The Solace Of Infernos

4. Playing with Fire

I ducked, hoping I'd dodge the bullet, but seemed like it wasn't aimed at me. It felt like it was a warning of some sort. Vikram dashed to me, tugging me to his chest, sheathing me with his frame. We scurried in, all while he held me close.

As soon as we set foot inside, I was caged in a gigantic hug. "Are you okay? Where were you, young lady? No calls, just vanishing for hours, do you realize what time is it! What's happening, Vikram?" Mom was in hysterics. Dad came over and held us both.

"Calm down Mrs. Roy, my girl is stronger than that." He stroked my hair peaceably. "Why don't you get her something to eat, while Mish and I talk."

Mom and Dad glanced at each other, having a silent conversation. "Do it after she has her food, she just survived an ambush for heaven's sake." Mom frowned at dad. Dad was about to negotiate but mum didn't let him. "I said, no Mr. Roy, it's final. Have your 'talk' later." Mom pecked my forehead and left, to get me something to eat.

I settled in papa's embrace and mom fed me. While Vikram was shouting orders at someone on the phone. After force-feeding me my parents tucked me in.

"Good Night, Mish." Mom pecked my forehead and left the room. Papa took mum's place and gently caressed my head.

"Are we in some sort of danger, Pa?" I closed my eyes, trying to forget about the gunshot.

"I'll keep you guys safe, you have to be strong for your mum, and Vikram." He nodded.

"What's going on, Mish?" He looked at me knowingly. He was well informed himself, he just wanted to certify everything. I dwindled my fingers, not knowing what to tell. He sat there keenly observing me. "Mish, you don't have to hide anything, I have your back, bacche."
(An endearment, for a younger person close to you.)

I peeped into his eyes, "I like him, but I don't know if he does." I whispered. "Why is he so weird, he treats me like a princess one moment and the very next, I don't matter to him at all. He is very... complex. He demands me to understand everything, without ever opening up." He chuckled. "What, this isn't funny." I scoured at him.

"No, of course not, a very serious matter, indeed. My daughter is in the middle of throwing an adorable tantrum, how dare I call it funny. This is serious, absolutely serious." He tried hard to hold back his smile.

"Really," I scowled at pa. "now you too think I'm a kid, I am immature. But whatever I am not changing for him. He'll have to take me for who I am."

"Yeah, I agree. You don't have to change, not for me, not for Vikram. It doesn't matter right, the guy down there is worried sick. Trying to keep you safe, but why should it matter it's his problem. He wants you to be a better person in life, but love is all about accepting right. Like you accept all his faults without complaining."

I gave him a sheepish smile. " I got you, but, it's overwhelming, I'm scared."

"Yeah? You're my bright girl, you'll figure it out, give it some time." He smiled at me, pecked my head, and smiled back. He retired to his room.

As if on cue, Vikram entered my room. His eyes were all red. He reached out to me. I placed my hands in his. He hugged me tightly, leaving me breathless. "I was so scared, Vikram. I thought I lost you, just when I got you."

"I'm here, Mish." I could feel his heart racing with every bit, imitating mine. We stayed like that for a while. I was finally at peace.

Now when the initial shock of almost being shot was wearing off. "Who tried to attack me?"

"You need to rest." He caged my face in his calloused palms, silently asking me not to go around, anywhere near that topic.

"Join me." He did without arguing. I cuddled him, resting my head on his chest. He held me, firmly yet gently."Are you in some sort of danger, Vikram?"He looked at the ceiling, his fingers playing with my hair, he sighed. "You can share it with me."

"It's ugly." His voice was strained, I wanted him to share what was disturbing him. For once I wanted to be the anchor, for him.

"I know it's difficult, but I am always here, for you." I snuggled into him, closing my eyes.

"I know, Mish." He exhaled tiredly.

I wasn't getting anything but okay. Atleast he is here safe. With me.

"It's my father. He is back I don't know, what for." His jaw clenched. " He has already done enough damage, ruined maa's life, I want you away from this mess."

"We are in this together." I sternly met up his gaze. "That isn't up to discussion, no. Did you inform Karuna aunty, about staying here, tonight?" He nodded "Whatever it is, right now you need rest. Sleep." I gently swept my hand on his eyes, then caressed his hair gently. He sighed and held me tighter, we snuggled, I felt at peace.

The next morning.

I woke up from a tickling sensation on my lips. I open my eyes and found Vikram silently observing me, lost in his thoughts. I took his finger in my mouth, which brought him back to earth.

"You're too old to suck fingers." I dare say he looked cute in his messy hair, crumpled in the blankets, too inviting for my good.

"I don't need to act mature anymore." I smiled, biting his finger, but that rock of a human didn't even flinch a bit.

"So you were faking it all the time." Vikram playing along was the last thing I had expected. Corners of his lips slightly wavering. How I wish every morning was like this one.

I straddled him. He was surprised, for a moment but then, another emotion took over the surprise. A very intense one, one that made me go red. "Oh, you've got no idea, of what you have gotten yourself into. "

He turned so that now I was under him. His body pressed to mine. The best sight ever. He traced my jaw. " Well then, I'll have to figure it out. Inch by inch, slowly, deeply." His lips came down to my pulse. He was placing open-mouthed kisses on my neck, jaw everywhere he could reach.

I turned into a breathless mess. He bit my chest and I had a hard time controlling the sounds coming from my thought."Oh! Vikram."

"You make me lose control." He nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck.

"You make me want to jump your bones." He chuckled. A deep throaty chuckle. I looked at him in awe. I was acting lovesick but couldn't help it. The sight was mesmerizing.

"We have an office, Mish."

" Nope. You have to I have a billionaire dad." His demeanor changed. I shouldn't have said that."Hey, you need to learn to take jokes."

"I regret saying that."

"I know, babe." He smiled at the endearment. A very lite one but a smile nonetheless. God, there was only so much you could handle in a day. "Your weight is killing me." He shifted. I walked to the bathroom.

"I'm gonna go take a shower." He raised his eyebrows. "I mean you are welcome if you want to join."

"Don't play with fire, Mish." His tone threatening but his eyes held amusement.

"Are you sure it's safe? The bathroom, I mean. How could you let me go in there all alone?" He walked out mutterings something along with the words 'be the death of me'.

☜☆☞

So, how far do like their progress? Do guys feel the chemistry building?

Still think Vikram is being a jerk. Comment and let me know.