The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 44

Nishant rushed towards her as Aparna clutched the edge of the wall for support. Taking her in his arms, he pushed her face in his chest and forced her inside the bedroom.

Her hands were shaking with effort. Seeing Kavin’s face next to hers had been like a slap on her face. She felt Nishant’s arms tightening around her but somehow it was not enough to soothe the emotions propelling inside her. She squirmed hard and finally when he let go, she sat down on the bed and closed her eyes.

When is this all going to be over for her?

Shaking her head hard, she tried to gather her thoughts, which were scattered all over the place. Anger, distress and pain of all those bygone years came back to her and tears burned her skin.

Nishant looked at her and cursed inaudibly. He was about to go to her when he heard his phone ring. Looking at the caller ID, he frowned.

Dad!

He took the phone and went to the balcony. Taking a deep breath, he answered the call.

“Yes Dad?”

“Nishant, you have finally disgraced the family name. And, that to with that employee of ours of all the people.”

Turning towards the bedroom, he looked at Aparna and saw her sitting absolutely still. Her face was twisted with pain and anguish. As her distress emanated to him, his face hardened.

“Dad, her name is Aparna,” he said with gritted teeth.

“Whatever, Nishant, I don’t care what her name is,” he heard his father reply in anger.

When he didn’t say anything, Naresh Naik continued, “I am not concerned about your affair with her. Affairs happen and women like her are just passersby. But these photographs have destroyed the image of the Naiks. Get rid of her as soon as possible.”

Nishant clenched his fist to control the hostility flowing inside him. He flicked his gaze at Aparna inside the room and still saw her the same way. Somehow her defensive aura was keeping him at bay and he did not like it at all. He wanted to take her in his arms and take away every single shred of her torment.

“I heard from Amaan that you want to talk to the press. Good, you decided that. Deny everything. Blame everything on her. Rest we will take care off. I have already asked Kalpana to issue a termination. I have also asked Vikrant to fire Madhu. So, you just take care of the press and I’ll do the rest. Am I clear?”

His blood boiled as his dad’s words filled his mind. Nishant opened his mouth to retort but then just breathed hard and said, “Yes, Dad.”

The moment his father ended the call, he turned his back to the bedroom. There is only one way of taking care of all of this. Slowly, he started walking towards Aparna and with every stride his resolve became rock solid.

Sitting down next to her, he pulled her in his arms. At first she resisted but then, relented.       

Nishant kissed her forehead the moment Aparna buried her face in his throat.

“Shhhh! I am here and I promise everything is going to be ok. Trust me,” he said trying his best to reassure her.

She moved away a little from him and looked at him. Even though his face and eyes echoed his words but still she felt a little at unease. His stiffened lines along the temples and the way he was holding told her something major was happening other than the media fiasco.

He closed his eyes as his dad’s words again resonated in his brain. Suddenly everything made sense. Rushali had purposely got those pictures clicked so as to create this media mess, knowing too well that his father will react as he is doing right now.

Naresh Naik cared about nothing when it came to his family’s reputation and name. Even if meant ruining his son’s life.

Like a lightning bolt the thought of losing her hit Nishant and a dark desolate feeling started to take hold of his being. He breathed hard as his muscles clenched with the emotion, which he tried to shake off real hard but couldn’t.

Aparna palmed his face and caressed the side of his eyes, trying to soothe the pressured lines. As she rested her forehead against his, she felt him closing his arms around tightly.

“I need to ask you something,” she heard him say.

The moment he felt her nod, he let her go and wiped a hand on his face to rub off everything that he had been thinking. Then, clutching her hands in his, he looked into her eyes.

“Aparna, if some day I lose all this, will you still be with me?”

Confused, she just looked at him in a questioning manner. She was about to ask him what he meant, when he stopped her.

“Don’t ask me anything right now, please. Just answer. I need to know.”

“Yes.”

Everything ceased to matter with her single yes. He took her face in his hands and said, “Will you marry me?”

A ripple of shock travelled through Aparna’s body as she heard him.

Marriage?

Is he serious?

Letting him go, she got up and walked away. In the past 6 years, all she had ever thought was to give her daughter a better life. Prakriti was the only reason for her to go on. But this man had replaced all of that and made her feel like a cherished woman again. He had made her feel like she belonged somewhere. Since the time he had come in her life, she had never felt alone. Being strong was not an overwhelming task for her anymore with him around.

Tears rolled down as she thought about his proposal.

Nishant closed the distance between them the moment he saw slump against the wall with tears in her eyes.

“Aparna, please don’t cry. I promise I’ll take good care of you and Prakriti no matter what. If you don’t want to say yes then it’s ok. I’ll understand. Whether we are married or not, I’ll always be there. But please don’t cry. I am sorry I asked you. I’ll...” he stopped the moment Aparna placed her hand on his mouth.

Gulping down her tears, she looked up at him and just nodded. 

Copyright © Paromita Majumder. All Rights Reserved.