CHAPTER 25

ISHITA’S POV

“I’m so sorry Ishita.”

I kept my silence as I didn’t know how to react when he suddenly started to cry; his head down to my laps.

“I—for what?”

I say as I awkwardly patted the back of his head. I was so nervous of what I’m about to hear from him tho I already had the hint of what might be he is pertaining to. All these time, I tried so hard to hide my past from the world especially to Joshua as I am ever scared of what his reaction may be. Now that my heart and my mind got the certain peace and comfort around Joshua, I couldn’t bear to imagine him walking and turning his back on me; no, I just can’t.

“For everything.”

He says and then looked up on me with tears falling straight from his eyes. For the second time since I met him, I saw his tears, his sad eyes overflowing with sorrow and I didn’t know watching a man cry would hurt this much.

“I’m sorry that I had to ask someone else about you and not from you instead.”

I was only left staring at him as my heart pounded more so I can imagine to beat.

“I’m sorry Ish. I’m so sorry that you had to experience everything. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that hell all alone. I’m sorry that we had to meet just now and not from then. I’m sorry that I couldn’t do anything. Ish I—I just am so sorry.”

His words pierced. It wasn’t so hurtful of words but it penetrated my sentiments so hard that my tears began flowing without me noticing.

“No—Joshua, it’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry. I—it all has passed and I know I haven’t gone through it yet but I know I can.”

He was still looking up at me with so much remorse not the least bit content with my consoling words. It hurts to see him so devastated like this than the fact that he has already found out about my disastrous past.

“I can pass through everything Joshua.”

I say as I gently wiped away his tears and holding the side of his face slowly.

“With you here now, I know I can prompt myself to overcome my past; you are the reason I am brave enough to do what I can’t in the past now. So please, don’t cry. Don’t be sorry coz it’s not your fault.”

Joshua stared for more minutes and suddenly pulled me for a tight hug. His hold was tighter than expected and I felt myself being squeezed. I felt suffocated but I only gave back his gesture with my arms tightly wrapped around his waist.

………

Morning came and as I opened my eyes, the radiant sunlight welcomed me so i then covered myself again. The cold morning breeze blew form the open balcony and so making it more cozy for me as I craved for more cuddles. I kept the pillows in touch as I hugged them tighter.

“Ouch Ish, you’re suffocating me.”

I didn’t respond to what I just heard and resumed to cuddle more. and for a minute or two, I abruptly rose from the bed and looked around and to Joshua who is now looking at me with worried eyes.

“Why? Are you okay Ish? Something wrong?”

He says and puts his palm on my forehead seemingly feeling for any fever or what. I just gazed at him with wide eyes as I realized it wasn’t a pillow I was cuddling with just now but Joshua himself. At the thought of it, I felt my wholeness getting hot especially my face so I stood and ran to the bathroom locking the door with a bang. I pulled my hair in mixed embarrassment and frustration as I saw how red my face was in the mirror.

“Don’t hurt yourself there sweetie and come out later for breakfast. Don’t be shy, it’s all okay with me Ish.”

Joshua teasingly say from the outside as I resumed to destroy my hair. I’m so embarrassed, why did I just hug him? I mean, tho it’s nothing so intimate but it’s my first time hugging a man and in the bed at that.

I then went on and did my morning rituals as a flashback from last night came crashing my mind.

After crying ourselves out, Joshua again told me he was sorry for asking my story from aunt Sheetal instead of me. I was a bit reluctant of what to feel either way but I just nodded my head okay as I went on telling more stories from my childhood in the orphanage. Tho there wasn’t more to tell him coz he seemed like he already knew everything as he always interrupts and reacts telling me he knows that certain part of my story already. And it’s funny how we just talked and reminisce just all about our childhood and not focusing on my traumatizing story. He also shared a lot of his childhood stories; of how her mom would tend to dress him up as a girl when he was young because ma’am Isabella always told Joshua that she wanted a daughter. I laughed at how Joshua went red and shy after telling me that he used to wear dresses and girly stuffs. And he also told me about how he was so fond of spiders after watching spider-man. he told me that he thought all spiders in the world will turn to spider-man and save the world so he catches every spider he sees in their house or everywhere. I laughed all through his story of his childhood. I never knew this cold and temperamental Joshua was also a gullible and silly Joshua as a child.

Smiling all through my bathroom business, I then went out with a slight smile and strode to the balcony. upon stepping there, the smell of hot chocolate and freshly cooked pancake welcomed me as Joshua gestured for me to sit opposite him. I smiled back and sat grabbing hold of my cup of hot chocolate already there prepared for me to drink.

“careful, it’s still hot.”

I nodded as I dig in to the hot pancake and jeez it’s so delicious. When I looked up, Joshua was already looking at me with a small smile as I just tilted my head confused of his silent stares.

