The second Last
Next morning.
Maya slowly opened her eyes while still lying on the bed. The room was quiet. For a moment she stared blankly at the ceiling before turning her head to the side.
Atharva wasn't there.
Instantly, the memories of last night rushed back into her mind.
His words.
Two days.
Her heart tightened.
Maya suddenly sat up on the bed.
Within a few minutes she freshened up, got dressed, and stepped out of the room.
While walking down the corridor, thoughts kept running through her head.
"I need to talk to Anvi," she muttered to herself quietly. "But I can't call from my phone... it's tapped."
She stopped for a second, thinking.
"What should I do?"
Still lost in thought, she walked downstairs.
The hall was empty.
Maya looked around cautiously before pulling out her phone and preparing to call someone.
But just then, Veer's eyes landed on her.
He had just entered from the other side of the hall.
For a moment he simply stood there.
Maya looked different.
Her short hair framed her face beautifully, making her look even more elegant. And when she slightly pressed her lips together in thought, the small dimples on her cheeks made her look even more charming.
Veer stared at her for a second.
Then suddenly the memory of last evening flashed in his mind.
It took him no time to understand.
Her hair.
It had happened because he had touched it.
Maya still hadn't noticed him.
She lifted the phone toward her ear.
Veer walked toward her and stopped right in front of her.
"Did bhai cut your hair?"
Maya glanced at him briefly and immediately ended the call before it connected.
"No," she said casually. "It was getting too hot... so I just cut it."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Why? Do they look bad?"
Veer looked straight into her eyes.
"You're lying."
Maya held his gaze for a moment... then sighed lightly.
"Leave that."
She changed the topic instantly.
"Tell me something... where is Nidhi?"
"College."said Veer
"And Dhruv?"asked Maya
"He went to drop her."Said veer
"Mmm... okay."Said maya
Veer frowned slightly.
"Why? Did you need something? You could have told me."
Maya hesitated.
"No... nothing like that. I was just..."
She paused for a moment, thinking quickly.
Then she looked at him again.
"Can I borrow your phone?"
Veer immediately held his phone out toward her.
"Why not? And you were thinking so much just to ask this?"
Maya gave a small awkward smile.
"I just thought... why bother you."
Veer gently placed the phone in her hand.
"You can use it anytime," he said. "There's no password."
Maya nodded softly, giving him a faint smile.
Then she turned to walk away with the phone.
But suddenly she remembered something.
She stopped and looked back.
"Keep my phone with you. I'll take it later."
Veer nodded.
"Okay."
Maya walked a little further away and dialed Anvi's number.
Meanwhile, Veer sat down on the couch, absentmindedly looking at Maya's phone in his hand.
What neither of them knew...
was that somewhere upstairs, inside the study room-
Atharva was sitting quietly.
Watching everything.
Listening to everything.
Through Maya's phone.
The screen in front of him showed the entire scene from downstairs.
His jaw was clenched tightly.
And the anger burning in his eyes was impossible to miss.
"Hi Veer!" Anvi's cheerful voice came from the other end of the call.
"Not Veer... it's Maya," she corrected quickly.
"What? Then why are you calling from his phone? You could have called from your own."
"My phone is tapped," Maya replied in a low voice. "If I said anything from that phone, Atharva would hear everything. And today... I didn't want him listening to our conversation."
Anvi's tone immediately changed.
"What happened? Did something happen last night? Or that day?"
Maya took a deep breath.
Then she told her everything-from that night until yesterday-leaving out only the most intimate details.
For a moment Anvi stayed silent.
Then suddenly-
"What?! Oh my God! Atharva Raisinghani actually kneeled down and proposed to you? He said 'I love you'? Damn, man!"
"Anvi..." Maya sighed. "He's my husband. Why are you acting so shocked?"
Anvi__"What did you say?"
Maya said casually
"I said he's my husband. I'm his wife. I'm not some stranger who should get overly excited about a proposal."
Anvi chuckled softly.
"Husband, huh? You never took this marriage seriously before. So where did this 'husband-wife' thing suddenly come from?"
Maya paused for a moment.
"I called you to ask something, and you're going somewhere else entirely. I just said it casually. I'm not taking anything seriously."
