Simran

******

That man, Dr. Phil, acted strangely, not in a bad way, though.

To be honest, I was getting a weird sense of familiarity from him, like I had seen him somewhere before, but I just couldn't remember it. Maybe I had met him at one of Kiaan's parties. Yes, that had to be it. That could be the only place where we could have met; otherwise, we didn't have any common social setting to even cross paths.

The feeling of warmth when he gently patted my head and blessed me still lingered behind even when he had left. It did not feel casual but felt like it came from someone who genuinely cared. It didn't feel like we had simply met at some party before. The way he blessed me felt important to him. And it felt oddly familiar.

The way Dad used to do it.

I looked around and noticed everyone surrounded by their families. Niti was with her parents. Kiaan's parents were there too; Arjun's parents were there. Almost everyone had their mother or father standing proudly beside them. Except me.

I hated that.

My heart clenched at the thought that my father had not contacted me even once after the wedding. He didn't give me a single call or even a message. He left nothing as if he had abandoned me. He was angry for some reason, yet how could he not text me to ask me how I was doing, or call me to even yell at me for going against his wish? His silence was a clear sign; I didn't matter anymore, like he didn't consider me his daughter now.

I felt that pain inside of me, originating, growing way faster, like spreading its roots and squeezing my heart.

I kept wondering what I had done so wrong that he could leave his own daughter like that. Standing there started to become suffocating for me.

If I had to be at the center of the stage, greeting guests with a smile, I needed to hold myself together. I needed to keep a tight leash on my overwhelming emotions. But I was losing that calm composure. I was slowly losing control over my emotions. So I decided to step away for a moment. Maybe splash my face with cold water. Maybe drinking cold water would help.

But the moment I was about to step down from the center stage, there was a soft pull on my wrist. And I was standing closer to my husband again.

The crowd's laughter, which sounded like my mockery, began to sound like drifting noise. The smiles around me, which felt fake, started disappearing when my husband stood close. The walls of the grand ballroom, which felt like they were closing in, ready to crush me, seemed to stop moving. All because of him, my man, who stood there looking like the only man I knew who could eliminate any problem in my life, even though I had no idea how.

"Help me hide from the people here," I whispered to him.

That was all I said, and that was all I needed to say for him to do what my heart desired.

He did not take me anywhere; instead, he simply wrapped his huge, comforting arms around me and pulled me flush against his chest. My ear rested over his heart, and now, I could hear his rhythmic heartbeat instead of the noise of the crowd that had almost vanished.

Amidst the crowd, it felt like I found a place where my comfort was important, where I was cherished. That place was none other than my husband's comforting arms.

It felt like I was in a vacuum where all I could hear was the steady beat of his heart. All I could smell was his cologne. All I could feel was comfort and not suffocation. That was the best place I could hide myself, right under everyone's noses.

"I miss Dad. I miss Mom..." I confessed as I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

"You want to meet your father?" he asked.

He did not say anything about how I should not meet him, considering he had his own differences with my father after what he put us through on the night of our wedding. I craned my head slightly to look up at him and nodded. I was sure I looked desperate.

"Let me do something about it."

That was it. Nothing more. Nothing about how I was not supposed to meet the man who had humiliated him, nothing about how he never went against his rules and gave people a second chance.

Was he the same man I had known all these years, or was this someone else entirely?

His words left me confused.

I knew it would go against his ego, his own rules, the ones on which he had put the foundation of his life. Kiaan Chauhan was known for setting brutal examples for anyone who dared to throw harsh words at him. Yet here he was, ready to go against all of that just so I could meet my father.

"Will you be fine?" I asked softly.

He looked at me intensely as he replied, "As long as I have you, I am more than fine."

He paused, and I knew something heavier was coming.

"The day you leave me, I will be ruined."

I did not know I held that much power over him.

When did I become so important to the man who never once openly showed he cared?

How could I matter so much to someone who was like a star, shining too bright and too far, unreachable to everyone?

"What if something happens to me? What then?" I asked.

He spoke so casually about ruining the world for me, as if I was invincible. But who knew what the next moment held? I never knew my mother would leave me. I never saw my father abandoning me. I never imagined Kiaan would marry me. Yet all of it happened. So was there any guarantee that nothing would happen to me? Moreover, how could I forget the way Shayla targeted me that night? The reminder of it still sent chills down my spine, curdling my blood. If not for Kiaan and his right timing, I would have been dead by now.

