CHAPTER 21
ISHITA’S POV
“Are you sure about this Ish?”
“I—no Auntie, honestly.”
I answered as Mrs. Santos came close patting my hands firmly. After talking to Joshua, we literally went directly to their house. I talked with everyone there as they welcomed me warmly as usual especially Layad who was both surprised and glad to have me there with them all of a sudden. But then I insisted to come back home to the massage center. I felt the need to talk this out with Mrs. Santos. At the very least, she’s still the closest mother figure to me, aside from ma’am Isabella.
“I understand. But what will you do now especially that you already agreed with Mr. Isabella?”
“I—I don’t know Auntie. For now, I will have to trust on my intuition and maybe trust Joshua with everything.”
After talking with Auntie, it was already 9pm and as I entered my room, my phone suddenly rang. I looked at the caller ID and it was Joshua. I furrowed my brows slightly as I wondered why he called. We clearly talked that I will be sleeping here in the massage center and will just have to drive early to their house tomorrow.
“Yes, hello?”
Without more thoughts, I answered and I was welcomed with Layad’s squeals. I raised a brow and looked back at my phone screen and it was Joshua’s number clearly.
“Layad, I told you not to disturb your Ate Ish! She needs to rest for our trip tomorrow—”
“Tito Joshy! Ate Ish is mine, why do you have to take her away from me!”
I then giggled upon hearing the uncle and nephew pair fighting over naïve things on the other line.
“Ate Ish! Why did you go home? Can you not come back and play with me here?”
“Layad! She cannot play with you. She needs to rest—”
“Shhh Tito Joshy, I’m talking to Ate Ish, not you. Go away Tito.”
Again, I was left laughing at the two fighting on the other line.
“Tito Joshy is right Layad. We will be having a good long trip by tomorrow so I need to earn lot of energy for me to be strong within the flight. I’m sorry for now okay sweetie. I will play with you some other time.”
I heard Layad’s soft snort.
“Then can you not just come sleep with me. My mama says she will stay up all night with Lola (grandma) Isabella to make food for you two to take in India. So I don’t have anyone to sleep with. Can you not come Ate Ish? Hm? Please?”
I contemplated for minutes and finally agreed. I heard Layad squeal from the other line as I hear Joshua’s almost tired sigh seemingly cannot do anything with his nephew’s stubbornness. I only giggled and disconnected the call. I then went directly downstairs and talked to Mrs. Santos once more and explained everything. She warmly agrees and gave me one more tight hug telling me her goodbyes and good lucks. While waiting for Joshua, Auntie resumed to give me words of advices and I couldn’t help but feel nervous of the thought leaving her again and even the Philippines. Tho it might not take long but the thought that it’s India I’m about to go to back to the place of my nightmares; where everything started and seemed to never end.
“Ish dear, please be strong and if anything happens, I’m always one call away. Remember that you can’t trust anyone there but yourself. If by little chance in your heart you came to trust Mr. Isabella now, lean on him and be shameless enough to ask him for help. It’s okay to be shameless; it’s okay to be weak in front of him if it’s the only way you can relieve your fears. Okay Ish?”
I nodded aggressively as I sobbed on her shoulders. We stayed like that for moments and Joshua’s car was then heard parking outside. I said one last goodbye to Mrs. Santos and walked out the premises of the massage center. Joshua welcomed me sitting on his car front as he smiles to me opening the passenger door.
“Sorry I had to fetch back home again.”
He awkwardly smiles as he guides me to enter the car. I smiled back a little as he closed the door entering on the driver’s for once. I was still adjusting my emotions after talking out again with Auntie as I felt Joshua noticing my silence.
“Anything the matter Ishita?”
I shook my head no and tried hard to refresh my mind from the negative thoughts but I just can’t. I heaved a deep breath and started to talk my thoughts with Joshua’ I felt the need to because if I keep my silence all through the trip tomorrow, I will never know what entails my mental health then.
“For anything, I’m grateful to you Joshua and I also want to apologize; for everything and for anything you might encounter with me when we get to India.”
JOSHUA’s POV
I was left confused at what Ishita suddenly said to me. I knew there was something more of just her traumas but her acting this weird with going back to her hometown is more of a mystery to me now.
