10 - Part 2

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May 18, 2010

The sun was brighter than usual that day. Heatwave was spreading across Anirudh's room as he smoked a filter cigarette, scratching his beard. They often felt like just thorns to him. He looked down at his palm, rough from the thorns on his face. If his calloused hand could get this pink from the beard, he could only imagine how it would be when he runs his beard down Hansika's body as she writhed under him. The twenty-two-year-old beast groaned, rubbing the butt of the cigarette in the ashtray.

Not bothering to adorn a shirt in the house occupied all by women, he sauntered to the living room in just his checkered boxers. Meenal was seated in the rocking chair, eyes closed, thoughts of her late husband filling her mind. One year had passed since his third heart attack. And you know what they say: third time's the charm. Apparently, the charm was his death.

"Mom." He stopped the rocking chair with his feet. Meenal's heart stopped for a second. Her eyes opened wide, and then relaxed when she saw that it was her son after all.

"Gosh, Anirudh? I've told you not to scare me like this."

"I'm not coming to Varanasi," he said, taking a seat on the couch opposite to her. She erected her spine and leaned forward, her back muscles throbbing from the sudden movement.

"What?"

"Rekha Aunty's coming with you anyways. She can take care of you. I can't come, Mom."

"And why not, Anirudh? It's your father's rituals. You're supposed to perform them. Don't you want to pay him respect?"

Anirudh cocked his head to the side and frowned empathetically. He reached forward and wiped her tears away.

"Mom, you know I don't believe in those things. I believe Dad has left his body and is here in spirit with us right now. Don't you think so?"

Crystal, the stray white kitten they found a week after Dad's death - now a grown cat - came to Anirudh's feet and purred as if right on cue.

"I'd rather believe Crystal's an incarnation of our Dad than all the bull the Pandits feed you in that city."

Meenal shook her head in confusion. "Ani, if you were going to deny coming to his rituals, why did you even say yes in the beginning? You booked the flight tickets for all of us yourself, including Neeraj, Hansika, and Rekha."

But that was before Hansika dropped out of the plan because she had to attend exams, Anirudh thought.

"I thought about it, Mom. And I changed my mind. I can't do things I don't actually believe in or mean for my father. I won't stop you from going or curb you of what you believe is best for him." He cupped her face and looked into her eyes, saying it as he meant it. Anirudh was a charmer, alright.

"But, Anirudh..."

"Mom. Trust me. You go to Varanasi and pay him respects the way you know. I know what I'll be doing."

During that dramatic pause he took, he noted Meenal's eyes growing curious and he knew he had her attention. With a little manipulation, he could properly net the fish and carry the prize.

"I've talked to the caretakers of Gupta's orphanage. On dad's one year death anniversary, I'll be volunteering for all three meals for the 248 kids in the orphanage and spending the day with them. You know how much Dad loved volunteering. One of the caretakers also recognized his name when I told them."

He held her hand. "Mom, this is the only way I know to pay that good man respect. Please let me."

Meenal closed her eyes and thought. Anirudh half-smiled. The fish was in. He slowly ran the pad of his thumbs across the crease of her wrinkling hand. And he brought it to his face, resting his cheek on them.

"Please, mom. For Dad."

Meenal sighed. "I'll ask the Pandit." Anirudh kissed her palm and smiled sweetly.

But oh, was his mind running at the speed of light. He had booked them all tickets from the night of 18th to the night of 22nd. By all, he meant himself, his mother, Rekha the cook, Hansika and her father. Just to make Hansika come along with him.

Had she agreed to Varanasi, it would have been their second getaway after the school's nature club trip to Wayanad. But he was so bummed when Hansika dropped out of the plans because her stupid medical college had their model exams scheduled in the same dates.

Hansika was doing her second year in a medical college, and she was busier than ever. Anirudh couldn't get for the life of him why she had to choose medicine as a profession. She literally could have picked Commerce like him. Or Engineering, at least. Medicine took a lifetime to learn, and it took Anirudh everything in him to give her the space she needed to study.

