Array
(
[text] =>
Afterwards we came back from the hotel after that whole dramatic mess.
Bhai had a long, serious conversation with Dad.
Just the two of them.
God knows what they talked about.
And now here I am.
Dad was sitting right across from me. His elbows rested on his knees, and his fingers were loosely laced together. His eyes were on me, calm and full of quiet worry.
I couldn’t meet his eyes.
My hands were cold. My heart was beating too fast. I stared at the floor.
My throat felt tight. Like I had swallowed a stone that got stuck halfway.
“Ruhanika,” Dad said softly.
His voice was low. Not angry. Not sharp. Just soft-the tone he rarely ever used.
“You should have told us what was going on. I would have made sure Samar never got close to you.”
My chest tightened. I hadn’t expected him to say it like that.
I slowly looked up, just a little. His face wasn’t angry. His brows weren’t pulled tight. Just that same quiet concern. Like a father has for his daughter.
“I…” My voice cracked. I tried again. Nothing came out.
I quickly looked away and rubbed my sweaty palms against the sides of my kurti. My fingers were shaking.
“I didn’t think it would get serious,” I finally whispered.
I paused and picked at the edge of my sleeve. I could still feel his eyes on me, steady and silent.
“I thought I could handle it myself,” I said, softer this time.
Dad let out a quiet sigh and sat up straighter. His shoulders rose and fell slowly.
“I know you are capable enough to handle everything, beta. I am proud of that,” he said, leaning forward a bit.
His words were soft, but they struck inside my heart.
“But just because you can do things alone, doesn’t mean you have to.”
And just like that my strength cracked a little.
His words were calm but they hit something inside me. My stomach twisted.
“I didn’t want anyone to worry about this,” I mumbled.
My voice was so small, even I barely heard it.
Dad gave a tired smile and shook his head slowly.
“You don’t have to carry the whole world on your shoulders to prove anything to anyone,” he said.
He said it so gently.
That one sentence made my eyes burn. I blinked fast.
I looked up at him, voice shaky, “Then… what was Bua ji talking about? This whole marriage thing with Samar?”
My chest started to ache again. My hands were balled into fists on my lap.
The doubt I had tried to swallow all this time suddenly clawed its way up again.
“Did Dadu really agree to it?”
“Did you all know?”
“Was everyone hiding it from me?”
The words rushed out. I didn’t even think they just tumbled from my mouth.
Dad’s expression didn’t change much but something in his eyes shifted like he had been waiting for this.
“That?” he said, raising one eyebrow slightly. “That is your Bua making stories again.”
Of course she is. Bua ji loves drama like she breathes oxygen.
He leaned back and crossed his arms lightly, resting them on his knees. His lips pressed together for a moment.
“You know how she is always turning unnecessary things into breaking news.”
I know.
He looked at the ceiling for a second, like searching for the right words, “Years ago, we made a deal with Samar’s father’s company. His father’s company supplied both medicines and medical equipment to hospitals.”
I sat still, listening. I didn’t move a muscle.
“His father just mentioned the idea of a future alliance between the families,” Dad explained.
What the Heck?
Seriously? That’s it?
That’s all it took a casual line over dinner for Bua ji to turn it into a full-blown wedding plan?
Why can’t people just handle business like….normal humans?
Sign papers. Shake hands. And freaking walk away. It’s that much simple.
Why must someone’s future always be part of any deal?
“It wasn’t a proper proposal more like a casual suggestion. You know how people in business sometimes say things like that just to be polite or show interest, even if they don’t really mean it seriously.”
I frowned and sat up straight.
“What did Dadu say?” I asked carefully.
My heart is pounding so hard, I swear it might burst out of my chest. I’m not ready to hear anything I don’t want to. Not right now.
Dad gave a soft smile, the kind that hides both amusement and pride, “Your Dadu shut it down before he even finished the sentence.”
He chuckled quietly, “You know how he was-no patience for useless talks.”
I let out a shaky breath. I hadn’t even realized I was holding it in.
That sounded like Dadu. He would have never agreed to something like this. I know him.
“So, it was never actually planned?” I asked again, just to be sure.
Dad shook his head,”Never. Not for even a second. Your grandfather said no. And so did I.”
Then he leaned forward again and caressed my head, “No one, no one will ever decide your future without asking you first. Not your marriage. Not anything. Nothing.”
He smiled.
And just like that, a breath I didn’t even know I was holding finally slipped out. My chest loosened not completely but enough to feel like I could breathe again.
“You’re not just my daughter, Ruhii. You’re my pride. My responsibility. Do you think I would ever let anyone force you into something?”
“Especially with that Samar, honestly, I have seen better thinking from a half-sedated donkey. And his decisions? Like a headless pigeon running into walls.”
I blinked. Wait, was that a smile threatening my face?
Ohhh gosh.
Not a donkey. A half-sedated donkey.
And a pigeon without a head freaking running into walls.
What kind of combo roast was that?
I bit my lip so hard to hold back my laugh.
But still a surprised laugh slipped out of me tiny, but real.
Dad reached out and gently took my hand. His touch was warm. His grip was steady like a lifeline pulling me out of deep water.
“Whatever is going on, we will handle it. But next time,” he said, squeezing my hand slightly, “talk to me. Even if you’re scared or if theΒ situation is messy. Or if not me, talk to your brother.”
He paused.
“Or you know, share with someone else too… don’t keep everything locked inside. It creates misunderstandings in the future. I just… I don’t want to see you hurt. Or for someone else to get hurt either.”
I was so lost, I didn’t understand the hint at first.
But then I did.
Vihaan.
I knew whom he was referring to.
He gently caressed my head, the same way he used to when I was a kid. I looked down at our hands and nodded.
“I will,” I whispered. And this time, I meant it.
Something in me moved without thinking.
I stood up. Walked over. And hugged him.
A real hug, tight, full, warm. Not a side hug, not a quick one.
Yes the hug which I hadn’t given in years. And Dad hugged me back like he had been waiting for it all this time.
At that moment, I wasn’t a grown-up Ruhanika.
I felt like I was five years old Ruhanika again, with untied hair and a stubborn pout, tugging at Papa’s sleeve with tiny fingers, asking him to pick me up just one more time.
And he always did.
I would rest my head on his shoulder, eyes fluttering shut, listening to the soft, steady beat of his heart like it was the safest sound in the world.
Years later, that feeling came back so vividly it almost hurt. His arms wrapped around me with the same quiet strength, his palm gently resting on the back of my head and this time I wasn’t holding myself together. I didn’t have to.
I was just a daughter, finally finding her way back to her father’s warmth.
And this time, he did.
He gently stroked my hair with slow fingers.
And I giggled.
I didn’t mean to. It just came out, soft and light like something inside my chest had finally let go.
“Want to eat something?” he asked with a smile. “Should I cook for you?”
I nodded quickly, like an excited child, “Yes.”
“Call your mumma then. She can chop the vegetables. I m not doing the chopping that part’s boring,” he joked.
I let out another soft laugh. “Okay.”
“It’s a day off anyway,” he said, stretching his arms.
He looked peaceful.
Like the dad I always wished to have and today, he was.
“Oh, and ask Pri if she wants something,” he added as I started walking away.
“Hmm,” I said playfully.
I turned to leave when he said,
“Besides, your Dadu has always liked your choices.”
He didn’t look up-just kept busy picking out vegetables like it was nothing.
I froze for a second, frowned a little.
But I smiled and walked up the stairs, calling out for Mumma and bhabhi.
The house felt a little warmer.
Or maybe….it was just me.
After that, we all ended up in the kitchen. No one said anything, but somehow we all just knew what to do.
Mumma started cutting the vegetables.
Prisha bhabhi sat on the stool near the counter, munching on salad and quietly clicking pictures with her phone.
Kunal bhai walked in and went straight to the stove, stirring the pan now and then, acting like he wasn’t paying attention but I knew he was watching all of us.
The kitchen smelled warm and homely-spices and something that felt like comfort.
We started sharing silly stories from childhood, teasing each other over old secrets, and making fun of things that didn’t even make sense anymore.
Someone said something funny about a school incident, and the next minute, everyone was laughing so hard we forgot who was supposed to be stirring the curry.
Even Dad, who rarely smiled much at home, had that soft amused look on his face as if he was secretly enjoying all the noise.
