Bound by mistake

CHAPTER 32（ARYAN）

My hand froze on the door for a second.

I closed my eyes.

"God, give me strength."

Then I opened the door.

Mahi sat on the couch.

One leg crossed over the other.

A pencil moving across her sketchbook.

Peaceful.

Calm.

Exactly the kind of calm that terrified me.

I gulped.

"Snowflake."

She looked up.

A smile appeared on her face.

"Yes?"

I loosened my tie and sat down.

Maintaining a safe distance.

Because pencils were surprisingly dangerous weapons.

Especially in Mahi's hands.

I looked at her.

Then at the sketchbook.

Then back at her.

"Riya is staying here for a week."

The words finally left my mouth.

Silence.

The pencil stopped moving.

I watched as the pencil in her hand snapped cleanly into two pieces.

Within a fraction of a second.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Mahi slowly...

Very slowly...

Lifted her head.

And looked at me.

"No problem."

A smile appeared on her face.

The terrifying one.

The one that usually appeared before disasters.

I immediately stood up.

Pure survival instinct.

"She asked if she could stay. What was I supposed to say?"

The smile never left her face.

"So what am I saying?"

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

Because unfortunately...

She had a point.

A very dangerous point.

Mahi placed the broken pieces of the pencil on the table.

Very carefully.

Far too carefully.

Then folded her hands in her lap.

Still smiling.

"I said no problem."

I nodded immediately.

"Yes."

"Exactly."

Another nod.

A faster one.

She tilted her head.

The smile somehow widened.

"I am being very understanding."

"You are."

"Very mature."

"You are."

"Very supportive."

"Absolutely."

A pause.

Then—

"Do you think she's pretty?"

My soul left my body.

Immediately.

Without hesitation.

Gone.

I stared at her.

She stared back.

Waiting.

Calmly.

Patiently.

Like a predator.

The woman was setting traps.

And I could see every single one of them.

Unfortunately...

Avoiding them was impossible.

I released a breath.

"Mahi."

"No, answer."

"Mahi."

"Aryan."

I rubbed a hand across my face.

This was going to be a very long week.

"I don't know why I would look at her when I already have you."

For a moment, the room fell silent.

The tension disappeared from her shoulders.

Just a little.

But I noticed.

I always noticed.

Her eyes softened.

Then she nodded.

"It's just for one week, right?"

I nodded immediately.

"One week."

A sigh escaped her.

Then she stood up.

Slowly making her way toward me.

I remained exactly where I was.

Mostly because moving felt dangerous.

Mahi stopped in front of me.

Her hand settled over my chest.

Right above my heart.

"Then be careful, Aryan."

A pause.

Then she smiled.

A real smile this time.

Not the terrifying one.

Not the dangerous one.

The genuine one.

The one I liked.

The one that made surviving the rest of the day worth it.

My hand moved to hers automatically.

"I will."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Good."

I smiled slightly.

Immediately, she pointed a finger at me.

"Don't get comfortable."

Too late.

I was already feeling much better.

Unfortunately, she noticed.

The woman noticed everything.

"Mahi."

"What?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"No."

A pause.

Then—

"I am reminding you."

I laughed.

A real laugh.

The kind I couldn't stop.

Her eyes widened.

"Aryan."

The warning was immediate.

I tried to stop.

I really did.

Unfortunately, it only made me laugh harder.

Mahi rolled her eyes dramatically.

Then lightly smacked my arm.

"Stop laughing."

"You broke a pencil."

"You deserved it."

"I didn't even do anything."

"You existed."

I froze.

Then nodded.

"Fair."

A smile escaped her before she could stop it.

Victory.

A small one.

But still a victory.

I pulled her closer by the waist.

Immediately, she placed both hands on my shoulders.

"Aryan."

"Hm?"

"If she does anything stupid."

I looked down at her.

"If she what?"

"If she touches your hand again."

My smile grew.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"Mahi."

"What?"

"You're jealous."

Her eyes widened instantly.

"I am not."

I raised an eyebrow.

