The gift that I promised. I wish I can tag that user here but I don't want to put them in a spotlight. I hope life blesses them with all good things.

-• first dance •-

He holds the stare confidently, like he just didn't barge into my life out of nowhere and wrecked a havoc. I think he loves being a puzzle, he likes having people wonder about him, he feeds on their curiousity. I can feel my heart climbing my throat, my head turning into a mush, as though every part of my body was waiting for this moment, yet now that it is here, it doesn't know how to react.

I feel pathetic.

Janet used to say I seek male validation. As a joke, of course. But I know there's truth in there somewhere. I try hard to impress my male teachers more than my female teachers. I feel better about myself after getting some attention from guys. I try to act more refined and graceful when boys are around. Isn't that why I gave in so easily when they show interest in me? First Sam, second Tarun, then Atharva, and now..... now him.

I don't how I got it. Maybe it roots from the lack of father figure in my childhood. I remember sitting alone most of the time, mulling quietly in my head, whether I was abandoned as a child by my father because I was a girl. Or maybe he just didn't care enough of the fact that he has a daughter. Or maybe, maybe I wasn't enough to keep him around.

It all turned out to be false. Turns out, it was my own mother who separated me from my father. And that he always loved me, still loves me. I guess, that's one of the reasons why I accepted him so readily, why I don't blame him for making me live a fatherless childhood.

Didn't I say parents have this "know it all" syndrome? My mother had it the most. I don't know why she thought keeping me away from my father was the decision she made for my sake. Because I don't remember consenting to it, I don't remember being asked if I want him around, I don't remember being told the truth that he actually loves me and never abandon me as I assumed.

But I won't blame her entirely. Somewhere, I made conscious choices that I know were wrong half of the time. Because it's I who chose to give my first kiss to Sam so he remembers me as a good memory, rather than a bitter one. It was I who forced Tarun to become my friend despite his genuine lack of consent. It was I who sneaked out and went on a date with Atharva because I fancied his interest in me. And it's I, who intentionally chose this theme so I could get to see him again.

My brothers are right. I'm not mature enough to be jumping into relationships this early. How can I be so indecisive about who I like? And in the end, what if they end up being nothing but fleeting feelings? I'm lucky I met nice guys, like Sam, Tarun, Atharva, who are genuine with me instead of taking my advantage for being so naive. But I can't say the same about this man. His presence alone feels like it exists to deceive you.

"Why are you here?" I question him, already knowing the answer, but pretending that I don't.

"You invited me," he leans in, his ebony eyes boring into mine.

I look away from the dark pools. They always render me speechless. "Stop being delusional," the thrill that I feel thrumming into my veins is so palpable that I feel embarrassed about myself.

"Stop lying," he murmurs.

I swallow thickly, but something blocks my throat. Lifting the glass with its stem, I put the rim to my lips and take a small sip. The cool liquid swirls in my mouth, giving me some time to act busy.

From my peripheral vision, I find him watching me, intensely, like I'm a rare phenomenon existing for an ephemeral moment. As if I'd disappear if he blinks.

My body stiffens when I realise Janet is walking in my direction. I sit straight and shake my head subtly. She stops, notices the presence beside me and her eyes turn impossible wide.

I feel my phone vibrating on my lap.

Janet's name flashes on the screen. I glance at him, and he nods, as though allowing me to answer the call. I was not asking for permission, but I still felt at ease to know he wasn't hostile towards my best friend.

"Hello,"

"Do you want me there? Or do you want me to call any of your brothers?" Is the first thing she says.

"No," I answer shortly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

"Okay, let me know if you need help." She mumbles.

I hum and she hangs up. I put the phone down on my lap, clutching it tightly, like I'm clinging to the last support available.

"Tell me the truth. Why are you here?" I look at him determinedly, schooling my features to appear blank. I wish I was wearing a mask as well. No wonder he finds it safe. It hides who he really is, what he really feels and how much truth he omits whenever speaking to me. "Another favour?"

He shakes his head. "I wanted to see you."

"Why?"

"I missed you."

My breath hitches in my throat. I almost believe his words, almost, like a stupid that I am, but then he chuckles, one that is filled with derision and mockery, and I burn in humiliation. "You're so naive."

