Chapter 22: 22. Kiss and heal

Next morning ,

As I emerged from the bathroom, I noticed Mayura stirring in the bed. Her gaze landed on me, and her cheeks flushed crimson. I couldn't help but smile at her reaction. Striding towards her, I sat beside her on the bed, my eyes locked onto hers.

"Good morning, my Jaana," I murmured, my voice low and husky, letting my breath lightly brush her ear.

Mayura's voice came out as a barely audible whisper, "G-good morning, Abhimaan."

I allowed myself a moment to take in her beauty, bathed in the morning light. "You look lovely in the morning light, Jaana ."

Her blush deepened, her heart racing visibly. I could see her trying to avoid eye contact, but I gently cupped her chin, turning her face back towards me.

"Don’t hide from me, Mayura," I whispered, my eyes locked on hers. "I want to see your beauty, your smile, your sparkling eyes."

Her resistance crumbled under my tender touch. She melted into my words, her heart fluttering like a bird freed from its cage. My fingers traced her jawline, sending shivers down her spine.

"Thank you for last night, Abhimaan," she whispered.

I smiled gently. "You don’t need to thank me, Mayura. I’m just taking care of what’s mine."

I gently touched my lips to her and saw in her eyes for any discomfort but there was none.

As I spoke, I let my lips brush against hers, a soft, lingering caress. Mayura’s lips parted slightly, inviting me in. I deepened the kiss, my tongue tracing her lips, my fingers tangling in her hair.

Just as she began to pull away, I tightened my grip, my hands firmly holding her wrists. I spun her around and pressed her against the wall with a gentle, yet unyielding force. Her eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching.

"You can’t escape me that easily, Jaana," I whispered, my voice intense and husky.

Mayura’s lips parted in a soft protest, but I silenced her with a hard, demanding kiss. My lips crushed hers, my tongue exploring her mouth with a possessive intensity. Her passion ignited in response, her body pressed tightly against mine.

As our kiss deepened, I pulled her closer, my fingers tracing the curves of her body. Her body seemed to melt into mine, overwhelmed by the sheer force of our desire.

My grip on her wrists loosened as my hands roamed over her body, drawing her even closer. I pulled back slightly, studying her face for any signs of discomfort. Again .

"Jaana, do you regret kissing me?" I asked, my voice soft, my breath warm against her skin.

Mayura’s chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. Her eyes were locked onto mine, and she shook her head, a gentle nod. "N-no," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I continued to search her gaze for any hint of hesitation. But her eyes sparkled with a newfound confidence, her resolve clear. I saw no discomfort, only a deep connection and mutual attraction.

"Do you feel uncomfortable with me coming closer to you?" I asked gently, my body still pressed against hers.

Mayura’s nod was more emphatic. "N-no, Abhimaan. I want you close to me."

A radiant smile spread across my face. I leaned in, kissing her with a gentle tenderness that conveyed all my affection. Mayura’s heart soared, her happiness evident as our lips met once more.

"Mayura, do you still want to go to college? It’s okay if you don’t," I asked, my concern evident in my voice.

Her gaze dropped, her voice barely a whisper. "I’m not scared, Abhimaan. It’s just… something triggered me yesterday."

I softened my expression, my voice soothing. "You don’t have to tell me what it is, Jaana. But know that I’m here for you, whenever you’re ready to share."

Her eyes met mine, filled with gratitude. "Maybe another time, Abhimaan. Just knowing you’re here for me makes me feel better."

"I’ll always be here for you, Jaana," I assured her. "No pressure. Just know that you’re safe with me."

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Mayura seemed to find solace in my arms, a sense of security enveloping her as we held each other.

As I lay in the luxurious bed, I gradually awakened, feeling refreshed and at ease. My eyes met Abhimaan’s as he emerged from the bathroom, his glistening upper body catching the morning light. A deep flush spread across my cheeks, and I quickly turned away, my heart racing.

Abhimaan’s reaction was a knowing smirk as he moved towards me. He sat beside me on the bed, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Good morning, my Jaana," he murmured, his voice a sultry whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.

