Rayaan's pov:

The soft hum of the car engine was the only sound between us as I drove, the city lights flickering by. Arvi sat beside me, her silence filling the space. She was better now thankfully but the events of the last few hours still clung to me.

I glanced at her, her face pale but softened with relief. She wasn’t the strong, independent woman I knew right now. But she would be again, I had to believe that.

“Jaan,” I said softly, my eyes flicking to her for just a moment. “You’re okay now, right?”

She looked over at me, her lips curving into a small smile. But her eyes still held that tiredness, that vulnerability I never wanted to see in her again.

“I’m better,” she whispered, though I could tell she was still holding on to something still processing.

I couldn’t help but reach for her hand. My fingers brushed against hers, the simple touch grounding me. “Good,” I murmured, not needing any more words. I just needed to know she was okay.

“You really scared me,” I added, voice a little rougher than I intended. “Don’t do that again, okay?”

She glanced at me, her eyes softening. “I didn’t do it on purpose,” she said, a teasing glint coming into her voice. But it quickly faded, and she looked away, staring out at the dark streets.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the tension from the hospital still weighing on me. But now, driving her home, I felt a shift. We were going back to normal. Or at least, I hoped we were.

“Jaan,” I said again, a little more firmly this time, my voice slipping into that possessive softness I reserved only for her. “You need to rest. You’ve been through too much.”

She turned to face me, a weak but genuine smile tugging at her lips. “I don’t want to fall asleep yet. Not when you’re here.”

My heart twisted at the words, and I looked at her, my gaze lingering on her face for a moment longer than necessary. I wanted to protect her, keep her safe from everything that had happened.

“We’re almost there,” I said, my tone still soft but purposeful. I couldn’t hide the concern I felt for her, no matter how much I tried to.

“Mm-hmm,” she hummed in agreement, her eyes drooping as if sleep was trying to claim her. But she fought it.

The mansion came into view, the large gates slowly opening as we approached. I parked the car, not rushing, not wanting to disturb the calm between us.

“We’re home,” I said, turning to her. “Finally.”

Arvi looked up at me, that smile still lingering, though faint. “Thanks for being here with me.”

I leaned over, brushing her hair out of her face. My thumb traced the line of her cheek, so gently it was almost like I was afraid to break the moment. “I’ll always be here, Jaan,” I whispered, feeling the weight of the promise in my chest.

We got out of the car, and I helped her walk inside. My arm stayed around her, holding her close as if I never wanted to let go.

She looked up at me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Rayaan,” she said, her breath soft on my skin. “You really do love me, don’t you?”

I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. She had to know. I had to show her. “I always have, Jaan,” I said, pulling her closer. “And I always will.”

She nodded, her eyes locking with mine, her lips quivering slightly as if fighting the tears. But she didn’t need to say anything else. We understood each other.

I kissed her forehead gently, the weight of everything lifting, just for a moment. “Let’s get inside. You need to rest.”

She leaned into me, her head on my shoulder. “With you by my side,” she murmured, “I think I’ll be alright.”

And in that moment, I knew no matter what happened, we’d face it together.

Arvi's pov:

The moment we stepped into the Oberoi Mansion, I felt the air shift. It was warm, filled with love, concern, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t known I needed.

Everyone welcomed me with open arms Maa hugged me tightly, Choti Maa kissed my forehead, and Vanisha, Aleesha, Arekha they all wrapped me in the kind of comfort only family could give.

I smiled through the flurry of emotions, my eyes quietly seeking one face Rayaan. He stood close, always watching, always ready.

As the greetings settled and everyone urged me to rest, Rayaan came beside me and, without a word, lifted me into his arms.

"Rayaan!" I gasped, surprised.

"Shh, Jaan," he whispered softly, "I’m just taking care of what’s mine."

His words made my cheeks flush, but I didn’t protest.

He carried me through the hallways, up the stairs, into our room. The door shut behind us with a soft click, and the moment we were alone, I looked at him, my heart beating faster.

"I want to tell you something," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He paused, helping me settle on the bed. “What is it, Arvi?”

"It’s about Vivaan," I murmured, keeping my gaze on his face.

He stiffened slightly but didn’t speak just waited, patiently.

I continued, “Vivaan told me that he is in love… with Nia.”

His expression shifted relief maybe but confusion still lingered.

