As the evening light filtered in, Kaya stood before the mirror, getting ready. She picked up the vermilion box, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached to fill her hair parting. Just then, a hand stopped her—firm, yet gentle.

It was Adheer.

Without a word, he took a pinch of sindoor himself and carefully applied it to her parting. His voice was low, but steady, “As long as I’m here, don’t take away what’s rightfully mine.”

A soft blush rose to her cheeks as she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

He lifted her chin gently with his index finger, his eyes locking with hers.

“How can I let you go now?”

he whispered, his gaze lingering. “This heart doesn’t agree… it doesn’t want this beautiful face to go out of sight.”

Blushing deeply, she wrapped her arms around him, hiding her face in his neck. He gently stroked her hair and murmured, “Please… don’t go.”

She lifted her face from his neck just enough to meet his eyes and said with a small smile, “Adheer ji, it’s only a matter of two days. After that, I’ll be with you… always.”

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers, his voice barely a whisper, “Even two seconds feel impossible without you.”

He looked at her with those irresistible puppy eyes.

She pouted and said teasingly, “Please…”

He didn’t want to agree, but still, he nodded quietly, “Ji.”

Then, without saying another word, he lifted her luggage with one hand, held her hand with the other, and gently led her downstairs.

Adheer’s mother walked in with the aarti plate and began performing the ritual.

Just then, Shravan noticed Adheer’s unusually quiet expression. Teasing him, he said,

“Bhai, why do you look like some heartbroken sage? What’s with the long face?”

Prisha joined Shravan, clearly enjoying the moment. Teasing Adheer, she said,

“Are bhaiya, don’t you get it? Adheer bhai is just wondering how he’ll survive the night without Bhabhi!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Adheer, looking like a lost puppy, walked over and hugged his chachi from behind, trying to hide in her embrace like a child seeking comfort.

His chachi gently ran her hand through his hair and said lovingly,

“Don’t trouble my child like this.”

Adheer pouted and complained,

“Chachi, please tell your bahu not to go to her maayka.”

Yuvraj jumped in dramatically,

“Is this the same man who scares people by flashing a gun at the drop of a hat?”

Adheer shot him a mock glare as he stepped out from behind his chachi. With deliberate calm, he began rolling up his sleeves, the mischief in his eyes unmistakable.

Yuvraj’s face changed instantly. He darted behind Kaya, clutching her shoulder like a shield.

“Bhabhi, save me from your Ravan-pati!” he cried dramatically.

Kaya bit back a smile, shaking her head as everyone around them burst into laughter.

Just then, Adheer’s uncle said, trying to reason with him,

“Beta, she’s just going for two days… it’s her own home.”

Adheer turned slowly, giving him a look as if he'd just committed a crime.

“Home? Uncle, that place is not a home — it’s a fully functioning wildlife sanctuary!”

He started counting on his fingers, his tone rising with every word:

“ The nagin mother-in-law — venomous stare, poisonous words. One chance and phatt! she’ll swallow my innocent rabbit-wife whole!”

“The peacock-sister-in-law. Always dancing, always screaming… and just when you think she’s done, bam! she eats humans raw! No salt, no chutney!”

“And don’t even breathe the name of my dear father-in-law — that ancient cursed vulture! He circles silently, then swoops down and attacks your soul. I swear he won’t spare even ghosts!”

By now, everyone was laughing uncontrollably except Kaya

Just then, Kaya spoke up softly, her voice barely above a whisper,

“I’m not a rabbit…”

She pouted like a little child, crossing her arms and turning away ever so slightly.

He stepped closer to her, gently cupping her cheek.

“No, you're not just a rabbit,” he said softly. “You’re my little baby.”

Kaya gave him those big puppy eyes, her voice pleading,

“Adheer ji… please na…”

Before he could melt completely, his mother stepped in, reassuringly,

“Adheer beta, nothing will happen. They’ve realised their mistake. And we’re sending her with full security, aren’t we?”

Kaya looked up at him, her eyes silently pleading, gently shaking her head as if asking him not to resist anymore.

Adheer looked around at everyone, clearly cornered from all sides. He let out a deep sigh, throwing his hands in the air.

“Fine! Theek hai! Jaisa aap log keh rahe ho…”

Without saying a word, Adheer quietly picked up her luggage and walked outside to place it in the car.

His mother stepped forward and gently kissed Kaya on the forehead.

“Take care, beta,” she whispered with a soft smile.

The whole family came out to see her off, their faces warm with love and teasing smiles still lingering in the air.

Adheer and Kaya got into the car, sitting side by side in a quiet silence that held more emotion than words.

And with that, the car slowly pulled away from the palace gates.

She looked at him silently for a moment, her eyes filled with something unspoken. Then, gently, she rested her head on his shoulder and whispered,

“Adheer ji…”

Still focused on the road, he smiled softly, his voice low and full of warmth.

“Hanji… boliye.”

But she didn’t say a word.

Adheer reached out, gently taking her hand in his. He lifted it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her fingers.

“I love you, Ocean,” he said quietly, his voice full of warmth and meaning.

She didn’t respond—only blushed, her cheeks turning a deeper shade as she shyly turned her face away, trying to hide her smile.

But he understood.

A knowing smile lit up his face. He moved his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him, and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead.

No more words were needed. The silence between them said it all.

Within a short while, they reached Kaya’s parents’ house.

As the car came to a gentle stop, Adheer stepped out first. He walked around to her side and carefully opened the door.

With a soft smile, he extended his hand toward her.

She placed her hand in his, and he helped her step out, the gesture quiet but full of care.

At the gate of the Sharma House, Kaya’s stepmother stood waiting with an aarti plate in her hands.

She performed the aarti for both of them, her face adorned with a pleasant smile.

