7:43AM

── .✦ THIRD PERSON ✦. ──

Ridhima slowed mid-step on the stairs.

Something below didn't feel right.

Voices echoed up, not loud, but sharp enough to cut. She caught fragments first.

"...some people really don't need enemies."

A pause. Then the same voice, edged with something mean. "They're enough to ruin things on their own."

Her brows pulled together. She followed the sound.

The living room opened up in front of her. Rishav stood near the center, one hand in his pocket, listening. Not reacting. Across from him, his chachi Nandini , that smile on her face that wasn't really a smile.

Ridhima's grip tightened on the railing.

She watched Rishav. Nothing. No flicker. No reaction. That irritated her more than it should have.

"I mean, imagine ruining a wedding like that," Nandini continued, her gaze flickering toward Rishav. "No warning. No explanation." A tilt of her head. "A bit impulsive, don't you think?"

Ridhima's jaw tightened.

Why is she talking to him like that?

"Or maybe not impulsive," Nandini added. "Maybe just selfish."

That was enough.

Ridhima stepped forward, her voice cutting cleanly into the space. "I think you should say what you mean. Directly."

Silence fell. All eyes turned to her.

Nandini's gaze shifted slowly. Up and down. Measuring. "And you are?" Though her tone made it clear she already knew.

Ridhima held her gaze. "The one who doesn't speak in half-sentences."

A beat. Vinay almost smiled. Nandini's expression didn't change.

Rishav's gaze shifted, landing on her.

Ridhima walked straight toward them. No hesitation. No confusion left on her face now only clarity. And something dangerously close to irritation.

She stopped beside Rishav. Her eyes locked onto Nandini. A small, almost polite smile appeared on her lips.

Ishita looked down, hiding a smile.

Nandini let out a soft laugh. "Oh, she talks."

"Only when it's required." Ridhima didn't miss a second.

The silence sharpened. Nandini's eyes hardened. "You seem very confident for someone who just walked in."

Ridhima didn't flinch. "Confidence doesn't come from time. It comes from clarity."

She met Nandini's gaze without wavering. "If you have a problem with what happened yesterday, you should ask him directly why he did it. Instead of talking like this."

That wasn't what Nandini expected. At all.

Rishav's eyes weren't somewhere else. They were on Ridhima.

Vinay turned away, laughing openly now. "Finally," he muttered under his breath.

Ishita nudged him, barely holding back her own laughter.

Nandini looked between them, clearly losing control. "This is unbelievable-"

"No." Ridhima interrupted, her patience gone. "What's unbelievable is how comfortable you are talking like this in your own house. Chachiji."

Complete silence. Nandini's lips parted, but no words came out. For the first time, she didn't have a comeback.

Ridhima held her gaze a second longer. Then stepped back. Done.

Vinay shook his head, still grinning. "She is gold."

Ishita laughed softly. "I think I'm going to like her."

Nandini shot them both a glare before turning away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she walked off.

Silence settled again, lighter this time. Ridhima exhaled quietly, turning slightly.

And that's when she felt it.

Rishav. Looking at her. Not surprised. Not confused. Something else. Something quieter. His lips curved slow, deliberate. Not because of the argument. Because she had stood beside him.

BALCONY

── .✦ RISHAV ✦. ──

He was already there when I walked in.

The man I'm supposed to call my father. Even if he's never really let me.

Rajveer Sehgal.

"You called me?"

He didn't answer right away. Just turned. And the look on his face, not anger. Worse. Judgment.

"I've tolerated a lot from you," he said. "Your existence. Your presence."

Of course you have.

Nothing new. I didn't react. Didn't need to.

"But yesterday..." A slight shake of his head. "You went beyond what I'm willing to ignore."

My jaw tightened. Barely.

"You don't even stand a place in this house."

That one. That one always lands. No matter how many times I hear it.

"And yet you walk into a wedding. Ruin it. And marry that girl like you had the right."

I held his gaze. Didn't look away. Didn't justify.

What was the point?

"What exactly do you think of yourself?"

I could answer that. I just didn't. Because nothing I say has ever mattered here.

"You think wearing this name makes you belong here?" A humorless breath left him. "It doesn't."

I didn't speak. This was our rhythm. His judgment. My silence.

"You didn't just embarrass yourself yesterday. You embarrassed this house."

Reputation never bothered me.

"Ridhima."

Something shifted. Not outside. Inside.

"Rudhransh's daughter." His tone changed when he said that. Respect. Something I've never heard attached to my name.

"You don't get to involve her in your mess and call it a decision."

"I didn't-"

"Enough."

I stopped. Not because I had nothing to say. But because he'd already decided what this was.

"You didn't think about her. You didn't think about that wedding."

Wrong. You have no idea what I thought about.

