107.
Aarav's campaign was progressing steadily.
His primary focus remained on supporting NGOs running cancer hospitals, earning him quiet admiration from the public.
At the same time, he strategically pushed a narrative—India needed educated politicians, leaders who understood responsibility beyond power.
But not everyone welcomed his rise.
The media hadn't forgotten. The pictures of Aarav and Yug—too close, too personal—still circulated across news channels. Political figures began raising questions, subtly poisoning public opinion.
A sinner on the throne? they called him.
A title that had carried dignity for centuries was now being questioned.
As if that wasn't enough, death threats began surfacing—mostly from certain local groups in Rajasthan.
Behind the scenes, Shaurya ensured none of it touched Aarav.
Security was tightened. Every entry point monitored. Every movement tracked. Anyone remotely connected to their family was placed under protection.
Meanwhile, Shaurya had already begun his counterattack.
Across different parts of the world, explosions made headlines. Properties linked to Ozge were systematically destroyed—reduced to rubble, one after another.
"Honestly," Shaurya said calmly, watching the reactions unfold on multiple screens, "I'd say Vaani was better at playing her game."
Veer let out a short laugh. "Aarav would kill you if he heard that."
The two stood overlooking a massive glass containment chamber below them. Workers in protective gear carefully poured strong acids into it—enough to dissolve anything... or anyone.
"By the way, bhai," Veer added, his tone turning serious, "I don't think Bilal's going to come at you directly. He's trying to weaken you first. Which means..." he paused, "Aarav and Aarya are targets too."
Shaurya exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening.
"That's why I told Aarav to let Aarya stay here for a while longer."
"I get Aarav," Veer said quietly. "After what happened that day... anyone would be shaken. We got lucky. It could've been any of us instead of the maid."
Shaurya nodded once, his silence heavier than words.
"Shaurya?" Ravi's voice cut in as he approached.
"Yeah. How many?" Shaurya asked without looking at him.
"Fifty-three from Ozge's direct network. Kabir tracked four more cults—so we're looking at around eighty to ninety in total."
"And Bilal?"
"Your father was right. The one you killed... wasn't Bilal. Just a double."
Veer groaned under his breath. "I just want this to end already."
Shaurya finally turned, his expression unreadable—but cold.
"It will," he said quietly. "Track him down. When I find Bilal..." his voice dropped, sharper now, "I want him to watch his entire bloodline disappear in front of him."
A brief silence followed.
"It'll take me just one day," he added.
Ravi smirked, breaking the tension. "Fine. But when this is over, I want a bonus. I've been working overtime for this."
"Wait a minute, it's not just you, alright?" Veer cut in. "Harsh, Kabir, Asim—they're all working just as hard."
"And me," Shaurya added dryly. "Dealing with this alone is already enough to mess with your head."
Ravi let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah... I need a drink."
"I need to get drunk," Veer said at the exact same time.
"...Same," Shaurya muttered.
The three of them paused—then exchanged looks.
A beat of silence.
Then all three spoke together, "I need to get drunk."
They stared at each other for a second before a faint smirk tugged at Shaurya's lips.
"Well," he shrugged, already turning away, "that sounds like a plan."
As he walked off, Veer leaned slightly toward Ravi, lowering his voice just enough.
"Your boyfriend seems to be busy with a girlfriend these days," he muttered casually before following behind.
Ravi rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he trailed after them.
----------------
Fans were already going wild at the sight of Falak entering the bar with Yug. Phones were out within seconds—flashes, whispers, recordings—it was spreading faster than wildfire.
"I don't think we should've come here," Yug muttered under his breath, scanning the crowd.
"I think it's perfect," Falak replied calmly. "This is exactly how the media finds out we're... involved."
Yug exhaled, already irritated, and signaled one of the staff members to subtly control the crowd.
He took a sip of his drink.
Something was off.
The change was faint—almost unnoticeable—but this was his usual order. His favorite. Yug knew it tasted different.
His grip on the glass tightened slightly.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Falak said, turning toward him.
"Sure," Yug replied, leaning back, though his focus wasn't fully on her.
"Are you single right now?"
Yug paused.
Even I don't know the answer to that.
"What are you thinking about so much?" she asked, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"Why do you ask?" he deflected.
Falak shrugged lightly. "Just thought maybe we could—"
"Yeah. I have a partner," Yug cut in immediately.
Or at least... I think I do.
"Ohh," Falak smiled, intrigued. "That's nice. Who is she? Someone from the business world?"
Yug cleared his throat, shifting slightly.
"Not really. I'd rather not disclose much about her."
