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Chapter 25 is already out on scrollstack, link is in our Instagram and Wattpad bio.

Next chapter will be updated here just after the target will be completed so it's upto you.

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The school gate bustled with activity as Kavya stood waiting for Saumya, who came running toward her with a grin that could brighten the dullest day.

“Mumma, you know…” Saumya began excitedly, but before she could finish, a familiar voice interrupted them.

“Hi, Bulbul!”

Kavya and Saumya turned to see Rita walking toward them with her son, Rishab, in tow. Rishab, clutching a bar of chocolate, stepped forward and extended it toward Saumya.

Saumya, however, crossed her arms and turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge the gesture. Rishab’s face fell, and he pouted, looking helplessly at his mother.

“Beta, abhi bhi gussa ho?” Rita said softly to Saumya before turning to Kavya. “Maine isse already punishment de di hai uss baat ke liye. He won’t repeat the mistake, I promise.”

Kavya blinked in confusion. “Kya? What are you talking about?”

Rita looked surprised. “Arre, aapko nahi pata? A few weeks ago, Rishab said some bad things about Bulbul, and she… uh… handled it her way.”

Kavya frowned, glancing at Saumya, who now looked anywhere but at her mother. “What do you mean, ‘handled it’?” Kavya asked, her voice edged with concern.

Rita chuckled awkwardly, “Bas, usne Rishab ko thoda sa beat kiya tha. Lekin matter toh solve ho gaya, na. Bulbul ke papa ne sab settle kar diya.”

Kavya’s breath hitched, and her eyes widened in shock. “K-kya? K…kon?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Saumya’s eyes mirrored her mother’s panic, and she immediately facepalmed herself.

Rita, oblivious to Kavya’s reaction, continued casually, “Haan, Bulbul ke papa. Wohi toh aaye the uss din school mein, jab principal ke saamne baat clear ki gayi thi.”

Sweat began to form on Kavya’s forehead. Her hands gripped Saumya’s shoulders tightly as if to anchor herself. Her mind raced as she tried to process Rita’s words.

“Accha, lagta hai mere husband mujhe bula rahe hain,” Rita said, sensing the tension but choosing to ignore it. She smiled politely. “I should leave. Bye, Kavya. Bye, Bulbul.”

She turned to her daughter, trying to keep her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

"Y... you went home with... your... papa?" Kavya asked, her words barely coming out as a whisper.

Bulbul hesitated for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "Mumma, wo..." she started, her voice trailing off.

Kavya’s patience was wearing thin. She stepped forward, gripping Bulbul’s shoulders firmly to get her full attention. "Answer me, Bulbul... Kya keh rahi hain wo? What was he saying?" Her voice was sharp, demanding the truth.

Bulbul’s eyes darted around, unable to look her mother in the eye. She let out a shaky breath before speaking again, but this time her voice was quieter, almost apologetic. "Mumma, wo... she’s talking about Cheatel uncle."

Kavya froze for a moment, her whole body stiffening as she processed the words. "What??" she gasped, her heart racing in her chest. "Krishiv sir?? He called himself your father?"

"No, no, Mumma!" Bulbul cried out quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush as she tried to explain herself. "He isn’t... I mean, I lied to the teacher. I thought you’d be angry."

Kavya’s face hardened, her expression unreadable. "And he agreed?" she asked, her voice low and cold, tinged with disbelief.

Bulbul, now realizing the gravity of the situation, was caught between wanting to explain herself and the fear of her mother’s reaction. "Mumma..." she began softly, but her words were barely audible.

"SHUT UP BULBUL!!" Kavya snapped, her frustration finally boiling over. The loudness of her voice echoed through the air, causing Bulbul to flinch, her eyes filling with tears. Without giving her a chance to explain further, Kavya grabbed her by the wrist and started dragging her towards the car. "Chalo mere sath!”

The tension in the air was thick as Kavya stormed into Krishiv's office, her fury palpable. She didn’t bother knocking, just pushed the door open with force, and her eyes immediately locked onto Krishiv. His office, usually calm and organized, now felt constricted by her presence.

The employees in the room shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the situation. Krishiv looked up, his expression turning serious as he saw Kavya’s anger. The room fell silent.

"I want to talk to you," Kavya said, her voice sharp and unwavering, cutting through the silence. Her gaze was directed solely at Krishiv, but her words were meant for anyone in the room.

Krishiv frowned, sensing the gravity in her tone. "Can we discuss this later?" he asked, motioning for the employees to leave. They nodded and filed out of the cabin, closing the door behind them, leaving just the two of them and the growing tension between them. He stood up, his posture tense, as he faced her.

Kavya didn’t waste a second. "What the hell do you think of yourself?" she snapped, her anger flaring. Her chest heaved with frustration, her eyes burning with a mixture of hurt and rage. "How could you do something so reckless?" she continued, not waiting for his response.

Krishiv’s eyes flickered to Bulbul, who stood behind Kavya, her eyes red and puffy, sniffing softly as she tried to hold herself together. It was clear from her expression that she felt the weight of the situation, her guilt and confusion mirrored in her teary eyes.

"Bulbul ki mummy, is everything alright? Aap kya keh rahi hain?" Krishiv asked, his tone shifting to one of concern. He took a step towards them, but his gaze remained locked on Kavya, waiting for an explanation. He didn’t understand what was going on, but he could tell that Kavya was on the edge.

"Ohhh toh ab ye mai bataun?" Kavya’s voice was rising again, her frustration boiling over. "Kya soch ke aap Bulbul ke school gaye the uske papa ban ke?" she asked, the words laced with a sting.

Krishiv froze for a moment, his expression turning to one of confusion. He blinked, trying to process what she was implying. His eyes widened as he glanced at Bulbul, who had stepped back slightly, looking down at the floor. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—what had been a harmless act of kindness, a friendly gesture, had been misconstrued, and now the consequences were far bigger than he had ever imagined.

Kavya didn’t give him a chance to speak. "Let me explain…" Krishiv started, but Kavya’s voice cut him off, sharp as a blade.

"What will you explain, haan?" she asked bitterly. "Do you know what are the consequences of this reckless step of yours? Bulbul toh bacchi hai... aapko toh samajh aata hai na?" Her words were filled with anger and disappointment. Her breath came out in quick bursts, her hands trembling slightly with the intensity of her emotions. "Actually, it's all my fault," she continued, her voice lowering. "I gave you this chance. I should have stopped her from being friendly to you." The pain in her words was evident, the hurt from seeing her daughter caught in this situation overwhelming her.