"Yeah, yeah," Anvi replied with a teasing smile in her voice.
"So now tell me," Maya said. "What should I do? He only gave me two days... today and tomorrow."
Anvi thought for a moment.
"If you have feelings for him, the answer is simple. And if you don't... then it's even simpler."
"But what difference will it make?" Maya muttered. "He won't let me leave anyway. So what does my decision even change? It's not like I'll suddenly be free."
"The difference is," Anvi replied calmly, "you won't keep getting hurt. You might actually live a happy married life."
Maya stayed silent.
"By the way," Anvi added, "do you have feelings for him?"
"What? No! Not at all."
Anvi hummed thoughtfully. She thought for a minute...then intentionally
"Honestly, if I had gotten such a handsome, intelligent, gutsy, hot, charming husband... I would've fallen in love a long time ago."
Maya narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You seem to have noticed quite a lot about him."
"Did I?" Anvi laughed lightly. "I just look once... and everything becomes visible."
Then she added teasingly,
"Anyway, it's fine. If you divorce him someday... maybe I'll try my luck with Atharva."
Maya's voice instantly rose.
"What did you say? Try with Atharva? And where did 'jiju' go today?"
"Well," Anvi replied innocently, "if you're not serious about him, why should I unnecessarily keep calling him jiju?"
"Shut up, Anvi! You know what? I don't want to talk to you anymore."
And Maya abruptly ended the call.
On the other side, Anvi looked at her phone and smiled.
"Hm... so the girl has already fallen in love," she murmured to herself. "She's getting jealous... but Madam still hasn't realized it."
Meanwhile Maya muttered irritably while walking back.
"I don't know what she thinks of herself... If he's my husband, then she should call him jiju. But no... she kept saying 'Atharva' like she owns the name."
Still annoyed, she walked back toward Veer.
Veer looked up at her.
"Is everything fine?"
"Hm."maya nodded
She handed his phone back.
Just as she did, a notification popped up on the screen.
Maya's eyes accidentally fell on it.
She smiled lightly and handed the phone over.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to invade your privacy, but the notification appeared and I ended up reading the message."
Veer looked surprised and checked his phone.
It was a message from a girl asking him out on a date.
Maya picked up her own phone and began to walk away.
But suddenly-
Veer grabbed her hand.
Maya looked down at their hands in surprise, then at him.
Veer immediately pulled his hand back.
"S-sorry... But whatever you saw... I'm not interested in any of that."
He looked slightly embarrassed.
"Someone leaked my number in college. She keeps texting me. I've blocked her several times, but she keeps messaging from new numbers."
Maya looked at him for a moment.
Then she smiled softly and ruffled his hair gently.
"Relax, Veer. Why are you explaining all this to me? It's your life... enjoy it."
She turned to leave again.
But Veer stepped in front of her.
"Listen."
"Okay, Say."Said Maya..
"Uh... actually..." he hesitated. "You already know about my feelings. And I know you don't feel the same."
He took a breath.
"But... can we be friends? Just friends. Don't worry-I won't cross my limits."
He extended his hand toward her.
Maya looked at his hand for a moment.
Then she smiled and shook it.
"Sure, Mr. Cute Friend."
Both of them smiled as they shook hands.
Just then-
"Well... this much friendship can be harmful for health."
Atharva's cold voice suddenly echoed in the hall.
Both Maya and Veer instantly turned toward him.
But their hands were still joined in the handshake.
Atharva's gaze slowly moved from their faces... down to their hands.
For a brief second, the air in the room felt heavy.
Maya noticed it too.
She quickly pulled her hand back.
Atharva walked toward them and stopped right in front of Maya.
"Atharva... you're misunderstanding," Maya said quickly. "We were not-"
Her sentence never finished.
Because the very next second-
Atharva turned his gaze toward Veer...and suddenly captured Maya's lips.
Maya's eyes instantly shut in shock.
Atharva slid his hand around her neck, pulling her closer against him as he kissed her intensely, possessively-almost as if claiming something that already belonged to him.
Veer's fists clenched tightly.
The muscles in his jaw hardened.
