The room felt lighter again.
The tension—
gone.
The misunderstanding—
cleared.
But something still remained.
Aarav wasn't angry.
But he wasn't normal either.
Meher noticed it instantly.
He was quiet.
Calm.
Too calm.
"Aarav…" she said softly.
"Haan?"
She hesitated.
"Gussa ho?"
(Are you angry?)
He looked at her.
Then—
a small smile appeared.
"Nahi."
That answer—
didn't convince her.
"Pakka?"
He nodded.
"Bilkul."
But something in his eyes—
said otherwise.
Before she could say anything—
he stood up.
"Rest karo," he said simply.
And walked away.
Meher frowned.
"Bas itna?" she muttered.
(That's it?)
No reaction.
That was worse.
After a few minutes—
she got up slowly—
walking toward him.
"Aarav…"
He didn't turn.
Now she knew.
Something was definitely wrong.
She moved closer—
standing right in front of him.
"Talk to me."
He finally looked at her.
Calm.
Composed.
"Main baat kar raha hoon," he replied.
(I am talking.)
She crossed her arms slightly.
"Normal wali nahi."
(Not the normal one.)
A pause.
Then—
he leaned slightly closer.
"Oh… tumhe normal chahiye?"
She nodded immediately.
"Haan."
Aarav's lips curved slightly.
"Mil jayega…"
(You'll get it…)
A pause.
"…after punishment."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Punishment," he repeated.
"For not trusting me."
Her eyes widened.
"Aarav—"
He raised a hand slightly.
"No arguments."
That tone—
was playful.
But firm.
"Fine…" she said slowly,
"what punishment?"
Aarav stepped closer.
Very close.
"Simple," he said softly.
"Tum mujhe manaogi."
(You'll convince me.)
She frowned.
"Kaise?"
Aarav tilted his head slightly.
"That's your problem."
She stared at him.
"This is unfair."
"Exactly," he replied.
A pause.
She sighed—
then tried—
softly holding his hand.
"Sorry…" she said quietly.
He didn't react.
"Properly," he added.
She rolled her eyes slightly—
but smiled too.
Then—
she moved closer.
Holding his arm.
"Aarav…" she said softly,
"I'm really sorry."
Still no reaction.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Kitna attitude hai aap mein…"
(So much attitude…)
Aarav smirked slightly.
"Abhi toh start hai."
(This is just the start.)
She sighed dramatically.
Then—
suddenly—
she hugged him.
Tightly.
"I'm sorry…" she murmured against him.
A pause.
Aarav didn't move for a second.
Then—
his arms slowly wrapped around her.
There it was.
The melt.
But still—
he whispered softly—
"Late ho gaya."
(Too late.)
She pulled back instantly.
"What?!"
He laughed softly.
"Mazaak tha."
(It was a joke.)
She hit his chest lightly.
"I hate you!"
"Lie," he said calmly.
She froze.
Then looked away—
blushing slightly.
"Thoda sa," she murmured.
(A little…)
Aarav smiled—
pulling her closer again.
"Punishment complete," he whispered.
She looked up at him.
"Bas?"
"For now."
A pause.
"But next time…" he added,
"…interest badhega."
(The interest will increase.)
She shook her head—
smiling now.
"Dangerous ho aap."
(You're dangerous.)
Aarav leaned closer slightly.
"Sirf tumhare liye."
(Only for you.)
And just like that—
everything felt right again.Peace never stayed quiet with them.
Not for long.
Meher was finally resting properly—
sitting comfortably—
a small smile still on her face after his "punishment."
Aarav stood nearby—
watching her.
That look again.
The one that made her nervous.
"Kya dekh rahe ho?" she asked.
(What are you looking at?)
He didn't answer immediately.
Just walked closer.
Slowly.
"Tumhe," he said simply.
(You.)
She rolled her eyes.
"New nahi hai."
(Not new.)
"Har baar new lagti ho," he replied.
(You feel new every time.)
She paused.
"Smooth…" she muttered.
