Time flies

Author’s POV

Time didn’t heal wounds overnight. It didn’t erase the past or mend broken trust in an instant. But it did offer something—space to breathe, to reflect, and maybe, to rebuild.

Advika knew Vivan wasn’t the same man who once looked at her with unshaken love. He had changed. He was cautious now, guarded, and she didn’t blame him. She had hurt him in ways she never intended. And now, all she could do was show him—through every action, every word, every silent moment—that she wasn’t going anywhere.

The house wasn’t the same anymore.

They still lived under the same roof, but there was a distance between them. Their conversations were brief, often filled with unspoken words. But small moments, fragile yet significant, began to weave between them.

Like the way Vivan always made sure she ate her medicine , even if he barely acknowledged her presence.

Or the way Advika would carefully place a warm blanket over him when he fell asleep on the couch, staying up just to make sure he was comfortable.

One night, when Vivan came home late, exhausted from work, he found Advika asleep on the couch in their room, a book still clutched in her hands. The sight made him pause. He sighed, running a tired hand through his hair before walking toward her. This was becoming a habit—her waiting, him pretending not to notice.

He knelt beside her, staring at her sleeping face for a moment too long. Her features were softer in sleep, free of the guilt and sadness that usually lingered in her eyes.

Without thinking, he reached out, adjusting the blanket that had slipped from her shoulder. His fingers brushed against her skin for the briefest second, and she stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

"You're home," she whispered, her voice heavy with sleep.

Vivan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

She blinked at him, her gaze searching his, before she sat up slowly. "Have you eaten?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

He hesitated before shaking his head.

"Wait here," she said, pushing herself up.

Vivan didn’t stop her this time. He just watched as she walked toward the kitchen, her small frame moving with quiet determination. A few minutes later, she returned with a plate of food and placed it in front of him.

"You should eat something," she said softly.

He looked at the plate, then at her. "You didn’t have to."

"I wanted to," she said simply.

He should have just walked away, ignored the ache in his chest.

Something in his chest tightened at her words.

He didn’t respond.

He just kept eating, pretending not to notice the way his heart had started to thaw, piece by piece.

And for the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to remember what it felt like to love her.

Another evening, Advika saw him struggling with his tie. She hesitated before stepping forward. “May I?” she asked softly.

Vivan glanced at her, he looked at her pleading eyes and then he sighed and nodded.

She reached up, fingers working the fabric, her touch light and hesitant. He didn’t move away. He didn’t say anything. And for her, that was enough.

But the real shift happened one night when a storm raged outside.

A loud clap of thunder echoed through the house, and Advika flinched, old memories stirring deep within her. She hugged herself tightly, trying to shake off the fear, but she didn’t notice when Vivan walked in.

He saw the way her hands trembled, the way her breathing grew uneven.

Without a word, he sat beside her on the bed.

She looked up at him, startled.

His voice was quiet, hesitant. “Do storms still scare you?”

She swallowed hard, nodding.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, he reached out, hesitating before wrapping his fingers around hers. His grip was warm and steady. “You’re safe, Advika.”

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “I know.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy yet comforting. She turned her hand, intertwining their fingers.

And this time, Vivan didn’t pull away.

It wasn’t forgiveness. Not yet.

But it was the beginning of it.

[After 2 months]

The tension in the Raichand mansion was palpable. Vivan’s parents had long noticed the distance between him and Advika, but they had chosen to stay silent, letting them navigate their own relationship. It wasn’t easy, watching their son withdraw, watching Advika struggle to mend what was broken. But some things couldn’t be forced.

Agam had arrived that morning for some office work, but it didn’t take him long to notice the lingering unease between the two. He saw it in the way Vivan barely acknowledged Advika, in the way she quietly tried to do small things for him—like setting his coffee on his desk before he even asked or making sure his files were in place.

And he saw the way Vivan noticed but never said a word.

Agam found Advika in the balcony  lost in thought. The soft sunlight bathed her face, but the sadness in her eyes dulled any warmth the morning had to offer.

Leaning against the doorframe, he crossed his arms. "You know, this silence between you two is driving everyone crazy, right?"

Advika let out a small, humorless chuckle but didn’t turn to face him. "I know."

