A long chapter to make up for the non updates of last week. Took me a long time so please do vote and comment <3 <3

"My biggest fear is that eventually you'll see me the way I see myself"
- Anonymous

CHAPTER 30

Mishti : Damn it. Damn it.

Abir looked up in surprise. He had been sitting in his study working but had that been Mishti's voice? Was she here in his house? Why did he not know about it? He walked out of the study to the living room but she was not there. Had he imagined her voice?

Abir : You're going mad, Abir. If you had to imagine Mishti, Why would you imagine her saying Damn it instead of something wonderful. You are being weird.

Mishti : I'm going to kill you.

Abir blinked. He knew he had not imagined that. He turned to the right. Was the sound coming from the kitchen? He went to the kitchen but stopped at the entrance. He moved slightly towards the wall so that Mishti could not see him.

Mishti : Now, listen to me.

Abir wondered if she had already seen he was here. But she seemed to be glaring at the pan in front of her.

Mishti : Anya told me that Abir loves ramen. So I'm trying to make it for him but you are being stubborn, noodles. And you, veggies? Why aren't you cooking? How did you end up burned before you even got cooked? What will I give Abir now? Be cooperative.

Abir had to grin. His temptress was just too cute. He grimaced looking at the mess on the stove and wondered what she would do now. Leaning against the wall, he watched her chop some vegetables. His phone beeped and he looked at it surprised to know that he had been watching Mishti for almost half an hour without moving a muscle. What was it about her that he did not mind skulking about the kitchen? He was even content. He looked as she happily got up.

Mishti : Round two, here we go.

Abir could not stop his smile. He did not notice Anya and Arjun watching him from the corner, smiles on their faces as well.

Arjun : When I was a boy, I once noticed my father looking at our mother with this expression. I always called it The Look. I don't know what else to call it. It seemed like he was watching her, tracing every line, every curve, every wrinkle of hers like he was memorizing her and then he used to look at us the same way and he used to look happy. A sort of happiness that hid nothing and everything. It was sharp and gentle and I used to wonder what was going on in his head. I see Abir with the same expression now and I finally understand what it means.

Anya : What does it mean?

Arjun : It means that I want to live in this moment forever and never let it go. Abir loves Mishti. He has to.

Anya : Will he ever tell her that?

Arjun scoffed.

Arjun : If I know my brother, It might take a long time for his stupid brain to figure it out. But, I hope so.

They chuckled and seeing his phone ring, Arjun excused himself. Anya went to Abir and touched his shoulder, startling him.

Abir : Shh. What are you doing here? Anyway, it does not look like Round 2 is going well.

Anya : What is she trying to make anyway?

Abir : Ramen. Apparently you told her it was my favourite?

Anya : I did. But I never thought she would end up trying to make it. She can't keep rice and she started making ramen?

Abir : Mishti can't cook?

Anya : She's hopeless. Kuhu and I watched her once. We refused to ever let her enter the kitchen again.

Abir was surprised. He did not know why. Probably because Mishti was so perfect, he did not think that she did not how to cook. It did not matter anyway. He was an excellent cook. He would make delicious meals for them.

Abir : Can you do me a favour?

Anya : For you? Probably not. Unless it's for my bhabhi.

Abir rolled his eyes and told her what to do. Anya nodded and went upstairs. She was back in fifteen minutes holding a glass bowl and two forks.

Abir thanked her and went inside the kitchen to see Mishti watch the stove with tears. She was so disappointed she hadn't even noticed Abir's entrance.

He went up to her and turned her so that she faced him. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and hugged him tightly.

Mishti : I can't cook. I can't make anything, not even dal or rice. I wanted to try and make ramen for you but I could not do it and I ended up wasting so many vegetables and noodles. I am so sorry. I am really sorry, Abir.

Abir released her from his arms and wiped her tears. Holding her face in his palms, he kissed her forehead.

Abir : Don't cry, Mishti. I don't care that you can't cook. I cook well enough for the both of us. Don't feel bad about wasting the food today. It's not nice but you were trying to make something. You have no idea how happy I am today. You tried to make something for me. I am so touched.

Mishti smiled and wiped the last of her tears.

Abir : Now close your eyes.

Mishti : Why?

Abir : Come on.

Mishti shrugged and nodded. She gasped as Abir lifted her and placed her on the counter.

Abir : Open your eyes now.

Mishti opened to find Abir holding a glass bowl with noodles? No, this was maggi.

Abir : I know you did not manage to make ramen. But at least we can have top ramen noodles.

