8.
All the ladies of the Kaalver family sit inside Gauri’s room. Soft laughter and low chatter fill the air as they talk about yesterday’s party. The women look relaxed, settled comfortably on the bed and sofas.
“But bhabhi, bhai gifted you a necklace last week” Kavita says with a soft smile on her face. Neelam blinks her eyes at the sudden mention and swallows slowly, her fingers tightening in her lap for a moment.
“Yes but that necklace was not expensive” Neelam says quietly. Her voice is calm but there is a slight defensiveness in it.
Pallavi and Kavita exchange glances and shake their heads together.
“By the way, Pallavi, did you talk to Zayran about marriage?” Neelam asks casually, though her eyes are sharp.
Everyone turns to look at Pallavi, who is knitting a tiny T-shirt. Her movements pause for a second.
“Bhabhi, we all know that he will never marry her” Pallavi says calmly. There is no hesitation in her voice. Neelam’s lips curve into a small smile, satisfaction flickering briefly in her eyes.
“Pallavi, you are his mother. Make him understand that marrying Liyara will be the best decision of his life” Gauri finally says. Her voice is firm. Pallavi looks up from the T-shirt.
“He is old enough, maa, to take his own decisions” Pallavi replies. She looks back down and continues work.
“Pallavi, mark my words. Zayran will never find a girl as good as Liyara” Gauri says with certainty. Pallavi does not respond verbally this time. She only nods her head once.
“He is doing nothing other than killing and robbery. If he marries Liyara, she will change him into a good man” Neelam says. Pallavi and Kavita chuckle softly at her words, carrying a hint of irony rather than humor.
“Bhabhi, when our house burnt a few years ago and we had nowhere to go, we came and started living in the house of the same man who is doing nothing other than killing and robbery” Pallavi says calmly. Neelam clenches her fist slowly, her jaw tightening as the words hit her.
“Yes, bhabhi is right. Zayran did not think twice back then and even till now, our husbands have not given a single penny to this house for anything” Kavita adds. She stands up from her seat while speaking, her expression serious and honest, as if stating facts that can no longer be ignored.
“Ye sab baatein jaane do” Neelam says abruptly. Her voice is sharp with irritation as she gets up from her place and walks out of the room without looking back.
(Leave all these talks)
Gauri lies down on the bed slowly, exhaustion visible on her face. She closes her eyes as if the discussion has drained all her energy. Pallavi and Kavita exchange a brief look, then shake their heads quietly and walk out of the room together.
“Kavita, I have bought a Protective thread from the mandir. Please tie it around his wrist” Pallavi says softly while walking beside her. Kavita nods her head with a small smile, acknowledging her request.
In Zayran’s room
He sits in front of the screen, his posture relaxed. His fingers move fast and effortlessly over the keyboard. Looking at his calm face, no one can tell that he is planning something terrible at that very moment.
His eyes shift towards the balcony from time to time. Outside, Sita quietly replaces the flower pots in the balcony.
A knock sounds on the door and Zayran immediately shuts the screen, turning his chair towards the door.
Kavita walks inside the room. She looks at him and smiles widely, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.
“Are you busy?” she asks softly. Instead of replying, he walks towards the bed and lies down casually, one arm resting behind his head. Kavita chuckles at his silent answer. He does not talk much to her but his actions clearly show how much respect he has for her.
She sits down beside him and he gently places his head on her lap. Kavita starts running her fingers through his long hair slowly and lovingly. The moment her fingers touch his hair, his eyes close instantly.
“Why didn’t you come down for breakfast?” she asks in a gentle tone, her fingers still moving through his hair.
“Sleeping” he replies simply, tapping his fingers slowly on his stomach, as if that explains everything.
“Zakhm kaisa hai ab?” she asks with concern, making him open his eyes slowly.
(How is the wound now?)
“Kis wale ki baat kar rahi hain aap?” he asks calmly. His words make her fall silent, her lips pressing together as she decides not to say anything further.
(Which one are you talking about?)
“Zayran, please tie this around your wrist” she says softly, taking out the thread. He slowly lifts his head from her lap and sits up, his eyes moving towards the thread in her hand.
