Devyani meets kaizan
RIVAN groaned, his voice sharp but controlled.
Her tiny body clung even tighter, her face stubbornly pressed into his neck.
"No... no! He'll eat me... me and you both! He's a very big monster—"
She hiccupped, trembling, her words slipping without filter. "Just like you..."
Rivan's eyes widened. The weight of her innocent insult cut straight through his chest. His jaw locked, fury sparking in his dark gaze.
"What the fuck did you just say?" His voice came out low, dangerous, edged with that raw dominance that made even men flinch.
Devyani froze instantly, realizing what had slipped out. Her throat tightened, lips sealing shut in regret. She didn't dare move, didn't dare breathe. Silence fell between them, broken only by her shaky breaths against his skin.
Rivan exhaled slowly, his large palms still steadying her trembling frame. With a sharp grunt, he adjusted his weight and pushed himself off the ground.
Her hands refused to let go, locked tightly around his neck. Her legs tangled instinctively around his waist like a terrified child. Her small frame clung as if he were her only shield in this world. Her tears dampened his shirt, her breath fanning over his throat.
Rivan's body stiffened in disbelief at her audacity. This girl—this idiot girl—was clinging to him like he was her savior. Him. Rivan Thakur. The monster she feared.
But before he could process the strange storm inside him, his sharp gaze landed ahead.
The entire Thakur family stood frozen at the top of the stairs.
The scene must have looked... too intimate. Too impossible. Rivan Thakur—feared, untouchable, untamed—standing with a trembling Devyani wrapped tightly around him like he belonged to her.
Yashodha's hand flew to her lips, eyes wide in disbelief.
Rekha blinked rapidly as if she couldn't trust what she was seeing.
Jinal and Aaradhya both instantly covered their eyes with their palms, though sly smiles threatened to curve on their lips.
Payal peeked through her fingers, stifling a giggle.
Even Aditya's normally calm face showed stunned surprise.
And Virendra Thakur—The Patriarch himself—stood with arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. His sharp eyes twinkled with amusement and something deeper... satisfaction.
Because he knew. He knew his eldest son hated touch, despised women, couldn't tolerate Devyani's presence—yet here he was. Not shoving her away. Not roaring in anger. Not tearing her off his body.
Instead... holding her.
The family exchanged glances. This was not the Rivan Thakur they knew.
The air thickened with unspoken tension. The sound of Devyani's faint sobs, muffled into Rivan's neck, was the only thing echoing in the corridor.
And for the first time in many years, the Thakur Haveli witnessed their lion cornered—not by power, not by an enemy, but by the fragile hold of an innocent girl.
Rivan clenched his jaw, his ears burning as he realized the audience. His pride, his control—it all seemed to be slipping under the weight of her arms around him.
He wanted to shout, to order them away, but something inside him refused to move. He just stood there, his hand still firm on her back, the girl trembling against him while his entire family saw the one truth he couldn't deny.
That Devyani... had managed the impossible.
Rivan's sharp gaze swept over the entire family. His jaw ticked, his nostrils flared. He didn't utter a word to them—he didn't need to. His eyes alone carried the weight of his fury.
Slowly, with one arm still holding Devyani secure against him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. His movements were precise, deadly calm—the calm before a storm.
Everyone's breath hitched, the corridor thick with silence, only broken by Devyani's muffled sobs in his neck. She was trembling violently, lost in her fear, completely unaware of the storm her husband was unleashing on the family in that very moment.
The call connected. Rivan's voice came out like steel, deep and cold.
"Make sure my floor is unavailable for any family member from this moment onwards. No one is allowed without my permission. Make it forbidden. Anyone dares, they'll regret it."
He didn't shout. He didn't need to. His words were command enough to send chills down the spine of anyone who heard them. He cut the call in one swift move and lifted his glare back to the stairs where his family stood.
His dark eyes burned with unspoken rage, throwing daggers at each one of them. He didn't say a word, but the message was clear: They had crossed a line. And they would never dare to repeat it.
