CHAPTER X RENDEZ-VOUS WITH A HINT OF DEW
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the main living room, casting long golden beams across the marble floor. The small victory from C1PH3R's hidden drive had brought a fragile sense of hope for the women, but it evaporated the moment the front doors opened.
Rajeev Rajvanshi strode in, tall and commanding in his tailored charcoal suit, exuding the kind of effortless authority that came with old money and sharper instincts.
His face held measured concern — the perfect blend of worried father and seasoned businessman.
A certain mix only birthed through sheer alternation amidst a storm of work and duty– the work for the 'duty' which he deemed his family.
"Where is my daughter?" he asked, voice deep and resonant. "Is Ishaani alright?" He glanced at his wife, whose smile paralleled a broken harp. Sneha stepped forward. "She's recovering, Rajeev. Physically... she's home."
Devika and Vedika stood like sentinels, expressions guarded. Tara remained quietly beside the couch, eyes sharp.
Rajeev's gaze softened when it landed on Ishaani as she came down the stairs and he opened his arms immediately.
"Ishu, beta," he said, voice warm and heavy with emotion. "Come here."
Ishaani hesitated for only a second before walking into his embrace.
Despite everything her sisters had hinted at over the years, despite the distance, a small part of her still craved this — the familiar scent of his cologne, the broad shoulders that once felt like the safest place in the world.
She liked her father a little more than her sisters did.
She hadn't seen the worst of him the way they had.
No one had fully told her. She wouldn't have believed anyone either way, and alas, time was the greatest teacher.
Rajeev hugged her carefully, mindful of her injuries, one large hand gently rubbing her back.
His Audemars Piguet catching the light, ticking, as if every passing minute was one takeover dying a slow and cruel death just because he'd made a stop to make sure his daughter was alive enough to see the Sun.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. That bastard Rajveer should never have been trusted.
I warned people about his character." Ishaani heard against her hair, matching the rumble in Rajeev's chest.
He pulled back slightly, cupping her uninjured cheek with fatherly affection. "Look at you... my brave kid. We'll get through this. As a family."
Ishaani nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "I'm okay, Dadda."
From the side, Devika's jaw tightened. Vedika remained eerily silent, arms crossed.
Rajeev glanced at his older daughters, then back at Ishaani. "Why don't you and I talk for a bit, beta? Just us. Daddy-daughter time. I want to hear everything from you."
Ishaani glanced at Tara for a split second. Tara gave her a small, understanding nod, though her eyes remained watchful.
"I'd love that," Ishaani said softly.
Rajeev placed a protective arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the private study at the far end of the hall, closing the heavy wooden doors behind them with a soft click.
The room smelled of aged wood, expensive cigars, and old books.
The gold halo from the overhead lamps hung basked the room in a soft, almost enigmatic manner– one which promised readers a haven worth spiralling for or which offered stories far more interesting for the common eye.
It appeared to have walked out of a Donna Tartt novel, and you ought to love everything about it, right then.
Rajeev led Ishaani to the plush leather couch near the window and sat beside her, still keeping one arm around her.
"Tell me what happened, beta," he said gently, voice full of concern. "Don't hide anything from your dadda."
Ishaani spoke quietly — about the bike ride with Amaya, the car that hit them, waking up in that cold room, Rajveer's calm voice talking about power and leverage. Rajeev listened without interrupting, his expression growing darker with every word, but never losing that polished, paternal warmth.
When she finished, he let out a long sigh and pulled her into another hug. His strong arms had her covered like the bristling wall of strength Ishaani sometimes craved harder than she craved structure.
"My little," he murmured against her hair.
"I should have been more careful with the people I associated with.
Rajveer... he crossed every line. But we will handle this quietly.
No need to drag the family name through more mud.
You've suffered enough. I do not require media to make it a spectacle and bother you even further. "
He pulled back and smiled at her — that charming, reassuring smile that had won over politicians and businessmen for decades.
