75.
Ravi slipped quietly into Yug's room. Morning light filtered in softly, and Yug was still asleep. Ravi checked his temperature—first with the back of his fingers, then his palm. The fever had gone down.
Good.
He shouldn't stay any longer. He hadn't slept the entire night anyway, and his body ached. Ravi stepped out of the room, went to the one where he'd kept his belongings, packed silently, and climbed out through the window—without a sound.
Yug stirred sometime later.
Something warm and wet brushed against his face.
"What is it, Bozo?" Yug mumbled, yawning as he opened his eyes. He scratched the dog's fur lazily. Bozo wagged his tail and barked.
"Hungry, huh, my boy?" Yug said, stretching as he got out of bed.
He walked to the kitchen, took the dog food from the cupboard, and filled Bozo's bowl. But Bozo didn't move. Instead, he barked again—insistently—his attention fixed on another room.
Yug frowned. "What now?"
Curious, he followed Bozo down the hallway and pushed open the door. The room was empty. The windows were shut. Everything looked untouched.
Then his eyes fell on something resting on the table.
A silver chain.
Yug walked closer. At first, he assumed one of his relatives must have forgotten it. But when he picked it up, he noticed the small engraved initial.
R.
Before he could think further, Bozo barked again and dropped something at Yug's feet.
A piece of paper.
Yug picked it up, realizing it must've slipped down earlier when he lifted the chain. He unfolded it slowly and read:
"I didn't forget to take it.
I stole something from you, so I'm keeping this for you.
Don't lose it—
or you'll be dead."
Yug exhaled sharply.
Of course.
Ravi.
But what had he stolen?
A sudden unease crept in. Yug scanned the room again, then hurried to his bedroom. He checked the drawers, the table, the shelves.
Everything looked exactly the same.
Yet something told him—
It wasn't.
"Why the fuck is he so weird?" Yug muttered under his breath.
Had Ravi really been here the whole night?
And how the hell had Yug not noticed? He usually woke up at least once in the middle of the night.
He would've heard something—footsteps, a door, even breathing.
The thought sent an uncomfortable chill down his spine.
Someone staying in your house without you knowing was creepy enough.
He exhaled slowly and looked around.
He hadn't lived here properly for years, but his mother hadn't changed a thing. The same furniture. The same arrangement. The same quiet stillness clinging to the walls. It felt like time had frozen here, waiting for him to return.
Yug shook the thought away, took a shower, changed his clothes, and swallowed another pill—just in case. Feeling a little steadier, he walked into the living hall.
And froze.
Shaurya was sitting there, calm and composed as ever, while Aarav and Eve were busy serving food onto plates like this was the most normal thing in the world.
"How the hell did you people break into my place?" Yug demanded.
"Good morning," they all said in unison.
"I asked a question," Yug said, folding his arms.
"Well, your dog likes Shaurya," Aarav replied casually, shrugging. "Plus, it's just a door, Yug."
Yug scanned the room instinctively.
Ravi wasn't there.
"What are you staring at? Come eat," Eve said, pushing a plate toward him.
Before he could protest, Aarav shoved a piece of bread into his mouth.
"I brought your protein powder—don't worry," Aarav added, handing him the bottle. "Now sit."
Yug sighed and did as told.
"Where's Ravi?" he asked, looking at Shaurya.
"He's home with Aarya," Shaurya replied.
"He looked exhausted. I told him to get some rest." Eve chimed in brightly, "can't ruin tonight."
Everyone turned to her.
"What do you mean?" Aarav asked.
"Well," Eve said, smiling, "I have a date with him tonight."
"Oh—wow," Aarav said, glancing at Shaurya. "Isn't that a bit fast? But I'm happy for you."
"Don't get it wrong," Eve clarified quickly. "It's just a friendly date. There's a new movie we thought of watching together. I'll be away for a while anyway so nothing serious can happen you know".
