Bound by mistake

CHAPTER 33（MAHI）

Sunlight crept through the curtains as I slowly woke up.

Half-asleep, I shifted toward Aryan's side of the bed.

Then froze.

Empty.

I opened my eyes completely.

And suddenly...

Yesterday's events came rushing back.

Right.

He was sleeping in Ekaansh's room.

I rolled my eyes.

He deserved that.

Completely.

He hadn't told me anything about Riya.

So yes.

He deserved it.

I stared at the ceiling for a moment.

Trying very hard not to think about it.

Unfortunately...

My brain had other plans.

The warm arm around my waist.

The quiet good morning.

The forehead kisses.

The way he somehow always woke up before me.

Annoying.

Very annoying.

I buried my face in the pillow.

This was his fault.

Entirely his fault.

A few moments later, I sat up and looked toward the door.

The mansion felt strangely quiet.

Too quiet.

Suspiciously quiet.

My eyes narrowed.

Either Aryan was still asleep.

Or...

Ekaansh had finally thrown him out of the room.

Honestly?

Both options seemed possible.

A smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe I should go check.

Not because I missed him.

Obviously not.

Just because I wanted to make sure he was suffering appropriately.

A very important responsibility.

With that thought, I climbed out of bed and made my way toward the door.

Ready to begin my day.

And possibly continue making Aryan's life difficult.

Just a little.

I made my way toward Ekaansh's room.

Honestly...

I was only checking.

Nothing else.

Absolutely nothing else.

The door opened.

And Aryan stepped out.

My breath caught for a second.

His hair was completely tousled.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up.

And he looked like he had just woken up.

His eyes immediately found mine.

A smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning, Snowflake."

I resisted the urge to smile back.

And somehow...

I succeeded.

Barely.

"Morning."

He leaned against the doorframe.

Still looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"Did you sleep well?"

His brows rose.

Then he rubbed a hand across his face.

"Quite well."

A pause.

"After I threw Ekaansh out of the room."

I blinked.

"What?"

"He snores."

I stared.

Aryan looked completely serious.

"He snores so much."

A dramatic sigh escaped him.

"I was suffering."

Without my permission...

A laugh escaped me.

Immediately.

Aryan's smile widened.

Victory.

The idiot knew it too.

"He does not snore that much."

"He does."

"He doesn't."

"He sounds like a tractor."

Another laugh escaped me.

Louder this time.

Aryan pointed toward the room.

"Go ask him."

As if summoned by the conversation—

The door behind him opened.

Ekaansh stepped out.

His hair a complete mess.

A pillow mark on his face.

And murder in his eyes.

He pointed directly at Aryan.

"He threw me out."

I looked at Aryan.

Aryan looked at me.

Then shrugged.

"He snores."

"I DO NOT."

"You absolutely do."

"I DON'T."

The argument continued immediately.

Like two children.

I crossed my arms.

Trying to remain serious.

Trying very hard.

Unfortunately...

The sight of Ekaansh looking betrayed while Aryan looked completely unapologetic was too much.

I started laughing again.

For a moment, both brothers stopped.

Then Aryan looked at me.

And smiled.

Not the teasing smile.

Not the smug one.

The soft one.

The one that always made my heart do something stupid.

For a second...

Yesterday disappeared.

The jealousy.

The special friend.

The bent spoon.

Everything.

It was just us.

Standing in the hallway.

Laughing.

Then Ekaansh ruined the moment.

"Great."

We both looked at him.

He pointed between us.

"They're flirting again."

Immediately.

The moment vanished.

And I rolled my eyes so hard it physically hurt.

"Shut up, Ekaansh."

I crossed my arms.

Immediately.

Ekaansh looked offended.

Deeply offended.

"Your husband threw me out of my own room."

I shrugged.

"Poor Ekaansh."

A pause.

Then—

"What can I do?"

Silence.

Complete silence.

Ekaansh stared at me.

I stared back.

Completely innocent.

Absolutely innocent.

The man looked betrayed.

"Bhabhi."

"What?"

"He threw me out."

I nodded sympathetically.

"That sounds difficult."

"It was difficult."

Another nod.

"Very sad."

His eyes narrowed.

"You don't mean any of that."

"No."

At least honesty was important.

Across from me, Aryan laughed.

Immediately.

The traitor.

Ekaansh pointed at him.

"Look at him."

I looked.

Unfortunately...

He looked entirely too pleased with himself.

The idiot.

"He is enjoying this."

Aryan folded his arms.

"Because justice was served."

