JORU KA GULAM
Hey hii mayawiyans!!!!
Enjoy the "JORU KA GULAM PATI PARMESHWAR"???????
Itna troll toh koi nai huwa jitna Yashodha????
Bhai your comments dammmm????
Guys, my exams are coming up, so the updates might be delayed this month. Please be patient. ????
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I spoke calmly.
Reyansh froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
I shook my head slowly.
"Nope."
A cold smile touched my lips.
Reyansh turned toward me, stunned.
I looked toward the shadows.
Ritish Roy had been suffering for years.
Years of isolation.
Years of fear.
Years of waiting for death that never came.
Every single day, he wished for it.
But Virendra Thakur never allowed that mercy.
Because death was too easy a punishment for a man like him.
And now
for the past few days
I had taken over.
Not with rage.
Not with madness.
But with cold, calculated control.
I wasn't screaming at him.
I wasn't seeking revenge.
I was reminding him
Slowly, relentlessly
That some sins don't end with death.
Reyansh swallowed hard, realization sinking in.
This wasn't cruelty.
This was justice, stretched over time.
And Ritish Roy
Knew it.
We stopped there and quietly came out of the room.
I closed the door behind us.
Kitten was still sleeping, and I couldn't take the risk of staying anywhere near that place for longer. One wrong sound, one wrong moment and her peace would shatter again.
As we walked down the corridor, Reyansh broke the silence.
I glanced at him.
"Plan?" I asked.
He sighed.
"About Devu."
I went quiet for a moment.
Then I just hummed.
"Hmmm... I'll think about it."
After a pause, I added honestly,
He turned and went to his room.
I walked back to mine.
The room was dim, calm.
She was still asleep curled slightly, her face tired from all the crying. Today she had cried so much.
And strangely... today I let her.
Usually, her tears scare me.
They make me restless, desperate to fix everything instantly.
But tonight was different.
She needed to cry.
She needed to let it out.
Those tears weren't weakness they were years of fear, loneliness, and unanswered questions finally finding a way out.
I sat beside her quietly, watching her breathe.
Let it out, baby, I thought.
I'm right here.
Because sometimes, love isn't about stopping the tears
It's about staying,
while they fall.
Devyani slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw made her blink... twice.
Rivan.
Sleeping.
Peacefully.
In her arms.
She froze.
Hein?
Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
Shouldn't I be sleeping in his arms?
Her brows knitted.
She looked down at him—hi face relaxed, one arm loosely around her waist, breathing slow and steady.
Then her own thoughts slapped her.
Three. Whole. Months.
You are not forgiving him this soon.
She rolled her eyes dramatically and pushed him harshly.
Nothing.
He only stirred a little and turned his face closer, tightening his hold instead of waking up.
Devyani's eyes widened.
What?
She pushed again.
Still nothing.
She stared at him, offended.
How can someone sleep like this?
After disappearing for three months?
Her lips pouted.
A mischievous idea sparked in her mind.
A very Devyani idea.
She carefully freed one hand, looked around to make sure no one was watching, then leaned closer.
Very closer.
She pinched his nose.
Lightly at first.
Nothing.
She pinched harder.
Rivan frowned in his sleep, his brows pulling together.
Devyani smirked.
"Wake up," she whispered threateningly.
"You deserve this."
Still
he didn't wake up.
Devyani narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Ohhh," she whispered, offended.
"Wait."
She carefully slipped out of bed and marched toward the bathroom, her steps determined. A few seconds later, she returned with a glass full of water.
She paused, thinking seriously.
I have seen this in movies, she reminded herself.
When the wife is angry with her husband... she throws water.
"Perfect," she muttered.
Without a second thought
Splash.
Cold water landed straight on Rivan's face.
Rivan woke up panicking, gasping, sitting up in one sharp movement.
"What what happened?" he asked, completely confused, hair dripping, eyes wide.
Devyani stood there calmly.
Innocently.
"Nothing," she said sweetly.
Then she turned around and walked away
throwing him the sharpest side-eye possible.
Rivan blinked, stunned, water dripping down his jaw.
And somewhere between confusion and realization
He knew.
Anger mode: activated. ????
Devyani entered the dining room for breakfast.
