36.
Shaurya's eyes locked on mine—steady, unreadable. Without a word, he reached for the chain around his neck. A single ring dangled from it. My breath stilled.
It was my ring. The one I had given him.
He stepped closer and looped the chain around my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin, making me stiffen. I held my breath as his touch lingered longer than it should.
"Give it back to me," he murmured, his voice low, "when you think I'm capable of being Aarya's father... and your love."
I said nothing.
Being my love? That right had died years ago.
"I'm sorry I couldn't find the golden ribbon," he went on, almost timidly. "I swear I searched for days, but it just... vanished. I'll get you a new one."
"The new one won't be the same," I replied flatly.
I had the ribbon. I had kept it close all these years—not for the man standing in front of me, but for the Shaurya I once knew.
The night he asked me to leave, I had thrown it in his face.
When I returned later for my things, it was still there on the floor.
He hadn't cared enough to pick it up. So I took it.
Because it was mine now. Because it was precious.
Shaurya's next words cut through my thoughts. "Do you have any bullets left in your gun?"
I blinked. "No... Why?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he stepped in again, one hand cupping my jaw, the other gripping my waist with a strength that made my pulse spike. I tried to push him away, but his hold only tightened. He then sniffed my neck, inhaling my scent with his eyes closed.
Then his lips were on mine. It tasted like alcohol.
My breath caught. My throat went tight. I kept pushing, but he deepened the kiss—and that's when I felt it. Something small and metallic pressed past my lips.
A bullet.
He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, his breath warm against my skin, his hands still anchoring me in place.
Before I could react, he yanked me toward him and shifted, his broad frame suddenly blocking my view.
And then—
A gunshot split the air. Blood ran down Shaurya's arm. My eyes followed the trail upward—and froze.
Ozge.
My chest tightened. Shit.
In that instant, I understood why Shaurya had slipped that bullet into my mouth. His gun lay on the ground, mine still clenched in my hand. I didn't waste a second, loading the bullet with shaking fingers.
Ravi's shots cracked in the background, keeping Ozge's men at bay. Before I could aim, Shaurya wrenched the gun from me.
"Shaurya, wai—"
The report was deafening. The bullet tore through Ozge's skull.
Silence fell. Ozge's men stared at the lifeless body of their boss—dead before they'd even had a proper chance to fight.
Shaurya smirked.
"Shaurya—"
"Shhh. It's over now," he murmured, still smiling at me.
"What the hell did you do?" My voice cracked into a scream. "Why the fuck did you do that?!"
This couldn't be happening.
Vaani's words pounded in my skull: If Ozge dies, so does Shaurya.
Tears blurred my vision. I gripped his shoulders, shaking him. "Why?" I choked out. "Why would you—?"
"Aarav—"
"I hate you," I spat. "I hate you so much. Do you hear me?"
His eyes darkened. "It had to be done, sooner or later."
"Just shut up! Shut up! Go away from me. Me and Aarya are fine without you. I don't deserve you, Shaurya."
"Aarav, why are you—"
"You think you're proving yourself superior. Like you always do. What have I ever been to you, Shaurya? Have you ever seen me? Have you ever cared what your life means to me? I hate this Shaurya" My voice broke on the last word.
"You don't want me at peace. You don't want me happy. And you know what? Aarya was right. You hurt me. You've always hurt me. She doesn't even want to see your face—and I'm proud of her for that. She's never met you, but she doesn't like you. And you deserve it."
I turned, my voice trembling into something sharper. "Don't show me your face. Do whatever you want—just stay the hell out of my life. You can just fucking rot in that hell. I won't give a shit."
I stormed off, leaving Shaurya standing there.
I didn't walk—I ran. I just needed to reach home, to shut the door on him, on all of it.
The sight of my house came into view, and I quickened my pace—only to collide with someone.
Yug.
His hands caught me, steadying me, brows knitted in concern. I stepped back from his touch and hurried inside without a word. Straight to the bathroom.
I scrubbed my lips, washed my mouth, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I've been fine without him for six years. I'll be fine again.
Then arms wrapped around me from behind. Yug. It had always been Yug—holding me together for six long years.
"You always cry when you see him," he murmured, fingers combing through my hair.
I don't know why, but I turned and hugged him—tight. He tensed at first, then melted into it, holding me just as tightly.
"Ozge's dead," I whispered.
"And you're scared something will happen to him, aren't you?" Yug's voice was low, steady.
I didn't answer.
"You love him," he said quietly, pulling back to look at me.
"He kissed me today."
Something shifted in his expression, a shadow passing over his eyes.
"But I didn't like it," I continued. "I hated it."
He searched my face. "Are you sure?"
I nodded. "I think... it's really over now."
Yug's hands slid to my neck, fingertips drawing lazy circles against my skin. His voice dropped.
"Then I think I'm ready to burn for you."
And before I could react, his lips were on mine.
It was slow. Steady. Nothing like Shaurya's—no urgency, no desperation. Just warmth. I didn't pull away. I deepened it. For the first time in years, it felt right.
He smiled against my lips, surprised, before kissing me back. We pulled away at last, breathless.
"Damn, Aarav," he said, grinning. "You're a fucking good kisser."
I shrugged, smiling faintly.
He ran a hand through his hair, the other brushing his mouth. "God, what have I gotten myself into?" He chuckled.
"Well," I said, "now you'll just have to deal with it."
Maybe it was time to let go of the past. With Yug, everything was simpler. He didn't hide what he felt. He didn't twist people into knots. And for six years, life had been healthy, peaceful—because of him.
"I might go crazy now," Yug said, still grinning. "We should celebrate."
"You're exaggerating." I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe. So—are we going out, or are you planning to sleep here tonight?" he asked, holding out his hand.
I took it without hesitation.
This... this felt right.