61. Niharika blamed herself

Arav held her for a moment longer, as if trying to reassure himself that this wasn’t just some fleeting moment, but something real. He felt the weight of her words hang between them, both of them knowing that what had just happened could not simply be brushed aside. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was something more, something that had stirred emotions they hadn’t expected.

Riya, still wrapped in the scarf, pulled back just slightly to look at him. Her mind was racing, trying to comprehend what had just transpired. She had always been so controlled, so guarded, and now, in the span of a few moments, everything had shifted. She had always seen Arav as just a bodyguard, someone who was there to protect her. But now, with that kiss, he was no longer just that. He was someone she was starting to feel something for—something deeper, more complicated.

"I… I don’t know what to say," she whispered, her voice shaky. "This… this changes everything."

Arav gave her a soft, understanding look. He wasn’t expecting answers right away, but he needed her to know one thing. "Riya, I don’t expect you to have all the answers. But I’ve been with you through everything. I’ll always be here."

The sincerity in his words hit her harder than she’d anticipated. She didn’t know if she could trust him, if she was ready to trust anyone again, but there was something about him that made her feel safe, even now in the chaos of the storm.

As the rain continued to pour down outside, the small wooden house felt like the only place in the world. The tension between them lingered in the air, but so did something else—a quiet understanding, a shared moment of vulnerability that neither of them had anticipated. Riya finally pulled away from his embrace, sitting down on the edge of the small bed they had taken shelter on, her hands folded in her lap.

"I should’ve never let my guard down," she said softly, looking at her hands. "I’ve always been the one to protect myself. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with all these feelings."

Arav sat next to her, his presence steady and comforting. "You don’t have to do anything. Just take it one step at a time. We’ll figure this out together."

Riya nodded, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty. This wasn’t just about survival anymore—it was about navigating a new dynamic between them, something that felt more personal, more intimate than she had ever intended. She couldn’t deny that the connection was real, but the question was: was she ready to accept it?

As the hours passed, the rain eventually slowed to a soft drizzle. The storm outside had calmed, but inside, their hearts were still racing, trying to understand what had just happened.

Arav finally spoke again, breaking the silence. "We should rest. We can talk more tomorrow."

Riya nodded, too tired to argue. The night had taken them on a journey neither of them had expected, and both needed time to process everything that had happened.

But as they settled down, Arav’s presence by her side felt strangely comforting. Even if they didn’t have all the answers yet, they had each other, and that was enough for now.

They both lay down, the small wooden room now quiet except for the soft sound of rain tapping against the roof. The air was still, filled with a gentle tension, but also a sense of comfort in each other's presence. Riya, wrapped in the scarf, closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Her body felt exhausted, but her mind refused to settle. The kiss, the unexpected closeness—it was all so overwhelming.

Arav, on the other hand, stared at the ceiling, his mind equally tangled in the whirlwind of emotions that had surfaced. He had never expected this night to unfold the way it had, but now that it had, he found himself uncertain about what came next. All he knew for sure was that he wanted to be there for her, to protect her, but also to see where this new connection might lead.

The storm outside had finally stopped, and with it, the heavy weight in the air began to ease. It was peaceful now, quiet and calm, just the two of them alone in the small room. Riya slowly shifted, pulling the scarf tighter around her, but she felt the warmth of his presence next to her, a sense of safety that she hadn’t felt in a long time. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel alone.

After what felt like an eternity, Arav spoke softly, breaking the silence. "We’ll get through this. Whatever happens next, I’m not leaving."

Riya didn’t respond immediately. She just lay there, processing his words. She couldn’t promise him anything yet, but she appreciated the sincerity in his voice. He wasn’t asking for anything in return—he was just offering his support, his presence. That, in itself, meant more than she could say.

As the minutes ticked by, Riya’s breathing grew steady, and her eyelids fluttered as sleep began to take over. She felt herself drifting off, still tangled in her thoughts, but no longer overwhelmed by them. For the first time that night, her heart slowed, the unease fading into the background as sleep wrapped its arms around her.

Arav, too, felt the pull of exhaustion. He had been alert and on edge for so long, but now, with Riya close by and the immediate danger behind them, he could allow himself a moment of rest. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness of the room embrace him.

