WARNING: This chapter contains mature subject matter marked using XOXOXO. You're either old enough to scroll right to it, or you aren't. Do the right thing. YES, I'M LOOKING AT YOU. O_o"
a/n: The song is hiiiiiighly recommended for this chapter. Lyrics inserted amongst the text for context. I would also recommend reading chapter 23 and 24 together to understand Imlie's state of mind a little better.
Shiddat
[noun]
passion
Imlie sat there brushing her hair after Meethi left, her mother's words sinking in slowly.
Did she really want to lose Aryan over a past that wasn't clear to her? Despite their fight, hadn't he been the one to reach out over and over to try to make it right between the two of them?
Shouldn't how he made her feel today take precedence over everything that may have happened in the past?
How much longer could she bear this half way existence? She could neither avoid Aryan forever nor their situation.
What was she to do?
As she walked out the door, she prayed to her Sita Maiyya for a sign. Any sign to help her make a choice.
No sooner had she thought this than the lights around the house switched on, signaling the start of their party. She threw an arm over her face, momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness everywhere.
She brought her hand down slowly as she recognized the silhouette of someone walking towards her, the glow behind them making it seem as though they'd emerged from thin air.
Her eyes focused on Aryan as he came into view. It was as if he was the answer she'd been looking for.
Her gait slowed when she saw Aryan across the hallway, getting closer. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in his attire, her eyes traveling from the dark shoes clicking on the pristine floor to the white flowy salwar swishing about his calves in tune with his strides.
He was powerfully masculine, his navy blue kurta simple in its cut, but fitting him like a glove. The raw silk strands caught the light occasionally, stretching across his broad chest, and lovingly hugged his well-defined biceps as he brought his hands up to adjust his cuff.
He came to a halt a few feet away, on the other side of the stairs, watching her curiously.
And it was as though Imlie was seeing Aryan for the first time all over again.
He matches me, she thought lightly, her own midnight blue dress with sequins threaded through twinkling like little jewels, reflecting all the lights around. He wore the pathani kurta as well as any three piece suit. He exuded raw magnetism, his aura- dangerously seductive.
Imlie wondered if it was because of the man himself, the clothing, or the effects of her conversation with Amma, but she had a hard time looking away from him today.
They stood there, quietly observing each other for the first time since their meeting in the library, both feeling as if something transcendental was about to take place tonight.
Arpita came up behind the two and exclaimed in surprise. "Aru, you're wearing Indian clothes? You? To our party?! Did you lose a bet?"
Aryan shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. "It's an Indian theme, Didi. All the guests will be in Indian attire, as will our guest of honor, Satyakaam Sir. Only fitting that I wear something traditional as well."
"Besides," he continued, now looking directly at Imlie. "Someone once told me, lucknow da kurta, pathaani salwar..." he trailed off, glancing at his sister. "You know how it goes, Didi."
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Dawn
FanfictionWhen Imlie is injured in the terrorist attack in Pagdandiya, Aryan makes sure he is there to help her recover from it. In a twist of fate, she wakes up with no recollection of him, their association or her past. Through a comedy of errors and some m...