“Ye kaam tab tak nahi karega jab tak ise pehne wale ko is par poora bharosa na ho aur mujhe is par bilkul bharosa nahi hai, chachi” he says firmly. His words make her sigh deeply as she puts the thread back, knowing very well that he will not listen to her.
(This works only when the one wearing it has complete faith in it and I have no faith in it at all, chachi)
“I’m sending breakfast. Eat it and I will not listen to you” she says strictly while getting up from the bed.
“Listen” she calls out to Sita. Sita immediately comes inside the room, mud still in her hands, waiting for further instructions.
“Come with me and bring his breakfast” Kavita says calmly. Sita nods her head and walks behind her quietly.
Zayran’s eyes do not miss the way Sita looks today. Something about her seems different and he notices it without saying a word.
“Are you new here?” Kavita asks while arranging plates for Zayran. Sita nods her head again, standing at the corner with her hands folded.
“What is your name?” Kavita asks again, looking at her properly this time.
“Sita” she replies softly, her voice low.
“Oh, so you are Sita. Ishita told me about you, that you are funny and cute” Kavita says with a wide smile on her face. Sita smiles awkwardly not knowing how to react to the sudden praise.
“Take this” Kavita says once everything is ready. Sita smiles politely and takes the tray in her hands, then starts walking upstairs towards his room.
Her steps are slow. She feels scared and sad because of last night. The head maid had shouted at her badly for going near Zayran and those harsh words still echo in her mind.
“My motive is to stay away from him as much as possible because I can’t bear everyone calling me with cheap names” she tells herself while walking through the corridor.
Her grip on the tray tightens slightly. She stops in front of the door, takes a deep breath, knocks softly and then enters the room.
“But Tara, main to bas apna kaam karti hoon aur ye head maid aur ye Liyara-chiyara mile hue hain dono” I say to Tara. My voice carries frustration and helplessness. Tara is sitting behind me, gently massaging my scalp because my head is hurting badly.
(But Tara, I only do my work and this head maid and that Liyara, are both involved together)
“I know. Liyara doesn’t want any girl, not even a helper, near him. That’s why she told the head maid to never let anyone go near him” she says calmly. Her words clear my doubts.
She was shouting at me yesterday because I was about to fall and he held me. Because of that, she called me such cheap names. And trust me, if she does something like that again....
“Then you’ll cry instead of slapping her hard. What else?” my subconscious says sarcastically, making me shut my mouth.
“I don’t know why everyone is after my baby,” Tara says softly and kisses my head with affection. Her words make a small smile appear on my face despite everything.
“Koi mamuli ladki nahi hoon main, is liye to saara zamaana peeche hai mere” I say dramatically. Tara bursts into laughter and hits me harder than necessary, making me wince.
(I’m not an ordinary girl, that’s why the whole world is after me)
Suddenly, something clicks in my mind and my smile fades. “Ek minute, ek minute. Kal tum us aadmi ko kyun taad rahi thi?” I ask suspiciously.
I narrow my eyes at her because I clearly saw her admiring a man for a full forty seconds and that too without my permission.
(Wait a minute, wait a minute. Why were you staring at that man yesterday?)
“Sita, chal so ja… lalla lalla lori, doodh ki katori…” she starts saying nonsense while patting my head or rather, hitting my head. Her dramatic act makes me sit up suddenly and look at her with a serious face.
(Sita, go to sleep… Twinkle twinkle little sta…)
“Mere aage jhuk kar rehna hoga aur agar mujhse kuch chhupane ki koshish ki to” I say firmly while getting up from the bed. I place my hands on my waist, trying to look intimidating.
(You’ll have to stay obedient in front of me and if you try to hide anything from me…)
“To?” she asks, looking at me with a scared expression, her eyes widening slightly.
“To main direct us aadmi se hi jaa kar pooch loongi” I say confidently. The moment the words leave my mouth, her eyes widen in shock.
(Then I’ll directly go and ask that man himself)
“Please, please tell me na” I say again, my tone turning soft. I sit in front of her and hold her hand gently.
