***part 14-ii***
It is dark, scarily and hauntingly dark. All I can hear are these voices. Are they in my head or are they real? I try to open my eyes; I am not able to. My eyelids feel so heavy.
Where is Manvi? I so wish you were here. Come back baby! I know you will come back today. You cannot stay away from me on such a big day!!
I did it Manvi, I promised you I will be one of the most successful businessmen in the world, I am almost there baby. I did all this for you. You would be so proud of me today, I am going to give you the best. Nothing.but.the.best. I am going to bring the whole world to your feet my darling wife.
I hear laughing: evil, distorted, taunting laughing. They are very loud, my ear-drums are hurting and my brain is splitting into two. Stop it please!!
"Manvi..."
"It will be the end of you and your Manvi today." More evil laughter.
I think there is a woman and a man. I know them, I just can't see their faces. It's all blurry and dark. Suddenly I feel flashes of bright light. It was too bright, blindingly bright. The lights kept flashing on and off.
On and off.
On and Off.
"Oh Stop! Stop the lights!!" I shout. My voice was barely audible to me. Why do I feel so weak, I cannot even get up. Ugh!! I feel someone beside me. It's warm. Is it my Manvi? It must be my Manvi, who else? She must have come back. "Oh baby, you are back. I missed you so much Manvi. I am so glad you are back. I need you so much right now. I feel like crap baby, my head, my head hurts so much."
Ah! I feel her mouth on mine. She is persistent. "Oh, you missed me too." I try to move my hand, to touch her, feel her but I cannot. Her hands are all over me but I feel something amiss. Her touch is guarded and so different today. She doesn't caress my face like she always does. This doesn't feel like her.
Oh, shit, I shouldn't have had those many drinks. That bas***d Karan, he kept filling my drink so many times. I suddenly feel like throwing up. I think I already did a couple of times. But Manvi is here, she will take care of me. I am not going to hear the end of this from her. She gets so mad when I drink. "Manvi move, I feel sick, I think I am going to puke."
But she doesn't move, she is under me. Her mouth deepens on mine. I try to move back. "Oh god, I don't want to puke on her." I don't think she can hear me. I hear my voice as low murmurs.
"Manvi stop!!" Ugh! My head is pounding, I think I am going to pass out. More flashes. I pull together all my strength and try to move her away. I lift my hand to let her know. Holy crap!!!! This is not her.
"Who are you?? What are you doing in my bed? Move away."
God, give me the strength. I try to get up. I cannot. Ugh! I push her away finally. "You are not Manvi!!!!"
"Get out Meredith.." I hear the female voice.
"Manvi is here..she is running." I heard the male voice.
"Shit, get her. She saw everything. Send Robert. Finish her off." Said the female voice.
"What!!! What are you saying? No, no..don't hurt her. Don't hurt my Manvi. No..Manvi. Why do you want to hurt her?" I try to get up. I fall over.
"Don't worry about him. He won't remember anything tomorrow morning. You go deal with her." said the female voice.
NO!!! MANVI!!!!! DON'T HURT MANVI!!! PLEASE DON'T HURT MY MANVI!!!! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU SICK PEOPLE!!!!! DON'T YOU EVEN DARE TO TOUCH HER.
More laughing.
"MAAANVI!!!!" I cry loudly with all my life.
..
..
I wake up.
Shit!!
It's a nightmare.
No, its not.
It is not a nightmare.
~~~
We were sitting in the living room, in the suite Virat reserved at the resort. Swetha was telling me all about this guy she met through her parents a few days ago. She wouldn't stop about him. I was happy for her. She had gone through a so many bad break-ups before and she deserved a nice guy. She was going to introduce us later tonight. Virat had taken the kids out for swimming and came home tired and exhausted; they went to catch a quick nap inside.
Swetha had asked me a couple of times about Virat. I really wanted to share everything with her but I couldn't. I didn't feel like telling everything about Virat: about Mer or anybody else. It felt wrong to do so. I am not ready to let go of him yet.
But Swetha had her doubts. She was giving me long hard stares, trying to read into me. But I kept distracting her with different topics. And out of nowhere, I heard a wild cry- a loud wild screeching cry from Virat's room. I ran inside. Virat was sitting on the bed, drenched in sweat and he was gasping for breath.
"Hey, you ok?" I rushed to him.
"Manvi! Manvi!" he gulped. He was in a daze.
"Is everything alright Mannu?" I heard Swetha at the door.
"Yes, yes Swe, it just a bad dream." I yell back.
"Ok. Let me know if you need anything." She said closing the door.
"Virat??" He was still in a daze.
"Manvi! they were.." he repeated, without looking at me.
"I am right here jaan." I turned his face to me. "Did you have a bad dream?"
He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time ever. "Oh baby! You are fine. You are alive." He was pale. He looked at me cupping my face. He was like a frightened little kid.
"Yes Virat, I am fine. What did you dream about?" I asked worried.
