“Arya…”

That was it.

Something in him snapped.

His hand moved—

sliding to her waist—

pulling her flush against him in one firm motion.

Her breath broke.

His other hand lifted—

tilting her chin up gently…

forcing her to face him completely.

Their breaths mixed.

Warm.

Unsteady.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

Then back to her eyes.

A silent question.

A silent permission.

Her fingers clutched his shirt tighter.

Not stopping him.

Not pulling away.

Just… holding on.

Waiting.

His thumb brushed lightly along her lower lip—

slow…

lingering.

And then—

He leaned in.

Closer.

Closer.

Their lips—

just a breath apart—

“Anu…” he murmured.

“Hm…?” her voice barely existed.

A pause.

A shift.

Something dangerous… turning playful.

“It’s time for the ice-cream.”

Her eyes fluttered open.

Confused.

Breath still uneven.

The sudden change hit her like a soft push out of a storm.

“Matlab?” she whispered.

Arya didn’t answer immediately.

He just looked at her.

That same intensity—

but now… laced with something teasing.

Controlled.

Deliberate.

“My way.”

The words weren’t loud.

But they landed.

Her heartbeat spiked again.

Not calmer.

Just… different.

Anticipating.

“A… matlab?”

His lips curved slightly.

That slow… knowing smirk.

Instead of answering—

he stepped back.

The sudden absence of his warmth made her inhale sharply.

Her body almost leaned forward on its own—

as if it had already gotten used to him.

Arya turned.

Walked toward the desk.

Unhurried.

Composed.

As if nothing had just happened.

But everything had.

He picked up two cups of chocolate ice cream—

placed neatly on the table.

Prepared.

Planned.

Waiting.

“Matlab…” he said casually, without looking at her,

“…baitho.”

Anu stood still.

Watching him.

Trying to read him.

Trying to understand—

what game he had just started.

Silence stretched.

Then—

his voice came again.

This time sharper.

Commanding.

“Baitho.”

Her breath hitched.

And just like that—

she obeyed.

Quietly.

Slowly sitting down on the chair.

Her eyes never leaving him.

Because now—

it wasn’t just the almost-kiss that made her heart race—

It was him.

The way he could go from fire…

to calm…

to control—

in a single breath.

And the way she—

was already following.

Arya didn’t say anything after that.

He simply picked up the spoon again—

scooped a small bite of chocolate ice cream—

and brought it toward her.

Anu hesitated for a fraction of a second…

but then parted her lips softly.

The spoon slipped in.

Cold.

Sweet.

But the way his gaze stayed on her—

was anything but.

She swallowed slowly…

her eyes never leaving his.

Confusion.

Curiosity.

And something far more dangerous—

quietly blooming beneath.

He took another scoop.

Again—

fed her.

And again…

his fingers didn’t move away immediately.

The spoon lingered—

resting lightly against her lower lip—

a second longer than necessary.

Then another.

Anu’s breath faltered.

Her fingers tightened over the edge of the chair.

“Arya si—”

She didn’t even finish.

His voice cut in—low… firm…

“Call me ‘sir’…”

A pause.

A dangerous stillness.

“…and you’re locked with me in this room for an entire day.”

Her throat went dry instantly.

A sharp gulp.

Her eyes widened just slightly—

not in fear—

but in the weight of what he meant.

He leaned a little closer.

Close enough for his voice to brush against her skin.

“Jab hum dono akele hote hain…”

His fingers lifted—

tilting her chin just a little higher.

“…it’s only Arya to you.”

Her heartbeat stumbled.

Louder.

Faster.

“Understood?”

She nodded quickly.

Almost instinctively.

But that wasn’t enough.

“Words.”

The single command landed heavier than before.

Anu inhaled softly.

Her lips parted—

voice trembling just enough to betray her.

“Yes…”

Arya’s eyebrow lifted slowly.

A silent challenge.

“‘Yes’ what?”

Her fingers curled into her palms.

Gathering courage.

Heat rising to her cheeks.

“Y…Yes… A-Arya…”

For a second—

he just looked at her.

Really looked at her.

As if committing the way his name sounded on her lips—

to memory.