"You are my youngest, Ishu. My brightest star.
I won't let anything like this touch you again.
Trust your dad, alright?" He put up a fist for a bump, which he received from a smiling Ishaani.
Ishaani nodded, leaning into his side. For a moment, it felt safe. Familiar.
The study door opened after nearly forty minutes. Rajeev stepped out first, one arm gently around Ishaani's shoulders, his expression warm and paternal. Ishaani looked calmer than she had in days — a small, tentative smile on her face as she leaned slightly into her father's side.
"And so that time I felt very sad when you yelled at me." Ishaani said as she looked up at Rajeev, who's lip twitched in that remorseful way which Ishaani had mastered too.
"I'm deeply sorry for that. I felt the sheer need to protect you all and make sure you all had someone to take care of all of you after I was gone, but I didn't realize how insane I started sounding when I spoke like a maniac.
I hope you have looked past it, little." Ishaani nodded, and patted his back like he was a close friend, and Rajeev chuckled.
The rest of the family was waiting in the living room. Vedika and Tara, however, seemed to be deep in a conversation about the shell tracking sent by C1PH3R.
Rajeev's gaze swept over Devika and Vedika. He smiled that polished, statesman-like smile and settled into the head chair like it had been waiting for him.
"So," he began, voice smooth and measured, "tell me about this Sahastra Alliance situation. How are things progressing on your end?"
Vedika's jaw tightened. She exchanged a quick glance with Devika before speaking, her tone clinical.
"It was never a real charity, Papa. It was structured perfectly on paper — women's empowerment, skill development, shelter homes.
But underneath, it was a pipeline. They lured vulnerable girls in with promises of jobs and safety, then moved them through shell networks.
Money laundering, blackmail, and trafficking.
Rajveer Malhotra was one of the primary funders. Aurobindo Sen was another."
Rajeev leaned back, steepling his fingers. His expression remained thoughtful, almost sorrowful.
"Aurobindo Sen?" He let out a soft, disbelieving chuckle. "Vedika, beta, I have known Aurobindo for over fifteen years. The man has two daughters of his own. He funds schools, hospitals, women's causes publicly. He is a man of noble character. These accusations... they feel exaggerated. Emotional."
Devika's voice was cold steel. "Emotional? Ishaani was chained in one of their holding rooms because of these 'noble' men. We have transaction records. Audio. Metadata. C1PH3R recovered enough."
Rajeev raised a hand placatingly. "I am not defending Rajveer. That boy always had questionable morals. But painting every associate with the same brush will destroy years of alliances we have built. We must be strategic. Diplomatic."
The conversation stretched on — Rajeev listening, nodding, occasionally offering smooth counterpoints wrapped in concern for the family's future and reputation. He never raised his voice. He never needed to. His words were elegant, reasonable on the surface, and always had.
By the time dinner ended and the house began winding down, an oddly peaceful silence had settled over the Rajvanshi mansion.
Rajeev stood in the foyer, suitcase already packed and waiting by the door. His private jet was scheduled to leave early the next morning for Dubai.
"I'll be back in two weeks," he announced, adjusting his watch. "Until then, try to keep things quiet. No more scandals."
He turned to Ishaani, who was standing near the staircase in her night clothes, and smiled gently.
"And you, beta — don't worry about university. I spoke to the dean this afternoon. Your attendance and assignments will not be an issue. Focus on healing. That is all that matters right now."
Ishaani gave him a small nod and a soft smile. "Thank you, dadda."
Rajeev pulled her into another hug, kissing the top of her head. "My little."
Sneha watched the exchange quietly from the side, her expression unreadable. Devika and Vedika offered only curt goodnights. Tara remained a silent, elegant shadow by the balustrade.
One by one, everyone retired to their rooms.
The house grew still. Peaceful, even. The kind of fragile calm that felt borrowed because our beloved Rajvanshis had a knack for hyper-exaggerating.
