DIVYA
Today is the best day of my life because it's the day I finally get discharged from the hospital. I'm so happy about it. The doctor had initially told me I would be discharged within two days, but it turned out to be a five-day ordeal. What a bunch of liars!
Despite my excitement, there was a tinge of sadness knowing I had to return to my apartment. I would be alone again, but being alone was better than enduring my parents' constant taunts. Loneliness can be suffocating at first, but eventually, it becomes a familiar companion.
As I packed my duffel bag, I sensed someone behind me. I turned around to find Raghav standing near the bed. He looked incredibly handsome in his dark blue three-piece suit, which fit him perfectly. He resembled a model, effortlessly exuding confidence and style. I couldn't believe how put-together he looked this early in the morning, while I felt like a complete mess.
"Good morning," his deep voice brought me back to reality.
"Good... morning..." I stammered. Feeling flustered, I quickly grabbed a pair of white denim shorts and a turtleneck woolen top before slipping into the bathroom to get ready. I washed my face and took a quick shower. The bathroom in this private hospital room felt more like a five-star hotel than a medical facility. After my shower, I dressed swiftly.
When I stepped out, I saw him still in the room. I gulped nervously as he sat on the sofa like a king, legs crossed. His left hand rested on his thigh, while his right hand held a phone, his eyes focused on the screen as he frowned.
He must have felt my gaze on him because he looked up from his phone, his eyes roaming over my frame for a second. He looked me up and down, making me feel self-conscious. I cleared my throat to get his attention, and he finally looked away.
"Shouldn't you be at the office?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
He smirked slightly, putting his phone away. "I took the morning off to make sure you got home safely."
I was taken aback by his thoughtfulness. "Oh, thank you. I didn't expect that."
"All set to go back home?" he asked. I nodded happily, picking up a few small items and packing my bag. Once it was finally packed, I clapped my hands in delight.
"Thank you," he said suddenly, catching me off guard. I nervously licked my dry lips. "For what?" I asked.
"For saving my life. No one ever cares to look at me, let alone save me. So, thank you. I'm grateful for it. And, in a way, I'm indebted to you now," he said, chuckling.
I felt a pang of sympathy for him. While I had suffered physical injuries, Raghav had been hurt mentally and emotionally, which was far worse. Physical wounds heal with time, but mental scars often deepen.
"You don't have to be indebted to me. I just did what was right," I replied.
"Still, I can't offer a price for saving my life because a life is priceless. But at the very least, I can drop you home," he said. That's when I realized his real motive for visiting me.
"It's okay, you don't have to drop me at my apartment. I'll manage," I said.
"Apartment?" he asked, looking confused. "Aren't you going to stay at your parents' house until you fully recover?"
I shook my head. "I will stay in my apartment. I don't want to go to my parents' house."
"I understand, but I don't think staying alone in your condition is a wise decision," he said.
"Don't worry, I am fine, and the doctor said-" I started, but Raghav cut me off. "I know what the doctor said; I was there at that time. But still, staying alone is not a good decision."
His concern was genuine, and it made me feel warm inside, even if his tone was firm. I appreciated his care, but I needed to maintain my independence.
"But why?" I asked. "Your wounds haven't healed completely. You need someone by your side to help you until you fully recover. Plus, you need someone to dress your wounds. You can't do it by yourself," he said.
He was right, but I wasn't about to swallow my pride and go to my parents' house.
"I understand that you don't want to go to your parents' house. That's fine, but staying alone is not a good decision. You could stay with one of your friends," he suggested.
I sighed. "I don't want to be a burden on my friends. They have their own personal lives, and I don't want to interfere."
Raghav heaved a frustrated sigh. I felt like a difficult child he was trying to deal with.
"Fine. I know one place where you won't be a burden and can stay peacefully until you recover," he said.
"Which place?" I asked.
He smirked at me. "My mansion."
What? No way would I stay in his mansion.
"No, I can't. I can't be a burden on you, Raghav," I said.
"You are not a burden on me. And Nandini aunty is there to take care of you. She's quite fond of you," he said.
