chapter 21

Pari blinked away her tears as she focused on chopping onions.A sudden hiss made her snap her head toward Vikrant."Oh shit!" He muttered under his breath, staring at his hand.Her eyes widened, and she immediately dropped the knife before rushing to him."Show me!" She grabbed his hand without waiting for his response, her brows furrowing at the sight of the deep cut on his index finger."Tsk!" She clicked her tongue in disapproval.Vikrant smiled. "It's just a small cut, Pari."She glared at him. "Small? Look at this. It's bleeding so much!"Before he could argue, she pulled him toward the sink, determined to tend to his wound.Pari turned on the tap and placed his hand under the running water, washing away the blood. Vikrant watched her fuss over his wound like a mother scolding a reckless child.He bit back his wide smile, feeling his heart fluttering at the simple concern over just a small cut.She turned off the tap, grabbed a clean towel, and gently dabbed his finger." Now, no need to help. You can just go out. I'll do my work."She said and walked back to her place.But he didn't leave. Instead, he leaned against the counter, watching her with a lazy intensity. The soft breeze from the open window played with her hair, lifting a few strands, letting them fall in waves down her back. The deep red nightgown hugged her frame, shifting with her movements, the silky fabric skimming over her curves like an artist's brush against a canvas.A slow smirk curved his lips. Oh, but his hands would do a much better job.He remained in the same spot, losing track of time—maybe ten or fifteen minutes had passed. He only realized when she finished chopping the vegetables and moved on to kneading the dough.And that was his cue.A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he quietly stepped closer. Her hands were coated in flour, busy shaping the dough, which meant she wouldn't be able to push him away if he decided to tease her a little.Perfect.Pari paused momentarily at the sound of his approaching footsteps. She shook off the nervous flutter in her chest and resumed kneading, determined to ignore him.But her resolve crumbled the moment she felt his hands settle on her shoulders.A shiver ran down her spine as he silently undid her bun, letting her hair cascade down."W-what are you doing?" she asked, a hint of irritation lacing her voice. Cooking with her hair open would be difficult.Vikrant didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against the side of her neck.Her breath hitched."Let's just order food," he murmured, his voice low and tempting.She bit the inside of her lower lip, trying to focus. "I'm almost done. The rice is ready. I just need to put the tadka in the daal and make roti-"Her words faltered as she felt his lips graze her earlobe, sending a jolt down her spine.His eyes closed while her eyelashes fluttered before shutting close the time he took her earlobe in between his lips.Pari's breath shuddered as Vikrant's lips lingered, his touch igniting a warmth deep within her. Her hands, still dusted with flour, trembled slightly as she gripped the edge of the counter for support.His lips moved with unhurried precision, teasing her earlobe before he released it, his breath fanning against her skin. A shiver ran through her body, her heartbeat hammering against her ribs." Vikrant," she breathed." Hnn," he hummed against her ears, weakening her more than before. Her chest rose and fell in slow, uneven breaths, her body betraying the turmoil within.Her brows knitted together the moment his lips brushed just below her ear, lingering with deliberate intent.The warmth of his breath and the softness of his touch sent a toe-curling sensation through her, making her grip the edge of the counter tighter. It was intoxicating- the way he moved, the way he claimed space around her without a single word.Before he could move further, she turned around abruptly, catching him off guard."You are disturbing me," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes refusing to meet his."Acha?" His tone held amusement, laced with something darker.He took a deliberate step closer, sliding his left foot into the space between hers. The sudden proximity stole the air from her lungs, her breath hitching at the way he closed the distance, trapping her, surrounding her, making sure she felt his presence from every angle." Go ahead. I won't touch you there now."She blinked, suspicion flickering in her eyes at his bold claim. Yet, despite the heat rising in her cheeks, she nodded hesitantly.A smirk played on his lips as he stepped back, giving her space. Taking it as a cue, she turned around and resumed her work, but the awareness of his gaze burning into her skin made it nearly impossible to focus.She finished her work, relieved that Vikrant hadn't tried anything, at least not physically. But she could still feel his intense gaze on her, burning into her back.Setting the bowl of dough aside, she turned to move toward the sink. She washed her hands, letting the cool water soothe her heated skin as she tried to steady her breath. The weight of his gaze still lingered on her, even though he hadn't moved closer yet.Wiping her hands on a towel, she quickly busied herself, completing the rest of the work—stirring the simmering dal, adding the tempering, and carefully rolling out soft rounds of dough. She placed them on the hot pan, watching as they puffed up, distracting herself from the awareness prickling at her senses.Once everything was done, she set the dishes aside, neatly arranging them on the counter. Just as she was about to move toward the sink again, she felt the heat of his body nearing her from behind.As she turned around, she sensed him coming closer to her, his warmth wrapping around her like an invisible cage.Out of nervousness, she stumbled backward and grabbed the edge of the counter to support herself.Her breath hitched as his hands settled firmly on the counter, caging her in."Now what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Vikrant tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Nothing. Now that you're done, I can resume my work as well."Her cheeks burned instantly, eyes widening in panic. No way! She couldn't let him do that again. His touch had already made her knees weak, set her body ablaze, and left her breathless. If he kissed her there again, she wasn't sure she'd survive it.She pressed herself against the counter, trying to put some distance between them." No.."She frowned when, instead of bringing his face closer, he surprised her by kneeling before her. A flicker of confusion passed through her eyes as she straightened her posture, unsure of his intentions."What are you doing?