I FEEL something wet and plushy smothering my cheeks. A snuggly thing hovering my body like a blanket.

It's surreal to experience this warm coziness in a chilly morning. Stifling a yawn, I take a minute to collect my senses before opening my eyes.

I blink my eyes to get rid of the morning haziness, only to get latched to the familiar jade eyes. Staring back at me with full of love and relief.

Ivaan wraps his little arms around my neck, snuggling himself close to my chest, "I missed you, shortie."

I feel my heart melting seeing all the warmth this little boy is radiating.

Bringing him under the blanket, I wrap my arms around his little frame, squeezing him closer to myself, "I missed you too bug."

Peppering him with wet goofy kisses,"Good morning," I wish.

He doesn't say anything and starts giggling in delight.

I kiss his forehead and then kiss his cheeks.

"Should we get you ready?" I ask goofily, knowing how much he hates it.

"Nooo!!" He protests.

"Okeyy, okeyy. Maybe later."

I roll my eyes before breaking into a soft chuckle. This snug bug right here is a ball of sunshine.

"Whose that? And why is he sleeping with us?" Ivaan whisper near my ears.

Refusing to look at him, I give Ivaan a soft smile. Silently praying he does not blame him for leaving him here.

"He's the one who married me Ivaan." I say, pushing back his hair with my fingers.

"The Prince?" He asks innocently.

I chuckle softly at his cuteness, "Yes baby, the prince."

"No. He's not. You're lying. Prince don't make others sad."

"He made me cry." His lips wobble, tears filling his eyes.

I cup his face with my palms,"It's not like that bache," I whisper, wiping his eyes with my thumb.

"It is. Or why would he take you away, leaving me behind?" His young eyes questioning me.

Before I coud say anything, Ivaan's being pulled away from my embrace.

I quickly look at my right side, my heart palpilates twice it's speed seeing Abhiraj scooping Ivaan in his arms while laying beside me.

Just a few centimetres away.

His eyes drowsy from sleep.

Him on my bed makes it look so smaller. And having him in my private space makes me strangely flustered.

However I frown slightly, sensing the warmth seeping away.

"Who told you that bud?" His words draw my attention.

"Badi Nani." Ivaan whispers, shyness crawling his cheeks turning them into little cherry balls.

He raises his eyebrows.

"Did she?"

He looks at me with confusion, not understanding whom did Ivaan refer to.

It's the first time I saw anything in his eyes, other then his permanent empty eyes.

"Dadi." I whisper, earning a subtle nod before he focuses back on Ivaan.

"It's not like that bud. I didn't know about you, just like you don't know me. If I had, I would have taken you along with me.
I am sorry to make you feel that way. "Ivaan nods shyly.

"Will you take me along with you? "He asks quietly, his button eyes popping up.

"If you want me to!!"Abhiraj give him a warm smile.

Ohh... Again. It's the first...again.

Lucky you snuggle bug.

"I do." He says happily.

"Then you are coming with us."

"Forever?" Ivann spoke up in a soft voice, startling me.

I look at Abhiraj shooting him an apologetic look.

He hesitates a little, "For as long as you want," Wariness visible on his face m

I sigh, he answered the question I didn't know the answer to. While I can't help the instinctual hurt I feel hearing his words.

Realisation hitting me of how he never wanted this marriage.

"Thankyou uhh...Sir."Ivaan says, his cheeks getting pink as he spoke to him.

Abhiraj chuckles, "You can call me Abhi."

Ivaan nods shyly.

"So should we get ready? Wanna come home with me right?"

Abhiraj looks at me, gesturing me to get him ready.

Picking him from his arms, I settle Ivan on my lap. Ignoring the tingles I am feeling from Abhiraj's close proximity.

"We'll get ready, and then you are going to come with me. Did Nani pack your bag? "

" Yes." He gives a bright smile.

Wrapping his arms around me, he clings to me like a koala.

I get up from the bed, and make my way to the bathroom with him in my arms.

"He's a good prince." Ivaan mumbles into my neck.

I chuckle loudly. The boy is too sweet for my health.

