22. breathtaking hug 🫂

Happy reading yrra's 💗

Raghav pov

The maid finally replied the way I needed her to, her words laced with hesitation.

"Hukkum (Your Majesty), hum kaafi vakt se rani sa (Queen) ke uthne ki pratiksha kar rahe hain (have been waiting for the Queen to wake up), magar naste ke baad se (but since breakfast), unhone ek pal bhi apni aankhein nahi kholi (she hasn't opened her eyes even for a moment)..."

Her response only fueled my anger further. "Then why didn't you inform me earlier?" I demanded, my voice firm and sharp. She stood there, visibly afraid, unable to meet my gaze.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "Let me know immediately if this happens again in the future," I added, dismissing her with a wave of my hand.

I walked closer to the Queen, and as I stood near her, I lost myself completely. I didn't know how long I remained there, just adoring her. Draped in her saree, she lay there, sleeping like a cute baby. An overwhelming urge to hug her and carry her in my arms crossed my mind.

Slowly, I knelt beside her, unable to resist the pull she had on me. I gently moved to sit next to her, inch by inch, and slid the pillow aside-the one she was holding so tightly, the one obstructing my view of her serene face.

I softly called out to her, "Rani Sa... Rani Sa..."

But she didn't respond, lost in her peaceful slumber. Left with no other choice, I gently lifted her in my arms, her warmth radiating against me. Slowly, I carried her to our chamber, where I placed her on the bed-her bed, the one she had literally claimed as her own, leaving me with nothing but a sigh of frustration.

Carefully, I tucked her in, pulling the duvet over her to ensure she stayed warm. Her calm face had a strange power over me, making my annoyance melt away.

I left the room quietly and went downstairs to retrieve her phone, which she had forgotten. After about 15 minutes, I returned, carrying a tray in my hands.

I gently started trying to wake her up, knowing all too well how stubborn she could be when it came to her sleep.

"Kya hai..." she finally muttered, her voice groggy and annoyed.

"Kya hai? Uthiye! Kuchh kha lijiye, Rani Sa," I said, my tone slightly louder, hoping it would have an effect. But, as expected, there was none. She didn't even flinch.

After trying for more than five minutes, I finally gave up, exhaustion taking over. I sat there beside her, watching her as she slept, completely oblivious to the world around her. How careless she was, so engrossed in her dreams that she didn't even bother to acknowledge her surroundings. I shook my head, half in frustration and half in admiration.

I stood there for a moment, watching her peaceful face, and decided it was pointless to keep trying to wake her. Instead, I thought it best to let her sleep. My belongings were still in her room anyway, so I figured I'd use her bathroom to freshen up. Before stepping away, I carefully locked the door to ensure no one disturbed her rest.

(Not that she'd wake up even if the earth split open beneath us-this silence was her fortress, and sleep was her unyielding sanctuary.)

The warm water of the shower felt like a temporary escape, washing away my frustration and replacing it with calm. As I finished and reached for the towel, I allowed myself a brief moment of peace. But just then, a loud, jarring sound cut through the air, so sharp it felt like it had pierced right through me.

My heart stopped for a fraction of a second before it raced uncontrollably. My mind was bombarded with thousands of thoughts-fear, worry, and panic all at once. What if she'd fallen? What if something had happened to her? What if-

I couldn't complete the thought. My hands trembled as I threw the towel aside and bolted out of the bathroom, water still dripping from my face and hair. My legs carried me faster than I'd thought possible, each step filled with dread as I ran towards her bed. Every second felt like an eternity, the sound of my heartbeat louder than my footsteps. I had to see her-I had to know she was okay.

HE'S WEARING JUST A TOWEL

I didn't even notice anything else in the room, my focus solely on her as I moved closer, clearing everything that came in the middle. Without a second thought, I pulled her into a tight embrace, my heart still racing with worry. But as I didn't get any response from her, I slowly pulled away, my arms trembling slightly.