My question awakened something darker in him. His hold on my waist tightened, not painfully but possessively.

"The moment your heartbeat stops, this world will burn. And so will I."

My breath didn't just hitch at his words; it came shallow, like his words had them wrapped in a spell.

It was not an empty threat, but it was a promise. And this man...I knew this man would do exactly that.

His eyes burned with something dangerous, and anyone who knew Kiaan knew well he was never a man of empty words.

We kept staring at each other like that. I was trying to get a better read of his emotions, while not sure what he saw in my eyes. I was transparent to him regarding my emotions. If I felt sad, he knew; if I felt angry, he knew, and even when I was happy, he knew. But I needed to examine him more to understand what he was truly feeling. Still, I believed I was getting better at reading him.

Suddenly, a voice echoed over the mic. It was Dhruv Bhaiya, gathering everyone's attention.

"Everyone, it's time for our power couple's first dance. Let's call them to the dance floor with a huge round of applause and the loudest cheer."

Our eye contact broke as we had to move toward the dance floor.

We had not practiced anything. I had completely forgotten about our first dance, and even Kiaan did not bother to remind me. But with everything happening lately in our lives, who would remember something like that?

I was not scared of dancing. After all, I was born for it. But I was worried for my husband, who was not a fan of it.

"You don't like to dance," I said to him. Every time he had danced before, it was only to lift Di's mood and even Saavi's at her wedding. But I knew he disliked dancing, especially when he had to be with a woman. I had never seen him dance with a woman in a romantic manner.

"No, I don't..." he admitted.

He then created a little distance between us and extended his hand for me to take. As I placed my hand in his, he leaned closer and whispered, "But for you, I will..."

I gave him a genuine smile. My heart swelled at the way he said that.

The spotlight now fell on us.

With everyone cheering loudly and happily, we walked hand in hand to the dance floor, the spotlight following us like moths drawn to a flame. Soft music began to play.

Kiaan placed one hand on my waist while holding one of my hands with the other, raising our clasped hands slightly. I rested my free hand over his shoulder as we began moving to the rhythm.

Our eye contact remained intact as I followed his lead.

There was an ache in my heart. It always happened whenever I was this close to him; whenever I saw him lower his guard around me; whenever he allowed me a glimpse of the real him.

"Why does my heart ache every time you are around?" I whispered.

I thought the music had swallowed my voice, and he didn't listen to what I said. But that's not what happened.

He removed his hand from my waist, twirled me once, then pulled me back into him. Our bodies collided softly, the small distance between us disappearing. His hand settled on my lower back now.

"Because your heart still remembers..."

"Remembers what?" I asked, curious.

"The time when I was yours."

No. It never happened. He was never mine. He never belonged to me.

How could that have ever happened? That sounded impossible.

While I was confident it never happened, my inner self, just like her nature, disagreed with it. She started putting seeds of doubt in me with respect to my own memories:

Maybe you had failed to see it before.

Or maybe there was a part of your life you simply do not remember.

For a moment, it felt as if she was right. Besides, the way Kiaan said it, with so much confidence and certainty, made it feel like there was a time frame I had no memory of. Like there was a history my heart knew, but my mind was hiding it from me.

But why?

Your mind plays games of such hide and seek when it's overprotective of you, trying to stop any harm approaching you, which could ruin you.

Was it the same this time?

The pain inside my chest kept increasing as he looked at me with that familiarity, as if we had known each other for a very long time. As if I had once belonged to him without question. I did not know how to ease that ache, and with each passing second, it only escalated.

The closer I got to him, the more intensely I felt it.

"I don't know how to ease this pain..." I mumbled, feeling helpless.

Kiaan lifted me a few inches off the floor and twirled me. The veil of my saree flowed effortlessly in the air before he set me down again.

"Then don't ease it..." he whispered, resting his forehead against mine. Our steps slowed with the tune.

"Why not?"

"Because it's ours," he said softly.

"It ties us together. And I would rather keep anything that binds us, even if it's pain."

He kissed the top of my head, his hand drawing slow circles on my waist. My breathing grew uneven as he continued that lazy, deliberate motion.

"Will it ever be cured?"

His lips brushed along my earlobe before he bit it slightly, drawing a soft gasp from me.

"It will. The day my heart stops..." he murmured, his tongue grazing my earlobe as he held me firmly in his arms. My eyes closed as I melted into him again, and my breath faltered.

