101. Innocence.

♡♡♡♡♡

Raghuwanshi Palace stood tall under the moonlight, its regal aura untouched by the chaos that had erupted in the city. But inside, the air was thick with tension.

The grand hall was filled with the key players of the Raghuwanshi empire. Amrita and Aaryansh sat side by side, their expressions unreadable.

Daksh, Rudraksh, Aditya, and Aarush stood near them, their sharp gazes scanning the room.

Divya leaned against the wall, her laptop beside her, already digging into details.

Ishika, Rukmini, and Mahima sat with quiet intensity, while Rishi and Shravan listened intently.

Ishwar and Geeta observed from their seats, their authority evident despite their silence.

Yet, outside this storm of discussion, Mahira remained in the garden.

She had been invited, but this was a mafia matter, and she knew better than to involve herself.

Inside, the discussion had already begun.

"We should start with what happened today morning," Shravan said, his voice firm.

Aaryansh's fingers drummed against the table. "The attack at the penthouse," he stated, his voice cold. "It wasn't random. It was calculated."

Ishwar nodded. "Do we know who was behind it?"

A heavy silence fell. Then, Aditya leaned forward. "Vicky." His voice was sharp. "It's him."

Rudraksh clenched his jaw. His patience had run thin. "I say we end him. Now."

"We will," Aaryansh said, eyes dark. "But we need to do it right."

Amrita, silent till now, finally spoke. "He won't go down easily."

Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. A promise of war.

Divya's fingers flew over her keyboard. "I've been tracking his movements."

A map appeared on the large screen. Red markers blinked-Vicky's hideouts, his transactions, his known associates.

"He's got people everywhere," she continued. "But he's not untouchable."

Aarush crossed his arms. "Then let's cut off his roots. One by one."

Daksh smirked. "No mercy."

Ishika glanced at Amrita. "Are you okay?"

Amrita met her gaze, then looked at Aaryansh. A small nod.

"We're fine," Aaryansh confirmed.

But fine wasn't the word. Amrita still remembered the gunfire, the smell of blood, the moment she and Aaryansh had to duck for cover.

Aditya, ever the silent observer, finally spoke. "We need to draw him out."

Mahima leaned in. "And then?"

Amrita smirked. "We finish what we started."

A plan was forming. One that would ensure Vicky's reign ended-permanently.

As the discussion delved into strategy, the girls couldn't ignore a lingering question-who exactly were the boys in this underground world?

They had always known the men were involved in the mafia, but which group? That was a mystery.

It was Ishika who finally asked, her arms crossed as she studied the men. "We know you all are mafia." Her voice was steady, unwavering. "But what we don't know is-who exactly are you?"

The room went silent for a moment. The men exchanged glances, as if silently communicating.

Then, Ishwar chuckled. His deep voice held amusement as he leaned back comfortably.

"Before that," he mused, eyes glinting, "tell me-what's your favorite mafia group?"

Amrita smirked, arms folded as she leaned forward. "You already know papa," she stated. "Kaal Group and Devil's Group."

Ishwar nodded, his expression unreadable.

Mahima tilted her head. "And if you had to choose whom you admire the most from Kaal Group?"

Ananya huffed, crossing her legs. "That's easy."

There was a brief moment of shared glances before the women started listing their preferences.

Ishika lifted her chin with confidence. "Kaal 1."

Amrita smirked. "Kaal 3 and Kaal 6."

Ananya grinned. "Kaal 4."

Mahima rested her chin on her hand. "Kaal 5."

Divya simply said, "Kaal 2."

That was when the boys finally leaned in, their interest piqued.

Rishi raised a brow. "And why exactly did you pick them?"

Ishika, ever the composed one, spoke first.

"Kaal 1 is untouchable," she said simply. "Every enemy fears him. He's a strategist, cold, and never lets emotions cloud his judgment. A silent killer."

Rudraksh hid his smirk behind his glass of whiskey.

Amrita's turn came, and she grinned devilishly.

"Kaal 3 is chaos in human form. He's unpredictable, ruthless, and doesn't back down from a fight." She tapped her fingers against the table.

"And Kaal 6? He's silent, but when he strikes, it's lethal. There's something about the way he handles his enemies-it's... thrilling."

