Note: The Italic font represents past.

Italy.

Author's POV

"Moon please let me drop you back?", Aditya questioned her for the last time hoping she would agree but kept denying saying she will explore a little until he was free again from his work.

But Aditya was persistent to not leave her alone. He didn't like the thought of leaving her in a foreign country on her own but she wasn't ready to listen to him.

"Please?", She pouted at him when he stood and held his hand for her.

"Okay, but bodyguards will be with you", she was about to argue when he pulled her up, yanking her to his chest. His hand lifted to brush her hair behind her ear, "Please, don't argue moon".

Her eyes softened and she nodded softly. He led to walk beside him until he reached his car. Turning around he pecked her forehead, "Call me if you need something. I'll try to be back in an hour", she nodded pushing him slightly to leave already.

He reluctantly let his hands from away from her as he signed the three bodyguards standing at a distance before sliding into the car. Pooja waved him once turning her back and walking in a opposite direction feeling odd walking with three men following her behind. Aditya watched her until they disappeared from his eyesight before starting his own car, he wouldn't have left at the first place if it wasn't so important.

Pooja hugged herself feeling the warmth of his coat still draped over her. She was immediately feeling bored when he left, so she started scrolling through the streets to find something to distract herself.

She glanced at the men following her behind her and they were surely non Indian making her pout and look ahead lazily.

She strolled though some areas lazily, and few shopping malls that was in that area. But she wasn't interested leading her to buy nothing for herself. She was just passing time until Aditya will come back.

Two hours had passed and it was already night, the city now glowed with lights and people everywhere but she was still feeling alone. She had thought to go home once but then she again decided to wait for him.

She glanced around her once, But her eyes lit in excitement when she saw a small store across from her. There sat an old lady and young lad with a guitar as he played the strings and the lady sang some lyrics. Pooja couldn't stop herself and walk in their direction.

She had always loved music. It had always pulled her in. She even wanted to become a singer but for some reasons she had stopped doing it, for now. Once she had dared to apply for an agency but she didn't even make it to the interview.

She stopped infront of the lady when she stopped singing. Smiling politely she asked, "Can I play something once?".

The old lady's eyes scruched as she tried to understand what she said. Pooja understood that she didn't knew english she turned to the boy hoping he would know, and he smiled softly nodding and handing her the guitar before turning to explain his grandmother.

The boy offered her a chair he was previously sitting on, and pooja sat on it holding the guitar. Her heart swelled as she traced it, it had been years she touched one.

She had collection of guitars a few years ago but one day she locked them all in a store and never once opened it again.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she first tested if she still was good at playing it. A soft smile adorned her face when she played a soft tune for the warm up.

Aditya stepped out of his car after calling his bodyguards of her location. He saw her across the road sitting on a chair holding a guitar. His eyes darkened when he saw what she was doing.

He didn't liked music ,if anything he hated it from his very existence. And see the fate, his wife love the same thing he hated the most.

He swallowed hard, his steps quick to walk to her and stop her from singing anything. But it steps halted when the tune played softly. Hands clenching on his sides as he tried to control himself from going feral.

Aditya's eyes closed as if bracing himself for the pain he thought he'll feel and turned around but it never came. All that came was the soft voice from a distance, singing her heart out. Her voice filled with a longing and unwavering love that always drove him insane.

तू आता है सीने में

जब जब सांसें भरती हूँ

तेरे दिल की गलियों से

मैं हर रोज़ गुज़रती हूँ

Her voice wavered at a point, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she closed her eyes with a smile. Aditya couldn't see her and neither she noticed him there.

हवा के जैसे चलता है तू

मैं रेत जैसे उडती हूँ

कौन तुझे यूँ प्यार करेगा

जैसे मैं करती हूँ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

But confession was bare to both of them, making their hearts bleed and heal at the same time. He wanted to close his ears tightly so he couldn't hear the quite pain and love in her voice but at the same time he was unable to do so.

