Chapter 29: CHAPTER 27

Degrees of DesireWords: 36400

Updated enough!!!

It's last updated!!!

___________________________________________

After two weeks of exploring the serene beauty of Switzerland, Reyansh and Noor returned to the Malhotra mansion, their hearts full of memories and their bond stronger than ever.

The sound of their car pulling into the driveway brought a wave of excitement to the household.

As they stepped out, Noor was greeted by Rohan, who immediately started teasing her.

"Switzerland ka mausam zyada acha laga ya mere bhai ka saath?" Rohan smirked, winking at Reyansh, who shot him a glare.

Noor blushed and playfully smacked Rohan on the arm. "Rohan, tum kabhi serious ho sakte ho?"

(Rohan, can you be serious ever?)

Reyansh's mom and dad came forward, welcoming them with warm smiles. "How was your trip?" his mom asked, pulling Noor into a hug.

"It was beautiful," Noor said with a wide smile. "Thank you for everything, Mom."

As they entered the house, the staff brought tea and snacks, and the family sat together in the living room.

Reyansh's grandfather, who always carried an air of authority but a soft spot for Noor, cleared his throat.

Rohan, who had been sitting quietly for a change, leaned forward.

"Bas ek baat, Noor. Bhai ko mat aane dena kitchen ke paas. Warna khud toh khaayega nhi, mujhe bhi kuch nahi milega!"

The room filled with laughter, while Reyansh rolled his eyes. "Mujhe toh lagta hai tujhe ghar mein rehne ka bas ek bahana chahiye," he retorted.

Later that evening, as they settled into their room, Noor unpacked their bags while Reyansh leaned back on the bed, observing her.

"Tumhare bina ghar kitna khaali lagta hai," he said suddenly, his voice soft.

(Home feels empty without you.)

Noor paused and looked at him. "Aur tumhare bina zindagi khaali lagti hai," she whispered, sitting beside him.

(And life without you.)

Reyansh pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "Ab yeh zindagi kabhi khaali nahi hogi, Noor. Tumhare saath sab kuch pura hai."

(Now this life would never be empty. Everything is complete with you.)

The rest of the evening was quiet and peaceful, spent recounting their honeymoon stories to the family.

Noor felt at home in the Malhotra household, surrounded by love and warmth, and Reyansh silently vowed to keep her this happy forever.

The couple retired for the night, ready to embark on their next journey together as a married couple in their everyday life.

The moonlight filtered softly into the room through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle glow on everything it touched. Reyansh walked in, his footsteps quiet but deliberate.

Noor stood by the window, her back to him, the breeze gently tugging at the strands of her hair. She was wearing a delicate light pink satin nightgown that ended just above her knees, making her look ethereal.

Reyansh paused at the door, watching her with a soft smile. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low.

Noor turned, startled at first, but then a small smile appeared on her face. "Nothing... just thinking about how much my life has changed," she whispered, her eyes distant.

Reyansh took slow steps toward her, his gaze locked on her. He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Has it changed for the better, or for the worse?" he asked, his voice teasing.

Noor met his gaze, her cheeks turning pink. "For the best," she said quietly.

Reyansh chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

"Without you, my life would be so strange... I never thought about it before," he admitted, his voice soft.

Noor placed her hands on his chest, her fingers tracing the fabric of his shirt.

"I never thought about it either... and I never want to," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The silence hung between them as they stood there, so close, that the only thing separating them was their heartbeats, which seemed to be in sync.

Reyansh gently tilted her chin up, his eyes searching hers. "There's something I realized, Noor," he murmured.

"What?" she asked, her breath hitching as his lips brushed against her forehead.

He smiled gently, his voice full of affection. "Love isn't just a feeling. It's a life. And my life... my life is only complete with you."

Noor felt a tear slip down her cheek, overwhelmed by his words. Reyansh kissed the tear away and cupped her face in his hands.

Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, one that spoke of promises, of love, and of a future together.