"Where are you going?" Yug asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Paris," Eve said quietly. "I got a really good job offer there."
Yug frowned. "Why can't you work here? I already told you, I can talk to the company."
"Yug," Eve said gently, "they don't really like my ideas. I tried negotiating. This is... better for me."
Yug let out a slow sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"And who's going to take care of Aarya?"
"That's actually what we wanted to talk about," Aarav said, sitting down beside Shaurya.
Yug looked between them. "What now?"
Shaurya laced his fingers with Aarav's.
"We've decided that Aarya should slowly meet her family there. She's still very young. The sooner she gets familiar with that world, the easier it'll be for her to adjust."
Yug nodded faintly. He had known this was coming.
"That makes sense."
"And Aarav will be going with you?" Yug asked.
Aarav nodded. "For some time. I'll have to come back here occasionally for work."
"Okay," Yug said after a pause. "That's... fine."
"We want you to come with us," Aarav added suddenly.
Yug blinked. "Huh?"
"For a change," Aarav continued softly. "You might feel better. And you don't really have anything urgent here right now. Mr. Shah is away, your manager's handling things well. Please, Yug."
"So," Yug said dryly, "you want me to live with a bunch of criminals and hope I feel mentally refreshed?"
Shaurya smirked.
"Well, the only criminals you'll see are me and Ravi. Unless you decide to visit our jail."
"And what's the probability that I'll return alive?" Yug asked flatly.
"Yug, relax," Eve laughed. "They're not going to hunt you down."
"Your safety will be my responsibility," Shaurya said calmly. "My home is open to family and friends. But yes—it's a graveyard for traitors."
"You're scaring him," Aarav muttered, glaring at Shaurya.
"Anyway," Aarav said, turning back to Yug, "what do you think? You'll meet Veer too. And the paddock—you're going to love it. I miss my horses so much."
Yug leaned back, thinking. What could really go wrong? If things did, Shaurya would step in—he always did.
"Okay," Yug finally said. "But only for a few days."
Aarav's face lit up instantly.
"That's great!"
"And when are we leaving?" Yug asked.
"That depends on you and Aarav," Shaurya replied. "If you're free today, we can leave today."
"That won't be possible," Aarav said. "I need to brief my employees, and we need time to pack."
"Tomorrow, then," Yug said, nodding. He turned to Eve. "What about you?"
"I'll be staying here," Eve replied.
Yug stood up and hugged her gently while she was eating an apple, kissing the top of her head.
"Stay safe, okay?"
"We'll visit you," Aarav added. "And please don't come back with another ridiculous makeover like last year."
"I looked hot," Eve protested.
"No," Yug and Aarav said flatly in unison. "You looked horrifying."
"You're never supposed to say that to a woman."
"We do," Yug and Aarav said together, exchanging a glance.
Eve rolled her eyes.
"I'll miss that big man too—Ravi. He's weirdly cute. And sexy."
Aarav snorted.
"He's creepy," Yug muttered. "Did you know he stayed here the entire night without me knowing?"
Shaurya nodded. Aarav stared at him in surprise.
"You were sick," Shaurya said simply. "Someone needed to look after you."
"There's something called personal space," Yug grumbled.
"I'm aware," Shaurya replied. "But your health matters more."
Yug didn't argue.
Shaurya stood, picking up his phone.
"I should leave. I've got work. Aarav, call me once you're done packing. Yug, you too."
Both nodded.
"Eve," Shaurya said, pausing. She looked up. He shook her hand firmly.
"There's no need to thank you for my daughter. But if you ever need help, you know where to find me."
"Sure," Eve said with a small smile.
Shaurya then leaned down, kissed Aarav's forehead softly, and walked out.
Eve cleared her throat, breaking the brief silence.
"Meri qismat mein hi nahi hai shayad," Yug muttered under his breath. Aarav flushed a little at that, embarrassed despite himself.
"Anyway," Yug continued, straightening up, "I want to go to the gym. It's still early, Aarav. Let's go together."
