46.
I want to kiss you.
"Is he insane?" Aarav muttered, rubbing his forehead in disbelief.
He let out a long sigh. Nothing was going right anymore.
That day he'd seen Shaurya break down in tears—it had shattered him.
But he had still asked Shaurya to leave, because he couldn't bear to see him like that.
And because he had no right to comfort him anymore.
They weren't husbands. They weren't anything now. He had to keep his distance.
But today hurt even more. The way Aarya had treated Shaurya gnawed at him.
His little princess, who had always been so warm and open, had turned cold the moment she faced her own father—the man she had once begged to meet.
And the worst part was the look in Shaurya's eyes.
The way the light in them dimmed when she called him Mr. Shekhawat.
"Maybe this is my fault," Aarav whispered to himself.
"What's your fault?" Yug's voice cut in as he walked into the kitchen. He leaned casually against the counter, sniffing the air. "Damn, Rishi bhai, the biryani smells heavenly."
The family cook, Rishi, gave a polite smile before returning to stirring the kheer.
Yug glanced back at Aarav, frowning. "So? What's wrong? Why are you hiding out here?"
Aarav pressed his lips together, then finally spoke.
"Everything's messed up, Yug. I should've told Aarya clearly.
..that nothing's wrong between us. Shaurya didn't hurt me.
I should have prssed this matter and make her believe it.
She shouldn't think that way. The way she acted just now—it hurt him. I could see it. And it's my fault."
Yug studied him quietly before nodding. "Aarav... she's smart. Smarter than both of us put together. She'll figure it out. Just give her some time."
"What if it doesn't gets better? What if she doesn't accepts him?"
"Well we both know Aarya can't be melted by sweet words. She's your daughter. Stubborn".
"Hey! What do you mean? I'm stubborn?" Aarav raised his eyebrows. Yug shrugged.
"By the way, you said you'd talk with Shaurya," Aarav reminded as they lingered in the kitchen.
Yug smirked. "Well, you're dying to be with me, I see."
"Shut up," Aarav scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Who's even dying for you?"
"Your kiss that day said otherwise." Yug's grin widened.
Aarav shook his head, biting back a smile. "Let's just go," he muttered, tugging Yug's sleeve.
"Fine, fine," Yug sighed dramatically. "Though I was really waiting for Shaurya to cry today. Guess that's scheduled for another day."
Back in the living area, Aarya was perched near Ravi, chattering away happily while Shaurya stood a little apart, watching with a faint smile.
"Uncle, you promised you'd bring Vayu next time," Aarya pouted sweetly.
Shaurya blinked in confusion, his brows furrowing. "How does she know him?"
"They met at the school event," Aarav answered, smiling slightly.
Shaurya turned toward him with soft eyes, but the moment he noticed how close Yug stood beside Aarav, his expression hardened instantly. The warmth drained from his face, replaced by that familiar cold blankness. Yug shifted back uneasily, suddenly aware of the tension.
"They met at the event... her school's event, the one I sponsored" Aarav clarified again, his voice a little softer now.
Shaurya just gave a short nod before turning his gaze back to Aarya, though not without sending Yug one last piercing glance.
"Aarya, can I talk to you for a second?" Aarav cleared his throat.
"Yes, Papa!" Aarya chirped, running to him. Aarav smiled faintly, though a trace of disappointment lingered in his eyes. He gently took her hand and led her aside.
Back in the living room, Eve leaned toward Ravi. "So... as I was asking—"
"Oh? We were talking before?" Ravi asked, genuinely confused.
Eve groaned. "Big man, just give me a break."
Ravi chuckled softly, finally catching on. The two continued their small talk while Yug exaggerated fake gagging sounds in the background. Shaurya, however, sat quietly, his injured leg refusing to support him for long. He masked the strain, unwilling to let Aarya see his limp.
Meanwhile, Aarav brought Aarya into her room and knelt in front of her.
"Aarya, I really didn't like how you spoke to him," Aarav said gently but firmly.
Aarya stayed silent, fiddling with her fingers.
"He's my friend, baby. And I didn't like how you treated my friend," Aarav continued.
Her eyes flicked up to him. "He's... your friend?"
Aarav nodded with a small, reassuring smile.
Aarya's lips pouted, her gaze dropping again. "I'm sorry."
"You know I don't like just sorrys," Aarav said softly, though his tone was firm. "He's older than you. And you don't treat your elders like that." He paused, not wanting to push her into tears, but wanting her to understand.
"No dessert and no cuddles tonight," Aarav added with finality.
Her little shoulders slumped.
