Savitri could clearly see the deep wounds from belt beatings on her back and body. Some places had blue bruises, while others bore marks of old injuries. Seeing them, her heart trembled from within.
She thought to herself, This little child must have endured so much.
Saying this, her eyes became moist. But she didn't ask Sitara anything about it. She understood that some pains are such that stirring them with words causes even more suffering.
She bathed Sitara with great love and care. Slowly dried her hair, then dressed her in new clothes. In a light pink frock, Sitara looked like a little doll.
After some time, Savitri brought her out of the room.
Meanwhile, Agastya was already standing outside. As soon as his gaze fell on Sitara, he slowly came to her, lifted her into his lap, and sat her down in front of the large mirror. But at that very moment, his gaze shifted to Savitri's face. He could clearly see that trouble and pain were hidden in her eyes.
Agastya understood that something had changed her state. But he didn't think it right to ask in front of Sitara.
In a calm voice, he said, "Mom, please arrange breakfast. I need to talk to Sitara about something."
At his words, Savitri silently nodded and left from there.
Agastya came and sat down near Sitara again. He picked up the comb kept on the table and, looking in the mirror, slowly started combing her hair. His fingers were carefully untangling her messy hair.
Then he asked, "Sitara, do you want to go to school?"
Hearing this, Sitara quickly shook her head in refusal and said, "No."
Hearing this, Agastya looked at her in the mirror for a few moments. Then in a soft voice, he said, "Why, child? Why don't you want to go?"
At his words, Sitara said innocently, "I haven't gone to school for two weeks. If I go now, the teacher will beat me."
Hearing this, a slight coldness descended in Agastya's eyes. But he said nothing.
Making her hair into a ponytail, he said softly, "You will go to school, okay? And don't be scared – no one will beat you."
But even after hearing this, Sitara started shaking her head in refusal. She began trying to get down from the chair.
Just then, Agastya gently held her hand and said, "No, don't try to get down, child. I'm not finished yet."
Hearing this, Sitara stopped and looked at him.
Then Agastya said, "What if I said I'll get you admitted to another school? Will that work?"
Hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Sitara's lips. She slowly nodded her head in agreement and said, "Yes."
Agastya asked, "Which standard are you in?"
Hearing this, Sitara said, "In 6th class."
Then Agastya stood up, held her by her arms, lifted her into his lap, and said, "Alright. Now I'll get you admitted to another school. In 6th standard."
Sitara nodded in agreement, wrapping her arms around his neck, and said, "You know what?"
Agastya, carrying her and walking out of the room, said, "What?"
Then Sitara said innocently, "From today, I won't call you Agastya. I'll call you Savior. Because you saved me. So from today, you are my Savior. My Savior."
Hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Agastya's lips. He lovingly pinched her cheek gently and said, "You must be hungry, right? Come on, let's have breakfast."
Saying this, he brought her downstairs.
At the large dining table, Rajveer and Savitri were already waiting for Agastya and Sitara.
The morning sunlight coming through the large windows of the dining hall was spreading throughout the hall. On the long dining table, various types of breakfast were arranged.
On one side of the table sat Savitri, while on the other side, Rajveer sat sipping coffee. But both of their eyes kept going toward the stairs, as if they were waiting for someone.
Just then, the very next moment, Agastya arrived with Sitara in his arms. Seeing him, a smile automatically appeared on Savitri's face. Meanwhile, Rajveer also kept looking at them for a few seconds.
Because he had never seen Agastya so comfortable and soft with anyone before.
Agastya gently sat Sitara on a chair and sat beside her on the head chair. Just then, the servants started serving plates in front of them.
But the very next moment, Savitri's gaze fell on Sitara. She was silently looking at the plate. There was slight nervousness in her eyes, which Savitri clearly understood.
Her small hands were trying to hold the spoon, but she didn't understand how to eat. She was slowly looking at everyone else and trying to copy them.
Seeing this, Savitri's heart filled with emotion. She lovingly said, "Oh, beta, it's okay. Let me feed you."
But just then, Agastya said in a calm voice, "Mom, you eat. Let me teach her."
Hearing this, both Savitri and Rajveer looked at him.
Agastya got up from his chair and the very next moment, lifting Sitara up, he sat her in his lap and sat down on his chair.
Then, placing the spoon in her small hands, he said, "Look, baccha, you hold it like this."
Saying this, there was a strange softness in his voice.
He slowly started teaching her how to eat. Sometimes he would hold her hand and make her lift the spoon, sometimes he would point at the plate and explain. Sitara was also listening to him with full attention.
After some time, Agastya took a little food in his own hand, extended it toward her, and said, "Now open your mouth."
At his words, Sitara immediately opened her mouth. Seeing her eat, a slight smile appeared on Agastya's lips. Then he also started eating himself.
Meanwhile, Rajveer and Savitri, sitting in front, considered all this completely normal and continued with their breakfast. They thought Agastya was just trying to make that scared child feel comfortable.
