Chapter 82: chapter 82

Imara’s heart sank as she heard his words. A lump formed in her throat that made it difficult to breathe. She lowered her gaze, her mind racing with various theories, one of which was that Adhiraj was right. Wasn’t that the message she wanted to pass on? Didn’t she want him to accept that she didn’t care about this marriage? Then why did she feel shattered when she heard him speak those words out loud?Before she could even process her thoughts, they heard a knock on the door. Their heads turned in that direction, and as Adhiraj cautiously reached out for the door and opened it, Imara took a step back, attempting to hide herself in the small space behind the wardrobe that led to the washroom door. She wasn’t sure who could be at the door.“Dadu,” Adhiraj’s voice made Imara peep her head from her hiding spot.“Why are you awake at this time?” Adhiraj asked, concerned. He shut the door as Virender stepped inside.“I need to discuss something with you…” Virender began, but his words trailed off as he sensed a flicker of movement.Imara squeezed her eyes shut and mentally cursed herself. What was happening? She was with Adhiraj for god’s sake and whatever it might be; he was her legally wedded husband. Why was she feeling guilty about being in the same room as him? Wait! Did she think husband? Why was she a mess right now?“You were about to say something,” Adhiraj interjected, strategically blocking Virender’s line of sight to Imara’s hiding place. He didn’t want to tell his grandfather anything without Imara’s consent. It concerned her, after all.Meanwhile, Imara let out a quiet sigh, but the sound betrayed her, catching Virender’s ear. “Who’s there, Raj?” he asked, curiosity piqued.“No one!” Adhiraj responded quickly. “It’s just me and you, Dadu. What did you want to talk about?”Virender, already miffed at Jaidev’s outburst downstairs, had zero patience for Adhiraj’s ridiculous excuses. He pushed him aside and stepped forward towards the sound. “Who is there?” he asked, exuding a sense of authority“Dadu…”Imara facepalmed and glanced up just as Virender found her hiding spot, whispering, “Why are you hiding?”She looked at Adhiraj, who looked away, palming his own face. How did such a tense situation turn out to be so comical?“Why are you hiding your wife?” Virender asked, eyeing Adhiraj, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.Virender then turned to Imara and inquired, “What’s going on?”“Dadu, she was here to talk about something!” Adhiraj finally managed to say.“Knowing both of you don’t realise each other’s worth, I am sure it wasn’t something romantic I stumbled upon.” Virender quipped, making Imara look away in sheer embarrassment.“Dadu?” Adhiraj whispered in surprise.“Why is she here, Raj? I thought you two weren’t left with anything to talk about after you didn’t let her explain and she didn’t seek a chance to explain.” Virender demanded.“Dadu…” Adhiraj interjected once again and Imara, unsure of how to react in this situation, looked down. Yet, the echoes of the conversation she had overheard downstairs flooded her mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to block out Jaidev’s cruel words. That wasn’t her concern right now.“I never thought I would intrude into a private matter concerning you and your wife. But right now, I want to. Just tell me what’s going on!” Virender’s voice was firm, a protective force against the mistakes he feared his grandson might make. In his eyes, Adhiraj should have handled this matter with more maturity.Adhiraj felt lost, his heart racing as he turned to Imara, who met his gaze just in time. But she, too, was at a loss for words, unable to provide the answer he silently sought. Should they tell his grandfather? The uncertainty loomed over them like a dark cloud. Yet, it seemed they had little choice in the matter.“Out with it,” Virender commanded, his voice booming, causing Imara to flinch at the intensity. Adhiraj let out a frustrated groan, earning a sharp look from Virender, and he reached out to Imara. With a resigned sigh, she unlocked her phone and handed it to him, her movements almost mechanical, as if she were a child obeying a stern parent.Adhiraj opened the messages and showed the same to Virender, causing him to frown. He gazed at Imara, who was still looking down, clasping and unclasping her hands anxiously. She was feeling exposed despite nothing having taken place that night. She felt like everyone was judging her, based on some photos, without even asking her if it was all true.“Yash?” Virender asked, directing his gaze at Adhiraj, who nodded, replying, “I am sure it’s him. I am still unable to locate him.”“Why didn’t you tell this sooner, Imara?” Virender asked, placing a hand on her head.Having heard the way Virender was defending her in front of his own son, changed Imara’s perception about him. Hence, she didn’t feel like stepping back. Instead, she let that warmth seep into her soul. She looked up to meet Virender’s eyes as she replied, “I didn’t think it concerned anyone until I realised he has someone inside.”Adhiraj looked away, restraining himself from snapping at Imara. Why on earth did she think it wouldn’t matter to anyone?However, Virender voiced Adhiraj’s unspoken concerns, “You are a part of this family, Imara. What concerns you, concerns all of us. We will handle it, alright? Let’s give him what he wants.”Imara shook her head, her eyes filled with worry, as Adhiraj replied, “He will still expose those photos in the media. Quotes are not his…”“I never said we will give him quotes,” Virender interjected, causing Imara and Adhiraj to frown in confusion.