And for me, it was more than just a meal. It was a memory that I am treasuring.
I clicked a few pictures. Mumma was laughing mid-scold, trying to hide her smile as she stirred the curry.
Papa, meanwhile, stood near the cutting board, focused like he was prepping for surgery. The way he lined up the vegetables and arranged the masalas in perfect order…..it was less of a cooking session and more of an operation theatre.
Prisha bhabhi sat quietly on the tall stool near the window, her palm gently resting on her baby bump. She wasn’t doing anything, just watching all of us with a calm, soft smile.
And next to her, on the floor with a notebook and a bent pencil, was our little tornado….Atharv. His head was buried in his math homework
And then there was Kunal bhai.
He didn’t even look at her for long, but you could see it-the way his eyes checked her face before walking away, the way his steps slowed when passing her stool.
That kind of love didn’t need words. It showed in little actions. In the way he made sure her cushion was placed right. In how he adjusted the fan angle so she wouldn’t feel too warm.
I smiled quietly and took another photo, this one, just of them. She didn’t even notice the click. Her fingers were still resting lightly on her bump. He was half-turned, back to her pretending to look for a spoon.
And at that moment, I didn’t just see a family-I saw love.
Without thinking too much, I opened my chat and sent the pictures to Vihaan.
Because this…..this soft chaos, this laughter, this food-stained, flour-dusted, spices-smelling happiness-was the kind of thing I wanted him to see.
The moment I wanted us to have someday.
I wanted him to know that deep down, beneath everything I had been through, this is the life I still dreamed of.
And maybe….maybe one day, I silently prayed, we would have a future like this too.
The version of me that laughed. The version that was healing.
β’β’β’β’β’
NEXT DAY-
I reached the hospital and it was pure chaos from the second I stepped through the main doors.
The reception area was packed.
I didn’t get a chance to settle in. My bag was still on my shoulder when I headed to the locker room. I kept it inside quickly and changed into my scrubs.
I hadn’t even tied my hair properly when I walked into the OPD.
Just as I started to relax a little, a nurse told me I had to assist Bhai in surgery.
I was already tired. I just wanted some chai, a little quiet, and maybe to close my eyes for a few minutes.
But I had to go straight to the OT.
While scrubbing in, I noticed something. My schedule had been changed.
All the shifts that used to overlap with Samar were now gone, and honestly, I felt like the happiest person alive.
I knew Dad and Bhai were behind this, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Not having to see that annoying face every day felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.
I didn’t know exactly what they did, but whatever it was, it worked and I was genuinely relieved.
After the long hours of surgery, we stepped out of the OT.
My spine was questioning all my life choices. My hands were trembling, my legs felt like cooked noodles, and I was pretty sure my eyes were crossing from exhaustion.
And then Bhai looked at me, gave a tiny nod, and said, “You did well today.”
I froze.
Was that a praise?
From Dr. Grumpy Kunal Oberoi.
“Is this real life? Did Bhai actually praise me? Should I check for a head injury?”
“If you keep acting like that, I’ll take the words back,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Oh no, don’t take them back. I’ll save them,” I giggled, already planning to write those exact words in my diary tonight.
Bhai usually doesn’t praise anyone.
He is the kind of doctor who always triple-checks reports, keeps a calm face during chaos and believes in actions more than words.
He is not mean-just naturally grumpy and way too serious about everything.
Still, my chest puffed up with pride. I kept it cool on the outside but inside my heart is doing a happy dance.
I gave him a small nod trying hard not to grin like a little girl who just got a star sticker on her homework.
After changing, I walked into our shared resident cabin and flopped onto the chair. My spine gave up. My brain was jelly.
Right on cue, my phone buzzed, vibrating against the steel tray I’d left on the desk.
Vihaan calling.
Of course. Perfect timing, as always.
I picked it up immediately.
“You won’t believe what happened today….!!!!!” I burst out, pacing the corner of the hallway like an excited kid.
“Calm down, meri bullet train,” Vihaan said, his voice warm, amused.
I could almost hear the smile behind it.
“I am right here. No need to destroy my eardrums,” he said with a soft laugh.
I rolled my eyes, biting back a grin as I slowed my steps.
“I am not shouting. I am just…excited,” I said.
Just hearing his voice made everything feel lighter. The weight of the day loosened in my shoulders.
“What happened?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious now.
“I assisted Bhai in surgery today,” I said, practically bouncing on my toes again, “and… he praised me. Like, actual words. In front of everyone!”
There was a beat of stunned silence.
Then he let out a dramatic gasp.
“Kunal jiju actually praised someone?” he said in mock disbelief.
“No way. Did the sun rise from the west? Did the Earth tilt on its axis? Wait, is he…..possessed?” he said, giving all possible weird examples in full dramatic flair, like he was auditioning for a soap opera.
“Ruh, I am telling you there is a possibility of a third one,” he continued.
I burst out laughing, placing a hand over my mouth to keep it down.
“Shut up,” I mumbled.
I leaned against the chair now, as if the excitement had finally caught up to me.
“I mean it!” he continued, his tone playful.
“We need to do a full check-up on him. MRI. CT scan.”
“Stop it!” I said between giggles, but I couldn’t stop smiling. My cheeks hurt.
Then his voice dropped slightly, turning sincere.
“Still..I am really proud of you, my pretty doctor,” he said softly.
I bit my lip, eyes dropping to the floor. My fingers tightened around the edge of the notepad I was holding.
But of course, Vihaan didn’t stay in his soft-boy phase for long.
“Did that chimta mess with you again?” Vihaan asked, his voice sharp and low.
“If yes, then make sure you hit him with your shoe first-nice and hard. Then open his skull and toss his brain straight into the sewer. So deep, he won’t even remember your name-let alone think about you.”
I let out a laugh, shaking my head.
“That sewer mosquito,” I said with a sigh, reaching up to pull off my surgical cap, “is currently busy assisting Dad in surgeries and then running around in the emergency ward.”
I dropped the cap into the laundry bin grabbed the sanitizer from the table and rubbed it between my hands.
“I don’t even know how he ended up there,” I added, adjusting my claw clip and twisting my hair neatly, “but I do know Bhai and Dad made sure I won’t have to see his face. He hasn’t even come near my radar.”
“Good,” Vihaan muttered, the sound of his chair creaking coming through the line.
There was a pause, then he replied, the voice was lower and intense, “He doesn’t even get to breathe the same oxygen as you.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Just like that, the world paused for a second. My fingers stilled over the pen cap I had been fidgeting with. The heat rushed to my face again-dangerous, fluttery heat that made it hard to breathe.
“So, step one: transfer. Step two: remove him from the planet.”
“Great,” I said, smirking. “So when do we send him to Mars?”
Vihaan clicked his tongue, “Nah, Mars is too close. Let’s launch him straight out of the solar system preferably into a black hole where even NASA won’t find him.”
I cleared my throat chuckling softly.
“Beside i think your brother is more scarier,” Vihaan said.
“That’s why I am chilling here, knowing that ‘fungus’ won’t even think of stepping near you.”
I laughed softly.
“Are you not working today?” I asked, tucking the phone between my shoulder and ear as I flipped through a file.
“Already crying because of that work,” he sighed.
“My code has more bugs than a hostel kitchen. I have accepted defeat. And i am in the mourning phase.”
“Poor chimpanzee,” I said, shaking my head.
“And my mood is officially ruined,” Vihaan groaned dramatically on the other end.
I smiled, resting my elbow on the desk and cupping my cheek.
“I can fix your mood” I said, voice was soft and teasing.
“Please do. How?” he replied instantly, like a sad little puppy waiting for a treat.
I grinned, already picturing his over-the-top expressions.
“With a cup of adrak wali chai,” I said sweetly, twisting the cap off my water bottle.
I could almost feel him narrowing his eyes at the other end, suspicious and dramatic.
“Are you trying to fix my mood or yours?” he asked, his voice sharp but playful.
“My mood first,” I said, taking a slow sip of water and leaning back in my chair
“Then I will fix yours. Maybe with something better.”
“Then you better come here,” he said, dragging out each word.
“We will have chai, and you can fix my mood…in person. With full dedication.”
I chuckled, biting my lip to hide the heat that rose to my cheeks. His voice had dipped just enough to be playful.
I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway.
“Have you eaten?” I asked, glancing at my watch.
“Yes, I did. You?”
