Simran

******

I came out of the academy feeling tired, fatigued. There was another gala approaching, and we had been practicing religiously for this. This was a huge affair as it was sponsored by the owner of the prestigious dance academy in London. I was hoping my performance would catch his eye.

But every time I tried concentrating, my mind kept drifting towards one name.

Kiaan Beast Chauhan.

I swayed and my body burned with his kisses, I glided, and my core ached as if his fingers were still buried deep inside of me. I closed my eyes, and I saw his intense gaze, watching me with that raw fire that this urge to be consumed by him arose in me.

My husband had ruined me in the worst possible ways that even if I breathed, I felt his warm breath of hunger fanning my face.

He, through his gestures, had kept reminding me of his claim on me, which was pure obsession, and I could feel it deep in my bones and soul.

He sent me flowers at the academy for me and a note that said the more I smiled, the more the world would be at peace.

Not sure if it was a threat to the world or his care for me. Whatever it was, it did make me smile for a bit. But that wasn't going to make me forgive him. He would have to do more than just flowers and chocolates.

He was making me obsessed with his obsession, and if I continued with that, it wasn't long before I would be submitting myself to him willingly.

But I had my strong willpower backing me, too.

You don't ask for someone's forgiveness with chocolates and flowers... not after you have whipped their soul raw, until nothing remains but blood and ruin. This time it wasn't that simple for him.

"Sim, come on, let's create a reel for my channel," I heard Dustin calling me as he came out of the academy.

"Not today, Dustin. Can we do it next time? I am really exhausted. I am sorry."

"No worries, some other time then," he said with his gentle smile as he walked towards his car.

I was definitely tired, but not that much that I couldn't dance for my friend's social media handle. But I wanted my friend alive. If Kiaan got even a whiff that Dustin proposed this idea, he would bleed him to death and then claim me on that blood.

The thought shivered me, but it thrilled me too.

I imagined us in the pool of blood, him hovering over me, his blood-clad finger tracing my nipples and pinching them hard. Our bodies were slick with sweat and blood, while he looked intensely at me as he opened his belt, trapping me under him.

I touched his scars over his heart, and he growled like a beast he was. He then devoured my lips. My body shuddered, being wet with the cold blood I was lying on and with the way his bare chest grazed my bare breasts. His lips were tasting every inch of me while his manhood created a friction between us. He bit my lip hard, and then I tasted the metallic liquid...Blood.

The honk of a car all of a sudden startled me, pulling me out of this haze in which I was suddenly drawn in out of nowhere. My finger was on my lips, and I instantly lowered it.

What was wrong with me?

How could I think that way? That too, in the middle of the road.

Shit! Simmi, your mind is getting polluted living with the beast.

Even at the breakfast table, I acted so strangely as I kept thinking about Kiaan and his ways of 

Unexpectedly, my phone beeped with a message. I fished my phone out of my jeans pocket and found a text from my husband.

'You know what happens to the souls who breathe way too close to my fire?'

I swallowed hard, and anxiety clawed at my chest. My heart beat raced, and when I looked up, checking for a sign of him around me, I found his car parked a few feet away.

My phone pinged again, this time with a response to his own question.

'I torment them until death pleads me so that I let death claim their souls.'

That was all he texted, and then his black car melted into the shadows of the evening.

He saw me with Dustin, and now I was scared for my friend. 

But my husband wasn't that crazy, right?

My pulse thundered under my ears, with anticipation of what he would do next. It was strange how he didn't come to me, but just drove away with the beast of his car roaring in rage, leaving dust and tension behind.

I opened the dialpad, my fingers hovered over his name, and I wished to just tap my thumb on his name and call him...I was close, really close to reaching out, but then Dad's car arrived, stopping me from eventually taking a step closer to my man.

I didn't call Kiaan. I just put my phone back and then headed back to the mansion while I kept wondering how to stop my man from doing something I would never forgive him for.

******

Dad and I got everyone's favorite sweets with us on our way. Low-calorie ice creams for Saavi and Dhruv Bhaiya, Kulfis for Namit Jiju and Di. Gulab Jamun for Mom and Dad, and diet laddoos for grandpa.

And I ended up getting waffles for myself and my husband. 

My self-control was top-notch. This is what happens when you don't gain weight frequently like others: you get spoiled then. So, I got waffles without any shame, and Dad encouraged me. He was spoiling me, too. 

With the way dad pampered me, showered me with his affection, and supported me in everything, I missed my father. 