In the quiet, the two of them rested, not knowing what the next day would bring, but finding solace in the present moment—together.

Back in the mansion, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone had gathered in the living room, their faces filled with worry and concern. The attack on Riya and Arav had shaken everyone to the core, and now, not knowing where they were or what had happened, made it even worse. The phones were unreachable, and there were no signs of their whereabouts.

Shivaay stood by the window, staring out into the night, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have happened. He hadn’t felt this helpless in a long time. His gaze kept flickering to the phone in his hand, hoping for a message or call that would bring some answers.

Ivaan paced back and forth, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a sense of urgency. "We need to find them. They could be in danger."

Kanika, sitting nearby, clutched her phone, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to call Riya again. "Why isn’t she answering? This isn’t like her at all."

Anita, Shweta, and the others were equally distressed. They all knew how dangerous things could get when Shivaay’s enemies were involved. No one had heard anything from Arav either, and the lack of communication made everyone even more uneasy.

"I’ll track them," Shivaay said, breaking the silence. His voice was cold, his usual calmness slipping away under the stress of the situation. "I have men everywhere, and I’m going to find them."

Niharika stood by, her heart heavy with worry. She hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was wrong. Every moment without any word from Riya or Arav only made her anxiety grow.

"I’m coming with you," Kanika said, standing up. "We can’t just sit here and do nothing. I need to know where she is."

Shivaay nodded silently, but his expression hardened. "We’ll find them, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to them."

Meanwhile, in the small wooden house, Riya and Arav remained unaware of the turmoil back at the mansion. The storm had passed, leaving an eerie calm in its wake. But little did they know, the people closest to them were desperately trying to locate them, afraid of what might be waiting on the other side of this unexpected night.

Kanika quickly dialed her father’s number, her heart racing. The phone rang several times before he picked up. His voice was calm but concerned.

"Kanika, what’s going on?" he asked, already sensing the urgency in her tone.

"Dad, it’s Rohit Parihar and Riya," Kanika said, trying to keep her voice steady. "They’ve gone missing. There was an attack on them earlier, and now we can’t reach them. They’re not responding to calls or messages. I’m really worried."

Her father, a senior officer in the police force, immediately shifted into action. "Stay calm, Kanika. We’re already looking into it. I’ll make sure the department starts an active search for them right away."

Kanika felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew her father was the right person to handle this, but still, the uncertainty gnawed at her. "Please, Dad, do whatever you can. I can’t lose them. I need to know they’re safe."

"I understand," he replied, his voice softening. "I’ll get some officers on the ground and have their phones traced. Stay with Shivaay and the others. We’ll keep you updated."

"Thank you, Dad," Kanika said, grateful for the support. She hung up and turned to Shivaay, her hands trembling. "My father’s handling it. He’s already called in the police. They’re going to track them down."

Shivaay’s face tightened with determination. "Good. Let’s stay focused. The more resources we have, the better."

The tension in the room was palpable, but now that Kanika’s father was involved, they had hope. Kanika’s father was a man of power and influence, and if anyone could find Riya and Rohit, it was him.

Meanwhile, in the small wooden house where Riya and Rohit were seeking shelter, the storm raged outside, and they had no idea that a full-scale search had already begun to find them.

Niharika’s footsteps echoed through the hallway as she walked away from the group, her heart heavy with guilt. She couldn’t shake the feeling that everything that had gone wrong, all the pain, and the danger surrounding her family, was because of her. She needed to be alone, to think, to somehow make sense of it all.

She reached their room and shut the door behind her with a soft thud. The weight of everything crashed down on her as she sank onto the bed, her face buried in her hands. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Riya, gone, and the chaos that had followed.

Shivaay, having noticed her departure, quickly made his way to their room. He knocked lightly on the door, his voice soft. "Niharika?" When she didn’t respond, he pushed the door open, finding her sitting on the bed, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. He walked in, closing the door behind him.

He stood still for a moment, watching her, unsure of how to approach. "Niharika, what happened?" he asked gently, his concern evident in his tone.

