Warning : Do read in private. IYKYK.

***

Ruhaani stood still. It seemed like time had frozen. She was left all alone in the silence of the night and cold of the room.

Her gaze lowered to her hand that he had been holding. The skin on her wrist reddened where the grip of his fingers was. She ran the fingertips of her other hand on it. She swallowed the lump of longing to be held again.

She looked around the room. The intense heat from her cheeks was dissipating but they were still warm. She slowly turned to the mirror.

Her gaze moved up to her face that was covered in a hue of soft pink. She bit her lower lip remembering how he had gazed at her lips. Her hands reaching up to her hair.

It was hard to see herself in the eye. She knew Aadarsh was still in love with someone else. She knew there was no chance that she could have normalcy in her marriage. Yet, she desired him.

She shouldn't have.

For her physical intimacy was what gave more meaning to emotional intimacy. Sex was supposed to be a way of loving another person, of connecting with another person, a token of loyalty and commitment.

She might have read a ton of books where protagonists indulged in sex for themselves, for relieving their stress, for pleasure, for distraction, for revenge, for anything other than something deep and meaningful.

However at the core of her belief system she still regarded physical intimacy a very scared way of engaging with another person. It was supposed to be meaningful. Not an animalistic instinct to drive oneself to pleasure. It was supposed to be something for the soul to feel complete, not body.

Those few minutes with Aadarsh seemed to have caused a quake in her beliefs.

She wanted him. She desired him. She was soaked in lust. She had given herself to him in that moment even if it was for something meaningless.

She had never know this emotion before. This mad urge to touch him, feel him, give her body to him and be at his mercy.

She took a deep audible breath. Her body still begged for him. A wave of guilt washed her. Followed by another of shame.

Where was her self-respect? She shouldn't have been pinning for something so hollow. Yet all she could think of was how his touch ignited a spark in her very core. How his one intent look had the power to stir a storm inside her.

Attraction was unavoidable. Especially for them. Their situation, their relationship, staying under one roof, sleeping on the same bed, all of that did do a number on the brain.

She could manage attraction. She could reason with her mind. Keep it all under control.

But what she supposed to do with this infatuation? It was stronger than a mere attraction. Her mind refused to listen to reason. It was falling into depravity. Her body wanted what her conscience knew was not right.

With slow steps she made her way into he walk-in-wardrobe. She stood before the mirror undressing herself. Her mind reminding her how his eyes had caught her right there in the same state earlier in the evening.

She let the saree drop to the floor. Her underskirt followed next. Her hands proceeded to undo the hooks of her blouse. Soon she stood in front of the mirror stripped off every piece of clothing, every bit of shame, every bit of diffidence.

She wanted him.

She slowly made her way to the bathroom, to the shower cubicle.

I am sorry for ignoring you.

Is it good enough Mrs. Sehgal?

I will remember to not ignore you.

Ruhaani took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Aadarsh's image refused to leave her mind. His voice, that low teasing voice, even it's memory made her skin have goosebumps and her stomach coil.

She spun around hearing the glass door open. Her eyes widening as a fully dressed Aadarsh stepped in. His gaze widening, lips parting as he gave her a full look.

"Let's fuck logic." He said stepping towards her.

"I want you just as much as you want me." He said, his hand grabbing hers.

He moved closer to her, until he had cornered her to the tiled wall. Ruhaani gasped feeling the cold tiles against her bare back.

He raised her hand, guiding it to her cheeks. "We shouldn't be thinking so much. We are married." He made her fingers touch her own cheek, guiding them to her lips.

"We should kiss when we want to!" He whispered leaning closer, as he pressed her fingertips over her own lips.

He guided her hand down her neck. Ruhaani parted her lips tilting her neck back. He wasn't even touching her, it was her own hand, her own fingertips yet she could feel the heat of his skin.

"We should touch each other as we please," his lips inched closer to her ears while he guided her thumb over the bud of her right breast. Ruhaani couldn't take it. She'd go mad at this rate.

