Thankyou for all the lovely reads꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡.. but why you guys stopped commenting (´;︵;')
Holidays are here... what's your plan???
Clatter of spoons on the plate, soft giggles and laughter chording in the air, aroma of mouth-watering Indian dishes and the warm smiles were the sign of the perfect lunch get together for the Singhs and the Rajawats. These two families have been close ever since these two, Mishika and Ishan, became best friends.
"You should have invited your husband too Mishika." The words were sudden that lead Mishika's hold to stiffen around the spoon but sensing the genuinity in the tone of Kashi, Ishan's mother, Mishika curved her lips into a smile. "How are everyone at your in-laws ?"
"They are fine Aunty. Very sweet and understanding." Mishika smiled. Although she had spent only a week with them, she missed her mother-in-law often. And her father-in-law has also been very supportive.
"Shukar hai. Humein kaafi fikar ho rahi thi." A layer of tension overshadowed the ambiance as the topic suddenly diverted to the eventful marriage.
(Thank God. We were very worried.)
Cutting off the tension Ishan's father Sundeep let out a chuckle, which was followed by others because of his remark. "Anubhav sir dikhte darwane hai, par bada dil hai unka."
(Anubhav sir just appears scary otherwise he has a big heart.)
If a person who can read out the impassive business tycoon Anubhav Oberio other than his wife then it's definitely his secretary of thirty years, Sundeep Rajawat.
And Mishika couldn't help but agree with a big smile. Her parents-in-law leave no strokes to make her feel belonged but the bug was her not-so-dear nightmare husband.
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"Tumhare Papa aur mai bahut pareshan hain. Sab theek to hai n ?" Finding her daughter out of everyone's sight, Preeti quickly approached her. Her face now evidently reflects her worry.
(Your father and I are very worried. Is everything alright ?)
They have asked the same question over a thousand times and no matter how many times she tried to pacify it to them, they couldn't help but get worried for their daughter.
The secret glances exchanged between her parents from across the room didn't go overlooked by Mishika's eyes that made her shoulders slump. Holding Preeti's hand Mishika scooted closer in her motherly embrace. "Maa, I'm safe and sound. Don't worry."
Tears gathered in Preeti's eyes. They were still upset about the wedding. Only if Mishika would have let them defy Rajeev then Kabir was ready to pay all the money back with everything he had. Mishika is his only daughter and he would happily give away his life for her.
"Aur Aarav ? Kabir ko wo bilkul pasand nahin hai. He treats you well, right ?"
(And Aarav ? Kabir doesn't like him at all.)
Hiding her face in her mother's neck, Mishika took a secret breath before venting out a humming sound in acknowledgement to her mother's concern. "It's a little complicated. But we are working on it. Nothing that your daughter can't handle."
The mention of her husband forced Mishika's to reminisce about the last time they were together. It was almost twenty days back, but those words he said to her still manages to ripple it's way through her thoughts and emotions and leave her with chilling shudders.
It has been almost two months of their marriage but she had no idea what she should actually feel. She still hates him the same and his presence still wrecks her senses with tremors. And she still couldn't get the drift of how she is supposed to spend her life with the boy she called her nightmare with the free baggage of the dreadful past.
Giving much assurance to her parents, Mishika decided to join Deepti and Ishan who were bickering near the front patio of the house.
"You know di, bhai has got an admirer." Grinning from one ear to another, Deepti looked between confused Mishika to her frowning brother and then diverted her gleaming eyes at the box in Ishan's clutch. A punch was granted by Deepti to Ishan as he attempted to pull her hairs to make her shut.
Having a sibling and feeling all these small moments is something Mishika craved since always. But she couldn't. Her mother's pregnancy complications didn't let her parents conceive for another time. And for her dismay her cousin is a she-jerk.
Curiosity surfaced into Mishika as she impatiently watched Ishan opening the small box, meanwhile Deepti continued to interject. "Bhai's admirer is back in town I think. I vaguely remember bhai receiving the same kind of gifts during his high school and first year."
