Happy Ganesh Chaturthi ✨

-• inayat rizwan? •-

Rudra

To be in love has to be the greatest hardship I've suffered, still suffering. I don't need to do drugs, her sight gets me high. It takes so much energy to simply wake up every morning and not hear her voice. And yet, her thought makes me lethargic, almost dizzy. I exist in between two worlds, my head in the clouds, feet on the ground. Like I'm detached from the reality, but somehow need to make sense of it.

"This place is so beautiful," she sighs.

I smile. I haven't brought anyone here yet. She's the first to see my place, my own place, bought by my own money, under my name. It was on the day she landed back in India.

A strange thought had hit me when I read the news of her possible arrival a few days prior.

Where will I take her if there comes a time I've nowhere to go?

And it struck me weird. Why was that the first thing to come to my mind? We had nothing back then. Apart from a fleeting, slightly steamy history, we had nothing to look back at. I didn't even care about her.

I remember assuring myself.

I'm buying the house for myself.

I had thought as I signed the paperwork.

Because it's a cool name. My place to hide when I'm tired of the world.

I had thought when I got Esther embossed on the wooden nameplate.

Because these colors go together the most.

I had thought while pointing at the white and blue colour scheme for the whole apartment.

Because it gives the bedroom a royal touch.

I had told myself as I watched the carpenter set up the canopy bed for the master bedroom.

What a fool!

I shake my head remembering all the silly reassurances I kept chanting only because I was afraid to accept that I was starting to fall for her.

"Won't you give me a tour?" She looks over her shoulder, smiling at me playfully.

Fuck, kill me.

"Yeah," I whisper. "The glass?"

She glances down at the empty glass in her hand and nods, reaching out to me in return. I stretch my hand, the tip of my fingers brush over her skin, and I hold back a shaky breath as I take the glass and put it back in its place.

"Let's go," I wipe my hands to my jeans absentmindedly and walk around the kitchen counter, gesturing her to follow my lead. "This way," I murmur.

She walks with an unmatched zeal, genuinely excited to see my place. Possibly, our place. I try not to smile at the thought.

"You've already seen the living room, so-"

"Not the gallery," she points at the glass doors.

"Oh, right," I nod and walk past the television area. Pressing on the lock, I slide open the doors. Fresh air sweeps in. I step outside first, holding the doors open for her. She thanks me softly. I let the doors slide close.

"Wow, it offers such a beautiful view." Her hands curl around the iron banister and she leans in with a broad smile. "I'm sure it looks ten times better during night times?" She looks over her shoulder at me.

I stuff my hands in the pockets of my pants, shrugging undecidedly. "I wouldn't know. I've never stayed here overnight."

"What a waste." She snorts and looks back ahead. "But why did you buy an apartment in Jaigarh? Why not in your own city? I'm sure they'd have offered you a great discount." She chuckles, shaking her head and turning around to face me, the iron bar supporting her waist. "Forget I said that. You of all people will never need a discount."

"Why?" I lean back on the door. "Everyone earning on their own wants to save as much as they can."

"Oh, you're a miser?" She squints her eyes.

"No? Just an aware adult," I respond. "Money rules the world."

"So you want to rule the money?"

I shake my head. "I want to rule the people that rule the money."

"High ambitions," her brows shoot up. "Anyway, the rest of the house tour is pending. Shall we?"

I open the doors. "After you,"

"It's not my house."

"Right." Embarrassed, I step back inside the living room. She follows, chuckling behind me. I show her the remaining house. She takes a brief pause in front of the closed door. "It's my work place. I didn't get the time to set it up yet,"

"Are you planning to move here?" She asks as I guide her towards the master bedroom.

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it as of now. Maybe sometime in future." I open the door for her.

She slips past me, her arm brushing mine, and our eyes meet for a split second. I inhale a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Being around her is more nerve wrecking than killing a living person.

"With your wife?" She stops in the middle of the room, between the ottoman and the bed, and turns around to look at me.

"Huh?" I close the door after entering the room.

