Many keeps asking about their age-gap.. Vyom is 30 and Apeksha would turn 22 in less than two months

The story is already getting so less response, kindly don't be a silent reader...

Apeksha's pov
I bit my lip, my whole body jolted, not only because of the sudden clash of windows, but as the stalker effortlessly sneaked in the room.

Shivers wrecked my body, the clinking of his gun against the bedpost described in the ink evoked a fear by a pseudo force.

An angry growl of the clouds resonated in the sky while the windows simultaneously clashed shut before opening back with the same force.

Bolted by the sudden sound, I fell from the chair I was sitting on- not too far from the window because of being avariced to feel the moist whisper of the rain on my face. Groaning and rubbing my ass, I got back on my feet simultaneously picking the book I've been reading.

Reading a core dark romance book in the middle of the night when it's torrential downpouring outside with all the lights switched off- definitely a bad idea.

I walked to the window with the thought of shutting this damn interrupting thing off. Against the force of the biting wind, I pulled on the windows. Halfway my actions abruptly halted, a chill prickling at the back of my neck as I let out a shriek.

I held on the edge of the window to steady my stumbling form and with a deep breath looked back outside; my gaze scrutinising. Confusion morphed my face as I only encountered the looming darkness. No silhouette of some dark figure stood there like I felt I saw a minute before. But I swear it felt so vivid.

"Vēḍī mulagī," chastising my stupid self, I decided to read the rest later and let the reader in me- who is so against of sleeping -have some sleep.

(Crazy girl)

As I was about to turn back, the flash of a car entering caught my attention. Since the servants quarter is at the backside of the mansion, one of the windows of this room faces the back entrance.

I stared at the car for a second longer. Next I knew I was searching for my umbrella, pulling on my scarf and stepping out of the servants quarter already.

My hold tightened around the umbrella as the wind challenged to dither my grasp. My gaze wandered around, going as far as allowed under the flash of the mini torch which my brother forgot to take along.

I really thought it would be Om sir since he never returned back from office last evening. Maybe he already went inside the mansion. Or maybe it wasn't his car.

Or did he leave like the last time ? And this time without a note.

Neither the looming darkness nor the heavy rainfall scared me. Nonetheless when I felt something brushing on my shoulder, I screamed out, "Bappa bachao."

(God save me.)

I whirled around, my ankle twisting with another shriek reverberating. The umbrella slipped away to the ground and I thought I was next until my body was pulled with a force only to dash with a tree trunk. A tree trunk ?

The fierce fat rain splattering drenched me in no time. At this moment I'm glad I'm not on my periods anymore.

I rubbed my face on the trunk. Although the surface was stout but not in a rough way. It was soft like fabric and hard as__ muscles ?

Abruptly I was coerced away from the trunk or muscle heap or whatever with a jerk, jolting me out of the trance. My lips parted as I came across the tall silhouette upon focusing through damp eyelashes.

"Aap ho ?" Crouching down, I shuffled for the torchlight and then for my umbrella, that damn thing flew farther than required.

(Is that you ?)

I flustered, recalling what I did some time ago. God! Kill me already.

As I got up, the flash trailing upwards sprung up his figure. I was suddenly left frozen as the red patches on the arms of his damped white shirt came into view.

"Blood ? Are you hurt ?" I panicked.

Inadvertently my hand reached out for his arm, only to be caught before I could touch it. Meanwhile his other hand grasped my other wrist, averting the torch towards my face.

He took a step back, his voice gruff, "Red wine."

"Huhh ?"

"It's red wine," He confirmed.

My lips rounded in an O. The roaring of clouds and the drumming of rain overtook the silence that stretched between us.

Warmth raised on my cheeks when the flash of the torch skidded down from my face and the realization of my soaked thin-material t-shirt sticking to my body dawned on me. Fuck the cotton bra!

