OKAY YELO. BOHAT HI RANDOM HAI. Also This Bajaj is kind of different from my Bajaj. I wrote it post my first OS so I was still mulling over stuff and since the scene isn't complete and I hate it but parhlo.đ€Ł
Prerna sank to her knees in the steaming hot water. The heat loosened her stiff muscles and the scent of fresh roses and lilies drifting off the candles sheâd placed at the end of the tub lulled the lethargy out of her bones. She smothered the sponge with soap and began a trail up her skin. Only to halt when a commotion sounded the air.
Her eyes shot open and the lazy languor that had spread through her body dissipated, leaving in its place a wanton, sizzling electric buzz that began at the tip of her fingers and rushed to the end of her toes.
He was home. Finally, he was home. And heâd seen what sheâd done.
Prerna shook with mirth, a giggle bubbling up inside her chest and swallowing the silence.
She had wanted to be there when he finally experienced her artwork. But the risk had outweighed the reward. She tried imagining his reaction, now. His luminous, black eyes enlarging with rage, his fists clenched, his jaw tapering to a tick. Another giggle burst forth.
It was his fault, she reasoned. All she wanted to do was talk. Negotiate. But he wouldnât listen. So, sheâd to stoop to doing something that would gain his attention.
She hadnât done much. Except, paint his bedroom and office. The color she was told he specifically detested. A dark, shocking pink. And of course, while she was at it, and he was gone for a six-days conference, she messed his wardrobe. That is poke a hole in few of his favorite shirts. Or all of his favorite shirts. Sheâd lost count.
Prerna cast her legs out, and rested her head against the rim, letting her fingertips draw a trail across her bare arms. He must be livid. Fuming with anger. But heâd wait for her. And sheâd take her time.
Except that wasnât what happened.
A bang rent the air and the door rocked back on its hinges, slamming against the wall.
A sputtering cry escaped her throat, and she jerked up, splashing water across the lacquered walls, drenching the parquet and the crimson rug. Panic festooned and her hands crimped, folding across her glistening, naked body. She fumbled and opened her mouth to scream, but his eyes were elsewhere.
In three purposeful strides, he reached for the glass slider on the other side of the restroom, wrenched her terry robe off the hook, and threw it at her.
Turning his back to her, he went for the door, and clinched the lock, forcing her inside with him, âten seconds,â rage brewed in his words, âput that on.â
Prerna jumped to her feet, clamping the robe around her, pushing her hands through the folds in a frenzy, âyou insensitive, barbaricââ
âFour seconds. Threeââ
âStop it!â
âOne.â
âGet out!â
He turned, and branded her with a frost-stare, âyou wanted my attention? You have it. Letâs negotiate.â
Prerna tightened the robe around her, tying the belt with quick, nimble fingers, and made a move to get out of the tub, âget out. Right now.â
âStep out and youâll regret what happens next,â the words were dark and promising.
Prerna stilled, shaking with panic and something more. Sheâd played with fire and now she was singed. He wasnât just livid. He was emanating a dangerous, animal energy that terrified her.
âIf you donât go away, Iâll scream.â
He was pitiless, âthis is my house. No one will come.â
âYou canât be here!â
âI can go anywhere I bloody well please.â
He was turning colder by the second. Back to the aloof, ruthless man she knew so well. And she didnât know whether that shouldâve scared her or thrown her into the arms of relief.
Her chin rose, âthis may be your house, but this is my room! You canât invade someoneâsââ
âPrivacy?â He advanced on her and she backed off, âsay it. I dare you.â
Prernaâs foot slipped and she lurched but he was close and quick. He raised her out of the tub and carried her to the marble countertop, forcing her on the perch and standing between her legs.
Prerna was red, scampering for refuge. But he only pressed closer.
âWhat are you doing?â She breathed.
His face drew close and his bottomless eyes held her captive, âwhatâs wrong? Am I making you uncomfortable?â
She pressed her damp palms against his shirt but he didnât budge.
âMr. Bajaj. We can talk outside.â
âRight here is just fine. Come on Prerna. What is it that you want?â
She watched the wet blot her hands had pressed against his shirt and cast a nervous glance around them. He was too close. His spicy, sandalwood scent permeated her senses. His pants pressed against her bare legs. His hands were around her. And his mouth sat too close for comfort. Prerna wanted to escape, but he was everywhere, smothering her with his presence, scaring herâŠexciting her, wreaking a havoc somehow only he could.