"Will you be moving here with your wife?" She asks, hands interlocked on her back, a teasing glint shining in her blue oceans.

"Perhaps?" I walk up to her.

She starts moving backward.

"Will this be your bedroom?"

"Yeah, do you like the bed?" I ask.

She glances at it before looking back into my eyes. "It's nice. Looks comfy."

"Doesn't it look familiar?" My feet eat up the distance she constantly puts between us. Her gaze darts to the bed and faint lines appear on her forehead. It takes her slow brain a moment to compare the similarities.

She gasps. "You creep." Her blue daggers bore into mine.

I smirk. "I've got a lot of traits you'll find disappointing, Esther," her back touches the bookshelf. She flinches. A book falls from above. I catch it just as she lets out a scared yelp. Sliding the book in its place, I fist the shelf and lean in. Her long lashes flutter, dusting her rosy cheeks with faint shadows. "But there's one thing you should never disapprove of about me." I whisper in her ear.

"What?" She gathers up the courage to look into my eyes.

"I struggle with this crazy, impulsive, and almost obsessive desperation to impress you," I fold a knuckle beneath her chin. She sucks in a deep breath. "Hence, sometimes I might come out as a creep, but I'd rather you think of me as a fool and appreciate the efforts I make than get scared of my advances." I rub a thumb across the plump lips. "Because I'd never, in my wildest dreams," I lean in until my breath is kissing her skin, "think of hurting you."

Her eyes fall close. She welcomes me. A smile triumphs my face. I deviate from her lips and kiss the shell of her ear. She recoils but doesn't pull away. "Unless you want me to."

She presses her hands on my chest, my signal to pull away. I step back and give her space to breath. "The ventilation is not that great in this room," she rushes past me towards the window. Sunlight fills the dark corners. "This feels nice." She inhales deeply.

I sit on the right end of the bed, fingers weaved together, resting on my lap. She whirls on her feet. The golden rays glow like a halo around the back of her head, coruscating her from head to toe in a mesmerizing light that could only emerge from a spell.

Everytime I look at her, I realise there's no end to my feelings for her. I keep falling. Deeper and deeper. It's a strange kind of fear. The one you feel when the ferris wheel drops from the top. An exhilarating, wild experience, scary but equally thrilling.

"What are you thinking?"

"How'd you look sitting on my lap," I blurt out.

She stands straight, blushes bright red and scoffs out a chuckle. "Stop joking around."

"I'm not," I answer honestly. "I really want to know how'd you look so up close, sitting on my lap like you own me."

"You need a filter." She gets off the window and strides past me.

I grab her hand before she flees at the first chance. She twists her wrist, trying to get out of my grip, and when she fails, her glare finds me. "Let me go. I need to get home before seven."

I fish out my phone from the pocket and put on the music player.

"I was kidding. Relax." I lie.

"I had no idea you fancy making perverted jokes," she jabs sarcastically, turning around under the guidance of my arm. I pull her close by her petite waist. "What are you doing?" She asks, holding back a smile, but failing miserably as I put her right hand on my shoulder and hold the other in my own. "Shourya?" She probes sternly.

"Dancing with you, Esther." My hand slips to cup her small back. I press my cheek on the crown of her head. "I had been thinking about it since that night."

"Which night?" She whispers, rigid as an iron rod in her place.

"The night you held someone else's hand in front of me." I murmur, twirling her around to loosen her body.

"The same night you brought Akansha as your date?"

I bite my lower lip to restrain the smile. "Yes, the same night you danced with someone else when I clearly remember telling you to save me your first dance."

"Oh, the same night you proposed me without a ring?"

"Yes, the same night you rejected me." I pull her back in my arms.

"And the same night you kissed me?" She tilts her head to the side, narrowing her eyes at me. Her body begins to sway to the beats of the music, following the lead of my body as I guide her across the floor to and fro.

"Yes, the same night you told me you've been imagining me as someone else because you never liked me." I retort.

"Ah, right, the same night you suggested we start an exclusive sexual relationship." she hums with a nod.

