Chapter 22
The bell at the temple entrance chimed softly as Veeransh stepped inside.
Pandit Harinarayan was seated before a circle made of red kumkum and dried leaves, chanting softly under his breath. His face was serene but his eyes, when they opened and fell on Veeransh, held centuries of knowing.
“Tum aa gaye,” he said calmly.
But Veeransh’s voice was anything but calm.
Veeransh asked immediately
“Aapne use kuch bataya hai kya?”
Pandit Harinarayan didn’t move for a moment. He simply observed him, like one would watch a river trying to go against its own flow.
Pandit Harinarayan:Beta, zyada kuch to nahi bataya… par itna bata diya hai ki woh yeh faisla kar paaye…
ki use tumhare saath rehna hai ya nahi.
The words made something twist inside Veeransh something sharp and unnameable.
He clenched his fists.
Veeransh (angrily):Mat involve kariye use in sab mein.”
His voice rose, echoing against the stone pillars.
“Vo sab nahi jaanta… aur main nahi chahta ki vo kabhi jaane.”
The pandit sighed and got up slowly, walking to stand beside the ancient idol of Shiva.
He looked at Veeransh with a grave sadness in his gaze.
Pandit Harinarayan:Usse jaane ka haq hai, Veer.
Tum usse sach nahi chhupa sakte.
Uski takdir mein hai ye.
Takdir ka likha kaise badal sakte ho, Veer?
Veeransh’s eyes flashed with anger, yes, but also fear. A deep, hollow fear.
Veeransh:Vo sab nahi jaanta aur mai bas itna jaanta hu ki use main in saari cheezon se door rakhunga.
His voice cracked.
He didn't notice.
But Pandit Harinarayan did.
The older man’s eyes softened. He placed a hand on Veeransh’s shoulder.
Veeransh: uske bina bhi main sab theek kar dunga.
Pandit Harinarayan, voice gentle but firm:
“Par kya tum uski dil ki awaaz ko rok sakte ho?
Uski pehchaan ko?
Us rishtay ko, jo janmo ka hai?”
Veeransh’s breath hitched just for a moment.He turned away, unable to bear the weight of words as heavy as fate.
He walked out of the temple without another word.
But as he left, Pandit Harinarayan closed his eyes and murmured softly into the emptiness:
“aur kehta hai pyaar nhi hai ise, kaise samjhau tumhe veer."
...........
The morning sunshine filtered softly through the haveli’s wide, carved windows. Aariv walked slowly to the dining hall, trying to act normal despite the heaviness still tugging in his chest from the confrontation last night.
Ridha and Yug were already sitting at the dining table, munching on parathas, while Rudra was scrolling through his phone.
Aariv asked softly “Rudra bhaiya… maa-papa kahan gaye hain? Vo nahi aaye breakfast ke liye.”
Rudra looked up, barely lifting his eyes from the screen.
Rudra:Nahi, vo actually… subah hi nikal gaye. Kuch important meeting thi.
Aariv:Ooo…
he nodded, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Ridha, taking a sip of chai, suddenly leaned forward, squinting around the room.
Ridha:Veer kaha hai? Dikh nahi raha.
Aariv froze. A hollow pit formed in his chest, but he kept his voice light.
Aariv:Vo… pata nahi. Kahin gaye hain subah hi.
Ridha slapped her palm against her forehead dramatically.
Ridha:Kya karu is ladke ka? Oh god!
Just then a familiar presence washed into the room.
The air seemed to subtly change.
Veeransh entered, tall and composed, his expression unreadable.
He took his seat without greeting anyone.
Aariv glanced up at him once… then quickly looked down, his fingers playing nervously with the edge of the plate
Ridha said mockingly
“Oh dekho to kaun aaya?”
Veeransh didn't look fazed, didn’t react.
Just calmly began serving himself.
Veeransh:Kya hua di?
Ridha:Hoga kya? Roz ka hai. Kabhi to time pe kha liya kar!
Veeransh:Hmm.
Ridha:What hmm??
Then, with a dramatic sigh, she turned to Aariv, cupping her chin dreamily.
Ridha (to Aariv):
“Baby, ab bas tum hi ise sudhaar sakte ho.”
