Dhruv couldn't properly do all his work as he was running on medications for his right hand and other injuries that he gained from the deal in Dubai.
The doctor advised him to be on bed rest again for a few days, to let his wounds heal. Meenakshi at times, came to check on him and stay with him when others were out.
Dhruv this time didn't stop her or anything, but he usually got very annoyed with her presence that led to regular quarrels between them. Meenakshi didn't spare any chance to answer back and so the quarrels lasted longer than expected.
"I'm getting bored sitting here. Can we play ludo?"
"Not interested." Dhruv replied sternly.
"Then, what are you interested in?" Meenakshi asked.
"None of your fucking business."
"It kind of is."
Meenakshi stared around the room, her eyes stopping at the small library inside the room.
"What type of books do you read?"
Dhruv frowned at her.
"All kinds except Romance."
"Huh? Why? Don't you like romance?"
"No."
Meenakshi knitted her eyebrows in confusion.
"But why?"
"Romance is non-sense. Stupid authors write about something that doesn't exist in this world. There's no true love. It's all bullshit."
Meenakshi sighed. She was kind of expecting such an answer from Mr. Grumpy.
*******************
Dhruv found himself standing in front of the roof. The rain was drizzling in full force, the wind ruthlessly swaying the trees under its control.
He found a fragile lady standing on the edge of the room. It was his mother. She turned her head back, staring at him with burning red eyes.
Dhruv ran towards her.
"Please don't do this maa!I promise I'll be better!"Tears spilled from his eyes, mixing with the raindrops that showered on him.
The lady smirked at him as if enjoying a private joke. Her chapped lips opened to speak something.
"You're a monster!"
And within a split of a second, she jumped off the roof.
"Noooo!!!!"Dhruv screamed and moved frantically in his bed. Suddenly a warm hand pulled him in an embrace and caressed his curls.
"It's ok. It's ok."
Dhruv didn't care about who was holding him. All he knew was, he needed this for now. He slowly sunk his head in her chest and calmed his breath. His eyes were closed and his face soak with tears and sweat.
Meenakshi rocked him back and forth like a baby which made him feel better. She whispered and cooed some sweet and calming words in his ear.
Dhruv looked up at her, his dark eyes looking into hers. Meenakshi felt a strong wave rising from the pits of her heart. As if the time had stopped and all she could see was him.
Suddenly her head was pulled forward and she widened her eyes, finding his lips locking with her. Dhruv slowly moved his lips against her and Meenakshi felt her whole body freezing under him. She couldn't move. Her hormones started dancing and she felt as if she was burning. The whole air shifted to a dense one and she felt sparks lighting up every cell inside her.
She never felt like this before. But why now?
Dhruv softly sucked her lower lip and was about to enter his tongue inside her when he opened his eyes and realisation dawned upon him. He was kissing Meenakshi!
As if lightning struck him, he broke the kiss immediately and pushed Meenakshi away.
Meenakshi was confused about what just happened.
Dhruv diverted his face to another side and ruffled his hair as if he did a huge mistake.
"Get out."
His voice was low yet alarming.
Hot tears trickled from her eyes. She felt rejected. But why did she feel so bad about it? It shouldn't mean anything to her. The kiss shouldn't mean anything to her. Then, why didn't she stop him?
Meenakshi slowly stepped out of the bed and walked out of the room, without speaking a word.
*******
The next few days, neither of them spoke or encountered each other.
The kiss had a huge impact on Meenakshi. Thousands of questions overruled her concentration and she couldn't focus on anything. The only thing that distracted her was cooking dishes, but not for long.The thoughts kept haunting her.
She didn't even have the guts to tell anyone anything. Vijay and Iqbaal knew something was wrong, and they asked her many times, but every time she blew it off as if nothing happened!
The next day, Meenakshi completed all her orders before time and thought to call it a day! Neelima approached her with a sweet smile.
"You look a bit stressed. Everything all right?"she asked with concern.
"No aunty, it's nothing. It's just a lot of work that took a toll on me."
Ok. How about going on a shopping spree? It'll make you feel light-headed."
Meenakshi couldn't decline the offer as it would be rude. Aunt Neelu was very supportive from the first day.
"Ok."
They both roamed around the nearest shopping mall and Meenakshi bought some clothes for her. She unconsciously looked for some short dresses, the kind Veronica wears around Dhruv..
She sort of wanted to look like her, considering Veronica was Dhruv's girlfriend and his personal choice. And she wanted to be his favorite choice.
"Wait! What? But why? Why waste your time over a man who's a complete jerk? He kissed you at first, stealing your first kiss with his filthy mouth, and then rejected you like your nothing! Why impress him?"
Meenakshi agreed with her thoughts. She shouldn't compromise her choices for a man who's not worth her attention. Doesn't matter, even if half of the time she thinks about him. It's just that it's her first kiss, that's why she's thinking too much about it.
After shopping, Neelu dragged Meenakshi towards a nearby fancy parlor, begging her to take care of her beauty regime.
"Girls of your age nowadays never compromise with their Beauty care. Look at your face. No properly shaped eyebrows, unwaxed arms, unhealthy skin. Grooming yourself is very important to make a good impression. And it makes you feel even more confident. Now quietly sit here and let them do their work."
Meenakshi considered her aunt's word for the moment. Maybe because she looks a bit unattractive from the outside, that's why Dhruv rejected her.
"I'm done explaining!"Her subconscious nodded her head in disappointment.
************
Meenakshi stepped into the mansion with a new haircut, clean nails, waxed body, and shaped eyebrows. Her aunt was right. It felt good and made her feel more confident!
Maybe Dhruv will like her now.
She moved into her room and changed into a black mini dress. She had a huge fight with her subconscious before taking this dress.
Meenakshi didn't know why she so desperately wanted to gain Dhruv's attention. More or less, she wanted to make him realize that rejecting her was a mistake.
She combed her hair and applied a nude lip gloss on her lips, making her lips shine.
"I look good."She winked at her appearance in the mirror.
Dhruv was so going to fall for her. She jumped with excitement and walked out of her room in her high heels.
The plan was to act as if everything is normal and walk past him as if she doesn't care. Then he'll recognize her new look and find her appealing enough!
This may also make her win the challenge! If Dhruv starts liking her, then he'll accept her as his wife.
"But why do you want that????"Her subconscious inquired.
"I don't know! Maybe-"
"Maybe you have started liking the jerk a lot! Aren't you?" her subconscious remarked.
Meenakshi sighed. Why was she doing all this? Did she like him that much?
She amble towards the swimming pool area, where she supposed he would be. She was about to walk in through the glass partition when her eyes laid on something.
Dhruv was sharing a deep smooch with Veronica in the pool. They both were adhering to each other like they were stuck with fevicol. Veronica had wrapped her arms on his bare shoulder, while Dhruv was holding her bare waist, as she was wearing a bikini.
Meenakshi felt her whole world crashing down like a pyramid of cards. What was she expecting from this man anyway? He hated her and she...
...Loved him.
************************