मेरी नज़र का सफ़र

तुझपे ही आके रुके

कहने को बाक़ी है क्या

कहना था जो कह चुके

मेरी निगाहें हैं

तेरी निगाहों की तुझे ख़बर क्या बेखबर

He tried to focus on the other voices around him but how can he, when all his focus was on his wife whom he couldn't take out of his mind even if he wanted to. His eyes were red from the urge of something he so badly wished but knew he wasn't allowed to do. And that was-Love.

मैं तुझसे ही छुप छुप कर

तेरी आँखें पढ़ती हूँ

कौन तुझे यूं प्यार करेगा

जैसे मैं करती हूँ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

She closed her eyes, a smile never leaving her lips as the memories of him and her together played in her mind like a movie. How he had changed from cold to still cold but caring towards her. How he would care for her in silence and deny to acknowledge it yet.

तू जो मुझे आ मिला

सपने हुए सरफिरे

हांथों में आते नहीं

उड़ते हैं लम्हे मेरे

मेरी हंसी तुझसे

मेरी ख़ुशी तुझसे

तुझे खबर क्या बेकदर

His face was the only thing she could think of as the lyrics came out of her mouth. Her hands clutched the guitar tightly to her body as she continued to voice out her hidden emotions thinking there wasn't him to witness it.

जिस दिन तुझको ना देखूं

पागल पागल फिरती हूँ

कौन तुझे यूँ प्यार करेगा

जैसे मैं करती हूँ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

हा हा आ आ आ आ

Surely he never liked music, but there was a time he loved it. The time when his mother used to sing for him and the single memory-still fresh in mind made him hate the music more. He hated his mother-no, she was just his father's late wife for him now and nothing else. That's what he said to himself.

He turned to look at her as she gave the guitar back to the boy and handed him all the money she had in her clutch, the boy refused but she just smiled lightly and gave it before turning and walking away from there unaware Aditya was watching her from a long time.

She felt relieved that she atleast confessed herself how much she loves him because she couldn't tell him how much she truly did. She smiled freely doing a soft twirl and walking ahead but her smile vanished the next second.

Everytime she mentioned love in the song ,it was a stab to her own heart as a dark memory re-surfaced her mind making her wince at how bitter it tasted in her mind. She stopped in her steps holding her head tightly to stop the words to cut right though her heart against and again with cruel intensity.

But she couldn't stop the voices. She was never able to from years.

A feminine voice from years ago cut her heart again as always-

"Woh Aap se pyaar kabhi nahi karenge, samjhi AAP. Bhul jaiye aur wapas laut aaiye Rajkumari"

(He'll never love you, understand. Forget him and come back to us)

A soft voice of small girl, barely fifteen argued hiccuping through her tears-"W-woh karenge. Ple-ase. He'll lov-e me".

And just then she received a sharp slap against her cheek turning her face to left making her cry silently but she didn't dare argue further.

"Yeh aapki bewakoof batein hame bhula deti hai ke aap rajkumari hain", the women sighed as if she was guilty for hitting her but she truly wasn't.

(This stupid talks of you sometimes makes me forget you are our princess)

"I'm going and remember he'll never love you. Understand ", she slammed the door shut making the small room pitch black leaving the small girl curled into herself.

As she kept whispering to herself in the dark, "He will lov-e me- he will love me- he will love me....."

She started gasping as she felt her breath shortening due to lack of air. Beads of sweat trailed down her forehead as she tired to focus on her surroundings but nothing helped her.

Tears formed in her eyes as she tired to argue in her mind but it always replied negatively to her. Her breath quickened and panic started to kick her in but a voice called out from behind and she froze.

"Moon?"

She closed her eyes tightly, wiping the nearly falling tears before turning to him with a small smile to face him. His own eyes were red making her confused but he walked to her and slid his hand around her waist making her walk towards the car without a single word.

And she silently followed too, because right now she had no power to answer his questions or question him to answer her. So she quietly followed where he leaned her, as always.

Pooja's POV.