"You acted because you wanted to."

Right. But not the way you think.

"And now she's here," he continued. "In a house where you don't even belong."

There it was again. Belong.

I almost smiled. Almost. Because for the first time, that word didn't feel empty. Not after last night. Not after her.

"She doesn't pay for it."

That part I agreed with. Completely. I met his eyes properly then.

"I won't let her." I meant it. Not as a promise. As a fact.

He didn't react. Didn't believe me either. That was fine. "See that she doesn't regret stepping into this place."

A warning. Clear. Expected.

"Your mom is downstairs. Go now." Just like that it ended. Like it always does. He turned away.

I stood there a second longer. Not because of what he said. But because of what he didn't understand.

I didn't ruin her life. I crossed a line. Because she was never meant to be anywhere else.

And now that she's here. I'm not letting anyone turn that choice into a regret.

I turned toward the door. My hand paused on the handle.

Whether this house accepts me or not doesn't matter anymore. Because she's here now. And that changes everything.

DINING HALL

── .✦ THIRD PERSON ✦. ──

The dining table was already set. Long. Polished. Perfect. Servants moved around quietly, placing dishes.

Ridhima sat with her back straight, hands resting near her plate. Observing. Everyone.

Vinay and Ishita still exchanged amused glances, clearly not over what happened earlier. Nandini sat stiffly, avoiding eye contact, her irritation visible.

Rishav sat beside Ridhima. Calm. As if everything was exactly how it should be.

"Serve her properly," he said casually, glancing at a servant.

Ridhima didn't look at him. "I can serve myself."

Plates were filled. Conversations started. But Ridhima barely touched her food. She moved it around, breaking a piece, leaving it there.

Rishav noticed. "You're not eating."

Her fingers paused. "I'm not hungry."

"Since when?"

She exhaled. "Since yesterday." A beat. "I lost my appetite."

He leaned back, watching her. "Because of me?"

That made her look at him. Just for a second. Then away. "Don't make everything about yourself."

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Hard not to, sweetheart."

Her grip tightened on the spoon. But she didn't reply.

Vinay coughed lightly, hiding a grin. Ishita looked down at her plate.

Ridhima stood up after a moment. "I'm done."

Rishav didn't stop her. But as she turned-

"Ridhima." Gentle.

She looked up. Anjali.

"Come to my room when you're free."

Ridhima nodded once. "Ji, Mummyji."

ANJALI'S ROOM

The room felt different. Warm. Peaceful. Unlike the rest of the house. Anjali gestured for her to sit. Ridhima did.

"I owe you an apology."

Ridhima looked up, surprised.

"For what happened yesterday. You were dragged into everything." Anjali's voice was calm. Sincere. "I won't justify it. Because it wasn't right."

Silence. Then, "You have full freedom here."

Ridhima frowned. "What?"

"If you want to stay, you stay. If you want to leave... you can leave."

That hit unexpectedly.

"You can do anything you want," Anjali continued gently. "No one in this house will stop you."

Ridhima stared at her.

"This marriage happened suddenly. But that doesn't mean you're bound to it against your will."

Her voice didn't shake. She meant every word. "But you need to know..." Anjali added.

Ridhima looked up.

"Rishi." She stopped, choosing her words. "He's already been through more than he should have. And he's still going through it."

Ridhima's brows pulled together.

What does that even mean?

"This house isn't always what it looks like from the outside." Anjali's gaze drifted toward the door. "Not everyone here treats him the way they should."

She finally looked at her. "You'll notice it yourself."

Ridhima's fingers tightened. Her thoughts shifted from herself to him.

He didn't look like someone who was affected. He didn't react. He didn't explain. So what exactly had he gone through?

"And don't mistake his silence," Anjali added quietly. "He doesn't say things. But that doesn't mean he doesn't carry them."

The words stayed.

"There's something else." Anjali paused. "Both of your horoscopes are aligning perfectly."

"But-that doesn't-"

"I know, beta." Anjali nodded. "I'm only telling you what I know. What you choose to do with it... is entirely yours."

Ridhima looked down at her hands.

His mother is giving me choices. And he...?

Her thoughts couldn't complete. Because Rishav didn't fit into any clear picture. Not yet.

"I won't force you into anything. Just don't rush your decision."

Ridhima nodded slowly.

Her phone vibrated as she stepped out.

Dhruv Bhaiya.

She answered immediately. "Bhaiya?"

"Ridhi? Are you okay?"

She leaned against the wall. "I'm fine."

"How is everything there? How are they treating you?"

Her gaze drifted. "It's... alright." Not a lie. Not the truth either.

"That guy... Aarav..."

Her body stiffened. "What about him?"

"He's in critical condition." Dhruv's voice lowered. "The doctors aren't sure yet. We still don't know who shot him."

