Chapter 24: 22. " You are mine "

English is not my first language. This chapter may contain many grammatical errors. Please ignore them and enjoy the chapter. Don't forget to give your beautiful comments.

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Without any further bak bak lets proceed with the twenty second chapter of " Will I ever find my true love

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But before she could process the unexpected closeness or formulate her thoughts, Sashwat leaned in, his expression shifting from his earlier warmth to something unreadable. In a swift and calculated move, he pressed a nerve at the base of her neck.

Ruhani's body reacted instantly, her vision narrowing as a wave of dizziness washed over her. "What-" she managed to whisper, but the words fell away as her world turned dark. The sounds of the bustling cafeteria faded into silence, and before she'd fully registered what was happening, she slumped forward, unconscious and vulnerable, her head resting against Sashwat's shoulder.

Sashwat glanced around, ensuring no one had noticed, and then, without a hint of concern on his face, he wrapped an arm around her, keeping her body close. As the moments ticked by, he took a deep breath, reveling in the control he had gained.

Sashwat carefully lifted Ruhani into his arms, a deliberate yet gentle movement as he cradled her against his chest. Her body felt light and fragile, surrendering completely to the unconscious state he had brought about. As he carried her to his car, he couldn't help but notice her breathing-soft and rhythmic-her lips slightly parted, as if caught in the midst of a dream.

Ruhani's skin, usually radiant with a healthy glow, appeared pale under the stark cafeteria lights, highlighting the delicate features of her face. Her long lashes cast shadows against her cheeks, framing her serene expression. In this vulnerable moment, every detail of her beauty struck him: the curve of her brows, the softness of her jawline, and the innocence that seemed to radiate from her very being.

Arriving at his vehicle, Sashwat opened the back door, sliding in smoothly while ensuring that her head rested comfortably against the seat. He ensured she was positioned safely, her hair spilling across the leather upholstery like a dark waterfall. He took a moment to observe her-her admirable skin and the gentle rise and fall of her chest reminded him of the fineness of the situation.

As he settled into the seat beside her, he couldn't hide the mix of emotions that swirled within him, though he masked them under a calm face. He leaned closer, admiring her face in the dim light of the car's interior. There was an innocence in her expression that heaved at something deep within him, a haunting purity that felt almost blight by the circumstances.

With a soft, almost wistful tone, he murmured into the quiet space between them, "Rose, you are too innocent for all this." His voice barely carried in the stillness, a whisper meant only for her ears. In that moment, Sashwat felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him, aware that he was putting both of them into shadows from which there would be no easy return.

Ruhani slowly emerged from unconsciousness, a heavy fog settling in her mind that made it difficult to gather her thoughts. She blinked several times, trying to adjust her eyes to the bright, dappled light streaming through tall, beautifully covered windows.

As she took a look at her surroundings, she realized that she was lying on a king-size bed, its lush comfort contrasting sharply with the discomfiting circumstances that had brought her here. The bedding was thick and sumptuous, the sheets a crisp white adorned with intricate patterns-a stark reminder of luxury that felt almost foreign to her.

As she sat up, the sensation of heaviness intensified in her head, a dull ache that pulsed with every heartbeat. She rubbed her temples, trying to drive off the confusion that clung to her like a blanket. Panic gripped her as flashbacks of the cafeteria moment rushed in, and she felt an overwhelming urge to escape the lavish confines of the room.

The silence wrapped around her, thick and oppressive, interrupted only by the soft hum of distant air conditioning. It was eerie, almost as if the mansion had absorbed all sounds, leaving her in a void that amplified her unease.

Determined to regain control, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool floor. The combination of uncertainty and trepidation propelled her towards the door, her heart quickening with each step. She approached the handle, anxiety spiking as she gripped it firmly, desperate to find a way out and return to the familiarity of her world.

Just as she twisted the knob, she felt a sudden rush of air behind her-a tense, electric shift that made her instincts flare. Before she could fully process what was happening, Sashwat appeared, his presence strikingly dominant and unnerving. His movements were fluid, like a shadow materializing out of the dim light, and he was upon her before she could react.

In an instant, he caught her wrist in a vice-like grip, the pressure both startling and possessive, rendering her momentarily breathless. With a swift motion, he spun her around, pinning her against the cool, smooth wall of the lavish room. The room, once a refuge, now felt like a trap as she pressed against the striking wallpaper.

