（9） Scream My Name!
At the same night
Atharva placed his phone to the side, camera recording.
Both of them stood at opposite ends of the pool.
"Okay," Atharva said calmly. "I'm setting a five-minute timer. Whoever completes the most laps... will be the winner."
Maya took a deep breath, determination flashing in her eyes. "Fine."
For a brief second-
They locked eyes.
Then Atharva started the timer.
The very next moment, both of them dived into the pool.
Water splashed sharply as the race began.
For the next five minutes, they pushed hard-lap after lap-sometimes glancing at each other mid-swim, the silent rivalry only fueling them more.
Neither of them was willing to slow down.
-
A sharp beep echoed.
Time's up.
Both of them froze in their respective positions.
They stood up in the pool, slicking their wet hair back almost simultaneously... and looked at each other.
A strange smile played on both their lips.
In their own minds-
They had both already won.
-
Moments later, they stepped out of the pool and sat on the nearby chairs. Atharva picked up the phone and played the video.
Both of them stared intently at the screen.
Each silently hoping to see their own victory.
The video ended.
And the winner was...
Atharva.
By two laps.
Maya's heartbeat spiked.
Slowly-very slowly-she glanced at him.
Atharva's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile. He dipped his head slightly.
"You lost, biwi."
Maya inhaled deeply, still trying to process it. "I... I didn't know you were such a good swimmer."
Atharva leaned forward, eyes glinting.
"You should've found out before challenging me, biwi."
Maya's gaze kept flickering-up to his face, then quickly down again.
But Atharva...
He was openly looking her over from head to toe.
The soaked red nighty clung tightly to her body, the neckline dipping dangerously low. The thin silk had shrunk against her curves after getting wet.
Her fingers had unconsciously tangled together in her lap.
Atharva's voice dropped.
"So... how do you want me to start?"
Maya looked at him, nervousness finally breaking through. "Atharva... can't we just-"
"Nope." His tone turned firm, unyielding. "You shouldn't have challenged me, biwi. And now that you have... you finish it."
Maya swallowed.
For a split second-
She tried to slip away.
But in the very next moment-
Atharva caught her wrist and pulled her back.
With one swift motion, he made her sit in his lap.
His hand settled firmly at her waist as he drew her closer, water still dripping from both of them... and the air between them turning dangerously thick.
Atharva's voice dropped into a slow, seductive murmur.
"So... you're not wearing anything underneath, are you, biwi?"
Maya quickly averted her gaze, heat rushing to her face. "I didn't know you'd come back so soon... I was all alone, so..."
A devilish smile tugged at Atharva's lips.
His hands slid to her thighs, firm and possessive, and in one smooth motion he lifted and crossed her legs around his waist, locking her in place.
Maya was still seated in his lap-
-but now her legs were hooked behind his back, her face inches from his.
"Atharva... this... this-"
"Now," he murmured darkly, pulling her even closer, "you're sitting in the right position, biwi."
Maya's breath hitched.
Inside, panic sparked.
"Ah... fuck... no... I can't sit like this..."
Water from their soaked clothes dripped slowly between their bodies, the air growing heavier with every second.
Atharva's face hovered dangerously close to her lips, his gaze dark, intense... almost consuming.
Softly, slowly, he whispered-
"Do it, Maya. I'm waiting for your turn first."
Maya blinked, confused and breathless. "W-what?"
His eyes flickered with heat.
"You're already so wet..." His voice turned rough with meaning. "Make me feel it."
Maya's heart slammed violently against her ribs.
"No... no, Maya... don't..."(said inside)
A shaky breath left her lips. "Damn..."
Atharva's eyes slid shut for a brief second, a faint, satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Maya sat frozen in his hold, breathing unevenly, her gaze turned away.
"Leave me... please," she whispered.
Atharva's eyes opened.
Dark.
Decisive.
In the very next moment, his hand came up around her neck-not hurting, but firm-as he pushed her back against the leaning table behind her.
And then-
He kissed her.
Hard.
Maya's legs were still locked around his waist as Atharva kissed her with raw, unrestrained hunger.
