Chapter Sixteen
Author's POV
The morning sun peeked through the silk curtains, casting a soft golden hue across the lavish room. On the couch, curled beneath a thin sheet, Ria stirred.
Her muscles ached.
She sat up slowly, wincing. "Ugh... this couch is killing me," she murmured to herself, rubbing the back of her neck. Her eyes instinctively flicked to the bed.
Empty.
Of course.
As usual, he wasn't there. God knows what time that man wakes up, she thought, letting out a soft sigh.
Dragging herself up, she walked toward the bathroom.
A quick hot shower did little to ease the stiffness in her back, but it refreshed her spirit.
She emerged wearing a graceful dark blue embroidered anarkali suit - elegant yet modest, the kind she would've worn to college festivals.
Her long hair was neatly tied into a sleek braid, adorned at the end with a delicate hair accessory.
She picked up her silver jhumkas and clipped them on gently.
As she looked into the mirror, she paused.
With slow movement, she applied a faint line of sindoor at her hairline - it was tradition now, whether she liked it or not. Then, a quick swipe of tinted lip gloss. No foundation, no eyeliner.
Just the essentials.
And yet... she looked divine.
Today, she had an urge - a calling almost - to visit the temple. Back home, she never missed her morning prayers. It gave her peace. Strength. But ever since being dragged into this forced marriage, she hadn't stepped foot in a temple.
She missed that serenity.
Just as she turned to reach for her dupatta, the door burst open.
Aansh strode in, chest bare, sweat glistening on his sculpted torso, a towel carelessly thrown over his shoulder. His workout trousers hung low on his hips, exposing the taut muscles of his abdomen. He was a walking storm of heat and danger.
Ria's breath caught in her throat.
Her eyes widened unconsciously, lips parting slightly. This was the first time she had seen a man like this - half-naked, intense, unreal. God must've spent extra hours on him, she thought absently.
Aansh noticed her stare. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing.
"What the hell are you staring at?" he snapped, his voice sharp, dark, and laced with disdain.
Ria blinked rapidly, startled. "N-nothing!" she stammered and quickly shut her eyes, embarrassed.
She turned, meaning to flee the room, but her heel got caught on her dupatta. Time seemed to slow as she stumbled forward, her body pitched for the fall. Her eyes shut instinctively-
-but she never hit the ground.
Strong arms wrapped tightly around her tiny waist, halting her steady. She opened her eyes slowly... and found herself inches from him.
Aansh's arms were firm around her, their bodies impossibly close.
Their eyes locked - her warm brown ones, wide with shock, met his icy blue gaze, unreadable, cold, yet burning. For a moment, the world blurred. All she could hear was the furious thudding of her heart.
Her breath hitched. His scent - faint musk with a hint of sandalwood and sweat - surrounded her. She tried to read his expression, but his face was a blank slate. No emotion. No flicker.
Perfectly unreadable.
Aansh, on the other hand, was battling something strange. That jasmine scent - the one he usually hated - but it felt different today. On her, it was.... something else. Dangerous.
They lingered like that for seconds that felt like hours.
And then - coldly, abruptly - he let go.
Ria stumbled back slightly, steadying herself, cheeks flushed in every shade of red.
Without a word, she darted out of the room, heart racing.
---
She stopped near the stairs, placing a hand on the banister to catch her breath. Her thoughts were a whirlwind.
"Bhabhi?"
She turned and saw Rahul holding a protein shake, his brow furrowed.
"You okay? You look like you saw a ghost. Your whole face is flushed."
Ria struggled to find words. "I-I... I'm just busy. I'll talk to you later," she muttered and dashed down the stairs.
---
In the kitchen, the aroma of boiled milk and cardamom wafted through the air. A maid was stirring a pan.
"Who is that for?" Ria asked softly.
"For Pratap Sahab," the maid replied.
"I'll take it," Ria said with a warm smile.
The maid blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Of course, Ma'am."
Ria carried the steel cup carefully upstairs and knocked gently on Dadaji's door.
"Come in," came his warm voice.
She entered with a respectful "Good morning, Dadaji," and touched his feet. He smiled, instantly lighting up.
