Mitali struggled to keep up with Adhrit's long, purposeful strides. She watched him intently, trying to decipher his body language, but this time she couldn't make sense of what she saw. The wind had shifted, now gently caressing her back instead of attacking her face. It felt like a comforting touch, easing the tension in her spine, almost like a mother's loving embrace.

Mitali's thoughts were interrupted by a deep male voice, "Good evening, sir". She recognized the young man as Adhrit's assistant, Sumit. They had first met at the contract signing. Sumit handed Adhrit the keys, and he accepted them with a tight-lipped smile and a curt nod.

"Ms. Pathak," Sumit addressed Mitali, turning his attention towards her. She forced a smile in his direction, but she suspected he could see through it. Nevertheless, she did her best to offer a polite acknowledgement of his assistance towards their cause.

Adhrit thanked Sumit with a formal handshake and expressed his gratitude. The young man shook his boss's hand and brought his palms together in a show of respect. "You're welcome, sir. This is nothing compared to what you've done for my family." Sumit's words puzzled her further. She was aware of Adhrit Sinha's ruthless nature. She had experienced firsthand the side of him that refused to let her have any control. She had encountered someone who easily lost their temper around her over minor issues.

But the one who helped others and considered their emotions? She didn't have even the slightest inkling that the man she took a disliking to on their first meeting could be that man.

Her train of thought was interrupted when she noticed Adhrit giving a friendly pat on Sumit's shoulders with a weak smile. Letting out an irritated sigh, she shook her head in disapproval. Adhrit then looked towards Mitali and asked, "Are we ready to go?" She felt a jumble of emotions but couldn't find the words to express them. Instead, she simply nodded in agreement and Adhrit went around the car to take the driver's seat. She looked up at the sky, silently hoping for her parents' departed souls to give her strength.

Tears glistened in her reddened eyes, stirred up by the blustery wind. She gave Sumit a feeble smile before stepping into the car he held open for her. With a grateful nod, she thanked him for closing the door behind her. As she settled into the seat, she couldn't help but steal glances at the man whose quiet demeanor had surprised her. She was intrigued by the enigma behind his calm expression and longed to unravel it.

"Please fasten your seat-belt," he said, still looking straight ahead with a neutral expression.

His raspy voice broke through her thoughts. "Huh?"

"Please buckle your seatbelt, Ms. Pathak," he repeated, shifting in his seat and releasing a deep sigh. "Why?" she asked, turning to face him. She locked her gaze with his, searching for answers and explanations.

Adhrit's grip on the steering wheel tightened, making his knuckles turn white. "Ms. Pathak, this is not the time for a discussion about road safety. I was hoping..."

"Not about the seatbelt. I'm just curious. Why did you do this? You could have followed what your family wanted. Instead, you chose to go against them for someone you barely know. Why?".

Her exhaustion was evident in her eyes, and her voice trembled as she exposed her vulnerability. She fought to keep her emotions under control, trying to conceal her turmoil by suppressing the dryness in her throat and catching her breath. Adhrit shifted his intense gaze away from her and focused on the road ahead. "Ms. Pathak, I did not do this for you. It was my own conscience that couldn't bear the thought of forcing someone to compromise their morals and self-respect."

A sardonic smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Ms. Pathak, I have a hard time simply going along with things. I'll only resort to this as a last-ditch effort," he stated firmly. He was well aware that this was not entirely true, but he had no intention of revealing his full reasoning to the dejected woman.

He masked the pain that tore through his heart, refusing to let others see the depth of his wounds. Witnessing someone so fiercely protective of their self-respect suffer a blow to their greatest treasure shook him to his core. Her unwavering composure in the face of adversity left him dumbfounded, even if it was only for a fleeting moment. It would be a tragedy if she had to compromise on something she held sacred above all else.

His entire existence revolved around meeting his family's impossible standards, but seeing another determined soul fall prey to the same destructive cycle ignited a fire within him. He vowed to fight against the chaos and manipulation their families had inflicted upon them, determined to break free from their toxic hold.