Ishaani had just settled back into her bed, 2 Broke Girls playing softly on the TV, when her phone buzzed.
A message from the group chat:
Ishaani smiled despite everything — a real, tired, genuine smile. She typed back quickly and glanced toward the door, heart feeling a little lighter.
Her friends were here.
Ishaani grinned despite the dull ache in her body and quickly typed back. Within minutes, the three girls were sneaking in through the side entrance like seasoned criminals.
Nayonica pulled Ishaani into a fierce but careful hug the second she saw her. "You absolute dumbass. Next time you get kidnapped, I'm kicking your ass myself."
Sparshi, true to form, immediately wrapped her arms around Ishaani from behind and squeezed her waist. "Ishi, you look like a sexy injured raccoon. The bruises actually work for you. Kinda hot."
Saarakshi rolled her eyes and shoved her twin. "Control your unholy mouth for five seconds."
They all piled onto Ishaani's bed — Nayonica claiming the spot closest to her, Sparshi sprawling dramatically across the foot, Saarakshi sitting cross-legged like the only sane person in the room.
2 Broke Girls now played on mute while they gossiped, ate ice cream straight from the tub, and teased Ishaani mercilessly about looking "well-fucked" even though she was injured.
After nearly an hour of laughter and catching up, Sparshi suddenly sat up with manic energy.
"Okay. We need a mission. I'm bored and horny. Let's sneak out. Pizza. Then ice cream. Real ice cream, not this grocery store bullshit."
Nayonica raised an eyebrow. "We just got here."
"Exactly. Adventure time."
Ishaani glanced around her room and hesitated. "Tara will kill me..."
Sparshi grinned wickedly. "Then we don't tell Tara. Come on, baby. Live a little. You just survived an actual kidnapping. Pizza is basically therapy."
"Says who? Says Dr Sparshi." Saarakshi muttered, sarcastically.
After ten minutes of pleading and Sparshi promising to "behave" (a blatant lie), Ishaani caved. The four of them tiptoed downstairs–waddled in Ishaani's case– in hoodies and sweats like a bunch of amateur spies.
They made it halfway across the foyer when the lights suddenly flicked on.
"Fuck!"
"Shiet!"
"Who the fuck"
The sudden exclamations that left their mouths incited a sigh from the part-time mother of the group– Saarakshi.
Tara stood at the top of the staircase in her grey t-shirt and shorts, arms crossed, looking every inch the disapproving goddess that Ishaani thought Tara looked like then.
The girls froze like ducks in headlights.
Sparshi, being Sparshi, immediately pointed at Ishaani. "It was her idea!"
Ishaani glared at her. "You fucking traitor!"
Nayonica, back-handed Sparshi's head and looked back at Tara. Saarakshi smirked at the action with a smirk only deemed devilish.
Tara descended the stairs slowly, each step deliberate. Her hazel eyes locked onto Ishaani with that signature mix of amusement and teasing that made Ishaani's knees weak.
"What exactly," Tara said, voice low and dangerous, "are you four doing?"
Nayonica tried to salvage it. "Just... fresh air?"
Saarakshi stayed silent, the smart one.
Sparshi, the dumbass, opened her mouth again. "We were going to get pizza and then maybe finger each other in the car—"
"Sparshi!" everyone hissed at once.
Tara's eyebrow arched dangerously high. She stared at Ishaani, who was now bright red.
"Ishaani," Tara said sweetly, almost drawing out the name to soften Ishaani up "explain."
Ishaani swallowed. "We... wanted pizza. And ice cream. Please don't be mad. I'm going crazy, stuck in the house."
Tara stepped closer, towering over her even without heels. Her gaze was pure restraint and assessment— teasing, possessive, and intimidating all at once.
"You think I'm letting you sneak out after what happened?" Her voice dropped as her eyes slid from Ishaani's lips to her eyes. "Not happening."
The girls started pleading.
