Author's note - 'Glowing in the dark' by The Girl and The Dreamcatcher is the theme song of this story. End of discussion. Ugh! I just can't get over the song! Too perfect for Healing The Void.
p.s. this is my favourite chapter. :)

~~~

Since the moment she agreed to go out with him, she was in a good mood. She taught Dev more than usual and since he started to show improvements in his memories; it was getting easier to teach him. She talked with Trishna. And her cousins; even blushed when they teased her regarding Abhimanyu.

5th December

The next morning, when she woke up to the sunrays seeping through the slits of the curtains, a smile spread across her lips. She sat up and stretched. Her eyes turned towards Abhimanyu's bedroom. It was open. Her eyes widened in alarm. She quickly got up and cleaned the remnants of her sleep then went ahead and peeked inside his room. It was empty. She checked the bathroom and his work place. Empty. Where did he go?

Perhaps, he had gone in the hall for breakfast. Thinking so, she relaxed and went to freshen up. She took time and brushed her teeth first, then washed her hair in the shower. Intending to naturally dry her hair she came out in the balcony with a hand towel. That was when she caught in the thirst trap. The glamorous view down in the swimming pool caused her breath to hitch in her throat.

Abhimanyu, only in his swimming trunks, bare chested, was swimming in the pool. Red crept up her face as she flushed severely. His muscled back flexed as he moved his hands in water. After completing two laps to and fro, he stopped and dragged himself up to the edge and leaned his torso against it, facing his back towards her. The bullet marks were visible on his skin, just above his ribcage, on the top right side, over his shoulder blade. Although the marks have mostly faded leaving only scars, they still looked cruel. She noticed the wound on his right arm. It had healed, but the scar was still fresh.

Her chest heaved up and down, a little too fast. She stilled the hand towel over her wet hair, cause her hands wouldn't move an inch.

The man in front bewitched her as he stretched his hands along the edge and relaxed them on the tiles. She bit her lips subconsciously while he threw his head back looking at the sky. His eyes were closed, soaking the warmth from the sun. He was meditating. She refrained herself from making any noise and kept ogling at him shamelessly.

How different was he! His soul gleamed of uniqueness and lost stars from unknown galaxies. She realized this was the reason she fell in love with him. It was because of his distinctiveness. An eye laid on him, and you'd instantly know - there was some depth of the soul connection he might have had with higher realms.

Until she met him, she used to think, love was a trade. Equal give and take. Reciprocation. But he - he changed her perception about love.

Love is love. It needs not to be a trade. Love needs not to be difficult. Love can be unselfish too. Love can be pure and honest too. In fact, love is another name of patience. In words of HG Gauranga Das Prabhu, 'In every relationship there's scarcity, impediment, discomfort, and unhappiness. In spite of these, when the relationship does not change, it is known as love.'

Love supposed to heal the broken, and no matter how hurt her heart was, she found comfort in his arm, in his presence.

There were infinite possibilities in this universe, but she was glad that she met an impossibility like him in this lifetime. He might not give her gardens full of flowers and butterflies, but he knew how to make her find a piece of herself in him.

And she was determined to do the same to him.

~~~

After having breakfast, they left the villa in his car, his driver, Sriram was with them of course. But she knew that wasn't all. Neil and his team were following their car close behind. Abhimanyu informed her a few minutes before leaving that they would be staying overnight. She had a mini heart attack before she packed the necessities in a hurry, that is, whatever she found in hands reach. Only God knew whatever the hell she even crammed inside her handbag!

They mostly stayed silent throughout the journey. Occasionally, she'd ask him questions about the places he had visited or about the place they were currently going. He answered the former ones deliberately, but responded with a clipped 'it's a surprise' when it came to the latter one. So, she stopped asking and took help from the google maps. According to the maps, they were going south west, towards Diamond Harbour. Why was he taking her to Diamond Harbour?

