Arvi's pov:

I stirred awake, the softness of the comforter brushing against my cheek as sunlight spilled gently through the curtains. For a moment, I just lay there, the warmth of the bed cocooning me. It smelled faintly of cedarwood and something else familiar, comforting.

Wait.

My eyes snapped open.

This... this was our room. Mine and Rayaan's. I bolted up, the realization hitting me like a wave. I remembered the night before we were in the home theatre with his cousins and him, watching that movie I picked. I was curled up in one corner of the couch, half listening to the plot, more focused on trying to stay awake.

How did I end up here?

I looked down. I was still in my sweatshirt and leggings from last night. So I didn't come here consciously. Someone must've brought me. But who?

Before I could spiral into a dozen theories, the door creaked open. Rayaan walked in, shirt clinging to his body from sweat, chest rising and falling from his workout. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and there was a faint smirk playing on his lips as his eyes landed on me.

"You're up," he said, grabbing a towel from the dresser and rubbing the back of his neck. "You knocked out cold during the movie. I carried you here."

My mouth parted slightly. "You... carried me?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you expect one Vivaan to do it?" he asked, the corner of his lips twitching in amusement. "I'm not letting any of them carry my wife."

I looked away, my cheeks heating. His wife. Even if this marriage was complicated and full of friction, Its the first time he said that to me it did something to me.

He tossed the towel aside and came closer. "Go freshen up."

I blinked, still trying to process everything. But before I could reply, he was already out the door.

My heart was racing for no reason at all.

God, this man.

I couldn't stop the tiny smile tugging at my lips as I got ready. The fact that Rayaan carried me to bed last night something about it made my heart do a weird little flip. I wasn't used to him being... soft. Not like that.

After quickly freshening up, I headed downstairs, following the aroma of freshly made parathas and chai. The dining table was already bustling.

"Good morning," I said warmly, offering a small smile to everyone

Everyone turned and smiled back. "Good morning, beta. Come, sit."

Moments later, Aleesha and Arekha strolled in, both dressed in their usual comfy house clothes definitely not college attire. I raised an eyebrow.

"You girls aren't ready?" Maa asked, eyeing them curiously.

Aleesha mumbled, "We're not going to college today."

"Me neither," Arekha added, fiddling with her phone.

Vanisha quietly chimed in, "I'm skipping school too."

I paused mid-sip of water, glancing at them in surprise. "But we have important classes today-"

Before I could finish, Rayaan walked in. He hadn't heard the entire conversation, but he definitely heard enough.

His steps slowed, his gaze landing on the three girls like a warning bell.

"You're not going?" he asked, voice low and controlled.

Aleesha stiffened. "There's something going on at Vivaan's friend's place-"

"And you think that's more important than college?" Rayaan's tone was sharp now. "What about you, Arekha? Vanisha?"

Arekha didn't speak. She just shook her head, eyes on the table. Vanisha bit her lip and nodded, barely whispering, "I didn't feel like going."

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Rayaan's jaw tightened. "I've made this clear before, your education isn't optional. It's your responsibility. You don't get to skip it because you don't feel like going."

None of them dared speak.

"I don't care whose friend is throwing what. If this happens again, I'll cancel every plan, take away your cards, your phones, and have the drivers report directly to me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, bhai," all three said quickly, almost in sync. Heads down, voices small.

Rayaan didn't even glance at them again. He turned to me. "We're getting late."

I grabbed my bag and followed him out, the tension still hanging thick in the air behind me.

I wasn't sure what was louder my footsteps or the way my heart thudded at the calm authority in his voice.

He didn't shout.

He didn't need to.

The car ride started in silence.

I sat beside him, hands clutched tightly around my bag on my lap, staring out the window even though I wasn't really looking at anything. The engine purred quietly as Rayaan drove, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear.

Why was I nervous?

Maybe it was the way he scolded his cousins so calmly, so confidently. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't even blink before telling me to go.

"What are you thinking," he said suddenly, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.

I glanced at him. "Just... nothing."

He didn't push further. Just nodded slightly, eyes on the road.

We stopped at a signal, and that's when he spoke again this time, softer.

"I'll pick you up after college. Don't take a cab."

I blinked, caught off guard. "You... don't have to. I mean, I can manage."

He turned his head slightly to look at me. "I said I'll pick you up."

There was no room for argument. Not harsh, just firm.

My heart did that fluttery thing again, and I had to look away before he saw the slight smile forming on my lips.

"Okay," I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

The rest of the ride continued in silence but this time, it was a different kind of quiet.

Comfortable.

Almost... warm.