Nayonica: "We'll be super careful—"
Sparshi: "I'll even keep my hands to myself... mostly."
Saarakshi just sighed.
Tara remained unmoved for a long moment, letting the silence stretch. Then she exhaled.
"Fine. I'm driving. All of you. And if anything feels even slightly off, we turn around immediately."
The girls cheered quietly. Ishaani shot Tara a grateful, slightly shy smile, as her good and less injured as scratched at the nape of her neck.
Tara drove her cherry red Hellcat with Ishaani in the passenger seat. The three friends piled into the back. And Sparshi, of course, couldn't shut up.
"Damn, Tara di," Sparshi leaned forward between the seats, "you look so fucking cool when you drive. That whole 'I will ruin your life but make it sexy' vibe? Chef's kiss. Ishi is lucky."
Tara's hand shifted gears, completely ignoring the mouthy friend of Ishaani's, her fingers deliberately brushing Ishaani's thigh each time — slow, firm strokes that lingered a second too long. Ishaani's breath hitched every single time.
Nayonica, sitting behind Tara, definitely noticed and her eyes narrowed.
Sparshi kept going. "I bet she's the type who pins people down and makes them beg, huh? Ishi should blink twice if she makes her call herself mommy—"
"Sparshi," Nayonica groaned, smacking her head.
Tara glanced at the rearview mirror, lips curved in a dangerous little smirk. "You talk a lot for someone who would malfunction in two seconds, if faced with Tara's prime form," Ishaani said, as her mind raced with thoughts of the mean Tara who had rejected Ishaani like a dirty mutt at a cotillion.
Sparshi grinned shamelessly. "I don't need to.... You've already got that covered."
Ishaani buried her face in her hands, mortified but laughing.
They sat in a corner booth as they reached the Pinterest aesthetic-worth Pizzeria.
The pizza arrived steaming hot. In the midst of eating, Tara's hand disappeared under the table and found Ishaani's.
Their fingers laced together slowly, deliberately.
Tara's thumb stroked the back of Ishaani's hand in sensual circles, then squeezed with just enough pressure to make Ishaani's breath catch.
Ishaani stopped chewing, eyes widening. What the actual fuck? Um, Ohkay....
Nayonica noticed immediately and raised an eyebrow in silent question. Ishaani shook her head frantically like a fish out of water.
Tara didn't stop. Her nails — stiletto-filed and dangerous — lightly scratched along Ishaani's palm, then traced between her fingers in slow, filthy patterns. It felt absurdly electric for something so simple. Ishaani's thighs pressed together under the table as heat pooled low in her belly.
"I've been knowing you for long enough....I left all the doors unlocked –"
Nayonica laughed at the soft drawl from the speakers, "Exactly why I love this place, elite music taste." Sparshi nodded as she mouthed the lyrics.
"Is it love or is it lust, you make it hard to tell....
Are you someone I can trust, and you know me so well"
Tara leaned in slightly, voice innocent while her hand continued its sinful dance. "Are you okay, Ishi?" she asked, fake concern dripping from every word. "You look a little flushed."
"I'll do whatever you like, got me under your spell...."
Ishaani shot her a horrified, and reverent look.
Tara just smiled sweetly and abruptly squeezed harder, lacing their fingers tightly, almost suffocatingly if the hand be deemed Ishaani's throat and stroking with her thumb in deliberate, teasing swirls that made Ishaani whimper involuntarily again.
Ishaani's hand wasn't even strong enough to press back because all she could focus on was the trail that Tara's nails seemed to be leaving.
Sparshi looked up. "You good, babe?"
"Fine!" Ishaani squeaked. But she was sure that she felt something quiver, and no, it was not because of the air conditioning.
When they finally left the pizza place, Ishaani was walking a little slower than usual, still sore from her injuries. Tara immediately fell into step beside her, one hand resting protectively on the small of her back, ready to catch her if she felt lightheaded.