After a moment, he turned his face away.
A few seconds later Atharva slowly pulled back, releasing Maya.
"It's okay, biwi," he said calmly. "I'm not angry."
Then he glanced at Veer.
"If you live in the same house, conversations will happen... right, Veer?"
Veer looked at him once.
But said nothing.
Maya, completely embarrassed, stepped back.
"Excuse me."
Without waiting for a response, she hurried toward her room.
Atharva followed behind her.
Veer stood there, watching them leave with anger burning in his eyes.
Just then Dhruv placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What was that, bro? Doing all that right in front of you?"
Veer exhaled slowly.
"Because I shook her hand," he replied coldly. "He just wanted to show that the wife still belongs to him. That's all."
Dhruv tried to hide his smile but didn't say anything.
Veer tapped his phone impatiently against his palm and walked away.
Dhruv muttered to himself,
"Damn... if these two weren't my brothers, by God this drama would've been entertaining to watch."
He sighed.
Meanwhile-
Maya walked toward her room, her mind still replaying the kiss.
Her heart was beating faster than usual.
Suddenly-
Atharva grabbed her wrist from behind and pulled her closer.
Maya's heartbeat shot up instantly.
For a moment Atharva simply looked at her.
Then he spoke quietly,
"You were shaking hands quite happily."
"So?... I only shook his hand," Maya snapped. "But what did you do? You kissed me right in front of him."
Atharva slid his arm around her waist and pulled her even closer.
"You're my wife," he said slowly. "I have every right to kiss you whenever I want... wherever I want... and in front of whoever I want."
Maya's breathing had already grown uneven.
"There's a limit to shamelessness," she said, taking quick breaths. "You're setting examples like this in front of your younger brother."
Atharva smirked slightly.
"If the younger brother refuses to accept you as his bhabhi, what am I supposed to do?"
He studied her face carefully.
Every expression.
Maya's eyes kept shifting nervously.
She couldn't hold his gaze.
Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something... but no words came out.
Her breathing was soft yet fast.
And her heartbeat was loud enough to almost be heard.
Atharva raised an eyebrow.
"You seem quite different today, biwi. What's the matter?"
Maya glanced at him briefly... then looked away.
"I'm not different."
She pushed him lightly.
"And stay away from me. You don't need to cling to me every time."
She turned to leave.
But Atharva's voice came from behind her.
"By the way... I saw your sister Kavya's wedding pictures on social media."
Maya stopped.
"She's hot too."
Maya turned toward him instantly, glaring.
"Then why don't you marry her instead?"
Atharva tilted his head slightly.
"Well... if I want to, I still can."
He smiled dangerously.
"What do you think? Should I have her kidnapped?"
Maya shot him one furious look.
Then she pushed the door open loudly and walked inside.
Atharva ran a hand through his hair, smiling to himself.
"Jealous... jealous biwi."
He bit his lower lip slightly.
Then calmly walked back toward his study room and resumed his work as if nothing had happened.
Inside the bedroom-
Maya angrily threw herself onto the bed and buried her face into the pillow.
She was furious.
Atharva praising Kavya irritated her more than anything.
But the thing she couldn't understand was-
Why did it bother her so much?
The thought kept spinning in her mind.
Slowly... while thinking about everything that had happened, sleep finally took over her tired mind.
After quite some time, Maya's eyes slowly opened.
She turned slightly on the bed, looking around the room lazily. Her gaze drifted across the walls, the curtains, the dim light filtering through the balcony... and then it stopped.
Atharva was sitting on the couch right in front of her.
Watching her.
Maya immediately sat up, startled.
"W-what were you doing? You scared me! Who just sits there like that?"
Atharva took a deep breath, leaning back against the couch.
"I was observing," he said calmly, "that all the sleep in the world seems to exist only inside you."
"What do you mean?"asked Maya
Atharva lifted his wrist and showed her his watch.
"It's five in the evening. You've been sleeping since morning. No breakfast... no lunch. Where does this much sleep even come from?"
Maya looked at her phone in shock.
"Oh God... how did I sleep this much? I didn't even realize. The whole day is gone."
Atharva stood up from the couch and sat beside her on the bed.
