(Warning ⚠️: The information in this chapter is fictional and any resemblance to the reality is purely coincidental.)
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Tere husn se mehka hua hai, har ek lamha mera jahan,
Tere ishq mein hai woh noor, jo hai khuda ka armaan.
Teri yaadon mein khud ko paaya, tere pyaar mein kho gaya,
Tere ishq mein hai woh khusbu, jo dil se mahsoos kiya.
~Abhirudra Singh Rathore
(With your beauty, my world is perfumed every moment,
In your love, there's a light, a divine sentiment.
In the memories of you, I've found myself and lost my way,
In your love, there's a fragrance, my heart can truly convey.)
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Aisha entered the classroom with grace, and a hushed anticipation fell over the students. All eyes turned towards her, and they welcomed her in unison. She acknowledged their greetings with a subtle nod, but her heart was filled with a different emotion.
Her gaze moved across the room but stopped when she saw someone she recognized instantly. He was sitting at the back, engrossed in his phone. Aisha's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of happiness washed over her. She turned away from the class, biting her lip to conceal her radiant smile.
Today, she hadn't expected to see him. The mere idea that he might be here for her sent waves of joy and excitement rushing through her, as her emotions danced between hope and longing.
However, Aisha couldn't bring herself to surrender too easily. The thought crossed her mind, "What if I'm wrong? I can't bear another insult like last time when he called me ugly."
Memories of that painful incident still stung, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She made an effort to regain her composure, determined not to show vulnerability. Turning back to the class, her face became a mask of neutrality.
"We're beginning the next lesson in fifteen minutes. Until then, please review yesterday's material," she announced as she moved to the back row. Standing beside Abhirudra, she crossed her arms over her chest. Though he remained engrossed in his phone, Aisha couldn't resist stealing a quick glance at his screen. Much to her irritation, he was playing Candy Crush?
She waited for a while, hoping he'd at least look up and say something. But he just continued to stare at his phone. Frustration started to bubble up inside her, as she'd anticipated a simple greeting or even a nod. However, it became clear that expecting any kind of interaction from this seemingly distant guy was pointless.
What she didn't know was that deep down, he actually wanted to talk to her and have her undivided attention. He wished he could draw her close, hold her by her waist, and be the center of her world. But he was too proud to let his guard down, determined to show he was in control.
Aisha recognized it was futile to expect more from him, so she decided to compromise a bit. The emotions between them were complex, a mix of longing and ego, making their interactions anything but simple.
Aisha couldn't help but wonder, "What harm could it do?"
"Why are you here?" she asked, keeping her tone steady.
"To learn piano, I guess," he replied matter-of-factly.
She couldn't help but ask directly, "Do you genuinely want to learn piano, or should I assume you're stalking me?" One hand rested on the piano, and the other was on her waist.
His gaze briefly traveled down to her slim waist, and he countered, "You sure think quite highly of yourself. There's nothing about you that would make me stalk you. I already told you, you're not attractive." With that, he returned his focus to his phone.
The exchange was charged with tension, a clash of emotions that was far from simple. It left them both with a sense of unease, making it hard to predict where this interaction would lead.
Aisha couldn't help but think, "What an arrogant individual!"
"But Miss Sharma mentioned that you were searching for me, so I thought you might be stalking me. Why else would you seek out someone as unattractive as me?" Aisha said, intentionally accentuating the word 'unattractive.'
Abhirudra let out a sigh of frustration. "I was looking for you because you're a renowned and skilled pianist. I want to learn from an expert like you."
Aisha quietly repeated his words to herself, "So, I'm an expert pianist in his eyes. Thank God he didn't insult me in this too." A faint blush tinged her cheeks in response to his compliment. But the memory of his previous rudeness brought her back to reality.
Aisha regarded him with irritation and decisively snatched the phone from his hand. "Using your phone during class is prohibited. Remember why you're here?" she said sternly.
She placed the phone on a nearby table and walked away without waiting for a response. Abhirudra watched her retreating form, a subtle, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.
Abhirudra's possessive nature kicked in and he thought, "She adorable, and she is only mine."
Abhirudra's eyes landed on a young man to his right, who appeared to be a college student. The young man's gaze was fixed on Aisha, but it held an unfamiliar intensity. He exuded confidence, as if he owned the room. It was clear why; his older brother was a powerful politician.
Abhirudra's protective instincts surged within him. He despised the way the young man looked at Aisha. In his mind, she belonged to him, and only him. Abhirudra shot a piercing, icy glare at the young man. It was a look so intense that, if looks had the power to harm, the young man might not have lived to tell the tale.
Their unspoken rivalry was filled with jealousy and possessiveness, reflecting a complex web of emotions and unspoken claims.