The family members shifted uncomfortably.
Jinal quickly looked down, Payal bit her lip nervously, and Aaradhya tugged at her dupatta, cheeks burning in embarrassment.
Rekha and Yashodha exchanged quick glances, both equally unsettled.
Even Aditya, the calm one, lowered his eyes, not daring to meet his brother's.
But Virendra Singh Thakur... the smirk on his lips never faded. If anything, it grew sharper, almost like he was watching a prophecy unfold. His son was changing—and the catalyst was none other than the trembling girl clinging to him like he was her entire world.
One by one, the family members turned away, descending the stairs quietly. None of them dared to speak a word. The heavy silence, thick with embarrassment, was answer enough.
But Rivan? He wasn't embarrassed. Not even close.
If he was the type to feel "uncomfortable" with someone clinging to him, Devyani would've been dead in the first five minutes of their marriage.
He didn't tolerate touch. He didn't allow closeness.
But here she was—wrapped around him like a lifeline.
And instead of tearing her away... he let her be.
If that didn't scream power, nothing did.
After the last footstep faded down the stairs, silence consumed the corridor once again. Only Devyani's soft sobs remained, vibrating against his throat, her tears soaking his skin through his shirt.
Rivan exhaled slowly, tilting his head down at the fragile figure glued to him. His expression was unreadable—caught somewhere between irritation, curiosity, and an emotion he wasn't ready to name.
Rivan's strides were long, his grip on Devyani unyielding as he carried her through the corridor like she weighed nothing.
Her small frame was still trembling, her fingers tangled in the fabric of his shirt as though she feared letting go meant death itself.
He pushed open the heavy doors of his room with a swift kick, stepped inside, and slammed them shut with the force of finality.
The air in the room shifted instantly—thick, oppressive, dominated by his presence. He carried her to the center, his chest rising and falling sharply, until at last he stopped and spoke, his tone calm but laced with dangerous venom.
"Now..." his eyes bored into her, "...will you stand up on your own feet? Or should I snatch the very reason that keeps you standing—so you won't be able to get up for a week?"
The words were low, sharp, a threat disguised as choice.
Devyani stiffened, her wide eyes looking up at him in disbelief.
Her lips parted, trembling, before she quickly untangled herself and slid off him as though his touch burned.
She staggered back a little, clutching the edge of her dupatta nervously.
Only then did the realization crash over her—she had been clinging to him, holding onto him like a child terrified of the dark.
Her face flamed. The redness in her eyes from tears, the puffiness around her nose, the streaked cheeks—combined with the nervous way she bit down on her lip—only made her look more helplessly innocent.
Rivan noticed. Oh, he noticed.
Her disheveled hair framed her flushed face, her nose red from crying, her lips trembling as though she'd beg for mercy at any moment. She looked like something fragile, untouched, breakable. And that innocence—it was a weapon more dangerous than any blade aimed at his chest.
His jaw tightened. He tilted his head slightly, studying her, his eyes dark and unreadable. For the first time that night, silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
Devyani, unable to bear the weight of his gaze, lowered her eyes to the floor. Her fingers fidgeted nervously with the end of her dupatta, twisting and untwisting it, her small frame trembling as though his very shadow could crush her.
Rivan exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face as though trying to compose himself. Her tears... her scent... her closeness—it had unsettled something deep in his core. Something he didn't want to acknowledge.
"Pathetic," he muttered, though whether it was meant for her or himself, he didn't clarify.
But in that dimly lit room, one truth was undeniable—no matter how harsh his words were, he hadn't pushed her away.
Not then.
Not now.
.
.
DEVYANI POV
I was still standing there, my legs shaking like they could collapse any second, when he suddenly turned as if to leave. My throat tightened, my heart hammering wildly. The fear was so much I nearly screamed before the words tumbled out in panic.
"W-Where... you are going?"
He only stopped for a second, shot me an annoyed look that made my stomach drop, and then walked out without answering.