"Forget about it. It's the night's fault." I spin her twice before pressing her back to my chest. She giggles. "Let's talk about the different night?"

"Which night?" She murmurs, a small, coy smile dancing on the corners of her lips.

"Our last night in Seoul?" I remind her, resting my chin on her shoulder. She turns her head away. I bury my face in the nook of her neck. God, I missed this. "Or the night I saved you from the local goons?" I ask, muffled.

She snorts. "Right, the ones sent by your family."

I sigh. "Okay, how about the night at the camp? When you slept on my shoulder?" I improvise. "Or," I turn her around in my arms. She locks her hands on my nape, looking up at me with a smile. "How about the night at the hospital?"

"When we decided to become friends? Because let me tell you, this is not how friends act." She wags her finger between us.

"Who cares? You're in my arms, that's all that matters to me. Call it whatever you want. I don't mind." I pull her closer.

"Have you always been so verbal about your feelings?"

I chuckle. "Funny, I didn't think I was capable of feeling anything but annoyance towards you."

"Oh, look how the tables turned." She leans in closer, smiling wickedly at me.

My hands slither around her lower waist, fingers interlace together. Her eyes flutter close. We slow dance to the music, eventually stopping to comprehend our reality. The room charges with electricity, searing hot passion flares through our bodies. They attract each other like opposition ends of magnets. My hand slides up to cup her neck, fingers thread into her dense locks. I grab a fistful of them, my hold gentle, but proprietary.

Our lips draw closer, so close I feel their presence within every cell of my existence. About to touch, become one again and relish into the feel I was afraid of forgetting. But it all comes to a standstill with a mere phone call. My jaw clicks, teeth grind together in exasperation. Her eyes snap open, she steps back with a startle.

Clearing her throat, she points towards the door awkwardly. "That's mine. I think I left it on the counter. Excuse me." I force a nod and watch her leave the room.

Don't go.

Come back.

Kiss me.

Slam.

The door shuts.

My eyes close. I groan in the palm of my hands.

I hate my life.

What would have happened had the call rang five minutes late? Why do I have to be so fucking unfortunate all the damn time when it comes to this woman? Nothing is in my control around her. Not even me.

"Shourya! Shourya!" Before I can react, she barges inside the room. "They found her!"

"Who?"

"Inayat! Arush and Janet found her!" She gestures towards the phone in her hand. "They found her Instagram handle."

I frown and take the call from her. "Send me the profile link."

"Okay," Janet answers.

"Can we know where she is from her recent activities?" Tara leans in to look at my phone excitedly.

I gently push her back. I can't command Yara in front of her. "Of course, we can. I'll ask for another favour to my friend. Why don't you start the car in the meantime?" I hold out my car keys.

"Okay!" She chirps and exits the room.

Sighing in relief, I close the main door and take out my laptop to track the IP address.

📍Moti Dongor, Margao, Goa.

I quickly write it down on a paper. Swinging my backpack over my shoulder, I lock the main door and head towards the elevator. Tara keeps the car ready in front of building lobby. The guard opens the door, saluting me as I step out. I throw my backpack in the backseat and get inside on the passenger seat.

"Goa." I tell her.

Her eyes go wide. "Goa? As in another state?"

"No, it's an island in the Arabian sea." I snort.

"I don't remember any island named Goa in the Arabian sea?" She tilts her head like a confused cat.

"That's not the point- Oh my God! Yes, Goa as in another state!"

"Fine. You don't need to shout!" She snaps, starting the car and driving out of the premises.

"Forgive me for remembering you're the live example of common sense not being common anymore."

"Hey!" She slaps me on the arm, putting the hand back on the wheel. "You're dumb." She throws me a nasty glare.

"Ouch, that hurt. Focus on the road." I nod ahead.

She juts her lower lip out in a pout. I hold back a smile. "Are we going to Goa?"

I snicker.

"Why are you laughing now!?" She complains.

"It takes over thirty-one hours to reach Goa by road, that is if we don't take any overnight breaks in between. There's no way we can mentally afford a Goa trip right now." I explain.