She looks down, avoiding my eyes, and sighs slowly, as if gathering courage.
“He is Zayran sir’s secretary and right hand” she finally says. Her voice is low but clear. My eyes widen instantly at her words.
“That Grover?” I ask in disbelief. She nods her head slowly and a shy smile appears on her face.
“I’m in love with him for more than six months now but…” she says, then stops midway. Her smile fades and the hurt on her face becomes clearly visible.
“But?” I ask softly, fear creeping into my voice.
“I told him about my feelings long ago, though I was really scared of him at that time. He didn’t say anything but his eyes… they were clear, Sita. He also has something for me, even if it’s little but it’s there” she says and pauses again, her eyes turning moist.
“He accepted you?” I ask carefully. She shakes her head slowly. Her answer makes me stay still for a moment, my heart sinking.
“He just said that he is not the one for me and that he is not made for relationships and all these things. After that, till now, we never talked. I never forced him nor I try to approach him again because I don’t want to force my feelings on him.
And I can understand his perspective too” she says quietly.
Her words make me smile sadly. She is so understanding, and so pure.
“Tara, mujhe andar se aisi feeling aati hai ki Kanha ne tumhare liye kuch bahut achha soch kar rakha hai” I say honestly. My voice is soft but full of belief. She smiles while looking at me, her eyes shining for a moment.
(Tara, I feel from inside that Kanha has planned something very good for you)
“Let’s sleep. We have to wake up early in the morning” she says calmly. She lies down on the bed and pulls the blanket over herself. I walk towards the bed too but my eyes suddenly fall on the empty water bottle lying nearby.
“Main paani lekar aati hoon” I say and start walking out of the room.
Before I can take more than a few steps, she jumps out of the bed and starts walking with me. I give her a side eye.
“Saath saath jaayenge paani laane” she says with a grin. Her playful tone makes me give her a thumka and she laughs quietly.
(We’ll go together to get water)
We both suddenly stop near the stairs as the sound of something falling echoes from upstairs.
“What is this noise?” we both say together, our voices low and alert.
“Let’s check” we again say together and slowly walk ahead. My eyes move towards the living room and that’s when I see him.
He is walking upstairs. But what makes my breath get stuck is his white shirt, now stained red. My grip tightens on my dress as I look at his condition, fear crawling up my spine.
“Let’s go, Sita” Tara says, her voice filled with fear. We turn around to go downstairs but...
“Come to the room” his voice echoes slightly in the silent mansion.
I stop instantly and slowly turn my head towards him. He is looking straight at me. My body shivers under his gaze, especially after seeing his injured state.
“Itni raat gaye ek akeli ladki ko kyun bula raha hai ye apne room mein?” I say while covering my chest.
(Why is he calling a lonely girl to his room so late at night?)
Tara immediately hits me, clearly annoyed by my timing.
“He must be calling you to treat his wound” she says logically. I immediately make a face, clearly not liking that idea.
“You go, I’m coming” I say when I notice him looking at me again.
“Come fast” she says and squeezes my hand gently. I nod my head and start walking fast towards his room, my heart beating loudly in my chest.
“Kanha, kuch aisa waisa hua na mere saath to… bas samajh lo” I whisper while walking, talking to Kanha in my head.
(Kanha, if something bad happens to me, then… just understand)
“Tumhare saath koi kuch kar de, aisa koi paida hi nahi hua hai, sakhi” Kanha replies. I nod proudly not understanding his sarcasm at all.
(There is no one born who can do anything to you, friend)
Let’s be honest, I am scared. It is 11 at night and he is calling me to his room. I take a deep breath and enter inside. He is already lying on the bed. He has also changed his clothes. Now he is wearing black track pants and a black banyan, I mean a vest.
“Kya main itni slow hoon ki inhone kapde bhi change kar liye? Par main to tez chalti hun” I think to myself.
(Am I so slow that he even changed his clothes? But I walk fast)
“Tez bas teri zubaan hai aur baaki sab slow hai” my subconscious says, making me glare at him inside my head by rolling my eyes.
