ROSHNI RAWAT

The Vault Club was loud and crowded. Bright lights flashed across the walls, and loud music played from the speakers. The floor shook with every beat. People were dancing, drinking, laughing, and shouting to talk to each other.

The air smelled of alcohol, perfume, and smoke. Some people were dancing in groups, while others were sitting near the bar. In one corner, a couple was kissing. I quickly looked away because it made me feel uncomfortable.

I was with my best friend, Anna. She was very excited to enter the club. I was not a club person. It was already late and I did not like crowded places. Still, I had come because Anna wanted me to enjoy myself.

I pushed the club door open. The moment I entered, I looked around in shock.

Everyone was dancing and drinking as if there was no tomorrow. Some people were laughing loudly, and some were making out in the corners.

Eww

Anna and I were wearing black bodycon dresses. Her dress was short and fitted and it looked perfect on her. Mine was also short and tight. It had thin straps and hugged my body from top to bottom. I felt uncomfortable because it was so tight that I could hardly breathe.

I looked at Anna. She was also looking around the club. When our eyes met, we started laughing.

This place was clearly not our type of place.

Still, Anna pulled me towards the bar counter. We sat on two chairs. "Toh Miss Grumpy, maza aa raha hai?" Anna asked with a mischievous smile.

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes.

"Is it necessary to wear a dress like this?" I asked, looking down at my dress. "It's too tight. I can't even breathe properly."

"Yes, baby. You are looking fire today," she said with a grin.

She ordered two drinks. Soon, the bartender placed them in front of us. Anna had already told me that the drink would be a little bitter. But the moment I tasted it, I made a terrible face.

"What is this?" I asked. "Eww, it's so bitter!"

Anna started laughing. "It's your first time, na? Isiliye. Agar baar-baar piyogi, toh aadat lag jayegi."

I nodded and smiled.

I had always been an introvert and soft-spoken. I had never experienced things like this before and I had never wanted to.

But I had Anna, who wanted me to experience everything at least once.

I looked around the room. The club was full of boys and girls who were dancing and enjoying themselves. They looked happy and carefree.

Not like me.

I was always worried about my studies, my future and even how I would manage my next meal.

Before I could think more, Anna pulled me towards the dance floor. "Don't overthink, baby. Let's enjoy."

"But there are too many people," I complained. "You know I don't dance in crowded places."

"No. You will dance with me." She held my hands and we started dancing to Shameless by Camila Cabello.

At first, I felt awkward. I barely moved but Anna kept laughing and encouraging me. Slowly, I began to enjoy myself.

We moved our hands, danced to the beat and laughed together. I looked at Anna and her smile made me smile too. The music was loud, and the lights kept flashing. For a few minutes, I forgot about everything.

I closed my eyes and moved with the music. I raised my hands and moved my body to the beat. I did not know where this confidence had come from. Maybe it was the drink. Maybe it was the music.

For the first time, I allowed myself to feel free.

Then I felt a hand on my waist.

It was rough.

My body became stiff. I quickly opened my eyes and turned around but there was no one behind me.

Still, I could feel someone watching me.

The crowd around me became tighter. A few men started moving closer. Their shoulders brushed against mine and I suddenly felt like I could not breathe.

I pushed through the crowd and came back to the bar. Even then, I could still feel the rough touch on my waist.

I had a boyfriend.

Aryan and I had been together for almost six months. We were still new to the relationship but I wanted to be loyal to him. I could not dance with someone else or let anyone touch me.

"It's funny, right?" Anna asked with a grin as she came near me.

"It's ridiculous," I replied, rolling my eyes.

Then I noticed a tall figure in the crowd. Something about him looked familiar.

His height, his shoulders and the way he stood reminded me of Aryan.

My heart started beating faster.

Aryan had told me that he had work late at night. I had believed him. But the man was standing with another woman.

My stomach twisted.

No.

It could not be him.

I kept looking at him. The lights flashed over his face, hiding him for a second and then showing him again.

Then he turned.

My heart dropped.

It was Aryan.

I rushed towards him and pushed people out of my way. When I reached him, I put my hand on his shoulder.

He turned around. "Oh, Roshni?" he said with a smirk. His eyes moved over my dress, making me feel exposed.