“Yeah, I had lunch,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, then picking up a tissue to dab my lips properly.
I glanced at the clock.
“Okay, my rounds are about to start and you should probably focus on your work too,” I said, adjusting the sleeves of my coat.
“Yep, heading in five,” he replied, sighing.
I slung my stethoscope around my neck and started collecting my files when he suddenly said, “Wait…I am coming to pick you up after your shift. So be ready.”
I raised an eyebrow, clutching the stethoscope in my hand, “You do remember I am going with Bhai, right?”
“Don’t worry about Kunal jiju,” he said confidently, like he had it all figured out. “I handled him.”
I paused, mid-step, turning slightly toward the phone.
“Handled how?” I asked slowly, narrowing my eyes.
He didn’t reply.
“Vihaan?” I called again, narrowing my eyes.
There was silence on the other end… then came that smug voice.
“Bye, sweetheart,” he said, clearly dodging the question. “Go do your job, Doctor. And don’t forget to take care of my Ruh.”
I shook my head a smile slowly creeping across my lips as I stared at the screen after the call disconnected.
Vihaan Chimpanzee Raichand.
Hopeless. Annoying. Dramatic.
But mine.
Abhinav stormed into the room, “Ugh! Cringe couples everywhere. This hospital feels like a dating app now!”
I gave him a blank look, “Just because your life is boring doesn’t mean it’s our fault.”
He held his chest dramatically, like I’d personally wounded his soul, “Ruhanika, you could have just said my life is thrilling because i am having a fiancΓ©e who is ready to murder me.”
I rolled my eyes, “Still not giving you sympathy.”
Just the door creaked open, and Alia walked in slowly-not her usual storm-in-with-sarcasm self. Her ponytail was messier than usual, sleeves half-rolled, and a bunch of pharmacy forms were crumpled slightly in her hand.
She didn’t say a word. Just sank into the chair opposite me and exhaled like her brain had been through back-to-back surgeries.
Abhinav looked up from his laptop and blinked, “Okay… what happened to you? Why are you looking like boiled broccoli?”
I glanced up from my notes, immediately on alert, “Alia? What happened?”
She rubbed her forehead and dropped the papers onto the table with a tired thump, “I was in the pharmacy. They were short-staffed, so I helped with discharge verification. My duty got over “
Abhinav leaned forward. Alia didn’t even crack a smile. Now that is the worrying part.
“So what happened?”, I asked her.
“I found something weird. Dosage values. Slight changes-barely noticeable unless you are paying attention. But the printed form doesn’t match the prescription saved in the system.”
I paused, “Wait…so the hospital software doesn’t show those changes?”
“Exactly. The digital record is clean. But someone reprinted the form with manual edits. No audit trail and the changes are too clean to be an accident.”
Abhinav raised an eyebrow, “You think someone’s doing it on purpose?”
“I don’t know,” Alia said honestly, “but I checked three different med slips. All had similar error.”
She pulled another paper toward me and tapped the bottom corner.
“And look at the signature.”
I looked at the signature and instantly knew what the hell was going on.
Dr. Samar.
“His signature is on every one of them.”
My stomach twisted, “So he approved the edited versions?”
“I don’t know what’s really going on,” she said in a low voice. “But it feels weird.”
I glanced down at the forms again.
“Nothing around Samar ever does,” I muttered.
I stood up slowly, “I will talk to Bhai about this.”
After that, I went for the OPD round and decided to tell Dad and Bhai about it at night.
And finally, my duty ended here. I could finally breathe and go meet him.
I did a little touch-up.
I mean, come on, I couldn’t go to him looking like a total zombie.
Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any longer, I heard that voice.
“Ruhanika,” Samar’s voice rang out behind me.
Just….why?
“You know what all the stress just left my body the moment I saw your face,” he continued.
I stopped mid-step.
God, why?
I turned around slowly, already regretting every life decision that had led me to this moment.
And there he was-leaning against his car.
“Wow,” I whispered under my breath. “My luck seriously needs therapy.”
Samar strolled toward me with that cocky grin. “Haven’t seen you around lately,” he said, his eyes scanning my face like he had every right to.
“I missed your eyes,” he said, tilting his head. “Even when they are shooting daggers at me.”
Before i could respond I heard a voice from behind me.
“Her eyes just react to your face. It irritates her so much, murder feels like the only option.”
I was just about to text her that I was waiting downstairs when I saw him.
Ahh, this fungus again.
Leaning against his car.
“What the hell is this chimta doing with my Ruh?” I muttered under my breath as I stepped out of the car.
My steps were steady and slow.
And then, because of course he did, he opened his mouth.
“I missed your eyes,” he said.
“Even when they are busy murdering me with all that glaring.”
‘Eww, even his voice gives trauma to my nerve cells,’ my brain whispered.
I went close to Ruh and said, “Her eyes just react to your face. It irritates her so much, murder feels like the only option.”
He looked at me offended.
I shrugged, cool as ever, like I didn’t even need to care, “Don’t take it personally. Actually…..do take it personally. It’s just…your face.”
Ruh laughed covering her mouth.
Samar finally turned to look at me. His eyebrows pulled together.
I wrapped my arm around her waist firmly.
It was simple: she belongs with me.
For a moment, she stiffened. I could feel her tense up like she was surprised. But then, slowly she relaxed completely and finally breathed out. She leaned into me, like she fit there perfectly.
And just like that, everything inside me settled down.
All the noise, the worries, the chaos it stopped. That one small touch of her was enough to calm every storm raging inside me.
But then I glanced over at Samar.
His jaw was tight…so tight I was worried his teeth might break. His face was dark with anger, eyes burning. He was furious.
But do i care?
No.
He should know his limits with my Ruh.
No one crosses that line. Not him. Not anyone.
“Who is he, Ruhanika?” he asked, voice sharp and thin like a snapped wire.
‘Yeah, keep talking. Your delusion is giving me a migraine. Uff, he is such a parasite,’ my brain said.
I mentally laughed, praising my brain for calling it right.
I opened my mouth to give my introduction but Ruh beat me to it.
“He is my fiancΓ©,” she said. Her voice was cool. Steady.
Like it was a simple fact nobody could argue with.
“Vihaan Raichand.”
I swear on every broken build and JavaScript bug, when she said my name, it felt like the game finally loaded.
No lag, no glitch, just smooth execution.
My chest is tightened with pride and warmth.
Yeah, it sounds dramatic. I don’t care. I would keep that memory framed in my mind forever.
I glanced at Samar.
He blinked, like he hadn’t expected that. Then, he laughed, dry and fake chuckle.
His smile stayed, but it was cold, sharp like a knife. “Doesn’t matter,” he said quietly. “She will be mine soon anyway.”
I tightened my hold on Ruh’s waist without thinking.
I stared.
Ughh old age problems.
Did he just….say that? It feels like I am talking like some B-class, C-grade villain straight out of a rejected script?
“You should really de-rust your brain before opening your mouth,” i said deadpan.
Because this fungus is not making any sense. He looked at me and rolled his eyes. He didn’t even respond. Just turned his eyes back to Ruh, slow and creepy.
Alright, that’s it.
I stepped forward. Didn’t even feel my fists curling.
I swear, I was this close to giving his chimta-jaisa face a permanent makeover with my fist.
But then-Her hand slips into mine holding me, keeping in my sense.
I looked down.
She wasn’t even looking at me. But her fingers curled around mine, quiet but strong. And her finger tracing my knuckles, caressing it softly.
I closed my eyes for a beat. Let the heat in my chest simmer down.
I am controlling myself right now, because of Ruh-but say her name one more time, and this time I swear, I will debug his face and drag him straight to the system’s trash folder. Permanently
“Eyes here…on me… when I am standing in front of you,” I snapped, voice sharp and cold.
He smiled again.
And shrugged giving his that idiot smirk.
“It’s okay, Ruhanika,” he said softly. “Everything will make sense soon. You will understand.”
Understand what? That you have lost all common sense?
She rolled her eyes.
And just when I shifted to step forward again-
A soft little voice cut through the air.
“Mamu!”
I turned. Ruh did too.
Atharv’s sleepy little voice rang from the car. She walked over to open the door.
Out came my little tornado-hair messy, eyes half-shut, holding his stuffed dino. Looks like he woke up and eventually cling to Ruh.
Samar, still standing there smirked.
