A threat?
Maya sat by the edge of the pool, her feet gently moving in the water… but her mind was far away, lost in a maze of thoughts she didn’t even want to untangle.
She didn’t hear him come.
But she felt it.
A presence.
Atharva walked in quietly and sat down right beside her—close enough for her to sense him without even looking.
“Done with the interview?” she asked, her eyes still fixed ahead.
Atharva didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he watched her… the slight tension on her face, the way her jaw was set, the silence that clearly wasn’t peaceful.
“So much jealousy, biwi?” he finally said, his tone low… teasing, yet knowing.
Maya turned to him instantly. “I’m not jealous. Okay?”
A faint smile curved on his lips.
Without a word, he stood up and stepped into the pool… the water shifting around him as he moved.
Then he stopped.
Right in front of her.
Too close.
Maya’s breath hitched slightly. “Why are you coming so close?”
Atharva took another step forward… his gaze locked on hers.
“Because,” he said slowly, his voice dropping, “I want to feel that heat… the one your jealousy is creating.”
Maya immediately placed her hands on his chest, trying to push him back. “Then feel it from a distance. No need to come this close.”
For a moment—
Atharva’s eyes dropped to her hands resting against him.
And the next second—
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in.
A sharp splash echoed as Maya lost her balance and fell straight into the pool.
Before she could even react—
His hand was already on her waist.
Firm.
Possessive.
Pulling her flush against him.
Their bodies barely inches apart…
Their breaths mixing…
Her heartbeat racing so fast she could hear it in her ears.
“Atharva…” she whispered, her voice uneven. “What are you doing…”
He didn’t look away.
Not even for a second.
“Romancing my wife.”
The words came out effortlessly.
Naturally.
As if there was no other answer.
A brief pause.
Then his gaze deepened.
“But tell me something…” he added softly, leaning just a little closer. “Yesterday, you shook hands with Veer. You’ve done that many times before… so why did my handshake bother you so much?”
Maya froze.
“How do you even know that—”
A small, knowing smile appeared on his face.
“I know you… better than you think.”
Maya looked away, her eyes avoiding his. “Just… let me go. Someone might see.”
Atharva’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, pulling her even closer.
“Let them.”
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
“Please… leave me…”
He didn’t.
Instead, his hand slowly moved up to her face.
Gently.
He turned her toward him again.
Forcing her to meet his eyes.
This time—
There was no teasing.
Only something deeper.
More serious.
“Tell me honestly…” his voice softened, but held weight. “Don’t you trust me?”
Maya’s eyes flickered… her guard slipping just a little.
For a second, she said nothing.
Then, quietly—
“I do…” her voice almost melted. “But I don’t like seeing you with someone else.”
Something changed in his expression.
The sharpness faded.
Replaced by something softer.
Warmer.
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers.
“Possessive, huh…”
Maya closed her eyes, her breath calming just a little.
“Yes…”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“I like that.”
And then—
He pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead.
This time—
She didn’t pull away.
Didn’t resist.
She just stayed there…
Close to him…
As the water moved softly around them…
And for that moment—
There was no jealousy.
No anger.
Just them.
And something quietly, deeply real.
For a moment… neither of them moved.
Their foreheads are still touching… breaths uneven… the air between them heavy with something unspoken… something burning.
Atharva’s eyes slowly dropped to her lips.
A pause.A dangerous one.Maya felt it.
Her breath hitched.
Before she could say anything—
He closed the distance.His lips brushed against hers.
Soft.Slow.Almost testing.
Maya froze for a second… her fingers instinctively tightening around his shirt… her eyes fluttering shut as the warmth of that touch settled in.
But Atharva didn’t stop there.
Not this time.
His grip on her waist tightened… pulling her impossibly closer… as the softness of that kiss slowly turned deeper.
More intense.More consuming.
Like he wasn’t just kissing her—
He was claiming her.
Maya’s breath broke against his lips, her heart racing uncontrollably as she tried to keep up with the sudden shift… the way his calm had turned into something fierce.
Something possessive.
