81.
Shaurya and Aarav sat together, waiting for Sheikh Omar and his daughter to arrive. Veer hadn't joined them—Shaurya didn't want to see his face right now. Aarohi and Yug were present as well, quietly observing the scene.
Soon, Ravi arrived, escorting a woman—probably in her late twenties—alongside an elderly man. Yug's jaw dropped. She was stunning—without exaggeration, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Even Aarav couldn't hide the hint of awe in his eyes.
"Shaurya... I don't think I'm fully gay," Aarav whispered, glancing at the woman. Shaurya chuckled softly, his arm casually resting around Aarav's shoulder. Yug, meanwhile, felt a strange flutter in his chest; he, too, couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Assalam Walaikum, Shaurya Sardaar," Sheikh Omar greeted, placing a respectful hand on his chest. Shaurya nodded and stood.
"Wa Alaikum Assalam. We were waiting for you," Shaurya replied, shaking the Sheikh's hand firmly. Then he turned to Aarav, gesturing him to come closer. Aarav stepped forward, and Shaurya gently took his hand.
"Meet him. He's my husband—you might already know of him," Shaurya said.
Aarav smiled, folding his hands in a polite namaste toward the Sheikh.
"We are indeed aware of him," Sheikh Omar said, bowing slightly in respect. Aarav quickly gestured for him to rise. His daughter followed suit, offering a small, graceful bow. Aarav shook her hand, momentarily lost in her elegance. Shaurya cleared his throat, and Aarav sheepishly grinned at him.
Everyone settled in the living area as staff brought out appetizers. Aarohi greeted the woman warmly, hugging her with a bright smile, while Yug offered a small, smile from his side. Ravi remained standing, silently observing.
"Hume aap dono ko ek saath dekhke bohot khushi huyi. Allah aap ke joray ko hamesha mehfooz rakhe" Sheikh Omar said sincerely.
Shaurya nodded in acknowledgment, and Aarav grinned.
"Seeing you two reminds me of Vedansh Sahab and Zehra. And you, Shaurya Sahab... you carry your mother's image," Sheikh Omar added.
"My daughter resembles her more. She's the exact copy," Shaurya said with a quiet pride.
"You have a daughter?" the Sheikh's daughter asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yes. She'll be turning six soon. Humari jaan hai woh," Shaurya replied warmly, a hint of softness in his voice.
"And your name, by the way?" Shaurya asked the woman. Yug silently thanked him—he had been curious as well.
"Aylin," she said, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. Shaurya nodded politely, and Aarav stole another quick glance, still captivated.
"Hum samjhe nahi, Bilal phir hume yaha kyu le aaye? Aapki to pehle se ek beti hai," Aylin asked, curiosity glinting in her eyes.
Shaurya rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Well... right, I was about to come to that. My daughter was born via surrogacy. According to some of our family laws, she is considered illegitimate—though I, of course, do not believe that at all. I hope you share the same understanding."
Sheikh Omar nodded solemnly. "Of course. And I don't think anyone would dare raise their voice against your daughter. I'm sorry we allowed Bilal's lies to influence us."
"Yeah. He even told us that you and Yuvraj are not together anymore," Aylin added, raising her brows.
Shaurya's gaze shifted to Aarav. "Well... some issues did happen between us, but we're sorting them out. My life is devoted to Aarav; he is the only one. I apologize if we disappointed you. I hope your daughter finds a family better than ours when the time comes."
Aylin smiled softly, then turned her attention to Aarav.
"Yuvraj, I've really wanted to meet you in person someday. I do follow you on Instagram, but you don't post much. Truly a great fan," she said warmly.
Aarav chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Umm... thanks."
"And Yug Khuranna as well," she continued, turning toward him. "I'm not interested in this business world at all, but I've seen your magazine covers. Really... handsome."
Yug felt himself flush. Shaurya's eyes flicked to Ravi, who remained disinterested as ever.
"Control yourself," Sheikh Omar said, gently holding his daughter's hand to calm her down.
Aarav cleared his throat, resting a hand lightly on Shaurya's arm.
"Sheikh Omar, Aylin... I'd like to invite you to a puja we're having at the mansion.
It's nothing big, but it would mean a lot if you joined us.
We're also planning to invite some banjaras—they perform beautifully, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. "
Sheikh Omar smiled. "Of course. How can we miss the beauty of Rajasthan?"
Shaurya leaned closer to Aarav, voice low. "Are you inviting them because you want to see her again?"
