Chapter 55: chapter 55

Was Imara relieved that no one was in her room when she returned after being hit with the revelation? She was grateful to have privacy to process everything. In a fit of anger, she swiftly removed her gloves, cap, and coat, stuffing them back into the wardrobe. Despite the room being warm enough, her body hadn’t adjusted, and a sudden chill ran down her spine. Adding to the discomfort, she took off her socks, causing her feet to instantly turn cold as she neglected to put on slippers. Her hands grew icy as well, sending shivers throughout her body. In no time, she sought refuge under the blanket, her teeth chattering and tears streaming down her face.At that moment, the door creaked open and Vandana entered, her footsteps echoing softly on the floor. She had noticed Imara’s frantic run towards her room and was deeply worried. Seeing Imara cuddled inside the blanket, Vandana’s worry heightened. Hurriedly, she retrieved Imara’s medicines and helped her take them. With care, she slid her hands beneath the blanket and softly rubbed Imara’s icy hands, the warmth of her touch seeping through. In a hushed voice, Vandana whispered, “I shouldn’t have let you go outside. You’re still not well.”Imara, unable to respond, buried herself further into the blanket, seeking solace. A longing for her mother’s embrace welled up inside her, causing her eyes to sting with tears. With no other choice, she closed her eyes, trying to recall happier days. To her dismay, however, all she could remember was the way Adhiraj had held her that night. His words of promise whispered in her ear. Startled, she snapped her eyes open, her heart racing. This time, it wasn’t the cold that caused her heart to flutter, but the yearning for his warmth. She wanted this feeling to end.Later on, Imara remained snugly wrapped in the blanket, sound asleep. Vandana sat in the room, keeping a watchful eye on her, ready to assist if needed. She considered reaching out to Imara’s parents once again, but hesitated, unsure if it would be wise considering Imara’s preferences. However, once Imara had drifted off to sleep, Vandana promptly informed Adhiraj of the situation, aware of his potential anger if he found out later in the day. She assured him that Imara was fine and peacefully sleeping. Yet, now, at four in the afternoon, her son stood anxiously in the room, his face reflecting deep concern as he checked on his wife.“Mom, why?” he questioned, trying not to snap.“It was warm outside. And when Papaji asked, I couldn’t deny,” Vandana replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement despite the tension situation. Adhiraj’s feelings for Imara were written all over his face.“Why are you smiling?” Adhiraj mumbled, puzzled as he checked Imara for any signs of cold while his mother stood beside him.“Because I never imagined what a love-sick Adhiraj Singh Shekhawat would look like?” Vandana teased, causing Adhiraj to roll his eyes and retort, “Mom, seriously?”Vandana couldn’t help but giggle, affectionately patting his shoulder before saying, “She’s perfectly fine now. I’ll go downstairs and bring you something to eat. I’m sure you haven’t had lunch.”He gave his head a little shake and silently mouthed ‘Love you’ to his mother as she left. The thought of changing his attire crossed his mind, prompting him to retract his hand. But just as he tried to do so, he felt a firm tug, his hand being tightly held by his wife, who, in her sleep, had managed to pull it even closer. And now, not only was his hand trapped, but this lady had somehow caused him to stumble on the bed as she affectionately clung onto his arm.“Raj,” she whispered, causing Adhiraj’s breath to hitch in his throat. His heart raced with anticipation. It was the very first time he had heard her speak his name, and to make it even more special, she used the endearing nickname his family called him. A massive grin stretched across his face as he leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering in return, “I am here, my Little Tyke!”She said nothing and clung onto his arm and snuggled deeper into the blanket. With a grin on his face, he reached for his phone to shoot a text to his mother, letting her know he would eat later. After kicking off his shoes, he climbed under the blanket in his usually wrinkled free business suit, now rumpled but cosy. With his right arm still being held by her, he pulled her closer with his left hand, nuzzling into the sweet scent of sandalwood that emanated from her neck. It ignited a fluttery feeling in his core. Holding her tighter, he closed his eyes and savoured the calmness of the moment as sleep started to claim him.Meanwhile, downstairs, Vandana couldn’t help but smile when she read the message. That’s why her son is terrible at poker. It’s just too darn difficult for him to hide his emotions. She often wondered how he managed to be diplomatic in business situations.—————A booming, “How dare you?” shattered Adhiraj’s peaceful sleep. He groaned, cracking open his eyelids to behold a livid Imara giving him a death stare. She was wrestling to break free from his grip as his hand refused to let go.“Is this how you greet your husband when he returns from work?” He teased, pulling her closer.She jabbed his chest, causing him to groan and retort, “You’re the one who dragged me into bed! I was just checking your temperature.”“Rubbish,” she scoffed. “Despicable! Release me!” she demanded as she struggled to escape from his grip.But this time, Adhiraj refused to yield. He drew her in even closer, his touch firm as he tightened his hold around her waist. Their bodies intertwined snugly nestled beneath the warmth of the blanket in the midst of the chilly weather. Leaning in, he whispered seductively, “I assure you, Mrs. Shekhawat, it was not I who made the first move. It was my wife who held my hand and pulled me closer. She seemed to need me, and I simply fulfilled her desires, just as I would fulfil all her desires in this lifetime.”His warm breath caressed her lips, his gaze locked with hers. Her lashes fluttered, cheeks flushed, and her breath hitched as her resistance was waning against the magnetic pull of his proximity.“You’re lying,” she managed to whisper.Adhiraj gently shook his head, whispering in return, “I swear I’m not.”Tilting his head, he leaned in, daring to take a step forward, his intention clear—to see the profound effect he had on her. Imara’s heart threatened to break free from her chest, her body frozen like a statue, torn between pushing him away and surrendering to his dominance. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, the piercing buzz of his phone shattered the moment, breaking the spell that held them captive.Imara blinked, her senses returning to her, and with all her strength, she pushed him away and fled to the safety of the washroom. Meanwhile, Adhiraj groaned in frustration, hitting his head on the pillow, the sound muffled by the soft fabric. The room was filled with the lingering disappointment of interrupted desire.But as he looked at the caller, he immediately answered, “Sanchit,” his expression growing grave. Without hesitation, he stepped off the bed, the room spinning for a moment before coming back into focus. Checking the time, he barked, “I will be there by ten.”Hanging up the call, he took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs, as he composed himself before he gently knocked on the washroom door. The sound echoed softly in the quiet room. “Imara, dinner!” he called out, his voice soft.“Leave me alone!” he heard her say, picturing her flaring nostrils, which brought a mischievous grin to his face.“I will go away,” he assured her, his voice gentle yet firm. “I have some work to tend to, but I won’t leave unless we have dinner together. Now be a good girl and come out.”And in the next moment, he heard the satisfying click of the lock being turned. He quickly stepped back, avoiding any potential punches she might throw at him that he had felt not too long ago. She groaned and made her way around him, heading towards the bed to snuggle back under the covers. She was still feeling sleepy, but the crumpled blankets served as a reminder of the earlier moment. Her face flushed with embarrassment, she angrily settled into the chair. Meanwhile, Adhiraj called her mother to arrange for dinner to be brought to the room.