She crossed her arms.

Then pointed at me.

"Not. One. Word."

Unfortunately for her...

The blush spreading across her cheeks had already answered for her.

I pulled her into a hug.

"Don't worry, Snowflake."

For a moment, she didn't move.

Then her arms slowly wrapped around my waist.

A small sigh escaped her.

The kind she only made when she was finally relaxing.

I rested my chin on top of her head.

"One week."

I felt her nod against my chest.

"One week," she repeated.

A pause.

Then—

"If she annoys me, I'm moving into Alina's house."

I closed my eyes.

"You're not moving into Alina's house."

"What if I do?"

"You won't."

"What if I do?"

I smiled despite myself.

"Then I'll come there too."

That earned a laugh.

A real one.

Victory.

I tightened my arms around her slightly.

The room fell silent.

Comfortable.

Peaceful.

Then suddenly—

"Aryan."

"Hm?"

"If she touches your hand again..."

I already knew where this was going.

I could feel it.

"...I'm charging rent."

I blinked.

"What?"

She stepped back just enough to look up at me.

A completely serious expression on her face.

"Every touch."

"Mahi."

"One thousand rupees."

I stared.

She stared back.

Then a smile slowly appeared on her face.

I laughed.

Immediately.

The ridiculous woman.

"You've lost your mind."

"No."

She poked my chest.

"I'm protecting my investment."

That only made me laugh harder.

And judging by the smile she was trying—and failing—to hide...

That had been her plan all along.

=====================================

We both made our way to the dining table.

Mahi sat beside me.

Riya sat across from us.

I immediately decided the safest option was to focus entirely on my food.

No eye contact.

No unnecessary conversation.

No opportunities for disaster.

A solid strategy.

Unfortunately...

Life hated me.

Dinner passed in complete silence.

For almost three minutes.

Then Riya spoke.

"I didn't know Aryan was married."

Mahi looked up from her plate.

A smile appeared on her face.

"Now you know."

I immediately recognized that smile.

Danger.

Extreme danger.

Riya, however, remained completely unaware.

Poor woman.

"I was surprised."

"I can imagine."

Mahi took another bite.

Calm.

Far too calm.

Riya smiled.

"You know, in college, every girl had a crush on him."

My fork froze.

Immediately.

Across from me, Riya continued happily.

Completely unaware she was digging her own grave.

"He was so popular."

I slowly looked toward Mahi.

A mistake.

A very big mistake.

Because she was already looking at me.

Still smiling.

Still terrifying.

"Really?"

Her voice was sweet.

Far too sweet.

Riya nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh yes."

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

Mahi placed her fork down.

Very carefully.

"That must have been difficult."

I frowned.

"Difficult?"

Riya laughed.

"He rejected everyone."

Mahi's brows rose.

"Oh."

Riya nodded.

"Everyone."

I immediately saw where this conversation was going.

And I didn't like it.

Not one bit.

Mahi turned toward me.

The smile still there.

"How romantic."

I closed my eyes briefly.

God.

Please.

Not today.

Riya laughed again.

"Oh, he was impossible."

Mahi nodded thoughtfully.

"I can see that."

The traitor.

Both of them.

Every single one of them.

I took another bite of food.

Silently.

Because speaking felt dangerous.

Then suddenly—

Mahi looked at Riya.

"Did you have a crush on him too?"

I nearly choked.

Completely.

Absolutely.

My soul left my body.

Across from me, Riya froze.

For the first time all evening.

Silence filled the dining room.

Mahi smiled.

Patiently waiting.

The woman was a genius.

A terrifying genius.

And unfortunately...

I was sitting directly beside her.

Riya shook her head immediately.

"No."

Relief washed through me.

Finally.

Some common sense.

Then she continued.

"But we were best friends."

The relief vanished.

Immediately.

"Everyone thought we were a couple."

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

Across the table, a smile slowly spread across Mahi's face.

A dangerous smile.

The kind that should come with warning labels.

I already knew what was happening inside her head.

And unfortunately...

So did she.

