103.
It was time for Ravi and Yug to leave.
The car was already waiting outside. The morning air felt oddly still, like everything was holding its breath.
Ravi's mother and sister stepped out to see them off. A few seconds later, Alizeh walked out as well.
Her eyes immediately found Yug.
She gave him a small, polite smile.
Yug returned a faint nod, but the sunglasses hid everything else—his hesitation, his thoughts, the way his jaw had tightened slightly.
There was no way for her to read him.
And somehow, that made it worse.
Ravi's mother's gaze shifted from Yug to Alizeh, and something like quiet pity passed through her eyes.
Alizeh noticed.
She looked away.
"Umm... Ravi," she said after a moment, her voice careful. "I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we just...?"
Ravi glanced briefly at Yug, then at his mother.
"I'll be back," he muttered.
Yug gave a small nod, hands slipping into his pockets.
Ravi followed Alizeh toward the backyard.
The moment they stepped away from the others, the air felt heavier.
"So?" Ravi asked, straightforward as always.
Alizeh took a breath, clasping her hands together.
"Right... uh... my dad wanted to talk to you," she said. "Will you call him, or should I—"
"I'll call him myself," Ravi replied.
"Okay."
A brief silence followed.
Ravi looked at her, eyebrows lifting slightly.
"That's it?"
Alizeh hesitated.
Her fingers began fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve, a habit she hadn't grown out of.
"No... um..."
Ravi waited.
"I'm sorry," she said finally, her voice softer now. "About everything. I don't want you to misunderstand me, Ravi."
Ravi exhaled lightly.
"I'm not misunderstanding anything," he said. "I get it."
Alizeh looked up at him, searching his face.
"Ravi... I thought maybe we could go back to how things were," she said, her voice trembling just a little. "We were happy back then. We—"
"We loved each other," Ravi finished for her.
The words landed between them, heavy and final.
"But that was a long time ago," he added quietly. "And we lost that somewhere along the way."
Alizeh swallowed hard.
Her eyes glistened, and she quickly looked down, wiping the corner of her eye before the tear could fall.
A small, helpless smile formed on her lips.
"Does he like you too?" she asked after a pause.
Ravi let out a quiet breath, rubbing his beard.
"We're working on that," he said. "I'm not exactly the easiest person to like."
That earned a soft, tearful laugh from her.
"You never were," she said.
For a moment, it almost felt like before.
Almost.
"Can we still be friends, Ravi?" she asked gently.
Ravi didn't answer immediately.
His gaze drifted for a second—past her, toward the front of the house where Yug was probably waiting.
Then back to her.
There was hesitation.
But not certainty either.
"I know you don't believe in all that exes being friends shit," Alizeh said, folding her arms. "But you're gay now, so I guess it doesn't matter."
Ravi let out a quiet scoff.
"I still like women, thank you very much," he replied dryly. "Just... very gay right now, though."
Alizeh couldn't help it—she smiled.
There was something familiar about this. The ease. The banter. The way they could still talk without forcing it.
"So... friends?" she asked, a little more carefully this time.
Ravi tilted his head, considering it for a second, then gave a small shrug.
"Yeah. I guess we can try that."
Alizeh nodded, like she had expected that answer.
"Good," she said softly. Then her expression shifted, turning more serious. "Because I want to tell you something. Something important."
Ravi raised an eyebrow.
"You have to listen," she continued. "What you do with it is up to you. But I'm saying this for both of you."
Ravi crossed his arms loosely, already half-amused.
"Alright. Go on."
Alizeh took a breath.
"The thing is... both of you are men."
Ravi blinked.
"And men are stupid," she added flatly. "Very stupid."
Ravi huffed out a laugh.
"So we're back to your TED Talk on why men are useless?"
"I wish I could do that properly," she shot back. "But shut up and listen to me for once."
Ravi lifted his hands slightly in surrender.
"Fine. I'm listening."
Alizeh watched him for a moment, making sure he actually meant it.
"Is he okay with what you do?" she asked. "With the fact that you work with the Shekhawat mafia?"
The humor in Ravi's expression faded slightly.
"I don't know," he admitted after a pause. His hand moved to his waist, rubbing it absently. "We haven't talked about it properly yet. But... no. I don't think he's comfortable with it."
Alizeh nodded slowly, as if that confirmed something for her.
"Then talk to him," she said firmly. "Don't assume things. Don't leave it hanging like you always do."
Ravi looked at her, quieter now.
"If you love him, Ravi... then give him everything," she continued. "Effort, honesty, patience—all of it."
She hesitated for a second before adding,
"I don't know him that well, but he seems... reserved. Like he keeps things inside. Ravi, main tumhare rag rag se waqif hoon. You speak or do anything without even thinking. But he might think differently. So don't expect him to say everything out loud. And don't get scared if he doesn't."
Ravi's jaw tightened slightly.
"I don't want things to repeat again," she said, her voice softening. "We ended because of this too."
A faint, sad smile appeared on her lips.
