04

Prologue

"So you came to Mehrauli only to meet me, Mr Kulkarni?" As her gaze settled upon the magnificent Qutub Minar, her eyes couldn't help but be captivated by its stunning beauty, even though she had been fortunate enough to behold it on numerous occasions. With a sense of wonderment, she turned to her companion and asked him about his thoughts on the grand monument.

Upon her inquiry, he found himself grinning with amusement at her curious nature. His gaze swept across the breathtaking scenery, marvelling at the majestic Qutub Minar standing tall in the distance. His hands being stuffed in his pockets, he remained fixated on the awe-inspiring structure that was unable to shake off its magnificence.

"What if I say yes, Ms Dutta?" As he redirected his focus toward the woman beside him, he was greeted by the sight of her tranquil composure and the profound expanse of her gaze, akin to the boundless depths of the ocean. Prompted by curiosity, he endeavoured to initiate a discourse with her.

A brief yet profound silence surrounded them, as they locked eyes and exchanged a serene gaze. Their faces displayed an almost ethereal expression, with their eyes speaking more than words ever could. The unspoken communication between them was palpable, and it was a breathtaking sight to behold. At that moment, it was as if time stood still, and the hearts of two individuals were united in a beautiful and meaningful way.

She donned a stunning white chikenkari saree, embellished with tiny mirrors that perfectly complimented her figure. Her white sleeveless blouse, consisting of thick straps, highlighted her charming dimpled arms, which captivated his gaze. Her silver-oxidized earrings gracefully danced in the wind, adding to the delightful rhythm of his heart.

Without even a flicker of their eyelids, they held their breath, not wanting to disrupt the pure beauty of the moment. It was a moment of sheer bliss, as her eyes gazed upon him in complete adoration. He was dressed in a striking black shirt, with the sleeves rolled up just an inch past his elbow, paired perfectly with denim blue jeans. His wavy hair was styled back with a side parting, and the rectangular frameless specs on his clean-shaved face added immense charm to his looks. He looked so devastatingly handsome that she feared someone might try to steal him away.

"No one will, meri jaan," He muttered loud enough for her to hear and stepped closer to her figure until no gap was there between bodies as his right hand firmly yet delicately. The left hand proceeded to remove the free strand of her hair that kissed her cheeks and shift it behind her ear.

"No one can take Rudra Kulkarni away from you," He spoke in a hushed tone once more, gently guiding her hand from his chest to rest upon his cheek. Still clasping onto her hand, he then leaned in closely to her ear. "Ever since Rudra Kulkarni laid eyes on Mira Dutta, he has always been hers," his deep voice hit her eardrums politely yet profoundly while he laid a long soft kiss on her bare shoulder, "No one in this universe has the guts to take me away from you."

Her hands roamed on his arms down to his waist and slowly wrapped her hands around his torso. Her head rested on his chiselled chest while his chin rested on her head, hands wrapping around his woman's slender waist.

The couple was completely engrossed in each other's presence, lost in the depths of their love and seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. Despite the hustle and bustle of the people around them, including the playful laughter of young children, they remained cocooned in their own little world. Their eyes were gently shut, and their hands entwined in a gentle embrace, as they savoured every moment of their intimate connection. Slowly, their breathing deepened, and their hearts beat in unison, as the intensity of their passion heightened, and a soft, caressing breeze enveloped their intertwined forms.

Unexpectedly, a lively group of children collided with Mira and Rudra, abruptly ending their tender moment. A flush of embarrassment crept up Mira's cheeks as she instinctively stepped back, while the gleeful children stood before them, grinning at the couple. In contrast, Rudra appeared unperturbed by the interruption and seemed to relish the attention of the children. He securely wrapped his arm around Mira's waist, preventing her from retreating any further.

"They are watching, Rudra ji," As the words escaped her lips with a delicate grace, he couldn't help but notice the cuteness in the sharpness of her gaze. With a tender smile, he acknowledged the gravity of her address. Though it had only been two short months since she last referred to him as 'Rudra ji,' it felt like an eternity had passed since then. The memory of the first time she spoke those words to him remained as vivid as ever, and the present moment was just as breathtaking. Every nuance of her speech was precious to him, and he savoured each syllable with reverence and gratitude.

"Let them, Mira, I am liking it," In a deep and distinctively raspy tone, the gentleman fixed his gaze upon Mira, addressing her by name. She felt her heart skip a beat with a sense of anticipation, wondering what he would say next. Mesmerized by his unwavering eye contact, Mira was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy as he continued speaking. Her lips curled into a smile, and her cheeks grew warm with excitement at the sound of his deep chuckle. The intensity of the moment was palpable, as the two individuals were completely immersed in their own world, momentarily forgetting about everything else around them once again.

Amidst the cheerful laughter and playful energy of the children, the couple stood still, transfixed by the intensity of their mutual gaze. Their attention was solely focused on each other, and they were completely oblivious to the world around them.

To interrupt her loving thoughts of him, he decided to break the serene silence, "Meri jaan, if you keep looking at me like this, my heart will explode." She blinked her eyes in astonishment, "Huh?"

As soon as she comprehended the implications of his words, her skin became covered in goosebumps, and she instinctively averted her gaze in a bashful manner which caused him to chuckle. "I-I didn't mean...I mean that it was n-not...I wasn't star-..."

"Shh..." With delicate precision, he gently pressed his index finger upon her lips, and as their eyes met, he drew closer until their faces were mere inches apart, "Did I ask for it, Ms. Dutta?"


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Layla Vexley

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