Better ✓

40. A step ahead

"I will show you our penthouse tomorrow, you should rest now," said Sara before leaving Riddhima alone in her room. Riddhima smiled at her before laying down on bed with a sigh. Sara was a friendly girl and she resembled a lot to her in appearance. When she arrived here in the morning, it was awkward to be introduced to your long lost family members, not only for her but also for Sara. She was quiet initially. Riddhima wanted to establish a friendship with her, that is the least she could do. Then, the dam broke. Once, Sara was comfortable, she went on and on, about her studies, her life and their mother. She had noticed, how Sara always avoided talking about their father. There was a knock on her door and she got up.

Rajveer stood outside her door, waiting. He was little wary that Karan might show up, all of a sudden to kick him out from here. Riddhima wore her slippers and went to open the door. Her droopy eyes instantly brightened on seeing Rajveer. She stepped aside to let him enter the room and closed the door. They both stood in the silence of night. Riddhima smiled at him, wanting him to speak anything. Rajveer was standing there with a serious face and that worried her. "Riddhima...."

"Let's sit?" Riddhima frowned at him and sat on the bed. "My parents came to know about the whole mishap about Vansh." Riddhima nodded at him, not knowing what she was supposed to say. Has he decided to end things between them? But then, he is right. She already had decided that if he wants, she will not blame him for ending their relationship. Atleast he and his family, won't be under constant danger that comes with her presence. "I want to.... Will you," Rajveer began. Riddhima gulped before interrupting him. "It's okay Rajveer, if you want to end things between us. You were at gunpoint..."

"No! What are you speaking? That is not, what I wanted to say!" Riddhima looked at him in confusion, whereas her insides relaxed in relief. "What did you want to say?" "First, you tell me, what you were thinking."

Riddhima bit her lip and turned her gaze to the wall behind him. "I was saying... that things have got complicated.... and....." Rajveer held her elbow and tugged her to himself. "Shut up!" Riddhima breathed his musky, sandalwood scent. She looked at his chest, refusing to meet his gaze. She has already embarassed herself enough, shutting up was the best option. Can't he just let go of this matter and talk about what he wanted to say? "Riddhima, you need to stop worrying about Vansh now. You, yourself told that now, he won't bother you anymore. If not, then also I will be here for you." Riddhima turned her face up to look into his eyes.

"But, you always try to refuse and run. I agree, when I got to know about him, I had purposely ignored you to end things between us, but I couldn't. I can't. I don't want you to feel obliged, if you don't want me to be ....." Riddhima hurriedly interrupted him. There is no need to hold back. "I .... I have deep feelings for you, Rajveer. I don't want you, Roma or your family getting hurt because of me. I don't.... I didn't have a family but I understand its importance. I don't want you to leave your peace, your normal life. Don't you think, it is also unfair to your family. I still don't know, what will Vansh do, if he were to know about our relationship. I ... I" Riddhima took a step back, from him. "I don't want to lose you, Rajveer." She wanted to hug him, right now, to be embraced by him again. It is surprising, how she managed to trust yet another man in her life again.

"My father has good connections, Riddhima. He is perfectly able to protect my family. I have talked to him about you, about us." Rajveer hesitated a bit. Riddhima immediately caught it. "I can tell, he didn't like the idea of me with you. An orphan, a divorced woman...." Rajveer's hesitance vanished and he looked at her sternly. "He must have told you, that you deserve better," she continued. He took a step towards her. "Do you also think that I deserve someone better than you?" "This was it," thought Rajveer. If she also thinks the same than there is no reason to fight for this relationship anymore. It is better to move on before it is too late.

Riddhima looked back at his angry gaze, noticing his jaw clenched. "Well, now I have a family who are no less dangerous. It's funny, how I come across to same things, I try to leave back in my past. And regarding being divorced, I am not ashamed of it, if that's what you are asking. So, I am not going to bother myself with taunts or judgements of your family." Her voice turned sharp in the end.

"I doubt that you have any feelings for me. It feels like, it's only me." Riddhima looked back at him, her forehead no more furrowed. "You are not willing to take any step. My parents, may be judgmental but they love me. I am sure they will welcome you wholeheartedly, once they get to know you." He sighed. "Okay, I guess, good night. I will leave tomorrow."

"Wait!" Rajveer turned around to face her. "What do you want me to do?"
"I came here to ask you to meet my parents once." They really want me to get into a serious relationship and to get engaged soon. I want to be with you. Rajveer kept his thoughts to himself. "Okay," said Riddhima.

"Okay?" "I will come with you tomorrow." Riddhima went near the door where he was standing with a frown on his face. She held his free hand that was not on the door knob. "I am sorry." Her throat felt heavy. Rajveer held her both hands. "There was nothing to be sorry about. It's all in your head. Riddhima. Everything is fine with you and your life now. Besides, in India, when does a family agree with a love marriage right at first introduction?" He chuckled. Riddhima felt a shiver, on hearing the word, 'marriage'. She looked at their hands, holding each other. Rajveer didn't want to keep his thoughts hidden. He didn't see a reason for why he should wait. They were adults, they both understood each other and know about each other well. That is what he wanted in his married life.

"I missed you," Riddhima said suddenly, staring into his eyes again. Rajveer felt an odd feeling in his stomach. He decided to show her, how much he had missed her. He gently grazed his hand around her waist and tugged her towards himself. Riddhima's heart paced fast, when he bent down to capture her lips in his. She closed her eyes as his warm lips descended on hers. Rajveer's lips were urgent, desperate and demanding. She returned his kisses fiercely, giving in to his demands, showing her own need. Rajveer felt her sweet lips, nibbling his lips gently while he didn't know how did he manage to steal and savour the taste of her. He slowed down his ministrations and with a last gentle nibble on her lip, pulled away from her. Riddhima felt her head spinning with passion. The feelings of his arms around her, were too overwhelming. She slowly opened her eyes to his burning gaze. Her lips parted again. Rajveer looked from her eyes to her lips.

He captured her lips again, kissing her fervently. He attempted to tilt her head and Riddhima obliged. Their lips were in sync with each other. Without opening their eyes, they pulled away for short breaths, only to indulge in a passionate kiss again. Riddhima slowly pulled him towards her bed. Her knees felt weak. And she felt desire rushing through her body.

She pulled away from him. Rajveer was too dazed to look past her beautiful face. She sat on the bed and pulled him to sit next to her. Riddhima moved forward to kiss him again and Rajveer held the back of her neck over her hairs to pull her towards him. They kissed for a long time, in each other's embrace. Rajveer wanted to stay in this moment forever. He never knew that kissing Riddhima can feel so enticing, he could hear his heartbeat in his ears. He, momentarily remembered the day he met her. He wanted this to remain forever, them to remain forever.

Riddhima felt a lot of emotions coursing through her. Happiness was the prime one. She whispered, something against his lips. Something that he didn't know he had been wanting to listen. He pulled away from her and looked deep into her eyes. "What did you say?" Riddhima gulped. Her nerves were in wreck.

Rajveer noticed a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. He moved closer to her ears and whispered, "say it again." His voice was so sweet, seductive. Riddhima's heart raced like never before. Rajveer tilted his face and kissed her cheek. His stubble grazing her cheeks, as he didn't attempt to move away. Riddhima's grip tightened on his shirt. "Tell me, Riddhima." This is wrong. He can't demand it from her. "I....

I hope you all liked the chapter. I have also updated my other two books. If you are interested in reading more from me, you can check out those books.

Thank you!