Destiny For Unlikely Vows

Chapter 16

After that incident, we both tried to keep things casual-at least, that's what I told myself. In reality, I was actively avoiding him. I'd sleep in late most mornings, waiting until I knew he'd left for work before getting up, and in the evenings, I'd make sure to go to bed early, well before he returned.

With his grandparents away in Jamshedpur to handle some family business matters, the house was quieter. I kept in touch with my own family, calling my sister and grandparents regularly, and spent most of my time working from home to catch up on tasks. My reporting manager had been supportive, allowing me to work from the company's head office in France, so tomorrow would be my last day here. His grandparents would return by evening, and then I'd be leaving India, grateful to finally escape this strange, tension-filled situation-and the shared room.

When evening arrived, Shanti Maasi called out that his grandparents had arrived. I quickly went to greet them, smoothing down my simple green saree as I hurried. They had become like family to me in such a short time, showing me genuine warmth. I ran to meet them, taking their blessings and giving them each a hug.

"My dear," his grandmother teased, "you're looking even more beautiful! See how she glows!"

I smiled, though only I knew how little I was "glowing." We chatted, the conversation was light and comforting. They were so welcoming that I didn't notice when time passed from 7 to 10 until, suddenly, the door opened around 10:00 pm. Agastya had come home early, looking visibly tired but still... handsome. I chided myself inwardly-why did I even care?

Trying to ignore his presence, I lowered my eyes and pretended to scroll through my phone. But his gaze felt intense, almost as if he were boring a hole right through me. When I looked up, our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed to be observing me with a strange mix of emotions, ones I couldn't quite read. He continued to stare, like he was seeing me for the first time. I quickly broke eye contact, focusing back on my phone.

"Riya," his grandmother called out, "help Agastya with his bag and guide him to the room." Her request caught me off guard. Didn't he know where his own room was? But of course, I couldn't refuse her. Obediently, I picked up his bag and headed towards the room with him trailing close behind. As soon as I set the bag down on the table, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist. In a swift movement, he guided me against the nearest wall, his presence overwhelming me. He leaned in, his voice a low whisper in my ear, "Are you avoiding me?"

I was startled, unsure how to respond. "I thought that's what you wanted," I said quietly, my voice reluctant. "Isn't this the arrangement? When we're around others, we play the part. When it's just us, we're nothing more than strangers."

He seemed taken aback, his grip tightening. "Don't tell me how to act," he growled softly. "I'll act however I want."

Then, to my surprise, he leaned in closer, inhaling deeply, almost as if he were taking in the scent of my hair. I barely had a moment to process what was happening before his lips pressed softly against my shoulder, then another, and then a bite-a gentle, almost playful nip that sent a shock through my body. And just as quickly, he soothed the spot with a slow, lingering lick, a move that made my stomach twist in unexpected ways.

Just then, a knock at the door jolted us both. "Agastya baba, Riya, your grandparents are calling for you," Shanti Maasi announced from the other side.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. He let go of me, and I slipped away, my heart racing, heading straight for the dining hall without looking back. After a few minutes, he joined us, taking a seat beside me. For the rest of dinner, he acted as if nothing had happened, participating in conversations about work and family with ease, while I sat quietly, forcing a polite smile and responding when needed. At one point, his grandmother turned to me, her warm eyes filled with curiosity.

"Riya, have you finished packing, dear?" she asked.

"Yes, Dadi, I'm all set," I replied with a reassuring smile.

After dinner, we both headed back to the room in silence. Exhausted, I set an early alarm for our morning flight, slipped into bed without another word, and fell asleep almost immediately, my mind too tired to dwell on the strange, conflicting emotions bubbling beneath the surface.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Hi, My Lovely Readers!
Thank you for reading this chapter of my story. Your support means the world to me as I begin my journey in the writing world. ❤️
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
•Did you enjoy this chapter?
•What do you think will happen next?
Please leave a comment, share your suggestions, and like this chapter if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to share the story with your friends to help it reach more readers!
Your feedback inspires me to keep writing and improving. Let's make this journey unforgettable together! 🌟