"kab se hoon main umeed mein,

hai ankaha jo sun lo agar..."

Wearing my bathrobe, I stepped out of the bathroom after a cool shower. I went towards my wardrobe to search for a good kurti set which I haven't ever worn.

I opened my wardrobe, my eyes slightly widening at a box wrapped in a gift wrapper. I held the box with my slightly shaking hands, opening it slowly.

There was a white gown inside. I took it out of the box, unfolding it to have a proper look at the design.

It was a flowing white satin gown with a draped off-shoulder neckline, ruched bodice, sheer tulle sleeves, and a cascading train, blending timeless elegance with ethereal romance.

I had never worn anything so elegant and eye catching ever.

Nirwan ji has a fashion taste.

Or maybe, he took the idea to give me this from someone else. Maybe his mom, or any of his sisters or female colleagues.

I took off my bathrobe and slipped into the gown. It was a proper fit for me, not a single inch was loose or tight, and there were no zips or hooks, it just fit into me so perfectly as if someone had designed it only for me.

Walking towards the dressing table, I began by applying foundation to create an even base, followed by a touch of concealer and a light dusting of setting powder. I then swept a soft wash of light red eyeshadow across my lids, finishing the look with a deep red lipstick for a bold, sophisticated touch.

I opened my hair which was wet from the shower, and dried it with my hair dryer. I gave slight curls to a few strands of my hair, so that my hair doesn't look too straight compared to the heaviness of the gown.

I wore simple white heels I already had, before giving one last glance at myself in the mirror. I turned around to walk towards the door, but it instead opened before I did.

Nirwan ji peeped inside slowly, staring at me. His mouth fell open a little, while I gulped and looked down at my gown.

He was staring at me as if I was looking like a clown, unable to take his eyes off me.

His lips were slowly curling up.

Is he about to laugh now?

But he didn't. His lips only curved into a small smile, while he walked inside the room slowly, stopping only a few inches away.

I bit my lower lip, looking down at the floor at the intensity of his gaze.

"You have no idea how mesmerizing you look right now," he said, sliding his finger under my chin, making me look up at him.

I stared back at him with no expression on my face, "T-thank you for this dress."

"Thank you for existing," he replied, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. I felt the same weird sensation in my stomach for the first time in a month. The butterflies I felt whenever he came too near me.

The butterflies I felt when he touched me, kissed me, saw parts of my body which I felt inappropriately appropriate, and devoured every part of my soul with his single gaze.

But what he did is obviously unforgivable, and I should better not forget it all.

"You have no idea how you're looking right now, jaan. Your eyes reflecting my perfect reflection, your lips looking the most devouring with the dark red lipstick, your pink, blushed cheeks that make you look too adorable to resist," he said, closing the distance between us, and now I could feel the fronts of our bodies pressed together.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and continued, "The gown fits you so perfectly, hugging your waist and your curves, your hair strands curled up and curtaining the sides of your face,"

A shiver ran down my spine at his words, my heart pounding in my chest so bad that I was afraid he would probably hear my heartbeat.

"And the way you're panicking right now in my arms because you don't know what is happening to your body," he finished, a small smirk playing on his lips now.

"All of this is so mesmerizing."

Our faces were a mere inch away when my breathing became uneven, my heart skipping a beat at the thought that he was probably going to close the small distance between our lips and kiss me.

His lips hovered over mine, and despite the fact that our lips were touching, I could still feel them.

He stood in that position for a while, but later gave my lips a soft peck and took a step back.

I could feel my cheeks burning from the inside, annoyance building up inside me at the same time.

"Everyone's waiting for you downstairs," his voice pulled me out of my thoughts while I looked up at him.

He was normalising it all as if it meant nothing.

But am I getting desperate for his attention?

No.

I nodded slowly, "Yeah, I'm coming."

He nodded and I could see a small smirk playing on his lips before he turned around and walked outside the room.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, noticing my cheeks had turned pinker than they already were by the blush. 

I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath and turned to leave the room as well.

☆

The entire family sang the happy birthday song, while I blew the candles and sliced my birthday cake. All the members of the family came one after one and fed me the cake, following Nirwan ji. 

He was the first one to do it, obviously, and since all that which he did in the room, I'm not the same Aakriti I was in the morning.

He had done something in me, I was feeling annoyed by him for some reason even though I couldn't quite figure it out.

There were huge arrangements made for some other guests who were invited outside the mansion, and I got to know that Nirwan ji had made some donations to the NGOs on behalf of me for my birthday.

I always made donations for the needy on every birthday after I turned sixteen. Instead of spending on myself and taking expensive gifts from others, I always asked them to pay this money for those who actually need it.

It was nearly evening since the entire function was going on, and I could feel the tiredness engulfing me. I just wanted to lie down and close my eyes, relax my body and sleep without any disturbance.

I had clicked tons of pictures, and met all the guests who wanted to hand me over their gifts and wish me. I turned around when I felt a hand on my shoulder, spotting Nirwan ji.

"Go and rest, jaan. You look tired," he said, though there was a small smirk still lingering on his lips.

I nodded slowly, proceeding to walk towards the stairs to go upstairs. I lifted my right foot to step on when I was pulled back by a hand gripping my left arm.

I turned to my side, already feeling annoyed, but Nirwan ji's bua was beaming at me, though it was evident that her smile was fake.

"Kahan jaa rahi ho, beta?" She asked, faking her polite tone.

[Where are you going, beta?]

"Upstairs, bua. I'm tired," I replied, without faking any expression or tone. She hadn't spoken to me for once since I came back. All she did was wish me today during the celebration.

"Maine sabke liye kheer banayi thi, tum bhi taste kar lo," she said in a rather fake tone, and I almost cringed at the way she sounded.

