You own my heart ( short story series)

Part-2

Dusra chapter padh rahe ho? Kaisa tha? Come on yaar, kuch to bolo! I am expecting a lots and lots of comments! 😁 Please...

...........................

The morning sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the haveli as Anirudh stood near the car, leaning against its side, arms crossed. He glanced at his watch impatiently. Bondita wasn't usually one to be late, but these days, nothing about her seemed predictable. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of anklets. His gaze instinctively lifted, and the sight that met his eyes made his breath catch in his throat.

There she was, adjusting her earrings as her fingers moved with delicate precision. The sunlight caught on her Banarasi saree, the rich maroon and gold threads shimmering with each step she took. Her half-draped veil hung loosely over her head, allowing her hair to cascade down in soft, dark waves that framed her face like a waterfall.

Anirudh blinked, trying to regain his composure. She looked different. Not just different—beautiful. No, not just beautiful, radiant. She looked like a bride, the very image of a new bride. 

Her earrings gleamed as she adjusted them, unaware of his gaze fixed on her. The delicate sway of her bangles matched the soft rustle of her saree as she walked, and her every step seemed careful.  She kept her eyes down, avoiding him, but even from where he stood, he could see the faint blush creeping across her cheeks.

Damn it, focus, Anirudh. You're supposed to find answers, not get lost in how beautiful she looks.

She finally reached him, her movements slowing as she came to stand in front of the car. Her eyes flickered up to meet his briefly before darting away again. "Good morning," she said softly.

Anirudh swallowed, trying to push down the surge of emotions rising within him. "Morning." 

For a moment, they stood there in silence. Anirudh couldn't tear his eyes away from her. "You're late."

She glanced at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "I—I'm sorry. It took longer to get ready than I thought."

Anirudh raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching slightly into a smirk. "Is that so? Took longer to look like this?" His gaze traveled from her face down to the intricate embroidery of her saree and back up again.

Bondita stiffened, her face immediately flushing red. She looked down, biting her lip, avoiding his gaze, took a small step back, her voice shaky as she added, "If you're embarrassed by how I look, you shouldn't have agreed to go with me in the first place."

Anirudh blinked, caught off guard by her words. Wait, what? Did she really think that my teasing was a criticism? Embarrassed? By her? Is she serious? He almost laughed at the absurdity of it.

He crossed his arms, "If you were going to be this hesitant about accompanying me, you should've refused," he said, his voice low, the words almost daring her to challenge him. "It's not like anyone's forcing you to come. Certainly not me."

She blinked, her lips parting as if she wanted to respond, but no words came out. "Not forcing me?" Bondita finally managed to whisper, her voice laced with disbelief. "Do you really think I would've refused, Barrister Babu? What would I have said to Kaka sasur ji? How could I say no to him?"

Of course, she's doing this forfKaka.

He let out a small, bitter laugh. "So that's it, then? You're coming because of Kaka? Because you're obligated?" His eyes narrowed as he watched her reaction closely. "Because, let me make one thing clear, Bondita—you don't owe me anything. You don't have to do this for anyone's sake if you don't want to."