An update within 3 days, I can't remember the last time my update got so early....

The votes are already so low, please don't compromise with the comments 🥺

Apeksha's pov
Grey clouds were capping all over the vast dark night sky, camouflaging the stark depiction of grey loophole from evil. An embodiment of beauty, owning its flaw vainglorious-ly, the moon is a part of the loop; rendering the tangled existence of light parallel to the darkness and along it lies the grey loophole.

Regardless of it being midnight or the earlier downpour, the city was still awake, twinkling like fireflies from so up above. The mesmerizing sight kept my feet glued while cool gust whispered incessantly on my open skin. My arms wrap around myself, seeking warmth from the blazer, too big from my size, which he made me wear before bringing me here to his penthouse.

Last time I was here was on my twenty-first birthday, one of my most cherished birthdays till date. Nothing extravagant yet his presence was enough to make it special. That was the day I had touched alcohol for the first time and had been knocked out soon after, with no clear memory so far.

Having felt his presence looming closer, my muscles went taut and I had to keep my gaze zeroed to the sky, even curbing the urge of a furtive glance his way.

"We need to talk."

Running a tongue along my dry inner cheeks, my head wobbled in a timid nod.

"I saw the movers earlier," surprised, my gaze flickered to him. "Will you return by any chance ?"

It was obvious that I would have to move back after my graduation, but we never really had a talk about what happens after that. Avoiding that conversation was deliberate from my side. Speaking it out loud would make it too real, too undeniable. And I wasn't prepared for that. Still am not.

"No," was my helpless reply.

Small towns are traps and that's what entices people to move to big cities. Words go out too fast, scandals spread too soon. It's not generous enough to let the dreams surge let alone allowing the wings to branch out. At least for me, it appears that way.

"What about the professional course you're pursuing ? You've already come so far."

"Secrets are sheltered in the dark. The cloak of our dreams or desires aren't enough to glorify them." My lips tugged in a mirthless smile, my gaze finding his with a knowing look, "And secrets are always dirty."

Once I had joked about pursuing CS to him and unlike me, he very seriously said that he would offer me a job if I cracked it. Unlike his encouragement, my mother wouldn't have approved of it. For her, even my graduation is an obligation, otherwise who would marry a girl who isn't even a graduate in today's generation.

Ridiculous! Feels like my whole life I was getting trained to serve someone else.

"You have my full support. You just have to say the word."

I shook my head. He already lent me money with close to zero interest when I had to enroll for classes. Taking any more help from him would make me feel like I'm using him.

"Please, no." I spoke softly. "I would find a way if it's really meant for me."

I plan to return and stretch it however long I can until my brother turns eighteen. I've chosen myself all this time, whether going with my graduation or being greedy to stay around the man I love. But I can't allow my brother to remain longer under the shadow of those bigoted preachers of stereotypes.

My brother is the only family I cherish and I'll take him along myself from that quagmire.

The distance between us was extinguished as he stride closer, his intense gaze kept me tethered on my spot.

"You'll just have to take the initiative to look back and you'll always find me having your back."

I blinked, flabbergasted, yet touched.

"Thankyou," I muttered. "Just so you know, I was already thinking about dating. I know you don't like getting in fickle correlation so you don't have to force yourself into it. Dating is one of the things I've wanted to try which Aai wouldn't allow ever, so of course I was planning to do it behind her back_"

An unforeseen finger ceased my blabbering, rendering me speechless.

"If given a chance, I would rather hold the moon than admire it from afar. Even if it meant anything else would be ruined forever for me to hold."

I gulped, not accustomed to him staring at me like this. Like his eyes are enough to ablaze me.

"What is that supposed to mean ?"

His stare lingered before he held my palm, his fingers plugging between the gaps of my fingers as began to usher us inside.

"Seems like you are not eating properly. So let me take the boyfriendly duty and feed my girl with good supper."

My girl.

Fuck! My heart almost burst out of my ribs at the sound of that.

I stood in the corner, watching him fishing out the ingredients and needed things to prepare the meal. My offer to help was silenced by his single glare. Now I get why he stopped at the supermarket earlier.

"When did you learn cooking ?"