The moment her feet touched the floor, the air changed.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
But heavy.
Everyone could sense it.
Her silence was sharper than words.
Her expressions tight, offended, resolved.
Aradhya leaned closer to Aditya and whispered in fear,
"Bhai... lagta hai bhaiya ke lagne wale hai."
Aditya nodded slowly.
"Bohot bure."
No one dared to speak.
A few moments later
Rivan entered with hurried steps.
The wife-puppy energy was strong.
His eyes immediately searched for her.
Found her.
And stayed there.
He moved toward the chair beside Devyani, about to sit
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it was final.
Rivan froze mid-movement.
He gulped.
Slowly... painfully... he straightened up, standing there like a punished child.
He looked around for support.
Virendra suddenly found his plate very interesting.
Aradhya pretended she didn't exist.
Aditya was already praying for his brother's soul.
No help. None.
Rivan sighed internally.
Defeated, he walked away and sat beside Reyansh.
Reyansh turned his head, saw Rivan's expression
and smirked.
A very satisfied smirk.
He leaned slightly closer and whispered,
"Good morning, rivu."
Rivan shot him a deadly glare.
Reyansh only smirked wider.
Breakfast had officially begun.
After finishing her breakfast, Devyani quietly left the dining area.
She walked toward the garden, craving sunlight...
or maybe space.
The morning breeze touched her face as she sat on the bench, closing her eyes for a moment.
Peace.
At least... for five seconds.
She didn't even look at him.
Rivan's eyes widened.
His voice carried pure disbelief.
Devyani finally turned, raising one eyebrow.
"Why? Are you some king of somewhere?"
She tilted her head innocently.
"You can't do sit-ups?"
His ego took a direct hit.
He looked around cautiously.
No one.
Empty garden.
Relief.
He exhaled and dropped to the ground.
One.
Two.
By the fifty sit-up, embarrassment started creeping in.
By the sixty, his pride was already dead.
The great Rivan Thakur
feared by many, respected by all
doing sit-ups like a punished schoolboy.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
Devyani sat there, arms crossed, watching him with a straight face.
At seventy, his breathing grew heavier.
At eighty, his jaw clenched.
At ninety
He stopped.
"Kitten—"
He sighed dramatically and completed the last one, collapsing on the grass.
She nodded once.
"Good."
Rivan lay there, staring at the sky.
What he didn't know
Behind a tall bush...
Aradhya was holding a phone with shaky hands.
Yashodha covered her mouth to stop laughing.
Rudraksh was biting his lip.
Virendra watched silently... then turned away with the smallest smile.
Reyansh?
Reyansh was already saving the video.
Devyani looked at him for a long second...
then shook her head slowly.
Rivan's head snapped toward her.
She shrugged casually, like she was talking about the weather.
"Yes."
Then added, very calmly,
"But this won't be enough for ninety days and ninety nights."
His soul visibly left his body.
She tilted her head, eyes soft but dangerous.
"You were gone for three months, pati ji."
"So this is just... the trailer."
Rivan fell back on the grass dramatically, staring at the sky.
If it had been six
He shuddered.
Devyani watched him, lips twitching.
She tried to stay angry.
She really did.
But seeing the mighty Rivan Thakur lying on the grass, defeated by sit-ups and his wife's silent revenge...
Her heart softened just a little.
Just a little.
Still, she stood up, dusted her hands, and said,
"Come next time."
Then she walked away, leaving him there.
Rivan turned his head, watching her go
Smiling, exhausted...
And hopelessly, deeply in love.
From behind the bushes, Reyansh whispered,
"Bro... welcome to marriage."
And Rivan?
He sighed.
"This is my punishment," he murmured.
"And honestly..."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
Rivan sat on the soft morning grass, wiping sweat from his forehead, and pulled out his phone.
He stared at the screen for a second... then typed carefully:
Reyansh, burst out laughing.
"Bro! Bro! Mai dhanya ho gaya!
Mera dost ko... pyaar ho gaya!"
His fingers lingered on the phone, but his thoughts weren't on the screen.
He closed his eyes for a second, imagining her little frown turning into a smile,
her hands brushing his hair,
the way she tucked herself against him in his arms,
the softness of her voice when she whispered, "pati ji."
