Layers of Us

Chapter 27: Stolen Moments at Kapoor Mansion

The early morning light filtered softly through the curtains of the spacious room in Kapoor Mansion, casting gentle golden rays on the sprawling wooden floor.

The house was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the morning bustle as the staff began their chores downstairs.

Ram lay next to her, propped up on one elbow. He had woken early, as usual, but instead of getting up to begin his day like he typically would, he found himself watching Tripura.

There was a peacefulness about her in this moment that he didn’t want to disturb. Her face was relaxed, her lips slightly parted, and there was an innocence in her expression that drew him in.

He had tried to keep his distance, to remind himself that this marriage was a pretense, something temporary. But the longer they spent together, the more he found himself drawn to her — her strength, her beauty, her wit.

It was impossible to ignore the way his heart reacted when she was close, even though he knew it was a dangerous feeling. He wasn’t ready to face it yet, but the pull was undeniable.

As if on cue, Tripura stirred from her sleep. Her lashes fluttered open slowly, and her gaze met his. There was no confusion, no hesitation, just a moment of quiet connection between them.

“Mr. Kapoor,” she mumbled, her voice still laced with sleep. “Are you going to watch me sleep all day?”

Ram chuckled softly, his lips curving into a playful smile. “I wasn’t planning on it, Mrs. Kapoor,” he teased, his voice low. “But now that you mention it, you do look quite peaceful. It’s hard not to admire you.”

Tripura blinked, a soft blush creeping up her neck. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Mr. Kapoor,” she said with a sly smile, but her heart fluttered at the genuine warmth in his eyes.

He leaned in just a little closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “What can I say, Mrs. Kapoor? When I wake up next to a beautiful woman, how can I not admire her?”

The air between them seemed to crackle, their proximity adding a different layer to their interactions. For a brief moment, Tripura found herself lost in his gaze, the teasing words fading into something else. But then she blinked, snapping herself back to reality.

“Careful, Mr. Kapoor,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “You may be digging yourself into trouble with all that charm.”

Ram’s smirk deepened. “If trouble looks this beautiful…” he trailed off, his voice lowering with a mischievous glint. “...then I’d dive right in.”

Tripura’s heart skipped a beat. Her breath caught in her throat for a second, and then, almost instinctively, she swatted his chest playfully. “Kuch bhi, Mr. Kapoor,” she muttered, trying to hide the warmth spreading through her.

Ram grinned at her reaction, clearly enjoying the effect he had on her. He took a moment before speaking again, his voice shifting to something more teasing. “You know, Mrs. Kapoor, you may think you’ve got me figured out, but trust me, you’ve only scratched the surface.”

Tripura rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh really? I’m so scared,” she said dryly, but there was no hiding the affection in her tone.

Before he could reply, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the familiar voice of Krishna maa, calling from the other side. “Ram, Tripura, breakfast is ready. Come down whenever you’re ready.”

Tripura quickly sat up, smoothing out her hair and adjusting her clothes. “I guess that’s our cue,” she said with a grin, though her cheeks still held a faint blush from their conversation. “And for the record, Mr. Kapoor, I’m still not convinced by your charm.”