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VOWS OF HATRED...

CHAPTER 5

"I Love You Randeep...", Ashi's words made him happy. This is what he had been waiting for. But he hadn't expected it so soon. He had assumed that Ashi wasn't someone who would initiate the love confession. Randeep was already aware of her love for him and hearing it from her, made it more special. He was on his track of revenge and he already had planned out everything that needed to be done after their marriage.

Ashi was in heaven as she stood wrapped in his arms. She finally felt lighthearted as she had confessed her love. Though she had expected Randeep to reciprocate the same, she decided to wait till their marriage to get his confession too.

Randeep kissed her passionately as all the pent-up desires came to the fore. He had wanted her since a long time now. Though he was taking his revenge, still some part of his heart seemed connected to her, and he couldn't keep his desires in control when she had confessed her love so clearly. Her innocence, her kindness, her attention, her care, her love, everything melted his heart immensely, yet he couldn't back down from his revenge. Keeping all his emotions aside, he was all set to destroy them. Nothing could deter him from that.

Randeep broke the kiss reluctantly after few more minutes as the need to breathe overcame his passion. Ashi melted in his arms completely. She was more aware of him now that they had decided to get married.

"Randeep... main... main khush hun ki hamari shaadi honewaali hai, par... par... Paa... Paa yahaan akele reh jaayenge naa? Unhe main akele kaise chod sakti hun? He is my responsibility, my life, my everything.", Ashi questioned with a heavy heart.

Randeep was aware of her resistance when it came to her father, and he had sorted this out too. But he decided to maneuver it slowly. He had known them too well to plan everything out beforehand. Loosening his hold on her, he palmed her cheeks softly, "Ashi... Don't worry about uncle. Wohhh hamare saath hamare ghar mein reh sakte hai. I won't have any issues with it."

Ashi shook her head, "Paa nahi maanenge Randeep. Wohh hamare saath rehne ke liye kabhi taiyaar nahi honge." Randeep continued, "Hmmm... mujhe lagta hai hume uncle se pehle baat karni chahiye, fir hi hum kuch decide kar paayenge." She agreed. She couldn't leave her father alone. They only had each other since her mother's death.

Pulling her back in his arms, Randeep whispered, "Now let's celebrate..." Before she could understand his intentions, he claimed her lips again. He wasn't ready to leave her. Albeit reluctantly after an hour or so, he left her room and went back to his mansion.

That night, Randeep stood in front of his mother's portrait and shed few tears. "Maa... mera sapna poora hone jaa raha hai. Mera badla poora hone jaa raha hai. Unn baap beti ko jab tak main raste par naa le aaun tab tak mujhe chaien nahi milega. Jitni taklif aapne uss Anand ki wajah se jheli hai, main usse double taklif unn dono ko dunga. Aaj... Aaj uss Anand ne uski beti ke liye mera haath maanga. Usse kya pataa ki main khud yeh shaadi karna chaahta hun. Uss Anand ko nahi pataa ki yeh shaadi ka faisla unki zindagi ki sabse badi galti saabit hogi. Anand ko toh main pehle hi barbaad kar chuka hun, ab uski beti aur business ki baari hai. Bas jaise maine socha hai, sab vaise hi ho jaaye, toh mera badla poora ho jaayega aur main... main sukoon se jee sakunga."

As Ashi's face appeared in front of his eyes, he fisted his hands to control his emotions towards her. What was happening to him? Falling for her wasn't in his revenge plan, yet he had fallen for that innocent girl. He knew that she had nothing to do with her father's doings, but just because she was his daughter, she would have to suffer too and face the consequences.

When Ashi had confessed her love, Randeep too wanted to admit about his changing feelings and acknowledge them to her genuinely, but he decided against it and resisted. He couldn't do this, not when he was set for revenge. No feelings would come in his way to set their destruction.

Wiping his cheeks, Randeep walked towards his room mentally chastising himself for losing his control over his emotions for a girl who was just part of his revenge. As he laid back on his bed, all their meets swam in his mind. He tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep a wink.

His mind wandered to her, her luscious lips, her curvaceous body and her innocent charming face. Why wasn't he able to keep her thoughts away when the only motive of his life was to destroy them?

