58
SHIVANI
THREE MONTHS LATER
"The stars are bright tonight, aren't they?" I sigh, sitting in Rudra's lap—his idea, not mine. I’m definitely not into public displays of affection, but according to him, he needs to constantly touch me. So, he’d just pulled me into his lap, not bothering to ask. I won’t admit it, but I’m secretly enjoying it way more than I should.
"Not as bright as you, my wife," he replies and kisses my forehead, and warmth fills me.
I laugh at the cheesiness, nudging him gently and shaking my head. "You're so mushy," I murmur, though I’m smiling. I try to sound unimpressed, but he knows me better.
He feigns a hurt expression. "What? Can't I even compliment my beautiful wife?"
I swat his chest as red covers my cheeks. "Stop it." He laughs at how flustered I am, and I pout like a child. That's when Aarav walks into the living room, and I jump off Rudra's lap like I’ve been caught doing something illegal. Simbu follows him, taking a place next to Rudra.
Rudra stares back at me, looking absolutely dumbfounded, as if we weren't just being intimate a few moments ago. I blush furiously, feeling embarrassed and a little guilty, even though there’s no reason to.
I avoid meeting his eyes, knowing full well he's watching me with that annoying amused look of his.
Aarav shakes his head with a smirk. "Can't keep your hands off each other, huh?"
"Shut up," I mutter, my cheeks growing impossibly hotter. Rudra laughs—a full-blown manly laugh—standing up and slinging his arm around my shoulders like it’s the most casual thing in the world. His actions pool heat in my guts, and I try not to melt right then and there.
"Don't bother her," he says to Aarav, but there's a warning in his tone.
Aarav just chuckles and flops down on the couch. "You two are hilarious. It's like watching a live rom-com."
I roll my eyes and stick my tongue out at him. "Well, not everyone can be as cool and composed as you, Aarav."
He laughs. "Touché, Bhabhi."
Aditi and Siddhant enter the room then, followed closely by Aaryan, who seems busy reading something on his phone.
Aarav had invited his friends over tonight.
He even asked for my permission first, just in case I’d be uncomfortable.
So thoughtful. Honestly, whoever ends up as Aarav’s wife is going to be insanely lucky.
Actually, now that I think about it, all the men in this house are so considerate—it’s kind of funny when you remember that half the world is scared of them.
The elders have gone to the temple for a two-day trip, so Aarav and Aditi planned a movie night at home. The whole vibe is cozy and warm, filled with lowlights, snacks, and lots of laughter. I pat Simbu, and he purrs at my touch.
Once everyone’s settled in, Aditi turns to me with a grin. “Bhabhi, what movie do you want to watch?”
“Anything but horror,” I tell her quickly, making everyone burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry, Bhabhi. We’ll stick to something fun,” Siddhant says, scrolling through the movie options on the TV.
Before I can sit down, Rudra pulls me right back into his lap, and I glare at him playfully. “Really? Again?”
“Yes, really,” he replies with that irresistible twinkle in his eyes. “I need you close. Because it's impossible to breathe without you.”
I roll my eyes but let him. His arms around me feel too good to protest for real. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“But you love it,” he grins as he squeezes me in his arms.
Aarav laughs from the couch. “I don’t know who’s cheesier—you two or the actual cheesy rom-coms we’re about to watch.” I blush again, trying to glare at him this time, but he just smirks and looks away.
Just then, my phone starts ringing, and I turn my attention to it—it’s Maa. “I’ll be back,” I whisper to Rudra, getting up to answer the call. But of course, he follows me, like he can’t stay two feet away from me. And it makes me happy. And maybe proud too?
“Hi Maa,” I answer the call with a small smile.
Maa’s familiar voice floats through the phone, instantly comforting. “Shivani, beta. How are you?”
My smile broadens, feeling his hand brush against mine gently. He’s not saying anything, but his presence is loud and constant—like a safety net I didn’t know I needed. I like it when he does that.
“I’m fine, Maa. And you?”
