Nutella on rivan body
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Itna toh Mai b troll Nahi huwi Jitna tun log be yashodha ko kiya hai????
"Shhhhhhh," I warned him, putting a Nutella-covered finger in front of his lips. "Keep quiet. I am hungry."
His eyes widened even more. "What kind of hunger is this??"
I gave him a sharp look.
The kind of look that clearly said: one more word and you are finished.
He immediately shut his mouth.
But it stayed slightly open in shock.
I dipped my finger again in the jar and very seriously said, "Open your mouth properly."
He blinked. "Why?"
I narrowed my eyes.
He obeyed instantly.
I put a little Nutella on his tongue.
He made a face. "Kitten... you could have just given me a spoon..."
I ignored him.
Then I leaned closer to his shoulder and licked the Nutella from there.
His entire body stiffened.
He stopped breathing.
I hummed happily. "Hmmmm... this tastes better from here."
"Devyani..." his voice came out strained, confused, and very cautious, "you are eating chocolate or... me?"
I paused and thought seriously.
Then answered honestly, "Both, I think."
He gulped.
"Kitten, people eat chocolate from a plate. Not from their husband."
I shook my head. "No. This is more efficient. Less wastage."
He stared at the ceiling like he was praying for strength.
I continued happily, licking the Nutella trail I had made across his collarbone.
A shiver ran down Rivan's spine when Devyani's tongue traced over his collarbone.
He cleared his throat. "Ummm... baby..."
But she was far too busy.
She snapped without even looking at him. "I said keep quiet."
Before he could react, she smeared more Nutella along his neck like she was icing a cake with full concentration.
Then she comfortably settled herself between his legs on the bed, completely focused on her "mission," and began licking the chocolate away with alarming dedication.
Rivan's fingers curled into the bedsheet.
His eyes slowly closed as he felt the strange, ticklish, warm sensation of her soft lips and tongue moving across his skin.
He inhaled sharply.
"Kitten..." he tried again weakly.
She paused for a second, looked up at him with chocolate on the corner of her lips, and frowned. "Why you keep disturbing me? Let me eat peacefully."
She ignored that completely and went back to licking his neck like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Rivan tilted his head back.
Devyani, still busy, mumbled against his skin, "Best chocolate I ever had."
He let out a helpless breath.
Devyani's breath had grown uneven.
Something inside her felt wild, unfamiliar... like she was no longer thinking, only feeling.
She smeared chocolate across his chest with clumsy urgency and leaned forward again, tasting it off his skin with the same stubborn focus.
Rivan gulped.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. His fists tightened into the bedsheet as he drew in a slow, controlled breath.
"Kitten..." he warned softly, voice strained, "stop this now... or if I lose control, you will regret teasing me like this."
She looked up at him, eyes hazy, cheeks flushed, completely unbothered.
"Who is stopping you?" she said innocently.
That answer did something dangerous to his self-control.
She moved lower, tracing chocolate away from his torso with slow, absent-minded licks, like a child too lost in her favorite treat to notice anything else.
But to Rivan, this was not innocent at all.
His eyes widened. His breathing turned heavier.
"Devyani..." he said again, this time not as a warning but as a plea.
She didn't understand what she was doing to him.
She only knew she felt restless, hungry, emotional, strange... and this somehow felt comforting, distracting her from the cramps twisting inside her.
Rivan finally caught her shoulders gently but firmly and pulled her up toward him.
She blinked at him in confusion.
He cupped her chocolate-smeared face in his hands and spoke in a low, steady voice.
She frowned. "I am just eating chocolate..."
He let out a helpless, breathless laugh.
"Yes. And eating your husband along with it."
She tried to push his hands away, a small frown forming on her face.
"No... I am not done," she muttered stubbornly, like a child whose favorite toy was being taken away.
Rivan sighed softly, realizing this wasn't mischief anymore she was restless, uncomfortable, emotionally overwhelmed from the pain, the hormones, the confusion of the day.
He held her wrists gently but firmly.
Rivan grew restless and suddenly took the lead, pinning her down as he hovered over her, his breaths heavy.
His body trembled as he pressed down upon her, the full weight of his form enveloping Devyani in a cocoon of warmth and urgency.
She got panicked for a few seconds, but it still didn't stop her from doing whatever she was about to do.