My heart raced faster—where was he going? What if... what if that giant black dog caught him? My chest clenched so painfully I thought I wouldn't survive another second. Images flashed in my head—those sharp teeth, the roars I had heard. What if... he got bitten? What if that monster killed him?
The silence outside was unbearable. My trembling hands clutched the edge of my SAREE, my nails digging into the fabric. I prayed silently—please don't let him die, please don't let that dog eat him.
And then... the door opened.
I froze.
He entered casually... but he wasn't alone.
My eyes widened so much they hurt. That—that monster—was walking beside him. Its paws thudding softly on the floor, its dark black body huge, its eyes burning.
A scream tore out of me before I even realized. "Ahhhhhh!"
I didn't think, I didn't look—my body just reacted. I leapt onto the bed—the forbidden place no one dared to step on—but at that moment I didn't care. Forbidden or not, I only wanted to be far, far away from that beast.
"Please... please move from him!" I shouted, my voice breaking.
But instead of saving himself, he... he bent down casually, his large hand moving slowly, deliberately, over the dog's head. Stroking it. Like it wasn't the same monster that had almost eaten me alive.
My breath caught in my throat, my whole body froze in disbelief. "Y-You... you are touching him?!"
I couldn't believe it. How could he touch that monster like it was nothing?
HIS voice was calm, almost too calm for the storm that was happening inside me.
"I forgot to tell you..." he said casually, still caressing that monster's head, "meet my son—Kaizan Thakur. Youngest of all the Thakur family. My precious son."
For a second, I thought I had heard wrong.
Son?
My eyes widened, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. That giant... black... roaring beast... was his son?
I stood frozen, my mind going blank and then—suddenly exploding with questions I couldn't even ask aloud.
He... he is married?
But then... how come his son is not a human?
Is that even possible?
My throat bobbed as I swallowed hard, staring at the monster now sitting proudly beside him as if he truly was a royal heir. My heart raced faster with every passing second.
Oh my God... his wife... must be...
The thought hit me like thunder and my face turned pale. A dog?
He had a wife. A wife who was a dog. And now this giant beast was their... their child?
I nearly clutched my head in shock.
Can rich people even do that?
Is it allowed?
Oh no... maybe in royal families, strange things happen. Maybe... maybe that's their tradition?
I blinked rapidly, my mind spinning. I didn't know whether to faint, cry, or run out of the room.
And there he was—completely serious, completely at ease, as if introducing his "son" was the most natural thing in the world.
My mind was spinning with hundreds of questions at once.
If Kaizan is his son, then... where is his wife?
Did his wife die? Is that why he married me?
A pang of pity settled in my chest. So he is raising his son all alone? Poor thing... how miserable it must be for both father and son without a mother...
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. I knew—without a mother, a child's life was incomplete, lonely, and painful. My heart softened.
Then maybe... maybe now it's my duty. Maybe I'll have to be the mother to his son.
I sniffled, already feeling the weight of responsibility on my tiny shoulders. I will take care of him. Even if he is... a little scary... even if he roars like a demon... he is still a child, isn't he? A child needs love.
"Come downstairs," Pati ji's deep voice cut into my thoughts. "He won't eat you."
But my trembling legs refused to obey. My heart screamed louder than his words. What if he tries to harm me? What if this son doesn't like his new mother?
I shook my head stubbornly, clutching the blanket like a shield.
Then—he came closer. Slowly. Purposefully. He reached the edge of the bed and extended his hand toward me.
I froze, staring at that broad palm. For a second, I wanted to shrink back—but those eyes... stern, commanding, yet with a shadow of patience I never thought existed in him, pulled me forward.
With no choice left, I finally stretched my shaking fingers and placed them into his hand.
The moment our skin touched, I gripped him tightly—as if he were my only shield between me and death.
He tugged me gently, and my feet stumbled down from the bed.
Still holding his hand as tightly as possible, I hid behind him, peeking at his "son" with wide, fearful eyes. My entire body pressed to his back like he was my armor, my trembling voice whispering, "Don't let him eat me..."
