As they walked together, Elena found herself in a dilemma on how to convince Bittu to stay for another day when he asked the question himself.
"Can I stay over for a day more?!" Bittu asked, his face reflecting hesitation.
"Of course, you can stay for as long as you want to," Elena responded, a moment of happiness washing over her at Bittu's request.
"Why are you so happy?" Bittu inquired, a trace of suspicion in his tone.
"Oh... I will have someone to accompany me tonight. That's why I am happy. You know, I don't like it when I am alone," Elena admitted with a genuine smile.
Bittu was taken aback by her openness. He hadn't expected her to share such sentiments with him.
"Well, let's go to the hotel then; it's late already," Bittu suggested, leading the way to the hotel with Elena following.
After a while, they arrived in the room. Following a quick wash, Bittu surprised Elena by volunteering to cook. While her face displayed surprise, her thoughts revealed a different anticipation.
'...Finally, I will be able to eat your handmade food after such a long time...'
If not for Bittu observing her closely, her eyes might have teared up. Nevertheless, she masked her true emotions with a smile and asked, "You know how to cook?"
"I have learned some things," Bittu replied before heading to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
With nothing else to occupy her, Elena found herself captivated, watching him cook.
As she kept her eyes on him, her surroundings abruptly changed. The older version of Bittu stood before her, and she realized she was inside the strange space of the masked man.
"Why have you brought me here?" Elena inquired in an ice-cold voice, devoid of any emotion, as if a thousand-year ice was speaking.
"Well... There's no need to be so cold," the older Bittu commented, attempting a forced smile.
She didn't respond.
"...okay, I get it. I am interrupting your time with your sweetheart, but listen to me, okay..." said the older Bittu in surrender.
From the older version's words, it became apparent that the younger and older Bittu were distinct entities, and Elena seemed to be aware of this fact.
"...If you know, then hurry up..." Elena's voice remained icy.
"I have called you here to let you know that fate already has its eyes on you, so it would be best if you don't do anything that would mess up any more of the future," the older Bittu cautioned in a serious tone.
"... I know that. Or else why do you think I am acting as the young Elena from the beginning, though I didn't expect fate to keep its eyes on me so fast," Elena stated matter-of-factly, acknowledging her awareness of the thread of fate.
"Good, one last warning. Don't ever do it with him... at least until he is in the dungeon," said Elena, staring directly into her eyes.
She didn't respond.
The older Bittu said nothing more and sent her back to the room.
Upon returning to the room, Elena felt a mix of anger, frustration, and sadness, realizing she wouldn't be able to experience that special feeling with him once again.
To calm her mind and nerves, Elena resumed her earlier activity of silently staring without doing anything else.
Bittu, perceiving her gaze as unusual, remained fully focused on making the food, assuming she was merely ensuring he didn't mess up.
After about an hour, the food was ready. Captivated by the aroma, Elena asked, "What did you cook?"
"Matar Paneer, tomato chutney, and salad, and of course rice and pulses," Bittu responded. Anticipating her unfamiliarity with the dish, he added, "It's a recipe I learned at home."
"How does it taste?" asked Elena, curiously eyeing the dish.
"Try it, and you will know," Bittu suggested with a smile as he placed the food on the table.
Elena immediately began to eat, her appetite invigorated by the enticing aroma.
"Yum... Yum... It's so delicious," she exclaimed after taking her first bite.
Bittu shook his head, witnessing her playful eating. After ten minutes, they finished all the food.
Following the washing of dishes, it was time to sleep. As Bittu settled into his bed, he noticed Elena peacefully sleeping in Aisha's bed.
Bittu quietly settled into his bed to avoid waking her up. After two hours, Bittu still found himself unable to sleep, much like the night before, adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings.
While contemplating various thoughts, he suddenly sensed a presence on his bed. Shocked, he readied himself for a potential threat, extracting a wooden arrow from his inventory. Unbeknownst to him, Elena had quietly sneaked into his bed, seeking the warmth and comfort of his proximity.
Tense and alert, Bittu prepared to defend himself. Little did he know, Elena's intentions were far from hostile. As he cautiously placed the wooden arrow beside him, he observed Elena curling up on his bed, peacefully asleep. Confusion replaced tension as he wondered why she had chosen to join him.
Bittu was filled with various thoughts on this unexpected turn of events. Uncertain of Elena's intentions, he decided not to disturb her peaceful slumber, keeping his eyes on her while maintaining a slight distance to act promptly if needed.
Some might think Bittu was dense, but in the context of this unusual world, caution prevailed over assumptions. Elena, aware of Bittu's identity as a player, made it so that his thoughts didn't drift in that direction.
Bittu found himself perplexed as he noticed that the more he distanced himself, the closer Elena got. Currently at the edge of the bed, a slight slip would result in a fall. Bittu decided to take a chance, allowing himself to slip just a little. But that was the limit, and he was about to fall.
His hand moved instinctively to save himself. In haste, his hands caught Elena's wrist.
Awake and aware of the situation, Elena decided to play with him, teasingly getting close. In the midst of this playful interaction, she had a thought.