Even before his alarm could go off, Randeep got up and started his routine workout to start his day. He had finally come to a conclusion that he would try to keep himself busy and stay away from that innocent soul or else he would lose his focus. This revenge meant everything to him. Nothing mattered to him except his mother who was no more in his life. Anand was the sole reason that his mother wasn't alive, and he was going to avenge him for that very soon.

Anand was happy to see his daughter's flushed state while having their breakfast. He had noticed that she wanted to tell him something but wasn't able to muster any courage. He was enjoying her state though.

"Ummm.... Ashi... tu mujhse kuch kehna chaahti hai kya?", Anand asked breaking the silence. His daughter refused to meet his gaze and continued eating her meal slowly. She chastised herself for her weird behavior.

Ashi wanted to tell his father that she was ready to marry Randeep. But how could she do that? She knew her father too well. He would ask her if she was agreeing to this marriage for his sake. How could she tell her father that she had already fallen in love with Randeep since she had arrived here? She would've to reveal the whole truth. She had never lied to him, and she wouldn't lie even now.

Mustering some courage, Ashi cleared her throat, "Ummm... Paa... Wohh main yeh kehna chaahti hun ki main... main... wohh... wohh... Randeep se shaadi... shaadi karne ke liye ready hun." There she had said that.

Before her father could interrupt, Ashi continued, "Maine yeh decision iss liye nahi liya kyunki aap chaahte the ki main Randeep se shaadi karun. Maine yeh decision mere marzi se liya hai, mere liye liya hai, kyunki... kyunki main... main Randeep se bohot pyaar karti hun Paa..."

She had finally said it. She narrated everything to him since the time she had met Randeep for the first time. Her confusion, her ignorance, her relationship of one month, her time spent with him in Jaipur, everything. Obviously, she had kept her condition of 'No Kissing' and intimacy part out of her revelation.

Anand quietly heard her and even enjoyed watching her getting nervous in between. This was the first time when she was talking about her love life, talking about her love for Randeep. He had never imagined that a day would come when he would've to give her away to someone so soon. He had dreamt of her marriage to a prince charming and Randeep was surely one prince, but he wasn't ready to bid her farewell so soon, yet he would've to do it.

Once Ashi was done telling him about her relationship with Randeep, Anand got up from his seat and walked to her. By the time he reached her, Ashi too had gotten up from her chair. Anand lovingly palmed her cheeks, "Aaj jaise tu Randeep aur apne pyaar ke baare mein bataa rahi thi, toh mujhe samajh aaya ki meri beti ki zindagi mein aakhir uska prince charming aa hi gaya. Tu Randeep se shaadi karne ke liye taiyaar hai, yeh sunnkar main bohot khush hun Princess..."

Looking at his wife's photo, Anand continued, "Main aur Smriti bohot khush the, jab pataa chala tha ki hume beti hui hai. Tabse hi humne teri shaadi ka sapna dekha tha. Par ab Smriti hamare saath nahi hai, aur mujhe hi yeh sapna akele poora karna padega. Tu bilkul fikar mat karna Ashi... bhale hi tu iss ghar se ek naye ghar mein jaayegi, par fir bhi iss ghar ke darwaaze hamesha tere liye khule rahenge. Tu meri princess thi, hai aur hamesha rahegi."

Anand kissed her forehead and continued, "Ashi... mera mann kehta hai ki tu Randeep ke saath bohot khush rahegi. Mujhe poora bharosa hai ki maine tujhe uske saath shaadi ke rishtey mein baandhkar koi galti nahi kar raha. Main bas tum dono ko khush dekhna chaahta hun, tum dono ko ek nayi zindagi shuru karte hue dekhna chaahta hun, tum dono ko nayi unnchaai par pohonchte hue dekhna chaahta hun, tum dono ko saath dekhna chaahta hun."

"Aapne sahi kahaa ... Ashi mere saath bohot khush rahegi, main uska poora dhyaan rakhunga uncle. Don't worry." Randeep stood at the entrance of the house listening to their conversation. He had heard everything. From Ashi's acceptance of their relationship to her father's words, he had heard it all.

Randeep knew that he was lying to their faces. After his marriage to Ashi, he was going to make their lives a living hell. Each and every pain that his mother had endured in the past, they would pay for it bit by bit.

