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“And what?”
The butterflies in my stomach did somersaults and all kinds of aerial stunts on mini bikes as I wondered if I should try my luck. I knew there was no point in saying anything, but I couldn’t abandon my dreams so easily.
I stroked Pasha’s nose as I tried to find the right words.
“Dheer… I have a chance to be the face of Valentino’s spring collection.”
He turned to me with a wide smile.
“That’s amazing!”
“Yes, but they want me to do a go-see with the photographer in Milan the day after tomorrow.”
“What’s a go-see?” he asked.
“A meeting where we discuss the plan for the campaign and maybe try out a few looks to see what works.”
“Can’t they do it online?”
“No. He will need to take pictures of me to see if I fit the job. I know your mother has planned a mooh-dikhai for the relatives that day, but this is a very big deal for my career. I need to go, Dheer.”
He blew out a heavy breath and I waited for the inevitable. I knew there was no way anyone would let me go away when I was required to be here for the mooh-dikhai. They would never postpone such a big social event for my convenience. Even my own parents wouldn’t do it.
“Fine,” said Dheer shortly.
My eyes widened in surprise.
“I beg your pardon?”
“If this is so important, you should go to Milan. I’ll convince Ma to have the mooh-dikhai after you get back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Look, I promised you that I wouldn’t stand in the way of your career. And this is what it comes down to. It’s very easy to say I support your career when it fits in with our needs and expectations. But the real proof of that support comes at times like this. So, yes. You can go to Milan. Just make your life easier and take the Gulfstream. It’ll save you some time,” he said, leading Pasha out of his stall.
I was silent as he helped me into the double-seat saddle and climbed up behind me because I was trying not to cry. He recognised how much this mattered to me and he made it easy. I waited for Dheer to say something about how I owed him big for this. Something to show that he had just done me a huge favour, but he said nothing.
He wrapped his big arms around my waist and pulled me back to lie against his chest as Pasha set off trotting. It was very difficult to remember why I had to hate him when he did things like this. Ever since I met him again, Dheer had gone out of his way to protect and cherish me. It made me want to weep for the life we could have had if he hadn’t betrayed me. But it also made me want to forgive him for breaking my heart.
He had married me to save my life. And he consistently proved that he was on my side. If those weren’t green flags, I didn’t know what were. Maybe it was time to move past his betrayal and see if we could build something out of the ashes of the past. Maybe it was time to trust that he wouldn’t let me down again.
I dashed away the tears that sprang to my eyes at the thought and beat down the panic that welled up in my chest. It was a huge risk. Was I willing to take even one step out of my comfort zone and reach for happiness? I wasn’t too sure yet because I knew that this time around, there was a lot more at stake. Dheer had woven himself into the very fabric of my being, and I wouldn’t survive if he broke my heart all over again.
But I was done hiding from love. I had to take that step and leave the past behind, or I would regret it forever.
I cleared my throat and kept my eyes on the sand that gleamed silver in the moonlight.
“Would… would you like to come with me?”
CHAPTER 22
DHEER
Iwasn’t sure I’d heard correctly.
“Excuse me?”
“Would you like to come with me to Milan?” she asked again.