I looked at the woman standing beside him. Then I looked back at Aryan. "What are you doing here?" I shouted. "You are cheating on me? Have some shame, Aryan!"

"Chill, baby. You shout too much. That is your problem," he said, He pointed at me as if I was nothing.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked. "Are you even in your senses?" I grabbed his collar and glared at him.

"Well, I already told you many times that I wanted to make out with you. But you, the so-called sanskari girl, always had other plans. So I thought, why should I waste my time?"

My blood started boiling.

"YOU BASTARDDD!!!" I took off my heel and slapped him across the face. His cheek turned red.

He stumbled and the woman beside him held his arm. I dropped the heel and slapped him again with my hand.

"How dare you?" he shouted. He raised his hand and was about to slap me.

Before he could touch me, Anna came from behind and punched him on the nose. "Kutte saale! Kamine! Himmat kaise hui teri? Samjhta kya hai khud ko??!" she shouted.

She started punching and slapping him. She looked more angry than I did. I could not handle the scene anymore, so I moved away. I was not going to cry for Aryan. He was a jerk and I had finally seen his real face. I wiped my tears.

I turned towards the exit.

The loud music was still playing behind me. People were still dancing and no one seemed to care about what had happened.

I was about to reached the club door but before I could open it, I suddenly collided with someone.

The impact was hard.

My shoulder hit something solid and pain shot through my arm. My foot slipped and I lost my balance.

I gasped and started falling backwards,then an arm quickly wrapped around my waist. The person caught me before I could hit the floor.

His grip was strong. He pulled me towards him and my chest pressed against his chest.

For a moment, I could not move.

The loud music became distant. I could only hear my own heartbeat. His hand was still around my waist. I tried to move away, but his grip tightened for a second.

I looked up.

A tall man was standing in front of me. His body was hard and muscular. His shirt sleeves were folded, showing his strong arms and a tattoo near his elbow.

Then I looked into his eyes.

They were deep blue.

He was staring at me without saying anything. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

His face was close to mine. I could feel his breath against my skin. He looked calm but there was something dangerous in his eyes.

I pushed his chest lightly.

"L-Leave me," I whispered.

He did not move.

Instead, he leaned closer to my face, his back was against the club door and his arm was still around my waist. I had nowhere to go.

His eyes moved from my eyes to my lips. My breathing became faster. He lifted his hand and slowly moved it towards my face.

I wanted to stop him but my body felt frozen.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers came close to my cheek but did not touch it. Then his hand moved towards my jaw.

I shivered.

He held my chin between his thumb and finger and pulled me a little closer. We were so close that I could feel his breath on my lips.

My heart was beating wildly.

He leaned close to my ear, his face so near that we were breathing the same air. His lips brushed lightly against my ear.

"Breathe. Dove."

The moment he whispered those two words, my body reacted in a way I had not expected. My face grew crimson as I realized I had been holding my breath.

He moved even closer to me...For one second, I thought he was going to kiss me.

I forgot where I was. I forgot about Aryan. I forgot about everything.

But then I suddenly came back to my senses. I pushed him with all my strength.

He finally loosened his grip, but he did not stumble. He remained standing in the same place. I moved away quickly and looked at him.

His face was blank. His eyes were unreadable. There was no anger in his expression but his stare made me nervous. It was too calm and too focused.

As if he was not surprised by my reaction. As if he had expected me to push him. I did not wait to understand him.

I opened the door and rushed outside. The cold air touched my face and I took a deep breath. But my hands were still shaking.

Even after leaving the club, I could still feel his arm around my waist and hear his low voice in my ear. "Breathe. dove."

• (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠) AUTHOR'S NOTE 👇🏻

TELL ME HOW'S THE CHAPTER??🎀

ARE YOU EXCITED???😋

ALSO, THIS BOOK CONTAINS SOME MATURE SCENES🌚💋 SO BE READY!!

One more thing!! I will upload the first 5 chapters once I have completed and edited them properly. Then, as I complete the next 5 chapters, I will keep uploading them on time.

So, it might take a little patience from you guys🥀 But once I complete my first debut book, I will be much more active and will be able to upload chapters regularly and on time💋

AND TELL ME!! WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ITALIAN × INDIAN-CODED ROMANCE?? (🇮🇹 X 🇮🇳) (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

BYIEE MWAHHHHH 💋💋💋💋