Yearning

Chapter Five

The Rolls-Royce came to a smooth halt.

As Zaira stepped out, she felt a strange, prickly sensation on the back of her neck. The air around the estate felt different now.. heavy, like the atmosphere before a thunderstorm.

She looked around, searching for the source of the unease, but saw nothing but the manicured lawns and the watchful guards.

She shook off the feeling and headed into the mansion.

The first person she saw was Mrs. Singhania, deep in conversation with one of the household staff.

She walked closer, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Good afternoon, Aunty." she called out softly.

Mrs. Singhania turned, and the moment she saw Zaira, her face lit up with a wide smile.

"Zaira! You’re back early. Come, come... sit with me, dear."

She signaled for the staff member to leave, and Zaira sank into the plush velvet sofa beside her.

"How was your day at the Institute?" Mrs. Singhania asked, patting Zaira’s hand. "Did you finally get to see your favorite professor? I hope you had fun listening to him speak."

Zaira’s smile instantly withered. She let out a long, heavy sigh that made Mrs. Singhania’s brow furrow in concern.

"Not really." she murmured.

"What do you mean, not really? What happened?"

"He didn't show up." Zaira explained, her voice tinged with a lingering sadness. "The news around campus is that the visit was canceled entirely. He isn't coming to Mumbai at all."

Mrs. Singhania blinked, her expression shifting to one of total confusion.

"What? But how is that possible? The Singhania Group was the primary sponsor for his entire tour. Why would he just... stop?"

"No one knows.." Zaira sighed, looking down at her lap.

Mrs. Singhania sat in silence for a moment, her mind working through the logistics.

A playful glint suddenly appeared in her eyes, and she reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Zaira’s ear.

"Well, if the university can't bring him, I will." she said with a confident smile. "How about I arrange for him to come here, to the estate, just for you? A private session. What do you say?"

Zaira’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, her heart leaping into her throat.

"What? A..aunty.. that would be too much, really. You don’t have to–" Zaira started, she was completely shocked.

The idea was incredible, but is it okay, Mrs. Singhania was going so far just for her?

"Too much?" Mrs. Singhania let out a giggle, waving her hand dismissively.

"Don’t be silly, Zaira. You’re family. A little favor for your education is the least I can do."

Zaira’s heart swelled with gratitude, but before she could respond, her phone buzzed in her palm.

She looked down, It was a barrage of photos from Mehek.

The screen was filled with bright colors..glistening ice cream sundaes, decadent cakes, and her two best friends laughing without a care in the world. Anaya actually looked like she was enjoying herself for once.

Zaira’s smile faltered, her face falling as she stared at the pictures.

"Zaira? Are you okay?" Mrs. Singhania’s voice pulled her back. She was watching Zaira with a concerned frown.

Zaira looked up quickly, forcing a tight smile. "Yes... yes, I’m fine. Just a bit tired."

Mrs. Singhania wasn't convinced. She leaned forward, her eyes soft.

"Zaira... you know you can tell me anything, right? If something is bothering you..."

Zaira let out a weary sigh her thumb brushing over the screen of her phone.

"I know, Aunty. But I’m really fine. Just school stress."

Mrs. Singhania nodded, though the doubt remained in her eyes.

"I’ll be in my room." Zaira added, tightening her grip on her phone as she stood up.

Mrs. Singhania nodded.

~??~

The moment she crossed the threshold of her bedroom and the door clicked shut, her phone began to ring.

It was Mehek. Zaira took a deep breath and answered.

"Hey, sugarplum!" Mehek’s voice was chirpy echoing the fun she was having.

"Calling to rub all that sugar in my face?" Zaira teased.

Mehek let out a playful chuckle on the other end.

"Hey, I didn't tell you to have a devil for a guardian.." Mehek said. "That man is a total control freak for what he did today!"

Zaira sighed, dropping her heavy tote bag onto the floor and sinking onto the edge of her bed.

The word devil felt uncomfortably accurate. She stared out the window at the sprawling estate, still trying to wrap her head around it.

Why did he send his own driver and car to pick her up today?

"Anyway, are you home yet?" Mehek asked. Zaira gave a soft hum of affirmation as she began to kick off her sandles.

"Is the devil around?"

Zaira winced slightly at the nickname. "I know he isn't exactly... a friendly or kind person, Mehek. But please, don't call him or anyone a devil. It's a bad name."

She heard Mehek let out a loud, mocking snort on the other end.

"Yeah, right. If the shoe fits, Zaira..."

"By the way, I have some incredible news.." Zaira said, her voice finally brightening. "Can you guess what it is?"

"If you don't want us to spend five hours on this call, I’d advise you to just tell me." Mehek replied flatly. "You know my guessing game is absolutely terrible."

Zaira laughed.

"I told Aunty about Mr. Kapoor’s visit being canceled. And she... she actually told me not to worry. She’s going to arrange for Mr. Kapoor to come here, to the mansion, just for me."