“What do you mean?”
I asked softly while I look at her from time to time and to the road up front.
“I might become a burden by the time we start the trip; I’m sorry.”
She says and I asked again what she meant but she just kept her silence. Until we reached my house, her silence stretched for long and even when we ate dinner altogether till she went and slept with Layad; she was all but silent. I didn’t have the courage to ask further as I had the gut feeling it would only make her feel worse. I thought she was already okay after I took her to eat Pav Bhaji but here she is again, down to her dreadful state and it hurts me more that I don’t know the reason behind and I couldn’t help her the least bit.
By morning, I was then already prepared as I double checked all my office file I needed to bring with me. I also contacted my secretary to fill in all my schedules for the coming days or maybe the whole week as may never know what situation we’ll be facing by then.
All night long, my sleep was cut with the worry and thought of Ishita’s well-being.
Was I too stern to ask her even knowing she didn’t like to come? Should I just tell her to stay then?
I was filled with unanswered questions when I heard a knock from my door as mom entered and came to me with a wide smile. I smiled back as I opened my arms wide gesturing her for a hug. For a moment, I realized I haven’t been with mom this past days and now I’m leaving her again. Though I feel better with leaving her now since her mental health seemed to get better by the days; all thanks to Ish.
“Be careful out there okay and don’t forget to call from time-to-time.”
“Understood mom. Don’t worry, we’ll be back the soonest.”
“And take good care of Ishita. She seemed quite unwell and unprepared for this. Are you sure you talked to her clearly about your trip?”
I nodded but still was left contemplating. Ishita really indeed looked unprepared for this. We were still talking when we heard Layad’s call for breakfast. We settled then and went downstairs and there I saw Ish sitting silently by the right side of the dining table. She looked better now as I watch her talk and smile with everyone. All time long on breakfast, everyone was giving goodbyes and good lucks on the trip as Ishita and me replied warmly with smiles and thanks to them. after dinner, we then brought all our things to my car and gave one last goodbye to everyone.
“Did you sleep well?”
I finally asked breaking the silence as we drive straight to the airport. I already called my secretary to come pick up the car after we completely ride off the plane as I instructed my P. A to us wait for us in the airport. We will be travelling with my P. A as I will surely be needing him for extra transaction.
“Yeah, well enough for the trip.”
I’m sorry I had to insist for you to come.”
I notice her look at me as I silently just drove straight.
“It’s okay. It’s okay now and I trust you.”
I looked at her a bit shocked with her response. She gave me a little smile and got her eyes back to the window. I was left a bit overwhelmed. The fact the she actually trusts me now is a big leap for our current relationship. And now that she does trust me, I was more than ready to give all the best I can to support her along everything in the way.
The ride to the airport was silent except the parts where Ishita innocently points out the window and ask me what is the name of this and those things outside. I silently just answer her every time with a warm smile. And upon arriving at the airport, we were then welcomed by my secretary and P. A as I instructed them with everything needed to say. We then went and settled our passports and upon finishing, I guided Ish to the plane when she suddenly stopped walking. I silently watched her heaved a deep breath with eyes closed. She balled her fist and tapped it on her heart smoothly seemingly trying to calm herself. Unknowingly, my body moved and strode close to her. I held her fist to my hands and gripped it tight. She opens her eyes suddenly and it sparkled; a bit watery. She said not a word as I smiled at her a little not knowing what to tell her just so she could calm down.
I silently cursed myself for not knowing anything to say to just make her calm down or feel a little okay. Just then, the intercom ringed throughout the airport announcing the departure of our supposed plane.
“Sir, we have to go.”
Says my P. A as I gestured for him to wait a moment. I watched Ishita as she again heaved a deep sigh as I felt her hold on tighter to my hands. I smiled at her one more time and we strode to plane hand in hand. Upon entering and sitting to our VIP seats, Ishita lets go of my hand as she patted again her heart.
“You okay? Need water or anything?”
I ask as she looks at me saying no. I was frustrated with the fact that I’m hear so near with her but can’t even do anything.
