I'm All Yours

by Madhumitha Lakshamanan

"Shakthi! Your dad is perfectly fine!" she said, pulling out of the hug, wiping my tears.

  I nodded, grasping her hands tightly.

  "Now smile!" she said.

  I felt my lips faintly curve.

  "Now that is like my daughter!" she said, hugging me again.

  "If it wasn't for Gautham, we wouldn't have seen your father alive!" she explained.

  I came out of the hug and I read respect for Gautham in her eyes. The way Arun defended him also showed how much Gautham actually helped my family! I need to see him, right now!

  "I will be back mom!" I said, leaving her and started to search for Gautham.

  I saw him standing near the window and gazing outside "Gautham!"

  Chapter 23-You Call It Guilt

  Shakthi's POV

  I saw him standing near the window and gazing outside.

  "Gautham!" I called out.

  "Hey." He cleared his throat and tried to smile. It made my insides melt.

  How would I thank him?

  "Ugh..erm..I saw you talking to the doctor, what did he say?"

  "Nothing to worry, it was just a minor attack! He said that the attack was due to emotional stress, like you had to leave him suddenly and looks like he couldn't take it well!" By the time he finished, tears ran down my cheeks.

  My dad had been missing me so much! I didn't visit once in the past month! But I did it so they would think I was happy with Gautham! If I knew things would end up like this, I would have surely visited my parents!

  "Hey, stop crying!!" He pulled me into his arms.

  "I am so selfish, Gautham! I should have visited my parents!" I said among my muffled sobs. I felt his t-shirt getting soaked by my tears.

  "You are the most selfless person I've ever met!"

  "You are lying! You are just trying to convince me!" I said and pulled away from the hug.

  "I have never been so truthful in my entire life," he said and wiped away my tears. Just then, we were interrupted by someone clearing his throat.

  It was Arun. "Sorry, if I interrupted you guys!" he said with a playful smirk.

  Was he assuming that we were romancing in a hospital?

  "You really need someone to put some sense into you, Arun," I said, slapping his shoulder playfully and walking to the cafeteria to buy the dinner.

  I bought some oil free food for dad and strode to his ward. When I opened the door, I heard Gautham ask. "Do you think I can see him?"

  "Of course!! You don't need my permission!"

  " I thought you won't like it if I get involved with your family," he said doubtfully

  "Nonsense! Just come in!" I said, pulling him by his hand into the room.

  My dad smiled at both of us when we entered.

  When he was struggling to sit up properly, Gautham rushed to him before I could, and helped him. I felt a little jealous of Gautham there! He was slowly taking my place! But it made me happy seeing my family gel.

  "How are you, Uncle?" he asked my dad sincerely and took a place next to him while I went and stood beside Gautham.

  "I am perfectly fine, Gautham!" He smiled.

  "Please take care of your health, Uncle."

  "You know that you can call me 'Dad'?" Dad said which really took me by surprise.

  Gautham laughed. "Sure Uncle, I mean 'Dad'!"

  "Thank you so much, Gautham! If it wasn't for you-"

  "Please do not embarrass me! You consider me your son and you are thanking me! It is my responsibility, Dad! Shakthi would have done the same thing, right?"

  "Now I know that I didn't make a bad choice in choosing you for my little girl!" Dad said, holding Gautham's hands.

  "I promise you, Dad! I won't let you down!" he said. That was the one that I really couldn't trust on! Him and his promises!

  "Dad! I've got food for you!" I said and handed over his food to him.

  He gave me a warm smile and took it.

  "Dad! You are so mean! You gave my place to him?" I asked him, I wanted to lighten up the mood.

  "Of course, not! I just gained another son," he said and took a bite of his food.

  All of us smiled at his comment. Suddenly, I heard Mom's voice.

  "Shakthi and Gautham! You both go home! It's already ten minutes past eleven, go and catch up with some sleep!"

  "No way! I am not leaving until Dad's discharged!" I retorted.

  "Shakthi! He is getting discharged tomorrow! There is nothing to worry about! I just had a talk with the doctor! So you both can leave!" she pressed

  "You sure, mom? Cause I really want to stay!"

