Trisha
Once the instructions were given, I dismissed the guards and turned around, only to see Krish walking by me.
I recalled the promise we had made to each other—though we would continue fulfilling our duties, we were also serious about taking our love and relationship seriously.
No more doubts, fears, or distance between us, as I had agreed with Krish.
I was about to approach him when Meher came over and handed me a box with a mischievous grin, and I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Krish halted at a distance, not wanting to disturb us.
“What’s this?” I asked, turning the box over in my hands.
“It’s a traditional outfit,” Meher replied, her eyes twinkling. “I want you to wear it for the function tomorrow.”
“But why?” I questioned, perplexed by her request.
“Because I want you to,” Meher stated matter-of-factly.
“But I’m not supposed to wear all this.” I shook my head.
“As your bodyguard, my duty is to remain vigilant and protect you at all times from any harm. I can’t be celebrating with you at the event if that’s what you want because one wrong move from me could have severe consequences.
I can’t risk that. Maybe some other time. ”
Meher frowned, then looked at Krish, who had stepped closer to us on hearing our conversation. “Krish, what kind of bodyguard have you hired for me who doesn’t even listen to my commands?” she asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Krish chuckled, recognising her playful tone. “Did you obey the bodyguards your father hired for you in the past? If I remember correctly, you always gave them a tough time and eloped just to have some freedom from their constant following.”
Meher bit her lip, acknowledging the truth in his words.
“So, Mrs. Meher Shergill, how can you expect them to listen to you now? And Trisha is right—wearing traditional outfits while she’s on duty protecting you isn’t a good choice. I won’t approve of that; and don’t even think of asking Ayaan, or he might not let you attend the function tomorrow.”
Meher rolled her eyes, knowing Ayaan’s protective instincts could indeed lead him to make such a decision. She smiled at Krish, trying to convince him instead.
“Come on, Krish. Can’t you approve of such a simple favour for me? Besides, this function is safe. There will be Walia family guards too, and I promise I won’t disturb Trisha there, except to show her off to my cousin brothers.”
“What?” Krish scowled, clearly not happy about what she had said. “You would show off Trisha to your cousins? Why would you do that?”
Meher’s innocent expression morphed into a mischievous grin.
“I like Trisha, and I really want her to stay close to me. What better than marrying her off to one of my cousins in the future?”
I was equally surprised by Meher’s idea, though I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth at her desire for me to remain close. However, the look of jealousy on Krish’s face was priceless.
“If that’s your plan, then I definitely wouldn’t approve of this now,” Krish stated firmly. “I don’t want to lose Trisha to one of your cousins.”
Meher furrowed her brows, trying to find the meaning behind his words. Krish instantly realised he had said too much. He quickly tried to explain himself.
“I mean, I’m not letting my best bodyguard, Trisha, be taken by one of your cousins. I need her... I mean, we... need her.” He almost stammered by the time he completed saying that.
Meher burst out laughing at Krish’s evident confusion and his attempts to backtrack.
“Fine,” she conceded. “If you don’t want me to do that, you’ll let Trisha wear the traditional outfit I’ve gifted her. No more arguments over this.”
With a wink in my direction, Meher made her way up the stairs, leaving Krish staring angrily in her wake. He then turned his gaze towards me.
“Why are you smiling now?” he scolded, noticing the grin on my face.
“You look cute when you’re jealous, Director,” I teased.
Krish sighed and shook his head, but a hint of a smile played on his lips.
“Wear the outfit... but... stay away from her cousins. You’re mine... I don’t want them anywhere near you.”
I stifled a giggle before giving him a mock salute. “Yes, Sir.”
Just then, Ayaan called out for Krish from another room, and Krish had to leave, but not without giving me another warning look to stay away from Meher’s cousins. It was all in good fun, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Krish’s adorable display of jealousy.
The next day, I wore the beautiful traditional outfit Meher had gifted me—a lehnga choli with intricate embroidery and vibrant colours that complemented my skin tone. The choli was almost backless, something I hardly wore during my regular duty, which is why I couldn’t wait to see Krish’s reaction.
As I emerged from my room, ready for the function, I caught sight of Krish in the hallway. His eyes widened, and he seemed momentarily stunned as he took in my appearance.
“Trisha, you look...” he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.
“Like a woman that you wouldn’t want to lose to Meher’s cousins?” I finished for him, echoing his words from yesterday with a playful grin.
Krish chuckled and shook his head, but his gaze was fixed on me, desire evident in his eyes. “More like a woman I never want to let go of,” he murmured, pulling me into his embrace.
I melted against him, revelling in the warmth and comfort of his arms.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I assured him. “My heart belongs to you, and you alone.”
Krish smiled and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. Suddenly, his eyes twinkled with mischief. He trailed his fingers along the exposed skin of my back, where the choli I was wearing had a daring backless design.
“Why is this choli backless?” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
I shivered at his touch, feeling a spark of electricity between us. “What can I say? You should ask Meher that. She gifted me this outfit, and you even approved it.”
Krish’s eyes darkened with a mix of desire and playful jealousy. “Had I known that it was going to expose your sexy back to Meher’s cousins out there, then I would never have approved.”
Finding his possessiveness endearing, I couldn’t resist leaning in and planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered, “At our wedding, I’ll give you the right to choose the outfit, and I wouldn’t mind if you married me in my bodyguard suit.”
Krish’s eyes widened with surprise. “I can’t believe you just talked about marriage,” he murmured.
“Why? Haven’t you?” I smiled, caressing his face tenderly.
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he pulled me closer, our bodies pressed together intimately.
“Of course I have,” he breathed, his lips brushing against mine. “In fact, I’ve even thought further than that...”
“Like?” I asked.
“Like what happens between us on our wedding night.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, patting his chest playfully to stop his teasing.
“You’re incorrigible,” I chided, though my heart swelled with love and anticipation.
Krish chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest, and pulled me into a warm embrace, burying his face in the crook of my neck. We stood there, lost in each other’s arms, until Meher’s voice from the living room broke the spell. Not wanting her to see us like this, I pulled away.
“Stay alert at the event,” Krish said, “Anything suspicious, inform me,” he added before leading me out.
Meher met us in the living room, all ready to leave for the event. She looked me up and down, her eyes twinkling with approval. “I knew you’d look stunning in that outfit,” she declared. “So, ready to meet my handsome cousins?”
I shot Meher a warning look, silently pleading with her not to push her luck.
She merely winked at me, clearly enjoying the opportunity to rile Krish up.
She definitely sensed something happening between us, just like Krish suspected Ayaan knew too.
Just then, Ayaan walked into the living room, and Meher made his way to him, reaching him halfway.
Krish remained by my side, his hand finding its way to the small of my waist, a subtle reminder of his presence and his claim on me.
“You know,” he murmured, his voice low and husky, “I believe I owe you a proper punishment for tormenting me throughout until you are back tonight from the event.”
I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
“Punishment? For what, exactly?”
Krish leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “For tempting me with your beauty, for driving me wild with desire, and for constantly reminding me of how lucky I am to have you.”
A shiver ran down my spine at the promise in his words, and I couldn’t resist the urge to tease him further.
“And what did you have in mind, Director?”
His eyes darkened with a smoldering intensity that set my heart racing.
“Oh, I have a few ideas,” he murmured, his fingers trailing along the exposed skin of my arm. “But you’ll have to wait and see.”
With a wink and a smirk, he turned and walked away, leaving me breathless with anticipation. Did Krish really meant what he just said?