“Well, hello there, aren’t you the sweetest little guy?” he said with that fake warmth.
Atharv didn’t respond. Just turned his face and leaned into Ruh’s shoulder.
Good job, my little tornado.
“You are so cute,” Samar tried again, reaching out to pat his head.
I grabbed his wrist mid-air.
He froze.
Then came the masterpiece.
Atharv mumbled, just loud enough for us to hear, “But uncle, you look like a raccoon.”
Silence.
Ruh burst out laughing. So did two nurses who had just stepped into the parking lot. One even clapped a hand over her mouth to hold it in.
Samar’s face stiffened like concrete drying fast.
I dropped his wrist.
I need sanitizer now.
“You should go,” I said. Calm. Dead serious. “Before you got another nickname for yourself.”
I stepped in front of Ruh before he could even glance her way again, as she got busy with Atharv.
My voice came out low, sharp, every word laced with warning.
“She is here that’s why I didn’t do anything. But you?” I stared him down, jaw clenched, pulse ticking behind my temple.
“Don’t you dare look at her, don’t even think about her. Next time, Samar….next time you even breathe in her direction-I won’t be this calm, and your face won’t survive what comes next.”
His smirk faltered. Good. Because I meant every damn word.
Samar glared, then turned and walked away without another word-like a man whose ego just got destroyed.
Atharv, still yawning, looked up at me.
“Bua, I don’t like that old raccoon uncle,” Atharv said, puffing his cheeks.
“Same feelings, baby,” Ruh laughed and kissed his cheek.
Okay wow. Betrayal level 100.
The second this tiny human shows up, she forgets her I exists.
“Atharv, what are you doing here?” Ruh asked, gently brushing his hair back from his forehead.
“Your little tornado refused to stay home,” I said with a sigh.
“He finished his homework at lighting speed just to tag along.”
Atharv gave her a sheepish smile.
“And then,” I added, rolling my eyes, “he remembered he forgot to pack crayons for tomorrow’s class. I told him to grab some from the stationery shop… but this mini trouble wanted a full-blown joyride instead. So here we are. Stationery shop near the hospital.”
Ruh laughed softly, shaking her head. And kissed his cheek.
Wow.
She didn’t kiss me yet.
“Ohh… so this was the ‘mini trouble’ you texted about?” she teased, opening the backseat door.
“Let’s go get your crayons, then. Come on.”
She leaned in and helped Atharv with his seatbelt, speaking to him gently the whole time.
While she did that, I circled around and opened her door.
But the moment she sat, I leaned in again, pretending to fix her seatbelt.
I glanced at Atharv-his nose almost glued to the window, eyes wide.
“Damn,” I muttered under my breath, “he is staring at that car like it’s the eighth wonder of the world.”
And to be fair….it was a shiny Mercedes-Benz, black as midnight,
with smooth curves and that classic silver logo shining on the front.
The car that made people turn their heads without meaning to.
But I turned my head.
There is someone…more beautiful than every luxury, every view, every damn thing in this world.
My Ruh.
Hair messy, probably from the shift.
Eyes a little tired, like sleep and peace were both overdue.
She looked like a dream stuck in real life.
I didn’t say anything.
Just leaned in slowly, cupped her jaw with one hand, and gently kissed the corner of her lips.
She gasped-eyes going wide, surprised. But she didn’t pull back.
She just blinked at me lips still parted. So I did it again.
Slower this time. Softer.
Like she was made of poetry I wasn’t done reading.
“I swear,” I whispered, lips brushing hers again, “I could kiss you every day and still not get tired of you.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she was fighting the urge to roll them at me.
But her lips curved into a smile.
“We have a kid in the back,” she whispered, barely moving her lips.
I leaned back slightly and glanced at the mirror.
Atharv was still pressed to the window, completely hypnotized by the car.
I turned to her again, grinning.
Leaning in, I murmured, “We could make one too…”
Her eyebrows shot up.
“Then they would have company,” I added with the most innocent look I could manage.
She gave me a look.
“Vihaan,” she said, lightly smacking my arm, “I am going to buy a filter for your mouth one day.”
Then she slammed her door shut in a full dramatic way.
But I saw it-The blush.
Bright, blooming across her cheeks like pink paint spilled too fast.
She was melting inside, she just didn’t know I could see it.
I slid into my seat, grin refusing to leave my face.
Once we were on the road, Ruh turned around, her voice turning soft like she’d flipped a switch.
“Atharv, did you finish your homework?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes, Bua!” he replied from the back. “And I learned five fruit names too!”
“Good boy! Tell me!”
And off he went-loud, proud, and way too enthusiastic for someone who just spelled “banana” wrong.
“Apple. A-P-P-L-E. Guava…..”
Ruh twisted in her seat slightly, one elbow resting on the armrest as she turned her full attention to him.
She corrected him gently, her tone so warm it could melt a snowman.
Even though her eyes were sleepy, and her voice was a little scratchy from the shift-She still gave him her whole heart.
That’s who Ruh is.
A little chaos, full calm and a whole lot of love.
And her smile?
Still glowing.
All because of that tiny tornado in the backseat.
I kept my eyes on the road, but I could feel her gaze in the mirror.
The way she looked at Atharv then at me.
Giving me her attention too.
God, those hazel-brown eyes.
In a city full of headlights and noise her eyes were the only light that ever mattered.
Atharv had gone quiet now, pressing buttons on his toy car, tongue slightly out in focus.
I smiled again.
Suddenly, Ruh reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and lifted it without warning.
Click.
I blinked. “Did you just… take a picture of me?”
She smirked unapologetically, the screen still glowing.
“Of course I did,” she said, nonchalant. “I have every right to capture my man.”
I chuckled, “Yes, madam.”
Before I could say another word, she quickly turned and took a picture of Atharv too, who didn’t even blink.
“I am sending this to Prisha di,” she added, typing furiously. “So she knows he is still in his daily dose of drama.”
She giggled under her breath and leaned back, satisfied.
I focused back on the road, the smile still glued to my face.
A beat of silence passed.
Then Ruh looked at me sideways.
“Why are you smiling like that?” I asked softly.
She looked at me with a little smirk and said, “What? I am just admiring my man.”
That made me blush-more than I would admit.
She turned back to the road and added, “You focus on driving, and let me enjoy the view.”
I glanced at her, “Why do I feel like the roles are switched?”
She giggled softly, eyes twinkling.
Atharv had started one of his never-ending school stories from the backseat.
He was rambling about his broken crayon, a butterfly he saw during lunch, and how much he liked his math teacher.
Ahnn. Noted the point.
Ruh turned slightly in her seat, nodding along with that patient smile.
I glanced at her, then in the mirror.
I stared at her. How does she do that?
She can listen to this mini tornado talk about butterflies and crayons and still survive.
We reached the mall.
Mission: Buy crayons.
But little tornado had other plans.
The second we stepped in, he darted toward the toy store like it had his inheritance papers.
Ruh didn’t even blink. She just reached out and grabbed his collar mid-run.
“Atharv,” she said firmly. “Be a good boy. No toys. I will get you an ice cream. But only crayons, okay?”
I laughed, watching Atharv’s face.
He turned back and glared at me-exactly the same look Prisha gives me when I finish her ice cream.
Looks like the genes are definitely working their magic.
Then he softened and gave me a gentle, almost pleading gaze
I took a step back and raised both hands, “I am not going to involve a little tornado. I am just your bua’s personal driver.”
He lowered his gaze pouting. I know he has just been dramatic.
We entered the stationery shop.
Ruh walked straight up to the counter, “Bhaiya, ek small crayon pack dena.”
The shopkeeper handed her a basic pack. Atharv stared at it like it was boiled karela.
“Mamuuuu…” he whispered, tugging at my sleeve.
I bent down to his level. “Kya hua?”
“I don’t want this one,” he said, lips pushing out in full pout mode.
“Okay, toh which one?” I asked him.
He raised his hand dramatically, pointing across the shop like he was revealing a treasure chest on a reality show.
And there it was.
The Mega Deluxe Colour Set.
Four compartments. Sketch pens. Crayons. Brush pens. Hidden sharpener drawer.
Oh no.
I knew this one.
Flashback: Prisha di and I had begged for this same colour box once.
Mom never bought us that big colour set because, apparently, we were too careless and ended up losing most of the colours within an hour.
