Amavasya Ki Raat (Moonless Night)
Chapter 9
Karishma Narayan (FL Mother)
Is everything okay, Mrityunjay? Didn't you like the food? Wasn't it to your taste?
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
I'm actually quite full.
Karishma Narayan (FL Mother)
Oh, if you'd like to wash your hands, beta, Chand can show you where the washbasin is.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Nodded lightly*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Okay...
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Got up from the seat*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Went with her*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
I know you're wondering why I agreed to this.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Let's be clear: I said yes for Maa's sake, not because I wanted to.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
If it were up to me, the answer would still be no.
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Whisper, a hint of sadness in her eyes* Should I be grateful or heartbroken?
Chand Narayan (FL)
You're only marrying me to appease your mother, not because you want to be with me.
Chand Narayan (FL)
That's a difficult truth to accept. *Smile slightly*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Think whatever you want. You could've spoken up too, you know.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
You could've stopped the whole thing. But you didn't.
—As Mrityunjay looked at Chand, he remembered the way she confessed her feelings in the garden—
—He recalled her blush, her sweet trembling voice, and her sincere eyes—
—The memory touched his heart, and for a moment, his tough heart softened—
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Whisper* How could I object when you'd already agreed to the marriage? You'd already said yes...
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(What does she see in me, anyway?)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(I mean, let's be real, I'm a catch. I'm stubborn, short-tempered, and always speaking my mind. So, why does she...)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Glances at Chand*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(...why does she look at me like that? Like I'm some kind of hero or something. I'm not a hero, I'm just...)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(*Shrugs* ...me.)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(And yet, she seems to think I'm worth saving. Worth loving, even.)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Frowns* (I just don't get it. What's so special about me that she'd risk everything to be with me?)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(I'm not exactly the safest bet, considering my... situation. But I guess that's part of my charm, right?)
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Closes the tap* The water was being wasted, so I stopped it.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Oh. *Flapping his hands*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Frowns* Seriously? Don't shake your hands like that. Take the towel and dry them properly.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Raised an eyebrow* *Flapped his hands more aggressively*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Closes her eyes* Ayi, ayi, ayi... Stop it! You're being utterly ridiculous and gross!
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Looks at her closed eyes*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Opens her eyes slowly*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Looked down bashfully*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(Why does she always seem to be blushing around me?)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(And why can't she maintain eye contact?) 💢💢
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(Don't I look good enough?) 💢💢
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(I mean, Cookie did say my new haircut was killer...)
Chand Narayan (FL)
Who's cookie? *Cold*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Eyes wide* (How... She...)
Chand Narayan (FL)
I, uh, saw your interview... and you mentioned someone named Cookie... I don't know why I brought it up...
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Nervous laugh* ...
Chand Narayan (FL)
A-anyway, you've splashed water everywhere... Let me just...
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Hesitantly begins wiping his hands with the towel* ...clean this up for you.
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Surprised* (Why is she...?)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
(Her hands are so soft... and gentle... I didn't expect her to be so... tender...)
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Suddenly stops, realizes what she has done*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Slowly looked up*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Raised eyebrow*
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Gulps*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Done?
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Wiping my hands?
Chand Narayan (FL)
Ye- yeah...
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
I think you've cleaned me up sufficiently. May I have my hand back, please?
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
I'd like to keep it attached, if you don't mind.
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Puzzled expression, eyebrows furrowed in innocence* Huh?
Ruchika Chandravanshi (ML Mother)
*Cleared the throat*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
*Looks toward the sound*
Ruchika Chandravanshi (ML Mother)
If it is done with you kids then I also want to wash my hands. 🤭🤭
Chand Narayan (FL)
*Took her hands off his*
Ruchika Chandravanshi (ML Mother)
*Chuckles, walks towards them*
Mrityunjay Chandravanshi (ML)
Mom, stop teasing her! She's already blushing like crazy, and if you keep going, her face will turn beet red!
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