He cleared his throat a little too loud and handed the torch back to me as he spoke, his voice carried through when he walked past me, "You will catch a cold. What are you doing here in this weather ?"

"I_ I just_"

He walked back on his previous spot, now my umbrella in his hand while the flash in my hand focused upon him.

My gaze fixated on his visage- damp ruffled hair and those golden sky like eyes curtain-ed by the thick lashes -entranced by this well carved creation of God. And I'm indebted to the almighty to grant me the chance to be a part of his life, even if one day I'll end up as just a faded memory.

"Go back inside, little swan. We don't want you to fall ill." He extended the umbrella towards me.

Biting my lips, I looked up at my favourite yellow umbrella while contemplating and then stole a glance of him. Being a sucker for romance, I bought this yellow umbrella after discovering the notion behind it.

With my heart palpitating, I held the umbrella over his hold and then shoved it gently in his direction, "Please keep it."

"But you_"

"Good night, Om sir." Before he could start protesting again, I turned on my heels and headed back to the servants quarters.

I just secretly confessed my love to the man who owns my heart. And I don't know how to feel about it ?

~
~
~

The texture of the dhokla felt perfect under my fingers and regardless of my mother reprimanding on the phone, a smile touched my lips imagining his satiated face while savouring it.

A hiss reverberated past my lips as my hand accidentally brushed across the hot pan.

"Deva! Did you drop another jar ? Don't you realise every penny we spend is so tough ? Be a little responsible." She says exasperatedly.

(God!)

I ignored her words even if a counter back was just at the tip of my tongue. By now I knew it's just a waste of energy.

"Finish whatever you've there before your graduation. The other day Sarla told me of her relative who pays good for old items and furniture." She continues, going on from a neighbour Sarla of her hometown to other things I need to get done before I graduate and move there.

Just the thought of moving back, leaving this place, my friends, my freedom and most importantly him, makes my heart fall in the pit of my stomach.

I never wanted to be a self-sacrificial lead of my life, but I guess time and situations are obstinate to waver my resolution. My rebel phase died with my father's demise. I didn't find the heart in me to burden my mother more when she already looked so crestfallen and disquiet for the future.

And I felt even more horrible as bizzare thoughts commenced sprouting in my head. What kind of daughter, after her father's death, wonders if her mother is heartbroken out of love or the agony was rooted because of abruptly losing the only financial shield ?

Before these thoughts could throttle me, my brother's voice filled in the suffocating ambiance. I smiled, listening to his yapping while making a mental list of every thing he demanded.

"Bye Tai."

"Bye. And study well."

I pick up my phone, and send a quick text to Om sir.

Anybody there !?

I was surprised when my phone pinged almost immediately.

Om sir
Are you typing this now
because you can't actually
scream that in my living hall ?

Typical you.
Hahahah!

My cheeks heat up as all the nasty smut illustrates in my head after reading the word scream. Perks of being a reader!

Are you home ?
I've something for you.

Om sir
Home!
Alone!
Embraced by fever!

tfff!
I'll be there in 10

In an instant I was out of the kitchen, washing my face and taking a flash glance at my loose t-shirt and palazzo pants. My hip length hairs were all over the place and would take too long to untangle, so I just pinned them with a claw clip.

The kitchen back door, as usual, gave me easy access inside the mansion. Keeping my steps silent and clutching the tiffin box closer to my chest, I veered through the living hall and ascended the stairs.

True to his words, the entire house was motionless and dark. The dim light slanting along the stairs saved me from not rolling down and breaking any bones.

Once on the second floor, my feet that had gotten accustomed to the way to his room too well, motioned in a featured rhythm. Had repeated the same cycle meticulously everytime he gave me tuitions surreptitiously.

Giving a deliberate knock on the door, I charged inside as soon I heard the door creaking. I let out a breath and then my eyes met his and they looked red and exhausted.

Beckoning my fingers, I motioned him to crouch his head. His eyebrows draw together in dubiety though he obliges anyway.

