Advika's POV

When I woke up today, I didn't find Shravan beside me. He must have woken up early and gone back to his room.

Stretching lazily, I climbed out of bed and glanced around the room for the first time. It was spacious and beautifully designed. My gaze was drawn to the curtains, and before I knew it, my feet carried me toward them.

When I parted the curtains, my jaw dropped at the sight of a stunning swimming pool glistening in the morning light.

My heart fluttered like a fish swimming in my chest. I could already picture myself diving into the pool and spending hours like a mermaid. The idea brought a wide grin to my face-until reality hit me.

I didn't know how to swim.

But that didn't mean I couldn't sit by the pool and enjoy the view, right?

Who knew if I'd ever get this chance again? While I was here, I should make the most of it.

With a soft smile, I turned to my bags. Today, I wanted to try something different, something I didn't usually wear. My eyes landed on an emerald-green tankini top and a high-waisted swim skirt.

Thank you, Arya, for packing the bags for me.

I quickly changed and turned to the mirror. My jaw dropped again.

The top fit me like a second skin, accentuating my curves. The neckline wasn't too low, but it had a slight curve that made it look... nice. The straps crossed at the back, showing just a bit of skin, which felt different but not too bold.

The skirt ended mid-thigh, giving a playful look while keeping me covered. It felt comfortable and cute, which was a relief.

I loosely tied a white cover-up at my waist to top it off. In that, I can easily walk around without feeling too exposed.

Shravan's words rang in my head as I ran my hand through my hair, wondering if I should tie it up or leave it open. I was about to tie them in a high ponytail when my hands stopped.

"Advika, stop being silly," I scolded myself.

He asked you to tie your hair so you are not going to do that!

With my hair cascading freely, I stepped outside. As soon as I reached the pool, I untied the white cover-up and let it slide off my body, feeling the morning breeze against my skin.

Dipping my feet into the cool water, I sat on the edge of the pool, leaning back on my palms. Closing my eyes, I let the sun warm my face.

It was a blissful and rare moment of my life, away from all the chaos.

When I finally opened my eyes, I realized I had been sitting there longer than I'd intended. It was time to head back to my room and get ready. Before that, Akdu started yelling at me.

As I stood up and turned around, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with a beastly figure blocking my path.

Startled, I flinched and lost my balance. My feet slipped, and I started falling back toward the pool.

But before I could hit the water, a strong hand grabbed mine.

Shravan.

He held my palm tightly, stopping me mid-fall. My body was tilted at an awkward 45-degree angle, and I tried to steady myself, but Shravan's intense gaze pinned me in place.

His eyes, dark and smoldering, slowly trailed down my body, from my face to my toes, lingering far too long in certain places. My cheeks turned hot under his intense gaze.

Why did he even come here?

"Shravan," I called softly, hoping to snap him out of his trance.

"Huh?" He blinked, startled, licking his lips as if he'd been caught red-handed.

His grip on my hand loosened slightly, and my heart leaped in panic.

"Don't let go, Shravan!" I pleaded, clutching his hand with both of mine. "I don't know how to swim! Please, I will drown!"

I hated begging him for anything, but with my life on the line, I had no choice.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Beg me more," he teased, his voice smooth and infuriatingly smug. "I like the sound of it when you beg."

I hated him.

"Shravan... Please." I made a puppy face, gripping his hand like my life depended on it.

"Now tell me how handsome I am," he demanded.

"What? According to you, You get compliments from girls every single day. Why do you need to hear it from me?" I snapped, glaring at him.

He looked a bit taken aback as if asking the same question to himself.

"Even now, you're arguing with me." His smirk widened. "Fine. I'll let you fall into the pool. And when no one comes to save you, it'll be declared a suicide."

"NO!" I shouted, my voice trembling. "You're the most handsome man I've ever seen!"

I pouted, hating every word that came out of my mouth. I hadn't meant to admit that truth, at least not like this.

A proud, triumphant smirk spread across his face.

"Now apologize to me," he said, his tone as arrogant as ever.

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

"You're not in a position to question me, are you?"

I gritted my teeth. I will surely take revenge for all of this!

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my misery.

"Good."

He then pulled me, helping me to stand straight on my feet. I let out a sigh of relief, only to realize we were standing far too close. He didn't step back, nor did he move aside to let me pass. His intense gaze bored into mine, making the moment unbearably awkward.

I desperately needed to break the tension.

"The way you always tease me, it reminds me of Garvit," I blurted out, avoiding eye contact.

"What?" Came his surprised voice "I remind you of your brother?"

I glanced up, catching the irritation flashing in his eyes. Perfect. If this annoyed him, I'd happily run with it. I nodded innocently.

The next thing I knew, his hands were on my shoulders, and with a forceful push, I landed in the pool with a loud splash.

Panic gripped me instantly. I flailed my arms, trying to keep myself above water, my feet scrambling for the ground, but there was nothing.

Nothing!

I was sinking.

"Shravan!" I screamed, my voice barely audible over the sound of the water splashing around me. "Help! I can't... I don't"

My hands reached out wildly, trying to grab anything, but all I felt was more water, more chaos. I kicked my legs, desperate, but the deeper I went, the more helpless I felt.

"Shravan!" I gasped again, my head popping out of the water for a brief moment before I splashed around, my panic rising with every second "Please! I... I can't swim! I need help!"

My legs were getting tired, and I was starting to lose hope.

Then, just as I thought I might go under again, a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back toward the edge.

"Stop overreacting and stand on your feet, straight!" He shouted at my face, holding my shoulders.

But instead of getting offended, I hugged him. Tightly!

I know he was the reason for my misery, but he was my only solace at the moment. I held onto him, breathing, coughing, and spluttering, finding comfort in the very source of my frustration.

My heart was already thumping loudly in my chest, but then suddenly I could hear Shravan's heartbeat as well, loud and fast.

My eyes shot open when I realized what I was doing. Slowly, my head turned up, and I found him staring down at me intently.

A shiver ran down my body.

Unable to hold his intense and hot gaze I dropped my arms down and took a small, trembling step back.

My eyes shot open, and I froze. Slowly, I tilted my head up to find him staring down at me with an unreadable expression. A shiver ran down my spine.

Flustered, I dropped my arms and took a trembling step back.

But Shravan stepped forward, closing the distance I'd just created.

I kept moving backward until my back hit the edge of the pool. Shravan didn't stop until he caged me in. His legs trapped my lower body, and his arms rested on the pool's edge on either side of me, muscles flexing under the sunlight, the water droplets glistening over his skin like pearls.

Earlier the cold water was chilling me, but now my whole body felt like it was on fire. He hasn't even touched me yet and I am feeling high on fever.

I swallowed hard when my eyes followed the way droplets dribbled down his arm, neck, and naked chest.

Shut the hell up Advika!

What the hell are you even thinking?

My gaze shot back to his face, only to find his eyes fixed on my chest. I looked down, horrified to realize that my top had shifted, exposing way more cleavage than it should. A bit of my bra peeked out too.

My hand moved slightly to adjust my clothes but his eyes snapped at me as if he read my next move. He pinned me with his mere gaze, hypnotizing me to stay frozen.

I wanted to protest, to yell at him to step back, but all that escaped my lips was a shaky puff of air.

Then, without warning, he leaned in closer. His warm breath fanned my neck, making me shiver.

But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. I felt his warm hands on my bare cold waist and the tip of his tongue grazing the shell of my ear...

~~~~~

Lagta hai sakht launda pighal raha hai 🫠

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