Heya guys, back after a long timeđ. I felt like sharing this piece and thus decided to pop up here.
She had barely managed to stumble past the threshold of doorway when her ankle twisted and she slipped onto the floor.
Her head was reeling. No longer could she maintain her rationality. Her sanity had splintered away. Once again. And once again HE was the one to be blamed.
Had she spent the past 8 years in naught?!What exactly was her goal in life?
Prerna snorted looking down at the blue suit draped on her body. This professionalism had proved to be but a garb.
Should she be happy? Amused perhaps! Or maybe, simply wallow in resignation that life seemed to throwing her way at every damn step she would start rejoicing. She felt hollow though. Numb to the bone. It was ugly lonely. She had after all spent her life clinging to hopes, dreams, love and then revenge. Nothing remained now. She was drowning but she wanted to survive. She needed to hold on to something. To someone. To his comfort. His warmth.
Even the thought of his presence was calming. She needed him to stay rooted or this night, she was going to float away into oblivion. He never had been her rope to cling to. He had never protected her from the fall. He had simply been the rock, waiting at the bottom, just taking the brunt of the bruises with her. He was the only solution tonight.
Slowly, she pulled her body up, only numbness coursing through her. No, there was anxiety or was it anticipation that was starting to pound in her chest. Dragging her feet through the floor, mindful of the decorations scattered across, she finally caught hold of the banister and looked up the stairs, his voice already beckoning her.
âPriyu, you are back early!â
Prerna, though didnât respond to her mother. She neither wanted to talk nor to smile.
âMrs Bajaj?â
It was that deep soothing voice that broke into her haze as she turned her head towards him and saw the man dressed in night suit standing by her motherâs side.
Rishabh smiled at Prerna as she approached him. Her pace picked up, just like her heart rate.
âIâm thoroughly surprised that Basus allowed you to leave early!â Rishabh remarked, as Prerna finally came to stand in front of him, her unmoving eyes trained on his face.
Rishabh blinked, awaiting a response that never came. And in a matter of second, he was vaguely aware of the penetrating gaze she was casting on him, clearly unaware that Veena was watching. He studied her a beat more, her eyes absolutely unfathomable.
âWhere is shivi, Priyu? Veena asked, trying to weasel out of the uncomfortable feeling that her daughterâs single handed attention on Mr. Bajaj had created.
Another lack of response made Rishabh alert. Something had definitely gone down in basu badi. But before he could raise his hands to cup her cheeks or something, Prerna moved, taking him by surprise. Both her arms draped around his waist and clutched onto his back as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.
Rishabh stiffened. He had comforted her many a times but this hug was different. He could acutely feel her fingers digging into his back and the lack of distance between them, not to mention the obvious manner in which he was being sniffed.
And Veena was still standing there. Feeling like a deer caught in headlights, Rishabh tried to diffuse the situation by gently patting Prernaâs back.
âHow about we talk back in the room?â Rishabh suggested, but the only response he got was Prerna molding against him, her lips now effectively placed against his throbbing artery.
Her persistence took his embarrassment away as he hugged her back and lightly nodded at Veena. Veena nodded back, realizing well that Prerna needed Rishabh now. Without a word, she retreated back into her room, while Rishabh stood there encased in Prernaâs warmth, her proximity testing his sanity.
âWhat happened, Prerna?â He gently crooned, his left hand massaging her back, while the right one rested against the small of her back.
âCloserâ, Prerna mumbled, her warm breath against his neck. It worked, alright. His scent was slowly overriding her negative emotions.
âPrerna, aap kya--Rishabh stammered, flustered at the way his body was awakening to her touch.
But Prerna was not yet done. Her left hand slowly unwounded from his back and Rishabh sighed in relief only for it to be stolen the next instant as her fingers started trailed languorously across his chest to the torso and downâ
âThatâs enough!â
As her fingers flinched in response, he wrapped his one arm under her knee and quickly scooped her up. Ascending the stairs, he tried to read her face but to no avail. She had it firmly planted in his shoulders. Her odd behavior was troubling. She wasnât drunk though, thankfully.
Kicking the door open, he stepped inside their room and approaching the bed, lowered down his body to place Prerna on the bed, her arms however refused to let go of his neck.