3rd PERSON POV
The silence stretched as Ishita decided to close her eyes in hopes that she could just fall asleep and wake upon arriving at India. Joshua on the other hand brought her air pods out and tried searching for a good song. He thought that it might be able to at least ease Ishita’s nerves a bit.
Ishita then jolted a bit when she felt something in her ears. When she opened her eyes, she saw Joshua smiling at her awkwardly. Then a song played all of a sudden, Ishita was left confused at first at what song it might be and a second after, she looked at Joshua a bit shock. The song he was playing on the air pods was one of Shreya Ghoshal’s song. She was one of Ishita favorite Indian singer and what’s more shocking to her is how Joshua knew the Indian singer, though she was famous but still. Joshua on the other was a bit relieved that Ish seemed to like the song. Joshua actually don’t know Shreya Ghoshal, he just went and searched famous Indian Singer and she was one on the many who got out of the search bar so he just played whatever song of the singer has. And fortunately, Ish seemed to liked it seeing her closing her eyes and relaxing a bit.
The long plane ride went on as Joshua was left fully awake checking on the sleeping Ishita from time-to-time. the young president was restless throughout the trip as he was double-tasking, checking on Ish and checking his tab for any updates of his works undone.
The next day, they finally arrived India and the trip only took a day for they booked for the 200km/h so as to reach faster and to avoid too much time-consummation.
Joshua slowly and carefully wake the sleeping Ishita informing her of them arriving in India. Ishita sat erect realizing everything.
ISHITA’S POV
My nerves stiffened upon hearing from Joshua that we’ve already arrived. I tried calming myself and followed suit with Joshua as he held my hand tightly which I willingly just let him hold me coz I felt that anytime sooner, I will fall if no one holds me. I knew that Joshua already noticed my weird actions and I couldn’t bear to just tell him my fears not wanting to make him worry for yet another problem. Joshua has already many things to take care and handle and I didn’t want to add up to his burdens.
Upon stepping out the plane, I silently heaved a breath and continued to just follow Joshua and then stopped at the monitoring area. The familiar smell of India welcomed me; the people, the language and everything just felt too familiar and my nerves began to run wild. Hearing again my native language after long time, flashes came gushing through my memory; I shook, my whole body shook.
“Ish? Ish are you okay? Ish!”
I couldn’t hear anything more than Joshua’s shouts as I felt my body just fell to the ground. I felt my body trembling as my heart felt like it would burst anytime sooner because of the strong beats. I never felt so suffocated like this before as my breathe hitched. I was so nervous of how my body and insides is suddenly reacting. I never expected myself to react like this as all of a sudden, I felt my body being lifted. The last thing I remember is Joshua’s worried face looking down at me and everything went black.
…..
Upon opening my eyes, i tried feeling myself for a second. and after confirming I’m well and alive, I opened my eyes completely and looked around slowly.
“Ish? Ish! Are you awake now?”
I looked up and there I saw Joshua’s worried face. I felt suddenly embarrassed realizing and remembering what happened earlier in the airport. I just had a trauma attack, that I’m sure. It has been long since I last had my trauma attack, it this time, it looked a bit severe since I can see a whose and dextrose as I can feel a needle on my right hand clearly pinned deep.
“I’m sorry Joshua.”
I said softly as he only looked at me lifting my left hand and kissing it. I couldn’t even react so much as I felt my body suddenly too tired to even talk.
“What are you sorry for? Oh Ish, thank goodness you’re awake now. You’ll never know how I was worried sick when you suddenly fainted out there.”
I felt even more bad for the fact that I may have delayed whatever business Joshua is supposed to do here and now that I even made him worry, I felt more bad I didn’t know how to face him now.
“Excuse me sir.”
Just then, I saw Joshua’s P. A entering the room which I am guessing is a hospital room.
“I already settled the bills and I already have here lists of possible hotels to stay in. tho I already checked on what the Indian managerial head suggested, I still went and checked on other hotels to choose sir.”
“Very well done—”
“I’m sorry for the delay and please let me pay for the bills—”
“Don’t worry about anything Ish, just rest and let me do the settling here okay. Just rest please.”
