Leaving after the chess match was far from easy for Rohit.
First came the media personnel, cameras still buzzing, eager for a statement. They rushed forward, mics extended. Rohit only shook his head, brushing past with a calm but firm demeanor.
"No comments."
Fortunately, they didn't press. His urgent phone call had already been noted, and even the press respected that.
But the same courtesy didn't extend to the guests.
As he moved through the glittering hall, strangers intercepted him one after another. Some introduced themselves as if they were old friends, others—parents—subtly hinting at their daughters or sons, to make connections. Peers tried to grab a moment, eager to bask in the glow of his sudden fame.
Rohit managed it all with polite nods and faint smiles, flashing his phone like a shield,
" ..Sorry, urgent call."
Finally, he asked a guard for the emergency staircase. The man pointed him toward a quiet corridor on the 35th floor.
The silence was almost eerie as Rohit walked past the door. His heart thudded louder when he noticed the stairwell door slightly ajar.
Peering in, he saw her.
Ragini stood inside, phone in hand, pacing, chewing her nails, her usual composure nowhere to be found.
Checking the corridor behind him, Rohit dialed his mother's number.Her soft voice answered,
"Where are you, Rohit?
Did you find the exit?"
Rohit smirked faintly, watching Ragini pacing out in stress.
"Nope," he replied, "still kinda messy here."
Inside, Ragini facepalmed at his voice through the speaker.
"Should I send someone to get you out?" she asked, her tone laced with worry.
Rohit slipped inside quietly and pinched her waist.
She jumped, startled, then spun around. The relief on her face was immediate. She exhaled deeply, lowered her phone, and in a heartbeat, wrapped her arms tightly around him.
For a moment, Rohit froze. The woman who always carried herself with authority now clung to him like a child lost in the dark. Then he heard it—the faint sobs along with the shaky breaths.
He tilted her face up, and Ragini quickly looked away, cheeks flushed, eyes shimmering with tears.
"It's all my fault, Rohit," her voice trembled. "You went through so much because of me." She cupped his cheeks, guilt clouding her eyes. "If I'd known they would pull you into this match just to protect the family's honor, I'd never have invited you here."
Her expression hardened, anger flaring through her eyes.
"Those Mittals… I swear, I'll make them regret this."
Rohit blinked, a little baffled at her intensity, but also strangely reassured. At least she wasn't scheming against him—her concern was genuine.
He took her trembling hands in his and said softly, "You've misunderstood one thing. I didn't play for the family's honor. I played for you—because you were the one carrying it."
Her composure broke. Tears finally spilled, and she pulled him against her chest in a trembling embrace.
"You're too kind for your own good, my son," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I've been such a blind, sorry mother… I failed to see you for who you are. And yet, you still thought of my dignity before your own. Even though you lost, I'll do everything to ease your heart."
She clung to him tightly, trembling, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.
Finally, realization dawned on Rohit as he embraced him back.
She was acting this way because she believed he had been defeated. Knowing Ragini's personality, he guessed she must have left the match midway—probably when his pieces were crumbling one after another—convinced that the end was near. That meant she hadn't witnessed his comeback.
The thought made him smile faintly. 'So she's here, ready to console me, ready to give me "pending rewards," all because she thought I lost?'
Didn't that make her… cute?
A warmth spread through Rohit's chest, smoother than anything he had felt in either of his lives. No woman had ever offered him such unshaken devotion—not for victory, but for his supposed defeat.
'Revenge or no revenge,' he thought, 'I'm not letting her go. She will remain by my side, no matter what.'
Yet reality tugged at him again. Her soft curves pressed against him in that desperate embrace made his mind wander. His pulse quickened, his composure wavered.
And then, a sinister thought sparked in Rohit's mind—a prank to test the waters while enjoying her expressions when teased.
His lips curved slowly into a smirk. He leaned close and whispered into her ear, "So you'll do anything I say?"
Ragini's heart skipped. Alarms rang inside her mind, and her body stiffened, yet she didn't completely pull away but rather looked at him. A guilty warmth still lingered inside her. "Rohit… but that thing… that will be too much," she muttered hesitantly.
Rohit's hands grabbed her waist, pulling her lightly toward him. "Why are you holding back? Aren't you here to reward me for that very purpose?"
Ragini stayed silent, her gaze lowered and hands reluctant on his chest.
Rohit pressed on, his hands sliding to cup her perfectly shaped hips. "Or were your words just empty talk?"
That broke her. Tears welled as she gently slipped from his hold, turning away so she wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Rohit… I meant my words. But what you're asking—it's beyond me. I'm married. I can't…"
Rohit leaned close again, embracing her from behind. His voice tempting, like a devil's whisper. "You know we've already talked about this, mom. I like you… you like me. Then what's holding you back? No one else needs to know."
He tightened his grasp. "I remember few things like how you and Dad have differences. You stay together but remain so apart. I have seen you starve, felt your loneliness and I don't like it. You may be a pillar , an iron lady of two households but I want to see you happy, Mom… and, I be the very reason of that happiness."
