95.
"No, you can't just leave like this. Please, Yug," Aarav said, his voice strained as he stood beside the car.
Yug adjusted the strap of his bag and forced a small smile. "Aarav, I'll be fine. And anyway, I'm a guest here. I can't live at your place forever, right?"
Aarav's expression only grew more troubled. Ravi stood a little away, near the driver's door, silent, his hands in his pockets. He didn't interrupt.
"Then I'm coming with you," Aarav said suddenly.
Yug's patience snapped for a moment. "Seriously, Aarav, just leave me alone for some time. I'm not a child. I can take care of myself."
The sharpness in his voice made Aarav fall quiet immediately.
Shaurya stepped closer and placed a calming hand on Aarav's back. "Let him go," he murmured. "He needs time."
Aarav clenched his jaw, then slowly nodded, though the worry on his face didn't fade.
Yug turned to Shaurya and offered his hand. Shaurya shook it firmly.
"We'll meet again," Shaurya said. "Take care."
Yug nodded faintly, then got into the car without looking at anyone again.
Ravi glanced once at Shaurya, then at Aarav, before slipping into the driver's seat. The engine started, and the car slowly rolled out of the driveway.
No one spoke.
The road stretched long and quiet ahead of them. Yug kept his gaze fixed outside the window, watching cities, highways, and villages blur past. Ravi drove steadily, eyes on the road, saying nothing.
He didn't want the journey to end.
Because once it did, Yug would step out—and maybe step out of his life too.
By evening, they finally entered Udaipur, the familiar streets glowing under the setting sun. Ravi drove through the narrow lanes and stopped in front of Yug's mother's house—the place Yug would now stay.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
"Don't you want security here? I can leave some of my men," Ravi said quietly as they stood at the entrance.
"There's no need. I've already called my old guard. He'll resume duty from tomorrow," Yug replied.
He unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Ravi followed, carrying the bags in and setting them down near the sofa.
Yug's gaze drifted to the framed photograph of his mother on the wall. His expression softened, then tightened.
"She would've been shattered if she knew what that bastard did to you," Yug said under his breath.
Ravi walked up behind him and placed his hands gently on Yug's shoulders. Yug didn't pull away. Deep down, he knew Ravi had never intended to hurt him. And despite everything, he trusted him.
"If seeing me reminds you of him... you can hurt me," Yug said quietly. "I wouldn't mind."
Ravi exhaled softly. "And how exactly am I supposed to hurt you?" he murmured. "I like you. Did you forget that?"
Yug didn't answer.
Ravi's hands slid slowly from his shoulders to his arms, and he leaned slightly closer, his voice low near Yug's ear.
"I'm still waiting for your answer. Will you give me a chance?"
Yug's throat tightened. He shook his head.
"I can't trade my life for hell, Ravi. So... stop liking me. The closer you stay, the more guilty I feel. I don't belong in that world."
Silence filled the room.
"Alright," Ravi said after a moment.
No anger. No argument.
He simply let go, turned, and walked out of the house.
The door shut softly behind him.
Yug stood there for a few seconds before locking the door, his breath unsteady. He ran a hand through his hair and finally sank onto the sofa.
Outside, the sound of Ravi's car starting echoed faintly. Then it drove away.
Yug leaned back and closed his eyes.
But instead of silence, Ravi's face kept appearing in his mind.
And one question kept clawing at him—
And why did it have to be Ravi, of all people, caught in its aftermath?
I can't even imagine the pain he went through because of that monster. Why? Why did it have to happen to him? Why?
Tears slowly slipped down Yug's cheeks as he stared blankly at his mother's photograph.
"I don't know what to do anymore, Mom," he whispered. "He says he likes me... but how can he? I'm the son of a monster."
His voice faded into the empty room.
—
Ravi kept his eyes on the road as he drove back, the city lights passing in long streaks. But his vision blurred anyway. He wiped his eyes quickly with his arm, forcing himself to focus.
A few seconds later, tears welled up again.
He clenched his jaw, blinking hard, trying to steady himself.
"For once... someone understood me," Ravi muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. "And even that wasn't meant to stay."
------------------
For the next few days, there was no contact between Ravi and Yug.
Shaurya eventually asked Ravi to take leave and go home early for Eid, deciding to handle Bilal's case himself for the time being. The mafia council had already granted Shaurya full authority to deal with Bilal as he saw fit.
However, Bilal had taken support from his wife's family — a family just as powerful as the Shekhawats. A war between them could break out at any moment.
Aarav was worried, but at least Shaurya agreed to keep him close and let him accompany him in every confrontation that might follow.
—
Ravi stood outside his house, exhaled deeply, and rang the bell.
The door swung open, revealing his younger sister, Fatima. She rolled her eyes the moment she saw him.
"Kuch laaye ho mere liye ya nahi?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Hatt na yaar yahan se," Ravi muttered, gently nudging her aside as he walked in.
Fatima pouted behind him.
Their mother walked into the living room and her face instantly lit up.
"Aww, mera bachcha aa gaya," she said, pulling Ravi into a tight hug.
Ravi hugged her back, bending slightly since she barely reached his chest. Her warm voice and familiar embrace loosened something tight inside him.
"Shakal dekho inki," Fatima muttered from behind. "Aisa lag raha hai hum pe ehsaan karke aaye hain."
"Fatima," their mother warned gently.
Then she looked back at Ravi, concern softening her expression.
"Kya hua, Ravi? Sab khairiyat?"
"Haan, Ammijaan. Bas... thoda thak gaya hoon," Ravi replied.
She didn't fully believe him, but she simply patted his hand.
"Baitho. Main kuch khane ke liye laati hoon," she said before heading back to the kitchen.
Fatima started following her, but Ravi called out.
"Fatima."
She stopped and turned back, raising an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Baith mere saath, tere liye kuch laya hoon," Ravi said.
Fatima immediately came and plopped down beside him. Ravi opened his bag, pulled out two shopping bags, and handed them to her.
Fatima peeked inside — clothes.
"You know na, I wasn't actually expecting anything from you," she said, trying to sound casual but clearly pleased.
Ravi smiled. "Yeah, but how can I stop spoiling you huh?"
He then pulled out his credit card and handed it to her.
"Take it. You can use it until I'm here".
Fatima stared at the card in surprise before snatching it happily.
"Ab karegi Fatima champion full mauj — woh bhi apne bhai ke paise se," she declared proudly.
Ravi chuckled.
Then she squinted at him. "Kya hua bhai? Muh kyun latka hua hai? Phirse breakup ho gaya kya?" she whispered the last line dramatically.
Ravi flicked her forehead lightly.
"Tu abhi bhi bachi hi hai, samjhi?" he said.
Fatima was seventeen years younger than him, and Ravi had spoiled her beyond repair since childhood.
"Waise," she added casually, "Alizeh bhi ghar aayi hui hai."
"Kaun Alizeh?" Ravi frowned, confused.
Before Fatima could answer, an elderly voice echoed from inside.
"Apni maa aur behen ko dekh kar toh dadijaan ko bhool hi jaata hai yeh ladka."
Ravi's face softened immediately. He stood up and walked to his grandmother, gently taking her hand and helping her sit where he had been sitting moments ago. He then sat down on the floor beside her.
"Hum aapko kaise bhool sakte hain, Dadijaan?" he said warmly.
She held his face, inspecting him closely.
"Dekho kaise sukh gaya hai yeh ladka. Bohot kaam karwate hain na woh log tumse? Yeh kaam chhod kyun nahi deta? Aur kitne paise kamaane hain tujhe?"
Ravi shook his head slightly.
"Main Shaurya ko kabhi nahi chhod sakta," he replied quietly. "They're also my family".
Dadijaan sighed.
"Aur unhi logon ki wajah se tumhari shaadi bhi nahi ho rahi. Mujhe yeh Shaurya aur Aarav ka sangat theek nahi lagta. Haram hai yeh sab."
The room fell slightly quiet after her words, Ravi's expression tightening just a little.
Fatima rolled her eyes.
"I think they're both too cute. Kitne pyaare hain dono. Aarav Bhaiya jab bhi aate hain, Ma itni khush ho jaati hai," she said.
"Tu chup kar," Dadijaan scolded lightly. "Yeh sab jawani ke bhoot hain. Sir par chadh jaate hain."
Ravi stayed quiet, letting the conversation pass without reacting.
Then Dadijaan suddenly smiled mischievously.
"Waise, ghar mein mehmaan bhi hai. Bulati hoon usse."
Ravi frowned slightly.
"Alizeh!" she called out loudly. "Idhar aao. Ravi aaya hai!"
A moment later, a young woman walked into the living room, Ravi's mother following behind her. Ravi froze the moment he saw her.
He slowly turned to Fatima.
Fatima was biting her lip, barely controlling her laughter.
Alizeh.
His ex.
They had dated for five years straight before everything fell apart. She had wanted stability, marriage, a settled life. Alizeh also thought that Ravi was 'just a slave' to Shaurya. Ravi chose his loyalty for Shaurya because marriage was something he didn't think about that time.
Four years later, she was standing in front of him again.
"What are you doing here?" Ravi asked, still processing the shock.
Alizeh smiled awkwardly.
"Dad left for the States yesterday. He wanted to meet your family before leaving, and when Dadijaan heard I'd be alone for Eid, she asked me to stay here." She paused. "I hope you don't mind."
Ravi nodded slowly. "It's... fine."
His mother clapped her hands happily.
"Tum dono baitho aur baat karo. Itne saalon baad mile ho."
"Fatima, chalo mere saath. Khana lagate hain."
Dadijaan also shuffled off toward the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Silence settled in the living room.
Ravi exhaled slowly and sat down on the sofa. He picked up a glass and drank some water, trying to steady himself. His eyes then fell on a bowl placed on the table.
Kheer.
He took a spoonful and tasted it. A familiar flavor hit instantly. He looked up at Alizeh.
"You made this?" he asked.
She nodded with a small smile.
"You didn't forget, huh?" she said softly. "How is it?"
Ravi took another spoonful.
"Not bad," he replied calmly, though the taste clearly carried memories.
Alizeh kept watching him for a moment, her fingers nervously twisting together.
Then she spoke.
"Ravi... I—"
"What?" Ravi looked at her.
"We didn't talk for four years... Are you still mad at me?" Alizeh asked carefully.
Ravi shook his head lightly.
"Why would I be angry? We both got busy with our lives. Didn't really have time to stay in touch," he replied, placing the bowl down and leaning back into the sofa.
"Okay..." she said softly, clasping her hands together. "So what are you doing these days?"
"Nothing new," Ravi answered. "Though I heard your business is doing well."
Alizeh gave a modest smile.
"Honestly, Dad helped a lot. I'm still learning. He actually suggested we try signing a contract with Aarav Singh Chauhan. My company wants to design his new resort."
Ravi raised an eyebrow.
"You're talking about Kahani?"
She nodded.
"That project is almost complete," Ravi said. "Opening soon."
Her expression fell slightly.
"That's... bad timing then."
The conversation shifted after that to safer topics—Eid preparations, relatives visiting, last-minute shopping. Alizeh seemed deeply involved in helping his mother—packing gifts, arranging sweets, organizing everything around the house. Ravi listened more than he spoke.
Soon his mother called them for dinner.
As expected, Dadijaan deliberately made Ravi and Alizeh sit side by side. Ravi immediately understood what she was trying to do and chose not to react.
He ate quietly, speaking only when necessary. The elders were fasting that day, so the table conversation stayed light and brief.
As soon as he finished eating, Ravi excused himself.
"I'm tired. Going to sleep," he said shortly before heading to his room, leaving the elders to continue their conversation downstairs.
_____________________
The next day~
Ravi stepped out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel, and noticed a neatly folded golden kurta laid out on his bed. His mother, obviously. She never forgot these things.
He dressed quickly and headed downstairs. The house was already lively—relatives arriving, greetings echoing through the hallway, the aroma of sweets filling the air.
He greeted a few elders before entering the main hall.
His gaze landed on Alizeh almost instantly.
She wore a golden outfit that almost perfectly matched his kurta. Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders, and she laughed softly at something Fatima had said while two women applied mehndi on their hands. For a moment, Ravi simply watched.
Alizeh looked up, noticed him, and offered a gentle smile.
"Bhai!" Fatima called out. "Mere baal baandh do na, saamne aa rahe hain."
Ravi walked over, took the hairband from her wrist, and carefully tied her hair back while she continued talking non-stop.
"Mashallah, Anabia, dekho Ravi aur Alizeh ko," his grandmother said proudly.
"They're even wearing the same colour. Bhabhijaan, lagta hai bahu to aa hi gayi," another woman joked.
Alizeh blushed immediately.
Ravi shot his mother a knowing look and quietly excused himself, stepping outside under the pretext of checking the decorations.
The morning was still calm. An Imam had been invited to lead the Eid prayers at home, and soon everyone gathered inside.
As the prayer began, Ravi bowed his head, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To Yug.
His tired face. His silence. His pain.
Allah unke dil ko sukoon ata farmaaye.
He silently prayed for him.
When the prayers ended, people stood up, embracing each other and exchanging "Eid Mubarak." Ravi slipped away quietly.
Behind him, his mother watched Alizeh, still finishing her prayer.
"Yeh abhi bhi pari jaisi hi hai," she said softly, smiling.
"Ma..." Ravi sighed.
She took his hand gently. "You know why I asked her to stay here."
"No, I don't," Ravi replied, frustration creeping into his voice. "She's my ex, Ma. Please don't do something that'll drive me crazy. I'm done discussing marriage. It's just... madness now."
"Ravi," she said patiently, "I spoke to her father. He's happy with this. And you two already understand each other. Small fights happen in every relationship. But see how nicely she talks with everyone even now."
Ravi pulled his hand away slowly.
"You really don't understand what you're saying," he said quietly, his tone heavy with exhaustion.
"Ravi, she still accepts you even after knowing your truth," his mother said softly but firmly. "No matter how much you try, most girls would step back if they knew everything. You two only broke up because you never gave time to the relationship. Tell me honestly—what was wrong with her?"
Ravi let out a short, humorless scoff.
Of course Alizeh's father was comfortable with this arrangement. He clearly didn't know the whole story. Alizeh had never told him about Ravi's past, about the life he lived.
Ravi looked at his mother, disappointment flashing across his face.
"Well," he said quietly, "you're just proving how ashamed you still are of me."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there.
His mother watched him go, worry etched across her face.
"I can't let you waste your life like this anymore," she murmured to herself.