  "Don't be a kid, Shakthi! Go home!" It was my Mom's turn to order.

  Soon we left the hospital. I prayed; everything should get better for my dad. Gautham drove the car while I was in the passenger seat and the bike was left at the hospital. Gautham wouldn't allow me to drive it. He thought that it was dangerous.

  Arun told me that he would do the job of bringing it to my place. Those were the perks of having a brother!

  When we reached home I was so exhausted I walked to the bedroom when Gautham had gone to freshen up. My phone caught my eyes. I checked my phone for the calls that I had missed today. Just then, my phone went off! It was Ankitha!

  She screamed. "Where the hell have you been?? Are you alright??"

  "Whoa!! Chill! I am fine!" I said.

  "I was so worried for you! Is everything alright? Why didn't you answer any of my calls?"

  "Please don't ask me!" I pleaded.

  "You know you've got to tell me!"

  I started from the previous night's event till the present minute. "I wasn't there for my Dad when he needed me the most, Ankitha! How can I be so selfish?" I cried thinking of how ignorant I had been.

  "Calm dow-"

  Suddenly, a strong hand suddenly grabbed my phone. "She will talk to you tomorrow!" Gautham said into the phone and hung up.

  I felt weak and sat on the bed, head in my hands.

  Gautham's arms wrapped around my shoulders and I felt him whisper in my ear "Everything is alright, Shakthi!"

  "No!! Damn no!! I should have told you about where I was going! Things wouldn't have ended up like this!" I screamed while I cried.

  "Your dad is safe now!"

  "But I wasn't there when he needed me!"

  "So, are you worried about the fact that it was me who saved your dad and not you?"

  "Thank you so much for your favor on my helpless family, like you think!! But, you know what? I am there for them!" I snapped.

  "Unbelievable, Shakthi! I never thought that you would put things this way!"

  "What? You aren't some great person just because you were there on time!"

  "I seriously have no clue of what I can do to change your thoughts about me! But, just get this into that thick skull of yours, I consider your dad as mine! How would you have felt if you had saved my dad and I was throwing all these words at you?" He said and walked out.

  He was trying to help me out and I was rebuking him for it!

  I left the room to find him. He was neither in the hall nor the kitchen. I walked up the stairs to check in the other rooms, but there was no sign of him.

  Then I went to our private terrace. He was leaning on the wall and his hands occasionally raked past his hair. I recalled it was his habit when he was frustrated! It was me who kept him frustrated!

  "Gautham!" I called.

  He turned "Shakthi! Please! Not again! I am fed up of explaining!"

  "No! I actually am so thankful to you that you were there for my family when I failed! It is just all the guilt, Gautham! I am really sorry for taking out my frustration on you!"

  He came near me and lifted my face by my chin and made me look into his intense grey eyes. "Why are you guilty? Just think of it like, I filled in in your absence! Don't you consider me as your family?"

  Tears started to blur my vision. What did I do to deserve such a man in my life! I crashed into his arms, hugging him, wanting to feel his warmth and my joy k
new no bounds when he hugged me back.

  ***

  I had a slightly disturbed sleep that night. But, the next morning was bright! The place next to me was empty. When I started to wonder about where Gautham could have gone, I heard the shower in the bathroom run. How the hell does he manage to wake up so early? Nine in the morning wasn't that early! But, if any person could wake up before me, he was an early riser.

  I stretched and rose up from the bed. My phone suddenly went off. It was Arun.

  Let everything be fine! I made a silent prayer and answered."Hey! how is dad?"

  "He has been discharged and we have come home!"

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "What am I doing now?" he mocked.

  "Smart ass! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

  "We were caught up in paper work!"

  "Take care of dad," I told him and the conversation came to an end.

  "Get dressed. I have a place to take you to!" Gautham said as I made the bed.

  I thought that I could visit my parents, but where was he going to take me? After what he did for my family, I really felt obligated to him; so I accepted and went to get dressed up.

  But still, my heart yearned to see my Dad.