His voice turned cold, sharper than a blade as he glanced down at me still trembling behind him.
"And for your kind information..." he drawled, each word dipped in iron, "he is not a dog."
My heartbeat stuttered.
"He is a fucking panther."
His tone was proud, almost possessive, as he stroked the beast's massive head.
"He is Kaizan Thakur. A full-grown black panther. One of the rarest, most feared predators alive. His claws can shred flesh in a blink. His jaws... strong enough to crush bones to dust. His roar can paralyze a man where he stands."
Kaizan growled low, his golden eyes flashing in the dim light. The sound vibrated through my chest, making my heart leap into my throat.
I nearly choked on my own breath. Panther?! Not a dog—A PAN—
My brain spiraled, and before I could stop myself, I whispered in horror, "T-Then... then he can eat me whole in just one bite..."
He smirked darkly at my words, his fingers casually scratching behind Kaizan's ears like he was nothing more than a spoiled child.
"Exactly. He can eat you alive."
I squeaked, instantly clutching his shirt from behind again. My tears burned my eyes, my voice cracking, "Th-then why... why you let such a dangerous thing roam around the haveli?! What if he swallows me?!"
He tilted his head slightly, the corner of his lips twitching like he was fighting a cruel smile. His deep voice rumbled low, "If he wanted to swallow you,... you wouldn't be standing here to ask me stupid questions."
His jaw tightened, his voice dangerously low as he snapped,
"And don't you dare use the word dog or panther again. He is my son. He has a name. Kaizan. Kaizan Thakur."
His eyes burned into mine, and I instantly lowered my gaze, murmuring a weak "hmm" like an obedient child.
But my cursed curiosity... it really would kill me one day. The question slipped from my lips before my brain could stop it.
"W-where is his... his maa?"
The silence that followed was enough to freeze my soul.
His gaze narrowed, sharp and deadly, like I had just touched a forbidden wound. His towering presence loomed over me, his lips pressed into a thin line. I bit my lower lip so hard I could taste blood, my hands trembling. Oh god, why did I ask? Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?
The air shifted.
His chest rose with a slow, sharp inhale, his eyes flashing something I couldn't name. Anger? Shock? Mockery? For a moment, his face hardened like stone, and I felt my knees weaken.
Kaizan let out a low growl, circling near us, and I instinctively grabbed the edge of his shirt again as if clinging to him would protect me from his own "son."
His silence was heavier than any words.
Kaizan suddenly let out a deep growl, his chest rumbling like thunder. The sound tore through me, freezing my blood.
He bent down to Kaizan's level, voice sharp and commanding.
"Stop it. Go back to your room. Your tantrums are increasing day by day."
His tone was scolding—icy enough to make even the strongest man flinch. But Kaizan... didn't. Instead, he turned his great head away, ignored his father completely, and with arrogant ease sprawled across the couch.
Exactly near the floor where I sleep.
My eyes widened in horror. "N-no..." I whispered under my breath, staring at the massive dog occupying my couch.Now where was I supposed to go?
My stomach knotted. His son wasn't just dangerous—he was stubborn. Just like his father. Both of them are monsters. Both father and son.
I dared a glance at him, expecting him to drag the dog away. But instead, his jaw clenched, eyes narrowing dangerously at Kaizan. His fury was visible—yet Kaizan didn't even flinch, didn't even look at him, as though he himself didn't exist.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Then, without another word, he straightened and moved toward the door.
My knees buckled, weakness flooding my legs.
Where is he going? Is he... leaving me?
I clutched the blanket in panic, eyes darting between the retreating figure of my husband and the giant beast lounging on the couch. My throat went dry, breath coming in shallow gasps.
No... he can't. He can't leave me alone with his son. With this dangerous monster.
I walked behind him without thinking, my trembling legs moving on their own. My hands clutched the edge of my shawl like it was my lifeline.
He stopped suddenly, his broad back towering in front of me. His voice came out sharp, edged with irritation.
"Now why the hell are you following me?"
