41.
I glanced toward the kitchen. Yug and Aarya were busy there, Aarya perched on the counter swinging her legs as they stirred something in a bowl. I didn't even want to guess what they were attempting. The last time those two had taken over the kitchen, they somehow managed to turn mud into "food."
My attention shifted back to Eve, who was sprawled beside me, unapologetically demolishing a samosa.
She'd just returned from her trip and, judging by the mountain of bizarre items spilling out of her oversized suitcase in the living room, she'd practically looted Italy.
To top it off, she'd dyed her hair a peculiar green shade that, to my eyes, looked disturbingly close to diarrhea.
"So," Eve said, licking chutney from her fingers, "how does it feel?"
I frowned. "How does what feel?"
"That Shaurya's back in your life," she said, raising her brows in mock innocence.
"Excuse me?" I scoffed. "He's not back in my life. And I don't intend to let him be. Woh sirf Aarya tak hi rehne dete hai." I bit into my samosa, pretending to be unbothered.
"Ohhh." Eve nodded slowly, far too amused. "So you don't have feelings for him anymore?"
I sighed. "I... I don't know, Eve. But I do know I don't feel the same as before.
Honestly, I don't want things to get complicated.
He already has too much on his plate—he needs to heal.
His health is terrible, and... he's not himself anymore.
It hurts to see him like that." My voice dropped.
"And then there's Aarya. He needs to meet her.
I don't know how that's going to go. What if she doesn't like him?
What if he doesn't like her, or—worse—judges the way I've raised her? I can't stop thinking about it. Ugh."
"Gosh, Aarav, calm down." Eve smacked me lightly on the head. "You're spiraling again. Your feelings matter first, got it? And as for Aarya—she's going to love him. And he'll love her too. Don't torture yourself."
I stayed quiet, chewing on the unease building in my chest. What if Aarya didn't accept him? I needed to talk to her, prepare her somehow. I couldn't risk tension between them.
"Honestly," Eve said suddenly, wiping her fingers, "if I ever see that man, I swear I'll kick his ass." She meant Shaurya. Then she narrowed her eyes at me. "And what's going on with you and Yug, huh? He was practically glued to your side when I walked in."
I froze. "...He kissed me."
Eve choked on her samosa. "He—WHAT?!"
"Keep your voice down, woman!" I hissed, glancing toward the kitchen.
Her eyes went wide. "Wait. Are you saying he actually kissed you?"
I nodded.
"And you—" Eve's voice cracked. "Don't tell me you—"
"I kissed him back," I admitted flatly.
She gaped at me, half-choking, half-screeching. "Alright, what the actual hell, Aarav? You what—why??"
"I just don't know," I muttered. "I think... it's better this way. To move on."
"So you're using Yug to move on?" Eve's tone suddenly turned sharp.
Before I could answer, a voice came from behind. "I hear you guys talking about me."
I almost jumped. Yug casually walked over and dropped down beside me as if he'd been waiting for his cue. "Eve, let's be positive, okay? He's not using me. I've been chasing him for years."
"I feel stupid, you know," I said softly, turning my eyes to him. My defenses faltered. "Yug, if this is just pity, then you should step back. Because the truth is... we don't know where this will go. I don't want to hurt you."
His hand slid into mine, warm and steady.
"Who's talking about the future? I believe in the present.
And now that you're finally letting me in—even a little—I'm not going to waste my chance.
" His smile was light, but his voice was firm.
"And please, stop thinking about Ravi's words.
People judge when they're miserable with their own love life. "
"Who?" Eve cut in, curious.
"Ravi. Shaurya's bodyguard." Yug rolled his eyes.
"That guy has some kind of personal grudge against me.
But anyway—" His gaze snapped back to me, and for a second, the room blurred around his black, hypnotizing eyes.
"If you choose Shaurya, then fine. I'll take my loss.
It'll mean he loved you better than I could.
And hey, I'm still young—I'll find someone else eventually. "
"You're just a year younger than me," I said dryly.
"Exactly. Younger and hotter." He smirked. "Better odds of finding love with my top-tier flirting skills—unless, of course, you keep me."
"We're not in a relationship yet," I shot back, elbowing him. "And FYI, your terrible flirting is the reason you're still single."
