My Life Is Incomplete Without You

Chapter 8 - The Hidden Chapter of Mr. R

I got inside, absent-minded, and fell freely onto the mattress, turning to one side as I gently caressed my cheek.

His fragrance... his touch... his stare - everything was still so fresh.

It was unbelievable - the same man I disliked just hours ago was now someone whose image refused to fade from my mind.
His every word echoed in my ears.

"Six ghosts? He must be lying... Should I Google it? What if it's a true story? No, no, no..."

I talked to myself.
"But there must be something about RD. What should I search? RD... Umm... Director RD. Yes!"
I typed it in, but the results were sparse. Only one full name appeared: Randhir Diwan Bhanushali.

That night was supposed to be restful - my day off. But I couldn't sleep, haunted by the strange evening.
It wasn't until sunrise that my heavy eyelids finally shut.

With a long yawn, I woke up, and once again, the black silhouette of RD - or rather, Randhir - flashed in my vision.

When I glanced at the clock, it read 10 a.m.
I rolled out of bed in panic - late again for this son of riches.

I reached the set breathless.
Coincidentally, he entered at the same time. My cheeks warmed instantly.
Our eyes met... and stayed. The air felt different - like something was blooming between us.

What was he thinking? Was he teasing me yesterday?
Why was this man - a nobody just days ago - so deeply under my skin?

I didn't even allow Vikas to enter my life for these very reasons.
Why was I crossing the very line I'd drawn?

Just then, Lily broke the spell.

"This is amazing! RD on time and Sanyukta is late. You both left together last night, didn't you?"

"Actually I..." we both blurted out at once.
"I..." It happened again.

"You go first," he offered.
"No, you," I dodged.
"I insist, you say."
"No, really..."

"Relax, guys," Lily interrupted, shaking her head. "For once, something's normal. Chill."

She walked away, leaving the two of us awkward and a little too quiet.

"I should get ready," I said and hurried off to the green room.

While rehearsing, my eyes drifted to the brunch plate full of noodles. It instantly pulled me back to the previous night.

Why was I letting him distract me so much? I couldn't even focus.

"Perhaps the spaghetti was more delicious?"
His teasing voice broke my thoughts.

"What?" I startled.

"You're so lost you didn't even notice me walk in. Been staring since."
He leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Or maybe... the six demons are chasing you too?" he smirked.

"Huh?"

"Let me show you."
He brought his phone closer, showing a Google page on Annalise Michel.

"They might chase you unless you're with a gentleman," he whispered into my ear, smug.

I threw a cushion at him, realizing he was being childishly dramatic.
Then another, and another - until I reached for a lamp.