"We should fuck each other mindlessly," his voice was sharp, his tone as crude as his words. His hands guiding her hand to the heat between her legs.

"Tell me, Ruhaani," he breathed heavily close to her ears. "Isn't that what you want too?" His hand moved her fingertips over the tiny bud that sent waves of pleasure outwards.

Ruhaani squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't think, not with whatever was going on.

She moaned as he made her hand move faster. And in a minute, all her need, all her desire had found a release and she had come on their hands.

She opened her eyes as she descended down the slope of the heightened pleasure.

There was no Aadarsh. Not a trace of him. It was just her. She lowered her gaze to her hand gaping at the realization. That was the most real imagination ever. Gosh, the man would either drive her to insanity or doom.

As her breathing came back to normal, she walked to the centre of the cubicle and turned the tap to switch on the shower. She flinched as the water was stark cold. She poured some body wash on to her hands and rubbed it onto her body.

Slowly the water became lukewarm and eventually warm.

She stood beneath the spraying warm water. She moved her hands washing off the lather. Her mind had been continuously thinking of those charged moments from minutes back. She had to stop. It wasn't right.

Her gaze flitted to her wrist. The reddish skin now a light pink. His imprint getting washed off, slowly.

***

Aadarsh only stopped when he was at the terrace, by the pool. He settled on the pool lounger, covering his face with both his hands.

It shouldn't have happened, in the first place. Nonetheless it was good that he didn't give in to his urges.

He was almost going to. She wouldn't have stopped him because she was in the same freaking boat as him. It was not surprising that they both had a weak moment. Tension had been building between them for quite some time now.

For once, he was also willing to consummate the marriage. He no longer believed that would make him weak. It would only make things easier for him. The unfulfilled lust had been shoving him towards her. Maybe once he had fucked her he'd realize there was nothing extraordinary about her.

A part of him was becoming attracted to her. He never thought that was possible. Ruhaani fell nowhere in the range of qualities that made a woman desirable for him.

He preferred women like Sarah. Women who knew they just wanted pleasure and nothing more. Women who made themselves desirable wearing a sultry glint their eyes and red invitation on their lips.

Yet, through the night there was only one woman on his mind, only one woman he'd want in his arms, only one woman he'd want to see in his bed, his wife.

But he couldn't.

Not with the high regard he held her in.

Not when he saw into her eyes.

Ruhaani deserved more than a man who was banging her to get her out of his mind. Not a man trying to release the thick lust in his mind. She couldn't just be a means to an end.

He would fall in his own eyes if he used her as one, even if she wanted it.

He didn't want to give her hope or feed her lies. He couldn't be the ideal husband. He couldn't give her love. That was the truth and would always be.

He couldn't shake the trust they had managed to build between them. They may not have been an ideal couple, but they were a good team. He trusted her with his family. He believed in her goodness. He knew if something was to ever happen to him, she'd take care and protect his family like he did even if she got nothing out of it. Even if they didn't have anything between them, even if their relationship was namesake. Even if she didn't like him. She would keep her promise.

He had almost given in. Had it not been the flash of vulnerability in her eyes, he would have been a slave to his desires.

She was jealous, earlier. Even if God came and told him otherwise he wouldn't believe it. She was jealous. Period.

She sought his attention every time he ignored her. She tried to resolve anything, any issue that could potentially throw them apart.

She trusted him. She could have refused his help. But she gave in. She could have moved away from him. She could have put distance between them. But she did not.

Ruhaani wasn't a weak woman. She wasn't the one to fall weak before his charm. He knew that by now. All of it only pointed in one direction. She was catching feelings or perhaps beginning to have expectations from him, from their relationship.

He wanted to runaway from her. He wanted to push her away. She was being stupid. She was getting carried away. She was falling weak.

It could lead her to heartbreak, to pain. She was foolish if she didn't see where the road would lead her.

He dragged his hands down his face, looking at the dark waters of the pool. He had done the right thing, he tried to convince himself.

Forming a physical relationship with Ruhaani could mean ruining what they had. They had come to far along. He had a lot too lose. He couldn't let Ruhaani or his lack of control on his body and desires ruin their foundation.

