Chapter-5

KALYANI

"There's no progress Kalyani." Prakash Sir made sure to show the disappointment he felt. 

"Sir…" 

"I hope today will be your next step. There's no time left," he said and got off the shared auto near the Jubilee Hills metro station. 

I let out a deep sigh and got off in front of Pradeep's house. 

You can do it, Kalyani.

Just like every time, Mr Aggressive's banter greeted me.

"Hey! Now you've started following till house, eh?" 

I masked off the fear if there were any visible.

"I won't talk to you mister goon. Go call your boss."

For a second, I think someone pushed a pause button on me.

He looks crazy hot wearing his pyjama pants and sleeveless t-shirt. His hair is dishevelled, his beard a mess from tossing and turning. 

I couldn't get my eyes off him. 

His biceps are a visual representation of the features of Greek gods written in all those novels. 

Duh! He is a Greek god.

"Oh! So the stalking has led to my house now?" 

That stupid smirk on his face makes me irritated. I feel like wiping off that creepy smile from his face whenever it appears.

"Pradeep-" 

"Shiva, can I have a moment with my stalker now?"

He said without breaking eye contact with me. 

The place was emptied within seconds except for me, Pradeep, and a few plants.

He was unbearably close.

I wished one of the plants could move and swallow me to grow into a big tree. 

I could smell his scent. His natural masculine scent. 

"Now tell me, stalker, why are you in my house? To kill me?" 

He stood with his arms crossed and with the wall as support.

Is he trying to scare me? Or is he trying to seduce me?

The second one.

Whatever he was trying to do, was affecting me. A lot.

"I - I'm here to talk to you." I could barely gather the courage to speak up. 

What are you going to talk about anyway?

My stupid brain never shuts up.

"Okay then, talk." with every step he took forward, my step went backwards until I hit a wall and his hands were on either side of my head holding me hostage and now his face was hovering right above my eyes. 

I closed my eyes since I couldn't find myself talking about something other than his body and looks while having him in front of me. 

"Someone is at a loss for words huh?" his breath was like a touch of silk behind my ears. His words were near growls and that was all it took me to control myself to lean into the direction of his breath. 

I can tell he's shocked by his expressions. He's out of words to speak. 

I could sense him before I could listen to his voice. 

My heart goes crazy whenever he's in my radius. Why does he have this effect on me all the time?

"What is it, Shiva? You better have some good reason to escape from death today."

I can barely recognise my voice.

"I've heard you're the best rowdy in the city?"

"So?"

"I need you to help me with something"

"Oh, so you need the help of the very person you wanted to lock in."

He started to trace the lines of my jawline with his long and rough fingers.

I still didn't open my eyes. I don't think I'll ever go back alive if I do. 

"Yes"

I feel cold all of a sudden. 

He's not near me anymore.

I opened my eyes. He's standing near the doorframe with his cool face, the face he shows to all those who approach him for their problems.

"So what's the problem."

I was checking the surroundings to make sure our spy was nearby to save me in case of any problem.

"Let's head in shall we?"

I nodded and followed him.

His house was larger than anyone would ever imagine. Grand yet lonely.

It was so good looking but it lacked its soul. 

It's a two-floor building with only white and grey colour combinations everywhere. 

Large furniture and spacious halls. There's one thing that caught my attention. There's a place in the corner with a single armchair near the glass wall with the outside garden view.

That might be his favourite place too.

We sat on the sofa that was a little far from the glass wall. Raju is standing outside near the wall. That made me relax a bit. 

"Shiva! Bring some juice for the guest"

"I don't-"

"Relax, we won't poison it. Meanwhile, you can tell me your problem Ms..?"

"Kalyani."

"Nice name"

My cheeks started heating up."

"Thank you?"

He smiled. HE FREAKING SMILED. And it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. 

"Ok, let's hear your problem now."