“Atharva…” she whispered against his lips, barely able to form the words.
But he didn’t let her pull away.
Instead—
He tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss… slower at first… then rougher… more demanding… as if every bit of her jealousy… every unspoken emotion… he was answering it all right here.
Her hands, which were trying to push him away moments ago… now clutched onto him.
Conflicted.Lost.Completely pulled into him.
His hold on her tightened again—
And this time, the kiss turned sharper… more deliberate…
Not careless—
Intentional.
As if he wanted her to remember this.
To feel it.To carry it.
Maya gasped softly, her grip faltering for a second as she felt the intensity of it… the way he wasn’t holding back anymore.
And then—
Just as suddenly—
He stopped. Pulling back slightly… but not completely. Their faces still inches apart.
Her breath uneven.Lips trembling.
Eyes still closed.Atharva watched her quietly…
Then his thumb brushed gently over her lower lip…Where a faint mark had already begun to form.
His gaze darkened slightly.
Satisfied.
“Now,” he murmured softly, his voice low and steady, “next time… when you see me with someone else…”
His thumb pressed lightly against that mark.
“You’ll remember this.”
Maya slowly opened her eyes… still dazed… still caught in the moment…
Her cheeks flushed… her breathing was uneven…
And for once—She had no words.
Because what he left behind—Wasn’t just a mark.It was a feeling.
One she wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
A few moments later, Maya and Atharva, now changed, walk downstairs together. The house feels alive again—soft chatter, the faint clinking of cutlery, and the aroma of freshly prepared lunch drifting through the air. Everyone had been waiting just for them.
As soon as they arrive, everyone settles at the dining table.
Maya moves to sit beside her mother, but just as she is about to pull the chair—
Atharva catches her hand gently yet firmly. “With me, biwi.”
Maya freezes for a second, her eyes widening in surprise. She glances around—everyone is already looking at her.
“Maya: Atharva! Please don’t make a scene… go sit there.”
Atharva watches her for a brief moment, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, without another word, he pulls her lightly and makes her sit beside him.
Soft smiles spread across everyone’s faces.
Maya lowers her head, completely embarrassed, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.
Rajvendra, smiling warmly, breaks the moment. “So… shall we start the food?”
Everyone nods.
Within moments, dishes are served. The table fills with warmth, laughter, and the comfort of togetherness.
Maya takes her first bite—
—and instantly winces.
A faint sound escapes her lips as the food burns against the already sensitive skin.
Everyone’s attention shifts to her.
Atharva understands immediately. A subtle smile tugs at his lips.
“Easy, biwi… look at your lips. They’re already swollen.”
Maya shoots him a sharp glare.
Suman leans forward, concern evident in her eyes. “But what happened to your lips, beta?”
Seema adds, “Yes, when we came earlier, they were perfectly fine!”
Maya looks at everyone, slightly nervous. “It’s… I… applied a lip mask. It just didn’t suit me.”
Atharva, casually eating, says, “But that mask… you’ll have to use it for a lifetime now. How will that work?”
Maya glares at him again and discreetly kicks his foot under the table.
He doesn’t even flinch.
The rest silently understand and continue eating, hiding their smiles.
After some time, just as everyone gets up from the dining table, a servant walks in.
“Ma’am, a parcel has arrived for you.”
Maya looks confused. “For me?”
The servant nods.
Everyone moves toward the couch area.
Maya and Atharva walk to the entrance and receive the parcel. The box feels oddly heavy in her hands.
With a mix of curiosity and unease, Maya opens it—
The very next second, a sharp scream tears through the air.
She throws the box straight onto the floor, trembling violently.
Everyone’s attention snaps toward her.
Atharva immediately pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly.
The others rush forward and look inside the box—
A small toy boy lies inside… its head detached from its body… smeared with blood.
No one knows whose.
Veer stares at it, anger flashing in his eyes. “What the hell is this?! Who did this?! Such a disgusting joke!”
Maya’s breathing becomes uneven. Tears stream down her face as she clutches Atharva, who is only focused on calming her.
