The Vow He Kept

Her eyes shot open on the noise of loud thunder it was raining very heavily, she took some deep breaths to calm her nerves. She looked in the mirror and admired her reflection for a moment, In blood red heavily embroidered lehanga wristful of bangles and a full glam makeup she was sure it was the most beautiful she had ever looked.She stood up from the bed to get her cell that was thrown carelessly on the sofa, every step was a struggle in itself because of the heavy floor length lehanga and high heels that she hasn't take off yet.The cell screen showed the time 3:16 as she opened it, but she forgot how annoyed she was when her gaze fell on her palm where his name was written by Henna hidden in the design 'VIJAY'. The door creaked open and she felt like every nerve of her body exploding, then he walked in and their eyes met for a second, she moved away from the door to make way for him but her swollen feet couldn't take it anymore and she lost her balance but before she hit the ground he held her by a firm hand around her waist and the other around the back and for a brief moment they get into a hug,she felt the warmth of his breathe on her face, it was the first time she had seen him this closely, his eyes looked like two suns floating on sea water and she felt like it was all unreal, maybe she was dreaming because it was too perfect to be true.................

With a loud thud she fell from the bed while trying to turn off the alarm clock that was ringing for the fourth time, groaning she sat on the marble floor and turned the clock off by literally punching it.

Ughhhh, Another day full of suffering, why didn't I die ? last night I prayed so wholeheartedly for myself to finally find peace.

She mumbled while tying her hairs into a messy loose bun she went to the bathroom.

After brushing her teeth aggressively she glared at herself in mirror, why ? Why do you make such dumb decisions ? I must be crazy to choose business major.

She turned off the AC and went to the balcony to get some sunlight. She felt like it was him standing across the courtyard leaning against a car.She squeezed her eyes to focus and it was surely him In a navy turtle neck and khaki pant.

Huh! She thought that Why is he still at home today I don't have to go, Is he waiting for me ?

She got a text from him, Why aren't you ready yet ? Aren't you getting late.

Late for WHAT ?

Don't you have an exam today?

No it's tomorrow

You said it was on 21st that's today.

She panicked and checked the schedule from class group and the last exam was on 22nd, she sighed in relief and replied him.

No it's tomorrow, btw you scared me real bad.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

By the time she came down after changing he was already gone.

Mossi Ji! Nashta! She yelled sitting at the dining table.

Mossi Ji, a woman in her 50s came out of the kitchen holding a tray and put it Infront of her and smacked her head lightly and softly criticise her for being up late.

Mossi Ji please, Not today I only get 2 hours of sleep, she said while trying to hold her yawn.

Whatever, you should atleast have first meal of the day with your husband.

Well he could've waited if he wanted to.

Tch, Vijay is a very Punctual man unlike you.

Mossi Ji, We'll resume this debate some other day because rn you have the advantage of me being numb and sleep deprived, she took the tray and went back to her room.

She realized that the day was almost over and she had skipped lunch when a servant came to call her for dinner.

She didn't want to leave her desk, there were still alot of topics that she had to revise.

I'll come soon, please leave she yelled trying to focus again but someone knocked again and she forgot what she was trying to recall.

Uhh, whoever it is, is dead meat now, she grabbed a cushion from the sofa and opened the gate very aggressively and hit that person on head with the cushion but she forgot to breathe for a moment because he was standing there with a tray in hands and a slightly forced smile.

I..I am sorry it was an honest mistake. Please don't mind I really didn't...

I am happy that you didn't go for the lamp as your weapon, he said with an unbothered tone.

She moved aside to make way and his eyes widened seeing the condition of her room single sheets of paper everywhere, clothes scattered on floor and sofa, sticky notes on walls it looked like a crime scene.

He placed the tray on the central table after moving her books a bit to make space.

Eat and try to get some sleep otherwise you'll collapse, you also didn't had lunch.

Oh! Yeah I'll eat and yeah I'll get to bed after a while.

Okay then.

He left and she murmured under her breath looking at the closed door, Good night dear husband.

After taking a deep breath she got back to her study table.

She collapsed on the bed after setting the alarm for 7 am. She was trying to calm herself and get some sleep but was unable to then her stomach started grumbling.