(Only your tongue is fast; everything else is slow)
“Treat this” his voice suddenly cuts through my thoughts, making me jump slightly in my place. I look at him and he is staring at me with a blank face.
I immediately walk towards the closet and take out the first-aid kit. I come back and look at his bicep. There is a cut, a deep cut, I can say. There are wounds on his face, forehead, hands and fingers too. I stare at them, my brows knitting together.
“Wait… itni si chot mein itna khoon kaise nikla?” I think in shock.
(Wait… how did so much blood come out from such small wounds?)
“Are bewakoof, jise maara hoga uska khoon tha wo aur agli baari teri hai” my subconscious speaks again, making Aghhh.
(Hey fool, that blood belonged to the one he beat and next time it will be yours)
I walk towards the bed with my heart racing because I am seeing him, not just him but a man like this, for the first time.
He is lying there with his eyes closed, his face unreadable.
I place the first-aid kit beside him and kneel down on the floor.
His natural scent suddenly hits my nose, making my fingers tighten around the bedsheet.
I shake my head slightly, trying to focus and open the kit, taking out what is necessary.
I extend my hand towards his face but it is too far. I get up and stand in front of him, then start cleaning his forehead carefully. There are two visible marks there. Suddenly, he shifts away, making me look at him in confusion.
“Sit” he says in a low voice. The word makes my heart jump out of my chest and fall into the first-aid kit. I move slowly and sit properly near him. I swallow hard. My hands are trembling badly.
I wipe his face slowly, trying not to touch him more than needed. As I clean his forehead, he suddenly turns his head towards my side. My heart, which had fallen into the first-aid kit, finally comes back to its cage.
“Oh… there is a cut on his cheek also” I realize. I move my hand towards it but my fingers brush against his skin. A shiver runs down my spine instantly.
Wait… he has a fever.
Before I can even think, my hand moves towards his forehead. The back of my hand touches him completely and at that very moment, his eyes open.
“Sir, you have a high fever” I say nervously, my voice shaking because he is literally burning with heat.
He looks straight into my eyes, deep and intense, making me suddenly realize where my hand is. I pull it back immediately, my breath uneven.
“Leave it” he says as if it is nothing and closes his eyes again. I keep staring at his closed eyes for more seconds than needed, then force myself to look away and start treating his face.
Let’s be honest, Kanha, talent to hai aap mein. Aise hi is bande ko dangerous aur handsome ek saath thodi na bana diya aapne, I think to myself.
(Let’s be honest, Kanha, you really have talent. You didn’t just make this man dangerous and handsome together for no reason)
Once I am done cleaning his face and applying the cream, my eyes move towards his arm. I have to touch his hot bun-like bicep. My heart starts beating faster.
I move my hand towards it very slowly, scared that he might shout at me for touching him. But he doesn’t. He stays still as I touch him carefully.
I wipe the dried blood from there slowly and start treating his wound with full focus.
“How did he get this many wounds and marks? Maybe he went on some mission or something” I think while cleaning it. My eyes unintentionally trace his muscles. He is a strong man, that is for sure.
“Sita” a voice came, making me grin softly.
“Yes, Kanha” I reply in my mind, trying to act innocent.
I take his hand in mine and trust me, something that shouldn’t be happening is happening inside me. As I hold his hand, I notice a deep cut on his palm.
I clean it slowly, expecting him to hiss because it looks painful. But he doesn’t even stir not even a little.
“Is he pain-free or pain-proof?” I wonder.
As I clean the last wound, my eyes move towards his face again. Looking at him like this feels….
“Stop, Sita. You are not meant to feel all this” I scold myself silently.
I clean the last wound and then stand up from the bed.
“It’s done, sir” I say while placing everything back inside the first-aid kit. He only hums in response, his eyes still closed.
I walk towards the closet and place the kit back in its place, my heart still beating faster than usual.
I hear the click of the door, which means she is gone. My fingers tap slowly on the side of the bed as my mind drifts back to what happened a few hours ago.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Slowly, sleep starts pulling me in but my head feels heavy and uneasy because of the fever.
