"I'm so sorry! I should've concentrated."
"Relax! I'm okay now!”
"I asked you to rest! But you were so stubborn as ever,” he scolded.
He sighed and sat down. It shocked me as to how the mood had entirely taken a full turn.
Time flew by as I helped him with a few reports. I knew it was totally against my professional ethics, but I couldn't bear to see him so stressed.
After completing the work at the office, we ended our night with a nice dinner with Shalini and Karan.
The moment we got home, we changed and crashed on our beds, letting sleep take us.
The next morning, I was woken up by my alarm. It was six.
It made me spring up from the bed. Today was Gautham's birthday! I texted everyone not to wish Gautham and let it be a surprise until the party.
If everybody acted as if they forgot his birthday and surprise him at the party, it would make him really happy!
I looked at him. His innocent face made my heart do a little somersault. I raked my fingers through his soft hair and pressed a kiss on his temple. How did Natasha even try to hurt this innocent soul? And that reminded me.
I called Ashika. "Pick up! Pick up," I muttered.
"Hey Shakthi!" came her chirpy voice.
"I am really sorry! Did I wake you?"
"No! I had an emergency. I finished the surgery just a few minutes ago," she said as I heard some shuffling.
"I tried contacting you so many times. But you weren't reachable. Are things good? Is there any problem?"
"No, no! My so called waterproof phone fell into the water and it wouldn't work. I had given it for a service and got it back just yesterday."
"Ooh! Are you busy now or shall I talk later?"
"Tell me! What is it?"
"Do you remember about Natasha and her reports?"
"Oh yea! I had asked my friend to take a copy of it and she also told me that she had it done! I will get them from her and send it to you tomorrow, yea?"
"Thank you so much Ashika!"
"Anytime Shakthi! Hey listen; there is something I have to attend to. Will talk to you soon!"
"Yeah! Sure, bye." I hung up.
Finally! Something was going my way.
I drove to gym and an incident crossed my mind. The first fight me and Gautham had was because of how he wanted to know if I was going to a unisex gym. It was starting to make sense why he created a big scene over such a small thing. Natasha started to cheat on Gautham with that Amit who was a physical trainer at the gym. He was scared of history repeating itself and he was scared that I would cheat on him!
I just want this Natasha out of our lives!
Once I reached the gym, I started working out. When I started running on the treadmill, I felt slightly nauseous. I quickly stopped it and ran to the washroom to throw up. I washed my face and wiped it dry with a towel and relaxed by taking deep breaths.
I had no more energy in me to work out. I looked at my phone and had a message from Gautham.
'I'm leaving home. Will meet you in the evening. I've cooked a proper breakfast without fish. Do eat before you leave.’
His message made me smile.
'I will.' I texted back.
I drove home and called Shalini and Ankitha for help and texted them the list of things that they had to buy. They told me that they would come home in a few minutes.
I used the time to shower and eat.
Soon Shalini and Ankitha joined me as did the party organizers. They started decorating our huge hall under Shalini's instructions.
Me and Ankitha were baking the white forest cake. I was really thrilled about it. I just hope it turns out the way I wanted it to.
Shalini called us to have a look at the decorations. We had chosen the white and red theme. I liked it so much. It was simple but nice. All in all, Gautham loved simple things so he would definitely like this, I hoped!
Time flew by and our cake turned out really well and I just couldn't wait to dig into it!
It was almost five to six and the organizers started to bring in the dinner. The buffet table was neatly arranged. I made sure that there was no alcohol because there would be children.
"Girls! We've got to get dressed before the guests arrive," Shalini screeched.
"I'm doing your hair and makeup!" Ankitha said, pointing her finger at me.
"Thank you so much!" I said, side hugging her.
"I don't know what I would have done without you girls!” I said and Shalini joined the hug.
I was sweating like a pig. So I decided to have a shower and rinse my hair before dressing up. After having my shower, I wiped myself dry and wore my bathrobe. Shalini showered in the guest room while Ankitha and me decided to share our master bedroom.