She closed her eyes briefly. Everything flashed again. The chaos. The shot. The blood.

"I-" She steadied herself. "Take care of everything there. Be careful."

"Yes." Another pause.

Ridhima asked. "How's mom? What are doctors saying?"

"Yeah, her condition is a bit stable now." Dhruv replied almost instantly.

It's always the same words. She is a bit stable. But I never get to know when she'll recover fully. When she'll come back home.

"Call me if anything feels off, okay?"

"I will."

She cut the call. Lowered her phone slowly. Her mind stuck on Dhruv's words.

Aarav... critical.

Nothing felt normal. Nothing made sense.

Before she could think further her wrist was gently held.

She looked up, startled.

Rishav.

── .✦ RIDHIMA ✦. ──

"Come," he said softly.

"What? Where?"

"You haven't eaten."

"I said I'm not-"

"Just come, sweetheart."

That word again.

Sweetheart.

And it wasn't even the tone. It wasn't harsh or demanding. That was the problem. It was certain.

Before I could argue, he was already pulling me along. Not dragging like yesterday. But not giving me a real choice either.

The door opened.

I stepped in and stopped. The table near the window was set. Simple. But the moment my eyes fell on it something felt off. Too familiar.

I looked again. Slower. "What is this?"

"Food."

I gave him a look. "Very funny."

"Sit." He said.

"I'm not hungry."

"I know." He pulled the chair for me. "But sit. It's your favorite thalipeeth anyway."

My fingers stilled. I looked at him properly. "How do you know that's my favorite?"

He didn't answer immediately. Just leaned back, watching me. "I know."

"That's not an answer."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Did someone tell you?"

"No."

"Then how?"

"Eat first. You can question me after."

I exhaled, annoyed, but still picked up the food. One bite. And I paused. Because it was exactly right. Perfect.

My expression slipped for a second. Just one.

"Better?" he asked quietly.

I didn't look at him. "Yeah."

His phone rang. He picked it up, tone shifting instantly. Focused. Professional. "Yes? I saw the reports. No, don't delay it. Just continue the medication. I'll be there in a few days."

I looked up.

"Yeah, the surgery. Don't take risks with this one. Keep everything ready. I'll handle it."

The call ended.

I stared at him. "You control things like this every day? Not just situations... but people too?"

He didn't answer. Didn't deny it. Just slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Then his eyes lifted to mine. "Only when they start slipping out of places they shouldn't be."

A step closer. "And not everyone. Just the ones who matter, sweetheart."

My breath caught. "Why do you keep calling me that? Just stop it!!"

He didn't react immediately.

"I can't." He replied. Steady.

I stared at him. Trying to figure him out. Failing.

"Do you know what your mom just said to me?"

He didn't interrupt.

"She told me it's completely my decision. To stay, leave, even get a divorce." A pause. "And I can't believe how disappointed your parents must be marrying me out of nowhere like this."

He leaned closer. "Sweetheart... they're not disappointed. They just trust me enough to know what's best." His eyes held mine. "But you... you won't leave, right?"

Something about that I didn't like it.

"It doesn't matter to me where I stay, Rishav." My voice didn't shake. "I stayed here just because I don't want Dhruv bhaiya trying again and again to fix my life. To give me a family."

A pause. "And mummyji... She felt too much like my mom. She promised me something simple." My fingers tightened. "That I wouldn't feel alone here. At least not the way I did before."

A small breath. "Maybe if I stay here, I'll stop missing her so much."

"But you?" My brows pulled together. "You're the only thing that doesn't make sense."

That got his attention. Fully.

"The way you act like everything is okay. Calling me sweetheart. Getting close to me like-" I stopped. Exhaled sharply. "That's the problem."

The next second, everything shifted.

He leaned in. Planted his hands on the either side of the bed. Caging me in. My breath stopped.

"R-Rishav?"

"You're right." Low. Controlled. Too close.

My words disappeared.

"You stayed." That hit. "I knew you would. That's why I married you."

My heartbeat stumbled. Silence pressed in.

"And now you're standing here telling me the only problem is me?"

A slight tilt of his head. "Good."

That word. I didn't expect it. Because it wasn't anger. It was something else. Something steady.

"Because I am." His fingers tightened against my shirt. "And yeah, I call you sweetheart. And I'll keep calling you that. Because I'm the only one allowed to."

"And getting close?" His gaze locked onto mine. "That's not something I do with just anyone. And not something I want to do with anyone else either."

"You can keep calling me the problem. But you're not going anywhere without me."

And then he stepped back. Just like that.

I stood up immediately. But this time I didn't speak. .

I just looked at him. "You... what are you? Who exactly are you, Rishav?"

