chapter 9
Ishni pov
The mall buzzed with life—people everywhere, their voices blending into a lively hum of chatter and footsteps.
As we walked through, the staff greeted us warmly, their smiles polite but genuine.
We started buying things, moving from one store to the next.
Suddenly, I glanced around—and caught the eyes of several female staff members and customers discreetly watching my husband.
I felt a sharp pang of jealousy burn inside me.
How dare they?
The way their eyes lingered on him like he was some prize—like he belonged to the world and not just to me.
My grip tightened around my shopping bag, and I refused to look away.
No one was going to take him from me,
Rudra pov
Something felt off.
I looked at my jaan—her eyes burning with anger, or maybe jealousy.
I caught the glances from other women around us, and I could tell she noticed too.
“Dammit,” I thought with a smile, “she’s so cute when she’s angry.”
"Jaan..this dress-"Before I could even finish my words, I felt her lips press against my neck, leaving a dark, burning stain.
Then, almost playfully, she tugged her clutch against my shirt.
A silent, fierce declaration—I’m yours, she seemed to say without words.
“Nice try at claiming me, jaan,” he chuckled,
but he didn’t let go of the clutch,
and he didn’t wipe off the lipstick either,
I rolled my eyes at his words and walked off to start shopping.
Minutes later, bags in hand and mood lighter, we made our way back to the car,
Sitting inside the car, I turned to him.
"Can we eat ice cream?" I asked, looking at him.
He glanced at me, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Sure, jaan. Which flavour?"
I smiled back. "What's your favourite?"
He thought for a moment before replying,
"I don't have favourites. What's your favourite… is mine,"
he said, his gaze steady on me.
I don’t know why, but in that moment, I felt important — maybe for the first time.
"Butterscotch," I whispered, still smiling.
He leaned in and kissed my forehead.
"Stay here. I’ll bring it," he said, then stepped out.
??
While eating ice cream, I glanced at him.
"Rudra?" I said softly.
"Hmm," he replied, eyes on the road, hands steady on the wheel.
"Why don't you have any favourites?" I asked, genuinely curious.
He didn’t answer right away — just kept driving, the silence stretching.
Then, without looking at me, he spoke.
"Nobody ever cared about what mattered to me, jaan. Not until you came."
He smiled as he finally looked at me — but I caught the flicker of sadness behind his eyes.
A quiet kind of pain.
I didn’t say anything. I just held the moment.
Minutes later, we reached the mansion.
I unbuckled my seatbelt, ready to step out, when he said,
"Wait."
He leaned closer, eyes locked with mine.
With a soft touch, he wiped a bit of cream from the corner of my lips with his thumb —
slow, deliberate.
I blushed slightly, caught off guard by his touch.
Leaning in closer, his breath warm against my ear, he whispered,
"It’s too early to blush, jaan..."
And just like that, he stepped out, leaving me stunned — heart racing, cheeks still warm.
A moment later, the car door opened.
Without a word, he reached for my hand — firm, certain — and I placed mine in his.
Fingers entwined, we walked toward the mansion together.
And somehow, everything felt different now.
Ishni
The next day arrived.
We had our breakfast quietly — no drama, no taunting, just calm silence.
Rudra mentioned he had an important meeting and left soon after.
His grandmother, with a gentle smile, said she wouldn’t be attending the party tonight.
Evening came.
I started getting ready as the sun dipped lower. His parents had already left for the party, but I stayed back… waiting for him.
I slipped into the blue gown we’d chosen together — it hugged my curves perfectly. The long fabric flowed with every movement, revealing just a glimpse of my legs, while the backless design left my skin exposed to the soft evening air.
I curled my hair, let it fall in waves, and finished with a bold stroke of red lipstick.
I stared at myself in the mirror — not just dressed, but different. Like a woman waiting to be seen.
Just then, I heard the door click open.
My heart skipped.
He must’ve come back.
Rudra pov
The meeting had been hectic — tense negotiations with the Russians.
There were mistakes… a few too many. But Vipul had handled most of it.
Calm under pressure, as always.
Afterward, in the car, Vipul leaned closer and spoke in a low voice.
"The man we kept as hostage… he didn’t say a word. Not until the end."
I raised a brow. "And?"
Vipul’s voice dropped to a whisper.
"Just one thing before he died — he said 'J.' Maybe it’s their boss… or a warning. We don’t know yet."
My jaw tightened. I didn’t like unknowns. Especially not ones that bled into his world.
But for now, i had somewhere to be.
Someone waiting. "Jaan"
??
Reaching home, I stepped inside the room.
And then — everything stopped.
The moment my eyes fell on her, I forgot how to breathe.
There she was…
Radiant.
Breathtaking.
The blue gown clung to her like it was made only for her — elegant, bold,
utterly disarming.
For a second, all the chaos from the day faded.
I walked toward her, slowly, like drawn by something beyond control.
Wrapping my arms gently around her waist, I leaned in, my lips brushing the bare skin of her back.
"Do you always plan to kill me, jaan?" I whispered against her spine.
"Is it working, Mr. Rajput?" she asked, her voice soft as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I met her gaze, the corners of my lips lifting into a smirk.
"It’s running, Mrs. Rajput," I replied, my voice low and teasing.
"You know what?" I murmured, eyes fixed on hers.
"I think… instead of going to the party, I want to keep you here, With me."
Her lips parted slightly, caught between a smile and surprise.
We just stood there, staring at each other,
as if time itself had paused ,holding its breath for us.
My gaze flickered to her lips… then back to her eyes.
There was something in them — soft, burning, undeniable.
The desire between us… it wasn’t loud, but it was there, pulsing quietly.
I leaned in, slow and certain.
And then, I kissed her.
Softly, She responded to my kiss almost instantly, as if she’d been waiting for it just as much as I had.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her slightly,
pulling her closer until there was no space left between us.
And then ,I couldn’t hold back anymore.
I kissed her harder, deeper, needing more of her.
"Rudra… my lipstick," she murmured against my lips, our tongues tangled in heat and breath.
I let out a quiet laugh, smiling into the kiss.
Reluctantly, I pulled back , just enough to see her face.
Her lips were slightly smudged, cheeks flushed, eyes half-lidded.
God, she was beautiful.
I leaned in again, this time just to place a soft, lingering peck on her lips.
A silent promise: this isn’t over.
I felt her glare at me — that teasing, fake-angry look that only made her more irresistible.
I chuckled, unable to help myself.
"Jaan, you look too cute when you're mad. I could kiss you all over again."
Leaning in, my voice dropped lower ,playful, but filled with intent.
"This isn’t over."
Then I stepped back, offered my hand with a sly grin.
"Let’s go. Fast , before I change my mind and keep you here all night."
After a quick lipstick touch-up and a shared look that lingered just a second too long, we finally made our way out.
Hand in hand, we headed toward the party Neither of us knew what was waiting.