But both of them were completely unaware that this was the moment from where it would all begin – Agastya's passion, his possessiveness, and that obsession that would change his entire world in the times to come.
After breakfast was over, Agastya looked at Sitara sitting in his lap.
Very calmly, brushing her hair back, he said,
"Today you have to spend the whole day with your mom, okay, baccha?"
Hearing this, Sitara immediately nodded her head in agreement.
Then Agastya turned his gaze toward Savitri and was about to say something "Mom—"
Before he could finish, Savitri cut him off, saying, "I know, beta. She's my daughter, of course I'll take care of her."
Hearing this, for the first time, Agastya fell silent for a few seconds and looked at her.
Perhaps he felt good that now someone was calling Sitara their own. Meanwhile, Sitara also looked at Savitri and smiled slightly.
Agastya gently put her down from his lap. Then, stroking her head, he said, "Be a good girl. And don't trouble Mom."
Sitara said innocently, "Okay, Savior."
Hearing that name from her mouth again, a slight smile appeared on Agastya's lips.
Meanwhile, Rajveer, sitting in front, was silently watching all this. He could clearly feel that the speed with which Agastya was changing for this child was not normal.
After some time, Agastya got up from there. Rajveer also immediately followed him outside.
As soon as they came out of Rajvansh Mansion, Agastya's walk and facial expressions had become cold again, just like before.
While walking, he said to Rajveer, "I want to know everything about Sitara. Her parents, relatives, school, and also about her uncle. Every single detail."
His voice was completely professional and stern.
Rajveer immediately bowed his head and said, "Okay, Boss."
Agastya reached his black car while talking to him, opened the door, and sat inside. Just then, Rajveer came near the car window and said, "Boss, where are you going right now?"
At his words, Agastya started the car and, without looking at him, said, "College."
Saying this, he drove the car forward. And the very next moment, his black car exited Rajvansh Mansion.
After Agastya left, Savitri smiled and looked at Sitara.
At this moment, Sitara was silently looking at the door from where Agastya had just gone.
There was slight sadness in her eyes. Perhaps in such a short time, she had started getting used to Agastya's presence.
Savitri understood this little restlessness of hers. She lovingly held her hand and said, "Come on, Tara, today both of us will spend the whole day together."
Hearing this, Sitara slowly looked at her. Then silently, she hooked her small hand into her fingers.
Savitri took her toward her room.
Her room was very large and extremely beautiful. Light cream-colored walls, large windows, white curtains, and the faint fragrance of sandalwood spreading through the room made the entire atmosphere peaceful.
As soon as they entered, she made Sitara sit on her bed. Then she herself sat in front of her.
For a few moments, she just kept looking at her lovingly. Then smiling, she said, "Okay, Tara, now tell us your likes and dislikes."
Sitara tilted her head slightly, as if she didn't understand.
Savitri laughed. She asked lovingly, "I mean, what do you like to eat? Which color do you like? Do you watch cartoons? All that."
Now Sitara understood.
She said softly, "I like mango ice cream."
Hearing this, Savitri smiled. She immediately said, "That's it? From today, the entire freezer will be filled with mango ice cream."
Hearing this, Sitara's eyes widened. She said in surprise, "The entire?"
Savitri laughed and said, "Yes, the entire."
For the first time, Sitara started laughing openly.
Seeing her laugh, Savitri's heart filled with emotion. It felt as if, after years, a child's voice had echoed in this mansion.
Then she asked, "And which color do you like?"
Sitara immediately said, "Pink."
Hearing this, Savitri smiled and said, "Oh, that's why you liked that pink frock so much?"
Sitara smiled and nodded her head gently.
Savitri kept talking to her continuously. Slowly, Sitara also started opening up.
Sometimes she would talk about her school, sometimes about her old drawings, sometimes about her mother's cooking.
But every time she mentioned her mom and dad, her voice would become a little softer.
And every time, Savitri would lovingly stroke her hair without saying anything. After some time, Sitara said softly, "Mom."
Savitri immediately looked at her and said, "Yes, beta?"
At her words, Sitara hesitated a little. Then innocently, she said, "Can I really stay here?"
Hearing this, Savitri's eyes softened.
Without wasting a second, she pulled her into her arms, kissed her forehead, and said, "This house is now yours too, Tara. And we and Agastya are your family."
College.
Agastya's black car entered the College Campus at high speed and stopped.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, the eyes of the students around automatically turned toward him.
Black shirt, cold eyes, and that same silent authority on his face. His presence itself was so heavy that people automatically moved out of his way.
Without looking at anyone, Agastya walked straight toward the College building. Some students were standing around talking. All the girls in college were crazy about his charm. But Agastya never gave anyone any attention.
He was walking ahead while checking some mail on his phone. The same business-like coldness had returned to his face.
Just then, suddenly – a hand grabbed his hand and forcefully pulled him to the side.
The very next moment, Agastya was inside an empty classroom. The door slammed shut behind him.
And Agastya's cold eyes immediately fixed on the person standing in front of him.
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