Page 60 of Always With You

“Come, let me show you our room,” I say as I begin to lead her through my childhood home.

“Wait! We can’t share a room,” she calls out, stopping abruptly which makes me turn to her.

“Why? What’s wrong?” I pretend to play dumb.

Her face drains of colour. “Ranveer, no…”

“Sorry, Wifey, I would have taken the guestroom, but I don’t think Grandpa will like the idea. Though if you still insist, then I…”

“No, it’s okay, there is no harm in sharing a room,” she grumbles.

“Thanks, Wifey. You just made my…” The way she is looking daggers at me, it would be wise to rephrase my sentence. “I mean, Grandpa will be happy to see that we are getting along fine.”

She rolls her eyes but I can see the defeat in them. “Now, can you lead the way?”

“Of course, Wifey,” I say as I hold her hands and we make our way to my childhood room, which is on the first floor.

I am practically bouncing with joy. Alisha will be on my bed. God! I just can’t seem to get there fast enough.

Chapter 26

Alisha

Damn! Why couldn’t he just go back to his house? When Granddad asked if I could stay back for breakfast, I agreed without thinking it through. I honestly did enjoy his company and the way his face lit up when I agreed, made it worth it. But what I was not expecting was Ranveer to stay back too. Granddad did inform me that Ranveer doesn’t spend the nights here and usually prefers to go back home. Then why the hell did he just agree? I guess I know the answer. He is stepping up his temptation game, making it difficult for me to resist him. That’s what the past few days have been. Flowers, candlelight dinners, movies, and the tons of gifts he thought were necessary for me to have. But what melts my heart is the way he is with my parents and the efforts he puts into the bar. In just a few days, the bar has shown a twenty percent increase in profit. Also, I won’t deny that his affection has my heart full, and desire burns the circuits of my mind as well. God! Till when will I be able to resist his charms? Every day I can see a piece of the wall which I had created around my heart, break. I just hope that in the process, he doesn’t break my heart.

When we enter his childhood room, I am surprised at the way it’s decorated. Grey and blue with matching furnishings. Each piece in the room looks expensive and tastefully selected. His room definitely reflects his personality. Unique and overbearing.

“Welcome to our room, Wifey. The way you were with Grandpa seems like we will be here more often, which makes this our second home.” He gives me a smile that coils desire around my body, making it impossible for me to break free.

Ignoring his comment, I look around the room when my eyes land on the picture frame that’s on the side table beside his bed. I freeze, as a sudden unexplainable pain hits me. It’s him surrounded by a group of boys and girls, who, I assume, must be his friends. However, that’s not what troubles me; it’s the girl who he is kissing so unabashedly. I avert my gaze away from the frame, but he is quick to follow my eyes.

“I’m sorry. It’s been long since I have stepped into this room. Usually, I would meet Grandpa and leave. I didn’t expect this photo of my college days to be still here. I will ask one of the staff to clear the remaining unwanted stuff in the room.” He moves to the side table, takes the photo frame, and tosses it in the bin.

I give him a tart smile and shake my head. “You don’t need to explain, Ranveer. It’s your room and your life. You don’t have to change your lifestyle at my expense. I am completely okay with whoever you wish to be with.” I shrug my shoulders. I just hope he doesn’t call my bluff. It’s hurting me like hell, but I don’t want to show him how much it’s affecting me. How I wish I could get the hell out of here! Suddenly, I am feeling claustrophobic.

He shoots me a furious look. “Is that what you want me to do? Cheat on my wife? Don’t you think it would be disrespectful?” he retorts with a grunt of anger.

I simply shrug. “I don’t see anything wrong in it, if that is what you want.”

A muscle in his jaw flecks and I see his face turn dark. “That’s enough. Do I strike you as a man who believes in infidelity?”

I lift my fingers to my temple and rub the slight pain that is beginning to form on my head. Not wanting to reply or discuss the matter further, I turn my gaze from him and look everywhere but him. “I am tired and just want to sleep. I’ll take the couch.” I point to the single brown couch at the centre of the room near the window and start walking in that direction without meeting his gaze.

“No. I want you to answer me first.” He steps in front of me and blocks my way. “Do I look so desperate to you that I will seek pleasure outside our marriage?”

My breath catches in my throat at his harsh tone. Yet I manage to speak, “I… don’t know what to believe.”

“Let me make this clear for you,” he says as he takes his steps towards me and stands in front of me, looking straight into my eyes. “What I want is you and only you. For now, and the rest of my life, it’s only you I desire. I don’t have the inclination to be with any other woman.”

Indecision slices through my heart. Should I believe him? I have done that once. What did I get in return? My heart is still bearing the wounds of my past relationship. “I am scared,” I murmur the words which are close to the truth.

He stares at me long and hard. I hold his stare, my heart beating rapidly in my chest, whereas my body is wrestling a losing battle. He is too much for my sanity, and try I may, it’s impossible to ignore him. I gulp down the feelings that are wreathing me. At least I made an attempt, but it’s like a storm that hits me stronger than ever. He has the power to turn my insides into a jelly simply by his presence, and yet I am fighting with all that I have in me to hold myself back. Nonetheless, deep down, I am tired of trying to fathom my emotions.

“Alisha, I know you are still uncertain about our relationship, but in all this, I can assure you that your heart is always safe with me,” he murmurs as he reaches out, gently lifting my chin with a curled index finger and gazing into my eyes. “What should I do to make you believe that you are the only person I want to share my life with? Alisha, I am not playing any games here. There is nothing in the world that can take your place in my heart, no one comes even close.” As I scrutinise his eyes, I see his confession is honest but I am wary. Not able to gauge what I really want, I don’t say anything. “I want you! How could I ever want anyone else when my heart is filled with the love I have for you?” he asks as he traces his thumb across my lips, desire unfurling in his eyes. “Please trust me.”

My throat constricts as I swallow. “I… want to.”

“Then don’t overthink and give us a chance. Don’t let my past mistakes define the person I am,” he says softly. The plea in his voice and the unmistakable hope in his eyes making my resolution weaken.

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