Krishiv rubbed his eyebrow in frustration, trying to find the right words to defuse the situation, but Kavya wasn’t done.

"Bulbul ki mummy, aap…" he started again, his tone apologetic, but she wasn’t listening anymore.

"Exactly," she interrupted, her voice cold and final. "Mai hun Bulbul ki mummy, and I will decide what is right for her. You are no one to her," she said, her words firm and resolute. "Bahot ho gaya yeh friendship," she added, her tone hardening. It was clear that for Kavya, this was no longer about understanding—it was about protecting her daughter from what she saw as a misguided attempt at being a 'friend.'

"Mumma, please..." Bulbul's voice was small, pleading, her eyes searching her mother's face for some understanding.

"Not a word, Bulbul!" Kavya snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. "Aaj se you are not allowed to meet him." Her words were final, and the authority in her tone left no room for argument. Her eyes never left Bulbul’s face, but they were clouded with a mix of anger and concern.

"Mumma, he is my friend," Bulbul protested, her voice quivering but filled with determination. She couldn’t understand why her mother was acting like this.

"He is no one to you from now on. You won’t even talk to him," Kavya said, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. The words hit like a slap, and Bulbul’s stomach twisted in knots. The shock was evident in her wide eyes, her lips trembling.

"I will," Bulbul said, her voice a mix of defiance and confusion. "You can't stop me from talking to my friend." She raised her chin, but the anxiety was evident in her posture, her shoulders hunched in a way that betrayed her bravado.

"Bulbul, agar meri baat nahi maani toh thappad padega," Kavya threatened, her voice low and firm, the anger in her tone now unmistakable. She stepped closer to Bulbul, her hand raised, ready to reprimand her daughter for what she saw as disobedience.

But before Kavya’s hand could land, Krishiv intervened. "Oyee!!" he shouted, his voice loud and authoritative, as he grabbed her wrist and stopped her from moving any further. His face was flushed with fury, his expression a mix of disbelief and rage. "What the hell!! How could you raise your hand on a kid?" His words were sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere.

Kavya pulled her hand back, stunned by his outburst, but her anger was far from quelled. "She is my daughter!" she retorted, her voice shaking with emotion.

Krishiv's voice grew louder, more desperate. "Still, SHE IS A KID, DAMN IT, "he yelled, the words laced with a fierce protectiveness. "You can't raise your hand on her." His eyes were wide, the panic creeping into his tone. Something inside him had snapped, something that went beyond this disagreement. There was a flicker of fear in his gaze, an unease that seemed to rattle him to his core. "You don't even know how scared she was!" he added, his fists clenched at his sides. "You don’t even know the situation!"

Kavya’s expression darkened. "What situation?" she asked, her tone dripping with suspicion and frustration. "Apne jhuth bolne ki kya safai dena hai?"

Krishiv’s chest heaved as he took a step toward her, his voice low and tinged with frustration. "Haan, jhuth bola maine, but you are the reason for it," he shot back. The words came out in a rush, as if everything he had been holding back for so long was finally spilling out. "Those boys were talking bad about you and asking about her father... and this little girl, she was thinking about you, that you’d be upset if you found out what they were saying. She didn’t want to make you upset." His voice wavered with frustration, as though he couldn’t understand why Kavya couldn’t see what he was trying to say. "She was worried about you, but you, you’re her mother, so you punish her, you scare her, even though she’s already scared of everything else."

His words hit Kavya like a slap. The room seemed to spin for a moment, her heart racing as she processed what he had just said. She opened her mouth to respond, but Krishiv was already turning on his heel, his frustration boiling over.

He spun around and stormed toward the door, his fists clenched, his jaw set in anger. "Bahut ho gaya," he muttered, his voice low but tinged with fury. "She’s just a kid, Kavya. Just a kid." Without another word, he slammed the door behind him, the sound of the impact echoing through the office like the final note of a broken symphony.

Kavya stood frozen, her hand still raised as if she could still feel the sting of Krishiv’s words. Bulbul looked up at her, her eyes wide with confusion, her lips parted as if trying to understand everything that had just happened.

****************************************

The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the windows, casting a warm glow over the living room as Akshat and Amrit sat together, a sense of calm between them. Akshat was sipping his tea, glancing at Amrit occasionally, enjoying the silence. Just as they were about to speak again, the sound of Pratibha's voice echoed from the hallway.

"Arre, jaldi sab sahi karo, damad ji aa hi gye hain!" Pratibha’s voice rang out, filled with excitement.

Amrit frowned in confusion. "Kon?" she asked, turning toward the hallway, her curiosity piqued.

"Arre, Niharika is here with her husband," Pratibha replied, her voice full of eagerness as she bustled around.

Amrit’s eyes widened, clearly shocked. "Husband?? Uski shaadi kab hui??" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise. She didn’t know Niharika had gotten married, and the news seemed to have come as a complete surprise to her.

"Last week hi..arre, lagta hai aa gaye," Pratibha said, her voice trailing off as she disappeared down the hallway.

Amrit, still processing the news, turned to Akshat. "Who is Niharika?" he asked, genuinely curious since he hadn’t heard much about her.

"Pratibha Masi ki bhateeji… She’s like a friend to me," Amrit replied, her expression softening a little as she spoke. "But she didn’t tell me about her marriage," she added, her voice trailing off in slight disappointment.

Akshat raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Tumne bhi toh nahi bataya," he teased lightly, poking fun at her.

Before Amrit could respond, a loud voice cut through the air, drawing both of their attention. "Amruuu!!"

Amrit grinned immediately, recognizing the voice. Her eyes lit up, and she stood up excitedly. "Niharika!!" she exclaimed as the woman entered the room, dressed in a light blue saree that shimmered slightly in the sunlight. Her hair was neatly tied, and she wore sindoor and a mangalsutra, proudly displaying her married status.

"Niharika!!" Amrit rushed to her, and the two embraced in a warm hug. It had been a while since they’d seen each other, and Amrit couldn’t contain her joy at meeting her old friend.

"Kaisi hai tu?? Aur shaadi kab hui?? Bataya nahi tune?" Amrit asked eagerly, pulling back slightly to look at her, a grin still on her face. "You didn’t even tell me you got married!" she added, playfully scolding her friend for not sharing such important news.

Niharika chuckled softly, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Tune jaise bataya na!" she teased.

