💖HEARTS ON FIRE-CHAPTER-18

Aaradhya pov:

"Dhivya, where are we going?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time. But she just smiled at me, her eyes glued to her phone as she typed furiously.

"For two days, you've been sulking in the outhouse, saying you're sick. Enough is enough! I'm taking you to somewhere to clear your head," her tone light but firm.

I sighed, watching the road as the car sped along. Dhivya had practically blackmailed me into coming, and I couldn't say no. Not to her.

The last few days had been awful. After Reena madam's warning, I couldn't bring myself to face Rudhran sir. Her words echoed in my mind constantly—she'd said he only viewed me as his plaything. My chest ached just thinking about it. I didn't want to believe her, but... what if she was right? Dhivya and I walked along the shore, the waves gently brushing against our feet. She was happily chatting about the breeze, the sea, and random gossip, while I kept quiet, lost in my thoughts.

After a while, she turned to me with a knowing look. "Alright, enough of this silence. Why have you been hiding in the outhouse for the past two days, huh? Don't give me the 'I'm sick' excuse again. You think I believe that?"

I glanced at her and quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the waves. "I was sick," I muttered, hoping she'd drop it.

She stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms with a teasing smirk. "Oh, please. You may lie to me, Aaradhya, but there's one person you can't fool."

Her words made my heart skip a beat. I froze for a second,"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice a little shaky.

"Don't you?" Dhivya's grin widened.

I felt her gaze shift behind me, and suddenly, her expression changed. She was grinning from ear to ear, looking like she was holding back a laugh.

"Dhivya, why are you looking at me like that?" I asked nervously, taking a step back.

But she didn't answer. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, as she stared at something—or someone—behind me.

My heart started racing. I didn't want to turn around. I didn't need to turn around. I could already feel it—the weight of his presence.

"Looks like someone decided to join us," Dhivya's tone dripping with playfulness.

I clenched the edge of my saree, my fingers trembling slightly.

"Dhivya..." I whispered.

But she just giggled, leaning in close to whisper in my ear, "Good luck, darling," before stepping away, leaving me alone to face the storm behind me.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned around.

I froze in place, my breath caught in my throat. It was him—Rudhran sir—standing there as if he'd just walked out of a movie scene.  His hands were casually tucked into the pockets of his black jeans, and his crisp white shirt fit him like it was tailored specifically for him. The top two buttons were undone, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest, giving him that effortlessly rugged look that left everyone staring. His hair, perfectly messy in a way that looked both deliberate and natural, The soft waves fell slightly over his forehead, framing his sharp, angular face. A few strands rebelliously touched his brow,

My heart was racing, my palms growing clammy as I stood there, staring at him like a fool. I tried to say something—anything—but my words tangled in my throat.

"Cat got your tongue, Aaradhya?" he teased.

I fumbled with the edge of my saree, desperately trying to find my voice. "I—I didn't expect to see you here, sir..."

"Clearly," he said, his smirk growing wider as he stepped closer, His piercing gaze never left mine, and I felt like he could see right through me.

"You look... different today," he remarked, his eyes lingering on my loose hair.

I swallowed hard, feeling a heat creep up my cheeks. I didn't know whether to thank Dhivya or curse her for convincing me to leave my hair loose and wear this saree.

"I—I... Dhivya brought me here," I stammered.

He leaned back casually, but his eyes never left mine. "Of course, I asked her to," he said with an air of nonchalance.

I froze. He asked Dhivya to bring me here? My heart skipped a beat, but I remained silent, unsure of what to say.

Rudhran sir took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "So,"  his voice low but edged with frustration, "why has madam been avoiding me for the past two days?"

"I... I'm not avoiding you, sir. I—I was sick," I mumbled.

He raised a brow, his lips curling into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "Sick? How convenient." His voice dipped, heavy with disbelief. "You didn't come to the house. You didn't join me for dinner, even after I specifically said I wanted you there. And in the mornings? Suddenly, madam is too busy to even cross paths with me."

