RIVAN apologies and bathroom romance #5
"You've been officially back in this family for exactly five minutes, and you are already trying to dissolve my marriage? Is this a hostile corporate takeover?!"
"I am simply advocating for human rights," Rivan replied smoothly, sliding his hands back into his pockets with an air of supreme confidence.
"Maa is a saint. You? You just stand there checking your stocks while she breaks down. I'm filing a motion for a new dad."
"A new dad?!" Virendra barked, stepping right into Rivan's space, though he had to look up just a fraction because of his son's towering height.
"I can legally disown you by sunrise, Mr. Rivan Thakur!"
"Threats," Rivan sighed dramatically, turning to Yashodha for support.
"You see this, Maa? This is toxic masculinity. This is why we need to move you to a separate wing of the villa."
Yashodha, completely caught between her two dramatic men, clamped a hand over her mouth, her tears completely forgotten as she giggled uncontrollably at the bickering duo.
"Yashodha, do not laugh at him!" Virendra complained, pointing a trembling finger at his son.
"He is a menace! A smooth-talking, boundary-jumping menace!"
"I am a visionary, Dad," Rivan corrected, a tiny, triumphant smirk finally breaking through his stoic mask.
"And currently, the favorite son."
"You are the only son in this room, and you are pushing your luck!" Virendra huffed, though the corner of his mouth twitched into a reluctant smile.
Virendra folded his arms across his chest.
A slow...
Dangerously satisfied...
Smirk spread across his face.
"Oh..."
Rivan narrowed his eyes.
"I merely presented facts."
"Did you?"
Virendra nodded thoughtfully.
"Then allow me to present one fact as well."
He casually looked toward Yashodha.
"If I tell Devyani..."
"...that her Papa is searching for a new husband for her..."
"...I don't think she'll deny me."
Silence.
Complete.
Utter.
Silence.
Rivan's confident expression disappeared.
His eyes widened.
"...What?"
Virendra shrugged innocently.
"She respects me."
"If I tell her..."
"'Beta, this boy isn't good enough.'"
"'Let's find someone else.'"
"I'm sure she'll at least listen."
Rivan gulped.
A very visible gulp.
He slowly looked at Virendra.
Then at Yashodha.
Then back at Virendra.
His lips parted.
Closed.
Parted again.
For the first time in years...
The great Rivan Thakur looked genuinely terrified.
He quietly muttered under his breath,
"...This old man."
Virendra heard it.
"What was that?"
Rivan immediately straightened.
"Nothing, Papa."
Virendra smiled wider.
"Oh, now I'm Papa?"
"A few seconds ago you were funding my divorce."
Rivan cleared his throat.
"People evolve."
"So quickly?"
"I believe in personal growth."
Virendra nodded dramatically.
"Wonderful."
"I also believe in arranged meetings."
Rivan frowned.
"...Arranged meetings?"
"Yes."
Virendra looked toward the ceiling as if planning tomorrow's schedule.
"I know several industrialists."
"They all have handsome sons."
"Well educated."
"Polite."
"Never disappeared."
"Never gave divorce."
"And most importantly..."
"They don't argue with their father."
Rivan's jaw clenched.
"I don't like where this conversation is going."
Virendra ignored him.
"There is Aarush."
"Six feet two."
"Gym body."
"Very respectful."
Yashodha immediately caught on.
"Oh yes!"
"I remember him."
"So sweet."
"He even touches elders' feet."
Virendra nodded proudly.
Rivan inhaled deeply.
Very...
Very deeply.
His calm aura was hanging by a thread.
"And then..."
Virendra pretended to remember something.
"Oh!"
"There is Zaid."
Rivan instantly looked up.
Virendra continued with a completely innocent face.
"He knows her."
"They're comfortable together."
The room suddenly felt ten degrees colder.
Rivan smiled.
The kind of smile that made dangerous men rethink their life choices.
"Papa..."
His voice was frighteningly calm.
"I love you."
Virendra smiled proudly.
