59.Intimacy.

Caution⚠

It's not at all a small update.

She opened the door only to smash her face lightly on something, and that 'something' pushed her behind,"Wh-".

"Nice room.", 'something' commented in a husky voice, surprising her with his presence.

Raina stepped back hurriedly, and gaped at his face. Adhiraj removed the hair strand sticking on her face here and there due to their collision.

"Wear a comfortable footwear,we are going out.",he said just after an instant.

"Out? Where?",she asked coming out of her initial shock.

He roamed his eyes, taking in the appearance of her room when he saw a pair of bellies kept at a distance.

He held her forearms and made her stand before them, "Hurry up."

She obliged still confused.

Once she was done, he gestured her to exit her room.

She did so did he.

He walked in one direction, making sure Raina was walking with him.

Raina saw him dressed up in dark tan sweatshirt with grey track pants with sports shoe and then saw herself , clad in Anarkali dress.

"Where are we going?", she asked.

"Shh.. Now,we don't want whole palace to know, Do we?", he sushed her.

Raina frowned, as he easily let them away from the fort by don't know which door. But she observed him looking here and there and his senses were high.

Her mouth opened wide as a probability dawned on her.

Was the great prince by any chance was sneaking out with her?

His pace was fast, Raina was having a difficult time in it. The back exit of fort was rather irregular, her feet got tangled in the folds of her dress and she stumbled forward, smashing her face against his muscular back.

He stopped and made her steady saying, "Raina, easy."

"Me? You be slow, you are walking like your office is on fire."Raina snapped.

He ignored her and held her palm with his protectively and firmly.

He continued walking.

"Why are we sneaking out?",She again asked.

He kept walking holding her hand, Raina gritted her teeth in annoyance.

They left the irregular and rocky path behind. Raina calmly walked along side of the prince, showing no issues on being hold by him and by that time her curiosity also went down.

Strangely, the isolated road, the scary and long trees and silent dark night was providing her soothing effect.

Was it environment?

Or was it the hold of someone particular?

She looked at him, who was all silent. There was still few distance between them, she stepped a bit near him. He noticed it and squeezed her hand a little. Both smiled at same time but hiding from one another.

It had been twenty minutes since they started walking.

She huffed tiredly, tugging at his wrist to stop him, "I am tired now."

He pulled her again, "Just 5 minutes."

Raina pouted but dragged herself.

They took a turn and soon Raina was standing in front of the famous beauty of Udaipur.

"Wow!!!", she looked fascinated with the beauty.

The dark blue lines of water were producing such a mesmerizing sound. Distant lights were reflecting from the lake water.

She didn't realised when a wooden boat stopped near them.

"Seat.", he instructed.

Raina nodded and step forward to get into the boat but the boat tilted to a side when she put her foot inside it.

Within second, Adhiraj was there holding her, he helped her and then he sat himself.

Raina looked around in awe, the lake was looking beautiful in night. The sound of water made her smile when slowly the man started paddling the boat.

She bent a little to touch the water but was pulled back by him. He glared at her silently. Raina opened her mouth to say something but decided to stay quiet seeing his glare intensifying.

They were moving but still the destination was unknown by her.

That boatman was humming some folk tune.

Adhiraj pointed at something.

Raina looked shocked seeing the white building standing in between the lake and bathed in the colourful lights, emitting a little in the lake too.

She looked back at him in question, he just shrugged and put his arm around her shoulder.

Soon the boat reached on the gate of the palace. Adhiraj was first one to get down and then he helped Raina outside.

He moved inside the building pulling Raina along, it was a moderate palace turned hotel, what you can call it,is heritage hotel.

Udaipur is full of those types of hotels, actually whole Rajasthan is.

They merely took ten steps when a man in his mid 20s ,well dressed up and with a comfortable aura around him was standing there with his manager.

He came forward when he saw Adhiraj walking inside.

"I am feeling so grateful. Hukam Adhiraj Singh Rathore himself came here.",he forwarded his hand.

"You have maintained this place very well Thakur Sahab.",Adhiraj remarked roaming his gaze over the main hall or lobby of hotel.

