Page 71 of The Maze

Meher watches me as I pull her hand and slip the ring on her finger with utmost care and love. Her eyes flicker with emotions, and I can tell she’s struggling to keep her composure. But as I look into her eyes, I see her fierce love for me, and I know that she’s just as passionate about us as I am.

“Does this ring have a tracker, too?” she mocks. “With some special added technology apart from the GPS tracker?”

As Meher mocks the idea of the ring having a tracker, I can’t help but laugh.

“Oh, absolutely,” I play along, my voice filled with amusement. “It’s the latest in Shergill technology. It can track your GPS location, mood and even your heartbeat.”

Her eyes narrow at my teasing, but I see the glint of laughter in them.

“You’re impossible,” she says, shaking her head.

“That’s my mother’s ring,” I say, my voice turning soft and nostalgic. “Dad told me to make you wear it. I can’t believe it fits so perfectly on your finger.”

Her entire demeanour changes instantly, and I see the respect and admiration in her eyes as she realises the significance of the ring. It warms my heart to see how much this small gesture means to her. As she slides the ring onto her finger, I feel a sense of completeness wash over me. Pulling her close, I place a tender kiss on her ring finger, revelling in the feeling of her warmth against my lips.

“My queen,” I murmur, my voice husky with emotion.

But she stops me from moving closer, and this time, it’s not because of any possible onlookers. It’s something more, something deeper.

“I forgot to mention the most important condition,” she murmurs, her eyes locked onto mine, her determination evident. “Nothing about this marriage is going to be normal, Ayaan. So, don’t assume that I’ll be romantically involved with you at your every whim and call.”

Meher’s restriction on our intimacy should have shocked me, but I grin instead. She’s trying to assert her control, to show me that she won’t be swayed easily. But I know her too well, and I also know this won’t last for long. Soon, the temptress queen will be seduced by her king, and she won’t be able to resist my love for long.

On that note, I try to kiss her again, but she places her palms firmly on my chest, stopping me once more.

“Do we agree?” she presses, her eyes locked onto mine.

My jaw hardens as I reply, refusing to give in to her condition. “I don’t,” I say coldly. “You are toying with a dangerous man, Meher. Don’t ask me to do something you yourself don’t want to follow. You know, whenever we are alone, my lips have skimmed every inch of your bare skin.”

She rolls her eyes again at me.

“Right now, there’s only you and me,” I continue, my voice low and husky. “And I’ve waited so long to feel your lips on mine.”

Before she can protest, I crash my lips against hers, claiming her with fierce possessiveness. Seconds later, she finally surrenders to the passion between us, and our kiss becomes slow and sensual, a perfect blend of longing and desire. I can feel the warmth of her touch, the taste of her lips and the love that radiates between us. Her hands slide behind my neck, pulling me closer, and I deepen the kiss, exploring the sweetness of her mouth. Nothing else matters in this moment. Finally, our hearts beat as one, and I know that I’ve found my forever in her.

The warmth of her touch, the taste of her lips and the love that radiates between us create a magical connection as the kiss becomes more intense. My fingers stroke her skin over her exposed midriff. I want to explore her more, to go beyond the confines of this place, but Meher stops me, pulling away from the kiss. She looks absolutely breathtaking, with the after-kiss glow spread all over her face.

Her touch and her reluctance fuel my desire even more, and I can’t help but tease her.

“You can’t resist me for long, Meher,” I murmur, my voice dripping with arrogance and desire. “You are mine, and you know it. And no, I don’t want a normal marriage either. I want a marriage built on passion, trust and mutual understanding. I want a love that burns brighter than the sun and defies all odds. I want you, mind, body and soul. And I promise you; I’ll do everything in my power to make this marriage everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

She glares at me, but I can see the want and desire in her eyes too. “Don’t be so sure of yourself, Ayaan,” she retorts, trying to regain control. “I need to go.”

Meher rises and walks away, with Vishnu following her, matching her speed. As I watch Meher leave the pub, a mix of emotions swirl within me. She has agreed to marry me, and the ring I made her wear now proudly sits on her finger, a testimony of our commitment. I rub my thumb over my lower lip, where her touch still lingers, eager to start this new chapter of our lives together. Just as I’m lost in these thoughts, my phone buzzes, snapping me back to reality.

I open Krish’s message, and my eyes widen with shock and disbelief as I read the two updates he has sent. My heart races, and a sense of foreboding grips me, threatening to shatter the joy of Meher’s acceptance. Without a moment’s hesitation, I reply that I’m on my way home to discuss this urgently. The first information he has uncovered has the potential to shake the very foundation of the Walia family, leaving me completely baffled and on edge. But it’s the second piece of information that leaves me distressed. My palms tremble as I rub them over my face, trying to process the gravity of the situation. The mystery I have been trying to solve appears to have taken a darker turn, and I feel a desperate sense of urgency to get to the bottom of it.

I leave the pub, my mind racing with questions and possibilities. Whatever Krish has discovered has the potential to change everything. The shadows of the unknown loom large, and the thrilling quest for the truth has just begun.

MEHER

Walia House

I return home after meeting Ayaan, and the first person I want to meet is Dad. I step into his home office, and my heart sinks as I see him deeply engrossed in reading some papers. Finding him alone without his party members or political meetings at home is unusual and unheard of as this is where he usually conducts his offline meetings and takes most of his decisions. But today, he is alone, with only his assistant, Shuklaji, standing beside him, urging him to reconsider his decision.What decision?

“Sir, please think once again. Resigning from the party is a big decision at this stage,” he insists.

Dad is resigning from his own political party! The weight of those words hits me like a ton of bricks. Dad had gone far enough as to have the paperwork ready? Seriously?

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