Without any warning, he pulled me into his arms and squeezed me so tightly that I could hardly breathe. He was shaking. His breath was still heavy.
My heart sank.
What is wrong jaan? What are you so scared about?
I hugged him back, ran my hands over his back comforting him. "Virat.." I called. He didn't reply. I tried to free myself, but he tightened his hands around me. His body was so stiff and tensed. I let him be. Only after a really long time, I felt him slowly relax in my arms. I moved away a little bit and cupped his face. His eyes were closed. "Virat, open your eyes."
He opened his eyes slowly. I took his hand in mine to stop it from trembling. "Do you want some water?" I asked.
"Yes please." He whispered.
I tried to get up but he stopped me. "Where are you going?" His voice was full of fear.
"Just to get some water Virat. It's right there on that table." I pointed out.
"Don't leave me." he whispered.
"I won't. I will come back in a second." He thought about it for a bit and then let me go unwillingly.
My heart started wailing. I cannot see him like this!
I get a glass of water and come back to him. He finished the whole glass. "Should I switch the light on?" I ask.
"NO! No flashes." He snapped.
"Flashes?"
He stared at me lost. "No light." He said.
"Ok. Do you want to talk about your dream?"
"No. Where are the kids?" he asked.
"They are asleep. I don't think they will wake-up until tomorrow. They had a long day."
"Did you check on them?" He asked. He was still not normal.
"Yes. Virat, why are so scared?" I asked.
"I am not scared. I would like to see my kids, that's all." He gets up, switches the light on and goes out. I follow him. He enters the room in which Nikki and Ria were sleeping. He looking at them lovingly and strokes their hair, kissing them softly. He sits beside them for a few minutes before walking back to me.
"I am sorry, it was just a bad dream." He said looking embarrassed.
"Virat, you gave me a heart-attack. What did you dream about?"
"Nothing Manvi. It is not something I want to remember again. Forget it. Let's go." He said leading me out of the room.
"I have some work to do. Maybe for an hour or so." He says going back to his room.
"Okay. Do you need anything? I can fix you a sandwich or juice?" I follow him.
"No baby. I am fine." He smiled and he started his laptop.
I stay put, standing over him not knowing what to do. I didn't want to leave him alone.
He looks at me "Do you need something?" he asks.
"No." I stammer. I walk back to Swetha.
He is throwing me out!!?? He wants to be alone. What is wrong with him? He is never this aloof.
I am worried.
~~~
I am sitting with Swetha and her guy Ishan in a club inside the resort. We just had dinner. Virat let me go by myself, surprisingly, with Blanco watching out ofcourse but it is so unlike him. He said he might join me later. I am getting really worried now. Liz had come with some clothes and other basic stuff for the kids. She can watch the kids while they are asleep. But Virat said he was busy with work. He is suddenly being very distant. Maybe it is something to do with Swetha but she had been polite to him, din't say much at all. What the hell did he dream about?
I shouldn't get affected by all this but the way he hugged me. I felt so much anxiety in his whole body.
I cannot even focus on what Swetha is saying. Another gentleman walked to us, he looked very groomed and business-class. Ishan introduced us "Swetha, Manvi, this is my brother Ritesh Patel. He is the owner of this resort."
"Oh wow, nice to meet you." Swetha said shaking his hand, quite impressed.
It was a newly opened resort. It looked beautiful and frankly too big with lots of business coming in. Virat was very impressed with it, he said he might invest in it when we went for a tour earlier in the day.
"Hello Mr.Patel." I smiled.
"Ritty will do, Manvi." he said shaking my hand. He was gazing at me with a cocky smile. I smiled awkwardly pulling my hand away.
"Mrs. Vadhera will do, Ritty " Virat gave his hand glaring at him.
Ah, my overly protective husband is back. I don't know why but my heart beamed with joy seeing him here, putting his hand around me acting all territorial. I think I am blushing.
"Virat, this is Ishan, Swetha's boyfriend." I introduce.
"Hello Ishan." Virat smiles. "You are a very lucky man." He smiles looking at Swetha.
Swetha is blushing. "Tell your husband to cut the sarcasm." She whispers to me.
I giggle.
Virat is staring at me.
"What?" I ask.
"I haven't seen you giggle in a long time." He says. I blush again. He is not turning his eyes off me!!!
"Ahem, Ahem." Swetha coughs.
"Something the matter with your throat." He asks rolling his eyes.
"Something the matter with your eyes?" she snaps.
"Stop it you two!" I huff.
We all sit in a large booth. It is kinda dark with light music emanating from the background. Me and Swetha are sitting beside each other and the guys on either corner. Ishan moved bit closer to Swe and they were now cosy, nestled together. Virat was emailing someone. I ordered some food for him.
I turn to Virat, he was still busy. "Virat, everything okay? You seem very busy?" I asked.
"Missing me?" he chuckled.
"No!" I retorted, offended.
