Chapter 1

'I heard you.'

Khushi halted in her steps at his quiet statement. Slowly she turned and took in the sight of his tall figure, standing still at the edge of the steps. Arms folded across his chest, he fixed his firm gaze on her.

Gulping down her anxieties, she subtly breathed in. 'What?'

He took one step down, posture still remaining intact. 'I said, I heard you before,' he said, this time more loudly, yet maintaining the volume.

'What are you talking about? What did you hear?', she asked, confusion laced in her tone. The pit of her gut, twitched with extreme fear. What did he hear? Was it something she said to herself? There was nothing worse than, The Arnav Singh Razaida, knowing something she didn't.

Another step down. 'I heard you praying to your devi maiyya, Khushi Kumari Gupta.'

Devi Maiyya? She always spoke to Devi maiiya! Since when did the great rakshas care what she said to Devi maiyya.

'So!,' Khushi now folded her arms, glaring at him.

Remain strong, Khushi, she said to herself. Do not let him break you down- EVER. Whatever he heard, he cannot prove! Not like he recorded every conversation they had- WAIT, did he? She could never tell with this man! Dealing with him was like walking through a maze. You just never know what might be in store.

'So you don't want to know what I heard?'

Her hazel orbs narrowed , suspiciously. She did not like the way he asked that question. Almost too... she didn't have the right word, BUT there was something very suspicious about his tone. Almost... offended? Hold it- OFFENDED?

'Look Arnavji, I don't have time for games. I really need to get going. So could you spit it out already.'

Which was true. Sort of. Okay, not really, but Khushi was a bit terrified to know anything from the rakshas.

Before she could blink, she found herself clashing in to his hard body. Their noses touched; his arms gently, but firmly, wrapped her in to his embrace.

'Arnavji!', she whispered, frantically, squirming under his intense gaze. He looked at her with such intensity, that sometimes Khushi wondered if he even knew what he was doing with his face.

The more she struggled, the more she found herself locked tightly in his arms.

'What are you doing?!'

He ignored the question.

'Do you always pray to never see me?'

His question caught her off guard so much that she actually stopped struggling for a moment.

'What? What are you talking about!?'

'I am talking about yesterday. Remember when you were at the front door, and you were praying? Remember when you were praying to not see 'laad governor' When you opened your eyes the door was open. Who do you think opened the door?'

Shit... Or something along the lines of swearing. Sirens started screeching inside her head. Memories of yesterday came tumbling down, crushing every ounce of her dignity. Surprisingly there was some left. What was her life.

'... Oh.' Her lips formed the usual 'O'

His frown deepened. 'Oh? Is that all you have to say?'

For some odd reason, Khushi got irked. Well, the reason wasn't exactly odd. It was very valid. He was offended just because she didn't want to see him?! Well, can you blame a girl! Why on earth would anyone want to see a rakshas like him, when all he ever did was insult her, and treat her like garbage! And now he had the audacity to call her out, just because her simple prayer offended him?! Unbelievable.

Without further ado, Khushi used all her strength and pushed him him back. His steps almost faltered, startling him.

'What the!'

'Don't what the me!', Khushi fired back, fixing her attire. She whipped her plait back and positioned herself for battle- dramatic, but true. Blood inside of her body was boiling.

'How dare you, Mr. Razaida! How dare you even think of questioning me! YES I PRAYED NOT TO SEE YOUR FACE. So what's your problem, huh! Isn't that what YOU ALWAYS WANT.'

He remained silent.

She continued.

'Well?! What do you have to say? Nothing, right? Because you know I am right! I pray every day not to see your face because for once, I'd like to have a good day! Not a rollercoaster! For once, I'd like to come to work, do my job and go home happy! But with you, I can never know how my day would go! Try being in my position and see how hard it is to deal with such a man! SO YES. I PRAY TO NOT SEE YOU SO THEN PERHAPS I CAN GET THROUGH THE DAY. After all the garbage and hurtful words you have spewed at me, you have the audacity to call me out because you got offended?! WELL, EXCUSE YOU, MR. RAZAIDA. I AM SOOO SORRY MY SMALL PRAYER HURT YOU. DO YOU WANT ME TO-'

She didn't know how it happened. How many seconds, minutes- everything was a blur. All she knew was at that moment, she found a soft pair of lips, gently laying a soft kiss on her forehead.

If she had to describe the sensation, it would be like an iced bucket of water falling over herself. One minute she was on fire, yelling out her frustrations, and the next, she was speechless like a gaping fish.

His lips lingered a bit longer and then he pulled away.

'I am trying,' he said, quietly. There was sincerity in his expression, which almost made her guilty for shouting at him. But she stood her ground. What she let out today was very much needed. As a human being and as a woman.

'And I will keep trying so you will have a good day, every day.'

Then he walked off.

Just like that.

***

Honestly? I have no gaddamn clue.