Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*YOU LOOK AWFULLY TENSED DAKSH*

***author's pov***

Payal's heart sank as she caught sight of Daksh's furious expression. Confusion washed over her. Why is he mad? she thought, feeling a pang of disappointment. I didn’t do anything wrong. Did he not like my dress?

She had chosen the outfit carefully, wanting to feel confident and attractive. Yet, Daksh's glare made her second-guess her decision. Maybe I should have worn something else, she pondered, her self-esteem wavering.

Maya, , couldn't resist the opportunity to taunt her. With a smirk, she leaned closer to Payal and whispered, “Looks like someone isn’t a fan of your new look. I mean, it’s not like you’re dressing up for him or anything, right?”

Payal felt her cheeks heat up, both from embarrassment and frustration. “Shut up, Maya,” she muttered, trying to brush off the comment. Deep down, she felt a mix of hurt and anger at Daksh for his reaction. She had always wanted to make him proud and hoped he would appreciate her effort to step outside her comfort zone.

Maya continued to tease, “Maybe he wants you to stay in your little bubble. You know how protective he gets. But honestly, you look great!, not at his level but it's ok . Really.. Just don’t let him ruin your day by by payal ." Maya taunted her and walked outside.

With a determined nod, Payal straightened her posture, refusing to let Daksh's anger affect her. I won’t let this ruin my confidence, she resolved. She wanted to have fun, regardless of how Daksh reacted. Still, the nagging feeling that something was off between them lingered in her mind as she moved to join the others.

Rayansh, noticing Payal's discomfort and the tension in the air, stepped forward and took her hand gently. “Come on, let’s not let Daksh ruin our day,” he said, offering her a reassuring smile. “You look amazing, and you deserve to have fun.”

Payal felt a wave of relief wash over her as Rayansh led her outside. His presence was comforting, and she appreciated his support in light of Daksh’s unsettling reaction. As they walked together, she tried to shake off the feelings of insecurity that Daksh’s gaze had ignited.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and a light breeze danced around them, lifting her spirits. She glanced at Rayansh, who was chatting animatedly about the plans for the day. His enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself smiling as he spoke.

“Are you ready for some adventure?” Rayansh asked, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “I heard there’s a new café in town that has the best desserts. What do you say we check it out?”

Payal nodded eagerly. “That sounds amazing! I could use a sweet treat right now,” she replied, grateful for the distraction.

As they made their way to the café, Payal couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude towards Rayansh for being there for her. Though her thoughts still lingered on Daksh’s reaction, she pushed them aside, determined to enjoy the day and the company of her friends.

Meanwhile, Daksh watched them from a distance, a mixture of frustration and concern brewing inside him as he saw Payal laugh and enjoy herself with Rayansh. The sight stirred something deep within him, and he realized that he couldn’t ignore his feelings for much longer.

Daksh’s expression was cold, his jaw clenched as he grabbed Maya’s arm without saying a word. The usual playful glint in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by a dark, intense look that sent a chill through Maya. She raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest, sensing the shift in his mood. His grip on her arm was firm, not harsh, but enough to let her know he wasn’t in the mood for games.

“Where are we going?” Maya finally asked, trying to match his pace as he strode forward with purpose.

“To the café,” Daksh said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. But beneath the calm exterior, there was a storm brewing. Seeing Payal with Rayansh had ignited something fierce within him—jealousy, possessiveness, maybe even anger at himself for caring this much.

Maya smirked to herself, understanding what was going on. She’d seen Daksh's possessiveness over Payal before, but today, it seemed amplified. “You really can't stand her being with someone else, can you?” she teased, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Daksh shot her a murderous look, his eyes dark and intense. “Shut up, Maya,” he warned, his tone sharp. Maya fell silent, sensing she had pushed him far enough. This was no longer a game for Daksh; his emotions were running deep, and the way he clenched his jaw told her that he was barely holding back his frustration.

As they reached the café, Daksh’s eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Payal and Rayansh, sitting by the window, laughing together. His gaze darkened further, and without a second thought, he walked straight toward them, Maya following behind with a knowing smirk. She had a feeling things were about to get very interesting.

Daksh stopped just a few feet from their table, his presence impossible to ignore. Payal looked up, her smile fading as she saw the look in his eyes—cold, controlled, and yet burning with something unspoken. Rayansh noticed it too, tensing slightly, but trying to keep things light.

“Hey, Daksh,” Rayansh greeted him, his voice friendly but cautious. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Daksh didn’t respond to Rayansh immediately. His eyes were fixed on Payal, who looked back at him, unsure of what to say or do. The tension between them was palpable.

Payal felt her heart sink as Daksh’s icy gaze bore into her. She quickly averted her eyes, focusing on her drink as she took a slow sip, trying to ignore the rising tension. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—was he really upset with her for wearing the dress? Did he not appreciate her efforts to look good?

Daksh rolled his eyes, trying to dismiss the flood of emotions coursing through him. He didn't want to appear vulnerable, especially in front of Rayansh and the others. He took a seat next to Maya, pulling her onto his lap, adopting a relaxed demeanor as if nothing bothered him. “What’s up?” he asked casually, though his eyes still flickered to Payal, who remained downcast.

Maya raised an eyebrow at his behavior. She could sense the internal conflict within him. “You’re looking awfully tense, Daksh. Something bothering you?” she teased, but there was a hint of concern in her voice.

“Just the usual,” he replied, forcing a nonchalant shrug, but his gaze remained fixed on Payal. He couldn’t let his jealousy show, not in front of Rayansh, who seemed too interested in Payal for Daksh's comfort.

Rayansh, picking up on the vibe, tried to lighten the mood. “We were just discussing the new dessert menu here! Payal, you have to try the chocolate lava cake; it’s to die for!”

Payal managed a small smile at Rayansh’s enthusiasm but didn’t lift her gaze. The last thing she wanted was to draw Daksh’s ire further.

Daksh couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation as he watched Rayansh lean closer to Payal, engaging her in conversation. Why does it always have to be like this? he thought, fighting to keep his jealousy in check.

He leaned back, trying to maintain his playboy façade, but inside, he was seething. He had to remind himself that showing jealousy would only weaken his image as the carefree, charming guy he always portrayed. But the more he watched Payal laugh with Rayansh, the more that façade crumbled.