Aaryansh's lips twitched, while Aarush's expression remained unreadable.

Ananya flicked her hair. "Kaal 4 is a perfectionist," she mused. "Every move is calculated, every decision is final. I like that kind of control."

Aditya gave a small, knowing smirk.

Mahima leaned back, sighing dramatically. "Kaal 5 is cool, collected, but has the most dangerous mind." She exhaled. "Brains and brutality? A perfect mix."

Rishi chuckled under his breath, but said nothing.

Divya, as always, was straightforward. "Kaal 2 is the deadliest. Not loud, not flashy. Just pure precision. There's no need for theatrics when you can kill without anyone knowing."

Daksh's lips quirked up slightly.

The room hummed with the girls' excitement. It was no secret that Kaal Group was their idolized mafia force, a group known for being undefeated, terrifying, and absolute legends in the underworld.

And then...

A single, loaded pause.

Aaryansh's voice cut through the air, sharp and amused.

"Interesting."

Rudraksh leaned forward, placing his glass down with a soft 'clink.' His smirk held something deeper-something knowing.

"We never told you which group we belonged to," he stated.

The girls frowned slightly.

"Then?" Amrita pressed.

Ishwar chuckled again. "Then let's reveal the truth, shall we?"

And that was when it happened.

Daksh spoke first, a slow smirk stretching across his lips. "Kaal 2."

Silence.

Rishi exhaled, shaking his head in amusement. "Kaal 5."

Aditya folded his arms, expression unreadable. "Kaal 4."

Aaryansh simply looked at Amrita and murmured, "Kaal 3."

Aarush's voice was quieter but held a finality to it. "Kaal 6."

And finally, Rudraksh leaned back, an air of nonchalance around him.

"Kaal 1."

A stunned, heavy silence took over the room.

Then-chaos.

Ananya practically leaped from her seat. "No freaking way."

Mahima grabbed Rishi's arm, eyes wide. "You-you were the one I admired all this time?!"

Divya gasped, her gaze darting to Daksh. "I-you-what?"

Amrita blinked, processing the information before a slow, delighted grin spread on her lips.

"You mean to tell me," she drawled, looking between Aaryansh and Aarush, "that my favorites were right here, all along?"

Ishika, who was usually composed, actually looked shocked for once.

"This... this is unreal."

Ishwar simply laughed, watching the women as their excitement built.

The girls had idolized Kaal Group for years. They had admired, respected, and practically worshipped them from afar.

And now?

Now, the very men they loved were Kaal Group itself.

The Legends Were Right in Front of Them.

Excitement. Shock. Disbelief. And then-pure exhilaration.

Dreams Collide with Reality

For a moment, the room remained eerily silent-the weight of the revelation sinking in. It was as if time had frozen, the girls processing the shocking truth laid before them.

Then-

A deafening squeal pierced the air.

Ananya practically launched herself off the couch, her hands clutching her head as she jumped in excitement. "Oh my God-oh my God-OH MY GOD! This is not happening! I refuse to believe this!"

Mahima gasped dramatically, her mouth falling open as she turned to Rishi, eyes wide. "You mean to tell me that all this time, my favorite-my idol-was YOU?! No. NO! I can't process this!"

Divya let out a high-pitched scream, grabbing Daksh's arm and shaking him like a madwoman. "I-You-I literally admired you for YEARS! You were my freaking favorite, and I didn't even know?! I feel so betrayed-no, WAIT! I feel so honored! What is happening?! Someone pinch me!"

Amrita grinned so wide it hurt. "Wait. WAIT. Aaryansh, Aarush-did you know how much I freaking LOVED Kaal 3 and Kaal 6?! I swear I have defended Kaal 3's honor in mafia debates like my life depended on it! And don't even get me started on Kaal 6-his silent but deadly personality? UGH. Perfection."

Ishika, usually composed, let out a choked breath before stepping toward Rudraksh, eyes filled with disbelief. "You. You were Kaal 1. This entire time. Do you know how many times I have called Kaal 1 an untouchable king? HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE ARGUED THAT NO ONE COULD EVER DEFEAT HIM?!"

