After a thorough explanation from Kabir, Nisha and Sneha, Kaya and Mahesh finally agreed on Kabir and Nisha's relation. Not only that, Mandira chided the parents for disregarding their son's emotions earlier. Avni and Mohit, on the other hand, were quick to accept Sneha and Mahir because the only thing important for them was their daughter's happiness. Mohit even said that if Sneha had told them earlier that she loved Mahir, he would have listened to her and had called off the wedding as he couldn't stand his only daughter being unhappy.
“Now the newly wedded couple takes the elders' blessings for a happy life.” - the priest guided with a smile as the drama died down and everything sorted out.
The guests, who were still bewildered at the last minute change of the bride and events, threw rose petals as Kabir and Nisha touched the elders' feet one by one. Mahir was holding the petal plate in left hand and Sneha was throwing petals from the plate using her right hand. Because their other hands were still so tightly locked together and neither wanted to leave yet. Or ever.
After the rituals, Kabir and Nisha went to their room and everybody retired for theirs as well. The wedding festivities had drained out everyone's energy yet there was still one more event to go in the morning; the reception.
Sneha stepped onto fourth floor, her anklets making noise in the silence. She was not prepared when a hand grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall, her cheek pressed firm against the cool tile while her hands were roughly held behind her back.
She smiled, even though her heartbeat escalated. She gasped at the suddenness as well, but didn't get scared as the touch was familiar to her like the back of her hands — pun unintended.
“Did you think you'll get a free pass after torturing me for twenty days straight ?”
Her eyes closed as his warm breath tickled the baby hair on her nape.
“I didn't dare to assume such a thing your highness...” - she whispered breathlessly and heard his sharp intake of breath. She knew her surrender did things to him. Raised his heartbeat and turned his eyes darker.
He tightened his grip making her gasp again. “You deserve a punishment, don't you ?”
Oh yes. She did.
“Of course I do.” - she whispered, trying to crane her neck to look at him but in vain. He had her pressed firmly to the wall and his body flush to hers.
His hot breath was now over her ear, his lips lightly caressing the skin and she shivered. His free hand went to her bun and eased it out, causing her hair to fall to a shoulder. Her knees wobbled. They were in the hallway for goodness sakes! Anyone could stumble upon them in such a compromising position.
“Mahir-”
“Shhh...” - he silenced her huskily. His hand had gathered her hair by the end and was wrapping them around his palm like bandage.
“So how do you want to be punished...” - he whisper-asked in her ear.
She opened her mouth to answer but couldn't as his mouth attached to the side of her neck. Her teeth sank on her bottom lip because he without warning, started sucking. And he was rough. There was no softness in his sucks as he took the skin in his mouth.
Her knees at last gave up and she slumped back on him. It was a difficult position because his hand holding her hands behind her back were between them. Still, her skin burned at the heat his body radiated. He had mercy on her neck and left the skin with a last, hard suck. She mewled. The pain giving her another kind of pleasure.
“Answer me.” - he ordered lowly, now trailing his nose tip from her temple to her cheek and wherever he could reach on her face. Like inhaling her fragrance and filling his lungs with it.
Answer ? What had he asked ?
It took her dazed brain a moment to remember his question. He had her under his spell.
“Prisoners don't get to choose their punishment...” - she choked out as he nibbled on her earlobe. His teeth sharp.
He left her earlobe and groaned, his head dropping in the crook of her neck. “Stop. Tempting. Me.” - he growled causing all the hair on her body to stand.
She faintly registered footsteps climbing staircase but was in no state to voice out her panic. His words, his tone, the underlying warning, her bodily systems were messed up.
But he seemed to have heard the sound as well because he pulled her away from the wall and started walking her forwards towards the end of the hallway. There was a large armour statue in the corner. He pushed her in the space between the corner and the statue and they got completely hidden behind it.
She was pushed against the wall again but now, facing him. His eyes boring into hers.
“...was thinking if you are free so tomorrow we can go on... maybe lunch ?”
It was Rithik. And by the question and the nervous tone in which the question was asked, Sneha was sure Divya was with him. But Mahir didn't give her time to assess anything further and captured her lips in a searing kiss.
“That's a nice idea. Kabir Bhai's reception will take place in the morning so we all can head out for some fun later on.” - Divya said excitedly.
Sneha stifled a moan as Mahir mercilessly stretched her bottom lip with his teeth and delved inside her mouth. Her fingers roamed in his hair, messing up his silky locks as his tongue played with hers. He pressed more into her, tilting his head. His nose tip poking into her cheek. A feeble thought crossed her mind that how was it possible the sound of their intense snogging was not heard by Rithik and Divya ? But honestly, she didn't care even if it was.
“Um... we all ?” - Rithik asked with a nervous chuckle. “I meant... just you and me ?”
Sneha would have rolled her eyes and had taken a mickey out of her brother at his flustered state if not for Mahir driving her crazy at the moment. She was in no state to even breath let alone tease anyone.
“Oh. Just us. Well...” - Divya sounded nervous as well but happy too by her tone.
Sneha felt like she was on the brink of blacking out due to oxygen deficiency when Mahir broke their lip-lock. Blood rushed to their lips as they were swollen due to being pressed against each other so hardly for so long. They gasped inaudibly, their breaths mixing up.
“Okay. I'll be ready by 2.” - Divya said.
“Awesome. See you in the morning then ?” - Rithik sounded mightily pleased and Sneha was sure he would be smiling from ear to ear.
“For sure.” - Divya replied, sounding equally happy.
The footsteps started again and slowly the sound faded out. Sneha and Mahir were still catching their breath, staring intently at each other. His hand came up and his thumb softly caressed her cheek.
“The armour is used as an armour after years.” - he whispered mischievously.
A sudden laugh escaped her at his unexpected and unusual remark. He grinned. His thumb played with her bottom lip, and her laughter stopped at once. Dissolving into laboured breaths again.
“I have decided on your punishment.” - he whispered, his eyes dark yet shining with mischief.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Enlighten me please.” - she whispered, curling her arms around his neck to pull him even closer.
He bit his lip even though they curled into a naughty, lopsided grin. He rested his forehead against hers, the bridge of their noses touching. “Not so easily Ms. Kashyap. Prisoners have to wait for the final sentence.” - he whispered smilingly.
She took her bottom lip under her teeth as his dark mischievous eyes tugged at her heartstrings. His words setting loose butterflies in her belly. His tone setting her soul on fire.
“Okay. See you in the morning then ?” - she playfully mimicked her brother's words from a while ago, making him chuckle.
“You bet.” - he whispered, his eyes alight with love and contentment.
They stepped out from behind the armour and walked towards her room, hand in hand.
“Good night your highness.” - she teased, facing him and he gave out a soft chuckle.
Her heart soared. Happy him was a sight to behold. She couldn't stop herself from leaning in and softly kissing his eyes. Then his right cheek and left. Her touch feathery light. He had his eyes closed even when her lips caressed the tip of his nose.
“I love you Mahir.” - she whispered, making him open his eyes.
Smiling, she softly pecked his lips. Lingering there for a moment before pulling back. He was smiling as well.
“I love you too.” - he whispered while twisting the doorknob and opening the door for her.
She walked inside, waving at him like a giddy teenager. And he kept watching until the door closed and she went out of sight.