I wished to meet him, hear his voice, hug him, and wanted to be cherished by him just like before, but that had sadly become a distant memory, and I, with a broken heart and loads of guilt, believed it could never turn into my reality.

The day I lost my mother was the day I lost my father, too, and even if I didn't want to, I still ended up blaming myself for everything. I lost both my parents because of me, and if only...I could just go back in time and make things right...If only...

My eyes stung with unshed tears, and I looked out of the car window, not wanting Dad to witness me sad. 

As our car slipped past the towering iron gates of the mansion, both Dad and I noticed a convoy of cars moving from our mansion to the one behind our own, which was closer to the woods, a few feet walking distance from our own. It was the same mansion where the construction was going on for quite some time. Strangely, it finished already. I thought there was a lot left to be done.

"Dad, what's going on?"

Dad wandered his gaze, slowing down the car, his brows knitted in confusion as he replied, "Don't know, beta. Perhaps someone moved in here."

"I thought no one lived there."

"Yeah, the owners had moved to Romania, and yesterday I found out they sold it to someone."

That was such a pretty place, and I always had my pictures taken outside of it. Besides, it was empty, so sometimes Di, Saavi, and me used to go inside that mansion to look around and to search for some quietness and of course some good pictures. 

"It's so pretty. Now, how would I get our pictures clicked there in their garden?"

My face fell as I let out a heavy breath.

"Hmm...if that's the case, we will have to be in the good books of our neighbours. We have sweets too. Should we greet them?"

Dad suggested as he offered me a heartfelt smile.

"Yes!!" I clapped in excitement.

As our car drove in, we noticed that the gates separating the two mansions had been removed. In their place, a pathway now connected them.

Well... that wasn't entirely right, because the construction extended into our side as well. And I didn't recall anyone taking permission from our family.

"What the hell! How dare they dismantle our area?" 

Dad didn't look pleased.

Looking at the convoy, I realized this new neighbour had to do something with the higher officials, as government officials' vehicles were there, all black, some had sirens atop them. 

Another day, another chaos. It used to be my husband, and now we have some famous neighbors doing that.

"Dad, calm down. Let's go home first."

"I am not angry, beta. Don't worry!" 

I hadn't seen Dad angry ever. He was always this calm man, and his gravest expression would be that of irritation. I wondered where Kiaan got his temper from.

As dad left the car for the guard to park, we both moved into the house, only to get another shock. Cartons and packed stuff were being carried out by packers and movers. Dad and I shared a confused look, and then I noticed my rolling suitcases being dragged by some men.

"That's my stuff," I said, and stood in the path of one man.

Crossing my arms, I asked, "Where are you taking my stuff?"

"Take that carefully, it has glass items. He will lose his shit if those expensive items break." 

My focus moved to Mom, and the man whose path I had blocked just passed by me.

"Smita, what's going on?" Dad walked towards Mom; he mirrored [aw] my confounded features [aw] and my inquisitive glances at the scene unfolding there.

"Just a minute, Ashok..." Mom excused herself from Dad and walked to me, smiling as she said, "Simmi, beta, go to that house over there, fast. Almost all your stuff has already been sent there."

Why was my stuff sent there? 

Wait! Is it what I was thinking? Did Kiaan..... 

Mom interrupted my chain of thoughts, pushing me softly out of the house and saying, "You will get to know everything, but you need to leave first. You are already late."

Late for What?

Mom didn't tell me I was late for what, just nudged me to go to the other building where I was needed.

The fear of the unknown spread its tentacles, yet I followed the conjoining path of the two mansions. I had a feeling Kiaan bought that place to keep me locked away from the people who genuinely cared for me.

That Beast was really crossing all his limits.

As I closed the distance between me and the mansion, the guards on either side of the path kept their heads down; those scary seven-foot men had their heads bowed in front of me as they knew me.

Every breath I took with each step felt heavier than the last.  The moment I crossed the threshold and walked in, I noticed Kiaan first. 

I took a breath of relief after I saw him, and right at that moment, he looked up from where he sat like a king. Our eyes met, and I felt my eyes getting teary for some unknown reason, as if I had found my family after being lost in a carnival years ago. 

Even when we had differences, our hearts were miles apart. It gave me a different level of satisfaction whenever he would watch me and assure me with his eyes, 'I am just a breath away, firefly.'

