21.

As Rudra reached the bakery, he quickly got out ready to walk in.

"S.. sir"

Aryan called him, he was too scared to ask rudra. Rudra looked at him over his shoulder.

"Can I have a taste too last time zayn didn't let me eat"

Rudra shrugged,

"If I say no my wife won't like it so come"

Aryan's face lit up. He quickly followed rudra in the bakery.

Arya was sitting at the counter checking through the orders they had received. She heard the bell ring.

"Welcome to sweet esca-"

Her words lingered in the air when she saw Rudra walking in.

"Kat someone's here for you"

Arya yelled and continued doing what she was doing. Ketki rushed out of the kitchen wiping her hands.

She knew it was Rudra judging from Arya's playful voice.

She walked towards rudra,

"Cheesecake will be ready in a few minutes till then let me show you around"

Ketki held his hand and led Rudra into the kitchen leaving Arya and Aryan.

Aryan and Arya gave each other a smill which was awkward as hell. Aryan cleared his throat not knowing what to do.. he went to take a seat.

She noticed Aryan's facial expressions, he was stiff and slightly awkward.

Aryan was a young man, he looked like a normal teenager but they say never judge a book by its cover.

He was Rudra's right-hand man, when it comes to protecting Rudra aryan is ruthless, when it's time to plan a strategy aryan is just like a sly fox.

He was a boxing champ in college and dreamt of being a boxer but his financial condition was not good.

Aryan was just an intern when he joined Chauhan's enterprise because he needed money for his sister's treatment.

Rudra saw through Aryan's records and one day took him to an underground ring.

He wanted to test aryan. Despite his looks, Aryan won the battle in one go. Why? Because he used his brain instead of relying on his strength.

Since then Aryan became Rudra's right-hand man, his friend.

Aryan felt a burning gaze on him so he looked in Arya's direction. Arya quickly looked away.

Again awkwardness fell in the room, Aryan took out his phone trying to divert his mind while Arya buried her face in her laptop to forget that she was caught staring at a stranger, not so strange man.

Meanwhile:

Ketki was checking if the cheesecake was ready,

"Rudra I was thinking of inviting Zayn and Devansh for dinner"

She looked at him closing the refrigerator.

"What's the occasion?"

Rudra asked as he forwarded his hand for her to hold. Ketki held his hand.

And with a swift motion ketki was pulled closer.

Ketki's hand went onto his chest,

"Because I wanna bribe your friends so that they come to my side"

Rudra let out a laugh,

"Then invite them"

He kissed her cheeks. Her cheeks turned crimson red.

Ketki took out the cheesecake and cut it with a knife. She placed two slices on two different plates and took them to Arya and aryan.

The air outside felt weird but ketki shrugged it handed them their slices.

She handed Rudra his plate.

"Here you go"

Rudra took a bite and woah the cheesecake melted in his mouth. He simply loved it.

"Chashni you are the best!!"

He took another bite. He fed a few bites to ketki.

"Slow down Mr Chauhan"

She wiped the corner of his lips where there was little cream. It was a small gesture but For some reason, Rudra felt it hot.

Rudra stared at ketki while she looked down, she knew Rudra was staring at her but was too shy to look up.

Rudra stepped close to her, while ketki took a step back as a reflex. Rudra kept his plate on the counter.

He trapped ketki between the counter and his arms. Ketki gulps because of nervousness.

"Chashni... I wanna taste your lips now"

Rudra whispered in her ear leaving a small kiss on her lobe.

Ketki felt her leg jelly, she felt hot. She bites her lips.

Rudra stared at her lips, his gaze went to her eyes then at her lips. He held her chin.

He leaned close to her lips, almost touching hers.

Suddenly ketki phone rang.

.....

Rudra looked frustrated while trying to get herself out of the daze.

"..i...I'll check it"

She quickly stumbled her way to the counter where her phone was. It was Samarth.

"Yes dada"

I was about to kiss her and feel her lips but that goddamn phone why did it have to ring at the wrong moment.

I wish I could kill whoever has ruined my moment with my chashni.

I heard she called the person dada, which means it was samarth who had called her.

'SAMARTH KULKARNI'

I huffed looking away, ketki looked at me as if trying to stop herself from laughing.

Was she enjoying it? Enjoying my frustration?

She continued talking to her brother may be something important, but what is more important than her husband?

I settled down on the counter with a huff and continued eating the cheesecake.

She had finished talking to her brother and walked towards me.

"What happened? You didn't like the cheesecake?"

She was teasing me, doesn't she know the consequences of teasing me?

"The cheesecake is the best as always wifey but im gonna taste those lips"

I caressed her bottom lip and she was shy again.

"Mr Chauhan you are getting late"

She spoke getting all flustered, I wanted to just pull her close and kiss those plumpy lips.

I resisted the urge,

"I'll pick you up in the evening"

I tuck the hair behind her ear,

"Okay"

I leaned in and kissed her forehead, the moment my lips touched her forehead she closed her eyes.

I kissed her closed eyelids, I kissed her nose, and both her cheeks.

"See you in the evening Chashni"

Her flustered face looked so cute, I didn't want to leave her but she had orders pending.

She gave me a warm smile, holding my hand. We both walked out.

Aryan got up as soon as he saw me. I signaled him, and he nodded and went to bring the car.

I waved to Arya,

"Visit us soon"

She spoke teasingly, of course, she'll tease me too.

I walked out with chashni. Aryan brought the car I was about to go but she didn't let go of my hand.

I looked at her,

"What happened?"

She didn't say anything, just pulled me close, wrapping her hands around my neck and she hugged me.

"Take care, keep texting me, call me whenever you are free, and miss me"

She spoke the same words I said to her.

My heart warmed, the warmth that had been gone for so long I felt it again.

I patted her head, and she tiptoed and kissed my cheeks. And she ran away shyly.

I chuckled and got into the car with Aryan driving off.

Soon we reached Chauhan Enterprise and I got busy with work. And that's how day went by.

In the evening I called Chashni,

On call:

Rudra: are you done with the day? Im coming to pick you up.

Ketki: Rudra I am home, arya dropped me you come home directly.

Rudra: Um, I'm coming right away.

I was kinda disappointed cause she didn't inform me but then again she must have not wanted to disturb me.

"Aryan let go"

We went directly to the underground parking, aryan drove back home while I finished going through the mail.

We reached the mansion but to my surprise, it was all dark. Everyone's home then why is it dark? Did something happen?

Why is it dark? I quickly got out of the car and rushed towards the front door.

I door was open, i quickly got in.

"Ketki?"

"Maria?"

I panicked not receiving any response.

Suddenly the lights went on.

"SURPRISE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUDRA"