22 - A RIDE THROUGH REGRET

Shashi's POV

I was sleeping peacefully, wrapped in a rare cocoon of calmness. But something… something stirred me awake. My lashes fluttered open slowly, and for a moment, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—safety. A strange but beautiful feeling of peace surrounded me, like the person beside me was my very own safe place.

And then—oh my God—I saw something absolutely crazy.

We were sleeping like koalas! So close, I could hear the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat—smooth and steady. My head was resting on his chest, and his arms were wrapped securely around my waist.

Is it a fucking dream?

– No.

Am I still dreaming?

– Definitely not.

Oh Lord. This is a contract marriage. Then how the hell did we end up sleeping this close?! Shashi, what the hell are you doing? Stay away from him. He… he doesn’t belong to you.

And just like that… the painful truth hit me hard.

He doesn’t belong to me.

This isn’t real.

It’s just a contract, Shashi. A six-month-long illusion. Nothing more.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him. He was sleeping peacefully, some strands of hair falling gently across his forehead. He looked so innocent, so boyishly handsome. His long eyelashes, the way his arm rested protectively around my waist… it made something flutter inside me.

“Hey! Bitch, why the hell are you smiling looking at him?”

(Shashi, darling, are you seriously forgetting who you are? The badass queen you’ve always been?)

To Shashi Oberoi—don't you think you should not stick to him like this?

I placed my hand gently on his, trying to slide out from his hold. But to my surprise, he pulled me even closer in a swift, unconscious motion. My heart skipped a beat.

Gathering my strength, I carefully removed his hand and got out of bed. Without turning back, I walked into the bathroom, craving something that could wake me up from this emotional fog—a cold, soul-numbing shower.

The icy water hit my skin, flowing from my head down my face, to my neck, washing away my restless thoughts.

I slipped into a bathrobe and walked into the closet. Most of my clothes felt damp with confusion, so I picked the most comfortable kurti I could find. I dried my hair, applied a light moisturizer to my face, neck, and arms. I couldn’t bear to leave my ears bare, so I found the smallest bali I owned. Should I wear anklets? Why am I thinking so much about anklets? But I ended up picking my favorite pair—the one that doesn’t jingle much. Quiet comfort.

Grabbing my phone from the side table, I glanced at him once more. He was still sleeping, wrapped in serenity.

I tiptoed out of the room. The corridor was silent. I stepped into the temple of the mansion, and the cold marble sent shivers through my bare feet. I lit the diya and dhoop, touched my forehead to the feet of the idol, and pressed a small dot of tilak between my brows.

With peace in my heart, I walked downstairs. The house was quiet except for the workers cleaning the grand living room. I entered the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. Just as I poured it into the mug, I heard footsteps.

I looked up—Aadarsh stood there, yawning lazily. Fresh from bed, no doubt.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” I replied softly, picking up my mug and walking out.

“Shashi,” Aadarsh called, making me turn.

I raised my eyebrow. “What?”

“Mujhe pata hai, tujhe bohot gussa aa raha hai na mujhpe.”

(I know you're really angry with me, aren't you?)

I shook my head.

“Ab mujhse bhi jhoot bolegi kya yaar tu? Oberoi, dekh, main tujhe bohot acche se janta hu, Teddy. Bohot kuch reh gaya na andar? Ek chappal aur chata se tera mann nahi bhara hai bol de na, betu. Tujhe bhi pata hai ki apne emotions andar rakhne se kya hota hai. Main janta hu jitni badi galti maine ki hai, please meri wajah se apne aap ko takleef mat de.”

(Now you're even lying to me? I know you too well, Teddy. You're bottling up a lot. Slapping me once won't be enough, right? You know what happens when you suppress your emotions. I know I made a huge mistake. Just... don't hurt yourself because of me.)

“Aa... Adi…” I struggled to speak, my voice barely a whisper.

“Kahi aur chale kya? Thik nahi lag rahi tu.” (Let’s go somewhere. You don’t look okay.)

He held my hand and pulled me out of the mansion.

“Bike or car?” he asked.

“Bike, of course. Main bhi kyun hi puch rahi hoon?” (Why am I even asking?)

“Main chalaun ya tu chalayegi?” (Should I ride or you?)

“Main.” I grinned. I never miss a chance to ride.

