Chapter 24

Chapter 23

“When a devil falls in love

It’s the most hauntingly

Beautiful thing ever.

And you should be terrified

For he will go to the

Depths of hell for her.”

Riddhima tried opening the door of the room where she slept yesterday, the room was locked, cursing she turned to go to the adjoining room. She heard the footsteps from the direction of stairs and did the mistake of turning back. Vansh was climbing the stairs with utter calm, his face, neck, and some part of his shirt messed with the sand she threw at him. His calmness terrified her more. She fumbled with the doorknob. The sound of footsteps grew closer. Finally, the door opened, she tried to close it behind her but Vansh quickly put his shoe clad foot before the door closed.

“Go away” she tried to push the door. It was getting extremely difficult to even hold a door. She was dripping wet, her hands were slippery and Vansh was not even putting any effort to push the door, he just held it with one hand and his foot. Still, she tried to use all her strength

“Riddhima, let go. I am coming in” was his only warning before he gave a slight push and the door opened making Riddhima fall on her butt

Giving her a hand he smiled at her. Without taking his help she stood up and took few steps back

“Stop where you are” she stammered

“Why so scared darling? A while back you were acting so brave” Vansh advanced on her taking hold of her hand he dragged her bathroom and closed the door

“clean this” he pointed at his face

“No way” she denied

“You created this mess you will clean it, or I can drag you to shower and we can bath together, the choice is yours”

She was not ready for any of those options, she found herself in a predicament

“Take your time. I am liking the view” Vansh gazed at her

She tucked her wet hair behind her ear. Demons flared inside him. Her wet top clung to her body like a second skin. It dipped a little at the front revealing the upper part of her cleavage. He desired to possess her. He wanted to imprint on her so, that she will belong to him only. His pants tightened. He turned towards the sink to hide his arousal and gripped the sink table  

Confused she looked at him before understanding dawned.Consciously she folded her hands around her looked around for a robe or towel. There was one behind Vansh as she moved to take that Vansh lifted her from her waist and made her sit on the sink table. Then grabbing the towel, he kept it around her shoulders. She gasped and looked at him intending to shout but the words just stuck in her throat.

He looked at her with hooded eyes as he made himself stand between her legs and kept his hand on her either side

“Clean this now and I will leave. Don’t refuse you are not ready to deal with consequences”

Gulping she nodded and turned the tap on, then proceeded to take another towel to clean his face

“Use your hands” He threw the towel aside “you used your hands while doing this”

Mutely she took water in her hand. By the time she took her hand to his face, there was nothing in her hand. Frustratingly she looked at him.

Vansh quickly removed the brush from the tumbler holder and thrust it into her hands.

Her touch was soft and delicate. This was pure torture for him his grip tightened around the table. He closed his eyes and his breathing becoming uneven.

Riddhima felt irritated, sand was not coming off, it was stuck in his beard, no amount of water was cleaning it completely. And the it was also scratching her palm.  It will be so easy if only this man decided to wash his own face. This was very uncomfortable for her, at least he closed his eyes. She could not have done this if he kept looking at her like that. Warmth flooded her face. Sighing she decided to clean his part around his neck.

He quickly held her wrist in a tight grip. His other hand gripped her thigh tightly. She gasped loudly and tried to scoot back and remove his hand

“Stop, don’t move” He was looking at her once again. His gaze fixed on her lips, he bent forward for a kiss and she turned her head to the side making his lips land on her cheek but that did not stop him, he kissed her cheek. Pulling her close by her wrist he peppered her the side of her neck with kisses. He could feel her resistance, she was trying to push him away

“stop please” her heard her beg

Giving a small lick at the base of her neck he kept his forehead on hers and took few calming breaths. Riddhima was shocked and stayed still

“I am ready to give you some time before our marriage”

Riddhima felt happy finally something was working in her favor

“But…”

Her smile fell

“There will be some terms and conditions. We will discuss this over dinner” Swiftly he left the bathroom…

*****

Riddhima stared at the ceiling, her thoughts wandered to what transpired between them a few hours back. She felt her face heat. That was the most intimate she got with anyone. It is not like she never thought about kissing a man. She had her stack of romantic books.