His fingers found light purchase beneath her chin, and she felt the hot, satin scrape of his thumb and forefinger against her jaw. He tilted her head toward him and she was lost in his brilliant, black stare, âboundaries Miss Sharma, are a two-way street. I respected yours and you should have respected mine. The next time you pull a stunt as childish as the one Iâve just met below, youâll find no sanctuary to hide. Do I make myself clear?â
Prernaâs anger flared, âIâd like to call that civil disobedience. You left me with no choice. Iâm tired of you and your curfews. Besides, you donât have the right to lecture me on ethics. Not after what youâve done.â
He was remorseless, dry, âyes. The rot festers my mind. I havenât slept in days. I think Iâm a changed man now.â
âI canât believe you.â
âOh, then start now Miss Sharma. Because if you take me in on a war, itâs going to get dirty.â
She bared her teeth, âif someone had told me Iâd be battling it out with the big, bad Rishab Bajaj, I wonât have wasted my time on economics and accounting. I wouldâve headed straight for the war strategy section. Alas, poor Prerna.â
He raised a brow, âkeep acting like a child Miss Sharma and youâll be treated like one.â
Prerna smiled, âlet me complete the picture by sticking out my tongue.â
He caught her head in a firm hold and brought her closer, âdo that and Iâll put you over my knee.â
She felt his whisper. She felt it everywhere. Melting on her skin. Coiling inside her stomach. Brushing against her legs. Heating her blood. Her face was hot and she looked away, frenetic for a safe ground.
âAll of this is your fault,â she found her distraction and held onto it with desperate words, âyouâve caged me and Sneha inside this museum you call house and weâre dying of boredom.â
âCaged?â
âYou donât let me take her anywhere! The kid deserves some fun in life.â
âWhat rubbish Miss Sharma. Sneha can go anywhere she wants.â
âExcept the carnivals.â
Rishab rolled his eyes, âexcept your bloody carnivals.â
âMr Bajajââ
âThe rides are unsafe. The crowd is definitely not safe. And I have far too many enemies. Iâm sure Sneha can do without a plastic horse giving her a tardy piggyback.â
Prernaâs frustration climbed, âyouâre robbing her of her childhood!â
âYes. Iâm afraid stopping her from visiting a pollen-infested dust camp is the end of the world.â
âWhy donât you get it? Your daughter wants to visit that pollen infested dust camp as you so respectfully put it. Iâve taken her everywhere. The mall arcades, the in-house skating rinks, the five-star amusement parks. But she wants to go see the road side circus. And she should. Thereâs nothing wrong with curiosity. Itâs an innocent wish. A wish youâre capable of fulfilling!â
âMy daughterâs safety is paramount Miss Sharma.â
âNothing is going to happen to her. I promise.â
He scoffed, âyou promise? What are you going to do? Throw a fish at someone who has a glock to your head?â
âWell, your security guards can handle that. How many things can go wrong between now and then? Just one ride. Just one visit. She wonât eat anything. Iâll make sure of that. You take care of the security. Iâll take care of your daughter. Why do we need to fight when we can give this to her? Together?â
An imperceptible softness breached his stare, âPrernaââ
âI know your childhood sucked. But, hers doesnât have to. If you protect her from the world but feed her to your own demons, whatâs the point?â
âYouâre good at lectures, Miss Sharma. Iâll give you that.â
Prerna blew her fuse, âyou know what? Weâre done. Thank you for coming to my illuminating session. Now, you can get out. I need to shave my legs.â
He slid a glance to her bare legs, flimsily covered by her robe, âin a minute. I have a proposal for you.â
She perked up, âyouâre agreeing?â
âWe can discuss the possibility, yes. I want a favor of you.â
âA favor?â
âIâll put 3% of Basu Publicationsâ shares on the market. Same price I bought them for. In return, youâll quit your theatrics immediately and do as I want.â
Prerna frowned, âjust 3%?â
Rishabâs mouth curled, âIâm a businessman, Miss Sharma. 3% is quite a lot. At least for starters. You can always negotiate for more. Given Iâm in the mood.â
âWhat will I do? Nothing shady?â
âDepends on the definition. Youâll go play golf with Madhvi Joshi and her clique on Wednesday, at five.â
âMadhvi Joshi? The R&J Fashion Madhvi?â
âHer, yes.â
âI donât know the first thing about golf. Wednesday is four days away.â
âEnough time to marinate you in the basics. Mehra will start training you tomorrow. Besides, golf isnât the point. Iâm planning to takeover the company. I need you to find out whether their marriage is on the rocks or not.â
âWhy? Are you interested Mr. Bajaj? Does that mean youâll release me and offer another heinous deal to Mrs. Madhvi?â
âDonât call her Mrs. Madhvi when you meet her. Sheâll take affront. And yes, Iâm interested. Half of his assets will go to her in case of a divorce. I donât want a white elephant at my hands.â
âHow will I know whether she hates his guts or not? I hate yours. But the world has yet to call my bluff.â
Bajaj pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear, âyouâre doing a splendid job, my love. Iâm sure youâll figure it out. You have four days.â