She tried to push him away with both hands-
-but without breaking the kiss, Atharva caught both her wrists and pinned them securely in his palm.
And then he kissed her again.
Deeper.
Hungrier.
This wasn't just a kiss-
-it was possession.
For a few breathless moments, both of them were completely lost.
Finally, Maya managed to pull her lips free, turning her face to the side, gasping softly.
"Ath... Atharva... I can't breathe..."
"Then try," he breathed against her skin, voice dangerously low. "Because I won't be able to stop today."
For a fraction of a second, he paused-biting his own lower lip as his heated gaze swept across her face.
And then he went back to her lips.
Maya struggled again and again to push him away-
-but Atharva didn't stop.
Didn't slow.
Didn't give her space.
After a long moment, he finally pulled back-only to reach for the hem of her dress.
Maya's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.
"Atharva... control, please."
His eyes snapped to hers.
"Don't interrupt me, Maya," he warned quietly. "Or I won't stay gentle."
Maya parted her lips to speak-
-but before she could-
Atharva slid the dress away and tossed it aside.
Maya sucked in a sharp breath, chest rising and falling rapidly as she looked at him.
Atharva lifted both her hands above her head, holding them easily in one grip.
Then his lips moved to her neck.
He bit down lightly.
Maya let out a soft, involuntary sound.
Atharva kissed along the mark slowly... thoroughly... before his gaze began to drift lower-
Maya's breath turned shaky.
"No... please-"
Atharva's dark gaze locked onto hers as he slowly lowered his head against her chest.
Maya squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face away, her breath already uneven.
For a few long moments, Atharva lingered there-kissing her slowly, deliberately-before trailing lower, his teeth grazing lightly as he moved toward her stomach.
He pressed a slow kiss to her belly...
...then another.
...and another.
Each one followed by a teasing bite.
Maya's fingers trembled.
When his tongue brushed her navel and moved lower-
her restraint snapped.
She grabbed his face quickly.
"Ath... Atharva! Stop it now... don't..."
Atharva lifted his eyes to her for a brief second-
dark...
heated...
unmoved.
Then he rested his face against her lower belly again.
"Atharva-"
Her voice broke.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
Almost unconsciously, Maya's fingers slid into his hair, gripping.
The deeper Atharva kissed her Between thighs-
the tighter her hold in his hair became.
For a few stolen moments, he simply... savored her. He licked,tasted, every corner of her's thing..
Then slowly, he looked up.
Maya was breathing hard now, lashes lowered, chest rising and falling rapidly.
Atharva leaned closer to her face, voice rough and low.
"Lick it.Lick it from all over my face."
Maya parted her lips to protest-
-but before a word could form, Atharva captured her mouth again.
This time deeper.
Hotter.
More consuming.
His fingers had already drifted lower, between thighs...slow and deliberate, and the moment they moved-
Maya's back arched slightly.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
Her teeth caught his lower lip instinctively.
Atharva didn't stop.
Didn't slow.
Didn't ease the torment.
Seconds stretched.
Breaths tangled.
Control slipped.
Finally, Atharva pulled back just enough to look at her.
His gaze swept over her body slowly.
Under the soft white light, her skin looked almost luminous-flushed, marked, trembling. From her neck down to her stomach, faint bite marks told their own story.
Maya had stopped resisting.
Not because she wanted to surrender-
...but because she knew he wouldn't stop.
Her eyes stayed closed as she struggled to steady her breathing.
A devilish smile curved Atharva's lips.
In one smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms.
Maya's face immediately buried into his neck.
She couldn't even look at him now.
-
He carried her straight into the bedroom.
Gently-almost deceptively so-he laid her down on the bed before reaching back and locking the door.
Maya finally gathered the courage to look at him.
Atharva had already discarded his lower.
Her breath caught again.
Slowly, deliberately, he bent and pressed a kiss to her feet... then began moving upward. He went moving from feet to thighs...then between thighs.navel..belly her chest..he is kissing and Biting all over again..
Maya's fingers tightened in the bedsheet.
Her voice had already begun to change-softer, more fragile.
Atharva reached her face again and paused.
Then-
he switched on the white light above them.
A single focused beam fell only on the two of them.