A sense of unease crept into the young man's mind, like an invisible force watching him closely. He quickly shifted his gaze to the left and was met with a frightening sight-an imposing figure, radiating an intimidating aura. His expression changed rapidly, and he tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
To the young man, this formidable figure resembled the Grim Reaper, given the intensity of his stare. He hunched his shoulders, focusing on the piano keys to escape the oppressive presence entirely. Their silent confrontation was charged with tension and fear, creating an atmosphere of unease.
Abhirudra shifted his focus away from the irksome young man and redirected it to Aisha. She walked over to her beautiful white piano and gently cleared her throat to gather everyone's attention. One by one, the students put aside their distractions and turned their focus to her.
"Today, we're going to learn a new song, but before we begin, I want each of you to connect with the music. I'll play it, and I want you to fully immerse yourselves in the melody," she said in a friendly, approachable tone. With that, Aisha took her place at the piano, ready to introduce them to a new, heartfelt tune.
The classroom was filled with an air of anticipation and curiosity. Aisha's words created an atmosphere of excitement and readiness as they prepared to embark on a musical journey led by their skilled and passionate teacher.
The class brimmed with excitement as Aisha's music always had a calming and delightful quality. It had the power to transport one to a different world. Everyone sat attentively, fully focused on her music.
Aisha, with her elegant and beautiful movements, resembled a goddess from heaven as her fingers gracefully glided across the piano keys. The classroom fell into complete silence as the students listened intently, captivated by her music. It felt as though she had cast a spell, and the whole class was drawn into the enchanting world of her music.
Abhirudra found himself captivated by Aisha's extraordinary talent. He closed his eyes, losing himself in the music, experiencing it on a profound and soulful level. Her performance had a hypnotic effect on him, and he absorbed every note into his heart.
For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of calm and warmth, almost like experiencing déjà vu. He felt like he had heard this music somewhere before, but the memory remained just out of reach. The music soothed not only his heart but also his soul and body.
Aisha's piano skills seemed to have a healing quality, easing the deep wounds left by his troubled past. In that moment, his determination to win her heart deepened. He vowed to make her his and love her more intensely than ever before.
As the song finished, Aisha opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Everyone clapped subconsciously as the song stopped. Aisha stood up and thanked everyone with her mesmerizing contagious smile.
"Miss Aisha, how do you compose such calming music? It's just soothing to hear," Kajal said, her eyes fixed on Aisha in wonder.
Aisha smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for your kind words. To be honest, I'm not sure how I create this music. It's as though the melody comes to me in my dreams. I once dreamt of someone playing this very song on a naytar, shahinvari flute, and I was so enchanted by it that I knew I had to bring it to life."
Curious, a student from the second bench asked, "Naytar? What's that?"
Aisha turned toward the voice, smiling faintly. "Naytar, or sarood-e-nava, is a shahinvari flute. Shahinvar is the old name of Shahon, a Middle Eastern country. It was invented by a shahinvari musician in the 15th century."
The students gazed at her in awe, having learned something new today. Naytar was a lesser-known instrument that was played until the 17th century, especially by royal princes and kings, and even some women.
Kajal's excitement dimmed upon learning that Aisha hadn't played it. She had developed an interest in Naytar and hoped to learn it someday.
As Aisha was about to resume the class, a student interrupted with a touch of humor, "How I wish I could dream about my question paper."
Laughter filled the room as the student's comment brought a moment of humor and camaraderie to the conversation. Aisha's music had not only created a soothing atmosphere but also sparked a light-hearted exchange among her classmates.
Aisha chucked cutely, "Now enough! Let's start the lesson. I have divided this song into six parts. We will learn one part per day. So, I will teach you the first part today and then you can practice. If you have any doubt then ask me."
Everyone agreed and then Aisha taught them the first part. They were learning from her for a long time, so she has a good tune with her students. It was difficult for her to teach them in the start but with time their frequency matches with hers. After taughting them the first part, she told them to practice.
While everyone was engrossed in expertising their skills, Abhirudra was sitting leisurely and gawking at her with an unknown gaze. Aisha looked at him and sighed. She went to his table and looked at him with a neutral expression.
"Why are you not practicing?" She asked with furrowed eyebrows.
Abhirudra adjusted himself a little and said, "It's my first day. I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"You don't know anything about piano?" She inquired and in response he denied it innocently.
Aisha took a deep breath,"This is what happens when you join in mid term." She mumbled to herself.
"Did you say something?" Abhirudra looked at her with his usual cold gaze.
"No, nothing to worry about. I'll start with some basics to help you grasp today's lesson. As for the rest, I can slowly introduce you to them, or if you want to learn faster, I can offer you extra classes. My goal is to ensure that no one gets left behind," Aisha explained, considering how to best help him catch up with the class.