"You stole my room."

"You snore."

"I DO NOT."

"You do."

"I DON'T."

I sighed.

The mansion was too early for this.

Far too early.

Ekaansh suddenly turned toward me.

"Bhabhi."

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"What?"

"Tell him I don't snore."

I looked at Aryan.

Then at Ekaansh.

Then at Aryan again.

A smile appeared on my face.

Slowly.

Dangerously.

"Oh."

Both brothers immediately looked worried.

Good.

"You want me to choose?"

Aryan straightened.

Ekaansh straightened.

I looked at Ekaansh.

Then said—

"You snore."

His jaw dropped.

Immediately.

"Bhabhi!"

I pointed a finger at him.

"Like a tractor."

Aryan nearly choked.

Then burst out laughing.

A full laugh.

The kind he tried and failed to stop.

Ekaansh looked horrified.

"You too?"

I nodded.

Very seriously.

"Especially when you're tired."

The betrayal on his face was almost impressive.

Then he looked at both of us.

One after another.

And realized something.

A terrible realization.

"You two are impossible."

I smiled sweetly.

"Thank you."

His shoulders slumped.

Completely defeated.

Then he pointed at us dramatically.

"I hope you both step on Lego."

I gasped.

The audacity.

Aryan looked offended.

And for the first time all morning...

The two of us answered together.

"Too far."

Ekaansh rolled his eyes and walked away.

Muttering something about ungrateful married people.

The moment he disappeared around the corner, silence returned.

I looked at Aryan.

Aryan looked at me.

Then—

"Poor Ekaansh."

A laugh escaped me.

Immediately.

The idiot.

I looked at him and crossed my arms.

"So."

Aryan immediately looked suspicious.

A very wise reaction.

"Let's go downstairs."

A pause.

"Let's not keep your special friend waiting."

He closed his eyes briefly.

The poor man looked exhausted already.

"Are you going to use that all week?"

I nodded.

Without hesitation.

"Absolutely."

A sigh escaped him.

Wonderful.

Mission accomplished.

He pointed at me.

"Snowflake."

"Special friend."

"Mahi."

"Special friend."

His shoulders slumped.

Completely defeated.

I smiled.

Brightly.

Sweetly.

Dangerously.

Then turned and started walking toward the stairs.

Behind me, I heard him mutter something.

Probably a complaint.

Probably deserved.

As we made our way downstairs, I could practically feel his stare on the back of my head.

Good.

Let him suffer.

Just a little.

The moment we entered the dining room, Riya looked up from her coffee.

"Good morning."

I smiled immediately.

"Good morning."

Aryan sat beside me.

Carefully.

As if I might suddenly attack him.

A reasonable concern.

Riya looked between us.

Then frowned.

"Why do you both look weird?"

I nearly choked on my own laughter.

Aryan closed his eyes.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

I took a sip of coffee.

Then answered sweetly,

"We had a wonderful conversation about special friendships."

Riya froze.

Aryan froze.

And for the first time that morning...

I felt completely at peace.

Maybe this week wasn't going to be so bad after all.

I looked at Riya.

"So, did you sleep well?"

She smiled.

"Yes."

Then her eyes moved toward Aryan.

And she asked—

"Aryan, did you sleep well?"

I froze.

For a second.

Why was she asking him if he slept well?

My brows pulled together.

Did he sleep well?

Of course he slept well.

I knew he slept well.

I was his wife.

Who was she?

Why was she asking?

Slowly...

Very slowly...

I turned my head toward Aryan.

He looked at me.

Then at Riya.

Then back at me.

The idiot immediately sensed danger.

Good.

He should.

"Yes."

That was all he said.

Yes.

Just yes.

No explanation.

No details.

No elaboration.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I took a sip of coffee.

Calmly.

Gracefully.

Politely.

Then asked—

"How would she know if you slept well?"

Silence.

Complete silence.

Aryan nearly choked.

Riya blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then realization hit her.

Immediately.

"Oh."

The poor woman looked horrified.

"I was just asking."

"I know."

I smiled.

The sweet smile.

The one that terrified Aryan.

"I was just curious."

Across from me, Aryan closed his eyes.

Briefly.

A silent prayer.

Probably.

Riya pointed at him.

"He looks tired."

I looked at Aryan.

Then nodded.

"That's because he spent the night with Ekaansh."

Riya immediately burst out laughing.

Aryan looked offended.

"I did not spend the night with Ekaansh."

"You slept in his room."

"Against my will."

"Details."

