A spark of Desire

A Spark of Desire

Sanyogita, after getting fresh , emerged from the bathroom wearing her bathrobe . Her hair was wrapped in a towel like a queen's turban . Her face glowed thanks to her meticulous skin care routine.

She rummaged through her trolley bag for her outfit as her clothes had not yet been put in Prithvi's wardrobe. Finally she selected a soft , floral long kurti paired with matching palazzo. Her damp hair cascaded down her back , filling the air with the sweet scent of rose shampoo.

Just as she reached for the door handle to step out, her phone buzzed. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she peeked at the screen .

Incoming Call flash displaying the name “ Bhallu ”

"Kaisa hai mere Laal, Patidev ne kaal jyada pareshan to nahi kiya?" The speaker's voice was laced with teasing that only a best friend could get away with.

Sanyogita's eyes rolled in response , a smirk instinctively etched on her lips as she parted her lips to say “ Mayuri , I swear I'll kill you one day …”

Mayuri snorted with laughter “ What happened? Kya Sach mein Mr. Patidev ne kuch nahi kiya ?” Her tone was full of amusement, and however Sanyogita was slightly irked with her.

“ Stop it , Mayur . I ain't in the mood . And “Patidev” my foot ! If it's in my hand I'd never even hire him as my watchman!””

Mayuri was already wheezing. Her laugh was a mixture of air echoed through the phone as she proceeded “ Okay , mera bacha I understand . But are you okay? “ Her voice was more gentle this time

Sanyogita's expression softened “ I'm fine …but last night felt like I had experienced Halloween before anyone celebrated it !”

“ What?? What happened? Kya hua ?” Mayuri asked, her tone turned serious

Sanyogita launched into her version of the story — carefully omitting the part

When she accidentally fell over Prithvi and that brief moment of closeness that was still bothering her , she didn't dare to admit the feeling coursing through her veins. Betraying her emotions, her cheeks warmed with a crimson hue. Instead , she focused on how his ruthless demonavour had threatened to toss her off the balcony when she teased him saying “ OLd Man” but she had her reasons for that.

Mayuri went completely silent, as if it had taken her some time to process the details shared by her bestie. Her stomach started to ache with laughter, she had already had the reverie of the conflict but that childish fighting was beyond her imagination.

“Bwahahaha! Are you serious?! Chudail from beauty parlour and those Balcony threats?! That’s dramatic even for Mr. Singhania . I knew your fights were epic, but this is a full-on Tom- Jerry fight , Sandy!!”

“ Stopped laughing ! My body is still burning with rage . I wish I could kill him so I could spare of his snoring . His name should be Kharate Singhania instead of Prithviraj Singhaniya — I didn’t sleep a wink because of his nonstop snoring”

Mayuri choked on her laughter. Tears clogged the inner corner of her right eye.

Sanyogita couldn't help but smile.

As she spun around, her heart came in her throat. Her chest gathers the vibration of the drum beating with a hammer. Her eyes , however, seemed to forget to blink as they remained glued to him .

Her eyes landed on Prithvi who was standing in the doorway, his presence commanding attention.

Prithviraj Singhaniya — wearing a black formal shirt and coat and trousers of the same colour trousers, perfectly disheveled hair, and that eternal expression that screamed “I own this planet.”

Her posture stiffened. Her hands instinctively clutched around the mobile, bringing it back behind her back like a schoolgirl who seemed to be caught red-handed talking to her boyfriend in front of her parents.

He didn’t glance at her. Not even bothering to greet his newly wedded wife . Just walked in like a storm in slow motion.

Without a word, he strode to the drawer, opened it, pulled out……A revolver

Sanyogita's breath hitched. Her eyes bulged out like saucers , as her gaze fell on the gun , she swallowed some breath .

He loaded bullets into the chamber. Clicked the trigger. Did not shoot. Turned around.

Walked away.

Prithvi left the room without giving a glance at her as if he didn't care . As if this were just a regular Tuesday morning chore.

But his attention-grabbing personality was still left in the atmosphere of the room.

“OH MY GOD. That’s a gun!” she muttered beneath her breath.

Mayuri’s curious voice was still emerging from the other side of the call .

Sanyogita just stood there rooted , like a statue in a crime thriller. Her heart was racing like a dhol at a baraat.

Sanyogita's frozen moments were broken by the incoming call flashing “ Bhallu” on her mobile screen.

She answered the call, still half-soul, half-zombie.

“Mayur,” she whispered like someone who’d just seen a ghost.

“What the hell just happened?!” Mayuri screamed. “Why did you hang up? Are you okay, Sandy?

Sanyogita sank down onto the edge of her bed like a melodramatic soap heroine, clutching her chest.

“He… he just walked in. “

" Who, Sandy? “

" Prithviraj Singhaniya . He just came and didn't say a word. Took out a gun. Loaded it. Clicked it. And left. Like it’s just part of his skincare routine!”

There was a pause on the other end.

“A GUN?!” Mayuri shrieked.

“Yes, a real one! Chrome finished. Heavy. Bossy. Shiny. Probably imported!”