"Still, it's a no," I replied sternly, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Look, Divya, you saved my life and I just want to return the favor. You got hurt because of me, so now I feel responsible for you. It's my responsibility to take care of you until you fully recover," he insisted.
I laughed at his words. "Silly, you don't have to take my responsibility. I'm not your responsibility, Raghav. I'm the responsibility of my parents, who don't even bother to glance at me."
I didn't want to be anyone's responsibility. I was independent enough to take care of myself.
"Divya, you have two choices: either you move in with me, or I will drop you at your parents' house," he said sternly. His dark grey eyes were threatening, daring me to defy him.
"Can't I get a third option?" I asked, and he shook his head. I sighed, knowing what I was about to say would probably change my life forever, but I didn't have any other options. "Fine, I will move in with you," I said, and a proud smile crept on his face as if he had won a trophy. Raghav's convincing skills were impeccable.
I was brought back to reality when I heard a deep voice say, "Good morning, all set to go home?"
I turned around and found Rohan standing at the entrance of the room with a red rose bouquet. Rohan and I had become good friends over the past few days. When Raghav wasn't there to keep an eye on me, it was Rohan who took care of me. And trust me, he is great company.
"Are these for me?" I asked, pointing at the bouquet.
"Obviously, they're for you," Rohan replied, chuckling. He handed me the bouquet. "Thank you," I said, sniffing the roses. They felt so nice and fresh, instantly lifting my mood.
But then I felt a thick tension in the room. I tilted my head and found Raghav glaring at Rohan. What happened? Why did he look so angry?
I was practically sandwiched between these two men. Although there was a distance between us, it still felt awkward. Raghav cleared his throat and said, "Rohan, Divya will stay in my mansion until she recovers. So arrange a room for her."
Rohan happily nodded his head. "That's great. I'll go and prepare the room," he said and left the room. From the corner of my eye, I saw Raghav throwing a glare at Rohan's retreating figure. Why did he look so angry? Did Rohan do something? He looked very angry, and for some reason, I was really scared of his anger.
I clutched the bouquet of flowers in my hand, feeling a knot of nervousness tighten in my stomach. Raghav's anger was palpable, a dark cloud that seemed to fill the room. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, he snatched the bouquet from my grasp and tossed it into the dustbin with a careless flick of his wrist. I gasped in shock.
"What? Why did you do that?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief.
"Because I don't like it," he replied, his tone infuriatingly casual.
"But I like flowers, and they were meant for me. You had no right to throw them away," I shot back, my anger rising.
Raghav stood there, hands in his pockets, his expression unbothered by my protest. Yet, a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, a clear indication that he found my reaction amusing. It was in that moment I realized he was a different breed entirely. No normal man would discard something meant for someone else so thoughtlessly.
I huffed in frustration, feeling a surge of regret for agreeing to stay with him. It felt as though I had made a deal with the devil himself.
After completing the discharge procedures, I reached for my duffel bag, but Raghav was quicker. He effortlessly picked it up.
"What are you doing? I can carry my own bag," I protested.
"I know, but I want to carry it," he replied, heading out of the room without another word. I sighed and followed him. As we stepped out of the hospital, the cold autumn air sent a shiver down my spine.
We walked toward the parking lot, with me trailing just behind him. When we stopped in front of a sleek black Bugatti La Voiture Noire, I gasped in awe. The car was a masterpiece, an extravagant display of wealth. I had heard it was the most expensive car in the world, with only one unit ever produced. It was a stark reminder that money could buy almost anything, except happiness and love.
Raghav placed my bag on the passenger seat and then opened the front door for me. I gave him a grateful smile and slipped inside, feeling the luxurious leather seat beneath me. He joined me, settling into the driver's seat with practiced ease.
As I glanced forward, the intensity of his gaze was unmistakable, burning into me with a force that sent a shiver down my spine. Our eyes locked, his a stormy grey that seemed to swirl with unspoken thoughts, holding me captive in that brief, charged moment. A sigh escaped his lips, soft yet heavy with intent, as he leaned in closer. My pulse quickened, a primal instinct urging me to pull away, but he continued his approach, his presence overwhelming.
His gaze was unrelenting, cutting through the fragile layers of my composure, leaving me raw and exposed. My throat tightened, a nervous gulp betraying the turmoil within as I wondered-was he about to kiss me?