I swallowed hard, my lips quivering. "W-where... should I go? He will eat me."
The silence that followed was terrifying. His jaw tightened, muscles flexing. For a moment, I thought he might scream—or worse. But he didn't. He only exhaled harshly and walked again, his long strides leading me down the hall.
He stopped before another door, opened it, and walked inside without a word.
I froze at the threshold, my feet glued to the floor. My heart pounded in confusion. I couldn't dare to step in—not without his permission. His rules, his eyes, his presence were enough to remind me how easily he could break me for disobedience.
But then... Kaizan was in his room.
And if I stayed here in the dark corridor, the thought of wandering ghosts sent a chill down my spine.
In all cases—I would die tonight.
Tears welled up in my eyes, my chest tightening painfully. I bit down on my lip, glancing at the closed door in front of me and the dark hallway behind.
What should I do now?
Then I heard his voice through the half-open door, low and sharp like he already knew what was going inside my trembling little brain.
"Wanna die by ghost standing outside... or wanna come inside?"
For a moment my heart stopped beating. Then suddenly—it bloomed. Like a flower drenched in morning sunlight.
He was calling me inside! Yes... he was calling me.
My lips almost curved into a smile, a strange happiness rushing through me. That meant... I wouldn't die tonight. Not from ghost. Not from giant dog. Not from darkness.
With tiny steps, I hurriedly entered the room. My Pallu flew behind me like a scared child running to safety.
But the moment my eyes lifted—my happiness froze. My breath caught in my throat.
The entire room was... different. Not like the grand, royal Thakur haveli rooms I'd seen before.
?
When the entire family was dispersing after the unexpected scene they had witnessed upstairs, the air in the haveli was still heavy. Everyone tried to act as if nothing had happened, but unspoken questions and awkwardness hung between them like smoke.
Jinal, quiet as ever, was walking towards her room when she heard her name.
"Jinal didi!"
She turned, only to find her younger brother Rudraksh standing with that mischievous half-smile he always carried whenever he was up to something.
"What happened?" she asked, brows furrowing slightly.
Rudraksh scratched the back of his head lazily, pretending to look troubled. "Uh... can you please inform any servant to go to Reyansh bhaiya's room?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why? At this hour?"
"Oh, he's having a very bad backache," Rudraksh replied quickly, his tone too casual. "I guess he wants someone to massage or help him out. You know, I'm not going. So help me, didi. Okay bye!"
And just like that—before Jinal could even open her mouth again—he ran off down the corridor, leaving her standing there.
Jinal stood frozen for a moment.
Backache at this hour? She frowned.
But despite her doubts, Jinal's heart had already taken the bait. Because the name "Reyansh" itself was enough to set her heartbeat off rhythm.
She bit her lip, glancing once towards her room, then towards the corridor leading to Reyansh's quarters.
And with slow steps, her heart drumming louder with every move—she chose the second path.
Jinal's steps were soundless as she entered Reyansh's room, closing the door gently behind her.
The air inside was dim, scented faintly with his cologne, the curtains drawn shut.
Her eyes immediately softened at the sight before her—Reyansh, lying on his stomach, his upper body bare, muscles tense under the low light.
Her throat tightened. She knew how much he hated her, how much distance he had created between them... yet here she was, unable to ignore him, unable to let him suffer even in the smallest of ways.
Moving silently, she set her dupatta aside, walked to the bed, and carefully sat down near him. Reyansh didn't turn his head; he must have thought it was Rudraksh finally arriving.
"Do it," he muttered, his voice muffled against the pillow. "Probably I'll gift you something later."
Jinal's lips curved into the faintest, bittersweet smile. Him and his bribes... he hasn't changed.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her trembling hands on his back. The warmth of his skin shot through her like a current, almost making her pull away—but she forced herself to stay. Slowly, gently, she began to massage his tense shoulders.
Her hands quivered. It had been a year since she'd been this close to him—since she had touched him with care, with love. Her heart was beating so loudly she feared he might hear it.