Before Amrit could reply, Pratibha entered with an almost exaggerated sense of excitement. "Arre Amrit, let her sit na!" she said, ushering the two women towards the nearby couch. As they walked toward the seating area, Amrit’s attention was caught by a figure standing a little behind Niharika. The man stood tall in a perfectly tailored suit, exuding an air of confidence. He was serious-looking, with an intense yet handsome presence. His face was sharp, his jaw set in a manner that commanded respect. His eyes, however, glinted with a mischievous light, making it clear that despite his serious demeanor, he had a playful side.

Amrit, still in shock, glanced between Niharika and the man. "Uh... he is..." Niharika stuttered slightly, clearly a little hesitant to introduce him.

The man, sensing her hesitation, smirked knowingly and wrapped his arm around Niharika’s shoulders, pulling her close. "Ham inke pati hain, sali sahiba ," he said, his voice confident, almost teasing. "Akshant Pratap Shekhawat!! Biwi sahab, aap itna sharamya mat kijiye, hamara naam lene mein," he added with a wink at Niharika.

Niharika shot him a glare, her eyes narrowing in annoyance, but she didn’t say anything, choosing instead to stay silent.

"Arre, aaiye damad ji," Pratibha said from behind them, her tone full of warmth and welcoming as she gestured for the couple to enter further into the room.

The living room was abuzz with chatter and the clinking of teacups as relatives discussed the wedding preparations. Amidst the chaos, Akshat and Akshant sat on a sofa in one corner, observing the commotion.

Akshaant broke the silence. "To bataiye, saadhhu sahab, kya haal hai?"

Akshat glanced at him, slightly taken aback by the sudden conversation. "Acha hoon," he replied curtly, his tone polite but distant.

Akshaant chuckled, unfazed by the short response. "Aap itne shant-shant kyun baithe hain? Saali sahiba se maar padi kya?"

Akshat’s eyes widened slightly, Akshaant quickly raised his hands in mock surrender. "Arre, mazak tha, bhai! Aap toh serious ho gaye.” He laughed heartily, patting Akshat on the shoulder.

Akshat adjusted his coat, looking "Main bas sun raha tha...family discussions."

"Sun raha tha?" Akshaant smirked. "Akshat sahab dusron ki baat sun ne se acha aap hamse thodi baat kar lijiye.”

Akshat gave a faint smile. "I don't talk much."

"Yeh toh hame dikh raha hai” Akshaant said with a wink. "Par dekhiye shaadi ka mahaul hai thoda Masti mazak chalta hai!"

Akshat finally cracked a small smile. “Aap bahot bolte hain.”

"Bilkul sahi!” Akshaant said with a proud smile. "Aur aapko bhi baatein karna sikhayenge hum. By the end of this wedding, aap bhi mere jaise ban jayenge.”

“Bhagwan na karen,” Niharika’s voice came from back, causing Akshat to turn his head in confusion.

“Kya?” Akshat asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

“Nahi, kuch nahi Jijaji,” Niharika replied with a smile, trying to hide her amusement.

“Hamne sun liya, biwi sahab,” Akshant said, his tone teasing as he looked at Niharika, a playful smirk on his face.

Ignoring Akshant’s comment, Niharika said, “Aap logon ko bulaya jaa raha hai.” She motioned for them to follow her.

Akshat and Akshant followed Niharika into the main area, where everyone was gathered.

“Aaj hamare dono naye damad ji saath hain, isliye ye rasam ke liye aap dono ko yaha bulaya hai,” Pratibha announced with a smile.

“Konsi rasam?” Akshant asked, looking around, still unsure.

“Naak khichai,” Pratibha replied, grinning mischievously.

“Par kyun? I mean, main to kabse aaya hoon, aur yeh abhi abhi to aap inki hi kariye,” Akshat protested, not understanding why he was involved.

“Nahi nahi, zyada bachne ki zaroorat nahi hai, jiju,” Aditi chimed in, laughing as she nudged him.

Pratibha walked over to Akshant and, with a swift motion, pulled his nose lightly.

“Arre jiju, aap bhi na. Aise thodi hota hai, aapko apni nose bachani thi, aapne to turant khichwa li,” Amrit said, laughing as she watched the scene unfold.

“Ohh, hamein pata nahi tha,” Akshant said, chuckling at the situation, still trying to recover from the playful prank.

“Chalo, koi baat nahi, mai aapki naak kheech leti hoon. Saali hone ke naate, itna mazak to chalega,” Amrit said with a wink, playfully walking over to Akshant.

“Jaisa aapka hukum,” Akshant replied with a grin.

Amrit came closer and tried to grab Akshant’s nose. He dodged her a few times, but finally, she managed to catch it. However, as she pulled it, she accidentally tugged too hard, causing Akshant to hiss in pain.

“Sorry, jiju, sorry!” Amrit quickly apologized, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Kya karti hai, Amrit!” Pratibha said, shaking her head but laughing along.

“Arrey, it's all right.” Akshant said, still smiling despite the pain.

Amrit looked at him apologetically, but Akshant waved her off, his playful nature still intact.

As Amrit moved away, Niharika’s voice broke through the laughter. “Ab Akshat jiju ki baari.”

Pratibha moved toward Akshat, trying to pull his nose just like she had done with Akshant. Akshat, however, wasn’t going to make it easy. He dodged and moved out of reach, much to everyone’s amusement. After several failed attempts and much laughter from the crowd, Pratibha finally caught hold of Akshat’s nose and pulled it gently.

“Ho gaya,” Pratibha said, beaming with satisfaction.

“Acha, ab chalo. Taiyari bhi karni hai,” she added, signaling that it was time to move on.

As everyone began to disperse, Akshant whispered to Akshat, “Vaise, aapki biwi bahut khatarnak hai. Itni zor se hamari naak kheech li unhone.”

“Arre, saadhhu sahab! Rasam hi to nibha rahi thi... aur mard ko dard nahi hota,” Akshat replied, laughing.

Just then, Niharika came back over to them, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Vaise, jijaji, Amrit ne apne jijaji ki naak kheechi, to mera bhi haq banta hai,” she said, before quickly pulling Akshant’s nose hard, causing him to wince.

She chuckled and walked off, leaving Akshant rubbing his nose.

“Biwi to aapki bhi kam khatarnak nahi,” Akshat said, teasing him.

“Rasam hi to nibha rahi thi… and remember, mard ko dard nahi hota,” Akshant said, repeating Akshat’s earlier words, as they both shared a laugh, rubbing their sore noses.

