The Art Of Love ✓

11.3|रुहदारी • सुनहरा पिंजरा|

|Roohdari • Golden Cage|

Ira woke up at exactly six o'clock in the morning, it was habitual for her to wake up at that hour. Amaan was sleeping over her body, his face resting in the crook of her neck. Her bones had started aching a little under the pressure of his heavy body, but she didn't mind that. Her fingers began smoothening the tiny curls his silky hair had. She was kind of enjoying his touch. She was angry with him, for misusing the situation. But she loved him, she always did and she always will. However, it was also a truth that she didn't want to be with him. Because he was a criminal and being a criminal's wife was a disgrace for her.

"Good morning, Ira." Amaan smiled, putting his head on her shoulder.

Ira got startled at how he all of a sudden woke up, or maybe he was faking sleep previously.

"I wish I could be asleep all my life. Then at least you'd express your love like this." He kissed her collarbone, just a kiss. Ira felt a wave of electricity passing into her spine at his kiss. She closed her eyes, still not recovered from its effect.

Amaan smirked. His fingers moved to her neck. Giving it a feathery touch and tickling sensation. His lips joined the torture, making her gasp.

They were lost in their trance. Ira forgot all her anger at that moment.

But...

His phone rang, putting an end to their blissful moment.

Amaan cursed under his breath and got up from the bed. Unwillingly he had to attend the phone call as it was important. He replied to the person on the other side, "Okay, I am coming right now." And ended the call.

"Ira, I have to go for some urgent work. I'll be late." He doubted if she even cared, her expressions had no sign of disappointment. Disappointment of a ruined romantic trance, as he had.

He opened the cupboard and sneakily put his gun in the pocket of his kurta. But Ira saw him doing so. Her face hardened, regret washed over her. She married the wrong person, she knew. But sadly, he was the man she loved.

Amaan came closer to her and kissed her forehead. Tears slipped her eyes. And he knew that he was the reason for her tears.

"I am sorry, Ira." He kissed her cheek and left, to end someone's life.

★★★

"Aye Bacha Party! Come on, wake up." Roohi entered the large room where all the kids used to sleep.

There were about fifty kids in their orphanage. Some were left at their doorsteps by poor parents, some were handed by their relatives who were not willing to look after them when their parents died.

It was tough to take care of them when no donations were coming. That's why Ira's late mother took a loan from a bank, which she couldn't return in her life.

And that's why Ira had to marry Amaan because he said he will pay the loan only if she marries him.

But deep down Ira knew even if she refused, he would have paid the loan. He was himself grown at that orphanage. Maybe it was her love that forced her to break her moral values and accept him.

Now Aman and Roohi were taking care of the children and the orphanage.

Children were now waiting for their Aman Bhaiya and Roohi Didi's marriage. Even if they were kids they were well aware of the fact that Aman and Roohi were in love with each other. And they were excited for them.

★★★

Ira had just entered the gate of the orphanage when the kids came running to hug her. They began asking what she brought for her. Usually, whenever Ira used to go out she brought candies for the kids because that's the only thing she could afford to give to all the kids.

But that day she forgot to bring candies for them. Because she came there to lessen her despair.

"Ira!" Roohi ran in Ira's direction and hugged her tighter than all the fifty kids together.

"How are you!?" It felt as if they were meeting after years, even if it was just after a day. They were always together, since the time someone left an asthmatic five-year-old Roohi outside the orphanage in heavy rain.

"I am good." Ira smiled a half-hearted smile.

Roohi smiled, she was confused at the smile Ira passed. Ira loved Amaan, yet she was not happy to be his.

★★★

After ten minutes or so, Ira was sitting on the terrace in the company of Roohi and Aman. While kids were creating ruckus downstairs as always, but three of them were used to the circus they lived with.

"Ira, Amaan is good with you, right?" Aman asked.

He didn't know who was the elder one, him or Amaan. But the protective instincts he had, he doubted that he was the elder one. It was quite obvious.

"He is good." She wasn't lying, he behaved well with her.

"Something is bothering you?" He again asked, looking at her downcast eyes.

"I saw him leaving with a gun."

And that was enough to increase the tension in the atmosphere. However, Aman smiled.

"He will change for good, Ira. Just be with him. Always."

"You are saying this because he is your brother."

How he could say this? How he could tell her to continue her life with his criminal brother?

"I am saying this because he will change." His tone was calm. Calm enough to silence the storm building inside Ira.

"Amaan Bhaiya! Amaan Bhaiya!" They heard children shouting downstairs. Three of them rushed downstairs and found Amaan standing amidst kids and men standing at the gate with loads of gifts.

When Amaan returned home Ira was missing and he knew she will be at the orphanage only.

Looking at him Ira understood her little period of freedom was over and she had to return to the golden cage.

Aman smiled, as always. Sometimes Amaan wondered the meaning behind his brother's mysterious smile. Whenever Aman smiles looking at him, he feels horrible. He wasn't a good brother, yet Aman was always the best brother he could have.

Sometimes he wished he was just like Aman. Peaceful.

He earned so much money, shed so much blood, gained so much power, yet he wasn't satisfied. As if he was walking on a path that will never lead him to happiness. And yes, the path he followed could give him materialistic satisfaction but not inner satisfaction. He will keep collecting treasures but won't be satisfied.

But Aman, living in a poverty-stricken area, where sometimes he had to sleep empty stomach, had a spiritual glow. A shine of inner satisfaction always surrounded him, making him shine brighter than the moon itself.

"Let's go home, Ira."

Because Aman's aura always made him question his inner self. He could not bear the feeling of being mocked by his own self. He knew he was wrong, but it takes courage to accept your flaws. And he wasn't courageous enough.

•••••••••••
Merry Christmas!

Hopefully, next chapter will be the last one.