Lotus among the Roses

✨️✨️ I know you ✨️✨️

Taking a deep breath in, Kumud took two steps ahead while opening her mouth to thank Vyom and Devi Devsena for their unexpected yet much needed help when suddenly her legs shuffled together and she started to fall towards the ground. 

Vyom's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back towards him. She spun around, her free hand instinctively reaching for the small dagger hidden in her attire. However, as she prepared to strike, Vyom’s chuckle broke the tension, and he presented the dagger that had slipped from her grasp to her with a playful grin.

“ Searching for something, Miss ...... Kumud?,” Vyom said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He slowly helped her stand straight while whispering in her ears, “ Though I too wanted to be beated down by you, but I didn’t know you too were so eager to spar with me......though, I have to admit, I’m quite flattered by the attention....... ”

Kumud, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, quickly took the dagger from his hand and sheathed it. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Vyom waved off her apology with a dismissive hand. “Oh, no, no need to apologize Devi . I like a woman who can handle herself...... and keep me in check .... Keeps things interesting.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping further to a conspiratorial whisper. “But you really should be more careful where you drop these things....... I may just fall in love with you ... ”

Kumud’s eyes narrowed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “ It seems like my   'thanks' would not be needed anymore.” She said, eyeing him up and down with a disgusted expression.

Vyom, stilled for a second , then glanced at her with a curious look, his lips curling into a playful smile. " Devi Kumud is gracious...." he said, his tone teasing, "I wonder if you will kindly answer this humble one's query? "

Kumud tunned her eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Vyom leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, his gaze never leaving her. "Why you dislike that Abeera so much. I mean, I get that her acts are quite..... Well nauseous, but, to have such a visceral reaction at her mome presence, seems like she has offended you quite severely... "

Kumud stiffened slightly but kept her expression neutral. "True, Abeera's actions have caused a lot of pain and suffering, not to me....... but to someone else ... someone very very close to me... Isn't that reason enough?"

Vyom pushed off the wall and walked over to her, his steps deliberate and slow. "Yes, I can believe in these empty words of yours, but where's the fun in that?" he said, his voice low and flirtatious. "Besides, I can't help but be intrigued by you, Devi Kumud. You're like a puzzle I can't quite piece together...." his words, reflecting the thoughts his heart truely harboured.

Kumud met his gaze, her own eyes narrowing slightly. "And, you think, acting in such a lecherous way, will get you the answers you're looking for?"

Vyom chuckled, leaning in closer. "Well, it might...... Or it might just make me more entangled with you.... Either way, I'm willing to take the risk."

Kumud truely wanted to slap this shameless man might now but with much difficulty, kept her composure and spit out, " dastard ... "

Vyom grinned, clearly pleased with himself. " How sweet.... So, why don't we make a deal? You tell me the secret behind your hate towards that dancer- girl, and I'll stop pestering you with my questions......."

Kumud shook her head, her face devoid of emotions, while her cold voice sounded, " No thank you, Kotadhipati. I believe some things are better left unsaid....... especially to people like you... " her jibe completely directed at Vyom's dissolute actions.