Dually Devoted ?

Chapter 17

Addison and Violet couldn't stop gushing and aweing at the interiors of the house, as Sid showed them all around. It had a personalized library, which was mostly used by Sid's dad; a well-equipped gym, an averagely-sized home theatre, a small aquarium and a roof-top swimming pool. It could be seen that they were put to regular use, and wasn't just there because they had to be.

Even the balcony looked unique. It was more spacious than a room, was fragrant with colourful creepers and cozy with a tea table and a swing chairs to adorn it. The whole house screamed royal and stylish, but it fit the place well. It was tasteful, not over the top, and, surprisingly, warm.

Arpita noted, he had a good taste.

Sid's dad, Mr. Rajiv Tripathi was a kind man, observant and calm. With him and Joseph joining, all six had their dinner comfortably; Addy being the man of most words among them. Without doubt.

After dinner, they settled on the cozy sofa bed and couches in the home theatre, while Sid's father went to his room and Joseph left saying he had some work.

"Thank you, Aunt Yov. You should go home and rest now," Sid took the plate of cut fruits from her.

The woman smiled politely and took her leave.

"Sir, let me-" Arpita started, only to be cut off.

"We've gotten past this, Arpita. We're not in the office."

Arpita simply smiled, not saying anything back, and taking the plate from him anyway. Sid rolled his eyes.

The day had gone well, she thought. Addy and Vi had fallen asleep on the couch mid-way, as all of them were watching a movie. They looked cute, cuddling and trying to snuggle closer in their sleep, as she covered a blanket over them.

She remembered the day when she, Addy and Arnav had fallen asleep on one couch, snuggling close the exact same way. It was the last night of Addy's at the orphanage. It had been an emotional moment, she reminisced, but she hadn't cried, since they had promised to keep in touch and keep annoying each other for life. She knew Addy would stick with it and he had.

"Arpita," Sid called in a low voice that still sounded deep, his hot breath fanning her cheek. She turned as he got up, holding out his hand, "Let's go for a walk."

Observing the hint of a smile that he was carrying, she wondered what was so good about a walk at night? Taking his hand, with one last glance at her friends, she walked to the lake lawn with Siddharth. She had really wanted to see the lake from the moment Sid had mentioned about it. She enjoyed the company of nature. A silent place, with grass beneath her and a lake beside her sounded perfect.

The cool breeze that was fresh with the fragrance of flowers and trees made her feel elated. They took out their slippers and walked on the grass as they entered the lawn. She chuckled quietly at the feel of the grass. The view, the air, the moment- everything was so heart-melting, with the moon shining in its full glory. She squeezed his hand, suddenly sensing the chill. "It's so cold," she grinned with a slight shiver, rubbing her goosebumps away but not leaving his hand.

"Well, I don't have a jacket to offer," he joked with a shrug, triggering a chuckle from her.

"I don't want a jacket. I want to feel this." She took in a deep breath and exhaled.

As they both sat down on the grass, her hand rested on the grass with his warm hand covering hers, "This place is beautiful," she breathed out, mesmerized.

She looked angelic to him, with the moonlight brightening her smiling face. "So are you," he said without thinking, catching her attention with surprise.

He exhaled slowly, this was the moment, he knew. He had to let his heart take over, and tell her what he felt.

Fixing his affectionate gaze on her shocked ones, his strong hands holding hers in a gentle grip, he turned to her fully. "Will you date me?" he asked her tenderly, saying it so calmly that she was dumbfounded. If not for the way his hand tightened over hers just after, she wouldn't have gotten a clue he was nervous; she might as well have thought it was a joke.

When her mouth opened, only to close, he chuckled a little, turning away. Then, he smiled his rare full-fledged smile, his dimples crinkling and eyes shining under the moonlight. He looked beautiful, she registered. With the smile still playing on his lips, he met her gaze once again. But she could see the slight sorrow that was emerging in his sincere gaze as his mind thought of something.

"I... lost my memory- when I was seventeen... and haven't got it back," he managed to say aloud.

She took in a sharp breath. She could've never guessed he was living without remembering a part of his life. How lost must he be feeling? As she turned her hand in his so that their palms touched, his lips curved upwards slightly. They both tightened their hold on each other's hand, interlocking their fingers together, whilst he convinced himself internally to open up to her. To the one he completely trusted. To the one whom he had given the right to see through him. He looked at nothing particular as he started to tell her his story.

"After an accident, I had no recollection of who I am... Recovering physically in itself had taken months. But what hurt me was that when I finally thought life would feel a little normal, I had been proved wrong.
It was crazy. I just needed to know what I had forgotten. I need to know who I was," his voice rose by an octave. "It was frustrating. Then, I thought... it wasn't going to go away anyway, all I had to do was accept it. So, I did. Accepting that I was going to stay devoid of a part of me, and that I can never be myself. Who was I? I would never know ...It made me feel I had no one, not even the real me, with me. Dad was, he was the only thing holding me together. Yet, there were moments when nothing helped.
That was how life was, Arpita. Until you came along," he turned back to her, trying to not think much.

He held her gaze and let his words flow. "You... entranced me, absorbed me. Without realizing, my thoughts soon revolved around you, and I began to live in the present.
From when you entered my mind, I forgot what I didn't have. For my mind was occupied with what I wanted- you. I even forgot I didn't know who I was. Because I became... what you saw me as. You made me, Arpita. And I don't know how else to tell you what you mean to me..."

He chuckled, as his free hand ran through his messy hair and his gaze dropped to the ground. "...I never thought I would be able to talk about these things to anyone. But when I'm with you, unthinkable things happen anyway," he gave a slight shrug, speaking more to himself. He had never been one to say more than necessary, but he had told her everything she had made him feel, spilling out the darkest secret of his life even before she had answered him. Somewhere, he just knew why he was doing this. He wanted her to know what she really meant to him. He wanted her to know what her one yes would mean to him. He wanted her... to not reject him.

His expression grew deeper, as he brought his eyes back to hers. Tucking the loose strands of her hair behind her ear, he looked at her like he wouldn't get another chance to.

Would this woman who now controlled his world ever love him back, he doubted. But remembering Addison's words gave him courage. Maybe she really would, he thought, elated at the possibility. After those few moments of the hypnotic lock of their eyes, he confessed, "The more I look at you, the more I fall in love, Arpita." I want you. I need you. "Please be my girlfriend?" Though his voice sounded playful, she could sense an element of jumpiness.