Chapter 64 - 2
He gritted his teeth, a low, guttural curse rumbling in his chest, a testament to the raw intensity of the moment.
He held me tightly, his hands gripping my thighs, anchoring me to him as his eyes locked with mine, a silent communion passing between us.
"Are you okay?" he murmured, his forehead resting against mine, his breath hot against my skin.
I could only nod, unable to articulate the overwhelming sensations that were flooding my body, each pulse a wave of pure, unadulterated feeling.
He began to move, slowly at first, testing, gauging my reaction with a tender care that belied the raw desire in his eyes.
I met his gaze, my own eyes filled with a mixture of surprise, burgeoning desire, and a profound sense of connection.
"It feels..." I started, searching for the right word to describe the exquisite torment.
'Good?" he finished, a hint of a possessive smile playing on his lips, knowing the answer before I could even voice it.
"More than good," I breathed, my nails digging into his slick shoulders as he deepened his thrust, each movement sending a fresh wave of pleasure crashing through me.
He groaned, a low, guttural sound that vibrated against my chest, a primal response to our intertwined bodies "Fuck, it's incredible"
As he continued to move, the rhythm grew more insistent, more demanding, mirroring the frantic beat of my own heart.
My head fell back against the cool tile, my breath coming in ragged gasps, each inhale and exhale a testament to the escalating pleasure.
The warm water cascaded over our joined bodies, a relentless rhythm that echoed the frantic pace of our lovemaking.
"A-Abhi,"I gasped, his name a broken plea on my lips as the pleasure intensified, spiraling into something almost unbearable.
"Tell me what you want," he urged, his voice thick with raw passion, his hands tightening on my thighs.
"More," I choked out, my hips lifting instinctively, desperately seeking a deeper, more complete connection. "Deeper."
He obliged without hesitation, his movements becoming more forceful, each thrust driving deeper, claiming more of me, stealing my breath with every powerful surge.
The raw intimacy of it, the lack of a barrier between us, added an untamed edge to the experience, a feeling of being completely uninhibited, utterly consumed by the moment, by him.
The tension built rapidly, coiling tighter and tighter in my core, a sweet, agonizing pressure that threatened to shatter me.
I cried out, my body clenching around him, wave after wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure washing over me, each one more intense than the last.
I felt him tense, his movements becoming more frantic, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps, mirroring my own frantic rhythm.
He gritted his teeth, a strangled sound escaping his lips, a testament to his own nearing release.
And then, with a final, shuddering groan that resonated deep within my own body, he stilled, his body rigid against mine, every muscle taut with spent energy.
He pulled out completely, and a moment later, I felt the warm rush against my thigh as he released, a tangible sign of our shared, explosive climax.
He held me tightly, his face buried in the crook of my neck, his heart pounding a wild tattoo against my ear.
The silence in the shower was thick with the heavy aftermath of our passion, broken only by our ragged breathing and the steady drumming of the water against the tiles.
I watched him, my eyes still glazed with the lingering remnants of the intense pleasure, my body still humming with the aftershocks.
He looked down at me, his gaze filled with a mixture of raw tenderness, a fleeting vulnerability, and a profound, undeniable connection that words couldn't fully express.
Exactly one hour later, I was standing in front of the full-length mirror in our room, dabbing concealer on the side of Abhimanyu's neck.
And while my hand was busy, my eyes were actively murdering the man sitting shirtless on the edge of the bed with a sheepish grin.
"Stop grinning like that," I snapped, glaring harder for effect.
"I'm not grinning," he said, tilting his head in that annoyingly boyish way. "I'm just... smiling responsibly."
I narrowed my eyes. "You're enjoying this."
"Enjoying?" he raised a brow. "You were the one moaning like a serial kisser on a sugar rush, Mrs. Rathore. Don't throw all the blame on me now."
I dropped the concealer bottle on the dresser with a louder-than-needed clink and crossed my arms.
"So? Even if I was enjoying, who started it?"
He smirked. "Does it matter who started if both stayed to finish?"
I turned to glare again and, of course, the man still didn't look even the tiniest bit guilty.
Shirtless, wearing just his dress pants, his tie half in his hand and half dangling from his fingers, with red love bites dotting his otherwise flawless skin, he looked like a walking disclaimer for my lack of self-control.
"Ugh, just don't move your neck now," I muttered,picking up the councellor again, grabbing his chin and tilting his face to the left.
He said leaning forward slightly "Why even hide these? I don't mind roaming around with them. Marks of love, baby."
I paused, squinting at him "Sharam naam ki cheez hai ya nahi?"
He shrugged. "Not when the love bites come from my legally wedded wife. I'd tattoo your name if you say"
I mocked again "Fine. Then roam around half-naked. Go ahead. Build a reputation. Be the poster boy of PDA disasters."
He smirked and replied. "With pleasure."