For a second, something shifted in his expression. Then, almost faintly,

"Rishav..." He repeated under his breath, like testing it. Softer. "That sounds different when you say it. Like it meant something."

My eyes narrowed. And then I rolled my eyes. This man.

───────୨ৎ────────────୨ৎ────────

8:32PM

I was sketching.

Pencil moving, lines forming, the familiar rhythm of creation pulling me into that space where nothing else existed. Designs scattered across the table and sofa, my workspace, chaotic and mine.

I leaned back, studying the last curve I'd etched. Something felt off. A small frown touched my lips.

Then I stretched, the silk of my saree rustling softly around me. "I should change now," I murmured, glancing down at the drape. "I can't sleep in this saree at all."

I walked into the adjoining dressing room, leaving my sketches behind. The soft glow of the lamps followed me.

With practiced ease, I unpinned my pallu. The rich fabric fell away from my shoulder. I loosened the blouse strings, slipped out of it, placed both neatly aside.

The cool air kissed my bare skin.

I turned toward the cupboard, pulled it open, reached inside for my nightshirt, soft, oversized cotton.

My fingers had just closed around the fabric when-

Click.

Darkness.

Complete, suffocating darkness. The air conditioner's hum died. The silence that followed was too loud.

"Seriously?!" I muttered, clutching the shirt to my chest like a shield. I turned blindly, one hand patting the wall for balance.

My bare foot barely took a step when a hand closed around my wrist. Warm. Calloused. Unmistakably Rishav's.

Before I could yelp, he yanked me backward with such force that my shoulder blades collided with his chest. His other arm banded across my waist, pulling me flush against him.

I was half-naked. Pressed into him. His bare arm against my bare skin. My back against his chest. The shirt crumpled between us.

What the fvck!? He's touching my-

"Rishav!? What are you doing?!"

"I know exactly what I'm doing." His lips brushed my ear. "Just stay quiet. Someone's here."

The words didn't register at first. My mind was stuck on the feel of his arm against my waist, his breath near my ear, the heat of him through his shirt.

Then I heard it.

A faint shuffle. Something brushing against furniture in the main room.

Someone else was in our room?

My fingers instinctively gripped his sleeve. My heart slammed against my ribs. I was acutely aware of everything, how little I was wearing, how his arm pressed into my bare waist, how he held me like he was trying to shield me.

"Who is that...?" My voice came out wrong. Trembling.

"I don't know." His gaze was fixed ahead, toward the door of the dressing room. "And that's the problem."

Another sound. Closer. A shadow moved near the main bedroom door, barely visible, but enough. A faint metallic glint caught the edge of darkness.

Metal. Sharp. Not supposed to be there.

My breath got stuck in my throat. My body stiffened. Without realizing, I shifted against him. His hold tightened instantly.

"Don't move," he said under his breath.

The footsteps moved again. Slowly. Searching. A rattling sound made the door shake slightly. I clutched his forearm, my nails digging in, barely aware I was doing it.

Then I felt him move, his free hand gently prying the crumpled shirt from my grip.

"Arms up, sweetheart."

I froze. "What?!"

Is he even in his senses? What the hell is he telling me to do huh!??

"If you don't now," he said, his voice low and urgent against my hair, "when the power comes on, you'll be half-naked in front of me. And more importantly..." His jaw tightened. "In front of that person who just committed a sin stepping into this room."

My words died in my throat. The shuffle of footsteps from the room sent ice down my spine.

I lifted my arms. Slowly. Shakily. In the darkness, I felt him pull the soft cotton over my head, guide my hands through the sleeves, tug the shirt down my body.

It fell past my hips just as his arms wrapped around me again, tighter this time.

And then, after a moment that stretched like a blade-

The power came back on with a flicker of harsh light.

My chest heaved. I was fully dressed now but still pressed flush against him, his body a wall between me and the door. My bare feet on the cold floor. His arm still around my waist.

"How did you know someone was here?" I breathed. I hadn't pulled away yet. Couldn't.

His gaze was steady, scanning the room beyond before settling on me. His eyes flicked down to the floor, then back to my face.

"I saw someone's shadow. When the power went out, I knew it wasn't one of our family members."

My pulse thudded in my ears. He leaned slightly closer, eyes locking with mine.

"So..." His voice was soft. Teasing. But his arm didn't loosen. "Do you want me to hold you longer, sweetheart? Or shall we go find out who almost saw my wife like that?"
_______________________________________________

How was the chapter...?

A clarity about the family tree:

Rajveer Sehgal and Anjali Sehgal are Rishav's parents.

Vinay Sehgal is Rajveer's younger brother, Rishav's chacha.

Nandini is Vinay's wife. Rishav's chachi.

Ishita is Vinay and Nandini's daughter.

Please vote and comment!