I gently lifted her, making her stand on the bed while holding her by her waist, my eyes scanning her for any sign of distress. I checked her thoroughly, from top to bottom, but she was still-her eyes tightly shut, her breathing steady. Relieved, I pulled her back into another hug, holding her closer as if my embrace would keep her safe.

"Rani Sa... Rani Sa... Aap thik hain? (Are you okay, Queen? Is something wrong?) Aapko kuchh hua to nahi? (Has something happened to you?) Aap kuchh keh kyun nahi rahi hain? (Why aren't you saying anything?)" I asked, my voice thick with concern, but all I felt in return was a sharp pinch in my stomach-something more intense than just worry. It was almost as if my heart had been touched by a thousand emotions, the feeling so strong that it radiated through my entire being.

The pinch in my stomach made me release her from the hug, my hands trembling as I pulled away, my gaze immediately locking with her face.

"Hukum Sa... saans to lene dijiye... tabhi kuchh batayenge na..." (Your Majesty... let me breathe, then I'll tell you something...) she gasped, struggling to catch her breath.

I nodded silently, stepping back and giving her space, allowing her to breathe. I waited patiently, never breaking eye contact with her, my heart still racing, hoping she would say something that would ease my worry.

"Hukum Sa... hum to bas vo pani puri ko dekh ke khushi mein cheekh rahe the..." (Your Majesty... I was just shouting in excitement after seeing the pani puri...) she finally said, a playful smile tugging at her lips, her eyes locking with mine in a way that made me lose track of everything around us.

She leaned back slowly, sitting on the bed again, still smiling, her eyes softening as she continued, "I got too excited over the pani puri." Her words were light, but I could feel the warmth of her presence wrapping around me.

"Aapne to jaan hi nikal di thi... itne choro se kaun hug karta hai, hukum?" (You almost took my life... who hugs after such a scare, Your Majesty?) she said, placing her hands on her waist, still not breaking the eye contact.

I stood there, frozen, feeling something stir inside me-something so unusual, so unfamiliar, that it left me momentarily speechless.

I finally took a long, deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. My hands ran through my hair as I spoke, my voice slightly strained.

"Vo hume laga, shayad aapko fir chot lag gayi thi." (I thought, perhaps you were hurt again.)

I was still speaking when I noticed her gaze shifting from my eyes down to my body, slowly sliding over me until it landed on my abs-the very same spot she had pinched earlier.

A strange surge of energy ran through me as I saw the way her eyes lingered, and without thinking, I slowly moved closer to her, wanting to give her a closer view.

I gently placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face to meet mine, my voice low and teasing as I said, "Kya ab ye galat nahi hai... kisi ko ghurna?" (Isn't it wrong to stare at someone like that?)

The words left my mouth with a mix of playfulness and curiosity, but deep down, I couldn't ignore the electric tension between us.

She replied, her gaze never leaving mine, "Ab koi apne shwaym ko yeh pradarshit kare to dekhne mein kya sharm, hukum sa?" (If someone displays themselves like this, what's shameful about looking, Your Majesty?)

With that, she slowly turned her face towards the pani puri, continuing with a playful tone, "Chaliye ab jayiye, achhe hukum ki tarah full uniform... humra matlab night wear mein change kar lijiye, ab humse wait nahi hoga..." (Now, please go and change into your proper nightwear. We can't wait any longer for the food.)

"Ji, Rani Sa..." I replied, feeling a mix of amusement and respect.

I quickly left to change, understanding the eagerness in her eyes for the food. I returned in just five minutes, ready to serve, knowing I had a task ahead-but also, a strange anticipation within me for what would come next.

When I came back, she was still gazing at the plate of food in front of her, her eyes locked on it with such intensity, as if she could devour it in one go without even blinking.

Foodie Queen, I thought, smiling to myself.

I asked her to sit on the sofa in the room, while I took a seat opposite her. I served her with care, watching as she admired the plate full of pani puri, her eyes glowing with anticipation.

As she reached out to pick up a cute, bite-sized pani puri, I couldn't resist. I gently held her hand, stopping her, and in that moment, she looked at me with a gaze so intense that I felt like the biggest fool in her eyes.