Then—

a slow smile curved on his face.

Dangerous.

Satisfied.

“Good girl.”

The words were soft—

but they wrapped around her like a quiet claim.

And before she could recover—

the spoon was back at her lips again.

This time—

lingering just a little longer.

As he continued feeding her—slow… unhurried—

Anu’s fingers finally lifted—

and gently held his wrist.

Stopping him.

Arya paused.

His gaze shifted from her lips…

to her eyes.

“Kya hua?” he asked softly.

Her grip wasn’t strong—

but it was enough to hold him there.

“Aap… nahi khayenge?”

There was something so simple in the question—

so innocent—

that it almost contrasted everything else between them.

Almost.

Arya’s lips curved slightly.

A quiet… knowing smile.

He dipped the spoon back into the cup—

scooping the last bite.

“I’ll have my own flavour.”

Anu blinked.

Confused.

“Huh?”

Before she could think further—

he brought the spoon to her lips again.

The last bite.

She took it slowly—

her eyes still searching his face for answers.

He set the empty cup aside.

The soft clink echoed faintly in the quiet room.

Then—

he leaned in.

Closer.

Much closer.

“Are baba… samjho na…”

His voice had dropped again—

low… intimate…

almost brushing against her skin.

His eyes didn’t stay on hers this time.

They drifted—

downward—

to her lips.

Soft.

Slightly parted.

A faint trace of melted chocolate still glistening at the corner.

His gaze lingered there.

Longer than necessary.

Long enough to make her breath uneven again.

“I will have…”

A pause.

Heavy.

Intentional.

His thumb lifted—

slowly…

almost absentmindedly—

brushing just beside her lip.

Not wiping.

Just… feeling.

“…my own flavour.”

His eyes lifted back to hers.

And this time—

there was no confusion left in her.

Only awareness.

Sharp.

Burning.

And the quiet realization—

that whatever he meant—

he was about to prove it.

He didn’t rush.

Didn’t grab.

Didn’t claim—

at least not immediately.

Arya leaned in slowly…

giving her enough time to understand—

enough time to pull away—

but she didn’t.

Her breath hitched instead.

Her lashes fluttered shut.

And that was all the permission he needed.

His lips brushed hers—

soft at first.

Barely there.

A testing touch.

Warm…

lingering.

Anu’s fingers tightened in his shirt instantly.

A quiet, shaky breath slipping past her lips—

right into him.

That was it.

Something in him deepened.

The next moment—

his lips pressed more firmly against hers.

Still controlled—

but no longer hesitant.

He tilted his head slightly…

changing the angle—

making the contact fuller.

Deeper.

Her lips parted just a fraction—

and he felt it.

Took it.

Slowly.

His hand slid to her waist—

pulling her closer—

as if closing every possible space between them.

The faint sweetness of chocolate—

still lingering on her lips—

met him.

And he didn’t miss it.

Didn’t ignore it.

He tasted it.

Deliberately.

His lips moved against hers—

unhurried…

savoring…

as if he meant every word he had said.

My own flavour.

Anu melted into it without realizing.

Her grip on him tightening—

her body leaning into his—

her breaths breaking softly between each slow, deepening kiss.

A soft sound escaped her—

barely audible—

but it went straight through him.

His hold tightened instinctively.

His thumb brushing along her side—

grounding her…

claiming her.

The kiss deepened just a little more—

still not rushed…

still not wild—

but intense enough to make her forget everything else.

The room.

The moment.

Even herself.

All that existed—

was him.

And the way he was tasting her—

slowly…

patiently…

like he had all the time in the world.

And when he finally pulled back—

just slightly—

their breaths collided again.

Warm.

Uneven.

His forehead rested lightly against hers.

Eyes still on her lips.

As if he wasn’t done yet.
“Mine is more delicious…”

His voice came out low—

roughened slightly—

as his tongue brushed over his own lips,

as if holding on to the last trace of her.

His gaze didn’t leave her face.

Didn’t leave her mouth.

And before the silence could settle—

he leaned in again.

Slow.

Certain.

Like he already knew the outcome.

But this time—

Anu’s hand came up.

