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Vyom's pov
It was surprising that my jaw hadn't snapped into two by now seeing how hard I've been clenching it. Beside me Vamika sat with a rather calm posture, her legs crossed with mustered ease in her semi formal suit, her impassive face giving out no idea of her inner thoughts.

Any other day, I would have mirrored the same semblance, bestowing the unwanted guests with my presence but barely acknowledging theirs. But it was turning into dire straits when all I wanted to get up and storm out before I ended up shooting the redhead sitting across me, or her creep of a twin brother who wouldn't just take a hint from my glares and was still leeching at my sister.

Entertaining my parents' guests weren't in my top priorities and especially if they are disguising the matrimony meeting in name of regular lunch. And definitely not when the prospective suitress is the first ever serious crush of my teen self who left me with spiralling insecurities that took me years to bury.

"I thought you liked me."

"I like someone more. Moreover, liking doesn't mean jumping into a relationship."

"We just shared our virginity."

"Don't be fussy, Vyom. I'm the girl here. Boys don't fuss over virginity stuff. Besides, some guys don't prefer virgins so I needed someone to sleep with."

"What is that supposed to mean ?"

"Sex with you was amazing, I would give you that. But I just needed to_ unvirgin myself."

She just wanted a dick with a class. How elegant! The guy she was whipped with didn't prefer virgins. And I was an oblivious fool to fall for her sugar-coated words and fabricated charms.

"Vyom, you remember Shaily ? She was in the same business school as yours." My mother gushed, her smile so wide that I thought it would tear apart her face.

"I see," was my reply, my attention now back to my mobile screen.

Ruhaansh
There's this dungeon down there.
Especially designed for torturing
in that era.

Dragging her whole way to
the other state would be stressful.
I don't think Isuel would mind
fixing her skull for me.

Ruhaansh
Sounds like a plan.
The woman is terrific with
her knives.

I almost thought you've
a crush on her.

Ruhaansh
I don't do crush.
I would rather crush them.

Sleek bastard. He was having too much fun in my dismay. If my murdering instincts weren't skyrocketing, I wouldn't be chatting with Ruhaansh like a college brokenhearted.

Heartbroken would be an overstatement. I was highly abhorrent.

"Vyom, it's not a good thing to be busy with work when an old friend is here to meet you." My mother's smile stretched further. I almost winced at the morbid picture of her face splitting apart flashing in my head.

"Shaily has finished her business degree from abroad and is joining her father in the company soon. Isn't that fantastic ?" Shaily aka Shalini flashed a coy smile at my mother's never ending appraisals.

"I see," the same response fell past my lips for the umpteenth time.

Beside me, Vamika subtly squeezed my arm. Throughout she kept checking on me through furtive glances.

If not for gathering some information about the Saini farmhouse, I would have fled from here long ago. Singh owes me for this.

I already knew Shalini's father was one among the others who put their money in the Saini farmhouse. What I didn't expect is for my parents to try to fix me with his daughter.

And it just makes it more axiomatic that my parents' pick for my life partner can only be ill-chosen.

Across the living room, my eyes caught the sight of the peeking head from the far situated pillar. Then our eyes locked. Despite being surrounded by unwanted presence, the corner of my lips tugged when Apeksha shot me a sheepish smile.

Chorus of laughter buzzed in the hall, the sound raucous to my ears.

The househelp walked in, holding a tray adorned with some more snacks and my mother's favourite expensive tea.

"This one here is my favourite," I vaguely hear my mother's voice, my attention still focused on my girl. "We export the tea specifically from the best gardens."

"I am sure it's awesome as it's of your choice, aunty. After all, your choice can never be wrong." Shalini's voice carried a hint, her gaze darting to me as she pushed back a red strand behind her ears.

Nonetheless every bit of attention was captured by the girl with those voluptuous midnight curls, through which my fingers want to weave. Even with my eyes open, I can only envision a future with us entangled in each other's arms in our bed while her hair was scattered on the pillow.

We all picked our cups, bringing it close to our mouth as we took a sip. The rich taste wafted over the surface of my tongue, lingering even after I sipped it past my throat.

Shalini's sudden shriek flakes out the eased ambiance followed by the loud clunk of the cup and saucer being kept back on the table. Her creep soon-to-be-dead brother jumped from his seat, letting out a loud profanity after his sister spilled the tea all over his clothes.

"The hell! This shit is_"

"Shalini"

Shalini quickly halts upon her father's commanding voice and taking the cue, her brother Neerav zips his mouth too.

"But dad, the tea_" finding neither of our expressions mirroring her sudden freaked out reaction, Shalini pursed her lips, her face flaming in embarrassment.

