*In the Farmhouse Suite*
Maira got up to leave the room after Mihir had gone to get changed. As she attempted to open the door, Mihir suddenly appeared behind her, pulling her back and pinning her against the wall. Maira's eyes widened in surprise.
"Have you lost it?" Maira asked, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "Is that why you're trying to get close to me like this?"
Mihir's response was immediate. "Dream on," he whispered, his breath dancing across her skin. "I would never see you as a girl I would get close to."
Maira's expression changed, a mix of relief and annoyance crossing her face. "Thank God," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, tell me why you are binding me here."
Mihir leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "To know your secret," he whispered, his voice low and intense.
The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension as Maira's eyes met Mihir's, her expression unreadable.
Maira's eyes locked onto Mihir's, her expression a mask of innocence. "What secret?" she asked, her voice laced with feigned curiosity.
Mihir's gaze never wavered. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," he said, his voice low and intense.
Maira's response was a perfectly crafted mix of confusion and innocence. "How will I know what you're talking about when you don't tell me?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Mihir's eyes narrowed. "You saved me last night. But how? How did you save me from Urvi?"
Maira's mind flashed back to the moment she had attacked Urvi with the sacred potion, but her expression remained neutral. "You mean Urvi was posing a danger to you?" she asked, her voice laced with fake surprise.
Maira couldn't resist teasing Mihir, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a playful tone. "Oh, your Urvi baby was a danger to your sugarplum, was she?" she asked, her words dripping with amusement.
Mihir's face darkened, his irritation palpable. "Stop playing games, Maira," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Maira's eyes sparkled with amusement as she gazed up at Mihir. "What game? I'm not playing any games," she said, her voice innocent.
Mihir's grip on her tightened, pulling her closer. Their faces were inches apart, and the air between them seemed to crackle with tension. They shared a piercing eye lock, the intensity between them almost palpable.
"Who are you?" Mihir demanded, his voice low and husky.
Maira's smile was a slow, sly curve of her lips. "I am... your PPA," she whispered, her breath dancing across Mihir's skin. "Your perfect personal assistant."
Mihir's eyes narrowed, his gaze boring into hers. He didn't believe her for a second. But Maira's expression remained serene, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Mihir's eyes never left Maira's face. "Fine, let's say you don't know anything about Urvi," he said, his voice laced with skepticism. "Then how did you end up finding me? I might not clearly remember, but I know you saved me last night."
Maira's response was smooth, her words flowing effortlessly. "Last night, I got worried when I couldn't find you at the party, so I came to this suite. The door was slightly ajar, and I peeped through, but couldn't find neither you nor your Urvi baby. So, I came in, and that's when I saw a secret passage. My curiosity got the better of me, and I went through the passage. That's when I reached the jungle and found you there."
Mihir's expression changed, his face twisting in sarcasm. He took a step back, clapping his hands together in mock applause. "Bravo, Maira. Well-thought-out script. You're a natural-born liar," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You expect me to believe that?"
Maira's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Why do you think I'm lying?" she asked, her voice tight.
Mihir's smile was mocking. "Fine, in what state did you find me? Was I too greenish?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Maira's expression remained calm, but her eyes sparkled with irritation. "Are you kidding me? You're a fair person, not a Shrek from that animated series for you to be green," she retorted. "I found you outside, and you were suffering from a high fever. You were all alone, so I took you to the room and placed you in a bathtub to cool you off."
Mihir chuckled, the sound low and husky. Maira's eyes narrowed, and she glared at him, her expression a mix of frustration and annoyance.
*In the Farmhouse Suite*
Mihir's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do I look like a six-year-old?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Maira's expression was puzzled. "Why?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
Mihir's smile grew wider. "Because you're trying to make a fool out of me. I mean, come on, a person suddenly gets a high fever, and where did you get the idea to dump the person in a bathtub filled with water instead of giving them medication?"
Maira's face went blank, and she stuttered, her words faltering. "I-I... uh..."
Mihir's eyes lit up with mockery, and he mimicked Maira's stammering, his voice high-pitched and exaggerated. "I-I... uh..."
Maira's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration.
Maira's eyes flashed with anger. "What's going on here?" she demanded, her voice rising. "I saved your life, and this is how you repay me?"
She started poking Mihir's chest, her finger jabbing into him with each word. Mihir kept moving back, his eyes widening in surprise. "Have you lost your mind?" he asked, his voice firm.
Maira's poking became more aggressive. "Yes, I did lose my mind when I decided to save you," she said, her voice bitter. "Instead of thanking me, you're busy interrogating me as if I committed a crime."
Mihir's irritation grew, and he pulled Maira's hand, causing them to lose balance. They fell onto the bed, landing on top of each other. In the chaos, Mihir's lips accidentally brushed against Maira's cheek.
Just as they were about to scramble to their feet, the door swung open. Sahir stood in the entrance, calling out to Mihir. But his words died on his lips as he took in the scene before him. Mihir and Maira were still tangled together on the bed, their faces inches apart.
Sahir's eyes widened, and he froze, his gaze lingering on the pair. Mihir and Maira's eyes met, both of them looking mortified. They glared at Sahir, their faces flushing with embarrassment as they quickly scrambled to untangle themselves.
Mihir and Maira quickly stood up, moving away from each other as if trying to put distance between them. Sahir's face lit up with a knowing smile as he apologized, "Sorry to ruin the moment."
Mihir's expression turned defensive. "What moment? Have you lost it? Me and her, never," he said, his voice firm.
Maira walked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "Exactly."
Sahir's smile grew wider as he murmured under his breath, "Never say never." His eyes lingered on the pair, a knowing glint in his gaze.
Mihir walked up to Sahir, a taunting smile on his face. "Professor sir," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What are you doing here?"
Sahir's expression remained calm. "I came to take you home. Mom is worried sick," he replied, his voice even.
Mihir raised an eyebrow. "Wow, I didn't know I had a mother who worries about me," he said, his tone laced with mock surprise.
Sahir's eyes narrowed. "Mihir, don't start. Wrap up whatever you're doing, and let's go home," he said, his voice firm.
Mihir's smile grew wider. "And who do you think you are to pass orders on me?" he asked, his voice dripping with defiance.
Sahir's response was immediate. "Your elder twin brother. Now, wrap up and let's go. I'll be waiting for you outside."
With that, Sahir turned and walked away. Mihir watched him go, a scowl on his face. "He's showing so much authority when he's only older than me by 40 seconds," Mihir muttered under his breath.
Outside the farmhouse
As Mihir approached the sleek vehicle, he was met with the sight of Maira and Sahir engaged in conversation. Sahir's courtesy towards Maira was evident as he reached out to open the passenger door for her. However, Mihir's sudden movement intercepted the gesture, and he slid into the seat with an air of possessiveness.
"Take the wheel, Sahir," Mihir instructed, his tone brooking no argument. "Maira can manage to get in by herself."
Sahir's eyebrow arched in surprise, but he merely inquired, "What about your car?"
"It'll be towed to our residence," Mihir replied, his gaze never wavering.
With a quiet efficiency, Maira made her way to the rear seat, while Sahir's lips curled into a knowing smile as he settled into the driver's seat. The engine purred to life, and as they pulled away, Mihir's eyes met Maira's in the rearview mirror, their gazes tangling in a fleeting moment of unspoken tension.
"I'm not accompanying you because you've commanded me, Sahir," Mihir said, his voice low and even. "I'm coming because I choose to."
Sahir's response was laced with amusement. "Very well, then." With that, he focused on the road ahead, the silence that followed thick with unspoken dynamics between the trio.