• author's pov •

The sun rays filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. The curtains fluttered, the wind chime ringing from the breeze.

The smell of fresh coffee and dewdrops filled the room. By the window sat a man on a single couch. In his hand was the cup of warm coffee, the sunlight highlighting his ruggedly handsome features.

Setting the cup down, the man picked the phone lying beside it. Opening it using his fingerprint, he was about to read his messages when a call notification popped up.

Incoming call from Anupriya Ma.

He accepted.

"Morning, Ma."

"Morning, Vansh." She chirped, happy that he answered the call. "Nasta kar liya kya? Tum wahan acche se reh rahe ho na?"

"Yes, Ma." He answered. "But mujhe nahi lagta aapne yeh sab kehne ke liye phone kiya hai."

Anupriya sighed in worry. "Actually, woh tumhare return timing mix up ho gaye the aur mene galti se Mayura ko shaam ke jagah subah airport bheja diya tumhe pick karne ke liye."

Vansh pursed his lips in worry. "I'll talk to her."

"Mein bhi kar leti, Vansh. Par uska phone hi nahi lag raha hai."

"Don't worry, Ma. I will talk to her."

"Okay."

Cutting the call, Vansh moved to his table and turned on his laptop. Putting in an unusual password, he accessed the secret window of his laptop. He clicked the tracker icon, his eyebrows furrowed in worry as he gave her a phone call.

The person you are trying to call is out of coverage area. Please hold the line or call again later.

The call disconnected, much to his dismay. "She is in a low network area." He noticed after checking her location. "No wonder she isn't answering my calls."

"Angre," he summoned in a calm yet urgent tone. Turning off his laptop, he placed it safely in his bag and packed his luggage.

The door opened with a creak and a man, slightly shorter than Vansh, with honey-brown eyes approached him.

Angre stood by the bed, waiting patiently for his silent boss to give an order.

"Call the private plane. We are leaving."

"Yes, boss." He accepted, lending a hand to his efforts. The need to question him arose, but he suppressed it knowing well that he wouldn't be answered.

"I, I will inform them right away." He spoke, placing the luggage in the sitting room. Hesitant at first, Angre turned around to perform his duties.

Boss is impatient and worried, Angre noticed. He keeps clenching and unclenching his fists; he keeps moving around, restless.

The bulb in Angre's brain lit. "She must be waiting."

He hastened his steps towards his room.

✎

The plane landed in Mumbai after four hours.

Vansh, grabbing his bag, made haste towards the exit. His demeanor was calm and full of poise, yet his interior was highly muddled.

Before boarding the plane, Vansh had tried to call her innumerable times, only to denied with a network issue. All the messages he had sent were left on delivered.

'I was supposed to arrive at four, today morning. But my plans changed and I was supposed to leave at two, today evening.' He glanced at the big clock in the airport on his way out. 'It is already 3 PM. I have made her wait for too long.'

The automatic doors slid open and he rushed out. Navigating his way through the crowd, followed by an equally tensed Angre, Vansh made his way to the parking lot.

He looked around, trying to search for her. 'Did she leave? No, she wouldn't have. Shit! Did she pass out from hunger and the heat? Yes, that's possible. She is quite weak. I need to find her quickly.'

"Angre!" Her delighted voice grounded Vansh immediately, shattering all the negative thoughts he had for her. He turned towards her in a jerk, sighing when he saw her hugging Angre.

'She is absolutely fine.' He told himself, feeling relieved. A terse smile appeared on his lips as he watched her approach him.

"Vansh!" Her eyes were glowing in happiness, a beaming smile on her lips. She threw her arms around him, embracing him tightly. "I missed you so much, Rai!" She whispers as he hugged her back warmly.

"I missed you more, bunny." He confesses. "How did the deal go?" She asks, pulling away from him.

"It got cancelled." He says, holding her hand. The three - Vansh, Mayura and Angre - walk down to the car.

"Why?"

'Because I didn't want to keep you waiting.' Vansh thought, but refrained from speaking.

"They weren't genuine. Their product, results, research and the company, itself, was fake. Bhai figured and cancelled the deal." Angre answered, his eyes gleaming in honesty.

