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[A/N- Guys I always update a chapter which contains more than 10k words and this new chapter is over 11,000 words!

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on it. If you’re unable to leave inline comments, that’s totally fine, just leave a general comment about the chapter wherever I ask for feedback. It would mean the world to us to know how you felt about the story.]

Chapter 26 is already out on scrollstack, link is in our Instagram and Wattpad bio. It will be updated here as soon the target will be completed.

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The soft afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Amrit stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. The first thing she saw was Akshat lying beside her, his face peaceful in sleep. She blinked, her gaze lowering to where her hand rested under his cheek. He was holding it gently, as though even in his sleep, he couldn’t let go.

Her brows furrowed as she remembered his words from earlier that morning—he’d mentioned he had lectures to attend. Why is he still here? she wondered. But as she looked at him more closely, her frown softened. The tiredness etched on his face, the faint lines of stress that seemed to ease in his sleep, made her realize how exhausted he must have been.

Her lips curled into a soft smile. Forgetting everything else for a moment, she allowed herself to simply admire him. His features, usually so composed and serious, looked almost boyish in repose. There was something comforting in seeing him like this—unguarded, calm, and serene.

Slowly, she raised her free hand, hesitating for a moment before placing it lightly on his other cheek. The warmth of his skin under her fingertips sent a flutter through her chest. She caressed his cheek softly, her thumb brushing over the faint stubble along his jawline. Her gaze followed her touch, moving from his cheek to his strong jaw, then lingering on his lips before traveling back to his face. There was a sense of intimacy in the moment that made her heart beat a little faster.

As her fingers traced the contours of his cheek, she marveled at how someone so stern and composed could feel so warm and soft under her touch. She was lost in the quiet, tender moment, not realizing how long she had been staring.

Suddenly aware of herself, she decided to pull back, her hand retreating slowly. But just as her fingertips began to leave his skin, she gasped softly. Akshat’s hand shot up, grasping hers and pressing it back against his cheek.

His eyes fluttered open, the soft brown depths meeting hers. There was a brief moment of confusion in his gaze, but it quickly melted into something warm and tender. A small, almost boyish smile spread across his lips as he looked at her. Without saying a word, he brought her hand to his cheek again, his thumb brushing over her knuckles softly.

His smile deepened slightly, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, as though reassuring her. His touch, his gaze—it was all too much for her fluttering heart.

Finally, summoning her composure, Amrit pulled her hand away, retreating quickly as she sat up on the bed. She felt her pulse hammering in her ears, her fingers still tingling from the contact. She avoided his gaze, unsure of what to say or do.

Akshat stretched beside her, rubbing his eyes and letting out a soft yawn.

Amrit stole a quick glance at him, her face still flushed. “You… you were supposed to attend your lectures this morning,” she said, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. Her voice betrayed her flustered state.

Akshat stretched lazily, leaning back against the headboard. His disheveled hair and sleepy eyes made him look adorably innocent, and Amrit couldn't help but smile at the rare sight of him so unguarded.

“I was exhausted,” he said with a soft yawn, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Abhi bhi neend aa rahi hai aapko?” she asked, tilting her head as she observed him closely.

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “I have to go to the mansion. Party hai raat mein… preparations karni hongi. Maa ne—”

“Badi deal crack ki. I know,” Amrit interrupted before he could finish, her tone casual.

Akshat raised an eyebrow, surprised. “How do you know?”

“Anika didi subah aayi thi,” she replied with a shrug, leaning back on her hands. “She invited me also… should I come there?” Her voice was hesitant, but her eyes were curious as she searched his expression.

He regarded her for a moment before asking, “Tumhara man hai?”

Amrit nodded, but her fidgeting fingers betrayed her uncertainty. She absentmindedly toyed with the hem of her top, biting her lip as though waiting for his approval.

Akshat smiled softly at her antics. “Toh why are you asking me? Nandini aur Kavya ke saath aa jana.” His tone was light, but his words carried a sense of ease, almost as if encouraging her to step into his world.

A grin broke out on Amrit’s face, her hesitation melting away. “Mai dress select karti hun!” she declared enthusiastically, jumping off the bed with the energy of a child. She moved so quickly that she almost stumbled, but she was too excited to care.

“Arre sambhal ke!” Akshat called out, his voice tinged with concern, but she was already halfway to the closet, oblivious to his words.

He shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he watched her disappear into the closet like a whirlwind. It was hard to believe how much her presence had transformed his once-quiet apartment.

Akshat stretched his arms as he walked into the kitchen, his mind still half-clouded with sleep. He splashed some cold water on his face in the bathroom and returned to the counter, deciding to make coffee for himself and tea for Amrit. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as he poured the tea into a cup, humming softly to himself.

“Akshat aaiye zara!” Amrit's voice echoed from the room.

“Wait a minute,” he called back, focusing on not spilling the tea.

But Amrit wasn’t one to wait. “Akshattttttttttt! Akshat, Akshat, Akshat, Akshat!” she chanted in rapid succession, her tone growing more impatient and dramatic with each call.

Akshat shook his head, letting out a soft laugh. “Aa raha hun baba!” he said, carefully balancing both cups as he made his way to the room.

As he entered, he saw her standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by a colorful mess of clothes scattered across the bed. He placed her tea on the side table and settled on the edge of the bed with his coffee in hand. “Kyun chilla rahi ho?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee.

Amrit turned to him with an exasperated look, holding up two dresses. “Inme se kya pehnu aaj?” she asked, gesturing to the pile on the bed.

Akshat glanced at the clothes briefly before shrugging. “Kuch bhi pehen lo. Normal party hai, itna sochne ki zarurat nahi hai,” he said nonchalantly, taking another sip of his coffee.

“Woh aapke liye hogi!” Amrit huffed, crossing her arms. “Mai toh pehli baar apne sasural jaa rahi hun na! Kya impression padega!”

Her dramatic emphasis made Akshat chuckle, shaking his head at her antics. “Sasural waalon pe jo impression padna tha, woh toh pehle hi pad chuka hai,” he said with a teasing smirk. “Aur vaise bhi, impress hoke bhi kya karenge? Unke liye toh tum kisi Nikhil Kumar ki patni ho!”

Amrit snatched the coffee mug from Akshat's hand and placed it on the table with a sharp clink. “Aap nahi samjhenge. Select karne mein help kariye na,” she demanded, her tone a mix of frustration and pleading.

Akshat sighed, clearly sensing that resistance was futile. He stood up reluctantly, eyeing the pile of clothes spread on the bed. Picking up a pink anarkali, he held it in front of her, letting his gaze sweep over her from head to toe as if evaluating her.

“Party ke liye match nahi karega,” he concluded, clicking his tongue in disapproval before setting it aside.

He then grabbed an orange outfit and examined it, only to shake his head again. “Yeh bhi nahi.”

Next came a red dress, a yellow one, and a blue saree, but each was met with the same fate—Akshat’s disapproving shake of the head.

Amrit’s patience was wearing thin. “Isme se ek bhi nahi select kiya aapne!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Mere paas toh pehnne ke liye kuch hai hi nahi party mein!” She picked up her tea and downed it in one dramatic gulp, the exasperation evident on her face.

“Arre, calm down,” Akshat said, suppressing a chuckle at her theatrics. “Let me check the cupboard again.” He moved toward the closet, his stride confident.

Amrit’s eyes widened in alarm as realization dawned. “Nahi, nahi! Bas itne hain!” she shouted, rushing after him, but it was too late.

Akshat had already opened the cupboard. His eyes immediately landed on a small section tucked away in the corner, holding a few dresses she had clearly hidden from sight. His curiosity piqued, he pulled them out one by one.

The first was a white short dress, sleeveless and elegant in its simplicity. The second was a striking red off-shoulder dress, and the third, a sleek black gown that exuded a bold sophistication.

Akshat raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and surprise crossing his face. “Tum ye bhi pehenti ho?” he asked, holding up the black gown as his gaze flicked between her and the dress.