He got off the couch as he took steps towards me. He didn't just walk to me; he eliminated whatever negative sentiments were clouding me, and as he got closer, he ensnared me by wrapping his hand around my waist, pulling me closer to him swiftly, and then leaving a kiss on my hair.

'I am here with you, always,'

A stray tear just escaped my eye, and I hid myself in his embrace, hiding my face on his chest. 

I mean, I never saw a bigger hypocrite than me. I wanted him to beg me for forgiveness, but ended up coiling in his arms, like that's what I had craved for eternity. 

For a few more seconds, I stayed just like that, secured in his arms, listening to his soft, tuned heartbeat, as if they were beating for just me. But then I heard a clearing of throat, and I realized we weren't alone. 

When I tried to detach myself from him, Kiaan's hold on me tightened. 

I remembered that when I had entered the mansion, there were some men sitting in front of Kiaan on another couch, but I couldn't see their faces as their backs were turned to me. 

I heard footsteps approaching and struggled to free myself from the hug, but Kiaan didn't have any intention to let me go from his hug until he was content or until he was satisfied that I was fine.

But then slowly, he loosened his hold, not because I could get out of his hold. He was still holding me closer to him, and now I could see who was standing a few feet apart from us.

I gasped when I saw so many powerful men there, some I had watched on TV, some I wasn't familiar with, but had seen in the newspapers.

"Gentlemen, meet my wife, Simran Chauhan."

The men there smiled at me, and I just stood there in shock, being anchored at my spot by my husband's hold.

"Breathe, firefly," I didn't know I was holding my breath until I heard Kiaan murmur as I left another chaste soft kiss on my forehead.

The two men stepped closer, and Kiaan introduced us.

"He is the Metropolitan Police commissioner."

"And he is...Senior Cabinet Minister."

"Hello, Mrs. Chauhan," both of them greeted respectfully, while I replied with a simple "hello" as a greeting and shook their hands one by one.

"We apologize for what you had to go through, Mrs. Chauhan. We are deeply saddened that you had to go through all of that," the commissioner expressed profound guilt, while I was muddled about what he was apologizing for, especially me.

But when the cabinet minister spoke up, "I hope you are doing fine now. Rest assured, we are personally looking into the attack at your house," that was when things got clearer in my head.

There was a time when I knew the cops wouldn't believe me if I said my mother was killed and would help me, and now, two powerful men themselves were apologizing to me. 

And all because of my husband. Kiaan Chauhan really was an enigma I was yet to unravel.

I nodded simply at their questions about my well-being, sinking into my husband's chest at the same time. 

People with power are shrewd. That was the mantra I believed in, and till date, I have held onto it. However, there was one powerful, shrewd man who didn't scare me like that. My husband.

"Oh, this old man keeps forgetting. Congratulations on your wedding. I heard the reception was quite amazing," the minister congratulated us, after which both Kiaan and I replied in unison, "Thank you."

My husband's stern tone mingled with my soft one, creating a melody my ears became a fan of instantly.

There was too much power in one room. But my husband made sure I wasn't consumed by it. He held me steady, having more aura than any man out there. Every man looked beneath him as if he ruled the country and not them.

"As a token of gratitude and apology, we are here with some of our best security officials for your wife's security. We hope you accept it." 

Hearing the commissioner, my eyes widened. 

God! No.

I was already followed by Kiaan's security, and I didn't need more to be guarding me like I was a prisoner. Instead, they should be making sure such sttacks didn't take place at all.

"That's generous of you," Kiaan's tone was clipped, no unnecessary expression of buttering, but then what he said next made my heart do a happy dance.

"But we don't need them. I know how to take care of my wife."

Both men shared a quick glance before responding with a soft, clipped smile. Surely, they wouldn't have accepted that Kiaan would turn them down.

"We are sure you do, Mr.Chauhan," the commissioner said.

"Now, we will take our leave," It was the cabinet minister this time.

It felt like there was a silent communication going on between Kiaan and them, or maybe I was thinking too much. Right then, Arjun, Hredhaan, Namit Jiju, and Dhruv Bhaiya walked in, and they engaged the two men in a quick conversation.

My husband, on the other hand, didn't leave my side at all, just kept drawing soothing circles on my back with his thumb. And when the two men left, Kiaan left me too, and just like that, I was bereft of the warmth holding me firm. 

But I couldn't blame him when I had pretended I wanted the same. 