Resting against his chest.

Stopping him.

Arya stilled.

Brows lifting slightly.

A flicker of surprise—

and something darker.

“I wanna taste it too.”

Her voice was softer than his—

but it didn’t carry hesitation.

Only intent.

Arya’s expression shifted.

Curious.

Intrigued.

“Hmm?”

Anu didn’t explain.

Instead—

she reached for another cup from the table.

Dark chocolate.

Rich.

Deeper.

He glanced at it—

then back at her.

“Dark chocolate?”

A hint of amusement played on his lips.

But Anu only smiled faintly.

Different from before.

Not shy.

Not flustered.

This time—

there was something… deliberate in it.

She scooped a small bite—

then lifted the spoon toward him.

“Trust me…”

Her eyes held his—steady—

“…it’s gonna be my favourite now.”

Arya leaned back slightly—

watching her.

Reading her.

Something in her tone—

something in her gaze—

had changed.

But he didn’t question it.

Instead—

he leaned forward and took the bite from the spoon.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

His eyes never leaving hers.

A faint hum of approval escaped him.

Then—

a smirk.

“I’ll make sure it becomes your favourite.”

The words carried weight.

A promise.

A challenge.

Anu smiled.

Soft.

Almost innocent.

But her eyes—

they didn’t match that softness.

There was something else there now.

A quiet spark.

A thought unfolding.

A game beginning.

Anu’s fingers stilled as she scooped the last bite.

Her gaze lifted—

locking into his.

Deep.

Unblinking.

“Finally…”

The word slipped from her lips like a quiet victory.

Arya didn’t respond immediately.

He just watched her—

matching her intensity,

reading every flicker in her eyes.

Something had shifted.

He could feel it.

Anu smirked.

And extended the spoon toward him—

but just as it neared—

her hand tilted.

The scoop slipped.

A soft, cold trail of dark chocolate landed against his neck—

sliding slowly…

downward.

“OOPS…”

Her voice came out light—

almost too light.

Arya’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.

He felt it—

the coolness on his skin…

the warmth of her gaze following it.

Intentional.

Definitely intentional.

Yet—

he didn’t call it out.

“Koi baat nahi, Anu… hota hai.”

His tone remained calm.

Controlled.

But his eyes—

they hadn’t softened.

They had deepened.

“Nahi Arya…”

She shook her head slowly.

“Galti mujhse hui hai… toh theek bhi main hi karungi.”

There was something in the way she said it—

not apologetic.

Not nervous.

Decided.

Arya leaned back slightly.

“Koi baat nahi, Anu… main—”

He moved to get up—

but before he could—

she shifted.

Quick.

Fluid.

And the next second—

she was in his lap.

Close.

Too close.

Arya froze.

Not out of hesitation—

but out of surprise.

His hands instinctively steadied at her waist.

Her face leaned closer to his—

her breath brushing against his skin.

“Its my mistake…” she whispered—

low…

soft…

but steady.

“Let me do the needful.”

Arya’s brows lifted slightly.

But he didn’t stop her.

Didn’t move away.

Didn’t break the gaze.

If anything—

his hold on her tightened just a fraction.

As if accepting the challenge.

Anu’s fingers moved to his collar—

slowly opening it—

just enough.

Her eyes never left his.

Not even for a second.

Then—

her gaze dropped.

To that faint trail of chocolate on his neck.

And for a moment—

everything slowed.

Her breath softened.

Her lips hovered close—

just near enough for him to feel the warmth of it—

without the touch.

That pause—

was louder than anything.

And then—

she leaned in.

Closing that distance.

Not rushed.

Not unsure.

Just… deliberate.

Her touch was light—

barely there—

as she brushed away the trace—

lingering just a moment longer than needed.

Arya’s breath hitched—

quietly.

His fingers tightened at her waist—

pulling her closer instinctively.

His head tilted slightly—

giving her more space—

more access—

but his eyes never left her face.

Watching.

Burning.

Absorbing every second of it.

Because this—

this wasn’t just play anymore.

This was her stepping into his fire—

and matching it.

“A…nu…”

His voice came out low—

roughened—

as if her name had settled somewhere deep in his chest.