Age - 12

"Good night, princess", my father whispered pecking my forehead before turning off the lights and leaving the room. My eyes opened taking in the darkness of the room, before settling on the large glass window, I deliberately kept unlocked.

My fingers moved mindlessly tapping against eachother, eyes drifting to the clock as I waited for the clock to strike 1 am-Exactly the time when he would come.

He doesn't come daily, not even once in a week or month. He comes only when it's needed.

Like he needs tonight.

How did i know? Well, I'm the reason he had to come here because-

Shh, that's a secret.

I close my eyes pretending to be asleep when I heard the glass sliding from outside. Just then the sent of him, enters with the cold winds from outside.

My nails dig into my own skin to stop myself from smiling that he has came here, for me. Because he cares.

The footsteps echo in the quiet room until a voice of chair creaking on the floor break it. He places the chair infront of my bed, a lond respectful distance between us.

I could feel his eyes tracing over me, then my body once not in anger, not in admiration and surely not in a wrong way how lusty men stare. He just scrutinizes me from head to toe covered in blanket because he just wants to make sure I'm alive.

Not that he cares, but needs me breathing for whatever that's still hidden even from me.

I pretend to be asleep, keeping my breath in calm pace. He sighed standing up and already getting ready to go. My heart clenched at the thought of him going away from me.

I wanted him to stay a little longer, atleast ten minutes. Or five minutes.

But he wasn't going to stay. I knew it before. So I was prepared.

Looking at his back, I lightly coughed and sneezed once. He froze for a while, his hand clenching and unclenching at his sides as if he's debating whether to look after me or not.

I attempted once again in my childish curiosity, only for him to curse lowly and turn back to me. I quickly closed my eyes, hearing his footsteps nearing. And then my heart started beating fastly as he placed his back of hand on my head, checking for fever maybe.

And thanks to me I made myself get the fever standing in the shower for almost one hour. It's just a mild fever, but he didn't need to know that.

He sighed tiredly, slowly going to my bathroom and doing something there. He returned and something cold was placed on my head. I had to bite my cheeks from smiling knowing it was his handkerchief from the earlier times. Ofcourse this wasn't the first time I did this.

Next, he pulled the comforter and wrapped it completely making sure he didn't touch me anywhere. He changed the kerchief dipping it into water for a few times until my temperature was normal.

I huffed internally, my body was already normal as I have controlled it for bigger disease than these when I was in j-

No. Don't think of it, pooja.

"You are one irritating creature, child", he muttered finally happy to leave from here.

Child, I hated it when he called me this. I know I'm just a child now, but I won't be when I grow older, right.

I wanted to stand up on my bed and really slap him for calling me child. But it's okay I'll let that slide, I'm a good girl.

Hearing the fading footsteps of him from outside my balcony, I quickly sat clutching the handkerchief in my hand and ran to see him climbing the wall like a professional thief.

I smiled walking to the my wardrobe and opened the inner locker, the one I had filled with his things he left behind.

Carefully I kept the seventh handkerchief I had of him inside. The first one was from the time when I met him for the first time before two years.

Present

Age- 20

"Moon", I heard him whispering near my ear placing a soft kiss stirring me lightly. Whining I blinked up to see him glancing down at me with soft eyes. My hands instinctively tightened around him when I felt the cold winds making me realise we were still out and sitting on a bench near some bridge.

Due to the cold temperature, Aditya had wrapped his arms around me to keep me plus his coat which he gave me a long earlier. I pulled a little away to sit properly and leaned my head on his shoulder looking at the water under the bridge infront of me.

"We need to leave, it's late", I nodded holding his arm tightly as he pulled me on my feet. It took me a second to steady my weight on my legs.

"Should I carry you?", I shook my head. He should be joking, we are surrounded by tons of people though they are in their own world but still. Before I could think more, he was already lifting me up in his arms making me gasp.

"Adi".

"You are my wife, your comfort is my first priority", I smiled and leaned to peck his cheek unable to stop myself. He hoisted me a little up before walking on the sideway of the bridge.

