A lil longer chap in compensation to late update...

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Vyom's pov
"Little swan," I call out softly.

She stirs a little but continues to sleep through my soft vociferation for some more before rubbing her eyes and sitting up groggily.

Her eyelids weigh heavy while scanning through the surroundings in her still hazy state. It was quite early and we had to leave anyway, I couldn't let her forgo the first morning that would mark a beautiful beginning of our otherwise temporary relationship.

"Come on," I held her hand, pulling her out of the bed and pulling her to the open terrace.

"What's the hurry for ?" Instead of answering, I hold her shoulder and turn her around.

She gasps, eyes widening, mesmerised. My hand slipped away from her shoulders and despite missing the warmth I stepped next to her so I could take delight in her reaction.

The scarlet heat ball has just commenced to peek through the grey drapes, already branching the streaks of orange and red.

From the height, the sunrise looked mesmerising. But what even looks more mesmerising is her infectious smile, outshining the beauty of the sunrise.

Finding delight in these little moments of happiness I could bring her was now a natural feeling. What I failed to realise when her radiating through happiness started to enrapture me.

"It is beautiful," she sighed, dreamily.

Every nerve within me tingles, my gaze entrenched on her as I sighed just after, "Beautiful indeed."

Despite my sore muscles from sitting through the whole night on the couch or lack of sleep for the past few days, I felt quite energetic after seeing her moving around the penthouse all chirpy, filling the vacant walls with her enthusiasm.

I prepared us both coffee and toast in the meantime she got freshened up and I've already laid out a spare toothbrush and fresh towels for her use. Enjoying the quick breakfast, we both departed with me promising to bring her back soon.

The car's door closed after me once I settled on the driver's seat while she took the seat beside. Although it isn't the first time, after last night it feels different, like it was meant to be this way. Naturally. Rightfully.

I lean in, taking a hold of the seatbelt, buying extra moments in her vicinity. Upon my sudden proximity, her intake of breath indicates her being equally affected, even if not for the same reason as mine.

"I can do it myself."

"I know. I'm not doing it because you can't do it," momentarily our gaze meets and my pulse nearly roars witnessing the flustered look on her face. "I'm doing it because I want to do it for my girl."

Forcing my gaze away, my focus diverts back to the task at hand.

"Yesterday you told me to not cross the boundaries or step out of the line. What are those exactly ?"

My actions freeze as my words echo through her mouth. I told her this albeit it was more or less a warning to myself. She barely kissed me a year ago and it unleashed the beast within me. I had to set limits so the darkness sinking me doesn't consume me and I end up drowning her along with me.

Reluctantly, I forced the words out, "Don't get too attached and never fall in love."

I hated the thought of watching her agreeing to the ridiculous words so deliberately kept my head dipped low. Considering I was still figuring out my own feelings, it was selfish on my part to feel hurt at the thought of her never falling for me.

"But if you ever do," my gaze found her again. "Please let me know."

It took every ounce in me to not let my desperation bespeak in my tone.

The car whirred with life, moving on the sparse early morning roads. Minutes later music filled the insides of the car while she started out the window, enjoying the breeze on her face.

She told me she had been planning to date had I not made the proposal. I remember her capricious decision on her eighteenth birthday to find someone for her first kiss. Though the comfort of sharing intimacy depends on people's ideology, I know her enough to tell she wouldn't share one such intimate moment without looking for emotional attachment later on.

Any kind of first is always raw and at a tender teen-age, it could leave lingering regrets and self doubt. Having gone through something alike, I didn't want the same for her so I had to warn her.

The car goes motionless once we reach Somani Residence.

"Should I drop you to college ?"

Wiggling her eyebrows, she shook her head, "How will it remain a secret if we get too obvious ?"

I curb a disappointed groan while she exits the car, waving me bye.

~
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Apeksha's pov
Things have been moving too fast since last week after we began dating and it still feels surreal.

Naksh and Lakshman had the chairs across me occupied as they endlessly conversed about a new game in trend. Grateful of having their attention away from me, I scroll back and forth through the site. This time I wasn't searching about an abusive marriage rather about dating your friend.

The more I scrolled through, letting the anonymous experiences sink in my mind, the overthinking creeped back.

No matter what I want, our friendship will eventually frail over time once I'm gone. But now with the change of dynamics, I'm scared of losing it altogether just because my heart is greedy to have the man I love beyond a friend.

If heartbreak is my destiny, to cherish it forever, I need to craft these four months beautifully.

With a thump, a cardboard box was placed on the table jolting us three. I quickly shut my laptop, my gaze lifting to find Geet with an uncertain look whereas a lopsided grin was dangling on Afreen's lips, a siren for forthcoming trouble.

"What's that shitty smell ?" My face mirrored the grimace on the twins' faces.

They got up to look into the cardboard box and immediately recoiled.

"I didn't expect your future to be so dark that now you're picking garbage ?" Naksh deadpanned.

I suppressed a smile when his smartass remark earned him an elbow in the ribs.

"She got it from Raju bhaiya from canteen."

Geet fills in our curious blank of why Afreen has a cartoon of spoiled vegetables with her.

