chapter 20

Pari brought her hand closer to his shirt, hesitantly. His eyes stayed rooted on her face, studying her expression but he found nothing which he could form in words.Her fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against the buttons of his shirt. She hesitated, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat. His gaze bore into her, dark and unreadable, but he made no move to stop her.Slowly, she undid the first button, her fingertips barely grazing his skin beneath. Her breath hitched when she felt the warmth radiating from his body. He remained silent, watching her with an intensity that made her heart pound against her ribs.The second button came undone. Then the third. Fourth. And eventually, she unfastened all of them, revealing the white vest clinging to his torso.She hesitated for a brief moment before stepping closer, positioning herself between his legs. Her fingers brushed against his shoulders as she carefully slid the shirt down his arms. His muscles tensed beneath her touch, but he didn't stop her.The fabric pooled around his wrists before slipping onto the bed.She crouched down to grab the shirt, but her movements faltered for a brief second when she felt him shift. His face turned slightly toward her, his warm breath fanning against her cheek.Her pulse stuttered. He was close, so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body, wrapping around her like an invisible force. The scent of smoke and his cologne lingered in the air between them, making her breath hitch.For a fleeting moment, she remained frozen, her fingers gripping the fabric of his discarded shirt. The silence stretched, thick with an intensity she wasn't sure how to navigate.She straightened quickly, determined to walk away before the air between them grew any heavier. But just as she turned, his bruised hand clasped around her wrist, the roughness of his grip contrasting with the softness of her skin. The sudden pull made her bangles jingle together, the delicate sound echoing in the quiet room.Her breath hitched as she glanced down at his hand wrapped around her wrist, then up at him. His dark eyes burned with an unreadable intensity, locking her in place before she could take another step.A soft gasp, almost inaudible, escaped her lips as he pulled her toward him with a sudden, effortless tug. Her free hand instinctively landed on his shoulder, seeking support, her fingers slightly digging into the firm muscle beneath. He arched his head up, his dark, piercing gaze locking onto hers—wide and full of nervous apprehension.His grip on her wrist loosened, but before she could move away, his hand traced a slow, deliberate path down her arm, over her waist, and finally settled on the curve of her hip. A shiver coursed through her at the warmth of his touch, her heart pounding erratically against her ribcage. Before she could fully process what was happening, he pulled her down with a firm yet controlled motion, guiding her onto his left thigh.Her breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively clutched onto his shoulder for balance, her body now precariously close to his. The space between them vanished, the tension thick in the air as silence stretched, leaving only the erratic rhythm of their breaths filling the room.She blinked repeatedly, trying to string her words to throw a question at him but failed terribly when he brought his left hand up to her face and rested his palm against her cheek.She, unknowingly leaned into his touch and closed her eyes for a fraction of a second.His eyelashes lowered, his gaze now fixed on the faint, reddened handprints marking her delicate skin. A dark shadow passed over his face, his jaw clenching with barely contained fury.How could someone touch her? How dare they lay their filthy hands on what was his? He hadn't even allowed himself the luxury of touching her like this, of leaving his mark on her skin yet someone else had the audacity to do so?A storm raged within him, violent and uncontrollable. Did they really think they could harm her and walk away unscathed? Did they believe he would let this slide?Fools.If they had a death wish, they should have just asked him directly. Because now, whether they realized it or not, they had already dug their own graves.Pari's eyelashes fluttered as she sensed his unwavering gaze on her. The air between them grew heavy, charged with an intensity that made her throat dry.Then, his voice sliced through the silence."Tum kuch chhupa rahi ho humse."( You are hiding something from me.)It wasn't a question. It wasn't a curiosity. It was a demand, an unspoken order for her to spill whatever truth she had been withholding.Pari's breath hitched as she met his penetrating gaze. There was no escaping it. He wasn't asking; he was commanding.Still, she tried once.She gulped, licked her lower lip slightly and shook her head negatively." I am not," her voice came out low and timid." Jhuth mat bolo, Pari."( Do not lie, Pari.)His voice was softer this time, yet firm. He moved his head closer, closing the space between them until their noses barely brushed. Pari's breath hitched. She swallowed hard, her eyelashes fluttering as she hesitated before lowering her gaze." I am not-"Her words faltered, dying midway when she felt the rough pad of his thumb trace her skin slowly, deliberately just near the corner of her lips." Where else did he hit you?"She bit the inside of her lower lip, hesitating as memories of the washroom incident flashed in her mind. The way her husband had looked in that moment—it was terrifying. Ruthless and unforgiving.It was the first time she had witnessed him like that, his presence so dangerous it sent shivers down her spine. If the servant hadn't walked in at the right time, Sarthak wouldn't have made it out alive. Vikrant would have ended him right then and there, staining his hands with blood without a second thought." Pari," he tucked his finger under her chin and lifted her head, making her look into his eyes." Hume nahi bataogi to kise bataogi?"