Mayura nodded. Leaving his hand, she pat his shoulder, "I'm proud of you, Rai!" She smiled. Vansh felt his insides stir. A warm peace filled his being, his stomach flipped in ecstasy.

They stop by the car. Mayura holds the door open for them, gesturing they sit.

Angre, taking the keys from her, hands it to the bodyguard. Vansh chuckles, getting into the car.

Mayura pouts, staring at Angre. "I was gonna drive!"

"He," Angre gestures towards Vansh, "would not like that. Sit at the back and relax!"

Mayura felt a tug on her wrist and, before she knew it, Vansh had pulled her inside, making her sit between Angre and him.

"It's hot here!" She whined, stuck between them.

She was squeezed in the little space between the two men who were physically bigger. Their legs kept hitting against hers, their coat fabrics scratching her through her shirt.

"Stop sticking to me!" She grumbled, trying to push Angre's bulky arm away. He giggled at her futile efforts, pushing his arm on her to annoy her further.

"Itna toh khati ho tum! Kahan jaata hai sab phir?" He jested, receiving a glare from her. Holding her hands, he ruffled her hair, smiling at her miserable condition.

Vansh sighed at their banters. Placing his left leg over his right, he put his left arm over the head rest. She shifted closer to him, finding it easier to breath.

"Thanks," she smiled, pulling Angre's cheeks.

Trying to seize the opportunity of annoying her, Angre was going to shift closer to her, but stopped when Vansh's fingers poked his shoulder. Intentionally. Telling him to maintain his distance.

He acknowledged, going back to annoy her in other ways.

✎

As soon as Vansh stepped into the mansion, all hell broke loose.

The staff, that overcrowded the main hall, scurried away, leaving only Mrs. D'Souza by Indrani's side.

"Vansh Bhai!" Ishani cried in worry. Running to him, she hugged him tightly.

Mayura and Angre, standing by the pillars near the door, exchanged confused glances. Vansh held her tenderly, his gaze landing on a distressed Indrani.

"Dadi, kya hua? Everything okay?" He asked, kneeling beside the old woman.

"Bappa ka lakh lakh shukr hai ki tum theek ho, Vansh." She prayed. Holding his face, she kissed his forehead.

Vansh flinched, hiding his surprise with a straight face. Ever since he had become the head-of-house, his family had, save for his siblings, been treating him very affectionately.

To the point that he had began to feel uncomfortable.

Moving back, he turned towards Mrs. D'Souza for an explanation. "Sir, there was news that an airplane crashed, killing all it's passengers."

"Woh wahi airplane tha, Vansh. Jisse tum wapas aane wale the." Anupriya added in a tone of worry. "Ek minute ke liye hum sabko laga ki tumhe kuch... phir hume pata chala ki tum doosre plane se aa-rahe ho."

Vansh noticed, from the corner of his eye, Mayura making her way outside. He looked at Angre, mentally communicating his order - Don't let her leave.

With a wave of his hand, Angre had the doors and gates of the mansion closed and locked. Turning towards Mayura, he stepped forward to confiscate her helmet and keys. "They will remain with me, until bhai allows."

Sighing, she handed them to Angre and leaned against the pillar. "Not here. Go upstairs, to your room."

She clicked her tongue, irritated. With another sigh, she began dragging herself up the stairs.

'My lucky charm.' Vansh smiled softly, watching her grumble her way up the stairs. 'I escaped the plane crash all thanks to you.'

✎

• vansh's pov •

She is trying to escape. Again.

Holding the window sill tightly, she stands on the ledge with her right leg stretched out to step on the boundary wall.

Unfortunately for her, I had increased the distance between the mansion and wall a week ago. She pouts, standing on both her legs, disappointed.

She tries again.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho?"

I ask, startling her. She looses her balance, falling back and I catch her by her shoulders. I hold her carefully, helping her to her feet.

"Come down." I order in a steel cold tone. You will get hurt; I fail to say.

She sighs, jumping down to the floor and dusts her hands. Angre locks the window, making her frown.

Grumbling, she goes to her room. I follow. Angre leaves to rest in his room.

She sits on the bed, mumbling something under her breath, looking very sad, like an adorable child denied their favourite candy.

