Our eyes met and our souls caught fire.
...............
Pankhuri's heart raced as she descended the stairs, her fingers nervously knotting her hair into a bun.
The morning light filtering through the curtains seemed to cast a weird glow, drawing attention to the emptiness that permeated the house.
It was as if the weight of the previous night's events lingered in every corner, suffocating the air.
With her father away at the temple and her pregnant sister-in-law still asleep, Pankhuri descended the stairs, her movements slow and deliberate.
But as she reached the bottom step, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him – Dhruv Khurana, standing in the doorway like an unwelcome specter.
Frozen in place, Pankhuri could only watch as Dhruv's smile sent shivers down her spine, his presence casting a pall of dread over the room.
Why was he here ? That too in the early morning.
Wi...will he take me away ?
He entered inside the hall like he owned every inch of it. The things and surroundings changed their appearance like they were controlled by him.
Her own house felt unknown to her.
There was something about the way he smiled that sent shivers down her spine, his gaze piercing through her like a dagger. Panic clawed at her throat, threatening to suffocate her as she struggled to find her voice.
"Why are you here?" she managed to stammer, her words barely above a whisper.
His laughter echoed in the silence, a sound devoid of warmth or humor. It was a laugh that sent chills down her spine, filling her with a sense of dread she couldn't shake.
"Why indeed, Pankhuri?" he replied, his voice smooth as silk yet laced with a hint of menace. "I'm here for you."
He took one step towards her which echoed in the small room.
She took one step back near the last stair.
Pointing her finger at him she warned him with fear in her eyes " don....don't come near me ?”
He looked at her , he felt amused by the way she warned him. He felt challenged.
Was she daring him to come near her ?
He would gladly do it.
He took another step dramatically scaring her.
She stumbled behind the stair and hold the railing tightly.
"I... I said don't dare to come near me.”
"But I want to dare”. He smirked and took another step. She feared the way he was taking steps. They were not too far from each other just 5 steps between them.
No way she would go with him , she thought to run back to the room and lock the door until her baba reaches home.
She turned and ran two to three stairs up but before she could climb further her wrist was tugged harshly by him. And she landed on his chest.
Upon realisation she pushed him hard and ran towards the entrance. But she was challenging the Dhruv Khanna. He took over her and closed the door. Caging her beside the door.
" Trying to run away from me ? Huh ?” he said pulling her closer.
" What do you want , leave me ? Leave me I said ” she whispered yelled.
His expensive cologne filling her nose up.
"You ”
"I want you pankhuri”
She tried to push him on his chest but he caught her bangle claded hand behind her back , pulling her more closer. Her breast touching his chest.
Pankhuri's heart pounded in her chest as Dhruv trapped her by the door, refusing to let her go. "Please, just let me leave," she pleaded, her voice shaky with fear.
But Dhruv's grip remained firm, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. "I need you," he said softly, his words heavy with emotion.
Pankhuri felt a wave of fear wash over her as she realized the depth of Dhruv's feelings. It was both terrifying and confusing, leaving her unsure of what to do next. All she could do was pray for a way out of this unsettling situation.
Dhruv's emotions towards Pankhuri were intense and possessive. His eyes showed a deep longing for her, but also a hint of something darker, something that made her uneasy.
Pankhuri couldn't meet his gaze any longer; it felt like he was seeing right through her. Slowly, she looked away, unable to withstand the intensity of his stare.
But before she could retreat into her thoughts, he commanded in a dominating voice, "Eyes on me." His words were like a forceful demand, compelling her to meet his gaze once again, despite the fear swirling within her.
Pankhuri obeyed his command without thinking, meeting his intense gaze once more. She couldn't decipher the emotions in his eyes, but there was something magnetic about them that held her captive.
Their breaths mingled in the tense air, creating an electric connection between them that she couldn't ignore.
The tension was getting intense with each passing second. Their eyes are not leaving each other even for a millisecond.
Unintentionally Pankhuri's eye flickered towards his lips and dhruv caught this.
Maybe this is the time ? He thought.
Dhruv slowly bends towards pankhuri , their breathing getting high. He was like inches apart from Pankhuri's lips , whose gaze was at his lips now.
Slowly unintentionally her lips parted , and Dhruv thought she was ready to be devoured by him.
He tilted his head and was almost on the verge of kissing her but the knock on the door disturbed them.
The light kiss touched Pankhuri's cheeks who turned her head the moment she heard the knock.
Butterflies ran over Dhruv's body and he felt the overwhelming sensation all over. If it wasn't for the knock he would have devoured her like an animal.
The door knocked again , Dhruv sighed with frustration and let out a groan.
Leaving pankhuri who was zoned out and paralyzed on her place because of the kiss.
She adjusted her saree near the chest area which slightly swayed away because of dhruv's chest.
She opened the door hurriedly , finding her baba in his temple attire.
Tears emerged from her eyes as she wanted him to come home soon so that she wouldn't have faced what she faced now.
She ran and hugged her baba who looked confused by her sudden reaction. He gazed towards the hall just to find the Dhruv Khanna standing there with his head held high.
Short update.
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