Chapter Sixty
Samar took another deep drag of his shisha, the water bubbling in the glass base. He stared into the middle distance, his eyes empty. Beside him, a girl traced the lines of his chest with romantic strokes, her fingers fluttering over his skin.
He didn’t even look at her.
"That idiot..." he mumbled, the smoke curling around his lips.."Now he has messed up everything. Every single plan!."
The irritation peaked. He shoved the girl away roughly, that sent her falling back onto the silk cushions.
She let out a small hurt whine, but he was already on his feet..
"Pathetic.." he spat. Before he stormed out of the lounge.
He moved through the dimly lit hallway, the red emergency lights casting a bloody hue over his features.
He reached up, scratching the hair at the nape of his neck, his mind a chaotic whirl of Devraj’s face and Ira’s eyes.
Just then, a movement ahead caught his attention...a woman with a familiar frame, her hair catching the light as she rounded the corner.
His body reacted before his brain could.
He lunged forward, as he chased her down. He swung around the corner and his hand reached down on her wrist with bruising force.
"Ira!"
But the moment the woman turned, his heart dropped. The face looking back at him was wrong. The eyes were the wrong color. The fear in them wasn't the feisty spark he had knew... it was just fear.
"S... Sir? I’m... I’m not Ira.." the woman stammered, her whole body shivering under his grip.
Samar’s hand withdrew as if he had touched something dirty. He stood there for a while. A rare flash of embarrassment crossed his face, quickly replaced by frustration. He didn't apologize. He simply turned his back on her and walked away.
"What the fuck!" he hissed to himself.
He hadn't gone ten paces before one of his lieutenants caught up with him..
"Sir... you have a..guest.. She requested for you, immediately. " the man said..
Samar’s face hardened instantly..
"Let's go."
~??~?~??~
Ira felt like a mess. Her body felt heavy as she sat up on the bed. She hadn't eaten a dinner last night and was still in the same clothes. She had cried herself into a deep, exhausted sleep, not even caring about how she looked or felt.
Then, a knock hit her door.
"Ira?" Her father’s voice was soft..
"Yes, Papa?" Her voice was hoarse..
"Beta... please, open the door. You’re scaring us." he said.
"Come on, baby sis!" Raghav called out too. "What’s the matter? Maa is just sitting there and won't tell us a thing. Open up, please."
Ira’s heart sank. She shook her head, trying to blink away the terrifying images of yesterday.
She dragged herself out of bed and slowly walked to the door. As soon as she turned the lock, Raghav pushed his way in. He grabbed her face with both hands, his palms warm against her cold skin.
"Ira... tell me. What is going on?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for the truth.
Ira looked past him to her father, then back to Raghav. Her mother was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Maa?" she asked.
"She’s resting in her room.." Raghav answered, though his eyes never left Ira’s.. "Now, no more hiding, Ira. What happened?"
Her father stepped into the room..
"It’s just... it was Deepak."
"What?!" Raghav’s face twisted in an instant.. "Did he come here? To this house?! That fucking bastard!" He let out a loud, angry curse that made Ira cringed at the curse, and close her eyes tight.
"Ira? Did you guys call the police?" her father asked. He gently pulled her away from Raghav’s angry grip and tucked her under his arm.
Ira leaned into him, finally letting out a breath she felt like she’d been holding since yesterday. She just hugged him tight, burying her face on his chest.
"He was taken care of.." she whispered against his chest. Her father let out a long sigh of relief, his hand rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles.
"I... I’m so tired, Papa.." she said, looking up at him with watery eyes. Her father’s heart broke right then, he could see the shadows under her eyes. He just hugged her tighter, trying to shield her from the world.
"I’m so sorry, Ira.." he whispered. "I caused all of this. If I hadn't gotten mixed up with Mr. Tiwari’s business, none of this would have happened to you."