The rest of the room remained in darkness.
Maya squinted slightly, turning her face.
"Turn off the lights... please."
Atharva's eyes darkened.
"No," he said quietly. "I want to watch you... every expression."
He brushed a soft kiss over her lips.
"When it hurts too much," he murmured near her mouth, voice dangerously low, "bite my lips... and use your nails on my back."
Maya said nothing.
Her silence was loud enough.
Atharva slowly lifted her legs onto his shoulders-
and in the next moment-
Maya's sharp cry tore out of her throat.
"Aaahh!"
Atharva's voice dropped, thick and rough.
"Scream more, biwi...Scream my name!"
Maya trembled_"It's... pain..paining..."
"I'll be gentle, my love," he breathed, moving closer. "Just a little more..."
Maya clutched him tightly, fingers digging into him as her breath came in broken gasps.
Atharva's lips hovered just over hers-
closer...
closer...
"Bite my lips." he said.
Maya's control finally snapped.
Because of the pain, her teeth sank into his lower lip, and her fingers clawed tightly into his back, nails digging deep into his skin.
Atharva only moved closer.
Closer.
Relentless.
For a long time, their lips remained locked together - breathless, desperate, consuming. Atharva continued what he had started, slow yet unyielding, while Maya's broken cries filled the dim room, his name falling from her lips again and again.
Eventually, Atharva pulled back.
His dark eyes settled on her face.
Maya's cheeks were flushed deep crimson, her chest rising and falling rapidly, breaths uneven and fragile.
After only a brief pause, Atharva leaned in again, claiming her with the same quiet intensity.
Again...
...and again...
Taking breaks only to return to her, as if he wasn't finished showing just how deeply she belonged to him.
-
Much later, Atharva finally glanced at his phone.
4:00 AM.
His gaze shifted back to Maya.
She was completely exhausted now.
Drained.
Fragile.
Atharva drew in a slow breath before pulling her gently into his arms. Their heartbeats echoed against each other in the quiet room.
His eyes held no sleep.
But Maya's were already closed.
For a long moment, he simply watched her face... memorizing every soft detail.
Then, softly-
"Maya?"
No response.
She was already asleep.
Something unreadable flickered in Atharva's eyes. He pressed a slow kiss to her forehead, pulled her closer into his chest...
...and finally let sleep take him too.
-
Next morning.
They were still tangled together, wrapped in each other's warmth, completely unaware of time passing.
It was already 10 AM.
The sudden ring of a phone broke the silence.
Atharva's eyes opened slowly.
Beside him, Maya stirred with a faint, tired groan and turned to the other side.
Atharva glanced at her once before picking up the call.
"Bhai! Everything okay? It's already 10 - you both didn't come downstairs. Should I send breakfast up?" Veer's voice came through.
Atharva's tone was calm, steady.
"Yes. Everything's fine. Send it to my room after an hour."
"Okay, bhai."
The call disconnected.
Atharva looked back at Maya.
She had curled herself tightly inside the blanket, as if trying to hide from the world.
A faint, knowing look crossed his face.
He slipped into his lower and walked into the bathroom, filling the bathtub with warm water before freshening up.
After a while, he stepped back out.
Quietly, he sat beside Maya and, with surprising gentleness, lifted her into his arms.
Maya's half-lidded eyes opened weakly, finding his face.
Without saying a word, Atharva carried her to the bathroom and carefully lowered her into the warm bathtub.
The moment the warm water touched her skin-
a soft breath left her lips.
Relief.
Pure relief.
As if the ache in her body was slowly melting away.
Maya closed her eyes, sinking into the warmth, while Atharva sat on the floor beside the tub, silently watching her.
Neither of them spoke.
Time simply... passed between them.
-
After a while, Maya's eyes fluttered open.
Atharva was still there.
Still watching.
A strange warmth settled in her chest - but the moment flashes of last night crossed her mind, her gaze immediately dropped.
Atharva leaned slightly forward.
"Feeling better?"
Maya gave a small nod.
Trying to steady herself, she moved to step out of the tub-
-and suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She was naked.
"M... my clothes!"
Atharva's lips curved faintly.
"Does it matter?"
