Chapter 65: chapter 65

The next morning, as the alarm blared, Imara jolted awake. Having slept at two, the idea of dragging herself out of bed at seven during this frigid winter was laughable. Hence, she quickly extended her left hand to grab her phone, silencing the obnoxious alarm before diving back into the warmth of her blanket. But just as she tried to roll onto her left side, she realised her right hand was trapped. With a snap of her eyes, she glanced over to find her hand once again in Adhiraj’s grip, a repeat of the past few mornings.Imara groaned, exasperated that her previous warnings had clearly gone in one ear and out the other. With a huff, she yanked her hand free, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and rushed into the washroom. Sleep? Oh, that was a fantasy now.Meanwhile, Adhiraj stirred as the washroom door slammed shut. But when he noticed the other side of the bed was empty, a grin spread across his face as he settled back into his pillow. That was so Imara!—————Adhiraj stepped out of the washroom, eyebrows raised in confusion. There was a commotion as a couch was being hauled into the room. Imara and his mother were at the door, directing the whole thing. He couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on here?”“Imara requested for a couch in the room. She can’t work on the bed and can’t sit outside on the balcony,” Vandana explained.Adhiraj looked at Imara, who didn’t even spare him a glance. He knew she was trying to avoid sharing the bed with him. Hence, he interjected, “A couch won’t be ideal for work either, Mom.”Taking matters into his own hands, he directed the staff, “Take it back. Bring in a table and chair instead.”Imara’s eyes widened in disbelief as the staff scurried to follow Adhiraj’s orders and removed the couch from the room. Vandana suppressed a grin. She had a feeling about why Imara wanted the couch, but she couldn’t deny her request. Thankfully, Adhiraj was quick and straightforward in his decisions. She exchanged a glance with Imara, who looked both furious and bewildered.“Raj is right, Imara! A table and chair are much better for working without straining your neck and back. Now, hurry up and come down for breakfast.” With that, she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.Imara shot a piercing look at Adhiraj, but he remained unfazed, his stare just as intense. Stomping her foot, she marched towards the wardrobe room. However, before she could reach her destination, Adhiraj’s strong grip wrapped around her hand, stopping her in her tracks. In one swift motion, he twirled her around and brought her closer to him. Her breath caught in her throat as her hands instinctively landed on his chest in response. Her spine tingled as the warmth of his bare chest pressed against her, his firm grip on her waist ensuring she was cocooned in his arms.“Do you have trouble understanding that I don’t like it when you touch me?” she snapped, trying to wriggle out of his hold.He raised a brow, claiming, “Really? You don’t like it when I touch you? Or you don’t want to feel what you feel when I touch you?”Imara’s jaw clenched as she fiercely struck his chest. In response, he pulled her closer and gently grasped the back of her neck with his other hand. He tilted her head, bringing their lips dangerously close, testing both his sanity and Imara’s resolve.“Do you have trouble understanding that I am going to make us work, Imara?” He whispered against her lips, his breath aroused her senses in ways she had never experienced before.“Leave me,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering at his closeness. With her hands firmly against his chest, they both felt a tingling sensation connecting them.Adhiraj slightly shuddered. His grip on her grew stronger as he leaned in even closer, watching as the blush spread across her cheeks and her lips quivered in response.“I am not leaving you,” he whispered again, with every ounce of honesty he could put in his voice.But Imara was irked at his relentless pursuit. With her hands pressed firmly against his chest, she hissed at him, “And why is that, Mr. Shekhawat?” Have you grown fond of the same girl you called unruly and uncultured not too long ago? Or is it because we are married? Or because your grandmother wanted me as your wife? Or because your grandfather played a nasty game to get me married to you to fulfil his wife’s last wishes? Give me a break!”She pushed Adhiraj with all her might, but he remained unfazed, as if he had already expected her reaction. “I am not new to this reputation game or this….” she fumbled, fighting back her tears, “This ‘because my family likes or dislikes you’ absurd situation. I have zero interest in you. So just keep the hell away from me if you don’t want me to walk out of your house and trample your so-called reputation.”Saying this, Imara walked into the wardrobe room to change so she could leave for the office. While Adhiraj stood there, his face showing no trace of anger at Imara’s outburst. He felt her pain not through her words, but the way she said them, the way her voice wavered and chin trembled.Feeling the need to be cautious around his own wife, he paused for a moment to take a thoughtful breath before heading after her to wear some clothes. However, just as he entered, Imara walked out, causing him to shake his head in pity for himself. The man was stuck in an absurd situation. He never heeded to female attention and now his own wife wasn’t giving him any ‘Bhav!’On the other hand, Imara felt a twinge of pain in her chest after she lashed out at Adhiraj. His reaction was unexpected. He said nothing.“Why would he say anything when he knows I said the right thing?” She muttered to herself to ease her uneasiness as she wore her socks, followed by sandals. Standing up from the bed, she grabbed the earmuffs and gloves being offered to her and approached the door. However, she stopped before stepping out and eyed those two things in her hands warily. “Why should he speak up when he knows I’m right?” She grumbled, trying to calm her nerves while slipping on her socks and sandals. As she rose from the bed, she snatched the earmuffs and gloves being handed to her and made her way to the door. But wait—she paused, eyeing those items suspiciously.Turning around, she caught Adhiraj flashing a smug smile. Gritting her teeth, she cursed herself for not realising it was him beside her. Annoyed, she stormed out of the room, ignoring his amused chuckles as he followed closely behind.