How, cute.

I close the door, pretending to lock it and walk around the bed, lying down on the other end. "Mayura, sleep." I say, tapping on the empty side beside me.

Taking off her shoes and dropping her bag to the ground, she says, "Any more orders, sir?"

"Sleep." I repeat, patting on the pillow beside me. She throws herself on the pillow, her body relaxing with the rest. It is like she is melting in the comfort of the mattress, in the coolness of her pillow and room. In the safety of my presence.

Silly girl, why deny yourself some must needed rest?

I sit up on the bed, resting against the headboard and run my fingers through her hair. "You should rest, darling. You've worked very hard today."

She, in a sleepy state, furrows her brows and complains about something I cannot decipher.

Soon, she falls asleep. I pull the blanket, pressed under her feet, to her stomach. Caressing her hair, I kiss her forehead.

There is a soft knock on the door. I rise, wear my shoes and open it carefully. Mrs. D'Souza stands on the other end, the dress and accessories I had ordered for Mayura, in her hands.

Walking in, she places them on the sofa by the wall and leaves. Giving her a last glance, I leave the room.

I cannot wait for tonight's party.

✎

• author's pov •

Mayura had woken at 1 in the night to leave for the airport and pick Vansh, a sandwich her only source of energy.

Unfortunately, she hadn't calculated the possibilities of flight delays, and survived on that single sandwich until late afternoon. And now, with exhaustion gnawing her bones, she had no place for hunger.

Which is why, when Vansh ordered to sleep, she didn't rebel. She quietly, save for the single sarcastic remark, crawled to her pillow and flopped down on it.

The mattress was soft, like clouds and, the pillow cool. The air-conditioner regulated the temperature of the room, keeping her comfortable. Yet, even the slightest sounds disturbed her sleep.

The chirping birds, the rustling leaves, the scratching of dust on the ground, the timed beeps of the air-conditioner, the exhaust in the bathroom - they kept waking her from time to time. And all she did was change sides, her eyes closed in tiredness.

She yawned, frustrated when she heard the window in her room creak open and a gust of dusty wind entered her chambers. Rubbing her eyes, she had barely risen from the bed when she made to lay back down, a hand pressed on her stomach.

Mayura didn't have to open her eyes to know who the person was. She simply turned towards them, and snuggled in their embrace, a rush of emotions filling her being.

"Vihaan," she chanted, feeling his fingertips stroke her cheek.

"Sleep, my love. You need to rest." He slipped his arm under her neck and moved closer to her. Holding her in his arms, their legs entwined, he whispered sweet nothing's in her ears. His warm breath tickled her ears, giving rise to goosebumps all over.

"Vansh's flight was delayed." She said in a sleepy state. She continued to ramble, none of her sentences holding a connection to the previous. "He said I cannot leave without Vansh's permission. I need to find a new escape route. He's acting up, scold him for me, puppy."

Vihaan traced her lips with his thumb, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "As you wish, my beloved Queen." He chuckled, humouring her sleepy ramblings.

✎

Mayura wore an off-shoulder baby blue knee-length dress with flowy sleeves and a pair of black leggings. Vihaan smiled, enchanted by her beauty.

Coming closer, he pressed his lips to the corner of her lips. Mayura flushed in a shade of scarlet, her heart racing at the intimacy.

Feeling shy, she lowered her gaze and asked him softly, "Do I look okay, Vihaan?"

Vihaan's hands slipped over her waist, his nose nuzzling her neck. Mayura bit her lips. "Don't go to the party," he whispered.

"Do I, not look okay?" She asked, concerned. "I knew it. Off-shoulder dresses don't look go on -"

"You look so beautiful, Jaan. Itni khoobsurat ki har koi tum par apne jaan luta de." He breathed, trailing his finger down her slender neck. "And I don't want that." Pulling away, he held her hand and pressed his lips on it. "I want to be the only one to do that. Because, you, are, mine."

Mayura's cheeks flushed scarlet, her stomach full of butterflies.

Vihaan, her lover, always made her feel things she never had. His words, gazes, actions - always made her feel weak to the knees, gave rise to butterflies in her stomach, and take away her ability to be rational.