"Fair enough," she said easily. "But I'm sure she's pretty. Your ex was beautiful too."
Yug nodded absentmindedly, taking another sip.
"Yeah... she's handsome—"
He froze.
Falak blinked, confused.
"Sorry—I mean, she's beautiful. Really beautiful," Yug corrected quickly, coughing to cover it up.
Falak giggled, amused by his slip.
"So... does she know about this?" she asked, gesturing between them. "Because if she sees pictures, she might not take it well. The media loves exaggerating things."
Yug looked down at his drink.
I really hope he doesn't mind... or there will be a free ticket for me to heaven.
"Uh—I'll be right back," Yug said abruptly, standing up.
He walked off before she could respond.
Inside the washroom, Yug splashed water on his face, gripping the edge of the sink.
Something was definitely wrong.
His head throbbed. His vision blurred slightly. The alcohol—it was hitting him differently today.
Too hard.
Yug inhaled sharply, tightening his grip on the sink as his balance wavered.
"Omg, Yug? Are you okay?"
He looked up.
Falak stood at the entrance, concern written all over her face.
"What are you doing here?" Yug asked, his voice strained.
"I'm sorry—I know I shouldn't have come in, but you were taking too long..." she said hesitantly.
Yug nodded faintly, one hand still pressed against his temple.
The dizziness only got worse.
"You don't look fine. Let me take you to a room," Falak said, her tone soft but urgent.
Yug didn't resist.
His body felt heavy—uncooperative. His thoughts were slipping, blurring at the edges. He let her guide him, barely aware of where she was taking him.
Somehow, she led him straight into his private room.
Even in his state, a small part of him registered that.
How does she know this place?
Before he could process it, he was already lying on the bed.
Falak hovered over him, her gaze lingering a second too long.
She sat beside him and gently held his face.
Then her fingers moved to his shirt.
One button.
Then another.
Yug's brows furrowed. Something wasn't right.
He tried to push her away—and for a moment, he almost succeeded.
But his strength gave out too quickly.
"Ouch—!" Falak suddenly hissed.
Her body jerked back as someone yanked her hair sharply from behind.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ravi's voice cut through the room—low, controlled, but terrifyingly cold.
"Who the hell are you?!" Falak snapped. "Help—!"
Her scream was cut short as Ravi clamped a hand over her mouth, tightening his grip in her hair.
"Just answer me," he said quietly. "What were you doing here?"
"I—I didn't—he brought me here! He was trying to—"
"Stop," Ravi interrupted flatly. "You can't even act."
His expression didn't change.
"Seriously... who even made you an actress?"
Falak glared, humiliated and furious.
"What? It hurt? Alright cry about it". Ravi said.
Before she could respond, the door burst open.
A man rushed in—clearly with her.
He lunged at Ravi.
Big mistake.
Without even letting go of Falak, Ravi caught him mid-move, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him hard against the wall.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
The impact echoed through the room.
"Get out," Ravi said coldly, shoving him aside.
His gaze shifted back to Falak.
"And listen carefully," he added, voice dropping lower, "if you even think about touching Yug again—or dragging his name into anything—I'll cut off your tongue."
He released her.
Falak stumbled back, shaken, and rushed out with the man.
Ravi locked the door behind them.
"Ravi...?"
The voice was weak.
Disoriented.
Ravi turned immediately.
Yug was trying to sit up.
He walked over quickly, helping him up and sitting beside him.
Yug's eyes struggled to focus. His hand came up slowly, resting against Ravi's cheek.
"Hey..." he murmured faintly, squinting. "You look... different."
"I shaved," Ravi replied quietly. "Do I look good now?"
A faint smile flickered across Yug's lips—
Then vanished.
His expression twisted.
He clamped a hand over his mouth and stumbled up.
Too late.
He barely made it to the washroom before getting sick.
"Do I look that bad?"
Ravi sighed under his breath and followed him in.
Yug was struggling, his body trembling.
This isn't normal.
Ravi's jaw tightened.
He was drugged.
"Can you walk?" Ravi asked, holding Yug steady.
Yug nodded weakly—
—and immediately lost balance, his head knocking lightly against the glass door.
Ravi exhaled. "Yeah... no."
Without another word, he lifted Yug and carried him back to the bed, setting him down carefully. He slipped off Yug's shoes, watching him closely.
Yug shifted restlessly, breathing uneven.
"I feel... hot," he muttered, his voice low and strained.
Ravi immediately reached for the AC remote and lowered the temperature.