“He wants to harass Imara, pressure her into thinking what if the photos are leaked? And he would eventually do it to humiliate her. He is seeking that satisfaction,” Virender grinned.Understanding the meaning behind his grandfather’s words, Adhiraj flatly refused, “I am not letting her jump in that danger,” as he pointed at Imara, squirming her insides with his possessive tone.“Despite knowing Yash was still not caught, weren’t you letting her go?” Virender asked.Adhiraj, in the moment of spontaneity, blurted out, “Do you really think I would have left her unguarded? Not unless I had my hands on Yash. Not unless I was sure she would remain safe and unharmed.”Virender raised a skeptical eyebrow. Imara felt her cheeks flush with heat as she observed Adhiraj’s furious state, her heart racing in response. The man’s possessive and dominant stance never failed to leave her breathless.Virender saw Imara’s reaction to Adhiraj’s sudden outburst and whispered, catching his attention back to Adhiraj, “Bringing Imara out in the open is the only way to catch him. You tried everything, didn’t you?”Imara’s eyes widened as Virender’s words sank in. She turned her gaze towards Adhiraj, who averted his eyes and nodded in agreement. “I have,” he admitted, his voice filled with frustration. “This is the first time my resources have failed me. Even the police are unable to locate him.”“And your relentless search is only fuelling his anger,” Virender added.Silence enveloped the trio as the weight of the situation settled in. Virender then laid out the strategy, and while Imara felt a flicker of hope, Adhiraj was hesitant. The thought of putting her in harm’s way ate away at him. Yash was an unknown enemy. Adhiraj didn’t know how he would strike.“Raj, we will work on this together.” Virender assured, and Adhiraj, as usual, trusting in his grandfather’s decision, nodded. However, his worry about Imara still gnawed at him. Moreover, there was a lingering question. What after it was over? Would she come back? Or she wouldn’t?Virender, after ensuring they were all in agreement, was preparing to leave when Imara blurted out, “Thank you!”He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her. Adhiraj, too, turned his gaze towards her, his eyebrows furrowing in surprise. Imara, as she realised, was slowly breaking free from her shell. The unwavering support, the warmth, the affection, and the love she received from this family, combined with her acceptance of her past and Dheeraj’s exit, felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. Hence, in that moment, she decided to let it all out and clarify.“I heard…,” she choked out, prompting a concerned exchange of glances between Virender and Adhiraj.Adhiraj gently urged, “Imara…”But her focus remained on Virender as she managed to whisper, “I heard what happened downstairs a while ago. Thank you for standing by me.” Her gaze fell, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.Adhiraj, filled with concern, instinctively stepped closer and cradled her face in his hands. He winced as her tears soaked his palms. Unable to contain his confusion, he turned to Virender and asked, “What happened downstairs?”With her eyes fixed on the ground, Imara allowed herself to be consumed by the myriad of emotions and sensations that surrounded her. She let all the walls around her crumble. She slowly placed her hands on Adhiraj’s warm palms, which were delicately cupping her face, and a soothing warmth enveloped her. Finally, she found her voice. “That night... nothing happened. It wasn’t Dheeraj I stayed with, it was Isha.”As she closed her eyes, Adhiraj looked at Virender, his eyes filled with questions. Virender exhaled deeply, recounting what had happened downstairs and how Jaidev had jumped to the conclusion that Imara had spent the night with Dheeraj. Understanding the pain Imara must have felt upon hearing Jaidev’s words, Adhiraj couldn’t help but pull her in his arms, close to his heart. He tenderly rubbed her back, his voice a soft whisper. “You don’t owe anyone any explanation.”“Raj, Jai was concerned about his son,” Virender explained. “You know him. I know what he said was wrong, but in this case, you are equally responsible. Had you let Imara explain why Dheeraj was there in her office, none of this would have happened. Jai was worried you were too invested in it and you were hurt.”Utterly frustrated, Adhiraj shut his eyes and held Imara tighter, feeling her hands slowly wrap around him as she sought comfort in his arms. Virender, with a playful smirk, turned to exit Adhiraj’s room, teasingly saying, “Make it quick, love birds. We don’t have all night.”But the said love birds were lost in their own intimate universe, feeling finally at peace. Some time passed, and Adhiraj’s grip on Imara grew stronger. He nuzzled his face into her neck, his breath warm against her skin, and murmured, “I am so sorry, Little Tyke! I should have asked.”Imara looked up from his arms and threw a solid punch at his chest, causing him to yelp in both pain and surprise. She gritted out, holding the collar of his t-shirt, “You are an asshole! I hate you. You said you won’t let me leave and then you told me to leave. You didn’t even care to ask what I wanted. You didn’t even care to ask if I wanted to leave. How dare you decide on my behalf as and when you pleased? How dare you?”Adhiraj, eyes wide and disbelieving, cupped her right cheek with his left hand and gently wiped away her tears. His other hand remained firm on her waist as he mumbled, “Can you punch me again?”“What?” Imara gaped at him, utterly stunned.“I just need to confirm I’m not dreaming…” The moment he finished speaking, Imara delivered another punch to his chest, causing him to wince and say, “Thanks for the solid proof.”Before she could unleash another blow, he pulled her back in his arms, holding her close as she squirmed, insisting, “Let. Me. Go.”Adhiraj tightened his grip, chuckling, “Not a chance, Little Tyke! Remember, I love deciding for you. And I’ve decided you’re stuck with me for life.”