Her small hands, tentative yet drawn by an inexplicable pull, reached up to trace the line of chocolate she had smeared across his lips.
She leaned in closer, her tongue darting out innocently to taste the sweetness mingled with the salt of his skin.
The act was pure curiosity, a child's wonder at discovering something forbidden yet delightful, but to Rivan, it was a spark igniting a wildfire he had long kept banked.
"Devyani..." His voice came out as a ragged whisper, laced with both plea and possession.
His hands, large and calloused from years of restraint, gripped the soft fabric of the bed beneath them, knuckles whitening as he fought the tide rising within.
The veins along his forearms stood out like cords under strain, pulsing with the rhythm of his thundering heart.
He could feel the rapid flutter of her pulse against his chest, mirroring his own chaotic beat, and it only deepened the ache that clawed at his resolve.
She paused for a moment, her wide eyes lifting to meet his those dangerous, stormy depths that held her captive.
Watery still, but now shimmering with a mix of fear and fascination.
"Pati ji," she breathed, the endearment slipping from her lips like a secret.
Her fingers lingered on his jaw, soft and exploratory, as if mapping the contours of a treasure she had only just uncovered.
Rivan's breath hitched, his ears burning hotter than before, the flush creeping down his neck.
The way her tongue had brushed against him, so gentle, so unaware of the storm it unleashed, sent shivers racing through his frame.
He shifted slightly, his hips settling more firmly against hers.
Yet even as he spoke, his control frayed further; one hand released its grip on the bed and slid to her waist, fingers splaying possessively over the curve there, pulling her infinitesimally closer.
Devyani gasped softly at the contact, her body arching instinctively beneath him.
The sensation was new, electric a tingling that spread making her skin prickle with awareness.
"Kitten... please stop," he said, voice low and strained. "You're testing me."
His breaths were heavy. The veins in his neck visible from the effort of holding himself back.
Devyani's eyes turned slightly watery, confused by his tone.
But her attention drifted to his lips.
So close.
She slowly lifted her fingers and touched them, feeling how soft they were.
Rivan shut his eyes for a second.
"Kitten, don't..." he whispered. "My control is hanging by a thread."
She blinked innocently. "So you also feel... something strange? Something is happening to you also?"
He didn't know how to answer that.
Because yes something was happening to him.
But she didn't understand what.
Her breaths were uneven. His were heavier.
She picked up a little chocolate from the side and, without thinking much, gently dabbed it on his lips.
Rivan inhaled sharply.
He slowly licked the chocolate from his own lips, his ears turning red.
His body was tense from the effort of staying calm.
He lowered himself carefully, not putting his weight on her, just hovering close enough that she could feel his warmth.
He cupped her face gently.
"Devyani... listen to me," he said softly but firmly. "What you are feeling right now is because your body is overwhelmed. Pain, emotions, hormones... everything together. It makes you restless, confused."
She looked at him, still breathing unevenly.
She tilted her head, her lips hovering near his once more, drawn back to the lingering trace of chocolate.
This time, her touch was bolder, her mouth pressing lightly against his in what she thought was merely a way to savor the treat.
But the softness of her lips, the innocent parting that invited him in, shattered another thread of his restraint.
"Please... no closeness lessons right now," she whispered.
"Teach me tomorrow."
Her voice shook.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"You are not understanding me," she said helplessly.
"Explanations can wait, na pati ji?"
Her breathing turned uneven.
She looked at him, vulnerable, overwhelmed by feelings she herself didn't understand.
"Can't you see what is happening to me?" she asked softly.
"Even I don't know what is happening inside me right now."
Her grip on him tightened.
Rivan's eyes darkened not with desire alone, but with deep emotion, protectiveness, and restraint.
He gently held her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs.
"Shhh," he murmured softly.
With a low groan that rumbled from deep in his chest, Rivan surrendered just enough to capture her mouth fully.
His kiss was measured at first, a slow exploration that mirrored her curiosity lips moving against hers with a gentleness born of reverence.
He tasted the sweetness on her tongue, the faint bitterness of chocolate, and beneath it all, the pure essence of her that drove him to the edge.
His free hand threaded into her hair, cradling the back of her head as he deepened the connection, teaching her without words the dance of intimacy she so eagerly sought.
