Chapter - 97
Hello, beautiful people! ??
The car stopped outside Mr. Rawat's house, and my heart already felt heavy.
Inside...
The entire living room was full of people—crying, whispering, touching each other's shoulders, trying to console Mr. Rawat and their daughter.
But my eyes...
My eyes went straight to the photo kept on the table.
Mrs. Rawat.
Smiling.
Happy.
Alive... but now with a garland around her picture.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
My chest tightened.
My knees felt weak, almost like they would give up any moment.
"Siya... beta," Mr. Rawat's voice broke as he held me tightly.
"She left us..."
Left us.
My mind understood.
My heart... didn't know how to react.
But still—
No tears came.
Just a deep, heavy numbness settled inside me.
Everyone around me cried, but I stood there quietly...
staring at the photo like the world was tilting slowly, crushingly.
Someone said the accident had burned her body completely...
only a few remains were found.
The room felt colder after hearing that.
My gaze moved...
and stopped at a little girl sitting in a corner.
Not a little girl, actually... maybe my age, maybe a bit older.
Crying like her whole world had ended.
And in that moment... something inside me cracked.
Because I saw myself in her.
The girl who lost her parents.
The girl who didn't get a chance to cry.
The girl who didn't get time to mourn.
The girl whose right to grieve was snatched from her before she even understood loss.
For a moment, I felt myself drifting into that old memory—
that small Siya who stood alone at her parents' funeral, not knowing what pain meant... not knowing how to cry.
I didn't even realize my breathing had turned uneven until a warm, familiar hand rested on my shoulder.
Avi.
I looked at him.
And just that look was enough.
I steadied myself.
I pulled in a breath... gathered the broken pieces of my heart... and walked toward the girl.
She looked up at me with red, swollen eyes.
And without a single word, she hugged me tightly.
Her body shook with every sob.
"Siya didi..." she cried into my shoulder,
"Mumma... she... she left me."
I felt her pain hit me like a wave.
My arms wrapped around her slowly, firmly.
I didn't tell her "everything will be fine."
Because I knew it wouldn't be.
Not right now.
Not for her.
I just held her.
Let her cry.
Let her break.
Let her pour out the grief that I once never got the chance to feel.
Her tears fell.
Mine didn't.
Because my pain lived silently—
in the memories, the thoughts, the deep parts of me no one could see.
But for her...
I stayed steady.
Strong.
Present.
A small whisper left my lips, soft and careful:
"I'm here... cry as much as you want."
Because sometimes...
the only thing a hurting heart needs
is someone who doesn't tell them to stop crying.
Someone who simply stays.
One week later
It had been seven days since the accident.
Seven heavy, slow days.
Avi was finally recovering.
He had started working from home—only for a few hours, only when he felt better.
He wanted to go back to the office, but I didn't let him.
He needed rest... and he listened to me quietly.
Everything in the palace was slowly becoming normal again.
Anaya had left for London.
Papa wasn't going to the office these days.
Chachu and Arjun bhaiya were also getting some rest and even their workload had reduced.
Maa, Chachi, and Dadi Maa had started spending time together like before.
Seeing everyone trying to return to their routine... felt peaceful.
But one thing... kept hurting me quietly.
Bhai.
He still didn't answer a single call of mine.
Ever since he learned the truth... he hadn't spoken a word to me.
Even when I called Bhabhi, he refused to talk.
I wanted to go to him... sit beside him... hold his hand...
But I couldn't.
My Avi needed me more right now.
He was recovering, still weak, still in pain he didn't show.
And Natasha...
She was with my bhai these days.
She came to meet me once but didn't say a word before leaving.
I didn't blame her.
Whatever truth she heard...
Some things take time to digest.
Time to accept.
Time to breathe with.
The car stopped.
I stepped out quietly, my mind still full of thoughts, and walked straight inside.
I didn't need to ask where Avi was.
Straight toward the study.
Because I knew.
I would find my Avi there.
Always there.
I pushed the door open gently.
There he was...
sitting on the chair, laptop in front of him, one hand on his forehead, looking tired even though he wouldn't admit it.