Afreen claps her hand, maneuvering our attention back on her, "You guys know what an orgasm feels like ?"

Our reaction was an upheaval combination at her blatant question and we frantically looked around for eavesdropping ears, sighing since the canteen was mostly empty.

"Are you trying to mock us for being outdated virgins ?" Lakshman exaggerated dramatically, his voice hushed.

"Like I'm living my own version of 365 days," Afreen admonished. "Come on! Now answer it."

"As if you've been holding your pee for long and finally got relief. Perhaps ten folds of it."

Silence prevails as I shift under their scrutiny and a chorus of ewww ricochets.

"Seriously Apeksha !?"

"I'm a virgin, not Mother Teresa. I can have my theories."

"Just theories ?" I shot a glare at Geet, my eyes narrowing at the other three.

I gritted out, "Just theories."

Which I should have kept to myself.

"They say it's utter satisfaction," we all had our gaze fixated on Afreen in sheer anticipation. Fingers drum on the cardboard box as she exclaims, "To charamsukh ki or prasthan karein ?"

(So, should we proceed towards orgasmic satisfaction ?)

~
~
~

"We are going to get arrested."

Lakshman voiced out the thought swirling in our heads as we exchanged a weary glace in silent agreement to his remark.

"We will not," Afreen enunciates. Then abruptly she caught my hands, "Please Apeksha, call Mr. Hot Shot."

My lips tug in an uncertain curve but I couldn't deny her either. This is irrational, reckless and downright immature, but someone cornered our friend and groped her and I'm not about to step back. Damn the consequences!

Anxiety clawed at my bones as the call went unanswered four times straight. I sent him a quick message, even that went unseen.

Are you busy ?
EMERGENCY
*attached a siren emoji

Adrenaline pumped through our veins as we with a grin watched the spotless wall getting impinged with rotten eggs and vegetables, our laughter reverberating while continuing our art work.

Angry whistles accompanied by agitated shouts bolted us alert. We frantically collected our stuff, pulling on the hood to our heads as we caught the sight of the furious guard drawing towards us, a trail of profanities leaving his mouth.

Our feet broke into a run, laughter reaching to crescendo as we tried to manage our breath. A quick glance was swept amongst us when an unfamiliar voice reached our ears. Finally the asshole Ayan is here.

And now I get why Afreen insisted on wearing this hoodie. It had a graphic print of flipping the finger across the back.

Ayan was just a conversance of Afreen until she realised what an asshole he is and ghosted him which didn't set well with his male ego.

"Mr. Hot Shot is still not here. Now what ?" Naksh's voice elevated, his head tilting behind to catch a look at the two men following us.

Afreen waved a frantic hand his way, striving to pick up her faltering pace. "Then I'll call my parents. You guys wouldn't land behind the bars. I promise"

The twins put a pause on their feet and we too forced ourselves to halt, a few feet ahead of them.

"Bastards," that asshole huffed puffed like a raging bull, now in the twins' juxtaposition. "The police will be here shortly after. Now let me see who will save you drain worms."

My fist clenched when his filthy gaze examined us, bursting gooseflesh on our skin. And he had the nerve to make a lewd gesture our way.

"Bahan ke_" Afreen and Geet held me back, my body thrashing in their clutch, my hands itching to smack his good for nothing face.

(Son of_)

Naksh's fist smacked across that aashole's jaw eliciting a pained cry. Seeing the scene unfolding, the watchman panicked and got in action, pushing Naksh off that asshole while Lakshman grabbed the opportunity to land another punch.

We three let out loud excited shrieks, hurling the left rotten eggs and tomatoes at the good-for-nothing faced asshole and there goes my shoe right across his face. Headshot.

My poor shoe.

Ayan seethed, inching a step closer and stopping just after the loud police siren surrounded the air. We five blanched, scattering, disquiet coursing through us, before gathering together.

Our jaw clenched seeing the laid-back smirk crawling at his heinous face. I hated the fact that we were more in the deep water than him.

"Yēthē kāya hōta āhē ?"

(What is happening here ?)

We instinctively stepped back as the components of the smokeless tobacco the policeman was chewing on relentlessly, flew from his mouth incessantly.

Me and my friends frantically contemplate for a coherent response, our dismay elevating seeing the extra too friendly exchange of pleasantries between him and Ayan.

"Chalo chalo.. nikalo. Tamasha khatam," the policeman, in the time being, shooed away the gathered passersby.

(Come on.. come on, leave. The show is over.)

"They both seem to know each other," panic harrows Geet's countenance and our semblance was no better.

"We are doomed," Lakshman exclaims, dejected.

And his twin supplies, "Nothing we say now will go in favour."

Amidst the catastrophe, Afreen dangles a small sliver of hope for us, "I rang to my parents. They will be here soon."

Our shoulders stiffened sensing the policeman closing in the distance between us, now a determined spiteful gleam in his squinted eyes.

Seemingly our life is no less than the slow dramatic daily soaps as the commanding voice forced the policeman to stop in his tracks, the air in the ambiance shifting at the new presence.

Om sir walks in our sight, his gait commanding and unstaggering, shoulders straightened and chin held high with gaze scrutinising the surrounding.