"I am ready." I say closing the zip of my suitcase.

All the necessary things which I'll be needing have been packed.

Abhiraj nods taking the bag from my grip.

"I'll be downstairs along with Ivaan."

I try suppressing the fluttering in my chest.

"Okey." 

I glance around my bedroom, my heart heavy but a little happy as well for leaving this place behind.

This place has seen all of me, my tears, my smiles. It's bittersweet, to leave behind the things you have been so close to.

Closing the door shut. I make my way towards the car parked outside.

We already met everyone before, during the breakfast.

Dadi was not happy. Her words still lingering in my ears.

Pray your husband doesn't start an affair. You are taking a baggage along with you.
_______________________________

I am relieved to have Ivaan with me. The only thing which was scary about getting married was to leave him behind, and I could have never done that.

I look at his Sleeping self crouched in my lap.

We are in car from past 50 minutes, on the way back to his home.

The whether didn't improve a single bit, rain drumming down the windshield, making it difficult to see clearly.

It will take us another hour to reach back due to heavy pour.

I turn my gaze towards him, stoicness capturing his beautiful features.

For the first time in my life I am uncertain about my future.

His abrsiveness is going to make things tough.

I exhale a sharp breath, I don't want myself to overthink about something which is out of my control.

I look back at the beautiful scenic views, while he's busy navigating the car through the highway.

Few minutes into it, " I want you to come to my home office after reaching the mansion. Have something important to discuss."

I stare at him, my nerves spiking my skin. This ain't going to turn out good. I know it.

He stares at me for a moment, that vicious glint cannot be ignored.

________________________________

My heart is thumping as I sit in front of Abhiraj. The idea of something worse coming to me is making my insides twist.

I look into his emerald eyes, keeping my anticipation aside, I want to get over with this as soon as possible.

"What do you want?" I am unable to figure out his eyes. They are as cold as his demeanor.

"An agreement."

I stare at him, wide eyed... "What...?"

An Agreement...has he lost his senses? Why will he say that?

He rest his elbow on the table, clutching his fingers together.

"I want you to sign an agreement to contractualise our marriage."

Disdain fills my heart hearing those vicious words, not just for him but for all those who put me into this.

"I won't do that." I spat out, aderaline pumping my nerves from all the anger clouding me.

"Yes you will." His voice firm yet cold, devoid of any kindness.

"No "

He rise to his feet and walks around the table in slow steps, pausing behind my back.

My heart starts to race as he lowers his face to mine, clutching my shoulders in a tight grip.

"Don't act like a brat with me Tinkerbell, it won't end good." He whisper in my ears.

My cheeks flush at his actions.

"Why do you want to contractualise our marriage?" I whisper,vulnerability seeps in my eyes.

He brushes his hands in my locks, until he tightens his grip on my hair tilting my face up towards him.

"Because I am trapped in an unwanted relationship. Divorce is out of option. And I can't trust you blindly, so the only thing left is to legally bind you with rules. Rules of this marriage." He says, his voice dangerously low.

"What's my fault in this?" I ask, pained.

"You became my wife Tinkerbell. And that's the punishment you'll have to adhere as long as are in my vicinity. "

I look into his emerald eyes, my heart drops seeing the anger in them towards me. There's no going back now.

"What are the terms of the contract?" I murmur, keeping my tears at bay.

I give in. Either way he would have made me agreed to his demands.

"That's like my little wife." He whispers, brushing my hair out of my face.

I look away from him. Hurt. Not from him but from my a day older husband.

Eventhough I didn't expect anything less from him.

I wrap my hands around myself, an unwanted helplessness soaking me.

          To be continued...

           Cliffhanger 😌😌

How's the chapter guys?

What are your thoughts about Abhiraj after this chapter? 😏

And Ivaan, Do you like the little snuggle bug of our Ishika?

And yeah the contract? What's going to be in there?

Thanks everyone for supporting my stories, specially the people who vote my chapter's thankyou so much. It's because of you people I get motivated to write more. Love you 🤍🤍

Sillent readers please