ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Ishita's Room | Evening Twilight*

I stood in front of the mirror, towel drying my damp hair. Water trickled down my neck into the collar of my loose cotton *kurti*. My makeup was off. Skin clean. Hair open. No heels. I looked like me.

That's when I felt **him**.

Those strong arms wrapped slowly around my waist from behind. A sharp gasp escaped my lips. His chest-bare, still warm from his bath, skin damp-pressed against my back. His face buried in the crook of my neck.

**Ishita:** **"Rudra..."** I whispered, my voice trembling, **"No... someone will see... please, my door wasn't locked-"**

He didn't reply. He didn't listen. He just kissed the wet skin behind my ear, slowly. Breathed me in like I was peace, like he was starving for the simple scent of my clean skin.

My knees went weak. The sudden, intense contact of his hard, damp body against my soft back sent a current through me, erasing the fatigue of the day.

**Rudra:** **"Jaana..."** he murmured, voice rough, deeply possessive. **"You smell like heaven. Like rain and jasmine. I've been waiting all day for this."**

I blushed hard and tried to wiggle out, desperately aware of the thin wall separating us from the wedding guests.

**Ishita:** **"ru please. Everyone's outside. Aditi's sister is just two doors down! You can't keep sneaking like a teenager!"**

**Rudra:** **"You're mine. Let them see."** His voice, gruff and husky, brooked no argument.

He gently pinned me against the counter, my loose towel now hanging uselessly on the side. His lips moved to my shoulder, teasing the damp fabric of my *kurti*-like this wasn't real life, but a secret world only we lived in. The raw intimacy of the moment was intoxicating.

I took a deep, shaky breath, knowing this was the best time to bring up the *sangeet* problem.

**Ishita:** **"Okay, fine. But since you're here... Aditi is having a crisis. She needs you and Shiv to do the couple lift for the *Sangeet* performance."**

He stilled instantly. The tenderness vanished, replaced by the familiar rigidity of the CEO.

**Rudra:** (His voice was flat, final.) **"Absolutely not. I am not doing some stupid, dramatic Bollywood lift, Ishita. It's foolish and I refuse to make a public spectacle."**

**Ishita:** (I tried to soften the blow with a flirtatious tone.) **"But *jaan*, it's just one lift! You're strong! You're the Hulk! It would make Aditi so happy, and Veer is terrified. Please? For me?"**

He pulled back slightly, his hands gripping my waist firmly as he looked at my reflection in the mirror, his blue eyes cold again.

**Rudra:** **"I told you, I am not performing staged romance for the entertainment of a crowd. My patience for theatrics is zero. Don't push it."**

I knew that look. That was the line. I didn't push him further, instantly softening my posture against him.

**Ishita:** **"Okay, okay. Understood. No lifts. I'll tell Aditi to use a chair instead."** I paused, turning my head to place a quick, soft kiss on his jaw. **"I knew you wouldn't do it, but I had to ask. It's fine. Now, can we lock the door, since you're being stubborn and refusing to leave?"**

A small, possessive flicker returned to his eyes as the topic shifted back to *us*.

**Rudra:** **"Good girl. You know where to draw the line. And yes, the door is locked now. We lost too much time today, *jaan*. Time for my real reward."**

We want to lock the door but

We were lost in each other's eyes. He leaned down to my height, I got on my toes, wrapped my arms around his neck, we tilted our heads, our lips inches apart, and then we kissed-slow, deep, about to become consuming.

Then-

**"MAASI!"**

A tiny shriek.

I gasped, pulling myself out of his grip immediately, heart jumping out of my chest.

**Mayank (Kabbu). My 3-year-old nephew.**

He stood at the door like a candy angel from the gods, chocolate bar in one hand, holding it up like Simba in *Lion King*.

**Mayank:** **"Maasi! Chocolate *khayenge*?"** he beamed proudly.

I rushed to him, trying to compose my breath, sanity, and dignity. **Ishita:** **"Yes, baby. Maasi will eat. Thank you!"** I bent and picked him up immediately, kissing his cheeks like he was my savior.