Anu lifted her gaze slowly.

Met his eyes.

There was a quiet fire there now—

one she hadn’t seen before.

Unfiltered.

Unrestrained.

“Do not stop…”

The words slipped out of him—

huskier than intended—

almost a command…

almost a plea.

A slow smile curved on Anu’s lips.

Soft…

knowing.

And without breaking eye contact—

she leaned in again.

This time—

closer.

Slower.

Her lips brushed against the crook of his neck—

lingering—

feeling the warmth of his skin—

before moving again.

Unhurried.

Tracing…

tasting…

as if she had all the time in the world.

Arya’s eyes shut instantly.

His head tilted back—

breath deepening—

his grip on her tightening unconsciously.

Every small movement—

every soft touch—

was undoing him.

Piece by piece.

And just when he began to sink fully into it—

when the moment started consuming him—

She stopped.

Abruptly.

The warmth disappeared.

The closeness—gone.

Arya’s eyes snapped open.

Confused.

Breath uneven.

“Kya hua?”

His voice carried a faint frustration now.

Anu didn’t answer immediately.

Instead—

she lifted her hand—

pointing toward the wall clock.

Arya followed her gesture.

Quarter to four.

His jaw tightened slightly.

His gaze returned to her—

intense.

“This is not fair…”

A hint of complaint slipped through.

Anu tilted her head slightly—

that same playful glint returning to her eyes.

“Everything is fair in love and war… my love.”

The words landed softly—

but carried the same weight he had once given them.

Arya exhaled slowly—

a crooked smile almost forming—

but his eyes still held that lingering heat.

“Tumhe iski saza milegi.”

Low.

Promising.

Anu didn’t flinch.

Didn’t step back.

Instead—

she leaned just slightly closer—

her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Tab ka tab dekha jayega…”

Then she pulled back—

completely.

Light again.

Carefree.

“Lekin agar mummy papa ne dekh liya na ki unki pyaari beti ghar par nahi hai…”

A soft mock seriousness crept into her tone.

“Toh meri khair nahi.”

Arya’s face shifted—

the intensity breaking into a faint, reluctant annoyance.

“Kya yaar…”

He muttered—

almost like a child denied his favorite thing.

Anu couldn’t hold it in anymore—

a soft giggle escaped her lips.

Bright.

Unapologetic.

“Chaliye!”

She stood up—

adjusting her dupatta—

still smiling.

Arya huffed under his breath.

Ran a hand through his hair—

as if trying to shake off everything she had just done to him.

Then—

without another word—

he grabbed his car keys.

Turned.

And started walking out—

throwing her a glare over his shoulder.

But that glare—

wasn’t anger.

It was unfinished.

And Anu knew it.
Anu had barely taken a step toward the door—

when—

creeeak…

The soft sound of a window shifting cut through the silence.

She stopped.

Turned.

Her gaze drifted slowly across the room—

and landed on the window.

The curtains were moving.

Not wildly—

just enough to feel… wrong.

The night air slipped in gently,

carrying that faint, hollow whisper of wind—

whoooosh…

Anu frowned slightly.

Her fingers tightened over her dupatta as she walked back toward it.

Step by step—

slow… cautious…

as if the silence itself was watching her.

She reached the window.

Held it.

Closed it firmly.

The sound clicked—

final.

Certain.

For a second—

everything stilled.

No wind.

No movement.

Just her breathing.

She turned around.

Ready to leave.

And then—

chhan…

The sound rang softly.

Delicate.

Clear.

Like anklets brushing against each other.

Anu froze.

Her breath hitched midway.

Her eyes widened—

instinctively scanning the room again.

Empty.

Completely empty.

No movement.

No shadow.

Nothing.

A cold uneasiness crept up her spine.

She swallowed hard.

Tried to steady herself.

“It’s nothing…”

she whispered under her breath.

But her voice—

wasn’t convincing even to her.

She forced her feet to move again.

One step.

Then another.

Closer to the door.

Faster now.

Almost eager to leave.

And just as her fingers brushed the handle—

chhan…

Again.

This time—

clearer.

Closer.

Anu’s grip tightened instantly.

