Page 116 of Lawfully Yours

Noyonika’s mouth dropped open in shock as he knew her confidante’s name. She stared at Kushal, whose expression went icy. “I know it’s Kamya whispering in your ear all along. Now, she too has to answer for it.”

Saying that, he reached out, gently took Arundhati’s hand, and walked to the door while Noyonika’s head bowed. Tears spilled freely now. She grasped the arm of the sofa as her world crashed into helpless reality.

**************

Kushal was still burning with frustration, lost in the aftermath of their confrontation with Noyonika. He didn’t pause until they reached where their sleek black sedan was parked.

Arundhati abruptly halted beside him. He didn’t even realise she had pulled away from his hold until he felt the emptiness of her absence. Turning back toward her, he found her standing stiffly near the car, looking at him.

“What?” he asked.

“You’re missingher?” she demanded, putting special emphasis on that last word.

It took him a second to understand what she was referring to. The parting words he’d thrown at Noyonika, coaxing her supposed friendKamyainto meeting him. He raked a hand over his temple and let out a slow breath.

“We need her to talk, Aru. That’s why I said it.” He paused. “She needs a reason…something more than just a message to walk into Verma & Associates.”

Anger flared in Arundhati’s gaze. She took a step closer. “So you manipulate her withthat? By saying youmissher? Are you seriously using that bullshit right now? Do you even realise what message you’re giving her? What picture are you painting?”

Kushal saw it now, plain as daylight. She wasn’t just angry, she was jealous. She wouldn’t admit it, but her clenched fists and the way her breathing had quickened told him everything he needed to know. He nodded gently.

“I know,” he said, softly. “I chose the wrong words. But I meant nothing else by it.” His hands reached out, gently resting on her arms. “I realise I shouldn’t have said it. I’m sorry.”

His apology was shocking.

“Wait.Youjust said sorry?” She asked in disbelief. “Kushal Nair… saying ‘sorry’ tome? Where’s that ego of yours? Took a vacation?”

He took a step forward, closing the gap between them, until their bodies nearly touched. “My ego’s very much intact,” he said. “But I’ve realised… when it comes tous, the farther I keep it, the better things are.Youmatter more than that ego, Aru.”

The sincerity in his words landed deep, stirring something in her that she hadn’t been ready to feel again.

“Don’t you think you’re being… unusually vocal these days? Heart-to-heart talk, confessions, and all? When have you ever done that before?”

Kushal slid a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her temple. “What can I say? My partner isn’t the most talkative, nor good at expressing what she feels. So, someone has to speak for both of us.”

Heat pooled in her veins again as his gaze dropped to her lips, hungry and hopeful. Her own lips parted again in response when a voice shattered their moment.

“Sir—Ma’am?”

Kushal clenched his jaw in sheer irritation as Vivek approached, clearly oblivious to the proximity he had just disturbed. Arundhati took a quick step back, smoothing her expression.

“What?”

Vivek offered a quick, apologetic smile. “Sorry to interrupt. Just… a reminder. Your flight’s in a couple of hours. Unless, of course, you’re thinking of extending your stay?”

Arundhati recovered faster. “Thanks for the reminder, Vivek. But we’re leaving today.”

Kushal watched her with conflicted longing. He didn’t argue. She was right. They had to return to Delhi. Work awaited. So didtheir separate homes. But his chest ached at the thought. After three nights by her side, the idea of sleeping in silence again felt almost unbearable.

As they settled into the car, he stole one last glance at her. She was staring ahead, jaw set. But he knew one thing. Deep down, this distance they were walking into wasn’t going to be easy for her either. Although she wasn’t ready to admit just how much it would hurt.

****************

In an hour, Arundhati and Kushal had returned to their rooms, packed their bags and checked out of the resort like two professionals on a tight schedule. The receptionist had once again smiled too long at Kushal, but this time, Arundhati didn’t even react. She was too lost in her own head. And he noticed that too.

By the time they were seated on the flight back to Delhi, side by side in the business class cabin, the tension between them grew. It felt like something unfinished had followed them from Dalhousie and now refused to be zipped into a suitcase.

Kushal stared at the magazine from the seat pocket before him. He needed a distraction…anything that wasn’t the memory of Arundhati’s breathless gasps under his touch, or the touch of her lips against his chest from last night, that he’d memorized like scripture. How was he supposed to live without her after that?