Destructive Love (#1)

CHAPTER 35

|PRIYANKA|

"I like it when you smile and laugh," I said and turned sideways to look at him. "Anurag's lips tilted slightly. I knew he wanted to smile widely but was controlling himself."

"Come on, give me a bit more." I poked his arm. He chuckled and shook his head. He slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.

"You are ridiculous!" He exclaimed. I laughed softly and shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm happy to be ridiculous as long as you smile and laugh." I kissed his cheek and brushed my fingers lightly across the dark circles under his eyes. I sighed and gazed at him, concerned about the immense pressure he was placing on himself.

He shook his head and slowly pulled my hand from his face but held it firmly in his calloused hand. "I am fine Priyanka," he whispered kissing the back of my hand softly.

"Anurag I know how important this match is for you and it's not like any other matches you have played. But please be calm, you have done everything in your control. It's time to believe in yourself and the universe. I'm sure you will win the match and the spot in the Olympics will be yours." He sighed and shook his head.

"I know what you're saying makes sense, but I can't help thinking that something will go wrong, or worse, I will lose everything I've been working for since I was a kid," I sighed, closing my eyes briefly.

"You will not lose anything! Come on say it with me!" I whispered, he smiled softly and shook his head. I raised my brows waiting for him to repeat after me.

"I will not lose anything." He muttered and then rolled his eyes. I smiled satisfied with his response and patted his chest.

"See, was that so hard?" I asked. He shook his head, but his eyes still carried a slight fear.

"I know that wasn't much but I hope it helped you." He exhaled and kissed my forehead.

"It did help me." He whispered and rubbed my back. I smiled and kissed his fingers. A bandage was wrapped around his knuckles. I traced my thumb over it and frowned.

"I may have pounded the punching bag harshly this morning." I glared at him, he smiled and pinched my nose. I swatted his hand away.

"It will heal." He whispered, I nodded and he pulled me closer. My heart fluttered anew, and butterflies stirred in my stomach. This newfound intimacy with him was beautiful yet scary. I was scared that one day he would pull away. I brushed away the negative thoughts and decided to focus on the present.

I slowly turned my head to find that some residents were looking at us and whispering among themselves. Oh crap! I guess we had forgotten that we were surrounded by other people. I didn't care what people thought, that was the last thing on my mind.

"Umm, Anurag?" I whispered, he was still busy playing with my fingers. He hummed and looked at me through his lashes.

"People are looking at us," I whispered, he blinked his eyes for a second and then lifted his head. He frowned and then shrugged before going back to playing with my fingers.

"Does this not bother you?" I chuckled.

"It does annoy me but right now I have a lot going on in my mind so I don't care." He replied causally.