A deep scowl replete on Mishika's face since she doesn't remember him ever telling her anything like that and Ishan intentionally avoids her questioning gaze.
Inside lies nothing but an origami bird, which Ishan turned in every direction, analysing it as if searching for something. He very successfully hid the 'hang in there' written at the corner of the right wing from the girls' sight.
"Mai Maa Papa ko bata rahi hoon. Ladki mil gai. Bhai has a long time admirer." Deepti's grin stretched wide and so did Mishika's scowl.
(I'm telling Mom and Dad. We got the girl. My brother has a long time admirer.)
"More of a stalker." He let out an inaudible retort under his breath. Before Deepti could step inside the house announcing the whole thing, Ishan pulled her back by tugging at her arms and gave a light slap on her skull that left Deepti with a fuss "Kuchh bhi bolti hai."
(She speaks nonsense.)
"Rahne do. Humesha maar ke chup kara dete ho. Domestic violence ka case kar dungi." Drifting her face closer to her brother she tried to intimidate him with her wide eyes which was clearly showing no effect.
(Watch out. You always silence me by beating me. I'll file a case of domestic violence against you.)
Amidst the bickering of these two siblings, Mishika was left to anticipate about this stalker or admirer whatever the person is.
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Mishika's pov
I think I'm just overthinking. Ishan is persistent that it's nothing to worry about and is another of the pranks of Deepti and the neighbour girls. Maybe I'm actually overthinking.
"I'm ordering pizza. Should I go for the usual one ?" My head automatically wobbled in a nod when I heard his loud call from the living room.
Silly girl he can't see you. "Yes"
I made my way to the living room after washing my face. My morning dress, a simple knee-length tunic, is comfortable enough to get a good sleep and being little a lazy on Saturday can go.
My apartment is small but cosy in a cute way. It has a small living room with an attached open kitchen, one single bedroom with an attached bathroom. And a small balcony where two people can manage to stand. And the confines of Aarav's lavish room can easily submerge my apartment into it.
Why am I even thinking about him ? That hell for a room of the devil gave me restless nights whereas my apartment is my sweet place, my personal heaven.
Don't think about him, Mishika. Just stop.
"Are you on for a movie ?" I asked and set my laptop on the table in my small living hall and settled on the couch beside him.
"Maa and Papa are going to Nani's home. Can't leave Deepti alone." Stretching his arms he let out a sigh and then leaned leisurely on the couch backrest.
(Maternal grandmother)
Ohh how did I forget about this ? Uncle Aunty had mentioned this during lunch.
We then indulge ourselves in our usual chatting while we wait for the pizza to arrive. Our tummies kept alarming throughout, making us giggle.
My feet were on the floor as soon I heard the doorbell ringing and swiftly grabbed my purse. Ishan's laughter echoed behind me when in a few quick strides I reached the door and flung it wide.
"What are you doing here ?" Seeing the least unexpected person, precisely my not-so-dear nightmare husband, at the doorstep left me baffled. Why is he here ?
My legs quiver on the feeling of his black hole deep eyes examining me from head to toe and I could feel my cheeks warming up and pulse quickening. Why does he do this every time ?
And why does it make me puddle of nervousness every time ? It shouldn't.
Involuntarily I tried to step back watching his neck craning down to my face. But only if I could beat this incarnation of Satan. He was quick to pull me to his chest by wrapping his arms around my waist. In the meantime his other arm balanced the pizza boxes in his hold. Where did he get those ?
"Hello wife." Dripping with smugness, his usual hoarse voice effortlessly carpets goosebumps on the layer of my skin. I gasped at the feeling of his warm lips on my cheek, too close to my lips and his slight stubble grazing my skin ripped my nerves with a tickling sensation.
My body was frozen since his face was too close to mine but I could feel his eyes weren't.
I was so spiralled in stupor that I didn't realise when he ushered me inside or when he closed the door or when we got seated on the couch.