And looking at Atharv right now, I can only say-Yep. It’s genetic
I straightened up and said, “Ask your bua.”
Atharv turned instantly, full charm activated.
“Buaaaaaa…”
Ruh didn’t even look up, “What, baby?”
“Woh bada wala colour set chahiye. Please…” He said, his voice was so cute that it could melt anyone.
Seriously, how does this kid have such perfect emotional blackmail?
Like mother like son.
She followed his finger, saw the box, and instantly narrowed her eyes.
“No,” she said, already firm. “You will lose half of it by tomorrow. The small one is perfect.”
She followed his finger, looked at the big box, and instantly narrowed her eyes.
“No,” she said firmly. “You’ll lose half of it by tomorrow. The small one is better for you.”
She said it with so much confidence that even the shopkeeper smiled and said, “Dila dijiye madam, baccha zidd kar raha hai,” looking at Atharv.
Ruh gave the shopkeeper a sharp look and said, “Bhaiya, aap apni dukaan sambhaliye. And I know you have put that big box right at the front just so kids come running to ask for it.”
The shopkeeper coughed and looked at me, I shrugged my shoulders saying i have no words in this situation and quickly turned away.
Atharv blinked, then dropped his shoulders like he’d lost a fight.
He turned back to me, folded his hands like a little saint, and said softly, “Mamuuuu…please…bua ko boliye”
Oh man. Here we go again.
The folded hands. That tiny, squeaky “please.”
This kid knew exactly how to attack my weak points.
I rubbed the back of my neck like I was stressed but honestly, I was already melting inside.
“Come on, Ruh… don’t act like such a khadus bua. Let the little tornado have the colour box…beside it looks fun,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Ruh turned to me, eyes narrowing.
“Accha, toh ab main tumhe khadus lagti hoon?” she asked, her tone pure drama queen energy.
Wait. What? Where the hell did that come from?
“No, Ruh! Mai toh bas keh raha tha…” I raised my hands in defense, already regretting my life choices.
“Shut up! Main toh khadus hoon… kuch din baad toh shayad acchi bhi nahi lagungi,” she said, her tone being dramatic.
Wow. Full-on ekta kapoor mode activated.
All we needed was background music and dramatic zoom-ins.
I blinked, “Okay… you are clearly diverting the topic now.”
“Ab tumhe mere bolne se bhi takleef hai…,” she said glaring at me.
I surender.
I can’t win this.
Oh please someone help me.
“Ruh… I was just saying…” I tried to explain, my voice going all innocent like I hadn’t just called her khadus two seconds ago.
She folded her arms and gave me stern look.
I immediately took a cautious step back, just in case she decided to throw a slipper or her purse.
A man must always be ready to dodge.
“Accha thik hai, toh hum colour box le lete hain?” I said, throwing my hands up in surrender.
“Come on, look at him! He is your adorable little tornado. Let him have this one.”
She raised a perfect eyebrow.
“Vihaan,” she said in a deadly serious voice. “Prisha bhabhi clearly told me….no drama, no toys, no tantrums. And absolutely no extra items?”
I nodded slowly, but me being the dramatic mamu of my little tornado, said, “This little kid just wants to paint his dreams. Can’t his beloved bua support him in this?”
Even the shopkeeper had to turn away to hide his grin.
He was probably thinking, ‘What circus have I walked into?’
“Please, bua… pakka I will be a good boy,” Atharv said sweetly.
Then he went full dramatic mode.
“I won’t trouble Mumma, or Nani. I won’t scare Nanu. And I will even eat all the vegetables so Dadu will praise me and i won’t disturb dadi when she is doing her yoga,” he added with a little pout.
I swear, this kid could win elections with that speech.
Ruh sighed. A long, dramatic sigh.Β She knelt down and held his face gently.
“Aww….my baby,” she said, melting like butter on a hot paratha.
By the way…she looks so hot in anger.
Shut up Vihaan.
Not now.
Then she stood up and pointed a warning finger, “Okay. One condition…no lies, no drama at home and not a single complaint from your mumma Deal?”
“DEAL!” Atharv yelled in excitement.
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my own brain.
Huff my tornado is happy.
He wrapped his arms around me and grinned like I had gifted him the moon.
That’s what I loved about kids. They carried so much innocence in their tiny hearts able to smile wide over the smallest joys and hold onto them like they were something magical.
I lifted Atharv gently into my arms, his laughter bubbling like music, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek
“Want anything else?” I asked, patting his back.
“Nooo!” he said happily.
“I also need to buy a few stationary items so wait for me, ” Ruh said, and walked toward the corner shelf to pick some.
And Atharv jumped and straight went to Ruh holding her hand.
I stepped out of the shop for a second to check something on my phone.
And that’s when I saw it.
In the shop window next door-like fate had handpicked it just for her-was something Ruh loved.
Her weakness.
Right there, hanging on the side display: orchid keychains.
Soft pastel shades, delicate petals, tiny shiny beads.
All of them looked like her, in different moods. I stepped closer, eyes scanning them one by one.
Blush Rose. Deep Burgundy. Sage green. Dusty Blue. Plum Orchid. Pearl White.
I didn’t even hesitate.
“Bhaiya, pack all of them,” I said with a straight face.
“Yes, every single one. Every colour, wrap them up.”
The shopkeeper looked at me like I had just ordered ten pizzas at a pharmacy.
But I meant it.
Because when the universe drops sparkly things in her path-and my girl looks at them like she might adore them for a lifetime-I don’t ask questions. I just bought them. No logic. Just surprise.
He started packing carefully while I stood there, “bhaiya please pack them nicely.”
It was a sweet, silent moment.
And then-
Someone crashed into me. Shopping bags went flying like a fireworks explosion. I caught her arm instinctively.
“Aunty aap thik ho?” I asked, steadying her.
“Yes, beta. Sorry, sorry,” the aunty said, a little out of breath.
I crouched, picked up her bags, and handed them back with a polite smile.
She smiled at me, a little too much. Before I could process it, another aunty joined her.
And right now I am about to land into trouble.
Double trouble.
“Beta, kya naam hai?” the first one asked sweetly.
“Vihaan,” I replied, awkward but polite.
“Arey, bada pyaara naam hai!” she said, patting my arm.
The other one joined in,“Kya karte ho?”
“I am a game developer,” I replied.
“Waah waah!” she grinned.
“Kaha rehte ho?”
“Shaadi ho gayi?”
“Single ho kya?”
“Kitni umar hai tumhari?”
Wait WHAT?
“Aree, meri beti bhi tumhare age ki hai. Tum dono mil lo kabhi. She is very sweet. Tall……” She continued the speech.
I started, “Nahi aunty, I am already-“
Before i could say i heard a voice.
“Aap yahan ho? Mai kabse aapko dhundh rahi thi.”
I turned.
Ruh.
She marched up with full energy her eyes looking at me sharply.
No smile at first she just narrowed her gaze at the aunties.
Then, without a word, she grabbed my hand possessively.
Her fingers curled tight around mine, like she wasn’t planning to let go anytime soon.
Her eyes? Pure fire.
Her smile? Extra sweet, too sweet that I can see warning signs written all over it.
“Chaliye, dear husband, we are getting late,” she said, her tone light but laced with an edge-just enough to make the aunties blink.
She didn’t even glance at me. Her focus stayed on them, jaw set, smile fixed, hand firmly in mine.
But wait.
Dear WHAT?
H-U-S-B-A-N-D.
Husband.
My ears turned red. My neck heated up.
I was 0.2 seconds away from fainting into a rack of keychains.
I blinked. My ears turned red. What was happening?
I liked it.
There was something ridiculously cute about how she said it, she was trying to act all calm but her jaw was doing the clench thing but still maintaining that fake smile.
And me?
Standing there, fully red in the face, one brain cell whispering:
She is jealous.
She is actually jealous.
Why is that hot.
Control yourself, idiot.
One of the aunties blinked, “You’re his…?”
Ruh didn’t even flinch.
“I am his Wife,” she said proudly, tilting her head like she was starring in her own serial.
“And he is our son ” she motioned behind.
Wait.
What?
Right on cue, Atharv popped out like a professional side character with serious expression.
“Papa chaliye na! Mumma aur mujhe ice cream chahiye!” he said sheepishly hugging my torso.
What The Heck.
Why the hell I am blushing.
I nearly collapsed into the keychain rack.
