FF: Temptations- Chapter 7: Page 17: Mar 11 - Page 13

@ Yuvika: Hiya Yuvi! 😊 Yes, Ajay's leaving, I wasn't planning to keep him in the story for long, he was just used to bring Dutta's feelings to the surface 😳. But yeah, he was a great guy. Lol, exactly, usually Dutta might like Ajay, but his closeness to Naku forces him to hate Ajay 😆. Thanks a lot Yuvi! x

@ Usha: Thank you so much Usha! 😳 Exactly, he is very possessive, which Naku will not like in the slightest 😛. He will realise very soon that he loves her, I won't keep you all waiting for his realisation. Will be updating shortly. x

@ Kavita: Hello Kavita- Good to see you! 😃 Thank you so much. Ah, I know, I apologize from the bottom of my heart- I just handed in my assignment, so have some free time for a few weeks, so I shall try to update as much as possible in that time. Yes, there will be no hindrances in their path to love- I didn't at all want negative characters in this story 😆. I also like jealous Dutta *sigh* ☺️ The next chapter will definitely be longer. Thanks again. x

@ Naina: Hey! 😳 Thanks a lot- Their conversation is coming up very soon. Glad you liked the last chapter 😊. x

@ Kiran: Thank you dear 😊. Ah, I know- I hope that coldness came out right, that was the exact emotion I was trying to evoke 😳. Your comment is lovely, thanks a lot- I'm really pleased you liked the chapter. Awww, I know, poor Ajay has no idea what kind of trouble he's got Naku in, but it's alright because Nakusha knows how to handle herself 😛. She'll confront Dutta with her head held high. Awww, lol, don't beg- I'll update soon! 😆 I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting so long! x

@ Juni17: Hello. Oh, don't worry, I don't mind saying sorry because I know I can be mean letting you all wait so long for the updates 😳. Thanks for the lovely comment, awww, I'm happy you find my writing addictive 😳- I really appreciate it. Next chapter will be posted in a while. 😊 x

@ bfunofbb123: Your name's Jorda right? 😳 Thank you for reading and for the comment. Haha, yes, Dutta's smirk will soon be wiped off by Naku 😆- and Baaji will be the one laughing at the twist of fate 😆. I shall update very soon. x

@ Vampgirl: Thank you so much for reading and leaving a comment 😃- I'm pleased you enjoyed reading it. TaSha conversation is coming up very soon, sorry it took so long! 😳 x

@ Shilpita: Awww, Shilpi!! 😆 LOL, you got tempted? 🤣 WOOO, that's a good thing- you should read the PH version then and imagine DN! 😆 Don't worry Shilpita, I don't mind you reading it all, I'm happy you enjoyed the story though 😃. Although there are a few minor changes I am making to this story as I go along 😊. Thanks for the comment, I will update soon. x

@ Vika: Thanks dear, you don't need to thank me 😳- I enjoy writing- in fact, I should thank all you wonderful readers. I am glad you liked the last chapter. Will continue very soon. x

@ Ruya: Awww, thank you, I'm glad you think so 😳. I shall update very soon, sorry it's after so many months! 😆

@ AzMishy: Hello! 😃 Thank you for the comment, I will be updating shortly and shall add you to the PM list. x

Chapter Seven

Nakusha took a sharp intake of breath as Dutta moved forward to stand in front of her, so close that he could hear each trembling breath that she took.

'Do you know how long I have been waiting up for you? What took you so long?' Dutta asked, his lips whispering close in her ear.

Nakusha raised her head to look at him and felt fear bubble to the surface as she saw his burning eyes flash at her. 'I...I was with a friend. I'm tired now, I want to go to sleep please,' she answered honestly. She turned to open her bedroom door but his hand quickly caught her arm to pull her back to face him, his thunderous brown eyes staring deep into her own big black ones.

'A friend!' he snapped, pushing her up against the wall, trapping her completely.

Nakusha gasped. 'Get off me,' she cried out in pain, trying to pry his fingers off her arm.

'Have fun did you?' Dutta hissed, his fingers tightening.

Nakusha's fear was now replaced with anger. She looked up at him with a frown. 'Yes, I did actually,' she bit at him.

The muscles in his jaw tightened and he looked away. As his head turned to look sideways Nakusha could almost notice something glisten at the corner. No, she must have been mistaken; it could not have been a tear. As Dutta turned back to look at her, she could feel his stare as if it was piercing through her. 'I know what men like you are after,' Nakusha cried, trying her best to stand her ground.

