✨ He is everywhere ✨

Samantha

"Ma'am, where should I put all these?"

His voice was laced with hesitation, as if he already knew the answer but still needed to ask. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, inhaling sharply to keep my irritation at bay. Exhaling, I responded, my voice calm but weary.

"On the table...", I said, for what felt like the hundredth time, my tone carrying the exhaustion of repeating the same instruction day after day.

"Thank you, ma'am", the staff murmured politely before turning around and exiting the room.

I followed his retreating figure with my gaze, my fingers gripping the door handle a little too tightly as I pushed the door shut behind him. The soft thud echoed in the silence, but my mind was far from quiet.

I turned around, and for what had to be the thousandth time in the past month, I felt a wave of overwhelming emotions crash over me. Surprise? No, that word seemed too small. Shocked? Yes. Perplexed? Most definitely. And yet, even those words didn't seem to fully capture the definition of feelings twisting inside me.

Every corner of my house, every single inch of space was drowning in sunflowers and lilies.

Bouquets adorned every available surface, their bright petals standing out starkly against the off tones of my furniture. The tables were completely occupied, buried under layers of freshly arranged flowers. The floor, once a place of stillness and simplicity, was now covered in delicate petals, a soft, fragrant carpet that made it impossible to take a step without crushing them beneath my feet.

And then there were the notes.

Handwritten messages littered my walls like study pointers before an exam. Some were pinned neatly, others stuck randomly, their edges curling slightly from being pressed against the surface day after day. Each one carried the same sentiment, the same plea written in bold, familiar handwriting.

It had been one month.

One month since that dark night.

One month since I returned to my father's home. One month since I left behind the life that felt like an illusion, stepping back into the only place where I had ever felt a sense of belonging.

With my father's cafe reopened, I had thrown myself into work, letting the routine of brewing coffee, flipping pancakes, and serving customers become my new normal. From early morning until the sun dipped below the horizon, I busied myself with tasks, ensuring there was not a single idle moment in my day.

The cafe had started online delivery services, which meant an endless stream of orders, new customers, and growing enough to bear my expenses. Teenagers seeking a cozy hideout, working professionals looking for a quiet corner to escape their daily stress, couples whispering sweet nothings over steaming cups of cappuccino, they all found solace here.

Everyone... except for the person running it.

Me.

And there was only one reason for that.

Abhimaan Malhotra.

The man who had saved my life... after breaking it into irreparable pieces.

Should I be grateful to him for pulling me back from the brink of destruction? Perhaps. And I had already said my thanks.

Should I forgive him for the past? For the wounds that still ached even when I pretended they didn't exist?

No.

No matter how much my broken heart longed for him, no matter how fiercely my shattered pieces yearned to be held by the very hands that had let me fall, I refused to give in.

When he had brought me back, I had made one thing very clear, I was not going back to Malhotra Mansion.

I had made that decision without hesitation, and to my surprise, he respected it. But that did not mean he stopped trying. For the past one month, his efforts had been relentless.

Every single day, without fail, my home is decorated with fresh flowers and glowing lights. The scent of lilies and sunflowers had become an unavoidable part of my existence, filling the air, clinging to my clothes, embedding themselves in my thoughts.

Every morning, without needing to check, I knew that someone would be at my door.

Not him, of course.

Just a staff member, stepping inside, hands full of bouquets, carefully placing them in every corner of my house as if he were following an unwritten ritual. And then, once the flowers were settled, he would move on to the next task, sticking the notes to my walls.

Handwritten, in a familiar slanted script, all signed by the same man.

"Sorry, wifey!"

Every. Single. Day.

At this point, I had stopped questioning the routine. I no longer bothered opening the door myself because I already knew what awaited me on the other side.

Flowers. Notes. A silent plea from a man too stubborn to let go. And let's not even talk about the chocolates.

Countless boxes, in every variety and flavor imaginable. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, hazelnut, caramel-filled, truffles... the list went on. If I so much as dared to eat a few, I was convinced I would end up with a sugar rush strong enough to last a lifetime.

And if Abhimaan truly believed that all of this was enough to mend what he had broken, then he was living in a delusion far greater than I had imagined.

Reaching for my phone, I dialled his number without a second thought. The line barely rang twice before he answered.

"Stop sending me all these, Mr. Malhotra", I said, my voice carrying the exhaustion of a battle I never asked to fight.