"Seriously, Yug? Why?" Aarav groaned, dragging the word out as he leaned back against the counter.
"My body feels sore. I need to loosen up," Yug replied simply.
"You can work out there, you know—in Shaurya's unit," Aarav said. "They've got really good trainers."
"And who's going there?" Yug shot back. "I don't want to get killed."
Aarav laughed softly. "Relax. Their training might be a little... intense, but they won't touch you. Ravi stays there too. You can trust him."
"He's the last person I'd ever trust," Yug muttered, rolling his eyes.
"And you literally just got sick," Aarav said firmly. "You need rest. Stay home, okay? I'll help you pack."
"I still have to move things from my apartment," Yug replied. "I was thinking of staying here from now on."
"That's actually a great idea. This place is close to my apartment too." He pulled out his phone. "I'll call some staff. Don't worry, Yug—I'll handle everything. You just tell me what needs to be done, okay?"
"You're seriously overdoing it," Yug said, shaking his head.
"I'm not," Aarav replied with a soft smile—one that made it clear he wasn't going to back down anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------
The next day~
Both Yug and Aarav were finally done packing.
Everyone had gathered at Yug's place, the rooms now oddly bare after being lived in for so long.
Yug carefully covered the remaining furniture and essentials, knowing the house would stay locked for the next few days.
Bozo had already been left with the neighbors, much to Yug's reluctance.
"Papa, I can't wait to play with Vayu again!" Aarya cheered, practically bouncing in excitement.
Aarav chuckled softly.
"Dadda?" Aarya hopped straight into Shaurya's lap.
"Ha, bachcha," Shaurya replied, smiling as he held her securely.
"Does Dadu live there too?" Aarya asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Shaurya's smile softened.
"Yeah... but unfortunately, you won't be able to meet him right now. He's away for a few days."
Aarya pouted instantly.
"He'll come running the moment he finds out his grandchild has arrived," Shaurya added, tapping her nose lightly.
Aarya brightened again.
"Who else lives there?" she asked, now fully intrigued.
Aarav smiled at her enthusiasm.
"There's Veer chachu—your dadda's younger brother."
Aarya gasped.
"That's your real brother, dadda?"
Shaurya laughed.
"No. But he's more than that."
"And you have a chachi too," Shaurya added thoughtfully. "Though I don't think Aarohi would appreciate being called that."
Aarav chuckled.
"Chachi?" Aarya repeated, tilting her head.
"Yeah," Aarav explained gently. "That's my sister and Vayu's mumma. And Veer chachu is Vayu's papa."
Aarya's mouth fell open in pure wonder.
"I have a big family!"
"Of course you do, my baby," Aarav said fondly, brushing her hair back.
At the doorway, Ravi stood with his arms crossed, clearly impatient.
"Can you stop checking everything now?" he said. "You've packed literally everything. Come on, let's go."
Yug nodded, taking one last look around before stepping out of the room. Ravi lingered for a second longer, glancing back at the quiet space—then closed the door behind them.
Ravi was driving. They had already reached Amritnagar, but Shaurya's estate lay far beyond the city, tucked away on the outskirts.
"Ravi, can you speed up a little once we enter the estate?" Aarav asked softly. "I think Aarya's really tired."
Aarya was asleep on Aarav's lap, her small fists curled into his shirt. Her breathing was slow and even.
"Give her to me," Shaurya said quietly.
He leaned in carefully from the front seat, one hand instinctively cupping the back of Aarya's head so it wouldn't bump.
Aarav loosened his hold, and Shaurya lifted her with practiced ease.
He wrapped his jacket around her, and began patting her back in slow, steady motions.
Aarya stirred for a second, then relaxed again, her face settling against his chest.
Aarav watched them for a moment, his expression soft. Exhaustion finally caught up with him. He yawned, closed his eyes briefly, and leaned back against the seat.
