chapter 20

YOU ARE THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART!Chapter 20 :Feeling a sudden wave of nervousness, he yanked the towel from Aadhya’s hands and swiftly draped it over his shoulders, covering his upper body.“Aadu…!”, he began, his voice slightly shaky. “Believe me… those two kids... they were teasing me. I just played along! I wasn’t trying to attract anyone. I was only asking for the bathroom to shower”, he pleaded, his tone vulnerable, as though afraid Aadhya might genuinely mistake his intentions.Aadhya glanced at Neil and Pranay, who were still staring in shock. She turned back to Nandu and sternly instructed,“I’ll arrange the water. Wait here. And don’t you dare remove that towel!”. She wagged her finger at him in a mock threat.Leaning in close, Nandu lowered his voice, his tone laced with mischief. “Aadu! Don’t worry. No one can captivate me like you do. You’ve made me drown in an endless pit of love… and there’s no escape. I’m only yours—now and forever”.His playful, teasing smile sent another wave of warmth through Aadhya, but she quickly turned away to hide it.Casting a sharp glare at Neil and Pranay, Aadhya called out to the servant and arranged hot water for Nandu’s bath.Meanwhile, Neil and Pranay approached Nandu, grinning mischievously as they started teasing him for acting like a scared cat in front of Aadhya. However, Nandu remained silent, choosing not to respond to their taunts. His mind was elsewhere, on Aadhya’s flushed face and the way her gaze had lingered on him.When Aadhya returned, she instructed Neil and Pranay to show Nandu the way to the bathroom. Her tone was firm as she warned them,“No pranks on him, understood?”.The two boys nodded, albeit with playful smirks, before leading Nandu away.Throughout the day, Aadhya felt unusually awkward in Nandu’s presence. She avoided making eye contact with him, but every time her gaze accidentally landed on him, the vivid image of him standing half-naked at the well, his sculpted body, defined abs, and broad chest—flashed in her mind. The memory sent a rush of heat through her body, leaving her flustered.Nandu noticed her discomfort and nervousness but chose not to confront her about it. He respected her space, though he quietly enjoyed observing her subtle reactions, the stolen glances, the quick avoidance whenever their eyes met, and the pink hue that bloomed on her cheeks every time she thought he wasn’t looking.The day passed, but the tension lingered between them.By nightfall, as they returned to their room, Nandu couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling within him. He felt like a teenager again—his heart racing every time Aadhya’s eyes met his, and the sight of her cheeks turning pink with bashfulness made his chest tighten with a strange yet thrilling joy.For the first time in a while, he realized just how deeply she affected him. And he loved every bit of it.Noticing Aadhya spreading the blanket on the floor, Nandu approached her. Without a word, he gently held her wrist and, with a sudden tug, pulled her toward him. Caught off guard, Aadhya stumbled and fell against his chest. Her heart raced as she found herself pressed against him, her palms resting on his firm body.Startled, she instinctively tried to pull away, but his strong arms slid around her waist, holding her firmly in place.-  *KRISH*