Maya's voice came out small and hurried.
"Y-yes... please."
With an amused softness in his eyes, Atharva picked up a towel and handed it to her.
Maya quickly wrapped it around herself and carefully stepped out of the tub - but her legs trembled.
Walking straight was nearly impossible.
Atharva had expected it.
He hadn't moved an inch.
The moment she stumbled, his arm came around her waist, steady and firm, pulling her against him before properly wrapping the towel securely around her.
"Let me help you."
Maya couldn't bring herself to respond.
A few minutes later, after she freshened up, Atharva lifted her again - still wrapped in the towel - and carried her back to the bedroom.
He sat down on the couch with her still in his arms.
Maya sat quietly, eyes lowered, unable to meet his gaze.
Atharva watched her for a long moment... then slowly reached for the towel wrapped around her.
Maya's eyes widened.
"W-what are you doing? Still... you're not satisfied yet?"
Atharva's lips curved slightly.
"Nope. But don't worry... I'm not doing anything right now. I just want to look at your body once."
As he said it, he gently moved the towel aside.
Maya's gaze instinctively dropped to herself-
-and her breath hitched.
Her entire body was marked with Atharva's love bites, dark and possessive against her soft skin. Even now, faint blood stains had smeared onto Atharva's lower and the towel.
Maya__"Ah-shit! Let me wipe it..."
Before she could move, Atharva's hand closed firmly around her waist.
"It's okay."
Maya frowned, still unsettled.
"Why is it bleeding this much?"
Atharva only gave a calm, almost lazy smile.
"It will be fine."
Just then-
Knock. Knock.
Atharva gently seated Maya back onto the couch before walking to the door and opening it.
"Sir, your breakfast..."
"Okay. And change my bedsheet - I'll call you."
The servant nodded and left quietly.
Atharva placed the food on the table, then calmly served a plate and brought a spoon toward Maya's lips.
Maya_"I can eat by myself..."
Atharva _"Open your mouth, biwi."
This time, Maya didn't argue.
She quietly ate.
After a while, both of them finished breakfast. The room settled into a strange, heavy calm.
Atharva sat back on the couch with Maya still in his lap, scrolling through his phone, while Maya rested her head against his neck - quiet, subdued.
After some time, Maya went to the washroom. She was already feeling better now, and for once, Atharva didn't stop her.
A little later, freshly bathed, Maya stepped out and walked into the closet.
Atharva followed silently behind her.
Maya turned, slightly annoyed.
"What now?"
Atharva dropped casually onto the couch inside the closet.
"Nothing. What if you need something?"
Maya_"I won't. Now go from here."
"Nooo..." he stretched lazily. "Change... what difference does it make now? I've already tasted every inch of you."
The words hit her like a flash of last night.
Maya inhaled sharply, steadying herself.
"Are you leaving on your own... or should I push you out?"
Atharva chuckled softly.
"You couldn't even do that normally. Today you can barely walk.How would u do it biwi?"
Maya fell silent.
She quietly pulled out her clothes from the wardrobe... then started looking around, slightly restless.
Atharva's eyes narrowed knowingly.
"Sanitary pads?"
Maya froze, then gave a shy, embarrassed nod.
Atharva_"Right corner."
Her eyes widened.
"You kept that too?"
Atharva's voice softened - but the possessiveness didn't leave.
"My wife shouldn't lack anything."
Maya didn't reply.
She gathered what she needed, then spoke again, almost pleading now-
"Please go... please..."
Atharva leaned back comfortably.
"No."
Maya exhaled, frustrated.
"Fine. I'll go somewhere else."
Atharva's gaze darkened with quiet certainty.
"I'll come there too. Better to just change quietly."
At last, Maya gave up.
Without looking at him, she quietly put on her clothes while Atharva sat there comfortably, watching her - calm, unhurried, and completely focused on her every move.
After a while, Maya sat down on the chair and began dabbing concealer over the marks on her neck. The rest of the marks were already hidden beneath her clothes... only these remained.
Atharva leaned back lazily, one leg crossed over the other, one hand resting against his chin - staring at her without even blinking.
Maya got ready without meeting his eyes.
