It had become a routine now.
Every night, no matter what happened during the day, Reha and Ved ended up together, sometimes in her room, sometimes in his. The connected balconies were their secret escape, the one loophole that kept them close, hidden from the world.
But secrets… don't stay secrets forever.
That morning started like any other.
"Good morning, uncle," Yash greeted warmly as he entered the house.
Reha's father smiled back. "Good morning, beta. You're here so early?"
"Yeah," Yash said casually, "I wanted to discuss dresses and a few other things with Reha. She's upstairs, right?"
"Yes, yes, go ahead."
Yash climbed the stairs, humming softly, completely unaware of what was about to unfold. He knocked on Reha's door; there was no answer.
"Reha?" he called out softly, but silence replied.
His brows furrowed. "Maybe she's still sleeping," he muttered under his breath. "I'll just open the door with the spare key and wake her up."
The door creaked open.
The first thing he noticed was the balcony door — wide open, curtains swaying lightly with the morning breeze. Something felt… off.
He stepped closer. And then he saw them.
Reha, curled up in Ved's arms, both asleep in Ved's bed.
For a second, Yash froze. His entire body went numb. But the next second, anger hit him like a storm.
"REHAAA!" he shouted, his voice loud enough to jolt her awake but not so loud that the entire house would hear.
Reha's eyes shot open. Disoriented at first, she blinked against the sunlight — and then her gaze landed on Yash.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Yash—" she scrambled up, panic flashing across her face. "I… I can explain—"
But he didn't listen.
Yash stormed toward Ved and, without a single word, landed a punch straight to his jaw. Ved jerked awake, caught off-guard, but he didn't hit back.
Another punch. And another.
Ved stayed silent. Took it.
"Yash, stop! STOP!" Reha cried, grabbing Yash's arm, trying desperately to pull him away.
But he shoved her off, his face burning with betrayal.
And then, suddenly, her voice broke through the chaos.
"YASHHH! STOP IT! I LOVE HIM!"
Everything froze.
Yash's fist halted mid-air. His eyes widened, searching her face for any sign that she was lying.
But Reha's tear-streaked cheeks and trembling lips said it all.
"I… I love him," she whispered again, almost begging. "Please… please, Yash… don't tell anyone. Please."
For a long, tense moment, Yash just stared at her, chest heaving, jaw clenched so hard it trembled. And then… without a word, he stepped back, his face pale and shattered, and walked out of the room.
Reha collapsed against Ved, tears spilling endlessly. His arms wrapped around her instantly, holding her close, but his silence scared her more than Yash's anger ever could.
"Ved…" she choked out between sobs, "he won't tell anyone, right? Nothing bad will happen… right?"
Ved didn't answer. He just held her tighter, his jaw set, his eyes distant.
Because deep down, Ved knew something Reha didn't.
This… this might have been their last day together.
Reha exhaled shakily, finally realizing what had just happened. Yash… hadn't said anything. He'd covered it up. For now.
But deep inside, she knew this silence was dangerous.
Her trembling eyes instinctively searched for Ved. He was standing near the staircase, hands buried in his pockets, jaw tight, but his cold, sharp gaze was locked on Yash.
Yash glanced at her once, and that look sent a chill down her spine. It wasn't anger. No… it was darker. Calculative.
Reha swallowed hard, forcing her voice to sound steady. "Yes, Papa… I'll get ready."
She quickly turned away, climbing the stairs, heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She could feel Ved behind her. His presence was heavy, protective — like a shadow she couldn't escape from… and didn't want to.
The moment her bedroom door shut, Ved's hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her closer.
"Reha," he said, his voice low and rough, "you do understand what just happened, right? Yash didn't say anything… but that doesn't mean he'll stay quiet."
Her breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
Ved leaned in, his face inches from hers, his grip tightening just slightly — enough to make her heart race." I saw his eyes," he said darkly, his voice almost a growl. "He's not going to forget what he saw. He'll use it. Against you. Against us."
Reha stared at him, her throat tightening, words caught somewhere between fear and longing. She stepped closer without even realizing it, pressing her forehead against his chest, clutching his shirt. "I can't… I can't handle this, Ved," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Ved wrapped his arms around her instantly, his hold strong, protective, possessive. One hand slid into her hair, the other pressed her trembling body firmly against him. "You don't have to handle anything," he murmured against her temple, his voice deep and steady. "I'm here. I'll handle everything. No one — no one — touches what's mine."
Reha closed her eyes, letting his words sink into her bones. Every time he said something like this, it was like her entire world stilled around him.
She finally pulled back slightly, looking up into his intense eyes." But Ved… what if Papa finds out?" she whispered, fear pooling in her gaze.
Ved cupped her face, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek, his stare unwavering." Then I'll tell him myself," he said, voice low but lethal. "I'll tell everyone. You're mine, Reha. Always were. Always will be. And if anyone tries to take you away from me…" He paused, leaning so close his breath grazed her lips, "…they'll regret it."
Her heart stuttered. Her knees felt weak. And yet, she couldn't look away from him.
Before either of them could speak, a soft knock echoed against the door. Both of them froze.
"Reha?" Yash's voice. Calm. Too calm. "Papa's calling you downstairs… we need to finalize the reception venue."
Ved's jaw clenched so tightly she thought he'd shatter his teeth. He leaned into her ear, his voice a dangerous whisper meant only for her. "I'm coming downstairs," he said. "Go. But don't talk to him more than you have to. Understand?"
Reha nodded faintly, though her chest felt heavy.
When she opened the door, Yash stood there, his expression neutral — but his eyes… they burned with something unspoken. Something sharp.
"Shall we?" he said softly, and without waiting, started walking down the hall.
Reha followed him slowly, her heart pounding, but just before she turned the corner, she glanced back.
Ved was standing there, leaning against the doorframe, fists clenched, his icy gaze fixed on Yash's retreating figure.
Something had shifted tonight. Something dangerous was coming.