-31-
The moment she stepped out of the warm embrace of the car, the dry cold winds hitting her face at once making her tremble for a moment pulling her shawl closer to herself digging her hand in the pocket of her long winter coat.
The day was going so perfect why did he have to call her here so abruptly.
She exhaled a long breath moving in the hotel entrance.
A breath of relief left her feeling the warmer environment inside giving her a relief from the harsh cold outside.
Her gaze followed the luxurious interior of the hotel, her heels coming in contact with the expensive marble flooring.
This was a new place for her. The earlier meetings they had were at a complete different location.
People around were dressed impeccably. She felt self conscious for a moment with the sense of power this place had.
She let out a deep breath walking inside hoping to get a glance of Raghav so she wouldn't have to call him.
Her eyes traced the expensive interior, the perfectly designed comfy lobby, the vast chandeliers, the white walls and the high standing ceilings. Her steps took her deeper in this almost magical space oozing the power she only read about in her academia books.
She finally found him speaking to a middle aged man looking through some files. He gave a curt nod to the old man before moving further only for a young woman to stumble into him dropping her bag on the floor.
But what added to the deep frown on Jayasvi's face was when he bend down to pick up the bag for the young woman.
Her eyes narrowed at the scene noticing how the woman blushed crimson with the attention saying a quick thanks smiling sweetly.
The young beauty was ready to start a conversation with him any moment when she noticed Raghav's eyes behind her.
When she turned around she came across to Jayasvi.
Jayasvi tilted her head to the side trying to contemplate the intention of the girl only for her to excuse herself abruptly seeing how she no longer held Raghav's attention.
Now, it was just the both of them in the lively lobby of this prefectural masterpiece.
Raghav didn't wait another moment before approaching her.
For once, Jayasvi seemed different to him.
The way her gaze bore in his, it was almost challenging and the next moment she dropped down her handbag yet didn't make any gesture to pick it up.
Her eyes still gazed in his before motioning towards the bag. He was confused for a moment. What did she mean by that? Without giving it a thought, he went down picking up the purse for her giving it in her hand. But the next moment, she dropped it again looking in his eyes.
"Oops", she almost spoke mockingly raising her eyebrow almost challengingly.
What was this girl up to? He wondered picking up the bag for her again.
And the next moment, she dropped it again smiling almost apologetically at him but he could read the menace in her eyes.
His hand fisted the next moment, he could feel the staff and guests staring at him now.
He cursed under his breath before picking up her purse.
This time he didn't hand it back to her but rather hold it himself moving in the direction of the elevator.
It was a silent message for her to follow.
Jayasvi didn't throw any tantrum to it silently following him. Her hands fisted with anger and frustration but she didn't voice it out. Yet.
The moment they reached to his suite. He dropped her bag on the coffee table sitting across her leaning back in his leather couch. She settle back at her place without making a movement to start a conversation.
"It took you longer than I anticipated", he voiced out.
"Actually I came across to a stupid, idiotic, dumbass, dimwit moron.
He seemed to be having a lot of fun catering to the needs of other women so I was just enjoying the show he was presenting being the gentleman", she commented passing him a tight smile sitting right on the edge of her chair wishing to scratch his face any moment.
He let out a low whistle, a smirk making it's way on his lips.
"Somebody seems jealous", he stated like the most obvious fact.
"Jealous and me? Oh please. Keep dreaming. There was nothing for me to be jealous about", she let out a scoff almost dramatically. He was actually a moron. She confirmed in her head.
"I heard you went to see my father. How did it go?", he stated changing the fact pouring himself a glass of water.
"Raghav Hooda, what do you think? If you'll talk in circles, I'll forget what you did?
", she spat out, her voice raising with every word she spouted out at him.
Her body was trembling with the anger burning in her veins.
And that stupid smirk on his face did nothing but add more air to her aggression.
"Come again? I thought you'll be glad having the marriage pushed forward", he spoke in a feign innocence when they both knew it was a mockery at her expense.
"What did you think, hmm Raghav? Bohot achhi harqat kari hai tumne?
", she growled slapping her hands on the coffee table almost ready to thrash something now.
She was done acting like his pet. She has tried everything with him.
Kindness, love, discussion-- nothing worked with how hardheaded he is. (You did a good job?)
She felt her body was on fire with all the belligerence growing inside her subjected to him.
"And yet you agreed to take the job under my father", he stated as a matter of fact. A mocking grin spreading on his lips.
"Come on, princess, you think you scare me? If anything it is cute"
"Don't princess me again. And what about working under your father?