After years, he saw the twins get showered with love and affection. Yes, DJ was always there with her care. But Ruhaani, she filled a void in their life. It wasn't just them. Ashvi had someone could look up to, share her problems, share her feelings. Abhi had found a friend too in her.

And he... he had found a daughter. Someone he could love unconditionally, fearlessly. Pari wouldn't hurt him. The little angel only had love to give. She was like the light at the end of a dark endless tunnel that his life was.

There was so much to lose.

He had to protect Ruhaani from the doom she was headed to. He had to keep his walls up. Tonight was just battle one. There would be more. He had to keep his control.

He couldn't think about ravishing her. No matter how much he wanted to. She was forbidden for him. She was way too precious to risk losing so that the devil in him had a chance to play.

Yes, he wanted to touch her, burn her with his carnal desires. He wanted to uncover her every desire. He wanted to explore every inch of her until he knew her in and out. He wanted to make her admit that he evoked in her unruly desire to sin. He wanted her to surrender to his charm.

He got up from the lounger, running a hand though his hair. His mind was tempting him to go back down and have a taste of her.

His conscience kicked in, just in time to remind him that his one mistake, his one slip, his one lack of control moment could ruin him.

He got rid of his t-shirt and trousers and walked towards steps that led down to the pool. The night was cold, the water would be cold. He was under the influence of some real bad mix of hard drinks. It wasn't a good idea.

But he didn't care. He felt way too hot inside. He bit his lower lip flinching as the cold water engulfed his legs.

He took another step down and then one more until his feet met the tiles of the pool. He wouldn't drown in the pool, he wasn't sure about the whirlpool in his mind.

"Aadarsh," her soft voice echoed in his mind, accompanied by her smile.

"Aadarsh, my hand," this time around it was nearly a breathless whisper, with her eyes looking at him with plea.

He dipped himself inside the water completely. He surfaced back up with a splash, his lips parted. The water was very cold.

She leaned in closer, her gaze on his lips. Her desire for him evident in her manner.

He swam to the end. He shouldn't be thinking about her. He should most definitely not be thinking about her lips, her touch, or him banging her.

He reached the other end of the pool and stood against the wall. A cold breeze blew on his face. He needed it. He felt hot all over. He decided to stay inside the pool till the heat in his body was forced to die.

He vowed to protect Ruhaani from himself. He had to. There was no other way.

***

Aadarsh let out a yawn and then a groan as he sat up on the bed. He turned to the other side of the bed to find it empty and made. It was almost hard to tell if someone had slept in.

It had been some time past two last midnight when he had returned to the room. She was fast asleep on her side of the bed. The pillow parked in the centre of the bed, representing the wall between them.

He took an audible deep breath. He hated having a blocked nose. The swim in the cold night must be the reason for his cold. He got out of the bed muttering a curse, sniffing. He picked up the phone from night stand. It was past ten. It was surprising no one had come along to wake him up. Not even Pari.

He quickly freshened up and headed down. He reached the dining table to find Ashvi and Abhi debating about something, they were blaming each other. Shelly Bua sat their clearly unable to resolve the conflict.

"Good morning!" He said trying to make his voice sound as normal as he could.

All three looked up at him.

"Where's everybody else?" He asked running a gaze towards the sofa.

"In the kitchen!" Abhi answered.

"Your wife is not making breakfast for us. She's come down to tantrums, now." Shelly Bua complained clearly annoyed.

The other two kept quiet instead of speaking up for Ruhaani like they usually did.

"Bua, I don't understand." He said, in an even tone.

"It's MYOF day," Abhi muttered.

"What the hell is that?" Aadarsh asked, his patience running thin. Waking up with a cold and then getting a dose of drama instead of his cup of tea would irritate anyone.

"Make your own food day!" Ashvi answered. "Bhabhi declared it."

Aadarsh now understood the whole matter. Ruhaani was getting even with them for last night's dinner spectacle. Perhaps she woke up and chose to be a Hitler. Nothing surprising in it.