The aunties?
Their smiles faltered, as if someone had unplugged their matchmaking dreams.
Ruh gave them the fakest little smile, all sugar on top, but her grip on my hand tightened-subtle, but clear. A quiet back off.
I was blushing. Like full cheeks-on-fire, ears-heating-up level of blushing.
The aunties exchanged one last glance, clearly unsure what just happened.
Then one of them mumbled, “Accha beta… nice meeting you,” and they both walked off.
She held my hand-tight yet gently.
And then, without missing a beat, Atharv slipped his tiny hand into mine too, on the other side, as we walked outside.
I took my packet of keychains from the counter.
Once we were out of sight, I burst out laughing.
I just couldn’t hold it in.
“You looked like a tiny angry bird on fire back there,” I said, still laughing, my voice echoing off the quiet street.
Ruh gave me a sharp glare, but her cheeks were already turning red.
She didn’t let go of my hand though.
“I wasn’t angry,” she said, rolling her eyes with an annoyed sigh.
“People are just insane! Why is everyone so obsessed with getting random strangers married?”
“Exactly,” I nodded, trying not to laugh again.
Then I leaned in a little, lowered my voice, and whispered near her ear,
“But I got a pretty wife, right?”
Her eyes widened slightly, and just like that….she blushed.
She didn’t answer neither meet my eyes. But her hand? Still holding mine.
I grinned and gave her fingers a small squeeze.
“Well, dear wife,” I added, smirking,
“our son wants ice cream now.”
That was it.
She turned her face to the side, pretending like she didn’t hear a word I said but i saw the cheeks turning into pink hue, but her grip on my hand got even tighter.
Atharv, meanwhile, had already gone ahead. I jogged a few steps forward and bent down to his level, pinching his soft cheeks.
“You are such a little actor,” I said, shaking my head.
He grinned wide-that mischievous one-tooth-missing smile stretching across his face like he had won something.
“Bua said she will buy me more brownies if I said it,” he added proudly, chest puffed.
I blinked.
Then slowly turned to look at Ruh.
She coughed-loudly-and suddenly found something very interesting in the sky.
I raised an eyebrow. She refused to meet my eyes. And I couldn’t help it but chuckled.
We finally reached the colourful little ice cream stall near the mall’s entrance. Fairy lights twinkled above the cart, the sweet scent of cones and vanilla dancing in the air.
Atharv rushed forward, practically pressing his nose against the glass display. His hands were cupped around his face, eyes wide as he scanned every tub of ice cream.
“Bua….i want sprinkles. Mint. With rainbow sprinkles! In the green cone!” he shouted without hesitation, bouncing on his toes.
Ruh chuckled softly beside me, shaking her head as she bent down to smooth the collar of his T-shirt.
“Okay, okay,” she said.
She stood up and turned toward me with a raised eyebrow, “And you which flavour do you want?”
I stepped closer-close enough to catch a whiff of her chocolate perfume and leaned just a little toward her ear. My voice dropped, was low and teasing.
“You.”
She froze.
For a beat, she didn’t even breathe.
Then she coughed so suddenly and so loudly, the guy behind us took a cautious step back.
Her cheeks turned bright pink.
“Vihaan!” she whispered harshly, elbowing me right in the ribs.
I blinked innocently, tilting my head, “What? I meant whatever the flavour you chose.”
Her glare could have turned cream into curd, “Vihaan, we are outside.”
I smirked, dropping my voice again, “So that means I can have you inside…of course in our bedroom?”
Her nostrils flared.
“One more word,” she warned, voice ice cold, “and I swear I will stab you with a waffle cone.”
I laughed under my breath, raising both hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. Butterscotch for me, please,” I said to the vendor like a well-behaved man of my Ruh.
She rolled her eyes and faced the counter.
“I will have Chocolate,” she muttered, avoiding my gaze. But the tips of her ears betrayed her-still pink. Still flustered.
A while later, we wandered to the back of the mall, a small park, where there was a quiet green patch and a small white marble bench under a banyan tree. The evening light was soft, the air warm and sweet with the scent of mango trees nearby.
Perfect spot.
We sat down, Atharv climbed onto the bench sitting in between us with his cone held in both hands like treasure.
He took slow, careful licks of his mint scoop, eyes closed in bliss.
Ruh sat beside him, holding her bowl of chocolate ice cream. She took a spoonful and closed her eyes with a soft sigh. Her shoulders relaxed. A small smile played at her lips.
Chocolate therapy was in full session.
I leaned back slightly, watching her with a lazy smile.
I had seen that exact expression before, eyes closed, lips curved, like the world had paused for her one perfect bite.
And then came the voice.
“Bua?” Atharv said sweetly, tilting his head like an innocent angel. “Can I have a bite of your ice cream?”
Without even looking up, Ruh replied in a flat, “No. That’s mine.”
I chuckled quietly.
Ruh can never share her ice cream and chocolates with anyone.
But of course, Atharv was on a mission.
He pouted, lowered his head just slightly, those watery, dramatic, puppy eyes.
Even I had to look away. It was too powerful.
She sighed like she was about to give away her soul.
But still she love her little tornado.
“Okay fine. One bite,” she muttered. “Just one!”
Atharv grinned and leaned over with exaggerated care. He took the tiniest bite.
Ruh wiped his mouth carefully as this tornado turned to me, “Mamu! You try too! It’s sooo yummy.”
He stretched out the bowl toward me with both hands.
I took Ruh’s spoon slowly. Three scoops of chocolate sat in the bowl rich, thick, and slightly melting under the evening warmth.
I glanced at Ruh.
She had her eyes on me already, eyebrow raised.
I I took the bite, eyes locked with hers.
The chocolate was sweet, rich, and melted slowly on my tongue-
but nothing compared to the way she was looking at me.
I leaned in just a little, still holding the spoon.
“You taste better,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
She gasped.
Then choked.
Coughing and blinking like she had inhaled the entire ice cream by mistake.
“Vihaan!” she snapped, flustered. “Are you serious?!”
I tilted my head, all of the fake innocence, “I meant your taste in desserts.”
I said it smoothly, “Very rich. Sophisticated. Deep. Just like you.”
She stared at me, jaw half open, brain clearly debating whether to hit me or blush.
But then-
Her cheeks turned pink.
A slow flush crept up her neck, blooming across her face like soft rose petals.
She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on her bowl, but her grip on the spoon tightened murmuring a unique level of curses.
“You are ridiculous,” she said under her breath, shaking her head.
I grinned, “But you love me.”
She rolled her eyes.
We finished our mini ice cream date and drove back to our home.
Atharv had already dozed off with chocolate on his nose, she cleaned the icecream and gently took him inside to tuck him into bed.
I waited outside, the night calmed around me, and the stars scattered across the sky. The breeze was slow.
She came back a few minutes later, her steps soft.
I stood up. My heart suddenly felt louder.
“Ruh,” I said, a little nervous, “I have something for you.”
She raised an eyebrow, “For me?”
I nodded and pulled a small brown packet, handing it to her without a word.
She opened it.nHer breath caught.
Inside were the orchid keychains.
All of them.
Beads shimmered like morning dew.
“Vihaan, these are so beautiful,” Her voice was a whisper, filled with wonder.
I gave a small smile.
“Why don’t you put it on?” I asked, giving her a small nod.
She looked up at me and nodded.
Then she opened her wallet slowly and pulled out one of the the orchid keychain.
“I want to clip it here,” she said, pointing to the small ring near the zip.
She tried to attach it, but the loop kept slipping. Her fingers fumbled slightly, the clasp refusing to stay in place.
She sighed under her breath. I stepped a little closer.
“Here, let me,” I said gently, reaching out.
Our fingers brushed as she handed it over. Just a second-but long enough to make the air feel still.
I took the keychain and clipped it on carefully, the orchid now hanging perfectly from the edge of her wallet.
But then….her wallet flipped open in my hands.
And then I saw it.
Tucked neatly inside the transparent card slot of her walletβ
a small photograph, slightly worn, its edges soft and faded like it had been held and touched too many times.
It was us.
From our school farewell.
Me, with my arm around her.
Her, mid-laugh, looking brighter than sunlight.
And me-pressing a kiss to her cheek like it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
She kept it safe and i thought i lost that photograph. My fingers froze.
She noticed where my eyes had landed.
And I swear….I heard her breath catch.