"Then, I won't go." She whispered. "I want to be beautiful only in your eyes. If this dress makes me look beautiful for others, I won't --"

Interrupting her, "Even if it wasn't this dress, you'd always be beautiful in my eyes, dear."

Mayura could feel her heart beating like crazy. And she feared he'd hear it too. Pulling away, she sat on the bed and pulled her heels close.

Pushing them away, Vihaan took her left leg on his lap and massaged her ankle. She gasped, astounded by his behaviour. "Vihaan, l-leave my leg. It's dirty." She stammered. A sharp pain shot up her ankle and she winced, gritting her teeth.

Her reaction had confirmed his suspicions. He pulled out a roll of crepe bandage from his bag and began to wrap it around her sprained ankle.

"Ow! Ow! It's too tight. Vihaan, it hurts." She cried.

"Did it not hurt until now? Stay quiet." He reprimanded.

"Sorry," she whispered, averting her gaze from him.

Tying it securely, Vihaan looked up to see Vansh standing behind her. "Why are you on the floor, Vihaan?" He asked.

Mayura jumped, trying to pull her injured leg away from Vansh's line of vision but Vihaan's grip was strong.

"Just the usual," he replied with a smirk. "Teaching a clumsy and careless child first aid."

Vansh leaned forward, fuming in rage when he saw the crepe bandage on her ankle. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gaped at her in concern, his body trembling in rage.

"You were doing that with such a leg? Are you being serious?" He fumed, referring to her earlier act of escaping the mansion via the window.

"Very," Vihaan scoffed. "Infact, her highness is planning to wear high heels with such a leg."

"Answer me seriously, Mayura." Vansh placed his hand under her chin and made her look at him. "Jab akal baati jaa rahi thi, tum kya ghaas char rahi thi?"

Mayura gulped, averting her gaze from Vansh's fiery ones. "How can you be so stupid?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Wait here. I'll ask Ishani to lend you her footwear."

"I'll be fine. Don't worry." She whispered, clenching her fists tightly.

'Liar,' they thought. "You wait here, I'll ask Angre to get --"

Vihaan interrupted. "I had expected this to happen. Vansh, my person's on the gate. Let him in."

"Okay."

"He'll be holding three to four boxes. And yes, he's as tall as you." He described to his leaving brother. "I hope he heard that."

"Where are you going? Sit." Vihaan scolded as she tried to stand. Holding her by her shoulders, he pushed her on the bed. "If you need something, tell me, my dear." He added lovingly.

"Can you get my bag?"

He placed her bag on her lap, grabbing his own and, sitting beside her, searched for something in it.

"Found it!" He grinned, taking out a medium-sized velvet box. Mayura tugged his sleeves, holding a palm-sized box in her hand. "Happy birthday, my beloved." She wished, kissing his cheek.

Putting away his box, Vihaan took the box from her and opened it. Inside it he found a platinum ring with his initials engraved on the inside and a variety of platinum studs. He looked up, enraptured by the gift. His eyes sparkling in happiness.

Placing it aside, he threw his arms around her and embraced her tightly, showering her face with kisses. "I love it, cupcake! How did you know I've been wanting for this?"

She smiled, ruffling his hair. "I just know." Picking the ring from the box, she put it on the ring finger of his left hand. "You know, this is a couple's ring." She boasted, showing off the similar ring on her right hand. Vihaan smile. Next, she picked up a square shaped stud and put on his right ear.

"How do I look?" He asked, admiring the ring on his finger. "Just the way I had imagined." She whispered, hypnotized by his beauty. "Simply handsome."

Vihaan, taking his box, sat behind her. Opening it, he revealed a jewellery set comprising of an opulent pendant and a pair of earrings. He helped her in wearing them. "And now, you look perfect. Like a Queen. My Queen." He whispered, gently biting the top of her ear.

"Did I tell you," she spoke trying to change the topic and pointed towards his ring, "that it is a couple ring."

She showed him the ring on the right hand. "Yes, you did." He smiled.

"W-when?"

"Just now," he laughed, pulling her on his lap. Entwining their index fingers, he said, "Once you come home, let's go on a date, cupcake. A lunch date. It's been so long since we've been on a date."

"Okay,"

[3144]