chapter 64
Vipul kept calling Rudra again and again, but there was no response. He frowned, staring at his phone. "What happened to him?" he muttered to himself, uneasiness settling in his chest.
Without wasting another second, he got into his car and drove straight to Rudra's mansion.
Within a few minutes, he arrived, parked the car, and quickly stepped inside. As he walked in, he dialed Rudra's number once more. The phone rang... but still no answer.
Suddenly, someone pulled him aside.
"Who-" before he could react, Tara covered his lips with her hand.
Vipul's eyes widened in shock.
She smiled mischievously before slowly removing her hand.
"Tara! What are you doing? What if someone saw us?" he whispered urgently, glancing around.
She pouted slightly, stepping closer to him. "No one will see," she said softly, her eyes playful. "Besides... I missed you."
Vipul's expression softened, the tension on his face easing as he looked at her.
"I missed you too," he said quietly.
Tara narrowed her eyes at him, a small pout forming on her lips. "No... you're lying."
Vipul raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Oh really?"
She crossed her arms, challenging him. "Prove it."
For a second, he just looked at her... and then suddenly pulled her closer by her waist.
"See then," he murmured.
Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her not rushed, but deep and certain, like he meant every word he didn't say. Tara froze for a brief moment, surprised, but then melted into it, her fingers clutching his shirt.
When they finally pulled apart, she looked at him, slightly breathless, her pout long gone.
"Still think I'm lying?" Vipul whispered, a hint of a smirk on his face.
------
Meanwhile, upstairs, the room was filled with the warmth of their closeness, the sheets loosely wrapped around them as they lay tangled together. Rudra had his arm around Ishni, his face buried in the curve of her neck, breathing slow and steady as he slept.
Ishni lay beneath him, her fingers absentmindedly resting on his shoulder, watching him for a moment calmer than she had seen him all day.
Suddenly, his phone started ringing.
The sharp sound broke the quiet.
"Rudra..." she whispered softly.
"Mm..." he responded in a low, raspy voice, not moving, still nuzzling into her neck as if he didn't want to let go of the moment.
The phone kept ringing.
"Someone is calling..." she whispered gently, her fingers tracing slow patterns on his shoulder.
Rudra didn't even lift his head.
"Let it be..." he murmured, his voice low, almost lost in her skin.
The phone kept ringing, but he only pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her like she belonged there like she had always belonged there.
He slowly intertwined his fingers with hers, locking them together as if he didn't plan on letting go anytime soon.
A faint smile played on his lips as he leaned in, placing soft, playful pecks along her lips... then her jaw... then her neck.
"Rudra... aap na..." she whispered, her voice soft, half complaining, half smiling.
"What, huh?" he replied lazily, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm just admiring you."
She rolled her eyes slightly, trying to hide her smile. "Acha, ab jaane do mujhe..."
Before she could move, he pulled her even closer, tightening his arms around her.
"No..nah... nahi," he murmured, shaking his head like a stubborn child.
Ishni let out a small laugh, trying to push him away, but he didn't budge.
Instead, he leaned closer again, his lips brushing near her ear as his voice dropped into a teasing whisper "Jaan... how about another round?"
"Rudra!!" she gasped, immediately hitting his shoulder lightly.
He chuckled softly, catching her hand before she could hit him again, bringing it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss on her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Violence?" he teased. "After all this love?
"
Ishni shook her head, trying to look annoyed but the smile on her lips gave her away.
Then he leaned in and kissed her again this time deeper, more consuming, like he was trying to make up for every second he had missed her.
It wasn't rushed, it wasn't gentle either... it was the kind of kiss that left no space for words. When he finally pulled away after a long moment, her breath was uneven, her fingers still clutching onto him.
Rudra stood up casually, wearing his pants, running a hand through his hair as if nothing had just happened. He picked up his phone and checked it.
"Boss, I'm waiting in your mansion."
Vipul.
Ishni tried to get up from the bed, but the moment she moved
"Ouchh!! It hurts... Rudra, you're a monster," she complained, falling back slightly, holding onto the sheet.
