It had been a long day, and Anaya was exhausted. After refreshing herself with a warm shower, she changed into her soft nightwear—an oversized white t-shirt and pajama pants with tiny floral prints. The fabric was light and airy, allowing her skin to breathe after the long hours spent in traditional clothing downstairs. She towel-dried her damp hair, running her fingers through the strands as she made her way toward the bed.
As she approached her bedside, something on the tea table caught her attention—a plate of food neatly placed there, covered to keep it warm. Anaya's lips curled into a small, appreciative smile.
"Someone must have brought this for me," she murmured to herself.
The aroma of warm curry and fresh roti teased her senses, making her stomach grumble. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. Sitting comfortably on the bed, she reached out, picking up a spoonful of food.
"Anaya, after all this hard work, food tastes even better," she mumbled to herself, closing her eyes as she lifted the spoon toward her mouth.
But just before she could take a bite—
Snatch!
The spoon was yanked right out of her hand.
Her eyes snapped open in shock, and she turned quickly to see who had dared to steal her food. The sight before her made her heart jump into her throat.
Rudra.
He sat on the sofa, dressed in a fitted black night suit. His broad shoulders and toned chest were evident beneath the fabric. The top two buttons of his silk shirt were undone, revealing a hint of his collarbone. His jet-black hair, still slightly damp from his shower, was tousled, giving him a rugged, effortlessly handsome look.
But what made her more nervous was his expression. His dark eyes were locked onto hers, intense and unreadable, a slight furrow on his brow as he twirled the spoon between his fingers.
"Are you eating my food?" he asked in a deep voice, his tone calm yet laced with something that made her shiver.
Anaya gulped. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first.
"Umm... yeah… it's food, and I thought the staff brought it for me." She swallowed hard. "I—I'm sorry. I thought it was mine," she stammered, taking an instinctive step back on the bed.
But before she could create more distance, Rudra's strong hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.
She gasped softly.
With one swift pull, he brought her toward him. She tumbled forward slightly, her hands landing on his solid chest as he pulled her close. He was sitting, yet his height and presence made her feel incredibly small.
Her heart pounded wildly.
His fingers wrapped around her wrist, warm and firm, making it impossible for her to escape. His grip wasn't painful, but it was strong enough to make her realize that she wasn't going anywhere unless he allowed it.
"Since you're so eager to eat," Rudra murmured, his voice dropping lower, "then eat."
Before she could process his words, he lifted the spoon—his spoon—and brought it to her lips.
Her breath hitched.
The closeness, his deep voice, the way his intense gaze studied her reaction—it all made her freeze.
"I—"
"Open your mouth," he commanded.
Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as she hesitated. His eyes bore into hers, unwavering, expectant.
Slowly, she parted her lips, and Rudra gently placed the spoon inside, letting her taste the food.
Her cheeks burned.
He was feeding her.
She quickly chewed and swallowed, her mind unable to comprehend anything beyond the fact that Rudra Singhaniya was feeding her.
"Chew properly before speaking," he muttered, watching her every reaction.
Anaya barely managed to nod, feeling like her entire body was on fire.
The silence between them was thick with tension.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and she wasn't sure if it was out of nervousness or because of the way Rudra was looking at her.
She had known him for weeks now. She had seen his anger, his coldness, and his rare moments of warmth. But this… this was different.
She licked her lips unconsciously, and his eyes flickered to the movement.
Her breath caught.
There was a spark in his gaze, something unreadable, something dangerous.
"Do you always steal someone else's food?" he asked, his voice low and teasing this time.
Anaya quickly shook her head. "No! I really thought it was mine."
Rudra hummed, his thumb brushing against the inside of her wrist absentmindedly. "Then I suppose I should punish you for stealing," he murmured.
Anaya's eyes widened. "Punish?" she squeaked.
He smirked slightly, a rare sight that made her heart flip.
Without another word, he picked up another bite with the spoon and brought it to her lips again.
Anaya hesitated."I can eat by myself," she whispered. "Too bad," Rudra said smoothly, his fingers tightening around her wrist. "Tonight, I'm feeding you."
Her lips parted slightly in shock. "Eat, Anaya," he said, his voice a command. Feeling helpless under his intense gaze, she slowly took another bite.
Rudra watched her closely, his eyes darkening slightly as she obediently chewed. "You listen well when you want to," he commented.
Anaya swallowed and gave him a pointed look. "I always listen well."
Rudra chuckled, shaking his head. "Liar."
She pouted but didn't argue.
The air between them remained heavy with unspoken words, with something simmering just beneath the surface.
Rudra finally released her wrist, but his eyes never left her.
"Finish your food," he murmured. "You need to eat properly."
