💕FALLING DEEPER-CHAPTER-9

Third pov :

The nightclub was alive with energy, filled with the rich and powerful flaunting their designer outfits, expensive watches, and practiced charisma. The pounding bass of the music echoed through the space,  In a private suite tucked away from the main floor, Ajay sat slouched on a luxurious leather couch. Two empty vodka bottles stood as silent witnesses to his spiraling state. His shirt hung open, exposing his chest.

Beside him, wrapped only in a towel, was Reena. The daughter of Sudharshan, she was cunning, arrogant, and every bit as ruthless as her father. Yet, with Ajay, she was a different person—obsessed, desperate, and blindly devoted. Her love for him was more like a dangerous addiction. She would do anything for him, even degrade herself if it meant staying by his side. Ajay used her obsession to his advantage, exploiting her loyalty without hesitation.

Reena clung to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his torso. "Come on, baby," she cooed, "Don't think about it too much. Let me help you forget. I don't want you getting into trouble."

Ajay's jaw tightened, his hand suddenly shooting up to grab her by the throat. His grip wasn't violent,  her eyes widening in surprise. His gaze burned with a mix of anger and disdain.

"Don't underestimate me, Reena," he hissed, his voice cold and razor-sharp. "I know how to handle trouble. I'll make Rudhran regret crossing me."

Reena, however, lived for moments like this—moments when Ajay's intensity seemed to need her, even if it wasn't love. She let out a small sigh and kissed his neck, her lips lingering as she whispered, "Then go your way, Ajay. You've got the men, the money, and the power to do it. You're no less than him. You just need to strike first."

Her words seeped into his mind like poison, and Ajay's expression darkened. Reena shifted, leaning closer, "Tell me what to do, and I'll do it. Anything you want, Ajay. You know I'm yours."

Ajay's lips curled into a smirk, his mind already buzzing with possibilities. He looked down at Reena, pulling her closer as his grip on her throat relaxed. She was a pawn, but one who willingly placed herself on the board for him.

"Good girl," he murmured mockingly, and pulled her to him. He didn't care for her obsession, but he knew how to exert it. If Reena's blind devotion could help him bring Rudhran down, then he wouldn't hesitate to use her.

Reena's eyes gleamed with hope, misunderstanding his actions as affection. She would do anything for him, even step into the fire if he commanded it.

Eswaran mansion:

Rudhran pov:

It was late—well past 11. The entire house was quiet, lights dimmed, and everyone was tucked away in their comfortable little corners. Except for me. My day had dragged longer than I wanted, I'd sent Vishnu home early, assuring him I'd handle things here.and now, I was finally home. Parking my car in the shed, I slung my coat over my shoulder, loosened my tie further, and grabbed my laptop bag. A quick glance at my reflection in the car window confirmed it: I looked as tired as I felt.

I walked up to the entrance,  The estate was quiet, shrouded in that deep, eerie stillness that only came when everyone else was asleep. But something caught my eye—a flicker of movement near the small shrine to Murugan in the garden. I paused, a strange tingle of curiosity prickling at my senses and walked towards that.

Who in their right mind would be out here at this hour?

I was about to move on when I saw her. Aaradhya. Seated on the stone step with her back turned to me, she didn't know I was there. I let the silence stretch, my gaze on her. The low, steady hum of crickets was the only sound until her soft voice broke through, fragile and raw.

"Muruga... why?" she whispered, the words catching in her throat. "Why is Madam Yamuna so cruel? I do everything I'm asked... I never complain... but still, she hates me. She made me wash all the clothes again, by hand and threatened me if I told anyone... She said... she'd kill me."

The fury inside me flared like wildfire, consuming every thought, every ounce of calm I had left. Kill her? That witch?

I clenched my jaw until my teeth ground together. My hand tightened around the strap of my laptop bag, knuckles turning white. What did she do to deserve that? Nothing. Not a single thing. The anger twisted my gut, the protective instincts I had fought so hard to keep in check roaring to life.

I stepped forward, but then stopped, just out of view. I didn't want her to know I had been there, listening. I watched as her small frame shuddered with each quiet sob, her hands trembling as she clutched them together. She looked vulnerable, fragile. The kind of fragile that could break if you touched it wrong.

"Why does she hate me so much? What did I do wrong?" Her voice cracked, the question hanging in the air like a silent plea.

My heart clenched. I was used to the bravado, the swagger that came with being Rudhran, the one everyone feared and respected. But seeing her there, broken and so innocent in her pain, made that swagger seem meaningless. I wanted to pull her to me, shield her from whatever storm was brewing in her life. She doesn't even know it yet, but she's mine to protect.

I didn't want her to feel the weight of knowing I had heard her, that I had seen her this way. Embarrassment would pull her into herself, and I didn't want that. Not now. Not ever.

I walked a little closer, stopping just short of the shrine, and called out casually like I'd just arrived, masking every trace of what I'd seen and heard.

"Aaradhya? Is that you?"

I saw her stiffen like a deer caught in headlights. She quickly wiped her tears with the back of her hand and turned to me, her voice shaky but polite.

