"But don't worry, I will keep my promise and will protect you." He turned towards the door and said. "Sis-in-law, no need to hide yourself. Come in."
"You knew I was there?" Eddile asked entering the room.
"Of course I knew...." He paused to see how she reacts. Without getting any response or reaction from her, he continued. "So you must have heard it all..."
"Yes, I heard it. so?" She sat coldly in the sofa and caressed Eldoris face.
"So you must have heard that she..."
"I know that she is not my daughter. So what?" she cut him off.
"You knew..." He stood there stunned. His sis-in-law knew that she wasn't her daughter. 'Then why did she kept her? Where is her own daughter...?' A lot of questions filled in his mind.
Looking at the confused expression on his face, she explained. "I gave birth through natural process and was awake. And I remember clearly that I give birth to a boy. Due to tiredness, I got fainted. After few hours, I was woken up by the cries of a baby lying beside me. It was a girl. I knew that she wasn't mine, but I took her with me since both my husband and my child were missing. I thought, he left me with his child because of his family; Since I was a Greek and you were Indians and hence had difficulty in accepting me... Then your family came to pick me up. And after that....you know what happened then..." She broke into sobs. "I only had Eldoris left with me. So I treated her like my own daughter. But I never thought that there might be something strange with her until yesterday..."
"So what exactly happened yesterday?"
"That... that's none of your business. Leave.... get out!" She raged out.
"What...?" He asked confused by the sudden change in behaviour.
Before replying, she took a deep breath. "I am sorry to say, but I can't afford to get help from any of the members of the Albert family. We will manage by ourselves and it doesn't need your concern. So please Mr Rovin Albert, leave."
"Huh...you want me to leave? No way! Also, I am not just only a doctor but also an archaeologist. I may be very beneficial for Eldoris." He tried to explain his significance so that Eddile will accept his help.
"So? Listen Mister, I already lost my husband, I can't afford to lose my only daughter. Please leave. I don't want Albert family to misunderstand us and cause any trouble for me and my daughter. Hope you understand." She closed her eyes remembering the nightmare of her life. She could never ever forget that day!
"Sis-in-law, don't ever connect me with them. I meant no harm to Eldoris. And I don't care if she is my niece or not. I have already accepted her as my niece. I just want to keep my promise and protect her."
"Can you swore that you don't have any ulterior motive?"
"I can. Except for the thirst of finding the truth about her I don't have anything against her nor do I want anything."
"Give some time to think about it." She said.
She knew she couldn't protect her daughter alone, especially when Eldoris identity special. She needs help from someone and Rovin is the best help she could get. Also, that thing... whatever it is, revealed these secrets to him. It must be because, it trusts him and maybe the one could help Eldoris. Buy can she really trust him?
"Okay, I will leave for now." He left the place in no time. She doesn't trust him and he knew that well. So he wanted to give her some alone time to think.
Looking at the figure leaving the room, Eddile turned towards Eldoris and sighed. "Why you had to be special? Recalling the fact that you are not my daughter, makes me hurt... I don't know who you are and what you are. But you are my daughter and NOBODY CAN CHANGE IT.... I will never let anything happen to you!"
*****
While on other side...
Rovin was returning home in his sports car thinking deeply about what happened 10 years ago. In frustration, he hit the steering.
"Why?.... Why brother? Why did you leave sis-in-law alone? Now where are you?... Ugh....." He pulled his car aside and hit his head violently against the steering. He was so confused. Why did his stubborn brother left his lover aside while he is the one who wanted marry her? It doesn't make sense. After what happened that year, he could never ever forgive his brother. It is because of him that Eddile is living such a pitiful life. If I ever get him....
"He is such a scumbag!" He commented.
'You may be irresponsible, but I'm not. I will take good care of my sis-in-law and my niece. I swear to God, I will never let them get bullied or wronged from now on.' He swore to himself.
With determination, he drives to his family villa to get some materials ready. He can't tell when the emergency comes. He has to be ready for everything.
Reaching the villa, he passes the key to the gatekeeper and walked forward and stared at the beautiful villa standing proudly before him.
'Such a grand and beautiful house. But unfortunately, all that glitters is not gold and the ugliness wrapped by beautiful cover doesn't remain long.' His eyes were filled with tears while his cheeks turned red which can be seen over his warm almond face. He sighed and went inside to see his mother waiting for him in the sofa which was in the middle of the hall.
The Hall is decorated with luxury and extravagantly, giving it a touch of nobility. But he didn't care. For him, beady can't be created. Both beauty and nobility lies in the inner self. And the outer cover of the place doesn't match the people who live inside...
"Why are you so late? Does being doctor makes you so busy that you can't come back home at time? If so, leave this job and stay at home. It's not like we can't afford to pay for your daily requirements..."
"Why are you so noisy mom? I am tired. I want to have a break. Please..." He pleaded.
"I AM BEING NOISY? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE? THE GIRL AND HER FAMILY WERE WAITING FOR YOU TO COME BACK. AFTER WAITING FOR THREE LONG HOURS THEY LEFT IN DISAPPOINTMENT..." His mother raged out.
"MOM, DID I ASKED YOU TO FIND A GIRL FOR ME? AM I THE ONE WHO ASKED TO SET BLIND DATES? I ALREADY TOLD YOU, I DON'T WANT TO GET MARRIED NOW. YOU PROMISED ME THAT, IF I BECOME A DOCTOR, YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE OR FORCE ME IN MY REMAINING LIFE. Please mom, please understand. I need some space. At least give me some time to think!..." He rushed through the Huge stairs in the middle, behind the sofa and went into the third room on left and bagged it. But he could still hear his mom shouting.
"Where are you going you unfilial son? You are just like your brother! Do you both want me to die of anger? Come out....'
Covering his ears, he jumped over his bed and snuggled in.
'Why is it like this?' He asked himself depressed. 'Mom, do you know that the way you behave is the reason for my brother to leave this house. Don't force me too to leave this place. If I had an option, I would have never been come back at that time... I just need a peaceful night. Can't you even give me that?'
He closed his eyes in hope that, everything will turn out to be different when he wakes up. Also, tomorrow, he has to meet his wicked but cute little niece.
"The Journey starts now...."