Chapter 34 - Who is Liza? (1/2)

|Innaya|

I fidgeted with the sleeves of my dress once we were alone. Aware of Eshan's curious eyes, I turned to help Amma in the kitchen. Though avoiding her and Arjun seemed best at that moment, but handling Eshan's questions, and proximity, was a tougher task.

”Sweetheart, can you please come here for a moment,” Eshan called out to me before I could walk away.

Slowly, I turned in my place and l found all the mess cleared from the ground and Eshan sitting on the sofa. Was I lost for that long?

Eshan patted space beside him on the sofa. I sat keeping some space in-between us. 'What is wrong with me? Why do I become so comfortable with him and so dependent on him? Was it I last night, who desperately wanted no one but her husband to comfort herself?' I frowned at my own thoughts.

”Are you alright?” I looked up wondering what was he talking about.

He must have noticed confusion on my face as he repeated again, ”Are you alright?” However, this time Eshan took hold of my hand and turning it upwards his thumb slowly rubbed circles on the inside of my wrist.

I guessed he was talking about last night. I slowly nodded my head at him but then I remembered I never thanked him.

”Hmm. Thank you!” I said ignoring the feeling, his soft caresses on my skin were evoking. His eyes were searching as he looked into my own. He smiled to himself before he shifted closer to me.

What was he searching? What was that smile for?

”There are certain things every human mind and heart desires. Comfort is one of them. Seeking comfort in your husband's arms is not wrong and you don't have to be embarrassed about it. I am your better half and you have every right to confide everything with me. Presence of others does not matter, judgemental views do not matter,” Eshan stated as his eyes kept captivated me in my place before he added, ”Because same applies to me.”

Till today it was the mystery to me, how deeply he could read me and answer my unasked questions. I shook my head before I smiled back at him.

”Let's go,” Eshan stood up, pulling myself along. His smile did not falter for once as he dragged me.

”Where?” I questioned as we walked to the backside of the house.

”Surprise.” Eshan continued pulling me but this time his arm came around my waist. The same fluttering feeling returned back as his fingers tightened slightly and I couldn't help but gaze at him and at the same moment, his head whipped in my direction. It felt as if my breath stopped at the suddenness of his action and more than that at the emotion on his face. I couldn't exactly point out what it was, it was something akin to adoration, pride, I was not sure. The sunrays falling on his face, emphasized his features more and his eyes turned shade lighter. I blinked my eyes trying to come out of the strange web that engulfed us.

At someone's throat clearing, we slightly sprang apart. Eshan still had his arm around my waist but Arjun's untimely presence brought the much-needed distraction.

I noticed we were standing in the garden. I had been in the garden but had not explored it completely. I had just seen the outer side and had spent my time there when Eshan was away. Currently, where we standing, the whole place was covered with large trees of mangoes, oranges and some even I had no idea of. ”Why are we in the garden?” I asked as I glanced around once again, drinking in the serenity of the beautiful sight of nature.

Arjun clapped his hands, maybe to my attention as he replied once my eyes were on him, ”For race. Eshan and Liza are having the marathon and we are judges.”

”Who is Liza?”

”What the-”

Eshan and I spoke at the same time but with the different question.