A few moments later, she picked up the hair dryer to dry her hair-
-but suddenly Atharva took it from her hand.
"Let me do it."
Maya blinked in surprise.
"What? You'll do it?"
Atharva didn't reply.
He simply stepped behind her and began drying her hair slowly... gently... his movements unexpectedly careful.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Maya's face.
For the first time, something Atharva did... felt nice.
But the very next second, flashes of the past returned-
-and the smile vanished.
Atharva noticed everything through the mirror... but said nothing.
After a while, he finished setting her hair and slowly turned her chair toward himself. Then he lowered himself onto his knees in front of her.
"So... how did I braid your hair?"
Maya tried to hide her smile.
"Mmm... it's nice."
Atharva narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What? What's the problem? It's fine."
Maya finally teased softly,
"Yes... just some hair is left out in the front, some at the back, and a few are stuck in the ribbon... but otherwise it's perfectly fine."
Atharva leaned forward as if to argue-
-but just then his phone rang.
As he stood up, he pointed lightly at her.
"I'll deal with you. Wait."
Maya smiled faintly and looked at herself in the mirror. Even though the braid was messy... she didn't fix it.
She was still tired.
Slowly, she walked out into the bedroom. Atharva was in the balcony, talking on the phone.
Maya glanced at him once... then quietly lay down on the couch.
She didn't even realize when sleep took over.
After some time, Atharva returned and saw her sleeping there, curled slightly into herself.
Without waking her, he placed a pillow beneath her head and covered her with a blanket... then went to shower.
A while later, fully ready, Atharva stepped out and called for the servants.
Within moments, they arrived.
"The bedsheet, blanket, and some clothes are in the washroom. Wash everything and change the bedsheet."
Both servants nodded.
Atharva then carefully lifted Maya into his arms.
"And bring some new pillows and blankets to the Green Room."
With that, he walked away.
The Green Room - as he called it - was filled entirely with plants. Lush greenery surrounded the space, and in the center was a wide couch that could also be used as a bed.
Atharva gently laid Maya down on it.
Just then, the servant arrived with pillows and blankets.
Atharva adjusted the pillow beneath Maya's head and covered her properly.
"Bring my phone, ma'am's phone... and my laptop too."
The servant nodded and left.
Atharva made sure Maya was fully covered. She remained completely unaware... sleeping peacefully through it all.
Soon the servant returned with the items, and along with another maid, they quietly began cleaning the room.
Atharva settled onto the other couch and immersed himself in work on his laptop. Minutes turned into quite some time, his focus unwavering.
Eventually, he rolled his neck slightly and glanced toward Maya.
She was still asleep.
Just then, Maya's phone started ringing.
Her eyebrows twitched faintly in her sleep.
Atharva quickly reached over and silenced the phone.
Maya shifted in her sleep, turning to the other side.
Atharva muttered under his breath, almost amused,
"Hey... where did you turn now..."
He looked around, then quietly picked up a small side table and moved it to the other side. Pulling the couch slightly closer, he positioned himself right in front of Maya's face again - as if keeping silent watch over her.
Then he resumed his work.
But the phone rang again.
Atharva exhaled sharply.
"Oh, come on..."
He quickly picked up the phone.
It was Anvi calling.
Atharva took a deep breath and walked a little distance away before answering.
"Hello."
Anvi_"Maya?"
Atharva__"No. Maya's husband."
There was a brief pause on the other side.
Anvi_"Oh- jiju! Why do you have my friend's phone? Where is she?"
Atharva_"She's sleeping."
"Sleeping? Now? Is she okay?"asked anvi
Atharva's voice turned calm but edged with warning.
"She's perfectly fine, saali sahiba. But if you try calling again and disturb my wife's sleep..."
His tone dipped colder.
"...I'll block you."
Anvi__"Arey but-"
The call had already been disconnected.
Atharva stood there for a moment, then returned to his laptop and worked for a while longer.
After some time, he finally shut it.
Then quietly, he lay down beside Maya and pulled her gently into his arms.
Within moments... he too drifted off to sleep.
What will happen next now? Will maya be able to take a stand for herself? Or will she accept him? ??