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“I loved that dress so much..”

“More than me?” Aarav steps forward, invading my personal space. Well, I love whenever he does that though. With his gaze locked with mine, Aarav continues stepping towards me, forcing me to step back. “More than what I did after tearing that dress?”

I squeal at those exact words, feeling desire tingling through every fiber of my body. He cornered me with his body and pinned me with his gaze.

“If I recall correctly, Jaan, minutes after I tore that dress, you begged me not to stop.”

I asked him not to stop?Might have. That’s what Aarav does to me. He makes me crave for him every second. God, I don’t think that’s ever going to change. He puts his hands on either side of my head on the pillar I am leaning on.

“Tell me you loved that dress or any of your outfits more than all that, and I promise never to tear them again.”

I realize I’m flushed. His dark gaze teases me for an answer, which I don’t delay.

“I love you more.”

His smile is brief. Craning his head at the right angle, Aarav kisses along my neck first, then my jawline and finally makes it to my lips, where he lingers too long adoring me with his mouth until our hearts race beyond normal. That was a sign that we have to get back home. Fast!!

Quickly meeting a few people along the way out, we make it to the car and though it’s Madan driving us back home, it takes a lot of effort on Aarav’s part to keep his hands off me and mouth without the touch of my skin. We barely get down from the car and Aarav carries me in his arms in one swift motion. I don’t mind. This is better. The contact between our bodies is always better. I kiss his spiky stubble.

When we enter home, Aarav’s eyes widen in shock, and his steps slow down. I avert my gaze towards the source of these changes and find Mohit waiting for us in the living room. As soon as Mohit sees us, he rises to his feet and Aarav puts me down. Mohit has never come here and we are seeing each other again for the first time after I saw him with Sofia in Mussoorie which was like 4 months back.

“Sorry, I came here uninvited,” Mohit apologizes.

He’s been my friend since childhood, so I know that tone today is full of guilt and nervousness.

“I will be upstairs,” Aarav says, turning to me.

Like a good husband, he wants to give me my space to speak to Mohit, though I don’t mind if he stays next to me, but before I debate, Mohit intrudes us again.

“I am here to speak to you, Aarav. Especially to you.”

Now he has our full attention.

“Me?” Aarav stiffens.

“Yes.”

“If you are here thinking I have plotted something against you, your grandmother, or your company, then you are mistaken. You all don’t interest me anymore. Other than that, we have nothing in common to speak about.”

I grip Aarav’s arm in an attempt to stop him and urge him to listen once instead of scaring the opposite person.

“Nothing in common,” Mohit repeats with a soft sarcastic chuckle. “You are right. We have nothing in common. In fact, all these years I have been enjoying what never belonged to me. I snatched your rights Aarav and I’m here to apologize.”

What is he talking about?

“Done?” Aarav scoffs. “Your drama is boring, Mohit. Whatever intentions you have, I am least interested in entertaining you, so I suggest you leave us alone.”

“I am not doing any drama,” Mohit shouts, his patience wavering. “Daadi is sick.”

Tears spring in my eyes.

“What?” I finally intrude. “What happened to her? How is she now?” I… I will come with you.. I..”

I pause and turn to Aarav, knowing he might not be happy if I do so. It’s hard to read what Aarav feels at the moment, but surely, he is unhappy knowing about Daadi’s sickness. He might hate her, but not so bad that he’ll rejoice her sickness.

“You can go see her,” Aarav replies and then he strides toward the stairs.

“She wants to seeyou, Aarav,” Mohit adds and this one sentence is enough to falter Aarav’s steps.

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