Ignoring everyone in sight, his eyes find my diffident gaze. Confused lines stretched across my forehead watching him walk towards the police jeep, ignoring the asshole and the policeman's gabble in his way.

Something assembles in my stomach before bursting like fluttering butterflies. He got back to his height after he had crouched to pick my shoe which was crushed under the tyre edges. Inefficacious to the baffled gaze directed his way, he once again disregarded the prying presence around before his steps found their spot in front of me, standing closer than he would usually have done.

The shoe pinched between his fingers wiggles, "How much this time ?" Despite everything my lips quirked up at the hint of regale in his tone.

"Dhai sau ke to nahin," I fight a smile, failing eventually.

(Not worth two-fifty at least.)

The soft material of his handkerchief wipes away the beads of sweat from my forehead further palpating my heart.

Accustomed as if to a routine, his feet opt out of the shoes and next I know my ankle was in his grasp, coaxing my feet out of the leftover shoe followed by putting me in his own. Boggled gasps echo around rising warmth on my cheeks and I try to avoid my friends' curious stares.

"You seem to keep finding your feet back in my shoes," my eyes involuntarily squint at him. "I like you walking in my shoes, trotting like an adorable duck."

I gape at him, feigning offence.

Much to my relief, Afreen's parents make their presence shortly after. In the meantime Om sir's secretary, a lithe lady clad in black pencil skirt, white bodice, with her expression unwavering, deals with the vimal chewing policeman and the asshole who is staring at her chest like a creep.

Afreen's parents instantly checked on us for any injury or harm, sighing in relief followed by reprimanding us for our recklessness before expressing their gratitude to Om sir.

Whereas my attention was zeroed on the scene happening behind, amusement dawning on me when the policeman paled at something she said as she handed him a business card. She then turned around, not sparing a single glance at the asshole Ayan, however deliberately stepped on his feet, prompting a yelp. And my eyes widened when she didn't stop there and further twisted her feet, digging her heels harder in his shoe clad foot, and then marched away as if nothing happened.

Afreen and Geet left with Afreen's parents and Om sir requested his secretary Ms. Ahmad to drop the twins. I had to suppress a chuckle watching the twins following after Ms. Ahmad with gaga eyes.

Om sir's body was leaning against the opened car door as I hopped inside. The warmth of his body shadows my demure figure when he hovers above me, busy pulling and putting the seat belt on me.

"Told you, you and trouble are soulmates. Always finding your way back to each other," I couldn't humour his remark, shrinking in the seat, now pools of puddle with his hot breath fanning on my skin. "Doesn't that make you a bad girl, little swan ?"

Something changes in the air, invisible yet tangible, "If yes, will you punish me then ?"

"Do you want me to ?" Hot air aerates above my ear, knocking oxygen within my lungs.

My body jumped with the forced shutting of the car door, instantly feeling the absence of the heat, my heart pacing insanely.

The ride proceeds with an awkward silence, something unsaid dangling in the air like a knife edge. Not wanting to put up with silence anymore, I decided to make the first move.

"Thankyou for today. And sorry for impeding your work." I tell him genuinely.

"It baffles me how you always find yourself in trouble every time and above that, in trouble with the police." My face flushes since his words were certainly right.

"Ohh! Didn't I tell you that's why I made you my boyfriend so that you could save me from landing behind the bars ?" We both laugh at the extra effort at dramatics.

I bite my lip, the question at the tip of my tongue before finally letting it escape, "We were supposed to keep it a secret."

I was hinting about his behaviour in front of my friends. My gaze searches him for any reaction but he remains unfazed.

"Technically I didn't tell them that you're my girlfriend."

Technically he didn't, but his actions did give a chance to raise suspicion.

Whatever we have, even temporary, is very precious to me and I don't want anyone to question it, even my friends.

"You secretary is so hot," I say, diverting the topic and the woman's memory flashes in my head. "Introduce me to her some time."

His head diverted towards me momentarily, eyebrow raising, "I see you've special admiration for corporate girls."

"They depict the female version of every hot billionaire I read of," I quipped, thronged with excitement. "I wouldn't mind turning into a lesbian for a lady like her."

My entire body flung forward as the car was forced to halt abruptly and I could have smashed right across the dashboard if not for the seatbelt and the palm that came to shield my head.

Clutching my heaving chest, I avert my gaze to him, words evading my mouth finding his incendiary filled gaze already pinned on me.

"You noticed her too much in such a short time span ?" His jaw was locked in a square.

"I mean she is hot_ and sexy," I reasoned, unsure of the sudden shift in his demeanor. "Anyone with good eyesight would notice her. Didn't you ?"

His next statement left me speechless, " I notice you."

"That's_ different," my nervous chuckle dismissed his statement. "She is hot, unlike me. A certain aura that is defined as instantly attractive."

My face jerks under the cage of his fingers on my chin, breath hitching at the unanticipated move.

"You're just stupidly clueless." His voice edges, as if holding back on something. "So damn clueless."

Chapter Words- 3036

Ahm-- Apu needs to hesitate sometimes

Reminder:- this book is a dark romance, for it'll pry many sensitive topics

Signing off
~T.R