He slowly lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her gently on the soft sheets.

Noor looked up at him, her eyes full of trust and adoration. Reyansh leaned down, his lips trailing over her neck as his hands softly brushed her arms.

"Noor," he whispered, his voice hushed.

She trembled slightly, feeling the intensity of the moment. "Yes, Ansh?"

"I love you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Noor's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I love you too," she whispered back.

Reyansh smiled, a rare, pure smile. "Always," he promised.

The night unfolded, not in words, but in quiet understanding.

The first rays of the sun crept into the room, illuminating the soft peach curtains as Noor stirred awake.

Her hair was a mess, and her cheeks still carried the faint glow of their honeymoon.

She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and then turned her gaze toward Reyansh, who was still fast asleep beside her, his face calm and relaxed.

She smiled softly, thinking how different he looked when he wasn't frowning or teasing her.

Quietly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. Wrapping her hair in bun, she stepped into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

When Noor came out wearing a simple pink salwar suit, her wet hair dripping onto her shoulders, she found Reyansh sitting up, rubbing his eyes groggily.

"Good morning," she said, walking toward the mirror to dry her hair.

"Morning," he muttered, his voice heavy with sleep. He glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked. "You're up early. Still on Switzerland time?"

Noor chuckled. "Maybe. Besides, I wanted to help Maa in the kitchen. Pehli subah ghar waapas aane ke baad special honi chahiye."

Reyansh raised an eyebrow. "Special? Don't tell me you're planning to cook again. Remember the last time you tried?"

Noor glared at him through the mirror. "I'm a good cook!"

He grinned, throwing the blanket off and stretching. "Alright, alright. Let me know if you need help burning the kitchen down."

Ignoring his teasing, Noor headed downstairs. She found her mother-in-law in the kitchen, already busy preparing breakfast.

"Maa, let me help," Noor offered, tying her dupatta behind her back.

Reyansh's mom smiled warmly. "You've just returned, beta. You should rest."

"No, Maa. I want to," Noor insisted. "Tell me what to do."

Soon, the two of them were busy preparing parathas and kheer. Noor worked with enthusiasm, occasionally getting instructions from her mother-in-law.

By the time everything was ready, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.

Reyansh and Rohan were the first to arrive at the dining table.

"Gajar ka halwa?" Rohan said, sniffing the air. "Noor, did you make this?"

Noor nodded, serving him a bowl. "Taste it and tell me how it is."

Rohan took a bite and exaggerated his reaction, smacking his lips loudly. "Perfect, Noor! Bhai, you're lucky to have her."

Reyansh, who had been quietly watching Noor, smirked. "I know."

The family enjoyed their breakfast together, laughing and talking. Noor felt at ease, surrounded by warmth and love.

After breakfast, Reyansh pulled Noor aside as she was clearing the table.

"You're settling into this house too well," he said, leaning against the counter.

"And why is that a bad thing?" Noor asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not," Reyansh said with a smirk. "But don't get too comfortable. You're still on probation."

Noor rolled her eyes, but before she could reply, Rohan appeared, dragging Reyansh away for some work discussion.

Noor smiled to herself, realizing how much her life had changed in such a short time—and how much she loved it.

>

It was a lazy Sunday morning, and the Malhotra mansion was unusually quiet. Noor had just finished folding the laundry in their bedroom when she heard Reyansh's footsteps approaching.

He entered the room, casually dressed in a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, holding his phone in one hand and a mischievous grin on his face.

"Noor," he called out in a sing-song voice.

"Yes?" she replied, placing the last shirt into the wardrobe.

"Do you want to explain this?" He held up his phone, showing her a photo.

Noor squinted to see what it was and gasped when she recognized it—a candid picture of Reyansh from their honeymoon, his hair messed up and his expression hilariously grumpy as he tried to eat his breakfast.

"You took this picture?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Noor couldn't stop herself from giggling. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Reyansh stepped closer, pretending to be offended.