[I made kheer for everyone. Please taste it.]

I never heard her talking this sweetly with anyone. Not even with the other family members.

"Bua, I'm not feeling well right now. I'll taste it later." I made an excuse on purpose, I just didn't feel right accepting her offer.

"Come on, just taste a bit, I wanted to see if-"

She was cut off by a deep voice, and the intensity of the voice speaking so immensely close to where I stood sent a shiver down my spine.

"Mujhe taste karaiye, bua. Main batata hoon kaisi bani hai kheer," Nirwan ji said, and bua's expression changed within seconds.

[Let me taste it, bua. I'll tell you how the kheer is.]

"Oh, uh...I was asking her to taste it because-"

"She is tired, let her go upstairs and rest."

Bua nodded hesitantly and turned around to leave. I didn't even look up at Nirwan ji and proceeded to walk upstairs again.

I went inside the bedroom, closing the door behind me and sighing. I took off my gown and slid into a comfortable night suit.

I sat in front of the mirror and removed my makeup with my wipes, washing my face at last.

I untied my hair and lay down on the bed, closing my eyes and relaxing my body.

I could feel my eyes burning from inside. I was feeling so weak and it was obvious that I was going to pass out now.

I closed my eyes and could feel sleep slowly engulfing me. I almost fell asleep when I flinched slightly and opened my eyes when I heard the door of the room opening.

Nirwan ji walked inside the room, glancing at me. I quickly closed my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.

I opened my eyes ever so slightly to have a blurred vision of him. He sighed and walked towards the couch, settling down on it.

And he was staring straight at my figure lying on the bed.

I don't know what he's thinking, neither do I want to know.

I closed my eyes fully again, maybe I shouldn't pay attention to him and sleep.

After almost five minutes, I heard him slowly walking towards the bed and lying down just next to me.

I felt his hand ruffle my hair and he caressed my forehead, and I tried my best to keep my expression neutral and to pretend that I was really sleeping.

His touch was soft and soothing, and before I could process doing anything else, I felt his lips on my forehead.

I felt his soft breath fan over my face as he planted the soft kiss on my forehead.

No, Aakriti. You can't let his soft gestures break you.

I slowly turned to the other side, still pretending that I am deep asleep, my back facing him now.

I tried to listen to any sounds, anything to understand what he was doing, but I was tired and I couldn't stay awake any longer while keeping my eyes closed.

☆

I woke up the next morning, feeling pain all over my body. My joints were aching and I could still feel exhaustion in my body, despite the fact that I slept undisturbed the whole night.

I looked at my side and found no one there. My gaze then diverted to the clock.

It was freaking eleven in the morning.

Had I been literally sleeping for this long? And nobody woke me?

I cursed under my breath, standing up and rushing towards the bathroom.

The entire family had been staying last night just to celebrate my birthday. I don't know how they would feel if they knew that I'm such a sleepyhead.

I quickly stripped and turned on the cold shower, taking a refreshing bath, before stepping out to get dressed in a simple kurti.

Grabbing my phone, I hurriedly opened the door of the bedroom and walked outside, descending the stairs.

I looked around to find any family member, as the entire mansion was full of the big Malhotra family, but to my surprise, there was no one around but only servants working as usual.

I walked towards the kitchen, but there was no one there either. There was no sound other than the ones the servants made while they worked.

I stopped a maid passing by, "Where is everyone?"

The maid gave me an uncertain look, and slightly stuttered before responding, "Ma'am, actually...everyone has gone to the h-hospital."

"Hospital?" I asked in disbelief, while she nodded.

"Nirwan sir has met with an accident."

My eyes fell wide open at her words, my hands shaking slightly.

"What? When did this happen? Which hospital have they gone to?" I asked, my voice was rising slightly.

"I don't know where, but almost two hours ago, they got a call that sir had met with an accident on the highway. They worriedly went outside together," she responded, before politely excusing me and walking away.

I could feel my eyes getting wet, but it was not a time to cry. The main question was that they all left me alone sleeping upstairs without even informing me what happened.

I rushed outside and asked one of the guards to take me to the hospital where Nirwan ji is. None of his bodyguards were there at the mansion and they all were probably at the hospital with him.

The guard agreed as I sat down in one of the cars and he started driving towards the hospital.

My heart was pounding in my chest rapidly. I closed my eyes, chanting Mahadev's name under my breath.

Please keep him safe, Mahadev.

Please.

I waited impatiently in the backseat while the guard drove the car safely on the road.

But as my bad luck was probably active, the car got stuck amidst a long traffic, which didn't seem to ease away any sooner.

"Can't we go in any other way?" I asked, knowing fully well that we were stuck and we couldn't even turn back from the road.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. The-"

I didn't care to listen to what he was saying and got out of the car, walking away to the footpath and started walking towards the hospital, which wasn't much far from where we were stuck.

I know I was probably late. Very late. But I don't want to reach any more later.

I neared the hospital building and almost ran towards the entrance, barging inside while breathing heavily.

I scanned the reception area with a quick glance to find anyone from the family, but there was no one.

"N-Nirwan Malhotra," I said to the receptionist while panting.

"Mr Malhotra is in the ICU, ma'am. His family is-"

I ignored her further words too and ran through the corridors of the hospitals, asking the nurses the way to the ICU.

I finally neared the ICU and saw almost all the Malhotras gathered outside. Nirwan ji's mom sobbing silently, while his dad consoled her, tears brimming in his own eyes.

I froze at my spot, and his mom noticed me just then.

"Aakriti," she said slowly, walking towards me and hugging me tightly, crying on my shoulder.

How was the chapter??

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With lots of love,

Ayra