**Ishita:** (I muttered into his hair, low enough for only Rudra to hear.) **"Very good timing, champ."**

**Rudra:** (A deep groan of pure frustration escaped him.) **"*Kya problem hai sabki? Ek kiss bhi karne dete sahi se.* What is everyone's problem? Can't even let me have one proper kiss."**

I turned and glared at Rudra, who now looked like he'd just returned from war-completely expressionless, but radiating lethal annoyance. I grabbed the towel I had thrown aside and flung it at him.

**Ishita:** **"Behave! Go put a shirt on! Now!"** I hissed.

Mayank, oblivious, tilted his head and offered Rudra his chocolate.

**Mayank:** **"Uncle, want bite?"**

**Rudra:** **"No, beta. *Meri chocolate toh tune cheen li* (No, kid. You snatched my chocolate.)"**

**Mayank:** **"*Mene nahi cheeni kisi ki chocolate! Right, Maasi?* (I didn't snatch anyone's chocolate! Right, Maasi?)"**

**Ishita:** (I squeezed Mayank tightly.) **"Yes, baby, you didn't! Uncle is being silly."**

**Rudra:** **"You did, little boy."**

**Mayank:** **"*Konsi chocolate?* Which chocolate?"**

**Rudra:** **"*Teri maasi. Means meri chocolate.* (Your Maasi. Meaning my chocolate.)"**

I hit his bare arm lightly with a towel. **Ishita:** **"Stop talking nonsense in front of the child!"**

**Rudra:** **"What? I'm right, didn't I just lose my reward?"**

Mayank looked confused, then announced loudly: **Mayank:** **"*Maasi, koi chocolate nahi hai. Vo meri maasi hai. Meri maasi baby!* (Maasi, there is no chocolate. She is my Maasi. My Maasi baby!)"**

**Rudra:** (His eyes narrowed, instantly sparking with jealous fury.) **"Oyyy, *Maasi baby ke bache* (Oh, you child who calls her Maasi baby)! *Ye meri baby hai, teri nahi. Apni baby apne aap dhund!* (She is MY baby, not yours. Go find your own baby!)"**

**Ishita:** **"Rudra! *Bacha hai vo, chup raho aap!* He is a child, you shut up!"**

**Rudra:** **"Why should I shut up? You are mine! Why is he calling you 'baby,' huh? You told me you only whisper that word to me!"** I started ranting, completely unhinged by the toddler calling her 'baby.'

Meanwhile, Mayank looked at me with genuine concern. **Mayank:** **"*Maasi, uncle pagal ho gaye hain, lagta hai.* (Maasi, I think uncle has gone crazy.)"**

I burst into loud laughter, unable to hold it in anymore. **Ishita:** **"Yes! Yes, he has!"**

Rudra glared at me. My laughter cut off instantly. **Ishita:** **"Sorry! I mean, no, he is very sane!"**

**Rudra:** **"*Aapko toh main baadme dekhunga, jaana.* (I will deal with you later, darling.)"** He threw the towel over his shoulder.

I looked at his still-bare upper body and grabbed his arm as he walked past them toward the door. **Ishita:** **"*Bina shirt pehne mt jaana apne room se bahar, bata rahi hu!* (Don't you dare go out of the room without wearing a shirt, I'm warning you!) *Mere alava kisi aur ne dekha na ye nazara... to dekh lena, bhout bura hoga aapke sath!* (If anyone else sees this sight besides me... just wait, I promise it will be bad for you!)"**

He paused at the door, turning his head slightly, the muscle in his shoulder flexing dangerously. He was furious, but my threat pleased his possessive ego.

**Rudra:** **"Don't worry, Ishita. I only suffer through *haldi* and shirtlessness for you. I'm going to my room to retrieve my control and my shirt. And you? You better hope that deadline never comes again."**

Then he was gone, shutting the door firmly behind him. I leaned against the door, still holding my nephew, who was happily munching his chocolate.

