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Author pov...

Abhay somehow managed to bring Deeksha home. She could barely walk, her steps unsteady, her eyes heavy with intoxication and unshed emotions.

Gently, he led her into her room and helped her lie down on the bed as if she were a fragile child.

Pulling the duvet over her, he said softly, “Go to sleep, baccha,” before stepping back and leaving the room quietly.

Ishani stood lost in thought, her mind replaying Deeksha’s slurred confession again and again that she loved Rahul.

Divya noticed her distant expression and frowned. “Ishani… what are you thinking about?”

Ishani looked at her, still dazed. “Deeksha came here… drunk… with Abhay.”

Divya’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Why would she come like that?”

“She came to tell Rahul what’s in her heart,” Ishani said slowly. “She kept saying she had to tell him that she loves him.”

The words hit Divya like a jolt. “You mean… Rahul and Deeksha love each other?”

“I don’t know,” Ishani replied, shaking her head. “Deeksha’s feelings are clear now… but we don’t know about Rahul. We don’t know if he feels the same.”

Divya let out a disbelieving breath. “Are you crazy? Didn’t you see how he was hiding their photos? He loves her too. They both love each other they’re just too scared to say it.”

“Maybe…” Ishani murmured, uncertainty still lingering in her voice. “But we should ask Rahul once.”

“Fine,” Divya said decisively. “I’ll ask him. And then both of them will have to come forward and say what they feel. I still can’t believe it if Deeksha loved him so much, why didn’t she confess earlier?”

Ishani gave a faint, helpless smile. “She did come to tell him… just not in her senses.”

Divya sighed. “Not like this, yaar. We have to do something for them.”

Ishani nodded. “Hmm.”

After a pause, Divya added quietly, “And you… stay away from that Abhay. I don’t like him.”

Ishani lowered her eyes and nodded again, this time without a word.

Malini walked into the room with a gentle authority in her voice. “Come, everyone, dinner is ready. I’ll set the plates,” she said warmly.

Ishani arrived with her cousins, and soon everyone gathered around the dining table. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as they settled in.

The atmosphere was calm, almost a long, exhausting day.

As she served the food, Malini looked at Ishani. “Where is Vaibhav?”

“Bhaiya went out, Mom,” Ishani replied. “He should be back soon.”

Divya quietly took a seat as well. No

one spoke much after that. One by one, everyone finished eating and drifted back to their rooms, leaving the dining area empty except for Malini and Divya.

Divya stood up and said softly, “Mom, you go rest. I’ll serve dinner to Vaibhav when he comes.”

Malini smiled at her, her eyes affectionate. “Alright, beta. But don’t forget — tomorrow you have to go for pagphera. Rahul will come to take you to your parents’ home.”

Divya nodded faintly. “Hmm.”

After Malini left, the house grew still.

Divya sank into a chair, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, waiting. Minutes stretched quietly into one another.

Then the door opened.

Vaibhav walked in.

Divya looked up immediately. “Where were you? Everyone already had dinner.”

He smiled casually. “Went out with some friends for a while. You didn’t eat?”

“I did,” she said, getting up. “I’ll bring yours. Sit.”

He nodded and took a seat. Divya went into the kitchen, the soft sound of utensils echoing in the silence, and returned with his plate. She placed it in front of him.

As he began to eat, Vaibhav kept looking at her not casually, not absentmindedly, but with a strange intensity, a quiet hunger in his eyes that made the air between them feel heavier than before.

Divya felt his gaze without looking up, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the table, aware that something unspoken had just settled into the room,she softly said."Vaibhav, please eat."

A small, warm smile played on Vaibhav’s lips, his eyes never really leaving her.

Once they were done, Divya gathered the plates and headed to the sink. Just as she started the dishes, she felt his presence behind her.

"Divya, let’s go to the room," Vaibhav said, his voice dropping a notch.

"Hmm... you go ahead. I’ll be there in a bit," she replied, keeping her focus on the soapy water.

"No, come now," he insisted, leaning against the counter.

Divya chuckled softly. "Let me just finish these utensils first, then I'm all yours."

"Okay then, let me help you," Vaibhav said, rolling up his sleeves.

Divya immediately protested, "No, no! Rehne dijiye, main kar lungi," but he didn't listen.

He stepped closer and started rinsing the plates right next to her.