âPrerna, please loosen your holdâ, He asked gently, his obsidian eyes finally making contact with her chocolate ones.
But she only urged him closer. Startled to see her lips closing in, he quickly unfurled her fingers from behind his neck, and caught her wrist over her head.
âKya hua hai, Mrs Bajaj? Why are you behaving like this?â Rishabh asked in a stern manner and then continued on in a soft voice, âYou are worrying meâ. A gentle caress against her cheeks accompanied his soothing words but when she leaned into his touch, he quickly withdrew. This behavior, as appealing as it was, was not favourable for his heart, which was pounding wildly now.
Prerna looked at Rishabhâs back, the softness of his fleeting caress fresh on her skin. It was strange. He had always wanted her close and now that she wanted to be close to him, he was running away. That was the part of his charm though. He was being careful of her mental state, if only he knew he was the only relief.
Pushing her body into a sitting position, she called after him. âMr. Bajaj?â
Rishabh sighed. Often a good nightâs sleep was helpful in clearing oneâs head. She needed just that. âSleep, Prerna. Itâs lateâ
He started to get up when Prerna caught hold of his sleeve and whispered, âDonât leaveâ.
Alright, but you need to sleepâ, he commanded softly but Prerna shook her head negatively, her hand now massaging against his neck. âI donât want toâ.
Rishabh sighed as her nose nuzzled into his neck. She was tempting him, and it was working. As he felt the binding of his robe unfastened, he caught Prernaâs fingers in his and stared into her hooded eyes.
âWhy are you doing this, Mrs Bajaj?â
âBecause I want youâ, With a spot on reply, Prerna leaned in for a kiss, but Rishabh turned his face, as his cheek met her lips.
His prickly stubble felt even more inviting under her lips. Prerna had to confess that it wasnât even half as hard as she had thought it would be. She had never looked at him like that, and now she had started, it was hard to look away.
Rishabh closed his eyes as her lips lingered. Her ministrations might as well put him in a coffin right about now. But giving in would be betraying Prerna. It was her moment of weakness, and she was trusting him with herself.
Rishabh pulled away and smiled sadly, âNo, you donât Mrs Bajaj. Something happened in basu badi . Iâm not sure what but Anurag basu managed to reduce you into a state where you are willing to seek physical assurance with me. Trust me, Prerna, you will regret this in the morning once you get your head straight. So please, either talk about it or just sleepâ.
âI really do need you, Mr Bajajâ, She raised her hand and traced the back of it against his cheeks. âIâve never told you this, but for me your comfort is deeper than any love, and more exhilarating than any revenge. I would never stand to lose itâ.
With that Prerna smiled, and taking his hand from her shoulder entwined it with her fingers and placed a feathery kiss against his knuckles, âSo, wonât you show me the love youâve cradled all these years? Love me like you do, Rishabhâ.
Rishabh gulped, her eyes enchanting him. He found himself moving closer.
âDi!â
Rishabh jumped back full force, however Prerna refused to let go of his hand.
âI kept waiting for you at basu badi but you left without meâ.
Shivani was appalled. Prerna hadnât even registered her presence. Neither was she willing to let go of Bajaj who actually was trying to pull away. She had never liked Rishabh, Anurag was the one for Prerna and she had stood firm by that even after knowing what he had done to her Priyu di. But what was she doing right now, when she finally knew the truth? Why?!
âPriyu di, Iâm talking to you!â Shivi shouted, irked. She had to stop her from doing something stupid.
Rishabh squirmed uncomfortably between the two women. If only Prerna would let go!
âDi!!?â
âLeave, Shiviâ
âWhat?â
âI said, leave right now!â Prerna snapped as Shiviâs eyes widened but as furious as she was, she turned around and left without another word.
Finally, Rishabh unclenched her fingers from his. âI shall leave tooâ.
âBut why?â Prerna mumbled, her gaze fixated on her fingers, where once his had been too.
âBecause I love you, Mrs Bajaj. And I canât let you go through with something youâll regret later. I donât want to loose you. Pleaseâ And with that Rishabh turned to leave.
âIn the end, no one staysâ
Rishabh halted at the door.