Ah, Am I hungry? Dinner, right. She walked to the table to finally eat but the veg rice was so cold, dry and sticky and there was a cockroach floating in the milkshakes glass, Okay I'll just starve tonight and get back to bed but she couldn't sleep she checked the time it was being 3:49.

Okay time to search for leftovers and after crossing the courtyard she went to the kitchen but there was nothing in the fridge that got her attention, fruits, veg, a giant milk pot.

Why did I binge eat all my snacks yesterday? She wanted to yell because of how frustrated she was.

A giant clay pot on the side of stove caught her eye, what's there ? She lifted the heavy clay lid and it was full of milk but smelt sour, Oh it's curd.

Arya ? someone tapped her shoulder from behind. startled she tilted and threw the lid at him but he caught it, because he knew it was her by default reflex action whenever she was scared, startled or annoyed she used to throw things around.

What are you doing here ? She asked.

I saw you in the courtyard and thought...well why are you up yet and What are You doing here at this time ?

I was hungry, and do I look like a thief from distance that you came to check ?

No, I thought that...., Well you obviously didn't eat the food I left and now did you find anything to eat ?

I was going to eat that food but some roaches were having a party or a funeral there and no, I am destined to starve tonight.

Running her hand through her face she turned to leave but stopped when he asked, Can you wait for 15 mins ?

Huh, she said confused.

Just sit there for a while, he pointed at the dining table.

She sat at the table facing the kitchen where she could clearly see his back towards the stove, he took some things out of the fridge and now there was the smell of butter everywhere, she had no idea what he was making but she liked looking at him, his hands were moving around very gracefully and with precision, suddenly she remembered a memory from her early teens.

Mossi Ji this onion is stinky and it burns my eyes.

Arya hold it like this and faces the sharp side of knife away from you and just pull the peel like this, look it's easy.

Okay, justt..like...thi..Ahhhhhhh

The blood was dripping from her palm while she was screaming recklessly.

Mossi Ji hurriedly washed the wound and wrapped it with cotton after applying mustard oil.

Arya be careful next time and try to focus_

Next time? I'm never stepping my foot in the kitchen ever again look how badly I am injured.

Beta, stop being overdramatic it's just a small cut and you must learn to cook, otherwise your husband will starve in future.

Then I'll marry a boy who knows how to cook and he'll cook for both of us, she said reluctantly.

Only if young me knew that her wish would come true, she smiled thinking about it.

she was so lost in her thoughts that didn't realise when he walked out of the kitchen and put a plate in front of her, she got startled on his voice.

Eat it and please go to sleep, he said with a sigh.

I will, Thank you. You should get to bed too. Oh but what is this? It looks very fancy.

Cheese paratha, eat it like this or with some ketchup as you like.

Oh okay, you won't eat ?

No, I am not hungry.

Yeah,..sorry... for the trouble and Thanx again.

Slightly nodding his head he went towards his room.

Arya grabbed the ketchup bottle from fridge and ran to her room bcz now she was getting slightly scared of the dark.

In her room she first took a picture of the paratha and then started to eat. She was feeling over the cloud nine but wasn't sure that if it was because how delicious the paratha was or because he made it.

She was done eating but still there was half paratha left and she didn't wanted to waste it so she forced herself to eat it whole it wasn't much of a struggle because she was loving the crunchy surface and chewy cheese stuffing that was stretching with every single bite.

After finishing she was finally able to sleep but as she was getting in deep sleep the clock start ringing.

Uhh! Five more minutes she said while turning off the clock, and the 5 minutes turn into half an hour.

She sat up on the bed with a sudden jolt and looked at the time it was being 7:31 am, she ran towards the bathroom to freshen up. After getting ready in a haste she looked at her reflection for a moment and said, how ugly! then she checked the time 8:03, Ah! I don't have time for this, she grabbed her bag and ran out.

Morning Mossi Ji, I am leaving byeeeee !

Arya ! Eat something before leaving.

I'll eat later, okay bye.

Ayy Aryaaa!

Running through the courtyard she saw him standing in the garage, flipping through some pages with a serious expression he was discussing something with Kabir his brother in spirit and right hand in business.

Greeting everyone with a nod, she sat on the passenger seat of the car and took some deep breaths to calm down.

