Love Me

23

Rohni stood in the middle of the room, shifting uneasily, while Daksh sat calmly in front of her, his piercing eyes never leaving her face.

"Daksh, look, I'm sorry. And see I'm the one who suffered the consequence, right? So you don't have to do anything. I'm mature enough to understand loss. I will never repeat this act." She spoke quickly, trying her best to look sincere, her hands nervously twisting at her sides.

"What were you doing in class today? And why?" His voice was low, demanding, the kind that made her heart skip.

"Look, I already answered this question. I was just trying to flirt. It's just you're so boring, so what can I do?" She rolled her eyes, tossing her hair back with forced bravado, though inside she was trembling.

"Why are you standing so far? Come stand closer to me." His hand lifted, reaching toward her.

"What if I say sorry? Will it work?" she asked, hopeful, her lips twitching into a weak smile because this statement wasn't something she like from his mouth. Standing close means standing close to punishment which she wasn't looking forward to.

"Come closer." He ignored her plea, his voice commanding.

"Daksh…" she whispered, but finally slipped her hand into his. Slowly, hesitantly, she stepped closer until she was right in front of him.

"You know, right, you promised me you won't slap me for small matters," she said nervously, raising her palm to shield her cheek.

"Even though the matter wasn't small, I'm not thinking about slapping your face." His lips curved slightly. She sighed in relief, letting her hand fall away.

The relief lasted only a second his palm smacked sharply against her thigh. She jumped back with a gasp.

"Don't get relaxed," he warned.

"Don't do it! Can't you see I'm not wearing jeans now? Keep your hands to yourself." She rubbed her stinging thigh, glaring at him with watery eyes.

"Okay, enough of drama. Go take your position. I'm in no mood to argue with you."

"Position? What are you talking about?" she asked, feigning confusion.

"Yeah the one you don't like at all. Remember? Back in school, when you talked back to your teacher… then at home. That position. You remember, right?" Each word was slow, deliberate.

"My knees… yeah, I remember. They still hurt. Oh, how could I forget it." She bent, clutching her knees dramatically.

"Moreover…" She paused, biting her lip, then blurted out, "Umm… I'm on my periods! Right, periods. I can't do it. Haha, you can't continue now. You can keep my phone for a week, months, years just keep it as punishment because you don't have any other option, right? Let me go to my room." She laughed nervously, her fingers crossing behind her back.

Daksh's eyes narrowed. He leaned back, dragging his fingers through his hair in frustration. He could see right through her lie.

"Doesn't matter. Do it."

Her eyes grew wide, pleading. "Daksh, it will hurt! And I'm not a school-going kid. Why don't you understand? I'm a college-going kid—no, not kid, student. You can't punish me like that." She cupped his face with both hands, her touch soft and desperate, hoping to melt him.

"Will you ever repeat this kind of act in the near future?" His voice softened suddenly, calm and testing.

"Of course not. I'm not eagerly waiting to meet my parents. I'll meet them when the time comes."

"Okay. Don't take that position. But no one said you're free to go." His arm shot out, pulling her down firmly onto his lap.

Her heart pounded against her chest.