I'll protect her.
I'll love her endlessly.
No storm, no fear, no past...
Nothing will ever take her away from me.
He opened his eyes, a small, tender smile curling his lips.
"Yeah," he murmured,
"this is no longer just love... this is my entire world."
Behind him, Reyansh whispered, still laughing softly,
"Bro... she has completely bewitched you."
Rivan didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Because in that moment, the world had narrowed down to one heartbeat
hers.
Rivan stood up from the grass, brushing off the morning dew from his clothes.
"Okay," he muttered to himself, a small determined smile forming,
"now I have a few ways to melt my wife anger."
He didn't wait for anyone to respond. With quick, confident steps, he left the garden, already plotting his next move.
Reyansh stayed seated on the bench, arms crossed, leaning back slightly, a mischievous smirk on his face.
He shook his head slowly, thinking to himself,
"Devyani... oh Devyani..."
He chuckled softly, eyes twinkling.
"She doesn't even know... what's coming next.
And my friend... my poor, mighty friend...
He's completely lost.
Hopelessly... madly... in love."
Reyansh leaned back, enjoying the scene quietly, already anticipating the chaos, the softness, and the sparks that were about to unfold.
Devyani... she had no idea that her little frown, her stubbornness, and her anger had completely captured him.
And Rivan?
He wouldn't rest until every piece of that anger melted... only for her.
Devyani entered the room, every step confident, every muscle radiating mischief.
Rivan followed closely behind her, careful not to get too far, careful not to lose sight of her.
She turned slowly, her nose wrinkling in playful disgust.
"Ewww..." she said, glaring at him.
"Please... just stop it. I am angry."
Rivan froze for a second, then smiled softly, tilting his head.
"Okay," he said quietly, leaning slightly closer.
"Then... tell me something that will melt your anger, hmm?
I'll do anything you ask."
Devyani blinked slowly, then arched an eyebrow.
"Anything?" she asked, voice soft but with a dangerous glint.
"Anything," he confirmed, unwavering, completely devoted.
A slow, devilish smirk spread across her face.
"Oh... anything, huh?" she murmured.
Her gaze flicked around the room.
The entire day, Rivan moved through the Haveli like a silent storm.
Every corner, every room, every surface... under Devyani's orders, he cleaned with meticulous care.
He started with his own room scrubbing, organizing, rearranging making sure everything was perfect.
Then, without a word, he moved on to other rooms guest rooms, the study, even the little corners that usually went unnoticed.
All the while, he didn't complain.
He didn't argue.
He simply obeyed her instructions, quietly, efficiently... almost reverently.
Aradhya walked into the corridor, humming softly, when her steps suddenly halted.
Her eyes widened.
RIVAN.
Sleeves rolled up.
Cloth in hand.
Actually cleaning.
For a second, her brain refused to process the sight.
"Bhaiyya...?" she said slowly, blinking once. Then again.
"What are you doing?"
RIVAN didn't even look at her. He continued, jaw clenched, movements sharp and precise.
Ignored.
Aradhya tilted her head, a mischievous smile creeping up her face.
"Ohhh," she drawled, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"Poor guy. Cleaning on bhabhi's order, huh?"
Still nothing.
RIVAN wiped his hands on the cloth and finally spoke, voice flat.
"Aru. Mind your business."
She gasped theatrically.
"Excuse meee? Should I go tell bhabhi that you're talking rude to me?"
The cloth froze in his hand.
RIVAN slowly turned, eyes cold.
"Why," he said quietly, dangerously calm,
"do you want me to get your card blocked for the whole year?"
Her mouth opened.
Before the word could even come out, RIVAN moved.
In one swift motion, he stepped forward and clamped his hand over her mouth, pulling her slightly closer so no sound escaped.
"Have you lost your mind?" he hissed under his breath.
"I'm already struggling since morning. You want me to work more, huh?"
Aradhya's eyes went wide.
Not playful wide.
Panicked.
She stared at him really looked at him and for the first time noticed it.
The tension in his shoulders.
The restraint in his grip, not anger control.
He wasn't joking.
RIVAN realized it too.
He immediately removed his hand, stepping back.
Aradhya sucked in a breath.
