~•} C H A P T E R|9 {•~
The door of the room jolted open as Vardhaan Rathore stepped inside the darkroom with a malicious grin etched on his lips.
Ishani's heart thumped loudly in her ribcage when she heard his footsteps nearing her.
Slowly and gradually he approached her, his footsteps heavy and echoing inside the whole room just like he wanted.
He wanted her to think of every outcome, he wanted her to feel nervous.
And just like he wanted, Ishani was feeling nervous. She fidgeted with her toes and blew out deep breaths, habits which she had when she became nervous.
But she tried her best to keep the stoic face as she didn't want to give him the contentment of making her nervous. Keeping her chin high and gaze harsh she looked directly into his eyes which were gleaming with enjoyment.
Indeed he was enjoying her nervous state as the sharp predatory eyes of Vardhaan Rathore didn't miss the little fumbling of her toes.
"Enjoying here wife?" His voice lased with a tease as he plopped down beside her, too close for her liking.
"Absolutely I am if you leave the fact that my newly married husband locked me here all alone for a day with some dry snacks and fruits." she gave him a sarcastic sweet smile.
"Oh! In such a good condition you are. Many girls will be jealous of you my lady. Can you share some tricks with them on how to trap a rich man? I am sure they will be thankful and will take you as your teacher." He reciprocated her smile.
Swirling her eyes annoyingly at his previous remark, she furrowed her brows as fake curiosity whirled in her eyes, "But why are you alone here my highness? I thought that you would royally barge inside the room with a bimbo by your side and will make out in front of my eyes."
"Oh! I didn't know you were so desperate on seeing me naked Mrs. Rathore." He retorted with a devilish smirk playing on his lips and Ishani's face turned red in anger and embarrassment as she glared at him hard.
"Also for your kind information, I don't like to be watched while doing that. I am a private person you know." He continued and winked.
Ishani stiffed at his remark, giving him a tight-lipped smile she snarled, "Of course Mr. Rathore what else I would have expected from you. You care for your family name too much to openly become a cheater."
The humor was long gone from Vardhaan's face, an angry expression took its place. Gritting his teeth he hissed, "I am not a fucking cheater!"
"Oh! Then who was the one talking with his girlfriend in front of his newly wedded wife."
Ishani's lips curved into a small smirk as she could see her words directly hit a nerve. But the smirk wasn't long-lasting when Vardhaan pinned her down on the sofa while breathing heavily in anger.
"I was just playing with you that day! I was going to break up with her on the phone call itself. But because of you, that bitch insulted me and dared to break up with me. For the first time, Vardhaan Rathore had to shut his mouth because every allegation was true. And it was all because of you!" His jaw clenched as he spat every word harshly.
Ishani was stunned, no not because her husband wasn't having an affair as she could care less about that but because The Vardhaan Rathore was explaining himself! This was a new thing for her and she knew as a matter of fact that this cheating thing pisses him off to the great extent that he was clarifying himself.
Ishani realized their position, his nose was almost touching hers while he was hovering her on the sofa. She felt anger rise inside her at their proximity.
"Now get off of me Mr. Rathore!" her voice sharp as a knife.
"Why Mrs. Rathore? Don't you like me being close to you? It's our honeymoon afterall baby."
Ishani cringed at the endearment he used.
"Get. Off. Of. Me!"
"Says who? The person who married me like a needy bitch."
"I didn't marry you by my own will, Mr. Rathore! I am saying this millionth time!"
"I don't fucking care if you were forced or not Mrs. Rathore because you married me and that's enough reason for me to hate you!" He tightened his hold on her arms making her wince.
Ishani stared down at his intense orbs with blazing anger and he gazed back with the same passion.
The sudden sound of phone ringing caught them off-guard. Vardhaan Rathore stood up not before glaring at her.
Ishani was smart enough to get up and stand near the windowsill as he wouldn't be able to hover her here.
She sighed softly looking at the large blue water body in front of her.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her, her lips twitching upwards knowing who was standing behind her.
"This is the perfect location for our honeymoon, isn't it baby?"
"Don't call me that!" Ishani sneered.
"What Mrs. Rathore?" He curiously furrowed his brows.
"Baby!" Her tone was loud and frustrated.
