15.

Mira's POV

It has been three days since I started ignoring Abhiraj and trust me when I say this.....it is the most satisfying thing in the world. Watching his expressions shift, seeing the way he keeps trying to figure out why I am ignoring him....it feels like a small victory.

He is not someone who chases people, but here he is, making efforts for me. The thought that someone cares about me, even in silence, gives me an odd sense of peace.

We only talk in a strictly professional manner.....as boss and employee....but we both know there’s something more between us. Something deeper, something stronger.

And I am damn sure he knows there is something from my side too. Otherwise, why would he act like this? He is not behaving like Mafia King ASR or CEO ASR around me. No. He acts like a normal person. Like a man I want.

I used to believe that men like him..

dangerous, powerful, ruthless could never bring peace to someone's life. But Abhiraj? He is proving me wrong in ways I never expected.

And the worst part I don’t just like him anymore. My feelings are growing.

I am lost in these thoughts when suddenly, someone shakes me.

"Miraaaa!"

I blink snapping out of my daze. "Yes yes!" I say quickly.

Jiya stands in front of me, arms crossed, staring at me with a frown. "I have been calling you so many times! Why are you not listening?"

I grin sheepishly. "Nothing… tell me what happened?"

She scoffs. "Let's eat outside! I want something spicy. Something that lifts my mood. And something you know...."

She keeps talking animatedly and I just nod along.

"Yes, yes I know and let's eat outside" I say stepping out of the lift with her.

Jiya beams, suddenly kissing my cheek. "Ummah! You are the best!"

I chuckle at her affection but a sudden cough makes me pause. Both of us turn.

Abhiraj is standing there. His gaze is locked onto Jiya, his eyes narrowed slightly....not in a threatening way but definitely in an intense way. He doesn’t say anything but the way he stares at her makes the air around us shift. He Walk pass by us.

Jiya doesn’t seem affected. Instead she grins and whispers to me "I kissed his woman. That’s why he’s glaring at me. He is jealous."

Her words hit me.

My heart skips a beat and before I can stop it, a small smile forms on my lips. A light blush creeps onto my cheeks.

Jiya gasps dramatically. "Ohooo! Blushing! Blushing!"

I quickly look away but before I can react....

"Let’s go! I’m hungry" Jiya says dragging me outside.

As we step out of the building, I glance back.

Abhiraj is standing there outside. He is on the phone now, talking to someone but his sharp eyes remain focused on his guards. Zar is sitting there.

The moment I see them outside, it’s like a switch flips. The warmth Abhiraj had around me vanishes. Now, his face is cold, his eyes dangerous. The same deadly aura surrounds him...the one that reminds me of who he is.

And then, I hear it.

"I’ll kill the person who tries to touch what’s mine."

His voice is low lethal.

My breath catches. My eyes follow his gaze. He is looking directly at Jiya while saying this. A shiver runs down my spine.

"Miruuu let’s go!" Jiya grabs my hand her tone light but I can tell she noticed too. She briefly glances at Abhiraj before pulling me away.

As we leave the company premises, I find myself smiling. There’s an unsaid fight happening between the two of them and it’s amusing to watch.

We reach the bus stop and board our usual bus, heading toward our favorite chaat shop, which is near our house.

A sudden burst of excited whispers fills the air.

"Look! Abhiraj’s car!"

I hear some girls squealing from the window. My head turns automatically.

Outside, through the glass, I see his car.

He is following our bus. My heart beats a little faster. He doesn’t live in this direction. His house is in the opposite direction. Then why is he…?

I swallow. I don’t know what this man is doing. But one thing is clear...he is not letting me out of his sight.

"Abhiraj Majnu Singh Rajvansh" Jiya says dramatically and I burst into laughter.

It feels so good.

Watching our man follow us when we are not talking to them? that is pure satisfaction.

The bus slows down as we reach our stop and we step out. The evening air is warm, filled with the smell of street food. We start walking towards the chaat shop, the one we always go to when we crave real, spicy street flavors.