"I don't want to lose you..." It came out almost like a moan.

His grip on my waist tightened possessively as he bit my earlobe again.

"Then don't lose me," he murmured.

To everyone else, we probably looked like a couple in love, dancing slowly and holding each other close. But only we knew what we had was darker and more dangerous. And now it felt untouchable, the kind of invincible that could ruin us both.

"You say it like it's up to me not to lose you."

Our foreheads touched again. Both my hands rested on his chest. My eyes were open now, but hazy. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and stared at me with fire in his eyes. The same fire that screamed how much he wanted me, how much he craved to hide me from the world, showed he was burning from within.

"It has always been up to you," he replied quietly. "I have simply accepted it. Even if it's betrayal."

Betrayal? What betrayal?

I wanted...No, I needed to ask him about that. But that query got silent when he leaned closer.

I closed my eyes with bated breath, and my lips parted in anticipation. I thought he would kiss me, but he didn't. He only kissed the corner of my lips.

I knew that was not what he wanted. But he controlled himself.

The intensity of his desire scared me. But at the same time, it also thrilled me.

Soon, others joined us on the dance floor. Namit Jiju stole me away for the next dance while Di dragged Kiaan with her. And even though our partners were different now, not once did our eyes drift away from each other. We kept staring at each other throughout, and I knew this night was going to be a long one for both of us.

******

Meeting the guests, the first dance, meeting our friends and their families had been really great, but also overwhelming. The constant smile, even when genuine, became weary after some point. My feet hurt because of the pointed high heels I wore. Also, I was hungry...really, really famished.

Besides, I needed some time alone now, away from all the noise, the crowd, the chaos. I actually wanted alone time with my husband, but some of his business delegates had occupied him. As much as I knew he would have left everyone to be with me, I also didn't want to be rude and steal him away like that. Moreover, they only wanted to have a brief discussion with him for a few minutes.

So I just excused myself by lying to him that I would be with our family. Instead, I found the perfect spot to be alone for a moment.

The bow of the ship was one of my favorite spots to be at. It was the same place where Jack and Rose from Titanic created that epic Titanic moment. I stood there quietly as the cool breeze gently caressed my hair. The ship was moving, tearing through the sea, paving its way ahead. The abyss-like dark ocean looked scarier at night, holding deep mysteries within. I crossed my arms as the breeze grew a little colder, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin.

The ocean always reminds me of him. The resemblance is too powerful to ignore. This ship was a mere object, but the sea was the ultimate king. Without its approval, the ship couldn't pave its way. The sea had everything calculated and could bring havoc anytime, destroying everything within it.

Just like my beast.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps. A smile crept over my lips. It had hardly been two or three minutes, and he was already here.

"It's scary, isn't it?"

But the voice didn't belong to my husband.

I turned to my right to find a stranger standing there. My smile had already dropped the moment I heard the voice. A tall figure stood there stealing my alone time. He slowly turned toward me, his face now completely visible, and I recognized him instantly.

He was the same man who had collided with me outside the café where I met Niti a few weeks ago, the man who called me by a different name. Tara.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

I didn't know who he was. If he was here, he must have been invited. But by the look on his face, I hardly felt Kiaan was close to him. He looked dangerous. His eyes carried a certain threat that was calm, controlled, but menacing. His tall frame was dominating, and there was an aura around him that felt strangely... familiar.

"I am more than needed here."

The way he said it made my skin prickle.

"Let me introduce myself properly," he continued. "I am Adhrit Rathore, owner of Obsidian Shield."

Obsidian Shield? Who didn't know about Obsidian Shield? Only a fool wouldn't. It was the largest security firm in the country, and you will always find that name roaring through articles in business magazines, soaring through the headlines of the news channels. It was too hard to ignore it.

But something about his owner approaching me, when he clearly hated even appearing in interviews, didn't feel right.

There were more reasons for me to be skeptical about his presence there.

First, why was he meeting me alone when he should have greeted me when I was with my husband? Second, why had he called me Tara that day?

If he had mistaken me for another woman, I would have let it go. But Tara wasn't just any random name. It was a name I had been hearing frequently, too frequently to ignore. And I didn't believe in coincidences.

Whoever Tara was... she had something to do with my husband and with me. In fact,  especially with my husband.

