Page 22 of Twisted Bonds

He pulled her into his arms and held her. Slowly, the comforting warmth seeped into her, and her tears stopped. The heaviness in her chest from the past week also disappeared.

She felt at peace being in his arms. She felt at home.

CHAPTER 10

Shortly after, she sat beside him on a university lawn bench. Chitra was calm but still shaken up. “How could you put yourself in danger, Mihir! Promise me you won’t do such a thing again!”

Mihir smiled, slowly shaking his head. “I can’t make such a promise, Chitra. I’m born into a family where it’s our duty to care for and protect people in need.” He paused as he gently touched her shaky hand. “I’m glad I was brought up in such a way, and I promise to protect you from any possible danger.”

She remained silent, processing his words and her deep feelings towards him.

He gently pressed her hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was sooner. It wasn’t to hurt you. I liked you and wanted to be with you. You make me happy. When I’m with you, I don’t feel the lack of my family or home. Being anywhere with you feels like home.”

Her eyes stung because she felt the same about him.

“Please forgive me.” His eyes held so much longing that her heart melted.

“I forgive you,” she whispered.

“I want to share everything with you, Chitra.”

Mihir told her about his family. He told her about his older sister and brother and how they developed and helped their people in the Singoor region.

Chitra saw how proud he was when he spoke about his family. “You are so lucky to have such a brave and loving family.”

“I want you to be my family too, Chitra.”

Her heart soared.

“I love you,” he said.

She loved him too. She could no longer deny it. “I love you too,” she whispered.

She leaned towards him for a kiss. But he pulled back.

She was shocked that he was rejecting her. But his hands went up to cup her face gently before brushing his lips over her forehead.

“I’m madly and entirely in love with you, Chitra. But I’ll kiss you and make you mine completely only when you are my wife.” He smiled. “It’s the Thakvar way.”

Chitra was shocked. “We are eighteen, Mihir Thakvar! We can’t get married so soon!”

He smiled. “I know my heart, Chitra, and it belongs to you. I’ll marry you whenever you are ready.”

“Are you sure you can wait?” She knew she loved him, but a small part of her still felt he would realize they came from different worlds. He was near royalty, and she was an orphan. She didn’t have much to offer him or to his family.

He cupped her face. “You are the only one I want. For you, I’ll wait an eternity.”

***

(Present)

Thakvar Mansion,

Singoor Desert, India.

Chitra’s heart filled with love as she looked at Mihir’s handsome face. He had indeed waited an eternity for her.

“What are you thinking about, my love?” Mihir asked.

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