His response came without hesitation, as if he had been expecting this call. "Please forgive me, Samantha."

A sharp sting spread through my chest at the sheer simplicity of his words. As if forgiveness could be earned with repeated apologies. As if it were something I could just hand over like a wrapped gift.

I gritted my teeth. "This is not going to help you", I said, my voice firm, unwavering.

There was a brief pause before he replied. "If it makes you happy, then let it not help me", my fingers clenched around the phone. Damn him.

I ended the call without another word, unwilling to let his voice affect me more than it already had.

I turned my gaze toward a single lily flower resting on my bedside table. My fingers traced its soft petals absentmindedly as a thought crossed my mind.

I had always believed that roses were overrated. Not that they weren't beautiful. Of course, they were. But there was something about lilies that had always drawn me in. They were simple yet elegant. Soft yet powerful. A symbol of peace in a world full of chaos.

And right now, as my heart waged a silent war against itself, I found myself desperately clinging to that peace. Letting out a slow breath, I placed the flower back in its place before heading for a shower.

The warm water washed away the lingering tension from my body, and once I was done, I stepped out, wrapping myself in a towel before slipping into a flowy dress adorned with soft floral prints.

A touch of makeup, a pair of delicate earrings, and a few bracelets later, I let my hair fall naturally down my back and then I wore my flats. As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I found myself smiling, Not because I was happy. But because, at least for today, I looked like someone who was.

Free, maybe.

I started the cafe and checked all the orders. Meanwhile I also talked to Mumma who informed me that she and Papa need to attend a family function and they would return by next weekend. I also chatted with Amaira, she seemed to be doing fine now. The first week, she chose to stay with me here, but she had some work so she needed to get over it.

A part of me is relieved that she is trying to get over that day. I know it's not easy for her but I also know that she is very strong. And I'm there for her whenever she needs me. Yes, she chose to not take any further action against Shaurya, I still doubt if she has forgiven him or not, same goes with me. But I think time would heal every wound, also Shaurya is trying his best to rectify his mistakes.

He published a video right after the day of the incident and apologized for causing trouble to his employees. He let the new branch stay and restarted the old one. He also compensated everyone with the loss they incurred. Talking about the reasons behind everything, he was also ready to bring that in front of the media but I denied that. I know he has made a huge mistake but the end matters for me, I really don't want anyone to face more trouble because of me.

As soon as I started taking our orders for the day, I watched our first customer arriving with his signature smirk just like everyday. Yes, right. Abhimaan Malhotra, my everyday customer, who has forgotten if he is the CEO of a billionaire company rather he stays at my cafe, the whole day. Ordering random cakes, feeling his appetite with pancakes or sometimes, absolutely going with uncountable cups of coffee, he stays there until the cafe is closed.

I know why he is doing it, I can't restrict his entry too as I know he is not going to stop. And it's better to stay private in front of the customers not to invite unwanted attention.

"Ma'am....he is there", one of my staff came informing me. "Serve his orders", I said in an authoritative tone as they did the same.

I exchanged eye contact with Abhimaan as he gazed at me sending shivers down my spine. I know he would be sitting right in front of my desk so, I plated his everyday pancakes with coffee as the staff took it to his table.

I refused to look at him any longer and got back to my work when I heard the staff coming to me, murmuring, "Kitna coffee peeta hai ye aadmi. Pakka dil todwa ke baitha hai", he said to the other one when I stared at them angrily. I have hired two staff members who help me in serving the orders although the baking and other stuff is managed by me only.

("How much coffee does this man take? I'm sure his heart is broken")

"Sorry, Ma'am....", he bowed his head down when I glared back at him and got back to his work.

"Kya pata dil tod ke baitha ho kisi ka....", I muttered under my breath as we served our back to back orders once the cafe started filling up with the customers.

(Who knows if he himself has broken someone's heart?")

The day went so smoothly that I barely got time for myself, I felt my body get tired and then I realised it's already 7 pm in the evening, which means the closing time.

I packed the last order before handing it over to the delivery guy as I flipped the tag of 'CLOSED', which was hanging above my desk. Soon, the cafe became vacant and even my staff started leaving, "Ma'am, should I ask him to leave?", he asked when I looked back at Abhimaan who was already sitting at his regular place as if he barely cared about the world around him.

