89.
As planned, Shaurya and Aarav cancelled the nightclub idea. Instead, they decided to wander the streets and end the night with a quiet dinner. Yug wasn't feeling well, so he stayed back at the beach house, and Ravi chose to stay with him.
Aarav and Shaurya walked hand in hand, fingers naturally intertwined.
Here, no one stared, no one whispered—no one cared.
It felt liberating. The sky above them had turned a deep shade of purple, streaked with orange near the horizon, birds flying back to their nests in loose formations.
The air smelled faintly of salt and warmth.
They found themselves near a partially demolished castle, its old stone walls worn down by time. European sculptures stood around it—chipped, weathered, yet breathtaking in their own quiet elegance.
"I wish we could stay like this forever," Aarav said softly, breaking the silence. "It's so fucking hard back there."
Shaurya glanced at him. "Are you liking this?" he asked gently.
Aarav rested his head on Shaurya's shoulder as they walked. "I love this. I don't know how often we'll get moments like these in the future, but these three days... they'll always stay close to my heart."
They walked a little further, and Aarav suddenly slowed down. The path ahead was softly lit with warm fairy lights wrapped around old stone pillars and trees. Lanterns flickered gently, casting golden reflections on the ground.
Aarav looked around, confused. "Are we having some kind of date here, Shaurya?"
Shaurya stopped walking. A small smile played on his lips. "Well," he said, turning to face him, "I hope what I'm about to do is better than just a date."
Aarav frowned slightly, then noticed Shaurya stepping back. Before he could process it, Shaurya lowered himself onto one knee.
The world seemed to stop.
"Shaurya—" Aarav breathed, his hands beginning to shake. "What are you doing?"
Shaurya looked up at him, eyes steady, full of something raw and unguarded. He pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a ring—simple, elegant. Just perfect.
"I know our lives are complicated," Shaurya said quietly. "The world, the throne, expectations... everything keeps trying to pull us apart. But every time I imagine my future, Aarav, it's you. Always you."
Aarav's throat tightened.
"The last time, whatever we did was rushed. So I want to do this properly this time. After years, I have found my way back home. Will you marry me Aarav? Will you let me be the husband you deserve?" Shaurya asked.
"Okay... I feel nauseous right now," Aarav said, pressing a hand to his stomach, trying—and failing—to steady his breathing. He let out a shaky sigh, eyes fixed on the man kneeling in front of him.
Then, slowly, almost clumsily, Aarav lowered himself to his knees too.
"You're such a... ugh," he muttered, swallowing hard as emotion clogged his throat. He reached out and held Shaurya's hand, gripping it like an anchor.
"I'll marry you," Aarav said at last, voice trembling but certain. "But I have some conditions."
Shaurya didn't hesitate for even a second. "Anything you ask for, baby," he said softly. "I can even burn this world for you."
Aarav let out a breathless laugh, tears slipping free. "Yeah, and then we'll go live on Mars," he said, his voice cracking completely this time.
He tightened his hold on Shaurya's hand. "Promise me," he whispered, slipping into Hindi without realizing it, "aap hume kabhi chhodke nahi jaayenge."
Shaurya shook his head immediately, eyes shining. "Kabhi bhi nahi. Never."
Aarav smiled through his tears, shaking his head in disbelief. "Aur hum kya hi kahe," he said softly. "You're perfect. I don't think I can ask you for anything more."
He leaned forward then, resting his forehead against Shaurya's, laughter and tears mixing together as the fairy lights flickered gently around them, sealing a promise neither of them ever planned to break.
"Deewaana Hua Mastana Hua Teri Chahat Mein Kitna
Fasana Hua
Tere Aane Ki Khushbu
Tere Jaane Ka Manzar
Tujhe Milna Padega
Ab Zamana Hua
Nahi Mushkil Wafa
Zara Dekho Yahan
Tere Aankhon Mein
Basta Hai Mera Jahan
Kabhi Sun Toh Zara
Jo Main Keh Na Saka" Shaurya said.