****************************************

Preeti entered Vedant’s room holding a file in her hand, glancing around. "Kahan gaya ye ladka?" she muttered, noticing the room empty. She placed the file on the table, her eyes scanning the neatly arranged space.

Just then, Vedant’s phone started ringing on the bed. Preeti looked at it, then sighed. "Phone yahi rakh ke gaya hai," she said, picking it up and answering the call.

"Hello, Vedant sir, aapki file bhej di hai peon ke through," a male voice informed.

Preeti smiled slightly. "Haan, mai Preeti bol rahi hun. File pahoch gayi hai," she replied.

"Ok, ma'am," the caller said before disconnecting.

Preeti placed the phone back on the table, shaking her head. "Kahan gaya ye ladka?" she repeated, but her eyes suddenly caught something on the phone’s screen as it lit up. She picked up the phone again, her eyes widening in surprise.

The wallpaper was Nandini’s photo.

Preeti stood there frozen for a moment before a sly smile spread across her face.

Just then, Vedant entered the room, looking a bit startled to see her. “Maa? Aap yahan?” His gaze shifted to the file on the table. “Ohh, file dene aayi thi.”

Preeti turned to him, her expression now a mix of teasing and curiosity. “Kya chal raha hai ye sab?”

Vedant looked confused. “Kya Maa?”

Preeti held up his phone, showing him the wallpaper. “Ye sab,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Vedant’s eyes widened, and he gulped audibly. “Uh… woh… Maa… yeh…” he stammered, struggling for words.

“Ummm wo Maa iske aage” Preeti demanded, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably as a smile tugged at her lips.

Vedant sighed, realizing he couldn’t escape. “Maa, wo actually pata nahi kaise matlab… I don't know how but I love her.”

Preeti’s face lit up instantly. “Sach? Nandini?” she asked, her excitement bubbling over.

“Aapko problem to nahi na koi?” Vedant asked in hesitation.

Preeti laughed in excitement. “ Main toh hamesha chahti thi ki tum dono ek saath ho. Shuru se tum dono ke ladai-jhagde dekhte hue, mujhe lagta tha ki tum dono ek din zaroor ek-dusre ke kareeb aaoge. Lekin phir maine umeed chhod di thi.”

Vedant looked at her in surprise. “Maa, aapne mujhe kabhi bataya nahi.”

Preeti smiled warmly. “Kya bolti? Tum dono itne ziddi the ki mujhe laga samjhane ka koi fayda nahi. Lekin ab… I am so happy for you, my baby!” she kissed his forehead.

“I love you Maa.” Vedant hugged her.

“Acha batao kab taiyari karun bahu ko Ghar laane ki?” Preeti teased.

Vedant broke the hug “Maa. Lekin… main yeh sab kaise bataun? Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki woh kya sochegi… ya woh mujhe accept karegi bhi ya nahi.” He said.

“Arre kyun nahi karegi I am sure she likes you tabhi to tere sath jalebi banai tujhe uss din kitne ache se samjhaya tha teri help karti hai…mai keh rahi hu jaldi bata de usse.” Preeti said, cupping his face.

Vedant smiled nervously. “Lekin Maa, mujhe time chahiye. I mean at least one week.”

Preeti nodded thoughtfully. “Theek hai, time le lo. Par ek baat bataun?”

Vedant looked at her curiously. “Kya?”

Preeti chuckled. “Agar tumhe Nandini ko abhi dekhna hai, toh mere saath chalo. Main waise bhi uske ghar jaane wali thi.”

Vedant’s face lit up. “Sach, Main chalun? Par wo kya sochegi I mean kabhi aapke sath Gaya nahi hun” he said nervously.

Preeti laughed at his eagerness. “So what!! about chal lo.”

Vedant scratched his head shyly, but his grin didn’t fade. “Thank you, Maa.”

Preeti smiled fondly, patting his cheek.

With that, they both left, Vedant's heart racing with anticipation and Preeti silently praying for her son’s happiness.

Nandini opened the door, she saw Preeti and Vedant standing together at the doorstep.

“Preetu darling, aap inhe aise lekar aayi hain jaise koi apne 5 saal ke bachche ko lekar aate hain kisi ke ghar ghoomne,” Nandini teased, laughing. “Aur inhone aapka dupatta kyun pakda hua hai?”

Vedant’s face turned crimson, and he quickly released the dupatta.

Nandini laughed, shaking her head. “Aaiye, aaiye,” she said, stepping aside to let them in. After they entered, she closed the door behind them. “Vaise, pata hai, bas aapke yahan hi aane wali thi,” Nandini added, her tone casual.

“Khushbu aa rahi hai, kya bana rahi ho?” Preeti asked, looking around curiously.

“Chole bhature bana rahi hoon. Aata toh nahi hai, try kar rahi hoon. Socha, agar ban jayenge, toh aap logon ko bhi taste karvaungi,” Nandini replied with a smile.

“Wow, nice! Acha hai ham yahi aa gaye, waise pata hai, Vedant ke favourite hain,” Preeti said, her eyes twinkling.

“Haan, I know. Inhone bataya tha ek baar, tabhi toh achanak yeh idea aaya, socha try karun,” Nandini said, making his heart flutter.

“Tumhe yaad tha?” Vedant asked, surprised.

“Daily 4 badam khati hoon… Preetu darling, bas aayi bhature bana ke,” Nandini said, before leaving.

“Acha, thik hai,” Preeti said, grinning. Nandini headed towards the kitchen, and Vedant followed her with hesitant steps. Preeti and Vedant exchanged a quick look before following her into the kitchen area.

As soon as they reached outside of the kitchen, Preeti leaned in toward Vedant, whispering with a mischievous smile, “Dekha, maine kaha tha na, she likes you too! Tabhi toh teri batayi hui baat yaad rakhi hai. Wo bhi favourite ke baare mein.”

Vedant blushed furiously, scratching the back of his neck. “Maa, please,” he mumbled, looking away.

“Sharama band kar, jaa ke mauke pe chauka maar, uski help kar aur usko propose kar ,” Preeti said, pushing him forward in the kitchen.

“Nahi, Maa, mai kya hi karunga aur mujhe abhi preparation karni padegi,” Vedant said, trying to protest,

“Ye tere hospital ka koi operation nahi hai jiski preparation karni pade…tu jaa .” Preeti said smacking his head.

“Maa mai kar lunga na baad me.” He tried to explain but Preeti gave him a gentle push.

“Aree! Are you ok?” Nandini called out as Vedant almost lost his balance, stumbling into the kitchen. He grabbed onto the kitchen shelf to steady himself.