He passed me a playful smirk when I clutched my fingers in anger, "I will manage, you guys can leave", I ordered them before they both left.

"Can I have one more pancake, Mrs. Malhotra?", I heard his voice from behind, when I turned around to open my apron.

Is he really testing my patience?

"What did you just call me?", I snapped back at him but didn't turn back. But I felt him leaving his seat already and coming into my direction.

His footsteps were enough for me to make my heart beat faster than ever as I gulped the lump in my throat, "You heard it right, Mrs. Malhotra", I felt his breath behind my back.

"It's, Ms. Samantha. And for your information, the cafe is closed, Sir. So, you can leave now", I said sternly.

"I hear you, Mrs. Malhotra", he repeated it again, this time with some extra care to the specific remark.

I snapped back, "Ms. Samantha."

"Mrs. Malhotra", he said instantly.

"Ms. Samantha"

"Mrs. Samantha Abhimaan Malhotra", he said softly, as a matter of pride for him.

His remark made me turn to him abruptly, "It's never going to happen, Mr. Malhotra. You better stop trying", I sighed in defeat.

"If that is so, then why didn't you sign the divorce papers, Mrs. Malhotra?", he asked back, his eyes became extra shiny.

My mind gave me an instant back tour when I realised what exactly he was talking about. Divorce papers.

"I just....it just....it was a mistake", I stammered at my own words, God knows why? Because he was coming closer to me? Probably not.

"Writing "Fuck off" right above your name on the divorce papers is just a mistake? Thank God, you made that mistake, Samantha", he chuckled softly.

Did I actually write that on the divorce papers instead of signing it?

Yes.

Why would I do that?

Told you, Samantha-heartbreak-anger-tears....worst combination ever.

I bit my inner cheeks in embarrassment but didn't let him see that, "That means you are still my wife", he stated clearly.

Tell me something new, you billionaire.

"Doesn't matter", I turned around but before I could make a move, his hands were already holding my wrist. He looped our hands around my stomach as he leaned closer to my ear. I felt his breath on my neck. "It matters, Samantha. You and me, that's all that matters to me", he whispered in my ears sending shivers down my spine.

I closed my eyes hiding the effect he was already doing to me, "I'm here for what I did. And I have been here for the past one month. And I will be here till the rest of my life, if it's going to win your forgiveness that long, Samantha", he said softly as his words caused tears brimming inside my eyes.

I didn't realise when it already started flowing down my cheeks, "Let me go....", I suppressed all of it inside me as I turned to face him.

My eyes fuming in anger as I gazed at him, "You think this is going to affect me, Mr. Malhotra. Well, let's prove you wrong then....", I held his hand before I took him to the main entrance gate.

"Your words are absolutely doing nothing to me. Go back to your mansion and stop carrying false hopes with you, Mr. Abhimaan Malhotra....", I said, my breath got heavier than before as he looked at me with unsaid emotions in his eyes. Ignoring everything and once he was out, I shut the door behind me.

I didn't turn around but I knew he was still standing there with hopeful eyes, as if I cared about it. I don't know. I don't want to know. I wiped off my tears from the back of my hand before I rushed inside.

I also have my personal entrance to my apartment from the back gate of my cafe. Dad made this purposely so that he could keep an eye on me while working or I might not face any trouble coming to him whenever I wanted.

Once I got inside my apartment, I climbed upstairs to my room as I was breathing heavily, "Why? Why, Dad? What does he want now? Tell him to leave me. Tell him I don't want to see him. Just ask him to go....just ask...him...to...leave....me....alone....", I let my tears flow down without caring to hold it any longer.

I just hid my face in the softness of my pillow as I cried my heart out. No matter how much I try to ignore Abhimaan, he is just there every second, right in front of my eyes. I don't know what made me not sign those papers that day, maybe I was too overwhelmed to take any emotions through my mindful thoughts. Because I just didn't want to leave him.

And now, everything has changed. Irrespective of him making relentless efforts to mend my heart, I'm just broken beyond repair, no matter how my heart yearn to be with him.

After crying for God knows how much longer, I felt a side of my heart relieved. Because sometimes letting your tears flow down your cheeks irrespective of the eyes catching you cry, works like an unpaid therapy.

I hugged my pillow and sniffed back with puffy eyes, it was when I felt my face brushed up by a heavy breeze. I turned around to see my window open and realised the clouds had gathered as thunderstorms started making a sound. It was soon going to rain.