I looked up.
She was already looking back at me.
Her eyes, they weren’t teasing, or guarded, or sarcastic like usual, they were still.
There was silence between us…
but it wasn’t awkward. It was full and heavy with everything we weren’t saying.
She looked down for just a second. Maybe to breathe.
Then back at me, her voice low and barely above the breeze.
“I keep it there…” she said softly, fingers brushing over the edge of the photo.
“Because even when you are not with me…” she said softly, her fingers gently brushing the photo, “this reminds me of that moment… like a little piece of you I can carry with me. It’s old, but it still makes me feel relief and I want a piece of that moment close to me-every time.”
My heart?
Somewhere blooming.
She smiled faintly, just a curve of her lips, gentle and shy.
My throat tightened.
Her words sank deep, and something in my chest stirred.
She looked back into the packet, pulled out the white orchid keychain-the one she hadn’t picked for herself and held it out to me.
“This one is yours,” she whispered, looking at me like I held the sky.
“It’s white-my favorite. But I want you to have it…because being with you feels like standing in a small garden, where every flower finally blooms….even me.”
I stared at her, stunned. The keychain rested in her open palm like a vow. I took it slowly, as if touching something sacred.
“So keep it safe Mr. Raichand,” she said winking at me.
“Yes madam,” i replied.
She nodded, her eyes didn’t leave mine.
And me?
I just stood there, holding the white orchid in one hand…and her gaze in the other.
She stood up, then, without a word, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
Her fingers moved gently through my hair, ruffling it like she used to.
Like nothing had changed.
And in that single second…
it felt like time folded in on itself.
Like we were seventeen again.
Laughing at silly jokes, sharing chocolate, stealing glances.
I didn’t move.
Soaking in the way her warmth lingered on my skin.
I glanced around.
No one saw.
And I was thankful for that.
She lowered her head getting shy and quickly turned around.
As soon as she went back inside, I didn’t wait.
My heart was still full-quiet, warm, overflowing in a way I couldn’t explain.
I slipped into my room, grabbed my bike keys from the table.
I held the white orchid keychain in my hand for a second longer.
Her favourite colour.
And now… it is mine.
I clipped it gently onto the keyring, right next to the metal tag I always carried.
It swayed softly in the air, delicate petals catching the moonlight like they belonged to it.
And somehow…It felt like a piece of her would stay with me wherever I went.
I reached for my wallet.
Open it slowly.
Inside, tucked into the inner slot, was that small photo.
Her photo.
She was wearing that gold-beige dress. She looked so beautiful. I stared at it for a long second and smiled.
Her eyes-hazel brown, calm and deep.
Like autumn sunlight in the eveningβsoft, golden, and quiet.
And when sunlight kisses her eyes, time seems to hold its breath, and even the light forgets its path, stopping only to admire her.
You don’t just look at them…you feel them.
They speak without words.
Maybe that’s why I always lose myself in them.
Since I fell in love with those hazel-brown eyes…I have been blind to every other pair of eyes.
And just near the corner of her lips….that tiny mole.
It shows up quietly every time she smiles.
It makes her smile look even softer….
And every single time….I find myself admiring her all over again.
And her cheeks-soft, always turning a little pink. Blushing because of me.
Gosh…I love this woman so much.
I chuckled softly and closed my eyes rolling on my bed.
And the next thing I knew-I slipped off the bed.
THUD.
“Lag gayi, yaar…” I muttered, rubbing my elbow, still smiling like an idiot.
β’β’β’β’β’
AT NIGHT-
I crept into her room secretly.
Ruh had told me everything she knew, and I had checked Samar’s profile.
Everything about him looked too perfect and too smooth.
Which basically meant-totally fake.
Too freaking fake.
My head was buzzing from information overload, and here she was, lying in bed completely lost in a book.
A book? At this hour?
I squinted and slowly pushed the door shut. Not even a blink from her.
Okay, that was officially creepy. This girl wakes up if I breathe too loud.
And now she didn’t even notice that i entered.
I strolled over and collapsed dramatically on her bed, arm folded under my head.
“What are you reading that’s more interesting than me?” I asked, raising a single eyebrow and smirking like the devil on holiday.
She gasped loudly and almost hit her own face with the book.
Her whole body jumped like someone gave her a shock.
“Vihaan. Are you insane?” she hissed, heart visibly racing as she clutched her chest.
I gave her an innocent look and shrugged, “You didn’t even notice me come in.?”
I clicked my tongue dramatically.
She threw me a death glare, eyes narrowed, “Will you stop sneaking up on me like some freaky ghost?”
“Never,” I replied proudly, folding my arms behind my head.
She rolled her eyes so hard I swore I heard them creak, then hugged her book tightly.
“You are so annoying,” She said.
“And I love to annoy you,” I replied with a grin.
“So, what’s the super secret novel that has you so hypnotized?” I said, then leaned in slightly, trying to peek at the book.
Her body stiffened like I had asked for her bank password. She quickly shoved the book behind her back.
“None of your business,” she snapped, eyes darting like I might snatch it.
I blinked, raising my hands in a mock surrender. “Whoa, relax. I wasn’t gonna steal it.”
“Okay tell me Ruh what were you reading,” i tried to jump to see but she glared at me and hid it behind her back tightly
“It’s boring,” she muttered, a little too quickly. And stood up to put that book in the corner of the shelf behind her academic books.
I mentally noted myself to find about that book.
Why?
Because I am curious.
Her fingers fidgeted, “Now why are you here?”
I sat up, resting my elbows on my knees, “We need to check your dad’s files. Come with me to his study.”
She blinked at me once. Then again slower this time.
“Me? Now?” She pointed at herself.
“No, obviously I am talking to you… unless you think someone else is here, hmm?” I said, smirking.
“Maybe Skully wants to help us,” I added, nodding at our child in the corner.
He just stood there smiling at the wall. Or to be precise looking like a ghost.
She narrowed her eyes at me, completely unamused.
“Come on,” I stood up and held out my hand.
“We are going.”
She shook her head.
“I have never done anything like this before! I don’t sneak around at night,” Her voice wobbled slightly.
“Don’t worry, I have so much experience. I once sneaked into the principal’s office and removed my name from the bunking list. That idiot monitor put me there twice,” I said proudly.
She muttered, “You are such a bad influence.”
I smiled smugly.
“And yet, here you are, with me,” I winked.
Her eyes twitched. Probably trying not to smack me.
We tiptoed down the stairs. Ruh clung to my t-shirt sleeve.
“You okay?” I whispered, tilting my head toward her.
She nodded slowly, “Just…nervous. What if we find nothing?”
“Then we will at least burn calories,” I gave her hand a quick squeeze, smirking.
She sighed dramatically, “You are impossible.”
“And charming, don’t forget that,” i muttered and she softly chuckled.
We passed the silent kitchen and reached the door to the study.
The room smelled like old books, furniture polish. Bookshelves covered the walls. There were four chairs, and one still had Prisha Di’s scarf tossed over it.
Before I could say anything, Ruh walked straight toward another door.
I frowned “Wait…what’s that?”
She looked back, “Dad’s private study.”
I nodded.
She ignored me and reached for the doorknob, then suddenly stopped.
She turned around and smiled sheepishly, “Uh….tiny problem.”
“Don’t. Tell. Me.” I muttered my tone laced with horror.
I already knew.
“I don’t have the key of locker,” She said shrugging her shoulders.
I groaned loudly and dramatically leaned against the wall, “Wow. Amazing. You kept that bombshell for the perfect suspense moment.”
She held up her hands, “But….I know where it is. Dad keeps it in his room.”
I looked at her like she had lost her last functioning brain cell, “You want me to sneak into his bedroom? Ruh, are you trying to get me disowned? Or buried alive? Or both?”
“You will be fine,” she whispered, patting my shoulder like I was off to war. “I will cheer for you from the corridor.”
“But he is a light sleeper!” She whispered.
“Why do you keep giving me mini heart attacks from time to time?” I whispered, placing a hand dramatically over my chest like I was about to faint.
Dont faint.
Not now.
“Sorry,” she whispered, pouting slightly as she looked away.
My brain short-circuited.
Damn it…..why is she looking so cute?
No focus.
I stared blankly at her, “This is how you treat your one and only fiancΓ©? You really want to continue our next scene starting with a hospital emergency?”
She rolled her eyes, “You are so dramatic.”