Anaya nodded, biting her lip. She still felt the warmth of his hand on her skin, the weight of his presence suffocating yet intoxicating at the same time.
As he leaned back on the sofa, watching her with an unreadable expression, she realized something—
No matter how much she tried to resist, Rudra Singhaniya had a way of making her heartbeat dance to his rhythm.
Anaya tried her best to focus on the food, but her mind was a chaotic mess. Rudra's intense gaze, his unexpected care, the way he had fed her—it all lingered like an invisible touch on her skin.
She picked up another bite, but her fingers felt unsteady.
"Are you always this slow?" Rudra's deep voice cut through the silence, laced with amusement.
Anaya shot him a glare. "I was eating just fine until you decided to… interfere."
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "Interfere?"
"Yes!" She huffed, puffing her cheeks slightly. "Who feeds someone forcefully like that?"
His lips twitched, as if suppressing a smirk. "If it was forceful, you wouldn't have opened your mouth so easily, Anaya."
Her eyes widened in shock. The nerve of this man! She swallowed hard, struggling to find a retort. "I—I didn't have a choice!"
Rudra leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze never leaving hers. "Oh? Then why didn't you pull away?"
Anaya's breath hitched.
Why?
She didn't have an answer.
Instead of responding, she turned her head away, stuffing a bite into her mouth just to avoid looking at him.
Rudra let out a low chuckle. "Cute."
Her cheeks burned.
"Stop saying things like that," she muttered under her breath.
"Like what?"
"Like... calling me cute," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
He smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Why? You don't like it?"
Anaya opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. Because the truth was—she did like it. And that was the real problem.
She quickly finished her food, refusing to look at him. But Rudra was patient. Too patient.
When she finally placed the plate down, he stood up. The movement was slow, deliberate, like a predator rising from his throne.
Anaya stiffened.
He took a step forward.
She instinctively took a step back.
He took another step.
She backed up again.
"Wh—what are you doing?" she stammered.
He didn't answer. Instead, he kept advancing, his dark eyes locked onto hers.
Her back hit the wall.
Rudra stopped only inches away, towering over her. His scent—fresh soap and something distinctly him—filled her senses, making her lightheaded.
She swallowed hard, pressing her hands against the wall as if that would create more space between them.
"Rudra…?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.
He leaned in slightly, his gaze flickering to her parted lips before returning to her wide eyes.
"You should be careful, Anaya," he murmured. "You're letting me corner you too easily."
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
"I—I wasn't—"
He raised a finger and gently tapped her forehead.
"Think before you act next time," he said smoothly, stepping back.
Anaya blinked, completely thrown off by his actions.
He smirked at her confusion and turned toward the door.
"Get some sleep," he said over his shoulder before walking out, leaving her standing there—breathless, dazed, and completely frustrated.
What just happened?!
Anaya covered her face with both hands, her skin burning.
Rudra Singhaniya was infuriating.
And yet…
She had the sinking feeling that she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about him anytime soon.
.______..______..______.💮📑.______..______..______.
Anaya stood there, her back still against the wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her forehead, a simple tap that had sent a shiver down her spine.
Her heartbeat refused to settle, and her mind replayed the scene over and over again. The way he looked at her, the way he smirked, the way he stepped so close that she could barely breathe.
"What just happened?" she muttered to herself, running a hand through her hair.
The silence in the room felt deafening. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows on the walls, and the faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound accompanying her thoughts.
With a deep sigh, she turned toward her bed. But as soon as she took a step forward, her legs wobbled.
Damn it, Anaya. Get a grip!
She plopped down onto the mattress, hugging a pillow to her chest. Why does he always have to do this? One moment, he was cold and distant, and the next, he was… like this. Playful, teasing, and just close enough to make her feel things she shouldn't be feeling.
Anaya buried her face into the pillow.
I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.
The problem was… she didn't.
Not even a little.
Meanwhile...
Rudra leaned against the closed door of his room, his jaw tightening.
His hand instinctively ran through his hair, pushing back the loose strands that had fallen over his forehead. He exhaled slowly, staring up at the ceiling.
What the hell is wrong with me?
He never let anyone get under his skin. Never let anyone affect him.
But Anaya…
She was different.
Everything about her frustrated him—the way she stammered when flustered, the way she looked up at him with those wide eyes, the way her lips parted slightly when she was at a loss for words.
And tonight…
When he saw her eating his food, so casually, so carelessly, something in him had snapped. He hadn't even thought before snatching the spoon from her hand.
He smirked at the memory.
The look of shock on her face had been priceless.
But it wasn't just that.
He had wanted to see something. If she would listen to him. If she would let him feed her.
And she did.
Not because she was forced to, but because—deep down, she trusted him.