Mishti looked at him and laughed.

Mishti : How did you make this?

Abir : There's a microwave upstairs. I asked Anya to go to the pantry and take the packet and make it for us.

He took the fork in his hand and twirling around the noodles tried to feed her but she refused.

Mishti : I wanted to make this for you. So you have it first.

She turned the fork towards him and fed him a mouthful and then accepted his forkful of noodles. They ate slowly conversing about random matters when Mishti looked at him.

Abir : What happened?

Mishti : You really don't mind that I cannot cook?

Abir : Why would I mind? Where is it written that only women have to cook? I love cooking and I can impress you. You don't have to worry about it, My temptress.

Mishti smiled. She placed her head on his shoulder.

Mishti : I love you.

She felt him freeze and she sat straight.

Abir : I don't know how to reply to that. I feel very happy when you tell me that you love me but.. But..

Mishti : Shh. You don't have to tell anything right now. I hope that day comes when you can reply with those same words but for now, I'll accept a hug or a kiss. Don't tell me until you mean those words.

Abir : I don't have the words you want, Mishti. But I do have words I mean. I want you to be the happiest you've ever been. I want you to be mine, now and forever. I want you to know that you are my light and my temptress.

Mishti smiled and kissed him on his cheek. She got down from the counter and washed the bowl.

Mishti : I should get going. Mumma wants to discuss something but we'll meet each other tonight right? At the Bannerjees' place?

Abir : If you're there, I am there.

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Mishti got down from the car and shook her head as she saw her mother practically fly up the stairs in her hurry to enter the Elite Number 1 Bannerjees' mansion.

Mishti : Kuhu, Do you think it'll help telling her not to create a fuss?

Abir : That wouldn't be fair now, Would it? To not let her have her fun.

Mishti turned around in surprise to see Abir standing behind her along with Anya and Arjun.

Kuhu : Anya! Arjun! Abir! Or should I say Abir jiju?

Mishti blushed red as everyone laughed. Just as Abir was about to retort, Naksh called out to them from the top of the stairs.

Naksh : Will you two pairs of lovebirds, Anya and Arjun please come inside. Mom is having so much fun at your expense and I can't wait for you guys to experience it.

Mishti groaned.

Mishti : Mumma has gone crazy since the morning. I'm so sorry, Abir, I tried to keep her quiet.

He chuckled once more and began leading her up the stairs as the others walked behind them.

Abir : You should have known better than to even attempt it. Let her have her fun.

Mishti : You won't feel that way for long.

Abir : Well then, I think we had best enjoy my magnanimity while it lasts, hadn't we?

They entered the doors and Mishti darted her gaze around to see if anyone was looking at them and it appeared that everyone was looking at them. Her mother had worked quickly.

Mishti : Everyone's looking at us, Abir.

She turned to look at Abir who blinked reassuringly at her. Holding her close to him, He strode forward right to the dance floor and placing an arm around her waist, pulled her close to him.

Abir : Why don't we give them something to talk about?

She couldn't help her smile. Gaining her confidence, She placed her arms around his shoulders and stepped closer as he held her waist tighter. She winked at his surprised expression.

Mishti : Well, You only said we should give them something to talk about, Right?

Abir smiled and they danced slowly content to stare at each other throughout the song. Mishti was so transfixed by his intense gaze that she didn't even realise where she was until Arjun cleared his throat. Mishti and Abir let go of each other and looked down embarrased.

As the next song began, Arjun asked her to dance and she happily placed her hand in his and soon, she and her future brother-in-law were halfway across the dance floor.

After the dance with Arjun, she was instantly partnered for a second dance, then a third, and so on until she had danced every dance in an hour. And she was having a lovely time.

As she promenaded around the room with Mr Deora, a charming young man and the Deora heir, she wondered at the strange turn of events. From usually being ignored to the belle of the ball and all it took was a marriage proposal.

She paused. A marriage proposal from Abir.

Abir.

And then, as though she'd conjured him up, he was there, at her side. He held her elbow and slowly drew her to the edge of the room and she glared at him.

Mishti : You asked them all to dance with me, Didn't you? How embarrasing, Abir.

She poked him in the chest hard and Abir drew up his hands to defend himself.

Abir : Mishti! What are you talking about?

Mishti's eyes narrowed at the confusion emitting from Abir's voice.

Mishti : It was there in my paper, Abir. Dance every dance at a function. Do you know the last time I danced this much? Never. For people don't ask me to dance. Look, even my slippers are worn out. And don't think you can convince me that you had nothing to do with it.

