Chapter Eight.
Back to Present Time..
A soft knock came through Zaira's room. She was hunched over her study table, the blue light of her laptop reflecting in her tired eyes as she tried to focus on her assignment.
She paused her typing and stood up, her heart giving a small nervous skip before she opened the door. Mrs. Singhania stood there, her face clouded with a sad smile.
"Zaira... I am so incredibly sorry about what happened at the dining table.." she said sadly.. "Aarvik was completely out of line. Please... don't be upset, for my sake?"
Zaira forced a small, reassuring smile and shook her head.
"I'm not mad, Aunty. Really. Please, there's no need for you to apologize."
Her words were polite, but inside, the sting was still fresh. Ever since Aarvik came into the mansion, She felt like an outsider being reminded of her place.
Mrs. Singhania reached out her hand as she brushed Zaira's cheek.
"Thank you, beta. Goodnight, and sleep well.." she whispered.
Zaira nodded and shut her door before leaning her back against it.
She stared into the empty space of her room, the silence feeling heavier than usual. She let out a sigh and walked back to her desk.
~◆◇◆~
Aarvik was in the middle of wrenching his suit off, his movements a bit aggressive, when his door swung open. Rudransh walked in, his face set in a look of pure disbelief.
"Dude, that was seriously not cool.." Rudransh snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.
Aarvik didn't even acknowledge him. He tossed his suit onto a leather chair and began unbuttoning his black shirt.
"Why would you do that?" Rudransh pushed, his voice rising. "Why would you chase her away from the dining hall like she's a servant? She hadn't even finished her meal, Aarvik. It was humiliating."
Aarvik stopped. He turned slowly, his black shirt hanging open, revealing the hard, tensed lines of his torso. He leveled a glare at Rudransh.
"And why.." Aarvik gritted out.."..were you flirting with her?"
His hand balled into a fist at his side, the veins in his forearm bulging with the effort of not striking out.
"What? Flirting? I was just talking-" Rudransh started, but the words died in his throat.
He watched the way Aarvik's jaw remained locked, the way his grey eyes glared at him.
Rudransh tilted his head, his own eyes narrowing as the pieces began to click into place.
"Thinking back on it... you were far too protective back there, Aarvik.." Rudransh said in a speculative tone. "It's a strange behavior. A side of you I've never seen in all the years I've known you."
Aarvik didn't flinch. He turned his back on his friend, staring at his reflection in the darkened window.
"Whatever nonsense is brewing in your head, I don't care. You mentioned a club, Rudransh. Go. And don't forget to shut the door on your way out."
He began walking toward his bathroom, but he paused at the threshold. He didn't turn around, but the air in the room grew suffocating.
"And Rudransh?" Aarvik side-glance at Rudransh. "Zaira is off-limits. Do not speak to her. Do not look at her. Not in this house. Not ever."
Rudransh's brow furrowed as Aarvik disappeared into the bathroom, the click of the door echoing. A knowing smirk spread across Rudransh's face.
"This fucker..." he whispered shaking his head in disbelief. He turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Inside the bathroom, Aarvik stood under the shower, letting the freezing water batter his skin. He didn't feel the cold, he only felt the burn of his own blood.
He pressed his palms against the glass wall, his muscles tensing as he applied more and more pressure, the glass groaning under his strength. The water fell over his hair, matting the dark strands to his forehead and hiding the intensity of his eyes.
"I will keep her closer.." he breathed. "Just for me. Only for me."
His fingers curled, scratching against the glass as he fought the urge to walk across the hall and break down her door.
He closed his eyes, and all he could see was her...
"Zaira..."
~??~
Zaira descended the staircase, the soft noise of her flip flops was the only sound in the silence.
"I should have grabbed water before I locked my door. Ugh, Zaira, how could you forget?" she mumbled to herself, her voice sounding unnervingly loud in the stillness.
Not a single maid was in sight, the house is so quiet. She reached the kitchen and fumbled for the switch.
A mild, warm light flickered on, bathing the stainless steel and marble in a soft glow.
She hurried to the massive fridge, pulled out a cold bottle of water, and let out a tired yawn.
She turned around, closing the fridge door..
Thud.
The water bottle slipped from her numb fingers, rolling across the floor as she let out a choked gasp.
Standing in the doorway, framed by the darkness of the hall, was Aarvik.
He wore charcoal sweatpants and a light grey T-shirt that clung to his frame, making him look less like a devil at rest.
How did he get there without a sound? Zaira's heart beat fast against her ribs, her throat suddenly feels tight.
"I-I'm sorry.." she stammered, her face flushing as she realized she was staring.
She scrambled to pick up the bottle that had rolled right to the tips of his feet.
As she stood up, she took two quick, instinctive steps back, putting as much space between them as possible.
Aarvik didn't move. His face twisted, not with anger, but with something far more concentrated and cold.
"Anytime you see my friend, the one from today, I don't want you interacting with him.." he stated, "Ever."
Zaira blinked, her mind spinning. She didn't understand why he cared, but the intensity in his eyes was so suffocating she couldn't think of anything but survival.
"O-okay....Goodnight.." she whispered, clutching her water bottle to her chest like a shield as she darted past him.
