Dhruv's pov!

The next evening, I simply lazed around in the living room, keeping a watch over everyone. I clearly noted that even Ansh has a tendency of keeping Diya out. Instead he tends to pull Sid and Shradda together and make the three of them like a family.

What the hell!

My eyes strayed to her. She was sitting on the floor and helping Ansh out with numbers. A disobedient strand of her hair has been disturbing her now and again. She would tuck it behind her ears and the next moment, it would come out to caress her cheeks again. And I had this uncontrollable urge to tuck her hair behind her ears and caress those satiny soft cheeks with my finger.

Without even thinking twice, I walked towards the trio and crouched down next to them. The two of them were so focused on the numerals that they didn't notice me next to them. My hands rose, as if they had a mind of its own. I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ears.

She was startled and looked at me in shock.

Our gazes locked and for a moment, I forgot everything else. She was so beautiful..

"Dhruv mamu.." It was Ansh's voice that brought me out of my trance. I looked away and cleared my throat. Through my peripheral vision, I could see Shraddha completely flustered.

What the hell! I am supposed to pretend. Why the hell does it feel all too real?

"Dhruv? All okay?" I looked up as I heard my brother in law's voice. He was standing there with a frown as he looked at the both of us.

"Uh yeah! I was checking out what Ansh was learning.." I said tightly.

"Ah! Ansh has tuition time everyday. Just half an hour or so. Shradda says it helps him to stand ahead when he joins kindergarten." Sid said, beaming at Shraddha.

"I see. It seems like you couldn't really do without Shraddha nowadays.." I said coldly, but Sid didn't catch on to my tone.

"Honestly? Yes. She has been a blessing. You don't know how much she has done for me." Sid said with a sigh and I frowned.

"In that case, how about I take you out for dinner, Shradda. For managing my sister's household much better than she could." If she heard the sting in my words, she didn't show it. She only seemed shocked at my dinner invitation.

But more shocked was Sid.

"Oh! But it is almost time for the Ansh to be in bed.." Sid said, as though he somehow wants to cancel my plan.

"All the better. As soon as Ansh is in bed, we can leave, right?" I asked and Shraddha looked at Sid and me in confusion.

"Uh Dhruv.." Shraddha trailed off awkwardly.

"Shraddha usually goes to bed early, because Ansh still stirs at night." Sid said, looking a bit pale now.

"Come on, Sid. You don't even give her a night off?" I asked, pretending to be indignant on Shraddha's behalf.

"She has never asked for one." Sid said, looking at Shraddha in worry.

"Let this be the first time then.." I said, ignoring the protests rising in Sid's eyes.

I was getting angry with the way Sid was trying to prevent us from going out. He clearly thinks that she is his. Well, not anymore Siddhant Kothari.

From this moment, Shradda belongs to Dhruv Khuranna in all ways!

*****

Third person's pov!

They were out, lazily walking around the town.

"Dhruv ..."

"Yes?" His voice was barely a breath. A husk of sound that curled around her body and soul.

"Dhruv, what are we doing?"

"We are walking. Or, at least, we were, until you stopped me.." He said.

"But why?" She asked, without looking at him.

"Shraddha, are you going to lie to me?"

"To lie to you?" She repeated softly, lifting a hand to her throat.

"Mmm," he urged her forward and she fell into step beside him. "You are going to lie and pretend you don't enjoy being here with me?"

Shraddha was shocked at his words. How the hell did he find out that she was having a crush on him.

"I ..." She didn't know what to say. Has she been so obvious? She mentally groaned.

"Are you going to lie and say that you do not feel this same tug of something that warms me all over when you are near?"

He was being direct. So direct. And Shraddha felt her heart beat picking up its pace.

He turned the corner and she followed. It was cold outside, but she was feeling hot all over. She was anxious. Why was he asking such questions?

"Well?" His voice was almost a growl.

"What?"

"Don't tell me you don't feel the same way, Shraddha. Because I can see it in your eyes." Dhruv said and Shraddha sucked in a sharp breath.

Okay, she got a crush on him. He was handsome and charming and there was this dangerous aura around him that made him all the more attractive. But this was just a crush. A crush that is supposed to stay within her heart and never to be known to another person. He wasn't supposed to know. And he wasn't supposed to discuss that either.

"I don't know what you are talking about..." Shraddha mumbled. She was lurching uncertainly. She had limited experience with the male species. She had gone to an all girl's convent school and then to a women's college for her undergraduate education. So her experience with men is practically zero.

"Oh you clearly do, love." Dhruv whispered huskily, as he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

"Dhruv.." Shraddha shrieked in shock.

"Tell me you don't feel anything, Shraddha.." Dhruv demanded, his eyes locked onto hers.

A/N

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SF❤️