The greyish view of the concrete eventually turned greener as they travelled more southward. The scenery beside the main road calmed her eyes which were too tired to witness the busy lifestyle of city. At one point, it looked like they were driving inside a forest. There were no signs of humans except rarely passing cars. Their car halted for once on the way. There was a small shop beside the petrol pump. An old lady was making a local food named petai parota - a kind of massive flat bread. She just couldn't control her craving even though she'd had her breakfast. She left the car and went ahead. Abhimanyu didn't stop her, and she was relieved he didn't. She bought a plate of parota along with spicy dry dum aloo and came back to the car.

Her face was full of glee when Abhimanyu asked, "What's that?"

She grinned and replied, "Food of heaven. Do you want some?"

"No. It looks unhygienic."

She tsked in annoyance. "It's enough hygienic to keep almost ninety percent of people in your country fed and alive."

He didn't say anything immediately as she couldn't wait anymore and dug into the food. After filling the fuel tank, Sriram got into the car while she was still eating and savouring the food. Abhimanyu suddenly asked him to wait outside until she was done eating. He obliged immediately and got out of the car again.

"That wasn't necessary," she said with a mouthful.

"I don't like making mess inside my car. What if the jerking of the moving car made you drop the food?"

She didn't respond and rolled her eyes while hurrying to finish the food. A moment later, she habitually raised her eyes from the plate to look at his way and caught him staring at her. She flushed. She shifted in her seat and asked bashfully, "What? What are you looking at?"

"You."

She'd never get used to his bluntness. The feeling of warmth rushed to her cheeks as she broke the eye contact and slowed down her eating speed.

"I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable."

She shook her head and blushed.

"So how does it taste?"

She didn't say anything but wrapped a small piece of parota and grabbed some aloo with it before raising her hand before his mouth.

He glanced between the food and her before opening his mouth and taking the bite. She dropped her gaze and blushed profusely. What was even happening? Why was he acting so out of his character?

"It's bearable."

She glanced at him and narrowed her eyes at his comment. "It's delicious."

He chewed on the food slowly and did not refute her response. But when she offered another bite, he ate it without hesitation.

She smiled shyly and shook her head.

An hour later their car slid through the Lakshmimaya Resort's entrance. She sucked in a sharp breath observing the grandeur of the place. The resort was built on a huge area which looked extremely fancy. The security guard came running and opened the gate for their car. Surrounded by plenty of trees, creepers and flower plants, the resort gave off a comforting vibe.

"Why are we here?" She asked as they got off the car.

Abhimanyu glanced at her briefly before averting his gaze ahead. "I have invited someone. He'll be here by night. So, we have plenty of time to go visit the riverside and ride on a cruise. I'm positive you'll enjoy it."

She blinked and let his words sink in. He brought her here so that she could enjoy travelling on a cruise. What on earth was on his mind? Just a day -- it had only been a day since she confessed her feelings. How was he reciprocating so much? Or was she reading it wrong?

"Come on. Let's rest for a while until it's time for the cruise," he said then walked towards the main building. She followed him until they reached the reception. The reception was neatly decorated with several unique showpieces. The receptionist welcomed them and called a service boy to take them to their room.

And it wasn't a room. It was a luxurious suite! Never in her imagination she'd have thought of staying in this kind of lavish place.

Abhimanyu shrugged out of his waistcoat before going over to the intercom and ordered lunch to be delivered in the room. "The cruise leaves the jetty around 4:30 p.m. So, we have plenty of time till then. I'll be working for a while before we leave for the cruise."

She nodded her consent and went to the washroom. After freshening up, she came out on the balcony. The view from the balcony was spectacular. There was a small swimming pool and a children's park inside the campus while along the whole riverside, there was a wide lawn decorated with variety of trees, mowed grass covered earth, tiled pathways and shaded sitting arrangements.

She inhaled the fresh air deeply. Winter hasn't completely arrived so the climate was temperate.

As she came inside the room, she noticed there was a pair of tea cups on the table.

"When did they serve tea?"

"They didn't. There's a tea station over there. I made it," he answered while opening the lid of his laptop.

