A ludicrous smile spread on Rudra's face when he saw Gauri shooting arrows with her eyes.

"Want some help?" He asked, grinning like a five-year old.

Gauri huffed, "No need. Stay away from the kitchen."

Collecting the dishes, she walked into the kitchen. Despite her warning, Rudra traced her steps. Post breakfast, he had been unusually calm, often throwing few smug smiles her way.

A steady flow of water greeted Gauri's line of sight as she turned the tap on and placed the dishes in the sink, a thoughtful look crossing her features. A gentle swirl of water was created as it went down the drain, strangely hypnotizing.

Now when she thought about it, Gauri could not help but remember all the events that had occurred in the last few months. Was it a mere coincidence, or perhaps her overthinking?

She did not know, but one thing had been prickling her consciousness since the previous night. The fact that all sort of unusual events were raking and disturbing her once-peaceful world; it had all started after and only after the arrival of one person in her life.

"You need to stop the flow. Right now." The whisper resounded in her ears.

Rudra's voice, dropped to a whisper, stopped the flow of her baseless thoughts.

"One and only one person, Rudra Pratap Rathore."

"Huh! What did you say?" She asked?

Rudra stared at her. His eyes steeled and curtained with an impenetrable cover.

"Letting it flow; it's not wrong. However, there is always a mark where you need to put a stop. Stop the flow, before it accumulates a lot and is ready to drown you," he paused, his eyes roaming over her face in search of something.

Gauri stared at him without even blinking. What did he say? Why did he say what he said? The questions and her thoughts were too much to handle at the moment.

Rudra grinned and turned the tap off, stopping the flow of water.

"Save water, save a life," he muttered.
"Thinking about me, angel?"

Gauri shook her head.

"Needless to say, a thought..." She trailed off.

"And what would it be?" Rudra questioned.

"15," he glanced at his wristwatch.

"It's too good of a coincidence, how every time there's a danger lurking around me, I find you near me, at the right time, right moment. To protect and save me. Isn't it, Rudra?" Gauri looked Rudra dead in the eyes. Her unwavering gaze settled on them.

Rudra's eyes sparkled with an unidentifiable exuberance.

"Gauri, there is no such thing as coincidence, just brilliantly and immaculately worked out events." His words drawled at certain points.

Gauri furrowed her brows.
"What do you mean?"

Rudra chortled and lightly gripped her shoulders.

"Something happens because it has to happen. Yesterday, I just had to surprise you, I didn't know that there was already a surprise waiting for me," he smiled.

"And I am glad that I felt the need to surprise you."

"I am glad too," Gauri exhaled.

Probably, she was overanalyzing things. Or maybe, she was unknowingly venturing into perilous lands.

"7," Rudra stole a glimpse of his watch.

"I don't agree with you, though," Gauri said, a delectable smile lighting up her face.

"What?" Rudra enquired.

"There are coincidences. We met by coincidence. We befriended each other by coincidence," Gauri said, giggling.

Rudra's face broke into a smile. He laughed out loud with his head slightly reeling backwards.

"Got me there," he said, before embracing her.

"5."

His lips twisted in a cryptic smile.

"Coincidence," he whispered.

"Need to go," he said suddenly.

"Huh! Now?" Gauri asked, frowning.

Rudra smiled brightly.
"I know your heart desires for me to stay here but..."

Gauri stared at him dryly, as if he had just cracked one of the worst jokes.

"Look," Rudra spoke seriously, drawing Gauri's attention.

"4."

"I will take care of whatever happened last night. We don't know whether it was some random thief, or perhaps a stalker. Let me pull off the strings. I will let my friend investigate the matter at an unofficial level. In the meantime, I don't think we should disclose this news to your family. It would do no good other than piling up to their stress. Do you get it?"

Heaving a sigh, Gauri nodded.
"I think I do."

"Good. Don't worry, your family wouldn't get a whiff of what happened here. I had the door repaired early this morning. All traces of the breakout or my stay are removed, okay?"

Gauri hummed, biting her lower lip. Rudra's thumb brushed her lower lip, stopping her tortures on it.

