Page 71 of Always With You

I look up at the ceiling and close my eyes, requesting God to give me strength to get through this call without losing my mind. “Considering that you disturbed me from my most peaceful moment I was spending with my wife, I think you can say I am cranky.”

“Wow! Looks like someone got lucky and finally hit the jackpot,” he exclaims with a hint of humour in his voice. “Now better share the details. Remember, we don’t keep secrets.”

“Fuck off, I am not sharing any details with you.”

“Okay fine, don’t share the details, but at least tell me that you will make me an uncle soon.”

My face breaks into a huge grin, which I can’t hold back. “I don’t know about that, but right now, I am feeling like the most fortunate man on earth.”

“Indeed, you are very lucky. Ranveer, she’s the best for you.” He then pauses before adding, “Don’t ever let her slip away. Just don’t mess up with her. A woman like her is rare to find.”

“Yes, the way she makes me feel is out of this world. I can’t even put it into words how I really feel about her. All I can say is, I love her with all my heart and soul,” I say more to myself than him, a content smile spread on my face.

“I’m really happy for you. I was always convinced that you both are made for one another. Give her the love and respect she deserves, and trust me, you will have a lifetime of happiness. Your marriage will always have that foreverness to it,” Akshay’s voice is sombre as he says that.

“Well, at times, you sure give better advice than any counsellor.” I smirk.

A bark of laughter breaks through the phone. “Finally, you agreed that I am of some worth in your life.”

I clear my throat. “Jokes apart, thanks for always being around. I can’t appreciate you enough for being there for me, unconditionally.”

“And that will always be the case. I will never leave your sorry ass. Now back to your wife. You still haven’t shared the details.”

“You still didn’t tell me why you called?” I rub the back of my neck and waive off the subject for now, otherwise this conversation will know no end. Whatever I may say, he, for sure, is the only one with whom I am comfortable to share my feelings, but not today. Right now, all I can think of is going back to my wife, and if I am lucky, to make love to her again.

He remains silent for a few minutes. Then he lets out a breath, which instantly tells me it’s not going to be something I would like to hear. “I got a call from Dubai. Your call didn’t go through, so I was contacted. I think you need to fly down.”

My heart stops for a couple of seconds. I feel fear and panic at once. “What… did you say?”

“For now, I made your busy work schedule as an excuse. I didn’t inform you about your marriage. But you need to pay a visit and sort out this mess before it starts getting ugly.” He let’s out a deep breath. “You need to figure out your shit. Go over there and talk it out.”

“The hell I am answerable, nor do I need to go to Dubai. I don’t care a damn if the world outside my house is crashing down. All that matters is my life here with my wife,” I growl into the phone.

“Sure, you don’t owe anyone anything, but I hope you are not hiding this from Alisha,” he says. The warning in his voice is unmistakable.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Alisha doesn’t know about it, and I would like to keep it this way.”

He sighs.“Ranveer,I’m not some marriage counsellor. Yet for sure, I can sayyou are making a mistake. Alisha doesn’t deserve this. She needs to know. You can’t keep this hidden for long.”

I shake my head, hoping this is a nightmare, and I wake up from it soon. The peace of mind which I felt for the first time in ages has been robbed. I rise to my feet and make my way to the window, looking out at the pearly glow in the sky. “I understand your concern, but my personal decisions are not yours to make. And I would appreciate it if you stay out of this matter.”

“If that’s what you want, then I will not bring this up. But as a friend, I still want to tell you this won’t end well for you. Mark my words,” he tells me in a no-nonsense tone. “Please tell Alisha before it’s too late.” This time, his voice softens.

“I will eventually, but not now. And thanks for the warning,” I state and then hang up the call as I have no wish to drag this discussion.

I press both my palms on the glass window and drop my head, breathing deeply and evenly, trying to gain my composure. However, I am shit scared. I just can’t fucking lose her. She is my heartbeat. Her love, affection, and support are all I need. And for that, if I have to hide my past, so be it. This one thing can dig up the old graves and disrupt my love. How will I explain myself to Alisha? My brain is running a marathon with all the overwhelming thoughts.

I am pulled out of my trance of thoughts when I feel her hands wrap around my waist from behind and her cheek presses into my bare back. My heart and breathing drowns out everything around except for her and the feel of her body pressed against my back.

“You were not in bed when I woke up. I missed you,” she whispers. Her caress on my back is reassuring.

I place my hands on her hand before turning around and gazing down at her. She’s wearing my shirt that I had on last night, looking radiant, with her long brown hair framing her angelic face. Just looking at her makes my heart skip a beat. God! HowI would do anything for her.

“Had a work call to answer,” I say as I lift my hand and wrap a lock of her hair around my finger, loving the feel of her soft tresses.

“Everything okay?”

“Just work-related stuff. Nothing for you to worry about.” My voice is soft and husky as my fingers let go of her curls, and my hands slide into the shirt and cup her breasts.

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