I put the glass down and get up from the chair. He grabs my wrist before I can walk off. I don't turn or put up a fight to release myself from his painful grip. There are guests around and I can't afford attention on me.

My body goes still when I feel his heat engulf me whole, brushing my skin with warmth, the coldness of his touch ceasing as his breath caresses the shell of my ear. I turn my head slightly to the right and raise my gaze, meeting his nightly dark irises, swirling and smoldering like a raging fire.

"I need to tell you something," he speaks beneath the mask, his voice, as usual concealed, muffled, never revealing what he actually sounds like. I want to hear his real voice so bad.

"I don't want to hear it." I state firmly, hiding the tremble in my tone by keeping it low.

He sighs. "Allow me the first dance of the night, Princess," he holds out his hand, ignoring my words completely.

I rip my wrist from his and turn to leave.

"Taranya," he clutches the tip of my fingers, holding me back. I look over my shoulder, and feel my resolve thin at the earnest desperation in his eyes. He wants me to hear him out.

"Just say it,"

"Let me have your first dance," he insists.

"Just say it and leave." I grit out.

"I believe I'm doing you a favour, I need something in return." He states.

I grab his hand and lead him towards the dance floor. His stride turns confident as he switches our hands, holding mine in his and walking alongside me. The sea of crowd parts, all eyes on us, but I don't care. He asked for it.

The couples on the floor make space for us and we stand in the centre. I look around, avoiding the unfamiliar faces and playing innocent in front of the familiar ones. My brothers appear uneasy to find me sharing the dance floor with a stranger. Except for Yuvraaj, because he recognises the person behind the mask fairly easy. I see him grip the glass of champagne tightly and he shakes his head at me.

Ignoring his warning, I look up at my dance partner. His arm wraps itself around my waist, the other holds my hand gently in his before he pulls me close.

Then he takes the lead and I follow.

"What is it?" I ask as he guides me across the dance floor, our feet in synchrony, trusting each other's lead.

"You need to break up with your boyfriend," he bends over, dipping me low before pulling me flush against his chest.

"Excuse me?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"I don't know how serious you are with the guy, but his family is vicious." He spins us around sharply. Instinctively, my hand slides from his shoulder to cup his nape. It slows us both and I feel his gaze follow the contours of my face.

"His family has nothing to do with our relationship." I snort.

"But it has everything to do with your family," we sway to the dim music.

"I don't understand what you're trying to say," I look up at him in confusion.

"Taranya," he begins, his voice low, but beguiling. "I don't know his intentions towards you. Maybe the boy is genuine if he's in your brother's friend circle. Keyword, maybe. But his family is filled with snakes. All the men in his house are practically puppets for the Rajawats. If you don't want to hurt him or yourself in the future, break it off with him." He says sternly. "His father is aware that you are in a relationship with Atharva."

I freeze in his arms.

"Before this reaches your brother's desk, or worse, they plan something even more devious to hurt your family, break up with him." His cold touch slides down my bare arm, a tantalizing trail of fire that melts like ice.

"I don't want to hurt him." My brows narrow in a plea.

"That's another reason why you should end this." He advises. "Taranya, I took the risk to come here, knowing the consequences will be harder on me, because I owe you for helping me twice. That's all I can do for you. If you don't heed to my words, then I apologise ahead of time, but I'll have to take this matter to your brother. Your immature romance has the power to ruin my plans. And I can't afford that."

He pulls away to leave when I hunch forward and grab his hand. The conversation isn't over yet.

The spotlight grabs that opportunity to fall on us. He looks up, and I follow, before our heads lower, and eyes meet. I hear him sigh as he reduces the distance between us and holds me around the waist. My hand slides up his arm, settling on the back of his neck.

This time, we simply dance, sans the words, bearing silence as a bridge holding us together. I've so much to say, so much to ask, so many answers to demand, but I fail to arrange my thoughts in words.

What stands out is his presence, so close to me, I feel it in the depths of my soul. There are people you see from you eyes, and there are people you see from your soul. He's one of those for me. The one I see from my soul. I can feel his body moulding mine to fit his, his strong, capable arms guiding me safely, gracefully, his sharp senses aware of my every reaction.