She lifted her head, her tear-streaked face meeting his gaze. "Shivaay..." She took a shaky breath, her voice breaking. "I’m the problem. I’ve ruined everything. Riya’s gone, and it’s all because of me. I brought Kanishk into our lives, I trusted him, and now..." She wiped at her tears, but they wouldn’t stop. "Now Riya’s missing, and I’ve put everyone in danger. I don’t deserve to be here. I shouldn’t have come into your life. You should just divorce me."

Shivaay’s heart twisted as he walked over to her, kneeling down in front of her. He reached out and took her hands in his, his grip firm but gentle. "Niharika, stop," he said softly, looking up into her eyes. "None of this is your fault. Riya’s disappearance is not because of you. You’re not the problem. You’re never the problem." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying strength in his words.

She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I hadn’t gotten involved, if I hadn’t been so careless... none of this would have happened."

Shivaay leaned in closer, his hands resting on her shoulders. "I know you’re feeling guilty right now, but this isn’t something you caused. We’re all in this together, and I’ll never let you feel like you’re alone in it. You don’t need to carry the weight of this on your own."

He gently cupped her face, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "I love you, Niharika. And nothing, nothing in this world could ever make me want to leave you. You’re my heart, and I’ll stand by you, no matter what."

Her breath caught in her throat as his words washed over her. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear them until now. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, letting his warmth and love soothe the storm of emotions inside her.

"I’m here for you," Shivaay whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace. "And I always will be."

The morning light filtered through the small wooden house, casting a soft glow over the room. Riya slowly stirred, waking up to the unfamiliar surroundings. Her body ached from the cold, but the warmth of the blanket she had managed to wrap around herself during the night had provided some comfort. The storm outside had subsided, but the chill still lingered in the air.

As her eyes adjusted, she glanced over at Arav, who was still asleep, his body resting against the cold wall of the house. She quietly slipped out of bed, feeling the soft texture of the scarf still around her body. The makeshift cover had dried during the night, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough to keep her warm for long.

She moved towards the corner of the room where she had left her clothes, which had also dried. The soaked fabric from the previous night was now a little more comfortable to wear, and she hurriedly changed into them, feeling a sense of urgency.

While she changed, her mind raced. They were still on the run, still in danger, and she couldn’t shake the thoughts of the attack and the mysterious people chasing them. What was Arav trying to say last night? Why had they been targeted? And most importantly, why was she feeling this strange pull towards him, this mix of gratitude, concern, and something more?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions distract her. They had to keep moving, figure out their next steps. And she couldn’t let herself get attached to Arav—especially not in this situation.

As she finished getting dressed, she glanced over at him again, her heart thumping in her chest. He was still asleep, but she knew it wouldn’t be for long. They needed to leave soon.

Riya walked quietly to the door and peeked outside, the forest was still quiet, and the rain had stopped, but the humidity was thick in the air. They couldn’t stay here for long. She turned back to Arav, her mind made up. It was time to face whatever was coming for them.

“Rohit,” she whispered, approaching him, shaking him gently. “We need to go. Now.”

Arav stirred awake, his eyes blinking against the dim light of the morning. He groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes before looking at Riya, who was standing by the door, fully dressed and ready to leave. His gaze softened as he saw her, the memory of last night flooding back in an instant.

"Riya," he said, his voice hoarse from sleep, "we can't stay here. It's too risky."

She nodded silently, but there was a determination in her eyes. Despite the fear and confusion that had gripped her ever since the attack, she had a goal in mind. She couldn’t let this situation control her. Not anymore.

"I know," she replied, her voice steady. "We need to keep moving. But... we need answers, Rohit. I need to know who is after us, why we're being targeted, and how we're going to get out of this."

Arav stood up slowly, his body stiff from the uncomfortable position he had slept in the night before. "We will find answers," he said, his tone more serious now. "But first, we need to make sure we're safe. Once we’re out of here, I’ll tell you everything I know. I promise."

Riya glanced at the small, rundown house one last time before stepping outside. The air was damp, and the rain had left the ground muddy and slippery. But the storm had passed, and the world seemed quieter now, almost eerie.

Arav followed her, keeping a cautious eye on their surroundings. They couldn't afford to let their guard down. The threat was still looming, and every second counted.

