"So, this is my story. The tale of how I became a cursed man-marked by destiny for a crime I never committed. A tale that led me to the underworld, where I became the Mafia King-a dangerous, merciless ruler of shadows. But even in all my brutality, Jaan, I have never harmed an innocent soul."
"You misunderstood me. That bastard Abhay lied to you before his death because he wanted you to hate me, to turn you against me. And you believed him... Why, Angel? Why couldn't you see through his lies? Yes, I'm brutal. Yes, I'm dangerous. But only when I need to protect you."
"The moment I laid eyes on you for the first time, I knew my cursed existence had changed forever. You, carelessly dancing in the rain, oblivious to the world around you-you became my Rain Angel. Your laughter, your innocence, your beauty-it breathed life into a man who had been dead inside for centuries. For the first time in two hundred years, I felt truly alive."
"But I know I hurt you. I know I shattered the trust you had in me. Believe me, Jaan, I never wanted to. I married you forcefully, yes, but only to protect you. Arhan-he wasn't what you thought. He was a fraud, dealing in shady businesses in London. I couldn't let him ruin your life. That's why I replaced him. And no, Jaan, I didn't kill him. I could have-God knows I wanted to-but I held back for you. Because you are my everything."
"I know that after hearing all this, you will hate me even more. You have every right to. But hate me as much as you want, Angel. Just don't leave me."
"I'll bear the pain of your hatred for a lifetime if it means you'll stay by my side. You are my breath, Niranya. My existence, my reason to endure this curse, my light in the eternal darkness that has been my life."
"I don't deserve forgiveness-I know that. But even in your hate, I will find a way to keep you close. Because without you, I'm nothing but a hollow shell of a man cursed to walk this earth. Hate me, Jaan, but let us be together. That's all I ask."
Tears flowed down my eyes as I uttered these words, my voice trembling with the weight of my pain and desperation.
Finally, he told me everything... I thought he was a monster... but I never knew he had carried so much pain inside him. My Ash has been bearing all the pain alone, and I claimed to hate him... ignored his care...
He was punished for something he never even did. And now, all he wants is for me to just stay with him. How could he think that after knowing all of this, I would still hate him?
No... never. I could never stop loving him, and now, I love him even more.
I turned to him, my heart breaking for everything he had endured. His eyes glistened with unshed tears as I reached out to hold his face.
"Ash, mai aapse kabhi nafrat kar hi nahi payi," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Bohot pyar karti hu mai aapse, Ash... I love you."
("Ash, I was never able to hate you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I love you so much, Ash... I love you.")
Tears streamed down my face as I saw the pain in his eyes. Gently, I rubbed away the tears falling from his cheeks, my own hands shaking.
"Mai aapse kabhi door nahi jaungi, Ash... kabhi nahi."
("I will never leave you... never.")
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer, as if he was afraid I would vanish. But I wouldn't. Not now, not ever.
I was caught off guard when she said those words. "Ash, mai aapse kabhi nafrat kar hi nahi payi," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Bohot pyar karti hu mai aapse, Ash... I love you."
("Ash, I could never truly hate you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I love you so much, Ash... I love you.")
I never thought that after knowing everything, she would love me. After discovering my mafia identity, her hate had consumed her, but now-finally-my Angel has stopped hating me.
And she loves me.
She is the epitome of innocence and purity. She is my redemption.
To hell with the curse. Even if I have to live for centuries with just her memories, I can endure it. But now that she is with me, I don't want to lose even a single moment. I will cherish her, worship her like the Goddess she is, until the very end of my life. Her arrival has brightened my cursed, dark existence.
How much can I even say about her? No words can ever be enough. She is unique, beyond perfection.
I leaned forward, gently pressing a kiss to her forehead, and whispered, "Mai kabhi apko jaane dunga bhi nahi, Jaan. Apke aage toh mai sab kurban kar du."
