Devil's Bride

First time in the Mall

The bright lights of the mall reflected in Maya’s wide eyes as she stepped through the automatic doors. She clutched Keerthi’s arm tightly, her excitement bubbling over with each step.

“Wow,” Maya breathed, turning her head in every direction to take it all in. “It’s so big! Do people actually come here every day?”

Keerthi chuckled, amused by her friend’s wonder. “Yes, Maya, it’s just a mall. Relax! You’ll get used to it. It’s not a temple!”

Maya tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled. “But it’s so clean and shiny! It almost feels holy!”

As they moved further into the mall, Maya stopped at nearly every store, her fascination apparent. At a cosmetics counter, she picked up a lipstick, staring at it like it was a magical artifact.

“What is this?” she asked, turning it in her hand.

Keerthi bit back a laugh. “Lipstick, Maya. Haven’t you seen one before?”

“I’ve seen it in magazines,” Maya replied earnestly, “but it looks different in real life. And so many colors! Who needs all this?”

Keerthi dragged her away gently. “If I let you stay here, you’ll be here all day. Come on, we’ve got more to see!”

Maya’s excitement didn’t dim. She marveled at escalators, almost losing her balance when she first stepped onto one, much to Keerthi’s amusement. She pointed at mannequins, wondering aloud why they had such serious faces.

Meanwhile, Ayaan was on his way. His phone buzzed with a message from one of his discreet agents, informing him of Maya’s presence at the mall. He had set this network up for her safety, telling himself it was simply a precaution. But deep down, he knew it was because he couldn’t keep himself away from her entirely.

Seated in his sleek car, Ayaan loosened his tie, a rare smirk tugging at his lips. The idea of seeing her again after days of silent longing filled him with a mixture of anticipation and tension.

As the car pulled into the mall parking lot, Ayaan’s driver opened the door for him. His imposing figure and sharp suit made heads turn as he stepped inside. But his eyes were only searching for one person.

At a toy store, Maya couldn’t resist picking up a fluffy teddy bear. She pressed its paw, and it let out a squeaky “I love you.” She burst into laughter, her voice ringing like a melody through the busy corridor.

Keerthi raised an eyebrow. “Maya, you’re buying that?”

“No!” Maya exclaimed, putting it back reluctantly. “But isn’t it adorable? Imagine giving this to someone!”

Keerthi teased her. “Someone like...?”

Maya flushed, shaking her head. “No one! Let’s go!”

Ayaan spotted her just as she walked out of the toy store. She was radiant, her innocence glowing as brightly as her smile. He paused, taking a moment to drink in the sight of her—her simple salwar, her long braid swaying with each step, and her expressions so unguarded and genuine.

His heart clenched. This was the Maya he had fallen for—untouched by the pretensions of the world he inhabited.

She didn’t see him at first, but Keerthi noticed the tall, striking man standing not far from them. Her eyes widened as she nudged Maya.

“Maya... That man over there... He’s staring at you.”

Maya turned, and their eyes met. For a second, the world around them seemed to blur, the bustling mall fading into the background.