☆ SHAURYA☆

25 years of my life, I always thought i would never be someone who does things on an impluse. Calculative personality was one of my traits that i had pride upon- untill 3 hours and 15 mins back to be precise.

Untill i heard her voice. Her low breathy voice, which was the last thing I'd expected to hear when i found my door locked from inside. The same silky voice which kept repeating on a loop in my ears as my fingers twirled a champagne scrunchie- her scrunchie- its silky material leaving a soft sensation on my finger tips.

I had made an impulsive decision to take this small sovereign which was lying forgotten on the couch when her oynx orbs were too busy trying to profile me.

Standing right in my room, her guard down and her brows knitted together and her pink lips parted slightly while she asked me all sorts of questions

Serial killer?

A chuckle escaped my lips. She sure has a wild imagination. But the part about trying to lure her in....

I sat up on bed and racked my fingers through my tousled hair. If she was trying to put ideas in my head- she was succeeding so damn well-

Get a grip Shaurya!

The beep of alarm pulled me out of my thoughts as i reached for the phone and turned it off.

6:30 a.m.

Might as well just go for a jog since its morning already. I reluctantly put the little sovereign in a drawer before locking it and walk out of the room navigating my way down the stairs while connecting my headset to the mobile and play a random song

Being an RJ does that to you- the list of tasks which require for me to have songs being played in background is allegedly unhealthy as per everyone.

Sigh.

As long as it gets the spirits high. My steps hault when an appetizing smell hits my nostrils and my head snaps at the direction of kitchen to check where this aroma came from.

I walked closer and my eyes were blessed with a small figure whose black curls were cascading down till her hips which were settled against the marble of the counter, her hands clasped against a cup which also seemed like the source of the aroma.

I inched closer and almost cursed at how she had let her guard down, without a care in the world as her full lips connected with that mug as my mind wandered off to think just how unaware and innocent this woman in front of me was.

My feet worked as if they had a mind of their own and before i knew it, i was now inches away from her. the counter being the only thing which stood between us. i leaned a bit, my voice barely above a whisper

"Tastes good?" I asked and she almost jumped comically, and before i could catch her reaction a sharp pain exploded in my chest as she snapped her head in my direction, her elbow connecting squarely with my chest knocking all air out of my lungs and i stumbled some steps back.

"Do you always treat your host like this?"

I questioned between trying to catch my breath and adjusting to the sharp pain and for a fleeting second i could see the shadow of something akin to guilt in her eyes which was quickly masked by anger

"Do you always treat your guests like this?"

She threw the question back and despite the pain a chuckle escaped my lips at the absurdity of this situation.

She wasn't wrong. I could use some counselling for controlling my intrusive thoughts about right at this moment.

i let my gaze wander from her cup to her now changed appearance before i walked to her side and took out another cup before answering her.

"Only the ones who are crack enough to let their guards down in other people's house" she scoffed and yet stayed in her spot, tearing her gaze away from me and looking at her mug as if it held galaxies in it.

The next few minutes passed in silence as i brewed the coffee, its rich aroma filling the air while she , quietly focused on her drink, stood beside me.

I think i could get used to this silence.

"Chiku?"

And there goes my peace- and dignity

My body stiffend at the sound of that nickname, my smile faltering as bhabhi walked inside the kitchen with a surprised look on her face.

"Good morning bhabhi." I greeted masking my emotions at the legendary bad timing of my dear bhabhi and she smiled and greeted back, her eyes shifting to another figure who was standing silent

"Seems like you both met each other already." She grinned like a mother who was observing her children getting along well and i nodded with a smirk

"Ji. Afterall, Malhotras are known for their hospitality. Right bhabhi?" I could feel the pricking glares of the wild kitten who would beg to differ from my side but i just ignored her glares to annoy her further.

"Bhabhi" her soft voice rang in my ears again and both of us turned to her "Thanks for taking care of me yesterday" she spoke softly and her  lips curled into a smile.

Her expressions were mirrored by bhabhi who took her hands in hers "Its alright Divya. You don't need to think so much about it" she replied and shushed her before she could retort anything.

"Par...is he really...you know...Aadarsh bhai's brother?" She asked in a hushed voice as if i weren't just few inches away from them and bhabhi gave her a nod, her expressions amused.

"Even though he is a bit playfull, i can assure you, your bhai and him are siblings" she replied playfully and i gave a mock hurt expression to which she just laughed.

After a bit of chatting, she walked away to get ready for breakfast and Divya turned to me

"So...Chiku ji-" she started and i choked on my drink

"Stop! Dont- don't use that name" i warned her placing my cup down

"Why though? Chiku ji? Isn't that your name? It even suits you" She batted her eyelashes at me feigning innocence

"Don't get too invested in other people's business missy" i frowned, though i couldn't feel even an ounce of annoyance at her teasing.

Not that she needs to know it.

"I'm not! I'm just being a good guest by correctly addressing my host chiku ji" she continued grinning and i rubbed my temples as her laugh echoed in my ears. The teasing had gone on long enough.

She was laughing, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tossed out yet another remark, and making me like this absurd game even more since it made her smile. but now i  felt a surge of determination to regain the upper hand.

I straightened up, stepping closer to her, the playful demeanor slipping away and my voice dropped to a low, serious tone, gaze steady as i looked directly into her eyes.

"Shaurya Malhotra." I told her, my voice almost commanding despite the soft tone "That's your host's name." I explained and my hand moved forward to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stepped back. "Make sure to use it from now on"

For a moment, she was taken aback, the atmosphere shifting between us, with a confused look in her eyes. But then she caught the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth, and she realized we were still playing the game—just with different rules.

She hummed. Her smile slowly returning to her lips as she forwarded her hand "Divya Desai." She introduced herself.

"Not so pleased to make your acquaintance-" she paused and uttered the next words with a teasing voice and sunny grin."chiku ji"

Although i already knew that.

I knew exactly who she was. She wouldn't believe just how well i did.

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