When he turned back—
Yug was already unbuttoning the rest of his shirt, movements clumsy but urgent. The shirt slid off and fell somewhere beside the bed.
Ravi frowned slightly, understanding what was happening—but before he could say anything—
Yug's hands moved to his belt.
"Hey—what are you doing?" Ravi asked, stepping closer.
"I said... I'm feeling hot," Yug replied, barely coherent.
His fingers fumbled but managed to undo the belt and unzip his pants. Within seconds, he pushed them down and kicked them off, leaving himself in just his boxers before dropping back onto the bed.
Ravi froze for a brief moment.
His mind blanked.
Then he forced himself to look away, running a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.
Yug lay there, eyes half-closed, chest rising and falling unevenly, his body still reacting to whatever had been put into his system.
Ravi glanced back at him, jaw tightening.
I think I'm going to go blind, Ravi thought, his gaze lingering longer than it should.
Yug lay sprawled across the bed, barely aware, his body loose but restless. Even like this—unfocused, vulnerable—there was something unfair about him.
He looked... perfect.
Ravi had seen him shirtless before. Plenty of times.
But this—
This was different.
The dim lighting, the way his body moved without control, the heat flushed across his skin—it made everything sharper. More dangerous.
Yug shifted slightly, turning onto his stomach, his back now facing Ravi.
Ravi exhaled slowly.
Bad decision.
His eyes dropped without permission taking in the sight of Yug's so perfet ass.
Yeah... I'm definitely going to hell.
For a moment, he just stood there, staring.
Then, almost unconsciously, he walked closer and sat down beside him.
He leaned in slightly.
Close enough to catch the faint scent of Yug's cologne—soft, warm... something oddly comforting. Familiar.
Ravi's hand hovered over his back before finally resting there, slow and careful.
His fingers traced lightly over Yug's skin—over the faint freckles scattered across his back.
Freckles? Beauty marks? Moles?
Whatever they were—
They looked deliberate. Like someone had taken their time designing him.
"Seriously..." Ravi murmured under his breath. "What are you even made of... You're so fucking beautiful"
His thumb brushed over one, then another, almost absentmindedly.
Yug's back felt warm under his touch.
Ravi swallowed, forcing himself to stop—
and immediately failing.
Cookies and cream, the thought slipped in.
Because that's what it looked like.
And annoyingly—
that's what he smelled like too.
Ravi shut his eyes for a second, dragging in a slow breath.
Then abruptly pulled his hand back.
Pull yourself together Ravi. You can eat him as much as you want after you get married.
Yug stirred again, shifting restlessly.
Ravi tensed.
And then—
Yug's hand moved to his waistband, fingers curling into the fabric of his boxers, starting to tug them down.
Ravi reacted instantly.
He caught Yug's wrist firmly.
"Hey—no," he said under his breath, tightening his grip just enough to stop him.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping, almost a warning—almost something else entirely.
"Don't do this to me... little rat."
His breath brushed against Yug's ear and gave a small peck behind his ears.
Yug let out a slow, deep breath in response, his body relaxing slightly under the contact.
He let go of Yug's wrist carefully.
For a moment, he just watched him—making sure he wouldn't try anything again.
Then he reached for the sheets and pulled them over him, covering him properly this time.
A deliberate barrier.
For both of them.
Ravi sat there for a second longer than necessary, eyes lingering—
before finally looking away.
---------------------------
Yug stirred in his sleep.
The air felt too cold.
Instinctively, he shifted closer to something warm—something solid—and wrapped himself around it. His palm moved lazily over it, seeking heat.
It was... a person.
And they were snoring.
Loudly.
Yug's eyes snapped open.
The dim lights were still on, and it took him less than a second to recognize the person he was practically sprawled over.
Ravi.
Snoring like a pig.
Yug froze.
Then his brain caught up with everything else.
Wait—
He glanced down.
Sheets.
Bare skin.
His heart dropped.
Without thinking, he kicked Ravi hard in the side.
"Have you lost your mind?" Ravi groaned, clutching his side, eyes still shut.
Yug, meanwhile, was internally spiraling.
He quickly checked under the sheets.
Boxers.
Still on.
He exhaled sharply.
Thank God.
He shifted slightly, testing—
No pain.
No soreness.
Yug went still.
So... nothing happened.
A pause.
And then—
Memory hit.
Him taking off his own clothes.
In front of Ravi.
Yug squeezed his eyes shut.
What the hell did I do...
Heat rushed up his neck.
God, just take me away from here.
Beside him, Ravi stirred, rubbing his eyes before finally opening them.
"Good morning," he said lazily, his gaze immediately drifting over Yug. "You look great."
Yug reacted instantly, yanking the sheets up to cover himself properly.
Ravi huffed out a quiet laugh.
"Relax. I've already seen almost everything—except..." he paused deliberately, a smirk forming, "...that part of yours."
Yug shot him a glare.
"You don't need to feel shy."
"Can you just shut up?" Yug snapped, his face still warm. "I'm cold."
Ravi turned his head, reaching blindly for the AC remote before switching it off.
"Yeah, no kidding. It's freezing in here," he muttered. "My fault—I forgot to turn it off."
He dropped the remote somewhere beside him and closed his eyes again like nothing had happened.
Yug just stared at him, still wrapped in the sheets—
half embarrassed, half annoyed—
and very aware that things were now... extremely awkward.
"Why are you sleeping? I think we should leave," Yug said, shifting slightly under the sheets.
"It's literally four in the morning," Ravi muttered, eyes still closed. "Go back to sleep... and thanks for the kick, by the way."
Yug winced.
Guilt crept in, and he moved a little closer.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I was just... scared. Does it hurt a lot?"
Ravi opened one eye, studying him.
"Scared of what?" he asked. "That I'd do something to you?"
Yug froze.
That wasn't what he meant.
Not even close.
The thought made his chest tighten. Ravi had completely misunderstood—and Yug hated that.
He shouldn't have said it like that.
He exhaled slowly and lay back down, shifting just enough until their shoulders brushed.
"I already told you," Yug said softly, "I trust you. A lot."
Ravi didn't respond.
The silence stretched.
Yug cleared his throat, trying to move past it.
"By the way... how did you even know I was here?"
Ravi let out a quiet breath. "You do realize media exists, right? The headlines are insane. You should've seen yourself."
Yug groaned under his breath.
"Wait—what did you do to her?"
"Nothing much," Ravi replied casually, resting his arm over his head. "But her career is at risk".
Yug glanced at him.
"And you were drugged, by the way," Ravi added. "I still don't get how you're talking this normally right now."
"I figured," Yug said, rubbing his forehead. "The drink tasted off."
"And you still drank it," Ravi scoffed. "I thought you were smart."
"I didn't finish it," Yug muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"Still stupid."
A pause.
Then Ravi added, almost under his breath, "Funny how you go out with girls behind my back."
Yug turned to him immediately.
"Wait—what? I didn't have any bad intention, alright? I was trying to help her."
"Why?" Ravi shot back dryly. "Aapke khala ki beti hai woh?"
Yug rolled his eyes despite everything.
"I was going to tell you. It wasn't a big deal."
"Not a big deal?" Ravi turned his head slightly toward him. "You were seconds away from a full-blown scandal."
Yug went quiet.
Because... he knew Ravi wasn't wrong.
"I didn't want to trouble you, Ravi," Yug said quietly. "You're already dealing with enough."
The next second—
Ravi moved.
Fast.
Yug barely had time to react before Ravi shifted over him, caging him in. The blanket was pulled away in one sharp motion, leaving Yug exposed to the cold air—and to him.
A shiver ran through Yug's body.
"Ravi—"
"I'm your boyfriend," Ravi cut in, his voice low, steady... dangerous in a way that made Yug's breath hitch. "I have a right to know what you're doing. Where you are. Who you're with. Yeah?"
Yug blinked, caught completely off guard.
"We're... boyfriends?"
Ravi didn't answer.
He just looked at him.
And somehow, that silence said more than words.
Yug's mind spiraled.
First—the position they were in. Ravi hovering over him, close enough that he could feel the heat of his body, solid and overwhelming.
Second—what Ravi had just said.
Boyfriends.
Something real.
Something that made his chest tighten in a way he didn't understand yet.
Yug swallowed.
And then there was the third thing—
Ravi wasn't doing anything.
He was right there. Close. Too close.
But he wasn't crossing that line. The way he used to do before.
And for some reason—
that made everything worse.
Because now Yug was aware of everything.
The space between them.
The warmth.
The tension.
And the fact that a part of him—
a very stubborn, very confusing part—
wanted more.
Even if he refused to admit it.
Yug's hands moved almost absentmindedly, resting on Ravi's broad shoulders.
He wasn't exaggerating when he'd told Aarav—Ravi really was too big compared to him. Solid. Muscular in a way that felt almost overwhelming under his palms.
Yug looked up at his face.
Clean.
He'd shaved.
For a moment, it threw him off.
Ravi looked years younger like this—almost the same man Yug had met seven years ago. The sharpness had softened, the rough edges blurred.
He still looked handsome.
But... not the same.
Something was missing.
That rawness. The roughness. That untamed edge Yug had gotten used to.
And strangely—
he missed it.
Right now, anyone would say that Ravi was some kind of a naive person. But Yug exactly knows what goes on inside Ravi's wild mind.
"You wanna say something?" Ravi asked, his voice low.
Yug didn't answer.
Instead, he reached up, cupping Ravi's face—and leaned in, pressing a soft, brief kiss against his lips.
Then he pulled back just enough to meet his eyes.
"Do something already," Yug murmured. "I've been waiting."
Ravi stilled.
"You know what you're saying, right?" he asked, searching his face.
Yug nodded.
That was all it took.
Ravi's hand tightened in the pillow beside Yug's head as he leaned down and kissed him—this time deeper, more certain.
Yug responded instantly, matching him without hesitation.
The kiss grew, slowed, then deepened again—neither of them rushing, but neither pulling away either. Ravi's hand slid to the back of Yug's head, holding him there as if grounding himself.
For a few moments, nothing else existed.
Just that.
Just them.
Until Yug finally broke the kiss, breath uneven.
Ravi didn't stop.
He shifted slightly, his lips brushing along Yug's jaw before moving to his neck.
Yug's breath hitched.
His hands tightened against Ravi's shoulders, and without thinking, he pulled him closer—his legs locking loosely around Ravi's waist, closing whatever distance was left between them.
A small smirk tugged at Ravi's lips.
Ravi leaned back just enough to pull his own shirt off, tossing it aside without a second thought.
Yug's eyes followed the movement.
Taking him in.
The broad shoulders. The defined lines. The scars all over his chest. The strength he'd already felt under his hands—now impossible to ignore.
For a second, Yug just stared.
And Ravi noticed.
His smirk deepened slightly.
He's my boyfriend, Yug thought, heart hammering.
Ravi leaned in again, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against Yug's chest.
Yug let out a sharp, audible breath, tilting his head back slightly. Without thinking, he leaned up and kissed the top of Ravi's head, his hands tangling in his hair.
Ravi responded immediately, capturing Yug's lips again in a deep, steady kiss.
Yug held onto him tightly, his arms wrapping around Ravi's broad frame as if he never wanted to let go.
Then, on a sudden impulse, he pressed a long, playful smooch against the tip of Ravi's nose.
Ravi froze for a beat, lips curved in an amused, almost tender smile, before leaning back slightly—just enough to catch his breath and let the moment hang between them.
"You're making me fall in love with you".
Ravi said. Yug gulped but held Ravi's face with both of his hands.
Then suddenly, Yug didn't know what happened inside him, he brushed his dick against Ravi.
Thankfully the boxers were still on. Ravi closed his eyes and now just lie on top of him resting his head on Yug's chest. Meanwhile, Yug still went on rubbing his dick.
Ravi let out a low, very low grunt. The sound itself was so manly and heavenly at the same time, that it made Yug turn on. Ravi was breathing hard.
"Fuck," he muttered, letting out a shaky breath. Slowly, he lifted himself off Yug's chest, shifting away.
Yug's hand shot out instinctively, catching the chain around Ravi's neck and tugging it lightly.
"Where are you going?" Yug asked, voice low but urgent.
Ravi paused, his gaze meeting Yug's. "I won't be able to control myself... and you know exactly what you're doing to me."
Yug's grip loosened, and Ravi let him go, settling back beside him. Both his hands rested lightly over his chest, a quiet intensity in the way he breathed.
"Hey..." Yug's voice softened. "Will you... go back today?"
"Yeah," Ravi said after a beat.
"Can you... take the day off?" Yug asked, a hint of hope in his tone.
"I know you're feeling... horny right now," he said, voice low. "But I guess we'll have to wait."
Yug's face flushed bright red, and he swatted at Ravi's arm.
"How do you even say things like that just... like that?!" he exclaimed with a disgusted yet embarrassed face.
Ravi smirked, unfazed. In one smooth motion, he pulled Yug closer, pressing his body lightly against his. He nestled in just enough to feel the warmth of Yug's arms around him.
Yug's hands moved instinctively, one rubbing over Ravi's face in a soothing gesture.
"Did you grow your beard... to hide your double chin, though?"
Ravi's eyes narrowed, feeling offended. "I don't have one. I was born with some face fat". Yug smiled slightly.
He wanted to urge Ravi to stay back. But maybe that's how their relationship's going to move forward. Slowly. It's like they have to start all over again from zero when they meet after so many days.
I want to stay with you. Yug thought.