"Meet Raina Chauhan, my wife."he gestured towards the lady standing beside him.

Raina looked at him.

Wife? They are yet to be married.

But they are married already.

Uff!!

"Raina, he is Thakur Daksh Raj Singh. Young and creative hotelier.", he introduced the man to her.

Raina smiled and forwarded her hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Singh. I have listened so much about preserving and representing our cultural monuments."

She being in the business field had listened about this affable man.

"Thank you, it means a lot coming from you.",he thanked her shaking his hand with her with a boyish grin intact on his face.

"My staff will lead you to your reserved area. Enjoy your time at Jalesh Water Palace.", he signalled the manager to take control of situation.

"This way sir.", the manager gestured them towards a direction.

They followed him to a private balcony area.

"Thank you,you can leave now.",Adhiraj said as soon as they reached there.

Raina plopped on the sofa tiredly,"Finally."

She took out her shoes and relaxed her feet.

Adhiraj filled a glass of water and gave it to her,"I thought you would like a small walk in night."

She took the glass and said,"Yeah,small walk. But it was not small in any way."

She gulped down water in one go.

Raina leaned back closing her eyes but then it dawned on her that she was not here to sleep and she was yet to know the purpose.

She opened her eyes and found him looking back at her. She gave a sheepish smile and sat straight.

"So....",she trailed her sentence.

"So?",he smirked at her try.

"Why are we here?"

"Because,I wanted to.", he got up and walked to the boundary of gallery.

"Aren't you tired? After all the rituals of Tilak?",she walked behind him.

The night breeze hit her especially mixed with those water vapours, giving her a taste of sweetness of lake.

She smiled feeling the coolness, it was night so vast lake was resembling blake pit. If it would have been evening, she would be swooning over the beauty.

"Doesn't matter.", he muttered.

He hooked his hand around her waist and pulled her in front of him in the way she was facing him. Lifting her up a little , he settled her on the top base of railing, much to her horror.

"Ahhh...", she grasped his sweatshirt tightly with her both hands.

"Relax, you won't fall.", he calmed her, stating the fact. He wouldn't let her fall.

Rain's heart was pounding hard against her ribcage. She looked around.

She realised that the top base of railing boundary very wide, enough to settle herself safely. But the height from where she was looking was looking horrible.

But her heart came out when he lifted her leg a bit and turned her around , her legs were dangling down on the other side.

She shrieked and clutched his hands which were around her waist more tightly.

She looked at him who was standing behind her and snapped in fear,"Get me down. Do you want to push me from here?"

Adhiraj chuckled, "Calm down Raina."

She glared at him.

"Breath in, breath out.",he instructed and she followed still shooting glares.

He gestured to look forward.

"Now feel the wind, it's not pushing you. It is welcoming you, giving you it's power.", he whispered calmly.

She was little calm now, the wind passing past her ears was scaring her with their velocity. But she closed her eyes and imagined the comfort of same wind when she was standing on floor behind the boundary.

And it did help her, her fear subsided to a lower level.

"Look down,are you seeing the height? It's not your death,it is not scaring you but giving you the feel of being on top, being above it."

Her panic was replaced by a thrilling and chilling feeling bubbling in her heart.

She smiled but continue to clutch his hands. He held her more firmly and said, "Remove your hands Raina."

She shook her head in negative.

He came closer, placing his chin on her shoulder he again said, "Remove."

She shook her head and thought about consequences.

The area beneath her butt was wide. Lower the chances of falling.

Even if she will fall, she knew swimming. The water was still and the area surrounding the hotel was less deep, meaning less struggle and danger. Will she survive? She will.

She had swam in the tidal waves of Arabian sea in Mumbai. The only thing she was fearing was height.

"If you will let me fall, I will complain to Kaka hukum and Kaki hukum.", she threatened him.

Her brain was saying no, but she did. She gradually loosened her grip.

"Sure sure.", he replied back mischievously.

She finally left his hands and looked forward.

"Enjoy.",he said and stepped back still holding her waist...

Raina laughed when a strong wind hit her, she was getting comfortable with the scenario from top and his hands were an insurance to her.