Riya laughed even harder.

And for the first time since sitting down...

The tension disappeared.

Mostly.

Well...

Except for the fact that every time Riya spoke to Aryan...

I somehow noticed.

Which was annoying.

Very annoying.

Because I wasn't jealous.

Absolutely not.

Not even a little.

Unfortunately...

The smirk on Aryan's face suggested he knew otherwise.

I slowly placed my coffee cup down.

No fighting.

Not in front of guests.

Not in front of Riya.

I was a mature adult.

A very mature adult.

Riya smiled at Aryan.

"You still look exactly the same."

Aryan immediately looked uncomfortable.

Good.

A little suffering was healthy.

"Not really."

"Oh, please."

She laughed.

"Half the girls in college would still recognize you."

I looked at my coffee.

Then at the ceiling.

Then at my coffee again.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Across from me, Aryan looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him.

Unfortunately for him...

The floor remained uncooperative.

Riya leaned forward slightly.

"You know, I always said you were handsome."

I smiled.

Brightly.

Sweetly.

Dangerously.

Aryan immediately noticed.

Of course he did.

The man had survival instincts.

Riya, however, did not.

"You did?" I asked pleasantly.

She nodded.

"Oh, absolutely."

I smiled wider.

"That's wonderful."

Aryan looked at me.

Then at Riya.

Then back at me.

The poor man knew exactly what was happening.

I continued eating my breakfast.

Calm.

Composed.

Completely unbothered.

On the outside.

Inside?

Not so much.

Riya laughed.

"And he never believed me."

I nodded sympathetically.

"That sounds like Aryan."

Aryan pointed at me.

"Mahi."

"What?"

The warning in his voice only made me more innocent.

Riya smiled.

"You're lucky, you know."

My eyes moved toward her.

"Lucky?"

"To have him."

The room fell silent for a second.

Then I looked at Aryan.

Really looked at him.

The messy hair.

The tired eyes.

The stubborn expression.

The man who slept in another room because I was angry.

A small smile appeared on my face.

"Yes."

My answer was quiet.

Simple.

Honest.

"Actually, I am."

Aryan froze.

Completely.

Riya smiled.

And for the first time that morning...

Nobody said anything.

Because some truths didn't need extra words.

Riya looked at Aryan.

"Won't you give me a tour of your city, Aryan?"

My eyes narrowed slightly.

A tour?

Really?

He was busy.

He barely made time for himself.

And the little free time he had belonged to me.

Aryan didn't even hesitate.

"No."

Relief immediately filled my chest.

"I am busy."

Good.

Very good.

Then he continued.

"But if you want, Ekaansh can show you around."

I turned toward Ekaansh.

His hand froze halfway to his mouth.

The poor man looked at Aryan.

Then at me.

Then back at Aryan.

The expression on his face clearly said:

Bhabhi, save me.

I almost laughed.

Almost.

Instead, I closed my eyes briefly.

Then smiled.

"Ekaansh won't be able to."

Immediately, relief flooded his face.

The traitor.

"What about me?"

Riya blinked.

"You?"

I nodded.

"Of course."

A smile appeared on my face.

"We can spend the day together."

Riya smiled.

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Then I turned toward Aryan.

A very sweet smile on my face.

The one he immediately distrusted.

And continued—

"And we can talk more about Aryan's college days."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Across the table, Aryan slowly lowered his coffee cup.

"No."

I ignored him.

Riya practically lit up.

"Oh, I have so many stories."

"No."

I smiled brighter.

"Perfect."

"No."

Ekaansh immediately stood up.

"I suddenly have work."

The coward.

The absolute coward.

Within seconds, he disappeared from the dining room.

Leaving Aryan alone.

Exactly where I wanted him.

Riya laughed.

"This is going to be fun."

I nodded.

"Very."

Aryan looked at both of us.

Then at the ceiling.

A familiar gesture.

Probably asking God for patience.

Unfortunately for him...

I had plans.

And judging by the panic in his eyes...

He knew it.

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

I was sitting in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly.

The room was quiet.

Too quiet.

Which meant my brain had space to think.

Unfortunately.

She wants to go on a tour.

With me.

Of all people.

I paused for a second.

God, please.

Just make sure she doesn't go near any high places.

Or stairs.

Or anything remotely dangerous.

Because I do not trust myself.

Not even a little.

The door opened behind me.

I didn't even need to turn.

I already knew who it was.

A smile crept onto my face anyway.

I looked up through the mirror.

Aryan stood there.

Watching me.

I turned around slowly.