When I hopped out, Ankitha went in to have her shower. I blow dried my hair and took the saree that I was going to wear today. Yes! I chose a saree. Gautham liked me in sarees and he preferred to see me in them, when the occasion was really special. So I chose a full black netted saree. It had some intricate designs on it and it looked rich in its own way.
After wearing my black inner skirt and my black lace blouse, I started draping the saree neatly. I made small pleats on the saree and pinned the pallu over my blouse.
"You look sexy!" Ankitha said. She was wrapped up in a towel with her hair still wet.
"Thanks." I smiled. "You also get dressed up soon!" I hurried her.
"Yea! Your turn now! I am going to go nude," she said.
"You done?" I asked after a few minutes.
"Yea, you can turn now," she said, pinning up her pallu. She looked really beautiful in her olive green designer saree.
"Time to do your hair and makeup!" she said, making me sit in front of the vanity table.
Minutes passed by as Ankitha was doing my doing my make-up. "Shakthi!! His parents and your parents have already come," IShalini called.
"Ankitha! Hurry up!"
"Yea! Just a minute!" she said, finishing it off with the lipstick.
I had a quick look at myself in the mirror and it made me gasp. I looked beautiful and my eyes refused to believe that it was me.
My face wasn't caked up with heavy make-up. It was light, yet beautiful. She had used a thin layer concealer and it made my skin look more flawless. A pink blush was evident on my cheeks and the blush looked natural on my skin. The bright red lipstick was the perfect combination with the black saree. My hair was plaited in a fishtail with my flicks curled in front. It all looked perfect and the black stoned earring which I had borrowed from Ankitha also looked really good.
"What do you think?" Ankitha asked
"Amazing!" I said and I hugged her.
"Go and receive your guests while I get dressed up," she said, chasing me away.
I went and greeted my family and Gautham’s. Just then Ria came running up to me.
"You look pwettyy," she squealed. I knelt down in front of her. "Thank you baby. You look pretty too." I kissed her rosy cheeks.
"Where is your mom?" I asked her, searching around for Sri and finding her nowhere.
"She is parking the car," she said.
Soon everyone arrived and I spent a few minutes thanking all his friends who made it. But it was almost five minutes past eight and Gautham hadn't arrived. Was he still stuck at work? Usually he comes a little late. I just hoped today was an exception! Just then, our landline phone rang.
I quickly answered it. "Madam, it's security." I had asked him to call our flat when Gautham comes. So, has he come?
"Yea?" I asked
"Sir has arrived," he said
"Thank you," I said, hanging up.
"Guys! Gautham has come! You all know what to do, right?" I immediately went and locked the front door.
All stayed quiet. My heart beat faster. I just hoped he’d like the surprise. The bell rang.
I went and opened the door and everyone shouted 'surprise' in a chorus.
Gautham stood there speechless.
He was dressed in a silvery grey suit matching his eyes and they caught mine. 'Surprise' I mouthed and all my nervousness was washed away with the heart stopping smile that appeared on his angelic face.
"Happiee burdayy unclee Gautham!!" Ria came running to him and hugged his knees.
"Thank you, sweetheart!" He laughed and picked her up.
His other arm wrapped around my waist and he whispered, "thank you, baby."
"Give some attention to your guests as well!" Sri said in a teasing tone and got Ria out of his arms. I tried to wriggle out of his arms but his grip was too strong.
"She deserves all my attention in the world, sissy," he said, looking deep into my soul. A single look from him made my knees weak.
Soon the party got going. He really seemed to enjoy it. The party seemed to be the positive change he needed.
Meanwhile, I went to the kitchen to get the cake for Gautham to cut.
Just then, I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist. "Do you know how irresistible you look?" Gautham's lips grazed my neck.
"Hmm," I moaned.