“H…haan, fine, fine,” Vedant replied, his voice a little shaky.

“Aur kaise, girte padte kyun aa rahe?” Nandini asked, chuckling as she turned toward him.

“Actually, galti se slip ho gaya,” Vedant said, straightening himself up.

“Ohh, kya chahiye, paani?” Nandini asked with a raised eyebrow, still amused by his clumsy entrance.

“N..nahi, wo…wo… mai soch raha tha, help karva doon tumhari,” Vedant said nervously, his voice faltering.

“Arre, rehne dijiye, mujhe apna chola bhature jala hua nahi chahiye,” Nandini said with a laugh.

“Ohh madam, chole bhature hi aisi cheez hai jise bahut accha banata hoon mai. Chahe toh mummy se puch lo, kyunki it's my favourite,” Vedant said, trying to sound confident. He added, “Aur tumhara toh abhi tak dough bhi nahi prepare ho pa raha, aisa lag raha hai, kushti lad rahi ho.”

Nandini raised her eyebrows at his playful remark. “Haan, mujhse ban nahi raha, aap isme meri help kar sakte ho?” she asked, giving him a hopeful look.

Vedant’s heart skipped a beat as he realized she was genuinely asking for his help. “Acha, thik hai, main batata hun kaise banate hain.” he said, finally finding his courage.

Preeti smiled to herself from the doorway, watching the playful exchange between the two, happy to see her son finally taking a step forward.

As Vedant stood behind Nandini, his heart raced. The feeling of being so close to her was overwhelming. His fingers brushed against hers as he gently guided her hands, but he could barely focus on the task at hand. The soft rhythm of her movements, the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders, the gentle sway of her body as she kneaded the dough was all too much for him to process.

Every breath he took seemed to draw him closer to her, and yet she remained unaware of his intense gaze. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, captivated by the way she was so engrossed in the simple task, so effortlessly graceful.

His heartbeat thudded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. The warmth of her body against his chest , the slight pressure of his hands against her , it was like an invisible thread pulling him in, making him want to be even closer.

His hand lingered on hers for a second longer than necessary, and he almost didn’t want to pull away. But he did, knowing that he couldn’t keep this closeness forever. He wanted to say something, do something, but his words were stuck in his throat, caught in the tide of emotions crashing inside him.

"Ho gaya!" Nandini said in excitement as she finished preparing the dough, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Vedant quickly stepped back, snapping out of his daze, as if coming to his senses. He had been standing behind her for so long, completely lost in the moment, his thoughts swirling with emotions. But now, with Nandini finally finishing her task, he took a deep breath and distanced himself.

"Thank you. Ab aap jaaiye, mai aati hun bas bana kar," Nandini said, her attention now back on the dough, eager to start the next step. Her voice was light, and she didn’t notice the awkwardness in the room.

"Haan, okay," Vedant mumbled, turning to leave. But just as he was about to step out of the kitchen, Preeti entered with her usual exuberance.

"Arre Vedu baby, Nandu baby ko wo baat to batao jiske liye tum yahan aaye mere sath," Preeti said with a teasing smile, completely unaware of the turmoil she was about to cause in her son's heart.

Vedant's eyes widened in shock, his entire body freezing. His mother had just blurted out the very thing he had been trying to avoid. The one thing he had been too scared to say, and now here she was, casually throwing it out there like it was no big deal.

"Kya? Aapko kuch baat karni thi? Boliye na," Nandini asked, her confusion written all over her face. She glanced between Vedant and Preeti, sensing something was off but unsure of what.

"K...k...kya kuch bhi to nahi," Vedant stammered, his mind racing to find a way out of the mess his mother had just created.

But Preeti was relentless. "Par tumne hi to kaha tha na ki maa mujhe Nandini ko batana hai wo baat bahut important hai," she continued, clearly enjoying Vedant's discomfort.

"Mom, ye aapne kyun kiya? Mujhe yahan bol kar laayi ki Nandini ko dekh lena, ab phasa rahi ho," Vedant thought, frustration building inside him as he tried to figure out how to handle the situation.

Nandini was still waiting for an answer, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Boliye na, Vedant, kya baat hai?" she urged, oblivious to the chaos she was unknowingly adding to.

"Haan, boliye na Vedant," Preeti teased, giving him an encouraging nudge.

Vedant’s heart pounded in his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words just wouldn’t come out. "W…wo... mai ham tum hamara i…we... us... actually..." he stammered, his mind spiraling with every failed attempt to explain. His face flushed as he fumbled for the right words, but everything he wanted to say seemed to get stuck in his throat.

"Kya hua? Ye grammar kyun padhane lage? Bataiye kya hua?" Nandini asked, looking genuinely puzzled as Vedant fumbled.

"Bata raha hu...haan, wo mai kaise samjhaun mai, matlb, I actually... wo mai kaise bataun, mujhe bolna nahi aa raha, tum samajh rahi ho na? I mean mai..." Vedant wiped the sweat from his forehead, his nerves completely unraveling. He grabbed a glass of water, gulping it down quickly, but the pressure only seemed to make his anxiety worse. He drank another glass, then another, trying to calm himself, but it only made him more flustered.

"Beta, bata na Vedu baby," Preeti said, her voice filled with amusement as she watched her son’s struggle.

Vedant’s mind raced, and he panicked. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t tell her. Not now, not like this. He needed time, but he couldn’t think straight with everyone waiting for him to speak.

"Wo i... i... i have some urgent work," Vedant blurted out, grasping at any excuse to escape the conversation. "Chole bhature baad me kha lunga. Shaam tak ghar bhej dena," he said quickly, almost running out of the kitchen.

He dashed out the door, leaving a stunned and confused Nandini behind.

Preeti stood there, mentally slapping herself. Ye ladka pagal hai! Poora acha khasa chance tha, gadha kahin ka! she thought, her excitement deflating as she realized what had just happened. She had hoped for a moment of truth, but instead, her son had run away like a scared little boy.

Nandini, still standing there, turned to Preeti with a confused expression. "Preetu darling, aapko pata hai kya, wo kya kehna chahte hain?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Preeti shrugged her shoulders, trying to play it off. "Nahi, Nandu baby, I don't know," she said, her voice light but her mind still buzzing with the failed attempt to get Vedant to confess.

"Aisa kya tha jo bata hi nahi paa rahe," Nandini muttered to herself, still trying to figure out the mystery behind Vedant’s odd behavior.