Devyani's eyes fluttered shut, her watery gaze giving way to a haze of sensation.
Her hands clutched at his shoulders, nails digging lightly into the fabric of his shirt as waves of that unfamiliar hunger washed over her.
It felt like floating, like being consumed by a gentle current that pulled her under, and she welcomed it, pressing closer with a soft whimper that escaped into his mouth.
The weight of him, so solid and protective, made her feel safe even as the tension between them crackled like unspoken lightning.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to gaze down at her flushed face, her lips now swollen and glistening from their shared exploration.
he said, his voice husky, threaded with both warning and wonder.
His thumb traced her lower lip, smudging away a remnant of chocolate, and he brought it to his own mouth, tasting her essence once more.
The act sent a fresh surge of heat through him, his body responding with an insistent press against her thigh, though he masked it with a shift of his hips.
Devyani's chest heaved with a mix of frustration and longing, her voice breaking as the words tumbled out in a rush.
"Why... why am I feeling different? Why do I want more of you? Why do I want you to just... do something? Why do I feel these knots in my abdomen? Whyyyyy?"
Tears welled up in her eyes again, spilling over as she cried, her small frame trembling beneath him.
The confusion swirled within her like a storm she couldn't name, every sensation pulling her deeper into an unknown world that both scared and thrilled her.
Rivan's heart ached at the sight of her distress, his stormy eyes softening with a tenderness that warred against the fire she had ignited.
He shifted his weight slightly, propping himself on one elbow to gaze down at her more gently, his free hand brushing away the tears from her cheeks with the pad of his thumb.
"Shhh, baby," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble, like a lullaby meant to calm the wildest seas.
"You will learn slowly, slowly. Don't worry we will go at a pace that feels right for you. I promise."
But Devyani shook her head, her breaths coming in short, frustrated gasps.
Her nose flushed a deep red, matching the warmth blooming across her cheeks, giving her an endearing, almost childlike pout amid the intensity of the moment.
"No... why should I learn slowly, slowly? Why can't I learn today? Why do you want me to go at this pace?"
The words escaped her in a breathless rush, laced with a spark of anger that made her push against his chest lightly, though her hands lingered there, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat.
The air between them thickened, charged with her innocent impatience and his unyielding care.
Before Rivan could respond, Devyani's emotions surged forward, overriding her confusion.
With a sudden, impulsive movement, she lifted her head and captured his lips in a kiss that was raw and hungry, born of her overwhelming need to bridge the gap she felt inside.
It was not the tentative exploration from before; this was a desperate seeking, her mouth pressing against his with a fervor she didn't fully understand, as if tasting him could unravel the mysteries knotting her body.
Rivan froze for the briefest instant, caught off guard by her boldness, but then he melted into it, his resolve bending under the weight of her passion.
Their lips met and parted in a dance that started clumsy but quickly deepened, both of them losing themselves in the rhythm.
He responded with a gentle firmness, guiding her as his mouth moved against hers soft at first, then more insistent, drawing her lower lip between his to savor the warmth of her.
Devyani's breath mingled with his, warm and erratic, and as their tongues brushed tentatively, a new sensation flooded her: the subtle slide of saliva mixing between them, slick and intimate, confusing her further.
It felt strange, almost overwhelming, like sharing a secret essence that made her head spin and her body tingle in ways she couldn't articulate.
Was this part of the hunger? This slippery warmth that connected them so deeply, making her feel both exposed and cherished?
She whimpered softly into the kiss, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as if afraid he might pull away.
Rivan's control wavered, his own hunger rising to match hers, but he tempered it with care, letting the kiss build like a slow-burning flame.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open further, and when she did, he explored with deliberate slowness, tasting the lingering sweetness of chocolate and the pure, fresh flavor that was uniquely hers.
The world narrowed to this point of connection the wet sounds of their mouths meeting, the shared breaths that came in heavy pants, the way their bodies pressed closer without conscious thought.
Time seemed to stretch, the kiss pulling them into a haze where nothing else existed, just the two of them entwined in discovery.
As the intensity peaked, Rivan trailed his lips from hers, his breath hot against her skin as he moved downward.
He pressed open-mouthed kisses along her jawline, feeling the delicate flutter of her pulse there, quick and alive under his touch.
