Midnight wrapped the haveli in silence.
Everything was still.
Soft moonlight slipped through the curtains—
falling gently across the room.
Aarav sat on the couch.
Awake.
Not restless.
Just… watching.
His gaze rested on her.
Meher was asleep on the bed.
Peaceful.
Calm.
Her face relaxed—
free from fear, tension, or confusion.
And for a moment—
Aarav forgot everything else.
All the chaos.
All the darkness.
Because right now—
she looked like something untouched by it all.
"Pagal ladki…" he murmured softly.
His eyes softened.
He leaned back slightly—
but didn't stop looking at her.
As if this moment—
was something he wanted to remember.
Always.
A few minutes passed.
Then—
she stirred.
Her brows moved slightly—
and slowly—
her eyes opened.
"Aarav…" she whispered sleepily.
He straightened instantly.
"I'm here."
She blinked a couple of times—
adjusting to the dim light.
Then she looked at him.
Still on the couch.
"Wahan kyun ho?" she asked softly.
(Why are you there?)
A pause.
"I didn't want to disturb you."
She frowned slightly.
"Idhar aao."
(Come here.)
He didn't move immediately.
"Meher—"
"Come here," she repeated.
This time—
a little firmer.
Silence.
Then—
Aarav stood up.
And in that moment—
he felt something strange.
Something he wasn't used to.
Happiness.
Simple.
Real.
He walked toward the bed slowly.
Sat down carefully beside her.
Still unsure.
Still cautious.
As if he might break the moment.
She shifted slightly—
making space.
"Ab se couch pe mat sona," she said softly.
(Don't sleep on the couch from now.)
A pause.
That one line—
meant more than anything else.
Because it wasn't just about sleep.
It was about letting him stay.
Close.
With her.
Aarav didn't say anything.
But inside—
he felt like the happiest person alive.
He adjusted slightly—
then casually pulled off his shirt.
Leaving him in loose trousers.
Simple.
Comfortable.
But for Meher—
that was enough to make her heartbeat go wild.
She quickly looked away.
Trying to act normal.
But her cheeks—
already turning red.
Aarav noticed instantly.
Of course he did.
A smirk appeared.
"Kya hua?" he asked softly.
(What happened?)
"Nothing," she replied quickly.
"Sach?"
(Truth?)
"Yes."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Phir itni red kyun ho rahi ho?"
(Then why are you turning so red?)
She glared at him.
"I'm not."
"Bilkul tomato lag rahi ho."
(You look exactly like a tomato.)
"Aarav!"
He chuckled softly.
"Cute lag rahi ho."
(You look cute.)
Her face turned even redder.
"Stop it…"
"Why?" he teased.
"Because I'll get used to this."
That made her pause.
Her heart skipped.
But before she could reply—
he lay down beside her.
Carefully.
Not too close.
Giving her space.
Respecting the distance.
For a moment—
they both stayed still.
Silent.
Then—
slowly—
her hand moved.
Hesitantly.
Searching.
Until it found his arm.
She held it lightly.
And then—
without saying anything—
she moved closer.
Folding herself slightly toward him.
Resting against his arm.
Comfortably.
Naturally.
Aarav froze.
Just for a second.
Because this—
this was her choice.
Not his.
His hand moved slowly—
wrapping gently around her waist.
Careful.
Protective.
Not pulling.
Just holding.
Meher's breath hitched slightly.
Her cheeks flushed again.
But this time—
she didn't move away.
Didn't hide.
Because she felt it too.
The comfort.
The safety.
The warmth.
"Aarav…" she whispered softly.
"Hm?"
"Don't move."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Okay."
And just like that—
they stayed there.
Close.
Quiet.
Wrapped in each other's presence.
For the first time—
it didn't feel complicated.
Didn't feel forced.
Didn't feel like a fight.
It felt like home.
And slowly—
both of them drifted into sleep.
Together.Morning arrived gently.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains—
falling right across his face.
Meher's eyes fluttered open slowly.
For a second—
she didn't move.
Because she realized—
she was in his arms.
Comfortably.
Her head resting near him.
His arm still around her waist.
Warm.
Safe.
Her heartbeat slowed.
And then—
she looked at him.
Aarav was still asleep.
Peaceful.
Calm in a way she had never seen before.
The sunlight touched his face—
highlighting his features softly.
And for a moment—
he didn't look dangerous.
He looked…
beautiful.
Meher smiled faintly.
"Tum aise kyun lagte ho…" she whispered.
(Why do you look like this…)
Her gaze stayed on him.
Taking in every detail.
And without thinking—
she leaned slightly forward—
and placed a soft kiss on his nose.
Quick.
Gentle.
But real.
Before she could move away—
his eyes opened.
Slowly.
Directly at her.
She froze.
"Aarav—"
She quickly tried to get up—
but before she could—
his arm tightened around her waist.
Pulling her back.
Close.
