Chapter 32

I apologize for the delay; I was hospitalized last month, which made it take longer than expected.

Don't forget to vote and comment ✨

Words count - 6k

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Mrunali squealed in delight, "Omg! Finally, Bhai got a girlfriend before getting wrinkles."

"Or you can congratulate me like normal people do," Shivay said, throwing a glare at her.

"But where's the fun in that? And Am I wrong?" She teasingly wriggles her eyebrows at Shivay.

In response, Shivay hit her on the forehead with a flicking of a finger.

"Ouch!" She glared at her brother and walked beside Aahan while rubbing her forehead and mumbling 'rude'.

"It's not like my future bhabhi ji is wrong though. I thought you were gonna die a virgin." Naksh jumped into the teasing, grinning at Shivay.

Mrunali beamed with pride, high-fiving Naksh. "Thanks, Naksh!"

Naksh whispered, "You've got my back, Bhabhi ji. We make a killer team!"

Mrunali smiled slyly. "Comrade Naksh, I knew I could count on you."

Naksh saluted, "Anything for you, Captain."

Shivay scoffed at them, “And what do we call this team? #dumbandumbest."

They both snickered at him and said simultaneously, "That's the lamest comeback."

Shivay shot back, "Go die somewhere."

Mrunali and Naksh burst into a teasing tune, "Na-na-na, not today~" They shimmied their shoulders, trying to get a rise out of Shivay.

Shivay shook his head, amused by their antics. Janvi chuckled at the exchange.

Shreya offered her congratulations, "Congratulations to both of you."

Shivay and Janvi replied in unison, "Thank you."

Pihu jumped in with a sly remark, "Congratulations on the first rain in your desert-like relationship status, Miss Janvi ji..." She smirked, clearly enjoying the tease.

Janvi rolled her eyes, "Thanks for this kidney-touching wish."

Pihu shot back, "Just be aware of getting a heart attack in your kidney."

Janvi scoffed, "Thanks for your advice, Doctor Pihu."

Pihu chuckled, "Mention not. I'm always here to offer my expertise... for free."

"Congratulations, "Aahan wished them with a nod.

Janvi replied with a smile, "Thank you, Bhai."

"Congratulations, Dude!" Sidharth threw his hands around Shivay's shoulder, "Finally, you both transferred from the stage of being-painfully-obvious to the official relationship."

"Thanks for being an obvious pain in the ass," Janvi replied while Shivay just shoved his hand away.

"And don't put your dirty paw at my man." She adds, which makes Shivay's eyes widen as he tries to control his smile.

Hooting and whistles filled the surroundings with words, "Oh, my man."

"Why are you so mean to me?" Sidharth whine.

"Because jab bhi tum muh kholte ho, laat khane wali baat krte ho," Janvi told him nonchalantly like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

(Because every time you open your mouth, you invite it.)

Sidharth muttered under his breath, "Meanie," but didn't push the issue further, acknowledging that today was Janvi's day.

"Shivay, you both go ahead. We will follow your lead after collecting this all," Aahan told them, cutting out their useless talk.

Shivay protested, "No, I can't let you guys clean up after me."

"Come on, Shivay. Don't be ridiculous. We're not some guys who came to a party to eat free food. We're your friends." Naksh said.

"Yeah! And we will be shitty friends if we let a new couple clean the mess instead of them letting spend alone time." Mrunali added.

Janvi opened her mouth to object, but Pihu cut her off, "Janvi, it's a special day. Don't spoil it. Days like these don't come often, so make the most of it. And if you're feeling guilty, you two can treat us tomorrow."

Janvi turned to Shivay, her eyes asking, 'What should we do?'

Shivay smiled, holding out his hand. "Let them handle it. Let's go, Princess."

Janvi's heart skipped a beat as she took his hand; the sparks were flying between them. This new feeling was intoxicating, an intensified version of the emotions she'd grown used to. As they walked away, hand in hand, the world around them melted into the background, leaving only the promise of a love-filled future.

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As the clean-up team arrived, the members sprang into action, eager to preserve the memories of Janvi and Shivay's special day.

Aahan and Mrunali carefully dismantled the intricate lighting arrangements, while Naksh and Pihu focused on restoring the serene pond to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Sidharth took on the task of collecting the delicate pink artificial butterflies, his fingers moving with precision as he gently plucked them from the surrounding foliage.

