Twisted Devotion

Chapter-14

Sorry for the long w8 but I was just so demotivated that I couldn't write.
Anyway this chapter is very very long so, be prepared with ur snacks before reading it.

Q] List all the nicknames Amrit has given Vaishnavi till now...

[ also I hv made some major changes in the last chapter, do read it before continuing, thnx ]

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Her POV:

*"Oh, I intend to."*
His reply still lingered in my mind, a quiet dare echoing between us. I could feel his gaze on me, dark and unyielding, from across the circle where we now sat. A harmless game, they'd called it. But with him here, nothing was harmless.

"Let's play something!" his mother suggested cheerfully, oblivious to the charged air around us.

"Damsharas?" Vaidehi offered with a smile, glancing around.

"Or we can play 'Pass in the Pass'," Vihaan suggested, his eyes lighting up at the idea.

"Haan, pass in the pass khelte hain!" Rohan chimed in, nudging Rooh, who nodded excitedly.

Everyone seemed to agree, and soon we were seated in a circle. "Jo bhi out ho gaya usko kuch karke dikhana hoga,"Aditya declared, grinning mischievously. Rooh clapped her hands, her eyes twinkling as she approved of the rule.

The game began, and I felt his eyes on me, like a weight that held me in place, daring me to look up, to react. I kept my face blank, even as my heartbeat betrayed me.

Vihaan played the song, his fingers tapping the rhythm out as the cushion was passed around. It was almost innocent-almost. But every time the cushion moved from one person to the next, the anticipation in the room seemed to grow.

Finally, Rooh was the first to be caught without the cushion as the music stopped. She laughed, her cheeks pink as everyone cheered for her. She was tasked with imitating one of her favorite actors, and she threw herself into it, drawing laughter from everyone. I couldn't help but admire how naturally she fit in, as though she'd been a part of this family forever.

But just as I got lost in the ease and warmth around her, my gaze slipped back to him. He hadn't laughed like the others. His eyes were fixed on me, watching my every move with a dark intensity. I felt exposed under that gaze, as though he could see every thought I was trying so hard to bury.

The music started again, and the cushion continued its journey around the circle. My heart pounded as it came closer, but I managed to pass it on just in time. The game carried on, each round adding a new layer of tension between us.

Then, as the song came to a halt once more, the cushion landed in his hands.

A wicked smirk spread across his face, one that made my stomach twist. "Looks like it's my turn," he drawled. I swallowed hard, bracing myself as everyone began suggesting his dare.
"Kuch romantic karke dikhao, bhaiya!" Vaidehi teased, her laughter infectious, stirring a round of chuckles from everyone around. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, trying to mask it with an indifferent look, but his gaze was already on me.

"Nahi, nahi beta," his father chimed in, the mischief in his eyes unmistakable.

"Tu bas itna bata de ki teri shirt pe yeh gulabi rang kiska hain?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the faint, rosy smudge on his son's collar.

"Aapki bahu ka, Dad," he answered, his voice smooth, but his eyes locked on mine with a dark intensity that left my heart racing.

"Bahu nahi, bhaiya-hone wali bahu," Vihaan corrected, grinning as he nudged his brother.

"Acha, ab bas. Continue the game now," Aunty chimed in, her laughter lightening the charged atmosphere. The tension broke momentarily, but the spark between us still flickered, simmering just beneath the surface.

The game continued, the music restarting, and the cushion made its way around the circle once again. Rohan, full of energy, was next to be caught off guard when the music stopped. He groaned good-naturedly, knowing exactly what was coming.

"Alright, Rohan! Time for your task!" someone declared, and the room erupted in playful cheers.

He rolled his eyes but accepted his fate, laughing as he stood up. "What's the dare?" he asked, already bracing himself for the inevitable embarrassment.

"Dance on 'Sheila ki Jawani' with Vadehi's dupatta!" Vihaan exclaimed, holding out a colorful chunni with a wicked grin.

Rohan hesitated for a second, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson, but then he shrugged and grabbed the dupatta. The laughter grew louder as he struck a pose.He twirled and swayed, the dupatta flaring out behind him, transforming him into an unwilling entertainer. I couldn't help but join in the laughter, the infectious joy around us easing the heaviness that had clung to me since the day began.

As the song reached its peak, Rohan executed a particularly over-the-top spin, nearly tripping over his own feet. The room was filled with a warmth that felt both inviting and exhilarating.

Then, the cushion found its way to me, and the music faded. All eyes turned in my direction, the laughter subsided as they anticipated my turn, excitement buzzing in the air.

"Braid bhaiya's hair, di! He never lets us touch it!" Rohan exclaimed, pointing at his brother, who stood a few feet away, his expression shifting from playful to wary.

Vaidehi joined in, giggling. "Even sometimes ma doesn't touch it! You have to do it!" She was practically bouncing with enthusiasm, eyes sparkling at the thought of the challenge.

I looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction. His expression was a mix of amusement and reluctance, but there was a glint of something else in his eyes-perhaps a challenge, or maybe a hint of curiosity.

"Come on, bhaiya! It'll be fun!" Rohan coaxed, grinning widely. "Just this once! It's for the game!"

There was a moment of silence as he considered it, his posture tense but amused. Finally, he sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, but only if it's quick," he relented, shooting me a look that felt like a silent dare.

The group erupted into cheers, the atmosphere electric with excitement. I smirked, relishing the moment. "Alright, then! Let's see what we can do with that glorious mane of yours!"

As I approached him, I could feel the tension in the air shift once more. The playful camaraderie around us faded as I stood close, taking in the deep color of his hair, the way it framed his face.

I picked up a section of his hair, trying to suppress the nervous energy coursing through me. "Hold still!" I instructed, and he raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but compliant.

"Just remember, this is a temporary look," he teased, a hint of cockiness lacing his words.

I rolled my eyes, focusing on the task at hand. I began to braid his hair, weaving the strands together with careful precision.

"Don't roll your eyes, amore. You see only I have the right to give you such privilege.", he whispered near my neck.
In response to which the baby hairs on my neck stood up and my ears burned from the heat. I became hyper-aware of how close we were, the murmurs of laughter fading into the background.

"Not bad, right?" I said, trying to sound casual, though the tension between us felt palpable.

"Let's see if it holds up," he replied, a hint of challenge in his tone.

The laughter resumed as I tied off the braid, and I stepped back to admire my handiwork. "There! A work of art!" I declared, a mix of triumph and relief flooding through me.

The others erupted into applause and laughter, Rohan shaking his head in disbelief. "Who knew you had such hidden talents, di?"

I stepped back, savoring the victory, but as I looked back at him, I found his eyes still locked on me.