**Ishita:** **"Your uncle is a big baby, Kabbu."**

**Mayank:** **"*Par aap toh meri maasi baby ho.* (But you are my Maasi baby.)"**

I sighed, shaking my head. The chaos never ended.

*Hotel Living Room | Mehendi Morning*

It was early morning, but the energy in the house could wake the dead. I was sitting cross-legged on the carpet with Aditi, sipping chai and sketching her *mehndi* design. My brain was split between **bridal logistics** and **dodging marriage suggestions**.

**Aunty:** **"Beta, you're 24, top makeup artist, beautiful... *ab toh ladka dekh lena chahiye* (now you should look for a boy)."**

**Ishita:** **"Aunty ji, I already have five weddings to prep, my schedule is full till February."**

I didn't look up-but I felt **his gaze**.

Across the hall, **Rudra**, **Veer**, and **Shiv** stood like the holy mafia trinity. *My eyes only searched for one.* **Him.** In a **casual black shirt with the sleeves rolled**, laser focused on me.

I laughed louder with the girls. Then leaned toward Aditi and said, **Ishita:** **"*Shaadi teri hai par tujhe chhodke sab meri shaadi karane mein lag gaye hain.* (This wedding is yours, but everyone is focused on getting me married instead of you.)"**

**Aditi:** **"*Arey yrr, ye toh hai in aunties ka, tu chhodh na.* (Oh God, that's just how these aunties are, ignore them.)"**

*My heart is already stolen. He didn't even ask. He just took it.*

Just then, another aunty sat beside me. **Aunty:** **"Beta, I know someone from Ambani group, a VP-level boy, tall, nice, doesn't party-shall I show his biodata?"**

Before I could respond, I heard a very *dark*, *low*, *masculine* voice from the other side of the room.

**Rudra:** **"Ishita. Can I talk to you?"**

Everyone turned too. I was about to stand up, and my friends looked at me with *that* knowing look and winked. I rolled my eyes internally. *They want me to set with him. But they don't know we are already set.*

I muttered a quick **"Bas aayi (Just a second)"** and followed him into the side corridor.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Side Corridor | Mehendi Morning*

I had reached my limit. London boys? VP-level candidates? Every word was a knife twist, reminding me that she was still publicly available.

I looked across. She was playing along. Laughing. *She knew exactly what she was doing-ignoring me, pretending like she didn't belong to me.*

I snapped. **Rudra:** **"Ishita. Can I talk to you?"**

She looked up, that adorable guilt in her expression. She stood and followed me out.

She crossed her arms, trying to initiate the argument on her terms. **Ishita:** **"You know, you can't just call me like that in front of the whole family. People are talking."**

**Rudra:** **"You know, you can't just flirt with the whole country while I'm standing right there. I heard every suggestion. And I didn't see you refusing fast enough."**

**Ishita:** **"*Pagal toh nahi ho gaye hain aap?* Have you gone crazy? Who did I flirt with? I was sitting with my friends! *Ab toh yeh mat kehna ki aapko females se bhi problem hai!* Now don't tell me you have a problem with females too!"**

I took a step closer. She took one back, her spine hitting the wall. I caged her with my arms on either side.

**Rudra:** **"Yes, I am jealous of females, *seriously*, Ishita. Because you are mine. Also, you smiled when Aunties were telling you about boys."**

**Ishita:** **"*Toh aap kya chahte hain, main ro jaun wahan?* So what do you want, that I start crying there? They are trying to be nice!"**

**Rudra:** **"I want you to leave. Or I want you to tell them, 'Thank you, but my heart is taken by the cold, ruthless man in the black shirt over there.' Simple."**

I leaned in, my voice dropping low, husky, possessive. **Rudra:** **"I'll remind you later whose name is carved in your heart,"** I murmured, leaning in till my lips brushed her ear. **"And on your skin. That *haldi* mark is still there, isn't it? A constant reminder."**

She turned red. Like proper crimson red. Her breath hitched.