Anand and Ashi were surprised seeing Randeep so early in the morning. "Aao Beta... Naashta kar lo. Hume pehle hi pataa hota ki tum aa rahe ho, toh hum tumhara intezaar karte." Ashi was about to turn towards the kitchen to bring the breakfast for him, when she heard his voice, "Uncle... main breakfast karke aaya hun. Thank you..."

Anand walked towards him and hugged him. "Ab itna formal banne ki zarurat nahi hai Randeep. Ashi ne apna faisla mujhe bataa diya hai. Ab toh tum mere daamaad banne waale ho, toh tumhe yeh sab formalities chod deni chahiye. Tum mujhe Papa bulaa sakte ho, yaa fir jaise Ashi mujhe Paa bulaati hai, tum bhi bulaa sakte ho. Aur ab hum ek family hai, toh yeh 'Thank You aur Sorry' bolna band karna hoga. Samjhe..."

Randeep nodded with a smile, "Ok... Papa..." As those words were out from his mouth, Anand smiled happily while Ashi was content with the way her father had accepted her love so readily. Randeep's gaze met hers and she shied away. It was really tough for him to call his nemesis as his father, but he had no choice left. He had to do this; he couldn't afford to upset them right now.

Randeep couldn't look away from her, but he remembered that he had to focus on his revenge than her, so he shifted his gaze back to his nemesis. They settled in the living room and Randeep began to share all the details about the projects that he was looking after. Ashi too added few things here and there making Anand smile.

Once the discussion was over, Anand spoke, "Randeep... tum yahin ruko... main abhi aata hun." While he was gone, Ashi too got up and made her way towards the kitchen to prepare coffees for them. By the time Ashi was back, Anand was already seated with Randeep and was waiting for his daughter to join them.

As Ashi placed the coffee cups in front of them, Anand spoke, "Chalo accha hua, tu bhi aa gayi. Main tum dono se kuch important baat karna chaahta hun. Maine decide kiya hai ki ab se tu aur Randeep dono milkar hamara business sambhaaloge. Maine already power of attorney tum dono ke naam kardi hai. Baaki sab formalities main agle do din mein poora kar dunga. Maine already sab papers ready karne ko hamare vakil sahab ko keh diya hai."

Before Ashi could react, Randeep responded, "Papa... yeh karne ki kya jaldi thi? Main kahin bhaaga thodi jaa raha hun. Aap nahi bhi kehte fir bhi main aapka business manage karne mein Ashi ki help karta. Yeh power of attorney kyun banaayi aapne? Iski koi zarurat nahi thi. Aapne hi kahaa naa ki main ab iss family ka hissa hun, fir yeh sab kyun?"

Anand was proud of him, "Randeep... yeh karna abhi zaruri hai. Ashi abhi itna bada empire akele thik se manage nahi kar paayegi, tum uske saath rahoge toh mujhe bhi tassalli rahegi." Ashi immediately interrupted, "Aap aisa kyun keh rahe as if aap retire ho rahe hai?"

Anand replied calmly, "Tum sahi soch rahi ho Ashi... main retire ho raha hun. Main chaahta hun ki ab se tum dono yeh Singhania Empire saath mein sambhaalo." Ashi was about to say something, but her father raised his hand to stop her, "Princess... dekho... meri tabiyat pehle jaisi nahi rahi. Main itna active nahi reh paaunga ab, aur yeh tu bhi jaanti hai ki main ab thak gaya hun. Nahi sambhaal paaunga itna bada empire. Tum dono saath milkar ab iss empire ko nayi unchaai par le jaao. Aur jab bhi meri zarurat hogi, toh main hun naa yahaan, tum dono ka hamesha saath dunga."

Ashi couldn't speak more and hugged him tightly. The father-daughter duo's eyes misted while Randeep was on cloud nine. Was the Almighty on his side that everything that he wanted was being fulfilled one by one? First, their marriage, then this sudden announcement of the power of attorney. His revenge plan was moving too fast, and it was unbelievable.

