Shourya PoV:
“If you can’t talk to me and needs mom’s interference to solve our problem, it means you are not comfortable with me. I will drop you in your hostel. Return to our home only when you are comfortable to talk to me,” I said, thoughtfully.
“Shourya, I didn’t ask mom to interfere. I don’t have anyone to share my grief. Though she is your mom, I find my mom in her. I shared my problem with her as her daughter.
I always wanted to share everything with you, but you never gave that chance to me,” Diya said with tears.
I wanted to hug Diya and wipe her tears. I felt to kiss her shivering lips so that her illusions about me and fear for me would be wiped out. But not so soon. At least not until she reveals the truth to me. Then I will show how much I love her. It’s so difficult to see her tears. Her tears have the power to stab my heart and kill me without spilling even a drop of blood.
“Are you going to argue with me?” I said.
“No, Shourya. If you don’t like me to stay here, I will leave,” Diya said last words as a whisper.
“Go and get your luggage,” I said, and she nodded.
She went to the room, and I followed her without her notice. I saw her crying again. She made it difficult to control me and be rude.
“Diya,” I said slowly.
“I.. I am.. coming…” Diya said.
“You are not going anywhere. Stop crying, Diya,” I said.
“Shourya, I don’t know what’s my fault. Please forgive me, if I did something wrong,” Diya said.
I didn’t say anything to her. Suddenly Diya hugged me, and I embraced her in my hug.
“Why did you hide your past from me, Diya?”
“What? Do you know my past?” Diya said.
I nodded, closing my eyes.
“I am sorry, but I didn’t…”
“No need to say anything. I can understand you. Just tell me one thing. Are you ready to give me a chance to make you happy forever?” I asked her.
Diya surprised at my question.
“I am not forcing you, Diya. I know you went through lot of pain in your life. I am asking you to give me a chance. Take your time and then, tell me your answer. Though you are not ready to accept me, you no need go anywhere. You can stay here. Even after divorce, you no need to leave the house. Instead, I will leave the house. But, I really want to hear a positive response from you,” I said.
“Shift my luggage to our room,” Diya ordered me and went to our room, shocking me.
Does it mean she accepted me as her husband? I didn’t understand. Whatever I shifted her luggage to our room. Unfortunately, Diya saw a cigarette packet on my writing desk.
“Do you smoke?”
“Occasionally. I mean if I am in tension, I smoke,” I said.
“Quit smoking. From now, I should never see you smoking. Do you Understand?” Diya said, and I nodded.
After dinner, I laid on the bed, anticipating her decision. She laid on the bed and hugged me. I understood that indirectly she gave a hint that she is ready to give me a chance. I kept my hand over her, taking pulling her closer to make her feel the warmth of my love.
I decided to give her enough time to accept this relationship completely. However, first, I will erase her past bitter memories. She got married in her childhood. Her husband expired within a week in a bomb blast. The one whom she called aunty and uncle are her inlaws.
She was treated as a bad omen as she lost her parents and husband in her childhood. However, her aunt and uncle sent her to the city for her education and away from such superstitions, which were deep-rooted in villagers’ minds.
She came here for education but faced a lot. I don’t know exactly what happened in her college, but she went into depression. I saw her case file, which showed that she got arrested as a prostitute. That happened when I went for IPS training. I didn’t want to know the truth by compelling her. I will let her take as much time as she needs to reveal everything to me. However, if she chooses to never reveal her past to me, I won’t mind because her present and future are related to me but not her past. When I can’t change anything from her past, why should I compel her to say it to me?
Morning, I woke up and found her getting ready. I got ready. I saw her wearing a sari. I don’t think she is comfortable wearing a sari. I know she likes wearing jeans, skirts, etc. I smiled, looking at her efforts to handle the sari.
“Diya, why do you wear sari when you feel uncomfortable?” I asked her.
“Mom told that you want your wife to wear only sarees,” Diya said innocently.
“I don’t remember, Diya. I love to see my wife in sarees, but it doesn’t mean she should wear only sarees.
Diya, you are a journalist. Wearing a saree and going to the field to gather the information is very difficult. Be as you are. Don’t compromise on your likes and the way you live. Wear what you like and what you prefer,” I said to her.
Diya smiled and went to the washroom, taking her casual outfits. She came out wearing a dress which she likes and habituated to wear.
“Shall I drop you?” I asked her, to which she gave a shocking expression.
“Tell me, my dear wife. Do you want me to drop you?”
“Sure,” she said, smiling.
I smiled and dropped her. She got down and looked at me.
“I will pick you in the evening,” I said.
“I will be late today. I may return home at 11:30 PM,” Diya looked at me as if waiting for my permission.
“It’s ok, no problem. Focus on your work. I never become an obstacle to your duty. Please be careful and call me if necessary,” I said, and Diya nodded.
I went to my office, and then I got a call from the head office. I went to meet the Director-General of Police, and he gave a cover to me. I opened the envelope and got shocked by seeing it.
My subordinates and the public complained against me, saying that I have harassed them and am a corrupted officer. Higher authorities are going to inquiry into the issue.
I went out, taking that orders, and the media surrounded me. I found Diya in the group. They started questioning, which made me upset. Diya came near to me.
“DCP sir, We heard that enquiry will be held against you. Recently two murders of high profile people dealing with the sand mafia happened in our city. You are also dealing with that case. Do you think you are made a scape goat by the politicians for their benefits?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are those complaints true?” Diya asked, and I glared at her.
“No,” I said.
“Why do they complain against you, if they are untrue?”
“All the complaints filed will not be true all the time.”
“If they are fake, why did they target only you and not anyone else?” Diya asked again.
“Excuse me, I need to go,” I said and went to my office.
Hearing the comments of staff, I went to my cabin. Mom and dad started calling me, but I didn’t receive calls. Diya also called me. I didn’t receive her call.
I went to my guest house and stayed there. I avoided all calls and didn’t go home for fifteen days. I avoided everyone, including my parents and Diya.