The Haunted Fortress of Bhangarh: Book 1

83. A replica

Rudra had recovered enough to be let go from the clinic the following afternoon, and the renewed and refreshed bandages around his bruises, along with a long list of medications and drugs, were going to suffice from thereon. Aman notified him of bringing the car after refueling and went away, leaving him behind by himself as he tried to get ready for the long journey back to Delhi. He was not sure if he was going to feel sick on the ride owing to the string of medicines and painkillers he was on, but more than his health woes, the thought of his mother's reaction unsettled him. Shweta was bound to go berserk and curse the lady in red if she were to discover the actual events from the night at the haunted fortress of Bhangarh. He was certain he would not prefer any loud reaction from her side. Perhaps concealing everything behind the garb of normalcy was a better option.

"Will you be fine sitting through the entire car ride? Should we postpone?"

The sweet cadence of his lovely friend broke him out of his reverie, and he whirled around to take a good peek at her. She was still miffed with him, given she refused to look him in the eye, but she wasn't as irked as the previous day, for her tonality was normal.

With a shake of his head, he got up from the chair he was on. "Nope! Gotta go home today. Mom will be out of control if we don't return on the day we promised to."

She pursed her lips. "What if Shweta Aunty learns of your adventurous plans of never returning to her?"

"No." He groaned and rubbed his palms over his face. A beseeching, imploring glance was sent her way. "Please, Ishita. No..."

She let out a short laugh. "I feel like giving you one tight slap." She shook her head and wheeled around to exit the cabin when a yank on her forearm compelled her to gasp in astonishment. Before she knew it, her spine was already plastered against the wall, and his palms were on either side of her waist. He was leaning closer and closer to her until their noses nearly touched. His fingers lightly brushed against her hips, and she discerned the tenderness in his gaze.

His warm breath touched her lips as he whispered, "If you ever need my help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. Don't even ask. Demand. Anytime."

Her flickering lids landed on the sincerity in his eyes, and she hummed in response. "I will consider that offer." Aware of herself she was, and she uncomfortably shifted at her spot, for he hadn't taken his gaze off her. She gulped hard, and she was quick to note how he followed the movement of her throat. "Rudra..."

His mind wavered to how her delicate palms were engulfing his throughout the night at Bhangarh, and he wondered if the warmth she exuded was a common occurrence. Perhaps not. It was extraordinary. Unusual. Transcendental. Nothing he had ever experienced in the last twenty-one years of his life. Just a bit too enchanting for his taste, and he wasn't sure how to process these emergent forms of intense attachment he was encountering in the wake of the fiasco. She had been a special friend to him for a few months now, but this... this feeling of captivation was new. This feeling of unflinching submission was new.

"Rudra..."

He perceived the motion of her lips, and he was once again tempted to take them into a soft but passionate kiss. As enticed as he had been the first time they stayed the night at the fort. If only he had the permission to cross the line... If only he had the audacity to close the remaining distance... If only...

Clenching his fists, coercing himself into not acting on the sudden impulse, he stepped back and glanced away, his fingers adroitly moving over the keypad of his phone to formulate a message for Shweta, informing her of their return to Delhi.

She sighed in relief when he created more than enough distance between the two of them, and she wasn't sure what he was even thinking and why he assumed such close propinquity was nothing unusual, for the air of nonchalance in his demeanor was disconcerting. She rubbed her palms against the skin on her arm to rid herself of the goosebumps arising all along. Clearing her throat, she tried to bring back some of the earlier normality. "I am so glad we are going home. I would've gone mad had we stayed so close to Bhangarh for even an hour more."