Reha and Ved had returned home just before dawn, somewhere around 4 AM. Exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions and escape, they collapsed into bed, tangled in silence and sleep.
By 10 AM, Ved had slipped out for work without waking her, his scent lingering faintly on the pillow beside her. When Reha finally stirred, the sunlight streaming in through the curtains felt strangely unfamiliar. Quiet. Too quiet.
She sighed, tugging at the sleeves of Ved's oversized shirt that still draped over her delicate frame."Ugh, he left already?" she mumbled, walking barefoot to the wardrobe."What do I even do now... Yesterday was already a blur..."
Feeling restless, she quickly changed into a soft cotton top and pajama set, throwing a warm shawl over her shoulders. It was comfort more than fashion, but it felt grounding. Real.
She headed downstairs, hoping a little nature would calm her thoughts.
As she stepped into the garden, she didn't expect company, let alone the kind that walked right toward her like they'd been waiting.
Deepika and Shikha were there, familiar and cheerful… but not alone. Four other older women, neighbors or relatives, perhaps, were with them. All eyes locked onto Reha as if she were today's topic of gossip. And she could feel it. The strange, tight shift in the air.
She paused, her posture stiffening slightly, but still offered a warm smile."Namaste... How are you all?"
Before anyone responded, Shikha leaned forward with a smirk that didn't quite reach her eyes."Forget us, Reha. First tell us, where were you yesterday?"
Reha blinked."Me? Yesterday?"
Deepika added, her tone teasing but pointed:"Yes, around 2:30... 3:00 in the night. Where were you two?"
Reha's heart skipped for half a second, then she smiled, keeping her voice calm."Oh that... Ved and I couldn't sleep, so we just went out for a little walk. Why?"
"Why, Reha?"
Shikha's voice carried that sharp edge masked as concern."This is a respectable society. You and Ved roaming out at 3 or 4 in the morning, with the society gate left open—this isn't acceptable."
Reha's lips parted. "But we were just—"She paused. Her gaze dropped, and she caught the instinct to explain.
She had learned that not everything deserves a reply.
Inside her mind, a whisper stirred:
"If they find out even a piece of truth… it'll create chaos."And deep down, she liked being with Ved. Even at 3 a.m., even in silence.He made her feel like herself again, like the girl she was never allowed to be.A little reckless, a little alive. Childlike. Safe.
Shikha pressed again, arms folded."What were you about to say, Reha? Speak up."
Reha straightened slightly. A soft, practiced smile curved her lips."Nothing. I'm sorry. I'll be careful next time."Her tone was calm, but something behind her eyes flickered.
She turned to leave.
As she walked away, the murmurs started. Low, hushed, but loud enough to sting."She's changed…""That's what happens when you get too much freedom…""Living like a wife already?"
Reha didn't turn back.
But what they didn't know was, she was walking straight into the only place she ever felt free.Into the arms of a man who'd burn down this entire "respectable" society if it dared to cage her again.
Reha was in the kitchen, quietly preparing dinner. Her hands moved mechanically, but her mind was elsewhere, somewhere in the middle of the last few days, somewhere between what she felt and what she couldn't admit.
The doorbell rang.
She paused, wiped her hands, and headed out.
But before she could reach, Shikha had already stepped out of her house, like she was waiting for the moment.
Pathetic.
And there he was. Ved.
Stumbling. Drunk. Dazed. His eyes were half-lidded, but still carrying the weight of fire.Shikha didn't waste a second; she rushed to him, catching his arm like she had any right.
"Reha, come take care of your husband... who knows—" she started with that sugar-coated smugness, but stopped.
Because Reha had opened the door.
Her eyes moved from Shikha's hand on Ved… to Ved's half-drunk face… and then to Shikha again.
A slow raise of her eyebrows. No words.
Ved brushed past Shikha and stepped in without looking at her.
And Reha?
She slammed the gate right in Shikha's face.
No explanations.
She didn't even look at Ved, just turned around and walked back to the kitchen.
Ved followed, dragging his heavy steps behind her. Then, from behind her, his voice came, slightly slurred, but honest in the way only a drunk confession can be,
"Reha… you look… woww... you look so beautiful right now."
She shot him a sharp look over her shoulder.Dangerous.
"Sorry, Reha," he said softly, trying to explain, "I just... went home, and then... things got heavy… I had a little to drink, that's all."
"Did I ask?"Her voice was low. Firm. Not angry, just... disappointed.
But Ved stepped closer, and suddenly, his arms were around her from behind.
She froze.
It wasn't the alcohol. It was Ved, the real Ved Kapoor, in love; she belonged there. Like she was his anchor.
"I'm sorry, na... Reha... and Shikha, she"
"Still drunk," she cut in, her tone clipped."But her name's still very clear in your head."
Ved blinked. Caught. And then smiled."Oho... someone's jealous."
"No, I'm not."She didn't even turn. Just kept chopping the vegetables, harder now.
Ved turned her around, not gently this time. Firmly. Like he needed her attention.
His hands gripped her waist tightly, and his voice dropped to a whisper:
"Reha... I... I love you."
She froze again.
Those three words, from him. The man who was supposed to be the villain in her life. The man she was never meant to love.Her heart didn't know whether to beat faster or break apart.
She couldn't even respond. And before she could think further, Ved leaned in — closer — his face just inches from hers.
His grip around her waist tightened.
And just as Reha grabbed his collar, holding him close—confused, breath caught, completely wrapped up in him,
The doorbell rang.
Reality crashed in.