"Do not tempt me," he spoke hoarsely.

Gauri blushed before gaining her momentum and morphing her face into that of a fake anger. They both walked towards the front door.

"3," Rudra smiled.

"By the way, don't forget to inform Savitri Maa about the nasty kids in your neighbourhood," he said amusingly.

"What?" Gauri asked, genuinely confused.

"The nasty kids, Gauri. The ones who broke the kitchen window," Rudra stated, raising his eyebrows dramatically.

Gauri was left agape. Whether it was in amazement at the speed of the working of his brain, or astonishment at his lie, she did not know.

Rudra laughed and opened the door.

"2."

"See you soon," Gauri said, looking everywhere but him.

Rudra was thoroughly enjoying the tint of pink on her cheeks. He followed her gaze before fixing his gaze on her face and chuckled.

"Forgetting something?"

He did not even wait for an answer as he pulled her close. Gauri widened her eyes and blinked repeatedly.

"Leave me. Someone will see us," she shrieked.

"I don't have a problem," Rudra smiled shamelessly.

"But I do," Gauri hissed.

"Right," Rudra nodded thoughtfully.
"I don't mind kissing you behind the shut door."

Crossing the threshold, he locked the door and pinioned Gauri to the door.

"1."

Gauri felt his rough lips against hers and prior to her rational state of mind, he had already planted a scorching kiss.

Breathing heavily, she glared at him.
"You are insatiable."

"Already?" Rudra laughed softly.
"You haven't even experienced one per cent of my appetite, angel."

Just then, the doorbell rang, breaking the intense moment. Rudra suppressed a smile and backed away.

"Who could it be?" Gauri frowned.

Nevertheless, she spun around and unlocked the door. Her breath hitched and eyebrows rose high enough to disappear in her hairline.

Her full family stood in front of her, looking a bit tired but real, nonetheless. Her mother smiled at her, raising an eyebrow in scrutiny.

"A-act...actually-y... umm... Y-you, th-that," Gauri stuttered.

She turned her head sideways and looked towards Rudra for some help, only to be greeted by thin air.

"Oh my God!" She gasped loudly.

"Gauri," Soumya called out.

Keeping the back of her palm on Gauri's forehead, she tried to feel her temperature.

"I am okay, Mami sa," Gauri tittered, still feeling disoriented.

Everyone entered the house. Their visages were marred with fatigue, speaking the story of nightly celebrations. They decided to rest for a while and retired to their respective bedrooms.

Gauri bit her lip and looked around warily.
"Where the hell did he vanish?"

Her gaze fell upon the partially open backdoor. She strode forward and peeked outside. Closing it and resting her forehead against the hard surface of the door, she let out a deep breath.

"He pulls off such stunts that I, sometimes, am forced to question whether or not he's human," she murmured.

.
.
.

Bhairav fisted his hand and bowed as Rudra got down the car.

"Did they speak up?" Rudra asked straightaway.

Both of them walked down the dimly lit hallway. The guards lining up at the side bowed in Rudra's presence.

The huge doors to the familiar room opened to give its way to them. The only sounds were that of the two men groaning in pain and his royal squad's even breathing.

"You, actually, did take good care of them. I'm impressed," Rudra said, grinning.

His eyes roved over their badly battered appearances and bloody clothes.

Walking undauntedly up to them, he crossed his arms and leaned against the table kept in front of them.

The one who had attacked Gauri, hissed in pain and groaned lightly. Cracking his eyes open, he fumed at the sight of Rudra.

"Your highness," he spat scornfully.
"If he..."

His head swivelled to the left after the reverberating sound of a tight slap.

Rudra closed his eyes and savoured the brief sound of popping of bone, probably a dislocated shoulder. He then smiled gently.

The man sputtered blood. His eyes became blurry, making it hard to figure out Rudra's stature that was leaning languidly.

Rudra raised a hand and stopped the guard from adding more torture. It would do him no good, if the man was rendered unconscious, rather he would prefer slow and torturous infliction of pain, physically... and mentally.

"Enough," Rudra ordered.

