Bound by Desire 18+

1.The Daily Dance

Vedanti hummed a cheerful tune as she entered the study, where Shivya sat engrossed in his work. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm hue over the room. With a bounce in her step, she approached him, eager to share the details of her day.

"Shivya, you won't believe what happened today!" Vedanti began, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She leaned on the edge of his desk, watching his face for a reaction.

"Hmm," Shivya replied without looking up from the documents spread before him.

Vedanti's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I met that old woman from the market, you know, the one who always has the freshest fruits. She gave me a recipe for the most delicious mango chutney. I'm thinking of making it for dinner tonight."

Another noncommittal "Hmm" was all she received in response. Shivya's eyes remained glued to his work, his pen scratching across the paper with steady precision.

Vedanti's brows furrowed in mild irritation. It was the same every day. She would pour her heart out, and he would respond with a disinterested hum. She could almost predict the next one—three seconds, maybe four.

"Shivya, are you even listening to me?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Hmm," came the reply, right on cue.

That was it. Vedanti had enough. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she reached over and plucked the pen from his hand, holding it just out of his reach. Shivya finally looked up, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Vedanti, give it back. I'm working," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

"Work, work, and nothing but work!" Vedanti mimicked, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Do you ever stop and think about anything else?"

Shivya sighed, clearly exasperated. "Vedanti, don't be childish. I need to finish this."

But Vedanti was on a mission now. She stepped back, waving the pen in front of him, a teasing smile on her lips. "What's the magic word?" she asked, enjoying the way his patience was wearing thin.

"Vedanti, don't test me," he warned, his voice low, but the slight twitch in his lips betrayed his amusement.

"Oh, I'm testing you?" she shot back, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe I just want a little attention from my husband. Is that too much to ask?"

He reached for the pen, but Vedanti quickly darted away, laughing as she did. "Catch me if you can!" she called out, her laughter echoing through the room.

Shivya rose from his chair, a look of determination on his face. "Vedanti, give it back," he said, his tone deceptively calm.

But instead of handing over the pen, Vedanti danced out of his reach again, her laughter growing louder. "You're so serious all the time, Shivya. Lighten up!"

She turned to face him, and that's when she saw it—the expression on his face. He was trying so hard to stay stern, but his lips were twitching, his eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter. It was a rare sight, and Vedanti couldn't help but burst into giggles.

Seeing her laughing so freely, Shivya couldn't hold back any longer. He let out a mock growl, "tumhen lagata hai ki ye mazedar hai, vedaanti? (You think this is funny, Vedanti?)"

Before she could react, he lunged at her, grabbing her around the waist. "ab maza dikhata hun! (Now I'll show you fun!)"

He started tickling her, his fingers mercilessly finding all her most sensitive spots. Vedanti shrieked, wriggling in his grasp as she tried to escape, but Shivya held her tight, his laughter joining hers.