beyond the Dreams :the past is not what it seems

chapter 18 : Veeranshu's dream

Veeranshu's POV:

As I watched Mahira nod in agreement, I felt a mix of relief and guilt. I knew I had played on her career ambitions to get her to agree to meet with me, but I had no other choice. I had to get her on board, and I knew she wouldn't listen to anything else.

The truth was, I had the media in my pocket. I had built relationships with the right people, and I knew how to spin a story to my advantage. But Mahira didn't need to know that.

For now, I just needed to keep her away from the past. She wasn't ready to face it, and I wasn't ready to confront it with her. But soon, soon we would have to deal with the secrets that had torn us apart.

I smiled to myself as I watched her walk away, her shoulders squared and her head held high. She thought she was walking away from the past, but really, she was walking right back into it. And this time, I will be ready.

As I walked into my mansion, I couldn't help but feel a pang of...something. I scowled at myself in the mirror. What was this? I, Veeranshu Rajput, the Kingmaker, was not lovesick. I was a master strategist, a puppeteer who controlled the strings of power. I didn't do "pining" or "longing". I did "calculating" and "manipulating".

But as I stepped into the shower, the warm water did nothing to wash away the memory of Mahira's fiery gaze or the way her eyes sparkled when she was angry. I groaned, scolding myself. "Veeranshu, get a grip! You're not some lovestruck teenager. You're a grown man, for crying out loud!"

But as I emerged from the shower, I caught myself whistling a tune. A tune that sounded suspiciously like the one Mahira used to hum when we were working together. I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Veeranshu? You're now a walking cliché?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. Okay, fine. Maybe I was a little lovesick. But just a little. And only until I got what I wanted - Mahira by my side, where she belonged. Then, I would go back to being the ruthless Kingmaker, and no one would ever know the difference.

Next morning, ...

I woke up with a jolt, my heart racing like a wild animal. I was drenched in sweat, my sheets tangled around my legs. It took me a moment to realize where I was - my bedroom, in my mansion. But my mind was still reeling from the dream I had just had.

It was the first time I had dreamt of myself in the old era. I was the King, standing in a grand temple, surrounded by intricate carvings and towering pillars. But it was what I was watching that had my heart still racing - Mahira, my queen, my love, my everything. She was standing in front of me, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity, her sword raised high.

I couldn't remember what we were fighting for, or what was happening, but the emotions still lingered. The dream had felt so real, so vivid, that I could still feel the weight of my crown on my head, the ache in my chest from watching Mahira fight.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. It was just a dream, I told myself. But the memory of it lingered, haunting me. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was trying to tell me something, that my past was trying to reach out to me.

I threw off my sheets and got out of bed, pacing around my room. I needed to focus on the present, on my plans for Mahira and our future together. And that's when it hit me - I didn't care about my old era anymore. I had a reason to live in this era, and her name was Mahira. She was my future, my everything. The past could stay buried, for all I cared about. I have Mahira now, and that's all that matters.

I arrived at the office, my mind still preoccupied with the dream and Mahira. I couldn't concentrate on the reports and files in front of me, my eyes constantly glancing at the clock. When would she arrive?

Finally, the door opened and Mahira walked in, her confident stride and determined expression a sight to behold. My heart skipped a beat as she approached my desk, her eyes locked on mine.

"Good morning, Mr. Rajput ," she said, her voice crisp and professional.

"Good morning, Mahira," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the excitement building inside me. "Thanks for coming in today. I know you're busy, but I really need your expertise on this project."

She raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "I'm here to work, Mr. Rajput . Not to indulge in nostalgia or revisit the past."

I smiled, unfazed. "I know, Mahira. And I promise you, this is strictly business. For now."

Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded and took a seat. I could see the tension in her shoulders, the wariness in her eyes. But I was determined to break down her defenses, to show her that we were meant to be together, in this life and every other.

As we began discussing the project, I couldn't help but steal glances at her, my mind racing with memories and possibilities. This was just the beginning, and I was ready to do whatever it took to make her mine.

As we delved deeper into the project, the tension between us grew thicker, like an electric charge waiting to be unleashed. I could see the nervousness in Mahira's eyes, the way she fidgeted with her pen, her fingers trembling slightly.

I leaned in, my voice low and husky, "Mahira, can I show you something?"

She nodded, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard. I gestured to the whiteboard behind her, and she turned to face it. As she did, I wheeled my chair closer, our knees almost touching.

I began to scribble on the board, my hand brushing against hers as I reached for a marker. She gasped, her eyes flashing to mine, but I just smiled and kept drawing. The lines and curves took shape, forming a beautiful sketch of a couple embracing.

Mahira's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession. I could feel the heat radiating from her body, her scent intoxicating me. I added final flourishes to the sketch, my hand lingering on the board as I turned to face her.

Our eyes locked, the air crackling with tension. I could see the desire simmering beneath her surface, the longing she tried to suppress. My own heart raced, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Without a word, I reached out and traced the curve of her jaw, my thumb grazing her skin. Mahira's eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting in a silent gasp. I leaned in, my mouth inches from hers, the world around us melting away.

The office faded into the background, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a moment of pure, unadulterated longing. The past, the present, and the future all collided in this one, singular instant.

Without a word, I reached out and gently entwined my fingers with hers, our hands fitting together like puzzle pieces. Mahira's eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting in a silent gasp. I gave her hand a soft squeeze, my thumb tracing gentle circles on her palm.

And then, I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper, "Mahira, I've missed you. "

Just as I was about to tell Mahira more, a sudden knock at the door broke the spell. Mahira quickly pulled her hand out of mine, her eyes flashing with a mix of embarrassment and panic. I turned to the door, my anger rising at the untimely interruption.

"Who is it?" I growled, my voice low and menacing.

The door opened a crack, and my assistant, Kevin , peeked in. "Sorry to disturb, sir, but there's an urgent call from the investors. They need to speak with you immediately."

I glared at Kevin , my mind racing with frustration. "Can't they see I'm in the middle of something?"

Rohan took a step back, his eyes wide. "I-I'll tell them to wait, sir."

I turned back to Mahira, who was now standing by the window, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on the view outside. I could see the tension in her shoulders, the distance she was trying to create between us.

"Mahira, don't go," I said, my voice softening. "We need to finish this conversation."

But she just shook her head and walked out of the office, leaving me to deal with the interruption and my own simmering emotions.