4

When I was a child, I used to lock myself up in the room so I don't hear the stupid monster stories. They used to always creep me out, I used to be so scared when all the kids in the orphanage used to talk about monsters and look at the irony of my situation now. My hand shook, as I tried to gulp as much as air I could. I am a dead woman today. I never thought I would have such a painful death, I always imagined dying in the arms of someone I love but look at the ridicule of my existence, I am getting murdered by a random stranger.

"Aadit" the taste of his name on my lips don't sound strange thought. What the hell is wrong with me, I am this close to getting murdered and here my mind is playing dirty tricks all over again.

I need help.

I pushed myself behind the bushes to conceal my shadow, a whimper escaped me when I was squeezing my body.

Shit the thrones, they pierced my skin as I was practically tangled in the heap of bushes.  I thrashed against the bushes and with the help of a tree I stood up to run away far away from the clutches of this monster. I could feel the gnawing essence of his presence behind me, "oh lord, I am gone." I summoned all the gods I can remember of. I need to get away, I need to. I felt somewhere in my heart that if I am not out of here as soon as possible I won't ever get out of this place. The monster lurking in the face of the darkness will capture me. My heart beat skipped a beat thinking about the possibility of getting captured by the monster. Do I want to be captured by this monster named Aadit? Fuck I am insane, I need help. I should consider giving try to Diya's suggestion to visit a therapist. But I need to get out alive for that.

I crouched low behind the thick bushes, my heart pounding in her chest. The cool night air kissed my skin, but it did nothing to calm the heat rising within. I pressed my hand to my mouth, stifling my breath as I  heard the crunch of footsteps growing closer. My chest tightened, a mixture of fear and anticipation tangling together. I didn't want to be found—or maybe I do.

Each step he took, steady and determined, sent shivers down my spine. Through the gaps in the leaves, I caught glimpses of him—broad shoulders, shadowed face, eyes that seemed to burn even in the darkness.

A part of me screamed to run. I had to escape, I couldn't let him catch me. But another part, a quieter, deeper part, wondered what would happen if I stayed. What would he do if he found me? Would he try to strangle me to death or shoot me?

The sound of a branch snapping under his foot jolted me back into reality. I couldn't stay. My nerves were on fire, the danger of him so close setting every instinct on edge.

In a quick, silent motion, I sprang from my hiding place, my feet barely touching the earth as I darted through the trees. I could feel him now, close behind, his presence a heavy heat chasing me. Was he even running? I could feel his long strides he wasn't far—each breath I took was matched by his, deep and relentless.

I knew he could catch me if he wanted to. Why was he playing? Why isn't he shooting me, I know he can but why is he just simply chasing? Does he get the thrill of seeing me this helpless, he is a monster. His strides were longer and more confident, and yet he didn't pounce, didn't grab me. Instead, he was letting me run, letting me feel the thrill of being hunted, knowing I was fast but not fast enough. The wind rushed past me, but his nearness was all I could sense. My pulse raced, not just from the exertion, but from the electric anticipation that built with every step. Would he grab my arm, spin me around and snap my neck? Oh fuck. I cried, with the pain building in my legs. I can't stop now, not when I am this close to death.

My foot slipped on a patch of moss, and before I could recover, I felt him behind me, He was most probably smirking now that I was under his power. He can do anything to me now. I clenched the grass hoping that this was just another nightmare, but his enormous presence behind me says otherwise.

I lay on the ground for a good two minutes, clenching my eyes shut my breath getting shallower with each breath, my heart pounding with fear and anticipation.

What? Anticipation. I am going to a therapist if I make out alive from this place.

Why isn't he doing something? I know he is still behind me, I can feel him. Then why? A series of questions bombarded my head. What does he want from me? What do you want from me Aadit my mind etched to scream. And finally, when I thought that he was going to shoot me he grabbed my jacket and pulled me on my legs, my whole body trembled feeling him this close, i choked on the air getting breathless by his mere touch, a sob escaped my throat imagining the worst case scenarios. If not for his hold on my jacket, I would have fallen on the ground with some broken bones. 

The scent of him wraps around me before he even touches me, a tantalising blend of earthy warmth and subtle luxury. It was intoxicating—rich, yet never overwhelming, like the finest cologne mixed with something deeper, something uniquely him. There was the smooth, velvety note of amber, warm and inviting, like sunlight filtering through a thick forest. Beneath it, I caught a hint of spice—dark, seductive, and dangerous—clove or sandalwood, something that made her skin tingle when he got too close. But it was more than just the cologne. His scent was threaded with the clean, crisp freshness of the outdoors, as if he had been out in the early morning air, under a canopy of trees, the dew still clinging to him. It was alive, masculine, like the scent of rain mixing with rich earth after a storm, grounding him, making every breath of him linger on my senses. There was a whisper of something sweet too, like a faded trace of vanilla or cedar that softened the edges of his power, making me want to lean in, just a little closer, to inhale deeper. It was a scent that drew me in, rich and layered, like a story waiting to unfold—tempting, magnetic, and undeniably addictive. How can someone who just murdered someone brutally smell this nice, the temptation to roll my head and breathe him in a little more grew with every second.