'Looks like your boasting was true once again, that you would only touch a girl, that is me. Well of course in the future but anyway.' She reveled in bliss at this realization.
Suddenly, she felt a strong grip on her wrist. Due to the abruptness, she was unable to control herself, letting out a surprised moan.
".. Aahhh..."
Bittu was shocked by the moan, he quickly removed his hand from her wrist and let himself fall.
After falling, he didn't check himself up but immediately looked to see if she was awake and seeing her blushed red face he knew that she was.
".... Ahem.. Ahem... Could you explain what you are doing in my bed at the moment, Ms. Elena? ", asked Bittu trying to not be awkward.
"...."
Elena didn't respond and continued to pretend that she was asleep.
Bittu seeing this shook his head and didn't know what he should do next. The ned he was sleeping on was now occupied by the owner.
While thinking of various things to say to her Bittu's thoughts clicked onto one question that he wanted to know as fast as he could and was why he decided to stay for a day more.
He had forgotten it being busy in cooking and afterwards seeing her in bed.
".... Can i ask you a question...?", asked Bittu in a hesitate voice.
"..."
"...."
".... What...? ", Elena finally decided to stop acting and asked in a low voice.
".... Can you tell me how you knew I was a player?", asked Bittu not sure if he should really ask this question or not.
"...."
Not getting a response he added, "....Please....."
While Bittu was waiting for her answer, Elena was holding her laughter sensing the hesitancy and uncertainty in his voice.
Elena was going to answer him when she had an idea, "... It is a secret but, I can tell you in one condition." she said in an ominous voice while laughing internally.
Bittu fell into thoughts and then said uncertainly, ".....What's the condition?..... "
".....You need to do one thing that I tell you to", Elena continued with the same ominous voice.
"... And what would that be...?",
"....You need to..... cuddle me for the span of time we stay together.", said Elena with the first part with the same ominous voice while the latter in an expectant voice.
Bittu was speechless when he heard that. He was baffled. He was thinking what she would ask him to do but she unexpectedly asked this.
"...What...??"
"....You need to..... cuddle me....for the span of time...we stay together!!!",
"... Why do you want that? ", asked Bittu in a suspicious voice. He knew what she ment but still needed to ask again as he didn't think she was thinking right.
".....", Elena was annoyed seeing him ask her these question instead of doing things that would make her....Her face blushed before thinking further.
She embarrassed by her own thoughts and angry at Bittu for being dense wanted to directly say it but couldn't because even when she became a lot more bold before Bittu she was shy inside so all she could say was, "....I want us to sleep together."
Bittu shocked by her words couldn't even react and speak a word.
Bittu after thinking for a while said hesitantly, "....Only...cuddling right."
Elena's angry face instantly lightened and she practically radiated happiness and said, " Yes... Yes....only cuddling."
" Okay....but you have to tell me the answer first.", said Bittu with a determined face.
Bittu was not sure and uncertain in this situation because he was a man of conviction. He always followed his heart and morals.
In his heart, Bittu was against this because he only wanted to get physical with one person and one person only; the love of his life. Even though he has not seen her till now, he was sure he would definitely meet her one day, he could feel it.
He was uncertain just now because he really needed to know how she knew he was a player, as it could be very detrimental to him in the long term or else he would have directly rejected her. This is also why he was acting dumb and dense now.
Bittu felt his heart heavy when he agreed but he still did so. But, he didn't know that this was the starting of a sweet, lovely but destructive love for him and for the world too.
Elena unaware of Bittu's thoughts, said, " I know it because, I am... also a player!!!"
Bittu was shocked by this revelation. He didn't think for a second that she was a player.
Not looking at Bittu, Elena continued, " I have a skill that helps me know who are players... though it is only a temporary skill."
Bittu was even more shocked than before, " You have a skill." and exclaimed.
Elena looked at Bittu with a proud face and said, "Yes"
Bittu was still speechless, seeing her flex her ability instead of keeping it a secret.
"Now, let's not waste anymore time and sleep.", Elena said with anticipation and a blushing face.
Bittu wanted to ask more question but understanding his Elena put her finger on her lips, telling Bittu to keep quite and just sleep.
Bittu didn't agree and wanted to still ask some question but Elena beat him to it and said with a pout, " I won't answer any more of your questions today."
She then gestured him to sleep next to her. Bittu admitting defeat slept next to her.
Elena immediately got into his embrace. She put her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest.
Bittu was uncomfortable but didn't sway away and did as promised. He too put both his hand on her, puting her in his embrace.
Elena smiled as well as blushed after she felt the warmth of his hand, but she was happy and she then peacefully got into sleep.
Bittu who was the one taking her in his embrace was unable to fall asleep.
He for the rest of the night stayed awake because his heart was heavy. He wouldn't be able to forget this for the rest of his life as this was against his conviction.
He for the rest of the night, just made sure to not have anymore contact with this girl than needed.
In the morning, the moment Bittu felt Elena wake up he immediately asked, " Now, I can let go right...."
Elena with a pout, still in her sleep, responded, " Which kind of man would ask a beautiful girl to get away from him? "
Bittu was taken aback by her response, he shook his head and sighed and waited for her to really get up before saying anything further.