"I think he’s going to follow you the whole time" Jiya says, walking beside me her voice playful. "Just talk to him, Mira." I shake my head with a small smile.

The shop is located on the main road, a small yet famous place that serves the original flavors of chaat. No fancy seating, just a few plastic tables and chairs set outside, right under the open sky.

I glance to the side and as expected, I see his car stop at some distance. It’s impossible to not recognize it.

First, it’s his car....there’s no other car in the country like it. Second four other black SUVs are parked around it....his guards. The whole setup screams power and danger.

Jiya and I take a seat outside and place our order. The smell of freshly made chaat fills the air, making my mouth water.

"Mira, please talk to jiju" Jiya pleads suddenly. I look at her, completely shocked.

"Who are you calling jiju?" I ask even though I know exactly who she is talking about. I just want to hear it from her mouth.

"Of course my Abhi jiju" she says proudly.

I don’t even need blush at this point. The way she says it...so naturally....feels too good. Don’t ask me why but it just does.

"Please for me, stop ignoring him" Jiya continues. "He only ignored you twice and let’s be honest...he doesn’t even know how to make people talk to him. he has no one in his life who teaches him these things, Mira. He doesn’t have someone to tell him what’s right how to handle relationships, how to make things right."

I listen to her carefully. Indeed, she is my mother in disguise. I am so lucky to have her.

"Okay, I’ll talk to him" I finally say. "And honestly I don’t feel good seeing him like this either."

Jiya grins and nudges my shoulder playfully. At that moment, the worker arrives placing our order on the table.

"Ma’am your order." We look at the plates.

Crispy dahi puri, spicy pani puri, sizzling hot aloo tikki chaat and creamy dahi papdi....everything looks perfect. The first bite is heavenly.

"This is so good" Jiya says, stuffing her mouth with food.

I hum in agreement, enjoying the burst of flavors. But even as I eat I can feel his eyes on me. I don’t have to look. I just know.

I sigh and reach for my phone. Taking it out from my bag, I dial his number. The phone barely rings for half a second before he picks up.

"Hello" his deep, desperate voice comes through.

I don’t reply immediately. Instead I take a bite of my tikki chaat, savoring the taste. Then finally, I speak.

"Khana hai aapko?" I ask casually picking up a dahi puri and lifting it in front of his car so he can see.

"Yes" he answers immediately. I chuckle softly.

"Toh jao kharid kar kha lo" I say smoothly and before he can respond, I cut the call.

Right before the call ends, I hear his deep, throaty chuckle. I smile.

"Miraaaa you’re making things hard for him" Jiya pouts her eyes full of fake disappointment. I smile at her words, feeling amused.

"Okay, okay sorry! That was the last time I promise" I say holding my hands up in surrender.

She gives me a look before nodding and going back to her food.

We finish eating, pay the bill and start walking home. The night air is calm and our area is peaceful since most people here sleep early. The silence feels different....soothing yet a little strange.

I glance behind, expecting to see his car but it’s not there. Maybe he has gone home. I sigh. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

"We will…..." I start to say but before I can finish, a sharp shriek escapes my mouth.

Someone grabs me roughly, pulling me into a narrow alley. My back hits the cold wall and my eyes shut from the sudden movement. My heart pounds in my chest.

"Leave her........oh never mind! Don’t leave her, I’m going. Bye" Jiya’s voice comes from outside, full of mischief and then… silence. I snap my eyes open and my breath hitches.

It’s him.

"Abhiraj" I whisper staring at him in shock.

He is standing right in front of me pinning me against the wall. He is close...not enough to make me uncomfortable but close enough for me to feel his presence.

His body radiates heat and his scent....expensive cologne mixed with something purely him....fills the small space between us.

And God, he looks so handsome.

His sharp jawline, intense eyes and perfectly messy hair...everything about him is dangerous, yet right now he looks almost… vulnerable.