His mother never approved of him learning cooking, calling it useless with the amount of servants they have.

"I heard you gushing over the guy's cooking skills." His head tilts, eyes narrowing with a knowing look, "That guy from the cute book cover."

I flustered, aware of him intentionally mentioning it to mess with me.

"Stop."

"What ?" Amusement flickers in his eyes, "I know you practically store inked porn in the name of a book collection."

With the way I was caught off-guard, God or devil of death must have already prepared a grave from me.

"Fine. Don't tell me." My hands go in the air in exasperation, "But don't bring my books in between. I'm possessive about them."

In response he lets out a chuckle. "I learnt it from Ruhaansh. He was in the same business school from where I dropped out later. He used to cook in his hostel."

My lips round at the information and his attention moves back to the task at hand.

Warmth raised at my cheeks as I watched in awe, how the ripples of muscles at his back flexed from under the fabric, the veins climbing his translucent forearm from where he rolled the sleeves while his calloused fingers dexterously kneaded the dough.

"The kitchen is open to be seen from the dining. Why don't you allow your legs a little rest and then gawk comfortably ?"

I flushed at his remark. Does he have an extra pair of eyes at his back ?

"Since you're acting up on your boyfriendly duties, am I not allowed to claim my girlfriendly rights ?"

"Of course," he drawls out, throwing a quick glance my way from over his shoulder. "Even I'm not allowed to object there, my lord."

The fear of things getting awkward, the dimension of our bond going haywire had been gnawing at my guts. But now I feel at ease. It feels as if the girlfriend boyfriend thing came quite naturally to us.

Rounding the cozy kitchen, I find the perfect adjacent spot that provides the better view for me to gaze at him. I've always thought men who can cook must look hot. Guess I wasn't wrong considering how heated my bloodstream feels right now.

"Can I sit on the countertop ?"

I was quick to push the things aside to generate a space for me to sit as soon as I got his humming of approval. Startled, a gasp egressed past my lips upon being picked up abruptly before I was being settled on the countertop. His arms lazily slid away from my waist, now resting by either side of me; however the heat from his touch still lingered.

"You need not to ask for my permission. Ease yourself around, everything mine is now equally yours.

He's saying as if we are a married couple.

I pushed that thought away and focused back on him.

"You don't think of me as the same little girl whom you used to help around, right ?" My face twists in grimace at the words. "That would make it look so_ wrong."

The fuck am I speaking !?

The throaty chuckle reverberating from his chest, fills in our surroundings, echoing in my heart.

"I wouldn't be standing too close if I thought you were some little girl."

The half arm distance between us was erased a little more, making my heart jerk with speed.

"I'm anything but a pedophile," he shuddered at his words and I instinctively mirrored his reaction. "Am I of the age of your grandfather ?" I shook my head. "Or your father ?"

This time my head shook more vehemently.

"Then it's settled." He stepped back and I inhaled a very much needed breath, which I didn't realise I was holding.

Turning on his heels, he returned back to the stove to start with the chapattis, simultaneously checking on the curry.

"Par budhe ho rahe hain aap." I teased from behind.

(Nonetheless you're getting old.)

Unfazed by my remark, he added salt and other spices in the curry and stirred it for a minute. Picking up a spoon, he scooped some in it before walking back to me.

His eyes peered into mine as the spoon was brought to my lips, "Open your mouth."

Huhh ? My lips parted, while I dumbly took the spoon in my mouth.

"Delicious," my voice sounded rather breathless, cheeks heated under his intense gaze.

My brain needs disinfection.

His lips broke in a lazy smile and he patted my head softly, "Good girl." And then my body jerked as his thumb swiped across the remnants of curry at the corner of my lips, awakening a tingling sensation. "You don't know what this old man is capable of. Yet."

Heat, like I never felt before, unfurled in my veins. Even though I strived to not read much in his actions or words, the smug look on his face, almost nonchalant, was making me think otherwise.

I arranged the cutlery while he brought the food. Wanting to enjoy the food along with some movie, we both brought the arrangement in the living space.