Amrit hesitated for a moment, then muttered, “Matlab…these are too revealing. Bareilly me toh mujhe ye sab pehen ne ka chance hi nahi milta tha, chachi kehti thi ki isse pehen ne vale acche nahi hote. But I never believed her because my mother had no problem but still I couldn't bring myself to wear these dresses publicly.” She said, recalling her hometown.

She looked at him , surprised. “Aur aapko sach ne koi problem nahi hai? Meri friends, jinki shaadi ho chuki hai, sab kehti hain ki unke husbands unko aise revealing dresses pehen ne nahi dete because they are protective for them.”

Akshat paused, and turned to face her, and raised an eyebrow at her statement.

“Amrit,” he began, his voice steady and firm, “protection and control are two very different things. What your friends’ husbands are doing, that’s not protection—it’s suffocation. And trust me, a man who truly understands what it means to be protective would never dictate what his wife should or shouldn’t wear.”

She blinked, caught off guard by his tone, but he continued, his gaze unwavering. “If a husband thinks he’s protecting his wife by stopping her from being herself, by restricting her choices, then he’s not being protective , he’s being insecure. Real protection isn’t about caging someone, it’s about making sure they feel free, supported, and safe no matter what they choose to do or wear.”

Amrit stared at him, her lips parting slightly as his words sank in.

Akshat took a step closer, his voice softening but losing none of its conviction. “You can wear whatever you want, Amrit. You don’t need my permission or anyone else’s. The clothes you choose don’t define your character, and they certainly don’t define your worth. And if anyone out there is shameless enough to look at you the wrong way,” he said, his jaw tightening slightly, “then I will personally make sure they regret it. I don’t care who it is, I’ll peel their eyes if I have to.”

Her eyes widened at the fierceness in his tone, but before she could respond, he softened again, his expression melting into a gentle smile.

“A man doesn’t need to control you to feel secure. He needs to trust you, respect you, and make sure you feel confident in your own skin. That’s what being protective really means—not stopping you from living your life the way you want to.”

Amrit felt her heart swell at his words. She didn’t know what to say.

“You’re my wife, Amrit,” Akshat added, stepping even closer and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “And I will always stand by your side. You can wear anything you want. Be who you are. The rest of the world can go to hell.”

A smile tugged at her lips, and she nodded slowly. “Aap itne perfect kyun hain?” she whispered, her voice barely audible while he chuckled.

She smiled back, her cheeks slightly flushed, and for the first time, she felt truly free—free to be herself, knowing she had someone who believed in her unconditionally.

Amrit glanced at the dresses in her hand, hesitating before saying softly, “I’ll try these on some other day. Aaj pehli baar wahan jaa rahi hoon, toh kuch aur pehnu jo accha impression de.”

Akshat chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against the cupboard. “It’s up to you if you don’t want to wear this today. Lekin trust me, meri family dress dekh ke impress nahi hoti. Unhe insaan dekhna pasand hai, kapde nahi.” He smiled warmly at her, his words filled with reassurance.

Amrit blinked at him, her lips twitching into a small smile. He walked over to the cupboard and began scanning through her neatly arranged collection of traditional wear. His eyes stopped at a black anarkali suit embroidered delicately with silver thread. Pulling it out, he held it in front of her, tilting his head slightly as if imagining how it would look on her.

“This one’s perfect,” he said with confidence, holding it up for her to see.

Amrit’s eyes lit up, her hesitation melting away as she smiled widely. “Yehi pehnungi,” she said with enthusiasm, taking the dress from his hand.

“Good choice,” he said with a grin, straightening up and glancing at the clock. “Alright, I should leave now. Party ke liye kaam bhi hai, aur kuch cheezein manage karni hain. Main shaam tak aane ki try karunga.”

He gave her a soft smile before turning toward the door. Just as he reached the threshold, he looked back briefly, catching her as she clutched the dress and bit her lip, lost in thought.

“Don’t overthink, Amrit. You’ll look beautiful, no matter what,” he added casually before stepping out of the room.

Her cheeks warmed as she twirled the fabric between her fingers. Grinning mischievously, she quickly picked up her phone and dialed Nandini’s number.

The call connected, and Nandini’s voice came through. “Hello?”

“Didi, mujhe aapki help chahiye,” Amrit said, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice but failing miserably. “Aap ready hone ke baad yahan aa jaoge kya?”

“Haan sure,” Nandini replied without hesitation.

Vedant, Vihaan, and Krishiv, were strolling toward the flat's gym, their casual chatter filling the corridor.

"Akshat bhai bhi hamari gym date join karte to maza aata," Vihaan remarked, adjusting his hoodie.

"Wahi na! Maine 3-4 baar kaha, aane par mana kar diya, badtameez aadmi! Mere bhole se face par daya bhi nahi aayi usko, jallad kahin ka," Krishiv grumbled, his tone dripping with exaggerated indignation.

"Pata nahi kahan gayab rehta hai," Vedant added, shaking his head.

"Maine bola ki Vishakha aunty ko complain kar dunga agar nahi chala. Par mujhe kehta hai, 'Stop behaving like a kid, Krish.' Aaj kal koi bhi suna deta hai!" Krishiv huffed, recalling the moment Kavya had scolded him earlier.

Vihaan’s ears perked up. "Aur kisne suna diya?" he asked curiously.

Krishiv hesitated. "Nothing... baad mein bataunga. Abhi Akshat ki burai pe focus karte hain," he said, swiftly changing the topic. "Haan, bada aaya mujhe sunane wala! Phir maine Vishakha aunty ko bhadka diya, keh diya, 'Pata nahi, aaj kal kahan rehta hai, ham log ke ghar bhi nahi aata.'”

Vedant nodded approvingly. "Sahi kiya! Acha se sun lega Masi se, samajh aa jayega."

Vihaan chimed in, "Jabse Bareilly se aaye hain, alag hi attitude mein rehte hain. Main puchta bhi hoon, kahan jaa rahe ho, par kabhi kabhi baat taal dete hain, kabhi ignore maar dete hain."

"Haan! Virendra Thakur ko jail bhejne ke baad se toh aur hi attitude me ghoom raha hai," Vedant said knowingly.

Krishiv scoffed. "Wahi toh! Aisa lagta hai jaise kahin ka, Akshat Singhania ho." The three shared a hearty laugh.

Suddenly, Vihaan realized something. "Waise, Gym ke liye late ho raha hai, chalo!"

But Krishiv stopped them. "Aye aye aye, woh dekh! Akshat aa raha na shayad?"

Vedant squinted at the figure near the car. "Aa gaya aukat pe! Bada aaya bolne wala ki nahi aaunga… Lalach aa rahi hogi ki ham teeno mast date karenge gym mein aur yeh akela rahega."

"Par yeh building ke peeche kyun ja raha hai?" Vihaan pointed out suspiciously.

Before anyone could respond, they saw Akshat's car heading towards the back of the building. The three quickly ran in front of the car, forcing Akshat to stop abruptly. The car screeched to a halt, and Akshat jumped out, furious.

"Arrey, pagal ho gaye ho? Marna hai kya?!" he shouted.

"Pehle yeh bata, udhar building ke peeche kya ghusa jaa raha tha? Aur tu yahaan kar kya raha hai? Tujhe important kaam nahi tha?" Krishiv demanded, arms crossed.

"W…a…actually, maine socha tum log ko join kar loon," Akshat stammered, clearly making it up on the spot.

Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "Achha? Aur achanak se ham gareebon par itni daya kyun?"

"Aur tu inn kapdon mein hamare saath gym date par chalega?" Vedant asked, pointing at Akshat's formal attire.

"Arre woh... main change kar leta hoon," Akshat replied hastily.

"Kahaan se karega change? Tere gym ke kapde aur protein shake udte hue aa rahe hain kya peeche-peeche car ke?" Krishiv quipped sarcastically.

"Nahi, woh Amrit ke paas hai," Akshat blurted out, then froze, realizing his mistake.