I stepped back instinctively as he moved closer, his arms folding across his chest. His gaze pinned me in place, "Tell me, Aaradhya. How is it that every time I arrive, you vanish? And every time I leave, you magically reappear? Do you think I wouldn't notice?"

"I—I didn't mean—"

His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides as he leaned down, his face inches from mine. "Do you even understand how much I missed you these past two days? Do you know what it's like to look for you, to need you, and find you gone? Aaradhya, you're important to me. More than you could ever imagine."

I clenched my fists, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. His words, his emotions—they were too much. They tugged at the fragile walls I had built around my heart.

"Sir, please," I whispered,

"Please, what?" he snapped, his frustration boiling over. "Please stop telling you the truth? Stop telling you how much you mean to me?"

"No, sir,"my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. "I'm not important. I'm nothing. I'm just... just a maid in your house. That's all I'll ever be."

His entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned with a fury I had never seen before.

"A maid?"  his voice dangerously low. He took a step toward me, his towering presence overwhelming. "Is that what you think you are to me?"

I couldn't look at him. My hands trembled as I clasped them together, tears blurring my vision. "Yes," I whispered,  "I'm just a maid, sir. Someone who cleans your house serves your meals. Someone who doesn't belong in your world. Someone who could never..." My voice cracked, and I sobbed, "...never be good enough for you. You will find a rich girl like Reena Madam"

His expression shifted the moment the name slipped from my lips. A shadow of calm danger darkened his gaze as he leaned closer,  "Did she talked with you?"

I swallowed hard, unable to meet his piercing eyes leaving no room for lies. I nodded hesitantly.

"What did she tell you?" he asked, his tone still controlled but laced with an underlying tension. "And don't you dare lie to me, Aaradhya."

My hands trembled, and my breath hitched. Gathering my courage, "She... she said I should stay away from you, sir. That... that you see me as a plaything... and that you pity me."

I dared to glance up at him, and his expression was like a storm waiting to break—anger, hurt, and disbelief swirling together. His jaw clenched tightly, and when he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper,

"So...", his words slow and deliberate, "you believed her words? That I would see you as a plaything?"

The raw pain in his voice cut through me like a blade. I shook my head frantically, desperate to correct him. "No, sir! I know you would never see me like that. I've always known."

His shoulders sagged slightly, his expression softening as a sigh of relief escaped him. "Thank God," he murmured, his hand lifting to run through his hair in a rare display of vulnerability. But just as quickly, his gaze snapped back to mine, sharp and searching.

"Then why, Aaradhya?" he demanded,  "Why are you letting her words affect you at all?"

Tears pricked my eyes as I looked away, my voice trembling. "Because... because I'm just a maid, sir. Someone like me... I could never suit you. Someone like Reena madam... she's beautiful, sophisticated, and perfect for you. Not me."

His entire body went still, the air around us thick with tension. Then, without warning, he stepped closer, his hands cupping my face gently but firmly, forcing me to look at him. His dark eyes burned with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Don't you ever," he said, his voice low but fierce, "ever degrade yourself like that again."

I blinked up at him, stunned by the raw emotion in his tone.

"You think you're just a maid?"  his voice trembling with anger and pain.

His hands dropped to my shoulders, his grip steady yet tender. "Listen to me, Aaradhya. I have never—never—looked at another woman the way I look at you. Do you understand that? Not Reena, not anyone. You are the only woman who has ever mattered to me."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as his words washed over me, but he wasn't finished.

"You think I pity you?" he asked, his voice cracking. "Aaradhya, I don't pity you—I love you. I've loved you from the moment I realized you weren't just another presence in my life but the one who gave it meaning. And I'm not some man with a past full of other women. I've never touched another woman" He exhaled shakily, his thumb brushing away my tears.

My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding wildly. His confession was so raw, so overwhelming, I didn't know how to respond.

"You think someone like Reena could ever suit me?" he asked, his voice hardening slightly. "Reena means nothing to me, and I just know her now, and I loathe her for what she's tried to do to you."