His tongue licked my earlobe making me shiver. I turned to face him. His dark eyes carried unmistakable desire and passion. His hands danced on my bare waist, making me cling on to him. His seductive touch made my heart pound. His lips claimed mine in a punishing kiss. I held him like he was my savior. His tongue did wonders. He started biting my lips and smoothened them with his tongue making me moan. He made me sit on the kitchen counter without breaking the kiss. I sucked on his bottom lip just when we heard someone clearing his throat.
I quickly pulled away and got down from the counter. My cheeks turned red. Karan stood there smirking. "Get a room, guys!" he said and walked away.
"Happy birthday!" I wished Gautham and he gave a peck on the lips.
"You didn't have to do all this, you know!" he said as I paced around the kitchen to get the cake set. But his words made me stop.
"You can start a firm under my name and surprise me, but I can't give you a surprise party?"
"So, you're doing all this just in return?"
"What? No! Sri told me that you don't like celebrating your birthdays. It is the day you came into this world. I wouldn't have found my man if it wasn't for this day! That was why I wanted to celebrate! And I will keep celebrating this day every year, until my last breat-" he placed his finger on my lips, stopping me
"Don't say that!" he said and kissed me on my forehead. "I'm so lucky to have you."
Ankitha's loud voice interrupted. "Time to cut the cake guys!!"
"Yepp! Coming right up!" I said and pulled Gautham along with me, signaling Ankitha to bring the cake.
He cut the huge white forest cake. He found it really childish when I told him that he was going to cut it. This was how you celebrate birthdays, right?
"Why do you have such a look on your face?" Ankitha's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Uh..no! Gautham just found the whole cake cutting thing to be a bit childish. Was it childish?" I asked
"Shakthi! Chill! He is celebrating his birthday after so many years and maybe that was why. But trust me, it isn't childish" she assured me.
"This cake is amazingg," Ria said, in the arms of her uncle. He held her so carefully and it made my heart melt. I could visualize our baby in his arms.
He wiped cream off her lips and tucked her hair behind her ears. He had this amazing connection with children and he seemed to love them. I just can't wait to have our baby. The thought was too real and I already wanted to enjoy the feeling of being a mother.
"They look adorable together, right?" Ankitha commented.
"Yea.." I trailed off.
"He seems to love children. When are you planning to give us the big news?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
Suddenly, an awful smell filled the air or was it only me who found it that way. It was the smell of garlic from the buffet.
"You alright? You don't look good!" Ankitha said, holding me by my shoulders.
"This smell. It's so awful! I need some air," I said and we both went to the balcony.
I sat there taking deep breaths. I felt a lot better in a few minutes.
"Shakthi." Ankitha gasped.
I looked at her and she was looking down from the balcony to the parking lot, shocked. I followed her gaze.
I saw Gautham standing under the lights along with Natasha and from what I saw, they were kissing.
Chapter 46-Promises
Shakthi's POV
I saw Gautham standing under the lights along with Natasha and from what I saw, they were kissing.
The earth seemed to spin ferociously around me. Tears pricked my eyes. My heart stopped beating and I felt the bile rising up my throat. I ran back to my room, followed by Ankitha.
"Shakthi! Are you okay?" Ankitha asked.
"I am," I muttered and wiped my tears away.
"Sit here, come," she said, making me sit on the bed.
"Drink this," she said, handing me a glass of water.
"I am fine!" I snapped at her.
She froze, shocked.
"Sorry!" I whispered, crashing on the bed and bursting into tears.
"Who is she?" she asked, sitting beside me and wiping away my tears.
"Natasha," I said under my breath. “She was Gautham's girlfriend," I said and looked at her.
"Care to enlighten me?" she asked.
I took a deep breath and told her the entire episode. "And now I am scared if Gautham still feels for Natasha."
" Why do you want to help her? You needn't be selfless all the time Shakthi! You have to be selfish when it comes to your husband!" she said, shaking me by my shoulders.