Her heart thudded loudly in her chest.

“Kaun hai?”

Her voice came out low—

strained—

echoing slightly in the still room.

No answer.

Not even a sound.

Just silence—

thick and unmoving.

Anu stood there for a moment longer—

waiting—

hoping—

dreading.

Nothing.

Finally—

she shut her eyes briefly.

Took a deep breath.

And whispered to herself—

“Anu… ye sirf tere mann ka veham hai…”

A weak attempt at courage.

But enough to push her forward.

She opened the door—

stepped out—

and this time—

didn’t look back.

As Anu hurried down the staircase—

her steps quick,

her heartbeat still uneven—

the silence of the mansion followed her…

heavy…

watching.

And then—

chhan…

That same sound.

Clear.

Unmistakable.

Anu froze mid-step.

Her fingers tightened around the railing as a chill ran down her spine.

Slowly—

almost hesitantly—

she turned back.

And there—

at the far end of the corridor—

stood the lady.

In the same blue sari.

Her back facing Anu.

Still.

Unmoving.

Her gaze fixed on that door.

That same door—

the one that had stirred those strange, haunting flashes in Anu’s mind.

Anu’s brows knit together, confusion mixing with unease.

“Aap…?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Aap hai kaun? Aur… aur jabse main aayi hoon… kyun mujhe ye bechaini de rahi hai?”

No response.

The lady didn’t move.

Didn’t react.

As if she hadn’t even heard.

And then—

ting…

The wall clock echoed through the corridor.

Sharp.

Final.

Anu’s eyes snapped toward it.

4:00 AM.

Her breath hitched.

“4 baj gaye…” she whispered to herself, panic creeping in now,

“agar ghar jaane mein der hui toh mummy papa uth jayenge…”

The urgency returned.

Stronger this time.

She turned quickly—

and began descending the stairs again.

Faster.

Almost rushing now.

But just as she reached the last few steps—

a voice broke through the silence.

Soft.

Yet heavy.

“Arya ko bacha ke rakhna…”

Anu stopped instantly.

Her entire body stilled.

She turned back again—

eyes searching.

“Matlab?”

This time—

the lady spoke again.

Her voice carried something deeper—

something weighed down by regret.

“Baaton ka matlab samajhne mein maine der kar di…”

A pause.

A quiet ache in the air.

“Aur sab khatam ho gaya…”

Anu’s brows furrowed tighter.

Confusion…

unease…

and something she couldn’t name.

“Par tum der mat karna…”

the lady continued,

“jitna jaldi ho sake Arya se shaadi kar lena…”

Her voice lowered—

almost fading—

“kyunki…”

“Anu!”

Arya’s voice cut through everything.

Real.

Grounding.

Anu turned instantly.

He stood at the end of the stairs—

slightly breathless—

his gaze fixed on her.

“Arya… aap—”

“Yaha kya kar rahi ho?”

His tone carried urgency now.

“Der nahi ho rahi?”

Anu nodded faintly, still distracted.

“Haan… main… vo aurat…”

She turned again—

pointing toward where the lady had been standing.

But—

there was no one.

Just the door.

Closed.

Silent.

Arya’s gaze followed hers.

For a brief second—

his expression shifted.

A flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.

He swallowed.

“Yeh sab chhodo…”

he said quickly, almost cutting the moment short,

“chalo yahan se… varna tumhare mummy papa uth gaye toh jawab dena mushkil ho jayega.”

“Par vo—”

Before she could complete—

Arya had already reached her.

His hand wrapped around hers—

firm.

Certain.

Not giving her space to linger.

“Chalo baba…”

he said, softer this time—

but still insistent.

He led her out—

down the final steps—

through the quiet halls—

toward the exit.

Anu followed—

but her mind stayed behind.

With that voice.

Those words.

That door.

And just before stepping out of the mansion—

Arya paused.

Only for a second.

His eyes lifted—

toward the corridor above.

Toward that same door.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Something unspoken passing through him.

Then—

without another word—

he walked out.

Taking Anu with him.

But leaving behind—

questions that refused to stay silent.

The terrace of the moholla had started to lose its silence.