I gave up.
Grabbing my purse from the table, I started zipping it up, mentally running through everything I had to carry for school-ID, sheets, my register....
Behind me, I heard the rustle of fabric as he put on his shirt and tie.
The next minute, a strong arm looped around my waist and pulled me back against a familiar chest.
"Argh! Abhi"
He wrapped both arms around me, chin resting on my shoulder. "Why are you rushing like a bullet train, madam? Thoda ruk bhi lo."
"We're already late, Mr. I-Have-No-Sense-Of-Time," I huffed, trying to wriggle out of his hold "And I have first period duty today. There'll be chaos in the classroom if I'm not there."
He chuckled, warm and low, right against my ear. "Calm down. I'll drop you today . We will reach on time "
I stilled for a moment, breathing in his scent-the freshly showered smell of cedar and something uniquely him.
That was the thing about Abhimanyu Rathore. He could set my nerves on fire and then calm them just as fast. It was annoying. And addictive.
"Fine," I murmured and sighed, nodding against him.
He kissed the side of my head gently, and then the moment passed.
He picked up his coat, and I took my purse as we finally exited the room and headed downstairs.
The warm smell of food and filter coffee hit us before we even reached the last step. The clinking of cutlery and soft chatter from the dining table filled the air.
And then came the voice
"Bhaiya, Bhabhi... late aaj?" Aryan's drawl greeted us with a smirk as we turned into the dining area.
He raised a single brow, the kind of eyebrow raise that was practically illegal in its suggestiveness.
I froze, cursed mentally, and then tried to act normal. "Uh... just woke up a little late," I mumbled, cheeks turning bright pink.
Abhimanyu stepped beside me and pulled a chair out for me like the perfect gentleman.
I sat down, deliberately avoiding Aryan's gaze as he sipped his juice far too casually.
The house wasn't too chaotic-Vivaan, Bade Papa, and Chachaji were out of town on some work.
Abhimanyu sat down beside me, shooting his brother a silent, murderous glare.
The Rathore Death Glare.
Aaryan cleared his throat and immediately looked away.
Navya, who had been buttering her toast like she wanted to murder it, leaned toward Aaryan and whispered, "Chup chaap khana kha. Nahi toh tuhi Rathore legacy ka pehla bhai hoga jo breakfast table per mara gaya"
I bit my lip to hide my laugh.
I could feel Abhimanyu's amusement next to me, so I turned to him and whispered, "If you open your mouth even once, I swear I'll mix chili powder in your coffee."
He leaned close, eyes twinkling. "Aapke hath se to vo bhi Amrit lagegaa"
I kicked his leg under the table.
Hard.
He winced and playfully glared at me.
We ate quickly after that. Or, well-I tried to eat quickly while he kept nudging my foot with his under the table.
Our family, of course, pretended like nothing unusual was happening-everyone except Aryan, who caught my eye with the smuggest grin imaginable, as if he knew exactly what was going on.
The moment I finished, I stood up abruptly and announced, "I'm done. We're leaving. Bye, everyone."
Without missing a beat, Abhimanyu rose to his feet beside me, ready to follow.
We stepped outside, the soft click of the front door echoing behind us, as the morning mist clung to the air.
I was tugging at my dupatta, trying to fix it over my shoulder, when I caught Abhimanyu watching me with that ridiculous half-smirk of his.
"What?" I narrowed my eyes.
He tilted his head innocently. "Just thinking how lucky the universe is to have created a woman who can make cotton look couture."
I groaned. "Too early for this nonsense"
"Too early to flirt with my wife? Never."
He walked around smoothly and opened the car door for me, giving a mock bow. "Allow me , my lady"
I rolled my eyes and stepped in. "You're weird today. Extra weird."
He shut the door and got in from his side. "I'm just a man in love. Is that so hard to believe?"
I snorted. "Hard? No. Annoying? Yes."
The car began to move, soft music humming through the speakers.
"Annoying? Oh, come on, darling. You know you like it." He winked at me as he shifted gears.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," I shot back, crossing my arms as I leaned back in the seat.
He paused, giving me a sidelong glance. "I wasn't aware I needed to get anywhere with you. I'm already exactly where I want to be."
There it was again. That damn smile.
I bit my lip to stop from smiling back, but I couldn't help it. "You're really pulling out all the stops today"
"Only for you," he said, voice lowering a little as he turned his head toward me. "What's the point of being married to someone like you if I don't show you off every chance I get?"
Oh.
I looked out of the window quickly. "Stop talking like that," I said, trying to sound unaffected.
He shrugged. "Just being honest."
The rest of the ride was mostly quiet, except for a few more stolen glances and that smug smile of his that made me want to both punch him and kiss him at the same time.
By the time we reached my school gate, I checked the time and muttered,"Thank God , just five minutes late."
"It's fine , not a big deal " he said.
