92.
Yug hadn't stepped out of his room for hours.
Aarav had come to check on him once, but Yug had sent him away too. The sun had already dipped beyond the horizon, leaving the room soaked in quiet darkness when a knock finally came at the door.
"Aarav, I'm not hungry," Yug said tiredly, still lying on the bed. "We'll talk tomorrow, alright?"
"It's me."
Ravi's voice.
Yug jolted upright and crossed the room quickly, opening the door.
Ravi stood there — drained, hollow-eyed, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion. He had dinner in his hands. He gestured for the staff to place the trays on the table. Once they left, Ravi quietly shut the door behind him.
Yug studied him.
"Are you okay?" Yug asked softly.
Ravi nodded. A lie, but Yug didn't press.
"I'm sorry about today," Ravi said after a pause. "I told you you wouldn't have to witness anything like that while you're here... but I broke that promise."
Yug exhaled slowly and guided Ravi to sit down. He leaned against the table instead, arms folded across his chest, grounding himself.
"Ravi... I know there was a reason you took me there today," Yug said carefully. "And the way you looked at me — it felt like you hated me."
Ravi looked up sharply.
"Do you hate me?" Yug asked, voice steady but eyes searching. "Because I'm honestly confused by the way you act with me."
"I don't hate you."
The answer came too quickly.
"Then you're hiding something from me," Yug said quietly. "Don't get me wrong — but that's exactly why I don't fully trust you. I can feel it. You're hiding something big."
Ravi stayed silent, his jaw tightening as he stared at the floor.
The air between them grew heavy.
"Don't bottle things up inside you," Yug said, brushing imaginary dust off his pants as his gaze shifted to the covered dishes. "You know what that does to a person. Shaurya is a walking example."
He exhaled lightly. "And honestly... this is too much for one day. I don't even have an appetite."
"I heard somewhere that food heals the heart," Ravi said quietly.
Yug smiled faintly. "That only works when you eat with your family."
"Aren't you?" Ravi asked.
Yug fell silent.
Instead of answering, he picked up the plates and served the food. He handed one to Ravi, then took one for himself and sat beside him.
"By the way," Yug added casually, "you look really stupid when you cry. Don't ever do that in front of me again."
Ravi huffed softly and continued eating in silence.
"Whatever you did today wasn't wrong, Ravi," Yug said after a moment. "I'm not disgusted by you — if that's what you're thinking." He hesitated, then added, "But you should've handed him to the police."
Ravi scoffed.
"They would've done nothing. He'd be out on bail within a week. Money talks."
Then, more bitterly, "Maybe that's the difference between you and me. You live by the law. We create our own. I don't respect this country's judiciary system — it's broken. Corrupt."
Yug didn't argue. He tore a piece of roti and took a bite — immediately making a face.
"What?" Ravi asked.
"I don't like the smell," Yug muttered.
Ravi slid the bowl of yogurt toward him. "Have this."
Yug accepted it with a small nod.
After a few seconds of quiet chewing, Yug spoke again.
"Ravi... Kabir said you used to hate me. Is that true?"
Ravi froze mid-bite.
"Yeah," he admitted. "I did. But I don't anymore."
Yug looked at him. "Why?"
"I guess... I'm feeling something for you," Ravi said quietly. "Something I probably shouldn't."
Yug's heart skipped a beat.
Yug instantly choked on the yogurt.
Ravi just watched him calmly.
"What the hell are you staring at?" Yug croaked, clutching his chest. "Give me some damn water."
Ravi handed him the glass. Yug gulped it down and finally caught his breath, glaring at him.
"Well—" Ravi started.
"You should seriously think before opening your mouth sometimes," Yug snapped.
"But it's the truth," Ravi replied evenly, continuing to eat as if he'd just commented on the weather.
Yug stared at him in disbelief. How could someone confess something like that and still look so calm?
"I know you're not lying," Yug muttered.
"Oh?" Ravi looked up. "How do you know?"
"You've been... different lately," Yug said slowly. "Nicer. You even shared your personal life with me."
Ravi smiled faintly. Yug really did read people too well.
Silence fell again. Yug didn't know what to say next.
"So..." Yug cleared his throat. "What if I say I can't like you that way?"
Ravi shrugged.
"If you were a girl, I'd probably make you fall for me somehow. I'd be everywhere in your life.But you're a guy. So I'll move on I guess".
"Is that because of your mom?" Yug asked.
Ravi nodded.
"She's not conservative. But my past is already messy. She doesn't want me getting hurt again because of people's judgment."
"So you won't fight for your love at all?" Yug asked.
Ravi smirked slightly.
"I don't love you yet."
That only made things more awkward. Ravi chuckled softly while Yug shifted uncomfortably.
Still, one question lingered in Yug's mind — the hatred Ravi once carried for him.
They finished eating. Yug barely touched his food. After putting the plates away and washing their hands, Ravi spoke again.
"My mind hasn't healed yet," he said quietly.
"I hope you'll feel better after some sleep," Yug replied.
Suddenly, Ravi stepped closer and gently pulled Yug toward him. He leaned in, inhaling softly — Yug wasn't wearing any cologne today.
"Ravi..." Yug warned, his voice low and uncertain.
"I'm just clearing my head," Ravi said lightly. "If you don't like it, you can punch me."
"Wait... really?" Yug asked, startled.
Ravi shrugged.
Yug actually raised his fist, bracing himself. But before he could move, Ravi caught his wrist and twisted him around effortlessly, pulling him close.
"If you ever give me a chance," Ravi said quietly, his voice suddenly steady, serious, "I'll make you stay with me. I'll love you. And if you ever feel even a little something for me, I'll fight the whole world for you."
Yug's breath hitched. It sounded reckless — almost insane — yet Ravi's hold was gentle, careful, nothing like the violence Yug had witnessed earlier.
Ravi tilted his head closer, teasing breaking the tension.
"Are you scared my beard will give you pimples?"
"Can you ever be serious?" Yug snapped, pushing himself free.
"Get out."
Before Ravi could react, Yug shoved him out of the room and slammed the door shut.
Ravi stood there stunned, a small piece of Yug's shirt still clenched in his hand. Yug hadn't even noticed it when Ravi picked up the shirt. The fabric still carried his warmth, his faint scent.
Slowly, Ravi slid down and sat against the door, pressing the cloth to his fingers.
The images from earlier flooded back — the rage, the blood, the helpless children. And then Yug's face.
He realized the truth he'd never admitted to himself: he'd been harsh with Yug from the very beginning because Yug reminded him of his father.
The same dark pair of eyes. That man, Yug's dad was someone of Bilal's kind.
A fucking rapist. And Ravi killed him himself years ago.
He hated how Yug resembled him. He hated himself for thinking Yug would be similar to his dad since they shared blood.
But Yug wasn't his father.
Ravi stared at the piece of cloth in his hand, jaw tightening.
Inside the room, Yug felt a strange chill crawl over his skin. Goosebumps rose along his arms. He walked to the peephole and glanced outside.
Ravi was still there.
Sitting.
Waiting.
"What the hell..." Yug muttered under his breath. "I practically rejected him but he doesn't look heartbroken at all".
Yug then remembered what Ravi said. If he ever gives him a chance, Ravi would love him.
"I don't need your love", Yug mumbled and wet inside his sheets, burying his head. Ravi's touch still lingered on his body.
"But I don't want you gone completely as well". Yug looked towards the door.