Is he really going crazy? Is it because he marked her? Just why is he feeling attracted to her? What's wrong with him? He wondered then sighed.
~~
Yuvika devoted herself fully to the arrangements needed to be done for the ceremony, while getting familiar with the people she was working with.
~~
Soon, the noble courtiers along with their leader Shivanshi came, to get a wonderful surprise. The temple was decorated as a newlywed bride. It was thoroughly cleaned, shiny, beautifully decorated with flowers, leaves and many more items.
The statues of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, Lord Kartik and Devi Parvati were well-organized, beautifully groomed and dressed along with Nandi and the Lion sitting lazily on the ground next to them, it seems like they weren't statues, but the people sitting in front of them.
They all bowed deep, touching the ground, to pay their reverence to these divine figures. Then, they all move forward to see the Shivling, which was decorated with different types of flowers. They again did the dandvat pranam to the shivling, like earlier.
Then they roam around the temple, which seems to have been binded with all types of flowers, vines, leaves and so on. Even the staircase of the temple was made majestically.
Shivanshi expressed her appreciation and gratitude towards Yuvika, who humbly gave the credit to the workers helping her. Earning a sweet smile from Shivanshi.
Yuvika could see the hesitation and trouble in the girl's face and could more or less wonder what was troubling her. So, she promised Shivanshi that neither she nor her husband will tell anyone about this beautiful paradise.
This wonderful abode of theirs will forever remain a secret. Earning a sweet smile from Shivanshi, who hugged her tightly in return. She treated her as her friend.
When Ashutosh came, he witnessed this scene dumbfoundedly. The girl, who never even showed her affection to him, was talking, laughing and hugging his wife occasionally, who in return was making her more at ease, while telling her some jokes, which made Shivanshi laugh further.
Bringing a sweet smile on Ashutosh's face. After that fateful night, he hadn't seen his sister acting like a human anymore. It was like she had turned into a statue. A statue who wanted vengeance, who wanted to destroy everything and everyone.
A statue, who only knows how to hate. But see, centuries later, she was smiling. Her smile was still the same. Like that of an innocent child.
When Yuvika saw Ashutosh, she froze. Earning the attention of Shivanshi, who tacitly left the couple alone. If Yuvika says she didn't want to curse this traitor who left her when she needed her, then it would be a huge lie.
For some reason, she just doesn't want to face her husband. After all, her innocent, understanding, smart boss was gone and she was left with this husband of hers, who wasn't letting her live freely. She didn't even know till now how she was trying to keep herself busy, just to avoid him.
Just to avoid seeing him, just to avoid the flashbacks that now were roaming in her head with full speed. She wanted to cry, but she didn't have tears. She wanted to run, but she knows she can't escape.
Ashutosh could see the changes she was feeling and he knew that somehow, somewhere he is to be blamed. He should have considered her feelings too. He knows his sister was right, he was acting like a dog in heat, despite not being one.
'Miss Chauhan.' He waved at her, who just kept blinking.
'Can we talk?' He asked her next, making her seriously consider it for the next five minutes. Only after that she nodded.
He gestured her to follow him, which she obediently followed. But there was this fear, this nervousness in her, which says she is acting like a lamb in front of a wolf, who can catch her anytime, anywhere and then do the same thing.
It's not like she was a saint or something. But she just can't tolerate his ferocious level. He is completely wild, in some sense. Luckily, this time nothing she was fearing happened. He brought her to an empty, silent place, while maintaining a good distance in between them.
' Don't worry, Miss Chauhan. I have no intentions of scaring you further. Well, it's just that, these things are new for me. So, it will take some time for me to get normal with it, to regain control, I hope you understand.' He said with an apologetic grin on his face, earning a deep-relieving sigh, from her.
Making him frown. Was he being too much for her to bear, these days?
'Ahem… Ahem… Boss, it's okay. I understand, completely. Seriously. Now, if you may allow then can i go back? There's still some work pending?' Yuvika asked in a hurried manner.
Since, she knows how ill-fated her luck can be. So, why give it a try, right! If he is letting her off the hook, then she should appreciate it.
' Am I that scary for you?' He couldn't help but ask, while his eyes remained fixed on her brown ones. Making her breath get hitched.
'I-I… I didn't mean to offend you, boss. But, you are scary.' She replied, while wondering how she will die next. Her eyes fixed on the dusty ground.
' Then, what should I do to not be scary?' He asked her next, still maintaining the respectful distance in between them.
'Um… I don't know.' She replied honestly, making him nod.
'Fine. I just wanted to tell you that these people have an odd culture, in which all the ladies pray separately and all the gents pray separately for the whole night.
So, will it be okay with you? As I said earlier, I don't trust these people. If you want, then we can leave immediately. I am sure we will find our way back home.' Ashutosh suggested, earning a sweet smile from her.
There it was her caring, understanding boss. Ah, only she knows how much she missed this side of this fellow.
'Oh. No problem, boss. It's clear, they don't want to hurt us. Or they won't hurt us in the temple. Besides, tonight is the night of Lord Shiva, so nothing will go wrong.
And I do trust them. So, don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. They are not bad people. They just want to protect themselves. That's all.' She tried to explain it to him.
Making him stare at her. But he remained silent.
'Fine, if you say so. Take care of yourself and come to me if you find any trouble or something. No need to deal with everything alone.
Always remember, you have me. Okay!' He said as patiently as if he was teaching the child, making her sigh deeply, then nod with another sweet smile.
'Noted, boss.' She replied, trying to let him know, she understood. Very well.
' Last but not the least, don't call me Boss. Or be ready to bear the consequences.' He said in a low, husky, magnetic voice, sending chills down her spine, while maintaining eye-contact with her.
'Y-Yes, Mr. Pratihast.' She immediately corrected herself. Because this voice and character of his is something she so dearly wants to avoid.
' Good girl.' He said, while patting her head with a little smile on his usually expressionless or grim face.
Then, he walked past her to the place which required his presence as the 'Raj' of this place. But, just a few steps after, he stopped, turned and stared at the dumbfounded girl, then asked ; ' I thought you said you were busy. Don't wanna come, now? Or are you not busy anymore?'
Making her finally get back to her senses, she followed him back to the temple, where to her surprise a large partition was made, in which the girls and boys were getting separated.
' You still have the choice. We can leave this place, if you are uncomfortable.' He couldn't help but remind her in a low whisper. Making her feel the indescribable feeling once again.
Oh gosh, is she going crazy? Or is this man driving her crazy? Ah! In both cases, she is the one who is at the brink of losing her sanity.
'No. It's all good.' She couldn't help but utter, while finding her way in the partitioned pathway. Damn, the only thing that was in her mind was to get rid of him and his magnetic voice. Nothing else.
Shivanshi stares at the all pink girl and the culprit, standing at the corner of the partition and chuckling lightly. Her brother is really a big tease to be around.
She welcomed Yuvika and took great care of her. Soon, the ceremonial ritual started and Yuvika was told to sit in the front seat, which was actually assigned for Shivanshi. Yuvika was confused and a bit embarrassed.
But then Shivanshi told her that this is their culture, whoever took part in the arrangements is given this respected seat. Since this year, it was Yuvika, so it's her place to take.
Yuvika could only accept, since she doesn't want to upset her newly made friend.