Abir : That's ridiculous. I did have nothing to do with it. Even if it was in your list, There's no way I could have done it. You have no idea what I felt while you were dancing with them. One man after the other, you never even stopped and I felt so angry.

Mishti : Why were you angry?

Abir : I don't enjoy watching you dance with other men. I would much prefer we never attend any other function or party so I never again have to stand by as a line of rogues take the opportunity to touch you inappropriately.

She gasped indignantly.

Mishti : They were not inappropriate!

Abir : I beg your pardon but you shall have to get used to my being the judge of such things.

He came closer, leaving scant inches between them. He lifted a hand to brush an errant curl from her face.

Abir : They were inappropriate. Especially young Nikhil Deora.

Mishti chuckled. It was so much fun to see Abir jealous.

Mishti : So you're jealous? Like Arjun calls you, The great, Elite number 6, Abir Rajvansh can feel jealous as well?

Abir scoffed and lifted his chest proudly.

Abir : Abir Rajvansh doesn't get jealous. But...

He turned her around so that her back hit his chest and his lips were right next to her ears.

Abir : Abir Rajvansh doesn't let others take what is his. And you're mine, my temptress.

Mishti closed her eyes at those words. Yes, she was his and he was hers. Her heart sang with joy as she turned to face him once more. He bent down and kissed the top of her forehead.

Abir : It wasn't me who got everyone to dance with you tonight. It was you, Mishti. You finally showed them your sparkle that you've kept suppressed for so long. Of course people flocked towards you like a moth to a flame. Who could resist your charm? Certainly I never could.

Mishti stared at him wide-eyed. Her cheeks glowed red as she absorbed the sweet words Abir was saying.

Abir : But you should not do it too often. I might show up with my possessive side and trounce the man who danced with you.

Mishti laughed and kissed his cheek softly.

Mishti : i don't think you'll ever have to worry on that account. My sparkle is only for you.

He hugged her and didn't seem inclined to let her go until they heard a clapping sound. Abir and Mishti looked at their left and right respectively to see Jai Khanna watching them, a mocking expression on his face.

Jai : So now that you have your prize, you're gloating about it?

Mishti furrowed her eyes at the odd comment then looked at Abir whose warm expression had turned to one of steel.

Abir : Jai!

He stepped forward trying to block Mishti while Jai chuckled.

Jai : I heard the news of your betrothal to Abir Rajvansh, Miss Singhania. I thought I should congratulate you but first you should know the entire truth.

Mishti moved away from Abir and faced Jai directly.

Mishti : What do you mean?

Abir : I want you to leave now, Jai.

His voice was calm, but no one could mistake the deadly intent in his tone. Mishti stared at Jai's smirking grin to Abir's stony expression and wondered what the hell was going on. Just as she was about to voice the question, Her sister and brother joined them.

Kuhu : Mishti! Come with me. Let's go.

Mishti : Go where? Ouch, Kuhu, Leave me. Why are you pulling me?

She looked at Kuhu's pleading eyes and Naksh's accusing ones facing Abir and she turned to him as well.

Mishti : Abir?

Naksh : Mishti, Go with Kuhu. NOW.

Mishti's eyes widened. Did her brother just call her Mishti? Had he actually raised his voice against her? She turned on her brother.

Mishti : I will not. I will not leave before someone tells me precisely what is happening. Kuhu?

Kuhu sighed.

Kuhu : It is being said that Jai Khanna and Abir Rajvansh placed a wager upon you.

The idea was so preposterous that Mishti laughed.

Mishti : What kind of wager?

Naksh : Apparently, Abir bet Jai that you would never accept Jai as a husband. But when it seemed that he was losing, Abir stepped in and took you for himself.

Kuhu : They're saying that you've sullied your character and that's why you can't be with a good man like Jai.

Mishti laughed.

Mishti : God, How dramatic. Can you believe them, Abir?

She turned her smiling eyes on Abir, expecting him to share in her amusement. In the face of his hard, unmoving expression, however, truth dawned. She looked to smug Jai.

Mishti : Oh!

Jai : And here you thought that he wanted you. When in fact he wanted to fill his bank account.

Abir : SHUT UP JAI!

Mishti pulled Abir and made him face her.

Mishti : Did you place a wager on me?

Jai : Yes, he did. At first it was only for a little amount. He bet me that you wouldn't marry me. And when it looked like I might win, he doubled the wager and courted you to ensure that he'd win. I suspect that it didn't hurt that aligning himself to your family would also guarantee his sister a sound place in society.

