Ishq Inteha

EK MULAKAT

A soft bell rang through the air, followed by an announcement: “Bhojan taiyaar hai .” The gentle chatter of the crowd quieted, and everyone began moving toward the dining area.

Since it was a traditional event, I sat down on a soft velvet mat. In front of me was a low table, beautifully carved with intricate designs, where royal cooks were carefully serving food.

The mouthwatering aroma of the dishes filled the air, making my stomach flutter with excitement. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the rich scent of dal baati churma fill my senses. The fragrance of ghee, spices, and roasted baatis was heavenly, wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

As I slowly opened my eyes, ready to take in the food before me, what I saw instead left me completely stunned.

My breath hitched, my heart skipped a beat, and my lips parted slightly in surprise.

He was there.

The man who had disturbed my peace with just that one look.

He stood tall, dressed in a golden kurta pajama that shimmered under the golden lights of the grand hall. His presence was commanding, almost impossible to ignore. His sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and the quiet power in his demeanor made it hard to look away.

Shivansh Rathore.

The name echoed in my mind like a secret I wasn’t supposed to remember. He didn’t just exist in the space; he owned it—every corner of it, every breath I took.

And now, here he was again, pulling me into a storm I wasn’t sure I could escape.

He sat down, his movements calm yet confident. As he settled on the velvet mat, his eyes glanced in my direction—brief, yet enough to send my heart racing.

I immediately lowered my gaze, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. My thoughts screamed at me, “Yuvika, why were you staring so much? Now he must think you’re so weird!”

The embarrassment curled inside me like a tight knot. My eyes wrinkled slightly as I cringed at myself, wishing I could disappear. Why wasn't I more careful

Unable to resist, I stole another glance. He was now talking to someone, his posture relaxed but poised. His golden kurta-pajama clung perfectly to his athletic frame, the fabric flowing over him like water. The intricate embroidery glimmered faintly in the soft lighting, making him look nothing less than angel.

I quickly looked down again, forcing myself to focus on the plate in front of me. The food looked delicious, but my mind was far from it. All I wanted was to shake off this overwhelming nervousness and avoid meeting his gaze again.

I slowly started eating, taking small bites and savoring the flavors. The dining hall was gradually emptying out as many people finished their meals and left. Maybe they’re fast eaters, or maybe I’m just too slow, I thought, feeling a little self-conscious.

As I continued eating, I couldn’t help but glance at him again. He was still sitting there, eating with the same steady pace. A sense of relief washed over me—I wasn’t the only one taking my time.

Suddenly, I saw him cough. His body jerked slightly, his hand going to his mouth as his eyes squeezed shut. My heart skipped a beat, worry flooding my mind. Maybe it’s the spices, I thought, and before I could even process it, my reflexes kicked in.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the glass of water in front of me, poured it quickly, and leaned toward him.

“Suniye...” I called softly, my voice trembling slightly.

His coughing subsided a little as he turned his face toward me, his light brown eyes meeting mine. Those eyes—sharp, piercing, and almost too mesmerizing—momentarily made  me speechless. I gulped, trying to steady my voice.