-12-
Jayasvi looked lost as she stared at the pages of her thick political science book.
A pout appeared on her lips as she noted down some information in her notebook.
Her eyes fell on her nails which were still adored with a beautiful nail art along with her mehendi.
She smiled at the beauty shaking her head quickly to concentrate on her book.
When she reached college she got to know the two classes for the day were canceled so she thought to act productive and study some more for the masters exam she would've to give at the end of the year.
She bit her lower lip as she reached to a point where she couldn't exactly understand what the statement meant.
She marked the statement before moving towards the computer lab in the library to get some information there.
Before that she thought to check the time.
It was 11.30. She realized two hours already passed maybe she could take a break now.
She turned to look at her phone to find any updates. She saw some messages from Raghav.
"You free, today?"
He send it one and half hour ago. She thought to answer the message but then remembered her mother's words.
She should maintain some distance from him now that the engagement is done so the marriage takes place without any problem.
She knew she can't express her feeling in a message since she was so bad at it, thereby she thought to call him right away.
She felt disappointed when he didn't pick up. She wanted to hear his voice so badly.
She fought with her mother two days ago, when she asked her to remove the engagement ring since it's dangerous to wear it here in Delhi. She can understand her worry, but that ring meant so much to her. Everytime she looked at it she found herself smiling stupidly thinking about her fiancé.
When she entered the college, she met some of her classmates who did question her about her getting absent suddenly.
They have already heard about her being involved with Raghav Hooda from Pooja.
Also they were seeing her so groomed up for the first time with her eyebrows done perfectly showing the perfect arch they made, the glow on her face, the bright henna in her hand reaching to her elbows and the way her nails were done so beautifully, they could understand what might have happened.
Much to Jayasvi's disappointment she came across to Pooja on her way as well who looked slightly taken aback when she saw her.
"Hey, nice to meet you", Jayasvi said looking at her.
She didn't want to have an enmity with her once good friend.
Pooja can think whatever trash she wants about her but much to her disappointment she couldn't think otherwise for her.
Her stupid heart would continue telling her once to talk to Pooja.
"You want to talk to me, Jayasvi. I am afraid Mr. Hooda would come after me if I somehow made you upset", Pooja spoke shaking her head. She hated her at the moment at how she brought another person in their conversation.
"See Pooja, I have nothing to explain to anyone.
All I know is even after whatever you do, I care for you.
The people you are staying with aren't the right people you should be around.
But again it's your life, your decision, I can just give you advice", Jayasvi spoke only to find Pooja smiling mockingly at her.
"But some people learn only after they fall so be it", Jayasvi completed which made Pooja agitated suddenly.
"Who do you think you are to talk to me that way? Look at how desperate you look since no body is ready to befriend you apart from me", Pooja hissed taking a step towards Jayasvi.
"Oh trust me after everything that you have done. I am thankful I am no one to you. And about the second part, yes I don't have any friends here since I don't wish to get betrayed again", Jayasvi spoke in a harsher tone this time her voice higher.
"Don't scream at me", Pooja hissed almost shouting which made Jayasvi flinch shivering slightly.
She could see students looking at their side.
After everything she endowed with her father, this was what she got as a result.
She would start shivering when anyone raise their voice at her and would never be able to answer back.
Jayasvi blinked her eyes to hide back her tears giving an ugly glare to Pooja moving past her.
Of course, she was the stupid one here who thought things could be better between them. She was such an idiot person.
Maybe Pooja was right she is just jealous that she found new friends while she can't even talk to anyone. It isn't Pooja's mistake to make friends so quickly.
Now here she was in the library drinking some water to calm her nerves after a long study session thinking about her conversation with Pooja when her phone started ringing.
She saw the caller name which made her smile.
It would sound stupid but she felt so shy to talk to him now.
Not because they are engaged but the way he touched.
For a long time, after she reached home she continued thinking if letting him kiss her was right but the way her heart was jumping in happiness, she concluded it was for the best. The dress in itself was so beautiful that she didn't want to remove it.