RIVAN looked away, jaw tightening.
"Go," he muttered.
"And don't irritate me today."
Aradhya didn't crack a joke this time.
She nodded slowly, backing away.
Aradhya took two steps... then stopped.
A slow, very dangerous grin crept onto her face.
She turned around just enough to peek at him and sang softly, teasingly
?? "Joru ka gulaaam banke rahuuungaa..." ??
She even did a tiny shoulder move for effect.
The cloth in RIVAN's hand froze.
He didn't turn.
Didn't blink.
In a deadly calm voice, he said,
"Aru."
That single word made her spine straighten.
She gulped.
"Okay okay okay—" she raised both hands in surrender, whisper-shouting,
"I'm going! Totally going! Alive rehna bhi zaroori hota hai!"
She dashed out of the kitchen, giggling under her breath.
RIVAN exhaled slowly.
And somewhere inside that hardened, blood-soaked storm of a man
the word "joru" didn't feel like an insult anymore.
Hours passed.
Finally, he glanced toward Devyani. She was busy with her own work, completely absorbed in her little world.
He hesitated for just a moment... then chose to pause.
Some rooms could wait.
He sat down calmly, opened his laptop, and resumed his important meetings.
But even as he typed, spoke, and signed papers, his mind was elsewhere ever alert, ever aware.
Every corner he had cleaned, every order he had obeyed, every small detail... it wasn't just about cleanliness.
It was his way of showing her silently, without words
that her wishes mattered more than anything.
That even after all that had happened, he would still follow her...
because she was his world.
And today, he was letting her see, even in the smallest of ways, how much she meant to him.
Dinner time.
Everyone entered the dining hall, expecting a calm, normal evening.
Instead... silence fell like a heavy curtain.
Each servant stood frozen at the entrance some shivering, some wide-eyed.
The air was thick with disbelief.
Yashodha and Virendra exchanged quick glances.
"What... what happened?" Yashodha asked softly.
The servants didn't speak.
They only pointed toward the kitchen with trembling hands.
All eyes turned.
And there she was.
Devyani.
Sitting on the kitchen counter, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, giving orders.
And right in front of her, Rivan was cooking utterly obedient.
Flipping, stirring, chopping... all while muttering apologies under his breath.
Then Devyani's voice rang out, sharp, angry, theatrical:
"Bewakoof! Kuch nahi aata aapko! Nonsense, pati ji!"
Rivan jumped at her words, nodding frantically, replying,
"Yes... yes... I am sorry! I will do better! Sorry!"
The entire family froze in shock.
Some mouths hung open.
Some hands covered their faces.
Some shook their heads in disbelief.
Devyani noticed every single one of them.
Her eyes glinted with mischief as she leaned forward slightly and said,
"Welcome! Welcome! Please... take your seats, everyone."
Bit by bit, still stunned but curious, they obeyed.
They walked over and took their seats at the dining table some smiling awkwardly, some shaking their heads in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Devyani leaned back on the counter, arms crossed, eyes sparkling with triumph.
And Rivan?
He kept cooking, sweating a little, still mumbling his endless apologies utterly defeated by her anger... and completely, hopelessly devoted.
The family couldn't help it some were smiling secretly, some were laughing quietly but all were silently acknowledging:
Devyani had completely taken over.
Rivan neatly set all the dishes on the table each plate aligned perfectly, each bowl placed with care.
The aroma spread through the dining hall, warm and inviting.
Aradhya leaned forward, inhaling deeply, almost dramatically.
"Ohhh..." she whispered.
"Humne aaj tak Great Rivan Thakur ke haath ka khana taste hi nahi kiya."
Rivan stood there in the apron.
Sleeves folded.
Top buttons slightly open.
Hair a little messy from cooking.
Looking... criminally handsome.
Dangerously handsome.
Jinal, Payal, and Aradhya froze.
Flat.
Completely gone.
Aradhya leaned closer to Jinal and Payal and whispered shamelessly,
"Kya chikna maal lag raha hai mera bhai."
("My brother is looking damn hot.")
She sighed dreamily and added,
"Sach mein duniya ka sabse handsome bhai hai."
("Honestly, he's the most handsome brother in the world.")