“You not gonna eat?”

He just nodded with still a smile and started eating his own pancake. And after a minute of silently just eating, Joshua faced me with no words and just stared at me.

“Get ready after eating, we’re going somewhere.”

He says and stood up.

“What? Where? What about your work here? I thought you have errands to work on?”

“Oh that, I already settled almost all of the important things. I already instructed my secretary for the rest of things, don’t worry okay? I’ll just go get something outside. Wait for me in a bit.”

I was about to ask more but he hurriedly strode off the balcony and disappeared all of a sudden. What was that all about? I contemplated at how weird Joshua was suddenly acting as I resumed to eat peacefully enjoying the sunrise and the rest of gorgeous view. after some more minute, I fixed the table in the balcony and went directly to the bathroom in preparation of what might Joshua be pertaining to.

It took me 20 minutes to take a bath. I strode to the bed as i noticed something atop it. Upon taking sight of the white dress. I was mesmerized, the linen cloth was pinned to the sleeves and to the waist of the dress and everywhere was a sparkling little glitters. I picked it up and took a closer look; it even smelled so good. Then something suddenly dropped when I lifted the dress up. I crouched down and took hold of what seemed to be a sticky-note. I furrowed my brows as I read the words on it.

“Wear this and let Rolando drive to this address. See you there Ish.”

Says the note. I furrowed my brows just confused of whatever Joshua means by doing a little suspense as this. I silently just followed suit to what Joshua instructed. Familiarizing Joshua’s P. A, I strode near him standing just about the entrance of the building with a shiny-black Mercedes.

“You look so elegant Ishita, am speechless.”

I giggled at Joshua’s P. A as I showed him the sticky note Joshua left. He just nodded and guided me the backseat. I insisted to just sit in front so not to make him look like just a complete driver but he just shoved me in lightly in the backseat. I reluctantly entered and placed myself on the backseat. All through the drive, I was just silent and having mixed emotion as I watched all the familiar places we were places in the window. I didn’t know if it’s just me missing Delhi or I was just not feeling a bit good looking back to these places coz I for sure know that I wasn’t that much of an outside person so there weren’t many places I know here.

“Here we are Ms. Ishita. I’m sorry that I have to just drop you here. I’m just following instructions.”

I looked at Kuya Rolando from the rear mirror of the car as he gave me a warm smile. I just nodded and gave him back a smile. Before I completely got out of the car, he asked me lots of questions if I wanted him to stay and wait together or am I okay to be alone here and more things he was worried about. I was of course reluctant too to be alone just here especially that I’m not familiar with this place but I already told myself that I’d try doing things I fear the most; so I bravely stayed and thanked Joshua’s P. A.

Upon stepping out the car, I watched as kuya Rolando’s car drove fast and disappeared. I then looked around and trying to familiarize the place; The Garden of Five Sense. I heard and read about this place from televisions and books when I was still in the orphanage and true to every details I knew; this place was indeed beautiful. I’m still in the entrance but I already can smell the fragrance of all sorts of flowers from where I stood. Tho I never have been in here and I don’t particularly know what it looked like way before I was here and how it looks now, it still can be said beautiful.

Just then, as I was wandering my eyes around, a woman in an Indian traditional dress came forth my way and smiled brightly. She looked young and am guessing she just my age or maybe a year or two older rather.

“Hi? Are you Ms. Ishita?”

Says the young lady as she hands me a bouquet of flowers; different types and colors but the fragrance just blended so much that it tingles my nose. I awkwardly smiled back and nodded as she smiles more telling me she was assigned by Joshua to guide me; she told me she was an employee of this garden and also a tour guide.

“I’m Roshni, Pleased to meet you MS. Ishita. Shall we go then?”

She says as I smiled back on her walked side by side following her to the entrance of the garden.

“Pleased to meet you as well and please just call me Ish.”

“Oh no no, please let me call you formally and especially that we’re in my working premises. But still, thank you for your being friendly ma’am.”

She says shyly as I only smiled and told her to call me Ish then when no one’s around. I was a bit nervous with interacting with her especially that she’s a complete stranger to me. I was only relieved with the fact that Joshua entrusted me to her so I silently followed her even with a bit doubt in me.

“You look so young to be already working here tho?”

I say as she only smiled shyly and told me that her parents are actually also employees of the garden and she grew up within the premises of the place. She also told me about how they are greatly indebted to the manager of the garden so they had to work here to at least repay little by little.

“You’re looking young too and you look so gorgeous in that dress Ish.”

She giggled as I slightly bowed my head low feeling shy of her sudden compliments.

“And you husband really look so handsome—oh no offense meant but I just find Sir Joshua so attractive and you look perfectly fine together.”