( If you wouldn't tell me, then who else?)His voice was softer now, almost pleading. He needed to hear it from her, to understand what was haunting her. But instead of answering, she shook her head and gently pushed his hand away from her face." I got so scared," she admitted in a whisper. Her voice wavered, betraying the emotions she fought to keep hidden. Tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall." By him?"She shook her head and he raised his eyebrows." Then?"She lowered her gaze, fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. Her next words came out even softer, almost inaudible." You."He blinked, " me?"She nodded.He blinked again, disbelief flickering across his face."You looked so dangerous there," she murmured, still avoiding his eyes. "I thought... I thought you would kill him."The mere thought of him turning into a murderer made her heart race with fear."You thought right," he said without a hint of hesitation.She lifted her gaze, searching his face, trying to decipher the darkness swirling in his eyes. A deep crease formed on her forehead."I will kill anyone who dares to lay a hand on you," he continued, his voice low yet sharp, carrying an unsettling certainty. "What you saw back there? That was not even one percent of what I had planned for him."Her eyes widened in alarm. A chill ran down her spine. She hurriedly shook her head and pushed herself off his lap, stepping away from him."You are scary," she whispered, her back now turned to him as she tried to steady her breath.He stood up as well, his movements slow yet deliberate. "Tell me, Pari," his voice was dangerously calm. "What should I do when someone touches you like that? Should I just sit back and watch?""No!"She spun around, her eyes glistening with emotions she couldn't contain. "You... you lost control. I felt like I was witnessing a killer, not my husband. That blood... I was terrified."A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it lacked amusement. "Then you witnessed right, baby. That's exactly what I am when someone so much as looks in my woman's direction the wrong way."He took a step closer.She instinctively took two steps back, increasing the distance between them.He didn't like that. Not at all. Tears welled in her eyes as the horrifying scene replayed in her mind. She had seen him angry before, but never like that. Never so unhinged, so merciless.Yes, she agreed Sarthak deserved it, but...She exhaled sharply, frustrated by the whirlwind of thoughts storming inside her."This," his voice brought her back.She barely had time to react before his hands cupped her cheeks, his thumbs tracing over the faint handprints that still marked her soft skin."Should I have just stood there?" His voice was dangerously low, his gaze unblinking. "Should I have watched silently while someone dared to lay their filthy hands on my wife?"Her breath hitched."Should I have turned away, knowing he harassed you? Knowing he had the audacity to throw insults at you?" His grip tightened ever so slightly, not in pain but in emphasis. "Should I have let it go?"He paused, his fingers stilling against her skin."If you think that, Pari..." his voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper now, "then trust me, you are damn wrong."His eyes darkened."No one gets that luxury.""You are not understanding," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.He wiped them away tenderly, his thumb tracing over her skin with surprising gentleness."Then make me understand," he murmured, his voice low, coaxing.A lump formed in her throat. She struggled to find the right words, the right way to explain the storm raging inside her. He was getting her all wrong."You could have... tried another way," she finally said, her voice trembling. "You had already hurt him enough. Banging his head on the counter. Kicking him multiple times. Twisting his arm. And..."She took a shaky breath. "It was enough."His eyes flashed."No, it was not!" he snapped, his tone sharp and unwavering.She flinched at his immediate response."That was the bare minimum," he said, his voice dropping into a dangerous calm.She fisted her hands, her stomach twisting uneasily. His possessiveness was suffocating, thick in the air between them."You're scaring me," she admitted in a whisper, stepping back instinctively.His jaw tensed."Then stop getting scared," he ordered, stalking closer. "I am no harm to you.""I know but..." she stammered, words failing her. She stepped back again, trying to put distance between them.But this time, his patience snapped.In a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her against his chest."Humse door bhagna band karo!" His voice thundered through the room, sending a violent shiver down her spine.( Stop making distance with me.)She gasped, her heartbeat hammering wildly as he twisted her arm behind her, pulling her closer. His free hand cupped her cheek, the contrast between his grip and the tenderness in his touch making her breath hitch."Stop fucking creating distance between us," he gritted out, his voice raw with emotion. "And get this through your head—tum Vikrant Agnihotri ki biwi ho. Tumhe tang karne wale ko shamshan pohchakar hi manenge hum."