As the father parted away from his princess, Anand continued, "Bas ek baar tum dono ki shaadi ho jaaye toh main London shift ho jaaunga." Ashi shrieked, "London??? Par kyun? Paa... aap aise mujhe yahaan akele chodkar nahi jaa sakte. Abhi toh aap thik bhi nahi hue hai poori tarah. Aapka treatment bhi shuru karna hai. Main aapko kahin nahi jaane dungi Paa... and that's final..."

Anand took her in a half hug and spoke, "Princess... main maanta hun ki meri tabiyat abhi tak poori tarah se thik nahi hui hai aur mujhe medical help ki zarurat hai. Isiliye main London jaa raha hun. Tum Sharda Bua ko toh jaanti ho naa, jo wahin rehti hai apni family ke saath? Main bas unhi ke ghar jaa raha hun. Unka phone aaya tha ki main thode din ke liye wahaan unke ghar rahun, wahaan rahunga toh mera treatment shuru kar paaunga."

Ashi had no other choice but to agree with him. Randeep was a mere spectator. He hadn't expected this. He had decided to manipulate Anand so that he would leave them alone here. And now, hearing that he himself was ready to move into his sister's house, Randeep couldn't thank his stars and was happy with this sudden turn of events. It was better that the father-daughter duo stayed away from each other while he carried out his revenge plan.

"Main kal hi Panditji ko bulaakar tum dono ki shaadi ka mahurat nikalvaata hun. Main jald se jald tum dono ko shaadi ke pavitra bandhan mein bandhte hue dekhna chaahta hun." Randeep and Ashi looked at each other and something simmered between them. The need to be together ran in her nerves while he was mentally somewhere else.

Randeep was happy with the turn of events. He too wanted to get married to Ashi at the earliest, so he could start with his next set of action plan. The absence of his nemesis after their marriage will surely help him to seek his vengeance.

As promised by Anand, Panditji arrived the next day and after doing some calculations, he offered few dates, most of which were six months away. There was only one date that was after two months.

And Anand very smartly agreed on that date without giving any options to the couple. He wanted them to be together soon. Again, Anand surprised them by saying that he wanted to announce their engagement to the world and busied himself with Panditji to arrive at a good date for the couple's engagement.

Ashi was happy while Randeep's happiness knew no bounds. It seemed that Almighty and destiny were on his side that everything was going as per his plans. There was no hitch at all except one. How was he supposed to keep himself away from his fiancé? That too for two whole months... His emotions were all over the place. It was going to be sheer torture to keep his hands off his would-be wife.

For the next two weeks, Randeep was busy in his business meetings which were held in Paris. Ashi missed him and was in touch with him through calls. But that wasn't enough for her. She wanted him besides her while he tried to keep himself busy and distracted from her thoughts.

When Randeep was back after two weeks, Anand surprised him by announcing their engagement in the next two days. Ashi wanted to meet him, but he wasn't available because of his work commitments. Since Anand had transferred the power of attorney in his name, his burden of work had increased. He was handling both the businesses tactfully and efficiently.

Ashi understood his situation and didn't force him to meet. But she missed him terribly. Anand had seen her restlessness for the past two weeks when Randeep wasn't around and so he had decided to announce their engagement when Randeep would be back from Paris.

Soon the day of engagement arrived and Ashi finally breathed. She had hardly met him during the last few weeks. It seemed that even Randeep hadn't tried to meet her and spend some quality time with her.

Ashi got ready in the evening and left towards the venue with her father. Anand had informed her that Randeep would meet them directly at the venue after finishing his important conference call.

Ashi didn't know why but she felt as if Randeep was ignoring her deliberately. He was keeping his distance from her. She could feel it in her bones that's something was off. And she wanted to know the reason behind it.

Ashi met several people in the hall and talked to them with a smile. Anand could clearly see through her façade. She was anxious as there was no trace of her fiancé. The engagement had to start in the next ten minutes, but her would-be groom was missing.

After five minutes, Anand saw Randeep entering the hall in a hurry. And finally, Anand and his daughter sighed in relief.

The moment Randeep's gaze collided with hers, his steps faltered. Ashi looked stunning in the dark pink saree. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He had seen her for the first time in this Indian attire and he was dumbstruck. As he neared her, his heartbeats picked up speed.

Randeep had deliberately stayed away from her to keep his mind sane. He hadn't seen her from the last few weeks. As he stood in front of her, he noticed her pale face. He knew he was the reason behind her sadness. He hadn't been around her.