"Si-sir."

Damn that 'sir' again. It grated on my nerves every time. Let the time pass... I'll make her drop that soon enough. One day, she'll call me by my name, and trust me, I'll never get tired of hearing it.

"What are you doing at this hour?" I asked, keeping my tone light. She fidgeted, her wide eyes giving her away before her lips even moved. "I... I'm not sleepy, sir. So I thought I'd sit here for a while," her voice low, almost hesitant. She didn't meet my gaze, her lashes fluttering as if she was afraid to. I could tell she wasn't telling me everything, but I didn't push. Not yet. Instead, I changed the subject, watching her carefully. "Did you eat dinner?"

Her head dipped slightly, avoiding my gaze. "Yes, sir," she replied softly.

Liar. I could feel the falsehood in her words, and that little avoidance of hers only confirmed it. My jaw tightened, and before I even realized it, my fingers were under her chin, tilting her face up to mine. Her soft gasp was barely audible, her breath hitching as those wide, innocent eyes locked with mine.

"Don't lie to me," I said, my voice low,  The way her lips parted, her eyes glimmering with nervousness—it was enough to make my pulse quicken.

She didn't say anything, just stayed there, caught in my gaze, I let out a small sigh, softening a fraction. "Come with me," my tone leaving no room for argument. Her nod was small and timid, and the way she obediently followed me—anklets softly jingling with every step—did something to me I couldn't put into words.

We walked inside, the hall quiet and dimly lit. I turned to her once we were in. "Can you heat up the dinner for me?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

"Sure, sir," her voice as sweet as ever.

I smiled, just a slight curve of my lips, and nodded before heading to freshen up. As I walked away, my mind wasn't on the day's work or even on my exhaustion. It was on her—the way she stood there.

Yamuna. Her name burned in my mind. The fury I felt earlier was back, simmering under my skin. I knew she was behind Aaradhya's tears tonight. I clenched my fists as the cold water splashed over my face, steeling myself.

I'll handle her. But for now, Aaradhya comes first.

When I came back to the hall, my hair still damp and shirt casually unbuttoned at the collar, I spotted her at the dining table. Aaradhya was setting the plates with careful, deliberate movements, her delicate hands trembling slightly. She was so focused, she didn't even notice me.

The dim light above the table highlighted the curve of her cheeks, and her anklets chimed softly every time she shifted.

As I cleared my throat, I walked into the dining area, casual yet purposeful, and took a seat at the table. Aaradhya was there, carefully serving me chapathi and channa.

"You too go wash your hands and eat now. With me," I said, my tone stern enough to leave no room for argument. My eyes didn't waver as I looked directly at her.

Her doe-like eyes blinked at me,  she nodded meekly. "Yes, sir," she murmured, retreating to the kitchen.

I leaned back in my chair, scrolling through my phone while waiting. But then, I heard the faint clatter of utensils from the kitchen. What's taking her so long? Washing hands shouldn't take this much time.

Curiosity and irritation got the better of me. I stood up and walked to the kitchen, only to freeze at what I saw.

There she was, sitting on the cold floor, nibbling on what looked like a sad excuse for chapathi. It was nothing like what she had served me. My jaw tightened as anger simmered beneath my skin.

"Aaradhya," I called, my voice sharp enough to make her flinch. She looked up at me, startled, her eyes wide like she'd been caught doing something wrong. "I told you to come and eat with me. What are you doing here?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "S-sir... How can I... I mean, how can I sit equally with you at the dining table? It wouldn't look right."

That sentence hit me like a slap. My jaw clenched tighter as I stared at her, utterly baffled by how deeply she had internalized this nonsense. Without saying a word, I turned around, walked back to the dining area, grabbed my plate, and returned to the kitchen.

I sat down right next to her on the cold floor, placing my plate beside hers. "Fine. If that's how it is, then I'll eat here. With you," I said, my voice calm but firm.

Her eyes widened, as she protested, "Sir, please don't... don't embarrass me like this. This isn't your place, and the chair isn't mine."

That did it. My blood boiled. Her words were like a knife, cutting deep and igniting a rage I hadn't realized I'd been suppressing. It wasn't just her words—it was the way she saw herself, the way Yamuna made her feel.

I stood up abruptly, "Fine, Aaradhya. If I can't eat with you, then I don't want this dinner. Let's call it a night."

I turned to walk away, But before I could get far, she hurried to block my path, her eyes pleading, her voice soft. "Sir, please..."

I paused, looking down at her. Those wide, innocent eyes were filled with desperation, and for a moment, I let myself revel in the way she looked at me.

"I'll only eat if you eat with me," I said, my tone dropping to something gentler but no less commanding. "There's nothing embarrassing about it. Don't make me repeat myself."

She bit her lip, hesitating, and finally gave a reluctant nod. Taking both our plates, she moved to the dining table and placed them down, sitting at the very edge of a chair like it might swallow her whole.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips as I joined her, sitting casually as if nothing had happened. For now, this was enough. First, I'd ease her fears. Then, I'd deal with the rest

As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. Aaradhya sat nibbling on her chapathi as if she were afraid even to eat properly. Her hands trembled faintly, and she wouldn't meet my gaze.

