Rise of the Devil - Part 26

 

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Chapter 26


Khushi’s POV


I wake up at the sound of the gunshot. Yes!! GUNSHOT!! And it's not a dream. I rush to the window and see Devil practising gunshots on the dummy in the backyard of Chandra Mahal. I have to get used to this. From my room in Chandra Mahal, the sound was still feeble. From this villa, it's like he is shooting from a meter away. I yawn and stretch and suddenly recall how we slept last night. I had piled the pillows on the bed and none of us crossed that line though secretly I wished he had. At least, he could have kissed me but wait. I shouldn’t keep much hopes from him. Devil’s mission means everything to him. It’s his priority and I have no clue when I will top that list. For now, I am happy that he didn’t send me to Denmark and got me back home.


HOME!! This is my Home now. The Villa is cosy enough for a couple to get ample of privacy, though we don’t need privacy at this moment. What will we do if we even get it? I sigh and then head for a shower. When I come out, Devil is on the couch, cleaning his gun. Or probably done with it.

He stares at the robe I am wearing, and a dark desire creeps on his face which makes me shiver.


“I don’t have my clothes here. So, I wore this.” I hug myself and he nods. “I will come back.”


I wear my slippers.


“Where are you going?”

“What do you mean where you are going?” I frown. “I am hungry. So, I am going to grab some breakfast. You too should join me at Chandra Mahal. Dad and Buaji will have loads of questions about why I am here in this Villa with you. I suggest you take up their queries while I hog some food.”


I wink at him and wait for his reply. Devil tucks away the loaded gun back in his jacket and reaches me.

“You won’t go there,” he declares.

“Excuse me?” I scowl. “That’s my home. Why will I not go there?”

“THIS is your home, Khushi. THAT is your father’s home.”


I don’t understand. What is he trying to prove?


“You mean I cannot go see my father? How dare you even think like that?” I growl at him while he watches me with hooded eyes.

“You can see him any time you want. It’s just that you won’t rely on that house for your daily activities and needs.”

I am speechless.


“This is not a joke, Khushi.” He adds. “You need breakfast. The kitchen is there..”


He turns me around to show me the kitchen in his Villa. I swallow hard.

“But.. I don’t know to cook. And you know that very well.” I try to make my point.

He thinks for a second before replying.

“You were going to live an independent life in Denmark. So why not take up some responsibilities here?” His voice brings a shiver to my spine. Is he serious? “I will get a maid to help you in the kitchen work.”


Maid? I open my mouth to speak but then he is right. This is my home now and if I want this marriage to work, I have to start taking up some responsibilities too.

“Fine,” I smirk. “But what about my clothes?”


We hear a door knock and turn to see Mala holding my bag.

“Your clothes.” Mala blushes. Probably seeing me in a bathrobe with Devil next to me, made me blush like that. I take the bag from her and head back to the bedroom.


***************

Arnav’s POV


Khushi is back in the bedroom to change and I instruct Mala to help Khushi here in the kitchen from today. Mala readily agrees but for now I tell her to go inform Shashi Gupta that Khushi is here with me and we will see them in a while. Definitely, we are not having breakfast there. She runs out to pass that information.


Khushi comes back in a few minutes, dressed in a peach color knee-length frock. I exhale audibly seeing her in that attire.


“What?” she grins. “You expected me to wear sarees and all?”


I know she is teasing so I shrug.

“I expected you to wear decent clothes. This is fine as long as you are comfortable in it.”

She laughs reaching closer.

“I am more comfortable in shorts.”

“Not allowed” I snap. “Not if you are stepping outside this Villa.”


She frowns at me and then sighs disappointed.

“You can’t control my dressing sense. Stop being my father.”

“Whom do you want to show off to? Wearing such half covered dresses, if I may ask?”


She rolls her eyes.

“Can’t a woman dress for her own self? What is our fault if men cannot keep their eyes low? Do we ever question when you people roam around in shorts and boxers?”

“I never do that.” I debate and it zips her lips.

“MEN!!” she scoffs and ushers to the kitchen. I follow. It’s her first day in the house, so I need to help her.


“What will you eat?” She opens the refrigerator and removes some eggs and milk. The bread is at the corner table which she grabs.

“What can you cook?” I ask.

“Nothing” she smiles sitting on the kitchen slab at the center of the room and swings her legs. “You will cook and I will learn. Once I am perfect, I will take up the charge.”


Is she serious?


“Come on Devil. You can’t do this much for me?” she teases and I look away to compose myself.

“Fine” I agree. “Bread and Omelet then.”

Khushi’s eyes gleam in delight. I chop an onion, some chilies and beat the eggs professionally.

“Wow” Khushi exclaims. “You got skills in cooking, Devil.”

“Learnt it when I was quite young.”

“Really?” she smiles. “How young?”

“13” I reply and her smile wipes off. I know why. She has no idea where I was after I killed my father.