Rudraksh smirked, leaning slightly toward her. "And were you wrong?"

Ishika froze before dramatically clutching her heart. "No. You're even better than I imagined."

Ananya, who was practically bouncing on her feet, grabbed Aditya's shoulders, shaking him. "Kaal 4 is the most dangerously perfect man alive, and I swear I have repeated that at least a thousand times! AND YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU WERE KAAL 4 ALL ALONG?! THE ONE I SWORE WAS MY MAFIA SOULMATE?! I CAN'T. I LITERALLY CAN'T."

Aditya chuckled, his lips twitching. "Mafia soulmate, huh?"

Mahima grabbed Rishi's face between her hands, eyes wide and sparkling. "You were Kaal 5, the man I always said was the most intelligent, most composed, and most terrifying? Rishi, I swear on everything-if someone had told me this earlier, I would have lost my mind!"

Rishi raised a brow. "What do you think you're doing right now?"

Mahima dramatically clutched her chest. "Losing my mind."

Divya, who was still recovering, looked at Daksh with admiration shining in her eyes. "Kaal 2 was always my idol. I LOVED how he worked in silence and destroyed people without making a show out of it. He was... lethal but calculated. And now-now I find out it was YOU?"

Daksh, amused, tilted his head. "Do you approve?"

Divya grinned. "Are you kidding? I just fell harder."

Amrita turned back to Aaryansh and Aarush, shaking her head in disbelief. "I've argued SO MANY TIMES that Kaal 3 was the most unpredictable, most badass mafia leader, and now, here you are, Aaryansh. Right in front of me. And Kaal 6-Aarush, the silent killer, the one I used to say didn't even need words to strike fear? Are you serious right now?"

Aaryansh smirked. "You sure did your research."

Amrita threw her hands in the air. "OF COURSE, I DID! I LITERALLY IDOLIZED YOU."

Aarush, ever silent, watched her with an unreadable expression before saying in a low voice, "And now?"

Amrita stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. "And now, I can say with confidence-I have impeccable taste."

The excitement in the room was electric. The girls, who had spent years admiring, arguing, and defending Kaal Group, now found themselves face-to-face with their idols-the very men they unknowingly loved.

They had admired them from afar, never imagining that their heroes were right beside them all along.

And now?

Now, they were screaming, squealing, and practically vibrating with happiness.

Rudraksh, amused, turned to the boys. "Should we be worried?"

Aaryansh smirked. "They're just a little excited."

Aditya exhaled. "A little?"

Mahima grabbed Rishi's hand, eyes still wide. "You don't get it. Kaal Group was LEGENDARY to us! You guys were our freaking IDOLS! Do you know how many fights we got into just to defend your reputation?"

Rishi's lips twitched. "I'd love to hear those debates."

Ananya pointed at Aditya, grinning. "I once wrote a whole article about why Kaal 4's perfectionist nature made him the most dangerous of them all."

Aditya raised a brow. "An article?"

Ananya beamed. "A VERY detailed article."

Ishika turned to Rudraksh, still reeling. "I cannot believe you were Kaal 1. I just... I CAN'T."

Rudraksh smirked. "Believe it, sweetheart."

Amrita threw her hands up, laughing. "This is the best day of my life."

And truly-it was.

The excitement from discovering that their beloved Kaal Group idols were none other than the men they loved had barely settled when Ishwar smirked and leaned forward, the weight of another revelation heavy in the air.

"You girls still haven't asked the most important question," he mused.

The girls, still practically buzzing with adrenaline, blinked in confusion. "What?" Ananya tilted her head.

Shravan chuckled. "You know who the Kaal Group members are. But you haven’t asked…"

Geeta finished for him, "Who the Devil’s Group members are."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Mahima froze. "Wait…"

Ananya narrowed her eyes. "No way…"

Amrita slowly turned toward Ishwar, eyes wide. "Don't play with us like that, uncle."

Rukmini, ever the queen of suspense, simply smirked. "Would we lie?"

That was it.

The girls went feral.

Mahima let out a high-pitched scream that could probably shatter glass.

Ananya practically jumped onto the couch, clutching her chest like she was having a heart attack.

Divya grabbed Ishika and shook her violently. "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

Ishika, in return, grabbed Mahima and shook her even harder.

