Chapter Seventy Seven.
RV got out of the driver's seat and rounding the car to open the door for Ira before she could even reach for the handle.
She stepped out in a rich flowing red anarkali.
Ira began walking toward the door of the villa, but after a few paces, she paused and turned back. RV was standing at attention near the driver's side, his eyes respectfully on her.
"Thank you, RV. You can go back for the night." She smiled at him.
RV politely nodded.
"Have a wonderful night, Ma'am." Sliding back behind the wheel, he turned the vehicle around and drove down the long driveway.
Ira turned back toward the imposing entrance. Placing her palm against the biometric scanner, and the doors unlocked with a muted click.
She pushed them open and stepped inside, automated floor lights activating in a soft glow beneath her every step.
Standing in the center of living room was Devraj. He had clearly been pacing.
"Ira..." Devraj breathed, his expression softening as he hurried toward her, a hesitant smile breaking across his face the moment he reached her side.
Ira didn't smile back. Her expression remained completely stern, her eyes locked onto his with steady intensity.
Devraj's smile faltered.
"Please... I've been on complete edge all afternoon, meri jaan. Did I do something wrong?"
"Devraj... did you threaten Kunal?"
The nervous warmth in his demeanor vanished immediately.
"Why on earth are we bringing him up right now?" he asked.
"Because you ruined my relationship with him." Ira declared
Devraj froze, his heart clenching at her words.
Was she seriously still clinging to Kunal and their shattered relationship?
At this point, Devraj felt completely hollowed out, if she asked him to, he would drop to his knees right here on the cold marble and beg for her forgiveness.
"Do... do you still have-" Devraj couldn't even finish the sentence, terrified of her answer.
"Ugh, don't be silly, Devraj." Ira cut in shaking her head. "I don't have feelings for Kunal anymore. I'm only bringing it up because he admitted it himself, twice...and I know he wasn't lying."
She stepped closer, her soft gaze locking into his troubled eyes and she smiled.
"I've been thinking about it all day today." she murmured. "Thinking about every single unhinged thing you did... just to make me yours, Devraj. Your methods are terrifying. They are consuming, dark, and insane."
Devraj's eyes downcast immediately with sadness.
"I am so sorry, Ira." he choked out in vulnerability.
"Back then... I didn't even understand the overwhelming storm inside me. You made me feel this, irrational desperation to possess you so badly."
He swallowed hard, "Every manipulative, dark thing I did was driven by a single goal..to make you mine. I love you so deeply, Ira."
Ira's smile widened as she listened to his confession.
"I know I shouldn't have resorted to those tactics."
he continued in remorse. "But I was consumed by the fear that if I didn't act, I would lose you forever, and that thought alone was driving me insane. Yes, I threatened Kunal. I was consumed by a jealousy so deep and toxic it was burning me alive from the inside out, Ira. I'm really sorry."
A soft chuckle escaped Ira's lips.
"You are truly one crazy man, Devraj." she breathed.
Without another word, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms gently around his broad waist, burying her face into his chest.
As she held him, the beating against her cheek made her pause. Her brow furrowed, and she slowly pulled back to look up at him...
"Why on earth is your heart pounding like this? Devraj, is this even normal?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
She looked up, only to find Devraj deliberately averting his gaze toward the far corner of the room, his jaw tight as his adam's apple bobbed.
"It is the inevitable physical effect you have on me whenever you make the first move." he murmured, his voice tight as he stubbornly refused to meet her eyes.
Ira's frown deepened slightly..
"Look at me, Devraj."
The command was gentle, but he obeyed instantly. As his eyes looked back to meet hers, Ira caught the crimson flush dusting his cheekbones.
She chuckled softly.
"What's so funny?" he asked, his breath hitching slightly in his chest.
"You look cute." she teased softly.
Devraj's heart went entirely wild against his ribs. Reaching out, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled Ira against his chest, his gaze darkening with intense heat.
"Do not ever use that word to describe me, meri jaan." he hoarsely said. "I am handsome. I am formidable. I am not cute."
Ira rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips as Devraj cupped her face between his palms.
"I am the luckiest man alive to have a woman like you." he whispered, his thumb lightly stroking her cheekbone. "And please... promise me you will never leave me. Though I would never allow it, and you never will."
Ira smiled with a gentle reassuring nod.