"How are you feeling?",he asked.

"Free. All these are looking so small from here. My bones are shaking in fear but I am enjoying this view.", she whispered.

"That's what I wanted to say Raina. Life is going to be like this. So much dangerous,one wrong move and you'll be wiped to death, it's on you to maintain your balance. It's on you to supress your overwhelming feeling. And then you will enjoy the power. But. But still when you are in power, don't let it blind your senses. Even then keep your mind alert, otherwise there are many people to drag you down to pit.",he said.

He told her to lift her leg , she did. And then he turned her swiftly, still holding her to place.

But the change of sides made Raina sigh in relief.

"Was this life lesson?",she asked.

"It was.", he nodded.

"Are you my teacher?",she asked playfully.

"Ain't I?",he asked back.

"You are. I like discussing my issues with you.",she smiled remembering his long lectures. She shook her head, smiling.

"A little adventure doesn't hurt.", he said squeezing her waist involuntarily.

Just then Raina realised his firm grip. A new level of sensation bursted in her abdomen, kind of jitters.

She bit her lips to stop the heat creeping on her cheeks and looked away from his face.

She was seating on the railing and he was standing close, it made her came to his eye level.

He took hold of her chin and made her face him.

He traced the light dark circles under her eyes and asked softly,"Are you facing problems in sleeping?"

"My sleeping pattern is always pathetic.It's better now. Not okay but improving.",she answered shrugging.

"But I assume that the problem is intensifying these days.", he commented.

Give him credits, he was a buisness man that too from political background. He was observant and a bit extra in the case of woman in front of him.

When he was in ber room, he had noticed the clean, untouched bed and a bit messy couch. Even her appearance didn't appear to be one sleeping comfortably.

"Nah! Nothing like that.",she denied trying to hide her tired eyes.

Adhiraj shook his head and said,"Good try. Now,will you tell me the reason? Are you not taking your medicines?"

His voice held concern for her.

"Its not like that.",she muttered.

"Then?"

"You know, I am scared.", she mumbled.

She further clarified seeing his confused face, "This is such a big change. Nothing to worry, it's just wedding jitters."

"And back in Jodhpur,Kaki Hukum used to give me head massage but since our marriage is fixed and I moved in with Akshit, I ain't getting that special treatment from her.",she sulked.

"Let me get down.",she insisted and he obliged. Stepping back, he pulled her down.

She moved to seat on one of the chairs but he held her wrist,"Raina!"

"Jee.",she looked back at him with those brown russet eyes.

He looked straight with a different kind of emotion in his eyes. He held her hand firmly. Raina bit her lips seeing him serious all of sudden.

She felt something cold in her hand and looked down.

Adhiraj slipped a ring in her ring finger swiftly and said, "It's not going to be peaches and cream, it's going to be roses and thorns."

Her breath hitched as his actions as well as words. His piercing gaze was trying to convey something more intense.

"Adhiraj!!! This... Ummmm....",she tried to form a proper sentence.

"Shh...",he was standing very close.

"But I don't have any ring for you.",she said in haste, feeling guilty of having nothing to give him.

"Who want rings here? I want you to return my feelings, give anything the day you will realise your feelings.", she said cupping her cheeks.

"So sure of me to make fall for you?", her cheeks were burning under his touch. She asked trying to be playful but she was feeling the pumping of heart in her ears.

He smirked, "I don't like to keep debts Raina. So,very sure."

"One day Raina,remember my words. This eyes which are filled with admiration now, will be looking back at me with love."

His voice held determination and his fingers skimming her jaw , both were knocking the senses out if her mind. She dare not to break the eye contact.

"You will reciprocate my raw passion. One day you will.".

Involuntarily, his face leaned closer.

Closer.

More closer.

Raina's eyes widened in anticipation.

She was froze, not knowing what to do.

Overwhelming feelings burnt her eyes,

She fidgeted with her dress seeing him coming closer.

Mustering her withered senses,

She turned her face in other direction.

Adhiraj stopped when his nose hit her cheek. Adhiraj's jaw clenched in sudden frustration building up inside him, but he had learnt to accept rejections with grace and dignity. He blew a long breath to calm himself.