Divya felt a rush of warmth; she couldn't stop blushing.

Watching him help her with such simple chores made her heart flutter she had never felt this cherished before.

As soon as the dishes were done, Divya looked up and smiled softly at Vaibhav. Without a second thought, he stepped forward and lifted her into his arms.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she clutched his shoulder, whispering nervously, “Vaibhav… someone will see us.”

He gazed at her with quiet confidence and said, “You are my wife now. Let anyone see I’m not afraid of anyone.”

Holding her close, he carried her toward their room, while her heart raced between shyness and a strange, blooming happiness.

Vaibhav carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. His hand moved to her saree, slowly pulling away the pallu.

He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to her stomach, right near her navel. A soft moan escaped Divya’s lips.

"Vaibhav..." she breathed.

Vaibhav looked up at her, his eyes dark and heavy with desire. Divya met his gaze, her cheeks flushing a deep, shy crimson.

As his fingers found the hooks of her blouse, a sharp shiver raced down her spine.

He made quick work of the garment, casting the blouse and her bra aside without a second thought.

He leaned in close, his voice a low growl. "If it were up to me, I’d never let you wear a single stitch of clothing in this room."

Another tremor shook her entire body at his words, a mix of heat and anticipation coursing through her.

Vaibhav’s hands found her breasts, his fingers kneading them with a firm, possessive grip that drew a sharp, breathy moan from Divya’s throat.

He leaned down, his mouth catching one nipple in a deep, hungry suck.

He played a rhythmic game of biting and soothing, his tongue swirling over the peak before his teeth grazed her skin again.

Divya was lost in the sensation. One of her hands was buried deep in Vaibhav’s hair, pulling him closer, while her other hand fisted the bedsheet, twisting the fabric tight.

Between her legs, she felt a sudden, heavy dampness and slick heat pooling at her core.

Instinctively, she pressed her thighs together, trying to contain the pulsing ache that was spreading through her body.

Vaibhav didn't stop, his mouth and teeth continuing their feverish work until her skin glowed with the marks of his hunger.

Vaibhav leaned in, capturing Divya’s lips in a deep, searing kiss. This time, Divya kissed him back with a newfound hunger, her tongue darting out as she tried to take control, attempting to dominate him.

Vaibhav let out a low, muffled chuckle against her mouth, amused by her sudden boldness.

He pulled back just enough to let her take the lead, ceasing his own movements to let her play.

Encouraged, Divya didn't stop she pushed forward, her tongue sliding into his mouth to explore every inch of him.

In a moment of pure, unbridled passion, she nipped down on his lip, her teeth grazing him sharply.

"Divya..." Vaibhav groaned, her name a ragged breath against her skin.

Divya let out a soft, teasing laugh. "Did that hurt?" she whispered, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Vaibhav didn't answer immediately he simply stared at her, his gaze heavy and dark as he watched her.

A small bead of blood began to bloom where she had nipped his lip.

Without breaking eye contact, Divya leaned in. She let her tongue glide out, slowly and deliberately licking the crimson drop from his skin.

Vaibhav’s breath hitched.

He watched her through narrowed eyes, seeing her in a completely different light no longer just his shy bride, but a woman who knew exactly how to set his blood on fire.

Divya let out a soft giggle at the look on his face, but it was quickly cut short.

Vaibhav crashed his lips against hers in a fierce, demanding kiss. He began pulling at the pleats of her saree with a frantic energy, leaving her no room to breathe.

He captured her tongue, sucking on it with a hunger that left her lightheaded. In one swift, powerful motion, he stripped the saree away and tossed it aside.

He finally broke the kiss, but only to trail a path of fire down to her neck, where he alternated between sharp bites and deep, bruising sucks. Divya gasped, her chest heaving as she finally caught her breath.

As he worked his way down, his hand found the heat of her core. Divya’s back arched instinctively at the contact.

He didn't stop, his fingers firmly prying her thighs wide to gain better access.

"Vaibhav... what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and overwhelming desire.

Vaibhav leaned down, pressing a lingering, heated kiss against the thin fabric of her panties.

He breathed in deeply, the intoxicating, natural scent of her womanhood filling his senses.

"Vaibhav... no," Divya pleaded softly, her voice trembling.