The three looked confused. "Kya? Kiske paas hai?" Vihaan asked.

"Amit ke paas hai," Akshat corrected quickly, fumbling.

"Yeh kaun hai?" Vihaan pressed further.

"Arre, woh mera PA hai," Akshat said defensively.

Krishiv was skeptical. "Hein? Yeh kab hua? Tujhe toh koi bhi PA rakhna pasand nahi tha. In fact, humne kaha bhi tha PA rakh le, tab kehta tha, 'Mujhe apna kaam khud karna pasand hai.'"

"Arre yaar, toh kya hua? Maine rakh liya PA," Akshat snapped, trying to end the interrogation.

Vedant shook his head and suggested, "Jo bhi hai, tu ab wapas jaayega, phir apne kapde lega, phir aayega. Tab tak raat ho jaayegi. Mere paas extra kapde hain, chal."

Akshat sighed in relief. "Theek hai, chal," he said, reluctantly following them to the gym. Meanwhile, the three friends exchanged knowing looks, still suspicious about what Akshat was really up to.

The gym was alive with the rhythmic clatter of weights and the low hum of the treadmill as the four friends engaged in their workout, their conversation drifting between sets.

Krishiv put down the dumbbells with a frustrated sigh. "Yaar, bahot dimaag kharab ho rakha hai."

Akshat smirked as he adjusted the weights on the bench press. "Hai bhi kharab hone ke liye?"

Vedant and Vihaan burst into laughter, finding Akshat's sarcasm perfectly timed.

Krishiv shot Akshat an unimpressed glare. "Haha, bahot funny tha.”

Akshat chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Acha, sorry sorry. Bata kya hua?"

Krishiv slumped onto a bench, his frustration evident. "Bulbul ki mummy mujhe Bulbul se milne nahi de rahi hain."

Vedant frowned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Arre kyun? Bulbul toh tujhe kitna pyaar karti hai! Aur Kavya ko iss se kabhi problem nahi thi. Infact, kitni baar woh Bulbul ki zimmedari tere pe chhor kar gayi hai. Phir achanak kya hua?"

Krishiv narrated the entire incident at school and how Kavya had reacted.

As he finished, he banged his water bottle on the bench in anger. "Bechari bachi ko thappad marne vali thi.. I mean seriously! How could she raise her hand on her! Pata nahi kya problem hai. Har cheez ko lekar overreact karna zaroori hai kya?"

Vedant leaned back on the leg press machine. "Haan, galti teri bhi nahi thi. Aisi situation thi, bechari bachi ko kya kya sunna pad raha tha. Aise mein tune help kar bhi di toh kya hi ho gaya."

Vihaan paused mid-rep, thoughtful. "Main Kavya se baat karun kya?"

Krishiv quickly waved him off. "Nahi nahi, rehne de! Warna phir mujhe sunayegi ki main chugli karta hoon jagah jagah."

Akshat, wiping his face with a towel, interjected calmly. "Par yaar, Kavya ke baare mein bhi socho. Usne aisa kyun kiya hoga?"

Krishiv crossed his arms stubbornly. "Jo bhi reason ho, mujhe meri bachi se milne se nahi rok sakta."

Akshat raised an eyebrow. "Meri bachi? Dekh Krishiv, bolna toh nahi chahiye, par soch. Teri poori life hai, shaadi karni hai tujhe. Toh kya teri wife ko ye accept hoga ki tu kisi aur ki beti ko apni bachi bole ya maane?"

Krishiv's expression darkened. "Agar nahi hoga accept, toh shaadi hi nahi karunga."

Vedant sighed and stepped in. "Apni chorh, kya Kavya ko ye accept hoga ki koi bhi aake uski beti ko apni beti bana raha hai bina kisi rishte ke?"

"I don't care!" Krishiv said, his voice firm.

Vedant exchanged glances with Akshat and Vihaan. Realizing how serious Krishiv had become, he put a hand on his shoulder. "Acha theek, tu zyada serious mat ho. Acha nahi lagta."

Krishiv gave him a small, grudging smile. "Mujhe serious hone ki zarurat nahi padti agar bulbul ki mummy thoda samajhti."

"Uska solution dhundenge. Pehle deadlift kar le," Akshat said with a smirk, handing him the barbell.

Just then, Vihaan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and answered the call. "Hello, Anika. Bolo."

"Actually, maine Nandini aur Amrit ko party par bulaya hai," Anika explained. "Us waqt Kavya ghar pe nahi thi, toh abhi aa gayi hogi. Tum ek baar personally jaa kar invite de do."

"Haan, but maine office mein hi bol diya tha," Vihaan replied, slightly puzzled.

"Haan, but ek baar ghar jaake personally bol doge, toh sahi rahega na," Anika insisted.

"Ok, fine. Aur Amrit aur Nandini ko dobara bolna hai kya?"

"Nahi, unhe toh maine already bata diya hai," Anika said, ending the call.

As Vihaan put his phone down, Vedant perked up. "Kya? Nandini ko bhi bulaya hai?"

Krishiv rolled his eyes. "Haan, par tu kyun uchal raha hai? Teri behan hai kya woh?"

Vedant responded with a light slap on Krishiv's head. "Kuch bhi bol le, behan mat bolna."

Akshat's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, wait. Are you in love with her? Kabse?"

Vedant blushed, scratching the back of his head. "I don’t know, yaar, when I fell for her."

"Oye hoye, launda sharma raha hai!" Krishiv teased, grinning.

Akshat smirked. "Acha, Nandini ne kya bola?"

"Kis baare mein?" Vedant asked, confused.

"Aapke proposal ke baare mein," Vihaan clarified.

Vedant's face turned redder. "Abhi tak maine bataya nahi."

"What? Toh kab batayega?" Krishiv exclaimed.

"Dekh, ek mahine mein batata hoon," Vedant said, trying to sound confident.

"Pagal hai kya, bhai?" Krishiv said. "Iss ek mahine mein woh kisi aur se pyaar karne lagi toh?"

Vedant sighed, now looking insecure. "Haan, yaar, ye toh socha hi nahi. Aur woh Rajat, makhi ki tarah bhinbhinata hai uske aas-paas."

Krishiv leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Tu ek kaam kar—party mein bol de. Mauka bhi hai, dastoor bhi hai."

"Arre nahi, nahi! Pagal hai kya? Itni jaldi bhi kya hai," Vedant said, grabbing his towel from the bag.

As he walked away, Krishiv muttered, "Iski ego hurt karo toh ye kaam turant karta hai."

"Haan, wahi karna chahiye," Akshat agreed. "Tabhi ye bol payega."

When Vedant returned, the three exchanged knowing looks and winked.

Vihaan smirked. "Haan, bhaiya. Ab kya hi batayenge? Himmat hi nahi hai."

"Obviously," Krishiv added dramatically. "Itni himmat honi chahiye insaan mein. Ab aise phattu log kya hi bol payenge."

Akshat grinned. "Guts ho toh Rajat jaise. Woh samne se bolta nahi, par at least he is trying. Kya pata kal ko bol bhi de. Khair, chod. Isse kya jaane guts kise kehte hain. I think yeh ek mahine kya, ek saal mein bhi nahi bol payega."

Krishiv added fuel to the fire. "Wahi toh, bhai. Iska patta kat."

Vedant narrowed his eyes at them. "Ek minute, tum log ne mujhe kya phattu samajh rakha hai? Main ek minute mein jaake bol sakta hoon… Aur dekhna, aaj ki party mein main usse propose karke rahunga. Tab batana kitni himmat hai mujhme."

Krishiv smirked. "Hmm, woh kehte hain na, jo badal garajte hain, woh baraste nahi."

Vedant shot back with attitude. "Oh hello, yeh badal garaj bhi raha hai aur barsega bhi."

The trio grinned, satisfied that their plan to push Vedant into action was working perfectly. The upcoming party was about to get a lot more interesting.