A brief, tense silence ensued as she studied his stiff posture. She hesitated to push for more information when she noticed him fidgeting with his left leg and nervously tapping his fingers. As she fastened her seatbelt, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but all they could do was face whatever challenges lay ahead.

****

"Ms. Pathak and Mr. Sinha, I think that Ms. Pathak's virginity is not as big an issue as portrayed. We don't have any studies or experience in inseminating virgins, and hence I would advise that she try vigorous exercises before the insemination process for causing the hymenal tear. If that is not possible, Ms. Pathak can try complete splits and squats. That would help her during the delivery as well," said Dr. Sushma, and Adhrit and Mitali listened with rapt attention.

The doctor's words took a weight off their shoulders, making them both release a breath they didn't realize they were holding. "Thank you, Doctor," they said in unison, standing up and shaking her hand. As she bid them farewell, she felt a sense of relief wash over her and a renewed sense of energy. She fought through the dizziness and remained upright without losing her balance. A wave of gratitude washed over her as she whispered a thank you to Lord Krishna, her beloved deity, for sparing her from a situation that would have terrified her more than anything else in the world.

It turned out to be a wise decision for him to take a second opinion. He shrugged away the dread at the back of his mind at the possibility of the event, where they did not seek a second opinion for their ordeal and indulged in an act that would scar them for the rest of their lives.

Looking out of the corner of his eyes, Adhrit saw the woman next to him and the lovely glow on her face made him smile. He chose not to acknowledge it, but he detested the distant look on her face when she retreated into her own shell a few hours ago.

****

As they traveled, Mitali's mind was occupied with another matter. She couldn't stop thinking about how they would both sleep. The idea of falling asleep next to the enigmatic man beside her made her shudder. His charismatic presence and his humble nature had captivated her, and she couldn't help but feel flustered whenever he glanced in her direction.

Adhrit collapsed onto the bed, declaring, "I think it's time for us to call it a night. I can barely keep my eyes open and I can't feel my legs." His words stirred up an uncomfortable feeling within her. She immediately responded by saying, "Mr. Sinha, if you think I'll blindly follow your every command out of appreciation, you're wrong. There is no chance that I will share a bed with you unless absolutely necessary!" She crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"Of course, Ms. Pathak. You can take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch. After the difficult day we've had, it's only polite to offer you the more comfortable option, don't you think?" He reached for a pillow from the bed as she gave him a disbelieving look.

"I couldn't possibly sleep in the bed," she replied firmly, causing him to turn and meet her gaze.

"Excuse me," he said, doubting his auditory abilities. He didn't expect her to decline the indulgent offer he had proposed.

"I stated that I will not sleep on the bed. Has it been such a tiring day for you, Mr. Sinha, that your hearing has failed you?" she asked. Whenever she felt uneasy, she opted for her usual sarcasm to protect herself rather than revealing a vulnerable side to him.

He raised an eyebrow and threw the pillow onto the couch, mimicking her crossed arms stance. "But why? Don't you want to get a good night's rest before facing tomorrow?"

"Of course, Mr. Sinha. But if I take the bed and you're stuck on the couch, I won't be able to sleep at all. You shouldn't have to pay for the room and suffer through sleeping on the couch; that's not fair. I'll take the couch and you can have the bed," she said, picking up the pillow from the left side of the bed.

She didn't want to rely on his chivalry, and she was aware that he wouldn't fit on the couch due to his height. She held back from revealing her concern about his well-being. The thought of developing any emotional attachment to him was the last thing she wanted, so she couldn't risk forming any ties that would bind her to him.

"Ms. Pathak, let's not argue about the fairness of this situation. I feel like you can be quite unreasonable at times."

She was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a phone call, causing her to fall silent. He took his phone out from his back pocket and let out a sigh when he saw the name on the screen.

Di calling.

__________________________________________

What do you think of the changing dynamics between Adhrit and Mitali? And why do you think Purvi is calling him? Please VOTE and COMMENT!