His hand brushed my pulse point, just for a second, sending sparks through my veins. My breath hitched, his touch was so gentle so tender, what the actual fuck is wrong with this man? Why is he touching me with so much care? I wanted to look back and see his face, but instead,  I pushed myself harder from his hold. He clasped my wrist behind my back. How strong a person could be? My head pressed against his chest,  he was taller than he looked from far away.

"Run and never talk about this" The moment he whispered, his voice slid over my skin like velvet, sending a ripple of heat down my spine. It was low, hushed, almost like a secret meant only for me, but with an edge of command that left no room for doubt. His voice was deep, and resonant, with a roughness that felt like it could both soothe and unravel me at the same time. It curled around me like smoke, wrapping my mind in a haze of want and uncertainty. There was something in the way he said it, something that made my breath hitch and pulse quicken. My skin prickled as if the air itself had changed with that one whispered sentence. It wasn't just the command that sent a thrill through my heart, but the promise hidden underneath it. He wanted me to run and leave, yes, but what will happen when he catches me? The thought sent my mind spinning.

My body froze with the realisation of just what happened, he let me go? He won't kill me. He leaned closer, and then with a snap of his finger he pushed me away from him.

"You have my card, don't bother to run away, just come directly to my office and surrender if you open your mouth about this to anyone, it will save both of our time and energy" He commanded calmness and nonchalance lacing his voice. How can someone be this calm? My throat went dry, my legs trembling even before I moved as if his single sentence had stolen all my strength and left me breathless.

That was my last thread, "sorry" I whispered summoning the last bit of strength left in me. Without waiting for his reply, I sprint on my legs.

I run like there is no tomorrow, my lungs and legs beg me to stop, but I  keep running until I can see the headlight of Diya's car. I am not dying, I am not. Tears pricked my eyes, and suddenly all went blurry, I opened the car door with a lot of difficulty. I slid into the seat and just drove like a mad woman, I couldn't believe I was alive. I sobbed and my whole body ached with pain and exhaustion.

What just happened to me? I just touched the death and came back alive.

I finally reached Diya's house after the most venturous ride of my life. I think I just lost my little bit of sanity again. I caressed my wrist feeling his momentary touch, fuelling my imagination. I recalled the whole night like a tale. I need to forget, that I am here to help Diya and I should focus on that now.

I parked the car beside the back door where Diya's cousin was waiting for me.

"I am sorry. I got lost on my way, Diya didn't inform me properly about the address." I uttered the lie with a sincere apology.

"It's okay, let me take you to Diya's room" She smiled squeezing my hands with assuring nod.

We started walking towards the house, it wasn't a house though it was a goddam mansion. But I was way too shaken to appreciate the beauty of this palace.  Maybe tomorrow, I sighed and made my way inside the room.

"You need rest, Anaya. Sleep, I will bring you something to eat."

"No, no I am not hungry" I whispered fidgeting my fingers.

"It's okay, rest." She walked towards the door before I could take any further step she interrupted me. I groaned, I knew she was trying to help me. But I am way too exhausted for a human interaction. I rolled my shoulder back, putting on my best fake smile. I whispered "Yes?"

"Oh. I just wanted to ask you where did you get Aadit's company card." She smiled giving me the card, "you have my card....." the voice taunted. My eyes widen with the realisation No, no he can't be the Same Aadit who is marrying Diya, he can't be.

"Anaya, Anaya..." a melodious voice cracked my haze.

"Huh." I looked at my whole body trembling, my heart pounding fiercely. Anxiety mixed with fear churned my stomach. I am going to throw up.

"Are you okay?" She asked me her voice full of concern.

"Yes, yes I am just exhausted." I managed to choke out, shivering. I can feel his taunting voice on my skin. I never saw that man, and yet his name is enough to make me shake like a leaf.

"Oh, take the card and now please rest. Wedding preparations are starting from tomorrow." She said the latter part with a hint of pity. With an absent mind, I grabbed the card into my shaky grip.

Aadit Pratap Singh, I caressed the name inked on the card. The thud of the door closing left me alone with my thoughts.

What will he do when he catches me?

He doesn't have to know that I am marrying him.

Or does he?