Rudra paused and looked at her, then a slow, amused smirk appeared on his face.
"Hmm..." he walked closer again, his gaze lingering on her, teasing and unapologetic. "Seems like someone is going to be staying in bed for a while."
He leaned down slightly, his hand brushing a strand of hair away from her face, his voice dropping into that familiar low tone.
"Should I cancel my meetings then and stay with my wife in bed?" he murmured, a hint of a grin still on his lips.
"Shameless man!! Get lost!" she yelled, grabbing a pillow and throwing it straight at him.
Rudra caught it mid-air with ease, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he looked at her hair messy, cheeks flushed, eyes full of fire.
"Shameless? Seriously, jaan?" he said, placing a hand dramatically on his chest, acting offended. "After the way you were all over me... I'm the shameless one?"
"Shut uppp!!" she yelled instantly, grabbing the pillow again, her face flushed.
Rudra tried to hold back his grin but failed miserably.
"Jaan, I'm hurt," he said, shaking his head like he was deeply betrayed.
"First you don't let me go... and now you're insulting me?
"
"I did not-!" she started, then stopped, realizing she was walking straight into his trap.
He raised an eyebrow, stepping a little closer again.
"Hmm? Didn't what?"
"Rudra!" she snapped, throwing the pillow at him again.
He chuckled, catching the pillow and tossing it aside, then leaning slightly closer with that same teasing glint in his eyes.
"Still didn't deny it though..." he murmured.
"OUT!" she pointed toward the door.
Rudra laughed under his breath, finally stepping back.
"Fine, fine... I'm going," he said, picking up his phone. Then he paused at the door, turned back, and added with a smirk-
"But don't miss me or i might take u for another round, okay?"
"RUDRA!!"
He walked out laughing.
Ishni sighed, shaking her head as she carefully got out of the bed.
"Ah... this man has no control in bed," she muttered under her breath, trying to act annoyed but the faint smile on her lips gave her away.
She picked up her clothes and walked into the washroom.
After freshening up, she stepped out, adjusting her hair and regaining her usual composed self. Then she saw a note, besides a rose "I'm pretty sorry jaan..for being rough next time pinch me harder if i go rough....love rudra" she smiled this man.
"Stupid"..
Just then, her phone rang.
She picked it up instantly. "what..!!! alright... send me the file quickly," she said, her tone now completely professional.
Without wasting time, she grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.
"Tara, please leave me now... what if boss sees this?" Vipul said in a hushed voice, trying to gently move her hands away as she had them wrapped around his neck.
Tara only tightened her hold, tilting her head with a playful smile. "Arey... tum darr kyun rahe ho?" she asked, clearly enjoying his nervousness.
Vipul looked around once, then leaned closer, lowering his voice even more. "He won't say anything to you... but to me? I'll be buried alive in the ground."
Tara burst out laughing at that, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Drama king," she teased, lightly tapping his cheek. "Itna bhi dangerous nahi hai woh."
Vipul gave her a look. "You don't know him the way I do."
"Hmm..." she hummed, leaning a little closer, her voice soft but teasing, "phir bhi... you're still here with me."
Vipul sighed, defeated but smiling slightly despite himself. "That's the problem."
"vipul... how about we tell him everything about us?" she said softly, her voice losing its teasing edge for the first time.
Vipul stiffened slightly. "Tara... this is not the right time," he replied, his tone low, cautious.
She pouted immediately, her grip tightening around him before she rested her head against his chest. "But I love you, Vipul... and I don't want to hide anymore."
For a moment, Vipul didn't respond.
Then slowly... he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, his chin resting lightly on her head.
"I know..." he murmured. "But-"
"VIPUL!!!"
Rudra's voice echoed through the mansion.
Sharp. Loud. Commanding.
Both of them froze.
Tara quickly pulled back, her eyes widening, while Vipul's entire posture went stiff.
Slowly... very slowly... Vipul turned around.
Rudra was standing there.
Watching.
And from the stairs, Ishni saw everything.