Reyansh, however, let out a sigh, his body relaxing under her touch. "Rudraksh..." he said lazily, a teasing note in his voice, "did you... convert into a girl or something? How can your hands be so soft?"
Jinal froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Her fingers stilled against his skin, and her eyes brimmed with emotions she could no longer hide.
Jinal swallowed hard, steadying herself. She didn't answer his careless teasing, only let her hands move again, slow and deliberate. Her fingers pressed gently into the knots of tension in his back, sliding over warm skin, tracing the firmness of his muscles.
Every touch felt like forbidden fire to her, but she poured all her unspoken emotions into it. She wanted him to feel cared for—even if he never knew it was her.
Reyansh's brows furrowed as the silence stretched. He asked again, his tone edged with annoyance.
"I said something, Rudra. Are you deaf or—"
But then, mid-sentence, his words died.
Something else had reached him.
The faintest trace of a fragrance... not cologne, not soap, not anything masculine. A soft, familiar scent that belonged to a woman. That belonged to her.
His chest tightened as he inhaled deeper, his nostrils flaring, eyes narrowing. He stilled beneath her trembling hands. For a second, his body wanted to relax into that comfort again, but his mind screamed otherwise.
No... this can't be.
He closed his eyes briefly, fighting against the sharp realization striking him like lightning. His jaw ticked, fury bubbling under his skin. And then—his hand clenched into a fist.
Without warning, Reyansh twisted, his grip snapping around the intruder's wrist. A startled gasp escaped Jinal as he yanked her forward with force. In one fluid motion, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his weight caging her to the mattress.
Her wide eyes locked with his blazing ones.
And in that instant, there was no mistaking it.
Not Rudraksh.
Not a servant.
Not anyone else.
It was her.
Jinal Thakur.
His breathing turned ragged, his fury palpable, every muscle in his body wound tight as steel. His gaze bore into hers, dark and dangerous, filled with disbelief and something deeper he refused to name.
"You..." he hissed, his voice low, venomous, trembling with restrained rage.
Jinal's chest heaved, her lips parted but no words came out. Her heart hammered in her chest, the weight of him pressing down on her, his fury like fire scorching her skin.
The room suddenly felt suffocating, charged with emotions both forbidden and undeniable.
Their eyes clashed, neither willing to look away. The air between them grew thicker, heavy with something unspoken.
Jinal's chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths uneven, brushing against his face as if mocking the closeness neither of them should share.
Reyansh's arms braced on either side of her, caging her completely. His voice dropped into a harsh growl.
"Why the hell are you here, Jinal Thakur?"
Her lips quivered. "Umm... it's Rudraksh. He—he sent me."
A bitter laugh escaped him, sharp and cutting.
"So what? There's a word in this world called NO. You ever heard of it? You could've used it."
Jinal's throat tightened. Her lashes lowered, shame and defiance battling inside her. She bit her lower lip, hard, unable to reply.
And that small, nervous gesture—so innocent yet so damn tempting—made something inside Reyansh snap.
His gaze flickered to her mouth. He cursed under his breath, a low, rough sound that came out more like a groan than a word. The sight of her teeth tugging at her lip had stolen the last ounce of his control.
His jaw clenched, his nostrils flared, and for a heartbeat too long, he hovered there—close enough to feel her warmth, close enough to taste the danger of what he wanted but swore he'd never take.
Her eyes glistened as tears rolled down, her trembling lips struggling to form the words.
"Why... do you hate me this much, Reyansh?"
The question sliced through him like a blade. He had faced enemies, betrayal, and bloodshed without flinching—but her tears? They shook him to his core.
Shit. His mind cursed him. Shut the fuck up, Reyansh. Don't you dare break now.
But he already had.
With a sharp exhale, he leaned down, pressing his forehead into the curve of her neck. His chest rose and fell against hers, ragged, conflicted. He wasn't kissing her, wasn't even touching her lips—but the intimacy was worse than anything forbidden.
His voice was hoarse, exhausted, almost pleading.