Yug sat quietly, gazing out of the window. The headlights swept over a massive iron gate, and a board flashed past.
Shekhawat Estate.
As the car moved forward, the scenery changed dramatically.
Vast stretches of land opened up on either side—neatly maintained, impossibly green.
Yug leaned closer to the window, stunned.
Well-groomed cows grazed calmly in open fields, sheep clustered together near wooden fences, and horses—magnificent, glossy-coated animals—moved gracefully.
"I didn't know people still lived like this," Yug murmured, almost to himself.
Shaurya glanced at him through the rear-view mirror. "This is just the quarters area."
Yug swallowed.
"I think Veer and Aarohi won't be home right now," Shaurya continued. "They're at work, and Vayu's still at school. Yug, you'll be staying at the mansion with us. Is that alright?"
Yug nodded, still processing everything.
A little further ahead, a massive structure came into view.
"That's the staff quarters," Ravi said. "Just the front section. It extends much farther back."
"How many people live here?" Yug asked, disbelief creeping into his voice.
"Around five hundred."
Yug actually gulped this time.
He had seen Shaurya's mansion countless times on television—blurred shots, dramatic headlines—but standing here, witnessing it firsthand, was something else entirely. The car finally came to a halt near the main entrance.
As they stepped out, Yug froze.
Nearly a hundred bodyguards stood in perfect formation on either side of the entrance. The moment Shaurya emerged with Aarya in his arms, every single one of them bowed in unison.
The estate fell into a reverent hush.
Aarya slept peacefully, unaware of the spectacle.
Shaurya held her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her hair, his posture instinctively protective.
The sight alone drew quiet smiles from the guards—many of whom still couldn't believe they were seeing their boss's child with their own eyes.
The child they once thought didn't exist. No one spoke, afraid even a whisper might wake her.
"Aarya's got an entire army," Yug whispered to Aarav.
Aarav smiled, pride warming his tired eyes. "Of course she does. She's Shaurya's daughter."
He glanced at Shaurya, who met his gaze briefly, something unspoken passing between them.
Shaurya asked everyone to freshen up. Ravi stepped forward then, nodding slightly toward Yug.
"I'll show you your room."
Yug followed him down the long corridor, his footsteps echoing softly against marble floors.
The walls were lined with old portraits and modern security panels.
Yug tried to take everything in, but his mind lagged behind his eyes.
This place didn't feel like a house. It felt like a small, self-contained world.
"Why do the rooms have numbers?" Yug asked suddenly, slowing his pace. He glanced at the brass plate beside one of the doors. "Who even have numbered rooms in their own house?"
Ravi didn't stop walking. "People get lost here easily," he replied casually. Then, after a pause, "And you can be one of them."
Yug scoffed softly and followed him anyway.
They walked for several minutes—long enough for Yug to lose track of turns. He noticed something else then. The farther they went, the quieter it became. No guards. No footsteps. No murmured voices through doors.
"Why is it so empty here?" Yug asked, his voice dropping instinctively. "I don't see any guards."
"I haven't assigned anyone here," Ravi said simply.
That didn't help.
They finally stopped in front of a door at the end of a wide hallway. The silence here felt intentional, almost protected.
Yug frowned. "Feels like I'll be living alone," he muttered. "It's... strange."
"You'll be safer here," Ravi said, unlocking the door. "Trust me."
The door opened.
Yug froze.
For a moment, his brain refused to process what his eyes were seeing. Then he stepped inside—slowly, like the room might vanish if he moved too fast.
It was his room.
Not similar. Not inspired.
Exact.
The same window placement. The same angle of light falling across the floor. The same wooden desk, down to the tiny scratch near the edge. The football near the corner. The bedsheets—same colour, same pattern. Even the carvings on the wardrobe matched the ones his mother had chosen years ago.
His childhood room.
Yug turned in a slow circle, his breath shallow. He ran his fingers along the desk, then the bed. Everything was new—polished, untouched—but unmistakably familiar.
