Page 63 of Substitute Bride

Slowly, she began to observe the details more attentively.

The bedside boasted a neat arrangement of a variety of massage oils.

Everything had been prepared with thought and care.

That’s when it clicked: this is what he had been talking about on the phone earlier.

She was about to ask him something when Vikrant reached out and placed his finger gently on her lips.

"Just relax... and enjoy," he whispered.

His words weren’t just a suggestion—they were a promise.

A promise of peace, of comfort, and of a new beginning where love wasn’t rushed but experienced deeply, every moment cherished, every breath shared.

Vikrant signals Jhankar to relax and lie down.

She quietly follows his lead and lies down.

Taking some aromatic oil in his hands, he gently rubs it between his palms to warm it, his eyes softly resting on her face as she watches him with a smile that doesn’t leave her lips.

Slowly, he begins massaging her thighs, skillfully using his thumbs to relieve every ounce of tension in her muscles.

Jhankar, who was already feeling quite relaxed after soaking in the warm water for a long time, now feels an even deeper sense of calm, as if Vikrant’s hands held some strange, soothing magic that melted her body instantly into serenity.

Closing her eyes, she lets herself drift entirely into the fragrant atmosphere that surrounds them.

Meanwhile, Vikrant watches a muted instructional video, meticulously replicating the techniques demonstrated.

He is determined not to make a single mistake; his only goal is to ensure that Jhankar feels completely relaxed.

Jhankar notices everything—the effort, the dedication—and her heart swells with immense joy.

After receiving a deeply relaxing massage from Vikrant, she finally opens her eyes and says with a soft but teasing firmness:

“Mr. Dhanraj, now you’ll have to listen to me…”

Vikrant immediately looks at her, slightly puzzled yet intrigued.

Jhankar reaches for his hand and gently guides him to lie down, placing his trust completely in her.

Vikrant gives her a small smile and starts to sit up, but she looks directly into his eyes, pours a little oil into her palms, and gently rubs it while saying in a mock pout:

“No one’s listening to me.”

Vikrant quietly places his hands behind his head and lies back, surrendering to her.

Jhankar then begins massaging his well-toned body with her soft hands, each stroke seeming to stir something deep within both of them.

The sensation is electric , almost intoxicating.

As she watches his facial expressions shift with each movement, she tries to suppress her smile but can’t help herself.

She deliberately presses her lips between her teeth, steals glances at him, and, with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, pouts playfully and plants teasing kisses on him again and again.

Vikrant is clearly trying hard to maintain control, but every delicate touch of Jhankar is steadily unraveling his restraint.

As she massages his thigh and slowly trails her hand upward with deliberate mischief, he instinctively grabs her hand.

Jhankar meets his gaze without flinching, leans forward, and lowers her face, pressing her lips against his shaft with deliberate tenderness.

For a few seconds, Vikrant seems to forget to breathe, overcome by the sheer intensity of the moment.

Jhankar’s tongue moves with slow precision, her warm breath sending waves of arousal through him, she is giving him full attention.

After a while, she senses his rising desire and looks up at him with a teasing smile, tracing his jawline lightly with her fingers as she softly asks, without stopping pumping.

“Are you okay, Mr. Dhanraj…?”

Vikrant, dazed with desire, simply breathes heavily, lost in the haze she’s created.

Without pausing, Jhankar climbs over him, places both hands on his chest, and slowly slides his length inside her.

A flicker of pain crosses her expression, but it’s quickly replaced by deep, soul-stirring joy, the joy of reconnecting in this deeply intimate, emotionally charged way.

Vikrant grasps her waist, steadying her, as she begins moving slowly, rising and falling with a rhythm guided by his hands.

She is focused on his face, searching for that same look of complete satisfaction that she had missed seeing the night before.

Last night, she had been so overcome with emotions that she hadn’t given him the attention he deserved.

But today, she is determined to leave no space for regret.

And there it is, that expression of deep, undisturbed contentment on Vikrant’s face.

Seeing it fills her with a powerful, personal joy.

He pulls her into his arms with a fierce tenderness, and in that moment, they become completely wrapped in each other.

Nothing else in the world matters anymore.