"Why do you chase me, Jinal? Why do you keep coming back when you know I'll only hurt you?"
Her sobs broke heavier, her hands curling into the sheets beneath her. She whispered through the ache in her throat, her voice fragile yet defiant.
"Then what... should I do?"
Her question lingered in the silence, trembling, desperate.
And for the first time in a long time, Reyansh had no answer.
"I have clearly warned you," Reyansh's voice was rough, cutting her with every word. His jaw clenched, eyes burning into hers.
"In my world...I don't have any place left for anyone. So stay the fuck away from me, Jinal."
His tone was like a whip, merciless and cold.
Jinal flinched under his weight, her body trembling at the harshness. His words were knives, but the hurt in his eyes—hidden behind all that anger—stabbed deeper. She bit her lips to stop the sob that threatened to escape, but her chest shook uncontrollably.
Reyansh pressed his palms to the bed to push himself up, ready to get off her, ready to walk away like always.
But the moment he moved, a sharp pain shot through his back like fire.
"Ahh—" his breath hissed out, the strength in his arms giving up as he collapsed back down, his body falling heavily against hers.
"Reyansh!" Jinal gasped, her hands instantly going to his shoulders, holding him in panic. His forehead pressed into her collarbone, his breaths harsh and uneven.
For a second, the dangerous Reyansh Sehgal wasn't looming above her—he was broken, exhausted, vulnerable.
With all the strength he had left, Reyansh rolled off her and collapsed onto his side of the bed, his chest rising and falling with harsh breaths.
"Please...go, Jinal," his voice came cracked, tired, and yet stubbornly harsh.
"Go from here. From me. Just...go."
That final word shattered her.
Jinal's eyes brimmed over, the tears finally slipping down her cheeks as she whispered brokenly, "You are so rude, Reyansh... so cruel."
For the first time, his lips curved into something soft, almost regretful, as he turned his face away from her.
"I know, cupcake..." he whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible.
Her heart ached at the word, the name he hadn't used in so long.
As the door clicked shut behind Jinal, Reyansh's chest rose and fell heavily, every breath ragged like he was choking on something burning inside.
His hand clutched the bedsheet, veins bulging as if he was holding himself from breaking apart. His voice came out hoarse, raw, trembling with emotions he refused to name.
"It's better if you stay fucking away from me..." he hissed, his teeth grinding.
Then, louder, as if screaming at the ghosts of his own heart—
"I hate you... I hate you, Jinal Thakur!"
His voice cracked, his eyes glistened, but he kept going, spitting the words like venom.
"I fucking hate you..."
The words echoed in the silence of the room, but the ache in his chest only deepened. His body slumped back on the bed, one arm covering his face as if to hide from his own truth.
Because no matter how much he said it—
The hatred was only a mask.
And Jinal's name still burned on his lips like a prayer.
.
.
.
.
Devyani stepped inside and froze.
Her jaw dropped, her eyes widened as if she had entered another world.
The room wasn't just a room—it was a kingdom of books.
Shelves lined every wall, stacked with thick leather-bound volumes, old manuscripts, novels, and files.
A faint smell of paper and ink filled the air, mixed with the crisp scent of Rivan's cologne.
Her lips parted in wonder. So many books...
Her little heart raced as she slowly walked around, fingers brushing lightly over the spines. Her eyes sparkled like a child given a treasure chest.
All her life she had dreamed of this—when Raghu bhaiyya went to school with a slate in his hand, she used to peek from the window, wishing she too could learn. But she was "dead" for the world, locked away in shadows. Nobody ever gave her the chance to hold even a single book.
And now... standing in the middle of this ocean of words, her chest swelled with a strange ache.
Behind her, Rivan had already settled on his massive desk, sleek laptop open. His long fingers typed swiftly, sharp eyes fixed on the glowing screen. He didn't even spare her a glance—completely immersed in his world of meetings, power, and numbers.
Devyani bit her lip. Would he scold her if he saw her touching his books? Would he get angry if she wandered around?
