Chapter 43
Still immersed in the happiness of her dream, Riya slowly opened her eyes as the faint sound of running water reached her ears. A genuine smile spread across her lips as the memories of her college days with Druve lingered in her mind. She could almost hear his laughter, feel the warmth of his embrace and remember how effortlessly happy she'd been with him.
For a moment, she simply lay there, letting those memories settle. The happiness was real, but it came with a quiet ache for the years they had lost. In her dream, she had been the carefree Sruthi who never imagined that her life would change so terribly. Now she was waking up in Riya's body, carrying the memories of two lives, with Druve finally beside her again.
She turned towards the empty space beside her, then glanced at the closed bathroom door. Hearing the water running, she realised Druve must be taking a shower.
Her smile softened. After everything that had happened, being able to wake up knowing he was just a few steps away still felt almost unbelievable.
Riya sat up and stretched lazily before getting out of bed. Walking towards the window, she pulled the curtains apart and opened the windows, allowing the cool morning breeze to brush against her face. Gentle sunlight spilled into the room, warming her skin as she stood there, enjoying the peacefulness of the morning.
Her thoughts gradually wandered back to everything that had happened the previous day. So much had changed, and there were still things she hadn't figured out how to tell Druve. As she recalled their conversations, something suddenly struck her.
Druve had called her Sruthi.
Not once or twice, but repeatedly.
And she hadn't corrected him.
Riya stood still, her fingers resting against the window frame as the realisation slowly settled in. Yesterday, whenever Druve had called her Sruthi, she had responded naturally, without stopping to question it. With her memories only recently returned, she had been too overwhelmed by everything to consider what her responses might reveal.
But now, standing by the window with a clearer mind, she realised something she had overlooked.
Druve must have noticed.
There was no way he hadn't.
He knew she remembered her life as Sruthi, and the fact that he hadn't questioned her about it was far more worrying than she initially realised.
Knowing Druve, his silence could only mean one thing.
He intended to find the answers himself.
The smile slowly disappeared from her face.
If he started looking into those seven years, he might uncover things she desperately wished he would never know. It wasn't simply the pain of discovering what she had endured that frightened her. Her captors had targeted Druve from the very beginning. Hurting her had been their way of reaching him, and if he discovered everything now, wouldn't they finally achieve what they had wanted all along?
Riya knew how fiercely Druve loved her and how protective he was when it came to her. If he learned what those people had done, what she had been forced to endure while he remained completely unaware, she feared the truth would destroy him emotionally. He would never be able to look at those seven years the same way again.
And that was what terrified her most. She had survived what they had done to her, but she couldn't bear the thought of those same people succeeding in breaking Druve through her suffering, even after all these years.
Riya tightened her fingers around the window frame, suddenly regretting how carelessly she had responded to him the previous night. She hadn't meant to reveal that her memories had returned, but perhaps it was already too late to hide it.
The cool breeze continued brushing against her face, but the happiness she had carried from her dream had faded.
She needed to think carefully about what to do next, because if Druve had already begun searching for answers, she couldn't afford to ignore it.
While Sruthi stood by the window, troubled by what Druve might discover, he was no less troubled himself.
Druve stood beneath the shower, his eyes closed as water streamed down his face and shoulders. He had been trying to recall what had happened that night seven years ago, searching through memories that remained frustratingly vague no matter how hard he concentrated.
He remembered how that night had begun. But what followed remained frustratingly vague, no matter how hard he tried to recall it.
He remembered Sruthi crying.
He remembered her begging him to stop.
Those were the only fragments that remained clear. Everything beyond them was a blur. No matter how many times he tried to force himself to remember, he couldn't piece together what had actually happened after that.
Frustration surged through him, and he drove his fist against the tiled wall. The sharp pain barely registered as he lowered his head, water running over his clenched jaw.
Sruthi was the only person who could tell him what had really happened that night. But she hadn't even acknowledged that her memories had returned. She had responded whenever he called her Sruthi, yet she hadn't spoken a word about their past.
Why, sweetheart? What is it that you don't want me to know?
He couldn't bring himself to question her directly, not after seeing how badly her memories had affected her the previous night. But leaving everything unanswered was becoming increasingly difficult.
His investigation hadn't given him much either. The men Arjun had captured were nothing more than small-time operatives who knew very little about the person giving the orders. Kaal had concealed himself so thoroughly that Druve hadn't even known such a man existed until that morning.
And if those fools hadn't underestimated him and attempted to kill Riya despite their instructions, he might never have discovered Kaal's existence at all.
That was what made the situation particularly unsettling. Whoever Kaal was, he had gone to considerable lengths to remain beyond Druve's reach, even while demonstrating an unsettling familiarity with him.
Druve slowly opened his eyes.