But Mishti didn't look at him. She continued to face Abir.

Mishti : Abir?

There was a beat as Abir searched for the right answer. And, in that moment, Mishti knew. Abir took a step toward her, and she backed away, her stumbled step straightened by Kuhu's support. She whispered something but seeing that no one understood, she spoke up.

Mishti : How much?

Kuhu : Mish...

But she stopped as Mishti raised her hand and repeated her question once more.

Mishti : How much, Mr Abir Rajvansh?

Abir : Mishti..

Mishti : How MUCH?

Abir : Forty lakhs.

Mishti felt as though the breath had been knocked out of her.

Mishti : When did you place it?

Abir : The afternoon of your sister's sagaai.

Mishti thought back to that day. Where Abir had come to the sagaai and danced with her. At that time, she thought it was because he wanted to know her more after their kiss. However it was all for a bet.

Mishti : When did you double it?

When he did not answer, she turned to Jai.

Mishti : When did he double it?

Jai : Thursday.

The morning he proposed after their special night. He'd still thought of her as nothing more than a wager only a short time ago.

Mishti moved away from the group of people as memories flooded her mind. Their kisses, the conversation in the exhibition, the night at the Poker House and his proposal last night. She didn't know what was true and what was false anymore.

Was their dance a lie? Were their kisses nothing but manipulations? Was his request to help Anya part of his ploy? Was his marriage proposal partly due to this wager and partly due to his responsibility towards her?

What was she supposed to trust?

She could barely hear the sounds of the puja beyond for the blood pounding in her ears as a wave of familiar insecurity crashed over her.

She had been so very very stupid.

How many times had she told herself that Abir was not for her? How many times had she been warned? By her family, her friends, his ex-girlfriend, for God's sake. And yet she had allowed herself to believe that the fantasy could be real. That, one day, the world had tilted just so on its axis and Abir had fallen for her. And here he was...wagering on her future. As if she were nothing but a business deal that he wanted to acquire.

And she felt so very cast aside.

It was so easy to believe that she meant so little to him. So tempting to fall back into the comfortable invisibility that came with being a lady whom so few people really noticed.

His words echoed back to her : Abir Rajvansh doesn't let others take what is his. She had thought he was jealous. But no, he just wanted to win.

She held her head as the images of them floated around her. Her heart felt like a mirror broken into a million pieces with some of them like powdered dust. She would never be able to put them together again.

She looked at his eyes and saw the anguish there. She thought of his confession about his parents and feelings yesterday and wondered what was real? What was fake?

She noticed Abir open his mouth to speak and she knew she couldn't stay here. She wasn't ready. She needed time for herself. She needed to understand why he did what he did. She ran from the house, Kuhu behind her.

Abir took a step to follow her but Naksh's hand blocked him.

Naksh : Don't even try.

Abir : I never wanted to hurt her. You know that, Don't you. This was never about money. It was never about it.

Naksh looked at him, his welcoming expression from last night lost now. He gave a disgusted scoff and shook his head.

Naksh : What were you thinking? Wagering over a girl was okay? Did neither of you think about Rhea's feelings? And whatever you say, Mr Rajvansh, you did hurt her. Unless she asks for you and I don't think she will, Don't you dare try and come near her.

His feelings got the better of him and Naksh grabbed Abir's collar and pulled him closer.

Naksh : How could you be so selfish? You knew she loved you and yet you didn't think about how this would hurt her? You broke her entire future for your ego? Have you forgotten that you have a sister yourself? How could you do this?

He pushed Abir away who listened to Naksh's words in silence.

Naksh : I hope you don't cause any more trouble in the next few days. It's going to be difficult as it is trying to stop the gossip about the broken alliance.

Abir's eyes narrowed at the words.

Abir : Mishti will be my wife, Naksh. This alliance is not broken.

Naksh : If she forgives you, which seems like a distant possibility to me, You may try asking her to marry you again. But until then, you are not welcome in any of our lives again, Mr Abir Rajvansh. Not in my life, not in Kuhu's and definitely not in Mishti's.

Abir watched Naksh leave the house, the image of Mishti doing the same filling his mind.

Had he truly lost the best thing that had ever happened to him? He ran and caught up to Naksh.

Abir : I will come for your sister. I will meet her and I will do anything she tells to earn my forgiveness. And if you think you can stop me, You better have an army at your side.

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What is Mishti going to do now? 

What is Abir planning? 

Will their reunion be easy?