Whereas my mother's nostril flared, her jaw locked while she struggled to keep her smile intact. Letting out such a repelled response for her favourite tea was considered a law-break within the confines of Somani Residence.

With the draining of her face's pleasant expression, I could sense her fondness draining for Shalini simultaneously.

Involuntarily my eyes averted back to Apeksha, heart nearly leaping when she winked, blowing a kiss my way.

My insides flared with a new found delight, watching Shalini forcing down the whole tea, striving her best to appease my mother.

Later on we were asked to take the twins to show our sunroom and I acquiesced, knowing the microphone I placed would accomplish the part of my job.

Facing the beautiful expanse of our garden, the sunroom was intricately built hexagonal with large glass framing the ceiling and each of the walls, camouflaging the exit door that connected it to the gardens.

Once inside, Vamika shot me an apologetic look before excusing herself for a business call. Not having the parents around, Neerav was brave enough to make a move to follow after her only to be forced to pause, my palm pressing on his shoulders.

Vamika was very much capable of taking care of such creeps. That doesn't mean I would just watch without reacting.

He shot me an irritated look. "You better keep those filthy eyes off my sister," the calmness in my tone did nothing to veil the dangerous undertone. "Before I'm tempted to pluck them."

"Come on, Vyom. You don't have to be so hostile just because of insignificant past events. We were all young," my muscles tensed under the scorch of her palm on my arm.

The very next moment my body reacts, throwing her arm off, my glare shimmering incendiary.

"Don't give yourself too much credit. The only reason I keep trash faces in the corner of my head so I could keep them away from contiguity."

Colour visibly blanched off her face, not quite expecting my indifferent reaction. As if I give a fuck. She was really a fool if she thought I was still pining on that one regretful night even after a decade.

"Don't try to push my limits before I forget the last bit of hospitality for my guests," my smile was tight and indicating, voice still calm. "My standards aren't so low that I would even entertain the thought of you being close to a suitable match."

Shalini's mouth fell agape, desperately thrashing to form a coherent response only to stand stupidly stupefied.

People's personal choices or preferences were none of my damn business, whether they are going for one night stands or performing orgy. But they better not drag me into their shit and push my buttons.

Trifling with someone's emotions just to drag out pleasure is one such shity move. People should learn better.

Two of the househelp steps inside, tearing through the tension, offering the twins a tour to the other side of the garden or the home exhibit of our family heirloom designs. I flick a finger in dismissal and the siblings reluctantly fell in step with them.

With me left alone in the sun room, Apeksha bounced in my direction through the exit door. My eyes squint in dubiety when she dust my arm, incessantly chatting, "Shoo away all evil."

Her arms serpentine around mine, chin perched on my bicep as she looked up, matching my gaze.

"I would have put kala tika on you had I known a chudail was coming," her lips round in a moue.

(I would have put a kohl dot behind your ears had I known a witch was coming.)

Understanding dawns upon me, a laughter bubbling within and then bursting out unrestrained. Her eyes softened, a smile lifting the corner of her lips.

My fingers find a tendril of her hair, twirling it around, "What did you do with the tea, little swan ?"

"Just added some special flavours for the special guest," her eyes gleamed with hooliganism, lips suppressing a cheshire grin. Another laughter bubbled out of me.

"So damn adorable, baby." Her breath hitched; because of my words or the dwindling gap between our faces- I didn't know. "So precious. So mine."

Every moment of having her as mine only elucidates why it can't be anyone but her.

"I didn't take you for such a flirt, vakeel sahab." Faint scarlet coats the curve of her adorable cheeks, lifting as she grinned wider. "If it were in my hands, she wouldn't leave the house with those irritating red hair. She spoiled Jules-hair for me." A scowl etched her beautiful features. "I so want to destroy her head."

(Mr. Lawyer)

I watch, amused, how easily emotions and reactions pour and seep off her countenance. A canvas artistically splashed with every subtle and vibrant colours on the right places, rousing the muse to bewitch the admirer breathless.

She was the muse rousing the admirer within me. Every speck of salient brown personifying her existence is so sacred-ly enchanting to bring even my demons to their knees.

My hands dip inside my pocket, bringing out the platinum lighter that had a rose carved on its body, which I designed and lapidated myself.

"Do whatever you please." Apeksha stared at me with confusion as I placed it in her hands. "You could burn down half of the city and I would still have your back."

She stared at me with parted lips, words evading for a sensible reply.

Her head shook, "You can't be serious."