But he was far beyond listening. In one fluid motion, he stripped the lace away, tossing it aside to reveal her completely.

He didn't hesitate; his tongue found her sensitive core, tasting her for the first time.

Divya’s back arched sharply off the mattress, her fingers frantically clawing at the bedsheets as she tried to find an anchor.

She instinctively tried to squeeze her thighs shut, but Vaibhav was stronger.

He caught both of her legs, his hands firm as he forced her thighs wide once more, holding her open.

He pressed his face between her legs, his tongue probing deep into her heat.

A broken whimper escaped Divya’s throat, her protests turning into desperate, rhythmic moans as

Vaibhav continued his relentless, intimate work.

Divya’s toes curled tight against the mattress as she lost all sense of control.

Vaibhav’s mouth was relentless, his lips locking onto her clit in a deep, pulling suck before his teeth lightly grazed the sensitive peak.

A sharp, broken scream escaped Divya’s throat.

"Vaibhav! Oh, Vaibhav..." she cried out, her voice filled with a desperate, sweet agony.

But Vaibhav was deaf to her pleas. He doubled his efforts, his tongue lapping at her with a rhythmic intensity, pushing as deep as he could inside her heat.

The waves of pleasure were so overwhelming that Divya couldn't even keep her eyes open she squeezed them shut, her world narrowing down to the incredible friction of his mouth against her.

Every muscle in her body was taut, vibrating with the electric charge he was sending through her.

Finally, Divya’s body shattered, her climax crashing over her in wave after wave of pure, unbridled release.

As she came down from the peak, Vaibhav didn't pull away he drank in every drop of her sweetness, his mouth lingering until she was spent.

Slowly, Divya opened her eyes, her vision still hazy. She watched him as he stood up and began to strip off his own clothes, his movements slow and deliberate.

"You're... you're wicked, Vaibhav," Divya whispered, her voice breathless and trembling.

Vaibhav didn't say a word. He simply stood there, his eyes dark and hungry as they roamed over her naked body, devouring the sight of her lying there before him.

Vaibhav stripped off his remaining clothes, standing before her in his raw, masculine glory.

Divya couldn't tear her eyes away, her entire face flushing a deep, burning crimson as memories of last night and the heat of the last few minutes rushed through her mind.

Without a word, Vaibhav reached for her, pulling her onto his lap.

As she settled against him, the soft heat of her core pressed directly against the hard, pulsing bulge of his desire.

A low, involuntary moan escaped her lips at the sudden contact.

Vaibhav leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.

"If I’m so wicked," he whispered, his voice a dark, velvety growl, "then I’d better play the part properly, shouldn’t I?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He took her earlobe into his mouth, sucking on it with a slow, deliberate pressure.

A sharp stuttered breath hitched in Divya’s chest, her body trembling under the weight of his words and his touch.

Divya clung to him, her soft chest crushed against the firm muscles of his own.

Vaibhav reached down, hooking his hands under her thighs and lifting her legs to wrap them around his waist.

As he guided himself toward her, his hardness began to press against her aching core.

"Vaibhav... it’s going to hurt," Divya whispered, her voice trembling with a flicker of fear.

Vaibhav stopped immediately. He cupped her face in his large hands, his thumbs stroking her heated cheeks.

"If it hurts too much, I’ll stop the very second you tell me to. I promise, okay?" He leaned in, pressing a tender, lingering kiss to her forehead to soothe her nerves.

Reassured, Divya relaxed slightly. With a slow, steady push, he slid himself deep inside her, filling her completely.

A sharp gasp escaped Divya as she felt the initial sting of the stretch, her body tensing as she sat atop him.

But Vaibhav remained still, giving her time to adjust, before he began to move with a slow, agonizingly careful rhythm, easing the pain until it began to turn into something else entirely.

Vaibhav began to move, his thrusts slow and rhythmic as he pushed deep into her core.

Divya’s hands flew to his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin as she gripped him with all her strength.

She gasped into the crook of his neck, her body tensing with every slow, deliberate motion.

Slowly, the sharp edge of the pain began to dull, fading into the background as a new, simmering heat took its place.

The discomfort reached a threshold and then broke, transforming into an overwhelming wave of pleasure that radiated from where they were joined.

Her grip on his shoulders didn't loosen, but the tension in her body shifted from resistance to a desperate, hungry need to be closer to him.