Agam sighed, stepping inside. “Then do something about it, Bhabhi.”

At the word Bhabhi, she finally looked up at him. Her eyes softened, but there was something else there too—pain, regret. "I am trying, Agam."

He studied her for a moment before pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. "Then let me help."

She shook her head instantly. "No."

Agam frowned. "Why not?"

"Because it's my fault," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hurt him, Agam. And if I want to fix this, I have to do it myself."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "You do realize he's just as stubborn as you, right?"

A small smile tugged at her lips. "I know."

Agam leaned forward, his tone softer this time. "Bhabhi, he still cares. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be making sure you eat, wouldn’t be checking up on you when he thinks no one’s looking."

Her eyes widened slightly. "He does?"

Agam scoffed. "Of course, he does. He’s just too damn angry and hurt to show it."

Advika swallowed, blinking back the emotions threatening to spill.

Agam exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "You’re both idiots."

This time, she actually let out a small laugh. "I know that too."

For a moment, there was silence, a quiet understanding settling between them.

Agam gave her a reassuring smile. "Just don’t give up, okay?"

Advika met his gaze, determination flickering in her eyes. "I won’t."

Agam leaned against the desk, arms crossed, and asked advika,"By the way, bhabhi, have you figured out how your signature ended up on those papers? Someone is clearly trying to separate you and Vivan."

Advika sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta. "I don’t know who it is, Agam. But one thing I know for sure—it’s someone I know very well."

Agam frowned, his mind running through possibilities, but before he could say anything, a sweet, excited voice echoed through the room.

"Princess!"

Advika turned quickly, her eyes lighting up as little Avni came running in, her tiny feet barely making a sound on the marble floor. Behind her, Ranveer and Vivan followed at a slower pace.

A huge smile broke across Advika’s face as she bent down, arms wide open. "My little angel!"

Avni launched herself into Advika’s embrace, her small arms wrapping tightly around her neck. "Princess, I missed you soooo much!" she whined, burying her face in Advika’s shoulder.

Advika chuckled, holding her close. "I missed you more, baby. You didn’t come to meet me for so long!"

Avni pulled back, her big, innocent eyes looking at her. "Papa was busy na ,  he had a big meeting , and he got me so many cute dolls, toys and a princess wala room"

Advika laughed, kissing her cheek," You are so cute my baby."

Ranveer stepped closer, watching them with a fond smile. Advika’s eyes met his, and for a moment, there was nothing but warmth between them. Without hesitation, she stood and hugged him.

"Missed you." she whispered.

Ranveer smiled, patting her head like he used to when they were younger. "I’m here now."

As they pulled away,  something came in Avni's mind, and she went towards vivan and took her hands and dragged him towards a chair, and she did the same with advika too.They looked amazed and confused and then she spoke ,"I got to know something you both fight na when I was not here"

Vivan, advika stiffened slightly at her words. Their gaze flickered toward each other, then at her who was looking at them placing her tiny hands on her hips."who told you this—"

Avni flipped her hairs back and replied "Avni sharma knows everything"

Advika and Vivan exchanged a glance, not knowing what to answer her.

Agam  smirked. "Avni , you are so smart these two are fighting , fighting is wrong"

Avni crossed her arms. "Yes yes !! You know ma'am says good kids don't fight , if someone fights then ma'am makes them shake their hands and hug each other and they become friends again.

Ranveer smirkingly," Avni you should also make them patch up."

Avni excitedly nodded,"Yes Yes dada , I will do it , you both shake your hands and hug each other ,otherwise, I will be angry with both of you!"

Advika let out a soft chuckle, while Vivan sighed, rubbing his temple as if already defeated. He looked at advika who has already extended her hand in front of him and was smiling cheerfully, he sighed and then he softly shook her hand. Avni clapped and then excitedly said "now hug"

A simple hug. But it felt like a bridge between them, however small.

Vivan hugged her gently warmth creeping into her heart , a small moment yet something memorable.

Avni clapped her hands in excitement. "Yeah!! I did it!"

Everyone laughed, and for the first time in a long while, the tension in the air seemed to ease.

In night, advika has entered into her room to clean her saree which got some food stain.

She was about to turn toward the washbasin when her phone buzzed, breaking her from her thoughts. The screen showed an unknown number.