Serving us both, he passed my plate to me with three chapatis and a bowl of vegetable curry. I tore a morsel, dipped it in the curry, then blew cool air to avoid burning my mouth, then finally allowed my tongue to savour the taste. The spicy and salty taste exploded on my taste buds, an appreciative humm buzzing from the back of my throat.

"Deva! Annapurna maa ka jadoo to nahin aa gaya aapke hathon mein ?" Taking another bite, I directed my eyes at him, letting him witness my honest appreciation. And he smiled. "Now this is what you call professional expertise."

(God! Definitely you got a blessing from the divinity of food and nourishment, Goddess Annapurna.)

"Thankyou and stop flattering me."

The tip of his ears visibly turned pink and I had to press my lips, not wanting to pull his leg anymore.

"Movie time," with palpable excitement, I exclaimed, bending to grab the controller. "We will watch_"

"No"

"Please"

"No"

"Sometimes ago, you were being a pookie boyfriend. Now look at you." My eyes squinted in accusation.

He too narrowed his eyes, mirroring the same expression as mine, "My answer still remains no."

"It's Aashiqui 2," I pleaded, my tone exasperated.

"I don't want my girl to cry because of a movie on our very first date."

That my girl. It will be death to me. Literally.

A little more bantering later, we decided on Mulan. She is definitely one of the strongest Disney princesses, a princess by action not blood. An inspiration, with whom I could personally relate.

Later we worked in sync while cleaning the table, wiping the kitchen countertop and even washed the dishes in harmony. He did it with so much ease, naturally. Not in a thousand years could I imagine the men from my family possessing the same casuality with the thought of taking a part in the domestic chores, let alone lending a hand.

Amidst the temporary illusion I was rejoicing in, the reality did manage to crawl back, a reminder that I have to take my brother away before he turns up the same.

My nervous gaze swept across the white marbled floor with grey touch on walls and furniture that was exuding the energy akin to his aura.

His powerful strides drew closer, bringing me out of my muse. His blazer was big and warm, but quite not really comfortable to sleep in, so he brought me a spare shirt to replace it with.

"Thankyou"

My steps were quick to stride inside the bathroom, where I washed my face, did my business and replaced his blazer with the grey shirt. Bringing the long sleeve to my nose, I sniffed, a smile blooming on my lips, the rich smell of his cologne wafted over me.

Will he figure out if I steal one of his shirts ? Stealing my own boyfriend's shirt shouldn't be considered a crime, right ?

Still spooning the sleeve closer, I stepped out, my smile dropping instantly upon being caught under his fixated gaze while he was perched in a laid-back stance.

His posture straightened, with a palpable heat emitting, his gaze went all the way down to me and I almost witnessed something shifting in his eyes.

With a wiggle of eyebrows, he gesture me to walk closer, "Come closer."

Those two simple words broke me into a pool of puddles. Biting on my lower lip, my tentative steps moved in his direction. Are we going to share a room ? Not a bed, of course. Still the thought of sharing the same room sounds too__ intimate.

I felt a sudden surge of panic surfacing within me.

Grasping the extra end of the sleeve that was swinging out the length of my arms, he started to roll it with gentle movements.

"We cannot tell anyone else about our relationship."

His actions pause momentarily before he coolly resumes, "So it's a secret ?"

"A secret." I nod.

Even these four months would be snatched away from me if anyone, especially his family or my family, got the slightest idea.

His body heat looms around me, the distance between us almost non-existent when he took a step closer, my chin now in his grasp.

"Then let's abide by it your way," warm breaths levitate on my face making me gulp. "Just don't ever cross the boundaries and never step out of the line."

Ignoring the bitter feeling, my head bobs in a firm nod. Then he steps back.

"Get some sleep. We will be driving back early," Our eyes meet and involuntarily my gaze lowers, a faint of crimson taking over my cheeks. "I've lots of work to catch up with."

Tingles erupt on my skin, the softness of his lips found my forehead, the touch both warm and tender. Far from the last time when I was jolted by the realisation of the forbidden feelings, my heart just didn't skip a beat, rather tumble enthusiastically behind the ribs.

"Good night, little swan."

"Good night."

Chapter Words- 2546

This chapter was too sweet 😮‍💨

Next chap-- Vyom's pov. Pakka

Signing off
~T.R