"Are you serious?!" Mehek’s voice exploded through the speaker so loudly that Zaira had to take the phone away from her ear.

"Yes! I’m serious." Zaira beamed, her heart racing at the possibility.

"Holy shit! Can we come see him too? Please tell me we can!"

"Oh... um, I didn’t actually ask her about that yet." Zaira admitted, biting her lip.

"Please, Zaira! Ask her!! Please, please, please!" Mehek begged, her voice sounding desperate. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"

"Okay, okay! I’ll ask her during dinner." Zaira promised, unable to help the smile spreading across her face. "I’ll ask if you and Anaya can join."

Mehek let out a high-pitched squeal that made Zaira’s head ring.

"I am going to call Anaya and tell her right now! I love you, Zaira!"

Before Zaira could even get a word out, the line went dead.

She shook her head, a small, tired laugh escaping her. Mehek was always so chaotic, but at least her excitement was contagious.

She tossed her phone onto the silk duvet and walked toward the bathroom, the silence of the room settling back over her.

She paused at the vanity, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

"I really hope Aunty won't mind." she whispered to the empty room.

~??~

"Thank you." Zaira said softly, offering a grateful smile to the maid who placed a steaming plate of food in front of her.

Once the final dish was placed, the staff bowed and retreated, leaving the three of them in a silence broken only by the soft clinking of silverware.

They began to eat, the atmosphere unusually peaceful, until Mr. Singhania finally spoke.

"Zaira.." he started. He took a slow bite of his meal before continuing. "Meri jaan mentioned that your guest lecturer, Mr. Kapoor, failed to show up today?"

Zaira glanced at Mrs. Singhania, who was watching her with a warm, encouraging beam. Zaira nodded.

"Yes, sir. He didn't come."

"Well then." Mr. Singhania said, a smile touching his lips. "Consider it handled. I have personally invited him to the estate.."

Zaira’s entire face lit up.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" she whispered, her happiness practically radiating off her.

However, as the joy settled, she felt a familiar prickle of hesitation.

She looked down at her plate, her fingers tightening around her silver fork. Mr. Singhania’s eyes didn't miss the shift in her mood.

"You want something else?" he asked, his tone curious but not unkind.

"I... um..." Zaira gulped, the air in the room suddenly feeling very thin.

"Zaira, you can ask for anything." he urged, leaning in slightly. "What is it?"

She took a shaky breath and finally met his gaze. "Is... is it okay if my friends see him too? I mean..just Anaya and Mehek. But it’s okay if that’s too much! I understand if it’s impossible."

Mr. Singhania stared at her for a long, silent moment with a frown.

Zaira’s heart beating against her ribs.

Suddenly, Mrs. Singhania let out a chuckle. Zaira blinked, startled, and looked over to see Mrs. Singhania shaking her head playfully.

She turned back to Mr. Singhania, and to her immense relief, his cold features had softened into a smile.

"You never ask us for anything, Zaira." Mrs. Singhania said, her voice warm and maternal. "..Of course you can invite them. Your friends are more than welcome here. Does that make you happy?"

"Yes. Thank you." she whispered, a small smile touching her lips. The elder Singhanias nodded, returning to their meal.

~??~

Outside, the evening was shattered by the low, synchronized growl of two high performance engines.

Two luxury vehicles glided to a halt at the entrance.

A guard scrambled to open the rear door of the first car, and Aarvik stepped out.

From the second car, Rudransh emerged, a wide, playful grin on his face. He adjusted his jacket and stepped toward Aarvik, his eyes scanning the mansion.

"You’re still living here, Aarvik?" Rudransh asked, his voice filled with genuine disbelief. "It’s been over a year. You’ve basically abandoned your own penthouse. For a man who values his privacy as much as you do, this is… unusual."

Aarvik didn't offer so much as a glance in response..

He turned and walked into the mansion, his stride long and purposeful. Rudransh’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he shrugged and followed him inside.

The sound of laughter and light conversation drifted from the dining hall. As Aarvik crossed the threshold, his world narrowed down to a single point.

He saw her.

Zaira was sitting bathed in the warm glow of the chandelier, looking soft with a smile. Aarvik’s throat tightened, and his hand balled into a white-knuckled fist at his side.

He looked away, his jaw set in a hard line.

Mrs. Singhania noticed him first. Her smile faltered for a second..but she quickly recovered.

"Welcome back, Aarvik." she said, her voice carrying across the room.

Zaira’s head snapped toward the entrance, her heart leaping into her throat. For a heartbeat, her eyes collided with Aarvik’s.

The intensity in his ghostly grey gaze was so suffocating that she was forced to look away instantly, her breath hitching as she stared down at her plate.

"Wow! Dinner! I guess we timed our arrival perfectly." Rudransh said from behind Aarvik.

