111.
"You really shouldn't come here alone at night," Ravi said, his voice low but firm. "I told you I'd pick you up."
"I wasn't alone. Your men dropped me," Yug replied, handing his bags to the staff. "And I don't want to trouble you every time."
Ravi studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. Yug rolled his neck, trying to ease the stiffness, and let out a quiet sigh.
"So, what now?" Ravi asked.
Yug raised an eyebrow. "Probably go meet Aarav. Why?"
Ravi then gestured ahead. "Walk with me? Thought we could... talk."
"You're weird," Yug muttered, but he started walking anyway. Ravi followed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I think that's what boyfriends do after not seeing each other for weeks," Ravi added casually.
Yug stopped, glanced back at him, then looked away.
"...Lead the way," he said, softer this time.
They moved past the mansion, away from the lit pathways Yug was familiar with. The air grew quieter, heavier. After a few minutes, they reached a small graveyard.
Yug slowed down, eyeing Ravi. "Are you planning to kill me?"
"No," Ravi shrugged. "But I don't know about the ghosts."
"Idiot," Yug muttered. His gaze drifted over the graves. "Why are these here? The Shekhawats don't bury their dead."
"They're not Shekhawat's," Ravi said. "They're for the people who worked here... the ones who had no family"..
Yug didn't reply. Something about it felt... off.
Ravi glanced at him, then nudged lightly. "You always focus on the wrong things. Look up."
Yug frowned but did. And then he stilled.
The sky stretched endlessly above them, scattered with stars—clear, sharp, almost unreal.
"I noticed them on the way here," Yug murmured. "It's... beautiful."
"New moon tonight," Ravi said. "Makes it easier to see the Milky Way." He paused, then added with a smirk, "And ghosts."
Yug elbowed him. "Shut up."
They walked further until the land grew rougher, quieter. Ahead stood the ruins of what looked like an old fort—broken walls, crumbling steps, time carved into every surface.
"Can I go up?" Yug asked.
Ravi nodded.
Yug climbed the uneven steps, careful but curious. When he reached the top, he paused, breathing in the stillness.
"It feels like the stars are so close..." he said quietly, "and still completely out of reach."
"Just like us," Ravi replied, coming to stand beside him, arms folded as he looked up at the same sky.
Yug glanced at him—just for a second—then looked away.
From up there, the mansion was visible in the distance, glowing faintly.
Yug turned back to the sky.
They stood in silence for a while, the kind that wasn't entirely comfortable, but not unwelcome either.
Ravi broke it first. "Why so quiet? Upset your crush is getting married?"
"Shut up," Yug said, but there was no real irritation in his voice. "I'm happy for them. Really. It's about time."
He exhaled slowly, his gaze still fixed ahead.
"And Aarav trusts me," he added, softer now. "He thinks I can help Shaurya."
Ravi frowned slightly, turning his head toward him.
"Help him... how?"
Yug nodded and turned to face Ravi properly.
"Yeah. I mean... I once suggested to Aarav that since Shaurya never went to rehab, he should at least consider therapy. I think he needs it." He paused. "So Aarav said... maybe I could help. Since I know him well enough."
Ravi's expression hardened almost instantly. His jaw clenched.
"You can't."
Yug blinked, caught off guard. "Since when do you get to decide what I can or can't do?"
"I'm not deciding," Ravi said evenly. "I'm just telling you."
"Why not?" Yug asked.
Ravi let out a quiet breath, as if holding back irritation. "Let's make this simple. Why do you think you left your previous profession so suddenly?"
Yug's gaze flickered for a second. "I told you—I wasn't interested in it anymore."
A faint, humorless smile crossed Ravi's face. "You're a terrible liar. Though, I'll give you this—you act well."
Yug swallowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ravi stepped a little closer, his voice dropping.
"You're afraid of blood."
"I'm not afraid, I just—"
"You shut down at the slightest mention of any violence," Ravi cut in. "Anything that goes out of your control—you can't handle it."
Yug's fingers curled slightly at his sides.
"You don't like being alone," Ravi continued, his tone sharper now. "You're scared of... all of this." He gestured vaguely around them. "Of me. Of what we do."
Yug's eyes flashed. "I'm not scared, alright? And even if I was—it's still my decision what I choose to do."
Ravi didn't respond immediately. He just watched him.
"Anand Surani."
The name hit like a punch.
"You never took another case after him." Ravi said slowly.
Yug felt a chill crawl up his spine, the hairs on his arms rising.
"...How do you know that?" he asked, his voice lower now.
Ravi held his gaze, unblinking. "I know everything about you. You can't hide things from me."
A pause.
"Something was wrong with that man," Ravi went on. "And you saw something you weren't supposed to see."
Yug didn't move. Didn't speak.