Then, I remembered reading the news of high alerts in our area. I woke up from the bed to close the window when I curled up the curtains to slide it over. The heavy wind brushed up my skin making my hair fly carefree all over my face. I shifted back the strands of my hair behind my ear, as my eyes squinted in return.

The rain was pretty heavy and intense and it really demanded us to stay inside our houses. The dark night crumbled around my window when my eyes fell on the shadow. I focused on the figure, only to realise who it belonged to.

Is he still here?....shit.

I saw Abhimaan sitting at the corner of the pathway, his body drenched in water, his forehead covered with the beads of raindrops. His shirt was already hugging his well toned body as he wrapped his knees from both of his hands. His actions felt numb, he was just there sitting, staring at the ground. Yet his whole body was shivering with the cold as he was sitting there on the pool of water logged side by.

"Oh, no....", I gasped in shock.

"Kya karu main iss aadmi ka?", I gritted my teeth in anger before I rushed out of my room.

("What should I do to this man?")

After getting out of my apartment, I crossed to the side of the pathways where he was sitting, soaked all in water. "Abhimaan.... Abhimaan, are you okay? Oh, God, you are shivering with the cold", I bent down to him, as I held his arms.

"Let....me....go....Sam...Samantha....", he said as his teeth made a sound.

His eyes faced mine as he looked at me with a lost spark, "This is not funny, Mr. Malhotra", I panicked just by looking at him.

"Get up", I said holding his arms as he stumbled before getting up at his feet.

I took one of his arms around my neck to support him as we crossed the pathway. "Samantha...I think....you... should....go....inside. You...will....catch cold", he kept murmuring but I barely focused on his words.

After getting inside our apartment, I made him sit on the couch and locked the door behind me. I ran to bring the towel, "Samantha, I don't think....you are okay....about me....being here", he said, making my heart clenched at his words.

I ignored his words and started drying his hair with the towel. I felt his hands loop around me for support but I ignored the spark of heat it brought to my organs. I touched his forehead with the back of my hand when I realised he was having a fever.

"You are burning with fever, Mr. Malhotra", I couldn't help when the tears already started forming inside my eyes.

"Don't think it is happening because of you, Samantha", he let my double thoughts fly away before I could let that sink inside me. Just like always.

"We....we need to get you medicines. First let's change your wet clothes", I tried shifting when he tightened his grip around me.

I knew what his touch was doing to me yet I managed to ignore it, "Samantha, I'm...I'm...sorry...for everything. Mujhe maaf kar do. But I can't afford to live without you. It's better to die....", I kept my hand to cover his mouth before he could complete that sentence.

("Forgive me....")

"You need rest, Mr. Malhotra", I looked everywhere but not him as I tried to make a safe distance between us.

He held my hand before pulling me to him and I fell straight on to his lap. My hands looped around him for the instant support as he looked at me, "I need you, Samantha....", he murmured pulling the strings of an unwanted knot inside me.

Rain. Us. Not a good history.

And Abhimaan's eyes are buried to mine, while my hands are on him is definitely not a good sign. And let's not forget his intimidating words. "Ye kya haal bana rakha hai tumne apne, bachhe ho kya? Is your life a joke to you?", my eyes turned red with the erupting heat inside me.

("What have you done to yourself? Are you a child?")

"Let's get you treated first. I don't want to hear any excuses", I said sternly before I flinched away from his lap.

I helped him get up as I took him upstairs to my room. I made him sit on the bed and rushed to my wardrobe. He has a few of his clothes here at my apartment. I arranged it months back when we stayed a couple of times here.

I took out a tshirt and a gray sweatpant with a fresh towel. I went back to him as he was still at his position, sitting, waiting for me, "Let's dry you first", I mumbled before I started opening the button of his shirt.

He remained quiet for the whole time but his gaze, like always, was on me. Once his upper body was exposed, I started drying it with the towel. When I was done, I made him wear his tshirt, totally ignoring the random trouble maker thoughts inside me.

"Umm... I think.... I can...do that....", he said while I nodded knowing what he meant by that. I turned around and waited for him to change his pants, once he was done I made him lay straight on the bed. I covered him with the quilt as I sat beside him.

I started rubbing one of his palm with my hand and dialled the number on my phone from the other hand. "Hi, doctor. This is, Samantha Mal....", I felt his eyes on me already.