It wasn't until he kept the pizza boxes beside my laptop, then did I finally notice that he was sitting too close and he and Ishan were having some eye war. And what made my eyes widen was his suitcase. That big-damn-suitcase.
"Why do you have that ?" Upon my question, even the remaining pairs of eyes darted to that big-damn-suitcase.
"Because I'm shifting." My brows knitted and his raised, my smile flattened and his widened. I scowled at his reaction and he smirked at mine.
What the hell!
"You're going to live here ?" My voice raised and so did my feet once I unpuzzled his expressions. With a thud I landed back on the couch, almost on his lap, as he tugged at my forearm pulling me back. But I was quick enough to scoot away from his lap, embarrassed.
"But why ? Go back to your mansion or your penthouse." My head instantly started spinning at the thought of staying with him under the same roof. No way.
I gasped as his arm came either side of me to cage me and within a blink his face was a decade of inches away from mine. I could feel his fingers close to my thighs since my dress chose a wonderful time to ride up.
"Kyonki mai apna sheesh-mahal tumhare liye chhod raha hoon." And my heart almost stopped functioning at that moment. Everything went blurry, except his eyes, which were staring into mine with so much gleaming fervency.
(Because I'm leaving my sheesh-mahal for you.)
(Crystal Palace)
Sometimes I feel a rising urge to step into the boundless realms of these black-holes and to unravel the mysteries he secretes beneath the layers of his sinful darkness.
What the hell is wrong with you Mishika!?
Giving a hard shove, I forced him to sit straight and away from me. I finally took a few deep breaths feeling the room air welcoming me, and tried to calm my pacing heart and these absurd thoughts.
I cleared my throat and Ishan did the same at the same time. Our eyes met for a brief moment and we both looked away in embarrassment. Neither of us is very comfortable about public display of affection. And there's nothing affectionate between me and Aarav.
Aarav's little stunt has overshadowed the room with awkwardness but the devil is totally nonchalant, busy devouring the pizza. I could feel Ishan striving to curb his emotions as he chewed the pizza with squared jaw.
Aarav had been a jerk to Ishan ever since Ishan can recall. I wonder if he is a born jerk ?
I let out a weary breath when my best friend finally left, leaving me all alone to deal with the boy I call my nightmare.
"Drop the act. Why are you here actually ?" I demanded, my arms folded against my chest.
And the devil forbids him if he would simply answer my simple question. He took his own sweet time to get a comfortable position on the couch and then decided to finally spare me his attention. "My Dad is very determined that we must build a bond. Since your highness refused to live in the Mansion for her own sweet reasons, I have to come here."
I am staring at him, without blinking and continue to stare, still his face gives out no hint of any playfulness.
My fingers shot up to pinch the space between my eyebrows feeling a sudden surge of frustration coursing through my veins. "You could have made an excuse."
"Too eager, aren't you ?" Sensing sudden sultriness rippling across my face, I involuntarily looked up only to find my nightmare hovering over my posture. As if reading my next move before-hand, his arms came wrapping around my waist, that ceased me from creating any distance.
"Put me down." I thrashed in his arms, my feet now dangling in the air not finding the surface beneath. His robust arms were firm around my waist and balanced under my hips. This position practically had our body pasted together and I'm sure I'll faint with this proximity. And it only turned my wriggles more frantic. "I said keep me down."
"Continue screaming and wriggling that way and I won't mind giving you an indecently decent reason to do that." Took me a second to realise, but the coquettish meaning behind his words bolted my body to freeze in his grasp.
I choked hard at his next words which were foiled with forbidden sins. "And when that will happen, your wriggles will be seen by me whereas the whole damn building will hear your screams." And I knew that it was not a remark but the devil's dark promise.
Chapter Word- 2332
Happy Navratri to all my lovelies... stay happy and stay healthy
|Raograhit rahein, Premrahit nahin.. Jan Kalyan.. Janhit mein jaari|
*Stay disease-free, not love-less.. Public welfare.. Issued in public interest*
Signing off
~T.R