( You are Vikrant Agnihotri's wife. Those who dare to trouble you will only rest after reaching the cremation ground.)Tears pooled in her eyes again, but this time, it wasn't just fear. It was something deeper, something more terrifying.Because the first time she had feared him was when he had bought her.And now, she feared the way her heart reacted to him.She lowered her gaze, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Please... you're hurting me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.His body tensed, realization striking him like a bolt of lightning. His grip on her arm loosened instantly, and he let go as if burned. His other hand dropped from her cheek, the warmth of his touch replaced by a chilling emptiness.He took a step back, his eyes scanning her face, watching the way she cradled her wrist. Regret flickered across his features, but he said nothing. The air between them grew heavier, thick with emotions neither of them knew how to name.His jaw clenched. He felt suffocated. Trapped. The walls of the bedroom seemed to close in on him.Without another word, he spun on his heels and strode toward the door. The moment he stepped out, he slammed it shut behind him with such force that the sound echoed through the room.She flinched at the impact, her shoulders jerking slightly. And then, silence.She stood there, motionless, staring at the door he had just walked out of, the weight of his absence pressing down on her chest....Pari gripped the railing of the staircase, her eyes scanning the dimly lit living room until they landed on him. He was sprawled across the couch, one arm draped over his eyes, his breathing slow and steady.She hesitated for a moment, adjusting the folds of her nightgown. The weight of their argument still lingered heavily on her chest, making it impossible for her to stay in their bedroom alone. She needed to see him, to be near him.Taking a deep breath, she started descending the stairs, each step deliberate and hesitant.Vikrant, despite his stillness, was acutely aware of her presence. The soft chime of her anklets rang in his ears, familiar and soothing. His jaw tightened, but he remained motionless, feigning sleep, unwilling to be the first to break the silence between them.Vikrant didn't realize how close she had gotten until he felt the light pressure of her hand on his shoulder. She gave him a small shake, testing if he was awake, but he remained still, stubbornly keeping his eyes closed.With a quiet sigh, she decided to leave. But as she turned around, her foot struck the edge of the table."Ah!"She hissed in pain, instinctively reaching to rub the area where she had stumbled.In an instant, Vikrant shot up, his drowsy pretense forgotten."Pari!"His voice was sharp with concern as he grabbed her arms, gently but firmly, turning her toward him. His gaze flickered over her, searching for any sign of injury."Are you okay?" His tone softened, his fingers brushing against her skin. "Show me where it hurts."She momentarily forgot her pain and narrowed her eyes at him."Toh aap so nahi rahe the?" she accused, her voice laced with suspicion.( So you were not sleeping?)Vikrant met her gaze before clearing his throat, attempting to appear nonchalant."Hum so hi rahe the, par tumne utha diya apni awaaz se," he responded, feigning irritation as he sank back onto the couch.( I was sleeping but your voice woke me up.)Pari crossed her arms over her chest, unimpressed."Itni bhi tez nahi cheekha humne," she defended herself, her brows furrowing.( I did not even speak that loudly.)He scoffed, tilting his head back."Cheekha tha. Hamare kaan ke parde fat gaye," he shot back sarcastically, rubbing his ear for dramatic effect.( You did scream. My eardrums almost burst.)She sighed heavily and sat down beside him. An awkward silence settled between them, thick and unyielding. Both struggled to find the right words, unsure of where to begin.Just when they finally decided, they ended up speaking at the same time."I was saying-"They blinked at each other."Uhm... you go ahead," Pari said, shifting slightly."No, say whatever you want to. I'm all ears," Vikrant insisted."No, it's okay-""Pari, just say it," he interrupted, his tone softer this time.She sighed, hesitated for a moment, then dropped her gaze to her lap."Uhm... sorry."Vikrant's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard.I was about to say the same thing...She looked at him, her voice soft yet firm. "I should have tried to understand you. But I couldn't think straight at that moment. I'm sorry if I ruined your mood or disrespected you in any way. That was never my intention.""Pari-""I should have listened to your side first. I know you weren't wrong, but that doesn't mean I was wrong either. Still, I should've just kept quiet. I don't even know what came over me. How could I talk so much-""Pari... Pari... Pari."He grabbed her arms gently, cutting off her rambling. She immediately shut her mouth, blinking at him." Shant raho. Kitna bol rahi ho?"( Quiet. You are speaking a lot.)She pressed her lips together, her nervous energy still lingering.Vikrant exhaled, letting go of her arms."I was at fault too. I'm sorry," he admitted, his voice sincere. "I shouldn't have raised my voice at you. It just happened in the heat of the moment. I didn't mean to scare you.""No!"Vikrant frowned as she opposed and grabbed his hands."You are not at fault.""Hm?" He raised an eyebrow in amusement."So, you finally understand?""Hm." She nodded, but her eyes dropped to her lap, sadness flickering in them.He controlled his chuckle."But now I feel like I was wrong.""Why?"She snapped her head up at him. He shrugged."I thought about what you said back in the room, and I realized... maybe I went too far."She quickly shook her head. "No. Like you said, it wasn't enough. I thought about it too and realized that he deserved it for the way he behaved with me.""Hm... but don't you think it was a little excessive?" He asked with a serious expression.Her frown deepened. "Not at all."A slow smile formed on his lips before he suddenly flicked her forehead." To ye pehle samjh jati hamari pyari Pari."( You should have understood this before, my dear Pari.)She pouted, rubbing her forehead, but then smiled. "Sorry for that. I got too carried away by emotions-""Okay, leave it." He stood up, stretching his arms."Do you want to eat something?"" Aap banayenge?"( Will you cook?)She got up as well." Nahi, tum."( No, you.)She chuckled and nodded before they both walked toward the kitchen."Don't take it personally. It's just that I don't know how to cook. If you want, I can try... unless you don't mind the kitchen burning down."She laughed, adjusting her shrug.⋆༺✷༻⋆Read more Chapters in scrollstack