Amrita, still frozen, blinked once. Twice. Then—"I'M GONNA PASS OUT."

Rishi, watching the madness unfold, chuckled. "Yep. Called it."

Daksh smirked, arms crossed. "This is even better than the last reveal."

Rudraksh, watching Ananya practically combust, murmured to Aditya, "Should we call a doctor?"

Aditya, smirking, shook his head. "Nah. Let them enjoy the moment."

But the chaos had only just begun.

Mahima, still half-screaming, turned to the elders. "WHO?! WHO IS WHO?!"

Ishwar, thoroughly entertained, gestured for silence. "Alright, alright, since you're so desperate to know."

Everyone leaned in.

Ishwar began, his deep voice carrying an air of amusement and authority.

"Devil 1—Neelima ji."

Silence.

Then—

THUD.

Mahima, Ananya, Divya, Ishika, and Amrita fainted.

Full-body, dramatic collapse.

Daksh, smirking, turned to Rudraksh. "Yep. Expected that."

Rudraksh sighed. "Someone get water."

Aaryansh leaned back. "Do we even need to? They'll wake up eventually."

Aditya, arms crossed, nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Rishi was just shaking his head. "These girls…"

Slowly, the girls regained consciousness. But they were not okay.

Mahima clutched Rukmini’s hands, eyes wide with worship. "Dadi was Devil 1? THE Devil 1?! The one who wiped out entire syndicates without breaking a sweat?!"

Geeta chuckled.

Mahima screamed.

Ananya grabbed Amrita. "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

Ishwar, amused, continued.

"Devil 2—Geeta."

"Devil 3—Myself."

The girls nodded frantically. "KNEW IT!"

"Devil 4—Shravan."

Amrita clutched her head. "This keeps getting crazier."

Then—

"Devil 5…"

Ishwar paused. He looked at Amrita.

"Your father."

Dead silence.

Amrita froze.

Her breath hitched. Her hands trembled.

She turned to him, her vision blurring with tears.

"My… my father?"

Ishwar nodded. "Yes, kid. Your father was one of the founding members of the Devil’s Group."

Amrita couldn’t breathe.

Her father.

Her idol.

The one she had looked up to all her life… had been her own father all along.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but for once, she didn’t wipe them away.

Mahima, sniffing dramatically, hugged Amrita. "THIS IS BEAUTIFUL."

Divya and Ananya started crying too.

Daksh, amused, handed Amrita a tissue. "Don’t break down now, Devil."

Amrita, wiping her tears, glared. "SHUT UP."

Aaryansh patted her head. "Proud?"

Amrita nodded fiercely. "HELL YES."

Ishwar, watching the emotions settle, continued.

"Devil 6—Rukmini."

Mahima lost it. She practically launched herself at Rukmini.

"MA'AM. QUEEN. LEGEND. ICON. MY IDOL."

Rukmini, laughing, patted her head. "I appreciate the devotion."

Mahima, clutching her hands, looked like she was ready to worship her.

Ishwar, still smirking, went on.

"Devil 7—Ishika’s father."

Ishika gasped so hard she choked. "WHAT?!"

"Devil 8—Divya’s father."

Divya covered her mouth. "NO WAY."

"Devil 9—Ananya’s mother."

Ananya froze. "WAIT. MY AMMA?!"

Ishwar chuckled. "Devil 10—Ananya’s father."

"MY NANNA TOO?!"

Ananya screamed again.

Ishwar, not stopping, continued.

"Devil 11—Ishika’s mother."

Ishika, still trying to process everything, just collapsed onto the couch.

"Devil 12—Divya’s mother."

Divya, eyes practically spinning, muttered, "This is too much. TOO MUCH."

Mahima clutched her chest dramatically. "ALL OUR PARENTS WERE DEVILS?!"

Neelima smirked. "Indeed."

Tears pooled in Ishika’s eyes. "I… I thought I lost them all. But they were legends."

Divya wiped her tears, sniffling. "They were the best."

Ananya broke down laughing and crying at the same time. "MY PARENTS WERE BADASS?! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE."

Amrita grinned. "Same here."

The girls hugged each other, overwhelmed yet ecstatic.