Devyani's head tilted back instinctively, exposing the slender column of her throat, and a soft moan escaped her lips unbidden, surprised, like a sigh from deep within her soul.
The sound sent a shiver through him, but he continued with reverence, his mouth brushing the sensitive spot just below her ear, then down to the curve of her neck where her skin was soft and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from her earlier bath.
"Pati ji..." she breathed, her voice a mix of wonder and plea, her fingers clutching at his shoulders as new waves of sensation rippled through her.
His kisses grew lighter, more teasing, as he nuzzled into the hollow of her collarbone, his tongue darting out to taste the salt of her skin there.
It was a gentle lap, innocent in its curiosity mirroring hers, but it drew another moan from her, deeper this time, vibrating through her chest.
The knots in her abdomen tightened further, twisting with a warmth that spread outward, making her legs shift restlessly beneath him.
Every press of his lips felt like a spark, igniting paths of fire along her nerves, confusing and exhilarating her all at once.
Rivan's hands roamed with careful intent, one cradling the back of her neck to hold her steady, the other tracing feather-light patterns along her arm, raising goosebumps in its wake.
He kissed along her jaw again, returning to the sharp line that led back to her lips, but detoured to pepper soft pecks across her cheek, her temple, even the bridge of her nose every delicate feature that made her face so achingly beautiful to him.
Each touch elicited a response: a gasp here, a quiet moan there, her body arching toward him as if seeking more of that electric connection.
"You're so responsive, my baby kitten," he whispered against her skin, his voice husky with restrained emotion. "Let me show you this part slowly... feel how it builds."
Devyani's mind whirled, lost in the cascade of feelings. The kisses on her neck made her skin flush hot, a tingling that pooled low in her belly, intensifying those mysterious knots into something almost pleasurable, like a promise waiting to unfold.
She didn't understand it fully the way his mouth on her collarbone sent shivers down her spine, or how the brush of his lips on her jaw made her eyelids flutter shut but she craved it, her innocent heart opening wider with each tender assault.
Tears of overwhelm pricked her eyes again, not from sadness, but from the sheer intensity of being so seen, so wanted.
He lifted his head slightly, his eyes locking onto hers, dark and filled with a depth of affection that steadied her.
"See? This is part of it the way our touches awaken these feelings. We'll explore together, at your pace, but never rushing what should be savored."
His thumb stroked her cheek, wiping away a stray tear, before he leaned in once more, capturing her lips in a softer kiss this time, a gentle sealing of the moment.
Devyani responded with equal tenderness, her anger from moments ago dissolving into a quiet trust, her body relaxing beneath him even as the hunger lingered, simmering like embers ready to flare anew.
Rivan's weight was a comforting anchor, his presence wrapping around her like a protective embrace.
She nestled closer, her cheek against his, breathing in the familiar scent of him earth and spice that grounded her amid the whirlwind.
"I... I like this learning," she admitted shyly, her voice muffled against his skin. "Even if it's slow. It feels... right, with you."
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, vibrating through her, and he pressed a final kiss to her forehead, lingering there as if to imprint his promise.
The tension eased slightly, but the air still hummed with unspoken potential, their bodies attuned now in a way that promised deeper explorations.
Rivan gave her a soft look and said lightly,
Devyani's cheeks turned pink instantly.
She looked away shyly.
He didn't seem to notice or care, his mind already set on tending to her needs, his obsession with her comfort overriding everything else.
His body still had faint chocolate marks here and there, but he didn't even notice.
Right now, his only focus was simple
To feed her.
He paused at the door, glancing back with a soft smile that made her stomach twist in that familiar, confusing way.
Devyani nodded, pulling the covers up a little higher as he stepped out, the door clicking shut behind him.
In the bustling family area, the aroma of home-cooked lunch filled the air steaming rice, spiced curries, and fresh rotis laid out on the table.
His family looked up expectantly as he entered the kitchen, plates in hand.
Virendra said "Rivan, join us for lunch! Everything's ready."
Rivan shook his head firmly, piling food onto a tray with careful portions, his expression unyielding.
He said "not now. My wife needs rest, so please don't call her or even go inside our room. Understood?"
