The car came to a halt at a short distance from the house. The streets shimmered under the soft glow of golden lights. Reyansh glanced into the rearview mirror, his eyes meeting Aisha's.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for the safe drive," Aarohi said as she stepped out of the car, Aisha following close behind.

Leaning over from the passenger seat, Armaan flashed a grin and teased,

"Are you sure you two don't need bodyguards for that walk? Hearts could stop with that kind of beauty passing by."

Reyansh immediately honked the horn, clearly irritated by Armaan's cheesy antics.

"Really, thank you for the lift," Aisha said with a soft smile, then turned to walk toward her house. Aarohi followed, heading further down the same street toward her own home.

As the girls disappeared down the street, the car sank into a brief silence. The golden lights outside flickered softly, but the air inside was anything but calm.

Reyansh's fingers drummed once against the steering wheel before he slowly turned his head, his sharp gaze locking onto Armaan.

"What the hell was that?" he asked, voice low and controlled-but laced with warning.

Armaan raised his hands in mock defense, the usual smirk still playing on his lips. "What? I was just being friendly. No harm in complimenting beautiful women, right?"

Reyansh's jaw clenched. "There's a difference between being friendly and acting like a clown."

Armaan leaned back casually, unfazed. "Relax, man. They laughed, didn't they?"

"You're lucky I didn't throw you out mid-drive," Reyansh muttered, eyes narrowing.

Armaan chuckled under his breath. "Someone's getting a little too serious lately. Let me guess-it's got something to do with a certain girl in a blue saree?"

Reyansh didn't reply. He simply turned the key, the engine humming to life again. But the glare he shot Armaan spoke volumes.

Armaan just laughed to himself, shaking his head. "Yup. Definitely serious."

𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩 :

The car stopped in front of the Rathore Mansion. The guards opened the gate without delay. I glanced to my side.

Figures. This bastard wasn't even asleep. After chewing my brain the entire ride, ranting about that girl we offered a lift to, now he was pretending to nap?

I slammed the horn, long and sharp.

Armaan jolted up like he'd been electrocuted. "You know you're a bastard, right?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes.

I smirked, killing the engine. "Says the drama queen who cried over a girl he met for ten minutes."

"I didn't cry," he shot back, slamming the door shut behind him. "I was just... emotionally moved."

I raised a brow. "Emotionally moved? Bro, you were ready to marry her and have three kids by the time we reached the signal."

He scoffed. "Don't act like you weren't. And for your information, flirting is no big crime. It's a kind of talent which you lack, idiot!"

I unbuckled my seatbelt slowly, deliberately. "Glad that i don't have such talents."

Armaan followed me as I walked toward the main door. "You know what Reyansh . One day, a girl will come and destroy that oversized ego of yours."

I glanced at him, amused. "Let her try."

He laughed. "Challenge accepted bro in half of her "

I walked into the mansion, ignoring the human tail following me.

And yes-this idiot was staying here again. Why? Because apparently he couldn't stay away from me.

Absolutely gay.

"Bro, you should be thankful I bless this place with my presence," Armaan said behind me with a grin.

I didn't bother replying. Just flipped him off and kept walking.

I passed the living room and headed straight for the stairs-because I saw her.

Sitting right there, waiting for me with that calm, knowing smile.

My grandmother.

I didn't stop. Kept walking, pretending I hadn't seen her.

Almost made it to the first step.

"Reyansh beta," her voice called out-soft, gentle, but with that undeniable authority only a grandmother could pull off.

I paused. Closed my eyes. One breath in. Turned around.

"Yes, Dadi?" I said as casually as I could manage.

She smiled warmly, patting the empty spot beside her. "Come sit, I made your favorite kheer. You didn't eat properly in the morning."

Armaan snorted behind me. "She didn't offer me kheer."

"Because you ate four parathas and called it a snack," I snapped.

He grinned and collapsed on the other couch.

I walked over reluctantly and sat beside Dadi. She placed her hand gently on mine,

"I've been thinking," she said softly, her eyes on me, "it's time we find someone for you."

And there it was.

I blinked. "Someone as in... a new cook? Because honestly, I support this."

She gave me that look.

I sighed. "Dadi..."

"Just listen," she interrupted gently. "You've built your business, made your name, earned everything I always dreamed for you. But now I want to see you happy. Settled."

"Marriage isn't a business deal," I muttered, trying to sound casual. "And I'm perfectly fine without one."

Armaan leaned in with a smirk. "Yeah, he's so happy, he talks to his coffee every morning."

"Shut up," I snapped.

Dadi chuckled, shaking her head. "You boys will never grow up."

"I already have," Armaan said, stretching like he owned the couch. "It's him who still thinks emotions are a contagious disease."

I gave him a death glare. "Keep talking, and I'll personally pack your bags and throw you out."

He grinned. "You'd miss me too much."

I turned back to Dadi as she gently squeezed my hand again. "Reyansh beta," she said softly, "I just want to see you settled... with someone who can be your peace."

There it was again.

Marriage.

This relentless hope she had-thinking one girl could tame the mess inside me.

I stood up. "Dadi, no."

Her smile faltered slightly. "Just meet her, that's all-"

"I said no." My tone came out sharper than I intended. "I don't want to meet anyone. I'm not interested. Not now, not ever."

"Reyansh..." she tried again, her voice still calm, still kind.

But I couldn't do this.

Not with her hopes.

Not with my reality.

"You want to see me happy?" I said, looking straight into her eyes. "Then stop trying to fix me like I'm broken. I don't want a wife. I don't want a relationship. And I definitely don't want to get 'settled.'"

Silence fell across the room.

Dadi didn't say anything. She just looked at me for a long moment, the softness in her eyes still intact, but dimmed with something else now.

Disappointment.

Guilt pricked my chest, but I held my ground.

Armaan sat up straighter, sensing the shift in the air. "Okay... maybe this is a good time for me to go find that kheer."

He stood and quietly slipped away, leaving the two of us in the silence.

I turned and walked away, taking the stairs two at a time.

Because I knew-this wasn't over.

See you in next chapter.

Till the time. Take care and stay hydrated.

Byeeee Pookies 🎀💋✨❤.