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of nervousness.He lifted his gaze, meeting hers for a brief moment before dropping it down to her legs. Her breath hitched when his non-injured hand wrapped around her right ankle, his fingers warm and firm against her skin."No!" she gasped, instinctively trying to pull her leg back. But he was stubborn. His grip tightened just enough to keep her from retreating."Don't," she protested, a mix of embarrassment and alarm flashing across her face. "You shouldn't touch my legs."" Oh of course, I should."He said.Before she could argue further, he slipped his hand under her gown and traced his fingers up her calf, his touch slow, deliberate. Pari sucked in a sharp breath, her toes curling as a strange warmth spread through her. He wasn't just teasing her, he was savoring every inch, watching her reactions with dark amusement.He caressed his palm down to her ankle, his touch slow and deliberate, sending shivers up her spine. Then, with measured ease, he slid his hand lower and gently lifted her leg.Pari's breath hitched, her fingers tightening around the edge of the counter as confusion flickered in her wide eyes. Before she could question him, he guided her foot onto his knee, holding it there as if it belonged to him.She bit the corner of her lips as he brushed his fingers against the bells of her anklets causing it to disturb the silence between them but in a most soulful way.His thumb stroked her ankle, tracing slow, deliberate circles. Then, to her utter shock, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the curve of her foot. She gasped, her fingers gripping the counter.Vikrant smirked at her reaction before trailing his lips upward, his mouth brushing against her skin in a way that made her shiver. His lips moved along the delicate bone of her ankle, then higher, his warm breath ghosting over her calf.He slid her gown up simultaneously while she was too affected by his kisses that she couldn't focus on that.Her breathing turned uneven. The way he kissed her, slow, unhurried, almost reverent made her insides coil with unfamiliar sensations.His lips reached just below her knee when he suddenly stopped.Pari, who had been lost in the feel of his mouth against her skin, opened her eyes at his stillness. She followed his gaze and stiffened.He was staring at the burn marks on her calves. He traced a finger over the faded scars- marks that had healed long ago but never truly disappeared.His jaw clenched. His earlier teasing demeanor vanished, replaced by something dark and unreadable.Pari widened as a horrifying incident flashed before her eyes. Her screams echoed in her mind. Her body stiffened, and at that moment, she wasn't in the kitchen anymore.She was back there.The acrid scent of burning flesh filled her senses. The searing pain. The merciless laughter. Her own screams echoing in the darkness.She gasped, stumbling back as if trying to escape the ghost of her past.He looked up at her face, holding her legs tighter." You might want to tell me what else he did with you, Pari."Pari straightened, her heart pounding. Realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, he wasn't just prying into her past. He was trying to unearth the parts of her life that even she had buried deep within herself.She pulled her legs back, " there's nothing to tell about."Vikrant lifted his gaze, trying to read her expression, but she had already moved past him hurriedly, putting distance between them."Pari." He stood up, watching as she turned the tap on with shaky hands, washing them as if scrubbing away invisible scars.She grabbed a towel, patting her hands dry in a rush, avoiding his gaze. Then, with forced nonchalance, she moved toward the counter."I think Maa and Vijay Bhaiya must be hungry too. You should call them," she said, her voice steady but betraying a slight tremor.Vikrant's brows creased. That slight shake in her tone didn't go unnoticed."Pari," he called again, stepping closer.She turned to move away, her focus so scattered that she didn't realize her hand was too close to the hot cooker."Ah!"She gasped, jerking back as the searing pain registered."Pari!"Vikrant grabbed her elbow, pulling her away from the stove instantly."Oh, I'm okay. Touched it accidentally," she said quickly, brushing it off as if it were nothing.She pulled her arm from his grip and turned away, moving to serve the food onto empty plates. The way she busied herself, avoiding his eyes, only confirmed his suspicions.His jaw clenched. She was acting strange, too distant, too dismissive. And that only meant one thing.She was hiding something from him about her past."Pari," Vikrant said firmly, snatching the spatula from her hand and setting it aside.She stiffened but refused to meet his eyes."Look at me," he demanded, his grip tightening slightly around her wrist as he turned her toward him.She let out a heavy sigh, clearly frustrated, as if trying to show him he was overreacting, disturbing her for no reason. That there was nothing to tell.But he wasn't convinced. Not one bit."Now, you are going to tell me everything I ask, okay?" His voice was firm, almost like a teacher instructing a rebellious student.Pari crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. "There's nothing to tell, trust me."Vikrant exhaled sharply and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. "Even if there's nothing to tell, you're going to sit and talk to me for a few minutes, okay?"She sighed, her hands moving up to gently push him away. "Why do you want to waste time? The food is getting cold. You were hungry, right? Maa and Bhaiya must be hungry as well-""No." His interruption was sharp, his patience wearing thin. His next words carried a weight that made her breath hitch."Koi khana nahi khayega jab tak tum hamare sawaalon ka jawab nahi de deti."