Encouraged by the heat building between them, Divya began to move on her own, her body undulating up and down against his hard length. A deep, guttural groan erupted from

Vaibhav’s chest the moment she took charge. She increased the pace, her movements becoming faster and more urgent as she rode him there in his lap.

Vaibhav’s hands flew to her waist, his fingers bruising her skin as he gripped her tight, anchoring her to him.

The friction was electric. Divya leaned forward, pressing her lips to his in a series of frantic, searing kisses, her tongue tangling with his as they both spiraled toward the edge.

The world around them ceased to exist there was no room, no past, no future only the rhythmic pulse of their bodies and the overwhelming oblivion of the pleasure they found in each other.

Their voices collided in a raw, gutteral groan, a sound of pure, unrefined surrender.

The tension between them finally snapped, and they both went over the edge at once.

It was a violent, shuddering explosion of release that rocked their bodies, leaving them trembling in each other's arms.

They didn't pull back. Instead, they crashed their mouths together in a fierce, bruising kiss, teeth clashing as they fought for air.

They clung to one another with a desperate, white-knuckled grip, their skin slick with sweat and their hearts slamming against their ribs in a frantic, shared rhythm.

In that moment, they weren't just husband and wife they were two forces of nature, completely consumed by the fire they had built together.

Exhausted, Divya tried to pull away.

"I’m so tired, Vaibhav... I just want to sleep," she murmured.

Vaibhav’s grip on her waist tightened as he pulled her back down, hovering over her. "You aren't sleeping tonight," he whispered.

"What? Why?" She said

"Because tomorrow you’re going back to your parents' house," Vaibhav said, his voice dropping an octave. "I’m going to miss you too much. I want us to make love all night so I can carry the memory of you with me."

Divya sighed, shaking her head. "No... I don't have the strength for that."

Vaibhav’s face fell instantly. He pulled away, pouting like a disappointed child.

"Fine. Go to sleep then." He stood up and reached for his clothes, his mood clearly dampened.

Seeing him like that made Divya’s heart ache. She couldn't stand seeing him upset.

She scrambled out of bed and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. She pressed her face against

his bare back.

"Okay, okay... we can do it. We’ll stay up all night," she whispered. "Please don’t be upset with me."

Vaibhav felt a surge of joy, but he hid it, playing hard to get. "No, no. Go back to sleep. Why do you care about me? You won't miss me, but what about me? I’ll be the one dying for a glimpse of you."

"I will miss you," she insisted, her voice muffled against his skin. "I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings."

Realizing he had teased her enough,

Vaibhav spun around and caught her in his arms. "I’m just joking, Divya. It’s okay. You’re exhausted, you should rest."

But Divya stood up on her tiptoes, pressing a soft, lingering peck to his lips. "I’m not that tired," she smiled. "We can."

Vaibhav looked at her, a genuine smile breaking across his face. He swept her up into his arms and carried her back to the bed.

As he laid her down, he hovered over her, his eyes filled with warmth. "I love you. I don’t know what happened to me today... I just can't seem to stay away from you."

Divya reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "That’s a good thing, Vaibhav. I should be proud that my husband is so crazy about me," she teased, laughing softly.

Vaibhav smiled, leaning down to kiss her deeply. "Are you comfortable?" he asked softly. Divya nodded, pulling him closer.

This time, when he slid back inside her, there was no pain only a deep, familiar heat.

They lost themselves in each other for three or four more rounds, their bodies moving in perfect harmony until, finally, completely spent, they collapsed into a deep sleep in each other's arms.

A persistent knocking on the bedroom door pulled Vaibhav out of a deep sleep. It was Malini.

"Vaibhav? Rahul is here to pick up Divya," she called out from the other side. "Tell her to get ready and come out soon."

Vaibhav glanced at himself and then at Divya, both of them still tangled in the sheets after their long night.

"Yes, Maa! We’ll be out in a bit," he called back.

Once he heard his mother's footsteps fade away, he turned to the sleeping girl beside him."Divya, wake up. Rahul is here to take you home."

Divya groaned, burying her face further into the pillow. "Tell him to come back later... I’m so sleepy."

"It’s ten o'clock, Divya! Get up, please."Vaibhav said pleading way

When she still didn't budge, he sighed and shook her shoulder gently. "At least put your clothes on."

