CHAPTER 6: Part 3 (HUKUM SA?)
~ ISHIKA (POV) ~
Finally, the clock struck six, a welcome relief. I stretched, my back protesting the hours I'd spent hunched over the computer, wrestling with the intricacies of the Sharma project.
Kamya's words echoed in my ears, "I expect to see tangible results by the end of the day." Tangible results. Right. As if I could magically conjure up a working prototype from thin air.
I gathered my things, said goodbye to a few colleagues, and hurried out of the office.
The cool evening air was a welcome relief from the stuffy air-conditioning.
I crossed the street towards the parking lot, a sense of unease settled over me. It was a feeling I couldn't quite shake off.
Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up beside me.
'I have seen this car before,' its windows tinted, obscuring the driver from view.
My heart skipped a beat. Was it just my imagination? I tried to dismiss it, but a shiver ran down my spine.
'Why can't Mr. Shinghania just leave me alone? I told him I don't want to have dinner with him. He just won't listen to me.'
I quickened my pace, determined to reach my car as quickly as possible. As I walked faster, I heard a distinct click—the sound of a car door opening.
I felt a chill crawl down my neck. I kept walking, my gaze fixed on the sidewalk ahead.
Then, I heard it—the sound of footsteps following me.
My heart pounded in my chest. "Stop following me, I can't go to dinner with you." I said, turning around, my voice trembling slightly.
But when I finally turned around, I was met with the most unexpected sight.
Standing before me, his dark green eyes narrowed, was not Mr. Atharva Singhania, but the very same man who has been making all my nights sleepless.
Whom I don't know how to greet or what to say.
He is the King of Jodhpur, and associating with him might make my life really difficult.
I don't know if he knows me or not, which is making this situation even more complicated.
He was more handsome than any picture could ever capture—his features chiselled, his eyes the colour of stormy seas.
He looked like a rugged businessman in that Armani suit he wore, exuding an aura of power that made my breath catch in my throat.
A wave of dizziness washed over me. I felt a strange mix of fear and an inexplicable thrill.
"Ishika Jayshree, is it?" he said, his voice a low rumble, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Hu... Hukum Sa," I stammered, completely flustered. I was lost in my own world.
"I believe this belongs to you, Miss Jayshree," he said, his voice a low rumble, his gaze fixed on me, making me blush.
He held out his hand, revealing my ID card. The one I had dropped in the mall yesterday.
My eyes widened. "My... my ID card?" I stammered, completely flustered. How did he...?
"I found it," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "I thought it best to return it to you personally."
I felt a blush creeping up my neck. I had completely forgotten about my ID card.
How could I have been so careless? I didn't really understand what he said.
Coming back to the land of the living, I realised he was holding my ID card in his hand.
"Th... thank you, Hu... Hukum Sa," I murmured, reaching for the ID card to take it from his outstretched hand. He pulled his hand back.
"Not so easy," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I had gone through so much trouble, and I am really tired. Won't you even ask me for a cup of coffee?"
I stared at him, my mind reeling. I am speechless.
"co... co... coffee" I stammered again, this is embarrassing. I can't even string a full sentence together now.
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You are quite the nervous one, aren't you, Miss...?"
"Jaiswal," I supplied automatically, my voice barely a whisper.
"Jayshree," he corrected, his gaze unwavering. "A beautiful name."
I felt my cheeks burning. He thinks my real name is Ishika Jayshree, as it is written on the ID card.
Should I correct him? How will he react to that? I kept thinking to myself, looking here and there.
"Perhaps," he continued, his voice a seductive drawl, "a cup of coffee would help calm those nerves." I adjusted my spectacles.
He gestured towards a small café across the street, its warm glow beckoning through the gathering dusk.
I hesitated, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was terrified.
What if he was dangerous just like the rumours suggested? What if he was trying to entrap me?
On the other hand, I couldn't deny the strange pull towards him, the inexplicable attraction that defied all logic.
"I... I don't know." I stammered again, stupid Ishika, stop stammering, or if there even is a chance of anything happening, it won't because he will think of you as a retard. "I should probably get home."
He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "And leave me stranded here? After I went through so much trouble to return you're ID card?"
I felt a blush creeping up my neck.
He is messing with me, and I am curious. Curious about him, about his intentions, about the man who I can't get enough of.
"Alright," I finally conceded, my voice barely audible.
"But just for a cup of coffee." I said, taking the ID card from his hand.
He smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent another shiver down my spine. "Excellent," he said, "Lead the way, Miss Jayshree." God, that name again.
I feel like I might die any second.
And so, I found myself walking beside the Rana Sa of Jodhpur, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs, completely and utterly lost.
We crossed the street, and I led him to a small, cozy café I frequented.
To Be Continued...