She eyed around the place and noticed the tea station at the farthest corner. Why didn't she see it before? She went ahead and picked up one of the cups. He definitely made very good tea. Her eyes strayed towards him while he typed something on the laptop. She tried to refrain herself but failing miserably, finally she opened her mouth. "Did Gyan install the camera?"

"No," he answered with a very short response.

She sipped on the tea quietly for a while before the next question left her mouth. "Who is it?"

"I can't tell you now."

She bit on her lower lip before asking, "Then... how do you know it was Gyan who caused the attack at the restaurant?"

He raised his eyes from the laptop and glanced at her. There wasn't any annoyance on his face that she was, in fact, disturbing him. He picked up his cup and took a sip from it. "I hope you still remember what happened that day before I brought you to my room."

How could she even forget that traumatic day? She was playing truth and dare with Gyan and his friends. Then, she kissed Gyan. After that, Abhimanyu caught them partying in the house and the two brothers caught up in the fight which ended in Abhimanyu slapping Gyan and Gyan falling on the floor. How could she even forget how awful the situation became during and afterwards the chaos?

She nodded without a word.

A silent moment later, Abhimanyu said, "I hit him before, and that was his revenge."

She grimaced visibly when the realization washed over her. Gyan held such a big grudge on his own brother, it was unbelievable.

They said nothing for a long time as the air inside the room thickened. Some minutes later, she asked again, "How do you know that?"

"One of the goons were arrested. The call recordings in his phone revealed the truth. Gyan made a deal with him in exchange of money of course."

"This is confusing me. You are saying he prompted the attacks on you. You're also saying he wasn't the one who installed the hidden camera."

"That's right."

She frowned. "Okay. So, if you find the proofs you're waiting for, will that put Gyan in a defamatory situation? Will- will he be taken into custody?"

He put down his cup as the corners of his mouth lifted up. "I'm collecting proofs not to punish him. But to save him."

She blinked. "I don't understand you two."

He turned his focus back to the screen. "It'll be convenient if you don't try to."