Meanwhile, the boys were just watching, entertained beyond belief.

Rishi smirked. "So… how does it feel to have legends as parents?"

Ananya, still sniffing, grinned. "LIKE I’M THE LUCKIEST PERSON ALIVE."

Daksh chuckled. "Good. Because you are."

Mahima dropped onto the floor dramatically. "I CAN’T TAKE ANYMORE REVELATIONS TONIGHT."

Rukmini laughed. "That was the last one."

Amrita grinned. "BEST. NIGHT. EVER."

And just like that, the night that started with chaos ended with something far more powerful—

A newfound pride in who they were, where they came from, and the legends that had shaped them.

Rukmini grinned. “So, who do you admire more now?”

The girls froze.

Then—chaos erupted again.

“I CAN’T CHOOSE!” Ananya wailed.

“IT’S LIKE PICKING BETWEEN MY HEART AND MY SOUL!” Mahima groaned.

“I’M GONNA PASS OUT.” Ishika clutched her chest.

“This is the greatest crossover in history,” Divya whispered dramatically.

Amrita threw her arms up. “SCREW IT! I LOVE YOU ALL!”

Laughter filled the palace as the night became one none of them would ever forget.

♡♡♡♡♡

The chaos of revelations slowly settled, leaving behind a thick buzz of excitement, pride, and lingering emotions.

The girls were still reeling from the fact that their ultimate idols—both Kaal Group and Devil’s Group—were none other than the men and elders they had known all along.

But now, with the truth out in the open… things changed.

The air around them shifted, the adrenaline fading into something softer, deeper.

The realization that the men they loved were also the warriors they had admired for so long made their hearts race in a different way.

And the boys?

They were watching.

Watching their girls, eyes filled with amusement, mischief, and something much more intense.

Ananya was still recovering from her screaming fit when she suddenly felt a shadow loom over her.

Her breath hitched.

She knew that aura.

Slowly, she turned her head—only to find Aditya standing too close.

Too close.

Her heart skipped a beat.

He wasn’t even touching her, yet her body reacted as if he had.

His dark, intense eyes pinned her down, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Are you done fainting?"

Ananya, still dazed, nodded mechanically. "Y-Yeah."

But Aditya didn’t move back.

Instead, he leaned in.

Her breathing hitched.

A sudden flash of memory hit her hard.

His lips. This morning. The way she had kissed him. The jealousy in her eyes.

Her face exploded in red.

Aditya, not missing her reaction, smirked wider.

He leaned in further, his breath brushing against her ear. "Why are you blushing, hmm?"

Ananya whipped her head away. "I-I’m not!"

"Liar."

Aditya chuckled, low and deep. "You are."

His fingers brushed against her wrist, barely a touch, yet she felt it like a jolt of electricity.

"You remember, don’t you?" he murmured, his voice dropping lower.

Ananya squeaked.

Aditya grinned. "Good."

Then, before she could react, he simply walked away, leaving her an absolute mess.

She buried her face in her hands.

"I hate him."

But her pounding heart betrayed her.

She didn’t hate him.

Not at all.

.

Unlike Ananya, Amrita wasn’t someone who blushed easily.

She was strong, sharp, and almost impossible to fluster.

Almost.

Aaryansh knew that, which is why he enjoyed breaking through her walls just to see the rare expressions on her face.

And tonight was no different.

Amrita was still processing everything when she felt something warm wrap around her wrist.

A firm, unmistakable grip.

She turned—only to find Aaryansh holding her hand, pulling her away from the others.

Her brow arched. "Where are we going?"

He smirked. "Away. Just for a bit."

She could have resisted.

Could have yanked her hand away.

But she didn’t.

She let him lead her into the quieter part of the house, where the voices of their friends and family faded into the background.

Only when they were alone did he finally stop.

Then, he turned to her, gaze serious.

"So… my Buttercup is also a Kaal fan, huh?"

Amrita crossed her arms. "You already knew that."

He stepped closer. "Yeah, but it hits differently now. Knowing you admired me… and also someone else."

Her lips twitched. "Jealous?"

Aaryansh’s eyes darkened slightly. "Maybe."

