HIS NEED : ISHIKA The Story of Obsession and Revenge

CHAPTER 24 MR.BUSY

AUTHOR POV

The next day at work, Priti and Neha were relentless.

"Are you rushing out again today?" Neha asked with a knowing smile.

Ishika tried to appear joyful, but she could feel her cheeks warming. "Maybe," she replied, gathering her things.

"Ah, yes, off to meet 'Mr. Busy,'" Priti teased. "One of these days, Ishika, we're going to follow you and finally see this elusive boyfriend."

Ishika rolled her eyes, laughing it off, but the idea made her heart race. She could only imagine the chaos that would ensue if they found out the truth.

As she left the office, she felt a familiar flutter in her chest, the anticipation of seeing Arjun again filling her with excitement.

She made her way to their usual meeting spot, her heart pounding as she spotted him, in all black clothes .. like he own black,waiting for her.

He turned, catching her gaze, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Ishii," he murmured, opening his arms. She rushed into them, feeling the warmth of his embrace melt away the week's loneliness.

"I missed you," she whispered, clinging to him.

"Not as much as I missed you," he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They stood like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other, oblivious to the world around them.

........

Week passed and That weekend, Ishika invited Priti and Neha over for a girls' night, hoping to divert their attention from her secret life. But as they sat around, laughing and catching up, the topic inevitably returned to her mysterious boyfriend.

"I still don't understand why you're so secretive about him," Neha said, frowning. "It's like you're hiding him from us."

Ishika bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt. "It's complicated," she admitted. "It's not that I don't want you to meet him. It's just... there's a lot at stake."

Priti raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A lot at stake? What, like he's some kind of celebrity?"

Ishika forced a laugh, trying to keep her tone light. "Not exactly. But he's... he's got a high-profile career. And if people knew about us, it could cause problems for him."

Neha's expression softened, and she reached over to squeeze Ishika's hand. "We're just worried about you. You seem so happy, but you're also so guarded. We just want to make sure he's worth it."

Ishika's heart ached at their concern. "He is," she said softly. "He's worth everything. But please, just trust me. One day, I'll be able to tell you everything."

Priti and Neha exchanged a look, and after a moment, they both nodded. "We trust you," Neha said. "Just promise us you'll take care of yourself."

Ishika felt a rush of gratitude, and she smiled, reaching over to hug them both. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means the world to me."

.........

Fews days later..

AT HOME

The door clicked softly as Ishika stepped into the quiet of her home, the lingering scent of paint reaching her even before she took off her shoes.

She'd had a long day at the office, her mind buzzing with meetings and deadlines, but the moment she crossed the threshold, the outside world seemed to fade away.

A faint glow spilled into the hallway from the open door of Arjun's studio, pulling her attention.

Curious, Ishika set down her bag and walked quietly toward the light. She leaned against the doorframe, watching him.

Arjun stood there, brush in hand, entirely immersed in the canvas before him.

His brow furrowed in concentration, his fingers moving with an elegant precision that made each stroke feel like a whisper of his emotions. His gaze softened with each detail he painted, as if he were breathing life onto the canvas.

She couldn't help the small smile that touched her lips as she watched him. He looked so different in these moments—unburdened, almost vulnerable, his true self emerging in the rhythm of his brushstrokes.

Ishika felt her heart swell, the exhaustion from her day melting away as she watched the man she loved, lost in a world he had created.

Gently, she stepped forward, her footsteps silent until she stood just behind him. "Arjun..." she whispered softly, unable to hold back any longer.

Arjun's hand paused mid-stroke, and he turned, his face lighting up the moment he saw her. Setting the brush aside, he reached out, guiding her closer with a gentle tug. "You're back," he murmured, his voice warm with quiet happiness, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he pulled her hand to his chest.

His gaze was filled with a kind of peace that melted into an eager light. "Come see," he said, his eyes shining as he gestured to the canvas.

With her heart fluttering, Ishika moved to his side, her eyes widening as she took in the painting.

There she was, captured on the canvas, yet somehow even more alive.

Her lips parted in awe as she absorbed every detail—her smile, the way her eyes sparkled, as if he had painted her very soul onto the canvas.

"You painted... me," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Arjun's expression softened further as he stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder as they both gazed at the painting.

"Not just you," he murmured, his voice a gentle rumble against her ear.

"It's everything about you that makes me feel alive. Every glance, every smile... it's all here. I wanted to capture it, keep it with me forever.