And Shreya took responsibility for annoying everyone. She was continuously flirting, touching and trying every single thing to grab Naksh's attention, even though he was trying his best to maintain distance, but that girl couldn't take the hint.

As the clean-up efforts continued, the air was thick with tension, Naksh's growing discomfort palpable as Shreya's relentless flirting threatened to disrupt the harmony of the evening.

Mrunali's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Shreya with growing annoyance. "I swear to God, if this girl doesn't stop, I'll hang her on that tree with her own hair," she muttered, pointing upwards.

Aahan, equally irritated with Shreya, glanced down at Mrunali and said, "Pahunch jaogee?" He nodded towards the treetop.

(Will you reach?)

Mrunali met his gaze, her expression neutral. "Kisi majboor insaan ka itna bhi faida bhi mat uthao ki ek din uske sabar ka baandh toot jaaye aur tumhe usme tairane ke liye tinke tak ka sahara bhi naa mile."

(Don't take advantage of a helpless person to such an extent that one day his patience breaks and you don't even get the support of a straw to swim through it.)

Aahan shrugged. "Inhi bhari sabdo ke wajan se tumhari height beth gayi hai."

(Your height went downward due to the weight of these heavy words.)

Mrunali shouted with a glare, "MY HEIGHT IS GENETIC, NOT MY FAULT."

Aahan's lips curled into a sly smile. "Or maybe it's the result of skipping gym class in school?"

Mrunali's cheeks puffed out in irritation as she glared at Aahan, her fist clenched in a warning. "Stop it, or I'll punch you!"

Aahan chuckled, "I wonder how much damage those squishy hands could do."

Mrunali's confusion deepened. "How do you know they're squishy?"

Aahan leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Don't you remember? I'm the one who put the engagement ring on this hand."

Realization dawned on Mrunali, but before she could respond, a loud splash echoed through the air, drawing their attention to the pond. Their jaws dropped in unison as they took in the scene before them.

Without a word, they rushed towards the pond, their faces a picture of shock and curiosity. As they approached the water's edge, they couldn't help but wonder what had caused the commotion.

"Gayi bhess pani mein." Sidharth mumbled.

His gaze drifted from the pond to Pihu, and a thought crossed his mind: "Even my answer sheet was less blank than her face right now."

Pihu's expression was a mask of indifference, but Sidharth suspected there was more brewing beneath the surface.

Pihu had been ignoring Shreya's attempts to grab attention all evening, but her patience was wearing thin.

Naksh, on the other hand, was doing his best to maintain a safe distance from Shreya, but she seemed oblivious to his hints. Pihu also understands that Naksh can't be directly rude to her because, first, she is a girl. Second, it's not Naksh's nature. Third, they both had projects together to do.

As the evening wore on, Pihu chose to ignore both Shreya's antics and the emotions simmering in her own heart. She was determined to maintain her calm, at least for tonight.

But her resolve was tested when Shreya "not-so-accidentally" threw herself at Naksh, sending them both tumbling into the water. Pihu's eyes narrowed, her composure threatened by the scene unfolding before her.

Shreya and Naksh emerged from the pond, soaked from head to toe. Naksh rubbed the water from his face, his eyes blazing with annoyance as he shouted, "What the hell, Shreya?"

Shreya feigned shock, her voice dripping with insincerity. "Omg, I'm so sorry, Naksh! My feet slipped!"

As she took a step closer to Naksh, attempting to help him clean off the water, he swiftly backed away, his expression a clear warning to keep her distance. The message was loud and clear: he wasn't buying her act.

Naksh shook his head to rid of water droplets from his hair. He ran his finger over his hair.

Pihu's eyes are stuck on Naksh's appearance. She even forgot how to blink. Naksh took off his leather jacket at starting of cleaning. Now his white shirt turned into see-through due to wetness. His well-built body is clearly peeking out from transparency. His messy hair added a rugged touch to his appearance, making Pihu's heart skip a beat.

'No wonder many girls are smitten with him,' Pihu thought, her mind wandering as she took in Naksh's captivating sight.

A loud, prolonged cough from Mrunali shattered the spell, drawing everyone's attention back to the present. "Ahem...ahem... Ahem..." she coughed, milking the drama for all it was worth.

Sidharth raised an eyebrow, mumbling under his breath, "Not too much dramatic?"

Mrunali shot back with a smirk, "Less dramatic than our lives, don't you think?"

Sidharth's expression changed to one of acknowledgement, his eyes conveying a silent "You had a point."

Mrunali strode over to Shreya and Naksh, her voice firm but playful. "Devar ji, jara side hatna."

(Move aside a little.)

She gently pulled Naksh away, positioning him beside Pihu. "That's your place," she said with a knowing smile.

Naksh met Pihu's gaze, his eyes apologizing for the earlier incident. "Sorry," he muttered, but Pihu chose to ignore him, shifting her attention back to the unfolding scene.

Mrunali stepped forward, her eyes locked on Shreya. A fake smile spread across her face as she delivered a sugary sweet reminder: "A friendly reminder, they're married."

The underlying message was clear: Back Off.

A cocky grin spread across Shreya's face as she folded her arms over her chest, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How would I know? They don't even get a proper wedding. Most people don't even know that Naksh has already gotten married."

Mrunali's glare intensified, her eyes blazing with anger. An urge to lash out at Shreya washed over her, but she restrained herself. "That doesn't change the fact that they're a couple," she spat.

"Couple?" She starts laughing, "What couple? Like which couple is married in court nowadays? Even an arranged couple deserves a grand wedding in our society. So I wonder what is the reason for this forced marriage. Did your friend is that desperate for money?"

Naksh and Aahan shouted in unison, "SHREYA!" their voices stern warnings to rein in her venomous tongue.

Naksh's fists clenched, ready to strike, his anger boiling over at Shreya's vicious words. But Pihu's gentle touch on his hand stayed his wrath. She shook her head, a silent warning to keep his cool. Naksh took a deep breath, forcing his anger back down.

Mrunali's face flashed with indignation. "Watch your mouth, Shreya. You're skating on thin ice. It's my best friend you're talking about."

Shreya's eyes sparkled with malice as she shot back, "Oh? Was she really your best friend? I don't think friends hide things from each other." The challenge hung in the air, daring Mrunali to respond.

Mrunali took a step closer to Shreya, a sly smirk spreading across her face. "I don't need to know every detail about Pihu's life to be her friend. I know three things that matter: first, she'd do the same for me if the tables were turned. Second, Pihu would never hurt her friends, even if she kept some things to herself. And third, marriage for money? Please, girl, Pihu could buy your entire business empire with her eyes closed, using her own wealth."

Shreya's face turned beet red with rage. "What the fuck did you just say?" she shouted.

Mrunali's expression turned icy. "You heard me loud and clear. Stay away from my friend's life."

Shreya shrugged, her confidence unwavering. "Not my fault Naksh wants me."

Even Sidharth also snickered at her delusion.

"Bhen, tu thodi pagal hai kya?" Mrunali looked at her dumbfoundily.

(Sis, Are you a little crazy?)

Shreya’s voice dripped with smug confidence as she declared, “You can’t deny that Naksh has a crush on me.”

“Had,” Pihu corrected, her voice steady, unwavering.

She met Shreya’s gaze head-on, her expression unreadable, her presence commanding.

Each step she took was deliberate, poised, as she closed the distance between them, stopping just close enough for Shreya to feel the weight of her presence. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty—only quiet, lethal confidence.

With a gentle touch, Pihu rested a hand on Mrunali’s shoulder, her grip light but full of unspoken gratitude. “I got this one, Mru,” she murmured, effectively releasing Mrunali from her self-appointed guardian role.

Mrunali, ever the protective friend, hesitated for a moment before flashing a proud smile. She knew Pihu could handle herself. Turning away, she walked back toward Aahan, who was waiting for her with an amused smirk.

Without a word, he reached out and gave her a soft pat on the head—a silent, affectionate gesture that said, You did well, little one.

Mrunali’s cheeks tinged with a soft blush, her heart fluttering at his approval, her eyes sparkling with delight.

But Pihu had already refocused, her gaze sharpening like a blade as she returned her attention to Shreya. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at her lips.

“Now, where were we?” She let the question linger in the air, savoring the tension. “Ah, yes… it seems you’re lacking in two areas—basic manners and proper grammar.”

Shreya’s face darkened, her eyes flashing with irritation, but before she could open her mouth to retort, Pihu cut her off.

“Naksh has given you plenty of hints to back off, but you’re still clinging to him like a leech. Tell me, are you so shameless that you need him to spell it out for you? Should he look you in the eye and say, ‘Stay away from me, bitch’?”

The words dripped with scathing amusement, every syllable landing with precision.

Shreya recoiled, her face twisting in outrage. “How dare you? You don’t even know him! I am his crush!” she snapped, desperation creeping into her voice.

Pihu took another step forward, closing the distance completely. Her voice dropped, low and icy. “You were—past tense. I am his wife—present tense. But if you dare mess with our present, I will ruin your life—future tense.”

Her words were calm, but the promise beneath them was anything but.

Shreya’s breath hitched, her face paling as she took an involuntary step back. The air crackled with the unspoken truth—Pihu wasn’t just standing her ground; she was marking it.

Naksh, who had been watching the exchange in silence, felt a slow, proud smile stretch across his face. His chest swelled with admiration, his eyes gleaming with something deeper.

That’s my wife.

Pihu wasn’t just holding her own—she was owning the moment. And as he looked at her, standing tall, fearless, and his, Naksh thought to himself, 'Nobody could ever win against his wifey in an argument.'

Shreya's voice was a venomous hiss as she trembled with rage, her words spewing forth like a toxic torrent. "Who do you think you are? What do you know about him? Huh? What are you so proud of? Just because you signed some papers, it doesn't mean you're his wife in any real sense. Do you even know what he likes or dislikes?"

Her tone dripped with malice, each word designed to cut deep. "Being a wife on paper doesn't change the fact that you're a forced presence in his life. You snatched his happiness, casting a dark shadow over his existence. He was a happy person before you ruined everything. Your trauma is your problem, so why did you inflict it on him? You stole his chance at true love, a destined wedding, and all the sweet expectations that come with it."

Shreya's voice rose, her hatred boiling over. "Do you know why he never had a girlfriend, despite all the offers? He wanted to fall in love with someone who could walk beside him forever, someone who could brighten his day and bring sunshine into his life. He dreamed of having a child with someone he loved, of hearing their giggles and building a home together. But look at you – you don't even know the meaning of home. You're a shadow that spreads darkness wherever you go. You're a toxic presence, a poison that's infecting his life..."

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, SHREYA!"

Naksh’s voice was a storm tearing through the air, each syllable crackling with fury. His eyes blazed like an inferno as he took a menacing step forward, his presence towering, unyielding. The barely contained rage in his veins pulsed, making his hands clench into fists at his sides.

"How dare you speak to my wife like that?" His voice, though low, thundered with an intensity that sent a chill down Shreya’s spine. "Nobody—and I mean nobody—has the right to talk to her with such disrespect. Not even me."

His words were a sharp blade, slicing through the thick tension, leaving no room for argument.

"You think Pihu ruined my dreams?" Naksh let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know nothing. Yeah, I had dreams, but Pihu's presence hasn't destroyed them. In fact, I can still dream of everything with her by my side."

His voice trembled with raw emotion, but it wasn’t just anger anymore—it was something deeper, something unshakable.

"And you," he spat, his face twisting in disgust, "are the last person on this earth who has the right to speak about our relationship. I told you this morning—I’m not interested in you. But you just don’t get it, do you? You keep clinging to something that never existed. And now, by insulting Pihu, by daring to drag her name through your venom, you’ve crossed a line I can never forgive."

Pihu stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs as she watched Naksh burn with fury—for her. She had seen him angry before, but never like this. Never with this kind of fierce, unrelenting protectiveness.

Her breath hitched as realization struck—he wasn’t just defending her.

He was choosing her.

Something inside her cracked wide open, raw and unguarded, as she looked into his eyes. Eyes that had always held a distance, a restraint, as if he was holding himself back. But now… now they held something different. Something unmistakable.

Devotion. Possession. A silent promise.

For the first time, Naksh truly saw her—not just as his wife, not just as someone he had to protect, but as someone he wanted to protect. Someone he would fight for.

A lump formed in her throat, emotion swelling in her chest, making her breath falter. The weight of his words, the sheer passion in his voice, the way he stood between her and the world, as if nothing and no one could ever touch her—it was too much, yet not enough.

The air between them thickened, charged with something potent, something unspoken yet undeniable. Pihu’s fingers curled at her sides, aching to reach for him, to hold onto this moment, to hold onto him.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. How could she speak when her heart was drowning in a storm of emotions she wasn’t sure she was ready to name?

And then, for a fleeting second, Naksh's gaze softened. The fire in his eyes didn’t fade, but it shifted—burning not just with anger, but with something deeper. Something breathtaking.

Something that made her want to close the distance between them and never look back.

A shiver ran down her spine, leaving her breathless. Because at this moment, standing in the protective circle of his fury, feeling the raw intensity of his emotions, Pihu realized—

She never wanted him to stop fighting for her.

And maybe… just maybe… she had been waiting for this all along.

Shreya stumbled back, fear flickering in her eyes. “But Naksh, I want…” Her voice trembled, the once unwavering confidence now reduced to uncertainty.

Naksh’s expression remained cold, unmoved. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air like a blade. “No more words, Shreya. I only tolerated working with you because Dad trusted me with this project, and I refuse to let him down. But after what you said about my wife, I don’t think I can work with you any longer. No excuse, no explanation will ever justify what you did.”

Shreya’s lips parted, but no sound came. She had lost. Completely.

Without waiting for a response, Naksh turned to Pihu and grabbed her hand, his grip firm yet reassuring. “We’re leaving,” he declared, not sparing Shreya another glance.

And with that, he walked away, taking Pihu with him—his stance confident, unwavering, as if nothing and no one could shake him.

The moment they disappeared, a sudden eruption of claps and laughter filled the air.

Mrunali, smirking, finished clapping and turned to the dumbfounded Shreya, her voice dripping with mockery. “Did you see that?” she taunted, tilting her head. “Did you hear how Naksh called her my wife? What a beautiful, heartwarming moment. Truly.” She sighed dramatically. “Sadly, not for you, Miss so-called ex-crush.”

Aahan, standing beside her, chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. “Looks like Naksh really crushed you this time.”

Shreya’s face twisted with fury, her nails digging into her palms. Her pride lay in shambles, her defeat undeniable.

Gritting her teeth, she spat through clenched jaws, “Just shut up, bitch.”

But her venom lacked power. Because at that moment, no matter how much she fumed, Shreya knew, she had already lost.

Mrunali's expression twisted from mocking amusement to pure fury. Her nostrils flared, and her fists clenched at her sides.

"This recycle trash still dares to talk to me like this?" she seethed, her voice dripping with venom.

Without thinking, she lunged forward, her nails itching to leave a mark on Shreya’s infuriatingly disgusting face. But before she could reach her, a firm grip snaked around her waist. Aahan. His touch was unyielding, holding her back effortlessly.

"Let me go!" she hissed, thrashing against his hold. "I’ll show this girl exactly where she belongs!"

Aahan barely reacted to her struggle. With the ease of someone who can hit eighty kilograms in the gym without dropping a sweat, this forty-five kg wild little beast is nothing in front of it. He tightened his grip just enough to keep her in place.

His voice was steady, almost amused, yet carrying an unmistakable authority. "Talk from here, Little one. There’s no need to get physical."

Her chest heaved with rage, but she knew when she was at a disadvantage. After a moment of futile resistance, she let out a sharp breath and stilled. Fine. If she couldn’t claw at Shreya, she’d tear her apart with words instead.

Mrunali straightened, lifting her chin, her dark eyes blazing with scorn.

"Listen to me, you pathetic little nobody," she sneered, each word laced with poison. "My ship is finally sailing, and I am on my way to do everything to make it real. But if you try—if you even think—of ruining it, I swear, I will drown you in an ocean of your own tears."

Her words hung heavy in the air, thick with warning, as her lips curled into a smirk that promised nothing but destruction.

Without replying, Shreya stormed off in anger. Mrunali's chest puffed with victory, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

"I’ll give her a lift. A girl shouldn’t be roaming alone at night—especially not in white. People might mistake her for a ghost," Sidharth remarked, shaking his head before walking off after Shreya.

Mrunali let out the cutest giggle. "I won."

Aahan chuckled, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist. In a smooth motion, he rested his chin on top of her head, his warmth seeping into her like a cosy embrace against the chilly night.

She rolled her eyes upward, attempting to meet his gaze without moving her head too much, worried she might accidentally bump into his face.

"Am I your personal stand now?" she huffed, her lips forming a pout.

Aahan let out a deep chuckle and, without hesitation, wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. "Stand? Nah," he whispered, his lips ghosting over her hair. "But you're my personal."

Her breath hitched, and a shiver ran down her spine, but not from the cold. His touch was warm, his words even warmer.

She didn’t protest, didn’t even try to escape the firm hold of his arms. How could she? When her heart was melting like snow under the sun.

Before she could react, he took her hands in his and brought them up to his cheek, "Your hands are freezing," he murmured, rubbing his thumb against the back of her hand.

Her cheeks burned. "Aahan..." she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Little one, if you’re cold, just say so. I have the best way to keep you warm," he teased while burying his face in her hair.

Mrunali’s heart thudded wildly. "And what’s that?"

Aahan smirked, his eyes twinkling mischievously, and causally dropped the bomb, "Me."

Mrunali's heart pounded as she stared into Aahan’s mischievous eyes. His words echoed in her mind—Me.

Her breath hitched, and her thoughts took a wrong path, which was not so holy. Did he mean…? Her cheeks burned even hotter.

But before she could dwell on it, Aahan tilted his head slightly, a playful smirk still lingering. “I meant my jacket,” he said casually, as if he hadn’t just sent her heart into overdrive.

Mrunali blinked. “What?”

He chuckled at her confusion and let go of her for just a moment—long enough to shrug off his jacket before draping it over her shoulders.

She turned toward him, "You're evil."

“What else did you think I meant, hmm?” His voice was laced with amusement as he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

Mrunali’s lips parted, but no words came out. You! she wanted to scream, but her pride wouldn’t let her. Instead, she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, sinking into the warmth of his jacket.

“You’re so full of yourself,” she muttered.

Aahan grinned, taking full advantage of the way she was wrapped in his clothes. “Maybe,” he admitted, stepping closer. “But you’re still blushing.”

Mrunali gasped, covering her cheeks with her hands, only for Aahan to catch her wrists and pull them down gently. His fingers brushed against hers, sending a pleasant shiver up her spine.

“You look cute when you get flustered, Little one,” he whispered, his voice softer now, less teasing, more… sincere.

Her breath hitched again. “Aahan…”

He hummed in response, his gaze flickering between her eyes and lips. The night air was cold, but the space between them was anything but.

Mrunali bit her lip, trying to ignore the rapid drumming of her heart.

“You should stop doing that,” she finally managed to say.

“Doing what?” he asked, his voice lower now.

"T-Teasing me,” she admitted, barely above a whisper.

Aahan’s smirk softened into something deeper, something that made her feel breathless. He leaned in just enough for her to feel his warmth even more. “I’m not stopping,” he murmured. “Not when I love the way you look at me when it happens.”

Mrunali’s world tilted for a second, her heart skipping a beat. Did he just—?

Before she could overthink it, Aahan took her frozen fingers in his again, "Let's go,"

“You’re always cold,” she murmured, trying to focus on anything but the way his touch made her feel.

His fingers lightly traced over hers. “Not with you, Little one,” he admitted, his voice quiet yet steady.

Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn’t a confession, not really. But something about the way he said it, the way his gaze softened only for her, made her chest tighten.

It was such a simple thing to say, yet it carried more weight than she expected. Maybe he didn’t say things outright, maybe he didn’t put his feelings into words. But in moments like this—when he wrapped her in his jacket, when he warmed her hands with his own, when his usually cool touch melted into warmth just for her—Mrunali knew.

And maybe, for now, that was enough.

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"Can you stop staring at me, Princess? I need to focus on the road," Shivay said, trying—and failing—to ignore Janvi’s eyes burning into him.

"But I didn’t do anything. I’m just enjoying the view," she replied with a mischievous smile, her gaze still fixed on him.

"The view is outside the window, Princess," he corrected, keeping his eyes ahead.

"No, it’s sitting in the driver’s seat," she countered smoothly. "A handsome view."

A blush crept onto Shivay’s face, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.

"People usually get shy after their proposal. You, on the other hand, turned into a full-time smooth talker," he muttered.

Janvi grinned. "It was my dream."

"What? Staring into the soul of your boyfriend?"

"No..." She tilted her head, her eyes twinkling. "Flaunting my first love to the world. And I turned out to be the luckiest, getting the best one of all. So, of course, I have every right to flaunt him."