Raising an eyebrow, she silently questioned me, her expression speaking louder than words. I couldn't help but get lost in the depths of her expressive eyes, feeling as though the world around us had paused.

"Kya hua?" (What happened?) she asked, her voice a bit strained as she tried to pull her hand away from my grip.

I understood the sudden shift in her mood, so I quickly moved away, bringing a plate full of dinner-rice, sabji, roti, dal, and some salad-placing it on the table from the tray.

She looked at me in surprise. "What?"

"Pehle ye," (First, this) I said, gently sliding the pani puri plate aside.

"Nooooo... you can't do this to me, Hukum!" (Nooooo... you can't do this to me, Your Majesty!) she cried out, her voice loud and dramatic as she pointed her other hand in my direction, almost as if pleading with me to return the food she had been eyeing.

Her reaction made me chuckle, but I couldn't help but enjoy the playful tension between us.

"This pani puri is mine... I only want to eat this now... plss let me have it," she added, but today, even her "plss" didn't carry any plea; it was more of an order.

I held her other hand as well, securing both her hands in one of mine. It was easy to do, considering her petite figure. She looked at me with angry eyes, trying to show some irritation, but somehow, she still looked like a cute baby to me.

Oh God, what has happened to my mind and words... I thought, lost in the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling.

I gave her a "done" look and fed her until the plate was completely empty, despite her attempts to resist. She would occasionally deny, saying things like, "I'm not like you... main insaan hoon, itna kaise kha sakti hoon?" (I'm human, how can I eat this much?) and other little comments, making the whole situation feel light-hearted.

Finally, as she finished her last bite, she looked at me with a smile and said, "Ab khau..." (Now, can I eat?).

Her words were playful, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the way she looked at me-tired yet content after the meal.

As I freed her hands from my grip, she immediately, like a child, took the plate of pani puri she had been craving since morning. She hadn't told me herself, but Veer had mentioned it before he left for the headquarters.

It made me smile, realizing how much she had been wanting it all this time, even though she hadn't voiced it. Veer's small hint had been enough to understand her wish, and now seeing her enjoy it made everything feel right.

I was just looking at her as she happily ate the pani puri, her mouth full, and both legs crossed while seated on the sofa. She noticed me staring and, without a second thought, offered me a pani puri. I declined, but in my mind, I thought, "Inpe bhi naam ka asar ho raha hai." (Even they are affected by the influence of their surroundings.)

Being as stubborn as ever, she placed the pani puri near my mouth, and her tiny fingers, with their soft nails, brushed against my lips. The touch sent a shiver down my spine. Before I could react, she gently pushed the pani puri into my mouth. I had no choice but to take it. As I tried hard to manage the spicy taste, struggling to swallow, she seemed to enjoy my discomfort and let out a thrill, only for it to turn into a loud cough.

Startled, she quickly placed the plate on the table, stood up, and started coughing. I immediately stood up too, rushing to her side, rubbing her back gently, and offering her some water. As her face came into focus in front of me, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to take care of her.

Her eyes were red, tears flowing like a river, and her nose was badly red as she rubbed her chest harshly, struggling to breathe.

"Siya... drink some water, Siya, please drink some water, baby Siya..." I called out, my voice filled with concern.

She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, and though she was still struggling, thankfully, her coughing had stopped by now. She gave me a weak, but grateful nod, her voice hoarse as she whispered, "I'm... fine now... just... a little... too much."

I gently offered her the glass of water, watching her with a mix of relief and worry, hoping she would feel better soon.

"Aapne pehli baar humara naam liya..." (You said my name for the first time...) she whispered, her words soft and filled with a mix of surprise and warmth.

But before I could respond, the urge to cough from the spiciness in my mouth took over my emotions. As I tried to regain my composure, she gently took the glass of water from my hand and returned it to me, urging me to drink.

She did her best to rub my back with her small, soft palm, guiding me as I drank the whole glass of water. Her actions, so caring and tender, made my heart race, and in that moment, I realized how much I cherished these small, intimate moments with her.

To be continue.......

SUkriya ji 😌

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