"Why are you here?" I ask my voice soft. He releases my hands and takes a step back.

For a moment, he looks down as if gathering his thoughts. Then he looks up meeting my eyes.

And my heart stops. His eyes are moist. Why?

"Why are you ignoring me?" he asks, his voice low, the same question he’s been asking for the past two days.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Because it’s my choice who I talk to and who I don’t." His jaw clenches.

"Please," he says his voice almost breaking. "Tell me why you’re ignoring me." Something in me wavers but I push it aside.

I tilt my chin up stubbornly. "I’ll ignore you as much as I want. I’ll do whatever I want. What will you do huh?"

I expect him to get angry, to snap back. But what he says next shocks me.

"I’ll beg you" he whispers. My mouth parts slightly. He takes a slow step toward me his voice steady but filled with something raw.

"I’ll beg you on my knees if that’s what it takes for you to talk to me." My heartbeat stumbles.

This is Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh...Mafia King of Asia, the man feared by everyone.

And he’s saying this?

I swallow trying to mask the sudden rush of emotions in my chest. "And why would you do that?" I ask my voice quieter than before. "You’re Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh. A mafia king. A man who hates women to his core."

I search his face for an answer.

"Then why" I whisper my voice barely above a breath "does it bother you when I ignore you?"

His eyes darken. And he takes another step toward me.

" Yes it does and I hate women" he says, his voice low. "But not you because…." He stops mid sentence.

I tilt my head, my heart racing. "Because?" I ask my eyes locked on his.

He looks straight into my eyes and for the first time, I see something different in them. He’s struggling, trying to find the right words. His lips part slightly, then press together like he’s holding back.

Then in a whisper so soft I almost miss it, he says "Because you are mine."

A shiver runs down my spine. I blink, pretending his words don’t affect me but inside? My heart is jumping.

"And who told you that I’m yours?" I challenge crossing my arms. "I’m not yours."

I want him to say it again. To prove it. His jaw clenches and his eyes darken.

"I said you are mine" he repeats his voice firm this time. "And you are only mine."

Oh.

This isn’t the soft hesitant Abhiraj from a moment ago. This is Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh, the Mafia King. His words hold power and the way he says them makes something deep inside me melt.

He takes another step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "Will you accept me or not?" His tone is commanding, almost like a threat.

I glare at him, pushing him back lightly. "Is this how you ask someone to accept you?" I raise an eyebrow. "I need a proper confession. Then I’ll accept you."

A slow smile spreads across his lips. His eyes light up and for a second, he looks like a little boy who just got his favorite toy.

"You’ll accept me?" he asks his voice full of disbelief.

I nod. And the next thing I know, I’m being crushed.

His arms wrap around me in record breaking speed lifting me slightly off the ground.

"You’re mine, mine, mine!" he exclaims his voice full of pure excitement. His grip is so tight I can barely breathe but I don’t mind.

I laugh my hands resting on his back. "I’m not yours yet!" I tease. "First propose to me properly then I’ll be yours. And you’ll be mine."

The way I say the last part...soft, almost intimate...makes him chuckle.

That chuckle. It’s deep. Warm. Dangerous. It should be illegal to sound this good.

"Okay then" he smirks. "Be ready to become mine. Soon-to-be Mira Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh." My breath catches, but I quickly cover it with a smile.

"I’m going" I say stepping back.

He just stares at me, like he’s memorizing every single detail of my face. Like he still can’t believe my words.

"Let’s go. I’ll drop you" he says.

I chuckle pointing behind me. "My house is ten steps away from here."

His eyebrows crease slightly and he exhales through his nose.

"Good night" he says his voice softer now.

I smile. "Good night." I walk out of the alley....only to freeze. My mouth falls open.

Jiya, Dev and Zar are hiding behind a streetlight pole. One streetlight pole.

You can imagine how much of their bodies are actually hidden behind it.