**Ishita:** **"I have a bride to prep, Mr. Rathore,"** she whispered, trying to look unaffected, her eyes wide with a combination of fear and thrill.

I smirked, pressing my hips lightly against hers. **Rudra:** **"And you've got a boyfriend who's two seconds away from locking you in a room and showing you exactly why no London boy will ever be enough."**

*Unbidden, a raw, unholy thought flashed through my mind: The silence of the night, her skin against mine, the way she surrenders when I kiss her like that-I need to stake my claim completely.

She shoved me playfully, but gently, and escaped before I could deepen the embrace.

I watched her go, hips swaying, hair bouncing, her giggle echoing back.

**Rudra:** **"No matter how many people want her... she's mine. I will burn this whole place down to prove it."** I adjusted my sleeves, feeling a satisfied, dangerous calm settle over me.

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Courtyard | Mehendi Night*

I walked back in, my friends looking at me with expectant, gossipy eyes. I simply smiled, lied about Rudra needing Veer for a business call, and deflected every probing question.

The sky was dressed in velvet. *Mehndi* night had arrived in full glory. I was in full boss-mode earlier, but now, I was ready too.

Wearing a **midnight green *lehenga* skirt paired with a matching crop blouse**, backless of course. My **hair half-tied**, **liner sharp, lipstick soft**, **heels five inches tall**, and **confidence ten times more.**

I danced with Prachi, twirled her around as Aditi's *mehndi* was getting done. The beats of *dhol* picked up. So did my awareness. Of **him**.

I didn't have to search. Because his gaze... never left me. Not for a second.

I walked up to the food table just to pass near him. He didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stared.

I licked my lower lip slowly and said, **"You came? I thought the chaos would scare the cold prince away."**

He leaned slightly in, his eyes locked on the spot where my spine disappeared into the backless blouse. **Rudra:** **"You look like trouble, Ishita. Expensive, dangerous trouble."**

I smirked. **Ishita:** **"That's not new, Mr. Rathore. Why are you hiding in the shadows?"**

He whispered near my ear, his voice low and intense. **Rudra:** **"And still you make me come to every function I hate. Every loud dance. Every flashing light. You drag me out of my element just by existing."**

I tilted my head, challenging him. **Ishita:** **"And still... you never leave early."**

He chuckled softly, a rare sound that only amplified his dominance. **Rudra:** **"Because you never stop shining. And I need to remind everyone that the star belongs to the shadow."**

Our gazes held. Heat between us rising like electricity in monsoon air.

Before I could say anything, Muskan shouted, **"ISHA DANCE PERFORMANCE! You're next!"**

I gave him one last smile and walked off. He growled under his breath-a sound only I could hear.

This is her dance performance

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

I watched her dance like she owned the world.

She was wearing a shade of midnight green, reminding me of the deepest secrets. The way the fabric moved around her hips, the slight flex of her stomach as she twirled, the arch of her bare back disappearing into that delicate blouse-it was all designed to be a private spectacle, yet it was on full display.

*God, I want to rip that silk right off her.*

I pictured it vividly: her breathy gasps, the moonlight catching the fine glitter on her skin, her heels kicked off somewhere, her body molded against mine-no lights, no music, just the raw, silent consumption I craved.

The thought was fierce, possessive, unholy. This wasn't love; this was a fundamental, primal need to possess what was mine.

I tightened my grip on the glass, trying to suppress the physical reaction she always triggered.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *If I see one more man looking at the curve of her waist, I swear I'm going to shut this party down and carry her out right now. She is tempting me past my limit.*

I watched her spin again, throwing her head back in laughter.