"So what's the problem?" He asked, keeping his tone casual.

"We don't know how to cook!" Abhi said looking at him with disbelief.

"It's her duty to cook. One day Sarla is gone and she decides to torture us." Shelly Bua muttered.

"She's being mean. I mean she's making food for the kids. Why not us? Because we decided to order food on a Saturday evening?" Ashvi added, clearly annoyed.

"Order breakfast for yourselves. Simple." He walked away not wanting to listen to any more complaints against her, making his way towards the kitchen.

Ashvi gaped at his elder brother.

"Did he just take her side?" Abhi asked blinking. He was no stranger to the fact that his brother did not like his wife's cooking, just like the rest of them. He had expected something more like— let me talk to her.

"She's already controlling Aadi boy by the strings." Shelly Bua shook her head in disappointment.

Abhi smiled. "He's falling in love with her."

"Bhai, your logic is too lame." Ashvi remarked. " anyways, let's go have an English breakfast at Meridian." She suggested.

"Not a bad idea," he muttered.

"Excellent idea. Let me change into something more nice." Shelly Bua remarked.

"Same." Ashvi said getting up from her chair.

"You ladies have five minutes. I leave otherwise." He called behind them as they rushed to their respective rooms. His mind going back to his brother.

Aadarsh stood at the entrance of the kitchen watching Ruhaani make parathas while the kids were settled around the island eating breakfast.

Nirvan was reading a book while eating. Mukti was teaching Pari to eat paratha using a fork. As absurd as it was, it was adorable.

Aadarsh was a bit sceptical about Mukti and Pari getting along. Mukti had been the little princess of the house but with Pari that changed. He had thought their dynamic would be a bit difficult to handle.

Surprisingly, Mukti enjoyed being elder to someone. She had always been the little one in the family and enjoyed it while it lasted. However, having someone to boss over, someone to groom, someone to take care of was something she clearly was enjoying.

It reminded him of his childhood days. He shared a similar relationship with Abhi. His life goal was to make Abhi good at everything that he himself was an expert at. Yes, he occasionally bullied him. Yes, he made Abhi a scapegoat at many instances through childhood. But he loved his brother. He also fought with anyone who treated Abhi bad. If anyone messed with Abhi they messed with him.

His gaze drifted back to Ruhaani. She was in her night clothes. Her hazel brown tresses were tied into a bun.

"Good morning!" He announced entering in. Noticing how instantly Ruhaani looked up at him. It felt nice at the same time an alarm rang in his head.

"Papa," Pari squealed raising both her arms up. He beamed at her moving to the stool she sat on. He stood beside her curling his arm around her.

"I missed you," she said, curving her arms around his torso. That was something she had recently began to say a lot. He wondered where she was learning it from.

"I want a hug too!" Mukti demanded, looking at him. He moved to his younger sister and hugged her. She smiled holding him.

"who woke up first today?" he asked.

The girls were suddenly quiet, while Nirvan raised his hand engrossed in his book.

"I woke up second!" Mukti said proudly.

"I was last. I was getting too much sleep. My eyes were only not opening." Pari began explaining. Her grammar as usual was a bit out of place but it was cute.

Aadarsh looked across at her and his gaze then shifted to her mother. She was trying to tell him something. Her lips were moving but there was no sound. He raised an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes before starting to gesture. She pointed to Nirvan and them circled her arms in air one holding the spatula. Hug Nirvan too. He now understood what she had been mouthing.

He shook his head. Nirvan hated being disturbed when he was reading. He wasn't a fan of hugs either. She gave him a look that urged him to do so.

He sighed moving to his brother. "Good morning, Nirvan." He placed his hand on the boy's back.

"Good morning!" The boy replied.

He looked up at Ruhaani, shrugging. He walked around the island. "Is it a make your own tea day too?"

"No.Tea is ready. I just need to heat it." She said, quickly picking up the milk pan on the side and placing it on the stove. She then split the paratha into two halves. She put one half in Mukti's plate and the other in Pari's. "It's hot, don't touch." She warned them.

