APRICITY [Completed] - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

"My arms and legs used to shake as I used to carry the plate food to his room because I knew what would happen to me once he saw me. I hated him, but I did not want him to die too."
"I wanted mom to come back and tell me that it's not my job to look after my dad. That it should be the other way around."
"Then he died. Yes, he was a shitty father. And nobody ever laid a hand on me after him. But he was still my family, until you."
"I was 15 when he died. I knew I'll have to fend for myself from there on. You see my money today? It wasn't always this much. I raised the empire."
"When I was young, I did not understand the meaning of backstabbers, and I had plenty of them around. After getting deceived twice, I never let my guard down. I never had any friends because I couldn't differentiate between genuine concern and an act."
He looks at me and then down again. He told me once that he has trouble meeting my eyes because he is ashamed of what he did. I didn't believe him then, but I do now.
"I was jealous. I was so jealous of you. You had a family. A mother who loved you. A grandfather who would risk everything for you. Siblings to have your back. Elders all around."
"I didn't have that. People who have functional parents and adults in their life don't appreciate the protection they provide enough."
"Not just protection, but guidance. I might sound like a super whiny kid, but I often look back at times when mom used to scold me for not eating well and not sleeping on time."
He slightly chuckles, and I smile.
"I used to find it annoying then, I'll probably find it annoying now, too. But just knowing that there is someone who cares can make a person's existence so much better."
Tears are streaming down my face, and I make no attempt to wipe them. My heart is weeping for this poor man who just wanted love and care his entire life but never got it. He brings his hand to my cheek and wipes with the pad of his thumb.
"When you came in my life, I was too far gone. Rather than seeing you as my only chance to a family, I hated you. I wanted to seek revenge with your grandfather for taking my happiness away."
"Every time I looked at you, I remembered the nights I spent hiding and crying in a cupboard. Every time I saw you, I thought of how different my life would have been if mom was still here."
"I punished you for something you never did. I abused you, knowing fully well how it feels. I touched you when I had no right to. I made you feel less when you are above any goddess. I tainted the purity inside you. I stole your voice."
"Vihaan," I say in an attempt to pull him out of the jail of his mind.
"Don't. Please don't. I don't deserve your kindness. I don't deserve you. And yet. Yet, I am too selfish to let you go. I can't muster the thought of you with some other man."
He sits on his knees and takes both my hands.
"Make me your slave Surbhi. Treat me worse than how I treated you. Torture me till your heart, mind, and soul are satiated. But please, I beg you, please give me one chance."
"I'll crawl after you wherever you go. I'll do all your bidding. I'll take everything you throw in my face, but I can't let you go. A life without you is too painful to even imagine."
"Shh Vihaan, it's okay," I rub his back in an attempt to calm him down. Through my teary eyes, I see his hazel ones, and all I see is sincerity as well as a promise. A promise that he will stand on each and every word he just said.
"I forgive you, Vihaan. It will take me some time to get over our past, but I want to give us one more chance."
He pulls me to himself and hugs me tightly. I feel a few droplets trickle down my skin, where his face is buried in my hair.
"Thank goddness! I was so scared; afraid that you might say no. Thank you, Surbhi. I promise never to make you regret this."
"I had to."
"Even though you don't love me anymore?" He whispers.
"I never stopped loving you, Vihaan."
He pulls back and meets my gaze, looking for confirmation.
"I love you, Vihaan," I affirm, placing my palm on his cheek.
His eyes soften.
"I love you too, Surbhi. I love you so much," he says, peppering kisses on my palm that he has been resting on his face.
"I have few conditions, though."
"Okay?" He asks sceptically.
"You'll never raise your hand on me again."
"Never," he says, shaking his head.
"I'll have a library of my own at our house."
"Of course," he chuckles.
"And I'll decorate the house as I want."
"It's your home."
"My family would be a whole lot difficult to convince," I remind him.
"I know, but I'll win them over for you," he says, kissing my knuckles.
"You've been kissing me too much since yesterday," I observe.
"I have 10 months worth to make up for."
"Why not on my lips, though?"
A slow smile grazes his face.
My lips part, and before I know it, his soft ones are on mine. Hits tongue tingles every corner in my mouth, and I feel myself growing hot - even at places he yet has to explore.
"I knew about your insecurities. So I complimented you every day. You are beautiful inside and out."
"I knew you had a sweet tooth, so I bought all those chocolates and cakes."
"I regretted not letting you carry your teddy bears with you when you came to our house. Hence, the soft toys."
"The foot massages were a way to get you to not flinch from my touch."
"I deserved not being served hot meals."
"You made a multi millionaire do the household chores for you."
"I read your book annotations once."
Out of everything he told me about his stalking spree, this makes me jerk forward.
"What?" I ask, stunned.
"Sorry," he says, smiling apologetically.
"Which one?" I ask horrified.
"Final Offer and Hunting Adeline," he admits.
"Is it as worse as I think it is?"
"I think yeah."
I cover my face with my palms, too ashamed to meet his eyes. He barks a laugh, and the sound seems music to my ears.
I rest my head on his chest again.
"Come home, baby, and I'll let you try all those things on me," he whispers.
The spark of heat in my core, from earlier, explodes into a full-blown fire.