The sky was slowly shifting—
from deep black…
to a faint, sleepy blue.

Morning—
was not far.

And with it—
danger.

Jhende paced restlessly across the terrace, his footsteps uneven, his hands locked behind his back. His jaw was tight, his brows furrowed—every few seconds he would glance toward the staircase, as if expecting them to appear out of thin air.

On the other side—

Simran sat comfortably on the charpai, one leg folded beneath her, watching him like it was some kind of entertainment.

“Are sir bas kijiye…” she finally groaned, dragging the words lazily,
“kitna chalenge?”

Jhende stopped—
looked at her—
then resumed pacing again.

“Are toh kya karu?” he snapped, frustration evident now,
“5 bajne wale hai… par ab tak Anu aur Arya ka pata nahi. Koi aa gaya toh?”

Simran rolled her eyes, stretching her arms behind her head casually.

“Koi nahi ayega…” she said with annoying calm,
“dono kulfi kha ke soye hai.”

Jhende halted again—this time turning sharply toward her.

“Pura moholla toh kulfi kha ke nahi soya hai na?” he retorted,
“abhi thodi der mein chehel pehel shuru ho jayegi!”

Simran tilted her head, pretending to think.

“Baat toh aap sahi keh rahe hai…”

Then suddenly—

“aap Arya sir ko phone kijiye na.”

Jhende let out a disbelieving huff.

“Are raat ke 3 baje se call kar raha hu!”

He pulled his phone out, waving it in irritation.

“Par jab Anu paas hoti hai na—” he scoffed,
“toh mahashay duniya ko aise ignore karte hai… jaise ye duniya exist hi nahi karti.”

Simran burst into giggles.

Jhende glared.

“Ye hehe karne ka time hai?”

Simran tried to control herself but failed miserably.

“Toh aur kya karu?” she teased, pointing at him,
“zara shakal dekhiye apni… Anu toh kehti thi aap office ke Don banke ghumte hai—”

She paused dramatically.

“—par shakal bheegi huee billi jaisi bana rakhi hai.”

Jhende froze.

Slowly—
very slowly—
his hand went to his waist.

“Mai bheegi huee billi?”

Simran immediately straightened, trying to suppress her laughter.

“Nahi nahi…” she corrected quickly,
“Don!”

Jhende narrowed his eyes.

“Don toh Anu ne bola…” he said suspiciously,
“tumne kaha bola?”

Simran lifted her chin proudly.

“Toh ab keh deti hu…”

A playful pause—

“Don Jhende sir!”

For a fraction of a second—

his lips betrayed him.

A smile.

But just as quickly—

he composed himself, clearing his throat.

“Kya timepass laga rakha hai?”

Simran’s mouth fell open in mock offense.

“Timepass?”

Jhende sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair.

“Pata nahi ye dono kab aayenge…”

Then muttered under his breath—

“ab toh lag raha hai kaash mai bhi ek kulfi kha leta…”

Simran’s eyes widened—then she leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially,

“Kulfi kha lete na toh behosh ho jate…”

Jhende frowned.

“Kyu?”

Simran smirked—

“pata hai na humne kulfi mein kya milaya tha—”

“—Kulfi mein kya milaya tha?”

The voice cut through the air—

sharp.

Unexpected.

Both of them froze.

Simran’s smirk vanished instantly.

Jhende stiffened.

Slowly—

very slowly—

they turned toward the staircase.

And there—

standing at the entrance of the terrace—

were Arya and Anu.

Arya—arms crossed, one eyebrow raised, gaze sharp yet dangerously calm.

Anu—beside him, slightly breathless… but her eyes fixed straight on Simran.

Silence.

Heavy.

Deadly.

Simran gulped.

Jhende blinked once.

Then twice.

And for the first time that night—

Don Jhende—

was officially caught.
Simran blinked rapidly, trying to recover first.

“Anu… tu?”

Anu folded her arms, her gaze shifting between Simran and Jhende—sharp, questioning.

“Haan mai…” she said slowly,
“lekin mujhe ek baat bata… tu aur Jhende sir ye kya baat kar rahe the? Kya tha kulfi mein?”

