23.
PAST~
Aarav was flipping through the files for the upcoming palace event, stretching his arms after sitting too long. He was already mentally planning how to make the venue feel less "military" and more "luxury chaos," when he heard footsteps approaching.
He turned, expecting a staff member or maybe a guard.
Instead, it was Shaurya.
Shaurya.
Aarav's eyes lit up instantly, that tired look in his face replaced with a soft smile. They hadn't seen each other in almost a month. Work had kept them apart—Shaurya with his mafia operations, Aarav with the royal duties. But now... he was here.
Aarav stood up quickly, walking over with a grin.
"What's up with that grumpy face, husband? I missed youuu," he said, pulling Shaurya into a hug.
Shaurya didn't hug him back.
Aarav felt it immediately—the stiffness, the cold wall. He slowly let go and looked up, confused.
"Shaurya?" he said, frowning.
"Stop behaving like a kid, Aarav. It's enough now," Shaurya said flatly.
Aarav blinked. "What are you talking about?"
He tried to reach for Shaurya's hand, locking their fingers. But Shaurya didn't hold on.
"You can't keep running your mouth whenever you feel like it," Shaurya snapped. "I won't allow that anymore."
Aarav went quiet. Shaurya's tone—it wasn't just angry. It was cold. Distant. Familiar, maybe, but not in the way Aarav ever liked.
"Today wasn't just about insulting Vaani," Shaurya continued. "You disrespected me too. She's my friend. You had no right to talk to her like that."
Aarav's brows pulled together, his lips parting slightly. "I was just—"
"I don't care," Shaurya cut in. "I may tolerate this nonsense behind closed doors, but never again in front of the council."
Aarav lowered his eyes, lips pressed tight.
"I already told you to stay away from the meetings," Shaurya said, voice rising just a bit. "But no, you had to be there. Fine. But everything you say, everything you do, reflects on me. You don't understand the consequences."
"I said I was sorry..." Aarav mumbled, but it felt useless.
"And I'm tired of the drama, Aarav," Shaurya added, harsh now. "Tired of the way you act. Petty, emotional, reckless. Start using your damn head."
Aarav felt the sting behind his eyes. His throat tightened. He hated how easily the tears came when it was Shaurya.
He looked down, biting the inside of his cheek to stay still.
"Don't even think of crying," Shaurya said suddenly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Not right now."
Aarav didn't say anything.
He just stood there. Fingers still loosely curled, like they were still waiting to be held.
Aarav's throat burned, but he didn't say a word.
He stood still for a moment, the weight of Shaurya's words settling heavily on his shoulders.
He didn't like the way Shaurya spoke to him — cold, clipped, disappointed.
It wasn't the tone that stung the most, it was the fact that somewhere deep down, he knew Shaurya wasn't wrong.
Still, the way it was said... that wasn't something he could ignore.
Without a word, Aarav turned his back and walked to the table, picking up the files again. His fingers weren't as steady now. He sat down, eyes scanning the page, even though the words blurred. Pretending to be unaffected had always been easier than explaining the storm inside.
Behind him, Shaurya let out a slow, frustrated breath. He hesitated for a second, then took a step forward.
And then another.
He didn't say anything as he reached Aarav, but his hands moved with quiet intention — one arm slid around Aarav's waist from behind, pulling him back against him.
Aarav flinched slightly, but didn't resist.
Shaurya reached forward, gently took the file from Aarav's hands, and tossed it onto the side table. Then he wrapped both arms around Aarav fully, tightening his hold, and leaned in to press his face into the curve of Aarav's neck. His breath was warm. Tense.
"I shouldn't have talked to you like that," he muttered, voice low, husky, guilty. "But I meant what I said."
Aarav stayed quiet for a moment. He could feel Shaurya's heart beating just a little too fast. His eyes softened. When he finally turned around to face him, his hands reached out, fingers brushing lightly against Shaurya's arm.
"I won't repeat that again," Aarav said simply, looking up at him. "I know I crossed a line."
Shaurya looked at him for a long second. Something flickered behind his eyes — something he didn't say.
"I love you," Aarav added. His voice didn't tremble, but it carried weight — like he meant it every time.
Shaurya didn't reply. Not with words.
Instead, he gave a small, unreadable smile. Then raised his hand to Aarav's hair, fingers gently brushing through it as he pulled him into a hug.
Aarav leaned into him without resistance, resting his cheek against Shaurya's chest.
But somewhere deep inside, something shifted.
Because love wasn't always what was spoken. Sometimes it was what went unsaid — and stayed unsaid for far too long.
------------------------------------------
It's honestly been so hectic lately that I sometimes forget I'm married.
I've been staying at the palace for almost two months now — all thanks to Aarohi's wedding prep, which, of course, had to be held in full royal drama at the palace itself.
