CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 21 : A Little Closer

HAPPY READING

Vihanna prepared for her big day at the office, her excitement palpable as she adorned herself in a sleek pant suit. As she meticulously combed her hair, Aadhyant emerged from the closet, dressed in his blazer, and stood behind her, adjusting his tie in the mirror.

Catching her reflection alongside his, he inquired, "Should I drop you today? It's your first day."

Confusion clouded her expression as she met his gaze through the mirror. "I know we're married, but I still remember every road in this city. I can manage on my own. You don't have to follow me everywhere. People might start saying their 'kunwar sa' has turned into a 'joru ka ghulaam'," she quipped, her tone laced with mock. "I'm not a 'joru ka ghulam,' and I was asking for safety reasons," he retorted, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Fine by me. Go with the driver."

"I don't want your driver or your car. I can take a cab, like I used to before marriage," she countered, her resolve unwavering.

Frustration etched across his features, he continued to fasten his watch with a determined air. "Either you're taking the driver with you, or you're not going anywhere at all. Period," he declared, his voice carrying a finality that brooked no argument.

Stunned by his ultimatum, she turned to face him, incredulity flickering in her eyes. "Who does he think he is to order me like that?" she thought, her mind reeling with indignation. Yet, he didn't spare her a single glance as he gathered his belongings and exited the room, his resolve unyielding.

Left alone, she vented her frustration with an emphatic stomp of her feet, her annoyance palpable in the empty room.

In the bustling office, preparations for the upcoming workshop were in full swing. Vihanna and her team worked tirelessly, gearing up for the event they planned to host in a nearby village. Their aim to spend the weekend empowering and educating the women of the community.

As the day wore on, absorbed in their tasks, Vihanna lost all sense of time. It wasn't until she glanced at her watch that she realized it was already 10 o'clock at night. Hastily gathering her belongings, she silently thanked Aadhyant for insisting she take the car. Finding a cab at this late hour would have been a daunting task otherwise.

She arrived home to find the house shrouded in silence, everyone already lost in slumber. With quiet steps, she ascended the stairs to her room. Upon gently pushing the door open, she was met with the sight of Aadhyant, fast asleep in a sitting position on the bed. A pang of uncertainty fluttered in her chest as she pondered whether he had been waiting for her.

Careful not to disturb him, she silently set her bag down and made her way to the closet to change her clothes. As she began to rummage through her wardrobe, the soft creak of the closet door roused Aadhyant from his slumber.

In his groggy state, he mumbled, "When did you come?"

"Just now," she whispered in response.

His voice still heavy with sleep, he inquired, "Did you have dinner?"

"Yes, I had it at the office," she replied softly.

She grabbed a pillow from the bed and made her way towards the couch, intending to sleep there. Observing her actions, Aadhyant couldn't help but question, "What are you doing?"

"I'll take the couch tonight. When I came in, you were sleeping in a sitting position. Your back must be hurting. Take the bed," she explained with concern.

Dismissing her suggestion, he rose from the bed and approached her by the couch. "No, I'm fine with the couch. You look exhausted from working all day. You won't be comfortable here. Go to bed," he insisted.

His stubbornness grated on her nerves, and she couldn't help but express her frustration. "Aadhyant, you know we don't always have to argue. Sometimes you should listen to me as well," she retorted.

In response, he argued back, "Exactly. I don't want us to fight in the middle of the night. So stop being difficult and go to bed."

She lay down on the couch, frustration evident in her posture as she covered her face with the blanket, determined to ignore him. Aadhyant's patience wearing thin, he uttered in exasperation, "Vihanna, don't be stubborn, or else..."

Her defiance unwavering, she angrily yanked the blanket away from her face, her eyebrows raised challengingly as she demanded, "Or else?"

Without hesitation, he smoothly removed the blanket from her and scooped her up into his arms, holding her in a bridal style. Startled by his sudden action, she clutched onto his T-shirt tightly, her eyes squeezed shut in fear of falling.

With careful steps, he carried her to the bed, her grip on his T-shirt firm. As he gently laid her down, he couldn't help but chuckle at her fearful expression. The tension between them thickened as they exchanged silent glances in the dimly lit room.

Slowly, she opened her eyes to find herself met with his intense gaze, his deep black eyes seeming to penetrate her very soul. One of his hands cradled her head, while the other lightly skimmed the exposed skin at her waist, where her T-shirt had ridden up slightly. Her own hands remained firmly clasped around his T-shirt collar.

With their faces mere inches apart, the tension between them palpable, Aadhyant's gaze locked onto her deep brown eyes. In a soft whisper, he murmured, "Your eyes are beautiful," his breath mingling with hers in the quiet room.

His hand, which had been under her head, now moved to trace the outline of her lower lip with his thumb. The gentle brush of his touch against her plump, pink lips sent a shiver down her spine. He had longed to taste those lips, to savor their sweetness. As he contemplated dipping his head further, the desire to indulge in her fully consumed his thoughts.

She stared at him, her gaze fixed until the realization of his words and their current position hit her. Forget butterflies; she felt an entire zoo dancing in her stomach. Heat surged through her body from the proximity they shared, his grip on her waist feeling almost possessive, as if he never intended to let her go. Avoiding his eyes, she gently released his shirt and attempted to wiggle out of his grasp, a subtle movement to break the intensity.

This action brought Aadhyant back to reality. Withdrawing himself, he stood up abruptly from the bed, creating a sudden rift in the charged atmosphere. The air thickened with awkwardness, neither knowing what to say after sharing such a moment. He turned on his heels, retreating to the couch and laid down. She reached to switch off the lights, enveloping herself in the comforting darkness of the room, pulling the duvet over her. Despite the quietness, their hearts drummed rapidly, echoing the tension of their shared moment. Lost in their thoughts, both eventually drifted into the embrace of sleep.

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