Apprehension tightened its grip on me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, heart pounding in my chest like a wild drumbeat. The world seemed to narrow to the point of his nearing presence, every nerve bracing for the inevitable touch of his lips. But instead, a soft, almost imperceptible click echoed in my ears.
Startled, I snapped my eyes open, the realization dawning like a cold splash of water. Raghav wasn't leaning in for a kiss-he was simply fastening my seatbelt. A wave of heat rushed to my cheeks, mortification curling through me as I caught the flicker of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. The blush burned deeper as I registered the amusement in his eyes, and I fought the urge to disappear into the seat, embarrassed beyond words.
Oh god, I needed to be less carefree around him. In his presence, I always seemed to embarrass myself. Grateful for the silence that followed, I decided to distract myself by looking out of the window and enjoying the scenic view. Perhaps it was best to focus on the scenery and leave my embarrassing antics behind.
It took us only an hour to reach his mansion. As I reached for the door handle, Raghav stepped out of the car and swiftly opened my door, extending his hand. I slipped my hand into his, feeling his large, cold hand engulf my smaller one, sending a shiver down my spine. He helped me out of the car, and we walked towards the mansion, with me trailing slightly behind him.
Entering the mansion, memories of my first visit flooded back. I could never forget that day. Abruptly, he stopped, causing me to bump into his strong back. I winced and rubbed my forehead where I had hit him, glaring at him.
"Why do you have to stop so suddenly?" I muttered, annoyed.
He turned around, looking at me with an unaffected expression, completely indifferent to the fact that I got hurt because of him.
"There are a few rules that you need to follow here. If you adhere to these rules, your stay will be peaceful," he said, fixing me with a stern gaze. I nodded, indicating for him to continue.
"First rule: never enter my room without my permission," he declared firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. His glare intensified, making the importance of this rule abundantly clear.
"And second, a very important rule: the west wing and the basement are off-limits. You have free roam of the rest of the mansion without permission, except for these two areas," he explained, his expression serious.
"And what if I don't follow these rules?" I dared to ask, feeling a surge of defiance.
A smirk played on his lips, and a glint danced in his eyes. "Then you won't like the consequences," he warned, his voice carrying a hint of threat. With that, he seemed to embody a reincarnation of the devil himself, sending a shiver down my spine.
I gulped nervously, understanding the gravity of his words. "I hope you understand," he said, the smirk lingering on his face as I meekly nodded in agreement.
"Nandini aunty will take you to your room," he announced, and just as he said, Aunt Nandini appeared, ready to guide me. "Aunty, please show Divya to her room," he instructed before disappearing upstairs.
Following Aunt Nandini, we ascended to the second floor where my room awaited. By the time we reached the door, I was breathing heavily, the weight of my wounds taking its toll on my stamina.
"I hope you liked the room," she asked, and I nodded in response. "Freshen up and come down for lunch," she added before leaving the room. I sighed and took in my surroundings. The room was undeniably beautiful.
It was adorned in a mixture of white, blue, and pink colors, with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The queen-size bed looked inviting, accompanied by a cozy sofa set and a small dressing table. Two large plant pots added a touch of greenery to the space. To my right were two doors; one likely led to the bathroom, and the other to a closet.
The thought of the closet reminded me that I didn't have any clothes with me. I had come directly from the hospital, so I hadn't brought anything with me. I gulped nervously and made my way toward the closet, hoping against hope that I might find something to wear.
As I entered the closet, a gasp escaped my lips. It was a sight to behold. The closet was filled with clothes of every type, each item bearing the label of a high-end brand. Alongside the clothing were an array of footwear, makeup, bags, and accessories. It was like stepping into the dream closet of any girl. Suddenly, I understood what Raghav meant when he instructed Rohan to arrange my room.
A smile tugged at my lips. Raghav was proving to be surprisingly thoughtful. Despite his tough exterior, he had a soft side. I quickly freshened up and selected a teal green woolen dress from the assortment of clothing. With autumn settling in and the mansion nestled near the forest, the weather was chilly. The dress draped elegantly over my frame, though a pang of pain shot through me as I zipped it up. My wounds had yet to fully heal, a reminder of recent events.