Simran’s lips parted—

“Kulfi mein…”

“—Kulfi mein kuch nahi,” Jhende cut in immediately, stepping forward a little too quickly,
“kesar, pista aur wahi sab jo usmein hona chahiye.”

Arya’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

“Lekin—”

“Tu yeh lekin-vekin chhod,” Jhende interrupted again, now turning fully toward him,
“mujhe bata tu Anu ko ice-cream khilane gaya tha… ya usse ice-cream banwane?”

A beat.

“itna time kaha laga diya?”

Arya’s gaze instinctively slid toward Anu.

Anu looked back at him.

And just like that—

the air between them shifted.

Heavy.

Charged.

Both of them—

remembering.

His room.

Her breath.

That closeness.

Jhende waved his hand dramatically in front of them.

“Kidhar kho gaye? Batao na!”

Arya cleared his throat lightly.

“Vo…”

“Tumhe pata hai,” Jhende continued, now pointing toward Simran,
“ye bechari kitna risk leke tum dono ka yah chhat pe intezaar kar rahi thi?”

Anu and Arya both turned toward Simran.

Then back at each other.

And together—

almost in sync—

“Bechari??”

Arya folded his arms, tilting his head slightly.

“Uska chhod…” he said calmly,
“ye bata… tujhe iski itni chinta kyun ho rahi hai?”

Jhende straightened instantly.

“Main? Mujhe?”

He fumbled—

“mujhe kya… tujhe bhi honi chahiye!”

Then added defensively,

“sharam kar… apne romance ke chakkar mein do shareef logon ki neend kharab kar di.”

Anu suppressed a smile.

“Haan sir…” she added innocently,
“dekhiye na… humare wajah se Jhende sir night dress mein hi aa gaye.”

Arya smirked faintly.

“Are iska toh har baar ka hai…” he shrugged,
“Simran ka socho.”

Jhende immediately turned toward Simran, guilt flashing for a second.

“Sorry Simran… humare wajah se tumhe itni takleef hui.”

Simran waved it off dramatically.

“It’s okay sir…”

Then couldn’t resist—

“par next time na… din ka plan banana… bechare Jhende sir ka BP badh jata hai.”

Again—

that same pause.

That same look.

Anu and Arya glanced at each other—

and once again, together—

“Bechare?”

Anu finally stepped closer, narrowing her eyes playfully at both of them.

“Aap dono ki tabiyat theek hai na?”

Jhende threw his hands up.

“Ab tak toh theek hi thi…” he muttered, grabbing Arya’s wrist,
“par ab jaldi yahan se nahi nikle toh zaroor kharab ho jayegi.”

“Chal jaldi!”

“Ek minute…” Arya stopped him.

Jhende groaned.

“Ab kya hai?”

But Arya wasn’t looking at him anymore.

His gaze had already found Anu.

And in the very next second—

he stepped closer.

Simran’s eyes widened.

Jhende immediately turned his face the other way.

“Ahem… main kuch nahi dekh raha…”

Simran copied him, covering her eyes halfway but peeking anyway.

Arya leaned in—

close enough for only her to hear.

“Yaad rakhna meri jaan…”

His fingers brushed his collar slightly—subtle… suggestive.

“You have to end what you started.”

Anu’s breath hitched.

Her heartbeat stumbled.

But her eyes didn’t waver.

“We will see…” she whispered back.

A faint challenge.

A promise.

Arya’s lips curved.

He leaned just a fraction closer—

“Definitely… my love.”

And before the moment could stretch further—

he pressed a soft, quick kiss to her lips.

Warm.

Claiming.

Gone in a second—

but leaving everything behind.

Anu stood still.

Breath caught.

Eyes slightly wide.

Arya stepped back like nothing had happened.

Turned.

And started walking toward the stairs.

Jhende followed immediately—still avoiding eye contact.

Simran slowly lowered her hands—

grinning.

And Anu—

stood there…

touching her lips unconsciously.

Realizing—

this game between them…

was only getting deeper.

So My dear readers, soon gonna start the past mystery, but this is my way, that I  feel this should be after watching every version. Hope you will like it ❤️