Chapter 16 - Saturday
I looked down at Ayaan as soon as I opened the door, he smiled brightly as he stood near Rishabh.
"Hi aunty" he spoke ever so cheerfully which was so nice to hear, the changes in him over the last few days was absolutely amazing considering how afraid he used to be and how hesitant he was around strangers and especially around Rishabh. I guess Rishabh was living up to his responsibilities and the changes in Ayaan were proof enough.
"Hey pet" I bent down cupping his face and pressed a kiss on each cheek then straightened looking at Rishabh. "Hey"
He nodded smiling, I opened the door wider letting them into the apartment, Ayaan was quick to enter and look around it in amazement.
"This is for you" Rishabh lifted the bag he carried and passed to me.
I took it peeking a look inside, curiosity got the better of me and I was even a little excited because I'd rarely ever gotten gifts. I grasped something and pulled it out, I couldn't help the smile I had on my face noticing it was a crystallized frame.
"Do you like it aunty?"
I turned to Ayaan who was eyeing me with a nervous look. "I love it" I bent down to his level. "It's the best present someone's ever given me" I reply genuinely and looked at the frame then turned to Ayaan. "How about you go watch some tv? I'll put the food on huh?"
He nodded and skipped over to the sofa, I switched the tv on for him and passed him the remote then headed over to the kitchen with Rishabh following.
"You don't have to pretend to like it Madhu" Rishabh spoke as he settled on the bar stool.
I turned to him frowning. "Why would you think I was pretending?" I questioned.
He shrugged. "Don't know. It's not exactly something so expensive or real" he replied.
I sighed shaking my head at him and checked on the spaghettis then turned back to him. "It's not the expense or how real it might be. I wouldn't have cared if the frame was even made out of stone, you know why?"
He shrugged in response walking over to the window. "Crap it's started raining" he said, I looked out the window and noted the weather had taken a grey turn and was showering down heavily right now, I looked at Rishabh who continued to stare outside.
"It's the thoughts Rishabh" I told him softly. I looked back at the frame I placed down on the counter and held it running my fingers on the frame. "It's beautiful and it's really the best present I've ever had" I told him.
Rishabh chuckled turning to me. "You're saying with so much emotion like as if that's the first present you've ever received"
I looked at him for a moment, and it hit me within because it was truly the first present I'd actually received from someone. Rishabh's smile faded as he also realized I was telling truth, I looked away not wanting to reveal anything more. I shouldn't have said that and should've ignored his comment but words hit home and brought back memories which I wanted to forget.
"Anyway um.." I turned away and turned the cooker off. "Spaghettis done. Ayaan will have that wouldn't he?" I questioned now wondering whether I cooked something good enough for him.
"Don't worry. Ayaan isn't a fussy eater" he moved towards the bar. "That's one good thing I'm grateful for" he helped me pulling out the plates from the dish rack.
"Yeah? That's quite good then. There's some kids that are way fussy" I placed the pan onto the mat on the table and went to grab some glasses whilst Rishabh placed the plates down.
"My Jiya was fussy like that, Ayaan thankfully wasn't anything like his sister" Rishabh stopped instantly whilst my heart skipped a beat hearing a little about himself. He brushed a hand through his hair shaking his head muttering something beneath his breath.
"Rishabh" I stepped forward to which he stepped back shaking his head.
"I... I..."
"Look I won't ask anything" I said before he thinks that I'd want to pry. "Are you okay?" I asked softly seeing him let out a heavy sigh.
"I... I'm fine" he responded refusing to meet my eyes.
"Alright come on, let's eat" I waved to food sat on the table then walked out calling for Ayaan, he walked over and settled beside me.
I plated some for Ayaan and passed it to him. "Be careful honey, it's hot" I told him as I started plating up for Rishabh. "There you go"
I plated myself some spaghetti and started to eat, there was an awkward silence between us, I looked at Rishabh who really looked quite angry with himself, I knew he wasn't angry at me or Ayaan, may be he was frustrated he'd let himself talk a little more he should have.