Kavya sat on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I failed as a mother,” she murmured, her voice breaking under the weight of guilt. “How could I raise my hand on her? She’s so little, and now she’s afraid of me. Afraid of me, her own mother.”

Her shoulders shook with sobs as she continued, her thoughts spiraling. “It’s all my fault. Agar main uske life mein itni absent na rehti, toh shayad usse kisi ko ‘papa’ bulana hi na padta. She’ll hate me now. And Prakash… he’ll use this. He’ll take her away from me. She’ll leave me too…”

Meanwhile, in her room, Bulbul sat cross-legged on the floor, her sketchbook resting on her lap. She was doodling absentmindedly, but her usual vibrant colors were replaced with dull shades. Her brows furrowed, and her lips quivered as she sniffled softly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

A sudden knock on her window startled her, and her head snapped toward the sound. Her eyes widened when she saw Krishiv outside, balancing precariously on the ledge, a mischievous grin on his face. She rushed to the window, her heart racing as she unlocked it and pushed it open.

“Pehle yeh pakdo,” he said, handing her a pizza box through the opening.

Bulbul took it quickly, setting it on the table before gasping, “How did you get here?”

“Pipe se,” he replied, stepping inside carefully and dusting off his hands. “Thank God no one saw me. Warna ab tak toh jail mein hota.” He huffed dramatically, bending slightly to catch his breath.

Bulbul stood there, her small frame trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. She suddenly ran to him and hugged his waist tightly, burying her face against him. “I missed you,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Krishiv froze for a moment before kneeling down and wrapping his arms around her protectively. “I missed you too, chhota packet,” he said softly, patting her back. He leaned back slightly, holding her shoulders. “Mumma ne mara toh nahi, na?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Bulbul shook her head, wiping her tears with her tiny hands. “Nahi, but she’s upset with me. Aur main bhi unse baat nahi kar rahi,” she confessed.

Krishiv gave her a warm smile, wiping away the tear streaks from her cheeks with his thumbs. “Chalo, tension chhodo. Tumhari favorite pizza laaye hain hum,” he said, gesturing toward the box. He opened it with a flourish, the aroma of melted cheese and toppings filling the room.

Bulbul wiped her nose with the back of her hand and looked at Krishiv with teary eyes. “Mann nahi,” she said softly.

Krishiv’s jaw dropped in mock shock. “Bulbul ko pizza nahi khana?” he asked, clutching his chest dramatically as if he’d been struck.

But Bulbul didn’t laugh. Her face crumpled, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “Mumma is so angry… She’s upset... She hates me,” she sobbed, her little shoulders shaking.

Outside the door, Kavya had just approached to apologize. She paused when she heard Bulbul’s voice, her hand stilling on the doorknob. As she listened, her eyes softened, melting at Krishiv’s gesture of sneaking in just to comfort her daughter. But then her heart clenched painfully at Bulbul’s words.

Krishiv scooted closer to Bulbul, gently wiping her tears with his thumb. “Arrey, how can a mother hate her own child?” he said softly, his tone filled with warmth. “Bulbul, what we did was wrong, na? Mumma’s anger was valid. She works so hard for you. She’s trying to be your mother and father both. That’s not easy, chhoti. Imagine how hurt she must be.”

Bulbul sniffled, her eyes wide as she listened to him.

“Stop crying now, okay? Jaa ke sorry bol do. Mumma tumhe zarur maaf karengi,” he assured her, his voice calm and reassuring.

“Sacchi?” Bulbul asked, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes.

“Muchi!” Krishiv replied with a grin, pinching her nose playfully.

Bulbul finally smiled, albeit faintly, as Krishiv patted her head affectionately.

Krishiv stood up, dusting off his jeans. “Chalo, ab mujhe nikalna hoga. Warna agar tumhari Mumma ne mujhe yahan dekh liya, toh woh mujhe definitely isi window se phek dengi!” he teased, making Bulbul giggle.

Meanwhile, Kavya hurried to the balcony, curious and concerned. She spotted Krishiv struggling to climb down the pipe, his movements a mix of determination and clumsiness. He reached the last stretch but slipped and landed on the ground with a loud thud.

“Ahhh!” Krishiv winced, rubbing his backside, while Kavya instinctively gasped, covering her mouth. But as he stood up, brushing himself off and attempting to look cool, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly, shaking her head in amusement.

From below, Krishiv glanced back up at Bulbul, who was peeking out from the window with a wide grin. He blew her a flying kiss, making her giggle, and turned to leave.

However, just as he took a step, he collided with a tall security guard. Kavya’s amusement turned into panic as she leaned forward, her heart racing.

Krishiv, unfazed, casually draped an arm around the guard’s shoulders and whispered something in his ear. The guard frowned at first but then nodded, letting him go with a faint smile.

Kavya sighed in relief, her lips curving into an involuntary smile. She watched as Krishiv strolled away, his hands tucked into his pockets, exuding the same mischief that had brought him into her home—and heart—for Bulbul’s sake.

Bulbul peeked into Kavya’s room and saw her mother sitting in front of her laptop, her brows furrowed in focus. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

Kavya noticed her and immediately shut her laptop, turning her attention to her daughter. “Bulbul,” she said softly, her voice filled with a mix of guilt and love.

Bulbul, her lips trembling, stopf infront of her and held her ears with both hands. “I’m sorry, Mumma!” she said, her little voice cracking. Without waiting for a reaction, she started doing sit-ups, her small figure bending and rising in earnest determination.

Kavya gasped, rushing forward to stop her. “Bulbul, bas! Kya kar rahi ho?” she exclaimed, holding her hands firmly.

Bulbul looked up with teary eyes. “Please don’t gussa with me, Mumma. I’m really sorry. I love you itnaa shalaa!” she said, stretching her little arms as wide as they could go.

Kavya’s heart melted at her words. Tears welled in her eyes as she pulled Bulbul into a tight hug. “Oh, baby… I’m not gussa with you. I’m so sorry too,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I shouldn’t have raised my hand on you. You’re my everything. I love you too, bahot saara.”

Bulbul sniffled, her tears drying as a bright smile lit up her face. “Sacchi? You’re not mad at me anymore?”

Kavya shook her head and cupped Bulbul’s face, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Not even a little bit. Now, no more tears, okay?”

“Okay, Mumma!” Bulbul chirped, wiping her face with her tiny hands.

Kavya smiled and stood up, brushing her hands together. “Chalo, now let me select a dress for you. We’re going to a party!”

Bulbul’s eyes widened in excitement. “Wowww! Party? Konsi party, Mumma?” she asked, bouncing on her toes.

“At Vihaan sir’s house,” Kavya said casually as she walked toward the closet.

The mention of Vihaan’s name made Bulbul freeze for a moment, her smile growing even bigger because she will meet Krishiv there.

The grand Singhania mansion was buzzing with life as the party reached its peak. The chandeliers bathed the sprawling hall in a golden glow, and soft music played in the background, adding to the luxurious atmosphere. Guests dressed in their finest mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Akshat, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, stood near the bar with Krishiv, Vedant, and Vihaan. His hair was perfectly styled, and his intense eyes scanned the room, exuding an aura of quiet confidence

As the lively party carried on, Krishiv suddenly straightened up, nodding toward the grand entrance. “Nandini’s here,” he announced casually, sipping his drink.

All four of them turned simultaneously, their eyes landing on Nandini, who walked in wearing a stunning red gown. She chatted animatedly with Anika, exuding elegance and charm.

Akshat’s brows furrowed slightly as a thought crossed his mind. Where’s Amrit? Wasn’t she supposed to come with Nandini?

Vedant caught Akshat staring a little too long. “Oye, kya ghoor raha hai? Apne chakkar mein toh nahi?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Akshat smacked his forehead. “Ek padegi ulte haath ki! Bhaiya bolti hai mujhe wo.”