And said—

"Yes, hubby."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Aryan froze.

Like his brain had stopped working.

I tilted my head.

"Why are you standing like that?"

He blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then finally stepped inside.

"Don't call me that so casually."

I smiled.

"Oh?"

His jaw tightened slightly.

"You know what it does to me."

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I stood up slowly, still holding my hairbrush.

"Then what should I call you?"

He didn't answer immediately.

Which was unusual.

For Aryan.

Then he walked closer.

Careful.

Measured.

Like he was trying not to lose control.

"Snowflake is fine."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Snowflake is fine."

He nodded.

I smiled.

Sweetly.

"Okay, hubby."

Aryan closed his eyes briefly.

A clear mistake.

Because now I knew exactly where his limit was.

I stepped closer.

"You came to say something?"

He opened his eyes.

Finally focused again.

"Yes."

A pause.

Then—

"Don't go too far during the tour today."

I blinked.

"Why?"

His gaze shifted slightly.

"Because I don't trust you alone with Riya."

I laughed.

Immediately.

"oh me?"

His eyes came back to mine.

"No."

A beat.

"I don't trust anyone with you."

The brush slipped slightly in my hand.

Just for a second.

Then I recovered.

Perfectly.

I smiled again.

"Relax, Aryan."

He didn't.

That was the problem.

"I will be fine."

Another pause.

Then quietly—

"I know."

But he still didn't move.

And somehow...

That said more than anything he could have spoken.

I looked at him.

Then crossed my arms slightly.

"You pray that she doesn't say anything weird."

Aryan froze.

Immediately.

A very predictable reaction.

"Yes."

A pause.

"I wish."

I nodded.

Exactly.

That was the correct answer.

Then I stood up.

Picked up my phone.

My bag.

And my earphones.

Aryan watched me the entire time.

Like I was walking into war.

I stepped closer to him.

He didn't move.

Which was smart.

Then I placed a small kiss on his cheek.

Light.

Quick.

Perfectly normal.

"Goodbye, hubby."

Silence.

Again.

But this time...

It was different.

His ears turned slightly red.

Subtle.

But I saw it.

Of course I did.

He exhaled slowly.

"Mahi."

I smiled.

"What?"

"Don't call me that and just leave."

I tilted my head.

"Why?"

His jaw tightened slightly.

Because he didn't have a logical answer.

And Aryan liked logic.

Too much.

"You're going with Riya."

I nodded.

"Yes."

Another pause.

Then—

"Just... be careful."

The tone shifted.

Softer now.

Less teasing.

More real.

I blinked for a second.

Then smiled again.

"I always am."

He didn't look convinced.

Of course he didn't.

I turned slightly toward the door.

But before leaving, I looked back at him.

He was still standing there.

Watching.

As if he already wanted the day to be over.

I sighed dramatically.

"Relax, Aryan."

He finally let out a small breath.

"I am trying."

I smiled.

Soft this time.

"Good."

Then I waved lightly.

And walked out.

Behind me, I could still feel his eyes following.

And somehow...

That made the whole day feel a little less boring already.

I walked toward the stairs.

Still thinking about Aryan.

Still smiling a little.

Then I froze.

Riya was sitting on the couch.

Waiting.

Already ready.

She looked up the moment she saw me and smiled brightly.

"Come on, let's go."

I nodded.

"Yeah."

We left the mansion together.

The drive was quiet at first.

Comfortable, almost.

Then we reached the café.

My favourite café.

I stepped inside with familiarity.

The warm smell of coffee hit instantly.

I smiled.

"I love this place."

Riya looked around and nodded.

"Me too."

I paused.

"What?"

She turned to me.

"Oh, I come here a lot."

Silence.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

"So it's your favourite too?"

She shrugged.

"I guess so."

I forced a smile.

"Of course."

We ordered.

Sat down.

Talked a little.

Normal things.

Coffee.

Food.

Weather.

Aryan.

I stopped mid-sip.

Riya didn't notice.

"Do you know Aryan used to come here a lot in college?"

I slowly placed my cup down.

Carefully.

"I know."

She smiled.

"He always sat in that corner."

She pointed.

Right there.

The exact corner.

Of course he did.

I nodded.

"Hmm."

She continued.

"He used to be very quiet back then."

I stared at the table.

Quiet Aryan.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Riya laughed softly.

"I used to come here with him sometimes."

Pause.

"As friends."

Of course.

Friends.

I nodded again.

Slow.

Controlled.

"That's nice."

But something inside me shifted.