“I will kill you,” Imara shot back.“I won’t let you. Because then you will miss me and then you will cry and I can’t see you crying. I just can’t,” he whispered, and Imara buried her face in his chest, hugging him fiercely. And she felt at peace, at long last!A little while later, he eased back just enough for Imara to gaze up at him as he asked, “Imara, trust me—I’ll never doubt you. But if you can now, please tell me what Dheeraj was doing there?”Imara, trusting the trust Adhiraj had in her, explained the reason for Dheeraj’s visit. Adhiraj tenderly wiped away the tears that had gathered under her eyes and softly asked, “If I had asked, would you have told me?”“Maybe,” she murmured, drinking in the sight of his face so close to hers.“Did you miss me?” he asked, catching her off guard and making her cheeks heat up.She blinked, her eyelashes brushing against her cheeks as her eyes dropped to the space between them—only to find none, in fact. Their bodies were so tightly pressed together, it felt as if they were fused as one. Her heart raced, its pulsating beats echoing in her ears. The soft caress of his fingertips against her cheek sent shivers down her spine, as she inhaled his familiar scent, a mixture of musky cologne and warm embrace. With a gentle yet persuasive touch, he coaxed her to meet his gaze, his eyes locking with hers as he asked once more, “Did you miss me when I wasn’t around?”“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But I missed you when you came back. You stopped talking.”“I am sorry,” he said once more, their foreheads pressed together, their breaths blending into one.The air around them became heavy with an intense, sensual vibe. Adhiraj, with a firm grip on his emotions, held back while Imara struggled to contain hers. She just didn’t know how this man managed to make her lose control every time he was around. In that moment, her hands trembled as they reached out, delicately cupping his face. Her palms tingled with the heat of his skin and electrified her entire body. She was losing herself in the moment.Adhiraj’s breath hitched, deepening with desire. Imara rose on her tiptoes and tilted her head ever so slightly, her heart pounding. She took a daring step and pressed her lips against his. The gentle pressure sent a rush of warmth through their bodies, causing their eyelids to flutter shut. Time seemed to stand still as their lips remained locked. The taste of their first intimacy blended seamlessly with the sweetness of the moment.This moment was special for her, as it was her first time being this close to a man. She felt a deep satisfaction in knowing she had stayed true to her promise of reserving all her firsts for her husband. In that heartbeat, she was grateful it was Adhiraj.Meanwhile, Adhiraj was basking in a state of absolute bliss. How did this night turn out to be like this—he didn’t know? The only thing he was aware of was the feel of Imara in his arms, and how her simple step awakened his primal desires. His lips were tingling with a strange sensation, like tiny electric shocks dancing across his skin. His core was struck with a delightful longing, compelling him to tenderly cup Imara’s face, tilt his head, and whisper, “My turn,” against her lips.With a gentle tug, he pulled her lips in between his, feeling the warmth and sweetness as he softly sucked on them. Slowly, he savoured the taste of her upper lip, then moved on to explore the sweetness of her lower lip, evoking a moan of pleasure from her and intensifying his own desire. He groaned deeply, his throaty sound filling the air as he passionately kissed her, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth. It didn’t take long for him to pin Imara against the wall, his lips ravishing hers, quenching his unending thirst for this very touch. He had been pining for it ever since he realised his feelings for the woman he married.Adhiraj’s touch sent unfamiliar, yet delightful sensations coursing through Imara’s body. He didn’t even need to move his hands on any part of her body to make her crave him more and more. The lack of air didn’t matter to her; all she wanted was for him to continue kissing her. She had no idea what triggered her to lose her composure, but the sensation of his lips on hers was intoxicating.Gradually, however, Adhiraj pulled away, his chest heaving as he touched their foreheads, their eyes closed as they relished the moment before he spoke, “You shouldn’t have done that, Little Tyke.”Before she could comprehend his words, he tilted her head and pulled her into another intoxicating kiss. Their lips melded together, savouring the taste of each other, before they separated for the long week ahead.===============Author's Note:Hey Readers,First of all, a very Happy Independence Day to all of you!I really hope all you enjoyed this little dramatic twist😍Now let's come to the reason of an author's post after so long. There have been quite unavoidable situations at my home in the past few months, moreover, as you all are aware, I even lost my file and rewrote almost everything.This year has been quite challenging! Adding to another set of challenge, I will be unable to post the chapters until 20th August, 2024. The chapters will resume from 21st. Now, no, I am not prioritising the second book of Intertwined Release. The reels and posts you are seeing in Social Media, are being posted by a PR I have hired.I am quite stuck up in a sticky situation that is too tiring and leave me with little energy.I really hope you all will understand and wait until 21st as we near the end of this story and more twists await!