Riya smiled fondly.

"He was my special friend."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Mahi slowly turned her head toward me.

Then smiled with every single tooth she possessed.

A smile so bright it could power the city.

"Special friend?"

I closed my eyes briefly.

No.

"Mahi."

She ignored me.

A terrible sign.

"Special friend, Aryan?"

"Mahi."

"Special friend."

I rubbed a hand across my face.

Across from me, Riya looked completely confused.

Poor woman.

She had no idea what she had just done.

Mahi leaned back in her chair.

Still smiling.

Still terrifying.

"How special?"

I nearly dropped my fork.

"Snowflake."

"What?"

"You know exactly what she means."

"Do I?"

Yes.

Absolutely yes.

She knew.

She was enjoying this.

Far too much.

Riya finally caught on.

A little.

"Oh."

Realization crossed her face.

Then horror.

Then embarrassment.

Again.

"No, no."

She immediately waved both hands.

"Not that special."

Mahi nodded thoughtfully.

"Interesting."

Nothing about this was interesting.

Everything about this was dangerous.

Riya pointed at me.

"He used to help me study."

Mahi's brows rose.

"You helped people study?"

I stared.

That was the part she questioned?

"Sometimes."

A laugh escaped her.

An actual laugh.

The traitor.

"I don't believe that."

"I did."

"Sure."

I looked toward the ceiling.

Seeking patience.

Finding none.

Then Mahi tilted her head.

A smile still dancing on her lips.

"Tell me more about Aryan's college days."

My soul left my body.

Again.

And judging by the grin on Mahi's face...

She intended to keep it.

Riya smiled.

"Oh, Aryan stayed away from girls."

Mahi's brows furrowed.

"Then how are you his friend?"

I froze.

For a second.

A very long second.

Across the table, Riya laughed.

"Because we grew up together."

I immediately disliked where this was going.

Very much.

"Our parents were close."

No.

"Really close."

Absolutely not.

"And his parents wanted me to marry him."

Silence.

Complete silence.

My eyes immediately dropped to Mahi's hand.

A mistake.

Because now I saw it.

The spoon.

Bent.

Completely bent.

And she was still smiling.

The woman had bent a metal spoon and was somehow maintaining perfect table manners.

Terrifying.

Absolutely terrifying.

Then she slowly turned toward me.

Very slowly.

The way predators looked at their prey.

"Really?"

I released a breath.

"Mahi."

She ignored me.

A terrible sign.

"I don't remember that."

The pout appeared.

The fake one.

The dangerous one.

"Poor Aryan."

No.

Not the pout.

Anything but the pout.

"He forgets things."

I immediately straightened.

"I remember."

Mahi nodded.

Still smiling.

"Oh."

A pause.

"Now you remember."

I closed my eyes briefly.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

Riya finally realized something was wrong.

Very wrong.

And decided to help.

Unfortunately.

"To be fair, Aryan hated the idea."

Thank you.

Finally.

Someone with common sense.

Mahi's attention immediately shifted.

"Oh?"

Riya nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh yes."

A laugh escaped her.

"He used to disappear whenever our parents brought it up."

I pointed at her immediately.

"Because it was ridiculous."

Riya laughed harder.

"You literally climbed a wall once."

Mahi's eyes widened.

Then immediately moved toward me.

The traitor.

The absolute traitor.

"You climbed a wall?"

I stared at Riya.

Riya stared back.

Completely unashamed.

Then Mahi started laughing.

An actual laugh.

Bright.

Unrestrained.

The kind I hadn't heard all day.

And just like that...

The spoon was forgotten.

The danger decreased slightly.

Very slightly.

I released a breath.

Then—

Mahi looked at me again.

Still smiling.

Still dangerous.

"So."

No.

"How many walls have you climbed for me?"

My soul left my body.

For the third time that evening.

And judging by Riya's laughter...

Nobody intended to help me get it back.

I looked at Mahi.

Then at the bent spoon.

Then back at Mahi.

And decided honesty was the safest option.

"None."

Her brows rose.