Aadarsh grabbed the packet of bread and butter from the fridge. He might as well be done with a simple breakfast too along with tea.

"I am making parathas for you." She said glancing at him, over her shoulder, as he moved to the toaster.

Aadarsh couldn't help but smile, as he had his back towards her. "I thought it was MYOF day for the adults."

"Fine, eat what you want. Your tea is ready!" She added, as she poured the ginger tea into a cup.

Aadarsh walked back to where she stood. Unexpectedly she took a step to the side, at the same time as he reached for his cup. His arm brushed the side of her body and his chin touched her shoulder.

"Sorry," they both mumbled looking at each other. They were close enough to feel each other's warmth. The memory from last night played in both their minds. Suddenly the tension was back in the air, as charged as always.

Their gazes met. Aadarsh's gaze lowered to her lips for a moment before going back to her eyes.

Ruhaani stepped away, creating distance between them. She went back to working like nothing happened. She had vowed to not fall weak. She wouldn't bend her belief system or her core values for him. Specially not for him.

Aadrash blinked, looking at the cup of tea. "I'd like paneer paratha, for breakfast, that is if you'd like to..."

"One or two?" She asked not waiting for him to complete. The sooner he was gone the better it would be for her.

"Two. With pickle. The lem..."

"I know which pickle!" She muttered.

He blinked and nodded. She definitely seemed in some sort of twisted mood today. Picking up his cup he walked out to the backyard. Everything seemed normal but it felt far from it. It was strange.

He settled on the step in the sunshine. Just where he had been the other night when she had offered to make hot chocolate. He looked at the other side of the step where she had been. He looked ahead, sipping his tea, trying not to think about her.

He gazed down at the tea after sampling it. It was perfectly sweet. The ginger in it soothed his throat. It was just the tea he needed that morning.

***

It had been a long day for Ruhaani. She was having a cold war with people she refused to make breakfast for. She didn't care if she was being petty. They had to realize the effort she was putting in, to perfect her culinary skills for them.

It was surprising how she asserted her rights here, in this home. If she was upset, then she showed it. Instead of swallowing it and bearing it. They were her family. They'd come around to cheer her up. At least she hoped they would.

She had spent majority of the day with the twins. Their first final exam was the next day. While she was quite confident Nirvan would do well, she was worried about Mukti. The girl was never serious about studies. It was hard to make her sit and study, especially with Pari loitering around to distract her. Thankfully, Aadarsh had taken Pari away with him when he had heard her scold her daughter.

Ruhaani didn't like scolding Pari. But off late she was becoming mischievous and difficult to discipline.

Her gaze went back to the lizard that had been near the balcony door. She couldn't sleep because of it. She didn't like lizards, they gave her a weird feeling. She couldn't sleep in peace knowing the lizard was looking in the direction of their bed, like a shrewd villain of an action flick.

She didn't want to wake up Aadarsh either. She sighed. Aadarsh hadn't seemed like himself through the day. He had been in the room. Perhaps because of the cold he had caught. She didn't want to associate his behaviour with whatever had happened last night. She didn't want to think about last night. She hoped she could just forget it, like it never happened.

She sat up and looked back at the lizard.

She slowly got off the bed and picked up the spare pillow. She started hitting the pillow on the floor in an attempt to shoo away the lizard. But that creature didn't move a centimetre. Exasperated, she inched closer and started thumping the pillow onto the floor again. The thing suddenly moved towards her.

She squealed and jumped up, sprinting to the bed. Her heart pounding.

Aadarsh got up, startled at the sound and then something moving beside his arm. "What's wrong?" He asked alarmed looking at Ruhaani. She was awake and seated in the centre of the bed.

"Lizard," she whispered. "It's near the bed, it's going to climb onto the bed." She said fearfully, her eyes not moving away from the edge of the bed.

Aadarsh let out a sigh. He turned to her side of the bed and crawled past her, towards her side.

"What are you doing!" She whispered yelled, grabbing his shoulder.

