CHAPTER 13
Two days passed,
Prisha was doing her best to ignore Shaurya, despite his persistent displays of love and care. Tina's words again created doubt in her mind.
One evening, she was engrossed in a novel when Shaurya entered the room, holding a small box.
“I got my first salary today,” he said softly, extending the box toward her. “I bought a gift for you."
Prisha was surprised, with hesitation she took the gift. Opening the box, she found a delicate gold chain with a heart pendant. “I can’t take this,” she said, her voice wavering. If it was a normal pendent then she could accept but heart pendant, she was hesitate.
“Please don’t say that,” Shaurya pleaded. “I bought this gift for you with so much love. I love you, Prisha. This pendant represents my love for you.” He showed her the back of the pendant where their initials, P and S, were engraved.
He continued, holding her hand, “Tomorrow, I’m going on a trip with my friends. I’ll be back in two days. Prisha, I want you to think about our future. If you want to give our relationship a chance, wear this locket. If not, then we’ll get a divorce. I promise I won’t disturb you, and I’ll handle my dad. Please think carefully. I really love you.”
Prisha, taken aback with his sudden confession still nodded. A big smile appeared on his face, he said kissing her palm,"Thank you so much, please think carefully. I really love. But, your happiness is my top most priority. "Prisha stay silent, he started telling her, how he choose this pendant.
After sometime, they went downstairs for dinner. After dinner, Prisha was heading upstairs, she suddenly sprained her leg and hissed in pain. Shaurya rushed to her side. “What happened?” he asked, offering his shoulder for support.
“I think I sprained my leg,” she said, keeping hand on his shoulder, feeling pain.
“Let me call the doctor,” her father-in-law suggested. but Prisha declined,"No, Dad. I am fine, I will apply balm."
“Go to your room. I’ll send balm with a servant; it will help.” Her mother in law said.
Prisha tried to walk but winced in pain. Seeing this, Shaurya bent down and picked her up in a bridal style, carrying her to their room. Once there, he placed her gently on the bed. He took the balm from the servant and was about to touch her feet when she softly protested, “Please, don’t touch my feet. "
"Why?" Shaurya asked with confusion.
"You are my husband. You should not touch my legs" She said slowly, looking at her hand.
Shaurya chuckled and said in assuring tone,“Prisha, it’s okay. Husband and wife are equals; there is no superior or inferior." She tried to protest, but he was not ready to listen anything.He placed her feet on his lap and examined her leg carefully. “I think the sprain is not severe. Let me apply the balm.” He started applying the balm with gentle, practiced hands.
Curious, Prisha asked, “Where did you learn this? You know the pressure points so well.”
“From the hostel,” he replied. “There was no one to take care of us, so we had to learn how to treat ourselves.” She noticed a hint of pain in his eyes as he spoke about his hostel life. Prisha felt bad for him.
Composing himself, he said, “You’ll be fine. Just rest.” She thanked him, and he went to wash his hands. When he returned, he asked, “Do you want me to cancel the trip?”
She refused, "No....no. I am fine, you don't have to cancel your plans. Moreover, mom - dad, di and servants are here."
"But, Prisha. Your leg, how can I leave you in this condition? I would be worried for you." He said worriedly.
"Shaurya, don't worry about me. It's matter of two days. And everyone is here." She assured him, then she lay down on the bed whilehe settled on the sofa.
The next morning, Shaurya left for his trip with friends, after instructing servants to take care of Prisha.
Later,
Prisha was sitting on the bed, thinking about her decision. So many thoughts were running in her mind. Should she give Shaurya a chance ? Will she regret her decision? What if he returned to his devil form after a few months? Is he really wanting to give this marriage or is this plan to trap her?
“But why would he do this? What will he get from this?” She asked herself.She came out trance when Jasmine entered the room.
"How are you feeling, darling?" Jasmine asked.
Prisha nodded, "Thank you for asking."
"I'll apply balm on your feet," Jasmine offered.
Prisha tried to decline, but Jasmine insisted, "It's your husband's order. He reminded me to apply balm. He was so worried about you."
A small smile appeared on Prisha's face. Jasmine noticed and said, "You know, everyone thinks my Shaurya is a careless, spoiled boy who never cared about anyone. He was a sweet and cheerful child, but he changed because of Rakesh sir."
Jasmine continued, "Rakesh's mother died of cancer when he was five. After that, sir married our madam for Rakesh's sake. A year later, Shaurya was born. As a young child, sir and madam focused all their attention on him, which made Rakesh jealous. He felt Shaurya and his mother were taking his dad away from him. Rakesh started doing things and blaming Shaurya. His father always scolded Shaurya, who was too innocent to understand Rakesh's manipulations. When Shaurya was 12, Rakesh blamed him for pushing him down the stairs. Shaurya begged everyone to believe him, but no one did. They sent him to a hostel, and for Rakesh's happiness, they never let Shaurya come home during holidays. This made him bitter and rebellious."
Jasmine's eyes were filled with tears as she spoke, "Your sister then entered his life. At first, he was resistant when she proposed, but I encouraged him to give love a chance. Maybe she could provide the love and companionship he lacked. But she destroyed him when she decided to marry Rakesh."
Prisha listened intently as Jasmine recounted the day Shaurya confronted Rakesh about Tina. Shaurya had stormed into Rakesh's room, shouting angrily, "How dare you? She is my girlfriend. Don't you have any shame?"
Rakesh smirked and replied, "No, I don't have any shame. My goal is to take everything from you." Shaurya lost his temper and punched Rakesh. They started fighting until their father intervened. As usual, their father blamed Shaurya, scolded him and support Rakesh. Shaurya, furious and hurt, had yelled back, "You never loved me. You always took his side."
His father's response was harsh, "Look at yourself. Who can love you? That's why your girlfriend left you. You are not made for love. Nobody loves a spoiled brat like you."
Jasmine's flashback ended as she held Prisha's hand, speaking softly with tears in her eyes, "My Shaurya has suffered a lot. Nobody cared about him when he was sick or sad. You are a nice girl, Prisha. Promise me you'll take care of him. Please." Seeing her hopeful eyes, Prisha couldn't say no. She nodded with hesitation, Jasmine hugged her, and Prisha thought, "I believe in marriage. I have decided to give this marriage a chance."
After 2 Days,
Shaurya entered his room and asked the servant to bring coffee. As he was removing his shoes, he heard Prisha's soft voice, "Coffee."
He looked up and saw the gold chain with the heart pendant around her neck. Excitedly, he asked, "You wore this? Are you ready to give this marriage a chance?"
Prisha nodded,she sat beside him and said,"Yes, I'm ready to give us a chance. It was very difficult for me after what you did. Please never break my trust, never disrespect me again." Tears filled her eyes while saying this.
Shaurya cupped her face gently, "Don't worry. I will not break your trust." He hugged her, and she hesitantly reciprocated. She smiled faintly, and said,"I am bringing your food." then she went out to bring food for him. He watched her retreating back, feeling a mix of emotions, and then walked to the washroom to freshen up.