Even in the fully crowded hall, their eyes stayed on each other, taking each and every feature of the other. They had missed each other too much but couldn't speak at all. Anand cleared his throat, "Ummm... Ashi... Randeep... chalo... stage pe chalo. Sagaai ka mahurat ho gaya hai."

Nodding their heads at him, the couple took their place on stage. Several clicks resounded in the hall. The media reporters asked the couple to pose. Randeep finally closed the distance between them and wrapped his hand around her frame.

The moment his hand touched her bare skin, both shuddered with that contact. Though Ashi kept on posing for the pictures, Randeep could sense her mood. She didn't seem as excited as the day when her father had asked for their marriage. She gave the widest and brightest smiles for the photos, but he could easily gauge that it was all fake.

Anand stood with a decorated plate which held their engagements rings. It was time for the show to begin, Randeep thought to himself and picked up the ring. As he stood facing her, Ashi met his heated gaze.

Ashi gasped and couldn't believe her eyes when she saw him kneeling in front of her on one knee. "Ashi..." The sound of her mere name from his mouth made her insides tingle. This was his effect on her.

"Aaj aakhir wohh din aa hi gaya jab main duniya ke saamne tumhe apna banaaunga. Kab se intezaar kiya hai maine iss din ka, jab tum meri hogi. Jis din tumhe pehli baar dekha tha, tab hi decide kar liya tha ki tumhe meri life partner banaaunga, Ms Ashi Anand Singhania se Mrs Ashi Randeep Raichand banaaunga... Aaj yeh engagement ussi ki taraf hamara pehle kadam hai."

Taking her hand in his, Randeep continued, "Ashi... tumhare naam ka matlab jaanti ho? It means smile, joy, laughter, blessing... jo bilkul tumhe suit karta hai. Kyunki jab se tum meri zindagi mein aayi ho, main smile karne lagaa hun, khush rehne lagaa hun. Tum meri zindagi mein ek blessing ki tarah aayi ho Ashi... kyunki ab meri zindagi ka maksad poora hone jaa raha hai. Meri viraan se zindagi mein tumne khushi hi khushi bhar di hai Ashi..."

Ashi's eyes turned wet while he continued, "Uss din tumhare Papa ne hamari shaadi ki baat shuru ki thi, par yeh toh mera bhi sapna tha. Main khud tumse poochne waala tha ki kya tum mujhse shaadi karogi. Lekin isse pehle ki main kuch bol paata, tumhare Papa ne hi yeh baat hamare saamne rakh di."

Ashi raised her eyebrows hearing this and he continued, "I know Ashi... tumhe mujhse bohot sawaal poochne hai. Aur main promise karta hun ki main unn sab sawaalon ke jawaab bhi dunga. Par usse pehle main yeh karna chahta hun."

As he finished, Ashi stood confused. What was he about to do? Before she could know what, he was talking about, Randeep kissed her hand and put the ring in her finger, marking her his forever. Whatever he had said was mostly true but in what context, he himself had no idea. All the words had stumbled out of his mouth on its own. This all surely wasn't fake.

The smile that broke on her face was priceless and a genuine happy one. Her eyes had misted. Ashi pulled him up and he kissed her forehead, "Ashi... I am sorry..." Her heart couldn't take anymore, and she hugged him in front of all the guests, finding solace in his arms.

The guests cheered and clapped as Ashi put the engagement ring in his finger and hugged him again, whispering, "I Love You...". Anand who was standing nearby wiped his happy tears. As the couple bent to take his blessings, he stopped them and engulfed them in a warm hug.

"Jeete raho bacchon. Main bas bhagwaan se yahi dua karta hun ki tum dono ke beech ka pyaar aisa hi banaa rahe aur kabhi kamm naa ho. Bhagwaan tum dono ko saari duniya ki  khushiyaan de." He blessed them wholeheartedly and later the couple stepped down the stage to meet and greet all the guests who congratulated them for their engagement.

When the lights dimmed, Randeep pulled Ashi to the dance floor to freshen her mood. As the slow romantic music played in the background, he wrapped his hands around her and pulled her close. They danced in sync to the music and had their eyes for each other only.