He still had no proof that Kaal's remark about seven years ago had anything to do with Sruthi. It could have been an entirely unrelated incident, and part of him desperately hoped that was the case.
But he wasn't going to leave that possibility unexplored.
His expression darkened as he turned off the shower.
Kaal, you'd better pray you had nothing to do with Sruthi.
Because if Druve discovered otherwise, there would be nowhere the man could hide from him.
Druve stepped out of the bathroom with nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist, rubbing his damp hair with another towel. Water droplets still clung to his bare chest and traced their way down his well-defined abdomen. As he lowered the towel from his hair, his eyes fell on Riya standing near the window, so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed him come out.
He watched her for a moment. The morning sunlight fell softly across her face, but the slight crease between her brows and the distant look in her eyes told him something was troubling her.
And if he wasn't mistaken, she had probably realised that he knew her memories had returned.
Druve set the towel aside and approached her quietly. Slipping his arms around her waist, he drew her back against his chest, closing the small distance between them. Riya startled slightly at the unexpected touch, but the moment she recognised his embrace, her body relaxed instinctively.
He lowered his head, brushing his nose against the side of her neck before burying his face in the curve of her shoulder. His still-damp hair grazed her cheek, and she could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of her nightdress.
"Druve..." she murmured, placing her hands over his where they rested against her stomach.
"Hmm?" His response was a low murmur against her skin.
She had meant to say something, but the words slipped away when he pressed a lingering kiss just below her ear. Her fingers curled around his, and she leaned back a little more, allowing herself to rest against him.
Druve closed his eyes and breathed in her familiar scent. He had spent so long beneath the shower trying to make sense of memories that refused to become clear, but standing here with her in his arms, he finally felt the tension in his chest begin to ease.
He tightened his embrace, one hand spreading gently over her stomach while the other moved to her waist. His thumb traced slow, absent circles against the fabric as he rested his cheek against hers.
Riya turned her head slightly, and their faces came close enough for his lips to brush the corner of her cheek. He kissed her there, then rested his forehead against her temple.
"Good morning, sweetheart," he whispered.
A small smile touched her lips despite the thoughts troubling her. "Good morning."
"What's bothering you?" he asked softly, his gaze meeting hers in the reflection of the window.
Her fingers paused over his hand. "Nothing."
Druve didn't challenge her answer. Instead, he turned her gently within his arms until she was facing him. One hand remained at her waist while the other rose to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
He studied her face for a moment, then leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
Riya closed her eyes. His touch was so familiar that it made her heart ache. Without thinking, she slipped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his bare chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Druve gathered her closer, his palm moving slowly along her back. He kissed the top of her head and remained there, holding her while the cool morning breeze drifted through the open window.
For a while, neither spoke.
As she rested against his chest, Riya's gaze drifted down to his bare abdomen. Almost without thinking, she lifted her hand and began tracing the firm contours of his muscles, her fingertips moving slowly over each defined ridge.
The familiar sensation brought back the dream she'd had that morning. The motorcycle ride, the lake, and her innocent curiosity about Druve's eight-pack flashed through her mind. She remembered how boldly she'd explored his muscles that day, completely unaware of the effect her touch had on him.
A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as her fingers continued their exploration.
Seven years had passed, yet here she was, doing exactly the same thing again.
Apparently, some things hadn't changed.
Druve felt her fingers moving across his abdomen and glanced down. His hand stilled against her back as her fingertips traced another slow path over his muscles.
"Riya..."
"Hmm?" she answered innocently, without lifting her head.
His lips curved slightly. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Really?"
She nodded against his chest, but her fingers continued their exploration, moving from one defined muscle to another.
Druve caught her wandering hand gently, holding it against his stomach.
"Sweetheart, your definition of nothing is becoming rather interesting."
Riya finally lifted her face, amusement dancing in her eyes. The sight of his expression only made her smile widen.
"What? Can't I touch you?"
Druve raised an eyebrow. "Did I say you couldn't?"
"Then why did you stop me?"
A slow smile curved Druve's lips. He released her hand, only to slip his arm around her waist and draw her closer.
"Because, sweetheart, I'm finding it rather difficult to behave myself when you touch me like that."
Riya tilted her head, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Who asked you to behave?"
Druve's smile deepened as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur.
"Careful, darling. My hands aren't occupied with the handlebars this time."
Riya's fingers paused against his stomach. Her eyes flickered towards his, the familiar reference carrying a meaning neither of them chose to acknowledge. Druve merely brushed his thumb along her waist, his expression remaining warm and teasing.
Before she could respond, he caught her wandering hand again. This time, instead of stopping her, he placed her palm against his abdomen, letting her fingers spread over the firm ridges of his muscles.
"Tell me something, sweetheart." His lips curved slightly. "Don't you think it's hard?"