I stared at his extended hand for a shake when he introduced himself, but I just kept standing there. Before I could do or say anything, another hand took Adhrit's hand for a handshake. I felt a possessive clasp on my waist as well, and I was pulled to the familiar comfort of my husband's arms. He pulled me into him, really close, and shook hands with Adhrit instead of me.

"Mr. Rathore. I didn't think you would accept my invitation at all," Kiaan said with a practiced calm, just like he does with people he is not a fan of.

"I had to make sure my team was doing everything perfectly," Adhrit replied without a smile, just like my husband, as they both let go of each other's hands.

"They are under me for the night. Everything and everyone works best under me," Kiaan said with authority.

"Of course, Mr. Chauhan. But I don't leave chances unattended or loopholes unchecked. Besides, I wouldn't want to be the rude one who declined your reception invitation."

It did not seem like that was the reason Adhrit Rathore was there. He did not seem like the kind of man who cared if others found him rude. In fact, he came across as rude without trying.

I could feel a cold war brewing between them. The air had shifted around us. The words were polite, but they had sharp edges that could cut through a person's soul.

I slipped my hand over my husband's chest, resting my head lightly against his shoulder. I felt his hard muscles ease beneath my touch, just a little. That one small act was enough to ground him.

Adhrit's gaze followed my hand over Kiaan's chest, and I thought I saw a flicker of rage pass through his features.

Why did he look angry, as if I wasn't allowed to do that, as if this was forbidden and I committed a sin?

Anyways, I didn't bother much and stayed just like that.

"What got you to meet my wife alone?" Kiaan's tone was polite, but his gaze was accusatory. That definitely scared me, but the fear of him had recently started to be overpowered by thrill. It sounded weird, but I couldn't help feeling that way.

Adhrit glared at Kiaan, as if offended by being interrogated like that. He simply replied, "We had met before," and then glanced at me, but not glared like he glared at Kiaan. He looked at me differently. It was not admiration, nor lust, but something else I couldn't quite figure out. It was just incomprehensible.

"Did you?" Kiaan looked surprised. No, wait, he acted surprised.

Did he know about my first meeting with Adhrit? Maybe he did.

I hadn't found it important enough, so I never told him about that encounter. And how would I have known Kiaan knew the stranger I had bumped into in front of a random cafe?

Anyways, I didn't want the situation to get awkward and decided to simply fill in the details, because who knew what Adhrit would tell him. I straightened myself, lifting my head and nodding at Kiaan.

"We met a few weeks back in front of a cafe. He mistook me for another woman. Tara."

Kiaan didn't look fazed at all, neither affected by the name Tara. He simply gave me a curt nod. I couldn't gauge any reaction from him, and it didn't make things any easier for me.

"My apologies for that day, Mrs. Chauhan," Adhrit said very politely, and it felt genuine.

"It's fine. No need for apologies," I replied calmly.

"But did you find her?" I asked him, filled with curiosity. Because I really wanted to know who she was. Perhaps if he found her, then she could be at the party. I suddenly began feeling jealous because she could be there and she might have met my husband, or if not, then she would now.

"Who?" Adhrit asked.

"Tara..." I waited, hoping he wouldn't reply in affirmation. I just didn't want him to find her before our reception.

"I did."

My heart dropped as my hold on my husband's arm tightened. There was something in the way Adhrit said he found her that made me feel uneasy. I didn't know what exactly to feel about the situation. For all I knew, I could be overthinking, and his Tara might not be the same Tara Mom mentioned who used to call my husband Monster Prince. But what about Kiaan shouting her name while consoling me?

God! Why was everything so tangled?

My head ached with all the half-cooked information I had. I felt irritated to the core. But Adhrit didn't bring up Tara again. And then Kiaan said softly to me, "Sweetheart."

"He is the owner of Obsidian Shield, one of the largest security firms in the country. I hired one of his teams for tonight's security." He eventually told me who exactly Adhrit was. I knew his firm was ruling the country, but how could his firm be one of the topmost when his team couldn't even stop Rhea, who wasn't even invited, from infiltrating my reception?

He needed to learn how to work from my husband.

"I should take my leave now. Our meetings will surely be frequent, I believe... after all, you do host such parties often," Adhrit said, staring at Kiaan, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

I noticed my husband's jaw twitching.

It felt like Adhrit meant something deeper, something layered beneath those polite words, and Kiaan didn't like it. It triggered him in some way.

"That was before my wife," Kiaan said calmly. "Now, I don't need to entertain the world."