He sat in the car and get the car out of the garage, now the car was going on a straight road, resting her head on the window she dozed off.

She woke up when the car stopped with a sudden jerk, rubbing her drowsy eyes she asked, why have you stopped?

Just wait for a minute here, he went to a small general store.

She looked at her fastened seatbelt and smiled lightly because she was sure she hadn't buckled it.

Sitting in the car he passed her a bottled iced coffee drink, Here you need this.

Thanks.

She kept looking out through the window till the car stopped again in front of her university.

With a slow nod she gestured goodbye and went in.

Out of nowhere someone hold her sideways by shoulder,

Hey have you gone deaf I've been calling you.

You moronic idiot, can't you take a hint I was ignoring you.

Only you have the guts to Ignore Abhishek Chauhan like this.

What! Not at all, Kriti do it better then me.

True, and it hurts more.

I am so tired and exhausted rn that I could use a casket to rest in, she said in a drowsy tone.

Well miss tired, where's your bag ?

Huh! Oh shit.

Without wasting a second she jogged towards the parking area and stopped to breathe for a moment when she saw him still standing in the parking talking to some people.

After she went through the entrance he saw her bag lying in the car and tried to call her but her cell was ringing in the bag.

He decided to find her and got out of the car but he was approached by the men of Kaal Bhairav, a land mafia that was terrorising the farmers working on their land.

Mr Vijay, what a pleasant coincidence running into you today.

It was Vivek the right hand man of Bhairav with several other dogs like himself.

What business do you have here to come for ?

Ah Mr Vijay don't get us wrong we were just passing by this place is so nice and SAFE with young people who have bright futures ahead, bright but fragile. He said with a sly smile.

Well I am getting late, see you at the settlement talk later. He said forcing his calm.

As he opened the car door he heard Arya Yell.

Wait! She came there hastily walking, Sorry! I forgot my bag she said faintly while going towards the seat where her bag was laying.

Nameste Arya..Ji! Vivek said folding his hands with a mocking tone, staring at her.

She just uncomfortably nodded and went towards the gate after grabbing her bag.

Vijay's hands Veins looked like they would burst out because how hard he was clenching his fists, breathing shakily he just glared at him because he knew if he lost his clam now it could affect Aray in University.

Btw Vijay what kind of protection did you use that you went from being a mere bodyguard to her husband, and also got executorship of Chauhan's wealth and business in India? They were talking casually, mocking and laughing but their only sin was that they talked about HER.

In a second he exhaled heavily, he was calm now, maybe too calm and he was smiling?

How did the exam go? He asked her on the way back home.

It..It went well.

Okay. Good.

After reaching home she had breakfast and lunch at once and went straight to her room and just collapsed on the bed after turning the AC on.

She woke up by loud banging on her door, half asleep rubbing her eyes she opened the door.

Mossi Ji was standing there with a worried expression,

Arya! Why weren't you answering I sent Raju 6 times to call you over for dinner.

Sorry Mossi Ji, I can't answer while sleeping, she said while yawning.

The dinner is about to be served just come down and eat.

Okay, coming.

She went to the bathroom to freshen up and change and then went downstairs to have dinner.

As usual, both of them finished their meal quietly.

After dinner he asked, Do you have any plans for tomorrow ?

Yeah I'll be very busy, she casually blurted.

Okay then, where do you have to go I'll make sure to be free to drop you.

Huh? Noo, I don't have...any plans I am just...Just gonna sleep in tomorrow, she awkwardly explained.

Okay.

After getting back to her room, she jumped on her bed and opened her mobile, countless notifications from every other app.

Haa, I'll open these later....,, It feels to good to be free... A whole month of doing NOTHING!

She excitedly got up from the bed and went to the dressing table and while combing and breading her hairs she was just trying to decide that first should she complete the kdrama or the novel she was reading before exams.

She came down late for breakfast around 11 am, sitting at the dining she asked Raju to serve breakfast.

A newspaper kept on the other side of the table caught her eye,

What! They still exists, who reads them anyway?

She grabbed the newspaper and looking at it curiously a headline caught her attention.

"Infamous Mafia Don, Kaal Bhairav found dead in city dump along with his 4 other men"

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