Then, with dramatic sorrow, she continued,
"Par meri bhabhi aur bhi zyada deserve karti hai... koi na, destiny hai, kya hi kar sakte."
("But my bhabhi deserves him even more... oh well, destiny is destiny, what can we do.")
Jinal's eyes widened in horror.
She grabbed Aradhya's arm tightly and whispered urgently,
"Pagal ho gayi hai kya?! Dimaag kharab ho gaya hai tera?"
("Have you lost your mind? Are you crazy?")
She glanced nervously toward Rivan and hissed,
"Agar bhaiyya ne sun liya na... tu dead hai. Direct dead."
("If bhaiyya hears this, you're dead. Literally dead.")
Aradhya immediately shut her mouth, eyes darting toward Rivan.
Rivan, meanwhile, stood calmly, wiping his hands on the apron completely unaware of the chaos he was causing.
Everyone was about to start serving themselves when Devyani suddenly raised her hand.
The room went silent.
All eyes turned to her.
Rivan's jaw dropped.
He blinked at her, incredulous.
"Baby... are you serious?" he whispered under his breath.
But inside... his mind was mocking, amused:
Jaa, abhi dur aaya maza...
Rivan took a deep breath, straightened his apron, and began serving everyone.
He passed the dishes carefully, plate by plate,Staring coldy and dangerously.
Devyani, arms crossed, suddenly snapped,
"What did I teach you?"
Rivan froze for a fraction of a second... then his face brightened into a dazzling, almost smile.
"Of course, baby. I remember everything you taught me," he said, leaning slightly to serve Virendra with extra care.
Everyone at the table was holding back their laughter, trying not to burst.
Some stared at the scene in disbelief.
Some whispered silently to each other.
Aradhya couldn't hold it.
The tension, the absurdity, the sheer cuteness of Rivan following Devyani's orders it was too much.
She erupted into laughter loud, uncontrollable.
Rivan turned toward her with a single dangerous, smoldering look one "push eye," bright smile, full of playful warning.
Instead of intimidating her...
it made Aradhya laugh even harder.
Soon, the whole table was shaking with quiet chuckles, trying to hold it together.
Rivan just shook his head slightly.
RIVAN stood at the head, serving everyone methodical, calm, almost detached.
Bowls moved, plates slid forward. No words. Just the soft clink of cutlery.
One by one, everyone received their share.
Then...
Yashodha's turn came.
She stiffened.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to pause.
Her fingers curled slightly against the edge of the table as an old, familiar realization settled in her chest
He won't serve me.
He never did.
Slowly, with practiced restraint, she reached for the serving spoon herself, not meeting anyone's eyes.
Before her hand could touch it
A bowl was placed in front of her.
Gently.
Precisely.
Without hesitation.
RIVAN had served her.
The room froze.
No gasp.
No movement.
No one even dared to breathe.
Yashodha's hand trembled mid-air.
She looked up.
RIVAN was already moving away, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. As if serving her was the most normal thing in the world.
But it wasn't.
Her eyes burned.
Years of distance.
Years of silence.
Years of being invisible to him
All cracked in that one simple act.
Tears welled up, threatening to spill.
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Forcing them back.
Because she knew
If one tear fell now, she wouldn't be able to stop the rest.
And RIVAN...
He didn't look back.
Yet somehow, the weight in the room told everyone
Something irreversible had shifted.
Finally, after the long dinner chaos, they entered their room.
Rivan flopped onto the couch beside Devyani, wiping his hands on his apron.
"Umm... end of punishment?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Devyani gave him a sharp look.
"Ninety days, pati ji... you didn't even remember."
Internally, Rivan cursed himself.
Damn it... how could I forget?
She tilted her head, her lips pouting slightly.
"Just tired in one day, huh?"
Before he could respond, she moved to the couch, settled herself comfortably, and commanded,
"Remove your shirt."
Rivan murmured under his breath, wondering what she was "cooking" this time.
He obeyed silently, peeling off the shirt, sleeves rolled, chest glistening slightly under the soft room light.
Devyani's eyes scanned him, narrowing playfully.
"Hmm... still you have biscuits," she said, squinting, "but... indeed you are chikna"
Rivan froze mid-movement.