Dutta cocked an eyebrow, 'Men like me?' he asked.

'Yes...men who think they can treat women like toys! Well, you listen to me...I am not some Barbie doll that you can play with and then chuck away as soon as you get bored! And if me saying this means I will lose my job, then fine, so be it,' Nakusha said quickly before Dutta could say anything else. To her surprise, he released his grip on her and took a shaky step back. Not wishing to say anything else, Nakusha scurried to her room quickly, hoping the darkness hid the tears that now slid down to her chin.

Dutta stood alone in silence, registering each and every word that had hit his ears. Staring at the closed door of her room he slowly rested his hand against it, yearning for the woman who dwelled inside. He smiled to himself recalling her sweet scent which was still lingering in the room, wreaking absolute havoc on his senses as well as his body. As he had watched her retreating figure close the door on him it had taken him all the energy he could muster to not go after her, yet he knew that acting irrational was not going to get him anywhere. Her rejection spurred him on further, as he balled his fists, even more determined to get what he wanted. He was not used to hearing the word 'No' and neither was he planning to get used to it. But maybe this was a good thing, he thought. He liked challenges and this would make things much more enjoyable. He was always up for a bit of excitement. It may be difficult, but it would not be impossible.

If there was one thing he was good at, that was making women go weak in the knees. She would not be able to hold on to her stand for much longer, she would be powerless to resist him; he would make sure of that. After all, he was Dutta Shreeram Patil. And if Dutta Shreeram Patil wanted something, that something would be his no matter what.

This was way past desire now, what he was feeling could not be described or comprehended. All he knew was that he wanted her- every waking moment was filled with images of her. He wanted to wake up to see her face; he wanted only his name on her lips. He was used to having women chase him, not him chasing women. What was happening to him? It was not like he owned her- yet why could he not see her with anyone else? Why did her words sting him? Why did he want her so desperately?

Could it actually be that he was falling hopelessly and intensely in love?

~

Nakusha lay in her bed awake for hours, waiting for the sun to rise, as images of the preceding night crept up on her to disturb any thought of sleep. The tears had stopped yet a

feeling of anger intermingled with guilt tug at her heart. Never had anyone evoked such fury in her as he had done, yet she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for what she had said to him. She had no right to point fingers at what he did with his life; he was just her boss, nothing else. Exactly, she then thought- he was just her boss, so he should not have been meddling in her life either.

Suddenly her thoughts went to Roopvati and what would happen if Dutta was to fire her. She would have to find a job somewhere else, because Roops was her number one priority, and it was important to keep sending her money. But then what would she say to Shreeram Uncle and Aayi, who had grown to love her as a daughter? What reason would Dutta give them for letting her go?

She hugged her pillow tighter and stared at the clock, wishing time would pass quicker. Finally giving up on sleep, Nakusha got up and took a long warm shower to reawaken her senses before leaving for the kitchen. The first rays of sunlight entered the room as she stepped out of the bathroom. She opened the curtains and sighed, slipping on her shoes and making her way to the kitchen.

Strolling into the kitchen, the first thing she sought to do was make a cup of tea. Taking the tea jar from the counter, she opened it and her mouth fell slightly as she looked inside the jar. Inside there were no teabags, instead settled a single red rose. Nakusha frowned and took it out of the jar, staring at it incredulously. How in the world did a red rose get inside the tea jar?

Putting the rose aside and assuming the lack of sleep was playing tricks with her mind, Nakusha decided to make some breakfast for everyone before they got up. Deciding on making puran puli, she opened the sugar container and was amazed to see another red rose inside. What was going on? Confused, Nakusha went through all of the jars of all the cupboards in the kitchen. Yet in all the jars there was only one thing she happened to find- a red rose.

How was she going to make breakfast? By the end of it, she was left holding a big bouquet of red roses. She gently ran her hands across the petals, and closed her eyes as the sweet fragrance overwhelmed her. Shaking her head at herself, she placed the roses aside, placing her hands on her hips and huffing. If he thought giving her red roses would make her forgive him, he better think again.

Nakusha paced around the kitchen, biting her nails nervously, her eyes involuntarily throwing glances every couple of minutes in the direction of where the roses lay. Everyone would be expecting breakfast soon, but she had absolutely nothing to give them. Why did Dutta have to make things so much more difficult for her? She sighed, thinking he must revel in seeing her stuck in a tricky situation. Taking one last look at the roses, she picked them up and threw them in the trash- where they belong, she thought.