Then, in a move too fast to react, he grabbed her waist and pulled her in.

She gasped.

"Aarya—"

His forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingling.

"You do realize," he murmured, "that Kaal 3 is me, right?"

Her breath hitched.

Aaryansh smirked. "And Kaal 6 is Aarush. But I see you placed me first."

Amrita’s fingers clenched around his shirt.

Damn him.

"You’re too smug," she muttered.

Aaryansh chuckled. "And you’re too cute when you’re trying to act unaffected."

Before she could punch him, he pressed a quick kiss against her temple.

A soft, fleeting touch.

Amrita froze.

Then, as quickly as he came, he stepped back.

"Come on," he grinned. "Let’s go back before they send a search party."

Amrita was left standing there, her heart betraying her, pounding against her ribs.

Damn it.

.

Divya was still in awe, staring at Daksh like he was some godly being.

"You were Kaal 2," she whispered.

Daksh smirked. "I still am, Honeypie."

Her cheeks flushed.

He had been her ultimate favorite. The one she had always admired. The mystery, the legend.

And now?

He was hers.

Daksh, noticing her dazed look, stepped closer, tilting her chin up. "Still in shock?"

Divya swallowed. "A little."

He smirked, running a finger along her jaw. "Want me to make it more real for you?"

Her breath caught.

"H-How?"

Daksh leaned in, whispering against her lips, "Like this."

Then, before she could react—he kissed her.

Soft. Slow. Devastatingly gentle.

And just like that, she melted.

.

Ishika was still trying to recover when Rudraksh casually wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Recovering?" he teased.

She smacked his chest. "You—! I can’t believe you kept this from me!"

He chuckled. "We had our reasons."

Ishika pouted. "You’re impossible."

Rudraksh tilted her chin, making her look at him.

"But I’m still your favorite, right?"

Ishika’s cheeks burned.

"Shut up."

He smirked, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead.

"You’re adorable."

She hid her face against his chest.

Damn.

Meanwhile…

Rishi, watching all the romance unfold, sighed dramatically.

Mahima raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Rishi grinned. "I feel left out. Want to change that?"

Mahima punched his arm. "Not happening."

Rishi laughed. "Guess I’ll have to wait, then."

Mahima rolled her eyes. "Forever."

Rishi, smirking, just watched her.

"We’ll see."

And just like that, the night of revelations and chaos melted into something else entirely.

A night of love.

♡♡♡♡♡

Aarush had been patient.

Too patient.

Watching his brothers steal soft kisses, whisper sweet nothings, and tease their wives had been… unbearable.

So, he did what he always did.

Left.

Slipping away from the overly romantic atmosphere, he made his way to the garden, where his peace awaited.

Where she awaited.

And sure enough, there she was—Mahira.

Sitting on the swing, gazing at the moon, lost in her own world.

Aarush stopped for a second.

Just to take her in.

The way her long hair cascaded down her back, the way her fingers absentmindedly played with the hem of her dupatta, the way her eyes—deep, endless—seemed to hold entire universes.

Then, as if sensing him, she sighed without turning around.

"Is the discussion over?"

Aarush smirked. She knew him too well.

He walked closer. "Yeah. It is."

Mahira finally turned, her soft gaze meeting his. "And? Who won?"

He chuckled. "Depends. If you consider the boys laughing while their wives blushed furiously a win, then I’d say them."

Mahira shook her head, smiling. "You never change."

Aarush’s eyes softened. "No, I don’t."

For a moment, they just stood there, the cool night breeze wrapping around them, familiar and comfortable.

Then Mahira let out a breath. "We should go inside before they think we ran away."

Aarush’s lips curled. "Hmm. We should."

And then—he moved.

In one swift motion, before Mahira could even register what was happening, he scooped her up into his arms.

She gasped.

She squealed.

Her hands flew to his shoulders.

"Aarush sir!"

He grinned.

"What are you doing?!" she demanded, eyes wide, cheeks already heating up.

Aarush tilted his head. "Carrying you."

"No, Sherlock!" she huffed. "Put me down!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Mahira gaped at him. "Because I can walk!"

Aarush, completely unfazed, smirked.

"But I don’t want you to waste your energy."

Silence.