"Now go and try to talk to him," Aarav encouraged.
Reluctantly, Aarya nodded, still looking down, and walked back toward the living room with slow steps. Aarav followed close behind.
When they returned, Aarya hesitated before speaking in a small, tentative voice.
"Mr. Shekhawat... do you want to see my rabbit?"
Shaurya's head lifted. He immediately sensed the shift in her tone and knew Aarav must have spoken to her. Slowly, carefully, he pushed himself to his feet despite the limp, determination in his eyes.
"Sure," Shaurya said, his voice soft but eager.
Aarav noticed the flicker of excitement in Shaurya's eyes, though the man himself tried to keep his composure.
Aarya led the way down the hall to her room. Shaurya followed, each step weighed down not just by his limp, but by the nervous flutter in his chest.
The moment he stepped inside, his gaze caught on the walls. Photos. Dozens of them. Aarya as a newborn swaddled in blankets, her tiny fists curled against her face. Aarya taking her first steps, clutching Aarav's hand. Aarya's birthdays, her little milestones—her laughter frozen in frames.
Shaurya's eyes lingered. Aarav was there in every picture, holding her, lifting her, smiling beside her. Yug and Eve appeared in a few as well, part of her little world.
But not him. Not once.
Because he wasn't there. Because he had messed everything up. He fucked up everything.
Shaurya's throat tightened. His chest ached as he stepped closer, his fingers brushing lightly over one of the frames. In the photo, Aarav was smiling, his dimples faintly visible. But Shaurya saw what others might not—those eyes weren't shining. The joy in them seemed weighed down, incomplete.
Guilt stabbed through Shaurya like a blade.
Then his gaze shifted to another frame. Aarav had Aarya perched high on his shoulders, her arms spread wide as though she were flying. Aarya' was showing her tongue, her face glowing with happiness.
For the first time since he entered the room, Shaurya smiled—an achingly soft, bittersweet smile.
"Mr. Shekhawat, meet Tara. She's my rabbit," Aarya announced proudly, pointing at a little cage in the corner.
Shaurya followed her finger and crouched down, his lips parting into a soft smile. "She's cute," he said, glancing at Aarya, his tone gentle.
"Mhmm." Aarya nodded, eyes fixed on her pet.
"Why don't you take her out? Do you give her pets sometimes?" Shaurya asked, curious.
Aarya's lips formed a pout. "Papa said she might bite. I never touched her."
Shaurya chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, she definitely won't. She's small. Just like you."
"I'm not small!" Aarya huffed, folding her arms.
"Okay, okay," "But trust me, she won't bite. Come, let's take her out."
He carefully opened the cage. Aarya's little hand instinctively tugged at his shirt, her nervousness making his chest ache in the sweetest way. His heart felt like it might melt then and there.
With practiced gentleness, Shaurya lifted the rabbit out and cradled her. Tara wriggled once before settling in his arms. Aarya's eyes widened in wonder, her fear already forgotten.
Shaurya moved to the small sofa in the room, settling Tara onto his lap. Aarya scrambled beside him, eager but hesitant.
"See?" Shaurya murmured, stroking the rabbit's ears with slow, careful motions. "If you're very gentle, she won't bite." Tara stayed calm, nose twitching softly.
"I want to touch too!" Aarya declared, her voice bubbling with excitement. She extended one finger and poked Tara's fur cautiously.
"Ohhh, she's soft!" Aarya cooed, her grin spreading ear to ear.
Shaurya reached for her hand and guided it, letting her tiny palm smooth over the rabbit's head properly. Watching her beam with joy, Shaurya's throat tightened. The smile on her face was brighter than anything he had ever seen.
And for the briefest second, he thought he might cry.
Aarav stood at the doorway, his lips curving into a small, fond smile as he watched the two of them together. The sight tugged at something deep in his chest, and for a moment, he didn't want to interrupt. Still, he gave the doorframe a soft knock.
"Dinner's ready!" he called gently.
Shaurya's head lifted at the sound of his voice. He rose carefully from the sofa, placing the rabbit back into its cage with quiet care.
"Remember to wash your hands properly, Aarya," Aarav reminded as his daughter scampered past him, already halfway to the sink.
The room suddenly felt quieter with just the two of them left inside. Shaurya lingered by the cage, his posture both composed and uncertain, as if he wasn't sure whether to stay or step away. Aarav, still at the door, hesitated too.
"Thank you... for coming," Aarav finally said, his tone softer than he intended.
Shaurya's gaze flickered to him, and for the first time that evening, his smile reached his eyes. "Thank you," he replied quietly. "For everything."