"Samantha Malhotra. Actually Abhimaan is burning with a fever, can you please suggest me a medicine. He seems to be not very well", I said slowly, not looking at his signature smirk.

It was Abhimaan's doctor as I chose to call him. Because of the alert, he couldn't come so he instructed me from the phone. I did what he said. I measured his temperature then gave the medicines I had. He also advised me to keep the wet cloth over his forehead to normalise the temperature.

After ending the call with the doctor, I took the piece of a cloth and dipped it in a bowl of water as I started putting it over his forehead. Once I was done, I found his eyes getting shut and I realised he was sleeping. I took the moment to change my wet clothes into something comfortable.

Once I was out of of the washroom, I saw Abhimaan shifting to his side of the bed. Watching a tough man who has barely cared about his health is now sleeping peacefully on my bed, just because he got himself drenched in water. As I said, he barely cared about his health. And let's not talk about his stubborn traits.

This month has been filled with ups and down as I know Maa and Papa barely talk to him. I have never seen my father in law this angry, the way he was on the day I got back to my home. I know he must be warning Abhimaan to stay out of me and to be honest, it's sad to see their relation coming back to an older track. But I can't help it out.

I remember once Ruhaan calling me up, and letting me know that Abhimaan barely attend meetings or goes to the office. How would he? He sits all day in my cafe never missing a chance to come to me and apologizing and asking about one more chance. Ruhaan even said that he barely takes his food on time like how would he? If he keeps ordering pancakes and coffee all the day.

I watched his figure snuggling to my pillow when he murmured something in his sleep, I moved closer to his side and sat beside him. "Mummaaa.... Mummaaa.... I.... broke....her....heart....she...she....left me....", my heart shattered into pieces when I realised what he exactly meant by that. I knew he was talking about me.

Because this is just heart wrenching looking at him getting nightmares. No matter how much I try avoiding him, a part of me would always want him to be happy. But he is persistent enough that he wants me only.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shuffled his wet hair, "Samantha, Samantha.....", I felt him holding my hand as he became restless when I tighten my hold around him.

"I knew....you...will....come back....", and I found his gaze at me. He was awake by then when an urge to pull myself away from him caught me.

I didn't realise when the tears started flowing down my cheeks until I felt his fingers wiping it off. Just like always. "I know you love me....", his voice was barely audible but enough for me to hear.

I shifted my gaze somewhere in order to ignore his soft eyes on me, "I don't....", I said sternly.

"Then, why did you care about me?", his voice became intense.

"Because I'm a human", I said before I pulled myself away from him. "Sleep, Mr. Malhotra", I got up to turn my back on him. Before I could make a move, he immediately held my wrist, I bit by lips to suppress everything I was holding back.

Don't look back, Samantha. Just don't look back.

"Amaira told me what you asked her to say to me....that day....", he said, his voice became clear to me.

Oh, no!

I stiffened at my position as I remember my own words, 'Shit, he knows it.....'

"Tell your brother that I loved him with everything I ever had. And I will always love him...."

"I'm dying to hear those words from you, Samantha. Because no matter where I go, no matter who I'm with, no matter how broken I'm, no matter how strong I feel....", no, no.... please don't say it.

Please don't make me weak.

I heard him sighing before I felt his strong breath over my back as he got up from the bed, "My heart belongs to you, Samantha. My heart started belonging to you the moment I saw you. Even before I realised, you have already made me yours", tears gathered in the corner of my eyes, few started flowing down my cheeks. With his every word, I was drowning to him no matter how hard I was trying to pull myself away from him.

"And I didn't realise when a girl I never wanted to get married was already ruling my heart. The girl I planned to hate all my life, is the one I'm in love with, today, and will love for the rest of my life", I heard him say, his words, unwavering and strong like a hurricane, strong enough to break the peace inside me.

"You said you loved me with everything you had, Samantha. And I love you with everything, I ever lost. I love you, Samantha....", he said pulling me towards him, as I turned to look at him while my hands rested on his chest to create a safe distance between us, if that exists.

"He loves me.... Abhimaan Malhotra is in love with me...."

***************************************

Sorry, I was late to post. I caught a cold, I'm still recovering. 🤒

I hope you guys liked the chapter? Do you feel I should make Abhimaan suffer more? 🥺

Because I'm going to.... 😅

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