"I'm thirsty, Devraj." she said, breaking the intense spell holding them in place.
Devraj's face relaxed and he nodded with a smile..
"I will fetch you some cold water right away."
He turned and walked off toward the kitchen. Ira watched his tall figure walk away before turning to sink into the cushions of the living room couch.
A text notification suddenly vibrated from her purse. She pulled out her phone, looking down at the screen, and she bit her lip in guilt.
The preview displayed a message from her best friend, Ritika.
Ira haven't had the time to talk to her worried best friend ever since the ordeal with Samar had unfolded.
"I'm so sorry, Riri..." Ira mumbled softly under her breath, staring down at the glowing screen. "I promise I will explain everything to you soon..."
Devraj emerged from the kitchen carrying a tall glass of ice water and took a seat directly beside her.
Handing her the glass, his gaze caught the guilt crossing her face.
"Is everything alright, meri jaan?" he asked gently.
Ira sighed, setting the glass on the side table.
"I haven't spoken to my best friend in, and I believe she thinks I'm intentionally ignoring her."
"You mean Ritika? I was briefed on the impressive spectacle she pulled at one of my corporate branches... demanding answers and claiming I had kidnapped you."
He said. "As if I had even gotten around to doing that yet. But, i think she is just worried. Only a worried best friend will do that, without any fear."
Ira thought about it and she laughed. 'Yeah, that's something Riri would do.'
At her reaction, Devraj laughed too.. a sound so rare, open, and utterly carefree that Ira found herself entirely captivated, watching him in quiet fascination.
Caught off guard by her intense focus, Devraj abruptly cut off his laughter, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck as bashfulness settled over him.
"Ah... I apologize.." he murmured, his voice softening. "I didn't mean to laugh so loudly, I was just- you were laughing and i-"
He broke off mid-sentence.
Ira had closed the distance between them, tilting her head slightly as a silky lock of dark hair cascaded over her shoulder.
"Why... why are you looking at me like that?"
"You look so handsome when you smile, Devraj." she whispered, leaning in even closer until her breath brushed his skin. "But you are impossibly handsome when you laugh like that..."
Then something crept in her mind..
She suddenly placed her palm flat against his broad chest. Beneath her fingertips, she could feel his heart beating fast again.
She smirked, Pressing her advantage, she slid both hands up onto his chest, leaning in until there was barely a space left between them
Devraj's chest heaved.
"I... Ira." he rasped, fighting with every ounce of his remaining willpower. "Whatever dangerous game you are playing right now... it is going to get us both burned."
Ira looked up at him, her wide eyes glittering with false innocence.
"What? I'm simply just touching you... checking to see how muscular you've become. Besides, wasn't this exact touch all you ever craved back then?"
Without breaking eye contact, her fingers reached up and opened the remaining buttons of his shirt, parting the fabric to reveal the broad expanse of his chest.
"Wow.. you are so fit." She mumbled, carefully rested her palm flat against his bare skin.
Devraj shivered at her touch, a visible tremble running through his broad shoulders.
"Stop playing this innocent card with me, Ira." he rasped, fighting for control. "I am warning you... this will not end well."
Ira blinked softly. "Fine..."
She began to pull her hands away, but before she could retreat a single inch, Devraj's hand held her wrists in desperation.
"No... wait." he choked out, his eyes wide and unhinged, looking like a man hopelessly intoxicated by an impossible high. "Touch me more."
"You literally just told me-"
Before she could finish her thought, Devraj shifted his weight, pressing her gently down onto the couch.
He hovered above her, his shadow completely enveloping her.
"That was not fair..." he said. "That was psychological torture, Ira. You know how brutally my body reacts the moment you touch me."
"And how on earth is your lack of self control my fault?" she countered smoothly.
Devraj let his head fall into the crook of her neck, as he fought to steady his breathing.
She felt the scorching heat of his breath against her skin, noticing the uneven rise and fall of his chest.
"Devraj... are you okay?" she whispered softly.
Slowly, he lifted his head to look down at her. His dark eyes were completely dilated..
"Barely." he gritted out, his gaze dropping to lock onto Ira's lips.
"Can I kiss-" Devraj broke off mid-sentence, abruptly shaking his head, trying to purge the consuming heat rushing through his veins.
Ira watched him. Reaching up, she cupped his jaw, her fingers sliding up to the nape of his neck to gently draw him down toward her.