Give me that smile

To My Dearest(Part 7)

Aira spun around, her blank expression cracking for the first time that evening. Kai stood there, a forced smile plastered on his face that couldn't quite hide the lingering hurt in his eyes.

A jolt of something – concern? confusion? – sparked in Aira. Ignoring the shocked faces around her, she took a hesitant step towards him. "Are you okay?" she blurted out, her voice barely a whisper.

The surprise in the room was thick. Aira, who had been a statue moments ago, suddenly showed a flicker of life. Ahan shot a worried glance towards Dev and his family, whose faces were etched with confusion.

Dev, trying to regain control of the situation, reached out and placed a hand on Kai's shoulder, his voice dripping with false warmth. "Seems your sister-in-law missed you, Kai. Worried about those wounds. Go on, greet her properly." Ahan chimed in with a nervous laugh, the sound strained and uncomfortable. "Yeah, of course! They were practically inseparable back in college, haha!"

Aira barely heard him. "Sister-in-law?" she whispered to herself, the words echoing in her confused mind.

Ahan, sensing the tension, nudged Kai towards her. "Go on, Kai, greet her."

Kai, his eyes filled with a pain Aira couldn't decipher, opened his mouth to speak. "Hello, how have you been, my dea—" He stopped abruptly, his voice cracking.

Ahan, ever the smooth talker, jumped in to finish the sentence. "Yes, yes, sister-in-law!" A charged silence filled the room as Aira and Kai locked eyes. Their silent exchange spoke volumes, a world of unspoken questions and hidden emotions passing between them.

Dev, clearly uncomfortable with the intensity of the stare, tightened his grip on Aira's hand. "Just tired from the long journey," he said smoothly, pulling her away from Kai. He steered her towards his mother, who launched into a flurry of cheerful small talk.

Aira played along, offering polite smiles and one-word answers. Her attention, however, remained fixed on Kai. He stood across the room, deep in conversation with Ahan, but his gaze kept flickering back to her. Their conversation seemed serious, hushed tones laced with tension.

A cold dread settled in Aira's stomach. Where was she? Who were these people? A desperate question echoed in her mind: "Where am I stuck?" Exhaustion tortured at Aira. Stealing a glance at Ahan, she subtly conveyed her desire to escape the suffocating atmosphere. Dev, ever watchful, noticed her gesture and turned to her.

"Are you feeling tired, my love?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Aira could only nod, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of events.

Dev offered her his hand, a gesture she felt obligated to accept. His grip felt strangely possessive as he led her back to her chambers.

Reaching her door, he pulled her close, the sudden intimacy making her heart pound. "I missed you more than words can express," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Before Aira could react, he leaned in, closing the distance between them. His intention was clear (A kiss), but Aira wasn't ready. She instinctively recoiled, the movement throwing him off balance.

Dev seemed to register her discomfort, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. He recovered quickly, however, replacing his desire with a gentler affection. He brushed a kiss against her cheek.

"Don't worry, my red rose," he said softly. "I'll wait until you're comfortable. But remember, my patience has limits. Good night," he added, a hint of possessiveness returning to his voice. "See you tomorrow."

With that, he left, leaving Aira alone in the doorway. She closed the door behind her with a heavy sigh, collapsing onto the bed. Her heart hammered in her chest, a mix of fear, confusion, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite define swirling within her. This wasn't her life, these weren't her people. Aira desperately needed to escape this gilded cage, but how? And more importantly, where was Kai in all of this?