EPISODE 33
Had she not been so enraged, Pallavi might have appreciated the view from Raghav Rao’s Sagar Lake villa. She might have admired how the infinity pool appeared to cascade into the lake below. How the terrace was angled so it appeared the night sky belonged only to her.
But she was too angry to acknowledge that here was a man who knew how to live well.
He had called her out of her home. Away from a joyous family celebration. Leaving behind Deshmukhs and Chettys—and not to forget a dozen curious neighbours wondering what a girl had to do that was so urgent at ten pm.
What would they think if they had seen her climb into a black sedan parked outside the back garden gate and driven miles out of the city?
And for what purpose, Sisters?
This is a question which Pallavi would dearly love answered.
She had been shown through the villa and onto the terrace by a servant. Offered champagne—look at the audacity! And informed that ‘Annah’ would be with her shortly.
That was twenty-three minutes ago.
And as each waiting minute passed, and the more champagne she sipped—of course, she consumed it, Sisters!—the more outraged she grew.
So when he stepped onto the terrace, he was not given a chance to apologize for keeping her waiting.
***
Pallavi swiftly covered the distance between them, and shouted in English, “How dare you?!” Each word was punctuated with her palms thumping against his chest.
Raghav was not prepared for this physical attack, and the first of her three blows pushed him back a step. He planted his feet for stability and absorbed her remaining fury.
He had never seen anyone more beautiful—nor more enraged. Her eyes were snapping green fire. And the recollection of Harish’s description of her as a dragon made him smile.
To smile was a grave mistake, Sisters.
“You’re laughing at me?!” she railed.
“No, Pallavi—” he began.
She shook a threatening finger. “Don’t! I don’t want to hear my name on your lips. In fact, don’t speak a word!”
She swung away from him throwing her arms up in the air as though addressing the gods. “Who does he think he is?! They call him the don of Hyderabad so he thinks he’s entitled to make people dance to his every tune?”
She should not have turned away from him because it provided Raghav a full view of her open back interrupted only by a dental-floss dori.
Without being thin, her waist was small, and the lengha tied low revealed how her hips flared into a surprisingly round bottom. It was well that she did not see how the light in his eyes glowed at this vision. Perhaps on another day in the distant future, she might receive female gratification from eliciting such a response.
But not on this night.
Pivoting to face him, arms akimbo, she demanded, “Do you know how many lies I had to tell Baba to get out of the house? I’m already forbidden to see you after that casino video. What if he discovers that I’m back here at your resort?” Not waiting for a reply, she added, “I lied to him in front of Mansi’s in-laws. And all the neighbourhood spies who already despise me for not behaving as a widow should. And when I return, I’ll have to elaborate on those lies because you forced me to come out this evening. What gives you the right to threaten me about the shop lease every time I don’t do as you command? Do you know that difference between landlord and slave master?”
He knew better than to answer the question. It was best to remain silent until she told him to speak. He was happy to remain quiet as he was enjoying this display of her passion.
She continued, undeterred, “Just because I allowed you that one liberty at the hospital yesterday, you behave as though you own me. Well, Mr Rao, erase that episode from your mind. It was nothing. If you’ve been properly kissed, you would know that that slight touch doesn’t even deserve the title of a kiss. So don’t let your imagination run away with the idea that I’m in love with you and that I long to be your obedient mistress and satiate your every sexual desire.”
Here Raghav couldn’t resist. “Are you lecturing me or trying to excite me? My body’s receiving mixed messages.”
He doffed his jacket and opened his waistcoat to make himself more comfortable.
“I’m sure it doesn’t take much to excite you,” she retorted.
“You would be surprised.”
“Why? Because the don of Hyderabad’s standards are so high,” she scoffed. Adding, “Well, before you grow too attached to your fantasies about me, let me inform you that I’ll soon be married.”
Her words met Raghav like an ice bucket challenge.
“To that dandy with that girly accent!?” Raghav asked, adding a laugh to bury an expletive.
“Why not? Rakesh is intelligent, attractive—and a gentleman. It may surprise you to learn that he doesn’t have to bully me into going for coffee. And if he wanted me to come over to his gorgeous lakefront villa on this starlit night,” she said, widening her arms to incorporate the view, “he would just ask politely and I would happily accept. He wouldn’t need to threaten me.”
Raghav raised his brows in a mocking question. “How long until his polite lovemaking drives you to poison him?”
“Any self-respecting woman would choose him over you. Do you think that just because you have money and power, I would be with you? You are a gangster. You’ve built your life on the suffering of others. Rakesh has built his life helping others. He’s a surgeon. He saves lives. People are drawn to him when he enters a room while people cower when you enter a room.”
Raghav gave a sneering smile, “When you are stuck in rainy London with a surgeon in your bed, you’ll fantasize about the gangster you dismissed in Hyderabad.”
She sniffed, “I rather like rain. I find it romantic.”
“Is that how Mandhar Deshmukh seduced you? With his polite behaviour and his romantic words?” Raghav spat out.
He immediately regretted his harsh words and savage tone when her face drained of blood and a trembling hand lifted to cover her mouth.
“Wh-what did you say?” her voice was almost a whimper.
His statement had reduced her from a force to behold into a victim. And he despised himself for it. But it was too late to backtrack.
“I asked you here to show you something,” he said, exiting the terrace, expecting her to follow.
Edited by JalebiJane - 3 years ago
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