For a second... I just stood at the door.
Watching him.
Breathing in the relief that he was okay.
Here.
Alive.
"Avi..." I said softly.
He looked up immediately, eyes searching for me, like seeing me was the peace he didn't get from anything else.
And in that moment...
my whole body finally felt home.
He put his work aside completely and said, "Come here."
I moved toward him, almost like I had been waiting for him to call me, my heart quietly racing. As I reached him, he held my hand, pulled me closer, and made me sit on his lap.
I tried to get up, hesitated... but he held me tightly. "Stay here," he murmured. And then he hugged me. His lips brushed my bare neck, soft, warm. "I missed you," he whispered.
I shook my head slightly, a small smile on my lips. "I just went out for a few hours, Avi..."
He shook his head, pressing his forehead lightly against mine.
"Still... I missed you.
Not just your presence, but every feeling you never hid from me.
I miss the old Siya—my little overthinker.
The Siya who cried when her emotions got too much.
The Siya who got angry at me so easily.
The one who never feared showing every emotion in her heart.
Not this quiet, careful Siya... the one who hesitates, who holds herself back.
This version of you... it scares me sometimes. "
He cupped my face gently, holding me still.
"Look at me, baby. I'm not a dream.
I'm real. And I'm right here with you.
You don't have to be strong with me.
I'm not going anywhere—not now, not ever.
I will never leave you alone. I will never.
.. never let you feel that loneliness again. "
I hugged him tightly, pressing my face against his chest.
Tears gathered in my eyes, but I didn't cry out loud.
I whispered into his shirt, my voice trembling,
"Avi... I'm scared.
I can't sleep properly even now.
Every night I see the same dreams.
I tried not to think... tried not to remember... but I can't.
I... I was too alone.
Even when everyone was around, even when they cared... I still felt alone.
I..."
I paused, choking on the words I'd held inside for so long. But he didn't let me go. He just held me, steady, grounding me. And in his arms, for the first time in twenty-eight days... maybe even longer... I felt like I could breathe again.
"You're not alone anymore," he murmured. "Not ever. I'm here. Always."
I closed my eyes, letting my pain flow silently into him, letting him take it, knowing I didn't have to be strong for a single second more.
She had left me a few minutes ago to freshen up, and I found myself staring at the empty space where she had just been.
Her warmth... her presence... it still lingered in the room, like a shadow I wasn't ready to lose yet.
I knew she was handling everything perfectly — her college, her duties as Rani sa... even taking care of me.
But I also knew she was holding back.
The fear, the overthinking... all the little things she never shared with me anymore.
She thinks I need rest.
She thinks she shouldn't burden me.
Burden?
How could she ever be that to me?
I love every side of her — her strength, her fears, her doubts, her chaos.
And now... I just want her to be my Siya.
My wife.
With me, not running the whole palace alone.
And I knew exactly what I had to do.
A few hours later, she came to take me downstairs for dinner.
But before she could move, I caught her hand.
"Wait," I said quietly.
She blinked at me, confused.
Before she could ask anything, I guided her toward the upper staircase.
"Avi... where are we going?" she whispered.
"Just come with me," I murmured.
When the terrace door opened, she froze.
The terrace glowed softly—
fairy lights draped in warm curves,
a small round table in the center,
two chairs,
and freshly served food...
steam rising gently from her favourite dishes.
A light breeze moved around us, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the pots placed along the edges.
She turned to me slowly, eyes wide.
"You... did this?"
I didn't answer.
I simply guided her to sit.
"Tonight," I said softly, pulling the chair out for her,
"you're just mine."
Her breath hitched, a soft tremor running through her fingers as she sat down.
And seeing her like that — surprised, touched — something warm settled in my chest.
For the first time in weeks... I saw her heart soften.
I leaned down, brushing my thumb across her knuckles.
"You run around the whole day, Siya.
You take care of everyone.
You hold everything inside you.
But tonight... you can rest.
You can breathe."