“Oh my god! Is this a marriage or an underworld franchise?!”

Sanyogita flopped backward onto the bed, eyes wide, still recovering as she tried to catch her breath . Her eyes were still wide with disbelief, her voice no louder than a whisper .

“ At one point … I really thought he heard me talking to you on the mobile — and was about to shoot me for it . He's like a ticking time bomb. Honestly , I'm surprised he didn't actually throw me off the balcony. And the scariest part? He didn’t even look at me properly. As if he doesn't care ”

“ Do you want him to care for you ?” Mayuri’s voice was a hint of surprise

“ No ” Sanyogita's reply was immediately

“Relax , babe, he doesn’t have that kind of power over you. Sandy’s a volcano, fireproof.”

Mayuri’s words brought a gentle smile to Sanyogita's lips.

“ But Sandy, why does he even have a gun? Is he going to a shooting range or just casually preparing for a gang war?He is a businessman , isn't he ? ”

“Yes he is . But I don’t know! Maybe it’s for intimidating me when I call him an old man.”

Mayuri wheezed. “Careful. Next time you call him ‘Kharate Singhania’, he might bring out a bazooka.”

Sanyogita sighed dramatically. “Oh God! Mayur . Are you trying to comfort me or traumatise me ?”

Mayuri chuckled “ chill, dear …I'm just kidding..He’s not gonna do anything. He’s all bark, no bazooka.. So nothing bad will happen.”

Sanyogita's expression turned sad, and the familiar achee embraced her heart “ Nothing would even matter if Yash had received my call . I could've run away with him . I will escape all this drama .I don't even have to get into this fake marriage “

Mayuri’s smile softened as she could feel her bestie's voice “Hey… listen to babe,” she said, her voice calm and warm. “I know it hurts. I know you feel like everything would’ve been different if Yash had just picked up. But listen to me, Sandy… you didn’t fail. You tried. You did what the option left in your hand. And that takes a lot of strength. ”

Sanyogita's chest was getting heavy with emotions .

Mayuri continued, her words acting like a soothing balm to Sanyogita's wounded heart .

“This fake marriage, this whole mess—it’s not the end of your story. It’s just one crazy chapter. And very soon you will be out of this wedlock . You’re not stuck, okay? You’re still you—fierce, stubborn, and stronger than you think. And no matter what happens next, I’m right here with you. We’ll face it together.”

Mayuri chuckled “And who knows? Maybe fate has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. Perhaps one of the most beautiful chapters will gonna unfold after the storm subsides“

Sanyogita’s eyes shining with hope, a gentle breeze touched her skin . All she wished for was to give her strength .

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Prithvi descended in the lift and stepped onto the first floor of their lavish house. Dressed sharply in his navy-blue office attire . Vibes of arrogance and confidence exuded in the air .

As he crossed the hallway, Pranali, emerged from the kitchen, surprised to see him ready so early.

“Prithvi?” she called out, halting him. “Where are you off to this early in the morning?”

He walked up to her with an affectionate smile, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on his mother's cheek — a mere gesture of a usual morning greeting “ Good morning , Mom. I'm in my formal suits , so obviously, I'm going to work”

Pranali frowned, a mixture of surprise and concern etched on her eyes , " But , beta, you just got married one day ago. Shouldn't you be spending time with your wife ? Now you have to give time to your wife ? And your reception hasn't even started yet ? ”

Prithvi was calm , but firm. “ Mom, I’ve got a business meeting in Japan . It's just four days. I'll only attend the reception as soon as I return “

Pranali looked at her son with a gap, “ Hey Ram !! " She exclaimed in a dramatic maternal tone " Beta, you're talking as if it's someone else's marriage and you were just a guest — not the groom"

Prithvi rolled his eyes, a lazy smile tugged at his lips “ Mom, I never said that I won't attend anything . But I already postponed this meeting because of this wedding. I can't delay it further. “

Pranali opened her mouth to speak , but he cut her off gently “ Mom, “ he said , keeping his voice steady , “ you know that I never compromised when it comes to work ”

Her gaze hardened , her disappointment barely masked , “ Beta, work isn't the only important thing in your life anymore. You're married now. And that means something crucial… Marriage comes with responsibilities and ..

Before she could finish her words Prithvi raised a hand, his eyes flickering to the phone screen lighting up in his palm. He tapped it and received the call in a brisk “Yes" — his Bluetooth earpiece was always connected .

Pranali watched as her son turned and walked away mid-conversation, disappearing down the corridor like a man chasing time. Her shoulders drooped, her heart heavier than before.

A quiet ache settled in her chest — not for herself, but for the young bride who now carried her son's name... but, perhaps, not yet his presence.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Sanyogita was in her bedroom, strumming with her guitar, lost in her own stern reverie. Music was her only escape these days .

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see her mother-in-law, Pranali, stepping into the room.

As Pranali walked in, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Her son—so proud, so clueless—didn’t know how to treat a woman, especially not his own wife.