The cold and tingling feeling on her neck made Raina shudder.

He smiled and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and stepped back.

"Ummm.", she tried to say something.

She felt bad, she wanted to justify her action. More like she wanted to confess something.

Adhiraj walked to seat on sofa and asked her with any trace of awkwardness in his voice,"Are you hungry? Want to have some-"

"Adhiraj..!", she sat on the table, jn front of him.

And before she can think of moving back, shu hurled out, "I am sacred of intimacy?"

She quickly went on making clear her views on the topic,"I am not talking about physical one. I am talking about emotional proximity. What I mean is the connection two should feel. The closeness between the souls. No, I mea-"

"Why?", he smiled at her nervous and confused self.

"Its so difficult.", she muttered to herself.

She rubbed her face and said, "I was never into relationships,never been into romantic link with any man. I was always scared of loving someone because I dreaded losing them."

"Why you think that you will lose whoever you love?",he frowned.

"I don't fear that, what makes me restless that what will happen to me if I will lose them."

"I am being selfish, I know.",she smiled sadly but he was not getting the point, "I don't understand."

"My parents died in front of my eyes. You know that. Right? Papa died out of pain and blood loss, I guess. My parents were, are and always be an epitome of love for me. Even when they were taking their last breath, they confessed their love for each other."

"But the moment Papa died,mumma cried in agony. Her painful voice still rings in my ear.", she whispered lowly.

Naina put her bloodied hand on his cheek and turned him to face her, she looked into his eyes and whispered, "I love you."

His breathing was ragged, he whispered back with great difficulty, "I love you too. Till eternity."

She closed her eyes and cried, she opened them again to look at the love of her life, but something was changed this time. His eyes was scarce of the usual charm, they were still.

"Raghav", she tapped his cheek. He didn't respond, neither his eyes blinked.

"Raghav!!!!!", she cried bitterly when realisation hit her. He was dead. He had left her.

Raina shuddered at the memory.

A tear rolled down. He attempted to wipe them off but she took a step back.

"That pain in her voice was enough to tell me that love is painful. I can't withstand that pain. It will be more torturous then death.", her voice cracked.

He took a step forward, and wiped that

"Then don't love me.", he said.

"What?", she gasped in surprise.

"Try hard to resist me. As much you can. Maybe it will give you satisfaction and space.",he offered.

"I don't want to do this.", she shook her head.

"I don't want to complicate it. My life is already complicated and professional life is going to be tangled soon. I don't want same with personal."

"What do you want Raina?", he laughed lightly.

"That's the issue. I don't know what I want? What I need? I am just feeling restless.", she exclaimed, annoyed at his laughing face.

He continued to look at her, his words won't do anything good to her now. It was good to let her have some space for time being. And then only his actions would be able to convince her otherwise.

"You need sleep. You are being cranky.", he ruffled her hair.

He made her lay on the lounger.

Rains laid down comfortably and then asked, "Won't someone come?"

"Nope, it's a reserved area. No one will come untill I will call someone."

He pulled a chair beside her and sat on it. His fingers disappeared in her long brown hair as he started massaging her scalp.

"Relax, even I know a bit of head massage tricks.", he winked at her.

"I ruined your plans. Sorry.", she mumbled an apology. Her eyes we're fixed on thr ring he gave.

She admired the simple but gorgeous ring intact with dark red ruby, her eyes we're drooping.

"You didn't. I came here so that we can spend sometime here. No facade, no barriers.", he comforted her.

"Hmmmmm.", she hummed slipping into a dreamless sleep.

He kept looking at her. He didn't know how their every meeting turns out to be emotional for her, maybe because she was going through so much and finally she was letting it out.

"You'll be stronger than this Hukum sa. You have my words.", he gave a promise, not only to her but to himself too.

How was it??

According to me it was romantic, because for me the emotional proximity is more important then physical one.

Thakur Daksh Raj Singh.

Keep this name in your mind.

A book on him maybe.😁

And who is frustrated over the Unfinished KISS? 😏

Target- 600 votes.