“G-good morning, Abhimaan,” I managed to whisper back.

His eyes traced my face, his admiration evident. “You look lovely in the morning light, Jaan. Your beauty takes my breath away.”

I felt my blush deepen, my heart fluttering uncontrollably. I tried to look away, but Abhimaan gently cupped my chin, turning my face back towards him.

“Don’t hide from me, Mayura,” he urged softly, his eyes locked onto mine. “I want to see your beauty, your smile, your sparkling eyes.”

His tender touch and intense gaze melted my resistance. I felt myself giving in, my heart opening to his words. Abhimaan’s fingers traced my jawline, sending delightful shivers through me.

“Thank you for last night, Abhimaan,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Abhimaan’s expression softened into a gentle smile. “You don’t need to thank me, Mayura. I’m just taking care of what’s mine.”

His lips brushed against mine in a soft, lingering kiss. My lips parted slightly, inviting him in. As he deepened the kiss, I felt an electric thrill, my body responding eagerly to his touch.

When I tried to pull away, his grip tightened, his hands firmly holding my wrists. He spun me around and pressed me against the wall with a firm yet gentle pressure. My breath caught in surprise, and I felt a thrill of excitement despite the unexpected intensity.

“You can’t escape me that easily, Jaana,” he whispered, his voice filled with raw emotion.

My lips parted in a soft protest, but he silenced me with a demanding kiss. His lips crushed mine with a fierce possessiveness, his tongue exploring my mouth. The kiss was all-consuming, my senses overwhelmed by his desire. Yet, I responded fervently, our passion igniting a fire within me.

Abhimaan’s grip on my wrists softened, his hands roaming over my body as he drew me closer. I felt overwhelmed, yet completely drawn to him, my body melding into his.

“Jaana, do you regret kissing me?” he asked, his voice tender, his breath warm against my skin.

I struggled to catch my breath, my eyes locked onto his. I shook my head, a soft nod of reassurance. “N-no,” I whispered.

His gaze searched mine for any hint of discomfort, but I felt a deep connection and reassurance in his presence. I was not uncomfortable; if anything, I was drawn closer to him.

“Do you feel uncomfortable with me coming closer to you?” he asked gently, his body still pressing against mine.

My nod was firmer this time. “N-no, Abhimaan. I want you close to me.”

A radiant smile lit up his face. He leaned in for another kiss, this one tender and full of affection. I felt my heart soar as our lips met once more, and I knew in that moment that we were completely intertwined.

When Abhimaan asked about my college plans, his concern was evident. “Mayura, do you still want to go to college? It’s okay if you don’t.”

I dropped my gaze, whispering, “I’m not scared, Abhimaan. It’s just… something triggered me yesterday.”

His expression softened, his voice gentle and reassuring. “You don’t have to tell me what it is, Jaana. But know that I’m here for you, whenever you’re ready to share.”

I looked up at him, gratitude in my eyes. “Maybe another time, Abhimaan. Just knowing you’re here for me makes me feel better.”

He nodded, his eyes warm with understanding. “I’ll always be here for you, Jaana. No pressure, no expectations. Just know that you’re safe with me.”

As I was wrapped  in Abhimaan's arms , the warmth of his embrace provided a fleeting comfort. I could no longer keep my emotions bottled up, especially after the unsettling events of the previous day. The surface calm I had shown was merely a facade, and it began to crack as the truth came tumbling out.

"Abhimaan," I began, my voice trembling as I sought the right words, "I think it's time you know too . there's something I need to tell you. It’s something I’ve hidden for so long, and it’s eating me alive."

Abhimaan looked at me with a gentle, encouraging gaze, his hand resting soothingly on my back. "You can tell me anything, Jaana."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "When I was a child, my life was a nightmare. My father… he was cruel. He used to lock me in the basement for hours on end. He’d beat me for the smallest of reasons, for things that I couldn’t even understand."

The memories came rushing back, and I struggled to hold back the tears. "My mother never cared. She was too absorbed in her own life to notice the bruises and scars. And my brother—he was worse. He almost let his friends abuse me. I ran away from home once, trying to escape the torment. I stayed away for a week, hoping that maybe I could find a place where I could be safe. But the police found me and brought me back. I was once again trapped in that house."