Again.
"Aarav!" she whispered.
But he didn't open his eyes fully.
Still half-asleep.
"Thodi der aur so jao…" he murmured.
(Sleep a little more…)
A pause.
Then softly—
"Wifey… aaj Sunday hai…"
(Wifey… it's Sunday…)
Her breath caught.
Completely.
"Wifey?"
Her cheeks turned red instantly.
"Aarav!" she whispered, embarrassed.
But he didn't react.
Just held her a little closer.
Comfortable.
Like it was the most natural thing.
Her heart started racing.
And suddenly—
she did something unexpected.
She leaned slightly—
and bit his shoulder.
Light—
but enough.
"OUCH!" Aarav reacted instantly.
Loudly.
His eyes snapped open.
"What was that?!"
Meher quickly pulled away—
laughing softly.
"Good morning," she teased.
And before he could grab her—
she slipped out of bed—
running toward the door.
"Aye!" Aarav sat up.
"Ruko!"
(Wait!)
She turned halfway—
still laughing.
"Sunday hai na? So jao."
(It's Sunday, right? Go back to sleep.)
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
A smirk forming.
"Iska badla yaad rakhna…" he said slowly.
(Remember, I'll take revenge for this…)
She raised an eyebrow playfully.
"Try kar lena."
(Try it.)
Aarav leaned back slightly—
watching her.
Amused.
Interested.
Because this—
this version of her—
was fearless.
Playful.
His.
And as she walked away—
he didn't stop her.
Didn't chase.
Just smiled.
Because now—
he didn't need to force anything.
She was already his—
in every way that matteredThe room buzzed with a quiet morning energy.
Aarav stood near the mirror—
getting ready.
Shirt half-buttoned.
Watch in hand.
For once—
his expression wasn't cold.
It was calm.
Almost… content.
Suddenly—
the door opened.
And before he could turn—
Meher rushed in—
and hugged him.
Tightly.
Without warning.
Aarav froze for a second—
then instinctively wrapped his arms around her.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
She sighed against him.
"I have nothing to wear."
Silence.
Then—
Aarav laughed.
A low, amused laugh.
"Yeh toh saari ladkiyon ki problem hoti hai," he said.
(This is every girl's problem.)
She pulled back instantly—
narrowing her eyes.
"Tumhe kaise pata?" she asked.
A pause.
Then—
with a teasing tone—
"Tum playboy the na?"
Aarav's expression shifted.
Not annoyed.
Just… interested.
In her reaction.
Before she could move—
his hand moved to her waist—
pulling her slightly closer.
Her breath caught.
"Aur tumhe kya lagta hai?" he murmured.
(And what do you think?)
She swallowed slightly.
"I don't know…"
He leaned closer.
His voice softer now.
"Main pehli baar serious hua hoon…"
(This is the first time I've been serious…)
A pause.
"…aur woh bhi tumhare liye."
(…and that too, for you.)
Silence.
Her heart skipped.
Completely.
"Tum pehli ladki ho…" he added quietly,
"…jisko maine apna dil diya hai."
(You're the first girl I've given my heart to.)
Her cheeks turned pink instantly.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
He stepped back slightly—
letting her breathe.
But his gaze stayed.
She looked away—
smiling softly.
Then quickly changed the topic.
"Shopping chalein?" she asked.
(Shall we go shopping?)
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"Jo aapka hukum," he said with a slight bow.
(As you command.)
She laughed.
"Drama king."
"Sirf tumhare liye."
(Only for you.)
"Okay," she said suddenly.
"But… abhi ke liye kapde decide karne mein help karo."
(Help me choose clothes for now.)
Aarav looked at her for a second.
Then turned toward the wardrobe.
His fingers moved through the clothes—
calmly.
Confidently.
And after a moment—
he pulled out something.
An off-shoulder top.
And a denim skirt.
He turned toward her—
holding them up.
"Yeh pehno."
(Wear this.)
She blinked.
Then her face lit up instantly.
"Seriously?!"
He nodded.
"It'll look good on you."
She grabbed the clothes happily.
"Thank you!" she said excitedly.
Turning quickly—
ready to leave.
But before she could—
his hand caught her wrist.
Stopping her.
She turned back.
"Kya hua?"
(What happened?)
Aarav smirked slightly.
"Meri fees?"
(My fee?)
She raised an eyebrow.
"Abhi?"
"Yes."
She leaned slightly closer—
a playful smile forming.
"Shopping ke baad…" she whispered,
"…ghar aakar milegi."
(You'll get it after we return home.)
Silence.
Aarav's expression changed instantly.
Interested.
Very interested.
"Promise?" he asked.
She smiled—
mischievously.
"Dekhte hain."
(Let's see.)
And before he could stop her—
she slipped away.
Leaving him there.
Smiling.
Because now—
he wasn't the only one playing.
And this time—
he was more than ready for it.
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Hope you like it