He smirked.
"Sach hai."
(It's true.)
Before she could reply—
he suddenly sat beside her.
Closer than needed.
She shifted slightly.
"Aarav…"
"Haan?"
"Space naam ki bhi cheez hoti hai."
(There's something called space.)
He leaned even closer.
"Mujhe nahi chahiye."
(I don't want it.)
She stared at him.
"Seriously?"
"Haan."
A pause.
Then—
she pushed him lightly.
"Thoda door baitho."
(Sit a little away.)
He didn't move.
Instead—
he caught her wrist gently.
"Kal door gayi thi na…" he said quietly.
(Yesterday you moved away…)
Her expression softened instantly.
"Aarav…"
"Ab nahi jaane dunga."
(I won't let you go now.)
She sighed—
but didn't pull her hand back.
Instead—
she smiled slightly.
"Overprotective mode phir se on ho gaya."
"Permanent hai," he replied.
(It's permanent.)
She shook her head—
but her smile stayed.
Then suddenly—
she leaned closer.
"Achha…" she said softly,
"agar main phir se doubt karun toh?"
(What if I doubt again?)
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"Phir punishment double."
She gasped dramatically.
"Unfair!"
"Life unfair hoti hai," he replied calmly.
She narrowed her eyes—
then suddenly—
pinched his arm.
"Ouch!"
He looked at her—
shocked.
"Yeh kya tha?"
"Advance revenge," she said proudly.
Aarav stared at her—
then laughed softly.
"Achha…"
Before she could react—
he leaned closer—
pulling her slightly toward him.
"Aarav!"
"Ab meri turn," he said.
(Now my turn.)
She tried to move back—
but stopped halfway.
Because—
he wasn't doing anything.
Just looking at her.
Intensely.
That made her more nervous.
"Kya kar rahe ho?" she whispered.
"Dara raha hoon."
(Scaring you.)
She swallowed slightly.
"Kyuuun?"
"So you don't try that again."
She hit his chest lightly.
"Drama king."
"Tumhari wajah se."
She smiled again—
unable to hide it.
Then—
softly—
she rested her head against his shoulder.
"Thoda annoying ho…" she murmured.
(You're a little annoying…)
He smiled faintly.
"Thoda?"
She nodded.
"Bas thoda."
A pause.
Then—
very softly—
she added—
"…but mine."
Aarav stilled.
Just for a second.
Then—
his arm wrapped around her.
"Only yours," he replied quietly.
And just like that—
the teasing turned soft again.
Warm.
Real.The teasing faded slowly.
Like it always did.
The room grew quiet again.
Soft.
Warm.
Meher was still resting against him—
her head on his shoulder—
eyes half closed.
Aarav didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just… stayed.
The silence between them—
wasn't empty anymore.
It felt safe.
After everything—
this calm felt different.
Real.
"Aarav…" she whispered softly.
"Haan…"
"Neend aa rahi hai…"
(I'm feeling sleepy…)
He glanced at her—
a faint smile appearing.
"Toh so jao," he said gently.
(Then sleep…)
She didn't move.
Instead—
she shifted slightly closer.
"Yahin…" she murmured.
(Here…)
He understood.
Without a word—
he adjusted himself—
letting her settle comfortably.
Careful of her injury.
Always careful.
She rested her head fully against him now—
her hand lightly holding his.
"Ab theek hai…" she whispered.
(Now it's okay…)
Aarav looked down at her.
Something in his chest softened again.
His fingers moved gently—
brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
Slow.
Almost like he didn't want to disturb the moment.
"You trust me?" he asked quietly.
Her eyes opened slightly.
She looked at him—
sleepy.
But sure.
"Haan…"
No hesitation.
"Pakka?"
She nodded faintly.
"Ab doubt nahi hai…"
(No more doubt now…)
That answer—
settled something inside him.
He exhaled softly.
"Good," he murmured.
A pause.
Then—
very gently—
he shifted her—
helping her lie down properly on the bed.