Joshua said with a seemingly stern look as he smiles warmly just after. I couldn’t refute further as I didn’t know what possible words to say.
“Can we not get me discharged then? I don’t feel any better in hospitals, I’m sorry I just feel more suffocated here.”
I said slowly as Joshua nodded. Just then, he told me to wait as I watched them get out of the room and talked. I could see them clearly from the glass door while they talk.
3RD PERSON POV
Upon settling everything in the hospital, Joshua then asked his P. A to drive them to the hotel he picked for them to stay in Hotel Olivia Inn at Delhi Airport. It was the nearest and had the best reviews so far Joshua saw so he decided to go there.
For more minutes, they arrived at the hotel. Joshua helped Ishita from coming out of the car and guided her slowly. Upon entering the reception, Joshua helped Ish settle on one of the benches as they waited for his P. A to book a room for them. he urged his P. A to hurry seeing Ishita a bit tired of all the things suddenly happening. Ishita on the other hand was just too tired to even speak so she stayed silent all along leaving Joshua completely restless and worried sick of the lady’s well-being. Seeing her current situation, Joshua suddenly felt the regret of bringing the lady with her in India. He couldn’t feel any guiltier than this.
“Sir, we have a problem here. They only have one extra room available in here.”
“What?”
Joshua’s head is now in contempt and is nearly breaking. He couldn’t think properly now especially that all he thinks about is Ish’s situation.
“I will try and book for rooms online in other hotels sir if you’d want—”
“No, we can’t delay Ishita’s well-being now. Just get the room settled already. I will bring Ishita there myself. I leave you with everything for now.”
His P. A nodded as Joshua pushed Ishita’s wheel chair slowly to the elevator. And upon entering the said room, Joshua then carried the sleeping Ishita and slowly laid her on the bed. Just then, Ishita woke from the sudden movements. Confused, the lady looked around and looked back at Joshua.
“I took you to the hotel already, I’m sorry. You were asleep the whole ride so I didn’t get the chance to ask you.”
Ishita only shook her head no as Joshua went and poured a glass of water and handed it to the lady. After drinking the water, Joshua sat on the far end of the bed and started explaining everything to Ishita.
“I will have to leave you here for the time being. They only have one room available so I will have to go and stay at the neighboring hotel.”
Ishita’s heart began to beat again. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt nervous just by hearing Joshua leaving her alone there.
“And we will have to stay here in India for four days. I’m sorry Ish. I will settle everything fast and maybe we can go home earlier and as soon as possible.”
Ishita stayed silent as she didn’t know what to say.
“Ish, I’m so sorry for forcing you to come here. I shouldn’t have insisted for you to come—”
“N-No—I mean, I’m not okay being here but we’re already here so we can’t do anything more. and don’t be sorry please, it’s not your fault. Anything that will happen to me here is not your fault Joshua. I decided myself to come anyway.”
Joshua held Ishita’s hand and suddenly grabbed her for a tight hug. The lady was left stunned but didn’t feel any awkwardness from the young man’s sudden action.
“Okay now rest. I have to go and book my room—”
“Can you not go?”
Confused, Joshua looked at Ishita’s hands now tugging the ends of his shirt.
“Please?”
Joshua looked back down on Ish’s eyes and contemplated. It will be his first time staying on the same room with a lady, except his mom and he was more that overwhelmed with the fact that it will be ishita he will be staying with. Not that he has ill intentions but the respect he has for Ishita is just so immeasurable that he didn’t know how much he can give more to the lady. Joshua then agrees and told the lady he will just have to talk with his P. A. Ishita silently agrees even with the doubt she had as Joshua only waited for her to let go of his shirt. It took long moment for Ishita to let go as Joshua only waited patiently.
So then, Joshua went and talked to his P. A that he will have to stay with Ish. His P. A was so shocked upon hearing that and never imagined his boss to ever stay in the same room with any lady but he knows his President all too well and that he is a gentleman.
Upon finishing the talk, Joshua then came back and was about to tell Ishita to go and take her shower as he will prepare dinner, he silently just went to the bed now watching the lady sleeping soundly. All night long, Joshua only sat on the soft maroon-colored carpet watching the lady sleep.