Ravi nodded slowly. He understood.
"Just... tell him how you feel. That you love him," she added gently. "People like hearing that. More than you think."
A small silence settled between them.
Then, just like that, she broke it—
"Now go. I don't want to see your annoying face anymore."
Ravi raised an eyebrow at that.
"Still rude, I see."
He took a step closer.
Alizeh's smile faltered just a little as she looked down, already knowing what was coming.
Ravi didn't say anything.
He just pulled her into a hug, not tight just a casual one.
Then her arms wrapped around him just as tightly.
Her eyes shut.
She wanted to cry. She really did.
But she held it in.
"I'm happy for you," she whispered against his shoulder.
Ravi pulled back after a moment, keeping it brief—like they both silently agreed it should be.
"Bye," he said.
"Bye," she replied, giving him a small wave.
Ravi turned and walked away.
Alizeh stood there, watching him go until he disappeared from sight.
And the moment he did—
Her composure broke.
She clutched at her chest, as if something inside her had physically tightened, and the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.
She quickly wiped them, trying to steady her breathing.
But it didn't help much.
Because letting go...
Still hurt.
All of these was because of her one stupid mistake.
---
Ravi stepped out just in time to see Yug laughing softly, completely at ease, talking to Fatima. His mother had already gone inside.
For a second, he just stood there.
Watching.
"What are you guys talking about?" Ravi finally asked, walking closer.
Yug glanced at him.
"You didn't tell me your sister studies at Harvard," he said, clearly impressed.
Ravi snorted.
"So nerds attract each other."
Fatima gave him a flat, unimpressed look.
"Shut up, Bhai."
Ravi smirked but didn't argue.
"By the way, aap dadijaan se mil lein, unka BP high hoke rakha hai".
"Koi zaroorat nahi. Lomdiyon ki sardar hai woh". Ravi said.
"Sardarni". Yug corrected. Both Ravi and Fatima judged him.
"Bhai... aaj sachme woh lomdiyon ki sardarni kuch theek nahi lag rahi. Aapki nikah aur walima ka itna sapna jo dekha tha". Fatima folded her arms.
"Nikah aur walima to abhi bhi ho sakti hai". Ravi said looking at Yug. "Khuda ki kasam, yeh Rafee Haider ka dil badalna itna aasan nahi".
"Tumhara naam Rafee hain? Mujhe to laga tum Ravi ho". Yug said in confusion.
"Sablog mujhe Ravi hi bulate hai.. it's more common. Same thing".
"No not same. Ravi means Sun I guess? I don't know about Rafee though-"
"Beta aap mujhe Ravi hi bulayein". Ravi said. Yug shrugged.
"Anyway, get in. We're getting late," he said, turning toward the car.
As he passed Fatima, he lightly tapped her head.
"Take care."
"Khud ka kar lo pehle," she muttered under her breath. "Tauba astaghfirullah, ghar mein yudh hone wala hai".
Inside the car, Yug fastened his seatbelt and glanced at Ravi.
"You're thinking something," he said. "Did she slap you or something?"
Ravi shot him a dry look.
"Very funny."
He started the engine.
The car rolled forward.
"So," Ravi continued casually, "what are you planning to do in Udaipur? Don't call me crying again saying you're lonely."
Yug groaned, leaning back into his seat.
"For God's sake, can you forget that? I was drunk."
Ravi smirked, eyes still on the road.
"I like that alcohol makes you wild. I should take you out more often. Who knows what else you can do apart from kissing."
Yug turned his head sharply.
"Tum fursat se mar kyu nahi jaate... gadhe," he muttered, the last word barely audible.
Ravi caught it anyway.
Of course he did.
His smirk deepened.
Yug exhaled, trying to ignore him.
"Aarav's coming back next week," he said casually, unlocking his phone. "I'll be fine anyway."
The words had barely left his mouth when the atmosphere in the car shifted.
Yug felt it before he even looked.
He turned his head slowly.
Ravi's expression had changed.
Completely.
His jaw was clenched, eyes fixed on the road—too focused.
Too still.
Like something had snapped inside him.
"Dude... relax?" Yug said, confused.
No response.
Not even a glance.
Yug frowned.
Itni chhoti si baat pe itna kya problem ho gaya isko? he thought, irritation creeping in.
He turned toward the window.
The rest of the drive passed in silence.
Not the comfortable kind.
The kind that sat between them, heavy and stubborn.
And Yug hated it.
An hour later, they reached Udaipur.
The car barely came to a complete stop before Yug opened the door and stepped out.
He didn't wait.
Didn't look back.
He walked straight into the house.
Ravi watched him for a second, then got out and followed.
"Yug."
No response.
Yug kept walking.
"Oh, so now we're talking?" Yug said as he reached the living room, his tone edged with sarcasm.
Ravi stopped a few steps behind him.
"I want to talk about something."
Yug let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Right," he said, turning slightly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to make a move on Aarav again."
Ravi didn't react.
That silence hit harder than any response.
Yug's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.
"You don't trust me either." Yug shrugged.
Ravi didn't respond.
Yug rubbed his temples and walked into his room.
It's just the beginning. This isn't going to work like this, he thought, tossing his bag into the cupboard before stepping back out.
Ravi was still standing in the exact same spot.
"Aren't you getting late?" Yug asked, folding his arms.
Ravi walked up to him.
"I'm sorry about that," he said quietly.
"It's okay. Anyone would think that way," Yug replied.
Ravi's hand closed around his arm.
Yug's gaze dropped to it, then lifted back to Ravi's face.
"I don't want to be just anyone."
Something about that made Yug pause. It felt... different.
Yug, control. It's Ravi. Annoying, impossible Ravi... but still—
He cleared his throat.
"Then don't get mad so easily," Yug said. "You get mad at the smallest things."
Ravi nodded. "I'll try."
"Great."
Ravi stepped closer—closer than necessary—and gently cupped Yug's jaw with one hand while brushing his cheek with his thumb.
"Aap humse khafa hain?" he asked.
Yug froze.
Ravi was way too close. And that tone—soft—was something Yug had never seen from him before. Because Ravi always forces things. It made his chest feel strange, tight in a way he couldn't quite explain.
Aise puchne se kaun hi naaraz rahega...
He scratched the back of his neck, forcing an awkward half-smile as he stepped back slightly.
"I'm not mad at you. I just... um, this morning was nice. Let's just stick to that and not ruin it by getting mad at each other."
But Ravi didn't let him pull away.
His hand tightened around Yug's waist, drawing him closer until there was barely any space left between them. He leaned in, his face brushing past Yug's jaw before stopping near his neck.
For a second, he didn't do anything.
He just... breathed him in.
Yug's fingers instinctively curled around Ravi's shoulder, his grip tightening as he felt Ravi's breath against his skin.
"You're not resisting today," Ravi murmured, his voice low, almost amused.
"I've given you a chance," Yug replied, trying to sound composed—but it didn't come out as steady as he wanted.
"Hm... sahi hai waise," Ravi said softly. "Pata nahi agli baar mulaqat kab hogi humari..."
Before Yug could process that, Ravi's lips brushed lightly against his neck.
A soft, lingering kiss.
Yug frowned, his brows knitting together.
"What do you mean?"
"I might not be able to meet you for a few days," Ravi said, pulling back just enough to look at him.
"Oh... why?"
"There's some issue at the mansion. It'll take time to sort out."
"Oh." Yug nodded, his shoulders dropping slightly. "Okay..."
A small sigh escaped him before he could stop it.
Ravi noticed.
"But I don't think I can stay away for long," he added, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I might just take a round here on weekends."
Yug looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
"Are you insane? It's a five-hour drive. And you're driving yourself every time."
"I'll get used to it." Ravi's gaze softened just a little. "Bohot haseen hai aap humare liye."
Yug didn't reply.
For once, he didn't have anything sarcastic to say.
"Anyway... I should go. Take care," Ravi said, patting his back lightly before turning to leave.
Something twisted inside Yug's chest.
Before he could think—
He grabbed Ravi's arm.
And kissed him.
It just... happened.
Ravi froze for half a second—
Then reacted.
His hands moved instantly to Yug's waist, lifting him clean off the ground as if he weighed nothing.
"Ravi!" Yug almost yelped, grabbing onto his shoulders for balance.
Bhagwan... aisa nahi hona tha. This is so awkward—
"Chhodo mujhe!" Yug snapped, his voice somewhere between panic and embarrassment.
"Chhodne ke liye thodi pakda tha," Ravi replied, smirking, completely unbothered.
Yug wobbled slightly, losing his balance mid-air before instinctively clutching Ravi's shoulders tighter.
Koi aur hota toh kaan ke neeche seedha thappad padta... par yeh pahad jaisa insaan—isko toh ghusa bhi maaru toh shayad hile bhi na...
Before he could protest again, Ravi moved and sat him down on the armrest of the sofa.
Yug barely had time to steady himself—
Because Ravi stepped in again.
Close.
Too close.
One hand braced beside Yug on the sofa, the other still resting at his waist—firm, grounding.
Yug's breath hitched.
This time, there was no teasing in Ravi's eyes.
"If you want to stop me you can" Ravi asked quietly.
Yug swallowed.
His fingers curled into Ravi's shirt. Ravi would be the last person Yug would ever thought to date but here they are. But what's wrong with getting a little wild?
"I'm not a loser," he muttered.
That was all Ravi needed.
He leaned in again—but slower this time.
Deliberate.
Giving Yug just enough time to pull away—
He didn't.
Their lips met again, softer than before... but heavier, deeper.
Yug's hand slid from Ravi's shoulder to his collar, gripping it as the kiss lingered longer this time.
"And I don't like Aarav anymore".
"As if I'd let you. You should know what you're signing for. Your eyes are made just for me. I want you just for me".