His heart twisted painfully. He cupped her cheek with his free hand, eyes wide with a flicker of panic.
"I'm so sorry," he rasped, his voice breaking. "Did I hurt you?"
Her lips curved into a faint, sorrowful smile that pierced him deeper than any...
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Author's POV:
"Grandma is calling," Tina announced, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"Now what trouble is this?"Ruhi muttered under her breath, her brows furrowing.
"I'll go look for Suman," Kartik offered, his tone firm. "You two handle the call. Try not to panic." Without waiting for a response, he walked off into the crowd.
Tina nodded reluctantly and answered the call, putting on her best calm voice. "Hello, Grandma!" she greeted me, trying to sound cheerful.
She wasted no time asking questions, her concern for her granddaughter evident in her tone. Tina did her best to reassure her, but her hesitations and faltering words were giving her away.
"W-we're fine. Don't worry," Tina stammered, glancing nervously at Ruhi, who gestured for her to stay composed.
But the old lady, being as sharp as ever, picked up on the slight hesitation in Tina's voice. The suspicion in her tone grew, her questions becoming more pointed. Tina felt the pressure rising as she scrambled for believable answers.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally seemed somewhat convinced, though a hint of doubt lingered in her tone. "Alright, take care of yourselves," she said before disconnecting the call, leaving Tina exhaling deeply with relief.
"She knows something is off," Tina murmured, her worry intensifying.
____________________
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Suman's POV:
His lips parted again, "Sleep-" but I pressed my palm over his mouth, refusing to let another word slip free. I knew what he was about to say, and I did not want it spoken. The defiance I held onto wavered beneath the weight of his unrelenting stare, his breath hot against my palm.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I pulled my hand away and gripped the hem of the oversized shirt I wore. Thought scattered, leaving only the raw pull of his dominance and the heat it ignited inside me. My mind turned hazy, lost in his aura as if he already owned every part of me. My vision blurred, my pulse raced, and I no longer knew what I truly wanted. All I knew was the irresistible draw of his presence. And I knew I would not fight it. I did not want to spoil this night.