Her excitement dimmed into nervousness. Quietly, she backed away from the shelves and folded her hands in her lap. Looking around, she spotted the floor near the couch—safe, hidden.
Without saying a word, she lowered herself onto the carpet, sitting with knees tucked under her chin, her wide eyes still stealing glances at the books.
Her world was glowing with hope... yet chained with fear.
Devyani hugged her knees, rocking herself slightly on the floor while sneaking glances at him. He sat there, all tall and terrifying, with his brows furrowed at some glowing box that made tik-tik-tik noises every time his fingers tapped on it.
She chewed her lips. Should she call him pati ji? No... he gets angry. Daddy? No... that made him angrier last time.
Her heart thumped. Finally, she whispered so low that even she wasn't sure if it came out right, "Ae... ji..."
Rivan's fingers paused for a fraction of a second on the keys before resuming. His jaw twitched. "What now?" he muttered internally.
Encouraged that he at least answered, Devyani pointed at the laptop with her tiny finger. "Ae ji... what... what is that shining machine?"
He didn't bother looking at her. "It's a laptop."
Her brows furrowed, eyes wide with curiosity. "Laap...top?" she repeated slowly, as if tasting a new sweet. "What it do? Does it cook food? Or... does it wash clothes?"
Rivan's eyes snapped shut. His temple throbbed.
"No. It's for work. Business. Documents.." His voice was clipped, irritated.
But Devyani wasn't done. She crawled a little closer, tilting her head like a confused child. "Then... does it sing song?
This time his head shot up, and he stared at her in disbelief. His face went utterly blank for a second. "What the—" He cut himself off, dragging a hand over his face. "You—! No. It doesn't cook food, and it doesn't wash clothes. Stop asking stupid questions."
She shrank back instantly, hugging her knees again, her eyes pooling with unshed tears. Her lips trembled. "...But you said it's 'laap-top.' I thought... maybe top means... something on top..."
For the first time, his anger faltered. He stared at her—this fragile, clueless girl who didn't even know the name of a laptop.
Rivan clenched his jaw and muttered under his breath, "You're impossible..." before snapping his laptop shut.
Rivan leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes narrowing at her as if she'd just confessed a crime.
"You don't know what a laptop is?" he asked slowly, his voice dripping with disbelief.
Devyani shook her head quickly, braid swaying, eyes still wide and shining.
His brows arched higher. "Are you some different creature or what? You live on this planet only, na?"
Her lips parted in shock at his words. A creature? She?
She lowered her head, fiddling with the end of her dupatta. "...I... I don't know..." she whispered softly.
"Listen carefully. If you disturb me again, I'll throw you inside this laptop. Got it?"
Devyani's eyes went rounder, her whole body stiffening. She stared at the glowing box in horror, then at him, then back at it. "In...inside?!" Her trembling voice cracked.
Rivan smirked faintly at her terrified expression, shaking his head. "Yes. Inside. You'll vanish in one click."
Her throat bobbed as she gulped, instantly scooting back on the floor, as far away from the table as possible. Hugging her knees tightly, she nodded furiously.
"Ji...ji... I won't disturb... promise," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the ticking of the keys under his fingers. But his eyes, despite pretending to focus on the screen, kept flickering once in a while to her tiny, frightened figure curled up on the floor like a scared rabbit.
Rivan's hand gripped her waist firmly, pulling her against his chest, while his other hand locked around her wrist, preventing her from tumbling. For a moment, time froze.
Her wide eyes looked up into his—so close that she could see the raindrops sliding down his sharp jawline, the way his wet lashes clung together, the storm that lived inside his gaze.
Her breath hitched. His hold was rough... yet protective.
Their faces were only inches apart, breaths mixing with the cold air and the rhythm of falling rain. The world around her blurred—the only thing she could see, hear, or feel was him.
Rivan, too, froze. The sight of his drenched little kitten pressed against him, trembling not from fear but from closeness, stirred something inside he wasn't ready to name. His heart pounded once—loud enough that even he noticed.