"You weren't always like this," Ravi said, softer now—but somehow more unsettling. "You changed after him. Completely."
Yug stayed quiet, but his hands slowly curled into fists at his sides.
"And I wanted to find that man," Ravi continued, his voice steady, "but I never got the time. Shaurya might be even worse than him. Things like this... they should be left alone."
For a moment, Yug didn't respond.
Then he exhaled the breath he'd been holding and abruptly turned away, walking off quickly.
"Where are you going?" Ravi called after him.
"I don't know," Yug muttered without stopping. "Just... stay away, okay?"
Ravi frowned, confused. "What?"
Yug stopped. For a second, his shoulders tensed before he turned back.
"I'm sorry," he said, but there was nothing apologetic in his tone. "I don't think this—whatever this is—can work."
Ravi's expression darkened.
"You're a fucking creep," Yug added, his face twisting with disgust. "You know things about my life I never told you. Things I don't want to talk about. That's not your right."
"Yug—" Ravi stepped forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"What the hell are you saying?" he demanded.
A bitter smile tugged at Yug's lips.
"My mistake, really," he said quietly. "I forgot I don't belong here... not among people like you."
He tried to pull his arm free.
"I don't want anything messing with your head any further," Ravi said, his grip tightening just slightly. "I care about you. Why can't you see that?"
Yug let out a short, hollow laugh.
"You're the only one messing up my head right now. I can think for myself just fine," he said. "So let go."
There was a pause.
Then Ravi's grip loosened.
Yug didn't look at him again. He just turned and walked away, his figure slowly dissolving into the darkness.
Ravi stayed where he was, watching... until there was nothing left to see.
-------------------------------------------
Next morning~
"Kya matlab mehndi nahi hogi? Dadi, dekho na!" Aarohi protested, her voice rising in disbelief.
"Dadi ko beech mein kyun la rahi hai tu?" Aarav shot back. "We're both guys—it's not even necessary."
"That's a very weird argument, Aarav," Eve cut in, crossing her arms. "Mehndi is happening. I've already finalised my outfit. Aarohi has too."
Aarav groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Guys, seriously. Already itne functions hain—roka today, then cocktail, Ganesh sthapna, haldi, and two weddings. I'll have to change outfits like ten times. It's exhausting."
"Tum log ek kaam kyun nahi karte," Dadi suggested calmly. "Ganesh puja wale din hi mehndi bhi kar lo. Puja toh waise bhi Shaurya ko hi karni hai."
"Dadiii..." Aarav whined, dropping his head back dramatically.
"By the way," Aarohi suddenly turned, narrowing her eyes slightly, "Yug, why are you so quiet?"
Yug, who had been completely zoned out, blinked at her like he'd just been pulled back to reality.
"You look tired," Aarav added. "Go sleep if you want."
Yug shook his head, forcing a small smile. "I'm okay."
"Ohh someone save me!"
Veer's dramatic cry echoed through the room. Everyone turned at once.
Ravi was standing behind him, gripping his arms while Veer struggled like his life depended on it—his legs shaking uncontrollably.
"Ise ab kya ho gaya?" Dadi muttered, already getting up and walking toward them.
"Dadi, bachao mujhe!" Veer pleaded, almost on the verge of collapsing.
"Kya ho gaya?" Dadi asked, trying not to laugh.
"Dadiii, yeh Ravi pagal ho gaya hai!" Veer complained, glaring at Ravi as he tried to free himself.
"Aur lagao shart," Aarohi said, rolling her eyes. "Maine pehle hi bola tha—tumse nahi hoga."
"Kaisi shart?" Dadi asked, looking between them.
Veer grabbed the glass of water handed to him and gulped it down like his life depended on it. Ravi pushed him gently onto the sofa.
"Isse bohot shauk tha choreography karne ka," Aarohi explained. "He wanted Shaurya and Ravi to dance. So inhone shart lagayi—agar Yug do ghante ka full leg day complete kar le, then both Shaurya and Ravi will dance."
Aarav snorted loudly from his seat.
"Iske toh pair seedhe khade reh nahi pa rahe," he laughed. "Choreograph kya karega yeh?"
"He was full on flexing is body," Veer groaned, still catching his breath. "Humare pairon pe zara bhi taras nahi khaya. Saari ladkiyan mujhpe has rahi thi!"
"Tum wahan ladkiyon ko taadne gaye the?" Aarohi raised an eyebrow sharply.
Veer froze for a second, then shook his head quickly.
Ravi didn't react. His gaze shifted instead—straight to Yug.
Yug was already looking at him.
For a brief second, their eyes met.
Yug immediately looked away.
"Ohh waise, Ravi..." Aarav leaned back casually. "Buddha kahan hai?"
Thwack.
Dadi smacked his arm hard.
Aarav jerked, rubbing it in confusion. "What—?"
