Dhruv's POV

I stood still, trying to recover from the shock of her action. Looks like she found a new kiss-and-run strategy to get away from my pestering. And it worked wonders, as it left me feeling like a spell was cast on me.

I followed her out, not ready to let her have the last word. She was at the end of the corridor, her hair swaying, her leather jacket fitting her too perfectly for my peace of mind.

I caught up with her in two strides, slipping an arm around her waist before she could escape again.

"You can't distract me with a kiss when you don't want to answer something, baby." I whispered in her ear.

She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Why not? It worked, didn't it?"

I leaned in closer, brushing my lips against her lips. "This time, maybe. Next time, you'll need more than a kiss to get away."

She shivered and tried to move away. But I held her more tightly, refusing to let her go.

"Let me go. Dhruv."

"No. You realize how hot you look in that jacket. It is making me go insane."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "So what's the plan, Raja sa? Lock me in our room until I say the magical words properly?"

The thought was tempting. Too tempting.

Instead, I leaned back with a grin. "Don't tempt me, baby. I might just do it." She looked at me with wide eyes. She looked so cute. Her wide eyes softened into a mixture of disbelief and amusement, and I swear my heart skipped a beat.

"You're impossible." she muttered, trying again to wriggle free, but her attempt was half-hearted, her lips already curling into a smile.

Her smile tugged something deep inside me, and before I could stop myself, I kissed her cheek, slow and long.

"And yet," I murmured, brushing my thumb across her cheek, "you still haven't said it."

She gave me a mock glare, cheeks flushing the prettiest shade of pink. "You're not going to stop, are you?"

"Not until you give me what I want," I said shamelessly, tightening my hold. "Say it once, baby. Just once. You don't know what it will do to me."

Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "What if I don't?"

"Then," I lowered my voice, pressing my forehead to hers, "I'll just keep you here. Trapped in my arms. Forever."

She laughed softly, but it wasn't her usual teasing laugh; it was gentler, like she was giving in. Her hands lifted, fingers brushing against my collar, almost unconsciously tugging me closer.

"Forever sounds exhausting, Raja sa." she whispered. Exhausting or not, baby... you're stuck with me. Forever.

"Not if it's with you," I replied instantly, my voice softer than ever.

For a heartbeat, time stilled around me. Her eyes... God, those eyes. They weren't teasing me, weren't testing me like she always did. There was something else flickering there, something that burned straight through me and settled deep in my chest. Surrender. Devotion. A quiet kind of acceptance I had been craving without even realizing how much.

It hit me harder than any words could.

She didn't have to say 'I love you' right now. I could see it, feel it, in the way her fingers clutched at my collar like I was the only anchor she trusted. In the way her laughter had softened into something vulnerable, unguarded. In the way her breath mingled with mine, it was like she wasn't just my wife, but she belonged here, with me.

And now, I wasn't desperate for the words. No, not yet. Because this... this was better. This was raw. Real. Her soul brushing against mine without the shield of pride or caution.

My chest tightened, almost painfully. God, I'm ruined. Absolutely ruined for this woman.

I always thought all I wanted was just her little acceptance and love. But how wrong was I? Watching her lower her walls, even if just for a second, I realized what I truly wanted was bigger. I didn't just want her love—I wanted all of her. Not just her trust, her acceptance, and her love, but her absolute surrender.

And one day... one day, she'll give me everything. Not because I asked, not because I begged, but because she'd want to. Because she'd be as helplessly, completely consumed by me as I am by her.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear, my thumb grazing her cheek. "Forever." I whispered again, more to myself than to her. A promise. A vow.

"I'll make you say it one day," I murmured, brushing my lips over hers, barely a kiss, just a promise. "Not because I force it... but because you won't be able to hold it back anymore." I let her go and watch her running away.

She was already mine. Entirely mine. My baby.

And I'll spend the rest of my life proving I'm hers.

Aakriti's POV

The moment I started the bike and hopped on, Kabir was already behind me, sliding onto the seat like it was his birthright. Sometimes, I truly wondered if Kabir had a death wish.

"You really think I'd let you ride alone, Bhabhi? Bhai will kill me if something happens to his precious queen, and I will die of depression if anything happens to my bike." he teased, adjusting his grip on my shoulders.