His tone carried the weight of an order, leaving no room for argument
. The family exchanged sighs, murmuring among themselves about his unwavering obsession with Devyani how he doted on her like she was the center of his world.
Reyansh, lounging nearby, caught sight of the chocolate streaks on Rivan's shirt and neck, a knowing smirk curling his lips as he raised an eyebrow but said nothing, respecting the privacy.
Rivan ignored the subtle glances, tray balanced securely as he made his way back, slipping into the room quietly.
He set the food down on a small table beside the bed, arranging pillows behind Devyani to prop her up comfortably.
She shifted, her hands fidgeting in her lap, a wave of shyness washing over her as fragments of their earlier closeness replayed in her mind the hunger she couldn't explain, the way she'd pulled him to her so desperately.
Her cheeks warmed again, and she avoided his eyes, feeling exposed in her innocence.
Rivan settled beside her, picking up a spoon and scooping a bit of warm soup, blowing on it gently before offering it to her lips.
He said "Open up, kitten. You need to eat properly now."
Devyani hesitated, her lashes fluttering as she glanced at him, then parted her lips obediently, the first bite soothing her rumbling stomach.
The flavors burst on her tongue comforting and familiar easing some of the tension from her body.
Devyani lowered her eyes, still a little shy.
Rivan shook his head lightly.
A faint smile touched his lips.
He brushed a tiny crumb from the corner of her lips, his fingers lingering just a second longer than needed. A
small spark ran through her, and she swallowed, suddenly remembering how overwhelmed she had been earlier.
"I... I don't know what happened to me," she whispered.
"It was like I couldn't control myself."
She looked down, embarrassed.
Rivan paused. He set the spoon aside and gently cupped her cheek, making her look at him.
"Hey," he said softly. "No."
His eyes were warm, reassuring.
He smiled faintly.
He brushed his thumb across her cheek.
She leaned into his touch slightly, still unsure.
"But it felt so strong," she said quietly.
"Like something burning inside. And now I feel shy... like I did something wrong."
Rivan chuckled softly, the sound gentle and comforting.
"You did nothing wrong," he said. "You were just feeling deeply."
He picked up the spoon again and offered her another bite.
She took the bite slowly, her eyes softening as she chewed.
After a moment, she reached out and touched his arm lightly.
She looked up at him.
"Why?"
Rivan smiled softly at her question.
"Because you are my world," he said quietly.
"And when something is precious... you don't rush it."
His voice was calm, full of warmth.
He tore a small piece of roti, dipped it into the curry, and brought it to her lips. His eyes never left her face as she ate. When a tiny drop touched the corner of her mouth, his thumb gently wiped it away without a word.
Devyani smiled shyly.
The embarrassment she felt earlier was slowly melting into something warm, something safe.
"Okay..." she said softly.
Rivan nodded without hesitation.
He lifted another bite toward her.
She giggled lightly, the sound pure and innocent, leaning forward to take the bite.
The room no longer felt heavy.
It felt warm.
Calm.
Peaceful.
They didn't rush.
They didn't speak loudly.
They just stayed there feeding, watching, smiling softly at each other.
With every bite, the tension between them eased.
With every small touch, the distance of three months faded a little more.
The tray slowly emptied.
And in that quiet, simple act of feeding her
Rivan wasn't just giving her food.
He was giving her care.
Attention.
Love.
And Devyani, sitting there, realized
She had never felt this safe before.
After feeding her, Rivan helped her lie down on the bed.
She looked tired now emotionally drained, her eyes heavy.
Without saying much, he brought a hot water bag and gently placed it on her abdomen, adjusting it carefully so it wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
Then he sat beside her.
His fingers moved slowly into her hair, caressing her head in soft, repetitive strokes.
No words.
No questions.
Just quiet care.
Devyani held his hand tightly, as if even in sleep she was afraid he might disappear again.
Her grip didn't loosen.
Slowly, her breathing became steady.
Her eyelids closed.
And she finally fell asleep.
Peacefully.
Rivan didn't move.
He kept sitting there, letting her hold his hand, watching her sleep like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Outside, the sky had already begun turning orange.
It was evening.
After she fell asleep, Rivan slowly slid his hand out of her grip, making sure she didn't wake.
He adjusted the blanket around her one last time and stood there for a moment, watching her peaceful face.
Then he walked out quietly.