"Good morning, beta. Stay blessed."
"I brought your milk, and I'm not leaving until you finish it," she said playfully, placing it in front of him.
He chuckled like a child caught red-handed. "Did someone tell you I don't drink it?"
"Yes," she laughed. "I heard you give everyone a hard time."
He rolled his eyes dramatically but began sipping. Ria sat with him, and to her delight - he finished it completely.
She grinned. "See? That wasn't so bad."
"Only because you sat here like a little warden," he teased.
"I'll be back every morning," she said, turning to leave. But before exiting, she stopped at the door. "Dadaji, I... I want to visit the temple today. Can I go?"
"Of course, my dear. Go with my blessings."
"Thank you, Dadaji," she smiled brightly.
---
Back in the kitchen, the maids watched in disbelief as Ria returned the empty milk cup. They were used to full leftovers, but none dared comment - not when it was the new Rathore bride.
Ria then returned to her room, picking up her small purse from the closet.
Just as she turned, she saw Aansh - fully dressed in a crisp black three-piece suit.
Does this man not own other colors? she thought but quickly ignored the thought.
She grabbed her purse and walked out, not sparing him a glance.
---
As she neared the main entrance, ready to take a cab to the temple and indulge in some street food after praying, she heard a voice.
"Wait."
She turned.
Dadaji was approaching her.
"Yes, Dadaji?" she asked softly.
"My dear, let Aansh drop you to the temple."
Her heart dropped.
Aansh? Seriously? That man will ruin my peace.
"Dadaji, I can go alone. Why disturb him? I'll take a cab."
"Busy or not, he'll drop you," Dadaji insisted.
Before she could protest more, Aansh appeared beside them, having just come downstairs. He bent to touch his grandfather's feet.
"Drop Ria to the temple," Pratap said calmly.
Aansh scowled. "Can't she take the driver? Why should i do it?"
"Because she's your wife. And I said so."
Aansh gave Ria a deadly glance and muttered, "One minute."
He stormed toward the car.
Ria hugged Dadaji quickly and ran after him before he left without her. She reached the car and opened the back door, but his voice stopped her.
"I'm not your fucking driver."
She glared and slammed the door shut, moving to the passenger seat.
"Seat belt," he barked.
Does he ever speak like a normal human? she thought while buckling in.
The drive was painfully silent. She fiddled with her dupatta while he drove like a man possessed.
When they reached the temple, he didn't even look at her.
"Hurry up. I don't have all day."
She didn't reply.
Ria stepped out, removed her heels, and walked barefoot up the temple stairs. Once inside, she covered her head with her dupatta and rang the bell gently.
"God, I know you dont put people in situation without a plan... but give me courage to endure this. Help me stay strong in this marriage. And please... protect my family. Keep them safe. That's all I ask."
After her prayer, the priest offered her an offering and she accepted the offering and blessing with a grateful heart. She merged down the staircase and put on her heels.
---
Outside, Aansh was still in the car, glued to his phone.
Ria took the chance.
She ran across the street like a child, giggling quietly to herself, and reached a stall selling pani puri, samosas, and jalebis. She ordered one plate after another, stuffing her face like a college girl on a break.
Meanwhile, in the car, Aansh frowned.
What's taking her so long?
He glanced at the side mirror.
There she was - devouring food and stuffing her face.
His blood boiled.
He stepped out and strode toward her, fury in every step. Ria was mid-bite when she felt herself yanked by the arm.
"Hey-!" she started, but stopped the moment she saw who it was.
Aansh.
"I-I was just-" she tried, but he cut her off.
"Keep quiet."
He shoved money at the vendor, pulled her toward the car, and flung open the door.
She stumbled in, heart pounding. He entered, slammed the door, and took off - driving like a man chased by demons which scared her alot.
In just a few short minutes, they reached the gates of the Rathore mansion.
He didn't wait.
He stopped just long enough for her to get out before speeding off.
Ria stomped her foot and muttered, "Yeh aadmi ek din mujhe pagal kar dega..."
(This man will drive me mad one day...)
And with that, she adjusted her dupatta, lifted her chin, and walked toward the mansion.
---
What do u think so far????