Dhruv

******

Holding my hands tightly she was ready, ready to let the secret out. I had got up when she confessed, seeing her mother at the airport. She was sitting in front of me, ready to reveal a part of her past and I had never felt that nervous before. I was scared and had no idea what truth was coming my way.

But I was sure of one thing, whatever the truth was, I was about to feel that dreadful pain again. The pain that left me wretched for the last seven years.

"I still remember the day when you had confessed your feelings to me. I remember each and every detail, how you have made me feel special with your every gesture." she started looking into my eyes.

"The food you and Sheela Aunty prepared for me, the muffins you baked for me, the heart-shaped cutlets, and the way you were embarrassed." she smiled with tears in her eyes reminiscing our first date. She remembered, all of it.

Adding further she said, "I knew that you were special, who will always be by my side no matter what."

I felt heartbroken. If she had realized it then why did she leave? What's hurting me more was she left without even meeting me.

"Then why did you leave? I want to know, what was my fault that I was left miserable for seven years. Did I do any mistake?" I was so eager that couldn't stop myself from asking what was troubling me from all these years.

"You didn't commit any mistake," she replied. A lone tear escaped from her left eye. Wiping it I asked, "Then why?"

"My mother asked me to. She said it's better if I leave everyone behind. I was so naive that I fell into her trap." She lowered her eyes feeling guilty but I wanted to know more.

"In the night after our date, I was in a dilemma. I did feel something for you but didn't know what to name those feelings. I had never felt something like that for anyone and that's why I was more confused and troubled. I was in my thoughts when I heard a knock on my door. I opened it and found a couple standing there. I didn't know who they were and when I queried about their identities the woman introduced herself as my mother and the man introduced himself as my uncle."

"Your uncle?" I asked.

"Yes, he said he was my father's friend."

"You believed them?" she shook her head in response to my question.

"Then?"

"They had proofs, they showed me a picture of my childhood in which I was in my father's lap and my mother was sitting beside him. Uncle was carrying the legal papers from the orphanage which was having his signature. It was Uncle who had left me at the orphanage."

I couldn't make out that if she had a family then why did they leave her at an orphanage and then how come they suddenly appeared to take her back.

"But why? Why did they leave you? And your father? Where was he?" I asked the questions that were eating up my head.

"My father was in the police and was killed by a goon when I was three years old. My mother was scared for my safety so she asked Uncle to find an orphanage where I will be safe. All those years when I was in school my funding was done through my mother's money. She told me that she decided that she would get me back when my father's murderer will be caught."

"They caught him and that's when she came to take you back?" she nodded at my question making my doubts clear.

"Then why did she ask you to break all your contacts with me?"

"She said she didn't know what kind of people are in my life. According to her, it was for my betterment if I left everyone behind and start a new life with her. That's what she told me but the truth was something else. And when I realized, it was already late."

Abruptly muffin wiped her tears and came closer. Cupping my cheeks she said, "It was all my fault Dhruv. I was stupid and got manipulated. She asked me to choose between her and you all. Despite having feelings for you I chose her and that will always remain the biggest mistake of my life. The girl in me who had craved for the love of his parents became selfish. If not for my selfishness I would have never left you. I am sorry Dhruv. I...I am re...real...really sorry. Ple...please forgive me. Please forgive your muffin."

I was sitting there numb, registering what she just said. I was dwelling upon my thoughts which didn't help me at all. I had no idea should I be happy that she had feelings for me too? Or should I feel miserable that she chose her mother over me? But what was her fault in this? Everyone would have done the same then why the hell I was feeling betrayed.

My feelings at that moment were not justified but I had no control over them.

"Dhruv...say some....something...ple...please." her lips quivered. I was already hurt and her tears were hurting me.

I took deep breathes before pulling her in for a kiss. I was going crazy and needed to be calm to think properly. I was angry too, why? I had no idea.