âYou are leaving because you think Iâm using your love for me as a means. And I know Iâm wrong but I-I had thought that Mr. Bajaj would always support me. That I would be allowed to rely on you as my rock. That there was someone who would accept me always. I h-had thought that I could use youâŠthat I could be selfish with youâŠ.IâŠ.â Prernaâs words trailed into hiccups accompanied with sobs.
And Rishabh groaned. Pulling the doors shut, he turned the knob and swinging on his heels, closed up on Prerna in two steps and pulled her into his arms.
âFor F*ckâs sake! Donât cry!â
Prerna looked up, surprised that Rishabh had cursed in front of her. Roughly, he swiped his thumb against her dripping eyes and rendered them only slightly moist.
He pressed her closer, his right hand firm against her lower back as he bit her pinnae making her cry out. âIf I find you stealing your gaze from me the next morning, Iâm going right back to London. Clear?â
âYou are not allowed to leaveâ, And with that Prerna closed the distance between their lips, as her arms wrapped around his neck while Rishabhâs hands slipped to her twin cheeks and molded her against him, his overpowering desire for her straining his boxers.
Smoothly she undid the loose knot of his robe and pushed it off his shoulders as it slipped down his legs and pooled at their feet. As her fingers traced the planes of his torso, Rishabh steadily undid her buttons and pushed her shirt onto the ground.
Their lips still crashing together, they stumbled onto the bed and Prerna flipped their positions and straddled him. And leaning down, she pressed a kiss into his neck as Rishabh groaned.
âI hope you are not a vampireâ, Rishabh chuckled then winced as she bit into his neck and then sucked it over. Prerna pulled back slightly, her eyes alit with lust. This man truly was a force to be reckoned with.
âWell, I will f*ck you dryâ, She remarked as Rishabhâs eyes darkened and he flipped them over, parting her legs with his knees, his hands unbuckling her trousers.
âLetâs see, who winsâ, And with that challenge ensued, his lips came down on hers again.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Waking up, as Prerna stretched her body, she overheard the shower running and turned towards her right to see Rishabh missing. Twitching, her fingers pulled the duvet closer to her nose and sniffed it. Rishabhâs calming scent had stained it all. And she loved it.
Alerted by the shuffling of door, she quickly closed her eyes and felt heavy footsteps near her and a beat later, an exotic fragrance of shaving and showering gel greeted her. Her eyes flew open, to see Rishabh leaning over her.
Started he smiled, as the water from his damp hair dripped on her face. âHey, morning!â Prerna smiled as his dimples made an appearance, and then there was a pervy water drop sliding over his chest bone and down. Distracting.
Slowly she sat up and shocked Rishabh by hugging him, her lips pecking his wet broad shoulder, âMhmmâŠdefinitely a good morningâ. Her fingers started tracing his spine, caressing every scar she had given him over night. Sexy.
âMr. Bajaj?â Teasingly she whispered into his ears and the effect was instantaneous, he shivered. Oh, how she loved this effect of her on him.
âHmm?â
âComplete what you were intending toâ.
Rishabhâs eyes widened like a thief caught red handed and Prerna chuckled. He was adorable. He was obviously prepared to never touch her again. A scary thought she was not willing to entertain.
âThereâs my favourite curve!â He remarked, pulling at her cheeks.
âThe credits yours for the takingâ, She smiled placing a kiss over the purple bruise on his neck, her courtesy.
Like a live wire, her nerves danced when his fingers caressed her bare back in response and her breath hitched as he placed a peck under her jaw.
âYou are a Bampire!â
Prerna pulled back, her brows furrowed, âAâwhat?!â
âBajaj+Vampire= Bampireâ Rishabh answered matter of factly, and Prernaâs lips twitched. He was a seductress. His lips were great. At Everything.
âThatâs cuteâ, she purred.
âIs it?â Rishabh leaned closer and their lips met halfway, devouring each other, their tongues visibly tangling.
A few seconds later, Rishabh pulled away and after placing a parting peck on her lips, got up. âWe are late. And I donât want maa barging inâ. He chuckled, as he walked across the bed to his closet.
âRishabh, Anurag had forfeited that project intentionallyâ
Rishabh stilled, a million bad thoughts taking place in his head. Was she moved by his charity stunt?
Prerna clenched her fingers together. Rishabh had never appreciated her talking about Anurag, and she was sure it felt worse when she was talking about another after crying his name last night. But she wanted him to know everything.