"Chikna?" he asked, confused.
"Me... chikna?"
"Yes... you... chikna." Her tone was teasing, smug.
Rivan blinked rapidly, completely thrown.
"Baby... from where did you learn this?
This is... not good words."
Devyani smirked, leaning back slightly.
"But Aru said 'you chikna'... can't I say it too?"
Rivan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Aru said... me... chikna?"
Devyani nodded, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Yes. Chikna... chalta phirta chikna.
So I was checking... if you're hiding something more... like biscuits."
Rivan paused, trying to process.
He looked at her his little wife, fierce yet playful, innocent yet teasing... and all at once, his heart thudded painfully in his chest.
How does she manage to turn everything... even this... into her own little world?
He couldn't stop the smile creeping onto his lips.
And he knew... he wouldn't want to.
Not for a single second.
Inside his head, Rivan very calmly, very silently...
threw Aradhya out of the Haveli.
Mentally.
With full force.
He cleared his throat and looked at Devyani seriously.
"Chikna is a bad word," he said, trying to sound authoritative.
Then, gently, carefully, he explained what it actually meant and why people shouldn't use it like that.
Devyani listened with full concentration, nodding slowly.
"Ohhhh," she said finally.
"So it means... you are not chikna?"
Rivan blinked.
"That's... not what I said—"
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Anyway."
She poked his abs lightly, curiosity written all over her face.
"Now I know this is not biscuits... this is abs."
Rivan stiffened.
She tilted her head, inspecting him like a scientist.
"But still..." she added softly,
"it's very delicious to see those abs."
Rivan's brain short-circuited.
What... what exactly did she learn in those three months?
A strange mix of fear... and excitement crept in.
Then she added casually,
"I saw some gym videos."
He froze.
"Indeed," she said seriously,
"they are all chalte-phirte... chikne fit people... just like you."
Rivan's eyes widened.
"Whom... whom were you watching in my absence?"
Devyani raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
"Why should I need your permission before obsessing over other males?"
Rivan's heart cracked a little.
He almost wanted to cry.
She looked at him then really looked.
Her voice dropped, calm but pointed.
"Oh," she said,
"but isn't you the one who left me and went away for three months?"
Silence fell between them.
Rivan swallowed hard.
Touché.
And right there, he knew
her anger wasn't playful anymore.
It was hurt.
And he deserved every bit of it.
Rivan folded his arms and tried to sound very casual.
"So... why did you watch those videos?"
Devyani looked at him like he'd asked the most foolish question.
"Then what should I do? Sit and just remember you?"
Rivan panicked.
"No—no—I mean... I was just asking... like... why did you watch?"
She shrugged innocently.
"Yeah, I watched because they have very good... sexy body."
Rivan froze.
"S-s-sexy?"
She nodded seriously.
"Yes. Actually, they are handsome."
Then she tilted her head, looked at him carefully and added,
Then she continued, very casually,
"Aao bhi ho handsome... par utna bhi nahi, chhodo."
(You are also handsome... but not THAT much, leave it.")
Rivan's jaw dropped.
"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?"
He pointed at her dramatically.
"So you have a possessive crush on them now?"
She blinked.
"Possessive crush?"
"Yes!" he said.
"And you are not going to watch them anymore."
Devyani frowned.
"Why?"
"Because I am telling you," Rivan said seriously.
"Just watch me."
She crossed her legs and thought.
"But I see you daily."
Rivan raised an eyebrow slowly.
"So... you are bored watching me every day now?"
Devyani gulped.
"I mean... ummm..."
Rivan leaned forward.
"Go on."
Too late.
Rivan clutched his heart dramatically.
"Wow. Three months away and my wife is already bored of me."
She quickly grabbed his arm.
"No no no, not bored bored! Just... familiar bored."
Because even her anger sounded like love.
Devyani stretched her arms lazily and yawned.
"Come, let's go back to sleep.
I am very sleepy."
Then she added sweetly, way too sweetly,
"And haaan... make sure to make yourself comfortable on the couch, pati ji."
She smiled innocent on the outside, full sarcasm hiding underneath.
Rivan blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"Couch?"
"But... I want to sleep beside you," he said softly, already defeated.
Devyani tilted her head.