My eyes drifted to the calm water again, resting my head on his shoulder I looked at the reflection of lights and building on the water. He kept walking as the car was parked out of this area.

"Adi, I always wanted to explore the underwater world from childhood", he stopped for a moment glancing at the water nodding once and walking again. I closed my eyes letting myself rest from the thoughts, "But growing up I have fear of water in depths".

For a moment I thought I saw a smirk on his face, dark and amusing which almost made me worried, "I'll fulfill your wish, soon moon".

"Huh?", I sleepily gazed at him but he remained silent and then.

He hummed, I felt myself slipping into slumber again as he said, "Sleep, wife. I'll take care of you".

.

.

.

.

Marseille, France.

Aakriti's POV.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

My mind is aching so much from thinking. I grabbed the glass bottle and drank it all in one sip as if it was alcohol and not water.

Fvck that bastard man!

How could he do that to me?.

I thought I would be over with my little crush on him when I'll stay away with my grandfather here in his house. But damn, I'm already missing his grumpy face when I would greet him morning.

Looking that handsome while still being a cold ass is a crime. Huge one.

I looked at the mirror infront of me, looking up at myself, I smiled-God how beautiful I'm. People should already declare me miss world.

And still that bastard never looked at me more than a second or two. Sighing I slammed the bottle on the table, though not actually. I don't want to hurt my pretty body or myself.

I pulled my hair into a quick pony tail, and motivating myself for a good ten minutes, I grabbed the laptop from the couch and laid on my stomach on the bed. My fingers swiftly moved over the keyboard as I entered the company password.

And to my suprise, I still had the access to the company's files and quarter. Which I guess was a mistake of someone, but I'm glad.

I smirked copying the most important files Mr. Roy Choudhury had once told me was his biggest deal of the year into my pen drive. And as soon as I did, I quickly logged out from the website.

He accused me of copying the tender and handing it to some other company, right. So why not do this in reality. I'll not give this to someone, because I don't want him to hate me.

If I want something-that is probably to get him closer to me. And for that I'll use this.

I quickly stood running to the door, but halted in steps.

Wait a minute.

A sly smile made it's way to my lips. What's the fun in doing the right things. Boring. I'm not afraid of anything or anyone, so I'll do this in a very wrong way.

(⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

My hands were sweaty from nervousness as I stood infront of his apartment door. There was just a few steps between us with a thin barrier separating us. Taking a deep breath, I finally pressed the door bell.

Come on, aakriti you can do it.

I'm sure I had heard a few thing breaking from inside when I arrived here, but I'm not sure. A few curses was heard from him as his footsteps approached and he opened the door.

My eyes widened taking in his disheveled state, his hairs spread on his forehead. Shirt undone with two top buttons and veins popping out from his neck. But when he saw me, his eyes widened more than mine.

He stared at me as if I was a ghost. His lips parted and closed like he couldn't understand what was happening. Scaring he would just slam the door on my face like earlier times, I quickly stepped inside which was the biggest mistake I did.

Because now I was just an inch away from touching his body with mine, I had to crack my head up to stare into his eyes and when I did it felt like his breath was hitched.

I smirked internally because I knew I have this effect on him, though he would never accept. Arjun gulped once before stepping back creating space between us, "Yo-u?"

I held my hand up like queen from old days, stopping him before he could say something and my wavering confidence to stand infront of him will shatter. I couldn't risk it, I have came far from backing off from my decision.

Looking up at the interior of room, I started walking to the couch. Because, god I needed to sit to hide the shaking of my legs seeing him infront of me. As I was looking up like an idiot I'm, my feet collided with something and I was about to stumble badly on my face straight.

Arjun quickly moved to grab my wrist but thankfully I had balanced myself before it. I closed my eyes, as my back was facing him to control the urge to just run and hide somewhere.

Taking a deep breath I sat on the couch, now facing him and crossed my legs trying to show I'm superior than him. But my eyes stayed on his bare feet on the ground.