"Oh?"

I nodded.

"Because I never had to."

Silence.

Mahi froze.

Riya froze.

Even I froze.

Because apparently that had sounded far more romantic out loud.

I continued anyway.

"If I wanted to see you, I just came to you."

The blush spread across Mahi's cheeks immediately.

Victory.

A small one.

But still a victory.

Riya looked between us.

Then dramatically covered her eyes.

"Oh my God."

Mahi immediately pointed at her.

"Don't react."

"I'm reacting."

"Don't."

"I absolutely am."

A laugh escaped me.

Mahi rolled her eyes.

Then looked down at her plate.

Trying to hide her smile.

Unfortunately...

She failed.

Completely.

Dinner continued after that.

The conversation drifting toward safer topics.

Vristi.

College stories.

Noor.

Work.

Anything except arranged marriages and special friendships.

By the time dessert arrived, the tension had disappeared completely.

Well.

Mostly.

I caught Mahi staring at Riya once.

Then at me.

Then narrowing her eyes.

A reminder.

A very clear reminder.

I wisely looked away.

Survival.

An important skill.

Eventually dinner ended.

Riya stood up first.

"I'm going to unpack."

"A good idea," I said immediately.

She pointed at me.

"You are rude."

"And alive."

She laughed and walked away.

The moment she disappeared upstairs, silence filled the dining room.

I looked at Mahi.

Mahi looked at me.

Then—

"Special friend?"

I closed my eyes.

The woman was never letting this go.

Ever.

A smile appeared on my face.

This was going to be a very long week.

She crossed her arms.

Then suddenly looked past me.

"Ekaansh."

I froze.

That was never a good sign.

Behind me, Ekaansh looked up from his phone.

"Hm?"

Mahi smiled.

The sweet smile.

The terrifying smile.

"Can you make a bed for two in your room?"

My eyes widened.

Immediately.

I slowly turned around.

Ekaansh looked just as confused as I felt.

"Of course, Bhabhi."

A pause.

"But why?"

She pointed directly at me.

"Because your brother will be sleeping with you tonight."

Silence.

Complete silence.

I closed my eyes.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

"Mahi."

"No."

"Mahi."

"No."

I pointed at myself.

"You're serious?"

"Very."

Ekaansh looked between us.

Then wisely took two steps backward.

The traitor.

The absolute traitor.

Mahi folded her arms tighter.

"Special friend."

I released a breath.

There it was.

Again.

The cursed phrase.

"I told you—"

"Special friend."

"Mahi."

"Special friend."

Across the room, Ekaansh was trying very hard not to laugh.

And failing miserably.

I turned toward him.

"Don't."

That only made it worse.

A snort escaped him.

The idiot.

Mahi nodded toward Ekaansh.

"So."

She looked at him.

"Prepare the room."

Ekaansh immediately saluted.

"Yes, Bhabhi."

I stared.

"You are enjoying this."

"Very much."

Of course he was.

Mahi turned back toward me.

"If your brother leaves the room—"

She pointed at Ekaansh.

"You sleep in the lawn."

Ekaansh blinked.

I blinked.

Then Ekaansh slowly raised a hand.

"Bhabhi?"

"What?"

"Why am I involved?"

"Because you're helping him."

"I haven't done anything."

"Yet."

The poor man looked genuinely offended.

I almost felt bad for him.

Almost.

Then I remembered I was apparently being exiled from my own bedroom.

And the sympathy disappeared immediately.

Mahi smiled.

Completely satisfied with herself.

Then she turned around and started walking upstairs.

Halfway up the stairs she stopped.

Without turning back, she said—

"And Aryan?"

I immediately straightened.

"Yes?"

"Tell your special friend I said hello."

Then she continued upstairs.

The sound of Ekaansh laughing echoed through the mansion.

I stared at the ceiling.

For the fourth time that day.

"God."

A pause.

"Help me."

Beside me, Ekaansh was still laughing.

Unfortunately...

God seemed busy.

I turned toward Ekaansh.

"Don't laugh."