"You could have just said that instead of laughing at me. You know, it doesn't cost a dime to be kind." She grunts.

I remove my wallet from the pocket and draw out two bills of hundreds. "Here, should that suffice a lifetime? I can pay you more. But I'm not standing stupidity with kindness." I wave the money in her face.

"Asshole." She swears, but takes the money. "Since you're not losing that attitude." She defends.

I chuckle. "And you call me a miser?"

She shrugs. "My job doesn't make me much, you see. I don't have a grandfather who spoils me rotten."

"Or brains to work smarter and not harder."

Her nostrils flare angrily. She snaps her fingers at me.

"What?"

"Another hundred! That was harsh, Rajawat." I give her the money.

If it means I can get away with insulting her, I don't mind losing a few hundreds. "I can do this for the rest of our lives."

"I'll keep a jar ready. Everytime you insult my intellect, you put a hundred in it."

"Not fair, you'd become a millionaire in no time!"

"Ha ha, very funny!" She mocks. "Another hundred!" She demands.

We bicker back and forth for the rest of our drive to her work place. Arush waves us over when we enter the cafe. I let Tara walk in first and follow behind, pulling the chair for her before I settle next to her.

"How come you two were together?" Arush asks while his brother orders two more coffees for us.

"I forgot my assignment at home. My car ran out of gas at the same time. He was in the parking lot when I was fretting over what to do and offered me a drive to the palace. Janet called as we were about to reach." She cooks up a lie on the spot.

I look at her, amazed by her lying skills. "Uh, yeah, that's exactly what happened." I feign a nod, ignoring the frown on Atharva's face. They take the same course, I'm sure he caught up on her lie immediately. Too bad, he won't be getting any explanations.

Ayush sets the coffee cups in front of us. I thank him. Tara takes a small sip from her cup.

"Oh, okay, I thought you two are secretly dating or something."

Tara spits out the coffee. It sprays on Arush's face.

"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry!" She snatches a few tissues from the box and leans over to wipe his face.

"It's okay, I'll do it." He takes the tissues from her and cleans his face. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." Pushing the chair back, he walks off briskly. I bite back an amused smile.

"So, did you find the location?"

I nod and fish out the note from my pocket. Arush comes back in time to read it.

"How are we going there?"

"It's Saturday tomorrow. I'll take a day off at work." Tara states.

"Are we driving?" Arush asks. "Because we can't let anyone know at the house and I don't think driving so far will help us to hide the fact."

"I'll get my jet ready." I tell the bunch.

They all look at me in awe.

"Anything wrong?"

"No," They echo.

My phone pings with a message. I unlock it and open the chat box, leaning back on the chair to read the message discreetly.

Y: They're here.

I shove the phone in my pocket. "Guys, my grandfather needs me to run an important errand. I'll see you tomorrow at ten in the morning. I'll text you the pick up address." I tell the group, leaving the cafe hurriedly to get to my car. Opening the door, I sit in and start the engine, changing the gear as I wheel the car out of the parking lot with other.

I reach my office building in thirty minutes. Driving into the basement, I cut off the engine and step out. The elevator opens on my arrival. I press for the top floor after getting in. It directly opens to my office.

Rachel gets up behind her desk when I walk in. I point towards Yuvraaj's cabin in question and she nods. I wave at her to sit down. She obeys immediately.

"Why should we help you!?" I hear one of them say as I push the door open.

"Nobody's asking you for help." The three startle and look my way. Their eyes widen to the point I'm worried they might just pop out of the sockets. "It's a deal."

"Pri-Prince Shourya?" The man on the extreme left gets up hesitantly.

I flick my fingers at him to sit back down. He settles.

"Jatin, Prem, Baldev," I name the three characters sitting on the couch in a horizontal queue. "Is that correct?" Their heads nod in sync.

I walk around the desk and stand next to Yuvraaj.

"Wait," Prem mutters. "You're working with him? Against your own grandfather?!" He exclaims in disbelief.