"And now," he said quietly, "only tonight and tomorrow are left."
He looked at her meaningfully.
"After that... your time to decide will be over."
His voice dropped slightly.
"And who knows when you'll get to sleep this peacefully again."
Maya turned toward him.
"Are you threatening me?"
Atharva slowly moved closer.
"Yes."
He leaned in slightly.
"So that you accept me."
Maya's breath hitched.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she tried to lower her gaze.
Atharva immediately noticed.
"You're not making eye contact, biwi," he murmured. "Why?"
Maya thought for a second.
Then she pushed him lightly.
"Because I don't feel like looking at such terrible eyes."
With that, she quickly got up and walked toward the washroom.
Atharva watched her go... a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Then he walked toward the balcony.
Inside the washroom, Maya stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Her face was flushed red.
Her breathing was uneven.
"What... what is happening to me?" she whispered to herself.
"I guess I slept too much."
She quickly splashed water on her face again and again.
A few moments later, after wiping her face, she stepped out of the washroom.
But suddenly-
Atharva grabbed her wrists and pulled her against the wall.
Maya gasped softly.
"W-what are you doing? Sometimes you should let go!"
Atharva slowly looked at her from head to toe.
"Well... when someone has such a beautiful wife," he murmured, "who would feel like letting go?"
Maya stared at him for a moment.
His eyes kept flickering between her lips and her eyes.
Her voice softened slightly.
"Leave me... please."
Atharva gently released her wrists.
But instead of stepping away, he leaned closer and rested his face against her neck.
Then slowly... he began placing soft kisses near her ear.
Maya's eyes closed instantly.
Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric of her clothes.
Atharva's lips brushed lightly against her neck.
A faint breath escaped Maya's lips as she turned her face to the other side.
Atharva paused for a moment and looked at her.
Then he lightly traced his fingers across her hands.
Goosebumps instantly rose across Maya's skin.
A small smile appeared on Atharva's face.
He looked at her flushed expression... then suddenly stepped back and stood in front of her with his arms folded.
Maya was still leaning against the wall, breathing deeply, her face turned away.
"So," Atharva said casually, "what are you waiting for, biwi?"
Maya slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.
He was standing a little distance away now.
"Uh... I... I..."
Atharva raised an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm. Tell me."
Maya awkwardly scratched her forehead.
"I'm hungry."
And with that, she hurriedly walked out of the room.
Atharva watched her leave and chuckled softly.
"Fuck... She is so cute and I love her so much."
A little while later, everyone was sitting at the dining table for dinner.
The food had already been served.
Everyone was quietly eating.
After a moment, Rajvendra spoke.
"So... when are you leaving for Ahmedabad?"
Atharva continued eating calmly.
"Tonight. The consignment has already reached."
Maya glanced at Atharva briefly... then continued eating.
"And when will you return?" Rajvendra asked.
Atharva__"Tomorrow night."
Suman frowned slightly.
"But how did this plan happen so suddenly?"
"It depends on the dealers," Atharva replied. "Whenever they arrive, I have to go."
Suman nodded.
"Hm. Are you going alone?"
Atharva glanced at Maya for a second... then looked back at Suman.
"Yes."
Maya immediately spoke.
"Oh really? Now you're not scared that I might run away?"
Everyone at the table looked at Maya in surprise.
Except Atharva.
He understood exactly what she was doing.
He paused slightly before answering.
"You can go wherever you want," he said casually. "I won't be here anyway. Do whatever you feel like."
Maya looked at him directly.
"Then I'll run away."
Atharva calmly took another bite of food.
"Sure," he said. "Try it again."
No one else said anything.
Everyone continued eating silently.
After some time, they were still downstairs while the servants brought Atharva's clothes, files, and documents as he had instructed.
Atharva checked everything inside the bag.
Then he walked toward Maya and stopped in front of her.
"Bye, biwi," he said lightly.
"And happy Independence Day."
Maya looked at him.
"Thank you."
Atharva stared at her for a moment.
Then he turned and walked out of the house.
As soon as he left-
Maya suddenly ran upstairs toward her room.
Everyone else remained downstairs, watching Atharva walk out of the house.