She squealed and even covered her mouth trying to stop herself from shouting as I was left stunned. Husband? I felt my face redden by what she just said.

“Joshua is not my husband, silly.”

“What? he’s not? You’re joking right?”

“I’m not; I’m just his employee; his mom’s therapist and yeah maybe you can call us good friends, that’s it.”

She had her mouth agape and nodded just after. She continued to squeal and tell me things like we look good together even tho we’re just friend and stuffs like maybe Joshua had feelings for me coz if he doesn’t have feelings for me, why would he go to this extent for me. And so I was indeed left wondering as to why Joshua is doing all these things for me. Does he really have feelings for me? I asked myself as there was again a wave of heat on my face. No, it can’t be; why would he?

“And before we go to the final destination; please do have a rest and let serve you for at least a little taste of our homemade Indian delicacies.”

She says as we stopped by a small yet cozy hut in the middle of pretty flowers. The outside design was layered with various types of flowers in every colors and there was also a small mini-park by the right side of the hut; there were also small tables and chair set up just by the front of the hut a shaped and designed umbrella covering each and every table sets. It was so cute and pretty to watch them. I was all but looking around the small place when Roshni came and smiled at me gesturing for me to go sit on one of the tables.

“Here taste this.”

She smiles and puts down the tray of pretty looking foods on the table. I wasn’t familiar with any of the food she showed me or maybe the designs were just so prettily done that I couldn’t recognize these desserts. There were also edible flowers in the food and they are just so pretty. Rasmalai, Rasgulla, Rabdi and these sweets are all my favorite.

I was all but satisfied with all the foods she served as she tells me that it was her parents’ mini-restro. I also met her parents and they were just so nice and loving. They welcomed me so warmly and I never felt so warm in front of strangers, aside from Joshua’s family. After we ate and said goodbye to her parents, she then guided me again to a certain spot I don’t know about and I’m getting so curios as to where she is taking me. As we walk through the garden, I wandered my eyes around and it left me stunned by how everywhere in here is just so nature friendly. The lush greenery and the flowers, even the breeze felt so cozy and warm and just nature-like all at the same time and I’m loving it here the longer I stay here.

“Here we are. So Ms. Ish; my job is done here and I wanna thank you sincerely of the short span of good time we spent. I hope to be friends and still connected with you even after this.”

She smiles as I gave her back a small smile feeling a bit emotional. Tho the short span of time we spent, I still felt like we already knew each one for a very long time. I also thanked her of the good time as she tells me she had to go and continue on with her work.

Just then my phone rang and it was Joshua.

“Hello?”

“Hey Ish, did you have a good time looking around?”

I giggled and told him stories of what I saw in this garden as he just silently laughed with me.

“So, when are you coming?”

“Missed me already?”

He says teasingly as I slightly rolled my eyes on his silly retorts. Just then, I heard weird noises from his line and then his loud shout came a second after then the line suddenly was cut.

“Joshua? Joshua!—hello? Josh—hello!”

My heart pounded hard and fast as my worry started to grow when the line was completely cut off from my phone. I tried calling him again but it says that his phone is already dead and can’t be reached anymore. I was left trembling in worry and tried calling Joshua’s P. A but it just was ringing and no one is answering. What the hell is happening? i felt my tears already urging to fall from the edge of my eyes as I tried hard to stop and telling myself nothing’s wrong; everything is just fine and Joshua is just fine.

But my nerves were cut, my impatience ran low and so I ran back to where I knew was the entrance. And as soon as I turned around to run and go look for Joshua, I was welcome with group of people holding each of bouquets of flowers in different colors. There was suddenly a mini-stage in front of me which I for sure remember that there was nothing in there a while ago when we came here. And there was also Roshni standing amongst the people holding bouquet of flower and smiling at my direction. I looked at her with complete confusion painted on my face as she only smiled more and even winked at me.

Then all of a sudden, a man in complete white suit came walking slowly from the center of the flower-designed stage.

“Sorry. Did I make you worry?”

I couldn’t help but walk near Joshua and checked his wholeness. He only giggled as I looked up at him with worries in my eyes.

“Don’t cry. I’m here already and all fine.”

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“My phone fell when someone bumped me on my way here, jeez that man.”

He says coolly as he giggled and I couldn’t help but glare at me. He just laughed more. I was so nervous and worried sick thinking that something might’ve happened to him already and he’s just here giggling all of a sudden? This guy.

I was to pounce at him and just give him a small smack when he suddenly went on his one knee while looking up at me.

I furrowed my brows as I looked down at him asking him what he was doing and telling him to get up. He might get his suit dirty especially that it’s all white but he just kneeled there steadily. He then grabbed something on his pocket as I watched him seemingly look for something in his coat.

“Oh here it is.”