Coming out of the kitchen she took a deep shaky breath. She would be okay, she would just tell the truth and they would all understand. It was nothing to worry about. As she walked into the living room, she felt herself crashing into something soft and stumbled back, only to have a pair of hands come up on her arms, steadying her.

'Whoa there!' a male voice said, and Nakusha looked up to see a not so familiar face. Frowning, she straightened her shirt and stared at him.

'Hello...I am Baajirao...well you can call me Baaji,' he said warmly, as if he could hear what she was thinking.

A smile spread across Nakusha's face at the sound of his name. 'Oh! And I'm...,' she started, extending her hand forward.

'Nakusha Tayi!' Baaji exclaimed, finishing her sentence for her and taking her hand in his, giving it a gentle shake.

Nakusha frowned and smiled awkwardly. How did he know her name? And did he just call her Tayi? Only Roops ever called her Tayi. 'How did you know...?' she started to ask.

Baaji suddenly felt himself go red. 'Ummm...Aayi told me!' he spluttered quickly and Nakusha smiled, satisfied with the answer.

'You're up early,' she mused, and Baaji grinned.

'Don't get used to it!' he joked, making her giggle. 'I'm still trying to get used to the time change,' Baaji informed her, taking a seat on the sofa and stretching his legs. Staring at the woman in front of him, Baaji suddenly felt a lot warmer. Having her sister around was almost like being closer to Roops. If he thought about it now, Nakusha was his only in-law. He had never known what it felt like to have a sister, and he could tell that they would get along just fine. Roops would always be talking to him about her Nakusha Tayi. There wasn't a moment where Roops did not appreciate all that Nakusha had sacrificed for her, and because of this Baaji truly admired Nakusha.

As he was about to say something Shreeram and Shakuntala walked into the room together, surprised to see Baaji up.

Baaji got up from the sofa and touched Shakuntala's feet, seeking her blessings and coiling his arms around her for a bear hug. Shakuntala stroked his hair lovingly and Baaji brought her hand to his lips. 'I missed you,' he whispered, and a tear fell from her eye before she could stop it. Shakuntala quickly wiped it away and Baaji moved to go to his father, who grabbed his ear immediately.

'Aaah! Baba!' Baaji griped, trying to release the grip.

'Oye Ghadde, you were meant to be home months ago!' scolded Shreeram, grinning and pulling him into a hug. 'This calls for something sweet I say!' announced Shreeram and Shakuntala shook her head at his insane love for sweets, despite the doctor continuously advising him not to eat them.

Nakusha panicked, wondering how she would explain the fact that there was absolutely nothing in the kitchen to make food from. She couldn't tell them about the roses, so obviously she would just have to leave that bit out. 'Ummm...Aayi...,' she hesitated, and Shakuntala turned to look at her, giving her a small smile. 'We don't...I mean...there's nothing...,' Nakusha spluttered and Shakuntala urged her to continue. 'Ummm...I couldn't find anything in the kitchen,' Nakusha finally spilled.

Shakuntala furrowed her brows. 'What do you mean Nakusha?' she asked, raising her hand to Nakusha's arm.

Nakusha looked up at Shakuntala, 'I looked all over the kitchen and all the jars were empty,' she said, 'There was nothing there.'

'How can that be?' Shakuntala asked.

Nakusha found herself gazing at him, and quickly looked down at the floor, mentally kicking herself for her lack of control over her emotions, and wishing to throttle him for being so darn appealing.

Dutta bent down to do his daily task of leaving a peck on his mother's cheek. 'I removed all the food from the kitchen,' he confessed.

Shreeram and Shakuntala exchanged looks of confusion, whilst Baaji stared at his brother as if he was an alien from a different planet.

'Don't worry, I didn't throw any of it away,' Dutta quickly added at the look on Shakuntala's face. 'Well, I thought since Baaji is back, we could all go out for breakfast to that nice cafe down the street,' he said, and Shreeram beamed. 'Plus, that way Nakusha would get a break,' Dutta softly finished, his eyes unwavering from Nakusha's face.

Despite her intention to remain aloof to him, as Nakusha looked up Dutta captured her eyes with his and gave her a smile that sent her heart racing.

Shakuntala looked from Dutta to Nakusha and smiled to herself. 'Oh! How thoughtful of you Dutta,' she said, but Dutta's eyes remained fixed on Nakusha.

I'll try to post the next chapter in the next couple of days 😛

Love Zahra x

very nice update zahra