Oh I have never seen him bare foot before. Wah ! Inke pair toh mujhse bhi delicate hain.

I lifted my eyes when I felt him boring holes on my skull just from his gaze alone. But my breath hitched when my eyes met his. The look in them was so intense that I had to tear my gaze away, afraid that I might misread it.

I could feel him glaring at me, which is obvious why. Looking up I smiled sheepishly, he narrowed his eyes.

"Come sit, Be easy first", I blurted out anything to make his attention shifted from me. And to my suprise he did say on a small couch beside the one I was sitting on. That's when I noticed the floor had pieces of broken glasses and at the corner his phone was smashed into several pieces.

Everything was a mess in his apartment. Does he have an earthquake premium membership so that he can enjoy this?

'Shut up, Aakriti', my inner voice scolded me. Yeah!

While I was busy in thoughts completely forgetting why I was here in the first place, he just kept staring at me as if he hadn't seen me ever before. Like I was something he needed to fill in his eyes until they were satisfied. Like I'm something precious-

'Kuch bhi'! My own self taunted. I'm thinking whatever. Because I haven't slept properly from last night because of this man. Now I should deal with this.

Rubbing my palms on my dress once I turned to look at him only to freeze because his face was resting on his hands which rested on his thighs as he just stared at me continuously. His gaze intense, intimate and breathtaking all at once.

I'm shocked at myself that I'm not finding this creepy.

But then yes! I'm more creepy than him. Because practically I'm the one who bursted uninvited into his apartment at late night and now sitting infront of him like it's mine house and not his.

"Hmm?", I hummed trying to get him back to earth, expecting scoldings, humiliation and a taunt atleast. Doesn't people get offended when they are distributed in their privacy?.

"Hmm.", he hummed back, still staring at me.

"Hmm?".

"Hmm".

"Hmmmmm?", I was getting frustrated now because of his no reaction.

"Hmmmmm."

"Are you mad?. Won't you ask me why I'm here?", I stood up practically yelling at him. He looked down at his lap once, before lifting his head, "Do you want me to ask?".

I nodded immediately. "Ok. What are you doing here?". He asked calmly.

I smirked tossing the papers I got printed just an hour ago to his glass table only for them to fall on ground on glass pieces. I thought it was glass table, which it was before I guess he broke it.

I was about to pick up when he bent down and took the papers in hands. My heart was beating rapidly at the thought that he will read evrything in it. Now i was feeling like a fool. Do I really wanted this?.

Really?. Yes.

Was I sure?. Yes.

And what was in paper?. Just about giving my position back in office and Contract Sexual relationship.

"Contract Sexual relationship?", He almost yelled the words at me. His face was twisted into disgust and anger as he read it.

What is he thinking?.

He mouth was left open in disbelief when he completely read the two papers which was already signed by me.

"What the hell is this?", he slammed the papers on the same glass table making it fall down again as the glass was now not available. His hands clenched tightly against his sides as he glared at me. And I know something bad is going to happen now.

Congratulations, Mr. Arjun Roy Choudhury is finally in his senses. And soon he will kick me out of here and his life again.

Arjun's POV

The moment I opened the door, I froze.

My breath stopped. Heart beating rapidly in a rhythm that could have caused me a heart attack I'm sure.

There she was-My precious.

Right infront of me.

Am I dreaming?. Please God, don't do this, let this be reality and not my imagination.

Before I could make myself believe what I'm seeing, she stepped forward just inches between us. My breath hitched as her scent hit me quickly making my heart faster. So I took a step back to calm my heart.

For a moment, no one speak. She just stood there while I was busy staring.

How foolish I had been? I always thought I'll recognise her as soon as she will be infront of my eyes.

But I being the most biggest idiot denied the way I felt for this girl even when my heart was sure she's the one.

I wanted to speak so many things. I wanted to tell her how much I searched for her. I wanted to say how much she meant to me. I wanted her to know she had me wrapped around her fingers even without being in my world.