Aarav smirked, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "She might be beautiful, but she's not you. You're too... fucking sexy."
Shaurya's lips curved into a teasing smirk as Aarav twirled his mustache lovingly.
"I love you, Daddy," Aarav whispered softly.
"Don't say such things, or I won't let you sleep tonight. You're already too naughty these days," Shaurya said, causing Aarav to blush.
Once Sheikh Omar and his daughter departed, everyone retired to their rooms. Ravi quietly followed Yug to his room.
"I swear to God, I've never seen someone this beautiful. And her voice... there must be something in their genes. Shaurya's mom was stunning too," Yug said, still in awe.
"You know his mom?" Ravi asked, noticing something on Yug's dressing table.
"Everyone in this country knows her, dude—she was Zehra Shekhawat," Yug replied, crossing his arms. "And what are you looking at, huh? Planning to steal something again?"
Ravi stopped and looked at him seriously. "Why do you... smell so good?"
Yug froze. "What?" He felt a familiar shiver run down his spine, suddenly creeped out again.
"I mean... what perfume do you use? It really smells good," Ravi said, voice low and steady.
Yug blinked, taken aback. "You'd be the first man on Earth complimenting another guy's scent. You're really... weird, you know that?"
"I don't care about that. I asked you something," Ravi said, taking a step closer.
"I—I don't know which one you're talking about. I use a few different brands," Yug replied, nervously.
Ravi's gaze sharpened. "It's the one you were wearing yesterday... and this morning as well." He approached again. Yug instinctively took a step back, but Ravi's hand reached out, gently holding him in place, inhaling the scent once more.
"No... this one isn't the same. You sprayed something... different today," Ravi said, making a disgusted face. Yug swallowed hard, feeling his thoughts scatter.
"I really have no idea. Why don't you check for yourself?" Yug said, holding up the cologne bottles he had brought. He could feel his pulse quicken—Ravi's intense scrutiny was unnerving. He wanted to push him, punch him even, but one slap from this man could send him straight to the heaven.
Ravi went through the bottles carefully, sniffing each one until he found the nearly empty cologne.
It smelled like Yug... almost. But there was something softer, more soothing about Yug's usual scent that today's didn't match.
Ravi sighed and glanced at Yug. He knew he was creeping him out, yet he couldn't stop himself.
"If you like it, I can buy you another one," Yug offered awkwardly.
Ravi shook his head, running a hand through his hair, silent for a moment. Yug noticed his own face burning red.
"Do you have any allergies? Why is your face so red?" Ravi asked, concern creeping into his tone.
Yug peeked into the mirror. "I think it's just the heat." He dug through a drawer for some pills.
"You have a heat rash. I told you not to wear that hoodie. Take it off," Ravi said firmly.
"I'm fine," Yug muttered, folding his arms.
"Why are you lying to me? Isn't it itchy?"
"No," Yug said, irritation flaring.
Ravi's patience snapped. He grabbed Yug's arm, holding it tight. Yug struggled, heart racing, as Ravi pulled a pocket knife from his belt.
"What the hell are you doing?! Let me go!" Yug almost screamed.
"Shut that mouth of yours," Ravi growled. Carefully, he began slicing the hoodie along the seams, keeping the blade away from Yug's skin.
"Ravi! You're going too far! Just because I don't say anything doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! This is... inappropriate!" Yug shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
Ravi didn't stop. When the hoodie was partially torn, he let go of Yug's arm and finished ripping it by hand, tossing the fabric aside. His eyes swept over Yug's reddened skin, covered in heat rashes.
"Look at yourself. Seriously... have you lost your mind?" Ravi said, voice low but firm.
"It's my business! Why do you even care?" Yug shot back.
"It's my duty to look after you," Ravi said quietly.
"Not your duty to do inappropriate things! You tore my hoodie!" Yug's voice cracked slightly.
Ravi was silent, but without another word, he called the Unit's doctor. Within minutes, the doctor arrived, examined Yug, and administered anti-inflammatory tablets and a soothing cream before leaving.
Yug, fuming, yanked off the chain Ravi had made him wear and tossed it aside. "I'll ask Shaurya to find someone else for my safety. You shouldn't have done this."
Ravi clenched his jaw, stepping closer. "And I should have let you suffer? You'd have worn that stupid hoodie again if I hadn't taken care of it."
"Stop defending yourself! Just get out! Don't come near me," Yug barked, shoving Ravi with all his strength and slamming the door in his face.
Ravi's fist clenched at his side as he walked away, silence hanging heavy in the room.