"Meri Duniya Tum Hi Ho
Tum Hi Aasra" Aarav said looking at Shaurya's eyes. "Duayein suno, sazayein suno"
"M-Mujhe pyaar hua hai... iqraar hua hai," Aarav whispered.
Shaurya smiled softly and kissed the tip of Aarav's nose. His own hands were trembling now as he took Aarav's hand and slowly slid the ring onto his finger.
Aarav stared at it for a second, eyes shining.
"I'm getting married," he breathed. Then louder, almost laughing, "I'm getting married!"
He started hitting Shaurya's shoulder in pure excitement. Shaurya just chuckled, pulling him closer.
But then Aarav suddenly went quiet.
Shaurya cupped his face, lifting it gently.
Aarav was crying.
"We'll work this out, right?" his voice broke. "Hum... hum aapke bina nahi reh sakte, Shaurya. I'm scared. I'm scared everything will change once we go back."
"Shh..." Shaurya whispered, wiping his tears with his thumbs. "Hum aapke saath hain. Kuch nahi badlega, samjhe? Nothing can change the fact that I love you... and you love me. Aur hum kasam khate hain, hum aapko hamesha khush rakhenge. Shikayat ka ek bhi mauka nahi denge."
Aarav gave a small, shaky laugh through his tears.
"Sometimes I just want to thank the gods ki unhone humari duniya mein aap jaise buddhe insaan ko bhej diya," he said, sniffing.
"You'll be my husband again... and this time we'll do everything properly.
Saare rituals, kuch bhi adhura nahi chhodenge. Phere bhi lenge, agar lena pada toh."
Shaurya nodded.
They both stood. Aarav held onto Shaurya's bicep, rose on his toes and kissed him. Shaurya's hands settled firmly on Aarav's waist, grounding him.
Aarav pulled back and rested his forehead against Shaurya's shoulder.
"I miss Aarya," he whispered, breaking down again.
Shaurya wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight.
"We're going back to our baby girl tomorrow," he murmured. "We'll meet her very soon."
He kissed the top of Aarav's head.
Just then, a small flock of pigeons fluttered past them, wings cutting through the soft evening air.
Aarav looked up, a tiny smile breaking through his tears.
--------------------
Yug and Ravi were glued to the TV, watching a football match. And judging by Yug's loud victory scream, his favourite team had just won.
"Yes! I told you!" Yug jumped up. "Now pay up."
They had made a bet — if Yug's team won, Ravi had to let Yug do some skincare on him, because Ravi firmly believed all this stuff was "only for women."
"How long do I have to keep this on?" Ravi asked in pure disgust as Yug stuck a sheet mask onto his face.
"Bro, it's been like one minute. Shut up," Yug said, already mixing some paste in a small bowl.
Ravi sighed dramatically.
Just then, his phone started ringing. FaceTime.
He looked at the screen. "Ma..."
He immediately tried to pull the mask off, but Yug grabbed his wrist.
"Don't you dare," Yug hissed. "That costs hundreds of rupees. Waste mat karo. And you already ruined half of it because of that beard of yours. You seriously need to shave."
Ravi glared at him but answered the call anyway.
On the screen, his sister appeared first.
"Who are you?" she said, squinting at him.
"Why did you call?" Ravi asked suspiciously.
She burst out laughing.
"Since when did you start doing all this? Finally got yourself a girlfriend or what?"
Before Ravi could reply, someone snatched the phone from her.
It was his mom.
"Tune ladki dhoondh li?" she asked hopefully. "Kab milwa raha hai humse?"
"There is no girl, Ma. And before you start — I'm with Yug," Ravi said, turning the camera toward him.
Yug, completely caught off guard, froze for a second... then gave an awkward little wave.
"Wait— Yug Khurana is with you?!" his sister screamed from the background.