"And you sent it to Rohan? He's been sending me memes with captions like 'When life forces you to wake up early.'"

Noor burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "It was too funny not to share!"

Reyansh folded his arms, narrowing his eyes. "Oh, so you think it's funny, huh?"

"Very," Noor replied, still laughing.

"Alright, Mrs. Malhotra, let's see how funny you find this." Before Noor could react, Reyansh lunged forward and grabbed her phone from the nightstand.

"Ansh, no!" she shouted, chasing him around the room.

But he was too fast. He quickly opened her photo gallery and smirked. "Oh, what do we have here? A selfie in a face mask? And...what is this pose?"

"Give it back!" Noor tried to snatch the phone, but Reyansh held it above his head.

"Not until I save these," he teased, pretending to type something.

Noor jumped, trying to reach the phone, but Reyansh kept dodging her attempts. Finally, in desperation, she grabbed a pillow from the bed and swung it at him.

"Hey!" Reyansh exclaimed, laughing as the pillow hit his shoulder.

"This is war!" Noor declared, grabbing another pillow.

"Oh, you're on!" Reyansh grabbed a pillow for himself, and within seconds, the room turned into a battlefield of flying feathers and laughter.

In the middle of their pillow fight, Rohan peeked into the room. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing!" Reyansh and Noor shouted in unison, freezing mid-swing.

Rohan smirked. "Looks like Noor's winning. Good job, Noor!"

Reyansh glared at him. "Out!"

Rohan laughed and left, and the couple resumed their playful fight until they were both out of breath, collapsing onto the bed in fits of laughter.

As the room settled into silence, Reyansh turned to Noor and said, "You know, you're lucky I love you. Otherwise, I'd send your face mask selfie to the family group chat."

Noor glared at him but couldn't suppress her smile. "And you're lucky I love you. Otherwise, I'd have sent your grumpy photo to all your business contacts."

They both laughed, their earlier "fight" forgotten, as they enjoyed the rest of their lazy Sunday together.

>

It was a busy Monday morning at Malhotra Enterprises. Noor was seated at her desk in the design department, engrossed in her work.

She was sketching out ideas for the new project while trying to ignore the fact that Reyansh, her husband and boss, was just a few floors away.

The morning had been uneventful until her phone buzzed. It was a message from Reyansh:

"My cabin. Now."

Noor frowned. The text was unusually curt. She grabbed her notepad and hurried to his office, feeling a little anxious.

When she entered Reyansh's spacious cabin, he was sitting at his desk, looking unusually serious.

"Yes, Mr. Malhotra?" Noor asked, trying to sound professional.

Reyansh looked up, his expression softening into a smirk. "Close the door."

She hesitated but complied, closing the door behind her.

"Come here," he said, leaning back in his chair.

Noor walked over, standing a few feet away from him. "Is something wrong?"

Reyansh tilted his head, studying her. "Wrong? Yes. My wife hasn't even looked at me all morning."

Noor rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Ansh, we're at work. I can't exactly be staring at you all day."

He got up from his chair and walked toward her, closing the distance between them. "Why not? I stare at you."

Her cheeks turned red as she avoided his gaze. "You're impossible."

Reyansh leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And you're beautiful."

"Ansh!" Noor hissed, stepping back. "Someone might walk in."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. "Relax. The door is locked. And besides, it's my company. If anyone has a problem, they can take it up with me."

Noor shook her head, trying to maintain her composure. "Do you actually need something, or did you just call me here to flirt?"

Reyansh grinned. "I need something."

"What?"

"You," he said simply, his tone playful yet sincere.

Noor sighed, trying not to smile. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he replied, stepping even closer.

Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door. Noor jumped back, her heart racing.

"Who is it?" Reyansh called out, sounding mildly irritated.

"It's Vikram," came the reply. "You asked for the project file."

Reyansh sighed, glancing at Noor. "See? Always interruptions."

Noor stifled a laugh and quickly moved toward the door. "I'll leave you to it, Mr. Malhotra."

As she opened the door, Vikram gave her a curious look, but Noor just smiled and walked out, her heart still racing from the encounter.

Back at her desk, her phone buzzed again. It was another message from Reyansh:

"This isn't over, Mrs. Malhotra. Dinner tonight. Just us."

Noor smiled to herself, shaking her head. Life with Reyansh was never dull.

>

Later that evening, Noor was at home in the kitchen, preparing tea. The day at the office had been as eventful as always with Reyansh's constant teasing and playful antics.

She was stirring the tea when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

"Ansh!" Noor gasped, nearly spilling the tea.

"Hmm," he murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Smells good. Is it for me?"

"The tea?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," he replied, turning her around to face him. "You."

Noor playfully pushed him away. "Stop being so dramatic. I'm trying to make tea."

Reyansh smirked, leaning against the counter. "Fine, but we're leaving in an hour."

"Leaving? Where?"

"Dinner. I told you, Mrs. Malhotra, just us tonight."

Noor rolled her eyes. "You didn't ask if I was free."

"I don't need to ask. You're my wife. You're always free for me," he said with a wink.

Despite her annoyance, Noor couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. But don't expect me to get all dressed up."

"Wear whatever you like. You'll look perfect," he said before walking out of the kitchen, leaving her flustered.

An hour later, they arrived at an elegant rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking, with glittering lights stretching as far as the eye could see.

Reyansh pulled out a chair for Noor, his gentlemanly side on full display. "For the lady."

Noor sat down, shaking her head. "Sometimes you act like such a flirt."

"Only with you," he said, sitting across from her.

As they ate, their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and playful banter.

Noor couldn't help but notice how relaxed Reyansh seemed. It was a side of him she didn't always get to see, especially at work.

Halfway through dinner, Reyansh reached across the table and took her hand. "Noor," he said softly, his tone serious.

She looked at him, surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to say... thank you," he said, his eyes locking with hers.

"For what?"

"For putting up with me. For being here. For making my life better," he said sincerely.

Noor felt her heart melt at his words. "You don't need to thank me, Reyansh. I love you."

He smiled, squeezing her hand. "I love you too."

The rest of the evening passed in a blissful haze. By the time they returned home, Noor felt lighter than she had in weeks.

As they got ready for bed, Reyansh pulled Noor into his arms. "Today was nice," he murmured against her hair.

"It was," she agreed, resting her head on his chest.

"We should do this more often," he said.

Noor smiled, closing her eyes. "I'd like that."

With that, they drifted off to sleep, content in each other's arms.

>

It was a busy evening at home after a long day at work. Noor had just finished arranging some files for an upcoming project when Reyansh walked into the room, looking visibly annoyed.

"Noor," he called sharply, throwing his blazer onto the couch.

She looked up, startled by his tone. "What's wrong?"

"Why did you meet with Aryan today?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation.

Noor froze, taken aback. "What? How do you even know I met him?"

Reyansh folded his arms, his eyes narrowing. "I have my ways. Answer me."

Noor sighed, realizing where this was going. "He came to the office for a meeting. It was strictly professional, Ansh. Nothing else."

"Professional?" Reyansh scoffed. "Do you think I'm blind? I know your history with him, Noor. How do I know this wasn't more than just a meeting?"

Noor's temper flared. "Excuse me? Do you even hear yourself right now? You're accusing me without any basis!"

"I saw you laughing with him, Noor!" Reyansh shot back. "It didn't look professional to me."

Her jaw tightened as she took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Ansh, I've told you a thousand times. Whatever happened with Aryan is in the past. You're the one I chose, the one I love. Why can't you trust me? And I was just discussing things related to business!!!"

"It's not about trust, Noor. It's about boundaries," he retorted. "You should have told me he was coming."

Noor slammed the file she was holding onto the desk. "Boundaries? Trust? What about your behavior, Ansh? You're the one spying on me! How is that fair?"

Reyansh's face hardened. "Because I care about you, and I don't want anyone coming between us!"

"No," Noor said firmly, her voice shaking with emotion. "This isn't caring, Ansh. This is controlling. And I won't stand for it."

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. Reyansh's eyes softened for a moment, but his pride wouldn't let him back down.

"If you can't see why this bothers me, Noor, then maybe you don't understand me at all," he said coldly before turning and walking out of the room.

Noor stood there, stunned and hurt. Tears filled her eyes as she sank onto the couch.

How had things escalated so quickly?

>

Reyansh spent the rest of the night in his study, brooding over their argument. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, jealousy, and guilt.

Deep down, he knew he might have overreacted, but the thought of anyone else being close to Noor still tore at him.

Meanwhile, Noor lay awake in their bedroom, staring at the ceiling.

She loved Reyansh with all her heart, but his inability to let go of his insecurities was suffocating.

The next morning, their silence was deafening. Both went about their routines without speaking a word to each other.

The tension hung heavy in the air, a reminder that some wounds couldn't be healed overnight.

Would Reyansh swallow his pride and apologize?

Or would this rift grow deeper, threatening the foundation of their love?

>

The tension between Reyansh and Noor had only worsened after the previous night's argument.

Days had passed, but neither of them made an effort to bridge the gap.

Pride and anger kept them apart, and every interaction seemed to spark another fight.

That morning, Reyansh sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee in silence.

Noor walked in, looking stunning in a crisp formal outfit, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

She didn't spare him a glance as she poured herself a cup of tea.

"Good morning," Reyansh said stiffly, breaking the silence.

Noor didn't respond, acting as if she hadn't heard him.

His jaw tightened. "Are we really going to keep playing this childish game, Noor?"

She finally looked up, her eyes blazing. "Childish? You're the one who started this, Ansh, by accusing me of something ridiculous!"

"And I apologized, didn't I?" he snapped. "But you clearly enjoy dragging this out!"

"No, Ansh," Noor shot back, her voice rising. "You didn't apologize! You justified your behavior instead of admitting you were wrong. There's a difference!"

Reyansh pushed his chair back, standing up. "Fine! I was wrong! Happy now?"

Noor crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Do you even mean it, or are you just saying it to end this conversation?"

"You know what, Noor? Maybe I'm done trying," Reyansh said coldly. "If you want to keep holding onto this grudge, go ahead. I won't stop you."

Her lips trembled as she struggled to hold back tears. "You really don't get it, do you? It's not about the argument anymore, Reyansh. It's about how little you trust me."

His face softened for a brief moment, but his pride wouldn't let him admit she was right. "I trusted you enough to marry you, Noor. Isn't that enough?"

"No," she said firmly, her voice cracking. "Trust doesn't end there, Reyansh. It's something you prove every single day. And right now, you're failing."

The words hit him hard, but he masked his hurt with anger. "If that's how you feel, then maybe I shouldn't bother anymore."

Noor stared at him, her heart breaking. Without another word, she grabbed her bag and walked out the door, slamming it behind her.

>

The day didn't go any better. At the office, they avoided each other as much as possible.

Meetings were tense, with both of them acting strictly professional, as if they were strangers instead of a married couple.

By evening, Noor was exhausted—emotionally and physically. When she got home, she found Reyansh sitting in the living room, scrolling through his phone.

Everyone else in the family were somewhere out.

She ignored him and headed to the bedroom, but his voice stopped her.

"Noor," he said quietly.

She paused but didn't turn around. "What?"

"I made dinner," he said awkwardly, gesturing toward the dining table.

Her shoulders tensed. "I'm not hungry."

"Can you stop being so stubborn for once?" he said, his tone laced with frustration.

She turned to face him, her eyes flashing with anger. "Stubborn? You're calling me stubborn? Look in the mirror, Reyansh!"

The argument reignited, louder and more heated than before. Both of them were too hurt, too angry, and too proud to see each other's pain.

That night, Reyansh slept in the study, while Noor stayed in the bedroom, tears soaking her pillow.

Both of them felt the ache of their love being tested, but neither was ready to take the first step toward mending the broken pieces.

>

The tension between Reyansh and Noor stretched into the next morning.

Both were exhausted from the previous night's argument, but their pride kept them from making the first move.

Reyansh woke up in the study, his back sore from the couch. His mind replayed their fight, and guilt weighed heavily on him.

He knew he had been harsh, but every time he tried to apologize, Noor's fiery eyes would haunt him, reminding him of how much he had hurt her.

Noor, on the other hand, sat on the edge of their bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

She looked tired, her eyes red from crying. "How did we end up here?" she whispered to herself.

At breakfast, they avoided each other yet again. Noor silently placed a bowl of cereal on the table and sat down to eat.

Reyansh, already seated with his coffee, glanced at her, but she kept her eyes fixed on her bowl.

"Good morning," Reyansh tried, his voice soft.

Noor didn't respond.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Noor, I don't want to keep fighting like this. Can we just talk?"

Her spoon clinked against the bowl as she set it down and looked at him, her expression unreadable.

"Talk about what, Reyansh? How you always think the worst of me? Or how you never try to understand my side?"

Her words stung, but he nodded. "Yes, about that. I know I've been wrong. I've been... difficult. But I don't know how to fix this if you won't talk to me."

Noor's anger flared. "You don't know how to fix it? Reyansh, all I've ever wanted is for you to trust me, to listen to me without jumping to conclusions! Is that so hard?"

"It's not hard, Noor. I just..." He paused, struggling to find the right words.

"I just get scared sometimes. Scared of losing you."

Her expression softened slightly, but she wasn't ready to forgive him yet.

"Reyansh, if you keep pushing me away with your insecurities, you're going to lose me anyway."

The weight of her words settled heavily on him. He reached across the table, his hand brushing hers.

"I don't want to lose you, Noor. I'm sorry. I really am. I've been an idiot, and I'll do whatever it takes to make this right."

Noor's resolve faltered. She wanted to stay mad at him, but the vulnerability in his eyes made it hard.

She sighed, pulling her hand away gently. "I need time, Reyansh. I'm still hurt, and I can't just forget everything overnight."

He nodded, understanding. "Take all the time you need. I'll wait."

>

That evening, Reyansh decided to do something to make amends. He cooked Noor's favorite dinner, a simple but heartfelt gesture.

When she walked into the dining room, the table was set with candles, and the aroma of her favorite dish filled the air.

"What's all this?" she asked, her tone hesitant.

"Peace offering," he said with a small smile. "I know it's not enough, but I wanted to try."

Noor hesitated, then sat down. They ate in silence, but it wasn't as tense as before. The walls between them were slowly starting to crumble.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Reyansh turned to Noor. "Good night," he said softly, his voice filled with hope.

Noor didn't reply right away, but then she whispered, "Good night, Reyansh."

It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was a start—a small step toward healing their fractured relationship. And for now, that was enough.

>

The next morning dawned quieter than usual. Reyansh woke up earlier than Noor and found himself staring at her peaceful face as she slept.

He knew he had to take things slow and let her come to him when she was ready. He left the bed silently, determined to give her space while showing her he was trying.

At breakfast, Reyansh served Noor her favorite tea and left a small note beside her cup. It read:

"I know I've hurt you, Noor. I'll spend every day making it up to you. Take your time—I'm not going anywhere. - Reyansh."

Noor read the note quietly, her lips pressing into a thin line. She didn't say anything but tucked it into her pocket. It was a small gesture, but it warmed her heart more than she expected.

>

At the office, Reyansh and Noor worked in proximity, but their interactions remained minimal. When Noor had a meeting, Reyansh sent a peon with a folder she had forgotten.

When Reyansh needed coffee during a long call, Noor ordered it and had it delivered to him without a word.

Their colleagues noticed the palpable tension yet underlying care between them, but no one dared to comment.

By lunchtime, Reyansh mustered the courage to approach Noor. He leaned against her desk and cleared his throat.

"I was thinking..." he began awkwardly, "maybe we could grab dinner after work. Just to talk. No expectations, no pressure."

Noor glanced up at him, considering his offer. "I'll think about it," she replied, her tone neutral.

Reyansh nodded, understanding her reluctance. "Okay. Let me know."

>

Later that evening, Noor texted Reyansh, saying she would join him for dinner.

His heart raced at the thought, and he made sure to pick a quiet, cozy restaurant where they could talk without distractions.

When Noor arrived, she wore a simple yet elegant maroon dress, and her hair was tied back in a loose bun. Reyansh couldn't help but stare for a moment.

"You look beautiful," he said softly as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Thank you," she replied, her voice reserved but polite.

As they ate, Reyansh steered the conversation away from their fight and instead asked about her work, her hobbies, and her plans.

He wanted to show her that he cared about her beyond their disagreements.

Noor found herself relaxing as the evening progressed.

She noticed the genuine effort Reyansh was putting into mending their relationship, and it made her heart ache a little less.

By the time dessert arrived, Noor smiled faintly. "You've been surprisingly tolerable today," she teased.

Reyansh chuckled, grateful for the small breakthrough. "I'll take that as a compliment."

After dinner, they walked to the car together in comfortable silence. As Reyansh opened the car door for her, Noor turned to him.

"I'm still hurt, Ansh," she said honestly, her voice soft but firm. "But... I see that you're trying, and I appreciate it."

He nodded, his gaze steady. "I'll keep trying, Noor. For as long as it takes."

As they drove home, a quiet understanding settled between them. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but they were willing to walk it together—one step at a time.

>

The morning started like any other, with Reyansh sipping his coffee in his office and going through files. A courier was delivered to his desk, marked "Confidential."

Curiously, Reyansh opened the envelope, his eyes scanning the first page. His hands froze when he saw the bold title: Divorce Papers.

His heart stopped when his gaze fell on Noor's signature at the bottom of the document. The world seemed to blur for a moment as the realization hit him. Noor had signed divorce papers.

He stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor behind him. His mind raced with questions.

Why would she do this?

Didn't last night go well?

Was she pretending to be fine when she wasn't?

Reyansh clenched the papers tightly, his knuckles turning white. The thought of losing Noor made his chest ache. He didn't know whether to be angry, hurt, or both.

Reyansh stormed into Noor's cabin, the divorce papers crumpled in his fist. His face was a mask of anger and betrayal. Noor looked up from her desk, startled by his sudden entrance.

"What's the meaning of this, Noor?" he demanded, throwing the papers onto her desk.

She frowned, confused, as she picked up the crumpled sheets. "What is this, Reyansh?"

"You know exactly what it is," he snapped. "Divorce papers. Your signature is right there. Were you planning to send them to me silently? Or did you want to humiliate me?"

Noor's heart sank as she stared at the document, her mind racing. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I didn't send these."

Reyansh laughed bitterly. "Don't lie to me, Noor. Your name is right here, your signature at the bottom. How much clearer can it get?"

Her hands shook as she examined the papers closely. "This isn't my signature!" she said firmly, looking up at him. "Reyansh, I didn't sign this."

"Really?" he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because it looks exactly like your handwriting. Stop treating me like a fool!"

Noor stood up abruptly, slamming the papers back on the desk. "How dare you accuse me of this? Do you honestly think I would send you divorce papers without even talking to you?"

"Why not?" Reyansh said coldly. "You've been distant. You've been angry. You barely speak to me anymore. Maybe this was your way of ending things without having to face me!"

Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. "You really think so little of me, don't you? After everything we've been through, this is what you believe?"

"It's not about what I believe, Noor!" he yelled, pacing the room. "It's about what I see! And right now, I see a piece of paper with your name on it telling me you want out!"