Divya peeked one eye open, a mischievous glint in her gaze. "You do it. You should dress me, since you’re the one who stripped me last night."

Vaibhav let out a startled laugh. "No way! I’m not doing that. Get up and go shower right now, or Rani Maa will come here to fetch you herself. She’ll scold you the moment she sees you is that how you want to be greeted by your mother?"

That got her attention. Divya sat up abruptly, realizing her. "You’re right... Maa definitely would do that."

She looked down at her bare skin and then back at Vaibhav.

Suddenly shy again, she pointed toward the wall. "Turn around! I need to go to the washroom."

Vaibhav didn't move an inch; he just smirked at her, enjoying her blush. "I’ve seen everything, Divya. There’s absolutely nothing left for you to hide from me now."

Divya glared at him, her cheeks burning crimson. "You are so mean! You just love to torment me, don't you?"

She grabbed the duvet, wrapping it tightly around herself like a shield, and scurried off toward the washroom.

Vaibhav stayed back in bed, laughing to himself as he watched her go.

Divya stepped out into the room, and Vaibhav’s gaze lifted only to freeze on her as if the world had suddenly gone still. For a heartbeat, he simply stared.

Then, as if remembering himself, he cleared his throat softly. “Go get ready quickly,” he said, his voice gentler than usual. “I’ll bathe and come back.”

She hummed in response, watching him leave, unaware that his mind stayed behind with her.

When he returned, the sight before him stole every word from his lips.

Divya stood draped in a yellow sari, sunlight clinging to her like it belonged there, her hair falling softly around her shoulders, her eyes glowing with a shy warmth.

She looked less like someone ready to leave and more like someone who had just stepped out of his dreams.

Vaibhav felt his chest tighten a strange mix of pride, longing, and fear of letting her out of his sight.

“If you dress like this,” he said quietly,

walking closer, “I won’t let you go anywhere.”

She laughed, a soft musical sound meant to lighten the moment.

“Vaibhav, I’m just going to one house

away. You’re behaving as if I’m going miles away from you.”

He tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But you won’t be in my room anymore… not where I can see you whenever I want.”

Her expression softened at the vulnerability hidden in his words.

“That’s true,” she admitted gently, “but we can still meet. You can come to see me anytime.”

He nodded, turning away to pick out his clothes, but the faint crease between his brows gave him away.

The room suddenly felt too quiet.

Divya noticed.

Slowly, she walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back. “Don’t be like this,” she whispered, her voice warm and soothing. “I’ll come back soon… I promise. And we’ll talk on the phone too, okay?”

He covered her hands with his own, holding them there as if anchoring himself. “From tomorrow, I’ll be busy with college again,” he murmured. “I won’t even get time during the day.”

She leaned back slightly, teasing him with a faint smile. “Vaibhav, I’m your wife now. Before this, you didn’t miss me this much… why now?”

He turned suddenly, cupping her face in both hands, his eyes searching hers with an honesty that made her breath catch.

“I don’t know,” he confessed softly. “In just one day… I got used to you. When you’re not there, my eyes keep looking for you everywhere.”

Her smile trembled, touched by the depth of his love. Without another word, she stepped into his arms and hugged him tightly.

He held her back just as fiercely, as if afraid she might slip away if he loosened his grip.

After a long moment, he exhaled against her hair. “Okay… let me get ready now. Rahul must be waiting for us for so long.”

She nodded against his chest.“Hmm…”

But neither of them moved right away, both silently wishing time would slow down just a little more.

Over at the college, Deeksha arrived and spotted Deepak.

She walked up to him with a bright smile, but when Deepak looked back at her, his expression remained cold and stony.

"Is Rahul not here today?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Deepak snapped back instantly. "How should I know? Am I his P.A. or something? Am I supposed to keep track of his every move?"

Deeksha flinched at his tone. "Why are you talking to me like that? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong," he muttered.

"Don't hide things from me, Deepak. I'm your best friend me what's going on." Deeksha said

Deepak turned to her, his eyes narrowed. "Why don't you tell me, Deeksha? What are you hiding from me?"

Deeksha looked confused. "What am I hiding? Nothing! Deepak, why are you being like this? I haven't even fought with you today, so why the attitude?"