She understood that was the cue for her to shut up now.

~~~

The cruise was mostly empty except two pairs of elderly couple who stayed in the first floor. She and Abhimanyu went up in the second floor accompanied by Neil and his team (Rehan, Irfan, and Ganesh). They were the only ones on the deck except the crews.

The sunset was spectacular but in a deceptive kind of way. The beauty of red and orange hiding the darkness underneath. Her eyes strayed towards Abhimanyu who was standing with one of his hands buried in his pants' pocket and the other one holding the railing. She was standing two feet away from him. The air was crisp and wintry. They even passed a huge coal carrying ship. This was the very first time she witnessed a ship, and the experience was thrilling.

A while later, the crews served tea and snacks. There was a dark chocolate cupcake with cherry crème cheese on top which tasted heaven.

Abhimanyu was quiet mostly until he asked suddenly, "Do you like it?"

She nodded and didn't think twice before choosing her words. "It's the best date I've ever experienced."

He stared at her for a moment before responding, "I'm glad you like it."

"Thank you for bringing me here." She smiled.

He blinked, averted his gaze and they fell silent again.

The sun eventually disappeared under the water. When the lights went out, the riverbed was filled with tiny indigenous fishing boats returning home.

"You might require a lot of patience," he said suddenly.

She glanced at him and studied his face carefully. He was staring far off. Calm, composed and distant. Her chest tightened at the thought of losing him even before she had him. "I'm not afraid of that. In fact, patience is all I have left."

"Patience is bitter. You might get tired of it."

She inhaled a shaky breath. "Even if it's slow and painful, I can't lose my hope, can I? That'd be more distressing."

"So, you'll choose the bitterness of Sopatience over the sweetness of reciprocation?" He asked and shifted his steady gaze on her.

She held his eyes. They never looked more void than they were right now. "Do you still need my proofs of love?" Her voice wavered as she asked so.

He said nothing, didn't even reacted in any way. The sting in her chest returned with excruciating intensity. Was she really running after a mirage? Was their impossibility really their reality? Suddenly, she hyperventilated. Her eyes burned. Was she making a fool out of herself? Of dreaming an impossible love? Doubts spread through her senses.

"I don't know what to do with everything I feel for you." She choked out the words. "I don't know how to make you understand that you feel home to me. I have never felt that with anyone. And it's not just words of flattery, but my truest secrets I've hidden inside. I want to experience you. All of you. I want you all around me. Every time I close my eyes, I want to wake up next to you. I want you to hold me and let me do the same to you. Abhimanyu..." she breathed out with difficulty, "I want you to know this right now, when I picture myself happy... it's with you. I'm always going to love you more. Even when I don't have enough love to give to myself, I'll still save it for you."

"Be careful of the words you speak. They tend to be more subjective than rational."

Her vision blurred. A single teardrop rolled down her cheek. She raised her hand and wiped it off quickly. Although she was cautious of others' presence, at that moment her emotions wanted her to scream out loud. But she couldn't. She dropped her gaze, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Do you want me to leave?" She asked desperately.

"My parents won't let you."

"What do you want?"

"This." The next thing happened so abruptly it barely gave her any time to register what was happening. He pulled her flush against his chest wrapping an arm around her waist and pressed his lips on to hers. Her whole world spun as she felt the sensation spreading from her lips to her heart to her core. Her thoughts turned hazy as she switched between reality and imagination. She barely got time to breath in when he tugged on her lower lip. She gave in and let him lead her all the way, however he wanted. His hands travelled up her waist until it reached the sides of her breasts. Meanwhile, she moved her hands from between them and wrapped them around his neck; one of them dug into his hair as she melted into him.

Their lips moved in sync until he demanded more by brushing his tongue on her lips. She was at a loss. She hyperventilated for a while as he released her lips to catch some air. He leaned in as their forehead touched.

She was panting heavily when the thought crossed her mind. "We - we're not alone. They're here."

"They know how to behave," was his short response.

Her eyes were still closed when she tilted her head slightly as a cue for asking more.

"More?" He asked directly.

She bit on her lip remembering how it felt having his lips on there. "Mmhm." She hummed her consent before he claimed her lips once again.

He started slow but it became more urgent and insistent eventually. She let go of all her worries in that exact moment when he grazed his tongue over her lips asking permission. She eagerly gave in by parting her lips. He didn't wait to slid his tongue in and ran it along hers gently. When she responded, he deepened the kiss. Her hands grazed all over his back when his right thumb reached in front and rubbed over her nipple. It puckered up immediately under his touch. She felt the pull down below.

Was he even intending to end it any soon?

He swirled his tongue around hers stimulating her senses in some kind of way. He sucked on her tongue then her lower lip making her lose all her senses. It seemed like he wanted to devour her mouth. He released her mouth just to offer a few peppery kisses on the corners of her lips. A brief moment later, he provided some space between them while rubbing his thumb over her nipple again. "Abhi..." She gasped.

"Do you want me to stop?"

She didn't know what she wanted anymore. She hyperventilated.

He asked again, "Do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head obediently before slowly opening her eyes and stared into his. He grabbed the sides of her waist assertively and pulled her closer. Her legs felt jelly at this point. She had to support herself by leaning on to him. He placed a final feathery kiss on her lips before saying, "Tonight, you'll be with your beloved."

Warmth spread through her face making her aware of the crimson colour painted on it. She blushed profusely and felt relieved when the cruise returned to the jetty. Abhimanyu grabbed her wrist and dragged her along. They descended the cruise carefully while she was embarrassingly aware of everyone's eyes on them.

By the time they reached their suite, it was already 7 in the evening.

"Freshen up. I'll be holding my meeting outside," he informed her before leaving her alone to anticipate the upcoming events of the night.

~~~

She took her time to clean up and get ready for the night. Realizing there wasn't any proper clothes for the night, she sat on the edge on the bed, wrapped in a towel and placed her face on her open palms.

What even was that? Blush crept up her face as she felt the tingles all over her skin. He kissed her in front of everyone.

Oh my God!

A small giggle left her mouth as she fell back on the bed. She turned her head to the side and clutched a fistful of the white crisp bedsheet. All sorts of intimate thoughts crawled in her mind until she turned over and hid her face with her arm. What was going to happen now?