"You want a baby? Don't you think this is too early Mrs. Rathore?" He stuffed his hands inside his pocket as a vicious smirk danced on his lips.
"Mr. Rathore!" Ishani exclaimed loudly.
"Don't whin Mrs. Rathore. If you are so desperate for a baby then I can consider your requ-" before he could complete his sentence Ishani banged the bathroom door loudly while going inside and he laughed at this.
Suddenly he heard a loud screech, "Mr. Rathoreeeeee!"
In return, he simply stared at the bathroom door with a smug smile on his face while his eyes glinted with sheer satisfaction.
Not a second later, Ishani slammed the door open.
"Where the hell are my clothes and bags?"
"I left them in the mansion itself," Vardhaan answered while circling his shoulder and stretching his neck.
"You did what?" Her tone was aghast and her face horrified.
"You heard me, Mrs. Rathore. I don't like to repeat my words." He clasped his arms behind his body and stared out of the window.
"Then why did you ask me to pack the bags if you didn't have any intention to bring them here!" Tilting her head she narrowed her eyes at him.
Without turning he slowly nodded his head in acknowledgment and said in a bored tone, "My wish."
Ishani pressed her lips into a thin line and squeezed her eyes shut to control the sudden urge of punching his handsome face.
"And what will I wear then Mr. Rathore?" She inquired in a low tone baring her teeth.
"I don't know Mrs. Rathore." He replied with a shrug of his shoulders, still staring at the vast unending sea while whistling softly.
Ishani took deep breaths to calm herself down but at last, gave in to the urge and stomped her foot on his hardly.
"What the fuck!" He cursed glaring at her to which she smiled sweetly which of course was fake.
"What will I wear?" She questioned again, this time her tone angrier and curt.
"There is a bag inside the closet. That's what you are gonna wear Mrs. Rathore." He remarked as his lips tugged upwards, enjoying her frustration.
"Do you think I am a fool to not open that bag! There are only undergarments, bikinis, and thick woolen clothes!" Scoffing slightly she twisted her lips in disgust.
"Then that's all you get dear wifey." He winked, kissing her cheek in the process whereas her body froze in shock, frustration, anger, and whatnot.
He leaned on the wall, crossing his arms and smirking in her direction whilst she threw daggers through her eyes at him. Afterall his male ego boosted ten times seeing the effect of his proximity on her.
"Make yourself comfortable Mrs. Rathore."
With this, he went inside the bathroom to change into his nightclothes.
Ishani's body drooped, shoulders slumped as she sat on the couch being tensed.
She didn't think he would stoop to such a low level.
But The Vardhaan Rathore could go to any extent to win and this time his winning would come with her breaking.
All she had was bikinis or thick woolen clothes, both of them weren't wearable for her as she never felt comfortable in exposing herself to that extent though she always respected the women who were able to look graceful and confident in them. And in the scorching heat of the sun with the humid climate, she just couldn't wear the thick woolen clothes, could she?
Exhaling a few heavy breaths, she calmed herself down and let her mind wander in all directions to find an appealing solution for the newly formed problem.
She gazed at the fancy and uncomfortable attire she was wearing, a heavy Anarkali suit as she was a new bride.
Thinking something in her mind, she moved towards the closet which held both of their clothes. She took out one of his half pants and a t-shirt.
Let me hope this is brand new and he hadn't worn it even once.
She crinkled her nose at the thought but still, this was the only way out of this problem.
Vardhaan stormed out of the bathroom and lazily plopped on the bed, not once gazing in her direction.
Ishani slowly hid the clothes between her clothes in the closet and sat down on the couch.
"Come here on the bed Mrs. Rathore." He demanded and Ishani rolled her eyes at his dramatic self.
"Someone won't be able to control herself after laying beside the hottest man." He mumbled lowly but loud enough for her to hear.
Shaking her head to clear the anger and urge to kill him, she stepped towards the bed and lied down on a side, leaving suitable space between them.
"Why are you wearing these not-so-comfortable clothes Mrs. wifey?" He teased while stretching his body and coming closer towards her, trying his every attempt to frustrate her.
"My husband is a bastard, moron, and a big jerk to leave my bag in the home itself dear Mr. hubby." She answered with a sweet smile and turned her back towards him.
Rolling his eyes, Vardhaan yawned and closed his eyes to drift into his dreamland.
