CrossFire

"I hate you, Shourya."Jiya said it through clenched teeth, chin lifted, even with his hand wrapped tightly around her jaw.

Shourya tilted her face up, forcing her to look at him. His knuckles were bruised, a cut on his brow still bleeding, but the darkness in his eyes was far more dangerous than any wound.

"No," he said softly. "You hate that you still feel something."

Her nails dug into his wrist as she said "The day I feel nothing for you will be the happiest day of my life."

A slow smile touched his lips he said while tracing her jaw "Say it again I love hearing you lie sweetheart"

She shoved him back "You destroy everything. You take, you break, you burn and then stand there acting like you did nothing."

He stepped forward again.
"And yet," he murmured, "you're still here."

His words hit harder than a slap.

Jiya's breathing turned uneven. "I'm here because one day I'll watch you fall."

Shourya grabbed her wrist before she could move, pulling her so close their breaths collided.

"Then stay," he whispered. "Stand beside me until that day comes."

Her heart pounded with rage but still she smiled as she said "With pleasure."

His thumb brushed the frantic pulse at her wrist,

"You say you hate me," he said, voice low and cruel. "But your body still betrays you."

Jiya's eyes filled with fury. "Don't confuse hatred with fear."

He leaned closer, lips near her ear.
"Who said I was talking about fear?"

She went still.

Then slowly smiled-a dangerous smile.

"One day, Shourya," she whispered back, "I'll make you beg for mercy."

He looked amused.

"I don't want mercy from you, Jiya."
His grip tightened as he said
"I want war"

Then his face hardened, shadows filling every inch of him as he continued "but until then, you belong in the same darkness you created."

Her breath hitched "I created?"

A bitter laugh escaped him.

"You Shekhawats ruin" lives he said, voice sharp as glass, "and then ask innocent questions so beautifully."