Nevertheless, the dress accentuated my figure, elongating my legs as it reached mid-thigh. I paired the outfit with green flats and matching studs, opting for a simple yet chic look. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I surveyed the result in the mirror with satisfaction.
Glancing to my right, I noticed a glass door leading to a balcony. Excitement bubbled within me as I pushed it open, greeted by a rush of cold air. The balcony offered a breathtaking view of the forest, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. Inhaling deeply, I relished the fresh air, feeling rejuvenated and invigorated by the natural surroundings.
After spending some time on the balcony, I decided to head downstairs for lunch. As I entered the dining room, I found Aunt Nandini setting the table. She greeted me with a warm smile and pulled out a chair for me.
"Where is Raghav?" I inquired, taking a seat.
"He won't be able to join you for lunch; he went out for some work," she replied with a smile.
I returned her smile but couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. Eating alone felt awkward, and I wished Raghav was here to keep me company.
After lunch, Aunt Nandini kindly offered to give me a tour of the lavish mansion. We passed through the grand living room, where I caught a glimpse of the indoor swimming pool. The mansion boasted every amenity imaginable, ensuring one could stay entertained for years without getting bored. The ground floor housed a guest room and gym, while the first floor boasted a spacious library and Raghav's study room. On the second floor, there were several bedrooms, including mine and Raghav's. The mansion even boasted a grand ballroom and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. I noted the terrace garden, though I lacked the energy to explore it further.
Aunt Nandini showed me every part of the mansion except for Raghav's bedroom and the west wing, which was off-limits. While I had little interest in the west wing, I couldn't help but feel curious about Raghav's room, especially since it was on the same floor as mine.
"You should go rest now," Aunt Nandini said kindly, prompting me to offer her a grateful smile before making my way upstairs toward my room. However, as I reached the landing, my eyes were drawn to the dark corridor on my left, where Raghav's room was situated. He had warned me not to enter his room without his permission, but curiosity gnawed at me relentlessly.
Without further hesitation, I found myself making my way toward his room. My curiosity got the better of me. After all, what could he possibly be hiding? A gun, perhaps? I knew that curiosity could be dangerous, but in that moment, I didn't care.
With a sense of determination, I reached his door. He wasn't here now, and I reassured myself with the thought that what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. With newfound confidence, I decided to enter his room.
I gulped nervously as I placed my hand on the doorknob. Slowly, I twisted it, and to my surprise, the door unlocked with ease. A chuckle escaped me. Despite his warning about unauthorized entry, he kept his door unlocked. What a peculiar man.
I entered the room, murmuring to myself, "It's interesting." The first thing that struck me was the lack of color. The room was draped in shades of black, grey, and white, devoid of any vibrant hues. Yet, despite the monochromatic palette, the room exuded an air of sophistication, reminiscent of a five-star hotel suite.
As I ventured further inside, I took in the spaciousness of the room. It was double the size of mine, with luxurious furnishings that seemed to have been plucked straight from a designer catalog. I glanced around, inhaling deeply and catching a whiff of his strong cologne. The scent, a blend of spicy and pinewood, oddly calmed my nerves. Shaking my head to dispel the strange thoughts, I reminded myself of the danger of such musings. If Raghav were to discover my thoughts, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate me.
The room boasted a king-size bed, a comfortable sofa facing a TV set, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle. The balcony, as expansive as my own room, featured a swimming pool-a luxurious touch that spoke volumes about Raghav's lifestyle.
His room felt like an entirely different realm. It was a world apart from my own quarters, and a pang of jealousy tugged at my heart. How I wished for such opulence, especially compared to the average room I occupied. Yet, amidst my envy, a smile crept onto my lips as I noticed his mother's portrait that i painted hanging above the bed.
Lost in admiration, I lingered for a few moments before deciding to leave. However, luck seemed to be against me as a gasp escaped my lips upon hearing his deep, hoarse voice.
"Didn't I warn you not to enter my room without my permission?"
My heart sank. This time, I was definitely in trouble. It seemed the devil had caught me, and he wouldn't let me go until he was done with me.