“You know exactly why,” I whispered.“What are you doing?” I questioned in my breaking voice, and he sucked in a deep breath.
“Bhabhi-sa and everyone are waiting for you. I understand you, there is a battle happening in your mind, but whatever you think—”
“It’s not what I think,” I cut him off.“My reality is different, and I can’t be with—”
“Why?” he asked, gulping.
I gazed up shakily into his eyes.“I am a…” My words hung in my throat as I slowly drowned in the intense, wild waves of the green ocean that surrounded me, swallowed me, and added a layer of hope—
No!
“I am a widow,” I finished. If I had hoped, lives would’ve been destroyed.
“Seriously?” he asked, his gaze dropping to my lips.
I reminded him,“I should stay away from celebrations, colours, pregnant women, and marital rituals—”
“Happiness,” he cut me off.
I gulped, feeling weak in my knees. His intense gaze warmed my cheeks.
“Happiness,” my voice came out shaky.
I noticed his gaze fell on my bare feet before returning to my eyes. I blinked nervously, and my entire body shivered when his elbow bolted the plate of colours. It slammed to the ground with a metallic clang, splattering the powder across my face, shoulders, arms, and clothes.
I shut my eyes in fear.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, prompting me to open my eyes and notice a few splatters on his jaw and a broad smile.“I’ll clean it!” He chuckled, hurrying his palm closer to my cheek, but I instantly pushed him away, letting a tear roll down my cheek, and sprinted away.
He was playing with me.
But before I could go far, he held my hand, stopping me. His grip glided from the length of my arm to my wrists, smudging it red.
I looked back at him.
His gaze softened as he said.“I’ll be responsible if anything happens to anyone in your presence.”
Inhaling deeply, I struggled to pull my hand from his.“I can’t take risks with anyone’s life,” I replied slowly.
He gulped, tightening his hold on my hand, and pulled me closer to him. I almost jumped, crashing into his chest.
“Nothing happened to me.”
“Should I wait for something to happen to you?” I asked, letting another tear fall. He was making it hard for me. I wanted him to go, but also wanted him to stay.
God… what is wrong with me?
“What will happen to me?” he asked.
I inhaled sharply, shaking my head.“Anything can happen to you. Didn’t you hear, the man who married…” I halted, my tongue unable to roll out the following words. I couldn’t even imagine anything happening to him.
“What?” he asked. I didn’t know why he wanted to hear things from my mouth that I didn’t want to say.
“I’m inauspicious now,” I made it simpler.
A smile lingered on his face.“If I touch you, will something bad happen to me?” he asked.
I stood frozen under his pinning gaze. My brows furrowed as he placed his palm on my cheek, his long fingers gliding down to my ears, almost reaching my neck, with his thumb gently brushing over my cheekbone.