Her heart twisted. Though it felt little good that he is recovering but his words stabbed at truths she couldn't deny. Half of her wanted to give in, to imagine Rohit only for herself, free from responsibilities. The other half screamed of duty and the heavy chains of her role.
She had told herself earlier that their closeness was only to help him heal, a compromise of care and comfort. But things had already gone too far, and now the line was blurring.
Composing herself, Ragini wiped her tears and faced him. "Stop… don't say things you don't understand. What you're asking is a sin. It will only complicate everything. You have your whole life ahead of you."
He pulled back, hurt flickering in his eyes."And yet… kissing me is fine? I thought you wanted this. Was I wrong?"
Ragini stayed silent, unable to meet his gaze.
Rohit sighed. "Perhaps I went too far. Maybe I should turn a celibate. What's the use of this treatment if there are no feelings anyway?"
Fear crawled under Ragini's skin. She pulled him back into her arms, her voice breaking. "Don't say that, Rohit… please. Maybe I've been biased, maybe too weak, but your presence have always been my strength. Now that I've realized how precious you are to me, the thought of causing you harm terrifies me and this disease.. is a curse. Don't utter such things again…" Her words dissolved into sobs.
Touched, Rohit stroked her back gently."Shh… listen. I won't ask again, I swear. I understand. But don't end what we already have, okay? I cherish our little advtentures and wish to have it intact. Promise me that."
Through sniffles, she nodded meekly. "Hmm…"
He let her settle before speaking again, mischief sneaking back into his tone. "By the way… I should probably apologize. You might not know but i hid something earlier."
Her eyes shot up in surprise. "Hid? What do you mean?"
He grinned, tapping her nose playfully. "Guess what? I didn't lose. I won."
Ragini frowned, suspicious. "Stop lying… don't try to make me feel better."
"Check your phone," Rohit said cheekily. "Someone must have sent a message."
Confused, she quickly checked her notifications. And there it was—Pathak's confirmation of Rohit's victory. Her jaw dropped. She covered her mouth with her palm in disbelief, half-amused, half-relieved. "Rohit… how?!"
He scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
"Let's just say… a fluke of luck. But again, sorry for the prank earlier."
Ragini blinked, then realization hit her—had all that storm of emotion been for nothing? She wanted to be angry, but her heart, which had just been throught the storm, refused to take any risk. Still, her ego wouldn't let him off so easily. She gave him a playful smack on the head. "You pervy liar, tricking your mom with your naughty schemes. Why hide it earlier?"
Rohit froze, almost unable to believe his ears. 'what pervy? Is this… her real self?'
Rubbing the sore spot, he groaned dramatically. "Ow! That hurt! Careful with the language, lady."
Ragini narrowed her eyes, pinched his ear, and tugged lightly. "Oh, so now you're lecturing me on language?"
Rohit panicked, his old instincts kicking in."Wait, Mom! Ahh! I'm sorry—I swear I won't do it again!"
She eased her grip but didn't let him go."So… your earlier confession was a joke too?"
Rohit stiffened. "Yes—" but another twist of his ear made him switch quickly. "No! I mean… half joke, half true."
Her expression softened, though she still held him. "Care to explain?"
He sighed, defeated. "At first it was a joke. But when I confessed… I meant it."
Ragini arched a brow. "Why? I'm double your age. Don't you think you should be chasing girls your age?" She gave his ear another little pull, this time as payback for all the torment he'd caused earlier.
Rohit leaned in closer, trying to ease the pressure. "Okay, okay, sorry! You're just… too beautiful to pass up. I admit—I've been greedy, wanting more than I should."
Ragini finally let go. A part of her was pleased at his honesty, but she kept her tone firm."Rohit, I like you too, and I get what you want. But no more dirty tricks. If this relationship is to continue, you'll be straightforward. Is that clear?"
Rohit rubbed his sore ear, thinking to himself, Damn, how did she turn the tables like that?
He bowed lightly holding his ear. "Well… I sincerely apologize again." He scratched his cheek, clearing his throat before pointing subtly to it. "So… about my pending reward?"
Her lips curved into a smirk. "Your reward is forfeited—for your little game. Next time, we'll return to it. And for now, you'll have your treatment on my terms."
She turned away, but before she could step back, Rohit caught her wrist, pulling her gently but firmly against the wall.
Leaning in, he pressed his lips to hers. At first, she hesitated, stiff in his hold. But soon the resistance melted into longing, her lips moving back against his.
When they broke apart for breath, Rohit's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Mom… even when you thought I'd lost, you were still thinking of me. That means more than you know. And since you told me to be straight… let me ask— I wish to do something good in return? Do you want me to continue?"
Ragini knew exactly what those words meant, yet she felt powerless. The rare thrill of him taking charge sent a shiver through her.
No one had ever treated her this way before—and that, more than anything, was what excited her. All she could do was nod, surrendering to the moment.