Harsh And Divine

Chapter 25

"Keep that on hold." Kunal spoke to his man on the phone and cancelled the call, all the while looking at Vidhushi.

"Even though the idea is fantastic, I wonder why are you so concerned about his life?" He asked blankly.

Vidhushi chuckled. She couldn't believe this man and his upbringing!

"Unlike you, Kunal, others' life matter to me. I am not as heartless as you are." She blurted out.

Kunal smiled and ruffled her hair.

"That makes you so special!" He commented.

Vidhushi made a face at it.

"Look around, Kunal! Every girl out there cares for others' life." She said.

"Trust me, darling. I have seen a lot and I know that I am not wrong." He said, daring for her to challenge him. She wasn't stupid though.

"Whatever. Let's go." She suggested.

However as she turned around to walk towards the car, Kunal stopped her by holding her wrist.

"What?" She asked.

"I didn't hurt your mother. She just came in the way when I threw the things in anger." He explained himself.

Vidhushi stared at him for a while. He rarely explained himself. Though he would never say the word 'sorry', if he ever felt apologetic, he would always explain himself. She knew this. And now that he was explaining himself, it clearly meant that he was ashamed of what he did.

"But you didn't protect her either." She replied.

"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.

"When you did see that my mother, who will be your mother-in-law, was hurt; you should have taken care of her. You could have treated her wounds. But, no! You let her bleed as if her life doesn't matter to you!" She said.

Kunal's brows narrowed.

"I didn't know that, Vidhu." Kunal said gently.

Vidhushi sighed. It is always difficult for her to digest the fact that when it comes to basic humanity, Kunal didn't know a thing about it.

"Forget it. Let's go. She is fine for now and that is what matters to me." She added quickly.

He walked along with her towards the car.

"Next time, I will take care of her wounds when it happens again." He promised, thinking it would make her happy.

"There won't be the NEXT time!" She halted and really shouted. She couldn't believe that he had actually pointed out such a thing. She couldn't take the fact that he would dare to hurt her again.

Kunal struggled for words. He wondered what he had said wrong this time! So in his defence, he simply brought his hands up and dramatized a surrender.

"Okay!" He mumbled.

Vidhushi took deep breaths to calm herself. Everything was happening so fast and she knew that everything that was happening was wrong, but she was bound and that frustrated her. She was like a suppressed volcano that was developing immense pressure from inside with no outlet to release that pressure. And she knew that she had to do something about that.

With a loud sound, she closed the door behind her as she sat on the co-driver seat while her mother was already at the passenger's seat. Kunal sighed seeing her anger. He, however, didn't comment on it. He knew she was angry but so was he. The fear of losing her, especially to another man was something he would never allow. He would crush any threat even before it develops roots.

Vidhushi looked out of the window and saw how the fields were rushing past her. It was as if her life was going on a reverse mode. With the State, she was also leaving a major part of her heart behind. She wasn't just leaving her PhD thesis but also the person who had managed to win a soft spot in her being. By the time their car crossed the border of Kerala and entered Karnataka, her phone rang. The ringing of the phone sounded shrill in the silent car.

Vidhushi grabbed her phone out of her bag and saw the screen. She had thought it to be a service call but it was Advith. It wasn't a surprise to her. She had been expecting it. Her heart was warmed by the fact that Advith still thought about her even after she told him not to, this morning. But, the rational part of her mind scolded her for being so selfish. She had no right to give him any hopes if she couldn't give him the chance. It would mean that she is playing with him.

With a heavy heart, she cancelled it.

Kunal noticed her act. He wondered who it was even though he guessed it. He was glad that she cancelled the call.

Advith was adamant and he kept calling. Each time Vidhushi cancelled the call. Finally after the fifth call, she decided to switch off her phone. But Kunal beat her to it. He snatched her phone out of her hand. He was irritated beyond words as he saw her struggle.

"Kunal!" She exclaimed, not liking his rude behaviour.

"I'll handle him." Was his simple reply.

Vidhushi momentarily looked at her mother, seeking for advice. She knew that she had to be careful with Kunal's ego. Especially now!

Her mother made a face, telling her to be quiet. Both mother and daughter didn't want to accelerate the situation.

Vidhushi sighed.

When Advith called again, Kunal received the call and put the phone on speaker.

"Vidh..."

"It's me."

Both Advith and Kunal said at the same time. Vidhushi wanted to hit her head somewhere as she heard nothing from the other side for a while.

"I called Vidhushi." Advith said blankly.

"You mean my wife?" Kunal played along.

"No. Your fiancée." Advith replied instantly.

Vidhushi wanted to clap at Advith's snarky reply but she also knew that it was stupid to make Kunal their enemy.

Kunal's stiff smile made her confirm that Advith did irritate him successfully.

"Well, in that case, you are welcome to attend our wedding this Friday." Kunal answered as he continued to focus on his driving.

Vidhushi stared at Kunal as if he has gone nuts. If Advith attended her marriage, then she doesn't think she would be able to do it. She was getting married to Kunal only because of her mother. She had no doubt now that Kunal could potentially harm her mother. But marrying in front of the person you love is the hardest thing in the world.

"This Friday?" Advith asked. His shock was clearly audible and Vidhushi could imagine his face as he said that. The pain in his voice shrank her heart even more.

"Yes. Thanks to you, by the way." Kunal added. Vidhushi glared at Kunal but he kept his sight on the road.

Vidhushi held her breath while waiting for Advith to say something. But he didn't. Instead, she heard the long beep sound that made her realise that he had cancelled the call.

She didn't know why but she felt as if Advith was going to stop the chase now. He would soon forget her as she will have to forget him.

"It would be stupid of him to attend our wedding." Kunal spoke to himself as he handed her phone to her.

"It was you who invited him!" Vidhushi exclaimed, not understanding his motive.

Kunal chuckled.

"It was stupid of him to love you. It will be even more stupid of him if he steps into our marriage hall. I will kill him if he ruins our wedding day." Kunal said.

"Don't worry. He won't." She replied.