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I drop next to her on the bed. My hands go around her, pulling her to me, making her cheek rest on my chest, while her hands wrap around my stomach and her legs over mine.
“Alisha…”
“Hmmmm?” She leans in closer, whereas my hands go to her sides and squeeze her tender sensitive waist.
“Please don’t ever leave me…”
She lifts her head from my chest and stares into my eyes. “Not even in my wildest dreams. Ranveer, your love is my everything. And every day of my life, I will show you that you mean the world to me. I will never leave you. I will always be there for you,” she says softly. I am moved to witness the overwhelming emotions of love and sincerity in her eyes when I peer into them.
“I love you.” My hand comes up, my thumb gliding across her lower plump lip. I tell her this every day, yet every single time I do, it feels like it’s been forever, like I have to remind her how much she means to me.
She drops her head back on my chest. Soon, her breathing evens out, and I know she is sound asleep. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling in the dark. I had no idea how empty I was until she busted into my world like a shooting star. She shone her magic into my otherwise dull reality. God, I love her with all that I am. She stirs in my arms, and I pull her closer to me, drifting to sleep with a content smile on my face.
Chapter 34
Alisha
Mili and I are sitting in the living room, watching the Meg movie, while Mili babbles on about how she is going to become an actress in Hollywood and date Jason Statham, the actor from the movie, when she grows up. She has even planned a Maldives vacation for both of them where she wishes to go underwater diving with him.
“Wow, you are quite a dreamer and planner. But I don’t know what your daddy will have to say about this when you share this with him,” I comment with a grin when the credits roll up.
She taps her tiny fingers on her cheeks, as if in deep thought, and then shrugs her shoulders. “I think Daddy will say okay, especially if I make my best puppy eyes; that always works with him. He always does give me whatever I ask him to.”
“Smart girl. You do have a point there,” I grin as I tickle her tummy, making her laugh.
“Stop, Alisha mommy!” Mili squeaks between the giggles.
I pull her in my embrace and kiss her on her forehead, when I hear someone clear their throat. I glance up to see a snappy Ranveer drop beside us on the couch.
“Daddy, you want to watch Meg two with us? We just finished watching part one, and it was awesome.”
For her sake, he makes an effort to nod with a smile at her before his eyes find mine. I know he is not happy that Soha is still in the guest room. I did step in there a few minutes earlier to drop the painkiller and juice on the bedside table if she happened to wake up with a hangover. But she was sound asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her up and ask her to leave. That’s something which Ranveer is holding himself back to do. Given a chance, he would have happily thrown her out of the house at the crack of dawn.
“Daddy, Alisha mommy told me last night that mommy has come for a sleepover and is still here,” Mili says.
“Yes,” he grumbles. “And I think you should thank your dear Alisha mommy, as she is the one who suggested this wonderful idea and brought Mommy here,” he says, pointing at me with an annoyed look on his face.
I frown. I get it that Ranveer is upset with me for insisting on bringing Soha here. But like mature adults, we can have this discussion away from Mili’s ears. I look down at Mili who has a bewildered look on her face. I can see from her expression that his sarcastic comment has confused her. God, Ranveer, why can’t you keep your mouth shut?
“Ranveer, can we…” I begin to say.
“You know I don’t want her here. I told you no, Alisha. I told you she is not welcome in our house, yet, you paid no heed and brought her home. When will you Goddamn understand that she is nothing but trouble?” His voice rises by several decibels by the time he is done, his whole body taut while the fury in his eyes is enough to melt down the toughest of people.
My jaw hits the floor at his outburst whereas Mili’s head drops upon hearing Ranveer’s rude words for her mother.
“Ranveer, what’s wrong with you?” When he jerks his head up to me, I point in Mili’s direction with my eyes. “Can you help me with popcorn in the kitchen while Mili continues with her movie?” His countenance changes in a second and he nods apologetically.
“I don’t want to watch the movie,” Mili’s voice is barely audible as she says that without lifting her head.
Ranveer’s face softens and his eyes drop to Mili. He then puts his hand under her chin and lifts her face to his. “Daddy is just having a bad day, Princess. I am really sorry. Why don’t you continue with your movie while Alisha mommy and I bring you your favourite butter popcorn?”
She looks at him and nods her head reluctantly. “Okay, Daddy.”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “It’s all cool. We’ll be right back with your popcorn. Mommy is still sleeping.” He pauses for a second before adding, “Once she is up, you can probably replay part one with her.”
Mili nods and gives me a weak smile. She reaches for the remote as I get up and follow Ranveer into the kitchen. I am ready to jump down his throat for talking like that in front of Mili and upsetting her.
As soon as we step into the kitchen, I turn around to give him a piece of my mind. However, before I can, he cups the back of my neck with one large hand and brushes his thumb along my cheek. “Please don’t be mad at me. I am really sorry. I know I should have kept my cool in front of Mili, but Sweetheart, that Soha brings out the worst in me.” He blows out a breath and mumbles, “I will be watchful next time.”
