Forbidden Mania | 18+

3.

Please Vote before reading.

𝒜𝓇𝓈𝒽'𝓈 𝒫𝑜𝓋~

I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, the guilt gnawing away at me. Mishka deserved better. It was her birthday tomorrow, and I wasn't even going to be there. My mother had, once again, pulled the strings, effortlessly controlling my life like a master puppeteer.

But this time, I wasn't going to let her win entirely.

I grabbed my phone, glancing at the time. It was almost midnight. A crazy idea started brewing in my mind.

Midnight...

That was the perfect time to show up at Mishka's place. The thought of her surprised face, her eyes lighting up as I knocked on her door at 12:01, was enough to get me out of bed.

If I couldn't spend the day with her, I could at least be the first to wish her on her birthday. A midnight surprise might just make up for the disappointment I'd caused earlier. I could show up at her place right at midnight.

The excitement surged through me, making me sit up. I could still make it special.

Hell, maybe even more special by showing up at her door with flowers, a dress, and a ridiculous grin.

I jumped up, adrenaline pumping through my veins as the plan formed in my head. I quickly rummaged through my closet and found a Saree I bought for her last week. It was a deep red, something I knew she would look stunning in.

I grabbed a bouquet of fresh roses from the vase on my desk. They weren't the ones I had planned for her, but they'd have to do.

Sneaking out of the Malhotra mansion, however, wasn't going to be easy. My family had a security system that would rival Fort Knox, and the watch guards were loyal to my mother, not me.

But if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was getting my way.

I pulled on a jacket, grabbed my keys, and headed downstairs. The house was eerily quiet, everyone already asleep, which worked to my advantage.

I headed downstairs as quietly as possible. But of course, the moment I stepped out of my room, I was greeted by none other than Mr. Patel, the ever-vigilant guard stationed near the front entrance.

"Arsh baba, where are you off to this late?" He asked, eyes squinting suspiciously.

Think fast, Arsh.

"I, uh... I need to check on something. You know, important business." I said, trying to sound official.

"At midnight?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." I said, leaning in conspiratorially.

"Midnight is the perfect time for business, no distractions, you see?"

Patel didn't seem convinced. He crossed his arms and blocked my path.

"Okay, okay." I sighed.

"I'll level with you. It's Mishka's birthday. If you let me out, I'll slip you a nice little bonus, and I'll pretend you never saw me. Sound good?"

Patel's eyes lit up at the mention of money. He looked left and right, then back at me.

"Make it a good one, baba." he whispered.

I fished out a wad of cash from my wallet and handed it to him. He grinned, unlocking the gate as if we were partners in crime.

"You didn't see me, Mr. Patel."