Closeness

"Sweetheart, I can't even describe how much I've longed to hear your voice. Do you have any idea how much I've suffered?"

The sudden depth and allure in Devansh's voice took Anesha by complete surprise.

Startled and unable to process what she'd just heard, her hands froze mid-motion, abandoning the task of rinsing the noodles.

Her delicate, wet fingers instinctively found their way over Devansh's firm, commanding hands.

Leaning closer, Devansh rested his chin on her shoulder and tightened his grip around her waist, drawing her even deeper into his embrace.

Speechless and overwhelmed, Anesha could only feel the intensity of his presence. His words, his touch, everything about him left her unable to react.

As the space between them dissolved, the intoxicating scent of his masculine cologne seemed to seep into her very breath.

In a daze, her eyes fluttered shut, and her head rested against the unyielding strength of his chest.

The room fell silent. In their embrace, a calm and comforting stillness enveloped them, as though the entire world had disappeared.

With his eyes closed, Devansh let his sharp nose trail seductively along Anesha's slender neck and delicate collarbone, inhaling her scent deeply, as though he could claim her essence with his very breath.

His fingers, now tracing faint, deliberate patterns along her waist, caused her to shiver in his arms, surrendering to his hold.

Noticing her subtle reactions to his touch, Devansh's lips curved into a charming, almost triumphant smile.

In that intimate moment, Anesha tightened her small hands over his larger ones, her voice barely a whisper as she broke the silence, "Dev... If you missed me this much, why did you push me away two years ago? Why didn't you even let me see our child?"

Her voice, soft and sweet, now carried an unmistakable tremor of pain.

Devansh's calm and composed aura darkened in response to her words.

Turning her gently to face him, he cupped her face in his hands, his fingers firm yet tender against her skin.

Looking directly into her tear-filled eyes, his voice turned cold and emotionless. "Sweetheart, I had no choice. Your safety was at stake. I was forced to keep you away from me. Back then, it was the only way."

Her eyes, brimming with unspoken questions and unshed tears, now filled with disbelief.

Devansh's face remained hidden behind his signature black leather mask, the depths of his piercing gaze the only glimpse of the man behind it.

Fixing her teary eyes on his, she asked, "Who could possibly force you, Dev? And what kind of danger could I face while you're by my side? Didn't you promise me, three years ago, that as long as I was with you, no one could ever lay a finger on me? That even the entire world united couldn't harm me? So why—"

"Every word I've ever spoken... you remember it perfectly, Sweetheart," he interrupted, a flicker of something unreadable in his voice. "That's good. You should remember my words. And from now on, you'll remember only my words."

His lips brushed her forehead, leaving behind a warm, lingering kiss that made her eyes close instinctively.

Feeling the long-missed comfort of his touch, Anesha clutched at his blazer with trembling hands, holding on as though letting go would mean losing him forever in an unending void.

Moments later, Devansh pulled away, only slightly, his forehead resting against hers.

Given her petite height, he had to lean down considerably to meet her, their breaths mingling in the closeness.

Caressing her soft cheek with his thumb and letting his nose lightly graze hers, Devansh whispered in a voice both intimate and foreboding, "Sweetheart, it's true that no one in this universe could harm you while I'm here. But what if the threat was me? What if I was the danger you feared? What if, instead of protecting you, I wanted to destroy you?"

Her eyes flew open at his chilling words, wide with shock and fear.

Devansh's lips curled into a smile once more, but this time, it wasn't warm or reassuring. It was dark, dangerous, and unsettling.

Anesha's body tensed as an icy dread spread through her. Goosebumps rose across her skin, and her breath caught in her throat.

By the time she found her composure, Devansh had already stepped back, putting distance between them.

Glancing at the time on his sleek black watch, he said, "Hurry up with lunch, Sweetheart. I'm getting late."

"Ah... okay!" she stammered, her voice trembling as she pushed aside the storm of questions and emotions swirling within her.

Returning to her task, she resumed rinsing the noodles, though her mind was far from calm.

Devansh lingered for a moment longer, leaning against the kitchen counter, his gaze fixed on her. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

As soon as he left, Anesha exhaled a long, shaky breath, feeling the tension drain from her body.

Even after two years of living with him, Devansh's piercing gaze still managed to unsettle her, leaving her nervous and hesitant under its weight.

After removing his blazer and placing it on the couch in the living area, Devansh loosened the knot of his tie.

With measured movements, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, letting his sharp gaze sweep over the living area.

The place was immaculate.

Every item was meticulously organized and perfectly placed, reflecting Anesha's impeccable sense of order.

Though Anesha's home was a modest cottage nestled deep within the forest, it exuded an air of understated luxury and comfort, with every modern amenity seamlessly integrated.

Rolling up his sleeves further, Devansh left the living area and headed straight to the backyard.

There, Sumit and a few of his bodyguards were already waiting.

Without hesitation, Devansh approached them and asked in a voice as cold as ice, "Where is he?"

Sumit gestured toward a large dustbin nearby and replied, "In there, boss. Raunak couldn't find a better spot, so he dumped him here."

Devansh's eyes shifted to the dustbin, his tone unchanging as he asked, "Alive or...?"

"Still alive for now, boss. But he won't last much longer," Sumit answered, catching the unspoken meaning behind the question.

Devansh didn't say another word.

Taking the silenced gun from Sumit's hand, he turned to the battered man slumped inside the dustbin. His expression remained devoid of any emotion as he observed the pitiful figure.

This was the same masked man who had dared to attack Mannan the night before.

Without a flicker of hesitation, Devansh raised the gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger.

A soft splatter of blood landed on his strikingly handsome face, yet the man's dying gasp was nothing more than a faint "Ah…"

Meanwhile...

In the kitchen, as she prepared dinner, Anesha's mind churned with Devansh's cryptic words and a flood of unanswered questions.

Her thoughts spiraled, leaving her deeply unsettled.

She knew all too well that Devansh was not the kind of man to offer explanations.

He detested long conversations, let alone giving clarifications.

Expecting him to answer her questions was nothing short of folly.

But Anesha needed answers—immediately.

As her mind raced, a sudden thought brought clarity, and with it, the faintest hint of a smile curled her lips.

Speaking softly to herself, she said, "Saasu Maa(Mother in law)... If there's anyone who can answer my questions, it's Dev's mother."

_____________________________

What could have compelled Devansh to push his love away?

Will Devansh's mother provide the answers Anesha so desperately seeks?

To know…

To be continued…