That was when Karan turned toward Mishti and asked casually, “Do you need help packing your things from your room?”
Mishti knew he was teasing her. “No, thanks,” she replied coolly. “I like doing things on my own.”
She turned and walked away.
Karan followed her out, trying to suppress the smile tugging at his lips, still unable to believe his luck that Mishti was going to share a room with him.
CHAPTER 40
Two Hours Later
Mishti entered Karan’s room. The staff had already moved her packed trolleys and bags into his suite. As she stepped inside and walked further in, her pace slowed. She stopped briefly in the hallway, taking in the space around her. It was large, expansive, and unmistakably his. Her eyes travelled across the room and then, almost involuntarily, settled on the bed.
Behind her, Karan shut the door quietly. He stayed there for a moment, watching her as she absorbed the reality of the room she was now supposed to share with him. Unable to resist teasing her, he spoke casually, almost lazily.
“There’s only one bed.”
Mishti swallowed. She knew exactly what he was doing. Turning around, she faced him with a composed expression and said, “I know. But there’s a couch too. I’ll take the bed. You can adjust on the couch.”
His brows arched at her demand, but he admired it. She had not offered him the bed. It was obvious who made the rules between them now.
Karan walked closer, reducing the space between them. Something shifted in the air. Mishti felt her nerves stir despite the calm she maintained on the outside. When he stopped in front of her, she lifted her gaze to meet his.
“What if I don’t get sleep on the couch?” he asked.
She knew he was teasing again. This time, she was prepared.
“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully. “That’s a good question.”
She pretended to consider it seriously. Karan watched her with a faint smirk, thoroughly enjoying every second of it.
“Then,” she continued, “you do exactly what you always do when you can’t sleep. Open a bottle. Drink your heart out. Spoil your liver.”
Karan laughed softly. It was not loud, not careless. Just a laugh that sent a strange flutter through her chest.
“No more drinking like that,” he said. “Let me save my liver for living life with you.”
Her cheeks burned. Was he really saying he would tone down his drinking for her? She did not ask nor react.
Karan reached out and gripped her arms gently. “And for all the damage my liver may already have suffered because of drinking,” he added, “I know you will pray to your God for me. So that I get to live many more healthy years with you.”
Mishti crossed her arms instinctively, even as his hands remained on her upper arms. “I’ve stopped praying for people who don’t believe in God,” she said coolly.
He smirked again. “Good. You shouldn’t. Thankfully, I’ve turned from anastik(someone who does not believe in God) to anaastik(someone who has faith). All thanks to you.”
Her jaw dropped slightly, but he continued before she could react. “Ask Maria. Who do you think used to pray in the temple room back at the Wadhwa mansion when you weren’t there?”
Mishti stared at him, shocked. “You did?” she asked.
Karan nodded with a shrug. “Not as good as you do. But well enough for God to know that I was praying from my heart.”
Happiness surged through her, but she quickly masked it, refusing to let it show. She would not give in so easily.
Karan tilted his head, studying her again. “Now I’m thinking,” he said slowly, “maybe I should keep a few nirjalafasts too. Like you did. I have many desires that need to be fulfilled. Maybe God will hear me and bless me with those.”
Mishti almost smiled and then quickly looked away. “You really think God negotiates like that?” she mocked lightly.
Before she could move, he pulled her closer, sliding his arm around her waist. “I don’t care how God works,” he said. “All I know is, every desire I have starts and ends with you.”