Vihaan interrupted the banter with a plan. ““Listen up. Here’s the plan: I’ll distract Anika and get her away. Akshat, you text Preeti Masi and ask her to call Nandini over to a quiet spot. Phir Vedant bhaiya aap wahin pe rehna aur propose kar dena.”

Vedant nodded, nervous but resolute. “Alright!”

Vihaan walked toward Nandini and Anika with purpose. He flashed a charming smile as he approached them.Feigning sudden concern, Vihaan turned to Anika.

“By the way, Anika, could you double-check the guest list for me? I feel like something might’ve been overlooked.”

Anika frowned slightly, pulling out her phone. “Really? I was pretty thorough, but okay. Let me check. Nandini tum yahin rehna.”

Meanwhile, Krishiv turned to Preeti. “Aunty, ek kaam karo. Take Nandini to the garden area.”.”

Preeti nodded. “Haan, theek hai.”

She approached Nandini with a smile. “Nandu baby, can you help me with something? Come with me for a minute.”

“Haan Chalo.” Nandini replied, following her to the garden area.

Once there, Preeti gestured around. “Wait here for a bit, okay? I’ll be back in just five minutes.” she said before walking away, leaving a puzzled Nandini behind.

Behind a tree, Vedant, Vihaan, Akshat, Krishiv, and Preeti peeked out to observe.

“Jaa, dikha de tu mard ka bacha hai!” Krishiv whispered encouragingly.

Preeti turned to him with a deadpan expression. “Mai mard dikhti hoon?”

Krishiv stammered, “I mean, dikha de ki tu Preeti aunty ki aulaad hai!”

Vedant took a deep breath as he walked toward Nandini, standing in the garden area under the soft glow of fairy lights. Vihaan, Krishiv, Akshat, and Preeti peeked from behind a tree,

“Heyy, Nandini,” Vedant began, forcing a smile as he stood in front of her.

“Vedant! Hello!” Nandini greeted, warmly.

Vedant’s heart raced. His palms grew clammy. He cleared his throat and decided to start with something casual. “Uh... chole bhature ache bane the na?” he blurted out, instantly regretting it.

Nandini raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Ohh, thanks! Waise, credit aapka bhi hai, aapne help ki thi.”

Behind the tree, Akshat smacked his forehead. “What rubbish he is talking!” he muttered.

“Vedant bhai!” Vihaan hissed. “Straight to the point. Boldo, warna woh chali jayegi.”

Vedant shifted on his feet nervously. “Wo... us din… mai tumse ek baat kehna chahta tha” he stammered.

“Finally!” Preeti whispered, exasperated.

“Haan, aap kal bhi kuch kehne wale the, phir bhaag gaye,” Nandini said, chuckling softly. “Toh ab bataiye, kya baat hai?”

Vedant’s mind blanked. His throat felt dry. “W-w-wo… I… I mean… mai wo… uss din…” he fumbled, his voice cracking mid-sentence.

Nandini tilted her head, confused but patient. “Aap thik hai? Kya baat hai? Bataiye na.”

Vedant took another deep breath. He could feel sweat dripping down his temple. “I… lo… I… lo…” he started but froze mid-word, his face turning crimson.

“Lo?” Nandini repeated, puzzled.

“Lo kya? Lollipop? Loan?” Krishiv whispered sarcastically behind the tree.

Nandini looked at him, confused. “Hua kya? Koi problem hai kya bataiye mai hun na aapke sath?”

“Sachiii?” Vedant asked suddenly, grinning goofily.

Nandini laughed softly. “Muchiii!”

Just as Vedant became lost in Nandini's gaze, his heart racing with anticipation,  a small stone hit him square on the head.

"Ouch!" Vedant yelped, his hand instinctively reaching up to rub his forehead. The sharp sting of the stone brought him out of his daze, and his focus shattered.

Nandini’s eyes widened in concern as she noticed the sudden jolt. "Kya hua?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

"Nothing... nothing," Vedant quickly said, shaking his head, trying to brush off the pain and the growing anxiety he was feeling. He was nervous enough to begin with, and now his mind was a mess of words and confusion.

Nandini, not entirely convinced, raised an eyebrow. "Bolna tha na? Bataiye kya baat hai," she said, her tone gentle but persistent, urging him to finally speak.

Vedant opened his mouth, trying to steady his breathing. He was so close to saying it—the words that had been on the tip of his tongue for days. "I… I… I want to say… I… I…" He stammered, his nerves making it impossible for him to form coherent thoughts.

Behind the tree, Preeti's shake her head as she whispered to the others, “Ab ye bhaag jayega. Dekh lena!” .

Nandini, noticing his hesitation and the nervous sweat beginning to form on his forehead,. "Kya hua, Vedant? Kal bhi aise hi kar rahe the," she said, her eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"Haan, haan. Sorry, sorry! Bata raha hoon," Vedant stammered again, his palms suddenly damp with sweat. His heart pounded in his chest, and the more he tried to calm himself, the worse it got. He could feel his pulse racing, and his thoughts were a blur.

“I…lo…..” Before he could gather himself and speak, his legs gave way. The dizziness overwhelmed him at that moment. His head swam, and his vision blurred as the world around him spun. He couldn’t even get his breath to steady before his body slumped forward, and in an instant, he collapsed to the ground with a soft thud.

Nandini gasped in shock as Vedant crumpled to the earth. "Vedant! Vedant!" she exclaimed, her hands immediately going to his shoulders, shaking him lightly to try and wake him up.

Behind the tree, Vihaan facepalmed. “Hey Bhagwan! Abhi mat jao. Nandini sochegi humein kaise pata chala!”

Krishiv rolled his eyes. “Bada himmati ban raha tha. Apni pehli Surgery mein bhi itna nervous nahi hua hoga!”

Nandini called out in panic. “Preetu Darling! Akshat bhaiya! Koi hai.”

The group rushed out from behind the tree. Akshat knelt beside Vedant, gently patting his cheek. “Vedant! Uth, yaar!” he urged, trying to shake him from his unconscious state.

But Krishiv, unable to resist his mischievous side, smirked, “Ruk ja. Aise nahi uthega.” He took off his socks, grinning widely, and brought it near Vedant’s nose.

“Aaaaaaaaaaa cheeeee!!” Vedant shot up from the ground with a dramatic gasp, flailing his arms and smacking Krishiv’s head in the process. “Pagal hai kya?!” he exclaimed, rubbing his nose as he glared at Krishiv, who was now laughing uncontrollably.

“Tu behosh ho gaya tha, bewakoof,” Akshat said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Nandini looked at Vedant, a mixture of confusion and concern on her face. “Vedant, aap kuch bol rahe the. I ke baad kya kehna tha?” she asked gently, still hoping for some clarity on what he had wanted to say.

Vedant’s eyes widened with panic. The pressure was mounting. “Wo… mai keh raha tha… i… ice cream laa dogi kya? Sugar level low ho gaya tha,” he lied hastily, desperate to cover up his failed confession.

Everyone collectively facepalmed, their expressions a mix of exasperation and disbelief.

“Oh! Mai abhi laati hoon,” Nandini said, completely taken in by his excuse .

“Nandini tum party enjoy karo mai le aunga.” Akshat said.

“Ok bhaiya.” Nandini nodded.

As soon as Nandini was out of sight, Vedant turned to his friends, all of whom were glaring at him. The intensity of their stares made him squirm in his place.

“Sorry, yaar. Nervous ho gaya. BP low ho gaya,” Vedant explained sheepishly, his voice a little too weak to sound convincing, but it was all he had at the moment.

Preeti crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head, her lips forming a disapproving frown. “Pagalon jaise behave karna zaroori tha? Jitna impress hui hogi, sab khatam!” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Krishiv, shook his head. “Agli baar khud karna. Hum nahi hain!” he said, waving his hands in mock defeat. “Next time, you're on your own, buddy,” he added, thoroughly enjoying the chaos Vedant had caused.

Vedant groaned inwardly. He could feel the weight of his friends' playful judgment on him, and it was almost as embarrassing as fainting in front of Nandini.