I whispered under my breath, watching her move like a hypnotic flame, **Rudra:** **"You don't even know what you do to me, *jaana*. I look at you, and I forget my name. I forget everything except how much I need you against me tonight."**

Shiv returned. **Shiv:** **"Dude, you need a drink, or maybe a cold shower. You look homicidal. What's the internal dialogue about?"**

**Rudra:** **"The internal dialogue is about how I want to remind my girlfriend, using the most comprehensive methods possible, that she should never wear clothes that make other men breathe heavily."**

**Shiv:** **"Good luck with that. She's Ishita. She lives for defiance."**

I smirked, leaning forward slightly, my eyes never leaving her figure. **Rudra:** **"Defiance is acceptable. Consequences are mandatory. She won't be walking straight tomorrow, Shiv.

But only if she gave permission

And I know she won't give permission easily

Listen this song during this sence

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]

Everyone had their *mehndi* done. I finally sat down on the **velvet couch**, right in the center of the courtyard.

**Girl:** **"*Name batao groom ka, Ishita!*"** one girl said teasingly.

I glanced up. And **found him**. There-standing in the far corner with Veer and Shiv. **But eyes? Locked only on me.**

I blinked once-he caught it.

And then... **He nodded.** Just once. Small. Secret. But for me-it meant *everything.*

I leaned forward and whispered to the artist, **Ishita:** **"Name likh de... Rudra. But *chhupake*. No one should see."**

The artist smirked. **Artist:** **"Dost ho ya...?"**

**Ishita:** **"*Sab kuch hai* (He is everything),"** I whispered without thinking.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

I watched her. She sat like royalty-regal, confident, glowing. She looked at me. And I knew what she was asking: *Is it okay to write your name on my hand?*

Just because of her, this innocence, my all dirty thoughts I was having toward her to claim her **vanished**. She was so small, my little *jaana*, asking my permission on little things. And damn me, who was thinking those things about her.

The world didn't need to know. But I did. So I nodded.

As she got up-*mehndi* drying-I noticed her struggling, fingers curled, elbows bent awkwardly. She turned to fix her hair, frustrated. I moved.

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

I was trying to **tie my hair** in a loose pony. I cursed under my breath, **Ishita:** **"Ugh, this is impossible!"**

**Rudra:** **"Let me."**

That deep voice came right behind me. My body stilled. His **scent hit first**-that warm mix of sandalwood and mint. Then came the soft pressure of his big, veiny hands **gathering my hair.**

He pulled my hair gently into a smooth ponytail. One hand rested lightly on my waist, steadying me.

**Rudra:** **"Your hair smells like roses,"** he whispered, his lips grazing the shell of my ear.

**Ishita:** **"Your hands are cold."**

**Rudra:** **"Your skin's warm,"** he replied, brushing his knuckles along my neck intentionally.

I shivered. **Ishita:** **"Flirting with a girl who has your name written on her hand?"** I whispered teasingly.

He leaned in near my ear. **Rudra:** **"Trying to remind her who she belongs to. And reminding myself that even in this crowd, you are marked by me."**

I blinked slowly, smiling. **Ishita:** **"Possessive much? Didn't you hate the idea of being caught?"**

He chuckled lowly, his breath warm against my neck. **Rudra:** **"Always. Especially when you look like this-irresistible and untouchable. It's torture, *jaana*."**

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

Her back was to me. Her waist perfectly aligned with my hands. Her breath hitched when I tied her hair, slow and careful.

**Rudra:** **"Done,"** I said after tying the ponytail with a ribbon I found from a nearby tray.

She turned, eyes shining. **Ishita:** **"Thank you,"** she whispered, the gratitude genuine.

