Chapter 86 - Just Two Of Us (3) (1/2)

|Eshan|

”Eshan?” Innaya's slightly panicked voice sounded from beside me.

InstantlyI turned towards her and took her in my arms. Innaya's tensed figure hurriedly snuggled in my arms as I felt her hand going around my front to my waist. She buried her face in my shoulders. Her nose rubbed against my neck as her ragged breathing hit against the bare skin.

”I'm here. Don't worry.” I patted her head, feeling guilty for making her frightened.

”I'll switch on the lights,” I said when she did not relax instead her body only stiffened.

There are times in our life, where we plan things expecting a certain outcome. I also planned to give Innaya surprise, and fulfill her wish. However, sometimes things don't go the way we desire. I learned it in a hard way. I was hoping to surprise her, but instead, I ended up scaring her.

”Don't,” Innaya mumbled without moving away from her position

During these months of our marriage, I did not recall Innaya reacting so strongly to darkness. I pressed my mind for thinking clearly, it was then I realized that there was never total darkness around her. In the bedroom, she would leave either a night lamp or her mobile screen on. How could I not understand that my wife was afraid of darkness? Then again, it was normal for people who suffered from panic attacks.

”I'm sorry,” I apologized for being ignorant towards such an important matter in my haste of surprising her. 'Why my surprises have to turn into shocks for her?' I wondered.

Innaya stayed quiet. Seeing her so withdrawn, I felt something breaking within me.

Stretching my other hand, I switched on the planetarium star projector. The next moment, the darkroom was lit with, in numerous bright stars, allowing one to feel the mirage of being under the sky.

Watching the darkness slowly fading away as the light from the projector projected stars in the room.

I looked down only to meet with Innaya's big brown eyes peeking at me. Unknown to me she had been looking at me, I did not know from how long. Her gaze resembled that of a child who was afraid of being abandoned by his parents. Exactly how much she had suffered to turn like this? It broke my heart to watch her like that.

”What's wrong?” I caressed her cheek with the help of my thumb. I felt the moisture under my thumb. What must be going inside that head of hers that would make her cry even for something as small as darkness?

There were many secrets she had kept hidden within herself. I wished to know them, but I knew my limits. Some things could not be rushed.

”Take a look, you wanted to see the stars right?” I diverted her attention. She would tell me what had upset her if she desired to. I would never force her to tell me anything.

Innaya remained indifferent as if she did not hear me. She just stared at my face as if she believed I would disappear.

”I'm here.” The words left on their own from my mouth, I did not know who I was assuring, Innaya or myself.

Innaya slowly glanced around. Her eyes regained the twinkle in them as she saw the ceiling which resembled the sky. It was an artificial setup and could not be compared to the real sky. Many would argue it was childish or money-wasting tactic or the sick pleasure rich people sought instead of the real deal, but who decided it? It all depended on perspectives. If we looked towards something in a positive way, then it was positive.

”It's beautiful!” Innaya exclaimed as her face brightened with excitement. She left my embrace as she slowly sat straight. With child-like enthusiasm, her eyes drank in the sight of artificially glowing illusive stars.

”Can we sleep here - under them?” She turned her body towards me and asked while making a puppy face.

How could I deny that face of hers? In fact, I would never be able to refuse anything to her, even my life. Smiling helplessly, I nodded in positive.

She clasped her hands, feeling gleeful over such small matter. I realized how little things and gestures made her happy. She did not need grand scale events. She just longed for love, care, and safety.

I stood up and extended my arm towards her. ”Step aside, I'll just make our bed.” Innaya gave her hand in mine as I pulled her on her feet and to the side. Pulling another part of makeshift bed from the couch, I turned the couch we were sitting upon into the bed.

”It's the same as one we have back in that home. Right?” Innaya asked.

”Right. Come here.” I took the right side of the bed and patted the empty spot beside me as I beckoned her.

Innaya moved on the bed. ”Why do you keep a replica of the same things?” She asked aloud her question as she lied on her back, gazing at the ceiling.

Why? I had wondered that too, but it was ages ago. After that, I became used to it. It was not that I believed in wasting money, but at that time I was not sure where Innaya would stay. Grandpa was still alive back then.

I had thought that it would be great if I stayed in the Bangalore permenantly so that whenever I would marry her, she could stay close to her maternal home. Then things changed, so did my plans.