Then all of a sudden, a soft music; violins and piano sounds came ringing from the crowd as flower petals of all sorts of colors was falling and flying all around. I was so confused of everything that’s suddenly happening as I looked around the group of people already crowding us and my confused attention was then pulled to Joshua when he suddenly held my hands. I looked down at him and like a slow-mo, he opened a small box and a shining ring designed in small flower petals welcomed my sight. I was still confused for a second or two when my mind slowly came to realize everything that is happening. I had my hands on my mouth not wanting to make a sound as I was still looking down stunned at Joshua now smiling widely at me.

“Will you, Ms. Ishita, give me, Joshua Isabella a chance to be part of your life as I promise to give my everything to make up for all your bravery of accepting me? Will you marry me Ish?”

He smiled warmly as my hands were still in my mouth; my tears on the verge of falling and a second more to pass, I was already hugging Joshua tight nodding him my head aggressively as a yes. I couldn’t speak my agreement out and just nodded at his chest while hugging him tightly. The crowd then shouted their cheers and the romantic music resumed to play. The flower petals were everywhere as though dancing and celebrating our happiness also. I couldn’t just believe anything that’s happening now as I looked up at Joshua’s teary eyes. I was already crying myself as he wiped my tears softly.

“Thank you so much Ish; for accepting me and for letting me be part of you.”

I just cried and nodded at him coz I couldn’t form any words to answer him. I was left mute; I don’t know what to say as the joy in my heart overflowed. And all of a sudden, like a slow-mo, he lifted me and spun me. Like a princess in a fairytale, I felt my dress floating and dancing together with the flower petals as we both smiled at each one. When he put me down, he kept me close in a tight hug looking at me straight in the eyes. In as mesmerizing and unrealistic as fairytale, he slowly came down to my level and for all I know and care about now, is his soft lips on mine; the romantic music, the fragrance of the flowers and Joshua.

……

“I’m just gonna take a shower okay?”

I nodded with a big smile as Joshua then strode to the bathroom. it was already dark when we finally got home. I was still smiling ear to ear as I was left staring mesmerized at the ring worn on my ring finger. I raised my hand to the ceiling as I laid flat on the bed. My smiles never left my face as I reminisce on the past events just this day.

After the romantic scene and proposal of Joshua, we visited and walked more of the lovely place of the Garden of Five Senses and even brought with us souvenirs. Everyone and every people we met there were so nice and warm they even gave us some free stuffs which we gladly accepted. After our walk in the garden, Joshua dragged me to a certain office which I never knew of and before I realized what was happening, we were already married! Tho I didn’t protest and not that I didn’t want it to happen but everything was just happening all too soon and fast. Joshua then explained and talked to me about signing the papers and getting ourselves married through papers and he told me we could just cancel it if I’m not yet ready for any of this which I just nodded my head yes. His smiles never left his face all through the process of the signing of papers as I was only left staring at him. I didn’t know much of how the paper worked so I just followed suit to what Joshua told me.

And so after the signing of papers; I never knew of his plans about a beach party and celebration he prepared. I only just realized everything when we were already riding a small yet grand motor boat. There were people I wasn’t familiar with but Joshua was welcoming everyone and so I thought they maybe his friends or co-workers or even employees but then again, I never cared about anyone or anything but Joshua. Looking at him the was what woke me from realization of my feelings for him; that I’ve already fallen for him this much and my sentiments were all made up of him at the moment.

And all through our boat ride, we were just silently sitting on a bed laid flat on the center of the motor boat. It was also design intricately and neatly with all sorts of shining linen cloths. There were also rose petals around it and a small table by the side of the bed with a wine and some sort of sweets atop it. We didn’t speak one word and just felt each other’s warmth as we watched the setting sun from the far end of the sea.

“Hi my sweet innocent bride-to-be.”

I abruptly rose from bed when I heard Joshua as I felt my face heating from embarrassment of his sudden nickname for me. He giggled and was about to walk to me when we heard a loud ring of what I’m guessing is his phone. He looked at me and mouthed he’ll just go answer the phone as I nodded and watched him go with a smile.

“Oh hey ma.”

With a big smile, I heard Joshua say. After a second or two, his brows furrowed.

“Okay, I’ll just settle and talk things to my P. A and will come right back up home.”

“Yeah ma, love you too.”

He then ends his phone and strode back up to me as I asked him what was that about. He told me of how ma’am Isabella suddenly wanted to talk about something important and so he wanted Joshua home for now. I didn’t ask further knowing well enough that it might be more private that I thought of and so I only nodded when he told me to get ready and rest after for our flight tomorrow. He then kissed my forehead ever so sweetly; I just let him as I smiled more telling myself that I will forever keep this moment as a beautiful memory somehow.