She looked at the table, at the lights, then at me —
like she was seeing something she didn't know she still deserved.
I took the seat opposite her, our knees brushing lightly under the table.
"Avi... this is beautiful," she whispered.
I smiled — small, honest.
"Not more than you."
Her cheeks turned pink immediately.
Damn... I had missed this blush too much.
I served her plate first.
She tried to stop me, placing her hand over mine.
"Avi, I can do it—"
"You do enough," I murmured, my voice low.
"Tonight... let me."
She didn't argue.
She just watched me — really watched me — the way no one ever does.
People usually avoid my eyes.
She holds them.
We started eating slowly.
She kept staring at her plate, pretending to be busy, but that soft color on her cheeks... it gave her away.
"You're quiet," I said, my voice gentle only for her.
She hesitated, then lifted her head.
"I... don't know what to feel," she admitted softly.
"It's been so long since something felt this..."
She paused.
"...this peaceful."
I leaned back slightly, studying her face.
"You deserve peace every day, Siya," I whispered.
"Not just tonight."
She blinked, and for a second, I saw her heart in her eyes — soft, tired, overflowing.
We finished our dinner like that — quietly, gently, with her stealing shy glances at me and me pretending not to notice.
When she stood up, I caught her hand again.
"Come," I said.
She didn't ask where.
She just followed.
I took her to the swing — the one I added only because she loves it.
Only because her smile is worth more than my entire kingdom.
I made her sit, and then I sat beside her.
The night breeze was soft, the lights dim around us.
Slowly, I pulled her toward me and placed her head on my chest.
She fit there perfectly.
"This..." she whispered, closing her eyes, "...I needed this."
My hand slid into her hair, holding her close.
"You'll have anything you need," I said quietly.
"As long as I'm breathing... you will never need to ask."
And finally—finally—I felt her body relax fully in my arms.
The tension she carried... the heaviness... it melted against me.
The world sees a king.
She's the only one who sees the man.
"Siya," I murmured, gently brushing my fingers through her soft hair, "look at me once."
She hesitated... then lifted her face.
Those eyes.
So warm.
So tired.
So full of feelings she never says out loud in the last few days.
I touched her cheek lightly with my thumb.
"You're thinking too much again."
She blinked—caught instantly.
"I... I was just—"
"Overthinking," I completed.
Her eyes widened. "Am I that easy to read?"
"For me?" I leaned close, my voice low, "You're the easiest."
Her breath shook—a tiny sound she always tried to hide.
But I heard it.
I always do.
I tilted her chin up with my fingers.
"Avi..." she whispered, shy... soft... mine.
I pressed a slow kiss on her forehead.
She closed her eyes immediately, her fingers clutching my shirt tightly.
"You..." she breathed, "why do you always do this?"
I smiled against her skin. "Do what?"
"M-make me feel..." she whispered, trying to find words, "...like the world disappears."
I cupped the back of her head and rested my forehead against hers.
"Because for me," I whispered, "it does."
Her cheeks turned pink instantly.
She looked away, trying to hide her blush — but she forgets I see everything.
"Angel," I said.
She hummed softly, "hmm?" and looked up at me.
The moment her eyes met mine, before she realized anything... I put my lips on hers.
The kiss wasn't rushed.
It wasn't desperate.
It was love — pure, deep, slow.
Her lips were soft, warm, familiar.
God, I missed this.
I missed her.
I held her face gently, kissing her like she was something fragile and precious.
She gasped softly against my mouth — the kind of sound that broke all the cold left in me — and then she kissed me back.
Her hands slid up, holding my shirt, pulling me closer.
I moved my thumb across her cheek, calming her, guiding her, loving her.
When I felt her breath growing uneven, I slowly pulled back, keeping my forehead on hers.
She whispered, almost breathless, "Avi... you're not allowed to kiss me like that without warning."
I smirked. "You want a warning?"
She nodded shyly, her face turning red.
I leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Fine. Next time... I'll whisper that I'm about to kiss you."
Her whole face turned crimson.
"Avi!" she scolded, hitting my chest lightly.