âHe said that he pushed me off the bridge to save my lifeâŠ.said he had divers stationed down in the waterâ
âYeah, and they had gone for a smoke when I found you. Right?â Rishabh spat, pulling on his trousers. âIs junior Basu a retard?â He snorted, now facing Prerna, âI mean you donât f*ckin kill the woman you love, to save her. Does that even make sense?!â
Prerna got up and approached him, hugging his stiff self. âIt doesnât. He said that Komolika had a video of when I had unintentionally pushed Viraj off the cliff. She had threatened him to get me into jailâ
Rishabh pulled away from Prerna and cupped her cheeks, his eyes determined. âHad I been the one in place of Basu, I wouldâve snapped that twig of a neck of that schemer snake and then joined you in the jail, or simply whisked you away or via the most heinous of way proved you innocent. This sacrificial love may be a type, Prerna but it skips my understanding. Somehow, you marrying me was still justifiable because it kept that kid secure and in one piece, but his story is plain sh*t!â
Prerna only nodded, her absent minded fingers buttoning up his shirt, like a habit. It was a first though.
âAnd all this time, he thought Sneha was with me. He begged me to let him meet herâ
âThatâs it!â Rishabh snapped, âHow exactly had he protected you?! Your daughterâs gone and he doesnât have a clue. God, why doesnât he use those brains or maybe that old money or that god forsaken name to his use?! He pisses me off! Love, my a**â
As Prerna slipped into his gown lying on the sofa, a question came out of her. âWhat is love for you, Rishabh?â
Fastening his watch, Rishabh turned away from the mirror and looked at her, his eyes brilliant like a starry sky, âMy love for you, Mrs Bajajâ
And with that, he was gone. And her heart was in shambles. She had seen his bare self in his eyes.
After getting ready, Prerna went around the house passing instructions about the decorations, no matter how annoying it was to prepare for Shiviâs engagement to Ronit. Her head however was in the clouds.
Anurag had robbed her off everything. Her dreams of love, and her hopes of a family. 8 years later, he had yet again managed to deprive her of the pride and confidence she had built over the past years, granting her a sham victory. Yet again, she was robbed off her sense of purpose- her hatred, her revenge. Anurag was a pitiable man, she could not even hate him, forget about his destruction. What sort of love was this? They had both been utterly destroyed by this foolish semblance of love aka sacrifice.
Then there was Mr. Bajaj who had given her more than she couldâve ever asked for. Over the years, he had mentored her to become the rock that no gale could sway. Never had he pitied her and gone easy. No, he had pummeled her into the ground over and over, and soon standing back up was no longer a tedious task. He had rejoiced with her on the victories she had gained, worked tirelessly to teach her about the lessons learned from losses. 8 long years, he had loved her without expecting to be loved back. She no longer knew what love was, but his love definitely was the kind she wanted to bask in. His company had been about happiness and personal growth, and a sense of belonging. Anurag had never completely been hers but Rishabh was.
She probably will never lose the soft spot for Anurag. But she no longer wanted to go back to him. She had loved and it had killed her. But when he had loved, he had saved her.
~*~*~*~*~*~
As the throng of guests poured in and waiters moved about the hall, serving drinks and refreshments, Rishabh found himself surrounded by his future investors, who were just as excited about their new venture. Ronit and Shivi while lost in each other, disgusted Mohini to no end while Komolika continued smirking, her arms looped in Anurag like a cuff and Anurag simply looked around, his eyes eager to catch a glimpse of Prerna.
It was then that his eyes caught Prerna descending down the stairs like a graceful swan, the trail of her halter neck dress sliding against the stairs, as her auburn curls were pulled to one side. Her blue green eye shadow complimented her dress, and he could not control the smile when she looked his way. It however died shortly, when she looked away and passed by them without sparing another glance.
Moving past the basus, Prerna managed to spot Rishabh near the bar counter, engaged with the investors. And he looked gorgeous. Totally out of the world in that ridiculously low v-necked beige Kurta, that was revealing an eyeful of his chest. The many women around ogling him was a proof enough. Next time, she was going to sew the damn v-neck into a bandh gala for sure!
âCan I steal my husband away for a minute, gentleman?â Prerna smiled approaching as Rishabh was pulled out of his conversation.