"Trying to see what you're so freaking scared of," he muttered annoyed. As it is he didn't feel good. He had body ache and a low-grade fever along with a blocked nostril. He had taken a paracetamol but it seemingly did nothing.

Ruhaani held his arm, as though ready to pull him back if the reptile decided to surprise him with an attack.

"Leave my arm," he grumbled, when her hold didn't let him advance any further..

"Be careful, apparently they bite too. Some are even poisonous." She said, slowly loosening her hold around his arm.

"wall lizards are not, you idiot!" He replied back, pushing her hand off his arm. He crawled further and finally saw the lizard.

"Shoo, go away," he said, slapping his hand against the wood of the bed.

"Like it understands what you say," she muttered, standing on her knees, to get a better view.

"I can hear that." He muttered, trying to shoo away the four inch long lizard.

"Fuck," he exclaimed as the lizard climbed up the bed making him recoil.

Ruhaani let out a scream, as they both moved to his side of the bed. His arms around her waist, both their hearts beating fanatically.

"Where's it?" She whispered, her hands fisting the material of his t-shirt on the shoulder. Her gaze on his face. His hands settled on the side of her waist, as they both stood on their knees.

"Bed," he answered, swallowing the fear.

They both turned slowly to the side and their eyes widened. The lizard was now up on the mattress.

Aadarsh sprung out of the bed hastily. Ruhaani followed the suit as he held her hands.

"It's on my side of the bed.," she cried. "I am not sleeping on this bed again. It's all your fault." She blamed him, turning to him.

"Yaa right, I sent it a special invitation to visit our bed. I didn't even know it existed. It's your fault." He said turning to her.

"Like I said chants to draw it up the bed." She muttered. "You were the one trying to challenge it."

"Shh! You're too loud." He murmured, pressing his forefinger on her lips to quieten her.

Aadarsh blinked realizing how close they were standing. She was literally in his arms. She was still holding onto to his shoulder while his arm was around her waist. The other hand's finger on her lip.

He uncurled his arm and stepped away. Ruhaani's arms glided down his arms as she moved away. Dammit. What was even happening? She blinked. His skin was unusually hot.

"Do you have a fever?" She asked concerned.

"It's just a low fever, nothing big. What do we do about this?" He pointed to the lizard in their bed. Totally ignoring the moment of awkwardness.

"Maybe you can pick it up by the tail and throw it out?" She suggested, her hand flying up to his forehead. A frown appeared on her face. "Did you check your temperature?"

"I am fine." He said gazing at her, pushing her hand away. He turned to the lizard. He didn't want think about her. He did not want to micro analyse her every action.

His attention went back to the lizard. He wouldn't be able to sleep in peace on the bed even if he managed to drive the lizard out of it. "guest room!" He declared.

"good idea!" She agreed. She grabbed the medicine box that also had the thermometer from the wall unit while he took his phone. She hurried out giving one last look to the lizard. She'll have to deep clean the entire room tomorrow.

"Here, open your mouth," Ruhaani said as soon as he settled on the bed of the guest bedroom.

"I am fine." He protested.

"We will see. Open your mouth, put this under your tongue." She demanded, guiding the thermometer to his mouth.

He opened his mouth and did as she demanded. She folded her arms waiting for the thermometer to beep. Her gaze fixed on his narrowed one. She wondered why he didn't tell anyone that he wasn't keeping well.

The device beeped and she snatched it from his mouth. "Hundred and one. That's not a light fever." She touched his forehead and then neck.

"Let me get you a wet cloth, your skin is burning," she said softly.

He held her hand before she could walk away. Her gaze darting to his eyes. "It will worsen my cold, I am fine. I already took the medicine. I just need some rest." He spoke softly. He shouldn't feel flattered by her concern he reminded himself.

"I am sorry, for waking you up." She said feeling guilty.

He nodded and left her hand. He raised his legs on the bed. She stepped forward and grabbed the duvet to cover him.

"I can take care of myself Ruhaani." He said holding the duvet. She released her grip on it. She watched as he wore the duvet and laid back on the pillow. "Wake me up if you need help," she spoke in a hushed voice.