If only he had had more time to manipulate her stream, he thought. His father funded her schooling fees, and he quickly gave her the green signal to pursue medicine. She also had a merit seat, so everyone's pocket was safe. But Anirudh got handed the worst end of the stick. Hansika's tight schedule.

He might have been too obsessed about the girl, but much to everyone's surprise, he drew his limit with her career. Of course, he was so mad at first when she told him she was really going to pursue her goal to become a doctor.

"Why, baby? Who told you what to make you so stubborn about this? Is it for the money? Is it for the credentials after your name?" He had asked her.

She had simply shaken her head. "It's none of those reasons, Ani. I'm doing this for me. It's my dream and I want to pursue it." Turning to him, she had asked him, softly meeting his eyes, "Wouldn't you want me to achieve my dream?"

And that was how she manipulated the manipulator's heart. This was Hansika's wish. And he was going to let her have it. It sounded so crazy to him that her dreams weren't as simple as his; to have her forever. But he trained himself to be okay with it. For only one thing. His father's promise.

So near his deathbed, one week before his death, Anirudh's father called for him. Anirudh was 21 years old then, having just completed his bachelor's degree in Commerce. He was not a studious guy. But he was very smart. And also very smooth and manipulative with his words. He didn't know those can be put to use. But his father did.

"What are you planning to do further?" He asked.

Anirudh shrugged. "You want me to find some job? Or look after the company?"

"Anirudh. I asked you what you are planning. What do you want for yourself, son?"

Anirudh paused. "Dad," he leaned down in front of his chair. "You know how I feel about Hansika Chaturvedi."

He nodded, knowing where he was headed.

"Son, she's 18. She's pursuing medicine. Her father knows very little of your intentions and he trusts our family."

"Dad," he sighed. "Neeraj Uncle works for us. He'd be blessed to have his daughter married into our family."

"Anirudh," his father said, sternly. "Do not get ahead of yourself."

"But Dad, you asked me what I wanted. This is my answer. I want her."

His father thought about it. "She'll take five more years to finish her MBBS. And you need to get a stable life. So, I have a plan and a promise."

Anirudh listened for once. "You do an MBA in Finance. And then you take over our business. I promise you that I'll talk to Neeraj and get Hansika married to you after she becomes a doctor. That way, both your lives are settled and no one will bother you with any other burdens or hinderances."

Of course, he knew that his father didn't talk to Neeraj before he died. But he liked the way his father laid it out for him. Once they're both settled, no one could bother them. They wouldn't be answerable to anyone.

All those things said, he terribly missed Hansika. She wasn't around as much, so they couldn't even talk. Much less touch. And he was a grown adult, his needs increasing every day. The world of porn just disgusted him. None of those women were even close to Hansika. His own imaginations couldn't soar that high as well. He hadn't done anything with her yet, except stealing a few kisses. Even those were reduced to mere pecks.

And perhaps this home alone situation with just Hansika and himself as the rest of the family are far away could quench his thirst temporarily.

***

Hansika stayed at home that night as Anirudh went to drop the family off at the airport. She knew she had to study. Her next exam was in two days and she needed all the concentration she could collect solely on the syllabus.

But for the love of God, she could not focus. Not one bit. Ever since Meenal Madam broke the news that Anirudh isn't going with them and is going to stay, her stomach was in an unremovable knot. An empty house. Anirudh and her. Four days. Her fear was eating her alive.

She downed the fourth bottle of water for the night. A deep pit of anxiety was surrounding her, half-swallowing her as she clung to reality with the other half. She was in the outhouse room, and Anirudh never came to the outhouse. He had always called her to his room whenever he needed. She could have found some solace in that fact. But, no. She continued to be restless and shaky.

And for all the right reasons.

Anirudh reached home and parked the car. Throwing the keys on the table, he looked around his house. Except for the guard Dharma, the whole house was empty. Just him and Hansika for the next few days.

A loud roar of laughter filled the house as Hansika heard it from the outhouse. Her body shivered. She curled into the mattress further, covering herself in a blanket. And in just a few minutes, she heard a knock on her door.

"Hansika?"

Her breath got caught in her throat.

"Hansika? It's me, Ani."

The grip around her book tightened as the knuckles went white.

"Open the door, baby. I want to talk to you."