“He loved her, Rayaan. Really loved her. But she didn’t love him back. And now… he’s marrying someone else. Not because he’s moved on but because he’s hurt.”

Rayaan’s brows drew together. He didn’t say anything at first.

“I thought you should know,” I said softly. “Because he might act okay in front of everyone, but I saw the pain in his eyes.”

He reached for my hand and held it firmly.

“He is stubborn,”he said, voice low.

I looked at him his concern for his brother clear now, along with that silent promise in his eyes.

That no one in this house would ever suffer alone again.

And in that moment, I felt proud to call him mine.

Rayaan stayed quiet for a second.

Then, he gently squeezed my hand and looked me straight in the eyes.

“Bacha… don’t take stress over this.”

His voice was calm, but firm. Assuring.

“I’ll talk to Vivaan. He’s my brother I’ll handle him.”

I blinked at him, feeling the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little.

“But he’s hurt” I whispered. “He hides it so well, but he’s not okay.”

“I know,” he said, softly now. “I see it too. And I promise… I won’t let him carry it alone.”

The way he said it so certain, so responsible it made something swell in my heart.

He wasn’t just my husband. He was a protector.

For me. For his family.

I nodded, quietly leaning my head against his shoulder.

And for a moment, we sat in that silence. Just breathing.

Together.

Rayaan's pov:

Arvi was asleep in my arms.

Her breath warm against my chest, her fingers still lightly curled around my shirt like she didn’t want to let go, even in her dreams.

I didn’t move for a while just held her, watching her sleep, memorizing the peace on her face.

God, after everything… she deserved this rest.

But her words kept echoing in my head.

Vivaan loves Nia… but she never loved him back.

I carefully shifted, laying her down gently on the bed. Tucked the blanket around her. Pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Sleep, jaan,” I whispered. “I’ll be back soon.”

I walked out of the room quietly, shutting the door behind me.

I knew where to find Vivaan. Alone, at the back balcony  his usual spot when he needed to escape the noise.

And this time, he wouldn’t escape me.

It was time to talk

I found him right where I expected  standing alone, leaning against the railing, staring out into the night like he was waiting for it to answer his silence.

“Vivaan,” I said quietly.

He turned, surprised at first  then looked away, jaw clenched. “Bhai…”

I walked over, stood beside him.

“You should’ve told me,” I said.

He didn’t respond.

I sighed. “About Nia.”

A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “What was the point? She made her choice. And now I’m making mine.”

“By marrying someone you don’t love?” I asked, watching him. “That’s not a choice, Vivaan. That’s punishment  for something that wasn’t even your fault.”

He swallowed hard, still not meeting my eyes.

“Arvi told me,” I added softly. “She was worried. She cares.”

He finally looked at me. “She… she told you everything?”

I nodded.

Silence stretched between us for a moment.

Then he spoke, voice low. “It hurts, bhai. Loving someone who doesn’t feel the same. I thought marrying someone else would fix it. Distract me. But…”

“It won’t,” I cut in. “You deserve love, Vivaan. Not silence. Not compromise.”

His eyes shimmered with something unsaid.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not alone, okay? You never were. We’ll figure this out together.”

Vivaan’s lips trembled, but he nodded  slowly.

“Thank you, bhaii” he whispered.

He pulled me into a brief hug.

“For now,” I said, stepping back, “just don’t run away from what you feel. And don’t marry someone to forget.”

He looked down, nodding again.

And for the first time in a long time he looked like my little brother again.

Arvi's pov:

When I woke up, the soft glow of morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle warmth over the room. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the soft light, and immediately noticed something that made my heart flutter.

Rayaan was beside me, his body turned toward mine, his arm resting protectively around me. He was asleep, looking peaceful for the first time in days, his breath steady and calm. The familiar, comforting warmth of his presence was a reminder that, no matter what had happened, we were finally here together.

It wasn’t just the usual kind of closeness we’d shared before. This was different. This was… real. For the first time in a long time, we weren’t just partners in a whirlwind of chaos or emotions. We were simply two people, sharing a moment of peace, of love, and of understanding.

I shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, and just watched him for a few moments. The lines of stress that had been on his face the past few days seemed to have faded, replaced with a quiet contentment. It was almost as if the weight of everything had lifted, even if just for this one moment.

My heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of happiness. This, right here, was everything I had wanted. The feeling of being close to him, of sharing this intimate space, knowing that we had made it through the worst of things and now, we could finally just be… together.

I leaned in slightly, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, my lips lingering for a brief second. He didn’t stir, his body remaining still, but a small smile tugged at his lips in his sleep. It made my heart race with love.

As I settled back down beside him, my head resting against his chest, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me. This wasn’t just any night, any moment. It was the start of something beautiful our beginning as a couple who could finally share not just the good, but also the quiet moments, the vulnerable ones.

I didn’t want to leave this feeling. I didn’t want to leave him.

For the first time in so long, I allowed myself to close my eyes again, breathing in his scent, letting his presence wrap around me like a soft blanket. The world outside could wait, because for this moment, it was just me and Rayaan. And I was happier than I had ever been.

We were together, truly together, and that was all that mattered.

I was lost in the peaceful silence, my head resting comfortably on Rayaan's chest, when I felt the subtle shift beside me. His warmth, which had been so steady and comforting, suddenly pulled away, and I realized he was waking up.

His breath hitched slightly as his eyes fluttered open, and when he saw me lying there beside him, his face softened. His gaze locked with mine, and for a moment, I just stared back at him, lost in the depths of his eyes.

“Good morning, Jaan,” he whispered, his voice still raspy from sleep, but warm, affectionate. I felt my heart skip at the sound of that word, the tenderness behind it.

I smiled softly, “Good morning.”

He shifted, propping himself up on one elbow to get a better look at me. His brow furrowed for a moment, his expression turning serious as his gaze swept over me. “Jaan, you’re still not fully better. You have injuries. You need rest,” he said, his voice laced with concern.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he gently placed a finger on my lips, silencing me. “No arguing, okay? You’ve been through a lot. Let me take care of you. Please.”

I didn’t argue, because deep down, I knew he was right. I was still tired, my body aching from the events of the past few days. And in that moment, I realized just how much I needed him his support, his care.

He smiled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch as gentle as ever. “I’m here, Jaan. You don’t have to do anything. Just rest.”

I nodded, feeling the exhaustion slowly creep up on me again. But this time, it wasn’t overwhelming. With him beside me, I felt safe. I felt like everything would be okay.

He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering there for a brief moment. “I’ll be right here when you wake up again,” he murmured, his voice soothing.

I closed my eyes, allowing the peace of his presence to lull me back into a gentle sleep. In his arms, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. And I felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that no matter what, Rayaan was there to take care of me, to love me. And that was all that truly mattered.

Rayaan's pov:

After I freshened up, I quickly changed into something comfortable. I was back to being focused on her, on making sure everything was perfect. Arvi still needed rest, but I wasn’t going to let her go without a proper breakfast.

I picked up the phone and dialed the mansion’s kitchen to place the order. “Get me breakfast in the room for both me and my wife,” I instructed, my voice firm and clear. “Scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and tea for her. And make sure there’s a little extra for her don’t forget the fresh juice.”

I paused for a moment, making sure I wasn’t missing anything. “And make it quick, We don’t want to wait.”

After confirming the order, I hung up, walking over to the side of the bed to check on Arvi again. She was still sleeping soundly, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. I couldn’t help but smile. She deserved to rest after everything, and I was going to make sure she did.

I made my way over to the window, glancing out at the morning sunlight streaming through the curtains, but my mind was focused on one thing: her. No matter how much I tried to make everything perfect, it was moments like this, seeing her safe and calm, that meant the most to me.

A soft knock came at the door, pulling me from my thoughts. I went to answer it, the breakfast tray already ready. I took it from the servant,and walked back to the room.

I set the food down by the bed, the smell of fresh coffee and fruit filling the air. I looked at Arvi, who was just beginning to stir. “Breakfast’s here, Jaan,” I said softly, brushing her hair back. “You need to eat something. I’ve made sure you get everything you love.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and a small smile appeared as she saw the spread. “You really did all this for me?” she asked, her voice sleepy but warm.

“Of course,” I replied, my lips curving into a grin. “I need my wife to be strong, Now, eat.”

As Arvi sat up, still looking a bit sleepy but more alert now, I could see her glancing at the breakfast with a soft smile. I set the tray in her lap, my hands gently adjusting the pillows behind her so she was comfortable.

