The next update will be a little late
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Shashi's POV
My dreamland... shattered. I was deep in slumber, wrapped in the embrace of sleep, when suddenly-ugh. A wave of pain exploded in my head like someone was banging it repeatedly against a wall. I groaned, my forehead scrunched in discomfort.
But worse than the headache was this overwhelming uneasiness. A sickening wave rose in my chest. I shot up, barely able to open my eyes. My mouth felt dry, my throat sore, and I rushed to the washroom-didn't even see who was beside me. Was I alone?
I bent over the sink and threw up.
I muttered, wiping my mouth as I rinsed my face.
The reflection in the mirror almost scared me. My mascara was smudged, the lipstick half-erased, eyeliner smeared at the corners of my eyes-clearly remnants of last night. Memories slowly trickled in: I was drinking... watching everyone dance.
My God, this headache is driving me crazy.
I vomited again. Loudly.
As I finished and leaned against the cold sink, two warm hands gently wrapped around my fists.
I didn't need to look. I knew.
Aakash.
I rinsed my mouth again and reached for the towel. My face was bare now, all makeup gone. He handed me a fresh towel, wordlessly. Then cupped my face gently.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded.
Without another word, he pulled me into his arms. I could hear his heartbeat-steady, calm. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, then one to my cheek.
My eyes widened in shock, but before I could react, he smiled, "You must have a headache, right?"
No shit, Sherlock.
"Do one thing-have breakfast, take a shower, then your medicine," he said with a lingering kiss on my forehead.
And just as he turned to leave, he paused and added, "Don't wash your hair, jaan. Use warm water, not cold."
Jaan...?
Did he just... call me jaan? He never uses that word. And he didn't even call me by my name...
I blinked, confused.
Locking the bathroom door, I discarded my clothes and slipped into the tub. The warm water melted away some of the tension in my body.
After a long soak and skincare routine-just moisturizer, sunscreen, and a soft lip balm-I stepped out. My clothes were neatly placed on the table near our closet, and I changed into them.
When I walked out, Aakash was already seated on the couch, breakfast tray on the table in front of him. He looked fresh, annoyingly so.
"When did you shower?" I asked.
"In the next room," he replied casually.
I sat beside him. The headache still pounded in my temples.
"We could have had breakfast with everyone downstairs," I mumbled.
He chuckled. "No one's awake."
"Why?"
"Everyone was dancing last night. Except you, who handled yourself like a wild hurricane."
Guilt clutched at my chest. I couldn't meet his eyes. Did I do something?
Before I could spiral, he cupped my face again.
"Hey. Don't even think about crying. You didn't do anything wrong, Rosebud. You were just drunk. Nothing else."
"I know you're just saying that to make me feel better," I whispered, not meeting his gaze.
"Did I... curse you? Use any foul words?" I asked hesitantly.
He laughed softly. "No, meri Joon. You just flirted a little, that's all."
Flirted?
I blinked. "Flirted?"
"Yeah. You were being a little too... charming." He grinned.
I turned my face away, mortified. He lifted my chin gently.
"Now eat. Then take your medicine."
I nodded.
Later, I took the medicine. The headache had dulled, but it was still irritating.
"Still hurting?" he asked, fingers brushing through my hair gently.
"A little... but it'll pass."
"Want me to massage your head?"
"No... it's okay. I'll be fine in a while."
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Author's POV
The Oberoi Mansion-home to the most feared mafia queen, Laksha Oberoi-was quiet.
Dark hallways stretched in silence. The grand corridors, the royal lounges, even the servants... everyone moved softly, as if trying not to disturb the queen's rest.
It was still early morning.
From the basement gym, Laksha appeared, clad in her workout gear, a protein shake in hand. Her husband, Lee-Yoon, followed, carrying baby Shashwath in his arms-also dressed in gym attire.
As they entered the living room, they spotted Shashi seated on the sofa, glasses perched on her nose, a novel in hand. Aakash sat beside her, phone in hand, but his eyes kept flicking back to his wife.
"Good morning," Shashi smiled as she saw Laksha.
She stretched out her arms, and little Shashwat eagerly leaned towards her. Shashi took him, pressing kisses to his chubby cheeks.
"Good morning, cutie! Subah-subah itni energy, Mr. Chutku CEO!"
[So much energy in the morning, Mr. Tiny CEO!]
Shashwat squealed in her arms.
"Aapko yeh naam pasand aaya?" [You liked that name?] she giggled.
Laksha settled on the plush chair. "What were you reading?"
"Something intense," Shashi replied.
"Did it end?"
"Just finished."
"What's the story?" Laksha leaned forward.
Shashi exhaled. "The male lead is someone no one cared about. The female lead was the only one who saw him, really saw him."
"Explain," Laksha said.
Just then, Adarsh walked in, carrying baby Advik.
"Good morning," he greeted.
"Jaldi uth gaya?" Aakash asked.
"Isne uthaya," Adarsh chuckled, nodding at Advik. [He woke me up.]
"Continue," Laksha prompted.
"It's a forced marriage. They hated each other, but she fell first. When they finally began to build a life, his toxic parents interfered-just like ours once did," Shashi muttered, glancing at Aakash.
"He tried to protect her, but always ended up hurting her. His elder brother eventually fell for her too. The twist? The husband never loved her-only wanted to own her. He beat her, raped her, and blamed her."
"Whoa!" Laksha gasped.
"The second lead saved her," Shashi continued, "trained her, and in the end, she killed her so-called husband and his entire toxic family."
"Great," Laksha muttered.
"I know," Shashi sighed.
"Toh yeh padhke tune khudko imagine kiya?" Adarsh teased.
[So, after reading this, did you imagine yourself in the story?]
"Nah," Shashi scoffed, "Main hoti toh kab ka zinda jala deti!"
[If it were me, I would've burned that bastard alive last night.]
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Hey my lovely readers
Hope you liked the chapter and enjoyed it
The next update might be a little late
The next chapter is bomb
The trauma
Both of them will be stuck
Both of them are hurt
Both of them are shattered
Question ~
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