Hidden Hues Of Henna

Apna-paraya (III)

Part-3

Pallavi tapped her foot impatiently as she stood waiting for Raghav Rao in the foyer.

It has been over an hour since the man disappeared after leaving her in the waiting area of his mansion not before commanding her to stay put whilst he freshened up for the day. Ofcourse Pallavi,who was still rocking her shabby avatar from yesterday,had something to say about Raghav's need of beautifying himself for the simple task of dropping her injured self to her home safely but he he had strode away before she could lash at him.

And now,over an hour later,she was regretting not lashing at him. She should have held him by his collar and stuffed him in his car forcing him to drive.Turning around,she looked at Farhaad present there who upon meeting her eyes smiled sheepishly.

"Wo... actually Anna likes to take his time as he prepares for the day." He showed his teeth again cringing at his own reason internally.

"Farhaad tell your Anna,that I am going home by myself. He can take all the time in the world, even get his hair and nails done probably." She huffed before limping towards the marble staircase which descended into the driveway of the mansion.

She had placed her one foot down on the topmost stair when a call from the back caused her to groan.

"O saree ka dukaan! Do you want to permanently damage your limbs?!" The voice boomed across the place and Pallavi looked around at the many guards her cheeks heating up in embarassment at being addressed so loudly. 

As the footsteps neared her she breathed deeply to control her anger but that resolve rushed away when a hand latched onto her upper arm pulling her back and causing her foot to twist abruptly. With a squeak she held onto her offender's shoulders to stable herself.

"Ugh! Raghav!" She hissed shutting her eyes not wanting to explode on him in front of all his staff. "Leave me!"

"Think before you ask for it saree ka dukaan." Raghav spoke in a lower voice as he pulled her closer by her shoulders, gently this time."Maine chhoda to tum gir jaega."

"Ofcourse, afterall you are the one who taught me how to walk." Pallavi grit her teeth but complied with his lead anyway as he began to help her down the stairs.

"Now,now saree ka dukaan. Don't put that blame on me.Had I been the one to teach you,you would have learnt properly.Fir tum Aisa khatarnaak ke khiladi nahi banta." Raghav tutted mockingly.

"Just shut up!And khatarnak nahi khatron hota hai." She scoffed.

"Whatever."

Raghav held the car door open for her and began to help her get into the seat when she stopped him gesturing that she will get in herself. As Pallavi settled in the seat she rose a sharp brow victoriously at him who just shook his head and shut the door after her.

Rounding the car,he got into the driver's side and was putting on his seatbelt when Pallavi cleared her throat dramatically.Looking up he raised a brow questioningly at her hesistant expression.

"I..er- is it okay if I don't wear my seatbelt this time. It's a little suffocating. I mean not the bandage just this,the belt."Pausing a little she then added in a whisper,"It might make me feel trapped like yesterday."

The thought of being tied,her arms and legs immobile and strained. A shudder passed through her body at the mere memory and she brought her hands around her chest to hug herself.

She saw Raghav's eyes instantly soften at her words and after a minute of observing her coiled form with something akin to guilt he just nodded gulping hard before looking away.