To this day, Hansika regretted going to the door. She didn't open it, but she called out from the inside.

"We can talk tomorrow, Ani. Go sleep."

On hearing her voice, Anirudh started pushing against the door.

"Hansika, open. Open!"

Hansika trembled in fear. "Wh- what do you want to talk for, Anirudh? It's so late at night." She tried to talk it out rationally.

"Hani, please. I just want to see your face. I won't do anything or say anything, I promise. Just open the door, you don't even have to let me in. Show me your face and I'll leave."

She paused. She didn't know if she should believe him or not. Her mind did not want her to, but her heart was so used to the tenderness in his voice and the way he promised her.

Still, she thought it was worth a shot when she asked, "Will the window work?"

Anirudh groaned. "Hansika... You're torturing me. Please, I'll go down on my knees, even."

She felt bad immediately. Yes, he had never come by to the outhouse, and yes, it was so late at night. But he was also just a guy whose house she lived in and he turned out to have a liking for her. He should not be put to this much blame or torture, thought Hansika.

So, she undid the padlock the softest way possible. No sound was made as she caught hold of the door handle and pulled it down, opening the door just a little.

Anirudh was standing in a slant fashion, his right arm perched up against the wall next to the door, his leg one over the other.

And he looked at her, eyes as soft as a kitten. That very tenderness, even though she had been played into the same trap a million times before, made her open the door a little further. And this made her face very much visible. And accessible.

Anirudh was quick to act. He slipped the hand which was on the wall to hold her cheeks, swiftly snaking it to the back of her head. Before Hansika had any time to react, or even breathe for the fact, Anirudh pulled her close and kissed her. Hansika quickly closed her eyes, wanting to slam the door close. But she knew it would only slam into her own body; and worse, make Anirudh mad.

She slowly placed her hands on his chest, pushing him away after she gained confidence. Two minutes of him trying to open her lips up and make them react to him had already passed and she couldn't take it anymore.

After finding the entire strength to push him away, she felt his lips leave hers. This time, she was quick to react. Quickly closing the door, she locked it tight and shoved herself on the door. And then the tears began.

"Hani... It was just a kiss. I know it's late at night, and you're probably studying. I won't distract you, but you know I deserved that kiss."

Hansika shoved the side of her palm in her mouth to not let the sobs out.

"It's been two months since I touched your lips, baby. I'll only grow madder at this rate. I need you, Hani. You're my..."

He dragged that line and paused to think. "You're my Princess. And this Prince needs his Princess."

Hansika didn't know how to reply to that. She didn't know what made him this obsessed with her nor she knew how to get out of it. And most importantly, she didn't know who to go to with this. Father was a true employee; he respected the Joshis so much and Hansika's little hints didn't get to his head. In fact, he was happy that Anirudh treated his daughter like an "equal". Meenal madam knew about this, but very little. And she thought that Hansika kept Anirudh sane and straight on his tracks, so she didn't mind the obsession he had on her. Rekha Chachi knew of this from the start, and she pushed Hansika every chance she got to tell someone. To go to anyone else, because she was helpless. She was only a cook of the family and any word against Anirudh would only make her jobless. And she needed the job; not only for the money but to have the opportunity to be there for Hansika whenever she needed her. And there was no one else in her life. Except, of course, Anirudh.

"Hansika," he called out again.

"Go to sleep, Ani," she said, no emotions in her words. He smiled at that, taking it as the care she had on him.

"I know you have your exam in two days. I won't disturb you... Much. But I'm stealing you from studies after the evening of 20th. I've had enough of this long distance. You're right here, yet we're apart." He groaned.

Hansika felt a meteor drop on her gut. Her breathing increased at an impeccable speed.

"Don't study for too long, love. Sleep by 12. One, max. Goodnight, Hani." With that, he walked back to his home, so content. He had her lips after such a long time. And the feel was just the same.

She was his girl. And nothing in the world can deny it. Not even her.

***

May 21, 2010

The sun came up way early that day. Of course, it was summer and so it was highly expected for the early sun. But to Hansika, it only added to her devastation. Anirudh woke up right as soon as the sun hit his room. Then, he proceeded to work out. After that, he'd get ready and wait for her to come to him. This was their routine.

