Happy reading!!!!!!
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As soon as they reached the palace in Udaipur, Samikshaās eyes widened in awe. The grand architecture, the intricate carvings, the regal ambianceāeverything felt like a dream to her. She had always loved historical places, and this was nothing short of breathtaking. While everyone was busy settling in, someone else was busy admiring something elseāher. Abeer watched her intently, taking in the way her face lit up as she twirled around, trying to capture every inch of the beauty around her.
His thoughts were interrupted when Vidyut glared at him and nudged him. "Teri nazare Kahan hai?"
Abeer smirked but didnāt reply, just shoving his hands into his pockets as his gaze followed her movements.
Dinner was a grand affair with all the elders gathered at the table, while Abeer, Vidyut, Aarohi, and some other cousins helped in serving the food. Amidst all this, Samiksha was shamelessly sprawled on the sofa, lost in her own worldāchecking her Wattpad id, replying to each person who commented on her story,scrolling through Instagram account to check her views and dms as many of the people asked to collaborate with our secret author, and typing away for her new novel. She wasn't helping because she was feeling a bit nauseous, but, of course, her toxic bua couldn't let that slide.
The moment she saw Samiksha lying down while the others were busy, she sneered. "Aaj kal ki ladkiyan toh bas phone mein ghusi rehti hain. Uski maa n bigaad diya hai ise. Na sharam, na lihaz. Jab dekho bas natak chal raha hai. Aise ladkiyon se acchi toh woh hoti hain jo ghar sambhalna jaanti hain, jo apne farz nibhaati hain."
Everyone at the table went still. Vidyut clenched his jaw, her father was about to say something, but before anyone could react, a voice rang through the room, sharp and commandingāAbeer's voice.
"Bas kijiye bua ji," his voice was controlled but carried an unmistakable edge of protectiveness. "Aapko koi haq nahi banta Samiksha ke character pe sawal uthane ka. Na hi uske choices pe. Usey jo karna hoga wo karegi, you are no one to comment on that . Aur waise bhi, insaan ki value isse nahi hoti ke woh kitni baar khaana paros sake, balki isse hoti hai ke woh kis tarah se doosron ka saath deta hai. And we all know Samiksha very well."
Everyone was startled, especially Samiksha. Her heart raced. He took a stand for her. For her. She bit her lip, squealing internally, but she masked it by pretending to be indifferent. But inside? Her heart was doing somersaults.
The bua huffed but didn't say anything further, and the dinner continued in tense silence.
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After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms, exhausted from the journey. But Aarohi, restless as always, decided to take a small stroll through the palace corridors. She was lost in thought when suddenly, a strong yet gentle grip wrapped around her wrist, pulling her to a stop.
She gasped as she was pinned against a pillar. Vidyut. His dark eyes bore into hers, something unreadable flickering in them.
"Vidyut?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
He smirked slightly. "Bas... dekh raha hoon."
She frowned. "Kya dekh rahe ho?"
"Subah se Aapko dhang se dekha nahi," he murmured, his voice low, husky. "Ab dekh raha hoon."
Aarohi felt heat crawl up her neck. "Ajeeb ho tum," she muttered, looking away.
"Ajeeb?" He leaned in slightly, making her breath hitch. "Ya charming?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Annoying."
His smirk widened. "Interesting."
She huffed. "Tumne mujhe yeh sab kehne ke liye roka tha?"
He chuckled, placing a hand on the pillar beside her, effectively caging her in. "Haan matlab nahi."
Her brows knitted. "Toh?"
"Toh, you'll stay here with me for 5 minutes."
Aarohi raised an eyebrow. "Aur agar main na ruku?"
Vidyut tilted his head, as if considering. "Phir mujhe doosra tareeka nikalna padega aapko rokne ka."
Her breath hitched. "Tum⦠flirt kar rahe ho?"
He grinned. "Nahi, Aisa toh tumhe lagta hai."
She shook her head, hiding her own smile. "Paanch minute bas?"
"Bas paanch minute."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. Lekin agar tum koi stupid baat karoge toh main ja rahi hoon."
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Promise I'll just look at you."
"Waah janaab ke alag shauk hai!" she replied, though her heart raced as he watched her.
And so, under the moonlight, they stoodātalking, teasing, and lingering just a little longer than necessary.
That night, Samiksha sat cross-legged on her bed, chewing the end of her pen as she scribbled something in her notebook. A thank-you poem for Abeer.
"In a room full of voices, you spoke for me,"
"When the world turned away, you chose to see."
"Your words, like armor, shielded my name,"
"And in that moment, I knewāthis wasnāt a game."
She bit her lip, then quickly tore the page, folding it neatly. Like a thief, she tiptoed to Abeerās room. The door was slightly ajar, and his phone was charging on the bedside table. She quickly placed the note beside it and turned to leaveāonly for her heart to drop when she heard footsteps.
Shit!
Abeer entered the room. Now what? Panicked, she dived behind the sofa, holding her breath.
Abeer walked to his phone, scrolling lazily. For a moment, she thought she was safeāuntil he turned toward the bedside table. His brows furrowed as he picked up the note.
She watched as his expression changedāfirst confusion,Ā then⦠he smiled. A rare, soft, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat.
He glanced around. Then remembered how cutely Samiksha was singing for him āaww my sugarryyy pie ā
Samiksha, still hiding, nearly groaned. Busted.
Before she could escape, Abeer stretched lazily and walked toward the bathroom, disappearing inside. The moment she heard the door click shut, she sprinted out, running for her life.
In her panic, she didnāt notice her earring falling to the floor.
Minutes later, Abeer stepped out, towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets clinging to his skin. He grabbed his phone, intending to check something, but his gaze landed on the note again. He blushed, rereading it. She is so damn cute! My heart.
And then, something sparkled on the floor.
An earring.
He bent down, picking it up, instantly recognizing it. His smirk deepened as he twirled it between his fingers.
"Hamesha kuch na kuch chhod jaati hai mere paas," he murmured, chuckling softly. "Par is baar, earring de diya aur dil legayi."
Then, an idea struck him. He picked up his phone and opened Instagram.
And quickly texted her
ABEER: No need to thank me, Samiksha. It was my duty.
ABEER: But⦠if you really want to give me something in returnā¦
Samiksha, who was sneaking into the kitchen for a late-night munching, saw the message and nearly choked.
SAMIKSHA: What do you want?
ABEER: Just permission to look at you a little longer than others.
Her breath hitched.
And before she could stop herself, she repliedā
šš» Okay, sir.
ABEER: Thank you, madam.
Her breath caught. Her cheeks flamed.
Oh, she was so doomed.
Outside, Avya and Ekansh had just arrived at the palace. Both of them were blushing for entirely different reasons. As she was about to step out of the car, Ekansh grabbed her wrist, making her turn back towards him.
"Did you like the kiss?" he asked, his voice serious yet teasing.
Avyaās cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she nodded meekly. "Maybeā¦"
He smirked. "Why do you have to be so cute?"
She rolled her eyes. "And why do you have to be so annoying?"
He leaned in, eyes twinkling. "Can I kiss your cheek?"
She was about to answer, but before she could, she impulsively leaned in and pressed a quick peck on his lips.
Ekansh froze.
And then, grinning, he returned the gestureābefore letting her go with a whispered, "Sweet dreams."
As she walked inside, she couldnāt stop the smile playing on her lips.
And neither could he.
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Hayeeee bada pyaara tha sachii!!!!!
I know it was shorter than usual because my exams are going on ( mein konsa padh hi rhi hu ) but yah soooo I hope you get it...
Love you š
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