I puffed my chest, “Fine. But we go together. If I die, you die too.”
She blinked, “Is this… romantic part?”
“Everything I do is romantic,” I whispered with exaggerated flair.
Inside though? I was freaking out.
I mean-i am worrying about my life here! And my Ruh? Unbelievable.
Cute.
But unbelievable.
She smacked my arm again, but this time, the smile on her lips slipped out before she could hide it.
We tiptoed into her father’s room like seasoned thieves. He was fast asleep, breathing soft and steady.
Ruh crouched beside the dresser. She opened the drawer as quietly as possible, biting her lip as it creaked a little.
Then-
Her dad shifted slightly in bed and turned on his side, letting out a sleepy sigh.
We both froze.
I swear I stopped breathing.
This is it. This is how I die. Not from heartbreak. Not from poison. But from a key-stealing.
Ruh glanced at me with wide eyes, her hand frozen inside the drawer like a paused scene.
I mouthed, “Move,” and she gave the tiniest nod.
She grabbed the key and tossed it to me, perfect aim.
I caught it, almost fumbling. But catching it.
We reached the door, hands shaking, hearts racing.
Ruh slowly pulled it shut behind us.
Click.
Silence.
Back in the study, she let out a breath like she’d just run a marathon.
“That was terrifying,” she whispered, leaning against the door.
“You looked like you were going to pass out,” I said.
“You were literally hiding behind me when the door creaked,” she muttered in anger.
“I was praying! Don’t forget the praying part. ‘Dear God, please save your dad’s most charming future son-in-law.’ ” I said dramatically.
She laughed under her breath, shaking her head.
We were crouched down to the locker, opened it, and suddenly-
A mountain of files fell out.
We sat on the floor, surrounded by folders. Ruh tied her hair up in a messy bun and handed me a file.
“This is the file about the trauma centre we had but it shut down fifteen years ago,” she whispered.
I nodded.
We opened it-and instantly, things got weird.
Renovation funds were approved twice. Receipts duplicated. Workers signed in but didn’t exist.
I looked at her, my eyes narrowing.
“What about it?” I asked, my voice was quiet.
She held the folder tightly.
“Dad and Samar’s dad worked together once,” she said slowly.
“Samar’s dad was supposed to supply medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs to the hospital. But… he sent faulty machines. Cheap-quality drugs.”
She paused, her fingers tightening around the paper, “There was a patient….someone important…
who died because of those supplies.”
I leaned in slightly, “That’s why the trauma centre was shut down?”
She nodded. Her face looked tired,
“Yeah. After the incident, Samar’s dad’s company went into loss. He was arrested. And Dadu… he shut down the trauma centre. It was the only way to control the damage.”
I sat back, connecting the dots in my mind, “And now Samar wants the hospital… because of what happened to his father?”
She gave a small nod, “I think so. This is personal for him. It’s not just business.”
She shifted slightly, reaching for another file but not really looking at it.
Then she glanced at me, “And you know what Alia told me recently?”
I raised an eyebrow, “What?”
“She noticed weird things happening in the pharmacy department,” Ruh said.
“Extra batches of drugs coming in. Wrong labels. Some medicines don’t match the improvement list. It’s like… someone is tampering again.”
I leaned back, rubbing my temples.
“I checked the hospital records today,” I said slowly.
“And?” she asked, eyes locked on mine.
“Nothing. Everything’s been deleted,” I replied. “It’s like someone went through and scrubbed the system. So I decided to dig deeper and check the version history….and it will take time.”
She looked alarmed.
“Did you talk to anyone else about it?” I asked.
She nodded, “Yeah, dad asked Cyber Security to check last week.”
“They said everything was fine,” she muttered.
I gave her a sharp look, “Exactly. And that’s why I am sure it’s not.”
I stood up and walked toward the desk again,”Ruh, I am taking pictures of these contracts. Especially the investment records and trauma centre reports.”
She nodded quickly, already handing me her phone.
We both left the study and walked into the living room. The house was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of silence that made you feel like something was about to go wrong.
I dropped onto the couch and gently pulled her beside me.
“Don’t stress too much,” I said, trying to calm her. “Once I access the deeper version logs, we might get everything back.”
She curled into the corner of the couch, hugging a cushion.
“But something doesn’t add up,” I continued. “Samar’s not that stupid. He knows Cyber Security checks regularly. Why would he risk doing something so obvious?”
I tapped my fingers on the armrest, lost in thought.
“Unless you check the work yourself, I don’t think you’ll find it,” she muttered.
And my mind is having another thoughts too.
Maybe I know what is wrong.
She leaned her head on my shoulder, quiet now. Her fingers gently tugged at the edge of my sleeve like she needed to hold on to something.
But she suddenly got up.
“What happened Ruh?” I asked cupping her cheek.
She literally scared the hell out of me
“Woh…I think…one file is missing,” Ruhii said, her eyes scanning the pile in front of her.
“Which file?” I asked, sitting up straighter.
“The contract linked to Samar’s father… and the recent patient records,” she replied, her voice a little tense as she flipped through everything again.
She muttered under her breath, “How is that even possible? I just saw them yesterday…”
I tried to calm her, “Don’t panic, Ruh. Maybe your dad moved it somewhere else.”
She slowly nodded, still looking suspicious.
“Don’t overthink everything right now. Just rest, okay?” I said softly, holding her hand gently.
Without another word, we walked out of her dad’s study and into the living room. It was quiet and dim, the night settling around us.
I dropped onto the couch and tugged her gently into my lap.
“Hey,” I said, brushing a finger along her cheek, “stop thinking about all that for a minute. Just think about me.”
She gave me a pointed look.
“You do remember this is the living room, right? Anyone could walk in.” Her fingers traced the line of my jaw teasingly.
I rolled my eyes, completely unbothered, “So? Let them.”
Leaning in, I kissed the corner of her lips-right near the tiny mole I loved.
Oh how much I’m obsessed with this mole of hers.
She frowned playfully,”What is your obsession with this mole?”
I grinned, my eyes half-lidded, “Because it drives me crazy. You have no idea.”
I slipped my hand under her shirt, fingers gliding softly over her waist.
She rolled her eyes at my boldness, but didn’t move away.
She shifted slightly, her shirt riding up just enough for me to see the faint marks from before our intense shower under the small flashlight glow nearby.
I rubbed them gently, more protective than anything else.
She leaned in closer, her fingers gently cupping my jaw, eyes soft and full of something unspoken.
Our faces were just inches apart. I could feel her breath, warm and slow.
We were about to kiss when-
She suddenly bit my lips instead.
“Good night, Mr. Raichand,” she whispered with a teasing smile, then giggled as she stood up.
I blinked.
“What?” I asked, slightly dazed.
She turned around, walking away with a grin.
“Now go to sleep and have sweet dreams… of me,” she added over her shoulder, clearly stealing my own line.
I let out a soft chuckle.
“Okay, okay,” I said, standing up behind her.
But just as she took a step forward, her foot slipped on the rug.
“Ruh,” I called, reaching out on instinct.
She stumbled and fell right into my arms.
We both lost balance and crashed onto the couch together in a soft thud.
She landed half on top of me, her hands pressed against my chest, breathing heavily.
Our eyes locked.
The room was still. Our breaths mixed in the quiet.
And just as something shifted between us-
But…..
The front door creaked open.
A loud voice broke the silence.
“What the hell is going on here?”
————————————
Finally Chapter 66…!!
So how was the chapter??
I really hope it turned out well.
Your favourite scene??
Mine was Ruhii spending time with her dad and family.
Also, Ruh’s jealousy plus Atharv’s drama? Hehe π
And that wallet moment….so adorable ππ¦β¨
Ahhhnnn I just freaking love Vihaan’s brainπ§ π€
Hehe what do you think about the last scene??π«
And as I promised, it’s a long chapter….over 13,000 words! π€§
Sorry for the delay in updating….I got caught up with some work and barely found time to write.
But I’ll try to update at intervals of 5β6 days, since I want to finish this story soon.
And as usual extra details are from google. If anything is wrong do let me or just take it as fiction.
Ab acche se vote and comments kr dena please π₯Ί πβ¨
I am waiting for it.
Enjoy Reading β€οΈ
Stay tuned for further updates…!!!
Bye Cutiepies…!!!π
[text_hash] => 212671db
)