They reminisced their previous dance when they had met for the first time. Randeep spoke, "Jab humne pehli baar ek saath dance kiya tha, tab tumhe chodne ka mann nahi kar raha tha Ashi. Par kya karun, sab ki nigaahen hum par hi tiki thi aur main tumhe jyaada conscious nahi karna chaahta tha. Yaad hai naa tumhe, kaise tum pehle mujhse baat hi nahi kar paa rahi thi? Waise uss time tumhe aisa lagaa tha kya ki hum aage aise kabhi ek saath honge, like this?"

Ashi smiled, "Mujhe sab yaad hai Randeep. Kaise tumne Paa se mere saath dance karne ke liye permission maangi thi, kaise tumne mere saath sabke saamne dance kiya tha. Tumhare saath guzara hua ek ek pal yaad hai mujhe. Sach kahun toh mujhe kabhi nahi lagaa tha ki hum kabhi aise saath honge."

After a while, she confessed, "Mujhe tum hamari pehli mulaaqaat se hi pasand ho Randeep. Kuch tha, jo mujhe tumhari taraf khinch raha tha. Aur dekho... aaj hamari engagement bhi ho gayi. Ek wohh din tha aur ek aaj ka din hai. Kitna kuch badal gaya hai hum dono ke beech."

There was silence between them, but their eyes spoke volumes. Unable to meet his heated gaze, she kept her head on his chest and they continued swaying to the romantic songs.

It was midnight by the time the engagement ceremony came to an end. Anand, Ashi and Randeep were tired to the core. Randeep decided to accompany them to their home. He had some unfinished work to do. Ashi was happy when she saw him following their car.

As they entered the house, Anand retired to his room citing tiredness. He wanted the couple to have some privacy, so he left the newly engaged couple alone. Ashi just wanted to spend some quality time alone with him. It had been weeks since she had properly seen him, felt him.

As the door to her bedroom closed, Ashi hugged him tightly. She had been craving for his closeness, the whole of HIM. Randeep hadn't expected this. He had stumbled a few steps behind due to her rushed hug, but then had maintained his footing and hugged her back possessively.

Randeep too had craved for her. He had tried a lot to keep her thoughts away but couldn't succeed. It had really been tough for him to sleep at nights since last two weeks. Every time he closed his eyes, her smiling face would pop up and he would crave for her presence next to him.

But now, when she was here in his arms, he couldn't resist her anymore. When he felt some wetness on his suit, he asked, "Ashi... tum... tum ro kyun rahi ho?" He knew the reason behind her tears, still he asked for it, maybe he wanted to hear it in words.

Ashi loosened her hold on him. Standing in his embrace, she met his gaze, "Randeep... I missed you... I missed you so much... Main hi jaanti hun maine yeh do hafte kaise nikaale hai. Tum toh sirf phone par thodi der baat karte the. Mujhe pataa hai tum par workload badh gaya hai, tumhara khudka business aur ab hamara empire bhi tum sambhaal rahe ho. Par fir bhi kya tumne iss dauraan mujhe zara bhi miss nahi kiya Randeep? Agli baar aisa kiya naa, toh main tumse bilkul bhi baat nahi karungi, dekh lena. Main yahaan kitna akela feel kar rahi thi, pataa hai tumhe? Main toh tumhe ab se ek din bhi dekhe bina nahi reh paaungi Randeep. Tum... tum itne din kaise durr reh paaye mujhse? Yeh... yeh sab shaadi ke baad nahi chalega samjhe... I want to be with you wherever you go. Understand..."

Randeep couldn't wait any more to taste her and he claimed her lips passionately stopping her rants. Ashi opened her mouth and let him explore thoroughly. She had missed him too much and gave in to his ministrations.

His hands roamed over her exposed back, burning them in need. Randeep pushed the thoughts of his revenge away from his mind and focused on his fiancé who was now pushing his coat away from his shoulders.

Without breaking the kiss, Randeep removed his coat. The moment his coat was out of the way, Ashi slowly unbuttoned his pink silk shirt while his fingers found the only knot of her backless blouse and he pulled the strings.

As Ashi opened the last button on his shirt, Randeep broke the kiss and started peppering kisses on her throat and neck. Ashi moaned in his arms and placed her hands on his bare chest making him groan.