****************************************

The house was buzzing with wedding preparations, laughter, and chaos. Amrit was looking for Akshat, amidst the crowd. Spotting him from a distance, she called out.

“Akshat, suniye!” Amrit said, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the chatter.

However, to her surprise, Akshaant, her other brother-in-law, turned around with a bright smile. “Ji, saali sahiba?” he said, stepping forward.

Amrit blinked in confusion. “Arre, aapko nahi! Akshat ko bula rahi thi,” she clarified, laughing.

Akshaant smirked, placing a hand on his chest dramatically. “Ohh, hume laga aap ‘Akshant’ bol rahi thi.” he said with innocence, making Amrit chuckle.

Before she could respond, Niharika entered the scene, looking for Akshaant.

“Akshant!” Niharika called out, but this time Akshat turned toward her.

“Kya hua?” Akshat asked, a curious expression on his face.

Niharika raised her eyebrows in exasperation. “Arre, aapko nahi! Unhe bula rahi thi!” she said, pointing toward Akshaant.

For a moment, both Akshat and Akshaant looked at each other and then burst out laughing, realizing the hilarity of the mix-up.

“You two should come with name tags,” Amrit said with a grin. “Naam same hai dono ka, bas ‘N’ ka fark hai!”

“Bhai lag rahe hain naam se,” Niharika added, her laughter bubbling over as they moved aside.

The group sat together, laughing and chatting amidst the wedding hustle. Amaira turned to Akshat and Akshaant.

“Jiju, aap dono itne mast dikhte ho. Dono didis ki kismat hi khul gayi. Aapke koi mere age ke bhai honge to batana,” Amaira said, her cheeky grin making everyone chuckle.

Akshaant leaned forward with a playful smirk, gently pulling her cheeks. “Arre, hum aapke liye hamse bhi handsome ladka dhundenge, saali sahiba Don’t worry. Kyun Akshat sahab.”

“Jaroor…aur abhi padhai pe dhyan do ok.” Akshat said, making everyone roll their eyes.

“Atleast yahan to apne professor wale form me se bahar aaiye.” Amrit said, shaking her head.

“Haan, mere liye bhi dhundh dijiyega mast se!” Trisha piped in with equal enthusiasm.

Amrit, amused, raised an eyebrow. “Behan, 4 ghante me shadi hai teri?”

“Arre haan! Sorry, bhul gayi thi,” Trisha said, smacking her forehead dramatically. Her comment sent the entire group into fits of laughter.

As the laughter subsided, Pratibha walked in, looking slightly frazzled. “Suno, maine Prakash ko yahi paas ke market se shringaar ka samaan laane bheja tha Gauri Pooja ke liye. Par abhi yaad aaya ki wo saman already rakha hai! Phone nahi utha raha aur sab ladke pata nahi kahan gaye… koi jaake mana kar do varna faltu extra ho jayega.”

“Haan, mai jaati hoon, bua ji,” Niharika offered, standing up.

“Haan, yahi market mein pahocha hoga abhi. Bhag ke jao,” Pratibha instructed, relieved.

Akshaant couldn’t resist. “Haan bua ji bhagne me to ye maahir hain.”

Everyone turned to him with curious smiles. Amrit tilted her head. “Huh?”

“Ummm… nothing!” Akshant quickly deflected, trying to maintain his composed demeanor. Turning to Niharika, he added with a smirk, “Aap jaiye biwi ji apna talent dikhaiye.” Niharika shot him a glare, catching his taunt.

Amrit smiled softly at everyone’s reaction, but she wasn’t about to back down easily. "Aap baithiye, mai pakode bana ke laati hun," she said with a confident grin, ready to head toward the kitchen.

The entire room, including Akshat, reacted with a collective, almost synchronized shout. "Please nahii!!" they all said, causing Amrit to pause in her tracks, looking at them in surprise.

"Arrey..." she started, clearly puzzled by their strong reaction.

But Akshat, who had been watching the exchange with a smirk, stood up from where he was sitting. "Tum rehne do... I will make it," he said, his voice firm but still carrying a hint of amusement, as if he were taking charge of the situation.

Pratibha, who was standing by, immediately protested. "Arre, damad ji, aap kyun?" she asked, almost scolding him in a playful way.

Amrit chuckled, glancing over at Akshat with a smile. But before she could say anything, Akshat’s words stopped everyone in their tracks.

"Masi, it’s my home too, na?" he said, his tone surprisingly playful yet assertive, as if to remind everyone that he wasn’t just the husband of Amrit but an active part of the household as well.

Pratibha hesitated for a second, clearly surprised by Akshat’s firm stance. But with a mischievous smile, she backed off and turned toward Amrit. "Amrit, jaa ke help karva, na. Baithi kya hai!" she said, her voice filled with mock authority, as if Amrit needed to get to work now that Akshat had stepped in.

The kitchen was filled with an air of warmth as Akshat continued his work, a soft hum of concentration in his movements. Amrit stood beside him, silently passing items to him, as if this routine of working together had become second nature. But this moment of calm was soon interrupted by the playful teasing of Amaira and Aditi, who entered with mischievous grins plastered across their faces.

"Jitne naye guests aaye hain, sab toh kabse jiju ki tareef kiye ja rahe hain," Amaira said with a wink, her voice dripping with teasing curiosity.

"Haan par jiju, aap hain bhi itne handsome," Aditi chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Amrit didi ne pehle hi bataya tha ki aap kitne hot ho... She even has your so many candid pictures!"

Amrit froze, the color draining from her face as her mind raced. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed a deep shade of crimson. Akshat's eyebrow quirked up in surprise, and he shot her a playful, intrigued look. His lips twitched into a knowing smile.

"Haan, she even said that you look so handsome in class also... itna ki she wants to kiss you!" Amaira added, completely unfazed by the look of shock on Amrit’s face.

Akshat’s breath caught in his throat. His cheeks flushed slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise with a nonchalant demeanor. He fumbled for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Now, when did I say that?" Amrit demanded, her voice a mixture of panic and embarrassment.

"Arre didi, ab jhuth bolne ki zarurat nahi hai... I have a voice recording," Aditi said, pulling out her phone triumphantly. "When we asked you about jiju, you went all out. Hold on, I'll play it for you."

Amrit, now panicking, rushed forward to snatch the phone, but Amaira blocked her attempts, holding her back with a firm but playful grip.

Aditi tapped on the recording, and Amrit’s voice immediately filled the kitchen.