Abhimaan’s eyes were calm but I saw the silent anger , and he tightened his embrace, sensing my rising distress.

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "It’s not just that. Even when I tried to get help from someone from my previous college, my father found out and made me leave my studies . He cut off all my contacts, leaving me isolated. The only way I saw out was through this marriage. When you came into the picture, I knew it was a loveless arrangement, but it was my only option to escape that house."

Abhimaan’s expression softened with understanding.

"I never had a say in the marriage. I was simply informed that day when you came to meet me. I didn’t marry you for status or wealth; I just needed to get away from my old life. I wanted to live a life where I could be free, Abhimaan." I didn’t realize when the tears began to flow.

Abhimaan gently pulled me into his lap, his arms enveloping me in a protective cocoon. He held me close, whispering soothing words into my ear. "Cry as much as you need, Jaana. Let it all out. The moment you stop crying, that’s when the real fight begins. I’ll be here, waiting with you, ready to face whatever comes next."

His words were a balm to my soul, and I sobbed into his chest, the depth of my past pain pouring out. As I cried, Abhimaan’s hands softly caressed my back, offering a sense of security I had longed for all my life. In his embrace, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could find peace and solace away from the shadows of my past.

As Mayura’s sobs slowly subsided and her breathing began to steady, I held her tightly in my lap, her head resting against my chest. The weight of her past, the pain she had endured, was a heavy burden, but I was determined to be her anchor.

"Mayura," I began softly, my voice gentle but firm, "I need to tell you something too. When I first met you, I assumed the worst. I thought you were a gold digger, just like your father. I tried to stay away, believing you were only after my status and wealth."

Mayura’s head lifted slightly, her tear-streaked face meeting my gaze with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "You thought I was a gold digger?"

I nodded, my eyes filled with regret. "Yes, I did. And I was so wrong about you. I should have seen you for who you really are, not let my prejudices dictate my actions. I wish I had come into your life sooner, to offer you the support and love you deserve."

She smiled softly, though it was tinged with sadness. "So, you thought of me as a gold digger? I guess I should act like one then."

I raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Oh? And how do you plan on doing that, Jaana?"

Mayura's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer. "Well, since you think I’m a gold digger, maybe I should start demanding extravagant gifts and luxuries."

I chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Is that so? Maybe I should oblige you, just to keep up appearances."

She giggled, her laughter light and infectious. "You know, Abhimaan, if I’m going to be a gold digger, I’ll need a lot more than just luxury. Maybe a private island or a few rare jewels."

I pulled her even closer, my arms wrapping around her with a possessive tenderness. "If you want a private island, you’ll have it. Just promise me that you will let me stay there with you too ".

Mayura’s gaze softened as she looked up at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of affection and playfulness. "I promise, Abhimaan. Just as long as you continue to spoil me with your love."

I brushed a stray tear from her cheek, my thumb lingering as I traced the curve of her jawline. "I’ll spoil you with more than just love, Jaana. I’ll give you everything you deserve and more. But let’s not forget, you have to let me make it up to you for all the hurt I caused."

Mayura’s smile widened, her eyes shining with newfound warmth. "You’ve already made it up to me, Abhimaan. Just being here, understanding me, that’s enough."

I leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss, my touch tender and filled with unspoken promises. The kiss was soft but laden with emotion, a healing balm for both our souls. When we finally parted, I rested my forehead against hers, my eyes locked onto hers with a deep, unwavering sincerity.

"Jaana," I whispered, my voice hushed, "we’ve both been through so much. But together, we’ll find our way. I’ll always be here for you, through the good times and the bad. I promise."

Mayura nodded, her smile reflecting a mixture of relief and affection. "And I’ll be here for you too, Abhimaan. We’ll face whatever comes our way, together."

As we held each other close, the weight of our pasts seemed a little lighter. The connection between us was stronger, forged through shared pain and newfound understanding. In that moment, amidst the warmth of our embrace and the gentle teasing, we found solace in each other’s arms, ready to face the future hand in hand.