Sleeping Together

Siya said, "Mom, I heard some students at school talking today. Apparently, Sumit hit a girl because of Big Sister. There's no doubt she's with him right now, caught up in something so engrossing that she hasn't even noticed your calls or the time."

Though Siya was merely speculating, her tone carried a subtle insinuation, as if there was something inappropriate between Sumit and Surbhi—as if she were spending the night with him.

Mrs. Mehta's eyes darkened with fury. She knew Sumit all too well.

Placing her hands on her waist, she said sharply, "That girl! She will be the ruin of me one day. What possessed her to associate with that thug? If the Singhania family learns of this, who knows what consequences we will face?"

Mr. Sanjeev, sensing his wife's rising agitation, reassured her, "Reena, you're overthinking. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Perhaps Surbhi went to the cyber café. The driver once mentioned that she enjoys going there to play games. Try calling her again—she might simply be too absorbed to notice your calls."

Siya scoffed, her laughter laced with disdain. "Dad, you can't be serious! How could you believe a mere driver's words? Do you really think a girl like Big Sister—someone from a remote village—would even know how to use a cyber café, let alone visit one?"

Her words made Mr. Sanjeev pause in thought. The driver had indeed mentioned seeing Surbhi at a cyber café, but how could she have known about such a place? She came from a world so different—one where such things should be beyond her reach.

Straightening his posture, he spoke firmly, "Regardless, Siya, you must learn to treat Surbhi with respect. She is your elder sister, and don't forget what she was willing to sacrifice for you. Even knowing it would cost her life, she still agreed. She loves you more than anything—more than herself. At the very least, she deserves kindness."

A heavy silence settled over the room. Mrs. Mehta and Siya were left speechless.

It was undeniable—Surbhi had not been deceived or forced. When Mrs. Mehta had brought her here, she had been upfront about everything. Both she and Mr. Sanjeev had spoken with Surbhi and her grandmother, and only after Surbhi had given her consent had she come.

There had been no compulsion, no coercion.

Once, Siya had even felt gratitude for Surbhi's sacrifice. But everything changed the moment she learned that Surbhi was to marry Sharvik Singhania. That gratitude turned to resentment—an emotion that festered in the heart of a spoiled heiress, accustomed to having the world at her feet.

A sudden ring shattered the silence in the living area.

Mr. Sanjeev glanced at his phone—an unknown number.

After a brief hesitation, he answered.

A deep, measured voice came through the receiver. "Mr. Mehta, this is Kapil, Mr. Sharvik Singhania's assistant. Your stepdaughter is with my boss. They wish to spend some time together. I trust you have no objections?"

Mr. Sanjeev responded without hesitation, his tone composed. "Not at all. Why would I mind? They are to be married in a few days—there is no reason for concern. Mr. Singhania is free to spend as much time with Surbhi as he pleases. There's no need to ask or inform us. The more time they share, the better it will be for their future."

Siya's expression hardened as the realization struck her—Surbhi was with Sharvik Singhania.

Jealousy flared in her eyes, her breath quickening with resentment. Rising abruptly, she turned to leave for her room, but before she could take more than a few steps, a sudden tightness gripped her chest. Her breath came in ragged gasps.

Mrs. Mehta and Mr. Sanjeev froze in alarm.

Dusk Escape,

Deep within a secluded forest, far from the bustling city of Delhi, stood an exquisite villa, its elegance unmatched. Surrounding it were numerous guards—unarmed yet exuding an aura of silent menace. These men were far more dangerous than those who wielded weapons.

A finely crafted nameplate adorned the entrance, inscribed with the words:

"Dusk Escape."

Inside, in the master bedroom, Surbhi lay motionless on the king-sized bed, her delicate features serene. A female doctor conducted a careful examination while Sharvik stood nearby, his chiseled face devoid of expression, yet his gaze held an icy sharpness.

"Mr. Singhania, there's nothing to be concerned about. Ma'am is simply asleep," the doctor assured.

Sharvik's brows knit together. He had seen Surbhi collapse with his own eyes, yet the diagnosis suggested nothing unusual.

With a mere flick of his fingers, he dismissed the doctor, who bowed slightly before exiting the room.

He moved closer, his fingers pressing against her wrist—her pulse was steady. He then checked her temperature—normal.