"But you already have the habit of sleeping alone.
You did that for three months."
Rivan visibly flinched.
Hands joined immediately.
"Please please please stop this three-month taunt!
I'll do whatever you say ??"
Devyani's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"So my talks are taunts to you?"
Rivan panicked.
"No no no! I didn't mean that—"
"But you just said it," she interrupted calmly.
"No, kitten," he rushed.
"You misunderstood.
I said stop that three months wala—"
She crossed her arms.
"So now you are calling my words taunts, pati ji?"
Rivan froze.
Brain stopped functioning.
"...I—"
He mentally slapped himself.
Devyani stood up, walked toward the bed, and pulled the blanket over herself.
"Good night," she said sweetly.
"Don't forget couch is very comfortable."
Rivan stood there, staring at the bed... then at the couch... then back at her.
This woman was not angry.
She was dangerous.
And somehow...
he had never loved her more. ??????
Sadly, Rivan walked to the couch and sat down.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, murmuring to himself,
"I deserve this..."
Just as he settled in
His head snapped toward the bed.
Eyes shining like a child who just got candy.
"Really?"
Devyani didn't even look at him.
"I won't repeat," she said firmly.
That was enough.
In one swift movement, Rivan got up and went to the bed, lying down beside her.
Without asking, without hesitating, he gently pulled her into his arms.
She adjusted herself automatically, fitting perfectly against him like she always did.
She let out a small, content sigh and whispered,
"Ahhh... now this is called peace."
Rivan smiled softly, tightening his hold just a little.
And for the first time in a long while
both of them slept, wrapped in warmth, mischief, and quiet comfort.
Reyansh was sleeping peacefully, wrapped in his blanket like the world didn't exist.
Knock knock.
He stirred.
Knock knock knock.
He groaned, half-asleep, pulling the pillow over his head.
BANG BANG.
"What the—" he muttered and finally opened his eyes.
There stood Rivan.
Fully dressed.
Shoes on.
Gym bag on shoulder.
Determination on face like he was about to conquer the world.
Reyansh stared at him blankly.
"...What?"
Rivan said calmly, "Let's go to gym."
Reyansh blinked.
Once.
Twice.
He rubbed his eyes, grabbed his phone, checked the time.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?" he whispered-shouted.
"It's 4:30 AM! " FOUR THIRTY!"
Rivan nodded.
"Yes. Now."
Reyansh fell back on the bed.
"No. Go alone. I want to sleep."
He yawned dramatically.
Rivan frowned.
"I don't want to go alone."
Reyansh didn't even open his eyes.
"That sounds like a you problem."
Next second
Rivan grabbed Reyansh's arm and dragged him off the bed.
"AREY—AREY—WAIT—WAIT—" Reyansh panicked, feet sliding on the floor.
"brO I AM IN MY BOXERS!"
Rivan didn't stop.
"Gym has mirrors. You'll adjust."
"THIS IS ABUSE!" Reyansh yelled.
"DEVU KNOWS YOU'RE DOING THIS?"
Rivan paused for half a second.
"...No."
Then dragged him harder.
As Reyansh stumbled along, half-dead, half-asleep, he groaned,
"Why sudden gym obsession?"
Rivan said grimly,
" k "
Reyansh stopped walking.
He straightened instantly.
"Let's go."
And just like that
two broken men walked toward the gym.
One for revenge.
One because he had no choice. ????
Then he burst out laughing.
Like really laughing.
Rivan shot him a deadly look.
"Stop talking and walk."
Reyansh wiped imaginary tears.
"Bro but Devu told me I am very handsome."
He puffed his chest.
"Daaammm... see? Even she said I'm handsome."
He leaned closer, whispering proudly,
"Even more than you."
Rivan gave him a slow, dangerous side-eye.
Reyansh smirked.
"But still... why should I come?"
Rivan replied flatly,
"Why should I struggle alone?"
Before Reyansh could react, Rivan grabbed him again and dragged him forward.
Reyansh desperately clutched a pillar.
"NOOOO! I am not coming!
I want to sleep!"
Rivan leaned in, voice calm but threatening.
"Come... or else I am going to remove the only boxer you are wearing."
Reyansh froze.
