52.
It was just Yug, Aarav, and Ravi in the living room now. The TV flickered with a WWF match Ravi had thrown on, his eyes glued to it while Yug practically melted against Aarav's side. Yug had rushed over the moment Aarav called, and now he seemed determined not to let go.
Shaurya and Aarya were off somewhere, doing God knows what, and Eve was pacing the hallway, whispering into her phone.
"No, I told you," Aarav said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "residents like a calm environment. We're not putting a bar anywhere near the hotel."
"This is no fun, Aarav. The international guests would love some booze," Yug groaned dramatically.
"And I'd love to kick your ass," Aarav muttered back.
Yug sat up straighter, mock-offended. "When did you become so boring?"
Aarav ignored him, eyes on the ceiling.
"By the way," Yug leaned in and muttered, not very quietly, "why is this asshole staying here?"
Ravi clicked the TV remote and finally turned his head, expression flat. Yug quickly looked away, but Aarav just sighed.
"Ahem," Aarav cleared his throat loudly. "Since you look bored out of your mind, Ravi, maybe you can help with something."
"I am bored out of my mind, thank you for noticing," Ravi deadpanned.
"People your age shouldn't have that much fun anyway," Yug chimed in with a smirk.
Aarav shot him a look, but then nodded as if agreeing. "He's not wrong."
"Wow, thanks," Ravi said dryly, finally shifting to face them.
"So... uh," Aarav leaned forward, suddenly serious. "I heard you like one of Shaurya's brothers."
Ravi raised an eyebrow. "Damn. Tota paal rakha hai. Your birdie is fast."
"Tota kisko bola?" Yug snapped immediately.
Ravi lifted a lazy finger and pointed straight at him.
"Ugh, just cut to the point," Aarav said, rubbing his forehead. "Who was it? Abhi?"
Ravi choked, actually choking on his own spit. "I might look psycho, but Abhi? Seriously?"
"Then it's Veer, isn't it? Or some mystery brother I don't know about..." Aarav pressed, curiosity glinting in his eyes. Yug leaned in too, pretending he wasn't invested, but his glare stayed fixed on Ravi.
"Well..." Ravi shrugged. "Yeah. It was Veer."
Both Aarav and Yug exchanged a quick look.
"Since when? Does Veer know? Does Shaurya know?" Aarav asked quickly.
"It was ages ago. I don't even remember properly," Ravi said, waving it off. "I just remember you had this... weird hairstyle back then."
Yug snorted. Aarav narrowed his eyes.
"And for the record," Ravi added, holding up his hand, "I used to like him. Past tense. Don't give me that suspicious face."
Aarav squinted harder, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Don't look at me like that," Ravi groaned. "I'm not a creep. How could I still like someone who's married with a kid? It's gross." He made a face, then leaned back, arms folded.
"I still don't believe you. Why didn't you marry then?" Aarav pressed, stabbing a piece of apple with his fork.
"Why do you people ask so many questions? Is this some talk show?" Ravi groaned.
"Well, it's quite unusual that you're actually talking to me," Aarav smirked. "But since you opened your mouth, better spill all the tea. Because honestly? I believe you have mood swings." He raised the fork threateningly. "Now answer me or I'll bite you."
Ravi massaged his temples. "God, you're impossible. Fine. I didn't marry because I never really had the time."
"Just admit no one wanted to marry you," Yug muttered, biting into his apple.
Ravi turned his head slowly, deadpan. "Big mouth you have. You couldn't even date Aarav in the last six years."
Aarav coughed, choking slightly, while Yug rolled his eyes but tightened his arm around Aarav's shoulder.
"That's an excuse," Aarav cut back quickly, trying to ignore the heat in his ears. "You never stopped liking Veer, right?"
Ravi exhaled sharply. "I'm not Shaurya, Aarav. Maybe I liked Veer once, sure. But I moved on. Had girlfriends, too, you know."
Both Aarav and Yug choked in unison.
"Who the hell would date you?" Aarav demanded.
"Me!" a cheerful voice interrupted.
All three turned. Eve had walked back in, phone in hand, plopping herself right next to Ravi. She beamed. Ravi just smirked, leaning back like he'd won the lottery.
"Hello again," Eve said, her tone almost dreamy.
Yug made a face like he'd swallowed something sour. Aarav just dropped his fork into the fruit bowl, muttering, "Unbelievable."
"And it's not like the range only limits to Shaurya's brothers," Ravi smirked, leaning back. "It could be Shaurya himself."
Eve blinked between them, clearly lost.
"He's just trying to get on your nerves," Yug muttered to Aarav, glaring at Ravi.
The room fell into a brief silence until Eve, desperate to break it, piped up, "By the way, Ravi—I heard it's your sister's wedding. When are you leaving?"
"Probably tomorrow," Ravi replied smoothly. "Shaurya's leaving with me too, I guess."
"I see. Give my wishes to your sister," Eve smiled. Ravi returned the smile with a nod.
"Hey," Shaurya's voice cut through the room as he entered. Ravi immediately straightened like it was muscle memory, while Eve quickly stood and shuffled to sit between Yug and Aarav—as if seeking neutral ground.
"What are you guys talking about?" Shaurya asked, leaning casually against the sofa.
"You're leaving tomorrow?" Aarav asked, meeting his eyes.
