Chapter 7 : locked desires

The morning sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft, diffused light over the road as we made our way to the driving training spot. The air felt fresh, but there was an underlying chill, a prelude to the rain that was expected later. Tanu and I were both in the car, the hum of the engine the only sound breaking the stillness around us. The place was quiet, far enough from the city to make it the perfect spot for me to practice without distractions.

I glanced at Tanu, who had been noticing how tense I was ever since yesterday we decided to come here. I had always been more comfortable with things that required focus and precision, like archery or swords , but driving was a whole different challenge. The speed, the control, it was all a little intimidating. I had always been a passenger, never the driver. But today, I was determined to change that.

Tanu noticed my unease. "Don't worry, anshi. You've got this," she said, offering me a reassuring smile. "Just remember the basics, okay?"

I nodded, focusing on her words. She quickly ran through the basics of the car, the gears, and the pedals. I memorized it in a single glance, my mind absorbing the information with surprising ease. I had always been good at learning things quickly, especially when it was something I wanted to master.

Not flexing !

"Alright, let's start with a few rounds," Tanu suggested, her voice calm and steady.

I gripped the steering wheel, taking a deep breath. The engine purred beneath me as I shifted into gear, the car moving smoothly at first. Tanu's guidance was steady, Each turn, each maneuver felt smoother as I gained confidence. It wasn't as hard as I had imagined. The car obeyed my every command, and I felt the rush of excitement building inside me.

But the thing was, I couldn't go slow. I wasn't built for slow. I liked the speed, the adrenaline. I could feel the urge to push the car faster, to see how much I could handle. Tanu noticed my eagerness, and she raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. She was smart enough to know I needed to find my rhythm.

After a few rounds, I felt the car become an extension of myself. The controls were second nature now, my foot pressing the gas with confidence, my hands steady on the wheel. We spent the next few hours driving around, my mind finally at ease.

When we finally stopped for a break, the sky had darkened, and the first drops of rain began to fall. It was a perfect moment, the kind I hadn't experienced in a long time. It felt like freedom. The kind of freedom I had never allowed myself to enjoy before, always too caught up in royal duties and the weight of responsibility. But today, I was just Aaradhyanshi, enjoying the thrill of the road and the company of a friend who understood me better than anyone.

We decided to head to the games club at the newly opened Elite Mall. I raised an eyebrow at Tanu when she mentioned it. A game club? That was something new.

"Are you serious? A game club in a mall?" I asked, amused by the thought.

Tanu laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes, and I'm dragging you there. You need to have some fun, anshi. Trust me."

I chuckled and nodded, curious about what awaited us. The mall was bustling with energy, and as we walked through the entrance, the bright lights and sounds of the arcade greeted us. The game club was -bright neon lights, the sound of buttons being pressed, and the occasional cheer from someone winning a round. Tanu immediately pulled me toward the archery section, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

I had always been good at archery, something I had picked up during my childhood. The bow felt natural in my hands, the string tautted against my fingers. My first two shots missed, but I wasn't discouraged . I knew I could do better. With each release of the arrow, my aim grew sharper. The next few shots were perfect bullseyes, one after the other. I felt the familiar rush of accomplishment, the same feeling I got when I hit a target perfectly during training.

Tanu watched with admiration, her eyes wide with surprise. "You're a pro!" she exclaimed. "I knew you were good, but this is awesome !"

I smiled, enjoying the rare moment of fun. For so long, I had been caught up in my royal duties, the constant pressure of being the perfect heir, the perfect ruler. I had forgotten what it felt like to just let go and enjoy something for the sake of enjoyment. But here, with Tanu, I felt like I could breathe.

After a few more rounds, we wandered around the mall, window shopping and chatting. Tanu's eyes suddenly lit up as she spotted a black dress in one of the stores. Without missing a beat, she grabbed my arm and dragged me inside.

"You have to try this on!" she insisted, her voice full of excitement.

I laughed, amused by her enthusiasm. "Tanu, I don't know. I'm not really the dress-up type."

But she wasn't having it. "Just try it on! You never know, it might surprise you."

I followed her into the fitting room, amused by her insistence. As I looked at myself in the mirror, the sleek black dress clung to my figure in a way I hadn't expected. It was simple but elegant, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could just be...me. Not the princess, not the heir to the throne, but just Aaradhyanshi.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, Tanu's eyes lit up. "You look amazing! I knew it would suit you."

I smiled, a little self-conscious but grateful for her encouragement. "You're crazy, you know that?"

Tanu just grinned, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. "I'm your crazy friend, anshi. And I'm glad you're having fun today. You deserve it."

I hugged her back, feeling a warmth spread through me. She was right. I did deserve it. And for the first time in a long time, I was letting myself enjoy the moment. The rain outside had started to pour.