After putting the guitar beside her in the bed , Sanyogita offered a forced smile to her mother-in-law . But beneath the gentle facade was a hidden relife — Prithvi had been left for Japan for 4 days . Till then in his absence meant she could finally breathe in this room. Still, she masked her relief with practiced grace.

To lighten her mood Pranali asked Sanyogita how she would feel in her new home .

“ I'm feeling good , Aunty !” Sanyogita replied tugging a polite smile on her cheeks

Pranali eyes sparkling with disbelief “ Beta , I already told you address me as Mom , Maa m Maaji…as Prithvi does . And you are my daughter-in-law cum daughter !”

Sanyogita gazed turned soft “ Okay…Mom”

Pranali flashed an amusement smile , and she brought up the upcoming reception party. Members of the prestigious Singhaniya family would be attending, and she asked her to pick out an outfit for hee —complete with matching jewelry and decorum fit for the occasion as she would be the centre of attraction of the party .

At first, Sanyogita tried to avoid the matter but Pranali's gentle , maternal warmth slowly melted her guarded heart.

They ended up talking for hours . In those conversations, Sanyogita discovered something she had never experienced before — a deep , affectionate bond between mother and daughter. It stood in sharp contrast to the fracture , cold relationship she shared with her own father . That gap felt impossibly wide to bridge .

In the days that followed, Shanaya and Vikrant tried to stir trouble for her. But Sanyogita, quietly fierce in her own right, gave them a lesson they wouldn’t forget.

With time on her hands and a growing sense of connection, she began spending most of her time with Pranali. On leave from work, she even visited an NGO with her mother-in-law. There, she saw a different side of Pranali—a compassionate woman, full of quiet strength and empathy.

She even began to laugh at the silly jokes of Pranav, her cheerful and mischievous brother-in-law. And in Nidhi, she found the elder sister she never had.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Time flew by like a swiftly running river. Four days had passed and Prithvi had returned from his business meeting. Although they shared the same space, he and Sanyogita barely exchanged any words .

She stole a glance at him , trying to recall Pranali's words , but couldn't find any redeeming quality in him . To her , he was a ruthless, arrogant and self obsessed man .

“ What kind of attitude does he have ? Don't even bother to ask me about my well-being!” She muttered under her breath, her frustration simmering.

Her head was throbbing since the evening, and also she felt cold and shivery, perhaps due to the weather. Despite her discomfort, she drifted off to sleep on the sofa.

As she rested her head on the pillow, she craned her neck to glance at Prithvi . He was still engrossed in his laptop, sitting on the bed . His focus was unwavering. Sanyogita wondered how he managed to stay concentrated for hours , without distraction.

Late that night , Prithvi wakes up and quenches his thirst. That’s when he noticed Sanyogita shivering under a thin bed sheet, her body trembling with each shiver . She mumbled incoherently in her unconscious state .

Prithvi's expression turned curious as he leaned in to check her temperature . Assuming she had a fever, he swiftly switched off the AC and decided to carry her to the bed .

As he lifted her into his arms, Sanyogita's fragile form felt vulnerable against his chest. Her hair brushed against his broad chest, giving tinikling in his body .

Prithvi's eyes narrowed, concern etched on his face. As he gently laid her on the bed , the silver glow of moonlight traced inside through the glass windows, casting soft shadows across her face . Her delicate features illuminated under its touch — as if a sign of serene and breathtakingly beautiful.

He gently placed her on the bed, covering her with a warmer blanket. For a moment, their roles reversed, and he became the caregiver. Prithvi found it difficult to look away.

He had noticed her watching him earlier, just a fleeting glance from the outer corner of his eyes . But he pretended not to see .

He quietly stepped away and returned with a stray containing a bowl filled with water . Kneeling beside her , he took a damped clothes from the bowl and rinsed it a little and placed it gently on her forehead, hoping to ease her fever. He sat there longer than he realised, watching the rise and fall of her warm breath .

When he finally sensed her temperature had dropped a little, he decided to rise . But before he could move , her arms found him in the stillness, soft m unknowing and instinctive.

Her arms encrusted around his neck, pulling him closer in the haze of her fevered sleep .

Prithvi's breathing hitched .

His face was now inches from hers . Her closed eyelids fluttered slightly, long lashes brushing against her cheeks . His gaze dropped to her plump lips , which were parted slightly, lurking. Something stirred deep within him . A longing he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years.

It had been so long since he had come across any woman . Not out of disinterest but of his hectic work and huge responsibility.Life had been too chaotic, too demanding. Love, even desire, had been tucked away, forgotten under the weight of responsibility. But now, with her close, warmth blooming between them, something inside him shifted.

Desired coursed through him like a pertinacious tide. His lips brushed hers , a tender touch of aching relife .

And then—

A pang of bitterness forms in his throat .

His instincts lashed him out of nowhere“ What are you doing ? Wo so rahi hai aur tu uske saath !!!”

Shame followed swiftly, wrapping around his chest like a vice.

He pulled back at once, carefully disentangling her arms from around his neck. With quiet steps, he moved to the sofa across the room. Lying down, he stared at the ceiling, haunted by the softness of her lips and the guilt of what almost happened.

Sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight.