Ipshita

I feel a hand wrap around my waist, softly pulling me back into a hard cushiony surface. The fingers of the same hand graze the hem of my T-shirt before they slip inside, feeling my skin against their rough surface. The cold touch against my warm skin disturbs my sleep and my eyes open up to sunlight peaking into the room from the curtains.

Just then, I realise, the hand around my waist is my husband's and he's still asleep, hugging me from behind. Tiny goosebumps arise on my skin at the thought of him being this way when conscious, but I shake those thoughts away for my own sake.

Slowly turning my body to the right, I come face to face with the most husband person in the world. His eyelashes fall over the curve of his cheeks, his hair a nestled mess as always. My eyes move over his lips, pulled into a little pout as if someone is teasing him in his dreams.

I feel a string of my hurt nudge, urge me to kiss his pouting lips, just give into it once. But I can't. I can't give in to him, not when this won't last forever, not when it's just a deal, not only to him but to myself. It's just a convenience, not something that has to be dealt with along with emotions as it's part.

The hands over my skin twitch slightly before Kanishk's body stretches out slightly, his eyes opening to adjust to the light peaking into the room. My body, as if a robot, instantly repels his movement, trying to move away from him, but the hold on my waist resists the movement before pulling me tightly into the hard chest, my head inches away from his own.

Kanishk gives me a small smile, lifting his hand to move the strand of hair blocking my eyes from clashing with his own and putting it behind my ear.

"You ignore me a lot Mrs. Rajvanshi, give me a few minutes to admire your beauty."

My heart accidentally misses its beat, listening to the name he addressed me with and my eyes turn away from his gaze.

Don't fall Ipshita. Know your duty.

The touch on my waist disappears before it returns to my cheek, softly grazing the hot flesh with its own coldness. A shiver passes down my spine, and suddenly I feel my throat dry up from his actions.

This isn't how things were supposed to go, were they? I came here for a reason yet that reason keeps getting defeated because of the stupidity my heart keeps repeating.

"Where are you lost now?"

My orbs return to his own, staring into the light brown tint with curiosity. He had strange eyes, both soft yet scary. His demeanour looks so cool yet I've seen the way he gets upset. It's almost blood-chilling.

"Ipshita?"

"Ji?"

"Share a piece of your thought with me, would you? You're hard to read sometimes,"

My eyes look at his with hesitation before I shake my head.

"It's nothing really, you should get ready or you'll be late,"

His gaze turns to the clock on the wall behind me. A deep sigh leaves his lips before he nods his head in agreement and slides away from my side, getting up from the mattress.

"Ask mom to get the food ready, I'll eat later, it'll already be late for my work, I've an important meeting to attend."

My heart saddened a bit at the coldness of his voice, had I upset him without my closed-off behaviour? But then again did it really matter how we lived together? It's only a six-month relationship. It's better not to be attached.

Before I get to respond, he turns around and leaves me in the now cold bed.

The Rajvanshi house was huge, to say the least, every door led to one or the other room, and anyone new could easily get lost.

I step down the final flight of stairs before I come face to face with Kaynaaz with a coffee cup in her hand and a book in the other. Her eyes rise from the textbook and the annoyed look on her face immediately morphs into a smiling one.

"Good morning Bhabhi,"

Yea.. I'm still getting used to them calling me Bhabhi. It seems strange. Not to mention I feel horrible about them not knowing about the six-month plan.

I return the same smile to her before taking a peek into the book in her hand.

"Good morning Kay, you have an exam today?"

She nods her head slightly before holding up her book.

"Yup. Exam season again. I might as well die from exhaustion."

"Do you say Die?"

The loud roar from the kitchen startles both me and the younger one in front of me. My mother-in-law emerges from the kitchen holding up a spatula before pointing it in Kay's direction.

"Say that again young lady"

"Mumma mera woh matlab nhi tha,"
(Mumma I didn't mean it in that way)

The whine in Kaynaaz's voice makes my lips twitch into a smile as I hear the mom and daughter bicker over the topic of dying.

