Marriage battle #4
He turned toward Yashodha, switching tactics faster than a politician during election season.
The grin he plastered on his face could have powered a small city.
"Maa..."
Yashodha's heart did an Olympic-level somersault.
It was the third time he had called her Maa and each time it landed like a perfectly aimed arrow. For a fleeting moment, her resolve wavered.
Then she cleared her throat.
"No, Rivan. I can't help you. Rules are rules."
Rivan leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"And rules are meant to be broken, Maa."
The garden erupted.
Reyansh pointed an accusing finger at him. "See? See! This is exactly why he can't stay! He's already planning crimes against the rulebook!"
Aradhya clapped her hands once, thoroughly entertained.
"Ooh, I like this plan. Tell me more about these broken rules, future husband."
Rivan shot her a look that clearly said, You're not helping.
She simply blinked back at him with practiced innocence.
Yashodha pinched the bridge of her nose, silently questioning every life decision that had led to this moment.
"Rivan, you already divorced Devyani once. The least you can do is follow basic decorum until the wedding."
The words hit him like a verdict.
Rivan dragged a hand through his hair before scratching the back of his neck with exaggerated despair.
He echoed, looking genuinely betrayed. "Maa, that's basically a prison sentence."
He spread his arms dramatically.
Reyansh made a sound somewhere between a choke and a battle cry.
"I swear, if you argue,I'll personally make sure you never wake up."
A burst of laughter escaped Devyani before she could stop herself.
"Oh, this is priceless," she said between laughs. "Forget cable TV. This is premium entertainment."
Realizing emotional blackmail was his last surviving weapon, Rivan pivoted toward Yashodha once more. His expression softened into one of pure, practiced innocence.
Before Rivan could launch another appeal, Aradhya leaned toward him, lowering her voice just enough to make sure everyone heard every single word.
"We could always sneak around like teenagers," she whispered with an angelic smile. "That sounds fun."
Silence.
Then
Reyansh threw both hands into the air as if surrendering to fate.
"That's it. I'm moving to another city."
Rivan immediately pointed at Aradhya, outrage written all over his face.
"See? She's the one encouraging criminal behavior, and somehow I'm the one getting punished!"
Virendra closed her eyes for a brief sec.
"Enough."
The single word cut through the enitre place.
"You will sleep in separate rooms. End of discussion."
He looked directly at Rivan.
His gaze swept over both of them with unmistakable authority.
"And if either of you even thinks about a midnight visit..."he warned, "...I'll personally patrol the hallway with a gun."
Rivan stared at him in disbelief.
Aradhya bit back a laugh.
"I can pack snacks for the midnight visits."
Reyansh looked as though his soul had just left his body.
Devyani was no longer pretending to be uninvolved. She had quietly taken out her phone and was recording the entire exchange, already imagining the years of blackmail material this masterpiece would provide.
Yashodha caught sight of the phone, shook her head, and looked away before the smile threatening to escape could betray her.
Instead, she brought her free hand up, her sharp nails digging directly into his wrist the one currently clamping down on her shoulder and squeezed with every ounce of strength she possessed!
"Abe oyee,bhudde! Baccha kisko bola be, huh?!" Aradhya roared right into his face, her voice echoing sharply against the stone archway.
(Hey, you old Man ! Who are you calling a kid, huh?!"
Zaid blinked, his jaw dropping a fraction in sheer disbelief at her sudden, explosive outburst.
"And fucking leave my shoulder, saala dard kar raha hai!" she snapped, violently shoving his arm away with a harsh, sharp push. "Aur aankhein kisko dikha raha hai be? Dimaag mera bhi kharab hota hai, aur jab hota hai na, fir dekhna!"
(And fucking leave my shoulder, damn it, it hurts! And who the hell are you glaring at? I lose my mind too, and when I do, just wait and watch!")
Zaid staggered back half a step, completely stunned as she stepped into his space instead of backing away!
.
.
.
I heard a chair scrape sharply against the floor.
Both Reyansh and Rajveer moved at the exact same moment.
"Jinal!"
Their voices overlapped.
I couldn't see either of them clearly anymore.
My body swayed forward.
And just when I was certain I was going to hit the floor
someone caught me.
Strong arms wrapped around me, holding me securely before I could fall.
My head dropped against a solid chest.
The entire room erupted into shocked voices.
But I heard none of them clearly.
My eyelids grew heavier.
The last thing I felt was that protective hold tightening around me...
before everything faded into darkness.
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Ready for the marriage battle???????
Bichara RIVAN