His hands tightened on my shoulders, his gaze fierce. "But you, Aaradhya... you are everything to me. I don't care about status, titles, or what the world thinks. I care about you. I love you. And I won't let anyone, not even you, tell me that we don't belong together."

I stared at him, completely stunned, my mind struggling to process the depth of his words. He loved me? Me?

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely hear my own thoughts. His eyes, filled with desperation and love, bore into mine, leaving me breathless.

"I..." I stammered, looking down, unable to hold his intense gaze. "Sir... I... I don't know... I..."

He stepped closer, his fingers tilting my chin up, forcing me to face him. "No," he said firmly,  "You do know ma. Don't lie to yourself, Aaradhya. I see it in your eyes, in the way you look at me when you think I'm not watching."

I blinked rapidly, my heart racing as his words struck a chord deep within me.

"You think I haven't noticed?" he continued, his voice soft but insistent. "The way your breath hitches when I'm near? The way your gaze lingers on me before you quickly look away? Aaradhya, you feel it too. Don't deny it."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head, trying to step back, but his hands gently cupped my face again, holding me in place.

"Why are you fighting this?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "Why are you so afraid to admit what's in your heart?"

"I'm not afraid!" I burst out, my voice trembling. "I can't be what you want me to be. I'm not enough—"

"You are enough!" he interrupted fiercely, his voice rising, but his hands still held me with the utmost care. "You're more than enough, Aaradhya. You're everything. You've always been everything."

His words broke the final barrier inside me, and the dam burst. I crumpled, tears streaming down my face as all my fears, insecurities, and suppressed feelings spilled out in broken sobs. "I don't know how to love you the way you deserve," I cried. "I'm scared, sir. I'm so scared."

"I... I don't know if I can call it love yet," I whispered through my tears, my voice trembling, "but I... I like you, Rudhran sir. I really do. I... I want to be with you, but it scares me. Everything feels so overwhelming, like I'm not enough, like I'll ruin this."

He froze for a moment, and I could feel the tension in his body. Then, slowly, his fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes were glistening, a storm of emotions swirling within them—relief, adoration, and a tenderness so raw it made my chest ache.

"Aaradhya," he said, his voice a hushed murmur, thick with emotion. "That's more than enough for me. You don't have to say anything more, not now, not until you're ready. Just knowing that you want to be with me... that you feel even a fraction of what I feel... it's everything, Then that's enough for me," he said softly, his lips brushing against the top of my head.

Rudhran sir gently stroked my hair, his chin resting lightly on the top of my head. His voice dropped to a soft murmur, as if he were speaking to himself more than to me. "then, There's no point in waiting too long to fix things," he said thoughtfully. "Some matters need to be handled swiftly, decisively. When it comes to what truly matters... delays can only invite more trouble."

I looked up at him, confused by his sudden musing. "What do you mean, sir?"

He smiled down at me, his expression calm but his eyes sparkling with a secret he wasn't ready to share. "Nothing you need to worry about," he said lightly. "Just know that I'll make sure everything is taken care of. Soon. Very soon."

Something about his tone sent a shiver down my spine—not of fear, but of a strange anticipation.

"Do you trust me, Aaradhya?" his voice a low whisper.

"Yes," I said without hesitation, the word escaping my lips like a vow. "I trust you."

He smiled—a tender, almost triumphant smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Good," he said softly. "That's all I need from you. Just your trust. Leave the rest to me."

"But..." I hesitated, my mind circling back to the same fears. "What about your family? What if they—"

"They already know, Aaradhya. They've seen how much you mean to me. They've seen how I've changed because of you. They support me—and they already love you, just as I do."

His words made my heart flutter and ache at the same time. "Its too overwhelming sir"

He smiled, his hands never leaving my face. "That's okay," he said gently. "You don't have to be ready right now. You can take all the time you need. I'm not asking you to confess your feelings to me today or tomorrow. All I'm asking is for you to let me stay by your side. Let me protect you, care for you." His lips quirked into a teasing smile, though his tone remained earnest. "I'll admit, I'm not the most patient man in the world. So don't take too long, hmm? I might just make a few... arrangements while you're deciding."

"Arrangements?" I asked, confused.