Noor's voice rose as her emotions boiled over. "And I'm telling you that it's not mine! Someone forged this, Reyansh! Why can't you trust me for once?"

"Because trust goes both ways!" he shouted back. "You've been shutting me out since our last fight. How do I know you're not serious about leaving me?"

Her voice cracked with emotion. "I'm shutting you out because you don't trust me, Reyansh! You always assume the worst about me, and now you're accusing me of something I didn't do!"

The room fell silent, their heated words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Reyansh's chest heaved as he struggled to rein in his emotions, while Noor wiped away the tears that finally spilled down her cheeks.

She took a deep breath, her tone colder now. "You know what, Reyansh? If you're so convinced I'm capable of this, then maybe you don't know me at all."

His jaw tightened. "Maybe I don't," he said quietly, his voice laced with bitterness.

Noor felt her heart shatter at his words. Without another word, she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the office, leaving him alone with the crumpled papers on the desk.

The rest of the day passed in a haze for both of them. Reyansh sat in his office, staring blankly at the papers, his anger slowly giving way to doubt.

What if Noor was telling the truth?

What if someone else had sent these to tear them apart?

Meanwhile, Noor sat in her car, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. She couldn't believe how easily Reyansh had doubted her.

The man she loved, the man she had fought for, didn't trust her enough to believe her word.

By the time evening came, both were emotionally drained.

>

Reyansh paced the hallway of his office, his mind racing after discovering the real culprit behind the divorce papers.

It was Anaya—the girl who had once been obsessed with him during their school days.

She had always been possessive, and now, years later, she had resurfaced to wreak havoc in his life.

"She's back in town again," he muttered to himself as he tightened his grip on the papers in his hand.

His anger surged, but this time it wasn't directed at Noor. It was at himself for doubting her and at Anaya for manipulating him.

He stormed into his car, his destination clear—home. He needed to fix things with Noor before it was too late.

>

When Reyansh reached the Malhotra mansion, he noticed his mom, dad, grandfather, and Rohan sitting in the living room, chatting and laughing.

They looked at him curiously as he walked in, but he barely acknowledged them, his focus solely on reaching Noor.

"Ansh, is everything okay?" his mom asked, concerned by his expression.

"Later, Mom," he said hurriedly and rushed up the stairs to his room.

The moment he entered the room, he froze. It was eerily quiet. Noor wasn't there. He looked around frantically, calling out her name.

"Noor? Noor!" His voice echoed through the room, but there was no response.

Panic set in as he searched every corner. That's when his eyes fell on a piece of paper neatly placed on the side table.

He picked it up, his hands trembling as he read the note:

Reyansh,

You didn't trust me when I needed you to the most. It hurts more than anything else. If you truly loved me, you would've believed me, but you chose to walk away. Maybe it's better this way. Maybe we should part ways before we hurt each other even more. Don't look for me. I hope you find happiness, even if it's not with me.

Noor.

Reyansh's heart sank, and the paper slipped from his fingers. "No... Noor, no!" he whispered, his voice breaking.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands gripping his hair. The realization of what he had done hit him like a wave.

He had let his anger and insecurities cloud his judgment, pushing away the one person he loved the most.

"I have to find her," he said to himself, determination replacing his despair.

Reyansh stormed back downstairs, his family startled by his sudden appearance.

"What's wrong, Reyansh?" his dad asked.

"Noor's gone," he said, his voice strained. "And it's my fault."

"Gone? What do you mean gone?" his mom asked, standing up, worry etched on her face.

"She left because I didn't trust her. But I'll bring her back," he said with conviction. "I know who's behind all of this. I'll make it right."

Without waiting for their response, he rushed out of the house, dialing his private investigator's number.

As Reyansh sat in his car, he thought about the note, about Noor's tears, and about the way he had doubted her.

Guilt clawed at him, but so did determination. He would find her, and he would make sure she knew the truth.

"Noor, I'll bring you back," he whispered, his voice full of resolve. "I'll never let you go again."

___________________________________________

Boring??