Why should I deny to that? If you are marrying me just because you think I am yours, why shouldn't I take advantage of the opportunity", she threw back fisting her hands.
She didn't feel a cent of regret at agreeing to the job.
She would do anything to prevent being his shadow. She had her own identity.
"You are transforming this marriage into a war", he commented with a chill of calmness. She didn't flinch neither blinked for a long time.
"You transformed a pious bond of togetherness into ownership so why can't I change the terms so it could be advantageous for me", she threw back with a sense of calmness this time after calming her self after a long pause.
His hand went back in the inside of his jacket pulling out a card pushing it towards her side.
She met his gaze challengingly waiting for him to explain what this was supposed to mean. "This card has an unlimited access. You'll be my wife. Enjoy the benevolence. You don't have to work or tire yourself", he spoke almost challengingly waiting for her next step.
Jayasvi trailed her eyes sharply on the card before she took it. Her eyes glaring into the small piece inspecting it closely.
"So you agree?", he asked even though it was clear. She had accepted the card. Her eyes raised up to meet his but this time it was her chance to smirk at him.
"Yes but again as I said it is on my terms. I don't need anyone's kindness but as you said since you are going to be my husband, it's your responsibility to worry about my expenses but that in no way mean I won't work and I won't earn", she stated her conditions clearly.
"So you are playing the longer game", he affirmed her point letting out an exhale with a smirk forming on his face again.
"Since you can't give me the marriage I wanted. This is the least repayment you can do to me", she explained even though it wasn't important for her anymore.
"You are getting in this marriage considering my bank balance", he let out in a voice of mockery but the roughness on the edge was still easily comprehendable.
"Wasn't it what you intended this marriage to turn out to be?
You claiming me in front of the world. I begged you to break the engagement but you pushed for the marriage to happen earlier.
You think my life is some joke where you can play around anytime you wish.
I am warning you, Raghav. There is still time for the marriage to take place. .."
"I would never bow to you", she stated her words leaning upon the coffee table looking in his eyes daring him to reject her words.
"Fine as long as you agree to be my wife and the daughter-in-law of Hooda family.
I was just trying to help you by having you stay at home.
But no you wanted a fight for your life.
So be it. It's not like I am some poor brat who can't bear his wife's expenses.
Money isn't an issue. If you want to take a difficult path-- so be it", he spoke calmly sipping on the water he just poured in the glass.
Jayasvi stared at his face trying to look for any kind of challenge or promise for a future destruction but she found none.
"Anyways, it's better you work with my father. I won't have to worry about your security in that case", he declared after a long pause.
"Do you really think Rishabh and Dhara are done for good? Because I have seen Rishabh chatting with her yesterday", Jayasvi revealed as per her observation. A frown marked Raghav's face at those words.
"When did you notice that and why am I only getting to know it today", he questioned his voice dropping dramatically, his grip on the glass increasing by every second.
"Because you are too involved with your own world.
They have played enough with my life and so have you.
One person does get careful after so many betrayals from people who claim to care so much", the casualness in her voice made the silence feel more tangible.
The temperature dropped dramatically yet no one moved to break the heaviness for a long time.
"Jayasvi, you like it or not, this marriage is bound to happen.
It's no longer dependent upon Rishabh and Dhara's relationship.
I am so done with their tactics. If they want to continue with their reconciliation.
They can do their part but I am not letting you go, not anymore.
This marriage is going to take place, the way it was supposed to be", he asserted his decision.
Her eyes flashed with anger sensing the command in his voice.
"Don't you dare throw a command in my direction, Raghav Hooda.
I was listening to your bullshit from a long time in the hope of saving whatever we had.
But now that I am sure, what this is about, I am not going to let you boss me around", she spoke leaning back in her place. Her hands still fisted over her lap.
He stared at her for a long time before sliding the glass in her direction.
"You must have gotten tired acting all tough. Drink some and we could continue this conversation", he suggested raising his eyebrow as if challenging her to say no. He was still testing the water, testing how far he could take her without her breaking.
Her nose flared noticing the mocking challenge in his posture clutching the glass before throwing it on the wall behind him, missing his head with just few centimeters.
He didn't even flinch but he had a clarity in his mind.
She was pissed. Actually pissed was an understatement. She was burning in the fire of revenge.
She has really turned into a fireball. Her temper raising in seconds with just few pushes.
And he was enjoying it more than he wanted to accept.
It was a new side of her that she showed to him.
It was like this beautiful woman sitting in front of him had too many personalities living inside her.
It gave him a sense of endowment when he unraveled a new more complex layer in her.
She was truly a masterpiece even when she claimed to be a quotidian existence.