She held his hand again instantly.
"Mat jao…" she whispered.
(Don't go…)
He didn't.
Instead—
he sat beside her—
then slowly leaned closer.
"Main yahin hoon," he said softly.
(I'm right here…)
Her grip loosened just a little.
Not because she let go—
but because she felt safe.
Aarav adjusted the blanket over her—
making sure she was comfortable.
Then—
after a moment—
he lay beside her.
Not too close.
Just enough.
She moved slightly—
instinctively—
resting her head near his arm again.
Her fingers curled into his shirt.
A habit now.
He smiled faintly.
"Clingy…" he whispered.
No reply.
She was already drifting off.
But just before sleep—
she murmured softly—
"Don't leave…"
Aarav's expression changed.
He turned slightly toward her—
his hand gently covering hers.
"I won't," he said quietly.
This time—
not just a promise.
A vow.
The night settled around them.
Calm.
Still.
And for the first time—
there was no fear.
Just warmth.
Just them.Morning arrived quietly.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains—
falling gently across the bed.
Meher stirred first.
Slowly.
Her eyes opened—
still sleepy.
And the first thing she noticed—
was warmth.
She blinked slightly—
then realized—
she was still holding onto Aarav's shirt.
Her head resting near his arm.
For a second—
she didn't move.
Just smiled.
Then her eyes shifted—
toward him.
Aarav was still asleep.
Calm.
Peaceful.
The sunlight touched his face lightly—
making him look softer than usual.
Meher watched him quietly.
"Kitne shant lagte ho…" she whispered.
(You look so calm…)
She slowly lifted her hand—
carefully—
not to wake him.
Her fingers moved near his face—
just observing.
Then—
very lightly—
she tapped his nose.
No reaction.
She smiled mischievously.
"Utho…" she whispered.
(Wake up…)
Still nothing.
Now—
she leaned a little closer—
and gently tugged his shirt.
"Aarav…"
This time—
he stirred.
His brows moved slightly—
then his eyes opened slowly.
First thing—
he saw her.
And instantly—
a faint smile appeared.
"Good morning…" he said softly.
She smiled back.
"Good morning…"
A small pause.
Then—
he noticed something.
"You didn't move?" he asked.
She shook her head lightly.
"Comfortable thi…"
(I was comfortable…)
He raised an eyebrow.
"Ya clingy?"
She made a face.
"Both."
He chuckled softly.
Before she could react—
he lightly pulled her closer.
"Aarav—"
"Good morning properly bolte hain," he said casually.
(Let's say good morning properly.)
She frowned.
"Yeh kya hota hai?"
(What does that mean?)
He leaned slightly closer—
smirking.
"Abhi pata chalega."
(You'll find out.)
She immediately pushed his shoulder lightly.
"Drama band karo."
(Stop the drama.)
He laughed softly.
"Tum serious kyun nahi hoti kabhi?"
She crossed her arms.
"Main serious thi kal."
(I was serious yesterday.)
That line—
made him pause.
Just for a second.
Then—
his expression softened.
"Haan…" he said quietly.
She noticed.
So she quickly changed the mood—
leaning closer again.
"Aaj kya plan hai?" she asked.
(What's the plan today?)
He looked at her—
thinking.
"Rest."
She groaned instantly.
"Nooo…"
"Yes," he replied calmly.
"Aarav…"
"No arguments."
She pouted.
"Boring ho tum."
"Healthy boring," he corrected.
She rolled her eyes—
then suddenly—
smiled.
"Fine…"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Yeh itni easily maan gayi?"
(You agreed so easily?)
She nodded innocently.
"Haan."
A pause.
Then—
she added softly—
"…par aap mere saath rehoge na?"
(But you'll stay with me, right?)
Aarav didn't even hesitate.
"Always."
That one word—
was enough.
She smiled again—
resting her head lightly near him.
And this time—
the morning didn't rush.
It stayed slow.
Warm.
Just like them.
.
.
.
.
Hope you will like this chapter 🤍