"I've to go now," he suddenly says and retreats. His hand slides down my shoulders, running along the length of my fingers before he turns my hand around and lifts it to his lips. "Thank you for the dance, Princess." The touch separates.

As he makes a move to walk past me, I hold his bicep feebly. "Don't I deserve to know your name at least?" I look up at him, trying to convince him with my tone.

"It's better if you don't." He removes my hold.

"Why?"

"It keeps you safe," he whispers.

"From whom? From you?" I counter, annoyed with the mystery surrounding him.

He shakes his head. "From my secrets."

I watch him leave. He doesn't even glance back.

That's the last time I see him on the night of my birthday. No matter how frustrating it is to see him everytime and end up with more confusion than before, there's a strange satisfaction that reassure my frantic thoughts. One that says, he still exists, that means, he can still return.

After his departure, I become the target of countless questions that I've no answers to. About him, about how I know him, his name, which family he belongs to, and if it's my first time meeting him. Except for Yuvraaj. He stands back, watching me in disappointment, definitely not happy about what he witnessed tonight.

I make up stupid lies to rest my brothers' concern. To my surprise, they buy it, and decide to stop grilling me. Maybe because it's my birthday today. Nonetheless, I'm grateful.

The party ends after midnight. The eldest pair of brothers see the guests out along with Dad while the rest of us spend some time with our friends before their departure.

"Taranya," Yuvraaj stops me when I'm on my way to my room with Janet. I was expecting it. The inevitable confrontation. Just not so soon.

"Yes?"

"Come to my study after you change," he commands before walking off.

I glance at Janet and she pats my shoulder sympathetically before walking past me upstairs. I follow sluggishly.

She lets me use the bathroom first. I unzip the dress, and the heavy material slides off my body like silk, pooling around my feet. I step out of it and pick up the dress, hanging it on the hook before I wash up and clean off the make up from my face. I put on the comfortable night clothes and exit the bathroom, hanging the dress carefully in my closet before I get busy applying moisturizer to my skin.

The walk downstairs is slow and hazy. I'm physically tired and mentally frazzled. I don't know how I'm going to sit through the upcoming face off without busting my secret relationship.

I haven't even made up a story to tell him.

Whatever.

I'll just say I don't know to each of his question. If it works, it works, if it doesn't, maybe that was my fate.

I knock once, it resonates twice in the quiet hallway. He allows me in and I push the door ajar. He's seated behind his high desk, owning the room like a King, his aura imposing and thick, removing all lingering effects of exhaustion from my body. I straighten my spine and walk in, inhaling a deep breath that fills my lungs with an empty courage.

"Sit," he motions, his hand stretched forward in a gesture.

I obey.

"It was him at the party, yes?"

I nod.

"Why did you not come to me the moment he approached you?"

"I didn't have a chance. And I couldn't find you." I reply swiftly.

"Did he say something?"

I shake my head.

"You're not lying to me, are you?"

"No," I respond verbally so hears the certainty in my voice.

"I find it hard to believe he took such a huge risk to come to the party where so many familiar faces are gathered in one place just to do nothing," he says, as if he was saying this to himself, but it was definitely intended towards me. "I wonder why?"

"Ask him," I look up at Yuvraaj.

He stares into my eyes but receives nothing. No hesitance, no fear.

"Looks like you've grown immune to our conversations," he leans in, smiling mirthlessly.

"I'm tired." It's the truth. I'm so tired that if someone puts a pillow beneath my head, I'd doze off in an instant.

He nods in understanding. "Go and catch some sleep."

I get up from the chair, but stop after a thought hits me. "Bhai?"

He hums, lifting his eyes from the computer screen.

"Last night you asked me whether you're in the list," I remind him and watch as the coldness in his eyes gets replaced with awkwardness. He avoids meeting my gaze by glancing back and forth from the computer screen to the papers on the desk. "You're not."

His fingers pause fumbling, then he slowly nods.

"Just like Dad isn't," I add softly.

He looks up, his onyx eyes filling with a mirage of emotions. But out of all that he can say to me, he chooses, "Good night."

"Good night." I reply and exit the study.