Sashwat leaned in closer, bringing their faces mere inches apart. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of calm intensity that left her both fascinated and terrified. The warmth that had characterized their earlier interaction was now replaced by a palpable force, a ferocity in his gaze that made her pulse quicken.

Before Ruhani could fully process his words, Sashwat surged forward, scooping her up into his arms with surprising ease. "No! Sashwat, put me down!" she protested, a wild panic coursing through her veins as she squirmed against his hold. The sudden move jolted her senses into overdrive; this was not the gentle, playful boy she once knew. "Stop! You can't just take me like this!"

He ignored her cries, holding her firmly against his chest, as if to emphasize the distance between her fragile state and his iron-clad resolve. Her protests grew more frantic, but they fell on deaf ears as he carried her back to the bed, his strides purposeful and unwavering.

When he reached the lush king-size bed, he placed her down with a mixture of care and urgency, ensuring she was laid back against the soft pillows that felt foreign and suffocating. Sashwat lingered for a moment, looming over her in a way that felt both protective and imposing, his tall frame casting a long shadow that eclipsed her escape routes. The contrast between his commanding presence and the delicate surroundings was jarring, reinforcing her feelings of entrapment.

"Don't even think about leaving," Sashwat said, his voice low and steady, carrying a weight that both warned and compelled. His gaze bore into hers, fierce and unyielding, yet something else lingered just beneath the surface-a complex blend of protectiveness and possession that left her breathless.

Ruhani instinctively recoiled from his intense stare, her heart pounding as she fought against the escalating dread. "This isn't right! You can't keep me here!" she shouted, her voice rising in desperation as her instincts screamed to flee. She pushed against the cool satin sheets, trying to create distance, but the bed felt like a barrier that confined her. "I don't want to be a part of this!"

Sashwat's expression hardened, the tension between them palpable. "You don't understand the danger you're facing," he countered, stepping closer, imposing even in his stillness. "You're not safe out there, and I won't let you walk into something you can't handle. Not now, not ever."

Every ounce of her will screamed for freedom as she struggled against the bed, feeling utterly trapped. "You think this protects me? You're scaring me, Sashwat!" she exclaimed, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. "You're being unreasonable! Just let me go home!"

He didn't waver, his presence steadfast and suffocating. "Home isn't safe for you anymore," he asserted, leaning down slightly so their faces were closer, forcing her to confront the reality of her situation. "You may not appreciate it now, but I'm doing this for your own good. I can't have you putting yourself in harm's way. Not when I can prevent it."

Ruhani felt the heat of his breath against her face, an almost unbearable intimacy paired with an alarming threat. The way he loomed over her made it impossible to ignore the underlying message: she was beneath him in both a physical and an emotional sense. In that moment, she realized just how firmly he intended to hold onto her, and the knowledge stung deeper than any word could convey.

"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling from a mixture of fear and exasperation. "I just want to go home." But her plea hung in the air, swallowed by the suffocating silence of the room, as Sashwat remained resolute, ensuring she understood just how serious he was about keeping her there.

Ruhani pushed Sashwat

Ruhani - please don't come near me! How many times should I tell you!!- stay away! Please!

Sashwat held his first tight

Sashwat immediately grabbed Ruhani's neck in rage and pressed her to the nearest wall . He gritted his teeth and said " Haven't I told you that you are in danger and can't understand this thing at one time. I will not let you go away from me , NEVER".

The grip of Sashwat on Ruhani's neck was so tight that she was struggling to get a single breath. She coughed and said " I under..stood... L.leave.. m..mee..."

When Sashwat saw her raised breath he left her throat. He commanded " Now sleep like a good girl otherwise the consequences will be so bad that you will not be able to handle" . She looked at him with eyes full of hate "

Ruhani was angry at this time. She held his collar and said " what you will do with me huh! What!! I am listening to your words that doesn't mean that I will sleep in the same bed with you. How dare you tell me that!!"

Sashwat closed his eyes , trying to control his anger.

Ruhani is about to get up from the bed suddenly Shashwat held hand tightly and pulls her towards the bed again. He said " I don't want to do these things. But u are so stubborn that I am forced to do this!"

Sashwat pushed Ruhani on the bed and held both her hands.