I kissed her like never before. The kiss was rough and fast, fast enough to make her incapable to match my pace. I had no idea why it was hurting me. She was not at fault yet I was punishing her through the kiss. She let me kiss her the way I wanted to as if she was glad to be punished. I bit her lower lip a little harshly and when she winced I got an entrance to her mouth. Even when I was rough, her hands were rubbing my back, trying to calm me down. Her touch did magic and I stopped.

Pulling back I looked into her eyes before sternly making one thing clear to her, "Don't you dare to leave me again. Do you understand? I will not let you leave me this time."

"I won't, I promise. I am sorry Dhruv, please forgive me." I pulled her to me, hugging her tightly I placed a kiss on her trapezius.

"I had missed you like crazy and the fact that you said never to find you were hurtful."

"I missed you too. I tried to contact you but was not allowed to," she said wrapping her hands behind my neck.

"Not allowed to?" I pulled away and wiped her tears while she continued with the rest of the truth.

"My mother had taken my phone. I lived with her for three years Dhruv, like a prisoner. She...she made my life hell." My heart clenched hearing her. Every revelation was making me go crazy. I coveted to avenge my muffin's sufferings.

"And your uncle? Was he involved too,"

"No, he wasn't. He was nice to me."

Cupping her left cheek I stroked it with my thumb. "Then why didn't he help you?"

"He tried but my mother....she...." Her eyes got closed as if she was living the moment again.

"She what muffin?" My curiosity was not letting me at ease. She held my palm over her cheek and taking a deep breath she said, "She killed him. She....she...killed him in fro...front of my..eyes."

It felt like someone threw a bucket full of ice-cold water on me. Someone was killed in front of her. How did she take it? How much difficult it had been for her to witness the cruelty of her mother?

The revelations had made my mind worked faster and without wasting any second I asked, "Love, what was the name of your uncle?"

"Rajesh Pandey." The doubt got cleared. Rajesh Pandey was murdered by none other than Saavi's mother. Then how come the police hadn't found anything about her. Saavi was crying hysterically. I had touched her deep scarred unhealed wound.

I pulled her to my chest, trying to calm her down. She wasn't ready to stop and I let her cry. She needed to, after all, she had removed the veil from the secret she was living with for all these years. It must have been difficult or should I say near to impossible for her to speak yet she did, for me. She wanted to let me know everything.

"Guys, are you both fine?" I heard little one but couldn't utter a word. I heard Namit's voice too but at that moment I didn't want to reply. All I wished was to be left alone for a while with my wife.

Not getting any reply from me they opened the door to the room and found muffin crying in my arms. They did get startled but I assured them everything was under control. Nodding both of them left us alone. Her cries turned into hiccups and then she was sniffing only.

"It's fine, love. Everything is fine now, don't cry." I caressed her hair lovingly leaving kisses over there.

"Today, when I saw her, I got scared. I thought she will take me away from you," she confessed her fears but she didn't know her Dhruv won't let something like that happen.

"No one is capable enough to take you away from me. I am not the same Dhruv Kapoor anymore." I moved back from her and examining her eyes I said, "Now, don't cry, look what did you do to your eyes. They are red and swollen." I brushed my thumb over her eyes softly and kissed them one by one.

"Are you hungry?" I asked. She made a pout and nodded. I knew she would be hungry.

"Of course you will be, you wasted all your energy via tears." She frowned hearing me making me relieved that she was fine.

Both of us had our food in the room. There were still three hours left for us to reach London and Saavi wanted to be with everyone so I took her outside.

When we went out almost everyone was sleeping on their seats. Dhriti was sleeping while Namit was holding her and the same goes for Jai and Niharika. Shruti was sleeping resting her head on Hredhaan's shoulder and Hredhaan was awake scrolling through his phone which was unlike him.

Arjun and Kiaan were sleeping and snoring holding each other as the newlyweds. Anyone would have thought it was them who got married instead of me and Saavi. Aditi was wide awake talking to grandpa while Uncle was sleeping resting his head on Maasi's shoulder who was clicking selfies with her sleepy husband.

