Chapter Twenty Nine
Author's POV
For days, Ria had lived like a shadow in the Rathore mansion.
She had found ways to slip past Aansh's presence - sleeping earlier than anyone else, waking before dawn, and getting ready quietly in one of the guest rooms. She walked on eggshells, her every breath measured, her every step muffled.
Outwardly, she looked calm, but deep down she knew the truth: she could avoid him for a day, maybe for a week, but not forever.
Sooner or later, she would have to face the storm again.
That storm arrived sooner than she expected.
Ria was quietly folding clothes in her room when a maid knocked gently on her door.
"Ma'am, Dadaji wants to see you," the maid said, her tone respectful yet hurried.
Ria blinked, her hands frozen mid-fold, her heart stumbling in her chest. Dadaji never called her without reason. What could it be now? Nodding silently, she put the half-folded dupatta aside and followed the maid's words.
Her feet dragged with every step, as though some part of her body already knew the weight of what was coming. She reached the large wooden door, knocked softly, and heard his warm, aged voice:
"Come in."
The moment she pushed the door open, her throat ran dry.
Dadaji sat in his armchair, calm and composed, his wise eyes watching her. But he was not alone. Aavyan leaned casually near the window, expression unreadable. And then there was Aansh.
Aansh sat on the opposite side, his tall frame relaxed yet radiating something sharp, dangerous.
His head was bent, his thumb moving slowly over his phone screen as though he didn't notice her.
But Ria's body reacted instantly - her pulse raced, her breath caught, her palms grew clammy.
She had spent days avoiding his gaze, and now fate placed her right in front of him.
She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to remain steady.
"Yes, Dadaji... you called me."
"Come sit, beti," Dadaji said, his voice carrying the warmth she craved in this cold prison of a mansion.
Ria walked slowly and sat on the large couch. She could feel her skin prickle as if invisible eyes were piercing through her, yet Aansh never lifted his gaze from his phone. His jawline was sharp, clenched, and that was enough to make fear crawl down her spine.
Dadaji didn't waste time. "Beti, I want you to go on a business trip with your husband."
The words slammed into her like a wave of cold water. Ria's eyes widened, her lips parting, but no sound came at first. A trip? With him? Alone? Her heart thudded violently against her ribs.
No. No, she couldn't.
Her mind screamed.
"No way," her thoughts scolded. She tried to compose herself, her voice trembling but still laced with forced calm.
"Dadaji... what will I do on a business trip? I mean... can't he go alone? I would just get bored."
Her voice cracked faintly at the end, betraying her desperation.
But Dadaji's smile was patient, almost indulgent, like he already expected her hesitation.
"Beti, you should go with your husband. And since the two of you didn't have a honeymoon, this could also be your honeymoon."
Ria's entire body stiffened at the word. Honeymoon. The word that should have carried dreams, laughter, love - for her, it only carried dread. She wanted the ground beneath her feet to open up and swallow her whole.
Her wide eyes darted instinctively toward Aansh, praying, begging silently that he would object. That he would say he didn't want her there, that she was a burden, that she didn't belong. Anything. But the moment her eyes landed on him, her soul froze.
He was already staring at her.
Not just staring. His gaze was a blade, dark and murderous. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked as though he was restraining the urge to snap. His eyes held no mercy, only fire - the kind that burned without leaving room for air.
Ria shivered visibly under that gaze, her heart clawing against her chest.
"But-" she tried to speak, but Dadaji cut her off firmly.
"No buts, Ria. Now go back. You will be leaving in the evening."
It was final. Irreversible.
Ria lowered her head and nodded, her throat burning as she stood up and excused herself. She walked back slowly, her mind spiraling. Every step toward her room felt like she was walking into the jaws of a lion.
Her thoughts tangled into each other, half-prayers, half-denials.
He can't do anything to me, right? He won't... right?
But the deeper she dug into her own heart, the clearer the truth became. This trip would change something. And not for the better.
Inside her room, Ria sat on the couch staring at the empty suitcase in front of her.
Her hands trembled as she tried to pack not knowing where she was even going, she was slipping folded clothes inside without even seeing them.
Tears welled up, hot and uncontrollable, blurring her vision.
She didn't even know why she was crying - all she knew was that something in her heart rebelled against this.
She didn't want to go. She didn't want to face him.
After hours of sitting in dread, calculating impossible ways of avoiding the trip, Ria forced herself to shower. The water was warm, but it did little to ease the weight pressing on her chest. Her body felt heavier when she stepped out.
She opened her closet and, after hesitating for long minutes, pulled out a simple yet beautiful outfit: a soft sky-blue kurti paired with dark jeans, the kind of attire that was modest yet elegant, her reflection carrying the quiet grace of her culture.
At the mirror, she hesitated before reaching for the kohl.
She rarely applied it - usually, gloss alone was enough for her, her natural beauty never needing effort.
But today, she wanted something, anything, to feel alive.
With careful fingers, she lined her eyes, the black deepening the pain that already lingered there.
She reached for her strawberry lip gloss and applied it, the sweet scent tugging at faint, forgotten memories of girlhood.
Finally, she braided her hair loosely to the side, a soft, feminine style that contrasted her turmoil inside.
When she was done, she sat again, suitcase ready but her heart heavy. That's when the door opened, and Avantika, Ishita, and Kritika entered, their smiles lighting up the space.
"Bhabhi," Kritika said with a grin, "we have a present for you."
Ria blinked, confused. "What is it?"
They giggled, almost mischievously, and pulled out a bag they'd hidden behind them. They pressed it into her hands. "Open it!"
Her brows furrowed, but she carefully peeked inside. Her breath caught.
It was a very short, lacy black nightdress - scandalous, intimate, something she'd only seen on television. Her cheeks burned instantly. Why would they gift her this? Ria never even imagined herself wearing such outfit, not even for herself.
Before she could ask, Avantika laughed softly.
"Ria, this is just a simple gift. Wear this on your trip with Aansh."
Her heart stuttered. No. Never. Not for herself, not for him. Her lips parted, but words failed.
She managed a weak, awkward, "Thanks."
Ishita, with playful boldness, grabbed the nightdress and tucked it into Ria's suitcase herself.
"There, Bhabhi. I kept it for you in case you forgot."
Ria's hands shook as she tried to form a protest, but at that exact moment, a maid appeared at the door.
"Ma'am, sir is waiting for you."
The words fell like iron chains.
Ria froze. Her stomach turned, her skin grew clammy, her eyes blinked rapidly to hold back tears. Waiting for her. He was waiting.
She hugged the girls quickly, tightly, as though trying to take their warmth with her. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "I'll miss you."
With one last look, she stepped out. Her suitcase was already taken to the car.
Before leaving, she went to Dadaji's room and bent down to take his blessings. His hand rested gently on her head, warm and grounding.
"Be strong, beti," he said softly.
But strength was the one thing she felt slipping further and further away.
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What will happen on this trip, vote and comment to find out.