........
It was midnight, the moon was shining brightly in the dark sky while the stars were twinkling along with it.
Ishani slowly opened one eye then the other, getting up without making any sound she peeked at her sleeping husband and a sigh of relief passed her lips.
Like a thief, she took slow and hesitated steps towards the closet. She bit her lower lip nervously and opened the closet. Shuffling through many clothes, she finally took out his blue and green colored shirts and a t-shirt printed with a smiling sun. The clothes she felt could be used as a top as she was fortunate enough that whoever Vardhaan had ordered to pack her bag, had knowingly or unknowingly packed a pair of denim shorts.
Clutching the two shirts and t-shirt in her hand she walked on her tiptoes and hid them under the bed.
She turned and glanced at him if he was still asleep or not and to her good luck he was.
She again went to the closet and took out the half pant and t-shirt she had previously hidden. Inside the bathroom, she fastly changed into that and once again stepped towards the open closet but this time she took out all his clothes from there and gripping them tightly, walked towards the bathroom.
Dumping them inside the buckets filled with water she smirked,
If I can't wear the desired clothes then so can't you.
She knew that maybe he would have more clothes inside this bungalow but still she would try every attempt to give him back what he did to her!
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Straining the tea into the cup Naina gasped feeling someone tap on her shoulder.
"Naina where is your attention? See the tea spilled on the kitchen slab." Ruhanika interjected while Naina muttered a small sorry.
"No, it's not about tea Naina. Where are you lost today?" Ruhanika asked while Raina's attention too shifted towards them who was right now preparing protein shake for her husband.
Forcing out a smile, Naina mumbled, "Nothing. I was thinking about going out somewhere, that's all."
Ruhanika frowned not believing her but still let the matter slide away from whereas Raina wiggled her brows in Naina's direction to which Naina signaled nothing making Raina roll her eyes.
Gripping the tray which contained the cup filled with tea, Naina moved towards her room and sighed looking at the door.
She was trying to build confidence in herself since yesterday to initiate a conversation with Aadarsh.
Stepping inside she found her husband all ready for the office. She gazed at the clock which indicated 7:01 am.
There are still 2 hours left in his usual office time.
She thought and assured herself.
"Aadarsh..."
He turned hearing his name and raised his brow.
"Your tea." She smiled and forwarded the cup of tea towards him and he blinked in return, a kind of thankyou in his language she had assumed.
Seeing him sipping the tea whilst sitting comfortably on the couch, she gulped, in an attempt to moisten her throat.
"Aadarsh..." She trailed off and his attention shifted towards her.
"I am thinking of having a child?" She told fastly but it came more like a question.
Aadarsh choked on his tea as he coughed terribly and looked towards her with the same emotionless face.
"Aadarsh I-"
"Enough!" For the first time, she heard the tint of anger in his voice.
"Stop being the clingy wife, Naina."
His cold eyes blazed with anger as he stormed out of the room.
With this one sentence, her heart broke into million pieces.
Be strong, be strong.
She chanted in her mind but still, she could feel the tears build in her eyes which she blinked away rapidly.
She knew she was being a desperate, needy, and attention-seeking wife but still, it hurt to hear it from his mouth.
She felt desperate for his attention.
For his love.
For a child.
The moment she read an article about how a child could mend the relationship between husband and wife, her eyes twinkled with hope. And the way his lips curved into a smile when Yuvika was here made her hope fly higher as never had she seen a smile on his face, at least not in front of her.
She didn't know if she was ready enough to bear a child nor did she want it at this time but after reading that article and yesterday's incident she felt the need for a child.
She needed a child between them to mend their relationship.
Yes, she was selfish.
Greedy.
But who wasn't?
She sniffled as a few tears finally escaped her eyes.
Everything about him started revolving around her eyes. His fewer talks, his gentle attitude towards her, and the little irritation in his eyes when she would hug him during his work but he would never yell at her.
But the incidents from the last few days started revolving around in her mind.
The way he denied going out with her, the way he denied having a child.
"Why hating you isn't easy, and loving you is so difficult Aadarsh?" She questioned herself as she cried again.
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
The dining room was pleasantly quiet today without Yuvika as she skipped her school today and was sound asleep in her room.