  After a good shower, I changed into a nice pair of jeans with a simple violet top. I totally wasn't in the mood to do a makeover. But, due to heavy crying, my eyes were like two red tomatoes popping out of their swollen sockets and I had to put some effort in to hide them.

  I left my hair the way it was, without bothering to comb it and I put on my flip flops while Gautham had already reached the parking lot.

  I locked the house and sprinted to the car. He drove around unfamiliar roads but then I recognised a few of them. Itnwas my home! He took a different route to surprise me. It made my heart swell in happiness. I knew that I was falling for him, but I also knew that our journey together wasn't going to be that easy!

  "Thank you so much Gautham!" I pecked him on his cheek.

  "Wow!" he said.

  I felt myself blush, realizing what I had just done.

  I opened the car door, charged to my home and rang the doorbell.

  My mom opened the door and I hugged everyone and Gautham soon joined us.

  We spent the entire day together! It was fun bonding with my family after a long time! I realized that I had missed them so much! With Gautham next to us, it doubled our happiness.

  My life couldn't have gotten any better!

  It was nearing eight at night. My mom's target would be to chase me away!

  "Please mom! Let me stay!" I begged.

  "Your mom is right, dear! You both should go home!" Dad said.

  I didn't whine further. "Okay!"

  Gautham grabbed his car keys and he bid his bye to everyone, signaling to me that he would be waiting. When I was about to leave, my mom tugged at me.

  "What is it Mom?" I hissed.

  "Shakthi! Me and your dad have planned something for you!" she said.

  "Okay?"

  "A honeymoon for you!"

  Did I just say that my life can't get any better? Scratch it!

  Chapter 24-Honeymoon Plans

  Gautham's pov

  I started the car and waited for Shakthi to join me. What was taking her so long?

  Just then, my phone went off and it was a call from the hospital where I had admitted Natasha. I hoped everything was fine!

  "Hello?!"

  "Am I talking to Mr.Gautham?" a female questioned me. It seemed like a nurse.

  "Yea! Is she fine? Is there any problem?" I panicked.

  "Everything is fine! The patient has been discharged today and please see to that she is not put under any sort of stress," she advised.

  "Thank you so much for informing me!"

  "No problem!" she said, hanging up.

  I sighed and clutched the steering.

  "Gautham??" I heard Shakthi sing my name, making me come to reality!

  "Sorry! I just..Umm..zoned out!" I explained.

  She giggled lightly. "I got that!" she said and she quickly placed an envelope in her hand bag.

  "So? Shall we leave??" I asked.

  Just then, Arun shouted. "Don't forget what Mom said!" he teased.

  Shakthi rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the reminder," she screamed sarcastically at Arun.

  "Gautham! You start the car!!" she said and raised her hands; which I guessed was her mannerism when she was impatient.

  I gave her a curt nod and immediately started the car.

  "Gautham! You seriously have no idea how much this meant to me! Thank you for the entire day!! Thank you so much!!" she said in a single go.

  “Shakthi, stop thanking me for every little thing! It really puts me off when you thank me!"

  An understanding look crossed her features. "I know! But, I couldn't stop myself!" she said and smiled at me which reached her eyes.

  Soon, we reached home. She went to change and I went to get freshened up as well.

  I settled on the bed waiting for her. She came out, looking cute and adorable in her usual pajamas and t-shirt with her hair in a messy bun.

  It reminded me of the night when she was in a black satin nighty and she looked dangerously sexy. I was surprised to find her dressed that way! I thought she was actually trying to seduce me, but the next morning I was disappointed when I saw all her clothes getting dried up on the terrace! She had no option but to wear that dress!!

  Her sleepy yet sexy state was such a huge turn on. I just didn't know what came over me that I actually wasn't able to control myself! I wanted to ravish every part of her delicious body.

  She settled next to me, making her sharp chocolate brown eyes pierce through mine. What did she have in those eyes of hers? Adrenaline rushed through me.

  She seemed anxious, fidgeting with the duvet. What was it that kept her disturbed? Was it still her dad?