Riya moved quickly, trying to shake off the dread that had been weighing on her chest. "I don't trust that Kanishk Verma," she muttered, as if speaking her thoughts aloud. "Who is he? And why does he want us?"

Arav frowned at the mention of the name. "I don’t know everything," he said, his jaw tightening. "But he’s dangerous, Riya. And the people he's working with are even worse."

Riya glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean? Who are they?"

Arav hesitated for a moment, clearly conflicted about what to say next. "I’ll tell you everything when the time is right," he said. "But for now, we need to focus on getting out of here. We can’t stay in one place for too long."

Riya didn't argue, though the curiosity gnawed at her. She had questions—too many questions—but she could sense the urgency in Arav's voice. She nodded, and they both set off, their footsteps echoing through the quiet forest.

The path ahead was uncertain, and Riya couldn’t help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing down on her. Yet, there was something about Arav’s presence that made her feel safer, despite everything. She wasn’t sure why, but she trusted him.

For now, that was enough.

As they were moving cautiously through the dense forest, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the distance. Arav instantly stiffened, his protective instincts kicking in. He grabbed Riya's wrist and pulled her aside, pressing her firmly against a large tree trunk. Her back collided with his solid chest, and she could feel his heartbeat pounding as fast as her own.

"Stay quiet," he whispered into her ear, his voice barely audible but full of authority. Riya nodded, holding her breath as the footsteps grew louder.

A shadow emerged from between the trees, and Arav instinctively reached for his concealed gun, ready for another fight. But when the figure came into view, he stopped.

"Ankit Mehra," Arav said, a mix of relief and suspicion in his voice.

The man in question was out of breath, his clothes soaked with sweat and mud, as though he’d been running for miles. "Thank God I found you," Ankit said, doubling over to catch his breath. "You two are in serious danger. The goons are searching for you everywhere. We need to move now."

Arav frowned, his grip on Riya tightening protectively. "How do you know we’re here? And why are you involved in this?"

Ankit straightened, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Shivaay sir sent me. He’s been searching for you both since last night. When I heard from a source that the men chasing you were headed in this direction, I knew I had to get to you first."

Riya's eyes widened. "Shivaay? He sent you? Does that mean he knows we’re safe?" Her voice was laced with hope and worry.

"Not yet," Ankit admitted. "We need to get to a secure location first. I have a car waiting at the edge of the forest. But we have to hurry—the goons are closing in, and they won’t stop until they find you."

Arav exchanged a quick glance with Riya before nodding. "Fine. Lead the way. But if this is a trap, Ankit, you won’t live to see the next day."

Ankit raised his hands defensively. "It’s not a trap, I swear. Trust me just this once."

Without wasting another moment, the three of them began moving swiftly through the forest. Ankit led the way, carefully navigating through the thick undergrowth while Arav stayed close behind, his hand hovering near his gun, ready to protect Riya at all costs.

As they moved, Riya couldn’t help but glance at Arav. His jaw was clenched, his eyes scanning their surroundings like a hawk. Despite the danger, she felt a strange sense of safety with him by her side.

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much bigger storm.

They finally reached the edge of the forest, where a black SUV was parked discreetly behind some bushes. Ankit opened the door for them, gesturing for Riya to get in first. Arav helped her inside, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings to ensure no one had followed them.

As Ankit started the engine and they began driving down a bumpy dirt road, he glanced at Arav through the rearview mirror. "So, Arav, how’s the investigation going?" he asked casually, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

Arav’s stomach sank, and his grip on the seat tightened. Riya, who had been looking out of the window, immediately turned to him, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Wait, who’s Arav?" she asked, her voice sharp with curiosity.

Arav froze for a moment, his mind racing. He quickly composed himself and forced a laugh. "Uh, Arav? Oh, that’s… my brother," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "He’s in the police. Ankit must have gotten confused."

Ankit’s smirk faltered as Arav shot him a warning glare that screamed, Don’t you dare say anything else. Ankit cleared his throat and nodded, playing along. "Y-yeah, right. Your brother, Arav. He’s a great guy, you know. Always doing the right thing."

Riya tilted her head, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "You’ve never mentioned a brother before."