This was something different too intense to handle. And she was a traditional and religious girl. Though she knew the time has changed some may have a different opinion about intimacy, like her sister who usually called her prude, and Dadi Amma for not dating enough boys. She could not and would not cross the limits she set for her. She knew her parents would have never like this.

His actions scandalized her. Vansh was a good looking and sexy man. Today he wore a see-through sky-blue shirt and khaki pants.  had rolled sleeves of his shirt up to the elbow. He was six feet tall and ruggedly handsome. No wonder Sejal and her friends went gaga over him all the time. He was associated with many girls, top models, celebrities. she had seen his pictures on the internet. Maybe this was a normal thing for him.

But he was not her type. She liked boys who were gentle and had an understanding nature someone like Kabir. He was anything but gentle. Vansh was forceful and demanding in nature. Obsessive and possessive, he would not let her live in peace. She will have to find an alternative solution for this and for that she will have to pretend getting along with him for the time being…

*****

Sejal huffed what is wrong with Riddhima? She once again tried calling her, but the phone was switched off. What if I call Nia? Sejal dropped the thought as soon as it came to her mind. She quickly typed the text pressed send.

She had to leave for Bangalore tomorrow for work purposes. She wanted to inform this to Riddhima. Today she received a call from the office. Aaryan, her new boss called her. He was Vansh’s cousin and a handsome one at that. Gosh, we're all Raisinghania men are this hot? How many more cousins were there?

Sejal packed her bag and once again checked her mobile. No reply. She just hoped that Riddhima will come back tomorrow before she leaves for her four-day long journey.

*****

Riddhima angrily paced the room as she thought about Vansh’s terms and conditions. She agreed to all of them because the other option was to get married next week, and she would never let that happen. She realized somehow Vansh always turned every situation in his favor.

After a lot of back and forth, he agreed to give her a month’s time.

 “After this month is over, we will get married with all the rituals, whether you, your family and friends agree to it or not” she nodded though she was asking for a minimum three months period and he was adamant on three days' time. She was glad that he at least got ready for a month’s time. And then came his so-called terms and conditions.

His first condition or better yet rule was “You can’t meet, call, text Kabir.” She agreed to this, as that was expected

“Though I am giving you a month’s time we will spend that time as a couple who are about to get married, you are my fiancé, you will have your lunch and dinner with me. You will answer my calls whenever I call you. You will not ignore me. You will keep visiting VR Mansion. It is up to you if you want to continue Sia’s treatment. I can arrange another doctor for her. You will come out with me on date’s” she was pissed, still agreed keeping in mind her escape plan.

It was his last condition that made her blow up. “You will sleep with me on the same bed today” and when she refused, he smugly told her she was sleeping in his arms for the last few days…

In return she only got two wishes granted she will keep living her normal life. Vansh will not say anything about them to anyone for a month. The second being Vansh will not hurt anyone dear to her.

When they finished, he ordered her to go to their room and he will be back shortly…

*****

“Once again why am I going with Sejal?” Aaryan asked

“Boss will tell you everything afterward, for now, you have to follow few rules, you can flirt with her but don’t make her pregnant, no s*x with her. And I am quite sure you won’t but don’t fall in love with her” Aangre left his room

Love and that too with Sejal Shastri, not possible. Aaryan never believed in true love and shit because whomever he dated was more interested in Vansh than him. He was jealous. Later, he decided to use the girls any which way, if they did not care why should he.

He was sure Sejal was one of those cases. Bummer with no s*x rule. He could have enjoyed this vacation…

*****

Vansh looked at the bed and smiled there she was sleeping or better yet pretending to sleep. He had watched her sleep for the past few days. Now he could immediately recognize that she was faking it.