  "Hey! Your dad is alright!" I comforted her by rubbing my palm over her hands that nervously held the duvet.

  "Yea! Ermm..I know! It is not that!..actually..err.." she stuttered.

  "Go on!" I encouraged her and tried to hide my curiosity.

  "Ugh... I swear that it wasn't my decision!" She sat up on the bed.

  She started to scare me! What wasn't her decision?

  "My mom, she wants us togoonahoneymoon!"

  I gave her an 'I-didn't-understand-a-single-word' look. "Shakthi!! I have no idea what you just said!" I stood and faced her.

  She took a deep breath. "My mom wants us to go on honeymoon," she said with her eyes closed.

  I started laughing my ass off! Was she becoming nervous to tell me such a simple thing?

  She opened her eyes and gave me a surprised look

  "Why are you laughing?" she asked.

  "I can't believe you were so nervous!" I tried to hold my laughter.

  "Fine! Now tell me! What do you think?" she was serious.

  "You can cook up some excuse to avoid it unless you are dying to go with me!" I said, smirking at her.

  "That would be the last thing I want to do!" she said.

  "I know, I know! You wouldn't be able to control yourself around me!" I teased.

  "We both know who wouldn't be able to control themselves." She raised her eyebrows, referring to the night when I saw her in the black satin robe.

  "Oh! Really? Looks like you know everything!" I said, pulling her into my arms.

  Her soft bosom pressed on my hard chest which created havoc on my senses! Her eyes spoke volumes. She didn't anticipate this, one bit! Even I didn't!

  Her pink and juicy lips looked so kissable. Her fragile petals were shivering and it made me want to kiss the brains out of her.

  "Gautham!!" came her airy voice. My name had never sounded so good!

  "Hmm??" I asked

  "Let go of me!" she whispered still fighting to pull out of my arms.

  "Not so soon!" I said and I held her small stunning face in my large hands. I felt myself move towards her
lips. She looked into my eyes, confused.

  I neared her quivering lips and felt her grip on my arms become tighter. Her nails seeped through my hard muscles. She was becoming nervous.

  I felt her breathing go wild. I was about to claim her soft lips. Just then, we were interrupted by my phone's loud ring.

  "Perfect timing!" I cursed under my breath and I let go of Shakthi to pick my phone.

  It was Natasha!

  How would I answer it with Shakthi around? I walked out of the bedroom.

  "How are you?" I asked.

  "I am fine! Thank you so much, Gautham!" she said, tiredness in her voice.

  I felt really guilty for having caused it. "Just take care of your health! I will meet you tomorrow!" I said, hanging up.

  I entered the room and found Shakthi still deep in thought! I hope she doesn't doubt me!

  "So, where were we?" I asked, smirking.

  "Gautham, please! It is something serious! Please stop joking!" she said with a stern look.

  "Hmm..okay! On a serious note! If you don't want to go, just make up some excuse" I said, lying on the bed.

  "I thought we can just go to someplace, stay there for a week or so and return!” she suggested.

  "Like a honeymoon couple?" I asked

  "Yes! As simple as that!" she said. But, I knew that it wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded.

  "So, where are we going?" I asked, pulling the comforter over me.

  " I thought, some place nearby would do it!" she said, relaxing next to me.

  "What about Bangalore?" I recommended.

  She had a moment of debate in her mind. "What is it?" I questioned.

  "Uh!! Nothing! Bangalore is fine! But, when will we be going?"

  "Next week's workload is less. So I guess we can probably leave on Tuesday! I guess that would be perfect!"

  "Hmm! I will convey this to my parents!" she said and turned away with her back facing me.

  ***

  I had to wake up early to visit Natasha! I saw Shakthi peacefully sleeping! She looked like an innocent child with her hair sprawled all over her face.

  I changed into my office clothes, deciding that I would go directly to work after visiting her. I still regreted keeping Shakthi in the dark.

  Shakthi's pov

  I woke up to the sound of my annoying alarm ringing! The moment I opened my eyes, all the memories of last night came flooding back.