"Try me."

~~~

Apeksha's pov
Om sir disappeared out of my sight a minute before, yet my gaze lingered in the direction he went through, before it diverted to the expensive lighter in my hand.

It was Sunday but I was off early from my shift at the library. Lately Mrs. Somani had been secretly planning lunch and dinner dates to introduce Om sir with more suitable matches. The gossip brewing while my stroll in the kitchen confirmed that.

Though I'm relieved since he has been spending most of the time with me, refusing to incline to his mother's ploy.

No matter how many times I tried to pacify myself, it twisted my guts with the realisation that we would never fit. These four months are a self made delusional bubble. I land nowhere close to his mother's criteria for the perfect daughter-in-law.

I shake my head, trying to push these thoughts away before I start overthinking. We both have different goals and different lives. Forbidden, not happening and ill-fated.

And I would rather not let myself wish for more than allowed or it will only crush my heart-- which would break eventually anyway-- even more.

Shoving all these bothersome thoughts for later, I make my way inside, now a newfound determination brewing within.

I recognised Shalini aka Shaily instantly after hearing her surname. I had even stalked her on the internet for quite some time after she discarded my friend crestfallen all those years ago.

For once so even Om sir might forget about those bitches but I would never. I've cursed them throughout for hurting my favourite person and now that one is here, I wouldn't let her leave happy.

Moving along the walls, my eyes trained on my surroundings, so no one nab me roaming in the exhibition room.

The room was huge, built dramatically to add a Victorian touch, crystal chandeliers dangling above every piece of expensive heirloom or jewellery piece, secured within the glass frame with sensor alarm. Intricate sconces adorned the walls, curtains pulled back to the pillars and candelabra set atop of the wooden stools.

For the modern built mansion, this room was quite contrasting carrying the vibe of ancient European displays.

Shalini and her jerk brother moved around the room, escorted by the households, extolling loudly about every piece under Vamika ma'am's radar.

I waited patiently for the chance, sucking in an anxious yet purposeful breath. My nose scrunched, an evil smile dancing on my lips as the awaited chance arrived.

Bitch Shalini perched herself against the decorative stool, carping the househelp by her side to bring her refreshment drinks.

Since the room was blasting with air conditioners to maintain the temperature, the househelps haven't lit all the candles.

Finding her engaged in barking orders, my fingers flipped on the ignition of the lighter, deftly bringing the small flame flicker to life. Once the househelp retreated, I shook the bottle of room freshener which I've been clutching to my chest and pressed on the spray.

The gas sputtered, exploding past the small flickering flame, elevating it full blown, before it caught the end of Shalini's red curl.

Shalini sniffed the smoke first, before the realisation of her hair catching fire dawned upon her.

"Aag... Aag,"

(Fire... fire.)

Commotion broke in the rather reticent room, Shalini's frantic holler for help hurried footsteps in her direction.

I quickly moved behind the pillar, striving to escape from being caught. My eyes widened in fright when a rough palm clasped over my mouth and then I was dragged to a small dark room.

Ohh my God! Am I going to kick the bucket this soon ?

A large frame towered before me feeling larger than life, while I tried to shrink more into the non-existent space between the wall and him.

"Little swan," my entire body racked with delicious tremors, the heat of his breath looming on my neck with body pressed against mine, induced me breathless. "I told you, you're capable of doing wonders."

His palm slipped past my mouth, rounding my nape as he pressed his thumb at the pulse point and a weird sound elicited past my lips, stiffening us both.

Chests rose and fell rapidly, brushing incessantly against each other, my entire body on the furnace.

"I'll be caught, right ? They will get me through the security footage. Omg! Omg! Deva, Kr̥payā malā vācavā."

(God, please save me.)

The initial nervousness from his proximity subsided, leaving behind the haunting anticipation of the aftermath coming for me.

"Shh," my frantic rambling was impeded by his finger. "You don't have to trouble that little brain of yours. When I said I've got your back, I meant it."

I breathed out, half of the wariness exhaling simultaneously.

"How was it ? She deserved it." Excitement swirled, my mind wandered back to Shalini bitch shrieking with her hair on fire. "No one will get past easy after hurting my favourite man."

A sexy grumble rumbled from his chest, the sound surging straight down to my core, settling between my thighs.

"It was hot," the tip of his nose skidded along my jaw, the raspy voice awakening images that would put smut authors to shame. "So hot that it took everything in me to not kiss you right there."

His confession shackled me taut. Heat surged through my nerves, breathing ragged while his thumb released my lower lip from the cage of my canines.

"Allow me," his whisper danced against my skin, the distance between our faces tapered. "Please."

His voice sounded strained, almost pained, as if only I could soothe it.

On instinct my chin jutted up, reducing some more distance. His thumb pressed harder on my pulse, my clutch tightening on his shirt. We both shuddered together, our lips brushing ever so slightly.

Until a blaring phone shattered the trance.

Chapter Words- 2834

I love torturing with that
almost kissed thing 👉👈

*I'd let the world burn for you*
couple 💋

Signing off
~T.R