Immediately.

He stopped.

Well...

Mostly.

The smile was still there.

The annoying smile.

The one that made me want to throw something at him.

He shoved his hands into his pockets.

Then looked toward the staircase where Mahi had disappeared.

Then back at me.

"So."

No.

Not that tone.

Not his tone too.

"You got kicked out of your room again."

I closed my eyes.

A sigh escaped me.

"She is angry."

Ekaansh nodded thoughtfully.

"As I can see."

"And this is the safer option."

Silence.

Then—

"What do you mean safer option?"

I looked at him.

Very seriously.

"If she decides to punish me, I lose my room."

He nodded.

Reasonable.

"If she gets really angry, I lose my blankets."

His eyes widened.

"What?"

I pointed a finger at him.

"Never underestimate a determined woman."

The idiot started laughing again.

Immediately.

I rubbed a hand across my face.

"You think this is funny."

"It is funny."

"It isn't."

"It absolutely is."

I looked toward the staircase.

Then lowered my voice.

"She bent a spoon today."

Silence.

Ekaansh froze.

"What?"

"A metal spoon."

His smile disappeared.

Immediately.

"Actually?"

"Actually."

He stared.

Then slowly nodded.

"Okay."

A pause.

"You're right."

"Thank you."

"This is the safer option."

Finally.

Someone with common sense.

I released a breath.

Then started walking toward the stairs.

Ekaansh frowned.

"Where are you going?"

"To get my things."

He immediately grabbed my arm.

"No."

I looked at him.

"No?"

"Bhabhi gave instructions."

I blinked.

The betrayal.

The absolute betrayal.

"Ekaansh."

"No."

"Ekaansh."

"No."

I stared.

He stared back.

Then pointed toward the lawn.

"Bhabhi said if you leave my room, I sleep outside."

I looked at him.

Then at the stairs.

Then back at him.

The woman had planned everything.

Every single thing.

A slow smile appeared on Ekaansh's face.

"Come on."

I already disliked whatever he was about to say.

"Let's have a sleepover."

I stared at him.

He grinned.

I considered every life choice that had led me to this moment.

None of them felt correct.

We both made our way to his room.

I sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh.

For the first time all day...

I was tired.

Mentally.

Physically.

Emotionally.

Mostly emotionally.

Ekaansh sat across from me.

Still looking entirely too entertained.

I loosened my tie.

Then said—

"She broke a pencil."

The amusement disappeared from his face.

Immediately.

"What?"

I leaned back slightly.

"The moment I told her Riya was staying here."

Silence.

Ekaansh blinked.

Then blinked again.

"A pencil?"

I nodded.

"Cleanly."

His expression turned concerned.

Actually concerned.

Finally.

Someone understood.

"I thought you were joking."

"I wish."

He stared at me.

Then slowly rubbed a hand over his face.

"That's bad."

"Thank you."

"Really bad."

"Thank you."

A pause.

Then—

"And the spoon?"

I pointed toward him.

"Exactly."

He leaned forward.

"She actually bent a spoon?"

"A metal spoon."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Ekaansh looked toward the ceiling.

Processing.

Then—

"Bhabhi is scary."

I nodded immediately.

"Very."

"Should we be worried?"

"We?"

I pointed at him.

"You're involved now."

His face immediately fell.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"She threatened to put you in the lawn."

A look of horror crossed his face.

I nodded.

Exactly.

Now he understood.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then Ekaansh suddenly frowned.

"Wait."

I already disliked that tone.

"What?"

His eyes narrowed.

"Bhabhi is jealous."

I looked at him.

Then at the wall.

Then back at him.

"Congratulations."

"You finally figured it out."

He ignored me.

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

The annoying smile.

The one that usually meant trouble.

"Oh."

No.

"Oh?"

He pointed at me.

"Bhabhi is jealous."

I closed my eyes.

"Yes."

"Like really jealous."

"Yes."

"Like breaking-stationery jealous."

I sighed.

"Yes."

The idiot started laughing again.

Immediately.

Loudly.