"Akshat... umm, he’s not just handsome, you know? I mean, yes, he is really, really good-looking... like ridiculously handsome... but there’s more to him than that. His nature is just... so caring. He always makes sure everyone around him is comfortable, even if it means going out of his way."

"And the way he smiles... oh God, that smile! It’s like the world becomes a little brighter when he does. He doesn’t even realize how much of an impact he has on people. His laugh, his warmth... it’s just so genuine."

Akshat’s fingers stilled on the counter, and for a fleeting moment, he let the words wash over him. His lips curled into a soft smile, a warmth bubbling inside him.

"And the way he cares for everyone, it’s like he puts others before himself every single time. I don’t know how he does it, but it’s so... endearing. It makes me want to be a better person, just being around him."

"And have you seen him teach? Oh my God, it’s like... mesmerizing. The way he explains things, with so much patience and clarity. And the way he looks at the board, writing so confidently... I just... I can't look away. There was this one time, he was teaching this really boring topic, and all I could think was, 'How is he making even this look so... attractive?' Unke class me boring se boring topic bhi intresting lagta hai.”

"I mean, if he ever took off those glasses and just... smiled at me... I’d probably just want to kiss him. I can't help it, that man is too handsome for his own good."

Akshat’s hands trembled slightly as the recording ended, his heart pounding in his chest. He stood frozen, his hands still on the counter as he processed the words she had just spoken about him. His heart raced a little faster now, a deep flush creeping across his face.

Amrit, meanwhile, had completely hidden her face in her hands, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to look at him after that.

Her heart was still racing as she tried to process the teasing conversation she had just been a part of. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, and she could feel the warmth creeping up her neck.

Just then, a voice from outside interrupted the moment. "Aditi, Amaira, jo saman kaha tha laaya kya tumne?" It was the voice of someone from the living room, calling out to the two girls.

"Shit!! Ham bhul hi gaye inn sab baaton mein. Chal Aditi!" Amaira's voice was urgent as she quickly grabbed Aditi’s hand and pulled her towards the door.

Amrit, seizing the opportunity, glanced at Akshat, who was still focused on chopping the potatoes. His attention was completely on his task. She could feel the weight of the moment hanging between them, but she couldn’t bear to be around him right now—especially after everything that had been said. Her heart was still pounding, and she needed a moment to herself, away from the teasing, the compliments, and most importantly, away from Akshat’s warm, kind presence that was somehow making her feel both flustered and grounded at the same time.

“I… I have some work,” she murmured, trying to make a quick escape, but before she could even turn to leave, Akshat wrapped fingers around her hand wrist, pulling her toward him. The coolness of the countertop against her back contrasted sharply with the heat she felt rising inside her. His other hand, steady and sure, hovered just beside her, the warmth of his presence enveloping her. She tried to speak, but her words faltered as his proximity sent a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions crashing over her.

His face was inches from hers now, and she could feel his breath brushing against her skin. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as he leaned in, his presence overwhelming, making it impossible for her to think straight.

"So, you’re having these thoughts about your professor?" he asked, his voice low and teasing, but with a certain edge that made her throat dry.

Her mind raced, but her voice betrayed her as she stammered, her words caught in the tangled mess of her emotions. “Wo… wo… I… I was just…” She couldn’t finish, the words stuck in her throat as his proximity disoriented her.

Akshat’s smirk grew, but there was a softness in his eyes as he leaned in even closer, his lips almost brushing her ear. “I used to think tum itne concentration se lectures sunti ho,” he said, his words making her skin tingle, sending a wave of warmth through her.

Before she could respond, Akshat’s hand shifted, gently but firmly interlocking his fingers with hers, pressing her palm against the countertop. The gentle pressure made her stomach flip, a mix of excitement and nerves coiling tightly inside her.

“Ha…” Her voice faltered again, unable to articulate anything coherent. She couldn’t stop the blush that spread across her cheeks, her heart pounding louder with each passing second.

His gaze flickered down for a moment, noticing how her hair had fallen across her face, disrupting his view. With a quiet, almost reverent gesture, Akshat raised the hand he had been holding and, still keeping his grip on her, pushed her hair behind her ear. His touch was soft but deliberate, and when his fingers brushed against her skin, Amrit closed her eyes involuntarily, savoring the sensation.

Akshat’s hand, which had been resting on the counter beside her, slowly moved towards her waist. She held her breath, unsure of what was coming next, but when his hand finally made contact with her side, she felt a shiver run down her spine. His fingers trembled, almost as though he was fighting the urge to pull away, but he didn’t. Instead, his touch lingered, tentative yet full of a kind of quiet, aching desire.

He didn’t panic. There was no overwhelming rush of thoughts of the past. Instead, something inside him flickered—a quiet, undeniable feeling that told him it was okay to let go. Desire. The desire to stay here, with her, like this. A desire to explore something deeper, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel before. And he didn’t fight it. He allowed the warmth in his chest to spread and settle as he held her more firmly, his hand moving slowly down her waist.

Her body instinctively moved closer to his, drawn in by the magnetic pull between them. Her hand, almost of its own accord, went to his shoulder, grasping the fabric of his shirt in a tight fist as her heart raced. Her touch seemed to ignite something in him, and he responded by pulling her even closer, his grip tightening on her waist.

Amrit’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she felt her cheeks heat up with the intensity of the moment. She could feel his heart beating against her, just as fast and as loud as hers. She couldn’t look away from him, her breath caught in her throat as he leaned in closer, his lips mere inches from her skin.

Her cheeks flushed deep red as she felt his palm press against her waist more firmly, his touch becoming more assertive, more intimate. She couldn’t stop the soft gasp that escaped her lips.

Without thinking, Akshat lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her palm. The touch was gentle, almost reverent, and it sent a rush of butterflies to her stomach. The sensation of his lips on her skin lingered long after the kiss had ended, making her heart race even faster.

Akshat watched Amrit as she shyly smiled, her eyes flicking downwards, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks. A small, genuine smile crept onto his lips, unable to be hidden, as he watched her in silence.

Unable to contain the sudden surge of affection, Akshat let out a soft chuckle, his gaze locked on her face as if she was the only thing in the room. Without thinking, he gently tapped his forehead against hers, just for a moment, the touch warm and reassuring.

Amrit chuckled too, her laugh soft and melodic.

He pulled back slightly, trying to regain his composure, though his heart was still pounding in his chest, betraying his calm demeanor. "Chalo, prepare tea for everyone," he said, attempting to break the lingering tension, his voice softer than usual.