As the ritual began, Adheer gently reached for Kaya’s hand and held it in his own — calm, assured, and protective.

Watching them stand so close, Isha’s eyes flickered for a moment. Inside, she burned with silent envy, but on the surface, she maintained a practiced, fake smile.

They stepped inside the house.

Kaya’s stepmother called out cheerfully,

“Listen, look who’s here! Our daughter has come home.”

But her father didn’t even look up. Without a word, he walked past them and headed straight to his room, ignoring Kaya completely.

The moment stung. Kaya’s eyes dropped, and the smile on her face faded just a little.

Her stepmother, unfazed, let out a short laugh and said with a fake smile,

“He’s like that… always so busy.”

Adheer glanced at Kaya, quietly noticing the shift in her expression. He turned to her stepmother and asked,

“Where is my wife’s room?”

She replied sweetly, “Upstairs — the second room.”

Without saying anything more, Adheer picked up her luggage, gently took her hand, and led her upstairs.

He placed her luggage to one side, then without saying a word, pulled her into a hug.

Kaya understood—she didn’t need words. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him just as tightly.

Adheer closed his eyes, as if trying to capture the feeling of this moment forever. Slowly, his lips found their way to her shoulder, and he began placing soft, lingering kisses there.

As his lips touched her skin, a shiver ran through her. She closed her eyes too, letting the warmth of his touch speak the words they both held quietly inside.

His lips slowly traveled from her shoulder up to the curve of her neck, where he pressed wet, lingering kisses that sent a shiver down her spine.

Her breath hitched, and her lips parted involuntarily.

Trembling slightly, she clutched the edge of her saree, grounding herself in the moment.

Then, moving deliberately, he closed the distance between them, his lips meeting hers in a slow, consuming kiss — hungry yet controlled, as if savoring every breath, every touch.

His mouth moved over hers with a fierce tenderness, each kiss deepening, slow but demanding.

Her fingers gripped the soft fabric of her saree tighter, as if holding on to the last thread of control she had left.

His hands slid up her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them—only the heat of their bodies and the quickening beat of their hearts.

The very next moment he paused and his eyes softened, and instead of going further, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I will miss you," he whispered, his voice low, tender.

A smile slowly spread across Kaya’s lips, her cheeks blooming with warmth at his unexpected restraint and affection.

But the moment shattered like glass the next second.

Isha suddenly walked into the room, her eyes widening as she saw them so close — Kaya still wrapped in his embrace, her saree loosened.

Startled, the two stepped apart instinctively.

Adheer’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “Tumhe tameez nahi hai?” he snapped. “Knock karna sikha nahi kisi ne? It’s basic decency.”

Isha didn’t flinch. Folding her arms, she replied coldly, “You’re forgetting — this room is mine too.”

He looked at her coldly, his voice firm and unshaken.

“This room belongs to Kaya now. Only her.”

Isha raised a brow, almost scoffing. “Then where am I supposed to stay?”

He didn't blink. “Wherever you want.” He stepped slightly to the side, shielding Kaya behind him.

“But not with my Ocean.”

Just then, her mother walked in, wearing an exaggeratedly sweet smile.

“You’re absolutely right, damad ji,” she said in a sugary tone, patting his shoulder with theatrical affection.

“Come on now, Kaya, go make some of that kheer you love so much.”

Isha, burning with silent rage, turned on her heel and stormed out.

Her mother, unfazed and still overacting, turned to Adheer again.

“Tell me, damad ji, is there anything else you need?”

Adheer shot her a dry, unimpressed look.

“For now, I just need you… out of here.”

Her face briefly fell, her expression cracking. But she quickly gathered herself, let out a fake giggle—“Kikiki”—and swept out of the room dramatically.

“As you wish, damad ji,” she said, as if reciting a line from a play.

She walked away, leaving the room in silence.

Adheer turned to Kaya, his gaze softening. “I have to go,” he said quietly, almost reluctantly. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

Kaya gave him a small smile, the kind that carried more emotion than words. “You too… take care,” she whispered.

Adheer stepped downstairs, his demeanor shifting from gentle to guarded. Approaching the bodyguard, his voice turned cold and sharp.

“I want eyes on this place 24/7,” he ordered. “Every movement, every word. Especially Kaya—where she goes, who she speaks to.”

He paused for a second, then leaned in slightly, his voice low and dangerous.

“And listen carefully—not a single scratch on her. If anything happens… you’ll answer to me.”

He had just settled into the driver’s seat, his hand reaching for the ignition, when his gaze caught her—Kaya, running toward him in a hurry.

Startled, he stepped out.

“What happened, Ocean?” he asked, brows furrowing in concern.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she offered him the sweetest smile, the kind that melted away every worry.

“I have something for you. Should I give it?” she asked playfully.

He raised a brow, curious now. “What is it? Give it.”

And before he could blink, she leaned forward, placed a quick kiss on his lips, and whispered,

“I will miss you too.”

Then, just as swiftly, she turned and dashed back inside, her laughter echoing in the air.

He stood there for a beat, stunned and helplessly smiling.

“This girl…” he murmured, sliding back into his seat,

“She’s becoming more dangerous with every passing day.”

He walked away, leaving the place behind.

Meanwhile, Kaya sat in the kitchen, talking softly with Shanti Amma.

Her father happened to pass by, and his eyes fell upon Kaya. A gentle smile softened his face as he looked at her from a distance.

“She looks just like my Rukmini,” he murmured quietly. “The same eyes, the same long hair, and that endless chatter — just like her. I wish she were still here…”

His words faltered, and he stopped in

his tracks. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered,

“She could have been... but she devoured her. She took my Rukmini away.”

With a heavy heart, he turned and walked away, swallowed by the silence around him.

                        Thank you 😊