Mahira blinked. Once. Twice.

Then her face exploded into deep pink.

"Aarush sir—!"

She covered her face with her left hand, hiding the blush creeping down her neck.

Aarush chuckled lowly, enjoying her reaction way too much.

And just like that, he started walking back inside, carrying her effortlessly, like she weighed nothing.

♡♡♡♡

The moment they stepped in, all eyes turned to them.

The couples, the elders—everyone stared.

Rishi, being Rishi, was the first to react.

"Whoa. Did she faint?"

Mahira whipped her head up, eyes wide.

"No—"

Aarush, smirking, cut her off.

"She’s perfectly fine. I just wanted to carry her."

Dead. Silence.

Then—

Chaos.

"Oh my God!" Ishika shrieked.

"Mahira, are you okay?!" Divya gasped dramatically.

Ananya nudged Amrita. "Look at her neck!"

Mahira buried her face in Aarush’s chest.

Her entire neck—pinkish red.

The girls squealed.

Aaryansh smirked. "Didn’t know my brother had such a romantic side."

Daksh sighed, shaking his head. "I underestimated him."

Mahira, dying inside, only buried herself deeper.

Aarush, completely unbothered, still held her effortlessly.

"You guys can keep talking," he said smoothly. "But I’m not putting her down."

Mahira let out a strangled noise.

Rishi cackled. "Aarush, bro, you’re killing her."

Aarush grinned.

"Good."

And just like that, the teasing continued…

While Mahira continued hiding for dear life.

♡♡♡♡

Aarush was not letting go.

Even as the teasing continued, even as Mahira wished the ground would swallow her whole, he held her firmly, his strong arms making sure she felt safe.

But Rudraksh noticed.

The way her fingers gripped Aarush’s shirt too tightly.

The way her breathing, though controlled, was still uneven.

The way her eyes darted for exits, her body tense.

Mahira’s fear of men was something they all knew.

And Rudraksh, as the eldest, was the first to act.

His sharp eyes swept across the room, silently signaling everyone.

They understood immediately.

Without a word, the men moved.

Daksh, Rishi, Aditya, and Aaryansh—all subtly stepped away, putting a comfortable distance between themselves and the couch where Aarush was taking her.

Mahira noticed.

She saw how the couch that was filled a moment ago suddenly had space.

Not just space. A big space.

Amrita, without hesitation, shifted further, patting the cushion next to her.

"Here," she said softly. "Sit comfortably."

Aarush, still holding Mahira, nodded and gently placed her down.

But before she could get overwhelmed, Daksh spoke up, his voice calm, reassuring.

"Alright, everyone," he said, his usual lazy smirk missing. "Stay at a distance."

Rishi, who was usually playful, was all serious now.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Her wrist is still healing."

Mahira glanced down at her bandaged wrist.

Ishika, who was next to her, immediately shifted, putting an extra gap between them, as if to give Mahira more breathing space.

"You okay?" she asked, her tone unusually gentle.

Mahira nodded, touched beyond words.

The girls were always caring.

But the boys?

The Mafia Group?

Seeing them this gentle, this protective—it made her throat tighten.

Before she could dwell too much on it, Ananya hopped up from her seat.

"I’ll get your mango juice!" she declared.

Mahira blinked. "You don’t have t—"

Ananya was already gone.

Mahira barely had time to process before Aaryansh, arms crossed, studied her carefully.

"Are you hot?" he asked. "Summer’s nearing."

Before she could even answer, someone switched on the AC.

Mahira turned to see Shravan, who simply shrugged.

"Better to stay cool," he said simply.

Rukmini, standing nearby, smiled warmly.

"Mahira beta," she said, her tone motherly. "Do you need anything else?"

Mahira, still stunned, shook her head.

But her eyes softened.

They were all so attentive.

So gentle.

So caring.

For a girl who had spent so long fending for herself, healing her own wounds, protecting her own heart—

This?

This felt new.

Warm.

Safe.

Ananya returned, triumphantly handing over a cold glass of mango juice.

"Here!" she grinned.

Mahira took it hesitantly, her fingers wrapping around the cool glass.

She took a sip.

Sweet.

Refreshing.

Familiar.

Just like them.

