45.
"Shaurya, can you please stop smiling like that? You're creeping me out," Ravi groaned, watching Shaurya standing in front of the mirror for what felt like hours. Shaurya had been practicing his smile over and over again.
They had been invited to Aarav's place, and tonight Shaurya would meet Aarya for the first time. The thought alone had made him throw up twice—equal parts excitement and nerves.
"We really should leave now," Ravi muttered. "Or Aarav's going to kick your ass for being late."
Shaurya adjusted his collar, murmuring, "I've never felt this nervous before..."
Soon, the two left for Aarav's home.
—
Inside, Aarav sat on the couch, staring into space. His leg bounced restlessly, though his face remained unreadable.
"Don't worry so much," Yug drawled from the other end of the sofa. "God, I know you're going to ugly-cry when the father-daughter moment happens."
Aarav shot him a glare and smacked his arm.
"Where's Aarya?" he asked.
"In her room," Yug replied with a shrug. "She was making something, but she's being secretive about it."
Aarav just nodded, lips pressing into a thin line.
After a beat, Yug exhaled heavily, leaning back.
"You know... I feel kinda jealous today.
Just the thought that Aarya might like Shaurya more than me.
And one day... I won't be able to keep her all to myself anymore.
Because then she'll have a father too." He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "I don't want to share her, Aarav."
Aarav's expression softened. He stood, walked over, and pulled Yug into a hug. His hand gently brushed through Yug's hair.
"You'll always be one of us," Aarav said quietly.
"No matter what happens. Honestly, I'm scared too—about the future, about how this might change everything.
But that's life, isn't it? Unpredictable.
One thing I know for sure, though... Aarya will love you forever.
And you're the only person I'll ever trust her with. "
Yug sighed against his shoulder, his arms tightening around Aarav in return. For a moment, it was just the two of them, holding onto that fragile certainty.
Then—the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Aarav said, pulling back. Yug nodded and smiled softly.
He walked toward the door, heart hammering harder with each step. He paused, took a long breath, exhaled slowly... then finally opened it.
There he was—Shaurya Shekhawat. For once, not in his usual black-on-black outfits. Instead, he wore a simple grey t-shirt and black jeans. Aarav's eyes lingered on him, and Shaurya, in return, just stared back. Neither spoke a word.
It was Ravi who finally cleared his throat. "It's... hot outside, you know."
Shaurya blinked, as if snapping out of a trance, and held out a small bouquet toward Aarav. It wasn't elaborate, just simple and beautiful. Aarav noticed immediately—no roses. Shaurya still remembered. Aarav's chest tightened, but he didn't let it show.
"This is... very cringe, you know," Aarav muttered.
Shaurya said nothing. The tension from that day in the office still hung between them, heavy and sharp.
"Come inside," Aarav finally said.
As Shaurya stepped in, his gaze swept over every corner of the house, as though hoping to catch a glimpse of Aarya.
"I'll call her," Aarav said quickly.
Before he could leave, Shaurya and Ravi noticed Yug entering the living room. Yug gave a small smile. "Hey. How are you?"
"All good," Shaurya replied with a short nod.
"He puked twice on the way here," Ravi announced flatly.
Shaurya shot him a glare.
"Oh... I see." Yug awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, why don't you guys sit down then?"
Both Shaurya and Ravi sat. Shaurya pressed a hand against his mouth. Ravi raised a brow.
"You gonna puke again?"
"No," Shaurya muttered under his breath.
A moment later, Aarav returned—this time holding the tiny hand of a five-year-old girl. Aarya.
Shaurya shot to his feet instantly. He froze where he stood, eyes locked on the little girl in front of him. His heart lurched. She had his mother's eyes—the same soft depth, the same quiet stream of light. The mother he had lost too soon. His throat tightened.
Aarav swallowed hard, watching him.
"Why aren't you smiling?" Aarya finally asked, her little head tilted. "Do you not like seeing me?"
Shaurya's breath hitched at the sound of her voice. His daughter's voice.
"Don't tell me Shaurya's about to cry," Yug muttered under his breath. "I'm not ready for this."
"I'm recording anyway," Ravi whispered, already pulling out his phone.
"I—I'm sorry," Shaurya stuttered, his voice trembling. "You're... beautiful. You look just like my mom."
Aarav blinked in shock. He hadn't expected Shaurya to speak so openly, so vulnerably.