Aariv blinked twice, confused.
Veeransh paused, mid-bite, eyes flicking briefly to Ridha, then to Aariv… then down to his plate.
Veeransh:Main bigda hi kab hoon, di? he said calmly.
Ridha (ignoring him, still to Aariv):
“Tumhe puri khulli chhut hai, maar bhi sakte ho isko. Bas kaise bhi ise khana khila diya karo.”
Yug and Rudra burst into light laughter.Aariv’s eyes widened. He looked at Veeransh who, unbelievably, didn’t even flinch.
Veeransh (deadpan):
“Sharir to dekh ke baat kariye di.pehle pohoch to jaaye mere tak. I mean… seriously you think he can?”
Aariv gulped, embarrassed, flustered. His fingers curled into loose fists in his lap.
Ridha raised a brow, ready to fire back.
Ridha:A wife can do anything, my brother.use waha tk pohochne ki jarurat nhi nhi padegi aur tum vo sab karoge jo vo chahega.
Veeransh looked away while Aariv looked at Ridha.
..........
Veeransh and rudra went to office and now only yug ridha and aariv left in the house.
They are currently watching some English movie.
Suddenly a kissing scene came on the screen. Aariv immediately closed his eyes with his hands. Yug and ridha started laughing at that .
Yug: ab to sharmana chhod de shaadi ho gyi hai teri ha haha haha.
Aariv whined and turned his face away.
Ridha: oh god , you are such a cutie, baby. My idiot brother really got the jackpot.
Aariv face turned more red .
Yug : pata hai di ye humesha aise hi Karta even if the hero hold the hands home his partner , he starts blushing.
Aariv : aisa nhi hai jhut mt bolo yuggie piggie
Yug : lo hadd hai ab sach bhi jhut lg rha hai tumhe. C'mon aaru just accept it
Ridha: bas bas don't tease my baby.
Aariv looked at her
"Sacchi"
Ridha pinched his soft cheeks lightly and said "yes cutie"
They spend whole day laughing and playing with eachother.
............
The sun was already low in the sky, coloring the haveli in warm amber.
The front gate creaked open just as Rudra stepped out of his SUV, unbuttoning the top of his formal shirt after a long day at the office.
He was rolling his shoulders casually when suddenly
Thud.
A body crashed right into his chest.
Rudra instinctively wrapped his arms around the person, steadying them before they both fell. When he looked down, he found Yug blinking back up at him in pure horror.
Rudra (with a smirk): “Hey, tikhi mirchi… why so in a hurry, huh?”
Yug froze for a second it was like his brain rebooted before anger clicked back into place.
Yug:Chhodo mujhe.
Rudra (tightening his grip and leaning in): Kamal karte ho tum… khud aake mere baahon mein gir gaye, aur ab keh rahe ho chhod do? Tch, tch…
Yug tried to wiggle out, pushing against Rudra’s chest But Rudra didn’t budge.
Yug: Jyada oversmart banne ki zarurat nahi hai, samjhe?you flirty psycho mai jaan bujh ke nhi gira tha, chhod do nhi to...
Rudra chuckled, low and amused.
Rudra: Aur agar main na chhodo, toh? Hmm?”
Yug paused, eyes narrowing, and a devious smile twisted his pretty mouth.
Yug (sweetly): “Soch lo. Nahi chhoda toh...”
Rudra : Toh kya, mirchi?
Yug didn’t waste another moment.
He raised his knee just slightly and kicked Rudra in the balls.
Not hard enough to cause lasting damage, but enough to make Rudra gasp and stumble back, clutching himself.
Rudra (groaning): Aah! What the...?! Tumne , you?!
Yug flipped his hair back casually.
Yug: “You made me do it.”
He turned away coolly, walking off like it was the most casual thing in the world.
Rudra straightened with effort, still holding himself, and called after him in pained protest.
Rudra: “You damaged some of our babies!”
Yug didn’t even turn. He simply lifted a hand and gave him the middle finger behind his back.
Yug: In your dreams.
Rudra couldn’t help the painful laugh that escaped as he watched the little storm walk away.
Rudra : God, gonna marry this storm one day
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