I wanted to pull her into my arms, and wanted to hide myself in her that there will be no part of me and her exists, but just US.

I wanted to tell how beautiful she was in my imagination and how more beautiful she is in my reality.

My eyes burned as I didn't even wanted to blink, afraid she'll vanish from my sight and I'll lose her again. A tear slipped my eye, and thankfully she walked past me going inside.

I closed my eyes smiling like fool I had been before wiping that vulnerable tear and turning back to face her with my normal stoic face.

Just as I turned she was about to stumble from the message I created in the hall, my hand moved to hold her but she quickly steadied herself stealing the precious moments to feel her for real.

My precious, She's real and she's here.

She sat on the couch, looking nervous but trying to show she's confident on the surface.

I sat on the beside couch, looking at her. What can I do if not looking at the most important thing for me in this world, and when I just got to see her real for the first time.

I didn't even how much time has passed while staring at her. But I wanted this time to stop here, so I can just see her, admire her and memorize her in my mind. The room was filled with silence.

Until she moved and tossed a few paper sheets on table, which fell down. I bent to take them before she could and started reading it.

The first paper was something about getting her place back in office with respect. Second paper had an agreement of five years that I cannot fire or terminate her. And then the last paper.

What?

Really?.

'CONTRACT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP'

Does something like this even exist.

What the hell is she thinking?.

Sexual relationship?

God! I never thought about something like this with her. Yes I know I'm obsessed, but that doesn't mean I lust over her. I have always thought purely about her. Though I know at some point we'll get intimate but this-

Is she disrespecting my devotion for lust?.

But she doesn't even know I was searching for her.

But if she's coming with this, does that mean I somehow gave her wrong idea when she was working with me?.

Whatever this is-it's not happening. Because I won't appreciate the idea of just having her body. I want her soul, I want her love. I want her to see me tha way I see her. Though I do want her body, but it's not just for lust. If she says me once, She doesn't want to get intimate.

I promise I'll never touch her that way. I'll always keep my distance with just loving her soul and heart.

I don't know what to think, say or do. All mixed up feelings are bursting my head.

Standing up, I threw the papers on the table which again fell down, "What the hell is this?.

She flinched but quickly composed herself. Her eyes lifting to meet mine, and I forgot what I had to say again.

She didn't spoke, neither did I. But I wanted to, so badly.

Her eyes are so beautiful.

How come I had never noticed?.

But wait they look familiar-I have seen these eyes before. Exactly the same.

My eyes closed on my own, as I tried to remember where had I seen them. But the more I tired, the pain began kicking in my veins of forehead. Why am I feeling pain suddenly?. It never happened before.

I opened my eyes looking at Aakriti again, and then a sharp pain pierced though my head making me stumble back. I sat down on the couch holding my head as somethings flashed infront of my eyes.

The memory hit me, with blurred faces-

'You are such a good boy, Arjun.

Come to Maasi, Baby

You are sooo cute, Arjun, even more than your Siblings"

Just before I could see the women clearing who was talking to my child-self, Aakriti called me, "Sir-

"Sir, Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes, the burning sensation intensifying in them making me shut my eyes again.

"Your eyes are red", She whispered standing infront of me.

She took a step back, another one. Maybe she misinterpreted this as my anger on her. She was about to step on the glass pieces on the floor behind her, but before she could move an inch more I stood up grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward.

She gasped softly at the sudden action, her body just inches away from mine, "Careful, Precious. You'll hurt yourself".

I meant both-about the glass pieces and about the contract, she doesn't the consequences of, yet.

Her eyes widened, cheeks shading because she noticed what I called her.

I suddenly stepped back, creating space because I feared I might flow in emotions and do something that will make her go away from me.

Something dark passed through her eyes noticing the space between us and stepped one step ahead, "I'm not scared about getting harmed".

"You don't know what you are getting yourself into?"

"I know-"

"Shut up. I'll not sign any shit like this", I cut her off turning my back towards her. But a smile threatened to spread on my lips.