His footsteps were calm. Controlled.
He entered his study room and locked the door behind him.
The air inside was different.
Heavy. Cold. Silent.
In the center of the room, two men were tied to chairs, hands bound, fear dripping from their faces. Their mouths trembled as they begged.
Their voices shook.
But Rivan didn't react.
His face had no emotion. No anger. No rage.
And that was what made him terrifying.
Calm Rivan was far more dangerous than furious Rivan.
He removed his watch slowly. Placed it on the table. Rolled up his sleeves with deliberate ease.
The men started crying harder.
Because they could see it
He wasn't doing this out of impulse.
He was doing this with patience.
With intention.
"Begging won't help," he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper.
"You had your chance."
The room filled with their pleading, but Rivan's expression never changed.
There was no mercy in his eyes.
Only a cold, silent promise
They would feel every second of what they deserved.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aditya sat alone in his room.
A cigarette burned slowly between his fingers.
Smoke curled upward, mixing with the heavy thoughts in his head.
The room was dim. Silent. Suffocating.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
The hotel manager answered quickly.
"Hello, sir."
Aditya didn't waste time.
There was a pause on the other side.
Aditya closed his eyes for a second.
"Okay," he said quietly and cut the call.
This had become his daily routine.
Every single day, he called the manager and asked about only one person.
And every single day, the answer was the same.
He brought the glass to his lips and took a slow sip of alcohol.
The cigarette burned out between his fingers, ash falling unnoticed.
Memories filled the silence around him.
And like every evening
He sat there, waiting for a call that never came.
Aradhya pushed the door open gently.
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes fell on the glass in Aditya's hand.
Alcohol.
And Aditya.
Those two things never belonged in the same frame.
He was the one who used to lecture everyone about staying away from it. The disciplined one. The calm one.
Seeing this felt... wrong.
Aditya looked up at her, his expression blank.
"Haan, bolo," he said quietly.
Aradhya hesitated.
Without asking why, without even looking properly, Aditya picked up his wallet and handed her his card.
She didn't take it immediately.
She kept staring at him.
"Something is bothering you?" she asked softly.
Aditya shook his head once.
"Nothing."
Aradhya wanted to ask more.
She really did.
But she knew her brother.
If he didn't want to speak, forcing him would only push him further away.
So she turned slightly to leave.
That's when Aditya spoke.
She stopped.
Confused, she turned back.
"For what?" she asked gently.
Aditya lowered his eyes.
"For my behavior with you that day," he said quietly.
Aradhya gulped, the memory flashing in her mind.
Aditya's voice grew heavier.
"My intention was never to hurt you," he continued.
"It was the heat of the moment."
He looked at her finally.
Aradhya's eyes filled with tears.
"Bhai, it's okay," she said softly.
"I understand you."
Aradhya walked closer and gently took the glass from Aditya's hand.
He didn't resist.
That scared her more.
She placed the glass aside and sat in front of him on the bed.
"Bhai," she said softly, "this is not you."
Aditya gave a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"People change," he replied.
She shook her head.
He looked away.
Silence stretched between them.
"Is it about... her?" Aradhya asked carefully.
Aditya's jaw tightened, but he didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Aradhya understood.
"You call every day, don't you?" she asked quietly.
He closed his eyes.
"Yes."
"And every day the answer is the same?"
He nodded once.
Aru's heart clenched.
Aditya's fingers curled into a fist.
"I know," he said hoarsely.
"But still... I wait."
His voice dropped.
Aradhya moved forward and hugged him tightly.
Aditya froze for a second, then slowly hugged her back.
For the first time that night, his eyes filled.
.
.
.
.
It was almost night when Devyani suddenly woke up.
A sharp pain twisted in her lower abdomen.
"Ahhh..." she winced, holding her stomach tightly.
Her breathing turned uneven as the discomfort spread.
She looked around immediately.
"Pati ji...?" she called softly.
No response.
The room felt empty.
She searched with her eyes, hoping to see him nearby.
But Rivan wasn't there.
Slowly, with difficulty, she pushed herself up and sat on the bed, one hand still pressed against her abdomen, her face pale from the pain.
A wave of pain hit her harder.
Devyani cried out loudly, sobbing now, clutching her stomach.
"Pati ji...!" she called again and again.
