chapter 14

The quiet murmur of the morning was broken only by the soft echoes of Vikrant's slippers against the marble stairs as he climbed toward the living room. The air was thick with the scent of masala chai and something sizzling in hot oil, perhaps parathas or pakoras.His gaze swept across the spacious living room, empty, except for the faint clatter of utensils coming from the kitchen.With a sudden thirst drying his throat, Vikrant made his way to the kitchen, his footsteps steady yet unhurried. He expected to see Kamla bustling around, humming a folk tune as she prepared breakfast. But as he stepped inside, his brows furrowed.It wasn't Kamla.It was Pari.Draped in a soft sky blue saree, her hair loosely tied, she stood near the counter, rolling out a paratha with practiced ease. The warm aroma of ghee filled the kitchen, mingling with the faint scent of sandalwood from her skin. The golden morning light filtering through the window cast a soft glow on her, highlighting the faint sheen of sweat on her temple.His frown deepened as he continued walking toward the counter."Where's Kamla tai?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.Pari startled slightly, her hand pausing mid-roll. She had been too engrossed in her task to sense his presence. Her gaze flickered to him briefly. He reached for a glass, pouring water from the earthen jar." She and her husband are on leave for a week. Don't you remember?"Vikrant blinked, taking a slow sip as realization dawned. Right. He had spoken to Kamla and Mahavir a few days ago. They had requested leave to attend a wedding in their village. He had approved it without much thought.He finished the water in a few gulps, setting the glass down with a faint clink against the counter. His gaze returned to her. down the water and put the glass down." Where's maa?"Still focused on rolling the dough, Pari lifted her arm, using the back of her hand to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear." Temple. She'll be here soon," she replied.Vikrant leaned against the counter, arms crossed. His sharp eyes roamed over the kitchen, flour dusted on the slab, a plate stacked with freshly made parathas, the rolling pin moving rhythmically under her hands.Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out." Need..some help?"His voice was hesitant, uncertain. He had no knowledge of cooking but standing there, watching her, he felt an odd urge to be useful. If nothing else, he could at least strain the tea or prepare the plates. Maybe.Pari paused for a moment, her hands dusted with flour as she looked at him. A small, knowing smile played on her lips before she shook her head lightly." I'll manage. You should go out. I'll bring breakfast in a few minutes."His eyelashes fluttered and he mentally said.I wanted to stay here..The thought came unbidden, settling heavily in his chest. He liked the quiet rhythm of this moment, the warmth of the kitchen, the scent of fresh parathas, the way her presence made this space feel... different.But he didn't say any of that.Instead, he gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. Without another word, he turned on his heels and walked out of the kitchen.The soft click of the main door opening barely registered in Vikrant's mind as he sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on the television screen. The news anchor was speaking, but the words blurred into a meaningless hum."Good morning," came a familiar voice, warm and filled with quiet affection.Vikrant blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He turned his head to see his mother, Akansha, standing near him, her face bright with delight.She stepped closer, extending her hands. "Here," she said, offering him prashad.Vikrant sat up straighter, his fingers brushing against hers as he accepted the offering. He glanced at the small portion of prashad in his palm before bringing it to his lips, consuming it with quiet reverence.Akansha went to the kitchen, probably to give prashad to Pari. She came back in 2 minutes and sat down beside him." So, did you find servants?"Vikrant shook his head negatively." Not yet," he replied." Do you think you did wrong by announcing your wedding to the media?"Vikrant again shook his head negatively." Not at all. World should know who she is."Akansha smiled, " did you tell her?"He frowned slightly, shifting his attention to her. With a lazy flick of his fingers, he turned the volume down on the TV." What?"Her smile widened just a fraction, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement." Ki tum kitna pyar karte ho usse."( That, how much you love her.)And his heart.. skipped a beat. Oh, why did his mother have to bring this up first thing in the morning? Didn't she know how these conversations made him feel? How they unsettled him in ways he couldn't put into words?Vikrant felt his fingers curl slightly against his knee, his jaw tightening just enough to be noticeable. A familiar heat crawled up his neck.Love.The word echoed in his mind, unwanted and unwelcome. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about it. He had, many times, more than he cared to admit. But thinking and admitting were two different things.He didn't like how his body reacted whenever she was near. The way his heart betrayed him, racing at the mere sight of her. The way his gaze always found her in a crowded room. The way her laughter, soft and rare, had a way of settling inside his chest, refusing to leave.It was infuriating.And yet, every time the thought of love crossed his mind, a strange kind of embarrassment washed over him. As if his own emotions were something to be ashamed of, something he had no control over.He wasn't supposed to feel this way. Not like this. Not so helplessly.But then... Why did he marry her?For the world, the answer was simple.To acquire the papers his grandfather had named after him, which he could only inherit after marriage.Yes. Everyone will think that.And why wouldn't they? It was the logical explanation, the one that made sense, the one that kept his emotions locked away where they belonged. A marriage of necessity, not of love. A transaction, not a bond.But if that was truly the case..Why did his chest tighten every time he looked at her? Why did the sight of her, standing in the kitchen, rolling out parathas, feel like something more than just an obligation?He came out of his manipulative thoughts when he heard the familiar sound of anklets. His gaze lifted, almost involuntarily, and landed straight on the reason for his current misery.Pari.She emerged from the kitchen, her steps light, her movements fluid, unaware of the chaos she stirred within him. Her hair was tied loosely, a few rebellious strands framing her face, teasing the curve of her cheek." Breakfast is ready," she informed them.He should respond. He should nod, stand up, walk to the dining table like nothing was wrong. Like he wasn't just drowning in thoughts he didn't want to confront.But he didn't.He just kept looking at her.And the longer he looked, the more he realized something.She was no longer the frightened girl who had stood beside him during their wedding, her hands trembling in uncertainty. She wasn't the same woman he had married out of necessity, the one he had convinced himself was just a means to an end.She was his wife.She had unknowingly become a part of his world.And that terrified him more than anything else." Let's go."Akansha said and his chain of thoughts broke down in no second. He hummed quietly and followed both the ladies to the dining room. They settled down to have breakfast. Pari served them before sitting to eat as well.What did Pari think about their marriage?Did she believe he had married her just for those papers? That she was nothing more than a convenience, a means to an end? Or worse, that she was just a temporary distraction, someone he would eventually cast aside when the novelty wore off?The thought made his stomach churn.He wasn't a saint, but he wasn't that cruel either.And yet, he had never given her a reason to think otherwise. He had never told her the truth, not even to himself.He hadn't married her for power. He hadn't married her for time-pass.He married her because...Because he had felt like doing so.Because the idea of another man claiming her had made his blood boil in a way he couldn't explain.Because he hadn't wanted to wait. Hadn't wanted to make time to go to her, to woo her, to take the long road when he knew what he wanted.And he wanted her.He had wanted her in front of his eyes every day.He had wanted her to be a part of his life, to weave herself into the spaces he hadn't realized were empty until she filled them.He had wanted to wrap her in the life he would give her, to keep her close, to protect her, to ensure she was his.Only his.He couldn't keep her caged.Not here. Not in this suffocating silence between them.What was the point of pulling her out of that place if he never truly gave her the freedom she deserved?He had told himself he was saving her. That she deserved more than the life she was forced into. But what had he done after that? Brought her here and left her in the confines of his world without ever letting her step into it. Without ever letting her know him.That had to change.If he wanted her to be a part of his life, to belong to him in a way that wasn't just a contract, then he had to give her something to hold onto.He had to open up.He nodded to himself, the decision firm.Pari, who had been silently finishing her breakfast, caught the slight shift in his demeanor. He looked down at his plate and thought of a perfect place to take her outside, tomorrow night....The evening approached earlier than she expected. Or maybe it only felt that way because she had taken a long nap in the afternoon.After breakfast, Vikrant had left for work without saying much. That wasn't unusual- he was a man of few words, especially in the mornings. Brushing the thought aside, she focused on preparing dinner.She put her hands on either side of her waist realizing there are not many vegetables.She walked out of the kitchen to ask Akansha to send a driver to buy vegetables from the market but when she crossed the threshold, she bumped into someone.She rubbed her forehead and looked slightly up only to meet Vikrant's gaze." Uh, you are back?"" Yeah, I just came."She nodded and walked past him. He frowned and instead of going upstairs, he followed her quietly." Maa, can you send a driver to buy some vegetables?"Akansha, who was watching television, nodded." Ok-"" Let him be. I'll take you to the market."Vikrant jumped in the conversation. Both the ladies looked behind him. A smile forced on Akansha's lips while Pari blinked.Will he?Realizing he had drawn attention to himself, Vikrant quickly cleared his throat, adjusting his stance. "I mean... the one who cooks knows better what to buy. So... I'll take you to the market."He tried to sound indifferent, covering up the flicker of excitement he had unknowingly let slip just seconds ago.Pari opened her mouth, intending to refuse because the idea of being alone