Chapter-17

Author's POV,

As the car pulled up to a luxurious restaurant, Pihu's heart sank. She had hoped that Rudra would simply drop her home and leave her alone, but he had other plans in mind. She knew she couldn't refuse outright, as his temper was unpredictable, so she reluctantly stepped out of the car.

Rudra held out his hand for her to take, a gesture that should have felt romantic, but under the circumstances, it only made Pihu's anxiety soar. "Come on, Pearl. Let's have lunch together," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Pihu hesitated for a moment but then reluctantly placed her hand in his, feeling a strange mix of fear and vulnerability. Rudra led her inside the restaurant, where a table had been reserved for them in a secluded corner, away from prying eyes.

The ambiance of the restaurant was elegant and romantic, with soft music playing in the background and candles flickering on each table. Pihu couldn't help but notice the effort Rudra had put into setting the scene, but she was determined not to let her guard down.

"I really should be studying for my exams, Mr. Rathore," Pihu said, trying to find an excuse to escape this lunch.

Rudra smiled charmingly, his eyes fixed on her. "One hour, Pearl. That's all I'm asking for. You can spare one hour for lunch, can't you? Besides, it's lunchtime, so you need to eat something." He said last line in authoritative tone.

Pihu wanted to protest further, but her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. She tried to hide her discomfort, but it was clear that Rudra had noticed. He chuckled softly, finding amusement in the situation.

"Seems like your stomach agrees with me," Rudra teased, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Now, she couldn't deny that she was hungry as her anxiety had suppressed her appetite and also she didn't eat her breakfast today due to her exams, and she realized that she needed to eat something to keep her strength up.

"Fine, one hour," Pihu agreed, her voice resigned.

Rudra's smile widened, and he pulled out a chair for her to sit. Pihu took a seat, trying her best to remain composed as Rudra ordered their meals. He seemed to know exactly what she liked to eat, which only added to her discomfort.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Pihu fidgeted nervously with her cutlery, avoiding Rudra's intense gaze. "Why are you doing all this?" she finally asked, unable to hold back her curiosity as first time, when she spend time with Rudra in his house, she is so much scared that she can't even think but now she have chance so she don't want it to slip.

Rudra leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "Because I want to show you that I can be different," he said quietly. "I want to prove to you that I'm not all just darkness and danger. My feelings for you are strong, possessive even, but there is love, even if it's selfish. You are mine, Pihu, and I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine."

Pihu felt torn inside, wanting to argue and resist, but fear and uncertainty held her back. She knew challenging him could be dangerous, and she didn't want to jeopardize her plan of running away from him. So, she chose to remain silent.

In the depths of Rudra's eyes, he believed that he was making progress with Pihu. He saw her silence as a sign of understanding and perhaps even acceptance of his feelings. This misguided belief fueled his determination to keep her close, to prove his affection in whatever twisted way he deemed fit.

Changing the topic, Rudra asked with interest which was unexpected, "How were your exams going?"

Pihu didn't expect such a question from him, considering how he previously appeared to dislike her studying. Nevertheless, she replied, "They are going good."

Rudra sensed her unease, and for the time being, he didn't push further. He was content just having her presence for the time being, even if it was reluctant on her part.

Their meals arrived, and they ate in silence for a while. Despite her apprehension, Pihu couldn't deny that the food was delicious. Rudra seemed content to let her eat in peace, and for that, she was grateful.

As they finished their lunch, Rudra glanced at his watch. "Time's up," he said with a playful smile. "One hour, just as promised."

Pihu couldn't deny the small rush of relief she felt at the prospect of leaving. She was grateful for the temporary reprieve from the intensity of their encounter, but she knew she couldn't let her guard down for long.

As they left the restaurant, Rudra surprised her again, this time with a small bouquet of her favorite flowers. "These are for you," he said, holding them out to her with a gentleness that seemed out of character.

Pihu's heart skipped a beat, torn between the beauty of the gesture and the underlying unease it evoked. "I hope you like them," Rudra added, his eyes studying her reaction.

"Thank you," Pihu managed to say, her voice a little shaky. She took the flowers, holding them delicately, unsure of what to make of this new side of Rudra.

As they drove back to her apartment, Pihu couldn't shake the lingering sense of uncertainty but unable to stop herself from stealing glances at Rudra. His usually intense demeanor seemed lighter today, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was deliberately trying to appear more approachable. She wondered if this is one of his manipulative tactics or if there was a genuine side to him that she hadn't seen before.

But she knew that she couldn't let herself be swayed by Rudra's occasional charm. Beneath the surface, she knew he was still the same dangerous and possessive man she had come to fear.

Once back at her apartment, Pihu stepped out of the car, the bouquet of flowers a bittersweet reminder of their lunch together. "Goodbye, Mr. Rathore," she said, trying to maintain a composed façade.

Rudra reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face and kiss her forehead, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "Until next time, My Pearl," he said, his voice low and possessive.

As she watched him drive away, Pihu took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. The encounter had left her feeling more on edge than ever, and she knew that her escape plan needed to be more urgent than ever before.

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The doorbell chime echoed through Pihu's apartment. Her heart skipped a beat as she hurried to answer it, a smile already tugging at the corners of her lips. With a sense of anticipation, she swung the door open, and there stood Shaurya, a familiar and comforting presence in her life.

"Come in, Shaurya," Pihu greeted, her smile genuine and warm.

Shaurya stepped inside, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Pihu. Despite the seriousness of his job as a police officer, his interactions with Pihu and Shivani brought a different kind of lightness to his life.

From her bedroom, Shivani's voice called out, "Who is it, Pihu?"

Shaurya leaned against the wall, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, "It's me."

Shivani emerged from the bedroom, her face brightening at the sight of Shaurya. "Hey, Shaurya! Good to see you. Why didn't you come these past two days?"

"Hey, Shivani," he replied with a warm smile, "I apologize for that. I had a few meetings to attend, trying to solve some ongoing cases. But to make up for it, I've brought ice cream for you both."

The mention of ice cream instantly lit up both Pihu and Shivani's faces, and they chorused, "Thank you, Shaurya."

Pihu added, her enthusiasm evident, "You came at the perfect time. How about we have lunch first and then indulge in some ice cream?" They all nodded in agreement and made their way to the dining table, where a delicious spread was waiting.

As they settled around the table, the air was filled with a sense of camaraderie and comfort. Over dinner, their conversation flowed naturally, touching on various topics from everyday life to shared memories. Shaurya's storytelling about some of his police experiences drew laughter from both Pihu and Shivani, momentarily easing the weight of their past troubles.

After lunch, as promised, they moved to the living room, each with a bowl of ice cream in hand. The ice cream brought smiles to their faces, an unspoken agreement that sometimes a sweet treat could provide a simple but much-needed joy.

As they enjoyed their ice cream, the room was filled with a sense of companionship that had become an integral part of their lives. For Pihu and Shivani, Shaurya was not just a police officer fulfilling his duty; he was a friend who had stepped into their lives with unwavering support and a genuine care that went beyond his professional obligations.