I smile. "Let's not pretend nobody here is fetching benefits at his cost. I believe we all have something to hide from him?" I lean in bracing the desk. "I'm simply aiming higher than you are."

"Prince Shourya, you're still young. I hate to break it to you, but Crown Prince of Jaigarh is manipulating you. Your grandfather loves you! Imagine the shock he'll get if he learns you're working with him!" He points in disgust at Yuvraaj.

"Careful." Yuvraaj growls. "Do not forget you're standing on my soil."

"Technically, he's sitting." I whisper.

He closes his eyes in annoyance. I hold back a smirk and look back at the three monkeys of the Chairman.

"I don't think you understand what manipulation is." I grin at the men. "I've done it and it's not so lame."

"The-Then is he blackmailing you?" The enormous one among them asks in fear.

"Baldev, is it?" I stand straight, looking straight at him. He loosens his tie, avoiding to meet my eyes. "No, he's not blackmailing me. But I'm about to blackmail you."

They look at me in confusion.

"I've heard you hold quiet a good percentage of equity in Rajawat Electronics?"

"What about it?" Jatin asks sternly. He's the brains of the trio.

"Dilute them and reinvest in Jumbo Steels."

He chuckles. "Young man, you've got the wits. But I regret to inform you, we don't work on the whims of a teenager."

"Sure, you don't." I cross my arms on the chest. "And I wouldn't want you to either. I'm making a deal here."

"In exchange of what?"

"Your secrets." I place my hands on the desk and bend over to look at him boldly.

"Oh, did you finally remember I stole a toy truck from you when you were six?" He snorts. "Let's go guys-"

"No, I just found out you siphoned millions into your Swiss accounts. And when your friend planned to rat you out, you guys killed him." I answer. "By the way, I still have the photos of you and his wife coming out of a hotel." I look at Prem. He turns pale as a ghost. "At..... At what time, Yuvraaj?" I put on a drama just to play out their reactions.

"Two in the morning." He replies.

I fake a gasp. "Two in the morning?" I look at him in surprise. "What were you doing outside a hotel with your friend's wife at two in the morning, Prem?"

"I thought you took care of it!" He looks accusingly at Jatin.

The man looks stressed with all the attention pinned on him.

I walk up to him and grab his chin, forcing him to look at me. "The equity you own amounts to nothing compared to the money you've stolen from Rajawat Corporations." I state. "Give in as long as I'm being lenient. I've all the records, all the proofs of your deception. And if I reveal your true colours to my lovely grandfather, he'd forgive me for this caper thinking I'm am ambitious little kid, but you guys. Oh, no, you've lot to lose. So make a choice." I command. "Now."

"I'm in. I'll invest in Jumbo Steels." Prem agrees almost immediately.

Jatin pulls away from me to look at him in disbelief. "We'll be going against the Chairman if we-"

"We've already betrayed him. Can't you see!? It's his grandson! The one he loves more than anyone in this world. He can get away with everything. We can't! We've no choice." Prem flares angrily.

"I'm in too," Baldev mutters.

Jatin sighs in defeat.

"C'mon, stop acting pricey." I scoff at the man.

He looks at me pissed. "Where do we need to sign?"

"Rachel and Yuvraaj will help you with the paperwork. But you'll have to come to the fundraising event. I'll throw a pitch and you'll pretend to be genuinely interested. We'll officially sign the deal."

They nod.

"Good decision, guys. Trust me, I wouldn't want to see you go down so easily." I pat Jatin's shoulder, looking at the three collectively. "See you day after tomorrow. Dress to impress." I chuckle. "See you," I say to Yuvraaj.

"Where are you going? We've so much work-"

"Why did I make you my CEO then?" I call out loudly over my shoulder. "Bye, Rachel." I wave at the pretty woman.

She waves back shyly.

On my way to Rajawat Estate, I phoned my pilot to keep the jet ready.

"Ready for the event?" I come to an abrupt halt in the living room. My eyes find the old man in his wheelchair.

"Are you okay?" I ask and walk over, faking concern in my tone.

"I'm fine." He smiles tenderly. "I just wanted to take a stroll in our garden."

"Oh," I murmur.

"I asked you something." He reminds me.

"I don't know, I'm kind of nervous." I scratch my nape. I should be an actor. I've got the looks and the skills. "I mean, who'll trust a highschool freshout to revive a buisness that's deep in debts?"

"Does that mean you're giving up?" He frowns.

I swear, nothing I do helps me understand what's really going on inside his head.

"Not without a fight. I'm your grandson." He likes it when I hype him up.

He chuckles. "That's like it." He holds up his shriveled up fist. I bump it gently, afraid of breaking the bones if I put in much pressure. I want him to die but not until he sees his own downfall.

"I'll go and prepare for day after tomorrow." I point upstairs. He nods and beckons the maid to continue. "By the way," she stops, he looks at me. "I'll be out the whole day tomorrow."

"Something interesting?"

"Yeah, I've a few potential investors to meet there. And I'm taking Chauhan siblings out on a one day trip."

"To where?"

"Goa," I shrug. "Taranya was with me when I made the plan. She has a friend, Janet I think her name is. She got excited hearing I'm flying there tomorrow. I thought it's my chance to impress the girls."

He laughs. "You remind me of myself when I was young."

Ew, no, thanks.

"I bet." I smile back. "Alright, I'll see you day after tomorrow."

He nods. I turn and head upstairs.

The night falls shortly after, darkening the sky outside. There's not a star in sight. But I've my own. Tara.

What the fuck is wrong with me? When did I turn into such a loser?

Shaking my head, I focus on the computer screen, drowning myself in work for the rest of the night.

The next morning, I send the location to the group. We meet at a mutual point and then head to the airport together. My eyes steer towards Tara when she steps out of her car. White crop top and blue shorts, paired with mesh blue floral cardigan. Fucking perfect. I might just learn the whole female fashion catalogue for this woman. She removes her glasses and I realise she watched me watch her. I quickly look away, smiling at the pilot who approaches me.

"We're ready to fly at your command, your highness."

"I prefer Shourya when my grandfather isn't around." I say.

"Sure, shall we?" He motions.

"Let's go, guys." I beckon the others.

When we settle down, buckled up and all, I fist the hand-rests. I hate flights. I absolutely despise them. Especially the taking off part. It gets on my nerves.

The flight lasts for two hours. Upon landing, a black suv comes to pick us up. We pile inside the car. I sit next to the driver, helping him with the directions. The place we end up at has everyone's nose wrinkling in discomfort.

Slums.

I step out of the car and everyone else follows. The local men's eyes linger on the girls. I remove my jacket and give it to Tara. She accepts it with a thanks. Ayush gives up on his blazer for Janet. "Let's go,"

Crossing the road, we enter the narrow alleys, and henceforth, it is an adventure of a kind. We dodge the rowdy kids, stall owners, even a few drunkards. Oh, let's not forget when a woman randomly empties her dustbin from the kitchen window. That was new.

"Why do I feel we're mistaking someone else for her?" Janet mumbles apprehensively. "I mean, I thought she'd be living a lavish lifestyle after faking her death and receiving tons of money for it."

"I'm getting a bad feeling too. If this fails, it's over." Tara sighs disappointedly.

"The blue house." I point.

We step up the little porch. I knock on the door and we wait, hope in everyone's eyes. The door opens and the person inside notices Janet first since she happens to be in their line of sight. "Yes?"

Janet look at us in panic. Tara glares at her to act fast.

"Uh- Uhm, Inayat Rizwan?" Janet asks. The door slams shut. She blinks. "Maybe not - OH! SHE ESCAPED FROM THE BACK!" She screams horrified, pointing and jumping in her spot. Four of them react quickly with their feet. I watch in awe as they speed up faster than light. That would put Usain Bolt to shame.

"What are you doing? Run!" Tara rattles my arm as I stay rooted to my place. I tsk. "Shourya!"

"Ugh, you're so much work, woman!" I groan and hold her hand, following others to catch the living dead.

Lmao, I love him he's so me 💀😭

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