The next morning, I get to sleep in more than usual since I'm allowed to miss school for the day. Janet will be returning to England. When I wake up, she is already busy packing her stuff.

"So eager to leave me?" I pull the covers to my waist.

She looks up and shoots me a beautiful smile. "My flight is at twelve." She shrugs.

I glance at the clock. It's eight in the morning. We'll have to leave in two hours.

"So, what did you think about Atharva?" Comes the unexpected but inevitable question.

I sigh. "I don't know."

"Well, you met the mystery man yesterday and from what I saw, you were enjoying each other's company." She looks at me with a teasing smile. "Atharva noticed it too."

"What?" I sit straight.

She hums. "It wasn't hard to decipher there's some chemistry between you two."

"We were just talking," I defend.

"How?" She picks up a pillow and rubs her face against it. "Like this?" Her voice reaches me muffled.

I pick another pillow and throw it at her. It hits her in the shoulder. "Shut up." I scoff. She topples into her suitcase laughing like a train.

"He's really hot, by the way." She winks at me.

"Janet,"

"Did he tell you his name?" She asks curiously.

I shake my head.

She clicks her tongue. "What's with the secrecy surrounding him? And how can you even find that attractive? I got scared when I saw him at the table with you."

"I'm not attracted to him!"

"And we're back at it!" She throws her hands into the air.

"It's stupid, Janet. I'm just fascinated. If I get to see his face and know his name or find out what he's hiding, I'll stop thinking about him so much. He's like a half written mystery book, Janet."

"Please, the metaphor is so painful to the ears of an ardent reader." She winces.

"Exactly," I mutter in disappointment.

"Alright, let's forget about it all. Atharva, the mystery guy, your brothers, everyone! I'm leaving and I need a proper goodbye." She slams the suitcase close before coming up to sit beside me.

I smile up at her.

Seeing off Janet was harder than I imagined. I cried like I'd never get to meet her again. Thankfully, Vivaan was there to handle me.

We come back to the palace in his car. He has to go to the hospital right back so I put on a brave smile and let him go. For the rest of the day, I don't get out of my room. It's like everything has come down on me all at once. Janet's departure, Atharva and my relationship, the fear of losing my friends, and the mystery man's warning.

After I return to school, I decide to put off everything aside for the next few days and focus on my academics. Atharva doesn't force any interactions on me either. As if he has realised what's coming and wants to avoid it as much as he can like me.

Sitting through extra lectures with Shourya has started to become a pain in the ass. I don't understand the point of him attending them when he already knows everything. He reads through the notes once and that's it, you can even ask him the position of any technical or scientific term and he'll answer you without a frown on his face. His smartness is so aggravating, and his nonchalance to it is even more frustrating.

Unsurprisingly, a week later, I get a text message from Atharva.

Atharva 💖: we need to talk.

That was yesterday, and now here I am, inside a cafe, in the corner booth, sitting across from him.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, unable to meet his eyes. He reaches out to hold my hand on the table. I look up.

"Don't like me?" He whispers.

I feel my chin tremble. "It's my fault. Everything is my fault. I like you, Atharva. But I don't think I'm a hundred percent invested in this. And you don't deserve that."

"In less than a month?"

I nibble my lower lip guiltily.

He pulls his hand away and nods. "Understand." He smiles, it appears empty.

"It's not your fault." I shake my head. "You're a great guy-'

"Then why?"

"I'm indecisive." I admit softly.

He sighs. "Need time?"

"He said it's impossible to hurt you. Because he'd be hurting him if he hurt you."

"That's another reason why you should end this with him."

"No," I say with conviction. "I don't deserve it."

He scoffs out a chuckle and shakes his head, the resentment in his eyes so clear it's like a nonverbal but open accusation. He gets up to leave but I hold his wrist, unable to watch him walk away with a memory of me as a regret.

"Atharva, I'm sorry," I get up, our bodies enclosed in the compact place. He looks down and his gaze lowers to my lips before switching to my eyes. I attempt to pull away but my knees hit the edge of the seat.

Barking of a dog startle us both. I turn my head and he follows, we both freeze at the sight of Yuvaan staring at us from outside the cafe.

Fuck.

Taranya gets out of one problem and enters into another. #jethalallife

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.