Mishti still wasn’t in the room. She had come back earlier to freshen up and change, but she hadn’t stayed. She had gone downstairs again to make calls, to inform her team in London that she wouldn’t be returning for at least a week, maybe more. Hence, her work had to be handed over, responsibilities reassigned. She needed to make all those arrangements, and Karan hadn’t stopped her.
But now it was almost 11:45 p.m., and she still hadn’t come back.
That unsettled him. It also felt deliberate. As if she were avoiding the room. Avoiding the bed. Avoiding him.
His body desperately needed rest. His arm throbbed despite the medicines. Still, rest refused to come to him, not without her beside him. With a quiet groan, he got off the bed and walked toward the door.
The moment he opened it, he froze.
Mishti stood right there, her hand lifted, just about to knock.
He released a slow breath of relief as she immediately pulled her hand back, startled by the door opening. She looked just as exhausted as he felt. Her eyes told him everything…how drained she was, how worried, how hesitant she felt about stepping into this room. The same room where he had always insulted her.The same room from which he had made her walk out countless times.
He understood then why she had delayed.
“What took you so long?” he asked softly, standing at the doorframe.
“Work calls.” She shrugged, trying to sound casual. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “You didn’t sleep?”
“I told you,” he said, looking intensely at her. “I couldn’t sleep in this room after you left.”
Mishti swallowed hard, but stayed where she was, still not stepping inside.
Karan let out a frustrated huff. “I can carry you to bed,” he challenged, “if that’s what it takes to make you believe how much I want you to share this bedroom with me, Mishti.”
She knew he meant every word. Not wanting him to hurt his injured arm again, she finally crossed the threshold and stepped inside. Karan immediately locked the door behind her.
Her gaze moved around the room. Everything was the same. Still so him. So dominant. So overwhelming. As if she still didn’t quite belong here.
Karan gently patted her back. “Come,” he said.
She nodded.
As he settled onto the bed, she hesitated, then picked up a pillow and said softly, “I… I’ll take the couch. It’s quite big and—”
“Now who’s ignoring whom?” he interrupted, almost clenching his jaw.
She lowered her gaze as Karan continued.
“Last night in Jaipur, whenIwas doing this, you denied me. And now you’re doing the same again?”
She shook her head at once. “No. It’s not the same. Your arm is injured. I don’t want to hurt it more by sleeping next to you.” She hesitated, then added, “It’s better if you sleep alone on the bed for a few days.”
Karan exhaled roughly. Explaining things to her was becoming difficult. His patience had always worn thin when it came to Mishti.
“It will hurt me far more if you don’t sleep next to me,” he said firmly, then softened his tone. “If you still want the couch, I won’t stop you. But I’ll join you there. As you said, it’s big enough for both of us The choice is yours.” He shrugged.
She looked at him, studying him seriously.
Karan waited silently, letting her decide.
Finally, Mishti sighed and gave up the idea of sleeping away. She placed the pillow back where it belonged.
“Fine. Tomorrow morning, don’t blame me if your arm hurts more.”
Karan shifted aside, making space for her. “That’s on me,” he replied. “Now get on the bed. We need to sleep.”
She switched off the bedside lamps and lay down beside him, first helping him settle carefully. His left arm had been shot, so she chose his right side tonight, making sure his injured arm remained untouched, until he placed that arm over her body and pulled her close.