Randeep turned her around swiftly and crashed her to his bare chest. Ashi gasped with the sudden change of position and the moment her bare back collided with his bare chest, she shuddered. He wrapped his arms around her belly and again continued his journey of kissing from her neck to shoulder.

Pulling the blouse away from her shoulder and he started kissing her exposed skin. He bit a sensitive spot near her collarbone and sucked it to soothe her pain. Ashi went weak on her knees and leaned against him totally for support.

All the rational thoughts had left their minds and they remained lost in their world. Randeep had lost control on his senses after hearing her. He loved her bossing side and couldn't resist the temptation of getting close to her and breaking the barriers that he had created between them.

Ashi was in some different world. The sensations that she was feeling due to his proximity and ministrations were very much new to her. And she wanted him badly at that moment. She could feel his hard erection poking at her back and she couldn't stop herself from leaning more into his body and feel it.

Randeep whispered, "I missed you too Ashi. I missed you too." He spoke while licking and sucking her skin. She replied, "Jhooth... main jaanti hun tum mujhe jaanbujhkar khudse durr rakh rahe the Randeep. Bolo... main... main sach bol rahi hun naa?"

Randeep stopped and watched her with hooded eyes. His fingers rubbed her bare belly in circles and asked, "Tumhe aisa kyun lagaa ki main jaanbujhkar tumse durr reh raha hun?"

"Bas pataa chal gaya mujhe. Tumse jude har emotion, har harkat samajh aati hai mujhe Randeep. Ab sach sach bolo, kyun durr reh rahe ho mujhse?"

How could he answer that in mere words? So, he demonstrated his desire for her in his way and again turned her around swiftly. He kissed her roughly this time and Ashi could sense his need clearly.

Pulling her hips towards his lower body, he rubbed their bodies slowly making her aware of his desire for her. All the thoughts of questioning him flew away from her mind and her body seemed possessed by him, craving for more. The friction between them made Randeep realize that his control was hanging on a thin thread now which was about to snap any moment, if they continued this.

Slowly he loosened his hold on her and moved a little away from her to keep his sanity in check. Leaning near her ear, he whispered, "Ab pataa chala, main kyun tumse durr rehta hun. Ashi... tum jab bhi mere aas paas hoti ho naa, tab main sab kuch bhool jaata hun. I just want you when I am around you. I want you beyond everything. I can't keep my hands off you Ashi and... and I don't want to lose my control around you before our marriage."

There he had spoken the half-truth. He couldn't reveal about his revenge obviously but the desire that he felt for her was on some different level and now, he knew what he felt for her, but was not able to accept it to himself.

The last two weeks had been torturous for him. Even if he was not here, he had kept tabs on her. And he knew that she was missing him terribly just like him. The small conversations on the calls weren't enough for him too, but he was trying to control his feelings for her which were increasing day by day, minute by minute, second by second.

But today, after watching her pale face and almost dull eyes, he couldn't resist himself from giving into this moment. His desire had overpowered everything today and he was worried about it. Today, he had stopped himself from crossing his limitations, but could he do it again when his fiancé was all set to burn him in need whenever they met with just her simple words.

Ashi realized what he meant and replied, "I Love You Randeep and I don't mind if we... you know what I mean right?" He pulled her in his arms and controlled his raging heartbeats.

Had she gone mad? Was she really ready to cross all the boundaries for him? Was this true love, to surrender completely to your lover? If he hadn't known her feelings for him, he would've thought her as an opportunist or some characterless woman. He had seen many women ready to do anything to gain some advantage for themselves.

But Ashi was different from them. She had taken time to acknowledge her feelings and when she had, she wasn't backing out. She had claimed him in every sense.

Randeep replied, "I want you with every fiber of my body Ashi... But I won't cross my boundaries till we are married. I don't want to break your father's trust and even mine in that case. I hope you will understand that Ashi... Please don't make it more difficult for me. Ashi... Abhi hamari shaadi ko almost dedh mahine baaki hai. And it seems too long right now."

Her lips curved into a smile, and she replied, "Ok Randeep. I... I understand. And definitely it seems too long..." She met his gaze again and then suddenly she leaned and kissed him on the mole just above his nipple and ran away in the direction of the washroom.