I gave him a quick side eye, unbuckling my seatbelt fastly...
He opened his mouth to say something again, but before he could get a word out, I leaned over, tugged his collar, and gave him a quick peck on his lips.
He froze. Eyelashes fluttered.
"Love you," I whispered, grabbing my bag and slipping out of the car in one motion.
I bent slightly to peer through the window. He still hadn't recovered.
"Byee, Mr Rathore" I said and quickly walk inside with a smile.
My heels clicked against the marble as I rushed through the lobby, already mentally preparing my apology for the principal.
But thankfully, the corridor was quiet. I reached the biometric scanner, pressed my card, and scanned my finger.
Beep.
Attendance marked.
Finally....
I exhaled and made my way toward my classroom, smoothing my kurti down. My phone buzzed in my hand.
Abhi..
Next time, I'm locking the car door and collecting at least three kisses before you escape. Deal with it. Love you and take care..
Teachers and staff spilled out of the school gates, some already pulling out their phones, others chatting in tired tones as they made their way to their vehicles or the nearest shade.
Aarushi stepped out, adjusting the strap of her sling bag. The afternoon sun was fierce, casting a golden haze over the school courtyard.
Her eyes scanned the small crowd until they landed on two familiar figures a few meters ahead.
Under the broad canopy of a gulmohar tree, Priya stood sipping water from her bottle, talking animatedly to Arun, who leaned back slightly with one hand in his pocket and an amused look on his face.
"Sorry for making you guys wait, what are you taking about" Aarushi called out, jogging up to them with a tired but warm smile.
Priya turned dramatically. "Oh,it's just if one more question about summer holidays, and I swear I'd have jumped into the staff room fridge. Why do they ask me like I set the academic calendar?"
Aarushi chuckled slowly "You brought that on yourself. Who told you to bring up summer holidays again?"
"I was bored, and it just slipped out," Priya replied in a tired tone"
Arun chuckled. "That's why I shut that topic down the second someone says the word 'holiday'. Now can we go? It's boiling out here."
The trio began walking, their voice mingling with the fading noise of the vehicles around them.
The casual ease in their conversation was enough to melt away the exhaustion of a long day.
After a short walk along the uneven sidewalk, their favorite café came into view.
A small, tucked-away place with foggy glass panes and the inviting smell of fresh pastries wafting out every time someone opened the door.
Priya clutched her chest dramatically. "I need caffeine. Immediately. Or I'll faint and make it everyone's problem."
The cool air inside hit them like a comforting wave. They made their way to their usual spot-by the window, slightly hidden from the counter-and slid into their chairs with synchronized sighs.
The café was quiet, just the way they liked it. A few regulars hunched over laptops, and soft indie music played in the background.
Aarushi set her bag down and glanced at the menu, though she already knew her order by heart.
A waiter approached, and they quickly placed their orders-iced Americano for Priya, cold brew with a shot of caramel for Arun, and a mocha latte for Aarushi.
Once the waiter left, Arun leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning a little thoughtful as he looked at Aarushi.
"You remember" he began slowly, " When we first crossed paths at the temple... right when I joined school. I saw you that day in the car with Sunita Rathore."
Aarushi blinked. "Oh. That day."
"Yeah." He nodded, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "For a second, I thought-nah, that can't be sunita rathore. I didn't want to pry, so I let it go. But had I walked up and asked... maybe I'd have discovered sooner that the infamous Abhimanyu Rathore is your husband."
Priya again mocked her " We've been working with a Rathore bahu all this time and she didn't even give us a single hint"
Aarushi groaned. "Don't start, Priya."
"Oh, I will start," Priya declared. "We have a handsome jija ji, and we didn't even get a glimpse of sweets? How could you?"
Arun laughed, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "So? Is he as intense and broody in real life as he looks in those viral boardroom pictures?"
Aarushi couldn't help the soft smile tugging at her lips. "Not really. He's actually... sweet."
Priya leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ohoooo... sweet, she says. Must be very romantic, huh?"
Aarushi just shook her head, trying to hide her smile.
Their drinks arrived just then, along with a shared plate of fries. The warm aroma made all three perk up.
Just as they reached for the fries, Priya stood abruptly, phone in hand. "I'll be back. Washroom. Don't finish the fries"
"No promises," Arun said, already reaching for one before she turned.
Outside, just a few feet away from the café's window, across the narrow street, a man stood near a pole. Holding his phone carefully, he raised it and clicked.
The camera captured a candid shot-Aarushi mid-laugh, her head tilted slightly toward Arun as he said something. From an outsider's perspective, it looked... intimate.
Click.
Back inside, Priya returned after few minutes, adjusting her dupatta as she flopped back into her seat. "What emotional revelation did I miss?"
"We were just silently contemplating the futility of existence," Arun said with mock solemnity.
