15 Love, Passion And Jealousy

As two hearts pounded in unison, her eyes instantly locked with his intense gaze, completely aware of the places his palm touched her at. The hair on the nape of her neck stood with awareness so potent that she had to wet her lips. Mrityunjay's eyes left her eyes and descended to her lips as she wet them. That's when he came back to his senses. He set her down so abruptly that Shivani lost her balance, tumbling back into his arms for support.

"Stand still," he commanded, in his baritone voice. She stood arrested by his deep, booming voice. She did not think God made men like that anymore... tall, with brooding eyes and a deep voice. His wheatish complexion was a testament to the time he spent out in the sun. It was rare for Shivani to be bereft of any words; this was one of those rare occasions.

She was mesmerised by his eyes, the heat they generated in her almost as if he was caressing her with his hands. But there was also a deep sense of virtue she saw in those eyes. Whatever he may or may not be, Shivani had no doubt, that up close, Mrityunjay was a good man.

She always had a good sixth sense. She could somehow gauge a person just in one meeting. And Nandita always said that her opinion was more often than not, true.

She stood staring at the man in front of her as he turned his attention back to his horse. "With whose permission did you touch my horse?" he screeched, turning back to look at her, this time, his eyes wild with anger. His glare sent a shiver down her spine.

"S.. S.. S... Sir...." she stammered, trying to think of something to say... anything.

"Which news channel?" he howled, his tone sharpening.

Shivani was confused. What was he saying?

"I asked, WHICH NEWS CHANNEL?" screamed Mrityunjay. His roaring voice startled her and tears jumped into her eyes immediately.

Paras Uncle came running, as his loud voice echoed through the stables. "Jay.... she's not from the media, she's our new Vet," he explained, as Shivani stood searching the ground, unable to meet Mrityunjay's intense gaze.

His nostrils flared with displeasure, he tightly held in check. "Tell her to stay away from Tuscany. When she is needed, she will be called," he told Uncle and walked away barefoot.

Baragaon - Present Day Cottage In The Woods

Mrityunjay's eyes refocused when there was a slight thud on the door. The canvas was still blank. He set the palette tray down on the table and opened the door. Saanvi walked in with his lunch.

"So, she went away?" inquired Saanvi, glad that Shivani had left.

Mrityunjay was bent low, opening the lunch boxes. "I sent her away," he stated flatly, focusing his attention on the food.

“You are lying, I heard the conversation you had with her," she declared, in the heat of the moment.

He smashed the box in his hand on the floor. "How dare you hear a private conversation between me and my wife?!" he thundered, standing up.

Saanvi came close to him, her eyes pleading for his understanding. "You know how I feel about you, yet you turn me down every time. For what? For a woman who won’t even live with you? This is not fair Neel... I love you," she uttered the words, that she had told him so many times in the past.

"You only say the words," asserted Mrityunjay, backing away from her. "You have no clue what they mean. And you have no idea who I am or what I am. You are a nice girl Saanvi, but I am not the right guy for you. And I have got more than my share of love from Shivani. In this lifetime and next, it will always be Shivani for me," declared Mrityunjay categorically.

Saanvi's eyes burned with hatred for Shivani. "Never mind Neel, I am not going to give up on my love. One way or the other, I will have you, I promise," she proclaimed, walking out of the cottage. Mrityunjay did not take Saanvi's words seriously , choosing instead to believe that she was still young and infatuated with him...and that she would understand one day.