He chuckled softly, "Let's just say I have a habit of planning ahead. But for now, all I want is for you to focus on yourself, on us. Leave the rest to me."

I stared at him, my tears slowing as his words began to sink in.  He was offering me his heart, his unwavering support, and all the time I needed to find my own courage.

I nodded slowly, his unwavering confidence giving me a strange sense of peace.

"That's enough," he said with a soft chuckle, brushing his thumb across my cheek. " I don't plan to let anyone or anything keep you away from me for long. Not Reena, not society, not even your doubts."

I blinked at him, still unsure of what he meant, but his calm, confident demeanor made me let it go. I nodded again, my heart inexplicably lighter. "Okay. I trust you, sir."

He chuckled softly, his hand moving to rest against the small of my back, pulling me closer. "Good," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair. "Then don't think about anything else. Just focus on yourself, on staying happy. I'll take care of the rest."

I pulled away, suddenly feeling shy under his intense gaze. My face burned as I avoided looking at him, but then his hand gently gripped my chin, lifting my face until our eyes met. His expression softened.

"From now on, don't call me sir, more beeru," he said, a playful glint in his eyes.

I laughed softly, nodding in agreement. His smile was so tender, it made my heart flutter. "Just call me by my name," he said with affectionate tone.

"I'll try... I'll try to call you by your name slowly," I murmured, looking down shyly. The words seemed to stumble out of my mouth, but it didn't matter because his smile only grew wider.

He chuckled, his fingers gently cupping my face as he made me look up at him again. His touch made my stomach flip. I was standing so close to him, and his presence felt so overwhelming yet comforting, like I was surrounded by him completely, i came only up to his chest.

He leaned in, and before I even had the chance to process it, his lips brushed softly against my forehead. The kiss lingered for a moment, and I smiled at the warmth of it, my heart swelling with emotions I couldn't even begin to understand.

I felt so loved in that moment, his arms wrapped around me in a secure embrace as if nothing else mattered. We stayed like that, silently, just holding each other. It felt so right, so peaceful.

Suddenly, he pulled back slightly, his expression amused. "How did I forget this?"

I blinked, "What do you mean?" I asked softly.

With a smile that held a hint of mischief, he reached into his coat pocket, and when his hand came out, I gasped in surprise. He was holding anklets—beautiful ones.

"I bought these for you two days ago,"  his voice soft with a touch of playfulness. "I had planned to propose to you, but look how fate turned everything around," he chuckled.

My heart skipped a beat at his words.

He bent down, his movements slow and deliberate, and I could feel my cheeks burning even more. "Wait, I'll put these on myself," I started to protest, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden emotions swirling inside me.

But he shushed me gently, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Did I buy these just so you could put them on yourself?" he teased, his voice dripping with both sarcasm and affection. "No, sweetheart. I'll put them on for you. Be a good girl."

I froze for a second, unsure whether to laugh or blush harder. His words were so tender, yet there was that dominant edge to his voice, that swag in the way he spoke, making my heart race. His fingers were so careful, so gentle as he took one of the anklets and slipped it around my ankle. I couldn't stop the tingling sensation that shot through me at the feeling of his touch. Every inch of my skin felt alive, sensitive, like his hands were leaving a mark on my very soul.

The moment his fingers brushed against my skin, I felt my whole body shiver. I looked down at him, my breath catching in my throat, and his eyes were filled with such tenderness, such intensity, that I almost forgot to breathe.

When he finished, he stood up, his hands resting lightly on my shoulders as he looked down at me. "Perfect," he murmured.

I looked down at the anklets, the delicate silver glinting against my skin, and my heart swelled. I didn't know how to put what I was feeling into words, but I knew one thing for sure—I'd never felt more loved, more cared for, than I did in that moment.

As he held me close,and wrapped his arms around me, I couldn't help but wonder what he was planning, but for now, I let myself sink into his embrace, trusting him with every piece of my fragile heart. Little did I know, his plans were already in motion, and they were far bigger than I could ever imagine.

Hey guys! How's everyone doing? 😊

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