Akshat stepped back inside the party hall, a quiet smile forming on his lips as he caught sight of Nandini standing in the garden. Her eyes sparkled when she saw him, and she waved enthusiastically.

“Tum… akeli aayi?” Akshat asked, walking toward her with a relaxed stride. His voice was soft, his eyes genuinely interested in her response.

“Nahi, wo Kavya had some work, na? Toh Amrit uske saath aa rahi thi, aur main Preeti aunty ke saath aa gayi,” Nandini replied, her tone light and cheerful. Akshat nodded, pleased to know that Amrit was with Kavya, though a flicker of something deeper crossed his face when she mentioned it.

He gave her a small, understanding smile before turning to walk away, casually picking up a glass of juice from the nearby table. As he sipped on it, his mind seemed to drift elsewhere, as he chatted briefly with Krishiv, trying to keep his thoughts in check.

But then, the sound of the door creaking open caught his attention, and his eyes shot toward it without even thinking. Kavya entered first, her presence elegant as ever, but it was the figure walking behind her that made his heart race.

Amrit.

She wore a stunning black satin dress that perfectly complemented her dusky skin tone. The dress had a sleek, figure-hugging silhouette that accentuated her curves elegantly. It featured a delicate, deep neckline that gave the dress a refined and classy touch. The spaghetti straps rested gently on her shoulders, adding to its simple yet sophisticated design.

The dress had a daring thigh-high slit on one side, showing off her toned leg as she moved. The slit added a bold and confident vibe to her overall look while maintaining an air of elegance. The fabric shimmered softly under the light, enhancing her graceful presence. She paired the dress with a chic black handbag, completing the look with pointed nude heels that had sparkling embellishments, drawing attention to her poise and confidence.

His gaze was fixed on her instantly, and for a moment, it felt like the world around him had paused. Her dark hair cascaded beautifully around her face, and her eyes, which seemed to catch the light just perfectly, sent a jolt of electricity through him. His heart hammered in his chest, and his hand reflexively moved to press against it, as if trying to keep it from leaping out.

“Oyee! Kya kar raha hai??” Krishiv’s voice broke through his trance, jolting Akshat back to reality. He blinked rapidly, his eyes widening in surprise, just as he noticed the juice dripping onto the floor, the glass in his hand having slipped slightly from his grip.

“Wo… I was lost in some thoughts,” Akshat muttered quickly, his voice shaky as he looked back up at her. He couldn’t help it. He had been staring at Amrit, and when their eyes met, a sudden warmth crept up her cheeks. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the delicate flush coloring her face. She had noticed him watching.

Akshat cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to regain some composure, though his heart still raced at the sight of her.

Amrit was deep in conversation with Preeti, but Akshat’s gaze never wavered. From the moment she entered the room, he couldn't take his eyes off her, his thoughts clouded with admiration for the way she carried herself. She moved with grace, the soft fabric of her outfit flowing as she casually chatted, her laughter a melody that seemed to make everything else around him fade away.

As she walked toward the food counter with Nandini, Akshat slowly made his way over, trying to stay casual, but his focus was entirely on her. Nandini was soon distracted by a call, leaving Amrit by herself as she reached for the chili potatoes. Akshat seized the opportunity, moving toward her with measured steps, casually serving himself a plate while keeping his eyes on her every move.

"Tum toh kuch aur pehn ne wali thi?" he asked, his voice low, a soft lilt of curiosity mixed with something more. His eyes briefly flickered to her outfit again, almost as if asking her why she hadn’t chosen the dress she’d shown him earlier.

Amrit hesitated for a moment, feeling the warmth of his gaze lingering on her. She suddenly felt self-conscious, wondering if he was staring because something was wrong. Was she not looking good?

"Acchi nahi lag rahi kya? Is it too revealing?" she asked, her voice nervous as she nervously tugged at the fabric of her dress, unsure of how to interpret his intense gaze.

"Shh!" Akshat whispered quickly, his hand gently landing on her arm. He smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice further. "You are looking beautiful, Amrit," he murmured, his words sincere, meant only for her. His fingers moved softly to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the simple gesture sending a flutter of warmth through her. "And you can make anyone feel beautiful around you," he added, his gaze softening even more.

Amrit's heart fluttered in her chest as her cheeks flushed a soft pink. She could feel the heat creeping up to her face as she looked down at her hands, suddenly shy under his attention.

But then, the reality of their surroundings hit him. Akshat quickly straightened up, his eyes darting around the room. The realization that they weren’t alone rushed over him, and he took a small step back, looking around with a sigh of relief. No one had noticed their brief exchange, the moment slipping by unnoticed by the other guests.

His gaze briefly caught Bulbul, who was standing off to the side, looking directly at them with wide eyes, an unmistakable smirk playing on her lips. Akshat quickly shifted his gaze, trying to act nonchalant.

Kavya, standing across the room, couldn't help but notice the subtle exchange between Bulbul and Krishiv. There was something playful in the way they were looking at each other—an unspoken connection. Smiling to herself, Kavya made her way over, taking Bulbul’s hand gently as she led her toward Krishiv.

"Sir, can you take care of her for a moment?" Kavya asked with a warm smile, her eyes glinting mischievously.

Krishiv, who had been deep in conversation with a few people, turned toward them.

"Mai?" He asked, surprised by her request.

"Aur kon! Aapke alawa kisi aur se sambhali hai ye! Aap hi sambhaliye isse ab, mere bas ki nahi." She said, with a mock frustration tone and Krishiv grinned.

"Why not?" he responded with a cheeky smile, eager to oblige. He gave Kavya a playful wink and turned, preparing to walk away with Bulbul.

But then, just as they were about to leave, Krishiv’s voice stopped Kavya in her tracks.

"Bulbul ki mummy!" he called out, his tone serious but with an underlying lightheartedness. Kavya turned back, her eyebrows raised in question.

"Ji?" she asked, curious about what Krishiv had to say.

Krishiv hesitated for a moment, looking down at the floor before meeting her gaze again. His voice softened, the playful edge replaced by sincerity. "Wo… I’m sorry for yesterday. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. But aapne hath uthaya toh I just lost it... I am really sorry for shouting at you, and you were right... I was at fault."

Kavya was taken aback, but the sincerity in his apology melted any lingering tension. She studied him for a moment, her lips curling into a small smile.

"It’s okay," she said gently, "Maine bhi jyada bol diya tha." Her eyes softened, and the air between them seemed to lighten.

Krishiv smiled, relieved by her understanding. Just as he was about to speak again, Kavya raised her hand to stop him.

"Accha suniye," she said, her tone shifting to something more playful, almost teasing.

"Ji?" Krishiv responded, still trying to figure out where this was heading.

Kavya’s smile grew wider as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a mock-serious tone. "Ab se Bulbul se milna ho toh pipe se chadh ke aane ki zarurat nahi hai," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "There is a thing called doorbell; usse baja ke andar aa sakte hain."

Both Krishiv and Bulbul’s eyes widened in surprise, their expressions comically stunned by the sudden turn of events. Krishiv blinked several times, unsure of how to respond, but his lips twitched into a grin as he fought to hold back laughter.

Kavya, on the other hand, couldn’t contain herself any longer. She burst into a fit of laughter, her shoulders shaking with amusement as she watched their reactions. She walked away, leaving Krishiv and Bulbul standing there, still trying to process her words.

The lively atmosphere of the party buzzed with excitement as everyone gathered around, sharing drinks and chatting. Amrit, standing in the middle of the group, felt a little self-conscious but couldn't help but smile at the compliments she was receiving. She had chosen a daring backless dress for the night, and she was certainly turning heads.

"Oh my God Amruu, you are looking so hot!!" Anika exclaimed with wide eyes, her tone filled with genuine admiration.

Just then, Vikram, who had just arrived at the scene, caught sight of Amrit and froze for a moment. His eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively took a step toward her.

"Y..ye kya hai??" He stammered,"Baki peeche ka kahan chala gaya?”