I gulp, striving to school my countenance unfazed now that his face was parallel to mine, too close out of the blue. I've been in his vicinity countless times but considering our height difference, never had our faces so close, even though right now there's still around an arm's distance in between.

It suddenly made me a bag of nerves.

Keeping my stance normal, I placed my hand on his forehead to examine his temperature. He wasn't scorching, in fact it was something between cool and warm. Nevertheless the hunch in his shoulder and slight shiver in his body was enough to get me worried.

"Where is your mom ?" I asked while I pulled the sitting stool closer to his bed and dropped my bagpack next to it.

He shrugs, feigning nonchalance, "Busy somewhere for the company's sake."

A sigh leaves my lips upon his response, somewhere already anticipating it. Over the years, their company did face some hardships but doesn't mean it's in shambles or something. I don't understand his parents' obsession to make everything about it.

"Lie down and let yourself relax. Your dear friend is at your service to take care of you." Lighting my palazzo, I gave a dramatic bow earning a chuckle from him.

He lays down accordance to my instructions and pulls on the covers while he signals towards the medical kit on the nightstand as he lets me know that he has already taken medicine.

"Did you check your temperature ?"

Flashing the thermometer, he gives a nod, "Yeah. Around 100."

"Let's wait until the medicine starts showing its effect." I sit down on the stool.

As he got busy on his phone then did I finally allow myself a greedy moment to leisurely look at him. He wore his regular t-shirt and grey sweats whereas those disheveled silken curls of his were falling gracefully on his forehead.

Having the windfall to be around him in his unpolished state, where he is just him and not the typical billionaire or high demanded lawyer, flutters my heart in incomprehensible ways.

Even if it's not the first time, it eases my heart after I felt so scared of it fading away in those ten months. And I know the relief is short-lived since I don't have long to cling to this feeling.

"Do you want something to eat ? Soup or something ?"

He waves his hand in dismissal, "I don't have an appetite."

And regardless of his former words, stretches his arm and takes away the tiffin box of dhokla and already gobbled one in his mouth, letting out an appreciative hum.

"Someone is earning professional skills." He gushed.

Howbeit I tried to curb it, a heedless smile curls on my lips.

"Wouldn't you get bored ?"

My head shook immediately on his question as I pulled out my notebook and pen from my backpack, "I came prepared. By the way, can I use your lappu jhappu ?"

His eyes narrowed at the weird name, which I began to use to refer to his laptop after getting frustrated because of him always being glued to that damn thing. And then he sighs in defeat.

"Go on. You know the password already."

I grin, then get up and pull the laptop, which was resting by his side, to myself. I've known all of his passwords, from all the species of freaking bizarre law related latin words to until when it settled to 'ahskoyv'. He never changed it after that. And till date, I can't find the meaning to it.

I enter the password and directly land on some page being used before. While switching to another page, my fingers came to an abrupt halt upon accidentally entering a document where a familiar face stared right back at me through the picture. The face of that fucking constable.

My memory often gets so rusted that I'll forget the person I met an hour ago, if I never get to have to meet them again. However this is the face that creeped me out for months and plagued my sleep.

I was so freaked out with the thought of him popping out of the blue and threatening to show my picture, which he clicked, to my parents claiming it's from police data.

Loud shrieks of cough caught my attention just as I was about to scroll further. Vyom sir was holding his chest as he coughed while his other hand frantically signalled towards the water. "P_pass me the wa_ter, please."

Leaving what I was doing earlier, my body sprints to action as I fill the glass and extend towards him. His hand found mine halfway in utter urgency. His touch was scorching against my skin and it made me flinch, causing my grasp to tumble.

"Shit," With my eyes enlarging, aghast, and I felt the glass slipping away as the water splashed all over.

Chapter Words- 2431

Another reality of the reality we believe in!?

Damn them who says women in love put no efforts...

I'm smelling something 🤫

Signing off
~T.R