Soman Rajvanshi took death as no joke, and I had been warned about this several times by not only my husband but even his younger sisters. Their mother was extremely sensitive about this topic since some accident had taken place when Kanishk was about 8 or 9 years old. Even after trying to get to know about this mystery accident, it's like a taboo in this household to say anything.

"Kaynaaz you better not say that word again. Ever. Be grateful that you're safe here with the grace of god."

Kay nods her tiny head before mumbling an apology and giving a hug to her mother. They resolve things quickly before returning to their original tasks, with me setting up the table for everyone to settle and eat.

It didn't take long for everyone to settle down and start the breakfast. Kyra was still in her, sleeping I assume, while Kanishk led the daily business chit-chat with his father. I listen closely to their conversations, catching onto any small details and feeding them to the back of my brain to recall later.

An hour later, I walk Kanishk to his car before handing him his daily lunch and watch him step into his car quietly.

Quietly.

He's never quiet when he leaves, yet today he leaves quietly. His silence is his anger and sadness at the fact that I didn't open up to him. And that, somehow makes my heart ache.

Time skip

I gaze at the clock as soon as I step out of the shower. It was almost noon, the clock striking at 11:45 am.

The house seemed empty. Mostly probably because it was. Kanishk had left for work and an hour later so did my father-in-law along with Kaynaaz. Kanishk's Dadi and mother had both left about an hour ago to volunteer for the children's orphanage. The only ones at home were me and Kyra, excluding ten or more men guarding around the house.

Stepping into the hallway, I look at the door of Kyra's room, it was still closed lol this morning and sudden worry captures me. I hope she's okay.

Instead of stepping towards her room, I decided to take advantage of the empty house and quietly walk in the direction of Kanishk's study.

The room itself gives a sense of dominance. A hint of my husband's cologne plagues the room, and the painted eyes of his portrait seem to follow my movements but I ignore the eerie sensation before getting to work on the reason I was here in the first place.

I hand rummage through the drawers of Kanishk's desk, looking for an important piece of paper. Drawer after drawer, my fingers flip through the handful of files filled with employment papers and personal databases yet no success in finding what I needed to.

Suddenly my eyes fixate on a locker placed in the far right corner of the room. But before I can step in its direction, the door of the study creaks open and from there emerges a bed-headed Kyra.

"Bhabhi? What are you doing here?"

She rubs her eyes softly before looking at my crouching figure near the desk.

"I was looking for some documents Kyra your brother forgot them at home and asked me to hand them to one of the guards so they can deliver them to him."

She looks at me with a black stare, and for a second I feel like she doesn't believe my lie but the bright smile emerging on her lips breaks that doubt immediately and she nods her head.

"Okay bhabhi, I'm gonna shower. Aap meko breakfast bana do ge?"
(Can you make me some breakfast?)

I nod my head quickly and give her a tight smile before she steps out of the room and scurries back to her.

I immediately stumble to the carpeted floor before a deep sigh escapes my lips.

My eyes return to the ones on the portrait hung on the wall, staring into their mystery.

That was close. I've to be more careful.

Mariam

My gaze curiously lingers over my grumpy boss, sitting in his office and typing aggressively into his laptop.

He had been like this the entire morning and I still can't seem to figure out what was bothering him so much.

It annoyed me in some sense. His changed demeanour, his grumpy face, the angry lines on his forehead whose reason I'm not aware of.

Usually, my morning starts with a loud good morning with startles not only me but also the rest of my co-workers. It wasn't until this morning, with his silence and not even a gaze in my direction, did I realised that I had gotten used to Shivyansh Khurana's company.

I hadn't ever talked with Shivyansh, even after him being close friends with my cousin, or knowing the Rajvanshis, he hadn't ever caught my eye. Until he did. Not with his handsome face or his bossy personality, but rather with his sweetness.

Yes, he's strict. He's almost rage-spitting when someone angers him, but his love and affection are as passionate as his anger is. And it's visible.