"Vikram, ye backless dress hai," Preeti said with a hint of amusement, noticing the tension on Vikram's face.

Vikram, ever the protective figure, reached for his coat and pulled it off, attempting to cover Amrit. "Beta ye lo, dhak lo." He said, his voice full of concern as he draped the coat over her shoulders, clearly uncomfortable with the backless design.

Amrit's face flushed with embarrassment, but Preeti, always the one to lighten the mood, laughed and patted Vikram's shoulder. "Vikram, what is this? Itni pyari toh lag rahi hai," she said with a wink, making Vikram pause, realizing his overprotectiveness.

Meanwhile, a few minutes later, the group of friends—Krishiv, Kavya, Bulbul, Akshat, Amrit, Vihaan, and Anika—stood together, chatting casually. Laughter filled the air as they exchanged jokes and stories, but Krishiv’s attention was caught by something across the room.

"Wo Rajat hai na?" Krishiv asked, pointing toward the corner where Nandini and Rajat were talking and laughing animatedly.

The group followed his gaze and saw Nandini, glowing and happy, as she spoke to Rajat. Amrit couldn't help but notice the strange tension in the air as she turned to look at the others.

"Look at Vedant's face." Akshat said, his voice low and amused. The rest of the group looked at Vedant, who was standing across the room, glaring daggers at Rajat and Nandini. He was gripping his juice glass so tightly that his knuckles were white, his jaw clenched in irritation.

Vihaan chuckled and leaned toward the group. "It's looking like he is planning hundred ways to kill Rajat," he said, half-joking and half-serious, as Vedant’s glare deepened.

Amrit, ever the one to make a sarcastic remark, raised an eyebrow and added, "Sirf Vedant bhaiya nahi, lag raha hai koi aur bhi plan kar raha hai murder ka." She said it in the same tone as before, but this time, everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to her, startled by her comment.

Anika looked puzzled, tilting her head slightly. "Matlab?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by Amrit’s cryptic remark.

Amrit pointed discreetly towards the other side of the room, where Vaibhav Rathore and Preeti were deep in conversation, both laughing heartily. "Wo dekhiye," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but her eyes clearly focused on the scene.

The entire group shifted their attention toward the pair. Preeti and Vaibhav seemed to be having a casual, animated conversation, while Vikram stood a little distance away, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His eyes were fixed on them, glaring with a mix of suspicion and frustration.

Krishiv caught the tension in the air and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "Dono baap beton ne inn unn dono baap beton ka jeena haram kar diya," he said with a chuckle, clearly enjoying the awkwardness of the situation.

The others exchanged knowing looks, some trying to suppress their laughter, while others grinned at the absurdity of it all.

The atmosphere was thick with playful teasing when Nandini, with a mischievous glint in her eye, leaned toward Amrit. "Vaise Amru, tune iss dress mein pictures click kar ke Nikhil jiju ko bheji ya nahi?" she asked, her tone light but filled with that familiar sense of curiosity.

“I’m sure wo dekhte hi sara kaam chhor ke tere paas aa jayenge." Anika chimed in with a teasing laugh.

Akshat, standing nearby, felt a knot tighten in his chest. His jaw tightened, and his teeth gritted involuntarily, not liking the thought of someone else's name connected to hers.

Before anyone could continue, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor caught their attention, and Vishakha entered with a girl by her side. The girl, Amrit noted, was around her age, though slightly older, and her poised demeanor made her stand out instantly.

Vishakha smiled warmly as she approached. "Akshat beta, meet Arpita," she introduced her, and Akshat’s frown deepened, his expression faltering as he processed the sudden turn of events.

"Arrey," Vishakha continued, almost absentmindedly, "I told you na ki tumhari shadi ke liye maine usse select kiya hai."

Akshat’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mind racing as he glanced from Arpita to Amrit, whose expression mirrored his own shock and confusion. The air between them seemed to freeze for a moment.

Before Akshat could find the words to protest or even question her, Vishakha turned to him with a finality in her tone. "You both should talk alone," she suggested, her voice cutting through the silence.

Without waiting for a response, she walked away, leaving Akshat standing with Arpita, who was now awkwardly looking around.

Krishiv, sensing the tension, leaned over to Akshat with a grin. "We should give him some privacy," he said, his voice light and almost teasing as he nudged Bulbul toward the other side of the room.

Amrit, still in shock and unsure of what to make of the situation, glanced briefly at Akshat. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, a silent exchange of emotions, before she turned away and walked off with a sense of unease lingering in her chest.

The tense silence stretched between Akshat and Arpita as the introductions were made. The moment felt heavy, with Akshat’s frustration building as he rubbed his temple in disbelief. He had been thrust into an uncomfortable situation, and every second felt like a reminder of how far from his control everything had slipped.

"Hello, sir," Arpita greeted shyly, her voice soft but confident, as if she had prepared for this very moment.

Akshat, still rubbing his eyebrow in frustration, looked at her with a furrowed brow. "Sir?" he echoed, genuinely puzzled by the sudden formality.

Arpita smiled nervously, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "Aapne pehchana nahi?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of nervous excitement. "I am your student, sir, mai English department ke HOD ki beti hoon, third year PhD student."

"There are thousands of PhD students in the third year... I can’t possibly recognize them all," he said with a quick sigh, his tone bordering on dismissive.

Arpita wasn’t deterred, though. She had come prepared, and she wasn’t about to let him slip away so easily. "So... what do you think about our marriage?" she asked, her voice soft but direct, as though it was a question they both had been waiting to ask.

"Look, Amrita..." he began, preparing to put some distance between them.

"Sir, Arpita!" she corrected him sharply, her voice filled with an undertone of urgency, as though this misstep was something that couldn't be allowed to slide.

Akshat’s expression turned into one of mild disbelief. "Oh, yeah, sorry, Arpita... I..." Before he could even finish the sentence, she made her move.

Without warning, Arpita took a step forward and reached out to gently grab his hand. Her touch sent an uncomfortable shock through Akshat. His body flinched instinctively, and his eyes widened in shock at the sudden contact.

Akshat stepped back quickly, putting some distance between them, his discomfort evident. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice tight with unease.

"I thought you were nervous," Arpita explained, her face filled with genuine concern. "So I wanted to make you feel comfortable."

Akshat’s patience snapped just a bit further. He clenched his fists slightly, the frustration evident in his expression. "I am comfortable, Miss Namrata," he replied sharply, his tone colder than before.

But Arpita wasn’t going to let it go that easily. "Arpitaa!" she corrected him once again, a touch of impatience in her voice now, but she seemed determined to persist.

Akshat paused for a moment, weighing his words. His eyes narrowed, and his voice became firmer. "Yeah, please don’t touch me again." The finality in his tone left no room for further misunderstanding. He wasn’t comfortable with the situation, and it was clear from his body language that he needed distance.

The air was thick with an uncomfortable tension as Akshat finally spoke up. He had tried to avoid this conversation, but it had escalated beyond his control. He stood facing Arpita, his posture stiff and his gaze steady. His mind was clear, but his heart was conflicted.

"So I was saying that I can't marry you..." Akshat began, his voice calm but firm, as if trying to explain something that was both hard and necessary. "I mean, I have no plans for marriage."

Arpita’s expression didn’t falter immediately. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes softening with a mix of patience and a strange kind of hope. "I can wait, sir." Her voice was quiet, almost resigned, but the determination in her words didn’t escape him.

Akshat closed his eyes for a brief second, feeling the weight of the situation press on him. His lips tightened as he exhaled, trying to maintain his composure. "And you are not the problem, please don't overthink. And try to understand, I don't want to marry." His voice was direct, yet there was a subtle gentleness to it. "And maine pehle hi maa ko mana kiya tha, but she is stubborn for this. But don't worry, I will handle this."

He paused for a moment, looking at her, not with anger, but with a soft regret. "And please don't think I said this because there is something wrong with you, I just... don't think this is right. I can't marry you or anyone else."