Not time, not place, only the warmth of their bodies, the silence of their togetherness, and the love that neither of them ever wants to let go.

~~~~~

Ravindra was reading the newspaper while Sharda, smiling softly, was setting the breakfast table.

However, her attention was entirely on Vikrant’s room, because she was well aware that Vikrant hadn’t gone to the gym today either.

Gave her a strange sense of satisfaction, as she had been noticing the increasing closeness between Vikrant and Jhankar, and nothing made her happier than seeing both of them genuinely pleased with each other.

Her every expression, filled with quiet contentment, reflected that inner peace.

Ravindra glanced at the clock—it was already 9 a.m., yet Vikrant hadn’t come out for breakfast. He immediately looked towards Sharda, who was still smiling faintly, her eyes lingering near Vikrant’s door.

Ravindra, puzzled, gestured to call a maid over to inquire, but before he could say anything, Sharda addressed the maid working beside her.

“Vikrant sir came back very late last night. Earlier, time never made any difference to him, but now his wife probably stays up waiting for him, so I believe he wouldn’t want to disturb her sleep. When they both wake up, take this breakfast to their room.”

Ravindra quietly covered his face and smiled faintly behind the newspaper.

He was clearly pleased by the change in Vikrant’s demeanor.

Sharda too glanced at him and smiled gently, already understanding how deeply Ravindra appreciated Vikrant’s transformation.

This peace, this newfound sense of family harmony, was something they had both silently longed for.

Suddenly, Ravindra’s phone rang. His expression shifted immediately, his smile vanishing into a serious look. He answered the call in a hushed tone.

“Is the job done?”

“Yes, sir,” the voice on the other end replied, “exactly as you ordered. We’ve kidnapped Chandel’s wife and daughter. They were planning to flee, and we caught them trying to sneak through the airport.”

“I have an important meeting today and will be flying to England tonight. Just one more week, and after that, I will personally decide how to deal with Chandel.”

“But sir, if Vikrant sir finds out within the week that you’ve kidnapped Chandel’s family, he may unleash his anger on us.”

Ravindra glanced towards Vikrant’s room with a cold smile and replied calmly.

“Vikrant is very busy at the moment, and I don’t want him distracted or troubled.

Chandel is a thorn I must remove myself.

But before that, I have some old scores to settle with him—and that’s why I needed his wife and daughter.

Until I return from England, no one must release them.

Remember this and make sure everyone involved is well informed.

If I get even the slightest hint that my orders haven’t been followed…

you have no idea what hell could befall you. ”

He hung up the call, his gaze still locked onto Vikrant’s closed room door.

Then his eyes shifted toward Sonia’s photograph on the wall.

He stared at it for a long moment, lost in thought.

Sharda noticed his gaze—Ravindra was once again quietly looking at Sonia’s picture, as he often did. She smiled softly and said,

“Ravindra, go eat your breakfast now. You also have a meeting to attend afterward.”

Without a word, Ravindra rose and went to the dining table. As soon as he saw the potato parathas on the table, he said cheerfully,

“Did you make these? Then I’m definitely going to have two more today.”

Sharda, pretending to scold, said, “Not at all. You’ll fall sick. You’re not used to eating so much, and today you’re asking for extras? What’s going on?”

“Today you shouldn’t stop me from anything,” Ravindra replied, still smiling. “I’m very happy today. So it’s certain I’m going to eat a lot.”

Sharda smiled back gently and began serving him without delay.

Her eyes, almost involuntarily, drifted toward Sonia’s photograph, a picture she hadn’t truly looked at in years.

Ravindra had never allowed anyone to touch or remove any of her photos.

Even though it was always visible in their home, no one had dared to look at it directly.

But today, Sharda was feeling an immense joy that drew her naturally toward that smiling photograph. Looking at it, she whispered softly,

“You must be happy too today.”

Ravindra heard her murmuring and glanced at her, slightly confused, trying to catch what she had said.

But he couldn’t hear her words. Sharda simply smiled and said nothing more.

Sharda served Ravindra his second paratha, and the two sat in companionable silence.

Yet, both of them knew that something larger was at play, something that stretched beyond the warmth of family breakfasts.