𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐘𝐀

C H A P T E R - 12

Mayra

He took me by surprise. I never anticipated that question least of all from him. 

"No" I answered in confusion but he replies with a grin "Tab to tumhe khush rhena chahiye, itni chidhi kyu rheti ho?" (then you should be happy not sulking every time) he stares at his hollowed container.

"Mai chidhi nahi rheti" (I am not sulking on anyone) he angles his head to give me a look "You've changed" this time he doesn't questions but as if he finally noticed that missing piece in me.

I released a long sigh facing the pool "Have I?" he just hums and then taps his fingers on the bench rhythmically. Out of the blue he brings his phone out and turns on the camera. A snap echoed when I realized he took a photo of me. I didn't object though..

"You can tell me.. as you know I stay drunk ninety nine percent of the time. You're secret's safe with me" I wanted to laugh at that but the situation didn't suit well. My phone pings with a message and I glanced at it.

Before I could read the name or the text Adi snatched away my phone rounding the bench "Don't be so dull babe. Catch me" I hop off the bench to follow him while running around. I gaped at how fast he dashes.

"Come on now what's it for?" I try to seize my breath but he seems to be perfect, no hint of lacking oxygen.

"I know what happened" he stops running for god's sake and I clutch my stomach to relieve the ache. His words registered a second later "None excuses work to fill in the hole that a gone person leaves" I can feel the sparkle leaving his eyes.

For the first time I felt light and understood. He knows what this means because he's not speaking about some long lost girlfriend that broke his heart but his father.

I close in the distance between us and patted his shoulder "Changes happen and we accustom to it. I too understand you Adi" he briefly looks at me and it seems he's thankful too.

He flicks at my forehead "Ouch" I rubbed the spot but he just vanishes out of sight. 

"Live some more" I revolved around to find him jog out. Huffing out some air I too headed for the courtyard.

In the party area, I spotted mumma with Suvy maa, Anika bhabhi and some more ladies. I was looking for either Iti or Moksha but found none at sight. They must be busy clicking pictures.

I would've gone to fetch some cookies to kill the hunger gnawing at me if mumma hadn't called me. I made to run-walk towards them. "Yes mumma" she introduces me to her new friends from her kitty.

"Namastey" I bowed the slightest to greet everyone. One of them touches my hair "You have beautiful daughters Adrika" mumma smiles proudly while I just wanted my topic to be over so I can rush in.

Mumma was about to tell them something when her eyes narrowed on me "Where's your earring Mayra?" my hands automatically touched the lobes. I lost one of my earrings.

Gosh! I've made a habit of losing jewelries or what.

"I'll be back" I excused myself and mentally remembered the places I've wandered in past hour. First I lost dadi's anklet that she gave me on Iti's wedding. And now my gifted earrings. I can never be a responsible person.

I exited the courtyard when the hairs on the back of my neck perked, I can practically feel the goosebumps running from my head to the toe.

A solid frame stands behind me, up this close his breath fans my shoulder. I don't even have to turn around to know who evoked such sensations in me.

Instead of fighting I chose fleeing. I didn't stop and walked towards the pool area with swift steps. 

The pool was the last place I'd been. The earring must have fallen when I was running to catch Adi. I again felt his presence behind me, whyy is he following me????

"Kyu peecha kar rhe ho?" (Why are you following me?) I don't turn around completely just angled my head. "Bata du?" (Should I tell?) that smug face I want to smash so badly.

"Mai please bolungi tab bataoge?" (Are you waiting for me to say please?) his otherwise nonchalant face held a hint of mischief.

"Idea accha hai" (Great idea) he really drives my patient till the edge. "Get lost" I try to sound furious but comes out as pleading.

I act to look for my earring and he thankfully doesn't follows me further. 

"Your blouse.." the air trapped inside me and I suddenly felt unable to exhale "..the hook is open" he seemed to hesitate. The anger took the best of me.. was it the hunger or his presence alone that riles it, maybe both.

"Why should I believe you" he paused for a while then turns his gaze away. "Tumne pink color ka.. bra pehna hai" (You have a pink bra on) my complete body heated in a fragment of second. I hastily stood flat my back facing against the wall. I feel so embarrassed.

I hear him snort before he kills the distance between us standing in front of me. I'm not just embarrassed but also doomed because I cannot just walk back in there like this neither will I ask him for help.

I made to grab my phone from the pocket and there it goes my last attempt at getting any help. The pool area is so quite and distanced from the courtyard that no one would come any sooner.

I stole a glance at him but he was already intensely staring at my soul. "You have no option Ms. Prim and Proper" my chest heaves with great amount of air. 

His one arm leans on the wall next to my head and with a deadly slow motion he nears me "You know if you'll ask me I can actually help you" he whispers into me but his tone completely hints some type of condition.

I waited some good seconds internally begging any gods to help me and send someone to get me out of here.

I gritted my teeth before finally asserting "Kya chahiye" (What do you want?) his soft brown eyes doesn't matches his devilish personality.

"Stay still" I did. his tone sounded domineering and I could not resist to it.

He frees the hand from his pocket and brings it infront of my face. A color. Red one. He didn't forgot about the challenge just waited for the right moment.

He placed the hand to my forehead tracing it on every inch of my face and finally reaching the spot that meets the shoulder to my neck. He traces the bump of my throat as I gulped in. "Happy holi Mayra" I slowly lift my gaze only to find him glaring me back. With that much of hatred a person could likely be killed and then he suddenly backs off. The air comes rushing in and his absence causes me to feel sudden emptiness. 

I looked at him expecting any mock comments but nothing came, he kept walking backward and then peels off his golden scarf. "Take this" he throws it at me and walks away. 

I wrapped his scarf around my back and without waiting any second longer I run for the back door that opens in the kitchen. No one seemed to notice except for the maids working and servants coming in and out as I sneaked in and into my room. 

I was about to throw away his scarf when his scent caught my attention. Nevermind.

I made to enter the washroom when something flashes in my view. My lost earring was placed neatly on a corner table.