"Relax, Aaradhya," I said casually, picking up a piece of chapathi and dipping it into the channa. "The food's not going to run away."

She gave a tiny nod, her lashes fluttering as she avoided my eyes. I bit into the chapathi, savoring the flavors she'd carefully prepared. Of course, the meal was perfect—she'd made sure of it. Yet, I couldn't enjoy it fully, not when she was sitting across from me like she didn't belong.

The silence stretched between us, broken only by the faint clinking of utensils. I decided to break it.

"You made all this?" I asked, my voice softer this time.

"Yes, sir," her voice barely above a whisper. I softened my tone, leaning forward slightly. "Look, Aaradhya, I don't care about what anyone else thinks. You don't have to act like you're walking on eggshells when you're with me. Got it?"

She hesitated, her brows furrowing as she processed my words. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Okay... sir."

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. One step at a time.

The moment I took that first bite, I knew. It wasn't just food—it was comfort, warmth, home. I smiled at her, soft and genuine. "This is amazing. You cooked really well, Aaradhya. Honestly, it reminds me of my mom's homemade food. And trust me, I'm not saying this just to be nice. Your cooking's got some kind of magic."

Her eyes widened slightly, and then, there it was—a genuine smile, like she was proud of her work. It hit me right in the chest.

"Thank you, sir,"  her voice shy but steady. "Patti told me you like homemade food and mentioned you love eating channa."

Ah, finally, something normal out of her, something that wasn't wrapped in fear or formality. I nodded. "Yeah, it's true. For the last few years, though, I've struggled to get good homemade food. Sometimes Vishnu and Priya invite me over for dinner, but you know me—showing up is a rarity. And cooking? Let's just say I'm a disaster in the kitchen.

"There was this one time in Canada," I started, leaning forward like I was about to tell some grand secret. "I thought, 'How hard can it be to cook pasta?' Not only did I burn the pasta, but I also managed to destroy the pot. Smoke alarms went off, and my neighbors banged on my door thinking I was trying to set the whole building on fire."

That did it. Aaradhya let out a soft laugh, her hand flying up to cover her mouth as if she wasn't supposed to find it funny —a soft, melodious sound that could melt a stone. And boy, was I here for it. That pearl-like laugh was exactly what I'd been aiming for.

Her laughter faded into a shy smile, but her shoulders had relaxed, and her eyes were brighter now. Progress.

"Don't worry, sir," she said, her voice soft but confident. "Now that you're here, just tell me what you want, and I'll make it for you."

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Anything?"

She nodded, and I smiled. "Then I'm definitely taking you up on that."

But I wasn't done yet. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a theatrical sigh. "But Aaradhya," I started, my tone mock-serious, "what about tomorrow?"

Her brows furrowed, and she tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean, sir?"

"Today, you ate with me and kept me company. But what about tomorrow? You know, eating alone is just... depressing."

Her lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. Perfect.

"So,"my voice softening, "will you join me for dinner every night? Just so I don't have to eat alone?"

She hesitated for a moment, Then, slowly, she nodded. "If you want, sir."

"Good," I said, my tone light but firm. "That's settled, then."

As she stood to clear the plates, my eyes wandered—just for a second. The saree hugged her waist perfectly, and every time she moved, the fabric shifted just enough to tease me. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch, to trace the soft curve of her waist.

CONTROL RUDHRA!

As Aaradhya reached across the table to grab my plate, I couldn't help myself. My fingers brushed against her wrist, stopping her mid-motion. Her wide, startled eyes met mine.

"Leave it," I said softly, holding her gaze a second longer than necessary. "I can take my plate later."

She hesitated, clearly debating whether to argue, but then nodded and stepped back.

I stood up, carrying my plate to the sink and washing it while keeping an eye on her as she moved around the table, cleaning up like it was her mission. Efficient, precise, and somehow so graceful.

When she finished, she gave me a polite smile, her hands clasped in front of her like she was ready to make a quick exit.

"Goodnight, Aaradhya," I said, my voice soft but firm. "Go and sleep."

"Goodnight, sir," she replied, barely above a whisper, and turned to leave.

I stood there, leaning against the counter, watching her walk out into the night. The light breeze caught the edges of her saree, and for a second, I couldn't help but admire the sway of her steps. Her hair fell perfectly down her back.

She's keeping her distance, but I can see it. She's softening, little by little. Her walls might be high, but I'll climb them, brick by brick. That brightness in her eyes tonight? I'd die before I let anyone take that away again.

And Yamuna... oh, she'll pay for what she's done. But not now. No, for now, my focus is crystal clear—winning Aaradhya's heart. One smile, one laugh, one lingering glance at a time.

And yeah, the burnt pasta story? Total nonsense. I'm actually a decent cook. But hey, if pretending I'm a kitchen disaster gets me more of her homemade magic, I'll play dumb all day long.

Tonight, though, her food wasn't the only thing that felt like home.

Hai guys! 👋

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