But there was no answer.
Because he wasn't there.
A servant heard her cries and rushed to the room, but seeing Devyani in that state crying uncontrollably, holding herself the servant panicked and ran to inform someone.
She thought of calling Yashoda, but in the hallway she saw Reyansh first.
"Sir! Devyani ma'am..." she said breathlessly.
Reyansh didn't wait. He ran.
He entered the room quickly.
"Hey, hey, Devu... what happened?" he asked, rushing to her side.
She grabbed his shirt, sobbing.
"Where is pati ji? Did he leave again?"
Reyansh shook his head immediately.
She cried harder.
Reyansh hugged her, trying to calm her down.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Rivan.
"Where are you?" Reyansh asked as soon as the call connected.
"Coming," Rivan replied shortly. "Why?"
"See, he said coming," Reyansh told Devyani, trying to reassure her.
Rivan's voice sharpened on the call.
Reyansh nodded instinctively, then spoke, "Hmm. And she's crying too."
Rivan cursed under his breath.
The call disconnected.
Reyansh gently asked, "Devu... what's hurting? Tell me."
Through hiccups and tears, she whispered, embarrassed and in pain, "I hate... periods... it's paining a lot..."
Reyansh exhaled in relief. At least he understood now.
And just then
Rivan entered the room in hurried steps.
Before he could even say anything, Devyani rushed into him and clung to him like a koala, sobbing into his chest, her fingers fisting his shirt tightly as if he would disappear again.
Reyansh quietly stepped out, giving them space.
Rivan wrapped both his arms around her.
But she was too lost in the fear that he had left her again. She kept crying, shaking in his arms.
"It's hurting... and you were not here..." she cried.
He slowly made her sit on the bed, kneeling in front of her.
His face was serious.
This much pain wasn't normal.
After that, he came back, placed the hot water bag again on her abdomen, and made her lie down.
She held his hand tightly even in sleep.
And he sat beside her, watching her, not moving an inch.
The night refused to pass.
Devyani kept turning and twisting in pain, her brows tightly drawn even in sleep. Every few minutes, a soft whimper escaped her lips, and Rivan's heart clenched harder each time.
He sat beside her, gently massaging her abdomen in slow circles, just the way the doctor once advised for cramps. His other hand kept moving through her hair, soothing her, calming her, whispering soft reassurances she probably couldn't even hear.
But sleep never stayed with her.
Every two hours, she woke up again wincing, clutching his hand, her face pale, her eyes glossy with pain.
And every single time, she searched for him first.
And every single time, he was right there.
He helped her sit up, made her sip warm water, adjusted the hot water bag, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and laid her down again like she was made of glass.
As the night grew deeper, Rivan grew more restless.
He stood up and started pacing in the room.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
His hands running through his hair, jaw tight, eyes red not from sleep, but from helplessness.
He had seen blood.
He had seen people beg for mercy.
He had caused pain without blinking.
But this...
Seeing her in pain like this... and not being able to take it away...
This was something he couldn't bear.
He stopped near the bed and looked at her.
She was finally asleep for a few minutes, her fingers still loosely wrapped around his.
He sat down again immediately, afraid that even the slight movement of air might disturb her.
And very carefully...
He placed his forehead on the back of her hand.
As if silently praying.
"Give her pain to me... but let her sleep peacefully..."
.
.
.
Glimpse of next chapter
Inside, her hands trembled violently.
She staggered forward and turned the shower on.
Cold water poured over her body.
Still wearing her clothes.
She started rubbing at the fabric desperately, trying to wash away the blood, her movements frantic, almost violent.
As if she could erase the memory.
As if she could erase the past.
Water mixed with blood, running down the drain.
But her fear didn't go away.
She kept scrubbing.
Kept washing.
Kept whispering apologies to someone who wasn't even there.
The priest blinked. "It is tradition—"
Rivan folded his hands respectfully toward the priest.
"With due respect," he said evenly, "I don't believe devotion should mean lowering yourself."
A murmur passed through the guests.
He continued, voice steady.
Devyani slowly straightened.
Her eyes lifted toward him.
He didn't look at the crowd.
He looked at her.
The priest studied him for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
Virendra exhaled under his breath.
Reyansh muttered, "He just rewrote tradition."