“Everyone’s fine here,” she replies. I can hear the smile in her voice, and it brings one to my face too.
Rudra leans down, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re blushing,” he whispers, clearly teasing.
“I heard that, Raksh!” Maa exclaims from the other end, and my eyes widen. Oh no.
I pass the phone to him quickly, not trusting myself to respond without combusting from embarrassment. He chuckles and puts the phone on speaker. “Hi, Maa!” He says brightly.
“Are you troubling my daughter?” Maa asks in a playful tone, and it instantly makes me relax.
Rudra laughs, his voice rumbling against my shoulder. “Not at all, Maa. Just keeping her on her toes.”
“Shivani, beta, if he gives you any trouble, just tell me. I’ll set him straight.” I giggle at her words. I love how easily she takes my side—it’s so satisfying. And it feels like a blessing to have them all beside me.
“Don’t worry, Maa. He’s behaving... for now.”
“For now?” Maa’s voice is mock-stern. “Rudra, don’t make me come over there.”
He pretends to be shocked, as his eyes glint with mischief. “You’re both ganging up on me.”
“Anyway, I’d never do that, Maa,” Rudra adds, his voice softening. “I know better than to get on your bad side.”
“Good boy,” she teases, and I can practically see her smiling. “And Shivani, don’t let him get away with too much. Sometimes these men need a firm hand.”
“I know who the boss is,” Rudra says, winking at me.
“Of course I’m the boss,” I say, trying to sound stern, but I end up laughing.
“Beta, whether you both admit it or not, Shivani will always be the boss,” Papa says suddenly, and we both go still for a second, surprised.
“I’m happy that way,” Rudra says quietly, looking at me with a soft smile. His eyes sparkle in that way that always turns my insides to mush. My heart races.
“Raksh, Bhabhi! If you’re done with your romance, can we please watch the movie?” Aaryan yells from the living room.
“Okay, you two go enjoy yourselves; we will come back tomorrow,” Maa informs us before lowering her voice.
“Why did you tell them? We were going to surprise them!” Papa huffs, and they start bickering.
I giggle helplessly as Rudra shakes his head, but there’s a smile on his face too. He ends the call and casually slips my phone into his pocket, taking my hand and leading me back to the living room.
We settle back on the couch, this time behind everyone. I sink into Rudra’s lap again, leaning into his chest. His arms come around me naturally, and I feel... home.
As the movie plays, laughter and jokes echo around the room, and Rudra’s hand strokes my arm gently. It’s such a small thing, but I feel it. All of it.
I glance around, taking in the smiles, the comfort, and the warmth that fills this space. My heart swells. This—this right here—is everything I once dreamed of. Family, love, safety, and a place where I belong.
What started as a forced arranged marriage has somehow turned into the most beautiful blessing of my life. I found love. I found peace. I found people who cherish me for who I am.
I glance up at Rudra. He catches my eye and smiles.
“What’s on your mind?” He asks softly, his breath brushing against my skin, giving me goosebumps.
“Just thinking how lucky I am,” I whisper. “That I got to marry this ruthless, arrogant man.”
He chuckles, and warmth surges in me. “For everyone else, maybe. But never for you, Shivani. I’m hopelessly in love with you.”
He kisses me, soft and quick, but it still makes my heart race. “And I’m the one who’s lucky,” he adds.
“Okay, fine,” I sigh dramatically; he will never let me win this argument. “Let’s just say we’re both lucky, okay?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I don’t agree. I’m the lucky one. Fight me.”
I laugh, leaning my head against his shoulder.
I look at him—really look at him—and I know, deep in my soul, that this man is everything.
He makes me feel seen, special, and loved beyond reason.
He knows what I need before I can even say it, reads my face like it’s his favorite book, reads my books even though he doesn't like the genre, and spends all the time he can with me without being asked. He’s my world. This man healed my broken heart.
“You’re the best gift God has ever given me,” I whisper and lean back into him, letting the warmth of the room wrap around me.
This—this is my home, my family, my heart. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.