We rode through the empty roads of the sleeping city. Aadarsh sat behind me, watching my expressions through the mirror.

“Hold me tightly. I'm not taking it slow today,” I warned.

He wrapped his arms around me, knowing exactly how wild I can get on the road.

“Shashi, abe itna tez mat chala. Marenge dono!”

(Don’t go this fast, Shashi! We’ll die!)

“Chal na phir, mar jaate hain.” (Then let’s just die.)

“Abe pagal ho gayi hai kya?!” (Have you lost your mind?!)

“Chup reh, nahi to sach mein jaan se maar dungi.” (Shut up or I’ll really kill you.)

After a while, we stopped at a tea stall.

“Bhau, do chai,” I said.

(Brother, two teas.)

“Baith,” I said to him.

“Nahi, tu baith,” he replied.

“Oye baith na yaar, tujhe dekhke gardan dard karne lagti hai. Dono bhai tower jaise lambe hain.”

(Just sit, man. Looking at you makes my neck hurt. Both you brothers are tall like towers.)

He chuckled and sat down without arguing.

“Mann to kar raha hai tera muh noch doon.”

(I feel like clawing your face off.)

“Adi, bata ke chala jaata... ek baar. Maine tujhe aisa kya keh diya jo tujhe bura laga?”

(Adi, you should’ve just told me and left. What did I say that hurt you so much?)

“Adi, I’m sorry. So sorry if I ever hurt you. I won’t do it again, I promise. I won’t interfere in your life again,” I whispered. A tear escaped my eye.

**“Itne dino mein ye samajh gayi hoon… agar main kisise attach ho jaun, to us insaan ko acha nahi lagta. Mujhe apni limits pata honi chahiye.*”

(In these few days, I’ve realized… if I get attached to someone, they end up getting hurt. I should know my limits.)

Before I could say more, Aadarsh pulled me into a tight hug, stroking my hair gently.

“Tera chota sa dimaag kabse itna chalne lag gaya, Teddy? Shant ho ja betu.”

(Since when did that little brain of yours start thinking so much, Teddy? Calm down, sweetheart.)

“Dur reh mujhse!” I snapped.

(Stay away from me!)

“Kabhi nahi.” He held me tighter.

(Never.)

“Aakhir meri dusri maa hai tu.” He laughed.

(After all, you're like my second mother.)

“Gadhe! Nalayak! Harami!”

(Idiot! Useless! Bastard!)

“Rajput ke gahr ki bahu gaaliyan deti hui kitni acchi lagti hai.”

(A daughter-in-law of the Rajput family looks so good cursing like that.)

“Tu soch agar main shuru ho jaaun to kitni acchi gaaliyan dungi tujhe.”

(Just imagine if I started, the kind of curses I could give you.)

He smiled.

“Tera rona khatam ho gaya ho to chai pee le.”

(If you’re done crying, have your tea.)

We sat on the bench, sipping hot chai from kulhads, our laughter echoing in the silent air.

“Mera ek sapna tha… ek Rajasthani shaadi dekhne ka. Vo bhi nahi hone diya tune.”

(I had a dream… to witness a Rajasthani wedding. You didn’t even let that happen.)

“Bhool mat, tu bhi shaadi kar chuki hai.”

(Don’t forget, you’re married too.)

My grin disappeared. My face went blank. I blinked rapidly, trying to hide my emotions.

“Shashi, tu khush hai na? Sab thik hai na?”

(Shashi, you’re happy, right? Everything’s okay?)

The concern in his voice… it melted me.

“Jhooth bolne ki koshish bhi mat karna.”

(Don’t even try lying.)

“You know everything about Didu, right?” He nodded.

I told him everything—how Didu came three months ago and asked about my relationships. There was nothing to tell, so she introduced me to the Rajputs. Aakash wasn’t there the first night—they said he had a hospital emergency.

The very next day, she told me she wanted me to marry him. I agreed.

But the day we got married… I made him sign a contract. Six months. That’s all it is.

After that… I’ll be free.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Tu bilkul pasand nahi karti na use?”

(You don’t like him at all, do you?)

“Adi, main usse dil se pasand karti hoon… lekin kisi ki kahani mein main ek extra character banke nahi reh sakti.”

(Adi, I really do like him… but I can’t remain an extra in someone else’s love story.)

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