I laughed softly — a sound I barely recognize these days — but she always brings it out of me.
And with her still blushing against me...
I held her tighter, feeling like my world finally returned to its place.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I felt was warmth.
Avi's arms.
I was wrapped in them, pressed against his chest like he never wanted to let me go.
His face... so peaceful, so calm, like the whole world finally stopped troubling him.
Nothing in this world felt as peaceful as watching him sleep.
Nothing.
I lifted my hand slowly and brushed my fingers across his forehead, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss there.
"Good morning, Avi..." I whispered.
I tried to get up carefully, but before I could even move an inch, his arms tightened around me.
"Where are you going?" he murmured in his sleepy, deep voice.
"First let me wish you good morning properly, baby."
Before I could even blush properly, in the next moment I was lying under him, my back touching the mattress and him hovering above me.
"Avi..." I whispered, shy but... defeated in front of his eyes.
He didn't say anything.
He just leaned down and kissed me.
And the world stopped.
The kiss wasn't soft this time — it was hungry, deep, like we had both been waiting for it.
His lips tasted warm and familiar, and my hands moved on their own, sliding into his hair and pulling him closer.
For a moment... I forgot everything.
Every fear.
Every thought.
Every nightmare.
It was just me and him.
I surprised even myself when I kissed him harder, pulling him down with more force, dominating the kiss — and he let me. He smiled against my lips as if he loved this version of me.
Just when his hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer—
His phone rang.
He groaned. I covered my face with my hands and burst into a small laugh.
He muttered., "I hate this phone."
I pushed him lightly. "Go. Take the call. I'll... get ready."
Before he could pull me back, I slipped out from under him and rushed to the bathroom, my face burning.
Inside, I stood in front of the mirror, my face red like a tomato.
"Siya..." I whispered to myself, "stop blushing so much..."
But... how could I?
He makes me feel so much.
Too much.
I took a long, warm shower, letting the water calm my thoughts, my overthinking... my racing heart.
Then I got ready — carefully, slowly.
A bright pink saree with heavy golden embroidery.
Traditional jewelry.
Matching bangles.
A small bindi.
When I looked at myself, I paused for a moment.
I felt like...
A queen.
His queen.
And the thought alone made my heart flutter so loudly I had to press my hand over my chest.
"Avi will tease me so much..." I whispered, blushing again.
But somewhere inside...
I wanted him to.
I wanted his eyes to find me.
I wanted his smile.
I wanted his warmth.
I wanted... him.
After breakfast, Avi and I sat in the car, the silence warm... comfortable.
He reached for my hand without looking at me, his fingers sliding through mine.
A simple touch — but it said everything.
I'm with you.
You're not alone.
Not anymore.
I squeezed his hand gently in return.
The drive was long. The roads grew emptier, quieter... familiar.
Uncomfortably familiar.
My heart tightened — not in fear... just in preparation.
I knew where we were going.
I knew who we were going to meet.
And I knew why.
The car finally stopped near a basement entrance — dark, silent, the air thick with secrets.
Avi stepped out first, his face shifting into the expression the world feared — cold, sharp, unreadable.
I stepped out beside him, matching his pace, matching his silence.
We walked together — like a king and his queen.
Not fragile.
Not scared.
Just steady.
The place was old... damp walls, metal, and something unspoken lingering in the air.
A weak bulb flickered above us as we moved deeper underground.
Then came the room.
A single window high on the wall let in one thin line of sunlight.
Dust floated in the beam like tiny ghosts.
And in the farthest corner... sat a figure.
Thin. Weak. Shoulders slumped.
Almost merging with the darkness.
But I saw the person.
From the day I learned about this person... I never looked away.
Avi stopped behind me, letting me take the lead — like Avi knew I needed to.
My footsteps echoed against the cold floor.
My heartbeat stayed calm... too calm.
The person lifted its head slowly, as if even that small movement hurt.
I looked straight at the person — no fear, no pity, no anger.
Only truth.
My voice came out low... cold... steady.
"How are you, R-9?"
And the room fell silent.
Completely still.