Ruhani shouted -" ahhhh , leave my hands, what are you doing !!!!"

Sashwat blocks Ruhani with his legs and takes out his belt. Ruhani was shocked by this action of him. Sashwat took out his belt and tied both her hands with the headrest and made her stay like that.

Ruhani shouted - " Are you mad ? Untie my hands!!!!!"

Sashwat smirked - " Now let me see how my rose, will not sleep in the bed " .

Ruhani - " look leave me , untie my hands!! I can't sleep like this !!! UNTIE MY HANDS!!!!"

Sashwat moved closer to her face and placed a finger on her lips. He said " ishhhhhhhhh... Not a single word. If I hear one more word the punishment will be more dangerous. Until and unless you tell me lovingly that you will sleep with me.. I will not open your hands "

Ruhani is too stubborn. She is behaving like she is very strong!!! and she is not at all moving at her hand!!!

Sashwat smirked and said " If your hands are in pain, then I may open it but you have to say it"

Ruhani said stubbornly - " What do you think of yourself Mr Sashwat Raichand ,huh. I will not bow down in front of you, NEVER!!"

Sashwat went towards the changing room and came back after changing. He was wearing a simple black t shirt and a lower. He stood near the mirror and started setting his hair. He looked at Ruhani who was looking at him . He said by looking at the mirror " Do you want me to untie your beautiful hands , or you want to sleep like this ?"

Ruhani - " I don't want to sleep here on your bed "

Sashwat - " Ok , then Sleep like this . Have a good sleep ". With that he turned off the lights of the room and slept beside her. Sashwat is again and again looking at her , who was moving her hands in pain but was not showing it.

Ruhani closed her eyes in pain but at last a last sound came out of her mouth " ahhh, my hands are in pain !!"

Sashwat noticed and said " Is something making sounds because of pain " he said smirking. Ruhani made a face and said" Your ears are ringing, nothing else " .

Ruhani slept like that but her hands were still tied with the belt. Ruhani was very tired so she slept . While sleeping Sashwat can see a kind of pain on her face as her hands are tied . He untied her hands and caressed her hands so that she can have a little comfort. He saw a red mark on her hand as well on her neck . Sashwat unknowingly had a feeling of regret washing over him . He pulled her towards him and said in a low voice " I am sorry " and slept by hugging her.

Next day

Ruhani was sleeping , when suddenly she found no one on her bed and her hands open . She was very happy , atleast now the devil will not disturb her in the morning. Ruhani moved towards the window from the bed.

As Ruhani drew back the curtain, a soft golden light flooded into the room, illuminating the delicate patterns on the walls. The chirping of birds echoed outside, harmonizing with the gentle rustle of leaves in the early morning breeze. She took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scent of dew-kissed grass and blooming flowers wafting in through the window.

Maybe the person with whom she was living in that mansion was not good but the beauty of the environment is so mesmerizing that anyone can get lost in its beauty. She was planning many ways to get out of this palace. When a maid came and said " Mam , I am ayesha . I will be helping you every time if you need anything" . She kept two glasses of orange juice on the table and left from there. Suddenly Ruhani picked her bag and took out a small packet of white powder in it . She took the spoon from the plate and stirred the powder in one of the glasses of juice. When she turned to the other side she was surprised to see Sashwat standing there leaning against the door.

Ruhani was almost started to see him . But she controlled her emotions . She placed a fake smile on her face and took the same glass and brought it towards Sashwat and said innocently " Good morning, i am sorry. You were right there are many enemies of mine in this area . Thank you for saving me. Now drink this Ayesha has brought this for you. "

Sashwat was looking continuously at her eyes and his face unreadable . Only he knew what he was thinking. He held Ruhani by her waist and said " Go and freshen up ". She nodded and went towards the washroom. When she came back she saw Sashwat have drunk almost half of the glass she smirked in her mind. She sat beside her and started drinking her glass and after few minutes she saw Sashwat felling uncomfortable and his pulse increasing. She held her hand and asked with fake concern " What happened?" And within seconds Sashwat was unconscious. Ruhani smirked and by towering over his unconscious figure she said " You can't win every time Mr Sashwat Raichand!"

Just as Ruhani felt the rush of power surging through her, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. In a blink, Sashwat, who she thought was still unconscious, had lunged forward, clasping her arm and spinning her around with an impressive display of strength. Now, her back was pressed against the sofa and Sashwat loomed over her, an intense gaze piercing through her bravado.