"So did you do anything nice?" I turned to Ayaan hoping to break this silence.
He nodded chewing away on a mouthful of spaghetti. "Pa.. pa took me park" he said which sound muffled with a mouthful of spaghettis.
"Wow that was nice. Did you like it then?" I smiled at him.
He nodded and swallowed down. "We going to beach on Sunday"
"Beach huh?" I turned my head to Rishabh who smiled faintly shrugging.
"So there is a Mr nice guy after all?" I teased hoping to break this awkward barrier.
"I am nice Madhu" he replied back with his usual attitude and I was silently thankful his earlier mood had faded away.
"Sure sure... then why is it I've never met Mr nice guy?"
"Malik that's only for a few chosen ones to see" he winked.
"So Ayaan" I turned to him. "Did you do anything else?"
"We went to that big place, what is that called papa?" he turned to Rishabh.
"The food court" he responded and turned his head to me. "We both went to the mall then he was hungry so we went to eat" he explained.
"Yeah" Ayaan agreed.
"You've been upto quite a lot this week huh?" I asked Rishabh settling on the sofa, Ayaan climbed beside me and rested his head on my lap.
"Yeah. I guess I have you to thank in a way" he replied softly. "And have to thank my sister and make it up to her big time" he leaned against the opposite sofa stretching his legs out and crossed them at the ankles.
"I see" I nodded understanding somewhere that may be his sister did more of his responsibility.
"He sleeping?" Rishabh questioned.
I nodded and looked down at Ayaan who was sleeping peacefully on my lap.
"I'd better get a move on then" he spoke getting up.
"You can stay here" I told him. "Plus don't think that rain's going to stop any minute" I pointed to the window and also started worrying for Tyler wondering where he is.
"You sure?"
"Honestly I don't mind. Plus Ayaan might fall ill if you try to take him home in that weather"
"Thanks" he muttered, I smiled and an awkward silence fell between us, I looked away scanning the room as if it was something interesting but for some odd reason I thought I saw him looking at me, and my thoughts were correct, Rishabh sat there patiently staring at me.
"What?"
"Nothing" he shook his head with a soft smile. "Thanks for tonight Madhu" he leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.
"You're not thanking me so I let you in my bed tonight right?" I teased.
"Don't talk about your bed please" he hissed leaning back and pulled a cushion to his lap. "I don't need such images in my head"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You're really finding this funny huh?" he questioned.
I nodded in response. "Why shouldn't I? It's quite funny"
"Glad you find this amusing" he leaned back looking around the room for a while then turned his gaze back to me.
Before another word was spoken I heard the door open and turned my head to see Tyler walking in.
"Told you I'll be back" he walked towards me.
"Have you seen the weather?" I gestured outside.
"Yeah that's why you see me here early" he responded. "Anyways I've gotta change, bye" he pressed a quick kiss to my cheek and headed to his room.
"So you and Tyler? Never..." Rishabh spoke letting the words linger in the air.
"Never what?" I asked him intrigued as to why he was even asking. What did it matter to him? I knew why but I guess I wanted to hear it from him.
"Well... you both seem close and are great friends from what I'd witnessed, how come you never crossed the friends boundary?"
"Who said I didn't?" I questioned, he stared at me for a long silent moment as if trying to figure out whether I was telling the truth or lying.
"Was he your first boyfriend then?" he questioned.
I smiled noting he was quite upset with my response and he probably thought Tyler and me were together.
"Well?"
"He's the first man in my life" I responded back.
"I see" he looked away from me.
"Why does it matter to you?"
"Because I damn well want you" he stated firmly, his eyes almost darkening as his pupils dilated.
"Don't!" I replied firmly.
"Fine" he huffed then turned his head away.
"Is he really your first boyfriend?" Rishabh asked after a moment.