The way his eyes soften around the younger ones — Kaynaaz, Rooh, Inaya — the way he messes around with Anvi, the way he silently apologises to Kyra, the way I know his eyes are always lingering on my figure when I'm doing something which even in the smallest case might get me hurt.

I notice. I notice more than he realises, and it's starting to pull an effect on me, one which I'm not sure whether or not I want. 

My inner thoughts come to a pause when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Finally relieving my eyes from my angry boss, I look at the figure who had asked for my attention, and my lips twitch into a small smile.

Kyra holds out a packet of fries in one hand while munching on a cookie from the other. I quickly linger my eyes over her clothes, a white tank top with a plaid skirt and sandals. Beautiful as ever.

"Are you gonna take the fries Ms. Khan or should I take this as an opportunity to devour them?"

I snatch the potato fries from her before stuffing one in my mouth and smiling at her.

"What are you doing here? This early too?"

She lets out a sigh before grabbing a chair and sitting beside me.

"I was here to talk to bhai about something and now I'm here to face that angry giant,"

She points to Shiv, yelling into his phone at someone before looking back at me. Her lips pull into a pout and suddenly her eyes turn all soft and big.

"I'm not helping you, Kyra,"

I shake my head at her attempt to melt me and pop a couple of fries in my mouth.

"Please Mari, he'll eat me alive you know, he won't do that if there's a witness around, and you're the only one who can readily help me,"

She holds my hand before showing me a made-up sad face. I consider the thought for a second before nodding and letting out a sigh. No one wants Kyra to be buried six feet under, and from the looks of his anger right now, it's very much possible for Shivyansh to do that.

"Fine fine, but what is it about?"

"You'll see, come on,"

Kyra takes hold of my hand before dragging me into the devil's lair.

"Can't you get one right fucking thing? Do I have to explain everything to every single person in this goddamn company for everything to function properly??"

Kyra and I flinch at the loud voice as soon as we enter the office. I turn my head to look at Kyra, only to find her already looking at me, slight fear in her eyes. Valid fear that is.

Yet the girl is stubborn enough and she leaves my side before stepping in Shiv's direction.

"Panda, let's talk."

"I'm not in the mood right now Kyra, I don't want to hear anything about those two."

Those two?

My eyes move between the two figures in curiosity. Kyra steps closer to the desk before speaking again.

"If you're angry then take it out on Ishaan and Anvi later. At least don't spoil everyone's day because of this topic. You've been yelling since I've entered this building, you can even hear it in Bhai's office upstairs. Chill mar na."

"Chill? Teko lagta hai I'll be chill after finding my best friend in my brother's room on a Sunday morning?"
(Chill? You think I'll be chill after finding my best friend in my brother's room on a Sunday morning?)

So this is what it's about. I had heard what happened yesterday. Anvi had come home crying, mumbling something about not having peace. I guess they had a huge fight.

Kyra turns her gaze to me, and Shiv follows along, and immediately I feel something change in the room. His eyes soften looking at my figure before he clears his throat, acknowledging my presence.

"You should relax Mr. Khurana, it's stressing out the entire company."

I watch a smile creep up on Kyra's face at my words, but my gaze doesn't move from Shiv's eyes. His body relaxes a bit before he lets out a sigh, looking back at Kyra.

"Chill mar, Mari sahi bol rahi, you're stressing everyone out. Look at that poor girl, she's been stressing over you all morning,"
(Chill out, Mari is right)

Kyra points her finger at me, making my boss look at me in guilt.

"Did I stress you out?"

Ye kyra bhi na, ek din maar khaegi merese.
(This Kyra, she will get a beating from me one day)

My heart melts at the sudden care in his voice and eyes, almost as if it hurts him to see me worry in any kind of way.

"No no, she's kidding. Shut up, Kyra."

"You're stressed Mari don't lie,"

I give a stern look in her direction, before aggressively shaking my head and stepping towards her.