Shaurya nodded. "Yeah. I'll be back after a week. I promised Aarya we'd adopt a cat."
Aarav blinked. "Oh. A cat?"
"Yup," Shaurya said with a faint smile. "She says her rabbit is too boring. Too quiet. She's lonely without something more... lively."
Aarav's brows arched. "Is it Aarya, or you exactly? Last I remember—you're the one who loves cats. And, let's not forget, you basically cried when you saw one."
Yug burst into laughter. "Seriously?"
"Never cried," Shaurya replied calmly.
"Oh, you did," Aarav shot back with a smirk. "But only until I kicked your ass and threatened you not to cry again."
Shaurya let out a long sigh, choosing not to rise to the bait. "Let's keep this about Aarya, shall we? She wants a cat. And don't worry—cats don't bite unless you're rude to them. Unless, of course, you try giving them your attitude."
Aarav shook his head, exasperated.
"So?" Shaurya pressed lightly.
"Fine," Aarav muttered at last. "But if that cat bites Aarya—or even gives her a single scratch—I'll make sure it bites your ass twice as hard."
"As you wish," Shaurya said with a shrug, though the ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. Shaurya's gaze shifted to Eve, who had been laughing along with the others. The moment she felt his eyes on her, her laughter died abruptly, and she straightened like a caught schoolgirl.
"Ahem," Aarav cleared his throat, redirecting. "Where's Aarya, though?"
"I checked on her," Eve replied quickly, motioning toward Shaurya with a pointed look. "Because I don't exactly trust this guy. She was busy looking at cat clothes."
Shaurya stayed silent, his expression unreadable.
Aarav gives Eve a look, but Eve rolls her eyes.
"Don't forget to take your medicines with you. I can't keep an eye on you forever, you know," Ravi said firmly.
Shaurya only gave a small nod in response.
Then, almost naturally, the two of them slipped into low murmurs—talking in hushed tones only they could understand—leaving the other three in the room exchanging puzzled looks.
Aarav's gaze lingered. Shaurya was actually smiling at something Ravi had said—quiet, genuine.
It was such a rare sight that Aarav couldn't decide if it warmed his chest or twisted it.
"Uhh, Shaurya, can I talk to you for a second?" Aarav asked as he stood up.
Shaurya simply nodded and followed him.
They stopped outside Aarya's room, the faint hum of her voice drifting through the door.
"Shaurya, you know why I don't want Aarya to have pets, right?" Aarav began quietly.
Shaurya only watched him, waiting.
"I don't want her to get too attached. Their lives... they're shorter than ours. When she loses one, it'll break her. And I don't want her to feel that pain so early." Aarav's lips pressed into a sad line as his gaze dropped.
Shaurya's chest tightened. He leaned forward, eyes soft.
"You're too cute when you worry like that," he muttered.
Aarav blinked, caught off guard. "Shau—"
"Sorry," Shaurya interrupted quickly, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Silence stretched before Shaurya's eyes flicked to the door.
"I'm going to miss her," he admitted. His voice was low, rough. "I'm afraid she'll forget me in a week."
"She won't," Aarav said softly. "Not unless you keep her waiting. Don't make her wait, Shaurya."
Shaurya nodded, swallowing hard. Then he hesitated.
"There's something else... I need your permission."
Aarav frowned. "What is it?"
"I want to take Aarya on a trip. During her holidays," Shaurya said carefully. "I know it's asking a lot. But I'll keep her safe. My guards will be there, Ravi too. We can even take Eve if that makes you more comfortable—just so no one suspects."
Aarav's heart sank, his arms folding defensively.
"I'll think about it," he muttered. He trusted Shaurya to protect her—he knew he would. But still, fear gnawed at him. Fear of the world, of whispers, of old wounds resurfacing.
"Shaurya... I've been protecting her all these years. Honestly, I'm terrified. If anything happens to her—"
Shaurya cut in gently. "You don't have to carry that weight alone. And it's not protection, Aarav—it's hiding. You're doing to her what I did to you back then: keeping the one you love locked away. But she deserves the world, Aarav. She needs to see it. Still... she's yours. The choice is yours."
Aarav went silent, guilt creeping into his expression.
He finally muttered, "I'm sorry. Maybe I failed as a parent.
But don't think, even for a second, that I'm ashamed of her—or of us, of whatever we had in the past. I don't care about careers or reputations.
I just... I just want her to live like a normal kid. "
Shaurya reached forward and cupped Aarav's face.
Aarav stiffened. "Don't—"
"I don't care what you think you failed at," Shaurya murmured. "Aarav, you're perfect for her. You raised her for six years, alone. And she's the most beautiful soul I've ever met. You didn't make a single mistake. Okay?"
Aarav's throat worked as he nodded slightly, his lips pressed together, almost pouting in the way Shaurya was holding him.
Shaurya looked at Aarav's beautiful eyes. How beautifully brown they are. But still the spark was missing. It was gone.
"Umm... let go now," Aarav muttered, breaking eye contact.
Shaurya's hand slipped back reluctantly. "Right."
"Aarav!" Yug's voice rang from the living room.
Aarav turned to leave, but paused. Without looking back, he muttered, "Don't even think of leaving her without getting her a cat. Come back soon".
Shaurya smiled faintly, leaning against the wall as Aarav disappeared down the hall.