Captured

Chapter 2

Arush eyed Matsyaa in disbelief and barked. "Is this what your mother told you?" He narrowed his eyes at her, holding up a finger. "Wait! She must've told you the terms and conditions of this wedding. Of course! You're not doing this out of charity. You look so eager to marry him. Definitely you know the benefits."

"If you don't tell me in two seconds what exactly you are trying to say, I'm going to kick your ass so hard that you'll wince everytime you sit." She threatened him in a calm manner and he frowned, "Why are you marrying Ranvijay?" 

"I had to get out of there. Why do you think I'm marrying him?" 

"I think you're being forced." 

Matsyaa raised her eyebrows at him, "I know that's not the original answer but if I say yes, I'm being forced. What will you do?" 

"I'll save you." He forced authenticity in his voice and she chuckled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course. That's what you're doing for a month. Doing exactly nothing to find me but it worked. I'm saved and standing here."

"Matsyaa, you are getting me…"

"Wrong? I know." She completed for him and faked a sad face, "I seem to get everyone wrong these days. You know what I feel? I feel I'm guessing you wrong because you are wrong." Her face hardened as she hissed, "I don't need your saving, Arush. I know what I'm doing," She glanced at her mother, "and why I'm doing." She turned to face Arush. "So, stop being a Messiah. No one of you is close to that." 

She swung the door shut at their faces and peeked out at Arush again, "And before saving me, save your own ass. I don't think you deserve this handsome face after what you've done here." 

She closed the door and paraded to her wardrobe to find the dress of the day. It might not have been exactly the kind of morning she was hoping but it was better than being draped in someone's masculine scent and tucked in his warm chest. She gazed down at her hands and found them empty. The gaps between her fingers were usually seen accommodating his large fingers and pulling her closer. It was strange that she was even missing it.  

The warmth. The embrace. The satin bedsheet.

And, him. 

***

Ranvijay watched the tiny bundle of new life cradled between his huge palms, making a squishy face and twisting his rosebud lips. His eyes were closed like a newborn puppy and Ranvijay snickered at his thought, holding the small head firmly before placing a kiss on his forehead. "Grow well, son." 

He snuggled the baby to his chest. The infant looked so peaceful that Ranvijay was afraid of disturbing him even with his breathing. The sudden protection for him didn't feel like past experience of burdened responsibility. It was his genuine care for a child whose father would always consider Ranvijay his enemy. 

"You need to keep breathing, Jay." Divya hushed in his ear, patting his back and he startled, whooshing out a sigh. He slanted his eyebrows at his aunt. "What choti ma! I could've dropped him."

"The way you're holding him. It's unlikely that you'll drop but yes, you can break him." She chuckled, shaking her head and taking the baby from his arms. "You're a grown man, capable of birthing many of your minions and still afraid of holding one. Janhavi di must be laughing at you." 

His lips curved up slightly and circled his thumb on the baby's soft cheek. "He is so adorable." His eyes matched hers in gratitude. "Thank you so much for letting me hold him. I didn't expect you'll inform me. It means so much to me." 

"Nonsense! How can I not inform you about him? You're his bade papa (eldest father), after all." Divya smiled at him and he chuckled, gazing at the baby. "Eldest uncle would've been fine."