The moment they realize I saw them Jiya sprints into the building.

Zar and Dev? They take off running in the opposite direction toward their car like criminals escaping a crime scene.

I burst into laughter turning back to Abhiraj. He’s just standing there watching me with amusement.

"Bye" I say, grinning. I rush inside and the moment the door closes behind me...BOOM!

I jump.

I throw my arms in the air. I kick my legs. I spin in circles like a crazy person.

Oh my God.

OH MY GOD!

Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh wants me.

He claimed me.

I knew he had feelings but he admitted it. He’s mine. I’m about to scream...

But then I see her. Jiya.

Standing right in front of me. Arms crossed. Eyebrow raised. Smirking. I freeze.

Uh oh.

"Ahem ahem" I clear my throat trying to act normal. "Let’s go. I’m sleepy."

I dash past her practically running toward our apartment. The moment we step inside, she grins like a crazy person.

"Finally you got your dream man!" she squeals grabbing my hands.

"YES, YES I GOT HIM!" I scream jumping up and down. And just like that, we start a happy dance.

Jumping. Spinning. Screaming. It’s our moment.

"Now it’s your turn" I say nudging her. But then...BAM! She shoves me. Straight faced.

"I’m so sleepy" she says, turning around and marching into her bedroom like she wasn’t just dancing with me ten seconds ago.

I blink. Excuse me?! I flop onto the couch, watching her disappear into the room.

"What just happened?" I mumble to myself staring at the ceiling.

One second we were celebrating. The next second? I shake my head a small smile creeping onto my lips.

Tonight was crazy. And it’s only the beginning.

Abhiraj’s POV

She runs inside her apartment, disappearing behind the door. For a second I just stand there, staring at the place where she was.

She said yes.

She accepted me.

Mira is mine.

The words keep echoing in my head, making my heart race.

I turn around and sprint toward my car like a madman. I throw the door open, jump inside and the moment I close the door...

I grab Dev and Zar and crush them in a tight hug.

"She accepted me! Mira is mine now!" I shout squeezing them even harder. "She hugged me too!"

I swear I’m smiling so much my face hurts. Dev and Zar struggle in my grip but I don’t care.

"Poor Mira…" Dev mumbles under his breath. I immediately pull back and glare at him.

"What did you just say?" I narrow my eyes, my hands gripping his shoulders.

"Nothing nothing" he says quickly shaking his head. "Congratulations, bro." I relax a little but I keep my glare on him for a second longer.

"I’ll propose to her tomorrow" I announce, my voice firm.

Dev and Zar grin and show me a thumbs-up. I lean back in my seat, letting out a deep breath.

I feel so happy. Like, really happy.

Happier than I’ve ever felt before.

I can’t even explain it. My heart feels like it’s going to explode.

For the past few days, when she ignored me, I was this close to kidnapping her just so she would talk to me.

But now I know she was just teasing me. She knew all along.

And today… I tricked Dev.

I knew something was going on between him and Jiya, so I told him that one of my business partners had noticed Jiya and was interested in her.

The moment I said it, he looked like he wanted to murder someone. He actually believed me.

Then I told him that if he helped me with Mira, I’d tell him the business partner’s name.

And guess what?

He spilled everything.

He told me that Mira likes me back. That she knows I have feelings for her. That she’s just teasing me and waiting for me to confess properly.

And not just him...Zar knew about it too! I was the only one who didn’t know. I shake my head, smiling.

Tomorrow, I’ll propose to her. And then, she’ll be mine. Forever. I close my eyes already imagining it.

Her in my arms.

Her saying yes.

Her becoming Mira Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh.

But what I don’t know....what none of us know...is that a storm is coming.

A truth that will change all our lives forever.

Judge: Why did you all kill your author?!

Readers: She kept ending every chapter on a cliffhanger! We had no choice!

Judge (sighing dramatically): And you didn’t invite me? I suffered the most! I'm also her reader.