--HAARIKA'S POV--
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself in a car. It was raining and thundering outside but that didn't make me worry. Instead, I found myself wondering how I ended up here. I turned my attention to the person driving the car. "How did I get here?" I asked, but he didn't look in my direction. "You sleepwalked here," he replied sarcastically. "I don't sleepwalk. Did you bring me here?" I asked, feeling confused. He turned the steering wheel to the left and the rain droplets fell on the windshield. The wipers wiped them off, allowing Maahir to see the road. "You aren't in a condition to question Mrs. Singhania" he said finally. "Not after what you did today." I narrowed my eyes, trying to remember what he was talking about. "I don't remember doing anything wrong," I replied. "Right. You don't," he said in a sarcastic tone. Throughout the entire conversation, he kept his eyes fixed on the road, but his words dripped with anger. "You were supposed to go to your parents' house, but instead, you went to some different place? I don't mind that place at all, but shouldn't you have informed your parents, or even Dida or me?" He looked at me for a second, then turned his deadly gaze back to the road. "And why do you think I should inform you or anyone about my whereabouts?" As far as I remember, it's a contract marriage, and I'm not responsible for informing him about my whereabouts. "For the world, we are a couple, but for us, we will never be one. Isn't that, right?" That's what he said last night. Then why the hell is he angry that I didn't inform him? Bipolar idiot. "Why are you so worried about me, Maahir Singhania?" My head is pounding due to the tears I shed during my emotional breakdown. "Because you are my responsibility and I am a very responsible man," he said through clenched teeth. "Right, very responsible" I responded sarcastically as he pulled over to the side of the road. I glanced outside the car window to determine our location, before he could speak, I interrupted him. "I'm not desperate for a ride in your car. You don't have to pretend to care for me like everyone else," I said as I released my seat belt, opened the door, stepped out into the rain, and slammed the door shut. Why do I keep getting involved with this guy? He's so unpredictable - sometimes sweet, sometimes salty. Isn't my family enough for this job? I don't care about anything anymore because we don't have a future, but this guy has taken over my thoughts. One thing is for sure: I'm in a really bad place right now. Tears are streaming down my face, mixing with the raindrops. I don't know what to do. Why am I crying again? I dig my nails into my palm, wishing they would bleed so I could feel something other than these unnamed emotions. I didn't even notice that the rain had stopped touching me and that something warm was on my hand. It was his hand. As soon as he touched me, my nails stopped digging into my skin, as if his touch had a calming effect on me. I look up to see Maahir holding an umbrella over us, speaking to me, but I can't hear him. I'm too lost in my own thoughts. Should I tell him how I'm feeling? No, we're not a normal couple, so how can I expect myself to open up to him? No way. Black spots begin to form in front of my eyes. I blink a few times and suddenly I could hear him Loud and clear. "I want to apologize for what I said earlier. I wasn't in the right state of mind, and I genuinely cared about your well-being. I'm not just saying this to pretend, Haarika," he said calmly, his eyes showing a softness I had seen glimpses of before. Rain had soaked the left side of his shirt as it was outside the protection of the umbrella. Meanwhile, I was completely drenched, my saree clinging to my skin like a part of my body rather than a piece of cloth. "Let's go home," he said, and I nodded. I quickly got into the car and the only thing I could say was "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry for making you worry and causing a scene," I added, but he didn't say a word or look at me. After turning on the engine, he turned on the heater. "Your bag is in the back seat," he said, and I nodded. Looking at my palms, I noticed red lines from my nails digging in. If he hadn't stopped me, I'm sure they would have bled, mixing with my tears and the rainwater. I hugged my upper body and looked out the window, trying to keep from crying. I wanted someone to hold me and comfort me, but I didn't expect anything from humans. Neither of us spoke for the past 20 minutes, and the rain had already stopped. I looked at Maahir, expecting him to be angry, but there was no trace of anger on his face.
"Shouldn't we take a left turn for our house?" I asked, looking at the road ahead. "We're not going home," Maahir replied, taking a right turn while adjusting the heater. "Why? And where are we going?" I asked, but he stayed silent. After like five minutes of driving, he pulled up in front of a tea stall. He got out of the car and gestured for me to follow. I looked at the tea stall and the old man making tea. The smell of rain surrounded us. "Tea or coffee?" he asked me. "Tea," I replied, while he went to place our order. I sat on the bench, feeling cold and regretting getting out of the car. I looked up at the dark sky, unable to see any stars hidden behind the clouds. Maahir was talking to the old man, and I noticed he had a dimple when he smiled. God! I never noticed it till today, he looks so cute with that, I looked away and focused on the clouds instead. "Here's your tea," Maahir said, passing me a cup. Our fingers brushed for a second, and I saw him looking at me. "Where's your coffee?" I asked. Vidyut sat down next to me. "The old man is making it for me," he replied. "Don't you drink tea?" I asked. "I used to, but not anymore," he said, shaking his head.
--MAAHIR'S POV--
She was trembling the whole time, and the heater wasn't working for her, so it was a good idea to offer her some tea. Our house is quite far from here and if she went home like this, she might catch a cold, so it's best for her to drink something warm. She is staring at the sky as if her happiness is hidden behind the clouds, but there's no smile on her face. Why do I feel bad for her? I shouldn't feel bad for her, but I can't help it. One thing is certain, she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents. She takes a sip of her tea. Her eyes are still red and puffy, and her clothes are half wet. I wish I had some spare clothes in my car, or at least a blanket. Suddenly, a voice interrupts my thoughts. "Here's your coffee, beta," the old uncle says. Every time I return home, I make it a point to come here and have a cup of coffee. "Thank you, Uncle," I said as he handed me the cup with a beaming smile and left for work. "It seems like you come here quite often," she remarked, her gaze fixed on the clouds. "Yes, I do," I replied. She turned to look at me with sad, brown eyes that lacked the sparkle they had earlier in the day. I had never been so confused about anything as I was about her. "Would you like to see something beautiful?" I asked her, and we drove for another five minutes until it became dark outside. "Are you going to leave me in the jungle?" she asked nervously. I had no idea why she thought I would do such a thing. "No, are you ready to go?" I asked, and she nodded before sliding out of her seat. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, looking at the darkness ahead. I was relieved that her saree had dried off. "We won't be venturing into the forest; we just need to walk a little," I reassured her, and she nodded in agreement. We came across what appeared to be a forest opposite the seashore. It was safe and had streetlights, so we didn't need a torch. I walked ahead, and when I looked back, I saw her walking slowly, possibly due to her outfit. I slowed down, and now our footsteps were in sync. "Have you been here before?" she asked me. "Yes, I come here often," I replied. After walking for a while, we arrived at our destination. There was a calm and peaceful seashore here with very few people around. It's a cloudy day, so there's no reflection of the moon in the water, but fireflies are lighting up the surroundings even the sea is sparkling. Although trees from the forest are visible, they are far away. I turn my face to look at her, and I notice that her eyes are pinned to the sea. "Wow, this is pretty," she says, a genuine smile appearing on her face. "Oh my god, look at all the fireflies!" She walks towards them, and the cold winds hit me, sending shivers down my spine. I try to control my emotions, but my heart is racing. Stop doing this to my heart, Haarika. Stop it, I say to myself. I need to distance myself from her before she drives me crazy. Haarika Singhania. This is what I was talking about when I said I am confused about her. "Maahi, look at this. It's so pretty," she says, and hearing my name from her mouth sounds so good. did she call me Maahi? Hayee me Marjawa, her eyes are fixed on the fireflies, and a smile covers her face. That smile is what I craved to see after she woke up in my car, from the first time I saw that smile on our wedding and till today, it's the most beautiful one to ever exist. Damn it, I want to hear my name from her mouth again, I think to myself. "Tell me it's pretty. Isn't it?" she asks, bringing me back to reality. Although I am not interested in those creatures, I simply reply, "Yes, it's pretty." Falling for her is a one-way path. Once I start walking on that path, there's no turning back, and I have already started to walk on that path. But there's no way I am going to fall for her right? I need to remember the deal, the contract we made.
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WORD COUNT: 2000
ALRIGHT!! HERE IS THE END OF THE CHAPTER. HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT SO FAR...
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