APOLLO - 31

Her face fell when I mentioned her home. I don't know if this is the guilt that she feels towards her father or the sadness of her reality and the terrible amount of freedom she has. No matter what, I hated seeing her like this. Sometimes I find myself wishing that what if she was not the daughter of a businessman and just someone who I picked up from the streets. Then she would be mine, I wouldn't have to campel her or beg her to stay. Nevertheless I want her to stay but it's better if she goes back and we never meet again. Because once I decide to keep her, she'll be mine.

"You see Apollo, I've grown up in complete isolation. Well, not completely, since I had Lilly by my side and was even allowed to go outside with four bodyguards and that too not often. But, things like parties or social gatherings or family functions is something I'm completely unaware of, this is why I was so nervous, I don't wanna mess things up for you." She said and I just looked at her. Is she messing with me right now? I know for a fact that her father is obsessed with her privacy and security, I got information about all the security companies her dad has hired in the past years. He changes the company quite often meaning he trusts no one with the task. But growing in complete isolation? What is this a fucking Rupunzel story?!

"Wait.. What? You mean your dad had imprisoned you in some kind of cell until you managed to run away? And you're ready to fucking go back in that hell?" I was trying to suppress my anger. All this is making me so fucking mad right now, I'm just somehow trying to control myself. People around us have started to notice us now, I mean Meera was already the center of attraction of the ball and I swear I forgot how many times I wanted to kill every other fucker in this room for painting her in their memory. But now everyone was turning around to look at us since now I'm angry beyond words.. I just don't understand it. I understand she loves her father but going back to being a prisoner..?

"You're getting it wrong Apollo! I'm not a prisoner there and no he did not keep me in a cell! I had a whole house to myself and there was practically nothing that dad didn't make the space for, from the mini theatre to the sauna, I even have a small Cadbury room to myself where I can make chocolates of different combinations! And I'm even allowed to go outside!" She said trying her best to convince me.

"But nothing can be more valuable than the freedom you have right now."

"I know Apollo, but I love my dad and yes I already want to go back because I left him behind alone. He has never spent a single day without me, this trip was not supposed to be this long and I'm worried about him... I just.. I really want to know how he's doing, if he's taking his medicines on time if he's eating properly.. He's not a bad person Apollo, he just loves me and cares a lot for me. Sometimes we tend to over exaggerate things a bit for the people we love and want to protect." She gave me a sad smile and for a second I could clearly see those thousand different emotions behind her eyes that she was desperately trying not to show me. But guilt was the biggest one.

"I know he is definitely not taking his medicines and refusing to eat until he finds me. I've hated myself countless times for what I did to him over the past week.. but I really needed this getaway" She said trying her best to not let her voice break.

"Why didn't you talk to him about what you were feeling? If he loves you he will surely understand." Nice you fool! That's the worst advice anyone could ever give at a time like this!

"You think I didn't? We talked about it alot of times but his anxious expressions and scared voice have always stopped me and got me thinking about what kind of demons are waiting for me in the outside world. But what we always tend to forget is that you won't find the demons outside your house, you'll find them under your own bed, much closer than you ever anticipate, but he'll never understand this. Whatever he's protecting me from sure has to be something big and dangerous. Still, this is the first time I have stayed away from him for so long, I've been holding everything in for the longest time but now that I'm opening up to you about it..." Suddenly there was moisture in her eyes, she tried her best to hold on to it but I guess it was too much. My heart clenched in my chest and it felt almost as if someone was ripping it out of me. Without thinking anything else I grabbed her hand that was on my shoulder and pulled her towards me in a tight embrace.

It was maybe quite weird that we were having a weak moment in the middle of the dance floor but I don't give two fucks. She clenched my shirt in her hands and I knew she was trying her best. I held Meera tighter in my arms, her lavender and vanilla scent washed over me and her bare back gave me full access to the skin of her back. I gently rubbed her back, hoping to transfer my warmth to her body so she could calm down. Just then the song started playing, it was in some other language I don't recognize, but I think it was Hindi. The music was calming and smooth, I started moving along the rhythm, slowly rocking with her. Soon I felt her tensed body slowly relaxing against me and her breath became normal.

"Are you ok?" I was not sure what to say.

"Do you want to get out of here?" I asked her and finally, she raised her head to meet my eyes. Tear stains were evident on her cheeks and her lipstick was a bit smudged, maybe because of how strongly I was holding her.

"Yes." She finally answered and I breathed in sharply hearing the hoarseness in her voice caused by all the sobs she was holding in.

"I'll first go and fix my makeup, I know it's a mess." She said, giving me a pretty smile and instantly hiding all that pain behind her eyes. For a second I felt hurt that she was hiding her emotions from me again, but on the other hand she just shared something very personal with me, this is an achievement on its own.

"Ok, I'll be waiting for you on the balcony."