Everyone was busy having their share of breakfast and leaving for their respective work.
Just then Bhavna broke the silence with her shrill voice, "Aakarsh I heard you need to go Shimla to seek out the paperwork for our new property."
"Yes mom, I need to go there as we had recently brought the land there for our new resort," Aakarsh replied in a flat tone.
"Take Raina along with you then." Bhavna urged and Aakarsh remained silent showing his disagreement.
"Take her along and give me an heir soon." Bhavna continued and Raina's eyes rounded understanding the meaning. She gulped and drank the water kept beside her plate hurriedly.
"There is already an heir mom, Yuvika Singh Rathore," Aakarsh argued.
"I need a real heir," Bhavna argued.
"Bhavna is saying correctly." The deep voice of Deependra Rathore boomed and Yuvraj's knuckles turned white due to his right hold on the fork. Yuvraj never gave a damn about someone in his life but right now they were talking about his daughter. But he couldn't say a word against his grandfather like everyone.
"The Rathore Empire needs its next-generation heir." Deependra Rathore added.
Naina stared at Aadarsh with a hopeful look that maybe now he would think about the child but he never looked towards her for once nor spoke something.
Naina prayed in her mind that he would agree to his grandfather for this at least.
Receiving no response, Deependra Rathore declared, "Aakarsh you are taking Raina with you." his tone had a finality which no one could deny and suddenly the newly brought crockery plate was on the ground, broken into pieces.
Raina flinched as she knew this was just a little show of his rage and lastly she would become the prey of his anger, here or in Shimla.
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Yuvraj strode towards his room after breakfast as he forgot a very important paper inside his drawer.
Opening the door he found his wife rummaging inside the drawers.
"What's going on here?" He inquired as his brows furrowed.
"N-nothing." She stammered with a panicked expression itching on her face.
His back straightened and shoulders stiffened as he stepped forward in her direction.
Wiping her clammy hands on her kurti, her shoulders slumped as she moved backward, closing the opened drawer in the process.
Her steps halted feeling the wooden drawer in her way whereas he kept moving forward. Just when there was an inch difference between them, she leaned her head towards the wall while her half body remained leaning on the drawer.
Keeping his both hands on the wall slowly and steadily, he caged her between his bulky arms.
Her heart drummed loudly at an insane pace that she was sure he was able to hear it. Her breathing quickened as he leaned down up to her eye level.
"Searching for the book, now are we?" His hot breath fanned her cheeks as he asked in a husky tone with a tilt of his lips.
"N-no, actually..." She tried to form suitable words but failed terribly.
His deep chuckle echoed inside the room, sending shivers down her spine.
Craning his neck a little he leaned near her ear, "I kept that erotic book somewhere else." his tone was gravelly and low.
"This time I am sparing you for not listening to me... but not next time dear wife." He ran a finger down her cheek which stopped on her chin. Clutching her chin into his hold, he tilted her face upwards and his dark orbs punctured right into her soul.
"Made myself clear, wife?"
The hold on her chin tightened.
"Y-yes, Yuvraj ji." She croaked out in a voice barely above whisper.
"Good." His hold loosened as he moved back and left whilst she remained fazed by the sudden happening.
}}}}}}•{{{{{{
Here Ishani was waiting for the devil to wake up though today she didn't feel less than a she-devil herself.
But still there was a tiniest bit of fear and lots of nervousness in her heart as she could never guess what his next move could be.
As the rush of adrenaline settled and her mind took full control of her body, many sane thoughts started running inside her brain.
I should have atleast left a single pair of attire.
Some shirts are left though.
But not a single pant.
Maybe I should have left some.
But what can I do now, everything is soaked now...
Many thoughts came in her mind but shrugging them away she gazed at his sleeping figure.
How will he react to all this?
He can't do much right?
Yeah, he can't do much.
She assured herself exhaling softly as whatever had been done was done and now was the time to bear consequences.
Though there wasn't an ounce of guilt inside her because according to her he deserved this.
And all she was tensed was for herself as she never knew how this insane man would react?
She again and again contemplated on this but atlast running a hand on her face, sighed in frustration.
But her ears perked hearing a sudden groan from other side.
Gulping thickly she turned towards him while sitting on the same bed as he slowly blinked his eyes open...
~~~~~~~
Write a comment ...