Muffin took a seat in front of Aditi and involved herself in Aditi's and grandpa's talks. I was tired and felt sleepy so took a short nap of half an hour. I had a lot of stuff to handle as soon as we reach London so I thought it would be better if I sleep for a while.

I woke up to find muffin laughing at something while talking to Namit. I felt a lot better after watching that sweet smile back on her face. Arjun and Kiaan looked as if they were on drugs because of lack of sleep, and Kiaan was wearing a cap as well to hide the KFC written on his head.

The plane was about to land in around half an hour. I went to the washroom and washed my tired face. As I was going towards my seat Arjun blocked my path. He looked worried so I asked, "What happened?"

"There is media outside the airport. They know about your marriage."

"I was having a vague idea about it," I replied as I was informed by Stephen.

"Do they know who I got married to?" I was hoping it to be a secret for a while as I didn't want any trouble for her.

"No, they had found some pictures of you both together but her face is not clear." Those were the pictures of us when I was having a walk with her in the park and had found snow.

I was back in my seat and held muffin's hand. Rubbing my thumb over the back of her palm I whispered, "Stay closer to me after we land."

"What do you mean?"

"There will be media out there," I told her. I didn't want her to panic so informed her beforehand.

"Media, but why?"

"I will tell you later on. Right now remember only one thing that you have to stick to me like glue."

She didn't get it but nodded nonetheless. Our plane landed at 5:45. The chilly weather was making everyone shiver. Gladly I had a jacket that I gave to muffin, still, she was feeling cold. Resting my hand on her shoulder I pulled her to me.

As we stepped outside of the airport there they were the reporters, ready to pounce on us. Muffin got scared like I had anticipated and scooted closer towards me.

Mr. Kapoor, who is the girl with you?

Did you go to India to get married?

When did you get married?

Is she your childhood sweetheart?

Ma'am, how do you know Mr. Dhruv Kapoor?

Grandpa stopped to answer their queries and fill their thirst to know about my life while we quietly got out of their sight. I sat in the car and asked the driver to drove to Kapoor Mansion.

Unfortunately, there was media in front of our house as well. I didn't get out of the car and asked the security to clear our path. He did so making way for me and muffin to get inside the house safely.

Muffin didn't ask anything in the car but I knew I was going to be bombarded with tonnes of questions when we reach our house and that's what happened.

"Why there were media?" Muffin asked me as soon as we went inside the house.

"Your husband is a famous businessman sweetheart."

"I know but they were so many," she said trying to count them with her little fingers. I decided not to tell her I was one of the richest businessmen of London, to be precise, a billionaire. I didn't want her to faint.

"Don't think about them, go and have some sleep."

"And you?"

"I have to go to the office."

"Dhruv, it's not even nine and yet you want to go to the office. You should take a leave for a day."

I held her shoulder and she felt relieved in my touch.

"I can't sweetheart, I have to clear a mess." Her face fell hearing me.

"Don't be disheartened, I will come back to pick you up to take you to our home."

"I will wait for you," she said before kissing me on my cheeks and running back to the room like a kid. I laughed at her adorableness.

Grandpa, Maasi, and Uncle reached a little later while the others had left for their homes. Informing them I left for the meeting I had, first with Andrew, then with the investors, and at last with Rajesh Pandey's family.

I reached the cafe where Andrew was waiting for me. After exchanging pleasantries he congratulated me on my marriage. Soon after I was ready to hear everything.

"Andrew, give me the details of Rajesh Pandey's family."

"Sure sir. They have come back from vacation around three days ago. Rajesh Pandey's wife Reena runs a small bakery while her son works in a private firm as a software engineer. Reena lives with her brother and he was the one who had funded for her son's education."

"Since when did her brother is living in London?"

"Thirty years." Thirty years was a very long time. I wasn't even born then.

"Any dirt on him?"

