Chapter 14

Chaahat stepped into the apartment following Mithran.

They had settled his parents in a cottage outside the city and reached Bangalore city by seven in the evening.

"This is my home. This is a one bedroom apartment" Mithran said

Chaahat looked pointedly at the second door inside the apartment

"That's my studio. It was a small room, which I turned into my study cum studio. I cannot change things for just three months. You will have to make adjustments" Mithran said with a shrug.

"Fine" Chaahat said

"There's a kitchen. It's fully equipped. You can cook there if you want. I don't expect you to cook for me" Mithran said

"I wasn't planning to" Chaahat said coolly

"Here's the bedroom. You can take the couch. Or you can take the bed if you don't mind sharing the bed. It is big enough, anyways" Mithran said

"I will take the couch" Chaahat said, making Mithran smirk

"Why wifey? Are you scared?" Mithran asked, taking a step towards Chaahat.

Chaahat frowned at Mithran's behaviour.

"What? What is wrong with you? You and I both know that this is a temporary arrangement." Chaahat said

"Is it?" Mithran asked

"What?"

"Is it really temporary?" Mithran asked, raising an eyebrow in mock amusement.

"What do you mean by that? Of course it is temporary" Chaahat said

"As far as I remember, we didn't sign any three months contract. Neither did we sign a prenup agreement. So I was just curious whether you really plan to leave after three months" Mithran asked sarcastically

Chaahat's lips thinned in annoyance, but she didn't let out a single emotion, much to Mithran's fury.

"Who know? You will just have to wait for the next three months to know that, wouldn't you?" Chaahat asked coolly

"Your games won't be entertained here, Chaahat" Mithran said angrily

Chaahat simply raised an eyebrow at that.

"If you think you can live the rest of your life sponging off me or my father, then you are highly mistaken" Mithran said

"Sponging off? Did your father say that? That I lived my life sponging off him?" Chaahat asked, knowing very well that Madan would never say that about her.

Mithran remained silent at her question.

"That's what I thought. Anyways, you are free to think whatever you want about me. It doesn't bother me in any way, Mr Yadav" Chaahat said

"Right!" Mithran muttered under his breath.

"If you will excuse me, I would like to take a shower now" Chaahat said, walking towards her bag.

"I am going out. I will lock the door from outside and go" Mithran said, making Chaahat frown

"You are locking me here?" Chaahat asked, offended, making Mithran roll his eyes.

"I will be late. I didn't want to disturb your precious sleep. So I thought it will be better if I lock the door from outside" Mithran said

"There is no need for that. I am not an early sleeper" Chaahat said

"Suit yourself" Mithran muttered and walked out leaving Chaahat alone at home.

Chaahat quickly took a shower and opened her laptop.

She searched through her files and found the one she needed.

She attached the document to a mail and sent it to VK.

Once the mail was sent, she took her phone and sent him a text message.

'Check your mail

—C'

The response was immediate.

'Will let you know if I need any changes

—VK'

With that done, Chaahat took out her work equipment and prepared herself to be immersed in it.

That's when the doorbell rang.

****

Mithran walked into the pub, to the table where his friends were waiting for him.

"Hey. I need something strong tonight" Mithran said, looking at the beer bottle on the table.

"You are not planning to get drunk, are you?" Shravan asked with a frown.

"I would have loved to. But I need to stay alert, in case Amma calls me in case of any emergency" Mithran said

"How is Uncle settling?" Abhay asked

"He was happy with the property. He loved the ambience there" Mithran said

They remained silent for a few moments.

"And how is your wife settling at home?" Abhay asked softly, earning a furious look from Mithran.

"She isn't my wife" he said furiously

Shravan and Abhay exchanged a look.

"You shouldn't have left her home alone. It's her first day alone here" Shravan said softly.

"Don't worry. She will be safe. The ice around her will definitely keep her safe" Mithran said sarcastically.

"Mithran, I am serious. You should go back home. Help her settle. Even if it is temporary" Abhay said

"I am not planning to stay out the whole night. I just wanted a little time away from all the problems in my life. Is it too much for me to ask that?" Mithran asked

Shravan and Abhay sighed.

"Okay. Two drinks. Not more than that. After that you are going home in a cab. You are definitely not going to ride your motorbike after having the drink" Shravan said seriously

"Okay, grandpa," Mithran said sarcastically.

"Just call her and ask if she is fine" Shravan said

"Oh for heaven's sake. I am not that irresponsible. I have arranged for Suma Akka to stay there until I get back" Mithran said, drinking the whisky in one single gulp.

Suma Akka is the wife of the apartment security, who comes on alternate days to clean and cook for Mithran.

Mithran has helped the older couple several times over the past few years, so they are very loyal to him and he trusts them to keep Chaahat's identity a secret.

"Oh! That's good." Shravan said with a smile.

"Isn't that VK?" Abhay asked, spotting the two men with powerful aura stepping into the pub.

"Yes," Shravan said

"Who is that with him?" Abhay asked

"Dhruv" Mithran said

"Dhruv Khuranna a.k.a DK. Best friend of VK. He is a jewellery designer. I was under the impression that all his businesses are abroad" Shravan mused.

"It is. But the oldest jewel units of Khurannas are still here in India. I think in Mumbai" Mithran said

"Oh! I didn't knew that" Shravan said

"Nobody knows. The unit stopped working years ago, when old man Khuranna passed away" Mithran said with a shrug.

"How do you know all this?" Shravan asked

"Dhruv and I. We were childhood friends. His father was my father's best friend" Mithran said

"Oh. Then why aren't you going to talk to him?" Abhay asked

"Nah. We lost touch long back. After his father's death. Let it be" Mithran said

"Doesn't he look familiar?" Shravan asked in confusion.

"I was thinking the same" Abhay said

"I am going home" Mithran said, ignoring Shravan and Abhay's confusions.

"Take a cab" Shravan warned

"I am not that drunk" Mithran said, rolling his eyes.

Before walking out, Mithran shot a look in the direction of his childhood friend, Dhruv, to see him looking straight back at him.

*****

A/n

Dhruv Khuranna is the lead character in another story in this series. That's all I can say now :D

Check out my other books

1. The Sheikh's Unforgettable Wife

2. Forever Mine

3. Vows Of Love (new chapters are being added)

4. Bound By Love (new chapters are being added)

Love,

SF