When I picked up the spoon and held it in front of her, her eyes widened just a little, and I saw a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. She hesitated for a moment before looking up at me, her shyness clearly showing.

"You really don’t have to do this," she said quietly, her voice soft, almost bashful.

I smiled, leaning closer, my voice teasing but gentle. "Of course, I do. You’ve been through a lot. Now let me take care of you."

She glanced at the spoon in my hand, then back at me, her cheeks turning a shade redder. "Rayaan," she whispered, looking away for a moment. “You’re making me feel… shy.”

That made me laugh quietly, but there was an undeniable warmth in my chest. I couldn’t help but love how vulnerable she was in front of me, even after everything we had been through.

“Shy?” I teased, feeding her a small bite of the scrambled eggs. “You’re allowed to feel whatever you want. But I’m going to make sure you eat, so no arguing.”

She bit her lip, still looking a little embarrassed but too polite to refuse. The soft laughter that followed from both of us was a quiet, content sound, like everything else in the world had paused for this one moment.

“Okay,” she said, still feeling shy, but I could see her relaxing a little. “But you have to promise not to make me feel so… silly.”

“I’ll try,” I said with a wink, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But I can’t promise I won’t spoil you a little. You’re too cute when you’re shy.”

She laughed softly, her eyes still avoiding mine as I fed her another bite. She looked at the food, then at me, and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

“Alright,” she whispered, her voice quieter now, “but just one more bite. Then I’ll finish on my own, okay?”

I grinned and leaned in, holding the spoon in front of her. “Deal.”

As I fed her, I could feel her growing more comfortable with each passing second, the blush fading as the conversation flowed. She was still shy in her own way, but I could see the trust in her eyes. It made everything feel just right.

With her by my side, I knew there was no place I’d rather be.

Arvi's pov:

As Rayaan fed me, I felt something strange flutter inside my chest. It was the same Rayaan Oberoi who once hated me, who thought I wasn’t worth his time. And now, here he was, so gentle, feeding me with such care.

Every bite felt heavier than the last, not because of the food, but because of how different everything was. His eyes, soft and full of warmth, were fixed on me, and the butterflies in my stomach wouldn’t settle.

I couldn’t believe it this man, who had pushed me away so many times, was now taking care of me like I mattered. His smile made me feel like the only person in the world.

I couldn’t help but whisper, “I’m sorry, for everything that happened before.”

Rayaan paused, his thumb brushing over my hand. “You don’t have to apologize,” he said, his voice sincere. “I was wrong.”

His words hit me harder than I expected, and for the first time, I felt at peace with everything that had happened. Maybe this was the beginning of something real.

I curled up on the soft sofa, tracing the embroidery on a cushion absentmindedly. Rayaan had just left for his study, the door clicking shut behind him. He said he will do his work from home today because of me,I told him go to office but he denied and i didn't force either as i want him near me now

Across the room, Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha huddled together, exchanging secretive smiles. Their laughter softened, replaced by a warmth that seemed to wrap itself around me.

"Arvi," Aleesha started, her voice playful but touched with something softer, "do you even know how Rayaan bhai was behaving when you were in the operation theatre?"

I blinked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?"

Arekha let out a giggle. "He roared at everyone! Doctors, nurses, even the poor receptionist who just asked him to fill a form."

Vanisha leaned forward eagerly. "He was so tense, bhabhi. Pacing up and down the whole corridor like a lion trapped in a cage. We tried to calm him down even Dad but he wouldn't listen to anyone."

Aleesha nodded, laughing softly. "He literally barked, 'Where's the doctor?! Call the best doctors!' at least ten times. I swear one of the nurses looked like she would faint."

I felt my heart squeeze painfully and sweetly all at once. The image of Rayaan  usually so composed, so in control  losing himself to fear and worry because of me... it was overwhelming.

Arekha touched my arm gently. "Arvi, he loves you so much. It was written all over his face."

I swallowed, the sting of sudden tears prickling my eyes. I bit my lip to keep them from falling, but a small, helpless smile curved at the corners of my mouth.

Rayaan... my arrogant, stubborn, impossible cold rude Rayaan...

He had been scared. For me.

At that moment, I realized  sometimes, love wasn't loud confessions or grand gestures.

Sometimes, it was seen in the way someone roared at the world because the thought of losing you was too much to bear.

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