Dhruv carefully inspects the box. “There’s… a letter inside.”
Maya slowly looks toward him.
Atharva immediately signals him not to.
Dhruv places the letter back.
Maya’s voice trembles. “W…what’s in that letter?”
Atharva gently says, “Whatever it is, we’ll find out. You shouldn’t see it.”
“Why? The parcel came in my name… who would send this? And what’s written in it? Dhruv, read it.”
“Maya…” Atharva’s tone hardens slightly. “I said you shouldn’t see it.” Then, looking at Dhruv, “Can’t you see she’s scared? Remove all this.”
Dhruv quickly picks up the letter and turns to leave—
“I really want to know!” Maya’s voice breaks. “What if it’s about my child?”
Atharva __“Biwi—”
Maya__“Please…”
Atharva closes his eyes for a moment… then nods.
Dhruv looks at everyone once before opening the letter. Veer stands beside him, reading along.
Their expressions freeze.
Shock. Pure shock.
Rajvendra asks, “What’s written in it?”
Neither of them answers.
Maya steps closer. “What is it? Veer? Dhruv?”
They exchange a glance before saying, “Nothing… wrong address. It was delivered here by mistake.”
Maya walks toward them. “Show me.”
Before they can react, she snatches the letter from their hands.
Her eyes scan the words—
—and her hand flies to her mouth.
Her lips tremble as she reads aloud, barely holding herself together.
“Gift for Maya Atharva Raisinghani… This is a picture of their… coming… child… a dead… child…”
The words shatter in her throat.
Maya collapses into tears right there.
Atharva immediately holds her, trying to steady her as everyone gathers around. The letter feels like a dark omen, suffocating the air around them.
Through her sobs, Maya says, “Atharva… someone… our baby…”
“Shhh… nothing will happen,” he whispers firmly, holding her closer. “I won’t let anything happen. I’m here… okay?”
She sits there, broken, for a few moments.
Atharva signals Suman.
Suman, along with Anvi, Priya, Nidhi, and the other women, gently takes Maya to her room.
The moment they leave—
Atharva’s expression changes completely.
“Rana!” he shouts. “Rana!”
His voice echoes through the house.
Everyone else remains seated on the couch, tense and silent.
Rana rushes in.
Atharva’s anger is explosive. “Is this what you call double security? This is how you protect the house?”
Rana looks confused.
Atharva points at the box. “Who sent this parcel?”
Rana looks at it… and immediately understands the gravity of the situation.
“I… I don’t know—”
Atharva roars, “Then why are you here? I told you that day to double everything. Did I not?”
Rana nods nervously.
Atharva grabs his collar. “Then why wasn’t it done?”
Rana’s eyes drop. His lips tremble in fear. It had been a long time since anyone had seen Atharva this furious.
“You have 15 minutes. Find out who sent this… and when.”
He pushes him away.
Rana stumbles and rushes out.
Veer steps forward. “Why did you ask for double security? Is everything fine?”
Atharva glances at him. “Yes.”
“Bhai… are you hiding something?”asked veer...
Atharva’s gaze shifts to everyone present—their eyes filled with questions.
Rajvendra asks, “Is this related to some old enemy? Do you know anything?”
“Not yet,” Atharva replies coldly. “But I will.”
Without another word, he walks toward his floor.
Veer and Dhruv exchange a look.
—
Atharva enters the room.
Everyone is there. Maya is asleep now, exhausted and fear is finally pulling her under.
He looks at her quietly.
The others silently leave the room.
Atharva walks closer, gently presses a kiss to her forehead, and adjusts the blanket over her with utmost care.
Then he turns and walks into his study.
—
In the study room.
Atharva makes a call. “Rana. Found anything?”
“Unknown address. Sent through a postman. No clear footage in the cameras except the postman himself. We’re heading to his house. I’ll update you.”
“And the list?”asked Atharva
“I’ve emailed it… all old enemies.”said Rana..
Atharva cuts the call without a word.
He opens the list.
His eyes scan every name… every detail… every movement..
What will happen now?? Any guesses?