Upon hearing about the possibility of extra classes, Abhirudra couldn't hide a victorious smirk. It meant more time with her. Meanwhile, Aisha was focused on how to help him keep up with the class, but Abhirudra's mind was already busy with fantasies of the additional time he'd get to spend with her.
"For now, I'll start by teaching you a basic tune that will be useful for today's lesson. I'll let you know when we can arrange those extra classes," she said as she moved closer to Abhirudra's piano to begin the lesson.
Abhirudra cast a casual glance her way but was quickly captivated by her gentle presence. She resembled a white rose-fresh and beautiful. He made an effort to compose himself, but as she drew near, her natural scent of strawberries and roses blended together, causing him to lose his icy demeanor.
As she leaned slightly over the piano, he found it impossible to maintain his tough exterior. His face softened, and he gazed at her with a tender expression. She exuded an air of purity and innocence, seemingly untouched by the complexities of the world. Abhirudra was enchanted by her gentle aura, her spirited attitude, and her captivating beauty.
As Aisha's soft, slender, and milky hands gracefully moved across the piano keys, it was like watching a swan gliding across a serene lake. Abhirudra was in awe, his attention fully absorbed by her every movement. Though her lips were moving, likely explaining the basic tune, he was entranced by her graceful gestures.
As she spoke, her earrings swayed, following the gentle curve of her long, slender neck and softly brushing against her cheeks. Aisha was completely immersed in her teaching, unaware of Abhirudra's intense gaze as her focus remained on the piano.
"Okay, now it's your turn to give it a try. Come on, I hope you've understood everything," she said, directing her gaze at Abhirudra. She noticed him staring at her, but Abhirudra was quick to avert his gaze. She decided to let it go and urged him to attempt the tune on his own.
Abhirudra didn't really need the instruction; he had some basic piano knowledge from his younger days when Indrani had enrolled him in various extracurricular activities. However, he wasn't there to genuinely learn the piano; he had ulterior motives. He rested his fingers on the piano keys and deliberately struck the wrong note, producing a terrible sound.
Aisha, who stood in front of him with her arms crossed, had the air of a stern teacher.
"No problem, let's try again," she said, moving closer to the piano and patiently re-teaching him the first tune.
But Abhirudra continued to feign ignorance. Aisha, being a patient person, didn't show frustration and continued to teach him. After repeating the instructions five times, she finally asked him to try on his own. The result was the same, and she furrowed her eyebrows, appearing deep in thought.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in closer to Abhirudra and spoke in a calm voice, "I have an idea. Give me your hands."
Abhirudra didn't hesitate and extended his hands toward her. She sighed, turning his hands to place them on the piano keys. She tried to hold his hands with her delicate ones, but the size difference made it challenging. She attempted to make the arrangement work, but it wasn't quite right.
Amused by the irritation on her face, Abhirudra decided to help. He gently enclosed her soft hands with his rough ones. Aisha looked at him with confusion, wondering about his unexpected gesture. The moment was marked by an unspoken connection as their hands touched, their eyes meeting briefly in understanding.
"You can move your hands on the keys, and I'll hold them lightly, guiding their movement," Abhirudra suggested in his usual deep voice.
A small smile graced Aisha's lips, and a hint of red colored her cheeks. She kept her composure and began to play. Their hands moved in harmony, and it felt as if the world had come to a standstill. They were fully absorbed in that moment. The tune eventually came to an end, but Abhirudra continued to hold her hands gently. It was as if he considered her as delicate as a porcelain doll, unwilling to apply even a bit of pressure.
The moment was filled with unspoken emotions as their hands remained intertwined, and a subtle, shared connection grew between them.
"Mr. Rathore," Aisha cleared her throat, bringing Abhirudra back to reality. He looked at her, momentarily clueless, until Aisha gestured toward their still-entwined hands. Abhirudra quickly withdrew his hands, feeling somewhat awkward.
"I hope you understand now," Aisha said with a warm smile.
Abhirudra couldn't help but be captivated by her smile, but his cold exterior hid his emotions.
"Hmm," he replied curtly. Aisha was about to say something when she was called by an elderly woman to address a question, and she turned her attention toward the source of the voice.
Aisha gave Abhirudra one last glance before turning to address her student's question. As she walked away, Abhirudra couldn't help but smirk, his gaze falling to his now-empty hands. A strange sense of longing overcame him as he missed the comfort of Aisha's warm hands within his cold ones. Her soft, small hands had fit perfectly in his large, rough ones.