"Cool, cool," Priya replied, unfazed. "Anyway, did I tell you I got cornered by Rakhi ma'am to stay late and finish those data files?"
Arun raised a brow. "Are they punishing you for something?"
"Probably," she muttered.
The conversation flowed freely again-casual gossip, light-hearted complaints, the usual laughter echoing around their corner.
"Oh!" Arun suddenly said, "I think I'm sort of... seeing someone."
Aarushi raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really?"
"I met her two days ago at my cousin's engagement. She's a copywriter. Smart. Funny. Logical. Don't know if it'll go anywhere, but I feel a different spark with her"
"We need to stalk her Instagram," Priya said, already reaching for her phone.
"Nope," Arun said, glaring at her playfully. "Let me get through at least one date without any stalking" Priya nodded and conversation started again.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, turning amber and soft, they realized how long they'd been there.
"We should go," Aarushi said, reaching for her bag.
Outside, Priya stretched and pointed toward a side lane. "Ma wants me back for evening pooja. If I'm late, she'll turn me into a broomstick in my next life."
Aarushi giggled, hugging her. "Okay bye"
"Bye both of you, see you tomorrow" Priya said, smilling as she walked away.
Aarushi and Arun walked a few more blocks in comfortable conversation until they reached the main road.
A sleek black car stood waiting at the curb-her driver uncle standing at attention.
As he spotted her, Aarushi turned to Arun. "Come on, I'll drop you."
Arun shook his head. "No, no-it's okay. I'll grab a cab. It's just a short ride."
She frowned. "Why? It's literally on the way."
He hesitated. "I don't want to be a bother-"
"Arun," she said firmly. "It's not a big deal."
He sighed, finally relenting. "Okay. If you insist."
He climbed into the car beside her, settling in as the driver started the engine.
They spoke softly on the way-about school plans, books, random jokes. It felt easy.
Near a traffic signal, one lane away from his apartment, Arun asked the driver to stop.
"Thanks for the ride," he said, hand on the door handle. Aarushi smiled. "Anytime."
He gave a small nod and stepped out, disappearing into the street.
As the car pulled away, Aarushi leaned back in her seat, watching the city blur past the window.
Aarushi stepped out of the car, a soft breeze tugging at the edges of her dupatta as the sun began its slow descent behind the trees lining the Rathore Mansion.
She entered through the front doors, the living room echoed with faint sounds from the television.
There, sitting cross-legged on the couch in her usual relaxed fashion, was Chachi-remote in hand, casually watching a daily soap, her glasses slightly lowered on her nose.
Chachi turned and smiled as she noticed her. "Aarushi,You came. How was your day, beta?"
Aarushi smiled warmly and stepped inside, her footsteps light on the marble floor.
"It was good, Chachi. We went to this beautiful café... the vibes were amazing, and latte? Just delicious," she said, her eyes lighting up for a moment as she remembered the quaint decor and laughter-filled moments.
She picked up a glass of water from the side table and sipped slowly, her eyes scanning the room. "Where is everyone else?"
Chachi picked up the remote and lowered the volume. "Navya and Badi Maa went to the doctor for her monthly check-up. Should be back in a while. You go and take some rest till then, you must be tired."
Aarushi nodded appreciatively and set the glass down. "I'll go freshen up and then join you" she said softly.
With that, she walked up the staircase, her steps slower now, her body quietly aching from the day.
As she entered her room, she placed her purse on the table and then-without a second thought-let herself fall backwards onto the bed.
The mattress cushioned her weight as she stretched out, staring at the ceiling, her hands resting over her stomach.
She took a few deep breaths, letting the comfort of her room settle over her.
After a few minutes, she sat up, gathering herself. Walking toward the closet, she pulled out a fresh kurta set and padded toward the washroom for a much-needed shower.
The water ran down her back like relief. Steam filled the bathroom as she closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day melt away.
She stepped out wrapped in a towel, her skin flushed pink from the heat. After changing into her fresh clothes, she sat before the vanity and began combing her wet hair.
With practiced ease, she began to braid it-soft, loose, calming movements.
Ping.
Her phone buzzed once.
Then again.
Aarushi glanced toward the screen, frowning slightly. A few more buzzes followed.
Curious, she picked it up, thinking it was probably some school group messages or perhaps something light from Navya.
But the screen flashed with notifications-Instagram tags, Twitter mentions, messages, and links from acquaintances and even unknown accounts.
Confused, she unlocked it... and froze.
Photos.
And dozens of posts.....
Candid shots from earlier that day-her laughing at the café, leaning slightly forward toward Arun in conversation, her hand half-raised mid-expression. Another of them walking toward the car, Arun opening the cafe door for her.
What struck her like a blow was the absence of Priya in those photos.
Although Priya had been with them the entire time, there wasn't a single trace of her in any of the frames.
Instead, the pictures painted a scandal.