She giggled and got shy at the same time.

Him coming into her life was fate, but her falling in love with him - she had no control over it. Love simply grew on her - unnoticed, slowly, but intensely. She never realised when she fell so incredibly hard for him that whenever the thoughts of him crossed her mind, she'd feel her adrenaline rushing in for the thrill of wanting him closer.

She was lost in her own little world when a familiar voice made her jolt out of her dream.

"I missed you."

She sat up hastily and cast her frantic glance at the doorway. "What are you doing here?" Hastily, she took one of the folded bedsheets, unfurled it, then covered herself with it.

"Did you miss me?" The unwelcomed person at the doorway, took some steps forward.

How did he get in here? His presence unnerved her nastily. The trauma that she had almost forgotten, peaked it's head up again. She took several steps back before hollering, "Stop right there! I will scream if you take another step towards me!"

"Calm down, Shreya." He held his hands up.

"I will call my husband! Get out of here, Naveen!"

Naveen tilted his head slightly and raised his eyebrows. "Who? Abhimanyu Roy? It's him who invited me here." He smirked. "You could've asked me personally that you wanted to be with me physically. We've been intimate too many times, Shreya. Why are you resisting now?"

Her whole world spun around hysterically. "What? What nonsense are you talking about?"

He shrugged. "I didn't know you're having an open marriage. If I did, I wouldn't have avoided you in the first place."

The whole sky collapsed on her head. She stood very still, as if lightning-struck. Did Abhimanyu really call Naveen to fix her up with him?

Nothing made sense anymore. Then what was all that about? On the cruise? She found it difficult to breathe. Her heart hurt excruciatingly, irreparably. Pain smothered her furiously when she realized the one responsible for this hurt was the person she fell in love with uncontrollably. She didn't expect that he was capable of causing emotional damage to someone else. She knew he was emotionally cold himself, but destroying someone else emotionally - that was something she never saw coming.

She wanted to scream at that moment, hurt someone brutally including herself, cry her heart out, show her frustration in the loudest way possible - but she did none of that. Tears wouldn't come out and she didn't want them to.

"I don't mean to pry, but why did you agree to this marriage? Because of that clip?" He let his hands slowly down and put them on his waist. "Did you plan all this so that you could escape moving with me? Really?" Naveen chuckled lightly. "I'm glad Abhimanyu called and asked me to meet him. He explained you two are having an open marriage and you're free to have relationships outside of this marriage. God, I can't even tell you how that made me feel. I missed you so much. I missed your body against mine. You're exquisite, do you know that?" He brought one of his hands up and ran it through his hair while grinning ear to ear. "I always knew you're mine."

"I am not yours, Naveen. I never was." She stared dead into his eyes. "And I'm not saying this because of him. I used to think you were perfect for me. Even, once I thought I should listen to you and move in with you. I might've done so if you didn't have showed your true colours after that clip went viral. You never trusted me, Naveen."

"That's not tr..."

She raised her hand stopping him mid-sentence. "You never valued my emotions. All you ever wanted was my body."

"But I helped you. I was there for you when no one else was."

"In exchange for my flesh and skin!" She raised her voice. "Did you ever love me, Naveen?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Does Abhimanyu love you? Are you still delusional even after he called me over?"

She blinked and took a shaky breath. Her heart shattered into pieces when she uttered her next words. "Even if he doesn't, I do love him. And I wouldn't let you have any share from it. Go away, Naveen. I don't have anything to do with you."

Naveen swiftly moved forward and pulled her towards him. Before she could resist, he forced his lips on hers. Her eyes went wide at his wildness as she pushed on his chest frenziedly. Her voice was muffled because of his lips hold on hers. "Get... off me!" But he was undeniably stronger. He grabbed a handful of the bedsheet on her body and ripped it off her. Getting an opportunity of his strayed focus, she pushed him hard on his chest. He staggered back and lost his hold on her. As his hold loosened, she ran behind. But she didn't have to act much to escape the wild brute.

"Keep your hands off her."