The rain started just as expected, pouring down in heavy sheets. I hated rain. It reminded me of old memories, memories I'd rather forget. I stood under the shelter of the mall's entrance, brushing droplets off my jacket, annoyed by the sudden downpour. The guys had been arguing about whatever they knew about buying new clothes, but I was too irritated by the rain to care. They could argue all they wanted. I just wanted to get this over with.

I rolled my eyes, watching them argue like idiots. Sometimes, I really wondered why I hung out with them. They were always so dramatic about everything. My thoughts were interrupted when I realized I had fallen behind them. I sighed, muttering under my breath as I started walking faster to catch up.

And then, I saw her.

Aaradhya.

I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes locking onto her instantly. She was standing there, her arms wrapped around her best friend in a tight hug. But that wasn't what caught my attention. No, it was the dress she was wearing. A sleek black number that hugged her curves like it was made just for her. The fabric shimmered in the light, highlighting her figure in a way that made my chest tighten.

She looked... stunning. Hot. Too hot.

But it wasn't just her body that had my attention. It was her face. The way she held herself, the confidence that radiated from her like a force field. Her eyes sparkled with something that made her look untouchable, like she didn't need anyone, least of all me.

And then, her friend said something to her, something I couldn't hear from where I stood. Aaradhya shook her head, a firm no, and her friend seemed to plead with her for a moment and then she left in the way of the food court . Finally, Aaradhya walked off, disappearing into the trial room.

I stood there, frozen for a moment. What the hell ? why the hell did she have to look so damn perfect? My breath hitched in my chest, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. My mind raced, thoughts of her swirling in my head like a storm I couldn't control. It was like she was burning into my brain, and I couldn't shake her off.

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. She was driving me crazy. Every time I thought I had her figured out, she'd do something to mess with my head, to make me want her more. And I hated it. I hated that I couldn't control my thoughts when it came to her. I hated that she had this power over me, this ability to make my heart race with just a glance.

She needed to be taught a lesson. A little punishment, maybe. Something to make her realize how much she was messing with my head.

I smirked at the thought. It would be so easy to provoke her. She was always so feisty, so quick to snap back when I pushed her buttons. I knew exactly how to make her angry, how to make her lose control. And I was going to do it. Right now.

I stalked toward the trial rooms, my mind set. She wouldn't expect it.

I reached the door of the trial room and paused for a moment. I could already feel the tension building , the way she would react when she saw me. It would be perfect.

I reached for the handle and turned it, not even bothering to knock. To my surprise, the door didn't click locked. She hadn't locked it.

What the hell? Didn't she know how dangerous that was? What if someone else had walked in on her ? I cursed under my breath, irritation flooding my system. She was always so careless with things like this.

I pushed the door open slowly, making sure to keep my footsteps quiet. I wasn't sure if she had heard me yet, but I didn't care. I was already inside, and the moment I saw her, my anger flared. She was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting the dress. She didn't even notice me at first.

And then, she turned.

Her eyes widened when she saw me standing there through the mirror . She froze, her body tensing, but she didn't say anything. She didn't scream or demand I leave. No, she just stared at me with that same intense gaze, the one that always made me want to rip my hair out.

"What the hell, Vikrant?" she snapped, her voice laced with surprise and irritation.

I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips. She was so damn fiery.

"Did you really think you could just lock me out?" I asked, my voice low, a hint of challenge in it.

Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the defiance in her. She was ready to fight, ready to push back. But I wasn't going to let her off that easy. I took a step closer to her, watching the way her body tensed, her breath catching in her throat.

"I don't like it when people leave doors unlocked," I said, my tone dark and teasing. "Especially when they know they're being watched."

Her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, and I could see the struggle in her eyes. She was fighting with herself, trying to decide whether to yell at me or just ignore me.

But I wasn't going to let her.

I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. She took a step back, but I followed her, pressing her against the mirror . The tension between us was thick, almost suffocating, and I could feel the heat radiating off her.

"You think you can just walk around looking like that and not have any consequences?" I whispered, my voice low and intense.

She glared at me, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You're insane," she muttered, but I could see the way her breath hitched, the way her pulse quickened. She was affected.

And I knew it.

I leaned in closer, my face inches from hers, my lips brushing against her ear as I spoke. "You're playing with fire, Aaradhya. And I'm the one who's going to burn you."

Her body tensed, and for a moment, I thought she might push me away, might tell me to get out. But instead, she just stood there, her chest rising and falling with every breath. Her eyes were locked onto mine, her lips parted slightly, as if she was waiting for something.

And I knew what that something was.

I wasn't going to make it easy for her.

I took a step back, my smirk widening as I watched her. "Don't forget to lock the door next time," I said, my voice dripping with amusement.

She didn't say anything as I turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, a mix of anger and confusion in her eyes. But I knew I had made my point. And I couldn't wait to see how she'd react next time.