"She needs to get her memory back Ankitha! Gautham feels guilty about her accident and I need to bring him out of the guilt. So I need to help her out! So in a way, I am selfish."
"So the kiss you witnessed is a result of your help," she said sarcastically, folding her arms.
"I trust him! He isn't going to leave me for her. I know that he hasn't fallen in love with me, but he respects our marriage."
"Then why did that kiss hurt you? Gautham is still pretending to be her boyfriend so he will have to kiss her," she said
"I know! But a part of me dies when I see her with him. I am scared! What if Gautham starts falling for her again."
"Shakthi! You just told me that you trust him, but now! Ugh! You are unbelievable!!" she said
"You are right. I should trust him and I do! If he really cared for me, he would tell me all about the kiss, on his own," I said, wiping away my tears.
"I really hope that he deserves all your trust and love," she said, pulling me into a hug. "Let's go out before anyone notices your absence," Ankitha said and we walked out and joined the party.
The moment I entered the hall, my eyes searched for Gautham but I found him nowhere. Was he still with Natasha? The mere thought made my heart twist.
Gautham made his appearance only when the guests started to leave. What took him so long? This party was for him and he wasn't here.
"Are you sure, you'll be okay?" Ankitha whispered in my ear while hugging me.
"Yea," I replied.
"Take care," she said, pulling away from the hug, leaving me and Gautham alone in our big empty house.
His eyes showed his guilt, but in spite of it he looked boldly into my eyes. "I liked the party."
"You need not pretend like you liked it," I said, moving to the bedroom without waiting for his reply.
I heard his footsteps follow me to the bedroom. "What do you mean? I really loved it!"
I turned to face him. "Yeah! You enjoyed it so much that you didn't even stay," I said, making sure that sarcasm was evident in my tone.
He walked across the room to the balcony. His fingers raked through his hair and this was a big sign that he was disturbed.
I walked to the balcony and stood facing him. He refused to look into my eyes. I lifted his chin and made him look at me. "What is it?"
"Shakthi! I really shouldn't have done this to you! But I had no choice."
"I don't understand."
"When I was in the party, I suddenly received Natasha's text which said that she wanted to meet me and that she was waiting in the parking lot." He paused to look at my reaction.
I maintained a very neutral face.
"When I wanted to tell you about it, you weren't around so I decided to go and meet her. She kissed me saying that it was her right. I had to pretend and kiss her. It wasn't even real Shakthi! I was just pretending," he said, his eyes yearned for me to believe him.
"I know." I couldn't help but smile.
"You know?"
"Yeah, I saw."
"You saw?"
"Yeah. I came for some air to the balcony when I saw her kiss you," I explained.
"I am really sorry that you had to witness that. I know how it would have felt. But trust me, I was just putting on an act!" he said, looking deep into my eyes wanting me trust him and forgive him.
"I do Gautham! I do trust you!" I said and stood on my toes to press my lips on his. This kiss was filled with passion, trust and love. We kissed like this was our last kiss. His lips moved over mine with so much intensity that it sent butterflies flying in my belly. He had my heart, every bit of it.
We pulled apart. His forehead rested on mine. "That was a fucking real kiss," he said and gave another quick kiss on the tip of my nose.
He took my hand. "I'm really sorry that I am putting you through all this! This isn't fair on you," he said
"It's okay! It does hurt a bit but it doesn't matter. Okay? Relax!!" I said.
"There is something more Shakthi," he said.
I knew it!
"What is it?" I asked.
"She wants me to divorce you during this week and wants me to marry her as soon as possible," he replied.
"What did you say?"
"I had no choice Shakthi! I had to accept. She was really demanding and her state of health left me no option."
Tears welled up in my eyes. "That's flipping great! So, you have finally made the choice between me and her! It has always been her, right? What are you waiting for? Divorce me then," I shouted, pushing him away.
"Are you crazy? It was never a choice between you and her! It has always been you! Do you get that? Only 'YOU'" he said, holding my shoulders.
I'm All Yours Page 21