Gently, his fingers trailed through her hair, his gaze lingering on her sleeping form. In slumber, she appeared achingly innocent, an enigma wrapped in quiet mystery.

Taking a seat against the headboard, Sharvik studied her in silence. Surbhi was becoming an enigma he couldn't decipher. The more he sought to understand her, the deeper she pulled him into a labyrinth of intrigue.

A whisper escaped his lips, laced with contemplation.

"What are you, really? Why does your family insist on such peculiar conditions? And why are they so desperate for you to conceive as soon as possible?"

A long stretch of silence followed before Sharvik finally rose and strode toward the closet to change. He hadn't yet discarded his day's attire. When he returned, dressed in a simple T-shirt and pajama bottoms, his allure remained undiminished.

His gaze flickered toward the bed—only for his expression to darken.

Surbhi lay there still, but in sleep, her skirt had ridden up, revealing the smooth expanse of her long, slender legs. The soft fabric barely covered what lay beneath, teasing at what should have remained hidden.

Sharvik's jaw tightened. A strange heat coiled within him.

For the first time in his life, he had allowed a woman to share his bed. And now, that very woman lay before him in a state that tested every ounce of his restraint.

Exhaling slowly, he stepped forward, his gaze averted, as though willing himself not to look.

Carefully, he reached out to adjust the hem of her skirt. But as his rough fingertips brushed against the velvet softness of her skin, his entire body stiffened.

He withdrew immediately—only for his fingers to snag on the delicate fabric.

The quiet stillness of the room was suddenly broken by the unmistakable sound of fabric tearing.

Surbhi's skirt had split apart.

A moment of stunned silence followed.

Fortunately, she remained deep in slumber, blissfully unaware of what had just transpired.

Sharvik ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long, measured breath. No matter how much he tried to avoid such situations, fate seemed determined to entangle him in them.

His gaze lifted once more, and this time, something within him shifted. She was to be his wife. What harm was there if his eyes lingered a moment longer? If his hands traced what would soon belong to him?

With that thought, he carefully removed the torn garment and covered her with a blanket.

He considered summoning a female attendant, but the state of her clothing made him reconsider. Instead, he strode into the closet. Since it contained only his belongings, he scanned the space before retrieving his phone. A quick message was sent before he pulled out a fresh shirt and returned to the bedroom.

Surbhi remained undisturbed, lost in the depths of sleep.

Sharvik approached once more, peeling back the blanket. She wore only a crisp white shirt, a school tie still fastened around her neck, embroidered with the crest of Delhi Public School.

His brows furrowed. The shirt barely reached her waist—it would not do.

His gaze settled on the tie first. Reaching forward, he loosened the knot and slid it off. Then, with steady fingers, he unfastened the buttons of her shirt, one by one.

His expression remained unreadable, composed, though in truth, he had never done this before.

As the fabric slipped away, his gaze briefly swept over her—flawless, delicate, like a rose in full bloom.

A deep breath.

Reaching for his own shirt, he dressed her in it, ensuring the fabric draped well past her knees.

The discarded garments were placed in the laundry basket before he returned to the bed. Settling beside her, his gaze flickered toward the ceiling.

To an outsider, it would seem as though he had done this countless times before, that lying beside her was as natural as the passing of time.

Yet, in reality, this was the first night Sharvik Singhania had ever shared his bed with a woman.

And he wasn't entirely sure how he felt about it.

Delhi Public School

The watchman sat inside the security cabin, drifting in and out of sleep.

It was late at night, and an eerie silence blanketed the school.

Suddenly, an unusual sound stirred him awake. His drowsy eyes snapped open as he instinctively listened.

Scanning his surroundings, he noticed faint noises coming from behind the bushes in the distance. Alarmed, he grabbed his torch and baton before stepping out of the cabin.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" he called out, his voice firm yet cautious. "If you're here with ill intent, I suggest you turn back. This is a high school—there's nothing here for you." Step by step, he approached the bushes, his grip tightening on the baton.

But as soon as he reached them, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in sheer horror.

Lying behind the bushes was a lifeless body—his colleague's. And tearing into it with savage hunger were two stray dogs.

"Sukesh!" The watchman's voice broke into a terrified scream.

_____________________________

What happens next?

Who is behind this gruesome murder?

What will Surbhi do when she learns that Sharvik changed her clothes?

What has happened to Siya?

To know…

To be continued…