Just slightly.

Not jealousy.

Definitely not jealousy.

Just...

Annoyance.

At coincidence.

Yes.

That made sense.

I took another sip of coffee.

Then smiled.

Sweetly.

"Anyway."

Riya looked at me.

"What?"

"This café is my favourite now."

A beat.

Then I added—

"Ex favourite."

Riya blinked.

Once.

Then laughed.

"Oh?"

I nodded.

"Yeah."

She tilted her head.

"Because of Aryan?"

I froze.

One second.

Then smiled again.

Perfectly.

"No."

Too quickly.

Riya smiled wider.

I sighed internally.

This was going to be a long day.

Somewhere far away...

Aryan Rathore probably didn't even know what café trauma he had just caused.

The café was warm, familiar.

Too familiar.

Riya sat across from me, looking completely relaxed.

Like nothing in her words had weight.

Like she wasn't carefully pressing every sensitive spot she could find.

She stirred her coffee slowly.

"So," she said casually, "Aryan must be busy these days?"

I smiled.

"Yes."

Simple answer.

Safe answer.

Riya nodded.

"He always was like that."

A pause.

"But back then, he still made time."

My fingers tightened slightly around my cup.

Back then.

Of course.

I nodded politely.

"He's still busy."

Riya smiled.

"But you get his time now."

Silence.

My eyes lifted slightly.

She said it like a fact.

But it didn't feel like one.

It felt like something else.

A comparison.

A reminder.

I placed my cup down carefully.

"Yes," I said softly. "I do."

Riya leaned back.

Studying me now.

Properly.

Not casually anymore.

Then she smiled.

"You're lucky."

I tilted my head slightly.

"Lucky?"

She nodded.

"Aryan doesn't open up to many people."

A pause.

"But with me, he used to talk a lot."

There it was again.

Used to.

I kept my expression calm.

Perfect.

Controlled.

Almost too controlled.

"That's nice," I said.

Riya laughed softly.

"It was."

A beat.

Then she added, even lighter—

"I think everyone thought we would end up together."

The spoon in my hand stopped.

Just for a second.

Then I resumed stirring.

Slowly.

Evenly.

"Everyone?" I asked.

She nodded.

"His parents too."

My breathing stayed steady.

But something inside shifted.

Not loudly.

Quietly.

Dangerously.

Riya watched me carefully now.

Then smiled again.

"But it's funny how things change, right?"

I looked at her.

For a moment longer than necessary.

Then I smiled back.

Soft.

Perfect.

"Yes," I said gently.

"They do."

A pause.

Then I added, just as lightly—

"And sometimes people don't realize they're still talking like the past is ongoing."

Riya blinked.

Once.

Then her smile tightened slightly.

And for the first time that day...

She didn't immediately reply.

I stood up first.

"Let me show you around properly."

Riya smiled.

"Sure."

We walked out of the café together.

The street was quiet, familiar.

I started pointing things out casually.

"That's the bookstore Aryan used to come to."

Riya immediately turned.

"Oh, really?"

I nodded.

"He used to sit there for hours."

She smiled like she had just found something interesting.

"He always liked quiet places."

I kept walking.

"Yes."

A pause.

Then she added softly—

"He used to read a lot, right?"

I glanced at her.

"Yes."

Riya hummed.

"I remember he once told me he wanted to open his own café someday."

I froze slightly.

Then continued walking.

"I didn't know that."

She smiled.

"Oh, he told me a lot of things back then."

There it was again.

Back then.

My fingers curled slightly around my bag strap.

We crossed the street.

I pointed ahead.

"That's the park."

Riya looked.

"Did Aryan come here too?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

A pause.

Then she smiled.

"We used to come here together sometimes."

I stopped walking for half a second.

Then resumed.

"Oh?"

She nodded.

"Just to talk."

I forced a calm expression.

"About what?"

Riya tilted her head.

"Life. Future. Everything."

I nodded slowly.

Everything.

Of course.

I pointed toward a bench.

"He used to sit there when he was stressed."

Riya's eyes lit up slightly.

"He still gets stressed easily?"

I smiled faintly.

"Yes."

A pause.

"But now he just comes home and sleeps."

Riya blinked.

"Home?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

Another pause.

Then I added softly—

"With me."

The air changed slightly.

Not dramatic.

Just subtle.

Riya smiled again, but it wasn't as easy this time.

"Oh."

We continued walking.

For a few seconds, there was silence.

Then Riya spoke again.

"So... he tells you everything now?"

I looked ahead.