Amrit just nodded, her blush deepening as she quickly turned to leave, but not without stealing one more glance at him, her heart fluttering from the closeness they had shared.

****************************************

The night after their wedding, Akshat and Amrit had boarded the late train back to Mumbai. The journey was quiet and peaceful, the only sounds being the rhythmic clattering of the train against the tracks. By the time they reached Mumbai in the early morning hours, both were exhausted but content, their minds still reflecting on the whirlwind events of the past days.

As they arrived at the station, Akshat turned to Amrit with a tired but gentle smile. "Tum ghar jao, I should go to the mansion. Sab pareshan ho rahe honge. And lectures bhi hain," he said, his voice a little hoarse from the travel but still carrying the warmth he always showed her.

He helped her into the cab he had booked for her, his gaze lingering on her as she settled into the back seat. "Take care," he said before the car drove off, his eyes watching her until the vehicle turned the corner, disappearing from view.

Once inside his mansion, Akshat was greeted by the quiet emptiness of the house. He walked in and was surprised to find his mother, Vishakha, waiting for him in the living room, her figure silhouetted by the soft light streaming in from the large windows.

"How was your meeting with the board of directors?" Vishakha asked, her tone casual, but her eyes scrutinizing him carefully. Akshat had lied to her earlier, telling her that he had to go to Pune for a meeting with the board of directors for a week. But now, he didn’t have the energy to maintain the pretense, the exhaustion of the long day creeping up on him.

"Good... I’m tired, toh baad mein baat karte hain," Akshat responded, running a hand through his hair, trying to mask the fatigue in his voice.

Vishakha, however, wasn’t done with her line of questioning. "Accha sun," she said, her voice carrying an unusual firmness.

"Ji, maa?" Akshat responded, turning to her, though his body was already seeking the comfort of his bed.

"Aaj ek party rakhi hai, bahut badi business deal crack kiya hamne," she announced, clearly pleased with the success of her recent business venture.

Akshat smiled warmly, feeling a brief surge of happiness for her. "That's great! Congratulations!" he exclaimed, stepping forward to hug her.

"Thank you, beta," Vishakha said, her voice softening with pride. She pulled back and gave him a knowing look. "Tere liye ladki bhi dhundhi hai ek," she continued, her tone casual but carrying an underlying seriousness.

Akshat froze, pulling away slightly, his brows furrowing in confusion. "What?" he asked, his voice strained as he tried to process what she was saying.

"Yes... her name is Arpita. She’s so good for you, Akshat. Please, at least give it a try," Vishakha said, her voice pleading but firm, the urgency in her tone unmistakable.

Akshat’s heart sank. He had heard these conversations too many times before, each one a reminder of the pressure his mother placed on him regarding marriage. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm despite the frustration building inside him. "Maa, how many times I told you? Please don’t do all this. I can’t marry anyone," he said, his voice quiet but firm, the words weighted with a history of unspoken emotions.

"But why?" Vishakha asked, her voice tinged with a touch of desperation. "I know how your perspective is about love and marriage, but please trust me. Har ladki ek jaisi nahi hoti," she added, her eyes searching his face, as if willing him to understand.

"I know, maa. And I’ve never judged anyone because of my past, but I can’t marry her or anyone," Akshat replied, his voice thick with emotion. His thoughts immediately turned to Amrit, the woman he had married, the woman he had promised to spend his life with. But the thing was, he couldn’t tell his mother the real reason. Amrit didn’t want it yet. She wasn’t ready for everyone to know. And so, Akshat kept his silence, struggling with his own conflict.

Vishakha noticed the hesitation in his eyes and took a step closer. "Akshat, I’m not asking you to fall in love with her. I’m just asking you to meet her tonight at the party. Please... just give it a chance. For me," she said, her voice laced with both concern and determination.

Akshat’s chest tightened at the thought of what his mother was asking of him. The pressure was suffocating, the expectation impossible. He looked at her, his heart heavy. "Maa, I can’t do this. I can’t meet her.”

"Akshat," Vishakha said firmly, her voice carrying a warning now. "I am your mother. You will meet her tonight. No more arguments." She was resolute, and the way she spoke made it clear that there would be no backing down from this request.

Akshat’s mind was spinning. His feelings of frustration and confusion only grew. He wanted to explain everything to her, but there was no way to do that without tearing down the walls he had built up around his marriage with Amrit. He wasn’t ready to tell her that he was already married, not when Amrit hadn’t even accepted it publicly.

He stormed out of the mansion, his mind a whirlwind of frustration. The tension with his mother, the forced encounter with Arpita, and the weight of his own conflicting emotions had become too much to bear. In search of solace, he needed to be alone, to clear his mind. He drove to the apartment, the one place where he could escape it all, and entered from the back entrance, hoping the quiet would bring him some peace.

As he stepped into the apartment, a sense of calm immediately enveloped him. His eyes, tired and worn, scanned the room, and there she was—Amrit, sleeping soundly on the couch. A smile spread across his face, a small, genuine smile that seemed to melt away all the frustration that had been clouding his mind. It was as though, in that moment, with her there, he had finally found the peace he had been desperately seeking.

The room, however, told a different story. Luggage was haphazardly thrown in the corner, scattered carelessly as if in a rush. One sandal lay abandoned on the floor across the room, the other near her feet, which were hanging over the edge of the couch. Akshat couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the sight. She was always in a hurry, always lost in the world around her, yet it was endearing in its own way.

Shaking his head, he moved toward the scattered items. Kneeling down, he picked up the sandals one by one, carefully placing them together. He then rearranged her luggage, folding it neatly, straightening out the room in the calm way he often did when things around him felt out of control. It was as though the small act of tidying up was a way for him to restore order in his own mind.

After making the room more peaceful, he stood there for a moment, gazing at her. She looked peaceful, her face soft in sleep, the faintest smile playing on her lips. Her hair was spread across the pillow, the faintest strands framing her face in a way that made his heart ache with tenderness.

Akshat slowly walked toward her, careful not to wake her. His heart felt lighter as he bent down, gently lifting her in his arms. She stirred for a moment but didn’t wake, instinctively curling into him.

________________________________________________

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Special Entry – Akshant and Niharika from the amazing book Shadowed Vows – A Love Built on Deception by _authoranuu__.

If you haven’t read it yet, you’re truly missing out on a complete package of love, romance, angst, and the greenest flag male lead you’ll ever meet!This book stands out from the typical forced marriage stories. You’re going to fall in love with Akshant , a character who’s everything you’d want in a male lead. Don’t miss out!

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