And when we pulled up outside the college gates, I stepped out with a strange thought in my head

Maybe I was getting used to this version of him.

.

.

.

The college gates had never looked this crowded before. The usual chattering crowd had morphed into a chaotic voices shrill with excitement, phones flashing, students pushing to get a glimpse.

And there he was.

Rayaan Oberoi.

Leaning against his black SUV like he owned the universe, dressed in a crisp armani suit that hugged his frame just right, a pair of expensive sunglasses shielding those fierce eyes. His aura screamed power, confidence... danger. Girls swarmed around him, their hands stretched out with phones for selfies, notebooks for autographs.

But his bodyguards formed an unbreakable circle no one touched him. They all tried, though. Some even squealed just standing near him.

I rolled my eyes. Ridiculous.

Still... I found myself walking in his direction. I was supposed to go with him. He was my ride. My husband.

That last word echoed in my head like a secret no one else here knew.

But just as I got closer, someone shoved me hard. Whether it was intentional or just the chaos, I didn't know. My balance slipped, the edge of the pavement threatening to meet my face.

But before I could fall, a strong hand gripped my wrist.

Rayaan.

He pulled me to him effortlessly, steadying me like I weighed nothing. His sunglasses slid just enough for me to see the flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Careful," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Before I could catch my breath, he opened the passenger door of his car. His hand was still on my arm.

"Sit," he ordered.

And I did.

But just as I was getting in, I heard a girl whisper behind me, loud enough for her group to giggle.

" ye banda agar humara boyfriend hota na, toh hum toh marr hi jaate."

I froze for a second. My hand clenched the edge of the seat tighter than necessary.

Boyfriend? I bit the inside of my cheek, resisting the urge to turn and scream he's taken. He's mine.

Instead, I sat down silently, my heartbeat far too loud in my ears. Jealousy twisted quietly in my chest, and I hated how possessive it made me feel.

But as Rayaan shut the door behind me and rounded the car to the driver's side, a small part of me didn't care if the whole world wanted him.

Because at the end of the day... he was coming home with me.

The car door shut with a soft thud, sealing me inside with the subtle scent of his cologne still lingering in the air. I watched him from the corner of my eye as he slid into the driver's seat, his jaw sharp and focused, sunglasses still on like he wasn't just the center of a full-blown fan frenzy two seconds ago.

The engine purred to life, and for a while, neither of us spoke.

And then, unexpectedly, his voice cut through the silence.

"How was your day?"

Simple. Calm. Like he hadn't just caught me from falling. Like we weren't still sitting in the middle of a crowd that was practically worshipping him five minutes ago.

I blinked, caught off guard. He never asked things like that not in that tone. Not so casually.

I looked at him, trying to see if there was sarcasm hiding behind his shades. But his grip on the wheel was relaxed, his posture easy. He wasn't mocking me.

"Uh... it was fine," I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Classes were long."

A beat passed. He nodded slightly.

"Hm."

I stared at him. That's it? No teasing? No offhand comments? Just a hm?

Before I could overthink it, he added, still looking straight ahead, "Next time, wait inside. I don't want you walking into that kind of mess again."

There it was. The control. The protectiveness disguised as orders.

I wanted to argue. Tell him I didn't need him to protect me.

But all that came out was a soft, "Okay."

Because the truth was I kind of liked it.

Authors Note:

I had way too much fun writing this chapter like, literally giggling like a child while writing. Arvi's lowkey jealousy? The dramatic catch UGH, my heart! This chapter felt like a mini movie playing in my head, and I hope you loved it as much as I did writing it. Let me know your favorite part I'm already excited for what's coming next are You?

Arvi's pov:

The front door shut behind me with a soft thud, exhaustion beginning to settle in. The college chaos, the car ride, Rayaan's unexpected softness it was all still playing in my head on a loop.

I was halfway through wondering what Maa and choti maa had made for lunch when Aleesha's voice rang out from the stairs.

"Arvi bhabhi! You're home!"

I looked up. Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha were descending together, arms filled with shopping bags and expressions that were just a little too smug.

"Where were you guys?" I asked, confused.

Arekha blinked. "Uh... shopping?"

"For?" I asked, and that's when Vanisha, the traitor, smiled sweetly and said, "Bhai's birthday, obviously."

Time slowed.

Rayaan's what?

I stared at them, words getting stuck somewhere between confusion and panic. "Today's his birthday?"

All three heads nodded.

"We were going to tell you in the morning, but you'd already left," Aleesha said, tossing her bag on the couch. "We were planning a surprise after shopping. That's why we skipped college."

Skipped college... for him.