Hours later, the party had come to a close. The lively chatter and music had dissipated, replaced by the quiet calm of the night. Akshat excused himself from the crowd with the excuse of needing to handle work at the office.

He left the party and made his way to the apartment, his footsteps heavy with the weight of the day. As he entered the apartment, he was greeted by the soft, rhythmic sound of pages turning. Amrit was sitting at the dining table, her focus entirely on the textbook in front of her. She didn’t notice him at first, absorbed in her studies. Her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulder, and her brow was furrowed as she scribbled something down.

He walked toward the table, his footsteps slow, trying not to disturb her. But she sensed his presence and looked up.

Akshat sat down beside Amrit, his expression serious, his mind a whirl of thoughts. He had wanted to talk to her, but the moment felt more complicated than he'd anticipated. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Amrit stood up abruptly, her eyes flashing with a hint of jealousy.

"Mil liye apni hone wali biwi se?" she asked, her tone sharp, the words laced with bitterness as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Akshat blinked, taken aback by her sudden reaction. "Kya keh rahi ho?" he started, his voice laced with confusion. "I don't even know her, aur maa ko maine bahot mana kiya tha, but I don't know why she did this."

Amrit let out a small, frustrated laugh, turning away slightly as she rolled her eyes. "Haan, don’t know her!! Aadhe ghante se jo baat kar rahe the wo dikha nahi mujhe kya!" she snapped, her tone heavy with sarcasm. The sting of jealousy in her voice was unmistakable.

Akshat’s brow furrowed in frustration, his patience beginning to wear thin. "Mai usse shadi ke liye mana kar raha tha, Amrit." His voice softened slightly, trying to explain himself, but his words came out with a tinge of exasperation. "And I can't say no without any explanation because she also had no fault. Trust me, abse uska topic bhi nahi ayega." He looked at her earnestly, hoping she would understand, but before she could even respond, his phone rang, cutting the tension in the air.

Akshat’s frown deepened as he glanced at the caller ID, a name flashing on the screen that made his stomach tighten. He glanced at Amrit quickly, who was glaring at him, her arms still crossed in frustration. He quickly picked up the call, hoping to get it over with.

"Hello?" Akshat answered curtly.

"Akshat, aap kaise hain?" The voice on the other end was familiar, but it still caught him off guard.

"Kon?" Akshat asked, his voice edged with confusion.

"Arpita." The voice answered, and Akshat’s heart sank. It was the very last person he wanted to hear from right now.

"Arpita??" He asked in complete shock, his eyes widening.

Amrit, who had been standing a few feet away, stiffened the moment she heard the name. Her glare intensified as she watched him in disbelief, her posture becoming rigid.

"I got your number from Vishakha aunty..." Arpita continued on the other end, her voice soft, yet persistent.

Akshat didn’t even wait for her to finish. He disconnected the call abruptly, feeling his irritation rise. He stared at his phone for a moment, the screen going blank as the call ended. He looked up to find Amrit’s piercing gaze fixed on him. Her expression was unreadable, but the fury in her eyes was clear.

"Numbers bhi exchange kar liye? Kuch din baad rings bhi exchange kar lijiyega," Amrit remarked bitterly, her words laced with sarcasm. She couldn’t hide the sting of jealousy and frustration in her tone. Akshat watched her for a moment, feeling a pang in his chest, before responding.

"Amrit, sach mein, I have no idea why she called me... maine saaf mana kiya tha. Accha lo, tum khud block kar ke delete kar do number." He handed her the phone, trying to make amends in the simplest way possible, but she just stared at it, her eyes narrowed, a clear indication that she wasn’t ready to let go of the anger so easily.

"Aap kariye," Amrit said. With a sigh, Akshat took the phone back and did as she asked, blocking and deleting the number quickly, hoping that this would finally put an end to the matter.

After a few moments of silence, Amrit slid under the covers, curling up slightly, her back to him. Akshat hesitated before following suit, lying down beside her. The silence between them was deafening. He stared at the ceiling for a while, his mind running through everything that had happened today—everything he should have said, but didn’t.

Half an hour passed, and Akshat could feel the tension still hanging in the air. He frowned, turning his head to glance at her. Amrit had her back to him, her breathing steady, though there was something in the way she lay that made him feel even more distant.

He couldn't stand it anymore. With a quiet sigh, Akshat propped himself up on his elbow, moving closer to her. He poked her gently on the shoulder with his index finger, a playful gesture that he hoped would break the ice.

"Gussa ho kya?" he asked softly, his voice teasing, yet sincere. Amrit’s body stiffened for a moment, and then she shook her head without turning to look at him.

"Toh why didn't you kiss me yet?" Akshat asked, his words laced with mischief, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He knew the question would take her by surprise, but he couldn’t help himself. He needed to lighten the mood, to bring her back to him.

Amrit’s eyes widened in shock, her face turning a deep shade of red as the realization hit her. "K..kya?" she stammered, feeling suddenly embarrassed. She turned her face away, as if trying to hide the heat in her cheeks.

Akshat smirked, raising an eyebrow. "What? Tumhe kya laga mujhe pata nahi chalta?" He chuckled softly, his voice teasing but affectionate. Amrit was now fully flushed, her heart racing as she fumbled for words, her mind caught between shock and a sudden flutter of excitement.

"It's ok, haq hai tumhara." His words were simple but powerful, and they struck her right in the heart. She looked at him, her breath catching in her chest as she saw the earnestness in his eyes.

His words continued, "Amrit please trust me, I didn’t give her my number.. I don’t know why maa is being so stubborn. But pakka I will handle this situation. I am not going to marry anyone else, you are only my wife."

As he spoke, Amrit felt the last of her doubts melting away, like ice under the warmth of the sun. She looked into his eyes, and for the first time that evening, her anger completely dissipated. She smiled, a genuine, soft smile that reached her eyes, making her look as radiant as ever.

"I trust you." Her voice was soft, but the sincerity was clear, and it warmed Akshat’s heart. She gripped his hand tightly, her fingers intertwining with his, as if to anchor herself to him and to their bond.

For a long moment, they just sat there, gazing into each other's eyes, the weight of everything that had happened fading away.

Then, Amrit did something unexpected. She leaned forward, her lips barely brushing against his cheek as she placed a soft, tender kiss on his skin. The light touch sent a wave of warmth through Akshat’s chest, making his breath hitch in surprise. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he couldn’t help but smile. But before he could react, she pulled back, her eyes meeting his, both of them caught in the moment of vulnerability and affection.

But Akshat wasn’t ready to let her pull away just yet. As she began to move back, he gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch tender but firm, as if reassuring her that she was safe with him. Amrit gasped, her breath catching in her throat at the sudden closeness, her heart racing as she looked up into his eyes, wide with anticipation.

Before she could process what was happening, Akshat leaned forward, his lips brushing against her right cheek in the softest of kisses. The contact was brief, but it lingered, and Amrit’s face turned a deep shade of red. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with the sweet surprise of his affection.

When he pulled back, Amrit laid back down, her face now completely covered by the duvet, hiding her flushed cheeks. She could feel the heat radiating from her skin, embarrassed by the sudden wave of emotions.

Akshat, on the other hand, chuckled softly, his heart light and content. He smiled to himself, his fingers still gently holding onto her hand, as if savoring the intimacy of the moment. He closed his eyes, still grinning from ear to ear, feeling a warmth that went beyond the physical—one that was deep within his chest, the kind of warmth that only someone who truly cared could bring.

Amrit peeked out from beneath the duvet, her eyes still glowing with a mix of shyness and affection. For a moment, she just watched him, her lips curving into a grin. She had been nervous before, but now, it felt like everything had fallen into place.

"So jao Amrit." Akshat’s voice was soft, still laced with a smile, as he kept his eyes closed.

Amrit’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Embarrassed, she closed her eyes, feeling the heat of her cheeks intensify. Her heart fluttered in her chest, but she couldn't help but smile as well.

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