Shivay opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again—his brain struggling to form a proper sentence. "I-I... I mean... Like, uh—"

Janvi giggled. "A flustered Shivay Singh Wagh is a rare sight. How adorable..." She cooed, enjoying his reaction.

"There is nothing adorable," he grumbled, looking anywhere but at her.

"There is. And it’s you," she teased.

Shivay groaned. "That’s enough, Princess."

Janvi tapped her chin playfully. "By the way, if you call me Princess, does that make you my Prince? Or should I start calling you Prince Charming?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you flirting with me?"

She smirked. "Is it working?"

His lips curled into a smile of his own. "Yes."

"Then yes..." she whispered, her voice dripping with sweetness.

And just like that, Shivay had never been more grateful to be stuck in traffic.

He reached over, gently taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers together. Janvi blinked at him, her heart skipping a beat.

He chuckled. "I like it when you look at me like that."

"Like what?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Like I’m the only person in your world."

Her teasing smile softened, and she squeezed his hand back. "Because you are."

Shivay let out a small breath, feeling warmth spread in his chest. How did she always manage to do this to him?

"You’re dangerous, Princess," he murmured.

Janvi smirked. "And you’re stuck with me now, Mr. Wagh."

He grinned. "Best kind of trouble I’ve ever been in."

Janvi sighed dreamily.

As the car rolled down the road, Shivay knew one thing for sure—life with Janvi was going to be one beautiful adventure.

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Sidharth threw Shreya into the pitch-black room, his fury crackling like a live wire. His voice sliced through the silence like a blade.

"IS THIS YOUR BEST PAWN?"

His burning glare cut through the darkness, landing on the shadowed figure sitting motionless across the room.

A calm, collected voice emerged from the void. "What did she do this time?"

Shreya winced, lifting her head from the cold floor. The figure remained hidden in the dark, their presence looming like a specter. In front of them, a chessboard lay in disarray, pieces scattered in a chaotic mess.

Sidharth’s jaw tightened. "What did she do?" he echoed, his voice dripping with venom. "She put her head inside the lion’s mouth."

A low chuckle rumbled from the darkness. "Lion… or lioness?"

Sidharth's patience snapped. "Is this a game to you?" His voice was laced with pure, unfiltered rage.

"I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!" Shreya shrieked, her voice shaking.

Sidharth turned, his gaze a storm of malice. In a blink, he was in front of her, crouching down. His fingers twisted into her hair, yanking her head back mercilessly.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve done?" His voice was a lethal whisper now, chilling in its calmness. He pulled harder, making her gasp in pain. "Do you even comprehend who Pihu is?" His lips curled into something cruel. "You don’t just walk into her world, Shreya. You don’t breathe in her direction unless she allows it."

He leaned in, his voice dropping to something even more terrifying. "If Naksh hadn’t intervened, you wouldn’t be kneeling here—you’d be rotting in the ground."

The weight of his words suffocated the air between them.

"Let her go."

The voice was calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that wasn’t a request—it was a command.

Sidharth’s grip tightened for just a second, his rage crackling in the silence. Then, with a sharp shove, he released her, sending her sprawling across the floor like a discarded doll.

Without hesitation, he turned toward the person sitting in the shadows. "You think this is a joke?"

Before Sidharth could continue, the figure raised a hand—cutting him off effortlessly.

"Do you see this chessboard?"

Sidharth’s gaze flickered toward it. The board was chaos—pieces scattered, a battlefield frozen mid-destruction.

The person’s fingers moved, slow and deliberate, ghosting over the pieces before plucking the white queen from its place. The person turned it in their fingers, their grip unyielding.

"This game belongs to me." Their voice was smooth, dangerous—like silk wrapped around steel. "And a single queen…" they lifted the piece slightly, their lips curling into something dark. "…does not win the war."

Then, with an effortless flick, the person flung the queen away. It clattered onto the floor, its hollow echo bouncing off the walls like a death sentence.

Then came the laughter.

Low. Dark. Sinister.

A sound that crawled beneath the skin.

A warning.

A promise.

Sidharth said nothing. Shreya didn’t dare to breathe.

Because in that moment, it was clear.

This wasn’t a game.

It was a deadly dance of bloody power.

─── ❝ To be continued❞ ─────

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