He climbed the bed and slid near her and sure enough, she turned

“What are you doing? I am ready to sleep in one bed but that does not mean you can sleep near me. Go away. You will sleep in that corner”

“Sweetheart, you were sleeping in my arms for the last few days. Don’t be shy” he grinned at her

“I was unconscious at that time. Now I am very much conscious, and I will not allow it”

His gaze turned dark and he pulled her to him. She started hitting him on his chest.

“Kick, scream or hit me. I don’t care. Tonight, you won’t sleep anywhere but with me. You agreed to this Riddhima.” He reminded her

“Yes, to sleep on the same bed and not in your arms” Riddhima pushed him

“Don’t push. I am not moving”

Riddhima turned her back and he spooned her from behind. She fitted him perfectly.

“One more thing, though we have agreed on all the things today keep one thing in mind. You break one rule and I will break one rule” he whispered in her ear

Riddhima felt her heart stop for a second, he spoke almost as if he knew what she was planning…

*****

“Hello Ishani, why are you not answering my calls? I just want to tell you that I enjoyed our time together yesterday. I am happy that we took the next step in our relationship” Sunny happily rambled on before Ishani interrupted him

“What relationship? Wake up from your dream you moron, it was just a one-time thing. Forget that it ever happened. And don’t you dare call me again” Ishani threw her phone in anger

Sunny was trying to call her since afternoon. She left the hotel without informing him. When she did not answer his call, he called her from an unknown number…

*****

Vansh gazed at her face. She looked innocent and peaceful for once she was not fighting with him. He pecked her forehead. How will he stay away from her for a month? How will he sleep without her in his arms? He had to do this he reminded himself. He smelled her hairs and murmured

“soon you will be all mine”

*****

Anupriya looked at Aaryan. He was having breakfast with only Dadi for his company. Chanchal and Rudra came late yesterday from the party and must be sleeping

As her mother in law moved away, she approached Aaryan. It was a good opportunity to understand the project he was working on if she ever plans to sabotage his attempt at entering the business world, she will have to know about what he was working on. She can’t converse with Aaryan when Rudra was around. He was very protective of his child and always managed to drag him away whenever she approached him in the last few days.

*****

Riddhima tried to keep her eyes open as she gazed out of the car window. She felt sleepy. Yesterday she could not sleep properly and the reason for this was sitting beside her working on his laptop.

He slept with his arms around her literally caging her. She could not sleep and hoped that once he sleeps, she will be slid out of his arms. Whenever she tried doing that, he woke up, readjusted his hold on her, told her to get used to it, and slept.

It was early in the morning when she finally fell asleep. It was evening and they will reach Mumbai in some time. She hoped Sejal has some food cooked or she will order something online, eat and sleep in her own bed. That was the only thought that kept her awake…

*****

“Bye beta”

“Bye Bhai. All the best”

Sia, Dadi, and Chanchal were bidding Aryan goodbye. Chanchal wished him luck, she was the happiest woman today. Her son got the opportunity she was waiting for…

If only they knew the reality thought Aaryan as his car moved towards the airport…

*****

Vansh smiled at Riddhima. Finally she was sleeping. He closed his laptop and neared her. Gently lifting her face, he guided it to his shoulder and held her around the shoulder

They were about to reach her home. He hoped her sister has left by now, he quickly sent a text to his people who were guarding outside his house  

“Riddhima wake up” he shook her gently we have reached

“Hah” Riddhima quickly jumped away from him

“Thanks”

“No problem. The driver will give you your bag. And here is your mobile”

She turned to open the door when he quickly pulled her and kissed her cheek

“Now you can leave” he smirked at her upturned face

*****

Sejal packed her bags and handed keys to their neighbors. Riddhima did not come and neither called back. She sat in the cab and as the cab was speeding away, her eyes widened as she saw Riddhima get down from a Mercedes…

*****

Note:

Happy reading guys