Before I can think anything or fully fall asleep, I feel a wet towel on my head. My eyes open instantly and I see her again. She is standing in front of me with a scared look on her face. Her gaze is lowered not meeting my eyes.
“S...sir, you have a high fever. Please take the medicine” she says. Her voice makes me stare at her for a moment.
“I don’t want medicine” I say. I move my hand to remove the towel from my head but she looks up at me at that exact moment.
Her eyes fix on my hand, which is about to touch the towel. I sigh slowly and let the towel stay on my head, saying nothing.
I close my eyes again. I can feel her gaze on me. After some time, she changes the towel. I don’t know when but sleep finally pulls me in.
My eyes open slowly and the first thing that comes into my view is her face. I blink in surprise and sit up on the bed. She is still here.
“D… did she fall asleep while changing the wet towel?” I think to myself. My fist tightens on the bedsheet.
I look at her closely and what catches my eyes is her long black hair. It is falling over her face and spreading onto the floor. I am seeing her like this for the first time. My fingers move slowly towards her face but I stop myself midway.
“Kanha, aap ke makkhan ka matka uske sir par phod doon kya?” she murmurs in her sleep. Her words make me look at her with narrowed eyes.
(Kanha, should I break your butter pot on his head?)
I get up from the bed and look towards her. She is sleeping in a sitting position, her body slightly bent forward. Her head is resting on the edge of the bed. Her body must be hurting after sitting like this the whole night.
I notice her shifting a little in her sleep. I immediately walk inside the bathroom before she wakes up. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
My hand moves to my forehead and I realize my fever is gone. She is….
I take a long bath and change my outfit, getting ready to go out for work.
When I come out of the bathroom, I see her setting the bedsheet properly. Her hair is tied loosely now, a few strands escaping near her neck. Her back is facing me. The moment she senses my presence behind her, she turns around.
“How is your fever?” she asks instantly. And for the first time, I can feel that she is not scared of me.
“Better” I reply simply. She nods her head and picks up the tray with the bowl and towel from the side table. She is about to walk out of the room, but suddenly stops.
“Take rest today” I say without even realizing that I said it aloud. She looks at me with a shocked expression, clearly not expecting that.
I don’t say anything further and walk towards my nightstand, taking out a pen drive from it. I can feel her eyes on my back. After a few seconds, she walks out of the room quietly.
I turn around to leave as well but stop when I see Yuv standing at the doorstep, looking at me with a playful smile. He walks towards me slowly and gives me a nudge on my shoulder.
“Aap dono kya khichdi paka rahe ho?” he says teasingly, making me look at him in confusion.
(What are you two cooking together?)
“Aap ka aur Sita ka because maine dekha use baahar jaate hue. Aur wo bhi maid uniform mein nahi, balki night dress mein” he adds with a smirk. His words make my expression turn hard in an instant.
(Because I saw her going out. And that too not in her maid uniform but in a night dress)
I instantly take out my gun, making him jump in fear. He immediately runs outside, laughing loudly.
“Pyaar hua, iqraar hua hai, pyaar se phir kyun darta hai dil” he sings loudly while walking away. His voice echoes in the corridor, making me want to dig his grave right then and there.
(Love has happened, love has been confessed, then why does the heart fear love?)
I walk outside the room while dialing Grover’s number but I stop when I hear whispers coming from the corner. I turn slightly and see the head maid standing there, talking on the phone.
“Yes, Madam Liyara, I saw her coming out of his room and that too in an inappropriate condition” she says in a low voice.
I stay where I am, listening carefully while taking out a cigarette from my pocket.
“Yes, Madam. I’ll make sure to punish her and insult her in front of everyone” she continues. I light the cigarette and take a slow puff, my eyes fixed in her direction.
“Okay, ma’am. I’ll inform you about everything” she says and cuts the call.
The moment she turns around, she freezes on the spot after seeing me standing there. I just look at her calmly while smoking.
??
How was the chapter mere chanoooo???
Fav part ?????
Kya lagta hai aap logo ko aage kya ho ga????