"I am not oh my god Chup raho"

Softly smacking her head with my hand, I shake my head at her mischief, to which she responds by rolling her eyes playfully.

Before any of us as another word, Shiv's phone vibrates with a notification, and we both peek at the screen. Unable to read the word, Kyra looks at the owner of the phone curiously.

"Kya hai?"
(What is it?)

"Some event taking place tonight, your brother is invited too."

"Are you going to go?"

He nods at her question, as I quietly stand there, my arm linked together with Kyra's.

The tiny girl looks in my direction questioningly, to which I raise my eyebrow.

"Are you free tonight Mari?"

"Yes, why?"

"Go with Shiv, everyone needs a date in these events na,"

My cheeks almost heat up at the mention of the word date, that too in the presence of Shivyansh. I slightly shake my head as a no, signalling her with my eyes to shut up.

"Go naaaa, you said you're free, plus this dude can't even enjoy an event, he'll be all alone,"

She extends her hand to Shiv, which he swats away, and his orbs lock with mine, a hint of questioning in them.

"Uhm... fine I guess I'll go then,"

Kyra lets out a squeal before clapping her hands and looking at Shiv.

"I got you a date now I'm taking her with me, no complaints. Bye, panda."

Before he or I could protest, Kyra dragged me out of the office towards the elevator.

What do I do with this hyped kitty

Shivyansh

I don't think I've ever been jealous of a girl. I mean, trust me, I adore Kyra but that woman needs to step away from my wife. Well, future wife, but same thing.

That Catwoman didn't even give me time to protest against her scheme of pulling Mariam out of work early to help her get ready. But, secretly I am grateful to the 5'4 ft human for getting me the most beautiful date.

Mariam stands quietly beside me, staring at the crowd of a hundred or so in front of us.

From the time she had settled into my car, till now, I have barely moved my eyes from her. This woman's beauty almost got me killed on the road. But, to die for her, for her bright brown eyes, for her silky long hair, for her soft plump lips, to die for this goddess, it would be a blessing of some sort.

My future wife was clad in a navy blue saree, which surprisingly enough, was a close match to the colour of my suit. Her hair was pinned on into a bun, and soft makeup highlighted her eyes, and nose, not to mention the softness of her pink cheeks.

I could never get enough of this sight, not now, not in a million years.

"Aese hi dekhte raho ge?"

She turns her head in my direction, looking up into my eyes.

"You should meet some people, Mr. Khurana, isn't this event important?"

And as if on cue, I feel someone tap on my shoulder. I turned to face the person in front of me, and surprisingly it was one of the biggest investors in top companies at the moment. I grab my chance, and immediately start a conversation with him.

And what do you know, half an hour later, I pulled away from the convo to a proposal of his investment into the branches of the company.

With a smile, I turn back to where Mariam was standing but that smile immediately drops not spotting her in her place. My eyes linger through the crowd, towards the bar, the filled-up chair and finally to the place where people were casually dancing.

My breath comes to a stop for a moment, at the sight I behold. Mariam carelessly dancing with Kanishk's newlywed wife, swinging her hips right and left to the rhythm of the music.

Ipshita whispers something into my goddess' ears which makes her turn around to face me, staring directly into my burning soul. Her lips morph into a smile and she turns back shyly, causing Ipshita to let out a laugh.

I don't track how much time I lose in watching the woman in front of me, her presence, her movement, everything captivates me, and I gladly accept to be her prisoner.

With a gentle smile lingering on my lips, I watch as she continues to move gracefully, her every step as elegant as the melody of the song.

Each sway of her hips, each twirl, seemed to draw me in closer, my heart fluttering with a mixture of admiration and longing.

Longing for her touch.

My gaze follows her every movement, cherishing the sight of her joyous expression illuminated by the soft glow of the lights.

In this moment, amidst a hundred people, people who couldn't be compared to her in any way, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to witness her beauty in its purest form, silently cherishing the memory of her dancing as if it were a precious treasure.

My treasure.

Something I'll soon claim forever to cherish, to love, and to mark.