ENIGMA

BOUNDARIES

Later that evening, they arrived at a high-end restaurant, a place known for its exclusivity and fine dining. The ambiance was intimate, with dim lighting, soft music, and the clinking of wine glasses creating a sophisticated backdrop. The maître d' greeted them warmly and escorted them to a private table, ensuring they had the best service.

As they sat across from each other, the earlier warmth lingered between them, making the atmosphere more relaxed than it had been all day.

"What would you like to eat?" Advik asked, his tone courteous as he handed her the menu.

Ruhani scanned the menu, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the array of choices. "I'm not sure... maybe something light?"

Advik nodded, signaling the waiter. "We'll start with the chef's special appetizers and then the grilled chicken for the main course."

Ruhani looked at him, surprised by his decisiveness. "You didn't have to order for me..."

Advik shrugged lightly, his eyes meeting hers. "I know what's good here. Trust me, you'll enjoy it."

"Ruhani," he began, his voice drawing her attention back to him. "I know things have been... intense between us. But I want you to know that I'm committed to making this work. You may not fully understand my methods, but I'm doing what I think is best for both of us."

Ruhani placed her glass down, her fingers nervously tracing the rim. "I just... I don't know what to think anymore. One moment you're kind, and the next..."

"I'm strict," Advik finished for her, his expression serious. "Yes, I am. Because I believe in discipline and order. But that doesn't mean I don't care. I do. More than you realize."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. She wanted to believe him, to see the man who had gently spoken to her mother, rather than the one who had been so harsh and controlling. But the two seemed so intertwined, she wasn't sure where one ended and the other began.

He turned back to her, his eyes softening just a little. "Are you sure there isn't anything else you'd like? I want you to enjoy this evening."

She hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. "No, it's okay," she replied, forcing a small smile. "What you've ordered sounds great."

Advik nodded approvingly, leaning back in his chair. The tension between them began to ease slightly as the atmosphere lightened. He started to engage her in a light conversation, asking her about her interests, her thoughts on the upcoming marriage, and what she envisioned for her future.

"So, Ruhani," Advik began, his tone more casual now, "tell me, what are your plans for after the marriage? Do you want to continue working or focus more on family life?"

Ruhani looked up, surprised by the question. "I haven't really thought about it in detail," she admitted. "I mean, I want to keep working, but I also want to make sure I'm there for my family. I guess I'd like to find a balance between both."

Advik nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving hers. "That's a sensible approach. It's important to have something of your own, but family should always come first. I'll support you in whatever you choose, as long as it aligns with our shared goals."

Ruhani felt a bit of the initial tension begin to fade. As the conversation continued, she found herself opening up a little more, discussing her hobbies, her friends, and her thoughts on life in general. Advik listened attentively, occasionally offering his own perspectives, which were often pragmatic and grounded.

After a while, the waiter returned with their appetizers. The food looked exquisite, and as they began to eat, Advik noticed that Ruhani seemed more relaxed. He decided to check in with her again.

"Are you sure there isn't anything else you'd like to try?" he asked, his voice gentle yet firm. "This evening is about you, too, Ruhani."

Ruhani hesitated, sensing the sincerity in his offer. She wasn't used to this kind of attention and didn't want to seem difficult, but there was something she had been curious about.

"Will you really let me order anything I want?" she asked cautiously, her voice soft.

Advik's lips curled into a slight smile as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a reassuring tone. "Yes, sweetheart. If there's something you want to eat, just tell me."

Feeling a bit more emboldened by his encouragement, Ruhani took a deep breath. "Well... I want to have tried beer before. Could I have one?"

The smile on Advik's face faded instantly, replaced by a stern expression. His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her request. The silence between them grew thick, and Ruhani immediately regretted asking.

"No," Advik said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You won't be having beer tonight, or any other night for that matter."

Ruhani's heart sank, but she tried to reason with him, her voice trembling slightly. "It's just that... the situation is really stressful, and I thought it might help me relax a bit more..."

Advik's gaze sharpened, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Is that how you deal with stress? By drinking? Do you think escaping reality is an acceptable solution?"

Ruhani faltered, unable to meet his piercing stare. "No, it's not like that... I just thought-"

"You thought wrong," Advik interrupted, his tone icy. "Let me make this clear: you will not use alcohol as a crutch to avoid facing your responsibilities. You're better than that, and I won't tolerate such behavior."

Ruhani nodded, her confidence shattered under his stern gaze. "mmmm...."

Ruhani's face fell, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Advik held up a hand, silencing her.

"Alcohol is not something I encourage, especially for you," he continued, his tone strict but not unkind. "There are certain conditions under which I might allow it-perhaps a glass of wine on special occasions-but beer is out of the question. Understand?"

Ruhani nodded meekly, her initial confidence now deflated. She knew better than to push further, especially when he took on that tone. The power dynamics were crystal clear, and she wasn't going to test them tonight.

To soften the moment, Advik signaled the waiter and ordered a non-alcoholic drink for her. "Bring her something refreshing-a virgin mojito," he instructed.

As the waiter left to fulfill the order, Advik turned back to Ruhani, his expression softening slightly. "You don't need beer to enjoy the evening. I'll make sure you have everything you need, but you'll have to trust me on this. I'm looking out for you."

Ruhani looked into his eyes and saw a mixture of sternness and care. While she didn't fully understand his reasoning, she could tell that his decision wasn't made lightly. There was something almost protective in his manner, though it was wrapped in an intimidating exterior.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Advik leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the way the conversation had gone. "Good. Now let's enjoy the rest of the evening, shall we?"

The virgin mojito arrived, and as Ruhani sipped it, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, Advik's control over her was overwhelming, but on the other, there was a part of her that was intrigued by it, drawn to the certainty he provided.