“Can I ask you something?” Her voice is pleading.

“No” I swallow knowing what she wants to ask me.


She doesn’t argue neither I share. I toast the bread and pour the beaten egg mixture on the pan. Soon, the omelet is ready. I serve it in two plates and bring it to her.

“I need tomato ketchup.” Khushi pleads.


I grab the bottle which is just behind Khushi and keep it before her.


“Eat.” I command.

“After you,” she blinks teasingly, too many times. “I am a Devil Queen so I need to make sure the food is tested before I eat.”


She is doing everything to annoy me but for some reason, instead of being annoyed, I am enjoying her tantrums. It suits her. I am about to eat first when she grabs my hand and eats the morsel I was going to have.


“Yummm” she chews. “A little more salt would have been fine.”

I nod. “Good. Remember that then. Tomorrow you are going to make it for us.”


Her jaw drops and I drag her with me to the chair. We sit and begin to eat in silence.


*****************


Khushi’s POV


The breakfast Devil made was simple yet delicious. I am still licking my fingers. He cooks good. I wonder where he learnt it? From whom? I am still curious to know why he killed his father? What made him take that decision? Where did he run away after? Who gave him shelter? Could it be his Uncle and Aunt? The couple I met in Nainital? Are they back now after their vacation? I have no clue. Since we are trying this relationship now, shouldn’t I know about all of his past? And I also have to be in touch with his maternal family, shouldn’t I? I am so confused.


Devil has gone in the bedroom and I am loitering in the living room when his phone rings. He left it on the couch. Should I answer? I have no clue if I should. Is it safe? Whatever. I am his wife so technically; I have a right to answer calls on his behalf. I see the name “Aman” flashing on the phone screen. Looks Safe!! I answer but before I can say Hello, Aman begins from the other end.


“Hope you are still not looking for Divorce lawyers, are you Arnav?”


My jaw drops at that question.

“Divorce lawyer?” I growl.


Devil reaches there and snatches the phone from me. I glare at him.

“Aman” He speaks. “I will call you later.”

He disconnects.

“Don’t ever touch my phone again.” He warns but I am not hurt by that.

“You were planning to divorce me?”


He sighs audibly.

“Khushi….”

“No” I shout. “You had planned already to divorce me then why did you not let me go?”


He gives me a pained glare before striding to me.

“Calm down” He touches my arms but I push him off.

“It’s easy to say that. I really don’t understand you at all Devil. For once I feel you want me and the next instant you do something totally opposite. What the hell do you really want?”


Tears pool in my eyes. He tries to touch me again but I push him. He doesn’t relent and in one strong pull, he hauls me to his body.

“I want you, Khushi. I want YOU..”


My sobs subside. Really? He wants me? I don’t interrupt him and wait for him to complete.

“Yes I wanted to give you freedom which is why I was sending you to Denmark forever but doing so wasn’t enough. You would still be binded to me if we hadnt divorced. I needed to take a legal advice first and to see if there is anything we could do differently if one of us didn’t want this marriage to end. That’s why I was looking for a Divorce lawyer.”


Oh!! He wipes away my tears.


“That search was over the minute you gave me the clue that you wanted this marriage just like I do.”



Thank God! I finally relax. But I still didn’t like that he denied me answering his calls.

“Marriage gives equal rights to both husband-wife.” I mention. “Why can’t I answer your calls?”

He shuts his eyes briefly before looking into mine.

“Because the calls could be from anyone… my work.. my dark life… anyone.. And the more you involve in this, it will be difficult for me to focus. I don’t want you anywhere near my work zone Khushi. It’s dangerous and life-threatening.” He cups my face. “And I want you alive..”


I bite my lip. Alive? He wants me alive.. Wow!!


“Why?” I whimper.

“Is that even a question?” He frowns.

“Why?” I repeat, this time snaking my arms around his neck, playing with his hair.


His gaze drops from my eyes to my lips.

“So that one day.. when all this is over.. I will give you everything that you missed so far in life.”


My cheeks flame. I don’t know about the future, but for now, I needed him to kiss me and he didn’t take time to read my heart. He scooped me and his lips took mine, caressing against them lightly at first then crushing forcefully. Cupping my face in his hands, he controlled the movements until I was lost in his all-consuming kiss.


To be Continued.

NEXT PART

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Happily-Ever-After is not what I was looking for after a heart-breaking love tragedy in my life 9 years ago. I still believe in love but it’s simply not for me anymore. Burying the demons that scared me, I have stepped into a new world to make a fresh identity and only when I thought things will sort out for me now, I get an invitation from the Royals of Mahalpur for teaching Painting to someone from their family. I take it up as they are ready to pay me a huge sum for this three-month tutoring. Least did I know life was throwing a challenge named Raunak Malhotra, the eldest son of the Royal family, who had an attitude as high as Mt Everest and anger which could burn a whole city in seconds.



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