hadn't slept for days. The fatigue showed on her beautiful face. A tear slid down her eye as she looked at me.
"How are you feeling? Is it paining a lot?", She whispered placing her other hand on my other cheek, cupping my face.
"No.. I.. I am fine..", I mumbled, lying of course.

She said nothing as she immediately poured a glass of water. She took some water from it on a table spoon and brought it to my lips. I immediately sipped, realising how thirsty I was.

"How.. how did you reach me?", I asked softly, sounding raspy.
She said nothing as she carefully picked up a comb and started combing my hair.

"You look handsome in messy hair too, but I was feeling awkward..", she said, smiling softly through her tears.
"Devika.. tell me.", I said.
She paused drawing in a deep breath.

"You should have told me about the condition.", She said finally.
I shut my eyes, realising I had forgotten to make Purohit ji take the vow of secrecy.
"I.. I.. did not mean to hurt you Devika-"

"Hurt me?", She asked, on the edge of another breakdown.
She edged closer to me, her eyes held compassion. Something I had never expected to see in her otherwise fiery eyes.
She placed her hand on my chest, on my beating heart.
"You have done what no one would ever do.", She whispered. The gratitude in her voice seemed to mitigate my pain.
"A thank you will never be enough for it.", She said.

Somehow, I found myself yearning for her affection.
As unlikely it was for the heartless beast, I found myself wishing she felt slightly more than gratitude. Maybe in doing all this, I had been selfish in my own ways.

I was seeking the approval that she had given me.
I found myself wishing to wrap my arms around the beauty and break down.
To behave the most unmanly way and let a woman wipe my tears.

I used all the strength possible and raised my hand. I placed it on hers, on my chest.
I squeezed her hand slightly, almost drawing strength.

I suddenly remembered I had made a promise.
I would not touch her.
I immediately tried to move my hand away but she held it.
Like she would never let it go.

" I apologise for the way I have insulted you..", she said softly and paused, looking down.
And then finally said, "Raja ji."

I smiled at the irony.

"I am not the Raja anymore.", I whispered.
"You will always be King, Raja ji.", She whispered edging closer.
I knew my state was pitiful, but her eyes did not have pity.
They had gratitude and they had pride.

"You have sacrificed everything for me..", she said,
"Now I will make sure you earn back everything that is yours."

"It is not possible..", I whispered.

She simply placed her lips on my forehead.
I felt all the tension and pain relieve me.
I had been kissed many times, by a women who did not love me.
But today when Devika kissed my forehead, it felt like I had waited all my life for her.

She gently moved away, with a beautiful smile.

"I am with you.. and we will make everything possible.", She whispered.

And somehow I felt rejunivated.
It felt like the beast had left, and what was left was the handsome prince.

She had transformed me back to the charming prince that I had once been.

I smiled at her.
Feeling my heart beat, not because it had to, but because it wanted to.

•••

*sobbing*