Ved woke up late the next morning. The warm light had already flooded the room, yet everything felt heavier. Not because of the alcohol. Not even because of what had happened last night.
It was because of her.
He turned his head slightly. Reha was still fast asleep, her back slightly arched toward him, hair scattered across the pillow like a quiet storm.
And just like that, last night hit him all over again, not just the whispered I love you, not just the kiss, not just the way she had pulled him by the collar and kissed him back. No, it was the fact that everything felt real. Too real.
For the first time in his life, he had something to lose. And that was terrifying.
It wasn't guilt that gripped Ved. He didn't regret anything, not the confession, not the closeness, not the madness of it all. But the thought of what was coming in a month... it pulled at something inside him.
He slowly got up, careful not to wake her. She needed her sleep. And maybe… maybe he didn't want to look into her eyes just yet. Not when the words of Mr. Khanna were still ringing in his head. Not when he was starting to feel too much for a girl he was never meant to love.
He walked into the hallway and dialed Khanna.
"Hello, Mr. Khanna. I won't be able to come today," Ved said, trying to sound flat, emotionless.
"And why not?" Khanna's voice was sharp. Suspicious. Ved's mind fumbled for an excuse, but he didn't get the chance to lie.
Khanna laughed coldly on the other end."Don't tell me you're getting attached?"
Ved didn't reply.
"Listen to me carefully, Ved.""I'll come to take that girl in a month. And if you even think of going against me, you know exactly what will happen."
There was no concern in Khanna's tone. Only threat. Only warning.
And for the first time, Ved felt fear.
Because this time...He wasn't scared for himself. He was scared because he finally had something — someone — he didn't want to lose.
He ended the call.
And just stood there. Silent. Still. Broken in places he didn't even know existed.
Inside that room, Reha was still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the storm that had just started to build again. And Ved…Ved knew that no matter what happened next, he couldn't let her go. Not again.
Ved shook off the cold residue of Khanna's warning, forcing it into a corner of his mind where it wouldn't ruin his morning. He walked into the kitchen quietly and began making breakfast — nothing fancy, just something simple and warm for both of them. He wasn't used to cooking, but somehow this morning, it felt right.
He had barely placed the bread on the pan when he heard the sound of soft footsteps behind him.
Then, a pair of familiar arms wrapped gently around his waist from behind.
"So... you know how to cook too?" Reha's voice was husky from sleep, edged with amusement and something far softer.
Ved smiled, still focused on the pan. "Only for you."
When he turned slightly to look at her, his heart skipped a beat.
She was in his white shirt — nothing else — and one side of the shirt had slipped off her delicate shoulder, exposing soft, bare skin. Her hair was messy, wild in a way that made her look even more intoxicating. There was something surreal about the way she looked in his clothes, like she belonged there. Like this kitchen, this morning, this moment — all of it was theirs.
Ved placed the spatula down and turned to face her, grabbing her gently by the waist. He didn't speak. He just looked at her — deep into her eyes.
And for the first time, he wasn't afraid to look. He didn't flinch from what he felt. He let himself fall — eyes first.
Their pupils locked. Her breath slowed. His fingers gripped her waist tighter.
Something unspoken passed between them, an ache, a promise, maybe even a silent goodbye to fear.
But just as Ved leaned closer…
The doorbell rang.
He sighed, annoyed. "Who the hell is it this early?"
Reha rolled her eyes and pulled back. With a sharp, mock-jealous tone, she muttered, "Probably your darling Shikha."
Ved laughed at her expression, leaned down, kissed her on the lips — teasingly slow — and walked toward the door.
Still shirtless.
And yes, Reha had been absolutely right.
It was Shikha.
Her eyes widened the second she saw him, bare-chested, slightly flushed, hair messy.
"Hi..." she said, trying to keep her voice sweet, flirty."So… it's my birthday today, actually. I was wondering… I mean, you and Reha — will you come over tonight? There's a small party."
Her eyes lingered far too long on his chest.
Ved gave a tight smile. "Yeah, sure. We'll come. And happy birthday, by the way."
And without another word, he shut the door.
As Ved shut the door, he turned back to find Reha already leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, eyebrows slightly raised.
"So?" Her voice was light, but her eyes were anything but.
Ved smirked, walking back toward her.
"She invited us. Birthday party." He leaned in, hands slipping back to her waist. "Said she wanted both of us there."
Reha narrowed her eyes. "Hmm. Right. I'm sure I was the main guest she had in mind."
Ved chuckled, brushing her messy hair back from her face. "Jealous again?"
"No." Her reply came too quickly.
"Liar." He whispered it, his lips grazing her cheek.
She didn't deny it. "Ved, it`s been 20 days we`re staying here, and that shikha I`ll kill her."
She looped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, her voice barely a breath against his ear. "You're mine, Ved. If she doesn't know that yet… maybe I'll remind her tonight."
Ved's grip on her waist tightened. He loved this version of her, soft but dangerous, gentle but untouchable when it came to what she loved. It was ironic, really. Reha, the girl from the golden cage, was slowly becoming fire.
"You don't need to remind anyone," he said, brushing his lips down her neck."I already know who I belong to."
Their eyes met again, and this time, there was no interruption, no doorbell, no noise, no past.
Just them.
Reha smiled softly, her fingers playing with the edge of his shirt she wore."Good. Then come finish breakfast with me. And then…"She paused, teasing. "We'll decide if we're going to her birthday party or crashing it."
Ved laughed, and it wasn't just because of what she said. It was the moment — domestic, dangerous, and weirdly… safe.
He kissed her forehead gently and whispered, "I'd crash a hundred parties if it means I get to come home to you."