Aarvik didn't turn around immediately. He stood on the threshold of the kitchen, his eyes darkening as he watched her retreating figure.
On the outside, he looked like a statue of calm, but under his skin, his blood was a raging storm.
He could still smell the faint scent of her Vanilla shampoo in the air.
~??~
"So? Did you ask her? What did she say?" Mehek's voice came through Zaira's phone.
She laughed, as she descended the staircase. She looked radiant in a soft peach kurti suit, her tote bag slung over one shoulder as she headed toward the dining hall.
"Yes... she said yes.." Zaira whispered, a triumphant smile on her face.
Mehek let out a high-pitched squeal that made Zaira wince and pull the phone away from her ear.
"Will you quit doing that?!" she heard Anaya's annoyed voice snap in the background.
"I have to go now. I'm at the table. See you at uni!" Zaira said, quickly hanging up.
She stepped into the sun-drenched dining hall, where the scent of fresh poha and spiced chai filled the air.
"Good morning, Aunty. Good morning, Uncle." Zaira said..
Mrs. Singhania and her husband looked up from their respective morning routines, their faces softening instantly.
"Good morning, sweetie.." Mrs. Singhania beamed, her gold bangles clinking as she gestured for Zaira to sit.
"Good morning, Zaira." Mr. Singhania added.
Zaira took her usual seat beside Mrs. Singhania.
"You look very beautiful today, Zaira. That color suits you perfectly.." Mrs. Singhania noted, watching her with pride.
Zaira blushed, her smile widening. "Thank you, Aunty. You look beautiful too."
"Oh, my little heart! You're going to make me emotional before my first cup of tea.." She teased, making Zaira let out a laugh.
A maid stepped forward to place some dishes for Zaira, the steam rising from the flavorful food.
But as Zaira picked up her spoon, her eyes drifted toward the empty chair at the end of the table.
Aarvik wasn't there yet, but the memory of his midnight warning was still fresh in her mind.
"By the way, Zaira.." Mr. Singhania said, setting his tea cup down. "Mr. Kapoor will be here tomorrow afternoon."
Zaira's entire face beamed, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"The request is finalized.." Mrs. Singhania added. "You won't be meeting him in some crowded hall. We've arranged a private session at our VVIP resort. You and your friends can have all the time you need to discuss your studies with him."
Zaira felt a lump form in her throat. Her heart swelled with so much gratitude she felt like she might actually cry.
"Thank you so much... honestly, words can't describe how grateful I am. Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Aunty."
Mrs. Singhania let out a dismissive laugh. "It's nothing, dear. Now, finish your breakfast. The driver is already waiting to take you to the university."
Zaira nodded quickly. But as she ate, Mrs. Singhania leaned in slightly, her expression turning a bit more serious.
"One more thing, Zaira..."
Zaira looked up, her smile still bright. "Yes, Aunty?"
"Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a month. I believe you remember?"
"Of course I do!" Zaira replied. She had already started browsing for the perfect traditional gift to give them both.
"Well.." she continued excitedly, "we won't be here to celebrate it this year."
Zaira's smile faded just a little, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean? Is there a big party somewhere else?"
"No.." She giggled, reaching over to pat Zaira's hand. "This time, My husband and I want some privacy. We've decided to go on a week-long vacation. Just the two of us."
Zaira's smile returned, though it was softer now.
"That's really beautiful, Aunty. You both deserve it." She said.. "I just thought you'd want to celebrate, like you always do."
"No, not this time.." Mrs. Singhania replied, her eyes dreamy with the thought of her getaway. "We want the world to disappear for a while."
Zaira nodded, returning to her meal, but as she chewed, a realization began to seep into her bones.
Her spoon paused halfway to her mouth.
Wait. If they were leaving..... that meant she would be in this mansion alone.
With him.
Her eyes widened. The image of Aarvik standing in the kitchen doorway at midnight flashed through her mind again, his eyes, the way he seemed to consume the very air around her.
"Are you okay, Zaira?" Mr. Singhania's voice broke through her panic. He was watching her.
Zaira blinked rapidly, forcing the shock to retreat. She couldn't let them see how much the thought terrified her.
"Hmm..." she hummed, giving a stiff nod. "I... I should get going now. I don't want to be late for lecture."
"Of course, dear.." Mrs. Singhania said warmly.
Zaira grabbed her tote bag, her movements hurried and slightly clumsy.
She practically fled the dining hall, as she crossed the foyer toward the massive entrance doors.
The moment she stepped outside, the morning air hit her face, but it didn't calm her.
"Good morning, Ma'am." a deep voice said.
Zaira looked up to see a guard she didn't recognize. He was tall, with a face like looked stoned, but he wouldn't meet her eyes.
In fact, he looked anywhere but at her, his posture stiff.
She frowned, a strange feeling settling in her gut. She had noticed it since yesterday, every time she walked past the security detail, the men would snap their heads away, looking at the ground or the sky.
Are they alright? she wondered, a chill running down her spine. Why is everyone acting like I'm a ghost?
She shrugged it off with a sigh and climbed into the back of the waiting car, the driver drove off.