("I will never let you go, my love. I would sacrifice everything for you.")
I held her tightly against my chest, feeling her warmth seep into me. Her mere presence was enough to give me peace, to calm the storm raging within me.
Ashtram gently placed her on the soft mattress, her tear-streaked face tugging painfully at his heart. She had cried herself to sleep, her delicate form trembling with exhaustion. Every broken sob felt like a dagger piercing his chest, but he stayed by her side, silently comforting her.
As he adjusted the blanket over her, her trembling hand reached out, barely brushing against his arm. Her soft, barely audible voice broke through the silence.
"Ash... don't go. I need you close," she whispered, her vulnerability cracking through the walls she had tried to build.
His chest tightened as waves of pain and love surged through him. Without hesitation, he climbed onto the bed beside her, pulling her fragile form into his arms. She clung to him like he was her only anchor in a turbulent storm. His strong hand rubbed gentle circles on her back, grounding her, calming her.
But tonight, she wasn't the only one seeking solace. She shifted slightly, pulling his head to rest on her chest. Her slender fingers combed through his unruly dark hair, offering the comfort she could manage.
"Ash," she murmured softly, her voice trembling yet tender. "Why do you love me so much? I only bring trouble into your life... I only add to your burdens."
Her words shattered him. Ashtram immediately sat up, propping himself on one elbow so he could look into her eyes. His voice was firm, but his gaze carried the weight of raw emotion.
"Angel," he began, his tone unwavering, "never say that again. You are mine. You are my entire world. You don't bring trouble to my life; you give me a reason to live."
Her watery eyes locked onto his, shimmering with unshed tears as he continued.
"I feel tired when you're away from me. Without you, I am nothing. You are my life, Angel. My breath. My soul."
Her lips quivered, a small sob escaping as she whispered, "But what do I even do for you, Ash? You're always the one taking care of me, understanding me... and all I do is worry you more."
Ashtram placed a finger gently over her lips, silencing her. "Enough. Do you want to know what you have done? Because you exist. Your presence alone completes my life. Without you, breathing itself feels impossible."
Her tears spilled over as his words sank into her heart. She clutched him tightly as though her life depended on it. He responded by holding her closer, as though trying to shield her from every pain she had ever known.
"You are the most beautiful part of my life," he murmured into her hair. "You are the cure to all my pain. When I'm with you, the weight of the world feels lighter."
Her fingers tightened their hold on his hair. "But you always look so tired, while worrying for me. You solve every little problem of mine, but you don't take care of yourself."
A soft chuckle escaped him. Pulling back slightly to look into her face, he replied, "I only feel tired when you're away from me. When you're with me, I forget what exhaustion even means."
A faint smile broke through her tears, and her hand rose to caress his cheek. "You're so strange, Ash. You take every weakness of mine and turn it into your strength."
Leaning down, he pressed his forehead against hers, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And you are my strength, Angel. Because you exist, I exist."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy. It was filled with love, understanding, and unspoken promises. She nestled closer into his embrace, her fingers threading through his hair, soothing the storms inside him.
As her warmth enveloped him, Ashtram closed his eyes. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, peace settled into his heart. She was his solace, his anchor, his everything.
Next Morning
The next morning, Niranya was folding clothes, her movements mechanical as she tried to organize the scattered fabric. The peaceful silence of the room was broken when Ashtram walked in, his presence unmistakable and impossible to ignore. He crossed the room in a few long strides, exuding power and confidence.
Before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close to his chest. The warmth of his body, the possessiveness in his touch-it was all too familiar, yet comforting at the same time. Niranya's heart skipped a beat as she instinctively leaned back into him, her body betraying her every thought.
Ashtram's voice was a soft murmur in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "You know, I've started to love watching you do this. Folding clothes, all serious, like you're lost in a task. But really, you're just... lost," he teased, his lips brushing against her neck.