"You were drinking last night, weren't you?" Deepak asked bluntly

Deeksha froze, her eyes widening in shock. "How... how do you know that?"

"My mother told me everything when she got home," Deepak said, his voice laced with bitterness.

"So?" Deeksha countered, trying to regain her composure. "So what if I had a drink? That’s not a huge problem."

"The problem, Deeksha, is that in your drunken state, you told my mother to call Rahul. You told her you needed to tell him what's in your heart that you love him." Deepak said

The color drained from Deeksha’s face. She stood there, stunned into silence.

"Now speak up," Deepak challenged. "You kept accusing me of hiding things, while you were keeping this from me the whole time."

Deeksha looked away, her voice small. "It’s not that important, Deepak. It’s a personal matter... that’s why I didn't want to say anything."

"Well," Deepak said, his heart clearly hurting, "I have personal things too, Deeksha. I can't tell you every single thing either."

Without another word, Deepak turned and walked away, leaving Deeksha standing there alone, watching his retreat back.

Inside the classroom, Deepak chose a seat far away from Deeksha.

He hadn't slept a wink since the previous night not since his mother had come home beaming with joy to tell him the "good news."

She was so happy, gushing about how Deeksha was in love with Rahul and how perfect they looked together.

But for Deepak, hearing those words felt like a blow to the chest. He had spent the entire night tossing and turning, consumed by a white-hot anger he couldn't explain.

He was furious at Deeksha, even though he knew that loving someone wasn't a crime.

But deep down, he knew this wasn't just anger; it was raw, suffocating jealousy a truth he refused to accept.

When Deeksha walked into the classroom, her eyes immediately went to their usual spot.

Her heart sank when she saw it was empty.

Deepak was sitting somewhere else, intentionally avoiding her.

Without a word, she sat down in her own seat, the silence between them feeling heavier than any argument.

She felt a pang of hurt, but she kept her head down, choosing to remain silent.

Over at Divya’s house, Devnath, Rani, and Dadi were all waiting for her arrival.

The moment she stepped through the door, Devnath pulled her into a warm fatherly embrace.

"You only live one house away," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "but it feels like you've moved to a different city altogether."

Divya let out a soft laugh, though her eyes shimmered. "Oh, Papa! You’re just trying to make me cry for no reason."

Rani interrupted the emotional moment with a practical smile. "Alright, everyone, lunch is served. Let’s eat."

"I’m already stuffed, Maa," Rahul piped up. "I ate over at Vaibhav Jija’s place."

"That’s fine," Rani replied, waving him off. "Divya, come on. You must be hungry."

"I’m starving, actually," Divya admitted. As the food was laid out on the table, the whole family gathered around.

Even Rahul sat with them, and the room filled with the comfortable hum of shared stories and laughter.

Divya watched Rahul slip away to his room and realized this was the perfect chance to corner him.

She followed him in, a playful smirk on her face. "So, how are you really doing? I heard you were crying like a baby after my vidaai."

Rahul scoffed, trying to look tough. "Me? Crying for you? You’re dreaming, Didi."

Divya glared at him playfully. "Oh, please! Everyone saw you. We all know how much you were sobbing."

Rahul wanted to admit he missed her, but his ego wouldn't let him. "Something... something just fell in my eye at that moment," he stammered. "That’s why there were tears. I’d never cry over you."

"Yeah, right," Divya replied.

Just then, she spotted the corner of a photograph peeking out from under his pillow. Before he could stop her, she lunged for it.

Rahul’s eyes went wide with shock. "What are you doing? Give it back! You don't just touch people's personal stuff. You're so grown up, yet you don't use your brain!"

"I just want to see why you're panicking so much," Divya teased, holding the photo out of his reach. "Oh... it’s our engagement photo."

"Didi, please, give it here," Rahul pleaded, his face turning red. "I just kept it because it was a nice picture. Everyone is in it."

"Let me see who exactly is 'everyone,'" Divya said, scanning the faces. "There's me, Vaibhav, you, and Ishani..."

As soon as she said Ishani's name, Rahul’s heart began to race.

"Deepak is here, and Deeksha too."

She looked at the photo, then back at her brother’s guilty face.

A slow realization dawned on her. "So... how long has this been going on? How long have you been hiding this one-sided love?"

Divya looked at the photo, her mind immediately jumping to Deeksha.