She never wanted that day to end since it was so dreamy.
She felt sad that now it was now a part of her memories.
"Ji", she whispered as she pick up the call. (Yes)
"I hope I am not disturbing you?", he spoke in his always calm voice. She blushed at his gentlemanly words.
"You can never disturb me", she spoke feeling more blush covering her cheeks as she smiled shyly even though she knew he couldn't see her.
"Glad to know that. What were you doing?", he spoke and she started narrating that how she came for classes and that got cancelled.
"So now I was stuck on a topic so thought to take a break before starting again", she spoke sighing slightly sitting at her place opening her book once again.
"Why don't you come here? I can help you", he spoke making her laugh. How will he explain her such a deep topic?
"Am I by any chance seeing you overestimating me?", she heard his deeper voice making her gulp. He knew how to play with his words and tone. Such a sharp man.
"I am not sir but the fact is the thing I am studying is pretty complex. I doubt you might not be able to explain me that", she spoke laughing softly teasing him slightly. She could see few heads turning her way which made her lower her voice.
"That I'll see. I'll be sending somebody to get you and before that I think we spoke about you calling me 'sir'. Let's see what we can do about it", he spoke his voice getting playful making her bite her lower lip trying to stop her smile but than she remembered her mother's word.
"But mumma said we shouldn't meet before marriage since it leads to disagreements and fights which might lead to problems in getting married", Jayasvi spoke scared of her mother's anger and of course whatever she was saying must be from experience.
"Jayasvi, every couple gets into their own kind of arguments and if it leads to breaking off of the marriage, it's better than an unhappy relationship", he spoke.
His words seem so deep to her yet so soft that every time she spoke with him she felt her heart melting.
She wanted to jump in happiness for finding a person like him.
About 15 minutes later, his chauffeur came to pick her up.
As she got into the car, she checked her appearance.
She was wearing a long floral white dress with full sleeves.
She tied her hair in a braid. She felt slightly uncomfortable.
His car looked so expensive that it somehow made her feel small.
She gulped down her saliva as they reached his office.
She was meeting him at his office for the first time.
As she got down, she was nervous to go inside. Soon she found a man moving towards her wearing a 3-piece black suit and black shades. His shoes were shining brightly. She felt so intimidated by him but the moment he reached her, he bowed down slightly wishing her curtly.
"Sir is waiting for you, ma'am", he spoke as he showed her the way to his office. She could see people around her working as he led her towards the elevator. Everything was so professional here.
Jayasvi held her bag close to herself feeling small with the amount of eyes she felt on herself.
Maybe she shouldn't have come here. She bit her lower lip still contemplating if she could run from here.
The man beside her knocked on the door before asking her to enter inside.
Shouldn't she let him answer first before getting inside.
What if she disturbed him in his work? What if he gets angry at her?
She hesitantly moved inside. She blinked slightly trying to control her nerves. The room was a mixture of grey and white with a huge window letting in so much of natural light inside. Her eyes fall on the elegant oak table in the room. But she couldn't find him anywhere. She frowned.
Soon she felt arms around her waist making her gasp. The bag she was holding fall down on the marble floor making a loud sound. Her palm ends up resting on the arms around her shivering slightly.
"You look beautiful", she heard him whispering pressing his nose in the crook of her neck making her shiver more.
Jayasvi felt her pulse quicken as Raghav's warm breath tickled her neck. Her mind raced, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through her.
"Thank you," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible. She felt his arms tighten around her waist, pulling her closer. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
"You don't need to be so nervous," he said softly, his lips brushing against her ear. "I'm just happy to see you."
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I... I was just surprised. I thought you'd be at your desk."
"I wanted to greet you properly," he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. He gently turned her around to face him, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Shall we sit down and go over that topic you're stuck on?"
Jayasvi nodded, her cheeks flushing. "Yes, please."