I shot him a glare over my shoulder. "Get off. I don't need a babysitter."

He grinned, leaning closer. "Not a babysitter, Bhabhi. A guardian angel."

I rolled my eyes, revving the engine just to shut him up. The bike roared to life beneath us, and before Kabir could say another word, I sped off, the wind whipping through my hair.

For a moment, it was thrilling—the speed, the rush, the freedom. After so long I am feeling this emotion.

"Slow down!" he shouted over the wind. "You're going to give me a heart attack!"

"Then get off!" I yelled back, grinning.

"Be careful my bike."

"Stop shaking or else get off."

But Kabir, being Kabir, couldn't just sit still. The idiot suddenly shifted his weight, trying to get control, making me lose balance.

"Kabir!" I shrieked, trying to steady the handlebars as his weight tilted us dangerously.

The bike wobbled. My heart jumped into my throat. I tightened my grip, trying to balance, but his ridiculous movements only made it worse.
"Sit still, you idiot!" I snapped.

Too late.

The bike jerked violently to the side, the tires skidding against the uneven patch of road. My hands fought to steady the handlebars, but Kabir's sudden shift of weight sent us both tumbling.

We didn't crash hard, thank God. The bike tipped over, sliding a few feet before thudding against the ground. I landed on my side, palms scraping against the rough gravel, my knees stinging from the sudden impact.

For a moment, all I could hear was the loud pounding of my heartbeat, and the world spun in a dizzy blur.

Kabir groaned dramatically beside me. "Ow! My poor bike!"

I sat up, wincing as I checked my hands—red, raw, with small scratches. Nothing serious, but enough to sting. My knees ached, my elbow throbbed, but I was still in one piece. Relief washed through me in waves.

"You idiot!" I snapped, glaring at Kabir as he scrambled to his feet, brushing dust off his clothes like he had just survived a battlefield. "I told you to sit still!"

"But—" he began, gesturing helplessly toward the bike lying on its side. "She's hurt. My baby—"

"Your baby?" I shouted, pain and anger lacing my voice. "I almost broke my neck because of you!"

Before he could answer, a furious roar split the air.

"Aakriti!"

My head snapped up. Dhruv was running toward us, his face twisted in pure panic, his eyes burning as they scanned me from head to toe. He reached me in seconds, dropping to his knees, cupping my face with trembling hands.

"Are you okay? Talk to me. Did you get hurt?" His voice was hoarse, like the words clawed their way out of his throat.

I swallowed, nodding weakly. "Just a few scratches. Nothing big."

His jaw clenched, his thumb brushing the scrape on my palm with a gentleness that made my chest tighten. But then, his gaze flicked to Kabir—and I swear, if looks could kill, Kabir would've dropped dead right there.

"Bhai, it's not my fault—" Kabir started, holding up his hands in defense.

"Not your fault?" Dhruv's voice was sharp, lethal. "You gave her your bike key. If she had gotten hurt—" He cut himself off, his voice breaking. He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me protectively. "I swear, Kabir, if she had even a single serious bruise, you wouldn't be standing right now."

Kabir gulped, suddenly very quiet.

I leaned against Dhruv, my anger slowly dissolving into something softer as his arms tightened around me like I was the only thing keeping him breathing. His forehead pressed against mine, his words a whisper meant only for me. He picked me up in princess style and carried me towards his car.

"Never again, Aakriti."

And as much as I wanted to argue, his trembling hands and the way his heartbeat thundered against my cheek silenced me. Because beneath the anger, beneath the fury he threw at Kabir, there was only fear. The kind that came from almost losing your most important person.

"You are resting for three days. No work." He declared, leaving no room for argument.

I tried to lighten the mood, offering him a small smile. "You're overreacting. It's just a few scratches."

"You are resting for three days. No work. No arguments."

"You sound like a dictator." I said with a pout.

His lips curved faintly, but his gaze stayed serious as ever. "Then consider this an order, Rani sa."

**************************************************

🥰🥰💕💕

Hello! I hope you liked this chapter..................

Do vote and comment.....................

Share this story with your friends.................

Do follow me, guys...............