My Beating Bleeding Heart

Chapter 5: Day 0

His POV

Why is she dressed like this? A salwar suit, of all things? Blush pink—her color. She always said that, and I agreed. Her smooth, cascading hair, kept long because it’s what’s expected of her. Those deep, dark eyes, shimmering with something I can’t decipher, and that smile—everything about her makes me melt. She shouldn’t be dressed up like this... I can feel my anger slipping away. Now, all I want to know is why she called me here. What does she want this time?

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice commanding as ever. She could ask me anything in that tone, and I'd answer. "Trying to get answers," I replied, hesitating because I know I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and ask,

"What do you need?"

I want to ask more, but I know my questions will remain unanswered, leaving me with nothing but her lingering gaze. "Out," she commanded, and everyone rose from their seats. Diya gently ushered Mr. Bakshi out, and Rick—stubborn as always—took a step forward.

"Who the hell are you to give orders? I’m not leaving him with you," Rick growled, stepping closer to her. But then she turned and gave him a look that made him pause. Before things could escalate, Diya quickly intervened, whispering something in his ear and pulling him out of the room. The door closed softly behind them.

She turned to face me with that familiar, unreadable gaze. I snorted, moving closer to her. "What do you want, Moon?" I asked, my voice low.

Her eyes darkened, a smile slowly forming on her lips. "You," she said.

Seeing my silence, she smiled. How could I react? Did she really just say she wants me? Am I hearing this right? I asked, trying to make sure, "What?"

She smirked at my reaction and repeated, "You."

Okay, so I heard her correctly. But now I have even more questions. Can this woman stop playing games and just say exactly what she wants? I started pacing, trying to gather my thoughts, while she just kept staring at me.

"What do you mean?" I stepped closer, looking for any sign of hesitation.

"You means you. More specifically, I want you to marry me," she said in one breath, without a flicker of doubt. How can she be so determined? My eyes searched her face for any hint of uncertainty, but there was none. She really was asking me to marry her.

"Consider this me cashing in the favor," she continued.

The favor. How could I forget that? Five years ago, she broke her leg saving me. I was badly injured, and Rick couldn’t reach me. All I remember is her pulling up in a car and dragging me into it. She drove like hell that day. When they tried to ram us again, she turned her side of the car into the impact. The truck smashed into us, and I saw her bleed. She was in bandages and a coma for a week. It was the most scared I’ve ever been. When she woke up, I promised her anything she wanted, and I meant it. But now, to use the favor on this? She wants to marry me? I’d marry her without the favor.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts and asked, "Why? Why now, Moon?"

She looked at me, stepping closer. "Because I want to," she said, her voice softening as she leaned in. "Because I didn’t regret the kiss." Her breath was warm against my ear as she whispered in that sultry tone, "And because I want to find out what happens after that kiss." She stepped back, her hands resting on my chest, her gaze locked onto mine, deeper than ever.

"You're sure?" I asked, locking eyes with her. She nodded, smiling softly. Am I really about to marry her? Or is she going to pull the rug out from under me and ask for something else? She moved to press the intercom, calmly asking everyone to come back in. Within an hour, everything was set. Rick had a constant "what the hell" expression on his face, while Diya kept reassuring him. Rick and Shantu stood as witnesses for me, while Diya and Syana were on her side. The paperwork was handled swiftly, like clockwork—they really were a well-oiled team. Every detail was meticulously covered: our individual assets, what she inherited from her family, where we’d live after the marriage, which accounts we’d share. There was even an infidelity clause that simply stated, "I wouldn’t dare," and a divorce clause, which only mentioned that the marriage would end with her death. As I read that part, my eyes shot up to meet hers. She smiled and said, "I mean it."

What was she doing? Regardless, I signed. After the paperwork was signed, Mr. Bakshi declared us husband and wife.

Once everyone else left, it was just the four of us—her, me, Rick, and Diya. Rick turned to Diya, asking, "Did you know about this?"

Diya glanced at her before slowly replying, "Somewhat... I just didn’t know she’d actually ask him to marry her." She looked at Diya and asked, "Why not?"

Diya didn’t respond, and the room grew quiet for a moment. Then she turned her gaze to Rick and said, "I asked her not to tell anyone, any issues?" Rick didn't reply, but after a moment, Diya excused herself, and dragged out him too.

She looked back at me, smiling that same confident smile.

"Aren't you going to wear your ring?" she asked, pointing toward the small blue box that had been sitting on the table since morning, waiting. She had planned everything. Am I just a pawn in her game? I touched the box, hesitating, my thoughts holding me back from opening it. She reached out, and when our fingers brushed against each other, they lingered for a moment, as if exploring the connection. She gently opened the box, took my hand, and slid the ring onto my right finger.

She looked up at me with a soft smile and said, "Let's announce our wedding tomorrow, husband."

Husband. The way she called me that, so effortlessly, caught me off guard. I smiled, trying to process everything. Husband—my moon just called me husband.