"I don't like to play with brainwashed servants. Even your master is aware, my eyes are settled on him."

Rudra grinned as he saw visible fear creeping up their eyes.

"Bhuvan and..." Rudra addressed the half-unconscious man before staring at the man who had dared to speak without his permission, who had dared to touch what was his.
"... Saket."

The man, Saket, panted and trembled as a sudden surge of terror encompassed his being. Saliva mixed with blood trailed down his chin, whereas his eyes shone with stark fear.

"Newly recruited," Rudra stated calmly.

"Both of your families don't even know your way of livelihood. Am I right?" He shook his head in a contemplative manner.
"Of course, I am."

"F-fa... Family," Saket stammered. The aching jaws were wrecking his rational thinking.

"Family," Rudra repeated suggestively, smiling.

"Your highness," the other man, Bhuvan, gasped.
"We beg you..."

Rudra titled his head to one side and scoffed inwardly.
"Pathetic."

Apparently, his opponent had really forgotten how to train their members after undertaking them these days. Though, Rudra was aware that both of them were no less than goons. They did not even come anywhere near the outer-circle guards.

"It seems that family is more important than loyalty, isn't it?" Rudra chortled.

Bhairav briefly looked at Rudra. As far as he knew his young lord, he would never drag one's family into the matter. It had to be an empty threat. But then, when clearly thought about it, he did not actually know his young lord.

"I won't ask why both of you were there. How about a deal?" Rudra asked tersely.

Bhairav tightened his lips in a thin line to prevent the smile from forming on his face. That was the young owner of the Rathore group of industries, trying to gain profit out of every deal. The irony though, the worthless morons did not stand chance of a bargain, he knew it.

"Just one clause," Rudra said, wiggling his index finger.
"Just one."

"I will let you go, unharmed. In return, I ask you for your loyalties. Become my spies. Each word, each information must be reported to me," he spoke carefully, his gaze swinging from one man to another.

"No harm to your family."

He knew, he had already grabbed the deal. The desperate emotion oozing out of their faces was evident stamp upon his deal. Still, he waited till...

"We agree. Anything. Anything, your highness. Just let us go," Saket replied hurriedly.

A satisfactory smile crossed Rudra's features.
"Nice decision."

Leaning forward, he walked around and rested his hands upon the arms of the chairs.

"If I get a single insinuation that either of you is trying to betray me, my dear friends," his lips stretched in a devilish smirk.

"... First, I will let my men slaughter you and then, I will play '20 questions' with your dead bodies."

The men perspired profusely, their breaths coming out in pants.

"I hope you keep this humble piece of information instilled in your brains, for your own good."

Concluding, Rudra stood straight and signalled his guard to release them.

Both of them were dragged out of his sight. Saket gave one fleeting glance towards Rudra. He palpated with terror as he saw the nerve-chilling smile gracing Rudra's face. Were they really free or on their way to their prospective doom?

The huge doors shut with a thud.

Bhairav walked up to Rudra.

"My lord, can they be trusted?" He asked hesitantly.

Rudra leaned against the table and folded his arms, regaining his former posture.

"Not even an ounce," he said, smiling.

"Did you not see how they were ready to vomit everything out with a single threat? Once a traitor, always a traitor," he spoke, his eyes taking in the dark corners of the room.

"Then..."

"Did you ever domesticate a dog, Bhairav? I had one in New York," Rudra said, glancing at Bhairav.

"Do you know what's their speciality?" He asked, earning a confused look from Bhairav.

"If they lose their way or are abandoned at a place, they have a tendency to return back to their master. These two insufferable dogs too..." He said, pointing towards the door.

"...will get back to their master."

Bhairav looked at Rudra curiously.

"But they don't know, his master would not delay in cremating them alive because till now, he must have known that they are under my custody," Rudra smirked.

"They dared to cross paths with Rudra Pratap Rathore. Death is the minimum penalty for them," he shrugged.

"Why should I sully my hands when what I want will happen either way? I have better things to do," Rudra straightened.

"For the start, let's get to palace," he smirked.