Why does she only wants sexual relationship?

If she liked me, she can just date me right?.

My thoughts snapped when she turned me around by my arm, "You will sign them, and right now."

Her voice firm and assertive leaving no choice of doubt, but my eyes were still on the place where she touched me.

Oh God! MY PRECIOUS touched me, willingly.

She snapped her fingers infront of me, breaking my trance. I controlled the smile that was dying to break free on my lips. "What makes you think I'll do what you say".

She smirked, and sighed turning to take her phone from couch and handed it to me. I looked at it confusedly but then my thumb scrolled through the file that was open in her phone.

The file contains the information about the possible tender we were expecting this year. Me and my employees had worked day and night for this project, hence it was important one.

And the information was locked for everyone expect a few people that included, Me, The COO and My stupid grandfather. I looked up at her, squinting my eyes because what was she implying with this?.

"You will either sign this papers according to my will or I'll give this data to some other company in exchange of lots of money as I was accused previously ", She explained like it was a lesson I needed to understand.

Fvcking audacity-Oh wait.

She's my previous. She can do anything she wants. And I'll let her.

She's blackmailing me? Me?

How much lucky can I get in just one day?.

My precious is blackmailing me, only me?

"Oh you can't do this to me?", I said trying to act shocked and worried about the fact that she'll use this against me when my innocent precious is a little dumb.

I'm sorry, precious.

She just gave me her phone to show this, and it wouldn't take me even a minute to delete everything and knowing my precious little brain, she wouldn't even have thought about back up.

She smirked closing her eyes while sitting on the couch as if she had been handed the world to rule now. And it only made this game even more interesting.

"How can you do this, please-

"Shh", she kept a finger on her lips silencing me, "Just sign the papers and I'll not do this".

I kept a hand on my lips to hide my smile as she glanced at her nails smugly. What kind of thing she is?

"Please, Aakriti. Don't do this", I acted to be desperate to save myself even though I wasn't the one drowning but her.

"Why are you acting so much?", My eyes widened at her accusation thinking she caught my act but she was still so self-centered to notice me. "Just sign the papers sir".

She glanced at me, her lips curling into a mischievous smile as she took her phone and typed something.

Damn! Her smile is so beautiful.

I was smiling to myself like an idiot looking at her smiling down at her phone, only until she looked up as something played on her phone making me shock as hell.

Kab Tak Jawani chupaoge Raja...

My mouth hung open as I stared her questioning my entire self.

'Are you sure, she's not a mental case?'

'No shut up. Whatever she is, She is my precious'

I took a deep breath, opening my eyes and looking at her seriously now.

"And What if I don't sign them?"

"Ok. Your choice".

She stood and pulled out a gun from her back pocket of pant which surprisingly I never noticed, and kept it straight if my forehead.

Kya Cheez hain yeh!!!!

I clicked my tongue against my cheek, her hands didn't even trembled a little, such a bold little thing.

"Hands up", She commanded and I followed. Like I always will in future too.

"Hmm, now will you sign or die", she tipped her head as if I was amusing her.

Hayee! Yeh kitni pyaari haiiin..

"I will sign them", I looked around for a pen and it was on the table near the kitchen. I walked to take it and she followed me holding the gun on me the whole time.

I smirked ready to sign and she curiously peeked like a child waiting for her candy. I'm wondering why is she looking so happy?. She pointed the gun on my forehead still waiting for me to sign it.

"Wait a minute".

"What now!", She groaned while I smiled innocently.

"Answer me one thing", She glared and I just looked at her, "please".

"Okay. Ask" .

She looked down but her head snapped up when I asked, "First tell me, Am I hot?"

She gave me cringed expression, as if she didn't expected this question.

Her head fell back as she clutched on it dramatically, before tossing the gun on table, "Sirrr. Aap pagal hain".

Sitting on a chair infront of me she pulled my hands to turn to face her and I did. "Idhar dekhiye. If someone is forcing you for something like this. And all you could focus on if you are hot?. Right now?