"Yet it somehow melted your heart," he teased, winking.
I looked at him then, really looked. There was no trace of hesitation in his smile, no shadow of regret. But I knew better. Deep down, he understood the risks. And still, he stayed. My chest tightened. Maybe I didn't deserve this, but I couldn't push him away either.
This time I reached for his hand. Not as firm, not as confident as him—but I held it anyway.
"You're insane," I whispered, pulling him into a hug. He exhaled against me, and I could feel his smile pressing into my shoulder.
"Ahem..." Eve's voice cut through the moment. She was holding up her phone. "I should totally record this. Imagine Shaurya's face when he sees it."
We broke apart immediately. "Eve!" I groaned. "Put that thing down!"
Eve snickered.
"Why are you hugging without me?"
Both mine and Yug's heads snapped toward the voice. Aarya stood there in the doorway, arms folded across her tiny chest, lips pushed out in a dramatic pout.
"Damn, we literally forgot you," Yug said with a grin.
"I hate you!" Aarya stomped her foot, her little voice wobbling with fake fury.
"No you don't, princess," Yug chuckled, rising from the sofa to scoop her up. He plopped back down with her perched on his lap as if she belonged there.
"I demand a group hug!" she declared, still pouting but with her eyes sparkling mischief. She'd been rolling her eyes a lot lately—clearly something she picked up from me.
"I demand a group tickle," I countered, flashing my teeth before my fingers found her sides.
Her squeals and giggles filled the room as she tried wriggling away, but I stole her from Yug's lap and held her tight against me. Eve slid closer, looping her arms around my back, her head dropping onto my shoulder.
I leaned my head against Yug's shoulder, our little circle closing in. Yug kept one arm wrapped firmly around Aarya, his other drawing both me and Eve closer into the embrace.
We sat there tangled together—messy, mismatched, but whole.
This was how life had been for six years. With Yug's unwavering presence, with Eve's reckless loyalty, and with my beautiful angel in my arms.
And not once—not for a single heartbeat—did I regret it.
--------------------------------------------------
Shaurya glanced at Ravi, who was carefully spooning porridge into a bowl.
"Ravi, I think you should take a break. Go back to your hometown for a while," Shaurya said, shifting uncomfortably as he tried to sit up.
Ravi was at his side in an instant, slipping a hand behind his back to steady him.
"You're barely able to breathe here, and you think I'm going to leave now?" Ravi shook his head, firm but calm.
Shaurya smirked faintly. "I'm really impressed by your patience, though."
"It's nothing compared to what you did for me," Ravi replied, his gaze lingering on Shaurya for a moment.
Shaurya sighed, closing his eyes. "When are you going to stop bringing up that day?"
"Until my last breath," Ravi said matter-of-factly, before sliding the bowl toward him.
Shaurya frowned at it, then pushed it aside. "Not in the mood."
"You can be really annoying sometimes," Ravi muttered, pulling a chair closer and sitting down.
"Aarya's waiting for you. Get well soon," he added simply, pulling out his phone.
Shaurya leaned his head back against the pillows, watching him. "I'm bored here, man. Talk to me." He gave Ravi's head a light smack.
Ravi arched a brow. "You want to talk? I thought you'd forgotten how." Still, he pocketed his phone. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
"Anything. What's going on in your life?" Shaurya asked.
For a second Ravi just looked at him, then shook his head. "I can't believe we're having this conversation."
Shaurya chuckled. "Well, I guess we are."
"Nothing much. My sister's nikkah is next month," Ravi said.
"Damn," Shaurya said, sounding genuinely surprised. "She grew up too fast."
"Yeah, well—you're almost forty now," Ravi teased with a shrug.
Shaurya made a face of pure disgust. "Watch your mouth."
Then his expression softened. "I'll come to your hometown for her nikkah. Been too long since I had your mom's cooking." He glanced at the bowl of porridge with open disdain.
"I didn't invite you".
"It's my sister's wedding; I don't need an invitation. When are you going to get married though?"
Ravi remained silent. Shaurya exhaled.
"We surely shouldn't talk about this I guess", Shaurya said looking at the ceiling.
"I agree".