She went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of water and a glass and placed it on the nightstand. He observed her through a lazy eye. She then took out the strip of fever medicine and placed it on the side.

"Good night," she whispered before moving around to the other side of the bed.

Aadarsh blinked. He hated how her warmth reminded him of better times. When falling sick was like an opportunity to realize how much he was loved.

"Aadi," he looked up from the book he was reading. His face lighting upon seeing his best friend and new girlfriend. "Aunty told me you had an intense fever last night," she said pulling the stool to sit by the side of his bed.

"Yeah, it's better now. Maa just makes a big deal out of it."

She touched his forehead from the back of her hand. "That's better? You're insane."

"It's just a fever. I am not dying."

"Watch your tongue, Aadi." His mother chose to enter the room right then.

"Siddhi, make sure he drinks the soup." His mother said placing the tray on the nightstand.

"Maa, I don't feel like having it." Aadi grumbled.

"It's good for you Aadi. Come on be my good boy and have it. Siddhi you're in charge here." She spoke ruffling his hair before she walked towards the door.

"Yes, boss!" Siddhi said with a smile.

Sixteen year old Aadarsh rolled his eyes. "I am not having it," he whispered as soon as his mother was out of the room.

"Didn't you hear what aunty said? It's good for you. Come on, don't be a baby just have it. Anyways I need you to come back to school on Monday."

"Aww, you miss me?" He asked with a dazzling smile despite the exhaustion from his sickness.

"No. The teachers always make me the target of their hard questions. It's easier with you in the classroom. You keep the teacher's busy asking geeky questions. Plus, Rahul is an ass. I don't want to sit next to him again."

"Why did you sit next to Rahul?" He asked annoyed. He hated Rahul. The boy was his nemesis. They were always at competition with each other whether it was grades, sports or impressing teachers or girls.

"He sat next to me. I didn't know you were not coming. In second period, he came forward to sit with me. You should've called to tell me you were sick."

"Why you were worried?" Aadarsh asked, adjusting the pillow behind his back.

"Yes, dummy. Now, come on have soup."

"Look at you so much in love with me." He teased.

"Aadi, if you're done with your ego boost, can you drink the damn soup." She took some of the soup on the spoon, blew over it and then guided the spoon towards him.

"Thanks," he said after drinking it. "for coming. It makes me feel nice."

"What are friends for?"

"You mean girlfriend?" he teased.

Siddhi looked up at him with a smile, her cheeks now had a shade of pink. "It's going to take me some time to get used to that."

"No problem. That's something I can help with." He said placing his hand on her knee.

"Enough of flirting for today, drink your soup." She said guiding the spoon to his mouth. Aadarsh smiled, thanking his stars for someone like her.

"What?" She asked when he was staring at her.

"You're beautiful!"

"Okay, what do you want?"

"A kiss should work." He grinned.

Her eyes widened.

"cheek kiss dummy!" He muttered.

"Your mummy might walk in anytime, dummy. Or worse Abhi."

Aadarsh laughed. "it won't take a few seconds."

"Get well soon, then promise, I will give you what you want."

"Then I should ask you to marry me."

"Too soon Aadi."

"Okay, then promise me, you'll marry me in future."

She blushed looking at him. "As annoying as you are, you have this huge place in my heart. So I don't think I can even think of anybody else."

Aadarsh blushed. "Well then, our future is set. Because that's exactly how I feel."

"Good, because your love should only be for me."

A smile played on his lips and his eyes shone with happiness.

His eyes were heavy with sadness and a tear dropped from one to the pillow. The memory brought pain. The ache in his muscles nothing compared to the one in his heart. Love came with guaranteed heartache. He would never fall in love again. Never.

• — • — •

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Would love to read your thoughts on it.

Also, I had a wonderful time reading your thoughts on the last chapter. Yes, this book is all about reading between the lines. Particularly with this chapter that should be clear.

Next : Thursday

Don't forget to vote ☆ on the chapters.

—Anami!♡