"No, Papa. Things happen for a reason.." Ira said. She pulled back just enough to look at his face. "I’m tired, but it just means I have to be stronger. Who knows what else I might have to face?"
"No, Beta... you won't face anything else, okay?" he promised. "Deepak is gone. Nothing should bother you anymore."
Ira bit her lip. Deepak was gone, but she can't help but feel, something bad will happen soon.. She just nodded silently.
Her father saw that look in her eyes and he knew. She had a doubt.
"Hey, sis. Go clean up. I'm taking you out.." Raghav said suddenly, breaking the heavy mood.
Ira blinked at him, totally confused. "What? Out? Where?" She tilted her head, wondering if she’d heard him right.
"When was the last time you spent some real time with your Bhai? Huh?" Raghav teased, a small playful smirk finally returning to his face.
Ira blinked again, and then, for the first time in forever, she actually laughed. It was a small sound, but it felt like a win.
"You are so silly, Bhai."
"Yeah, yeah... just get ready, okay?" he said, pointing toward the bathroom.
Ira nodded with a smile.
Her father smiled and kissed her forehead before he and Raghav finally walked out. Ira closed the door behind them and leaned against it, the small smile still on her lips.
Almost immediately, her phone began buzzing. She looked at the bed, her heart skipping a beat.
She walked over, picked up the phone, and saw his name on the screen.
Taking a short, shaky breath to steady herself before she swiped to answer.
"Meri Jaan..." he called out with that intense possessiveness that always made her skin prickle.
"...."
Ira didn't say anything at first. She just stood there, her throat tight with exhaustion.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I’m fine, Devraj..." she said softly. She tried to sound strong, but she couldn't hide the tiredness in her voice.
On the other end, Devraj went quiet for a second. He could hear the sadness she was trying to mask, and it made his jaw tighten.
"Look out your window.." he said suddenly.
Ira’s brow furrowed. "Huh? Why?"
"Just do it."
Ira rushed to the window and yanked back the curtain. Her eyes widened, and she nearly dropped the phone.
There he was. Devraj was standing near the street, but he looked completely different.
He wasn't in his usual expensive suit. He was dressed casually, long sleeve sweatshirt and a cargo joggers.. looking like a regular man instead of a dangerous billionaire.
Also, he looked devilishly handsome, and his hair was left in a lazy style.
He was looking up at her window, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"What are you doing here?" she asked into the phone, her heart starting to beat against her ribs.
"I’m here for you. Come down. Please.." he said, his eyes locked onto hers from below.
"What? No! Go away!" Ira whispered, glancing toward her bedroom door. "My whole family is home! Go away!"
A crease appeared on Devraj’s forehead, his smile flickering.
He didn't care if her family was inside. He wasn't about to let a few walls or a protective parent stand in his way.
"I'm not leaving." He said calmly. "Do you want me to come in instead?"
Ira’s eyes went wide in panic. She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Are you mad?! Go now!" she hissed, scowling at him with everything she had.
Devraj just smiled, leaning back against his car. "You look beautiful when you’re angry. I'm waiting, Baby. Hurry up."
"I can't! I’m going out with my brother!" Ira whispered into the phone. She saw his expression shift instantly. His brows furrowed, and the playful air around him vanished.
"Why? Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Devraj asked his tone flat and annoyed.
"Hey, that was rude! And yes, he has one!" Ira snapped back.
"Good. Tell him to take her out. You are coming with me.." he said...
"I’m not coming down.." she adamantly said. she glared at him, her hand gripping the curtain.
His stare intensified, his dark eyes locking onto hers even from the distance.
But then, his face shifted again. A slow, wicked smirk spread across his lips, and Ira felt a chill. She hated how fast he could switch from cold to a teasing look.
"You have twenty minutes.." he said. "Clean up and come down. If you don't... I’ll come in myself. I’ll climb through that window, Ira. And I’ll make sure you make enough noise to bring your parents running to your–"
"Shut up! You crazy man!" Ira cut him off, her face heating up with embarrassment. "Fine... give me thirty minutes."