And I, his wife, didn't even know.

My stomach twisted. I mumbled something and rushed upstairs, heart thudding in that helpless, guilty rhythm.

I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, breath shaky. My eyes landed on the bed. His jacket was thrown casually on the edge, his watch still resting on the side table. Like always, his presence filled the space quiet, strong, impossible to ignore.

How did I not know? Why didn't anyone tell me before? I could've done something... anything.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands clenched in my lap. I didn't have a gift. No fancy plan. Nothing that could match up to what his sisters were doing.

I couldn't sit still. The guilt gnawed at me like an itch I couldn't reach. I didn't want to just scribble down some rushed words or bake some half-hearted surprise. I needed to get him something something that would matter.

Without thinking too much, I grabbed my bag, stuffed my phone and wallet inside, and slipped out of the room. The house was still buzzing with the girls unloading their shopping bags and chatting in the living room. No one noticed as I slipped past the hallway and made it to the door.

I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want to.

This had to be just me.

For him.

My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted the pallu of the red saree over my shoulder. It was the only one I had simple, not too heavy, but the color made me feel... different. Bold, almost. Like I was stepping into a version of myself I hadn't met yet.

I had tied my hair into a loose bun, letting a few strands fall around my face. A small bindi adorned my forehead, and I kept the makeup minimal just kajal, a bit of blush, and a soft tint on my lips. My heart thudded in my chest as I looked at my reflection.

Would he even notice?

More importantly... would he care?

I slipped on the gold bangles Aleesha had once forced me to keep and held the tiny box carefully in my hand. It was wrapped now navy blue paper with a thin golden ribbon.

Tucking it under a cushion on the couch.



Her saree

The red fabric clung to my body, hugging curves I didn't usually pay attention to. I had never worn anything like this before. It felt like something out of a movie. Romantic. Dramatic. Dangerous.

And yet here I was a girl in red, standing by the window, fingers nervously clutching my saree

His birthday.

Everyone downstairs was waiting for him the girls told me just this evening that it was Rayaan's birthday. I didn't know. I had spent the day outside, hunting for the perfect gift, trying to make up for the moment I missed.

And now, the house was glowing.

I could hear their voices from here laughter, excited whispers, the clinking of glasses. Choti maa's sharp instructions, maa's warm humming as she probably checked the final arrangements, bade papa and chote papa chatting in the background. Vivaan's loud voice rose above the rest as he cracked another joke.

They were all there.

Waiting for him.

But I wasn't.

I didn't go downstairs. I didn't want to blend into the crowd, be just another face in the circle of warm wishes. Not when my heart was doing flips in this red saree and I was holding something that felt too small to mean anything, and yet... everything.

I sat on the edge of the bed, letting the silence wrap around me while the celebrations happened below.

The car pulled in.

My heart leapt.

His footsteps soon echoed through the hallway below, and then

"Happy Birthday, bhai!!"

The loud, joyful chorus came from the girls.

Vivaan whistled. "Finally, the birthday boy is home!"

"Bless you, beta," Sulekha maa said, her voice tender.

Bade papa clapped his back. "Getting older, huh?"

"Still the same angry expression though," chote papa teased.

"Wait till you see the cake," choti maa chimed in.

I could imagine the scene in perfect detail Rayaan standing there, surrounded by his entire family, everyone talking over each other, showering him with love in their own chaotic ways.

And yet, I stayed upstairs.

I don't know why. Maybe I didn't want to be another voice in that crowd. Maybe I wanted to give him something quiet, something personal. Something just ours.

I heard his deep chuckle faintly from downstairs.

He was happy.

And I... I was still trying to gather the courage to face him

The door creaked open.

I turned, slowly.

And there he was.

Rayaan.

Still in his black three-piece suit from work, hair slightly tousled, eyes sharper than ever but the moment he saw me, he stilled. Completely.

His gaze traveled from the red drape of the saree wrapped around me, to the tiny bindi I had barely dared to wear, to the box clutched nervously in my hand.

For once, I couldn't read his expression. There was something in his eyes surprise, maybe. Or something deeper, quieter.

I stood up, suddenly conscious of everything. My breath, my posture, the way my bangles clinked softly.

And yet, I managed a small smile. "Happy Birthday."

His eyes didn't leave mine. "You didn't come downstairs."

"I know," I said, walking toward him slowly. "I wanted to wish you... here. Just us."

His eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

I held the small box out to him, both hands wrapped around it. "I got you something."

He looked down at it, then back at me. "You didn't have to."

"I know," I whispered. "But I wanted to."

He took the box, opening it silently.