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it directly at his face.

Unfortunately...

That only made him laugh harder.

"I can't believe this."

I stared at him.

"What?"

"Bhabhi is jealous of Riya."

I rubbed a hand across my face.

"She's not jealous of Riya."

"Then?"

A smile appeared despite myself.

Small.

Unintentional.

Dangerous.

I looked down.

Then quietly said—

"She's jealous because she cares."

For a second, Ekaansh stopped laughing.

The room became quiet.

Then he looked at me.

A very suspicious expression on his face.

"What?"

His grin returned.

Wider than before.

"You're in love."

I immediately stood up.

"I'm sleeping."

His laughter followed me all the way to the other side of the room.

Unfortunately...

The idiot wasn't wrong.

I lay down on the bed.

One arm behind my head.

My eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Honestly...

This was not how I expected my night to go.

Across the room, Ekaansh was still looking far too entertained.

The idiot smiled.

Then said—

"My poor brother."

I turned my head toward him.

"Shut up."

His smile widened.

Immediately.

The opposite of what I wanted.

He laughed.

Actually laughed.

Loudly.

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

Unfortunately...

He caught it.

The traitor.

"Look at you."

I closed my eyes.

"No."

"You got kicked out of your own room."

"No."

"Your wife threatened you."

"No."

"Your wife bent a spoon."

Silence.

I opened one eye.

Ekaansh pointed at me dramatically.

"Your wife bent a spoon."

I pointed at him.

"Keep laughing."

"I will."

The idiot wasn't even pretending anymore.

A sigh escaped me.

Then I looked back at the ceiling.

For a few moments, neither of us spoke.

Then—

"You know."

I already disliked his tone.

Very much.

"What?"

A grin appeared on his face.

The dangerous one.

"The old Aryan would never have survived this."

I frowned.

"The old Aryan?"

He nodded.

"The Aryan from five years ago."

A pause.

"The Aryan who scared everyone."

I looked at him.

Then back at the ceiling.

For once...

I didn't have an answer.

Because he wasn't wrong.

Five years ago, if someone had told me I would willingly get kicked out of my room because my wife was jealous...

I would have laughed in their face.

Now?

I was sleeping in my brother's room.

Voluntarily.

Because it was safer.

A smile appeared on my face.

Small.

Unintentional.

Ekaansh immediately noticed.

Of course he did.

"There it is."

I frowned.

"What?"

"That smile."

I closed my eyes.

"Ekaansh."

"You love her."

I threw another pillow.

This time it hit him directly in the face.

A direct hit.

Finally.

Success.

Unfortunately...

His laughter only got louder.

And somehow...

Despite everything...

A laugh escaped me too.

Because the idiot wasn't wrong.

Not even a little.

I lay back on the bed.

One arm behind my head.

My eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Across the room, Ekaansh was still smiling like an idiot.

Unfortunately...

He was probably right.

Mahi hadn't started yet.

The woman was planning something.

I could feel it.

And somehow...

That scared me more than the jealousy itself.

A sigh escaped me.

Tomorrow was going to be long.

Very long.

I closed my eyes.

Trying to get some sleep.

Then—

My phone buzzed.

I frowned.

At this hour?

I picked it up.

One message.

From Mahi.

A smile appeared on my face immediately.

Snowflake ??

Good night.

A second message arrived.

Don't let your special friend steal your blanket.

I stared at the screen.

Then laughed.

Actually laughed.

Across the room, Ekaansh groaned.

"Why are you laughing now?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

The idiot narrowed his eyes.

Then immediately understood.

"Bhabhi?"

I smiled.

A genuine one.

Then locked my phone.

"Go to sleep."

He pointed at me dramatically.

"You're hopeless."

Maybe.

Probably.

Definitely.

But as I looked at the message one last time...

I realized something.

Even after getting kicked out of my room.

Even after the spoon.

The pencil.

The special friend.

And the threats.

She still remembered to wish me good night.

The thought stayed with me as I closed my eyes.

And for the first time that day...

I slept with a smile on my face.