"Uh?" Riya murmured distractedly, her attention still on his abdomen. Her fingertips pressed lightly against the muscles, tracing their definition with the same curiosity she'd shown beside the lake years ago.
Druve watched her for a moment, clearly enjoying how absorbed she was.
"Having trouble deciding?" he asked, amusement slipping into his voice.
She glanced up at him, puzzled by the question. His smile was far too knowing, and when his eyes briefly dropped, hers followed almost instinctively.
Her gaze travelled down his chest, past the muscles she'd been so happily exploring, and stopped at the towel around his waist.
Oh.
Oh!
Her eyes flew wide. The visible evidence of his arousal, combined with his earlier question, made the meaning unmistakable.
She jerked her gaze back to his face, her cheeks turning a furious shade of red.
"Druve!"
"Hmm?" He looked at her with infuriating composure.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. A moment ago, she'd been happily admiring his abs, and now she couldn't even look at him without remembering what she'd just noticed.
"You... you did that on purpose!"
"Did what?" he asked, although the smile tugging at his lips made it clear he knew perfectly well.
Riya stared at him in disbelief. He wasn't even attempting to hide his amusement.
"Don't act innocent!"
Druve chuckled. "I was behaving perfectly well until someone decided to start exploring."
Her face grew hotter.
"Druve!" She gave his chest a firm push, half embarrassed and half laughing. "I'm not talking to you!"
She turned away before he could say anything else, one hand rising to cover her burning cheek.
But she had barely managed two steps when his fingers closed around hers, he gave her hand a gentle tug.
She turned just as he drew her back, stumbling into his chest with a startled gasp. His other arm immediately slipped around her waist, steadying her before she could lose her balance.
For a moment, Riya could only stare at him, her palms pressed against his bare chest while his arm held her securely against him. She had been so determined to escape his teasing that finding herself back in his arms left her momentarily speechless.
Druve looked down at her, the amusement still lingering in his eyes. A few damp strands of hair had fallen across his forehead, and she could feel the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers.
She tried to straighten herself, but his arm remained loosely around her waist.
"Druve..." she protested, though the smile threatening to appear on her lips weakened the effect.
"Hmm?"
"Let me go."
His gaze moved briefly to her hands, which were still resting against his chest, before returning to her face.
"Are you sure?"
Riya opened her mouth, but the answer didn't come quite as readily as she'd expected.
Druve noticed her hesitation. His hold loosened, giving her room to move away, but instead of stepping back, she remained where she was.
His lips curved into a knowing smile.
Riya narrowed her eyes. "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
She gave him an exasperated look. "You know exactly what you're doing."
"Do I?"
"Druve!" Riya protested, giving his chest another playful push.
He caught her hand before she could withdraw it, his lips curving into a smile as he brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them. Riya's attempted glare faltered, and before she could recover, he turned her hand over and pressed another kiss into her palm.
Her smile softened. She let her fingers linger against his cheek, then slid them behind his neck, drawing him closer.
Druve needed no further invitation. His mouth came down on hers, and Riya kissed him back immediately, both arms winding around his neck. He gathered her against him, one arm firm around her waist while his other hand slipped into her hair. The laughter between them disappeared into a kiss that grew deeper with every passing moment.
Riya rose onto her toes, her fingers tightening in his damp hair as she pulled him closer. Druve responded with another insistent kiss, holding her securely against his chest. When their lips parted for a hurried breath, neither moved away. Riya caught his mouth again, and he kissed her with the same eagerness, their breathing becoming increasingly uneven.
His lips moved from hers to her cheek, then along her jaw, leaving warm kisses as he reached the side of her neck. Riya tilted her head, her eyes closing as her fingers moved through his hair. He lingered there, his embrace tightening as she drew him closer, before his kisses travelled towards her collarbone.
His fingers found the buttons of her nightdress. He undid the first, then the second, while Riya's arms remained around his shoulders. He lowered his head, pressing another kiss against the skin near her collarbone, and she drew in a trembling breath.
The sudden shrill ringing of her phone startled them both.
Riya jerked slightly in his arms, her fingers tightening against his shoulders. Druve lifted his head at once, but neither immediately stepped away. Their breathing was still heavy, and for a moment they simply stood there, trying to recover from the abrupt interruption.
Druve rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as he drew a long, uneven breath. Riya kept her arms loosely around his neck, her own breathing gradually slowing as the phone continued ringing.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair slightly dishevelled, and she was still standing close enough for their noses to brush.
Druve leaned forward and gave her a small peck on the lips, then another, as though he hadn't quite managed to bring himself to stop kissing her.
Riya smiled breathlessly against his mouth.
The phone rang again, insistently.
Druve finally let out a quiet sigh, his forehead still resting against hers, while Riya turned her eyes towards the bedside table.