As they reached the car, Tara glanced down at Ishaani with an arrogant, extremely suggestive smirk — the kind that promised all sorts of trouble once they were alone again.
Ishaani sat in the front passenger seat, still flushed from Tara's relentless hand teasing (she didn't knew what even to call it, but what she definitely knew was that it shouldn't have left her breathless, under the table at the pizza place.
Every time Tara shifted gears, her fingers would deliberately brush along Ishaani's thigh — slow, firm, possessive strokes that lingered just long enough to make Ishaani's breath hitch.
The three girls in the back were already fighting like cats.
"Window seat is mine, you giraffe!" Sparshi yelled, trying to climb over Nayonica.
"You sat there on the way here, you greedy bitch!" Nayonica shoved her back.
Saarakshi sighed like a disappointed parent. "Shut up, you unwanted child of my parents. Let Nayon sit."
Sparshi just gasped in disbelief, but thwacked Nayonica to again sit on the window seat.
Tara glanced at the rearview mirror with an amused smirk but said nothing. Her left hand stayed on the gear lever, and every single shift was torture for Ishaani. God, please....I'll be good, I swear. Tara will kill me, save me please....
They reached the ice cream parlor — a quiet, neon-lit place with outdoor seating. The friends grabbed a table while Tara and Ishaani went to order.
Tara chose a cup of rich Belgian chocolate with extra chocolate sauce. Ishaani got strawberry cheesecake.
They returned to the table. The three girls were deep in a loud argument about who had the best celebrity crush, completely distracted. However they had decided to bathe in the aesthetic lights of the outdoor seating rather than sit inside the parlor.
"Selena Gomez was and is Mamacita!"
"OOOOOOHHHH, Have you even looked at Taylor Swift?"
"Wait, Sabrina Carpenter though...."
Tara sat right next to Ishaani on the bench, their thighs pressed together. She dipped her spoon into the chocolate ice cream, scooped a generous amount, and brought it to her own mouth first — slowly licking the spoon clean while maintaining eye contact with Ishaani.
Then, just because she realized she was Tara Kapoor, she lowered her eyelids and looked right into Ishaani's dark brown eyes with her hazel pools, and the hazel intensity had been thickened thanks to the bright lights of the hot-pink and cerulean blue of the bubbly place.
Sparshi had said it looked like a baby shower.
She scooped another spoonful, let the chocolate sauce drip deliberately onto her finger, and held it out to Ishaani.
"Try this," Tara murmured, voice low.
Ishaani leaned in and wrapped her lips around Tara's finger.
The warm chocolate mixed with the cool ice cream and the heat of Tara's skin made her gulp softly.
Tara pushed her finger deeper, eyes darkening as Ishaani sucked it clean, tongue swirling around the digit, having no mind for the sharp nail which could rip her throat is it wanted.
Tara pulled her finger out slowly, a thin string of chocolate connecting them for a second before breaking.
"Messy girl," Tara whispered, voice dripping with filthy affection.
She scooped more ice cream and this time let it drip onto Ishaani's lower lip.
Ishaani, like an alarmed deer, looked at her friends through the glass walls of the place to check whether the snoopy girls had caught all of that, but good for Ishaani, they weren't even looking in, making her surprised yet relieved nonetheless.
Ishaani's breath stuttered. Tara leaned in like she was going to kiss it off — but instead, she licked the chocolate from Ishaani's lip with one slow, deliberate drag of her tongue.
"Holy....fu...." The drawl that escaped Ishaani made her eyes flutter shut.
Ishaani's thighs clenched hard. Heat flooded between her legs so suddenly she had to bite back a moan. Her nipples tightened painfully against her vest.
Tara smiled like a predator. She took another spoonful, let the melting chocolate drip onto Ishaani's collarbone this time — right above the neckline of her loose t-shirt.
"Oops," Tara said innocently.
Then she leaned down and licked it off. Slowly.
Thoroughly. Her tongue traced the chocolate in hot, wet strokes, occasionally grazing teeth against sensitive skin.