He immediately let go of the pillar.
"Let's go. Let's go.
Why violence?"
Rivan nodded satisfied.
They finally reached the gym.
Rivan immediately got to work
stretching, lifting, punching the bag like he was fighting his insecurities one rep at a time.
Meanwhile...
Reyansh sat on a chair in the corner.
For exactly ten seconds.
Then his head dropped.
Mouth slightly open.
Soft snoring started.
Rivan glanced at him mid-workout.
Paused.
Stared.
"Unbelievable," he muttered.
He finished a brutal set, wiped his sweat, walked over...
and suddenly clapped loudly near Reyansh's ear.
"WAKE UP."
Reyansh jerked awake.
"HAAN! HAAN! I'm awake!"
Rivan crossed his arms.
"You came here to sleep?"
Reyansh rubbed his eyes.
"Bro... this is active rest."
Rivan dragged him up by the arm.
"No resting. You're here, you work."
Reyansh groaned.
"Why are you so motivated suddenly?"
Reyansh sighed deeply.
Reyansh internally cried while dragging himself up.
After almost one full hour of torture
weights, squats, planks, and Rivan's never-ending stamina
Rivan finally spoke, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Come. Help me with this exercise."
Reyansh groaned but stood up lazily.
"Bas ye last hai na?"
Rivan nodded.
"Yes. Last."
Reyansh positioned himself behind Rivan to help him with the lift.
And that's when things got... awkward.
Very awkward.
Too close.
Reyansh was in just his boxers, half asleep, half dead.
Rivan was shirtless, muscles flexing with every movement.
Their faces were inches apart.
Breathing audible.
Sweat dripping.
Reyansh swallowed.
"...Bro?"
"I know support," Reyansh snapped,
"not embrace."
They adjusted.
Still close.
Too close.
Reyansh turned his face away.
"Tell me when you lift."
Rivan lifted.
Reyansh slipped slightly forward.
Now chest to back.
Silence.
"...This is uncomfortable," Reyansh muttered.
"Focus," Rivan replied.
At that exact moment
Aradhya entered the gym for her training.
She froze.
Her eyes widened.
Scene in front of her:
Brother shirtless
Reyansh in boxers
Bodies close
Heavy breathing
Intense eye contact
Her brain stopped functioning.
They didn't notice her.
She noticed everything.
Her face turned red.
She covered her eyes instantly.
She spun around and ran out of the gym.
"MAIN KUCH NAHI DEKHA!
KUCH NAHI!
Aradhya didn't stop running.
She ran like her life depended on it.
Because honestly... it did.
Her mind was blank.
Brain screaming.
"NAHI DEKHNA THA ??"
She nearly ran only to collapse into Devyani
Devyani was coming downstairs in search of her husband.
Aradhya grabbed her arm in panic.
"BHABHIIIIII!!!"
Devyani startled.
"What happened?aru"
Aradhya was breathless.
"Kand ho.....gaya hai."
Devyani narrowed her eyes.
"Kya matlab?"
Aradhya gulped.
"I just came from the gym."
Devyani's steps stopped.
"...Gym?"
Cut to the gym
Rivan sneezed suddenly.
Reyansh shivered.
Devyani was curled, knees drawn to her chest, eyes watery, lips trembling. Every small movement made her flinch. She hiccupped again, trying hard not to cry.
"Baby," he said gently,"listen to me."
She shook her head weakly.
"I know... I know it's common," she hiccupped, voice breaking, "Jinal told me... everyone told me... but still..."
Her face crumpled.
"It's paining so much."
" Ummm..."I trailed off again, biting my lip. How do you even ask these things?
'Hmmmm?' He was still there, waiting, his eyes all soft and encouraging.
"Can... I see you?" I finally blurted out, my voice barely above a whisper, feeling like the boldest girl in the world or the silliest.
He blinked, then grinned. "You are already seeing me,kitten. I'm right here!"
"No... I mean..."My eyes accidentally okay, maybe not so accidentally drifted downward, to where his towel was wrapped around his waist. Oh no! What was I thinking? My face must have turned the color of a ripe tomato.
That did it panic flashed across his face like lightning!
He straightened up super quick, his hands flying to adjust his towel as if it might run away.