That was all he said.

Adhrit's eyes shifted to me. He gave me a cold look. He didn't seem angry, nor did he look friendly, but something about that look told me our meetings surely would be frequent. Then he excused himself as his phone rang at the perfect moment.

That call was actually a saviour.

When only Kiaan and I were left, I turned back to the sea again, rubbing my arms, feeling really cold now. My head ached a little, but I finally took a breath of relief as the war of words between the two men had ended. I was glad they didn't end up fighting physically.

I didn't ask Kiaan anything. I didn't bother to know who Adhrit was, a long-lost friend turned enemy or a born enemy. Not because I wasn't interested, but because I didn't wish to push him. I knew he would tell me everything at his own pace.

But the cold breeze got angry soon, for not being able to bother me much. She couldn't do anything more because my husband restrained her from doing so. I could feel the soft fabric of his Tom Ford blazer touching my skin gently, just like butter melting on a hot pan. I was completely drowned in the silky fabric, and his arms wrapped around my waist from behind as he held me close, watching the deadly sea with me.

"Ask me..." he whispered as he rested his chin on top of my head.

"What exactly?"

"Anything."

I sighed. I had so many things to ask, but they were all related. One thing could lead to another. One question would raise the curiosity of another, and it would not quench my thirst. Knowing my thirst for truth and his need for patience, I decided to ask something unexpected.

I didn't ask about Tara. Or Adhrit. Or even about the Monster Prince. Instead, I asked about someone else.

"Who is Sara to you?"

The moment those words left my mouth, I felt his body go rigid, as if I had stepped inside a territory I wasn't supposed to be in yet. I touched his hands gently, which were holding my waist, as I leaned back more on him. All it took was just one touch from me to bring him back from whatever trance he had gone into. He took a breath like it was difficult to talk about her.

"A truth I can't escape," he mumbled.

"And a lie no one should believe," he added later.

There was no anger in his voice, just something heavier. Every time he talked about Sara, it felt like she was an integral part of his life. It never felt romantic, but surely important enough to have a visible impact on him. There was hardly anything that bothered Kiaan or even fazed him a bit. Heck, I had seen blood on his hands, and he seemed fine with it. But there was something about Sara that worried me. I was worried not for me, but for him.

One never sees a beast affected often, but Sara...her mention was enough to create that ripple on a beast's features.

"Are Leena and Sara important to us?" I asked, with my heavy heart not unease, about how a beast was impacted by a name that wasn't mine.

"They molded our past and shaped our present," he said quietly. "But we will be the ones writing our future."

"It scares me..." I confessed.

"What scares you?"

"Being aware that someone had a hand in our past and even in our present, yet not knowing how, in what way, and realizing I am completely clueless about everything. I feel like a fool sometimes, not understanding half the things you talk about. That's why I overreact when you... When you mention people I have never even heard of, when you tell me stories about them, and I just stand there feeling like some dumb woman who knows nothing. I... I know I shouldn't have reacted in such a bitchy way that evening when we were attacked, but at the same time... I..."

He turned me fully toward him while I was still rambling. His hands came up to cup my cheeks.

"I know," he said softly.

"I get it. I understand you."

His thumb brushed lightly at the corners of my eye.

"I won't stall telling you the truth anymore. But I need your patience, too. This is important, really important."

I had understood that my patience was his need, not because he loved controlling everything, but because without it, his empire would shake. That was how desperately he needed my patience at that point.

"Okay... You get my patience this time."

"I won't waste it," he promised as he kissed my forehead softly.

"Come on, let's go eat something..."

Holding my hand, he guided me inside safely, taking me somewhere and making me sit first.

"Be close to me," he said as we walked to the empty tables at one corner.

"Why do you need me closer?" He kept ordering me to be close to him, like I was some kid who would get lost.

"Because you quiet my chaos," he said it so normally that he didn't even give me time to register his words. He kept walking with me as if nothing heavy had just left his mouth, like it didn't stir something deep inside my heart.

"But you chase chaos."

We eventually stopped at an empty table. He gave me a smirk as he said, "I have only ever chased you."

See. Again, he said something I couldn't understand completely. But I had promised my patience to him. And as much as I hated being patient, I also didn't want to add more distance between us and let it hamper our relationship, which was already fragile, still in its building phase.

"Sit here. I will get you something to eat. And don't you dare leave again."

"Okay," I replied, almost obediently.