She picked it up, her heart skipping a beat as she heard Raghav’s voice on the other end.

“Advika,” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m back. Come meet me. It's time for us to finish what we started.”

The anger surged through her like a violent storm. Her fingers clenched around the phone, her grip tightening as his words sank in. He had destroyed her life twice, and now, she is not gonna spare him.

As the call ended abruptly, Advika stormed toward her secret drawer, the fury in her chest escalating. She pulled it open, her fingers wrapping around the cold metal of the gun. She didn’t hesitate; this time, Raghav would pay. He had taken enough from her—he wasn’t going to ruin her life again.

With determined steps, she was about to march out of the room when the door creaked open. Vivan stood in the doorway, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the gun in her hand.

His voice was calm but laced with worry. “Advika, what are you doing?”

Her heart was a storm of emotions—anger, betrayal, frustration, and love. She couldn’t explain it, not to him. Not now.

“I’m going to make him pay, Vivan,” she spat, her voice filled with venom. “He’s destroyed my life twice. This time, I’m not letting him get away.”

Vivan’s expression shifted from shock to concern, and he moved toward her, his eyes never leaving the gun. “Advika, no,” he said, his voice firm but gentle, trying to reach her. “This isn’t the way.”

Her pulse was racing, her mind clouded with rage. "You don't understand!" she yelled, her eyes blazing. "He’s the reason I’ve been through hell. He ruined everything!He ruined us.”

But before she could take another step, Vivan quickly stepped in, his arms coming around her to stop her. He grabbed the gun from her hand, his grip firm but careful.

Her frustration boiled over, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She had so much anger inside her, so much pain, but all of it felt like it was tearing her apart. She had always been strong, always been in control, but right now, she was losing herself.

Vivan took a step back, keeping the gun away from her reach. “I won’t let you do this, Advika. I won’t let you destroy yourself over him. ”

She shook her head, her breath coming in uneven gasps. “You don’t get it. You don’t understand how much he’s taken from me. How much he’s destroyed.”

Just then, the door opened again, and Advika’s brother, Ranveer, rushed in, his eyes immediately scanning the scene. He saw Vivan standing there with the gun in his hand, his face a mixture of concern and confusion. But all Ranveer could focus on was Advika.

“Advika!” Ranveer’s voice was thick with worry. “What’s going on here?”

The sight of her tear-streaked face, the gun in Vivan’s hand, and the tension in the room made his blood boil. He saw Vivan standing too close to her, holding the gun like he had something to do with this. The protective brother in him snapped.

“You are trying to kill my sister?!” Ranveer growled, stepping toward them, ready to defend his sister at any cost.

Advika's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face Ranveer. “No, Ranveer, it’s not like that…” she began, but her words were drowned out by the rush of emotions that followed.

Vivan stood there, frozen, his eyes locked on Ranveer, trying to understand what had just shifted but before he could make him understand , ranveer punched him making advika gasp and went towards vivan.Advika felt the air in the room thicken, the tension building. Everything was spinning out of control. She had to stop this. She had to make them understand.

"what the hell" Vivan said in an angry voice, punching him back making him growl" this is your sister's gun only , she is planning for a murder wanna join her"

Ranveer turned to her, his gaze widening for a moment as he stepped toward her, he looked at her asking through eyes is it true and she just shrugged like it's a very normal thing making his eyes go wide and he went from there looking back at them for a second not believing what he heard and saw was right.

“Advika, listen to me,” vivan said, his voice firm yet filled with concern. “You don’t need to do this. We’ll take care of Raghav, but you don’t have to ruin yourself in the process. Not over him.

The weight of his words hit Advika, and for the first time that night, she felt her anger begin to dissipate, replaced with the overwhelming realization that she wasn’t alone in this. Vivan was there, to protect her.

She finally broke down, her anger giving way to tears, as Vivan gently placed the gun on the nearby table, his arms wrapping around her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered through her tears, feeling the warmth of his embrace.

And after a long time in what felt like forever, she leaned towards vivan thinking she got his vivan back.

~Mohabbat kaisa kaisa ,

Mod dikhati hai!!

Kabhi yeh mohabbat hasati hai,

Kabhi bhut rulati hai!!~

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