**Rudra:** **"I'll collect my thank you tonight,"** I said softly, my voice laced with intent.

Her lips parted. Her cheeks flushed. And then she whispered boldly, a delicious challenge in her tone. **Ishita:** **"Only if you find where your name is written. It's hidden."**

I raised a brow, accepting the game instantly. **Rudra:** **"Challenge accepted. I always win, Ishita. And when I find it..."** I let the threat hang in the air, leaning down to meet her gaze. **"...the reward will be worth the hunt."**

**Ishita:** **"You think you can find it without using force?"**

**Rudra:** **"I won't need force, *jaana*. I know your body better than you do. I'll simply follow the path that leads to the center of your heart."**

**Ishita:** (She giggled, pure mischief.) **"Be careful, Mr. Rathore. It might take all night."**

**Rudra:** (I closed the small gap between us, my voice a low rumble.) **"Perfect. I wasn't planning on sleeping anyway."**

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Resort Lawn | Late Night*

It was late night. The lights were dim, fairy lights glowing across the backyard lawn of the resort. *Mehndi* was over. Music was low, people scattered between laughter and yawns.

I sat cross-legged on a big white mattress with my **girls** - Muskan, Aditi, Prachi, - phones in our hands, hearts in our memories.

**Prachi:** (She screamed, tossing her phone on the mat.) **"OH MY GOD-remember this! Muskan fell while trying to twerk!"**

Everyone burst into laughter.

**Aditi:** (She wiped her eyes.) **"Ishaaa, we've all moved on yaar... Muskan married, Prachi too, ... now me tomorrow..."**

**Muskan:** (She sniffed dramatically, holding her baby bump.) **"You're the last single standing, Ishaaa! The Single Queen."**

I just smiled, keeping my secret tight in my chest. *If only they knew...*

They didn't know that the one man who scared half the world, the man who never believed in love, the man with the stone face, sharp jaw, and sharper eyes-**Was head-over-heels mine.**

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

From across the lawn, I leaned against the pillar. Eyes? On her. Always on her.

She sat surrounded by her girls. That laugh of hers-raw, loud, pure. She looked so alive. **No makeup. No pretense. Just Ishita. My Ishita.**

They were teasing her about being the last one single.

*If only they knew...*

I sipped my coffee. My lips curled slightly.

**Shiv:** (He whispered from beside me.) **"Still not gonna tell them?"**

**Rudra:** (I nodded, voice quiet.) **"She's not just mine in public, she's mine in the dark too. In silence. In eyes. In the way she lights up the world without needing a spotlight."**

**Veer:** **"But she's smiling at the idea of being available, Rudra. That's dangerous."**

I finally broke my silence to them. **Rudra:** **"No, Veer. That's her challenge. She's smiling because she knows the truth is hidden right here, in my gaze. She's testing how long I can wait before I claim her publicly."**

And then she glanced up... Her eyes scanned... and landed on me.

Just for a second. **The whole world vanished.**

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

As the teasing continued, I smiled softly.

I looked away from them, away from the reel still playing... And found **him**.

Leaning, watching. Calm. Cold to the world. But **warm for me.**

He nodded slightly. No smile. But **I saw it**-the softness in those ocean-blue eyes.

**Ishita** (Inner Monologue): *Mine. Completely, utterly, tragically mine.*

I bit my lip, blushing under the fairy lights.

**Prachi:** **"We'll find someone for you next, Ishita! Tall, kind, rich..."**

I giggled. **Ishita** (Whispering in my heart): **"Already found. Tall. Rich. Not kind. But he melts only for me."**

I placed my hand casually over the small patch of my wrist where the *mehndi* artist had hidden the initial 'R'. The cool paste under my fingertips was a solid, undeniable promise.

I looked back at Rudra, and this time, I gave him a slow, deliberate smile-a promise of what the night would bring once the last guest was gone.

**Ishita** (Whispered to Aditi): **"Don't drink too much *nimbu-pani*, bride. You need to sleep. Your groom is already stressing about tomorrow."**

**Aditi:** **"You just want me to leave so you can escape your 'single life' drama, I know it!"**

I just winked. **Ishita:** **"Maybe. But you need to focus on your handsome groom. I'll handle my own distractions."**

I watched as Rudra pushed off the pillar, signaling he was moving. The hunt had begun.