But we didn't know we were being spied upon. Soon, the entire table was filled with Arjun, Nitya, Aditi Di, Dhruv Bhaiya, Namit Jiju, Adya Bhabhi, Riddhi Bhabhi, and Rohit Bhaiya.

"Get me something too..." Rohit Bhaiya said to him.

"Yeah, even I am hungry... What say, Dhri, should we get pizza?" Aditi Di said, looking at Dhriti Di.

"Nah... get us some drinks..." It was Namit Jiju this time.

"I will be happy with whatever you get me," Nitya said as she blinked rapidly at him, blowing flying kisses.

"I would like some desserts...." Adya Bhabhi said with a smirk.

"Me too..." Riddhi Bhabhi joined in.

"Get me every food item," Arjun said excitedly.

My husband had become so agitated by then, but no one stopped teasing him at all.

"I am not everybody's husband," he seethed.

"You will let us be hungry for the night..." Jai joined the group.

"Yes, how could you do this to us?" Dhruv Bhaiya said, giving him a fake sad look.

"Don't hurt our feelings, Kiaan," Anvi said as she took a seat beside me.

"I would let you all starve for eternity..." My husband claimed as he rolled his eyes.

Then all of a sudden, Jai and Arjun started dancing the way Kiaan and I had danced.

God! No.

I felt so embarrassed, my cheeks turning red, while Kiaan was fuming.

At the other table, Nikhil, Hredhaan, Shruti, Ishaan Bhaiya, Sonia, Saavi, and Aahir Jiju watched the scene unfold quietly, enjoying themselves.

"Guys... stop it..." I finally said, trying to save myself and my husband from further teasing.

"Everyone, the beast's wife spoke for him..." Dhriti Di said, and everyone hooted, deepening the redness of my cheeks.

******

Kiaan

******

"What have you done, Kiaan? Did you do black magic on her? How is she taking your side?" Dhriti asked me, with that fake serious and shocked expression of hers.

Simran giggled. If only they knew who did black magic on whom. I ignored all of them as I went to get something for my wife to eat. If I had stopped for a moment longer, they would have made things worse with their stupid teasing.

But that teasing didn't end there. The men of my group...no wait, the boys of my group had followed me. They didn't let me get to the plate section.

Arjun and Jait stood in front of me while the others stood beside them. Jai took Arjun's hands in his, while Arjun pretended to shy away, blinking rapidly and smiling weirdly.

"Tell me, firefly, what do you see when you look me in the eye?" Jai asked, making his voice heavier.

"I see..." Arjun said and brought his face close to Jai's.

"I see..." He brought his face closer.

"I see..." And he did it again. They were just inches apart from almost having their lips touch.

"Panipuri and Momo..." Arjun added, and they burst out laughing like they were school kids.

I sighed. If I had reacted much, they would have made my life hell, and my wife would have sat there hungry for hours.

Arjun and Jai moved away, making space for Dhruv and Namit.

"Kiaan, be more romantic..." Namit said as he swatted Dhruv's arm playfully.

What the fuck was wrong with them?

"Okay, baby, let me try..." Dhruv said, clearing his throat. I had always considered my brother a sensible one amongst all. But he was there, proving me all wrong.

"When you dance, you look like a fly..." Dhruv replied.

I was going to hit my brother now. Yes, I was going to do it.

"Like a butterfly?" Namit asked, lowering his voice like a girl.

"No, like a fish fry..." Arjun replied instead of Dhruv, and they were laughing again, like that was the joke of the century.

How was the fish fry a fly?

Okay, I was trying to make sense of those assholes' words, which was wrong on my part.

I had realized even being quiet wouldn't help, so I chose the path of one sentiment that could never fail. Jealousy.

"By the way, I invited your wives' favorite actors. They must be here by now."

I just had to say that, and their faces dropped. They shared a scared glance with each other and ran to their wives as if some actors would steal them away. Clowns!

I felt triumph, and then I started plating whatever food items my wife loved. Once I was done, I rechecked the plate. It had a few cottage cheese starters, some sautéed vegetables, mini sliders, stuffed mushrooms, and a portion of saffron rice with creamy curry on the side. A small bowl of pasta salad balanced at the corner, and I had even grabbed a couple of bite-sized tarts, knowing she liked sweet things. I made sure there was enough variety so she wouldn't complain about being hungry again.

I turned to walk to the table where I had left her, but she wasn't there.

