Part 11 Poles Apart
As Akshat hurried towards the pool, he found Guddan flailing her hands helplessly. An absolute feeling of horror dawned as he realized that she couldn't swim and he could end up losing her. Without thinking for another second, he jumped into the pool and swimming towards her quickly, caught hold of her hand and pulled her close.
GK looked on confused as her so-called-husband patted her cheeks almost desperately. His voice was panicky and his actions were almost feverish. She had actually forgotten how it felt to be cared about.
"Guddan...are you alright? Akshat asked scared.
"I am fine, Mr. Jindal! GK replied amused as Akshat sighed in relief and before she could realize what was happening, he had her tucked into his embrace.
She couldn't make head or tail of the situation. She could feel the man's shoulders shaking as he buried her face into his shoulder.
The water was cold so was the weather and yet...
It felt warm.
The eyes that had fluttered close flew open as her brain registered the words that had emanated from depths of her being.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself! I am not sure if I feel the same way... GK spoke as Akshat withdrew from her and looked at her confused.
"Your hands... GK signalled pointing to his hands over her bare back as he looked at his hands and then examined her to see her covered in nothing but lingerie.
Shocked, he snatched his hands back and covered his eyes, "Sorry! He shrieked, embarrassed.
"You should be! GK retorted rolling her eyes as she started swimming towards the edge of pool.
As she swam past him, realization dawned and disbelief seeped in, "You can swim?! He shouted.
"Of course, I can! GK replied turning around to face him as he turned his face away flustered.
"Jab itni sharam aati hai Mr. Jindal toh chance par dance maarne ki koshish kyun karte hain?! GK asked as she slid the bathrobe over her shoulders and tied its string.
"I wasn't trying to do anything! He shouted in his defence as he stepped out of the pool and caught the towel, GK threw in his direction.
"You should never judge a book by its cover! Upar se toh aap kaafi seedhe lagte hain but andar se... GK teased as Akshat removed the towel to defend himself, yet again.
"It isn't like that! I just thought that...
"I was drowning?! GK completed appearing right in front of him as Akshat nodded.
"You see, I had developed fear of water when one fine day in my childhood, I fell into a pond and was almost on the verge of dying. I carried that sinking feeling with me for quite a few years until I decided to conquer it. It wasn't easy...every time I stepped into water, I felt someone dragging me down but I resisted till that day came. Someone pushed me from behind into the pool and I didn't die. I emerged from the depths using the very water. Four years, Mr. Jindal...It took me four years to crush that sinking feeling with my very own hands
Someone pushed me from behind...'
What did she mean? Why would someone push her?
"And when I had finally decided to accustom my muscles to their favourite exercise, you went and spoiled it by thinking that I was drowning! I don't know what your eyes saw but I was just enjoying water's embrace or maybe Jayce isn't the only one you are jealous of... GK trailed purportedly as she started to leave.
"Who pushed you? Why? He asked as GK paused and turned her neck, to meet his eyes.
"Who? I don't know...there are just a lot of names to remember! Why? No clue either coz there are a lot of reasons to !
Before Akshat could ask her anything else, she disappeared into the refines of their room. He followed suit only to find her appearing out of the bathroom and start inspecting the big tub of ice cream kept on the table.
"You got a sweet tooth, hubby? GK enquired, drying her hairs.
"No...it's for you, He replied smiling.
"For me? GK enquired incredulously as Akshat nodded.
"Forget ice cream, I avoid sweets altogether, GK replied sliding the tub back on the table.
"Par tum toh... Akshat trailed remembering the countless times he found her stuffing her mouth with ice cream.
"Haven't I told you?! Guddan was a lie that lived in the past and I believe in facing the reality GK replied in a sombre tone as she lay down on the bed and turned her face away.
Flashback:
"Kitna meetha khaegi Gudiya?! Daant par keede lag jaenge, A woman in her early forties chided the child on catching her red handed with a cookie in one hand and ice cream in another.
"Par mama! Eating sweets make me really happy!! The girl expressed her happiness by flailing her hands.
Chuckling at her innocence, the woman sweeped the girl off the kitchen counter and started tickling her, "Badmaash bachaa!!
And with that the duo broke out into a fit of giggles that lightened up the entire atmosphere.
"Why mom? Why? GK whispered keeping her arm over her eyes. "Why did you leave your Gudiya alone?
Akshat clenched his fist as he saw her shoulders rocking lightly. As she moved her hands and their eyes met, quickly she pulled the quilt over her head and turned the light off.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Who are you people!!? What do you want?!! A woman shrieked in desperation hugging her daughter close while a group of masked men closed in on them.
The girl hugged her mother tight as a man in white mask pulled out a revolver from his back pocket.
"Y-Ye aap...kya... The woman stammered as she pulled her daughter behind her back, "Kya chahiye aapko?! Bataiye!! M-Money? I'll give it t-to y-you...
With clammy hands, the woman started scrounging her purse and soon her palm surfaced out of the purse with a bundle of notes. As she forwarded it in their direction, they started chuckling.
"Oh! You have got cash! The man in white mask stepped to the front and started tapping revolver against his chin thoughtfully, "In that case...
It all transpired so quickly. The muzzle of the revolver was aimed at the woman and before she could make sense of anything, the sound of bullet echoed across the sky as the clouds opened up and the woman went still.
"...you should curse your origins because they spelled your demise! The man shrugged nonchalantly.
"Mama! The girl peeked from behind her mother as the woman dropped to the ground like a paper weight with a bullet pierced through her forehead.
"Mamaaa!! The girl started crying as she patted her mother's cheeks but to no avail. Her pupils were frozen in a state of shock.
"M..ama... The girl's palms started shivering as the weight of her mother's dead body in her lap outweighed the roaring rumble of thunder.
"Don't worry! I will send you to your mother too where you can both live in peace and the way of our employer is finally cleared, The white masked man cooed as he kept the gun against her forehead.
She looked on with scared eyes as another ear piercing sound echoed.
"Nooo!!
Akshat snapped out of his sleep as a blood curdling scream rang from inside their room.
GK continued to stare into the space with horrified eyes as sweat beads trickled down her forehead. Her heart was beating loud enough to be heard over the silence of the room.
"Guddan?! Akshat rushed inside the room worried as their eyes met and for the first time, he could see fear in her eyes.
Without wasting a second, he was by her side as he pulled her into his embrace and started massaging her back in an effort to soothe her.
"It's alright! It's alright! I-I am here! It's fine! He placated her as GK managed to snap into the reality and nodding her head, clutched his kurta tight.
And soon the rhythmic beating of Akshat's heart managed to lull her into sleep while a peace depraved Akshat looked at her worried.
Only 4 days left...how can I stop you, Guddan? How?!
I am early in update! Am I not!!😆
Consider it a compensation for the late and irregular updates and also an advance sorry in case if these updates end up becoming even more distant and irregular🥱
Because the exam sharp sword is hanging right over my neck and I've got to survive! You get the gist? Don't you!!😕
I'll try to update the other two stories too asap that is whenever it is!!😃
Hope you enjoy reading it! Do share your views!⭐️