Ishaani's hand shot under the table and gripped Tara's thigh hard, fingers digging in.
"Stop it, please." It was a desperate plea to get space to simply breathe.
Tara hummed against her skin, the vibration shooting straight to Ishaani's core.
"Fuck... Tara..." Ishaani breathed, barely audible.
The friends were still loudly arguing in the background, completely oblivious.
Tara pulled back just enough to whisper against Ishaani's ear, her words stretching out in a mocking drawl, "Come on now, Bambi?" She pouted in a way that made her seem like a petulant child but Ishaani fell from the highest possible altitude for Tara again, "Let a girl have some fun, Bambi."
Ishaani nodded frantically, face burning.
Tara's hand slipped under the table and squeezed Ishaani's hand possessively. "Thank you."
______
The drive back was chaotic.
Tara was speeding — way over the limit — the engine purring aggressively as the Hellcat cut through the empty Delhi roads at night. Sparshi had finally won the window seat and had her head sticking out like a golden retriever, screaming lyrics to whatever song was playing.
Ishaani had moved to the back seat, sandwiched between Nayonica and Saarakshi. She was still throbbing from Tara's ice cream crimes. Every small movement made her hyper-aware of how wet she was.
Nayonica casually touched Ishaani's arm. "You okay? You've been quiet—"
Ishaani jolted violently, a tiny whimper escaping her.
Nayonica raised an eyebrow. "The fuck was that?"
"Nothing!" Ishaani squeaked, thighs pressed together.
In the front, Tara smirked at the rearview mirror, clearly satisfied with her work.
Suddenly, red and blue lights flashed behind them.
"Shit," Tara muttered, but she pulled over smoothly.
A young traffic officer approached. Sparshi immediately leaned out the window, pushing her chest forward in her low-cut top.
"Officer," she said in her sweetest voice, batting her lashes. "We were just taking our injured friend out for some fresh air. She had a really bad day..."
The officer's eyes dropped exactly where Sparshi wanted them to. He cleared his throat. "Speeding is dangerous, madam..."
Sparshi leaned further, cleavage on full display. "We'll be really careful from now on, promise. Please na?"
Tara was about to intervene, irritation clear on her face, but both Nayonica and Ishaani grabbed her arms.
"Let her cook," Nayonica whispered.
Miraculously, the officer let them go with just a warning.
_____
They pulled into the Rajvanshi driveway laughing.
As they quietly sneaked toward the side entrance, the main lights suddenly turned on.
Vedika stood at the top of the steps in her robe, arms crossed, looking exhausted and unimpressed.
"Care to explain?" she asked dryly.
Tara stepped forward smoothly, with her charisma oozing out naturally. "I took them out. They needed air. I was driving. Nothing happened."
Vedika stared at all of them for a long moment, then sighed. "Inside. All of you. Before Devika wakes up."
As they filed in, Sparshi couldn't resist. She grinned up at Vedika. "You're quite hot when you're angry, Vedika di. Like a sexy lawyer who could ruin my life and I'd thank her."
Vedika raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but faintly amused. "Tumse bhot badi hoon main. Getting your heart broken by me is not going to be that magical, Sparshi."
(I'm quite older than you)
Sparshi's grin only widened. "Don't try to make me fall harder for you. You sound too diplomatic when you reject me."
Saarakshi bonked her sister on the head and dragged her upstairs. "Come on, you horny disaster."
Sparshi yelled over her shoulder as she was being hauled away, "You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!"
Vedika shook her head, but a faint, reluctant smile touched her lips as she turned away.
Tara lingered near Ishaani for a moment. She leaned in, voice low. "Good Night, Bambi." She pressed one last teasing kiss to Ishaani's temple before heading toward the guest wing.
Ishaani watched her go, already missing her warmth.
She would be lying if she said she didn't want Tara in her bed again tonight. Injuries and ribs be damned.