He led her to a plush leather sofa near the window, where the sunlight bathed the room in a warm glow. As they settled down, Raghav retrieved her book from her bag, flipping to the page she had marked.
"How is everyone at home?", she asked softly looking at him as he concentrated on the problem.
"They are great. Dadi really liked you. She can't stop praising papa for choosing you. Dhara gave me the idea of kidnapping you and marrying you. She wants you home as her official Bhabhi at any condition", Raghav spoke moving his concentration to Jayasvi. She turned crimson hearing his words.
"Kuch bhi", she spoke hitting his bicep hiding her face with her hands. (You are just saying anything)
He smirked at her reaction pulling her cheeks. She shivered at the touch before he started concentrating on the work.
He was looking into the problem when his eyes fall over her fingers which were beautifully adorned with henna. The colour was lighter than before but still looked beautiful. His eyes turned darker when he saw the engagement ring wasn't there on her ring finger.
He turned to her with a frown, his eyes flashing with anger. "Where's your engagement ring, Jayasvi?"
Jayasvi felt her heart drop. She had been dreading this moment but she thought he'll not notice. "I... I had to take it off," she stammered. "My mother was worried. It's so expensive, and traveling with it every day isn't safe."
Raghav's expression darkened further. "You took it off because it was expensive? Do you realize what that ring means?"
"I do, Raghav. It's just that Delhi isn't the safest place, and my mother—"
"Your mother," he interrupted, his voice cold. "Does she think our engagement is a joke? That ring is a symbol of our commitment."
Jayasvi felt tears prickling her eyes. "It's not like that. I love the ring, but—"
"Enough," he snapped, his voice harsh. "You think taking off that ring will keep you safe? You should know that you're safer with it on. It's a mark that you're mine."
She flinched at his words, his anger slicing through her like a knife. She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off again.
"You don't understand, Jayasvi. That ring is more than just jewellery. It's a promise, a vow. And you took it off like it meant nothing."
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling voice. "I'm sorry, Raghav. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll wear it when I'm with you, but during the day, it's just too risky."
He glared at her for a moment, his jaw clenched. Then, without a word, he stood up and walked over to his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small box. Returning to her, he opened it to reveal a delicate pearl and gold chain ring.
"If you can't wear the engagement ring," he said, his voice softer but still edged with frustration, "wear this. It's not as valuable, but it still shows you're committed to me."
Jayasvi's eyes widened at the sight of the ring. "Raghav, it's beautiful."
He took her hand and slipped the pearl ring onto her finger. "This way, you'll always have something from me with you," he said, his tone gentler now. "But Jayasvi, understand this—your safety is my responsibility. Trust me to protect you."
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I trust you, Raghav. Thank you."
But even as she thanked him, she could sense that his anger hadn't fully dissipated. His touch was tender, but his eyes still held a storm of emotions.
"You need to understand," he said, his voice low and intense. "Seeing you without that ring made me feel insecure. Like you were slipping away."
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "I'm here, with you."
He leaned closer, his breath warm against her face. "I can't lose you, Jayasvi."
"You won't," she promised, her voice trembling.
He searched her eyes for a moment, then, as if unable to hold back any longer, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
Jayasvi's mind went blank, overwhelmed by the intensity of his kiss.
She felt his desperation, his need to claim her, to make sure she was his and his alone.
The way he bit her lips pushing her on the sofa as he hovered over her made her feel breathless.
His tongue tracing her lips teasingly almost made her whine.
His hands tracing all over her back was making her melt in his arms.
She responded to his kiss slowly nowhere matching his intensity, her hands gripping his shoulders for support. The world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own universe. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless.
"I need you to understand something," Raghav said, his voice husky. "You're mine, Jayasvi. And I'm yours. Nothing will change that. Ever."
She nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. "I understand."
"Good," he said, his lips brushing against hers once more. "Because I don't want any doubts between us. Ever."
Jayasvi nodded again, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over her. Despite the intensity of his emotions, she knew that he cared deeply for her. And she was starting to realize that she felt the same way about him.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????