Smiling as the men moved away, Prerna entwined their fingers and started pulling him out of the hall.
âAapke iraade nek nhi lagteâ, Rishabh teased, trying to hide the fact that it was his intentions that were not ânekâ especially when the back of her gown was nowhere to be seen.
âVo toh mujhe pata chal hi raha hai ki kiske iraade nek hainâ
At the comment, Rishabh cleared his throat embarrassed and Prerna only chuckled.
âOn a serious note, you are looking beautiful as always â
âLike what?â
âLike what?!â
âLike a lithe swan, perhaps?â
Rishabh scoffed, âNonsense. Like a predatory fox, cunning and tempting in the same proportionsâ.
And Prerna barely controlled the words that wouldâve spilled out. Your lips are good.
As they turned a corner around the pillar, Prerna let go of his hand and faced him.
âYou are marriedâ She remarked.
âAm I?â Pretending to be shocked, Rishabh opened his mouth like a fish.
Prerna glared his way, âYes, you are. And you are not allowed to be entertaining other women!â
Rishabh followed her gaze to his chest and chuckled, âAre you J, Priyu? Are you, now?â He coeed teasingly.
âBut you donât have to be. Should I wipe the concealer off the purple bruise on my neck?â He asked innocently, raising his handkerchief to his neck.
âDonât!â Prerna caught his hand midway, flushing red. It was embarrassing enough that Kuki had pointed out the hickey on Rishabhâs neck when they had been deciding on the dresses this evening.
Rishabh chuckled aware of the scene flashing in front of her. In that moment, all three of them had been cherry red from embarrassment.
âDonât worry Mrs Bajaj. Iâm yours. Main aapka hoon jese ki aapâ
Rishabh sealed his lips shut the instant realization dawned. âIâvo-
âjese ki main aapki hoonâ, Prerna completed, leaving Rishabh shell shocked.
Last night, when he had shed his inhibitions, he had accepted the fact that it would be the only time, or perhaps only just meaningless skinship for her. He had never remotely thought about claiming her as his because his love was not reciprocated.
âYes, I too want to be yours, Rishabhâ Stepping close, she put his hand on her heart and did the same on his heart.
âI realize now that maybe I never knew what love was, or I have forgotten it, or maybe the love I had been in wasnât the kind I had wanted, deserved and needed. I want to know your love. It is your love I want, deserve and need. I may not reciprocate your feelings today but its there. I mean if I can call a feeling that hurts as love, then I surely can say that this uplifting feeling that envelops me, when you are close, has to be something like love. Love me like you do, Mr. Bajajâ
To think that wait of his 8 years would pay off like this was expected, he would be lying. At the stretch, if Prerna would not have returned to Anurag, they wouldâve continued to live like a family but never a man and wife. Never.
âCan I kiss you, L-Love?â
âYou donât have to ask, Dearâ
Both chuckled at the strange endearment as Rishabh backed into a pillar and pulled her into his arms.
âIâd rather stick to Mrs Bajaj or Prernaâ
âRishabh sounds just as good tooâ
And smiling, their lips met in unison, their heart beating in sync with their desires.
Out of breath, as they separated, Rishabh nuzzled into her neck, his thumb rubbing circles on her lower back.
âThis is not a good place to be right nowâ, Rishabh husked pecking her shoulders.
âBut the thrill is excitingâ, Prerna replied and Rishabh looked at her before bursting into laughter.
âTotally is!â
âRishabh, I command you to do somethingâ.
Goosebumps rose over his flesh at her sensuous tone. âLetâs detroy Komolika, run her into the ground. And before that, letsâ f*ck up that lying piece of sh*t, Ronitâ
Rishabh shivered, in delight. âOfcourse, itâs only a matter of time. And on that note, letâs get out of here, we have an engagement to attendâ.
âWaste of money, if you ask meâ Prerna remarked bluntly as his arm wrapped around her waist.
âPrelude to a highly entertaining show, if you ask meâ Rishabh winked in response and the couple snickered in response and stepped out of the corridor.
âVese, Basu sure has bad manners. Peeping on us when we were busy and conspiringâ.
"Let him be. Who needs a hero when you can have an accomplice!â
âCheers to thatâ
âCheers to that!"
The End~
Hope you all liked itđ
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