"No sir, he is a good and respectable man and the same goes for their family."

"Okay," I replied. My meeting with the investors was to take place in the same cafe. It was all a misunderstanding because of which they had decided to back off. It was a tactic to make me come back and who could be this selfish other than Shivani Oberoi. The little misunderstanding and miscommunication led to everything but I got it cleared fast.

I went back to my house where I lived before moving to the penthouse. I had sold the penthouse as I didn't want to there anymore. That place scared me, the vision of muffin in the red pool of blood still haunted me and I didn't want the same to happen with her.

I greeted Mr.Chatterjee who was taking care of the house all those days. He seemed very happy and delighted to hear the news of my marriage. I went inside and the interior of the house was changed. It looked more beautiful. I was hoping muffin to like our house. I took a shower and thought to eat something outside. After getting ready I had some light lunch outside and then left to the address where Rajesh Pandey's family lived.

I rang the bell and an elderly man opened it whom I perceived as Shravan Pant, Reena Pandey's brother. He looked fit for his age. If not for his grey hair I would have considered him someone who is in his early thirties.

"Mr. Pant?"

"Yes?"

"Hi, I am Dhruv Kapoor. Can we talk for a while?"

"I am sorry but do I know you? I have never seen you before."

"No sir, you don't but your brother-in-law Rajesh Pandey knew me." Hearing his name his expression changed and he tried to rapidly close the door but I had already placed my foot.

"I don't know any Rajesh Pandey, you can leave." his reply was rude which was quite unexpected.

"I know you do know him, it's better if we talk otherwise I will have to approach his wife and son." His face paled and I could see the fear on his face.

"Let's talk outside," he said and I agreed. I followed him to the nearby park. I noticed him looking around if there was anyone else or not. He stopped in the secluded area of the park. Thankfully I had a weapon with me. I was fully prepared and my men were there too who were hiding as per my advice.

"Who are you? And how do you know him?" I saw his demeanor getting changed. He looked dangerous to me.

"We had some unfinished business but I got to know that he died."

"Yeah, he died in an accident," he replied masking his expressions well.

"Or maybe murdered," I replied looking into his eyes.

"Who are you? What exactly do you want? Did he take money from you? Tell me how much and I will pay you back."

Offering a billionaire a sum of money that was interesting.

"He took something very precious from me and I doubt you can ever repay."

"What is it?"

"My seven years. He stole the chance from me to be with the one person I love for seven years. How do you think you are going to repay me?" I asked. That pain was still there. Those who had taken her away from me needed to be punished. I knew that Rajesh was not at fault but how could I forget that he too was involved in separating me and my muffin.

He looked perplexed and I could feel he was in a hurry as well, "I don't understand, come to the point."

"I want to know everything about Rajesh Pandey," I said but all I received was lies from him. I had already gathered a good amount of details of Rajesh from Andrew but Shravan Pant was trying to fool me by feeding me with lies.

"I have told you everything about him, now leave." He said and started to walk towards the exit when my words stopped him, "You skipped a very important piece of information, Sir."

He looked confused and to make his face paler than before I replied, "Rajesh Pandey worked as an informer as well for Indian Police."

He looked frightened and not getting any reply from him I said, "I wonder why did you skip such an important piece of information?"

"I...I don't know what you are talking about. I told you what I knew now you should leave."

"Yeah, I am leaving now but that doesn't mean I won't come back. I would love to meet your sister and your nephew next time." I replied. My cold appearance might have made him anxious and I wanted that.

"Look, I don't know who you are and why do you want to know about a dead person but all I want to tell you is I can do anything to protect my family, so stay away from them. Don't try to involve them and I wish I don't get to see you again otherwise the consequences will be worse." Despite knowing he was on the losing side he threatened me.

"I am also a family man Mr. Pant and love them to the core, but you see, one of my family members had suffered because of your brother-in-law, and I, Dhruv Kapoor, will go to any extent to bring justice to her. You will know who the real family man is very soon."