She was convinced Rahul had feelings for her, having no clue that his heart actually belonged to Ishani.

On the other side, Rahul was spiraling, thinking his sister had finally seen through him and discovered his love for Ishani.

"One-sided love?" Rahul stammered, his voice trembling as he tried to play it cool. "What are you talking about? It’s nothing like that."

Divya laughed softly at his panicked expression. "Okay, okay, calm down! Why are you so nervous? It’s just love, Rahul. Everyone goes through this at your age. There’s nothing to be scared of."

She reached out, patting his arm reassuringly. "I won’t tell anyone, I promise. Honestly, I’m just happy that you’ve picked such a wonderful girl. I’m on your side, okay?"

Rahul looked at his sister, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and confusion. "You... you really don't have a problem with me loving her?"

"No! Why would I have a problem?"

Divya replied sincerely. "It’s your relationship and your life. I’d be the last person to stand in the way of your happiness, Rahul."

Rahul broke into a wide, relieved smile. "I really thought you’d say this was wrong... that I was crossing a line."

Divya rolled her eyes at him. "Are you crazy? Why would I say that? You never questioned my relationship with Vaibhav, so why would I interfere in yours? I’m happy for you."

Overjoyed, Rahul lunged forward and pulled Divya into a tight, grateful hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Didi. You really are the best sister in the whole world!"

Divya laughed, patting his back as she teased him. "Oh, wow! So I’m the 'best in the world' now, am I? Just yesterday you were calling me a witch!"

Rahul pulled back, looking sheepish but still grinning. "Hey, that was a total mistake! I didn't mean it, I swear. You’re actually the greatest."

Divya just shook her head, laughing at his sudden change of heart. "You’re absolutely crazy"

“Go tell her what’s in your heart… okay?” Divya said softly, almost like she was pushing him toward a courage he didn’t yet have.

Rahul nodded, though his eyes still carried hesitation. “Hmm… I’ll tell her.”

Divya handed him the photograph and gave him an encouraging smile. “Okay, then I’ll go to my room.”

He answered with a quiet “Hmm,” watching her leave, unaware that his life was about to change.

The moment Divya entered her room, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Ishani’s number.

As soon as the call connected, she blurted out, barely containing her excitement, “See! I told you Rahul loves Deeksha!”

On the other end, Ishani fell silent in shock. “What? How do you know?”

“I asked him,” Divya said, lowering her voice as if sharing a precious secret. “At first he got scared… he wouldn’t admit it. But I told him there’s nothing wrong with it everyone falls in love at this age. Then he finally confessed… he does love her.”

“Oh my God…” Ishani whispered, the realization hitting her all at once. “That means Deeksha and Rahul both love each other… and neither of them wants to say it first.”

“Exactly,” Divya replied, excitement bubbling in her voice. “Now we’ll have to tell Deeksha ourselves.”

“Okay,” Ishani said after a moment of quick thinking. “Okay So both of us go to Assi Ghat. I’ll call Deeksha there too, and we’ll tell her everything together.”

Divya smiled, relieved. “Yes, that’s perfect. Call her.”

Ishani hung up and immediately dialed Deeksha’s number but there was no answer.

She glanced at the time and sighed softly.

“Oh right… she must still be in college,” she murmured to herself. “I’ll call her when she gets back.”

All through the college day, Deeksha and Deepak didn’t exchange a single word. It was as if an invisible wall had risen between them one they were both too stubborn, or too afraid, to break.

When the final bell rang, they quietly walked away in different directions, carrying unsaid feelings in heavy silence.

As Deeksha stepped outside the campus gates, she glanced at her phone and noticed a missed call from Ishani. A small crease of worry appeared on her forehead. She quickly called back.

Ishani picked up almost immediately.

“Di, did you need something?” Deeksha asked, her voice gentle but curious.

“Yes,” Ishani replied, sounding unusually urgent. “Where are you right now?”

“I just left college,” Deeksha said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she walked.

“Don’t go home,” Ishani said quickly. “Meet us at Assi Ghat.”

Deeksha stopped mid-step, confusion flickering across her face. “Why? What happened?”

“Just come,” Ishani insisted, her tone softening but still firm. “We’ll tell you everything when you get here.”

“…Okay,” Deeksha finally agreed.

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