"No" I shook my head and looked down at Ayaan, I gently brushed my hand through his hair. "He's not my boyfriend. He's the first guy who came to save me" I muttered. "We became friends and well rest is history"
"Didn't you both ever once think to build any relationship beyond friendship?"
"No. Ty and I... we're both so similar in many ways and we'll only f**k each other up with baggages of problems" I responded. "Plus I'd rather be his best friend throughout my entire life time than be an ex-girlfriend that was chucked away" I chuckled.
"So nothing ever happened?"
"Why are you so interested in us both so much?" I questioned.
"Like I told you, I want you!"
"Unbelievable" I muttered shaking my head at him. "He was my first kiss" I told him.
"What?"
"Yep. New Years eve party, 12 o clock on the dot, Tyler stole my first kiss" I smiled as I recalled the night. "I'd told myself to stay away from the guys throughout the party and I succeeded till drunk Tyler found me and stole my kiss"
"Quite a history between you two" he muttered.
"Yeah. There is" I responded back softly. "Anyways... it's late, I'm tired and really wanna sleep"
He nodded and stood to his feet walking towards me. "I'll take him to bed" he lifted Ayaan from the bed into his arms, I walked him towards my room and tugged the blanket back, Rishabh placed Ayaan in bed then I tucked the blanket around him.
"Night" I turned and walked out the room except I couldn't get very far when Rishabh gripped onto my forearm and pushed me against the wall.
"Ma..." He cut me off pressing his lips to mine desperately.
"I tried so f**king hard" he breathed out brushing his lips with mine, his hands resting at my waist pulling me closer. "I want you bad Madhu" he trailed down pressing kisses along my throat, nipping my skin with his teeth.
"Give me one night, just sleeping in one bed, no touching" he looked back at me, his eyes dark with desire to which I shook my head. I couldn't do this. Even just normally sleeping with him would weaken my resolve.
I pushed him back shaking my head and turned to walk away however it seemed Rishabh wasn't done yet, he gripped onto my wrist stopping me.
"Don't do this Rishabh" I looked down at his hand which gripped my wrist.
"One night. Just sleeping" he pressed a soft gentle kiss to my neck almost making me buckle down.
I shook my head. "I'm sleeping with Ty, you go and sleep with Ayaan" I gestured back to the room.
He pressed me against the wall. "You can't deny this" he gestured between us both. "You know it well as I do" he inched closer pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth. "Say yes" he muttered.
I twisted my wrist trying to free myself. "Stop it" I clipped out straightening myself wanting to show him he didn't affect me, except he did but I wasn't going to let him know. "Let me go or I break this thing up between us" I grit out.
"You promised that night" he reminded me. "You won't let anything get between you and Ayaan"
"Then don't do this Rishabh" I hissed out. "Please"
"Give me one chance at least" he pressed on resting his forehead against mine. "I'm in a tight spot here Madhu. This night, this whole f**king night I thought of nothing but making love to you" he whispered harshly pressing his body atop of mine, I turned my head away exhaling sharply.
"Don't do this" I whispered pressing my eyes closed as he kissed my neck desperately.
"You coming babe?" I heard Tyler shout from his room.
I looked at Tyler's bedroom door that was open, he could be coming any moment if I didn't go and it wouldn't be a peaceful night. "In a minute" I called back and turned to Rishabh. "Please Rishabh"
He sighed heavily looking at the door then back at me. "Fine but this isn't over. I want you and I want you a lot" he cupped my nape and pulled me close, I tried to fight back but the person within wanted to flow, I closed my eyes accepting his kiss, I responded back parting my lips and letting his tongue delve into my mouth and explore me, I bunched his shirt into my fist and held onto him.
Rishabh pulled away first breathing heavily. "Go" he hissed. "Before I take you against this wall" he breathed out.
I shook my head stepping away from him. "I hate you so much" I clipped out and headed towards Tyler's room.
Was only posting Chapter 16 but posted 17 as well.
Do check below.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