with him, outside, unsettled her. Nights were already difficult enough. This? This would only add to her nervousness.But before she could utter a single word, Akansha interrupted." Yes, Pari. You should go with him."And Vikrant did not even wait to hear Pari. He nodded immediately and went upstairs. Pari sighed softly, realising she has no choice nowHe came downstairs in a T-shirt and trouser with a key in hand. Probably of his car. Vikrant descended the stairs, his footsteps steady, his presence commanding without effort. He had changed into a simple black T-shirt and well-fitted trousers, yet even in casual wear, he carried an air of quiet authority.In his hand, he twirled a key. Pari, who was patiently waiting for him, straightened her posture at the sound of his approach. Her eyes flickered toward him for a brief second before she looked away.Vikrant said nothing, simply lifting a hand in a silent signal for her to step outside. Pari hesitated for a fraction of a second before complying, feeling his presence close behind her.Stepping out into the evening air, she instinctively moved toward his car, stopping beside it as she waited for him to unlock it. But instead of following her, Vikrant walked past, heading toward something else entirely.Pari frowned, watching in confusion as he stopped next to a sleek black bike parked near the driveway.She blinked. A bike?She had never seen him use one before. The Vikrant she knew always preferred cars- closed, safe, and distant from the world outside.Her lips parted slightly as she watched Vikrant swing a leg over the bike with practiced ease. He reached for the helmet hanging on the handle,his driver must have placed it there earlier and secured it in place.Without a word, he twisted the key, bringing the engine to life with a deep, smooth purr. Then, instead of calling her, he casually pressed the horn.The sudden sharp sound startled Pari, making her jolt slightly.Her frown deepened as she quickly walked toward him, dusting off her hesitation. He could have just called me. What was that for?She stole a glance at him, expecting some sort of explanation, but he simply rested his hand on the throttle, waiting.Her thoughts raced. Was he... showing off?No. That didn't seem like him. But then, why use the horn instead of just speaking?She bit her lip, shaking her head internally. Why am I even overthinking this?Taking a deep breath, she cautiously moved to the side of the bike, hesitating for only a second before gripping his shoulder lightly and swinging her leg over.She sat stiffly, trying to maintain as much distance as possible. But the moment Vikrant adjusted his position, the space between them disappeared entirely.Her heart skipped.Pari tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers brushing against her cheek in a delicate motion and Vikrant bit back his smile under the helmet. Pari stiffened slightly at the sudden movement, her hands hovering near his back. She wasn't used to this, and wasn't used to him in this way. The car had always provided some sense of distance, but here, on the bike, there was none. The wind picked up, sending strands of her hair flying behind her, her pallu dancing wildly in the air. She quickly gripped one end to keep it from flying away.Her hand awkwardly rested on his shoulder to keep herself stable while she hesitated to place another around his waist. And this simple act did not provide her much comfort and support?Vikrant felt her hesitance, her uncertainty.A smirk tugged at his lips.And so, with a subtle shift, he increased the speed.The sudden acceleration made her gasp, and without thinking, she grabbed onto him properly, her other hand wrapped around his waist, her front pressed slightly against his back.His smirk deepened.Much better- he said mentallyPeople glanced at them for a moment as they passed roads, crossed signals. For a few moments, the only sound between them was the steady hum of the engine, the rhythmic rush of wind, and the faint rustling of Pari's pallu as it fluttered behind her.She had gone completely still, her arms wrapped securely around his torso. Too close. Too aware.Vikrant, on the other hand, was anything but still. He could feel her warmth seeping through the thin fabric of his T-shirt, the hesitant pressure of her grip, the way her breath occasionally hit his back when the wind pushed against her.He should focus on the road.But his mind wasn't cooperating.This was new. Pari, on the other hand, was having a completely different struggle.She hated this. Not the ride itself, not even the speed. But the way she could hear the wild thudding of her own heartbeat. The way her fingers trembled ever so slightly, even though she wasn't afraid.Because she wasn't.Vikrant wasn't speaking. He wasn't teasing her, wasn't smirking over his shoulder. He was just driving, effortlessly, confidently.And yet, she felt him everywhere.The warmth of his body, the solid strength beneath her fingers, the casual ease with which he handled the bike.Just as she was beginning to settle into the ride, thinking it wasn't as terrifying as she had imagined-Vikrant suddenly swerved.She gasped, her arms instinctively tightening around him as she shut her eyes.He steadied the bike effortlessly, as if he had done this a thousand times before. When she opened her eyes, she realized they had dodged a pothole, one that would have sent them bouncing uncomfortably.She exhaled shakily.The market was still a few minutes away, but suddenly, he wished it was farther.⋆༺✷༻⋆Read more chapters in scrollstack