Arav shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. "We don’t talk much. He’s always busy with work, and, well, you know how family dynamics can be." He forced another laugh, but his eyes briefly met hers, and he could see she wasn’t entirely convinced.

Riya leaned back in her seat, her arms crossed. "Hmm. Strange. But okay." She glanced at Ankit, who was unusually quiet, and narrowed her eyes slightly. Something about this felt off, but she decided to let it go—for now.

The rest of the drive was silent, tension lingering in the air. Arav leaned back, closing his eyes briefly, but his mind was racing. He knew he’d have to come clean eventually, but now wasn’t the time—not when danger was still looming over them.

As the car sped through the deserted roads, Riya stole a glance at Arav, who seemed unusually tense. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than he was letting on.

As the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand Ranawat mansion, Riya wasted no time. She pushed the door open and ran toward the entrance, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The moment she stepped inside, the entire family, who had been anxiously waiting in the hall, rose to their feet.

"Riya!" Shweta exclaimed, rushing to her daughter with tears streaming down her face. She pulled Riya into a tight embrace, her voice trembling. "Thank God you’re safe, beta!"

Kanika and Anita followed, hugging Riya and fussing over her. "Are you hurt? What happened? Where were you?" Anita asked, her hands trembling as she cupped Riya’s face.

"I’m fine, Mom. Really, I’m okay," Riya reassured them, her voice soft but steady. "It was a long night, but Ar—Rohit made sure I was safe."

Hearing this, Shivaay, who stood silently observing, turned his gaze toward Arav, who had just entered the mansion behind Riya. Arav stood there, his expression calm but tired, his clothes slightly disheveled from the ordeal.

Shivaay walked toward him, his eyes narrowing. "Rohit," he said firmly, "come with me."

Arav nodded and followed Shivaay to his study, knowing what was coming. Meanwhile, the rest of the family continued to surround Riya, bombarding her with questions about the night.

As they walked into the study, Shivaay shut the door behind them. He turned to Arav, his voice low and serious. "What the hell happened out there? And don’t give me half-truths. I need to know everything."

Arav sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We were ambushed by Kanishk Verma's men. It was a planned attack. I managed to get Riya out of there, but we had to spend the night in a safe place in the forest. Ankit found us in the morning and brought us back."

Shivaay’s jaw tightened. "And Kanishk?"

"Still out there," Arav replied. "But his men will report back to him about their failure. He won’t stop, Shivaay. He’s targeting Niharika through Riya to weaken you."

Shivaay’s fists clenched. "Let him try. He’ll regret ever crossing paths with me."

Arav hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There’s something else. Riya’s starting to get suspicious. She almost figured out my real identity. You need to decide how much longer you want to keep this a secret from her."

Shivaay’s expression hardened, but he nodded. "I’ll handle it. For now, your priority is Riya’s safety. Do whatever it takes to keep her out of harm’s way."

"Understood," Arav said, his voice steady. With that, he turned and left the study, knowing the battle against Kanishk Verma was far from over.

Meanwhile, in the hall, Riya finally felt a sense of relief surrounded by her family. But in the back of her mind, questions lingered about the man who had protected her so fiercely. Who was Rohit Parihar, really? And why did it feel like he was hiding something?

Niharika entered Riya’s room with a tray of food, her face soft with concern. As she placed the tray on the small table, she turned to Riya, who was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees. Tears began to roll down Riya’s cheeks the moment she saw her bhabhi.

Niharika immediately sat beside her and cupped her face gently. "Riya, what happened? Are you hurt?" she asked softly, her voice full of worry.

Riya shook her head and wiped her tears, her voice trembling as she said, "Bhabhi, I planned so much for your birthday. I had everything ready—the cake, the decorations, the surprise. But... it all got ruined because of me. If I hadn’t been in danger, none of this would’ve happened. Everyone was so worried, and your special day turned into chaos."

Niharika’s heart ached as she listened. She pulled Riya into a warm hug, stroking her back to comfort her. "Riya, don’t say that. You being safe and sound is the best gift I could have ever received. Nothing else matters to me more than that."

"But bhabhi—" Riya began, only for Niharika to gently cut her off.

"Shh, no buts. Birthdays come and go, but your safety is priceless. You’ve been through so much, and yet here you are, safe with us. That’s what counts," Niharika said with a kind smile.