She looked around, at all these people who treated her like the little sister they never had.

The men who respected her space.

The women who understood her without words.

Aarush, sitting closest, watching her like she was his entire world.

Her heart clenched.

She had spent so long alone.

But now?

Now, she had them.

The conversation had drifted into lighter things—teasing, laughter, and the warmth of family.

Mahira was slowly settling, her fingers still curled around the now half-empty glass of mango juice.

But then, as conversations often do, it took an unexpected turn.

It was Aarush who brought it up, his voice deceptively casual.

“So… the man who attacked Mahira… he’s dead.”

The room went silent.

Mahira, who had been sipping her juice, paused.

Slowly, she nodded.

“I know.”

Everyone turned to her.

She set the glass down and exhaled.

“I saw him,” she murmured. “In the hospital.”

Now, that caught everyone’s attention.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression unreadable. “He was brought in… barely alive. I—” she hesitated before continuing. “I supervised his operation.”

A stunned silence followed.

“You—” Mahima blinked. “You tried to save him?”

Mahira nodded.

Mahima’s brows furrowed. “Why?”

Mahira gave her a small, almost confused look.

“I’m a doctor.”

As if that explained everything.

As if that justified saving the man who had tormented her.

“It’s my job,” she said simply.

The room was still.

Even Aarush, who rarely showed visible emotion in front of everyone, clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists.

Mahira, oblivious to the tension, continued.

“He looked…” she trailed off, searching for the right word. “Miserable.”

Her fingers clenched slightly.

“Someone had tried to kill him.”

That had everyone stiffening.

She swallowed. “And not just kill. They left him in a jungle.”

A hush fell over them.

Mahira didn’t notice.

“The wild animals… they were feeding on him before someone found him and brought him in.”

A shudder ran through her.

“I—” she hesitated, her eyes dropping. “I got chills seeing him like that.”

Silence.

No one spoke.

But the tension was thick.

Mahira’s next words were quieter.

“Who would kill someone… that brutally?”

She looked around, genuinely searching for an answer.

But no one responded.

Because they knew.

Because the answer was sitting right next to her.

Aarush, whose hands were still in fists.

Aarush, who had made sure the man suffered the exact way Mahira had suffered.

Aarush, who had stood over that man’s broken body in the jungle and watched him bleed.

But no one said a word.

Instead, they all exchanged glances, the same knowing look.

And then—

They smiled.

A soft, amused smile.

Because Mahira’s heart was too pure.

She thought it was cruel.

But for them?

For them, it was justice.

Mahima, still staring at her, suddenly felt a deep warmth spreading in her chest.

This girl—

This fragile-looking yet unbreakable girl—

Had survived hell.

And yet, she still saw the world with kindness.

Mahima inhaled sharply and reached forward.

Without a word, she wrapped an arm around Mahira’s shoulders, pulling her into a side hug.

“Sorry.”

Mahira blinked up at her, confused. “For what?”

Mahima exhaled.

“For pulling out a gun that day,” she admitted, voice softer than usual. “You must have been so scared.”

Mahira immediately nodded, a dramatic pout forming on her lips.

“Scared? I almost died!” she exaggerated, throwing her arms up.

The mood in the room lightened.

Laughter broke out, but Mahira wasn’t done.

“Never do that again,” she scolded, pointing at Mahima like a strict teacher. “I swear, my soul left my body that day!”

Mahima chuckled, amused and touched at the same time.

“Alright, alright,” she said, pulling her in for a proper hug this time.

Mahira, after a second of hesitation, melted into it.

It wasn’t suffocating.

It wasn’t forced.

It was… warm.

The way family was supposed to feel.

As they pulled away, Aarush finally spoke, his voice low but firm.

“That’s why you shouldn’t be anywhere near guns.”

Mahira looked up at him, about to argue.

But his stare was too intense.

Too… possessive.

Her lips pressed together, and instead of arguing, she simply looked away, cheeks warming.

Aarush smirked.

She was too easy to fluster.

The conversation shifted again, but the warmth of the moment lingered.

Mahira, despite everything, felt safe.

♡♡♡♡♡

Surrounded by them, she finally breathed—no masks, no walls, just home.✨💕