( Nobody's going to eat until you answer my questions.)His warning was enough to silence her. She lowered her gaze, her eyelashes brushing against her cheeks as she remained quiet.Seeing her submission, Vikrant didn't waste another second. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the kitchen, his grip firm yet careful, making it clear that this conversation was happening whether she liked it or not.Pari stumbled slightly as Vikrant led her out of the kitchen, his grip unwavering. She didn't resist, but her silence spoke volumes.He made her sit on the couch and instead of sitting beside her, he knelt before her, his intense gaze locking onto her hesitant eyes."Now, tell me," his voice was softer this time, but there was no mistaking the command in it. "Where did that burn mark come from?"Pari's fingers clenched into fists on her lap. She looked away, pretending to adjust the fabric of her dress. "It's nothing. Just an old accident.""An accident that made you this uncomfortable?"Her mouth parted slightly, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to her lap as she fidgeted with the fabric of her dress.Vikrant's eyes never left her face, reading every micro-expression she tried to hide. His patience was razor-thin, but he forced himself to stay calm."Did it happen before we met?" His voice was steady, but the weight of his question pressed down on her.Pari inhaled sharply, her fingers curling into her lap. "Vikrant, please..." she whispered, her voice barely holding together.He clenched his jaw. "That's not an answer, Pari."She felt his fingers wrap around hers, stilling the restless movements of her hands. Her eyes landed on the bandage. The sight of it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine, pulling her into memories she had buried so deep she refused to let them resurface.The past bled into the present, uninvited. That night. The burning pain. The suffocating fear. The cruel laughter.She despised the memory so much that she hadn't even dared to scribble it down in her journal, fearing that putting it into words would make it real again.Vikrant's grip on her hands tightened slightly, grounding her back to the moment. His dark, probing eyes searched hers, catching the flicker of something raw and painful before she managed to blink it away." Pari," he tilted his head, " tell me."His comforting voice did nothing to ease the storm inside her. Instead, it made her walls tremble, threatening to collapse. She squeezed her eyes shut, her lashes dampened by the unshed tears pricking at the corners.Vikrant's heart clenched at the sight. He parted his lips to call her name, but before he could, she responded.She shook her head side to side, a silent plea, a denial. His frown deepened, his grip unconsciously tightening around her hands." After meeting me?" he asked, his voice quieter, heavier.This time, her head moved differently. A single nod.And then, as if that tiny motion had unlocked a floodgate, tears spilled from her tightly shut eyes, cascading down her cheeks in silent agony." When?"He asked immediately, his voice edged with urgency.Pari opened her eyes, startled, as if pulled from a nightmare. Her glossy gaze met his.Vikrant felt his breath hitch. The vulnerability in her eyes, the silent plea she didn't voice, twisted something inside him.Vikrant clenched his jaw, his patience thinning. He wasn't a man known for leniency, especially not with her. He had made sure that Mohini knew better than to keep any secrets from him. He had been crystal clear." It was.."She spoke and he maintained his silence, keeping his focus on her only. Her voice trembled as she added," It was when.. you were out for 2 months."Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating. She had said it. She had let the truth slip past her trembling lips, and now, she had to deal with his reaction.He took a deep breath, but it did nothing to calm the violent turmoil inside him. His voice was low, dangerously controlled when he finally spoke."And in those two months... something happened to you."It wasn't a question. It was a statement. A terrifying realization that something had broken her in his absence.Pari didn't answer. But her silence was louder than any words she could have spoken."Pari," he called her name, softer this time. "Look at me."She did. And the moment their eyes met, he felt something shatter inside him.Her usually bright eyes were clouded with pain. A pain she had buried so deep, yet it lingered in the way her lips trembled, in the way her breath hitched, in the way her body tensed as if preparing to run, to escape.And that was what made him more furious than anything.She had been hurt. She had suffered. And he hadn't been there to stop it. Once this truth came out, once Vikrant knew everything, nothing would ever be the same again.Vikrant wasn't a man who sought justice through law or reason. He was a man who believed in destruction. In retribution that was personal and absolute. And she knew, with terrifying certainty, that once the truth is uncovered, there would be no stopping him.A war had already begun in his mind, one that could consume everything. And she... she was at the center of it.⋆༺✷༻⋆Read more chapters in scrollstack as early access.