Riya sniffled and rested her head on Niharika’s shoulder. "You’re too nice to me, bhabhi. I really don’t deserve it after ruining your day."

Niharika pulled back slightly, looking her straight in the eyes. "You didn’t ruin anything, Riya. I’m just grateful to have you here with us. And don’t worry about the celebration—we’ll plan something together. It’ll be just as special, if not more. Okay?"

A small, hesitant smile appeared on Riya’s face. "Okay," she murmured.

"Good. Now, no more crying. Eat something, or do I need to feed you myself?" Niharika teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

Riya chuckled softly, wiping away the last of her tears. "I’ll eat, bhabhi. Thank you."

As Niharika handed her the plate of food, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of love for her sister-in-law. No matter the circumstances, Riya’s safety and happiness would always come first for her. And though the day hadn’t gone as planned, Niharika silently promised herself to make Riya smile again.

Ishaan walked into the living room where Kanika was sitting with a cup of tea. She looked up as he approached, a warm smile on her face.

"Kanika," Ishaan began, his voice genuine, "I just wanted to thank you."

She tilted her head in confusion. "Thank me? For what?"

He sat down beside her and leaned forward slightly. "For your father. His involvement and the resources he provided were a big help in locating Riya and getting her back safely. Honestly, without his support, things could have been much worse."

Kanika's smile widened, a hint of pride shining in her eyes. "Oh, that’s nothing. Dad’s just doing his job. But I’ll let him know you appreciate it."

Ishaan nodded, his tone softening. "It means a lot to our family. You know, during those tense hours, everyone was on edge. Riya is like the heart of this family, and losing her even for a moment was unbearable."

Kanika reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "I understand. Family is everything, and I’m glad Dad could help in some way. I’m just relieved she’s back home safely."

There was a moment of silence as Ishaan looked at her, sincerity written all over his face. "You’ve been such a great support to us, Kanika."

Kanika’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly took a sip of her tea to hide her reaction. "Well, you all have been so kind to me. It’s the least I can do."

Ishaan smiled, leaning back. "Still, thank you. It means a lot."

As Kanika glanced at him, she couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her heart. There was something about Ishaan’s gratitude and the way he spoke that made her feel truly appreciated. And though she brushed it off casually, she felt a deep sense of connection to his family and their bond.

Ishaan stood awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He bit his lower lip nervously, avoiding eye contact with Kanika for a moment. Gathering his courage, he finally looked into her eyes and blurted out, "Would you... would you date me?"

Kanika froze, her brows lifting in shock. She hadn't expected those words from him, and for a moment, the air between them was heavy with silence.

Kanika's surprise melted into a soft smile as she looked at Ishaan, noticing the nervous anticipation in his eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "Okay, Ishaan... I’ll give it a shot."

Relief washed over Ishaan’s face, and his lips curved into a boyish grin. "Really? You will?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief and excitement.

Kanika chuckled lightly. "Yes, I will. But don’t make me regret it, okay?" she teased, crossing her arms playfully.

Ishaan nodded eagerly. "I promise, you won’t," he said, unable to hide his happiness.

Riya was sleeping, but her slumber was interrupted by a vivid dream. In the dream, Arav pushed her onto the bed, his eyes burning with desire. He hovered over her, his lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss.

As the kiss deepened, Arav's lips trailed down Riya's neck, sending shivers down her spine. He kissed her collarbone, his mouth hot and insistent. Riya was a moaning mess, her body arching into Arav's.

Just as things were getting intense, Arav ripped off Riya's dress, his hands roaming over her body.

Riya's eyes flew open, her heart racing and her breathing rapid. She was disoriented for a moment, unsure of what was real and what was just a dream. But as she looked around her darkened room, she realized that it was just a dream.

Or was it?

She couldn't shake off the feeling of Arav's lips on her skin, the way he had hovered over her, his eyes burning with desire. She had felt so alive, so wanted, in that dream.

Riya's face grew hot as she thought about the details of the dream. She had never felt such a strong attraction to Arav before, but now she couldn't deny the spark that seemed to have ignited between them.

She tried to calm herself down, telling herself it was just a dream, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted inside of her.