He stepped into the light, his handsome face lit up with a charming, easy-going grin.

"Oh, hello, Rudransh.." Mrs. Singhania said, her voice softening.

Rudransh walked toward her with grace bowing his head to touch her feet in a traditional sign of respect.

"Bless you." she smiled.

He moved to Mr. Singhania next, repeating the gesture.

The elder Singhania didn't say much, merely offering a firm, approving pat on Rudransh’s back.

But then, Rudransh’s eyes shifted. They landed on Zaira, and the playful smirk on his face slowly faded into a look of genuine, stunned wonder.

He didn't just look at her, he stared. The silence was becoming suffocating as his gaze lingered on her face for far too long.

Zaira felt the heat crawl up her neck, her skin prickling under the unwanted attention.

She offered him a small, awkward smile, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

"H..hi.." Rudransh managed to say, clearing his throat as if he’d suddenly forgotten how to breathe.

From across the room, the sound of Aarvik’s jaw grinding was almost audible. His eyes were fixed on Rudransh.

"Hi." Zaira whispered back, her voice barely audible.

"Wow..." Rudransh breathed. He stepped closer to the table, ignoring the death glare radiating from his best friend.

"My name is Rudransh."

"Um... my name is Zaira." she replied, her fingers nervously twisting her napkin. Rudransh’s smile widened, turning warm and captivated.

"A beautiful name for a–"

"RUDRANSH!"

Aarvik’s voice cut through the air. It was loud..

Zaira’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest as she turned to look at him.

Rudransh’s brow furrowed, his smile faltering as he turned toward where Aarvik stood.

"Didn't you say you wanted to go to the club?" Aarvik gritted out.. "Well, there's the door."

Rudransh didn't even flinch.

"Nah, I think I’ll pass. It’s been ages since I’ve had a proper home-cooked meal. I think I’d rather stay right here." He flashed another dazzling smile at Zaira, who just smiled back at him.

"Oh, yes, of course! You’re always welcome, Rudransh. Please, take a seat." Mrs. Singhania said, ever the polite hostess, completely oblivious to the war brewing in her son’s eyes.

Rudransh began to slide into the empty chair, the one directly beside Zaira.

"Go to your room, Zaira."

"W..what?" Zaira stuttered, her fork slipping from her fingers.

Did I do something wrong?

"I said.." Aarvik repeated, "go to your room. Now."

"Why, Aarvik?" Mrs. Singhania asked, her confusion turning into genuine annoyance.

"She’s right in the middle of her dinner! Why on earth does she have to go to her room?"

Aarvik turned his gaze toward his mother. His face darkened, his grey eyes turning so cold and lifeless they looked like stones.

"The maid will take her tray up.." he stated, his jaw tightened, "She can finish her meal there. Alone."

Rudransh looked between the two of them.

"Dude? That’s a bit much, don’t you think? Why make her eat in her–"

"You don't have a say here, Rudransh." Aarvik snapped, pointing a warning finger toward his friend.

His eyes darted back to Zaira, seeing how close Rudransh was standing to her.

His hands began to tremble slightly..

"Go to your room." he gritted out one last time, the words vibrating with a threat that no one dared to challenge.

Zaira didn’t wait for a second, she sighed, her chair scraped harshly against the marble floor as she stood up, her head bowed to hide the tears stinging her eyes.

Why is he so...mean? And always so...bitter?

She left the dinning hall.

"Take her tray up. Now.." Aarvik commanded. The maid didn't even breathe, she just grabbed the plate and vanished.

"Whoa! Dude, that was seriously not cool.." Rudransh started, his voice rising in disbelief. "Why would you–"

"You can have your dinner now." Aarvik cut him off, his voice flat and dead.

Without another word to his parents or his friend, he turned and walked out, leaving the dining hall.

"The fuck was that?" Rudransh breathed.

~??~

Aarvik walked down the long, dimly lit hallway toward his private wing, his entire body vibrating.

His fists were trembling so hard he had to shove them into his pockets, but even then, he couldn't stop the shaking.

"So close... he was so close to her." he hissed under his breath.

He reached up with a trembling hand, clawing at his tie until the silk loosened, but he still felt like he was choking.

The image of Rudransh looking at Zaira...smiling at her, breathing her air...was playing on a loop in his mind.

"Calm down. Calm... down.." he whispered, his chest heaving. He leaned against the cold stone wall for a second, his throat working as he gulped.

"She... she won't leave me. She won't."

His body was racked with a shudder. By the time he reached his door, the obsession he had tried so hard to bury was clawing its way out of his chest.

He wrenched the door open and slammed it shut with a force that rattled the frames on the walls.

For six hundred and sixty-nine days, he had played the role of the distant man.

He had suppressed the hunger, the yearning, and the absolute madness that had started the very week he saw her.

He had abandoned his life, his penthouse, and his solitude just to move back into this house....

All so he could own her without her even knowing it.

????