Ravi motioned for Yug to sit beside him. Yug wiped his hands on his shorts and came into frame, sitting next to Ravi. Ravi leaned the phone against a beer bottle.
"Hellooo," his sister waved excitedly.
Ravi's mom was smiling way too brightly at Yug. Ravi rolled his eyes. Half his family had a crush on this idiot because of his face.
Yug smiled politely.
"Namaste, Aunty."
"Namaste," the woman said gently. "Ravi mujhe aapke baare mein bata raha tha. Aap ki walida ke baare mein sun kar bohot afsos hua. Allah unhein jannat mein aala maqam ata farmaye."
Yug looked at Ravi, confused. Ravi chuckled softly.
"Ma, he doesn't understand Urdu," Ravi said.
Both Yug and Ravi's mother felt a little awkward.
"What did she say?" Yug asked quietly.
"She said... may Allah keep your mother in peace in heaven," Ravi replied.
Yug nodded, then looked back at the screen.
"I'm really sorry about that, Aunty."
"It's okay, beta," Ravi's mother said kindly.
Yug smiled. "I hope Ravi teaches me some Urdu someday. I really like the way you speak."
"Aww..." Ravi's sister cooed.
"Waise Ma, in dono ko dekhiye," she added teasingly. "Yug toh bilkul doodh jaise gore hai... aur Bhai— never mind."
Ravi shot her a glare. Even his mom snorted.
"Ghar aane de mujhe," Ravi muttered.
His sister rolled her eyes. "Haan haan, hero."
"Tumm dono kahin bhi shuru ho jaate ho," Ravi's mother said. Then she turned warm again.
"Aur batao Yug, aap kab aa rahe ho humare ghar?"
"Never," Ravi said instantly. "Dimaag kharab hai kya? Full joker hain yeh."
His mother glared at him. Yug wanted to punch Ravi but kept a polite smile instead.
"Chup raho tum," his mom scolded. "Sorry beta, yeh bachpan se hi bigda hua hai... aur apni dono behno ko bhi bigaad diya."
Yug chuckled softly. "It's okay, Aunty."
"Ravi, bohot din ho gaye Shaurya aur Aarav se bhi mulaqat nahi hui. Unhe bhi le aana. Aur Yug, aap bhi zaroor aaiyega. Ravi Eid ke liye ghar aa hi raha hai... aap bhi saath aa jana."
"Oh... I—"
"Sure," Ravi cut in.
Yug turned to look at him.
"Achha, ab hum rakhte hain," his mother said. "Humari saas aayi hui hain ghar. Yug beta, apna khayal rakhna. Aur Ravi ki baaton ka bura mat manna... ek do ghussa zaroor maar dena."
"I wish," Yug muttered.
His mother laughed and waved. Ravi ended the call.
"I can't go to your place," Yug said quietly. "I have to go back to Udaipur."
"And what will you do there?" Ravi replied. "Don't forget you live alone."
"Thanks for attacking me," Yug said dryly.
"Please. My mum will be happy if you come," Ravi said.
After a pause, Yug sighed. "Okay."
Then he frowned. "But you don't even fast or anything. I thought there's some roza kind of thing."
"That's Eid-ul-Fitr. It was around March this year," Ravi explained. "This one is Eid-ul-Adha. Some people fast one day before the main day."
"Ohh," Yug nodded.
Just then, the door opened. Shaurya and Aarav were back.
Aarav burst out laughing the moment he saw Ravi's face.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes at Ravi and went straight to the bedroom.
"Wow. So many surprises today," Aarav grinned. Then he shook his hand dramatically.
"Something's wrong with my finger."
"What?" Yug asked.
"I think it's itching because of the... RING," Aarav said proudly, flashing it at both of them—especially at Ravi.
"And you don't even have one. Loser," Aarav added.
Ravi rolled his eyes.
Aarav walked off toward the room, still smiling to himself.
Yug was laughing openly now.
Ravi just made a face.