The shock coursed through her-how had he shaken off her carefully laid plan so effortlessly? Her heart raced, not just from the unexpected turn of events, but also from a flicker of admiration at his resilience. There he stood, his presence overwhelming, and for a moment, Ruhani felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. She had crafted this scenario to be her victory, yet all at once, it transformed into a confrontation she hadn't prepared for.

Sashwat's voice broke through the whirlwind of her thoughts. "You think you can fool me with these tricks, Ruhani?" he said, his tone is unapologetic and laced with challenges. "I won't be caught off guard so easily."

Ruhani blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. "How come... you didn't get unconscious?" she stammered, trying to regain her composure. The realization that her carefully arranged plan had unraveled before her very eyes was a bitter pill to swallow.

Sashwat smirked, a knowing glint in his eye. "I didn't drink the juice at all," he confessed, leaning closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "I just acted. You see, I was one step ahead, just like you always want me to be."

The world around her felt like it was spinning, and for the first time, she was on the back foot. The weight of his revelation settled in, turning her earlier confidence into confusion. Sashwat had played her right back, and now the very foundation of her victory felt like it was crumbling away.

"Always the strategist, aren't you?" she finally replied, trying to mask her flustered state with a cool facade. "Maybe I underestimated you, Sashwat. But this doesn't change anything."

He chuckled softly, his dominating presence still unnerving, yet thrilling. "It changes everything, Ruhani. You can't get out of here . I will never let you go "

As he stepped back, giving her space, Ruhani felt a blend of admiration and frustration swell within her. She had assumed her intellect would outsmart him, but he had shown her the unpredictability of their rivalry.

With a determined glint in her eye, she straightened herself, ready to face whatever came next. "Then let the games continue, Sashwat. I assure you, this isn't over.I promise I will get out of this place very soon "

He just looked at her eyes without any words and an unreadable face . He moved a little closer to her face and said in a husky voice " TRY IT ROSE!"

Sashwat, still holding her gaze with an intensity that felt electric, stepped back slightly and moved toward a cupboard across the room. Ruhani's heart raced with a blend of apprehension and curiosity as she watched him rummage through its contents. What was he planning now?

After a moment, he pulled out a small tube of antiseptic cream, the kind that could ease pain and soothe wounds. Ruhani's breath caught in her throat. The last thing she expected was for him to show concern, especially after their power struggle.

"You have a mark on your wrist," he said, his voice a mix of authority and unexpected gentleness. He approached her again, and she instinctively flinched as he lifted her arm. The red mark was a constant reminder of the restraint he had put her under the night before.

Ruhani's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Why was he taking this extra step? Part of her wondered if it was a manipulation tactic-a way to exert power over her by pretending to care. There was a darkness to him that she couldn't ignore, an underlying current of control that felt suffocating. Yet, as he gently squeezed the cream onto his fingers and began to apply it to her wrist, she could also feel a hint of tenderness in his touch.

As the cool cream spread over her skin, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. Was this sincere? Or just another layer to his psychological games?

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice steadier than she felt. "You think I'll just forget what happened?"

Sashwat stopped and looked at her which made her breath hitched in her throat.

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𝕤ᴏ ᴄᴜᴛɪᴇ𝕤. ᴛʜɪ𝕤 ᴡᴀ𝕤 ᴛʜᴇ twenty second cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ. ᴅʀᴏᴘ 𝕤ᴏᴍᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ𝕤 ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍʏ 𝕤ᴛᴏʀʏ. ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪ𝕤 ᴘᴀʀᴛ. ᴘʟᴇᴀ𝕤ᴇ 𝕤ʜᴀʀᴇ ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ𝕤 ᴀɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ᴀʟ𝕤ᴏ ᴀᴅᴅ ᴛʜɪ𝕤 𝕤ᴛᴏʀʏ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ. ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ 𝕤ᴏᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇ𝕩ᴛ ᴘᴀʀᴛ. ᴛɪʟʟ ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ☺☺.

ʙʏᴇᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇʟɪᴇ𝕤 😘😘....

ᴅᴏ ʜɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴏɴ.... ᴘʟᴇᴀ𝕤ᴇ..... 😭

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