"I know."
"But..."
"...if you continue talking..."
"...your insurance policy may become useful."
Yashodha burst into laughter.
Virendra pointed dramatically.
"Threat!"
"Did you hear that?"
"He threatened me!"
Rivan looked at his mother.
"Maa."
"Please control your husband."
"He has become fearless in old age."
Virendra gasped dramatically.
"Old age?!"
"I'll show you old age."
He rolled up his sleeves.
"Come."
"Fight me."
Rivan blinked.
"You want to fight me?"
"Yes."
"You?"
"Yes."
"You'll break every bone."
Virendra puffed his chest proudly.
"Don't underestimate me"
Rivan slowly nodded.
"...Fair point."
Virendra frowned.
"Where are you going?"
Without looking back, Rivan answered in the calmest voice possible,
"I suddenly remembered..."
"...I have some urgent work."
Virendra crossed his arms.
"What work?"
Rivan sighed.
Virendra clapped loudly.
"There!"
"Now that's the intelligent Rivan I wanted."
Rivan stopped at the doorway.
He looked back once.
A tiny smirk appeared on his lips.
"...Still."
Virendra raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"If anyone comes to see Devyani..."
"...I'll bury him."
Virendra nodded proudly.
"That's my son."
Then he pointed a warning finger.
"But..."
"No burying your father."
Rivan gave a respectful nod.
"I'll think about it."
"OUT!"
Virendra shouted, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him.
Rivan caught it effortlessly with one hand.
Placed it neatly back on the bed.
Smirked.
"...Good night, Papa."
"...Good night, Maa."
Then he walked out.
The door closed.
For a few seconds...
Silence filled the room.
Virendra looked at the closed door.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"He came back...my son"
Yashodha quietly held his hand.
"Yes."
"OUR SON"
.
.
.
.
.
.
The early morning sun filtered softly through the sheer curtains of Devyani's room.
Still blinking away the remnants of sleep, she yawned, stepped out of her cozy pajamas, and padded straight into the attached bathroom to jump into the shower.
Meanwhile, down the hall, Rivan was already wide awake and fully dressed for their departure.
Naturally, his feet guided him straight toward what had quickly become his absolute favorite spot in the entire villa Devyani's room.
He pushed the door open with casual familiarity and sauntered inside, completely unaware that he was walking straight into a beautifully laid trap.
Hearing the rustle of movement in the bedroom, the sound of the running shower paused.
Devyani called out from behind the frosted glass bathroom door, her voice echoing slightly. "Who's out there?"
Rivan leaned back against a nearby chest of drawers, a relaxed, soft smile tugging at his lips.
"It's me, kitten," he replied smoothly.
Inside the bathroom, a wicked, brilliant smirk flashed across Devyani's face. Oh, perfect timing, she thought, her inner troublemaker waking up instantly.
She cracked the bathroom door open just a tiny fraction, peeking out with an expression of pure, exaggerated innocence.
"Ah, Mr. Thakur! Just the man I needed. Could you be a dear and pass me the fresh towel from the closet? I forgot to grab one."
Rivan chuckly softly, completely oblivious to the danger. "Sure," he murmured, walking over to the wardrobe, grabbing a plush white towel, and stepping toward the bathroom door.
He held it out through the small crack, expecting her to simply take it.
Instead, the moment his fingers loosened on the fabric, Devyani's hand shot out like lightning. She grabbed his wrist with surprising force and yanked him forward.
Before the feared underworld leader could even register what was happening, he was forcefully dragged right across the threshold and straight into the steamy, warm bathroom.
The door slammed shut behind him with a definitive click.
Rivan stood there, completely shocked for a split second as the sudden change of scenery caught him entirely off guard. But as he looked at his glowing, mischievous wife standing right in front of him, a highly amused, dark giggle echoed in his mind.
Well, well, he thought, a slow, dangerous smirk mirroring hers. An absolute Uno reverse card. The kitten is pulling me into her territory herself...