Not again.

I had specifically told her to stay seated there, but she had to defy me. But something didn't feel right. She didn't seem like she would just waltz away. She was exhausted and hungry, too, so she wouldn't walk away unless it was something important or unless she was forced.

I trusted my security, but I couldn't shake the feeling that had just risen inside my head.

I put the plate aside and called her, but she cut my call. I called her again, and she cut it again. This wasn't right. I walked over to where she had been sitting with our friends, but almost all of them had gone away to entertain guests or do something I didn't know about, except Shruti and Sonia.

"Where is my wife?" I asked them.

"She went to the restroom," Sonia replied.

Those words alone were enough to stiffen me. I didn't waste a moment as I paced faster toward the restroom.

I remembered what had happened at Nitya and Arjun's reception. Nitya had been kidnapped from the washroom. A place that was supposed to be safe and a place that hardly anyone ever questioned.

Even though security was tighter tonight, I couldn't take that risk.

Rhea was already captured by Enzo and Hredhaan, and she was being interrogated now, but that didn't calm me. If anything, it made things worse. One infiltrator meant there could be more. And betrayal... betrayal doesn't announce itself. It waits, smiles, and shakes your hand. And who knew this time who had signed the betrayal deal?

I trust very few people. Because these days, betrayal sells cheaper than loyalty.

I was almost near the washroom when a voice echoed through the halls of the grand ballroom over the mic.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen..."

The familiar sweet voice had me relieved. But it also confounded me as to what she was doing on the center stage. I walked closer and found her looking all happy and confident, grinning as she smiled more than she used to. Something was wrong with her, and it was very obvious to my eyes. She looked at me, and her smile faltered for a moment, as if she was sad.

Something bad had happened to her, and that unsettled my nerves.

Then she simply faced the crowd and not me, masking her sadness with a grin on her face.

"I want to ask something..."

"Why not gentleladies and roughmen instead of gentlemen and ladies?"

Wait! What?

The crowd erupted in laughter at her silly question, but I didn't. She was hiding something, and she wasn't in control. I had to take her away with me. I was concerned for her, worried about what exactly had happened. I texted Enzo, asking whether the next port was close or not. The cruise was supposed to stop there.

"Ladies aren't that gentle," someone from the crowd yelled.

Some men laughed at the response, while my wife simply asked, "Why? Yours has thorns attached to her?"

The man tried to say something again, but my beautiful, confident wife shut him up. "Shhh... don't disturb me, Mr..."

"I am going to tell you all something...." she said and giggled. She wasn't tipsy enough to lose her balance or control, but she sure wasn't in her right state of mind.

"My husband has a second wife..." she whispered over the mic.

Whispers broke out in the crowd. Some took it as a lighthearted joke; others found a topic for gossip. And I... I could feel an emotion stemming from her through those words, clinging to every word. 

"Shh... don't tell him..." she whispered again, and the crowd laughed.

"She sleeps in between us, and I hate her..." she claimed.

Hate her?

Wasn't she the one obsessed with that stupid skeleton? Wasn't she the one who brought that hideous thing between us?

But now it was clear what she was feeling. Jealousy! She was envious. I had felt it when she hugged me after finding me not with Rhea. I felt it when Tara was mentioned, and she had gripped my hand tighter. And now I felt it again, but this time darker, more dangerous, more intensified.

That only meant one thing. She had either met Tara or Rhea. 

But how could she meet Rhea when she was captured? 

And how could she meet Tara when she was Tara herself?

******

I know, I know, reception hasn't ended yet, but yaar, itne important logon se milvana tha mujhe aap logon ko, bada chapter likhna pada🥹

Hi Lovelies,

I hope you all are doing well. 🤗

Kya lagta hai, Simran ko kya hua hoga? 🤔

Who is Adhrit Rathore? 🥹 Jo bhi ho, admi hot hai  😂

Maine bola tha na naam yad rakhna -- Obsidian Shield [bohot important hai ye 🥹]

Aap logon ka toh nahi pata, but after writing this chapter, I am craving Panipuri and Golgappe 🥹

By the way, kya lagta hai, next update mein kiski band bajegi? 🤔 Ya fir kuch nahi hoga?🤔

Jaldi Jaldi apne views share kar dena, pleaseeee.... ❤️

Lots of love to everyone ❤️

P. S -> Next update will be published on Friday ❤️

Thanks,

Shrishtee