Inside, nestled on black velvet, was a silver chain simple, minimal with a tiny R charm dangling from it.



He stared at it for a beat. No teasing. No sarcastic comments. Just silence.

"I know you don't wear flashy things," I began, nervously rambling. "So I thought maybe something subtle. Something just for you. You don't have to wear it, obviously, I just-"

But he cut me off.

"Put it on."

My breath caught.

"What?"

He held out the chain. "You put it on me."

I blinked. My fingers were suddenly clumsy as I stepped forward, heart racing. He turned slightly, giving me access to the back of his neck.

As I clasped it around him, my fingers accidentally brushed his skin.

Warm. Steady.

He turned back around, the small R now resting near his collarbone, just visible through the slight opening of his shirt.

I looked up. "It suits you."

"It's perfect," he said, voice quiet. "Just like you."

And for a moment, everything else faded. The people downstairs, the party, the chaos none of it mattered.

Because right here, in this quiet room, he was just a man with a letter around his neck... and I was just a girl in red, trying not to fall harder than she already had.

Rayaan's pov:

The moment I stepped inside the mansion, voices burst around me.

"Happy Birthday, Rayaan!"

Mom came forward first, her smile warm as she cupped my face. "Mera beta aur ek saal aur handsome ho gaya."

Jaya chachi hugged me next, followed by Dad and Shankar uncle. Vivaan clapped my back like we were celebrating a victory.

Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha came in with cake, balloons, and way too much glitter.

I gave them all a small smile not a huge fan of attention, but they tried.

And yet... as the room filled with laughter and voices, something felt off.

She wasn't here.

Arvi.

My eyes scanned the room again, hoping I'd just missed her. But no she wasn't here

A strange, unexpected twinge settled in my chest.

I excused myself after a few minutes, heading upstairs. Maybe I was being ridiculous. Maybe she was in the room. Maybe

I opened the door.

And froze.

There she stood.

Bathed in the soft light of the bedside lamp, wearing a red saree that made my brain short circuit for a second.

She wasn't looking at me yet adjusting her bangles nervously, hair falling gently to one side, a small box clutched in her hand.

I think I forgot to breathe.

She turned slowly, and when our eyes met, she gave me the softest smile I've ever seen.

"Happy Birthday."

Everything stilled.

I thought she forgot. I thought she didn't care.

Turns out, she was just waiting.

For me.

And damn... I wasn't prepared for this.

She stepped closer, slowly, like she was unsure if this was okay.

As if I could ever say no to her in that moment.

Her eyes flickered down nervously before she extended the small box in her hand.

"I... I got you something," she said, voice soft.

I took the box, fingers brushing against hers.

Opened it.

It was a chain.

Simple. Elegant. A thin black thread with a small silver charm.

The letter R.

My throat tightened.

She didn't say anything. Just waited, chewing on her bottom lip like she thought I wouldn't like it.

But I did.

God, I liked it more than I should've.

There was a silence not awkward. Just heavy. Like everything she didn't say was still hanging in the air.

I held the chain tighter. "Put it on me."

Her eyes snapped up to mine, surprised. Then she nodded, stepping behind me.

I tilted my head slightly as she reached up, her fingers brushing the back of my neck.

It sent a shiver straight down my spine.

The clasp clicked into place.

She stayed there for a second longer than needed.

When I turned around, she was already looking away.

But I didn't let that slide.

I gently took her wrist, pulling her back to face me.

"Its perfect," I said, voice barely above a whisper. "just like you."

She smiled, small and shy but it reached her eyes.

And for a second, everything else family, noise, the chaos downstairs faded.

It was just us.

Her red saree. My birthday.

And a chain around my neck with an R that somehow meant more than anything else I owned.

Her smile was still lingering when I stepped closer, not letting go of her wrist.

I slid my hand gently around her waist, pulling her toward me in one smooth motion.

She gasped softly, eyes widening as her palms landed on my chest.

God, she looked breathtaking up close that red saree hugging her like it was made for this moment.

I leaned in, my fingers brushing lightly over the curve of her ear, tracing her earlobe slowly deliberately.

She froze, eyes fluttering for a second as goosebumps rose on her skin.

My lips were barely inches from her ear when I whispered,

"Thank you, wifey for this gift."

Her breath hitched. I felt it.

She looked up at me, cheeks flushed, lips parted like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

So I said it for her, my thumb brushing her waist as I smiled softly,

"You have no idea... what you've just done, Arvi."

And for the first time in a long time... I didn't feel like Rayaan Oberoi, the one always in control.

I felt like a man who just fell a little deeper for the woman standing in front of him.