Are you serious?".

She kept her elbow on table, holding her head, "Kitne bhole hain aap sir".

"Really, anyone can manipulate you. Aap itne masoom hai mujhe nahi mlm tha?", she kept whispering to herself as I just watched her with open mouth.

I looked at my lap, questioning myself, am I really innocent?.

.

.

.

Jaipur, India.

Mishti's POV

A attendent kept the plate of food on a side table near my bed while I sat numbly on the couch looking out of the large balcony of this room which gave a full view of palace completely from here as this was in opposite side sector of palace.

"Please finish your breakfast. King personally insisted", she whispered bowing turning to leave.

I glanced out before finally asking her, "What are the decorations outside for?", she halted in steps and turned to me slowly, her eyes still down as she answered to me quietly afraid it might lead her to punishment.

"It's for marriage ", She whispered. My heartbeat increased, hoping it's not related to me.

"Whose marr-"

"I should leave", she bolted away from my room closing the door behind her softly leaving me in a spiral of unanswered questions and my raising anxiety.

I glanced at my phone, which was of no use from the time I came here. And by now I doubt my family cares about me.

If Aditya bhaiya would have been here, I'm sure he would have known about me. And if he isn't in picture it means he isn't in this country.

I stood up taking my duppata from the bed and draping it on myself before I slowly walked out of the room. Suprisingly I wasn't feeling as if I was someone new here. This palace was beautiful and it itself made me bound to it.

So I wasn't uncomfortable here. And the workers here were good and inviting too. From the time I came here, the only thing I do is go to school and came back here with the driver He (Abhishek) alloted.

And I don't know why I never tried to escape when I was alone, because maybe I feared he might do something bad to the driver for my mistake.

So I made a decision tonight, I'll stop running from him. How long will I run?. I'm tired. Let's just face it and solve this issue. And as much as I believe he'll get over this Obsession soon.

But something inside me told I'm lying to myself.

I just stepped in the garden infront of palace, and across from me stood his grandmother-who gave me a stern look before turning her back to me. I just looked down, she's so strict.

But she's good too. She doesn't show but she is a very good person.

Even though she talked a few times with me, and it was in a strict way but even then she was soft I know. Because you'll know if a person is really cruel or just showing to be cruel.

And she shows to be cruel.

Just then the air shifted with authority and power as He entered the palace. His grandmother visibly stiffened as if trying to ignore his existence. But he stepped infront of her blocking her way and bowed to touch her feet.

She just turned her head to the side, not lifting her hands on his head as usually she did. Seeing this something cracked inside me, because I know the reason is me behind this.

He looked at her as if trying to talk but she just turned away without a word and left the place. He took a deep breath walking inside the palace. A sigh of relief washed over me as he didn't notice me.

But my breath hitched when he halted in his way and turned directly to my direction and looking up as if he sensed my gaze on him. I wanted to hide behind the pull but my body was frozen and I couldn't even move.

I expected him to stare longer at me, intensely but suprisingly he turned and left to Inside as if I didn't matter at this moment. And I hope I don't matter to him.

But do I really want that I shouldn't matter to him?

No-yes.

He shouldn't care about me. But why does it suddenly hurt thinking I won't matter him anymore.

I turned to walk to my room back and wanted to just lock myself today as it was holiday for the school. But a maid collided with me and the things she was holding fell down.

I apologized when she immediately apologized again and again. I bent down to pick up things she dropped because of me, but my hands stilled when the phone she dropped came into my view.

A news live feed was running on the phone with low volume making it hard to hear, so instinctively I read the highlights on the screen.

My breath stopped for a moment, heart clenched even when all I should have felt was freedom. But I could only feel the cold feeling wrapping around me.

He lied. I should have known about it.

My eyes prickled with tears as I stared at his picture on the screen and the bold letters on the top-

"MARRIAGE ALLIANCE-King of Jaipur and Princess of Ajmer"