The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 37

Nishant smiled and pulled himself away from Aparna. Looking at the bed, he found Prakriti tossing and turning. He stood up and went to the bed. Then, he placed his fingers on her forehead and smoothened her hair. Placing a kiss lightly on her forehead, he stood up from the bed and was about to go out of the room, when Aparna stopped him.

“Sleep! You need it. I am not going anywhere. I’ll sleep on the sofa,” Nishant said affectionately caressing her face lightly.

She watched as Nishant made his bed on the sofa and then closed her eyes when he finally went off to sleep.

She must have done something good somewhere to have found someone like him, Aparna thought to herself. And, now she never wanted to lose Nishant: never, ever.

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Next morning, it was again time for Prakriti to get back to school. They arrived at the school and Aparna saw a familiar car standing outside. Siraj and Avinash, one of Nishant’s main security personnel got out and waved at Prakriti, who ran towards them as if she had known them for long. Aparna turned around and looked at Nishant with annoyance.

“Have you forgotten to tell me something?” she asked, when Nishant did not say anything even after noticing that she had seen them.

“Nope!” he replied and walked to them.

“Nishant, what are they doing here?”

“They are doing their duty. Now, no more questions.”

Saying this, he sat down in front of Prakriti, who placed her hand inside his pocket and pulled out the chocolate.

“Will you come again?” she asked looking straight into Nishant’s eyes.

God, she was exactly like her mother.

“Yep! But, only if you play with me.”

Prakriti nodded and placed her little arms around his neck. He hugged her back and picked her up as she hiccupped over a sob.

Aparna looked at her daughter and bit her lip trying to stop herself from crying. Taking her from him, she tried soothing Prakriti with loving whispers and kisses. When it was finally time for her say to goodbye, she said it with a heavy heart knowing too well that it would be long time before she saw her again.

She sat inside the car and looked at Nishant, who was still watching Prakriti go inside the school. When finally she was gone, he placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him, and Aparna rested her cheek against his chest.

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They reached Baghdogra airport by afternoon and boarded their flight for Delhi. Neither of them had spoken a single word after leaving Prakriti’s school. There was a strange yet rested silence between them and for once both of them did not want to break it.

Settling down on his seat, Nishant touched her hand and she clasped his fingers. Both of them were looking at their intertwined fingers. Somehow the touch of their fingers and gentle brushes of skin rubbing against skin was enough of them.

It was Aparna who broke the silence finally.

“I will also miss her,” she said her thumb gently rubbing his palm.

Nishant smiled and looked at her.

“Now you know why I say I can read your silence.”

She did not smile but only looked at him and her eyes were enough to communicate her fears and anxieties to him.

“Avinash will be there with her always, don’t worry. I wanted her to be secure while we were in Tosh. That’s why I send them there. Once Siraj is back, I will have someone else replace him. So don’t worry.”

Then he looked at her and said in a low voice, “I’ll never let anything happen to our daughter. Trust me.”

Aparna did not need any assurance from him. She knew well enough that no matter what happened, Nishant will always keep his promises. She placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Siraj and Avinash?”

“Oh ho! Ms. Mathur, you ask too many questions. My dear darling, if I had then you would have refused it. And, on the top of that you would have told me n number of stupid reasons for your decision.”

He flicked her face up to him and said, “And, I being crazy for you would have agreed. So, nope, I did not tell you anything.”

Aparna smiled and instinctively kissed him on the cheek.

“Mmmmmmm! One more. Even better many more till we reach Delhi,” Nishant said whimpering lowly as she kissed him softly everywhere.

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Nishant looked out of the window as the flight attendant announced they were landing. He sighed and closed his eyes.

The battle had been won but the war is still on.

He looked at Aparna shifting in her seat trying to get the seat belt on. Stretching out his hand behind her, he helped her to get it on.

“Ms. Mathur, life will become a little tough now. Don’t lose faith on me and please don’t go away or make me go away,” he whispered in her ear.

She just nodded understanding perfectly what he meant. As she clasped his hand in hers, she felt his fingers twining with hers. They were entering the real world where the Naiks held a position, which was way above than their love. She knew they will never accept her but, she also knew Nishant will never leave her. They will stick together no matter what.

“I am not leaving your side and neither letting you go,” she said clutching his hand tightly as the plane touched the tarmac.

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Rushali watched as Nishant and Aparna came out of the airport and got into their car. Looking at their clasped hands and smiling faces, she understood everything. If she had any doubts then they were vanished when Nishant kissed Aparna’s forehead as he helped her inside the car. Rushali clutched the steering wheel hard as her blood boiled with anger.

If you think you can go away from me then you are mistaken, Nishant Naik. I’ll never let you go.

As the driver started the engine, Nishant flicked his gaze at the car parked paces away from them.

Good, Rushali. Thank you for saving my time and energy.

Copyright © Paromita Majumder. All Rights Reserved.