While Aisha was engrossed in resolving her students' doubts, Abhirudra continued to admire her with his typically expressionless eyes. Anyone observing him might misinterpret his intense stare, not realizing that he was simply captivated by her. Aisha patiently and politely explained everything to her student, embodying her usual sweet and caring demeanor. However, those who knew her understood that she could also be fierce when necessary.
After finishing with one student's doubt, Aisha headed back to her seat. However, she was called again, and when she turned to see, it was the college student from the last row seeking her assistance. Abhirudra immediately grew cautious, having observed this individual from the beginning. He had an uneasy feeling about the guy but couldn't take any action without evidence. So, he remained silent, watching events unfold.
As Aisha walked toward the student in question, the person sitting in the front row of that guy's bench intentionally placed his leg in her path just as she was about to pass by. Her foot got caught, and she began to lose her balance. However, just before she could hit the ground, the college student reached out and firmly grabbed her by the waist. Abhirudra's jaw clenched, his knuckles turning white in response to the situation.
Abhirudra detested the way the college student was holding Aisha and had an overwhelming urge to confront him, but he couldn't risk causing a scene in this environment. Although he seemed relatively unnoticed here, he was a well-known figure in the business world, frequently gracing the covers of business magazines and making headlines. The media was always on his trail. Acting rashly would not only harm his reputation but also put Aisha in an unpleasant situation. He decided to deal with the college guy at a more appropriate time.
Aisha, too, felt uncomfortable with the student's inappropriate grip and swiftly freed herself from it. The college guy wore a bizarre smirk and gazed at her inappropriately. She had the urge to put him in his place, but she didn't want to create a scene. If this situation escalated, it could quickly spiral out of control, and Aisha was wary of her mom finding out.
Aisha couldn't allow any additional stress on her mother, as per the doctor's advice. She made a conscious effort to ignore the college guy's actions and began to turn away, intending to return to her seat. However, before she could take a step, the guy grabbed her wrist firmly. She froze in her tracks and glanced back. Abhirudra kept his eyes tightly closed and attempted to restrain his anger.
"What's the meaning of this? Release my wrist immediately," Aisha cautioned in a stern tone.
The college guy remained unfazed by her firm warning and, instead, tightened his grip on her wrist, causing her pain intentionally.
"Miss Aisha, you can't just walk away. My doubt isn't resolved. Please, I need your assistance," the college guy said, giving her a suggestive wink.
Aisha found herself in an embarrassing and frustrating predicament. Such situations had occurred before, but she had always confronted them boldly. However, this time was different. She scanned her surroundings and noticed that some students were watching, but none of them stepped in to help. She hadn't expected any help either. In this moment, she needed to extricate herself from the situation as swiftly as possible.
She directed her gaze to her wrist and said, "Alright, release my wrist first."
The guy released her hand and returned to his seat. Aisha walked over to his piano, ready to address his doubt. She rested her hands on the piano keys to demonstrate the tune, but the moment she did, he suddenly grasped her hands tightly, intentionally squeezing her soft and beautiful hands until they turned a shade of red.
Aisha winced in pain but managed to speak, "What's your problem? Release my hand. Is this how you behave with your teacher?"
The guy smirked and retorted, "Oh, look who's talking. Now you remember discipline in my time, but you seemed quite comfortable when Abhirudra was holding your hand. I thought you were available to everyone. You remembered discipline in my time, what about him?" He gave her a wink, further fueling her irritation.
"What nonsense! I don't owe you any explanations. Release my hand immediately!" Aisha glared at the guy with intense determination. She had enough of this situation. Although people in the classroom were watching, no one came to her aid, not even Abhirudra, who remained passive, focused on his own work. She didn't need his help either. She was fully capable of handling the situation herself. Her anger reached its peak, and she was about to give the guy a resounding slap when a chilling, authoritative voice reverberated through the classroom.
"Miss Aisha, come here immediately!" Abhirudra couldn't contain his anger any longer, and his icy tone was both menacing and commanding. Everyone in the classroom turned their attention to him, and the room fell into an eerie silence. The college guy had unconsciously let go of Aisha's hand after hearing Abhirudra's imposing voice.
Aisha stood in her place, feeling somewhat lost, uncertain of how to proceed in this awkward situation. She silently cursed her fate and the circumstances that had led to this moment. Suddenly, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Aisha heaved a sigh of relief and promptly returned to her seat without glancing back.
With the class dismissed, the college guy, who had been causing trouble, looked like he was about to wet his pants. He hurriedly made his exit with a friend before Abhirudra could confront him. As everyone left the classroom, Abhirudra remained behind, his gaze vacant as he stared off into space. He planned to deal with that troublemaker later, but right now, he had something else to attend to - meeting with his beloved.
To be continued.....
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Love you guys.
Thank you so much, and take care!
Jai Siya Ram 🙏