"Thank you," Aarya said politely. Then she tilted her head again. "You're Mr. Shekhawat, right?"
The room went still.
"Aarya!" Aarav's frown deepened. "Why are you calling him that? He's your dad."
"Not yet," Aarya said simply. "Not until he proves he didn't hurt you."
The words sliced through the room. Aarav's face paled. "Aarya—!" he panicked.
But Shaurya raised a hand gently, his eyes soft but shadowed. "It's alright," he murmured. He looked at Aarav once, then crouched down again, facing his daughter. "Well... then I guess we have a deal."
Aarya straightened, almost solemnly, and nodded as though sealing a contract. Shaurya gave a quiet chuckle, though Aarav could see the flicker of pain hidden behind it.
"Can I hold you, though?" Shaurya asked softly.
Aarya hesitated, then nodded. Shaurya carefully took her little hands into his, his own trembling as he smiled.
"I've been waiting to meet you," he whispered. "And it was worth the wait."
He leaned forward and pressed a hesitant kiss to her forehead. His hands hovered uncertainly, brushing her cheeks, tracing the tiny lines of her face. Aarya stared back at him, something unspoken flickering in her eyes. A quiet attachment. A bond neither could name yet, but both felt.
When she didn't say anything, Shaurya finally pulled back with a shaky sigh, masking it with a gentle smile. He rose to his feet, meeting Aarav's gaze. Aarav looked away, guilt pressing down on him.
Just then, Aarya's eyes caught sight of Ravi.
"Ravi Uncle!" she squealed, and darted straight into his arms.
Shaurya's head whipped around, his heart dropping as he watched Ravi scoop her up effortlessly. His jaw clenched, eyes burning. Ravi fought to smother a laugh.
"I'm so sorry," Aarav blurted, nearly panicking. "I don't know why she's acting like this. She's never usually— I—"
"It's alright," Shaurya cut in quietly, his eyes never leaving his daughter.
Shaurya's gaze shifted back to Aarav. "I'm glad you raised her," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "She's fierce, no doubt about it... but that's you. And I love that."
"I'm sorry," Aarav muttered again, guilt thick in his voice. "I—"
"Aarav," Shaurya interrupted, locking eyes with him.
"Yeah?" Aarav's voice was hesitant.
For a moment, Shaurya just stared at him, admiration clear in his expression. Then he gave a slight shake of his head.
"I want to kiss you."
Aarav blinked. "Excuse me—?" He wasn't sure he'd heard right.
Shaurya simply nodded, his eyes unwavering.
"You're such a creep," Aarav hissed, face flushing as he stumbled back. "I'm— I'll come back—" He practically ran to the kitchen.
Inside, Eve was busy instructing the chef, tasting sauces and fussing over the plating. She raised a brow when Aarav entered looking completely rattled.
"So? What happened?" she asked, hands on her hips.
"He's here," Aarav muttered, dragging a hand down his face.
"What the—" Eve didn't even let him finish. She grabbed a ladle like a weapon and stormed out toward the living room.
She made a beeline for Shaurya, aiming to swing the ladle at his back. But as the man turned around, Eve froze.
"Holy mother of—" she muttered, mid-swing. It wasn't Shaurya at all. It was Ravi, with Aarya still in his arms, looking utterly bewildered.
"...Do you want something?" Ravi asked cautiously.
Yug, who had been watching from behind, let out a long sigh.
Yes. You. Eve thought, her eyes lingering on him shamelessly.
"Uh—no. I just came to call Yug," she said quickly, flashing an awkward grin. "Nice to meet you."
Ravi gave a polite bow. Eve stood there stiffly, then grabbed Yug by the arm and yanked him to the side.
"Who is that daddy?" she whispered in a hushed, almost reverent tone.
Yug grimaced. "That's Ravi."
"Oh my god, that's him?" Eve's eyes widened, practically sparkling. "He's so—so—"
"Weird," Yug cut in flatly.
"No. Sexy," Eve breathed out, nearly moaning.
Yug recoiled like she'd slapped him. "Ew. He's too old for you."
"Older, the better," Eve grinned wickedly. "I already feel pregnant."
Yug gagged. "Ugh, stop! Just stop. Where's Aarav?"
"In the kitchen," Eve said, shooing him away. Then, as Yug left, she leaned against the wall with a dreamy sigh. "Let me just enjoy the view..."