On the way, she spoke, "I can't resist you either Mr Randeep Raichand, so you better button up before I tear it away from your body." Stopping right at the washroom door, she turned to face him, "Good night, Randeep..." She flew a flying kiss in his direction and shut the door behind her.

Randeep stood there with a wide smile plastered on his face. It had been a long time that he smiled this way and he realized that too. As he reached the door of her bedroom to leave, he turned to glance one last time at the washroom door and left her house.

Ashi leaned on the washroom door, her heartbeats racing wildly. She blushed as she stood in front of the mirror. Her appearance was all disheveled and her skin had turned a little red. She remembered his passion with which he had kissed, licked and sucked her. She could still feel his rough stubble on her skin, making her shiver again.

After few minutes, she calmed herself and freshened up quickly. She knew there must be a message from him for sure. She couldn't wait to read it and was out of the washroom in ten minutes. As expected, there was a message from him, "Goodnight Ashi... Have sweet dreams of Me..." The message ended with a several kiss emojis.

Randeep had messaged her when he had settled in his car. As he drove back to his mansion, he was lost in thoughts. The moment he had started driving, his rational mind was coming back on track, and he cursed himself. What was he doing? How could he lose his control so recklessly? This shouldn't happen again; he repeated in his mind several times. What would've happened if he really had crossed the boundaries tonight? He knew Ashi wouldn't have stopped him as she loved him and would do anything for him. He needed to restrain himself from going too close to her, but was that possible?

In his mansion, Randeep stood before his mother's portrait as usual. But this time, his mind and heart were in war. He remembered what he had promised to himself. He had to take revenge from the Singhania father and daughter. But it seemed as if he was losing his focus because of HER...

His eyes misted as he recollected the time when he had seen his mother dying and his blood boiled, but suddenly Ashi's face appeared in front of his eyes, and he remembered the time he had spent with her. There was no callous bone in her body, yet he was set to destroy her.

Why was he feeling bad that he was going to ruin her, ruin her future, ruin her business, ruin everything that was important to her?

Randeep kneeled on the floor in front of his mother's portrait and cried, venting out all his frustration, "Yeh sab mere saath kya ho raha hai Maa? Main uss baap-beti se iss liya mila tha ki main unhe barbaad kar sakun aur main iss mein kaamyaab bhi ho raha hun. Mujhe mera badla yaad hai Maa... Uss Anand ne aapke saath kya kiya tha, wohh mujhe acche se yaad hai. Par kyun jab main uski beti ki aankhon mein dekhta hun, toh ek alag sa sukoon milta hai? Mera gussa, meri bechaini, sab khatam ho jaata hai, jab main uske saath hota hun. Mann karta hai ki usse kabhi khudse durr hi naa jaane dun."

Randeep was aware of his feelings for her which had somehow surpassed the boundaries of just liking. This feeling was new for him, and now he was sure what he felt for her was real. These last two weeks were enough for him to come to a conclusion. And he wasn't liking all this at all. He wasn't someone who lost control over someone. But Ashi made him feel that.

Looking at his mother's portrait, Randeep finally spoke the words that he wasn't ready to acknowledge before. But he never lied to his mother, and he wasn't going to lie this time too. He had made a habit to speak to her every day, irrespective of his place.

"Maa... main... main aapse jhooth nahi bolna chaahta aur naa hi aapse kuch chupaa sakta hun." Taking a deep breath, Randeep finally confessed, "Maa... main... main Ashi se pyaar karne lagaa hun. Iss badle ke junoon mein pataa hi nahi chalaa ki kab main mera dil haar gaya. I Love Ashi Maa... I Love Her... I Love Her..."

How was the update?

Randeep is a gentleman... He could've easily taken advantage of her, but he wasn't ready to cross the boundaries between them before marriage.

Though he is on a mission to take his revenge, he couldn't stop himself from falling for his nemesis's daughter.

Randeep has confessed in front of his deceased mother that he loves Ashi, but would he be able to confess the same to Ashi or would he keep everything within himself?

Will Randeep be able to take revenge from the one with whom he has fallen head over heels in love?

Let me know in the comments section...

I will update 'In Search of Her' next...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️