Meanwhile, I haven't been back to the Shekhawat mansion in weeks.
Shaurya? I don't even know what he's busy with.
Work, meetings, murdering someone — who knows?
He does show up every now and then, but all we manage to do is crash in bed.
And by morning, he's gone. No note. No goodbye. No forehead kiss. Rude.
But the weirdest part? Lately, Shaurya's been... off. Distant. Quiet. He won't talk things out no matter how much I try. And I try. God, I try. It's like talking to a wall — a very hot, emotionally unavailable wall.
And speaking of things getting weirder — Vaani.
That walking fashion disaster has suddenly decided that I'm her new best friend or something.
She keeps trying to get close to me, starts conversations I never asked for, laughs at jokes I didn't make.
Worst part? That shrill voice of hers. And the constant leaning over in low-cut blouses when Shaurya's around.
Ma'am, please. This is not Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and you're not the lead vamp.
Look — I'll admit I may have "accidentally" roasted her once in front of everyone.
I simply stated a few facts. But of course, Shaurya gave me that disappointed glare like I'd just bullied a toddler.
Fair enough, I went a little overboard. But someone has to remind that lizard where the lines are drawn.
I still remember the look on her face the day she walked into the Shekhawat mansion and found out I was the husband.
Priceless. That fake smile dropped so fast, I thought her Botox would fall apart.
If she was aiming for a ring from Shaurya, tough luck.
I beat her to it. Legally, emotionally, spiritually — in every way possible. Score one for me.
But she still hangs around. Clings to Shaurya like she's auditioning for the role of 'desperate background extra'.
I try not to let it bother me — I should be mature about it, right?
Shaurya's allowed to have friends. I know that.
I don't doubt him, not even a bit. He loves me.
He's loyal. He's also terrible at texting back but we don't talk about that.
Still... I'm human. I get jealous. It happens. Especially when we haven't even gone on a proper honeymoon yet — but somehow, he managed to take that same lizard with him to London for a business meeting. Yeah, no, totally fine. I only cried twice.
Okay, okay, to be fair, he did ask me to go too — before you all start doubting him. He's not a villain. He's my little emotionally constipated mafia baby.
But that doesn't mean I didn't pout about it for a week straight.
"Hey Aarav!"
Speaking of the devil. There came Vaani, strutting toward me like she just caught me watching her favorite drama episode without her. I gave her a small, polite smile — the kind you give a stranger who's about to sell you insurance.
She plopped down beside me on the couch — way too close for comfort. Personal space, lady. Ever heard of it? Also, your perfume smells like expired fruit. Please.
"Why are you sitting here all alone? Missing your husband?" she asked, tilting her head with fake sympathy.
I sighed, looking down at my phone. "Well, yeah... a little. He's not picking up my calls."
"Aww," she said, patting my back like I was a five-year-old who lost his toy. "Don't worry, he'll come back to you soon."
I didn't reply. Just stayed quiet. Silence is underrated sometimes.
"What's on your mind, honey?" she added with a frown, one of those expressions that tries too hard. Perfect. Oscar-worthy. Give her an award already.
I shook my head, hoping she'd get the hint.
But nope. She leaned in even more. "Well, I know what it is," she said, eyes twinkling like she was solving world hunger. "Shaurya isn't giving you enough time, and you're sad, right? I knew it!" Her grin grew wider — like she'd just won the jackpot on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
She turned me to face her and leaned forward. "I have an idea."
God, save me. I rolled my eyes discreetly but still nodded. Just for the drama.
"Why don't you guys plan a baby?" she said, casually. Like she was asking me to order dessert.
"A BABY?!" I practically choked.
"Yes! Think about it," she said excitedly. "Once you two have a child, Shaurya will definitely spend more time at home. He loves kids!"
To be honest, she wasn't entirely wrong. Last time we visited my cousin, Shaurya was all heart-eyes and silly voices with her twins. He didn't leave their side the entire day.
"And Shaurya's definitely old enough to have a kid now," she continued, eyes gleaming like she was pitching a business deal. "Plus, once the baby's here, you can slowly convince him to take a step back from the mafia. I mean, for the baby's safety and all. He'd listen to you."
I blinked.
Okay, now she was straying into dangerous territory. Yes, I want Shaurya to rest, to breathe, to stop carrying the entire underworld on his shoulders — but leave the mafia? That's who he is. It's what he built. I can't just ask him to walk away from that.
Still... the man's stressed all the time. He's barely sleeping. He's overworked, anxious. Part of me wants to pull him out of all of it — at least for a while.
"I'll think about it," I said flatly, not committing to anything.
She beamed like she just solved my life. "Great! Now come on. Aarohi was looking for you."
Before I could react, she laced her fingers with mine and pulled me up.
Seriously, woman. I need to sage myself after this.