Hansika couldn't sleep the previous night. She finished her last exam the previous afternoon and begged her classmate to take her somewhere, anywhere, to make excuses to Anirudh. She only returned that night to find Anirudh surrounded by a huge pile of cigarette butts and ash. He told her that he was so angry at her and wanted her to go away before he did something. Hansika bolted to her room. And she didn't come out ever since.

Her stomach groaned in hunger, the acid burning its insides. She didn't have a proper lunch, just the tea and biscuits her classmate was kind to offer in her house. And she picked escaping Anirudh's anger over dinner. Wrapping her arms on her knees, she pulled them closer to cocoon her stomach. She thought maybe it wouldn't hurt so much then.

There was a knock on her door that made her jump out of her skin.

"Breakfast." Anirudh's voice was heard for just a second, and on the next, she could hear his footsteps fading.

She checked the time. It was half past eight in the morning. He wanted breakfast. Poor guy must be starving from all the workout. Maybe he didn't have his dinner too. That thought made her get up. She couldn't just stay in her room and starve him. It was inhuman. (And she was stupid.)

Quickly washing her face, she did her hair in a bun and walked to the house. The smell of fried goods hit her nostrils immediately. She went inside the kitchen and gasped.

Anirudh was wearing an apron, frying bacon on his left hand as he flipped the eggs on the right. Plating the scrambled eggs, he turned to see her.

"Ah, baby! You finally came. Sit, breakfast will be ready in ten."

Hansika stood frozen. She couldn't comprehend for the life of her what happened. Anirudh never cooked. Never ever. And here he was in the kitchen, making some delicious-smelling food. For her.

"Sit, Hansika," he said sternly. That made Hansika scramble to the dining table.

She was fidgeting with her nails, thinking of what to say and how to behave when Anirudh came with two beautifully plated meal.

"A full English breakfast, tada!" He placed one in front of her and the next one right beside. Then, he proceeded to drag the chair as close to her as possible before sitting down.

"Eat, baby," he said. "I made it just for you."

Hansika looked at him. "Ani, why did you? You could've told me if you wanted this. I know to make these."

Anirudh shook his head. "It's not about my hunger, Hani."

He took his knife and fork, and cut into her toast. Blowing on it softly, he placed it in front of her lips. "Actually, it is."

He watched with a smile as Hansika chewed the toast, looking at him with those beautiful, innocent eyes. "It's about my hunger to make you happy."

Hansika swallowed the piece before she could choke on it. "Th - thank you," she said, not knowing what else she could say.

Anirudh smiled before starting on his plate. They both ate in silence.

"Did you have fun yesterday? With your friend?" Anirudh asked, a smile on his face.

Hansika's breath hitched. "Ani..." She began.

"What was her name?" He wiped his lips, finishing his plate and reaching for the juice.

"Kavya. She... insisted I come to her home." Hansika's legs were shaking under the table.

"How has this 'Kavya' never been mentioned before? And how come she has never visited our house?" He slowly teased her feet with his toes, the smile still on his face.

"Ani," her voice lowered as she felt his leg slowly trap hers. And then, with one hard pull, he had Hansika's legs locked and her body close to his.

"Don't. Lie. To. Me."

He leaned in and kissed her right cheek. His hands went to her shoulder, bringing them down from the shocked mode they were in. He loved the way she stilled around him, making him feel completely in control of her.

Gripping her shoulders tight, he slowly scratched his beard on her cheek. The feel of her soft, clear skin on his edgy, tough beard made him go wild. He released a low growl and Hansika screwed her eyes shut.

"I know you were scared to spend the night alone with me. That's why you stalled it with her," he whispered in her ear, adding a chuckle.

"But I'm going to show you there's nothing to be scared of. And that it doesn't have to be the night to get scared."

Scratching his beard against her cheek again, he slowly pulled away. A single tear slipped past her left cheek. He shook his head, reaching forward to catch it with his tongue.

"I promise I won't hurt you, Hansika," he held her face. "Not much," he added.

Leaning in, he placed the rarest ever soft kiss on her lips.

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