"Right!" he smirked. "You know I can read you like an open book. Don't even try to pretend before me." He added putting his phone inside.
"Huh? Can you now! Yeh kushfamy hain humhari!!"
"Accha? Do you want me to prove it to you?" He smiles.
I shake my head. The food has come. We already had dinner so Virat was the only one eating. Swetha and Ishan were not really in a mood to eat anyways, well, atleast not food. She seemed to be too busy doing other things with him. After, talking with us for a bit, they head to the dance floor where a lot of couples were dancing. Man, she really likes him. I look at them both slow dancing with each other.
'Ritty' was on the stage announcing that they were going to have exotic dancers from the Middle East, entertaining the audience with a sensuous belly-dance. Everybody started cheering loudly.
"They really know how to get people in here." Virat laughed.
I look at him with what-do-you mean expression.
"Well..look at the guy beside us. He is here with his girl whoever." Virat pointed out without taking his eyes off his food.
I turn and look at him. The girl was talking with him on one side and the dude was stealing glances at the belly shakers on the floor. I smile shaking my head.
"Look at that oldie in front of us, he probably looks married atleast for a decade or two with that lady." Virat continued.
I look at the old man looking towards the floor literally drooling at the dancing girls.
"Look at our own Swetha's Ishan..." Virat was on a roll.
Ishan was talking and whispering something in Swetha's ear but he couldn't take his eyes off the dance floor.
"They are just watching the performance, what's wrong with that?" I ask.
"Are you really that nave? There is a reason why they are having belly-dancing instead of kathak darling."
I stare at Virat. He was eating and his eyes were only on me. He was animatedly explaining more about business tactics. How merger of good entertainment with business could sky-rocket the inflow of cash. I observed him carefully, he did not even seem the slightest bit interested in the dancers. He glanced at them briefly but I was getting his undivided attention.
"You don't want to watch the dance?" I ask him curiously.
He looks at without an expression for a minute. He is smiling sweetly. "You really wanna know?" He asked.
I nodded.
"Apne biwi ko dekhne se fursat mile toh main kisi aur ko dekhu. Aur waise bhi, I don't think I will ever be done looking at you, not atleast in this life-time." He replied with utmost sincerity.
"Your lovely face mirrors everything that goes in here." He touches my heart. My face flames up with all these things he was saying and the way he was looking at me. I am unable to move my eyes.
"The way your eyes dance when you look at me, with love; the way your nose flares and your eye brows curve when you are angry at me; the way your cheeks blush pink when you think I am watching you...you seem newer, fresher and different everyday..and in short, I just have my eyes full when you are around." his lips curve into a killer half-smile and his eyes are hooked into mine. I feel all tingly inside me.
Ah, that look. Kill me already!
I am supposed to be angry at him. I had decided to maintain distance from him. I was going to get a freaking divorce for godsakes. And here I am, unable to stay away even for a few hours. Here I am, melting under his gaze and showering in his charm.
"And when I am not around?" I ask unable to control myself.
He closes his eyes and looks away.
He is silent, doesn't speak a word.
He is angry, really angry, I can tell.
"Virat..that was very sweet, I didn't mean it like that..." I tried to pacify the situation.
"For godsakes Manvi, are you that stupid?? Can't you see how much I am into you. I mean for a bright woman like you, you should be able to read the signs. Do people who cheat on their wives act like me? I cannot even stay away from you for a few hours. You.got.to.learn.to.trust.me. What the world says, what people around us say is none of your f**king business. It's seems like whatever I tell you means nothing to you. I need you to close your eyes and trust me blindly!! Like.I.trust.you. If you cannot do that, then maybe you do not deserve my love."
"I am going back to the suite. Are you coming or staying?" he asks pushing away is food.
"But, finish you food." I say. My voice is extremely low.
"Are you coming or staying?" he asks again.
My eyes were filling up. His looks changed from intensely passionate to chilly and ice-cold in a matter of seconds.
"Please eat your food." I request.
"ARE YOU COMING OR STAYING MANVI??" He screams at me. People around us stopped their stuff and were staring at us.
"Coming" I whisper.
"Manvi, what the hell is going on?" Swetha is standing facing Virat, folding her hands furious at him.
He doesn't flinch even a little bit. He glares right back at her. "Excuse me." he says and starts walking away.
Swetha is looking at me for any answer.
"I will talk to you later." I say. Please don't ask me anything right now Swetha, I plead with my eyes.
"Manvi, what is he doing to you? Don't cut me out babe." She holds my hand, stopping me.
"I am not. I will tell you everything tomorrow, not now. Please." I request.
She unwillingly let's me go. She was staring at me, piercing me for answers, I avoid her gaze and walk away towards Virat who was waiting at the door.
"I have some work to do. Take some rest, we will start early tomorrow." He says walking to the living room. He is chatting with Blanco and Randy who were waiting for him.
~~~
Edited by bluebolt - 12 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Udne Ki Aasha