She glared at him one last time, but he just smirked and pressed a kiss to the phone, the sound echoing in her ear.
She hung up immediately, her heart thumping.
"Madman.." she mumbled to the empty room, pulling the curtains shut to block him out.
Down on the street, Devraj let out a chuckle. He leaned his head back, watching the closed curtains.
~??~
Ira walked down to her mother’s door. She knocked softly, and the door opened almost instantly. Her mother stood there, looking tired but steady.
"Maa, how are you feeling?" Ira asked, her voice full of sadness.
Her mother smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind Ira's ear.
"I'm fine, Ira. I was more worried about you. I was so happy when your father said you finally opened your door. I was just about to come and see you."
Ira didn't say a word, she just leaned forward and hugged her mother tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of home. Her mother patted her back gently, but then she pulled away just enough to look Ira up and down.
"By the way... you look all dressed up.." her mother noted, her eyes scanning Ira’s outfit. "Where are you going?"
Ira felt a lump form in her throat. She gripped the fabric of her cloth. Her mother’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing with sudden suspicion.
"Ira..."
Ira let out a shaky sigh. "Maa... I–"
Ding. The sound of a notification cut her off. Ira glanced at her phone...
a message from Devraj. I'm waiting, meri Jaan.
"Go.." her mother said suddenly.
Ira looked up, her eyes wide with shock. Her mother wasn't angry, she was actually smiling, though there was a hint of worry behind it.
"I know it’s him.." her mother whispered. "As much as that man scares me, I can't help but see the truth. He is hopelessly infatuated with you, Ira. It’s written all over him."
Ira blinked, stunned into silence. She didn't expect her mother to accept it..
"He’s crazy, probably.." her mother added with a small sad laugh. "Just... please be careful."
Before Ira could even respond, her mother gave her one last encouraging nod and gently closed the door, leaving Ira standing in the hallway.
She broke out of her trance and hurried toward the stairs, her phone buzzing in her hand with another message.
"Meri Jaan... Where are you? My patience is hanging by a thin thread...??" He had added a sad emoji, and for a split second, Ira almost smiled. She caught herself, shaking the feeling off as she reached the living room.
Raghav was standing there, already geared up for their day out. He frowned the moment he saw her heading straight for the front door instead to him.
"You forgot we’re going out together?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe another day! Ritika called!" Ira yelled over her shoulder, not giving him a chance to argue. She bolted out the door and swung it shut before he could say another word.
Raghav stood there with a deep scowl.
"That girl..." he mumbled, shaking his head. His father, watching from the couch, just chuckled.
Ira didn't stop running until she reached at Devraj’s car completely out of breath, her chest heaving as she doubled over for a second. She heard a chuckle from Devraj.
She straightened up and glared at him.
"You’re out of breath, Meri Jaan.." Devraj grinned, his eyes roaming over her face with that satisfied glow.
Ira rolled her eyes, her face flushed from the sprint.
"Can we just leave? Yesterday’s incident already gave the neighbors enough to gossip about. I don't want them starting another one."
Devraj didn't argue. He just nodded, the smirk still playing on his lips, and reached out to open the passenger door for her.
Ira caught a full look at him, in his casual clothes, with the sunlight hitting his face and lazy hair, he looked dangerously handsome upclose. It was enough to make her heart skip a beat for all the wrong reasons.
She quickly looked away and settled down on the seat.
Devraj went into the driver’s seat, a smile on his face as he drove away.
But as the minutes passed, the silence started to eat at him. He glanced sideways, seeing Ira staring intently out the window..
He felt a pang of annoyance. Why isn't she looking at me? He wondered, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.
Does she even like the way I look? Vivaan and Advik swore she’d like me in casual clothes... did those idiots lie to me?
"You look beautiful.." he whispered..