"Kitni baar kaha hai," Dadi scolded, glaring at him, "apne sasur ko koi 'buddha' kehta hai? Yeh ladka—"
She raised her hand again.
"Dadi, Dadi!" Aarav flinched, scooting back. "Main Shaurya ki baat kar raha hoon!"
Dadi paused, then lowered her hand, still muttering under her breath.
"No idea," Ravi said simply, sitting down beside Veer.
"Achha, chalo sab," Dadi clapped her hands lightly. "Roke ki taiyyari bhi karni hai. Aarav, Shaurya ko mere room mein le aana. Mujhe usse baat karni hai."
"Eve, are you going for shopping?" Aarohi asked, already getting up.
"Yeah," Eve nodded. "Ravi's taking me to the boutique."
Aarav glanced sideways at Yug, clearing his throat slightly.
"Great! I'm coming as well" Aarohi chimed in instantly. "Need to buy something for the kids".
Eve and Aarohi headed upstairs together, still talking.
"I think I'll leave too," Aarav muttered, stretching a little. "Need to get ready."
His eyes fell on Veer, and he sighed.
"You. Come with me."
Before Veer could protest, Aarav grabbed his arm and pulled him up from the sofa.
"Arre—bhai—mere pair!" Veer yelped, limping dramatically as Aarav dragged him away.
They both walked off, Veer dramatically flashing a middle finger at Ravi on his way out.
Yug stood there for a moment, realizing the room had gone quiet.
Just him... and Ravi.
"Running away isn't going to help," Ravi said, getting up slowly.
Yug turned, his irritation clear. "What do you want now?"
Ravi stepped closer. "Talk to me."
Yug said nothing.
"Wahh, isharo-isharo mein baatein ho rahi hai," a voice chimed in.
Yug immediately stepped back.
Mirchi stood there, hands on his hips, grinning shamelessly.
Ravi shot him a glare. "Chup kar, mote! Maine tere matka jaisa mukka marke tod deni hai."
"Chhota hoon, bewakoof nahi," Mirchi shot back, unfazed.
Yug frowned. "How can you fat-shame a kid? Look at yourself."
Ravi smirked slightly. "Ohh, so now you're talking. And what about me?"
"We both know you grew that beard to hide your double chin," Yug said flatly.
Ravi looked personally attacked.
"I don't have a double chin," he snapped. "Aur sab koi aapki tarah sukhi hui machhli nahi hote. Khud pe bhi thoda dhyaan daale".
"Waah," Mirchi clapped lightly. "Pehli baar mere liye lad raha hai."
Before he could say more—
Thak!
Anirudh walked past and smacked the back of Mirchi's head.
"Mirchi, ek din teri zabaan kheench lunga main. Bhaag yahan se," he scolded.
Mirchi grumbled but ran off.
Anirudh turned to Yug with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about him."
Then he glanced at Ravi. "Chachi ke saath reh reh ke thoda bigad gaya hai."
Ravi just gave a small nod.
"Waise," Ravi added casually, "aapki chachi subah se dikhai nahi di."
Anirudh chuckled. "Still upset because no one informed her about the cocktail party. She thinks she looks just a bit older than Shaurya".
Ravi let out a small laugh at that.
Yug stood there, feeling oddly out of place between them.
Just then, Ravi's phone rang.
He glanced at it, then answered, "Yeah, I'm coming. I have the keys."
He hung up, then looked briefly at Yug.
"Well... you two carry on. I've got some work."
And just like that, he walked away.
Anirudh nodded, then turned back to Yug with an easy smile.
"So, hey."
Yug returned the smile and shook his hand. "Anirudh. Nice to meet you again."
"I thought you'd arrive yesterday," Anirudh said, tilting his head slightly.
Yug hesitated for a second. "Yeah... I had some work. Ended up getting here pretty late."
"I see," Anirudh nodded lightly. "Then you must be tired."
"No, I'm fine," Yug said. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Umm... I heard about your wife. I'm sorry. I hope you're okay."
Anirudh's smile didn't fade, but something in his eyes softened.
"I'm fine," he said after a pause. "I guess... we both lost someone special."
Yug's gaze dropped slightly.
"But maybe it was meant to happen," Anirudh added with a quiet sigh.
Yug didn't respond. He just nodded faintly.
A brief silence settled between them.
Then Anirudh clapped his hands once, breaking the heaviness.
"Anyway," he said, a little brighter now, "wanna join for some cricket?"
Yug looked up. "Cricket?"
"Yeah," Anirudh grinned. "Shaurya's playing with the other guys . Let's go."
Yug nodded. "Yeah... okay."
They started walking together, the distant sounds of laughter and shouting slowly growing louder as they approached the ground.
And just like that, the quiet weight of the moment began to lift—replaced by something lighter... but not entirely gone.