Rudra closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply.
He had to be careful.
Because if this continued, he wasn't sure if he could keep his distance anymore.
And Anaya…
She wasn't ready for that.
Not yet.
.______.💖.______.💖.______..______..______.
The night deepened, and the city outside gradually hushed into a peaceful slumber. The moon, full and luminous, cast its soft glow through the open balcony, bathing the minimalist apartment in silver light. The space was neither too extravagant nor too plain—just the right blend of comfort and simplicity. The walls were a muted pastel, a soothing combination of green and pink, creating a cozy ambiance. The small but well-arranged living room had a soft couch near the glass doors, leading to the balcony where a slight breeze rustled the sheer white curtains.
Barefoot on the cool marble floor, Janvi moved about leisurely, lost in her own little world. Dressed in her comfortable pajamas—an oversized white t-shirt that reached mid-thigh and soft pink shorts—she held a cup of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other. The sound of mellow music played from her phone, filling the apartment with a gentle rhythm as she swayed slightly, savoring each bite of the cold treat.
Just as she dipped her spoon back into the melting ice cream, her phone vibrated on the coffee table. A message. Without much thought, she glanced at the screen, noticing Ria's name. Dismissing it for a moment, she continued eating, but within seconds, the phone buzzed again—this time, a call.
Sighing, she plopped onto the couch, letting the cool leather surface press against her legs as she reluctantly swiped to answer. The music paused, and Ria's voice burst through the speaker, full of energy and excitement.
"Beta, kal Holi party hai, aur tu aa rahi hai! Main koi bahana nahi sunungi. Morning 10 AM, okay?"
("Tomorrow, there's a Holi party, and you're coming! I won't hear any excuses. Morning at 10 AM, okay?")
Janvi rolled her eyes, already sensing the trouble brewing. "Ria, Holi party? Really? Do I look like someone who enjoys getting drenched in colors and water?" she grumbled, taking another spoonful of ice cream.
Ria gasped dramatically. "Aree, ek toh nayi dosti start hui hai, aur tu aise bhaag rahi hai? Ye humari pehli Holi hogi, tu meri aur Anaya ki! Actuallly, Holi toh hoti hai, par bhabhi ke roop mein Anaya ki yeh pehli Holi hai."
("Come on! We just became friends, and you're already trying to run away? This will be our first Holi together, mine and Anaya's! Actually, we always celebrate, but as my sister-in-law, this will be Anaya's first Holi.")
Janvi groaned, resting her head back on the couch. She was about to protest when Ria's voice sharpened, teasing yet firm. "Aur trio ki bhi toh pehli Holi hai! Tu aayegi, bas! Main gaadi bhejwa dungi."
("And this is also our trio's first Holi! You are coming, that's final. I'll send a car for you.")
Janvi huffed. "Par mujhe rangon se khelna pasand nahi hai! Usse accha main ghar pe so jaaun."
("But I don't like playing with colors! I'd rather stay home and sleep.")
There was a short pause before Ria sighed dramatically. "Achha? Toh tu nahi aayegi?"
("Oh? So you're not coming?")
Janvi smirked, already thinking she won the argument. "Nope."
Ria clicked her tongue before replying in a playful, threatening tone, "Theek hai, par phir mujhe naye dost banane padenge. Women's team waise bhi weak pad jaayegi Holi ke rangon mein."
("Fine, but then I'll have to find new friends. Our women's team will already be weak in the Holi battle.")
Janvi sat up straight. "Wait…battle?"
Ria chuckled mischievously. "Arre haan! Tumhe pata nahi Singhaniya House mein Holi kaise hoti hai? Yeh toh poori jang hoti hai! Ek taraf men's team hoti hai, ek taraf women's team. Aur sabse dangerous banda kaun hai pata hai? Tera naya dost—Aarav! Woh rangon ka dushman hai!"
("Oh, you don't know how Holi is celebrated at Singhaniya House? It's a full-fledged battle! One side is the men's team, and the other is the women's team. And do you know who's the most dangerous person there? Your new friend—Aarav! He's a menace with colors!")
Janvi bit her lip, suddenly intrigued. A playful battle? That sounded… fun. But should she really go? Before she could decide, Ria's voice came again, sounding even more persuasive.
"Mujhe friend ki zarurat padegi, uska kya? Ek toh main akeli, upar se women's team weak pad jaayegi."
("I will need a friend, what about that? I'll be all alone, and the women's team will be weak.")
Janvi sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, I'll think about it."
Ria clapped. "Yesss! tomorrow morning 10 AM sharp! Be ready!"
And with that, the call ended, leaving Janvi staring at her half-melted ice cream. She didn't particularly like Holi, but… maybe this time, it would be different.