Niranya's breath caught in her throat, her fingers faltering on the fabric she had been folding. His closeness was intoxicating. "Ash..." she whispered, her voice faltering as she tried to remain composed, but his touch made it impossible to focus.
"Shh..." he hushed her softly, tightening his hold around her waist just a little more, as if pulling her closer to him, to his soul. "I think you're forgetting something. I've started wanting you a little too much."
His words were light but carried a depth of emotion that Niranya wasn't sure how to process. She could feel his heart beat steadily against her back, and her own began to race in response.
Niranya chuckled softly, a playful glint flashing in her eyes as she tilted her head back to look at him. "You're getting way too comfortable, hubby. Who knew the mighty Ashtram Raghuvanshi could be so... clingy?"
Ashtram grinned, his grip never loosening. "Clingy? Maybe. But I'm also persistent. You won't escape me that easily, wifey."
"Escape? Who's trying to escape?" she replied teasingly, even though her heart was betraying her with every word. "I just think you need to work a little harder to make me stay."
Ashtram chuckled, low and deep, the sound vibrating against her ear. "Oh, I'm more than willing to work hard, Jaan. But you already know that."
Niranya felt a warmth spread through her at his words, the playful banter still hanging in the air, but there was something deeper, something undeniable between them now. It was more than just words-it was his presence, the way he made her feel, the way his touch set her soul on fire.
"Fine," she murmured, finally allowing herself to relax into his embrace. "But I'm warning you, I'm not as easy to win over as you think."
Ashtram smiled, his lips brushing against her ear once more. "We'll see about that, won't we?"
As if to prove his point, Ashtram turned her gently in his arms, bringing her face to face with him. His dark eyes, filled with desire and affection, searched hers for permission. She saw the depth of his feelings there, and in that moment, she couldn't hold back anymore.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Without hesitation, Ashtram leaned down, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that was tender at first, exploring and slow, but quickly deepened with a hunger that had been building between them for too long. Niranya's heart raced as she melted into him, her hands threading through his hair, urging him to come even closer.
The kiss spoke volumes-an unspoken promise, a shared intimacy, a connection that only they understood. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside fading into nothing as they lost themselves in the warmth of each other.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Ashtram smiled against her lips, his forehead resting against hers. "You see, wifey, I told you I'd make you stay."
Niranya's cheeks flushed, her heart fluttering in her chest. Before she could respond, a soft knock echoed from the door, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
Ashtram's eyes flicked toward the door, his gaze never leaving Niranya's face. "Come in," he called out, his voice calm and commanding, though there was a slight edge of frustration. He didn't want their moment to end, but duty was duty.
The door opened slowly, and one of the maids entered, her posture respectful but urgent. "Sir, Mam," she began, her voice laced with concern, "there is a man at the gates requesting to meet you both. He insists it's very important."
Ashtram's expression shifted instantly. His protective instincts flared, and his gaze darkened as he stood up, his hand lingering on Niranya's shoulder for a moment, reassuring her despite the sudden tension. "Who is he?" he asked, his tone demanding answers.
The maid hesitated for a moment, but then replied, "He didn't give his name, but he seems to be in a hurry, saying it concerns both of you."
Niranya's brow furrowed with curiosity, her thoughts racing. "Who could it be?" she murmured under her breath, eyes shifting to Ashtram for guidance.
Ashtram's mind was already working, the gears turning in his head as he considered the possibilities. He had a feeling this wasn't just another royal visitor or business associate. There was something more to this encounter.
"We're coming," Ashtram said firmly, his voice a mix of authority and curiosity. He looked down at Niranya, his gaze softening for a brief moment. "Stay close. Don't worry, whatever this is, we'll handle it together."
Niranya nodded, though a slight unease settled in her chest. The unknown man and his mysterious message had shaken her, but Ashtram's presence always gave her the confidence to face anything.
As they moved toward the door together, Ashtram's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining as they made their way to meet the unexpected visitor.
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