Ira turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting his. "Thanks.." she mumbled, before looking back at the passing pedestrians.
Devraj waited, hoping for a compliment, a comment...anything to acknowledge the effort he’d made to look normal for her.
It never came. His frown deepened, the air in the car turning cold.
"Where are you taking me, Devraj?" she asked, her voice cautious.
"Just to see an old friend.." he answered, his tone turning dry and clipped. He wasn't just disappointed, he was sulking.
"If it’s an old friend, why tag me along?"
"Because you need to be there." he said, his voice hardening. "Besides, I want him to see you. I want him to know who you are."
But she noticed the way his face looked. He was genuinely upset.
"Why does he have to see me?" she pressed..
Devraj didn't speak this time. He just stared straight ahead, Ira blinked, stunned by the sudden wall he’d put up.
"Are you really not going to answer me?" she asked.
The silence continued, suffocating. She watched him for several seconds, waiting for a crack in his mask, but he remained perfectly still.
Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh..
"You look...handsome, by the way.." she said softly, her voice barely a murmur as she turned back to stare out her own window.
Devraj’s entire face lit up, his eyes sparkling with a boyish satisfaction. The hard line of his jaw vanished, replaced by a wide grin..
"Arjun is a friend of mine.." Devraj suddenly said, his voice warm again. "But his world is a bit different from mine. He’s... deep in the mafia world."
Ira’s head snapped around so fast she felt a twinge in her neck. Her eyes went wide, and the little bit of peace she’d found vanished in a heartbeat.
"Mafia?" she breathed..
"Don't worry. We are going to be fine." he said calmly.
"Fine? Why are we going to see a mafia boss?, Devraj? What business do I have with someone like that to bring me to him?" Ira was starting to freak out. She had just seen a man shot on her front door yesterday, and now she was being driven straight into the heart of it all?
Anything that has to do with guns, violence and Chaos.. she is trying so hard to avoid..
"Relax, Meri Jaan..." Devraj chuckled, as he navigated the car through a turn. He looked over at her, his expression softening when he saw her trembling.
"Just know this.." he began. "I will never let anyone..anyone..harm you. They would have to pass through me first, and I promise you, no one is strong enough to do that."
Ira searched his eyes for a long moment. For some strange, inexplicable reason, the weight of his possessiveness made her feel safe.
The shaking in her hands slowed down, and she gave him a small, hesitant nod.
"Are... are you also into that kind of thing?" she asked, her voice small. "With this friend of yours?"
Devraj chuckled.
"No, Ira. I’m not into that.." he said, shaking his head. "I am just a businessman. But in my world, you need wide branches that reach people like him. Sometimes, to protect what is yours, you have to talk to the shadows."
"How long have you known him?" Ira asked, her voice barely a whisper above the hum of the engine.
"Um... about seven years now.." Devraj answered. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "Arjun might be a friend, but he is not a man to mess with. Even in his world, he is a king."
Ira frowned, her head full of questions. She wanted to ask why a businessman needed a king of the underworld as a friend, most importantly, why doea he needs to see her? but the words felt too much to say out loud. She stayed quiet, watching the city blur past.
"I know you’re curious about why I’m taking you to see him.." Devraj said, his voice softening as if he could read her thoughts. "But that... has to stay a secret for now. You’ve seen enough yesterday, and the fear in your eyes... I don't want to add to it."
The car slowed to a stop at a red light. Devraj shifted in his seat and reached out, his large, warm hand covering hers.
"I won't let anyone take you away from me, Ira.." he said. He didn't just say it, he vowed it. The intensity in his dark eyes was so strong it felt like he was trying to burn the promise into her soul.
Ira felt a lump form in her throat. She gulped, looking at their joined hands, her heart skipping a beat from his gaze.
I don’t love you, Devraj... she thought silently in her mind. But as she looked at him, she knew that to a man like him, her love wasn't a requirement for her to belong to him.
??????
Sorry for updating late.