However, my body and soul didn't agree to it. They wanted him closer, his body flushed against mine, his lips trapping mine in his, while he held me so strongly that there was no escape. 
While my mind flooded with my desire and need for him, Arjun and Hredhaan went to escort the two powerful men from before.

When they were back, these five friends stood in one corner, talking about something discreetly as if they were discussing some mission.

Even when far and talking to his friends, Kiaan was keeping an eye on me; he was scanning my surroundings once in a while. And anytime someone from the packers and movers moved past me, his jaw twitched, and his pupils turned a shade darker.

I was scared of what he would do to them and was worried for Dustin, too. I had to make sure he didn't lose his mind over that and do something irrevocable.

When the men were done talking about their secret mission, they walked to me.

"Congratulations, Simmi!" Arjun enveloped me in a hug briefly. 

"For what?" I asked.

"Kiaan bought this place for you," he replied.

For me? 

I was rendered speechless. I had figured he had bought that place, but for me?

One by one, they all wished me, happily. I stood there dumbfounded because if that was the case, my husband should have told me first and not broadcast it to the world. But I guess, he didn't have any clue how a relationship actually works.

The family was there in the mansion my husband bought for me in no time. Dad brought the sweets we had bought on our way, along with some more that he might have ordered now.

Even when everyone busied themselves with sweets, Kiaan stood beside me, inches away, not touching me, not speaking, just being there, as if he was there to guard me against even the gush of air that tried to touch me. 

Now, the movers and packers had maintained a good distance from me, as if Kiaan's presence and gaze were enough for them to re-route. He was really something, avoided confrontation in the morning, and was now acting all protective. 

I turned to him, fuming, and as I was about to confront him about all of that, when all of a sudden Dad walked to us, with sweets in his hands, offering us both, and then asked Kiaan, "How did you convince Romania's president to give up this place?"

My eyes widened, and I stared at Kiaan in utter shock.

"I didn't convince anyone. I told him I wanted it," he gave a curt, nonchalant response

Just like that? Really?

Amongst the sweets and the congratulatory messages passing on, I realized one thing, that this wasn't about power Kiaan lover exercising over others, this was about cornering me. 

He wanted me all to himself, and for that, my beast was going to do anything, ready to cross every barrier.

******

At night, while sprawled on my bed with my face down on the pillow, I was watching my dance recording on the laptop, which I had recorded during practice, to see if my steps were right.

Besides, I had started my social media page and had posted multiple videos that got me a good reach, so I was also editing the next one at the same time.

My room was a mess as a lot of carton boxes were stacked in one corner and some in the walk-in closet. My husband dearest hadn't come to the room after we had dinner at Grandpa's place and was busy doing some Bob the Builder Shit somewhere.

He really was one tenacious man who didn't leave any stone unturned to block my paths that didn't lead to him. I must agree, I would give me pointers for that, but I wasn't going to back down just like that.

As I kept thinking about him and his power, I continued with my editing.

Meanwhile, my little fur babies, Biscuit and Popcorn, were running and hopping on the bed excitedly, whistling around. Biscuit would come, lick my hands, and pester me to pet her by scratching me, and Popcorn was just roaming around, hopping over my back, trying to chew my hair strand.

They were notorious, and I loved that about them, but there was a sudden quietness on the bed, and they weren't roaming and exploring anymore. This quietness is usually the sign of a tragedy.

Then I heard something being chewed, and I instantly turned to them, sitting up, only for my jaw to touch the ground.

"Oh No! What did you guys do?" 

I exclaimed as I picked up the strands of my torn wired earphones. This was the fifth one they had both chewed upon. It was my fault this time; I had forgotten to keep it out of their reach.

"Of course, you love to trouble your mother. Tell me why am I the only victim of your love bombing?" 

Popcorn just whistled in response while Biscuit stared at me like she was proud of herself.

Then it hit me suddenly. I didn't have to be the only victim of my kids' love bombing. There was someone else, too, Popcorn and Biscuit would love to spend some alone time with my man, their dear father.

And just like that, a new plan began to form in my head, and this time it was going to be nasty.

******

And just like that, our diva Simran Chauhan is back  🙈

Hi Lovelies,

I hope you all are doing well. ❤️

Simran is going to do something crazy again. But any idea what? 😅

And what would Kiaan do? Will that man just give in, or will he do something to trap his firefly in his arms? 🥹

Do share your views about the chapter. It would mean a lot to me. ❤️

P.S -> The next update will be published on next Saturday ❤️

Thanks,

Shrishtee