"What the hell is this?" he whispered.
Ravi leaned against the doorframe, rubbing his beard, watching Yug closely.
"How did you even—" Yug swallowed. "This isn't possible."
"We didn't want you to feel uncomfortable," Ravi said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "You're staying for a while. Familiarity helps."
"But this—" Yug shook his head. "This isn't humanly possible. You don't recreate someone's room down to every detail."
"That's what our best designers are for."
Yug laughed once, sharp and disbelieving. "In a day? Don't tell me you moved my furniture here. These are new." He pressed his palm flat against the table, grounding himself.
"Everything's possible here," Ravi said quietly. "You'll get used to it."
Yug wasn't sure he wanted to.
Ravi reached into his jacket then, searching for something. He pulled out a photograph and held it out.
"Here. This is what I stole."
Yug stared at it.
It was a picture of him—his mother beside him, Aarav laughing, Aarya in his arms, Eve smiling at the camera. The best picture of his life. The one he thought he'd lost.
"I think it completes the room now," Ravi added.
Yug's throat tightened. "This is..."
"Crazy," Ravi finished, nodding. "I know."
"Whose idea was this?" Yug asked, still staring at the photo.
Ravi shrugged. "Does it matter?"
Yug didn't answer. Instead, he smiled—just a little, before he could stop himself. A real smile. One that reached his eyes.
Ravi noticed.
They stood there in silence, facing each other without sarcasm, without insults—for the first time. Yug quickly touched his face, as if embarrassed by his own reaction.
Something twisted in his chest. Something unfamiliar.
For the first time in a long while, Yug didn't feel like an afterthought.
He felt... considered.
And that scared him more than anything else.
"I don't know what to say... this is definitely not your idea," Yug said quietly.
Ravi chuckled under his breath and took a step closer.
Instinctively, Yug stepped back.
"What?" Yug frowned. "Why are you coming closer?"
Ravi tilted his head, amused. "Are you scared of me? Why are you backing off?"
"I'm not scared," Yug replied quickly, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Then?" Ravi asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I just... don't trust you much," Yug admitted.
Ravi smirked. "Good. You shouldn't."
He moved forward again, this time catching Yug by the arm before he could retreat any further.
The grip wasn't painful—but it was firm, unyielding.
Yug stiffened. He was wearing a hoodie, yet Ravi could still catch that familiar scent—clean, faintly citrus, unmistakably Yug.
For a brief second, the thought lingered longer than it should have. Ravi pushed it away immediately.
"If you feel even a hint of danger," Ravi said calmly, his voice low now, serious, "you come straight to me or to Shaurya. You don't hide things here. You don't lie. And you it very well what happens to the betrayers".
Yug scoffed, trying to pull free. "Tum mujhe dhamki dene aaye ho? Wow, dude."
"That depends on how you take it," Ravi replied, tightening his hold just enough to stop Yug's movement. "Stop moving."
Yug froze.
Ravi studied his face then—really looked at him. The crease between Yug's brows, the guarded eyes, the unease he was trying badly to mask. Ravi realized then that he might have gone too far. Yug wasn't defiant anymore; he was genuinely unsettled.
That wasn't what Ravi wanted.
He loosened his grip, his voice softening almost imperceptibly.
"You look good when you smile," Ravi said quietly. "And I don't want that smile disappearing while you're under my watch."
Yug didn't respond. He only stared, confused, overwhelmed.
"Hope you'll be staying with us for a long time," Ravi added, stepping back at last.
He turned toward the door, pausing only briefly.
"Khuda hafiz," Ravi murmured before walking out and closing the door behind him.
Outside the room, Ravi exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. The memory of Yug's smile—real, unguarded—refused to leave his mind.
"Haaye... mashallah," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Only then did the weight of it hit him—how much fear he must have stirred inside Yug back there.
And for the first time, Ravi wondered whether protection and terror had begun to blur into something dangerously close to regret.