Deal or चाह ?

13. Nomination

Don't forget to leave your thoughts about this chapter in the comments below. Until then, stay happy and see you all soon next wednesday with a new chapter of our shared favorite book,

The next chapter of  'Deal or चाह ?' will be released next Friday.

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The sun had barely begun its ascent, painting the sky with streaks of soft pinks and oranges, as Swati stirred awake. Her eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the gentle light filtering through the curtains. The first thing she did, almost instinctively, was reach for her phone. Her thumb scrolled through the notifications, and her heart sank as headlines flashed across the screen. Social media was ablaze with scandalous news, and Mr. Malhotra's name was at the center of it all.

Swati let out a deep sigh, her fingers trembling slightly as she locked her phone and placed it aside. She leaned back against the pillows, her thoughts a whirlpool of the events from the past few months. Betrayals, heartbreaks, and professional setbacks had weighed her down, but today she resolved to take the first step toward reclaiming her life. She couldn't let Keeya and Nakul's betrayal define her. No, she needed to show them who they had underestimated.

Pushing the covers aside, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Her steps were deliberate, almost ceremonious, as she made her way to the bathroom. She opened the door and stepped inside, only to freeze in her tracks. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest as her eyes landed on Agastya, completely naked under the running shower.

A gasp escaped her lips, and she quickly turned around, pressing her hands against her face in a futile attempt to erase the image from her mind. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she cursed her poor timing.

'Aghh! Tujhe woh jab shower leta hota hai tab hi aana zaruri hai kya?'

Swati bit her lip, her feet rooted to the spot. Without a word, she decided to make a quiet exit, but before she could take a step, she felt his presence behind her. In an instant, her back was pressed against the cold surface of the bathroom door, and her breath hitched as Agastya's wet, muscular chest brushed against her.

"Where do you think you're going, wifey?" 

his voice was low and teasing, sending a shiver down her spine.

"T-To the room," 

she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Shy?"

 he asked, his warm breath tickling her ear.

Swati took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She nodded slowly, realizing that shyness wasn't the real issue. It was the vulnerability she felt—a feeling she had been running from for months. Agastya was her husband now, and despite the complexities of their relationship, he was her sole emotional anchor. After Pallavi, he was the only one who had consistently stood by her. It was time to stop hiding, to give their relationship an honest chance.

Agastya chuckled softly, the sound resonating near her ear. The deep timbre of his voice made her knees weak, and she bit her lip to suppress the involuntary reaction. His hand slid from her waist under her pajama shirt, his touch gentle yet deliberate. He traced her stomach, her sides, and finally the outline of her breast, his fingers leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.

"Pack your bag,"

 he whispered, his tone commanding yet affectionate.

Swati's eyes widened, her mind spiraling into panic. The thought of being abandoned again sent a wave of fear crashing over her. She turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting his as she tried to mask her vulnerability.