"Yes."

Simple.

Clear.

Riya studied me for a moment.

Then smiled.

"You're different from what I expected."

I glanced at her.

"How?"

She shrugged lightly.

"More... calm."

A pause.

"People said Aryan needed someone soft."

I stopped walking.

Just for a second.

Then turned slightly toward her.

"I see."

My voice stayed light.

But not empty.

Riya continued carefully now.

"But I think he needed someone who understands him."

I smiled.

Small.

Controlled.

"Good thing he has that."

Silence.

This time, she didn't immediately respond.

And I started walking again.

One step ahead.

Just slightly.

We reached the last stop of the tour.

The riverside.

Wind moved softly across the water, making the surface shimmer.

Riya looked around slowly.

"It's beautiful here."

I nodded.

"Yes."

We stood there for a moment.

Quiet.

Then Riya turned toward me.

"You know... Aryan used to bring me here."

My fingers tightened slightly around my bag strap.

Of course he did.

Riya continued, softer now.

"He said this was the only place where his mind felt quiet."

I looked at the river.

Kept my voice steady.

"That sounds like him."

She smiled.

"He used to sit right there."

She pointed.

"That rock."

I followed her gaze.

The exact spot.

Interesting.

Very.

Riya turned back to me.

"And he used to talk about a lot of things here."

I didn't respond immediately.

So she continued.

"His family. His responsibilities. His future."

A pause.

"Sometimes... even marriage."

Silence.

The wind felt louder now.

I smiled slightly.

"Marriage?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

Then she looked at me properly.

As if checking my reaction.

"He said he never really had time to think about it properly back then."

My grip loosened.

Slowly.

Then tightened again.

I nodded once.

"I see."

Riya took a step closer to the railing.

"But you know what was interesting?"

I looked at her.

Calm.

Still.

"Hmm?"

She smiled.

"He said once that if he ever chose someone himself..."

A pause.

My heart slowed.

Not because I was scared.

Because I was listening too carefully.

Riya continued softly—

"It would probably be someone who doesn't let him run away from himself."

Silence.

Longer this time.

The river kept moving.

Unbothered.

I smiled gently.

"That's quite specific."

Riya laughed lightly.

"He said it jokingly."

Of course he did.

Everything always becomes "joking" in the past.

I turned slightly toward her.

"And why are you telling me this?"

A pause.

Riya blinked.

Then smiled again.

Soft.

Careful.

"Because you asked for a tour."

I nodded.

"Right."

Silence returned.

Then she added, a little quieter—

"I just thought you should know him properly."

That was the moment.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

But something inside me shifted.

Very slightly.

I smiled again.

Perfect.

Controlled.

"Thank you," I said softly.

Then I turned toward the path leading back.

"And I think I do."

Riya didn't respond immediately.

She just watched me for a moment longer.

Then followed.

Behind me.

And for the first time during the entire tour...

The conversation didn't feel like a tour anymore.

It felt like a test.

And I had already passed it.

The drive back home was quiet.

Different from the morning.

Heavier.

Riya kept looking out of the window, occasionally smiling to herself.

I stayed silent.

My thoughts were not.

The café.

The river.

The things she said.

The way she said them.

All of it replayed quietly in my mind like background noise I couldn't turn off.

I leaned my head slightly against the window.

Calm.

I was calm.

Of course I was calm.

The car slowed as we entered the mansion gates.

Familiar walls appeared.

Home.

I stepped out first.

Riya followed.

"Thank you for today," she said brightly.

I smiled politely.

"You're welcome."

She looked between me and the house.

"It was nice."

A pause.

Then she added—

"Getting to know Aryan through you."

My fingers paused on my bag.

Just for a second.

Then I nodded.

"Glad you enjoyed it."

She smiled again.

But there was something softer in it now.

Less sharp than before.

"See you inside."

I watched her walk ahead.

Then I stayed back for a moment.

The wind brushed past me.

I exhaled slowly.

Only when she disappeared inside did I finally move.

One step.

Then another.

The house felt different now.

Not changed.

Just... louder somehow.

As if everything I had ignored all day was waiting behind those doors.

I walked in.

The sound of footsteps, faint voices, movement inside.

Life continuing.

Normal.

Too normal.

I paused near the entrance.

Then looked down the hallway.

Aryan's presence was somewhere inside this house.

I didn't know where.

But I could feel it.

And for the first time that day...

I wasn't sure whether I wanted to see him.

Or avoid him.

So I stood there for a moment longer.

Then slowly started walking in.