A Loan Of Five Rupees | Part 1 ✓

09 | how'd she ignore her desires now...?

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Video Attached: Twilight Mix of 'Isharon Isharon' by Abhay Jodhpurkar and Bhavya Pandit. Suits this chapter!

As she settled into his jeep, Samiksha exhaled a long, slow breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding since the moment he stood beside her, just inches apart. The closeness was almost overwhelming, charged with a tension she couldn't quite describe, leaving her feeling caught between anticipation and restraint.

The first time she saw him, she wanted to dismiss it as another illusion; she'd been plagued by those before. But when he spoke her name, rolling it off his tongue as if it belonged to him, the reality of his presence hit her full force.

Still reeling from the shock, she felt surrounded by him—his scent, a mix of raw masculinity, and a hint of vetiver cologne. It wasn't a fragrance she typically favored, but it reminded her of him, and somewhere along the line, she had started to like it. The smell of the jeep's leather only added to the sensory overload, etching this moment into her memory as something uniquely his.

Through the glass window, she watched his broad back framed in a crisp white shirt under a charcoal waistcoat, effortlessly commanding attention even from behind. He looked... perfect, almost too good to be real.

Deliciously handsome, he looks so good, Samiksha.

A bit of a fluster crept up her cheeks as she admired him, wondering why he seemed to be acting like her personal guard. Another part of her—the romantic, dreamy part—couldn't help but find his possessiveness endearing.

She watched him as he shuffled a bit, turning to reopen the gate for Alisha. But instead of unlocking it, she locked it instead. Amused, Samiksha couldn't help but grin as she watched Krishna scratch his brow in mild confusion—the same brow she suddenly, and inexplicably, wanted to kiss. Wait, what? Where had that thought come from? She mentally shook herself, surprised at the sudden rush of affection.

Krishna's brow furrowed slightly as he tapped on the glass, his expression full of silent questions. He had no idea what was going on inside the jeep, and Samiksha couldn't resist the slight amusement bubbling up inside her. She pulled down the window shield and jerked her thumb over her shoulder, pointing toward the other side, silently signaling Alisha to take the opposite seat.

"Why?" Alisha pouted like a petulant child, stomping her foot. Samiksha just shrugged casually, "First come, first serve!" she quipped, earning herself another glare from Alisha and an amused smile from Krishna. His smile, that perfect one with the single dimple on the right cheek—oh, how it tugged at her heartstrings.

Oh, my heart, she thought, feeling the flutters.

After a bit of a fuss, Alisha finally settled into her seat with a huff, grumbling, "Rules like a Queen!"

Samiksha, without missing a beat, calmly replied, "Of course," flexing her fingers in mock inspection, drawing laughter from Alisha. This was what she loved about her friends—they were her constants, her safe space, always caring in their unique ways.

"God's sake, can you two quit it already?" Xavier interjected with a helpless chuckle. "You both stop with your shit or he'll throw me out of my wedding!" he said in a pleading tone and closed the door at Alisha's side.

As they buckled in, Samiksha struggled with the jeep's seatbelt—a far cry from the familiar confines of her usual rides. She fiddled with it, shifting awkwardly in her seat, trying to make it fit. Just as she was about to give up, Krishna's large hands suddenly reached into her space, adjusting the belt with practiced ease. Her breath hitched as he moved closer, the proximity sending a thrill down her spine. She felt every nerve in her body come alive, tingling with an electrifying awareness of him.

His hands grazed her saree lightly, yet it felt like a touch that resonated far deeper. She leaned back, eyes hooded, watching him secure the belt as if it were the most intimate gesture in the world. He finished with a quick check, "Okay now?" His voice snapped her back, and she nodded, murmuring a soft "Hmm." Her mind was a whirl of emotions, and her heart beat wildly in her chest.

Why did he affect her so much? Why did just being near him feel like the most significant thing in the world?

Krishna started the jeep, the engine roaring to life with a growl that seemed to match his aura—strong, imposing, and unmistakably him. They drove through the bustling streets of Nagpur, leaving the quietude of Ajni behind. She stared out the window, taking in the familiar chaos- the endless rush of people, the ceaseless honking of horns, the typical disregard for traffic rules. It was the same city she'd known, yet everything felt different with him beside her.

As they passed a busy intersection, her eyes caught sight of a commotion—a group of people gathered around a young boy lying limp on the pavement. His bike was crumpled nearby, a clear hit-and-run. She instantly calculated the scene, assessing the boy's condition. Without a word, Krishna pulled over, cutting the engine and unbuckling his seatbelt. "This looks like a hit and run," he said to Xavier, nodding toward the scene. "I'll check it out."

Without hesitation, Samiksha followed him, crossing the street with quick, purposeful steps. She knelt beside the boy, her medical training kicking in. His pulse was faint, his breathing shallow—he needed immediate help. Krishna joined her, his expression serious. "Do you know CPR?" he asked, focused on the boy.

"Yes, I'm a doctor," she replied, feeling a surge of confidence. She placed her hands on the boy's chest, her movements precise and controlled. Krishna positioned himself to assist, offering breaths as she continued compressions.

After a tense few moments, the boy's pulse returned, weak but steady. Relief washed over her as the distant wail of an approaching ambulance grew louder. They stepped back, their job done, but the weight of what had just happened lingered. She turned to head back to the jeep, only to find Krishna staring at her, his gaze intense and unwavering. It was the same look he had given her years ago, filled with a quiet, unspoken admiration.

His beautiful onyx eyes met hers, and for a second, it felt like everything else faded away. It was just the two of them, suspended in a moment that felt both timeless and fleeting. She felt a familiar warmth bloom in her chest, that same old feeling she'd thought she'd buried long ago.

Silently, she climbed back into the jeep, her heart still racing. She waited for Krishna to join her, stealing glances at him as he approached. There was so much left unsaid, so many emotions tangled up between them. But for now, she was content to just be near him, letting the road ahead unfold in its own time.

How'd she ignore her desires now...?