Arvi's pov:

The moment we stepped into the clinic, I could feel eyes on us. Not because of me, obviously. Rayaan Oberoi wasn't exactly the type to go unnoticed. Even in a plain black shirt and jeans, he carried himself like he owned the building. Maybe he did. I wouldn't be surprised.

The receptionist blinked like she'd seen a celebrity. "M-Mr. Oberoi," she stammered, standing up a little too straight. "You don't need to wait. Doctor Sharma will see you immediately."

Of course. No forms, no delays. That was what the Oberoi name did.

I followed him wordlessly down the corridor, trying not to scratch at the rash burning on my neck. It was spreading now, angry and red, and I hated how it made me feel visible. Weak.

Inside, the doctor looked up from her desk, her professional mask slipping for just a second.

"Oh," she said, standing. "Mr. Oberoi. I didn't expect-"

"I'm not here for me," Rayaan said flatly, tilting his head toward me. "She needs to be seen."

The doctor's eyes landed on me, mildly surprised, then she gestured for me to sit. "Of course. Come in, please."

I perched on the edge of the examination bed as she pulled on gloves and leaned closer. "How long have you had the rash?"

"Since morning," I said. "Started around the neckline. I wore a new silk saree"

The doctor said,"It's a classic textile allergy. Silk, in this case. You'll need to avoid it stick to soft cottons and natural fabrics. It's nothing serious, just uncomfortable."

Just uncomfortable. Right. Like sitting in a room with Rayaan Oberoi breathing down my neck wasn't the definition of uncomfortable.

She handed me a prescription, and I got up quickly, desperate to leave. As we stepped out, I finally whispered, "Thankyou"

He didn't look at me

He didn't reply.

This hurtss so much!!

But as we walked down the hall, a nurse passed us, giggling with another. "That's him, na? Rayaan Oberoi?"

I saw him glance sideways. Just for a second. Then he turned to me, voice low.

"Next time, speak up. I'm not a mind reader."

I nodded, eyes lowered. My fear wasn't loud but it was there. Lingering in my chest like smoke, even when his words came out quiet... almost careful.

Almost.

Rayaan's pov:

The city outside my office window buzzed like it always did cars moving like ants, lights flickering against glass. I should've been reviewing the project proposal on my desk, but my mind had stayed back at the clinic.

Her voice. Quiet. Hesitant. Scared.

And not just of the rash of me.

I leaned back in my chair, jaw tightening. I wasn't proud of how easily she shrank around me. I didn't want her afraid of me.

But somehow... I kept giving her reasons to be.

Before I could spiral further, the door slammed open. No knock. No warning. Just full chaos.

"Brooo!" Riaan's voice tore through the calm like a grenade. "You didn't call. You didn't text. First night with mystery girl in the mansion and you're radio silent?"

I didn't look up. "Get out."

"Aw, come on," he said, flopping dramatically onto the couch. "

"You seriously suck. First night with Arvi in the mansion and not even a text? No update? What kind of best friend are you?"

I didn't respond. I just looked at him.

Unbothered, he threw himself onto my office couch. "So? How was it? Did she settle in? I swear, she looked like a little deer when I saw her in the hallway yesterday."

I narrowed my eyes. "Careful."

Riaan blinked. "What?"

"You're not talking about just anyone."

He raised a brow, sitting up slightly. "Woah. I wasn't being disrespectful. I like her, man. She's different. Quiet. Stronger than she looks, I can tell. That girl's got something in her."

I exhaled slowly, jaw unclenching.

"She's under my roof. Which means she's under my protection."

Riaan nodded, more serious now. "And I respect that. I respect her. I wasn't trying to make fun. Just wanted to know if she's okay. That's all."

For a second, I didn't say anything. Then finally, I leaned back in my chair.

"She's not okay. Not really. She's scared."

Pause.

"Of me."

Riaan didn't laugh. Didn't joke. He just looked at me for a long second.

"Then maybe don't be the version of you she's afraid of."

I stared at him, but this time, I didn't snap.

Because maybe just maybe he had a point.

Arvi's pov:

The garden in the Oberoi mansion was the only place that didn't make me feel like I was constantly being watched. It was quiet, green, and untouched by judgment.

Arekha sat beside me on the bench, twirling a blade of grass between her fingers. She had that effortless calm about her always dressed simple, always smiling like the world hadn't ever bruised her.

"Arvi," she said, stretching her legs out in front of her, "you always sit here like you're waiting for someone who never shows up."

I smiled faintly. "Maybe I am."

She gave me a look. "You're poetic when you're sad. It's kind of annoying."

That made me laugh under my breath. "Sorry."

A beat passed. Then she asked, "What did you study before all this?"

I hesitated. "Hotel management, and some work experience in Oberio industries Just for a while."

"Hm, but what about college?"

"My job. Rent. Life," I said softly.

Arekha frowned. "You're really smart, Arvi. I can tell. You should go back. College, I mean."

I looked at her, startled. "What?"

"Why not? You're young. You've got time. And now that you're here..." she glanced toward the mansion, "you don't have to worry about bills or food or running around to survive."

I shook my head. "It's not that simple."

"Maybe not. But it's not impossible either."

I stared at the flowers ahead of us. Bright yellow marigolds, blooming like they had something to prove.

"I don't even know where I'd begin," I murmured.

"You begin by believing you can," she said gently. "And if you need help... I'll come with you. We'll figure it out."

My throat tightened, just a little. No one had said something like that to me in a long, long time.

"Thanks," I whispered. "I don't know if I deserve that. But... thank you."

Arekha bumped her shoulder against mine. "You deserve a lot more than you think."

I smiled.

.

.

.

I didn't know Arekha had told her.

I was just passing through the living room, heading toward the kitchen for a glass of water, when I heard my name.

"She really should go back, Badi Ma. She's smart. You should've seen her when she was talking about her old college her eyes lit up. Like she forgot everything else for a second."

I froze mid-step, barely breathing. My fingers tightened around the hem of my kurti. Were they really talking about me?

Then I heard maa's voice. Firm. Warm. Certain.

"Then she will go back."

A pause. Then-

"Tell her she has my full support. If she needs books, a tutor, anything she'll have it. I'll speak to the principal myself if needed. A girl like her shouldn't let life interrupt her dreams."

I stepped back before they could see me, heart pounding.

Nobody had ever said something like that about me. Not since... ever.

That kind of belief? That kind of backing? It wasn't just rare. It was foreign. I didn't know what to do with it.

Later that evening, Arekha found me on the stairs, hugging a cup of chai like it might anchor me.

"Hey," she said, plopping down beside me. "Badi Ma said yes."

"I know," I whispered, still stunned.

"She meant it, Arvi."

I blinked rapidly, looking away. "Why are you all being so kind to me?"

Arekha smiled. "Maybe because you deserve it. And maybe because we want you to believe it too."

I smiled not fake one but real one.

.

.

The lights were dimmed, the bed untouched on my side. I sat cross-legged near the window in our room, the soft hum of the AC the only sound breaking the silence.

He was late. Again.

But I waited. Not out of obligation. Out of need. I couldn't start something as big as this without telling him. Even if I was scared of how he'd react.

The door clicked open past midnight.

I turned my head slowly as Rayaan stepped inside, shoulders tense, hair slightly disheveled like he'd run a hand through it too many times. He shut the door behind him without a word, eyes briefly scanning the room then landing on me.

"You're still awake," he said.

I stood up quickly. "I was waiting. For you."

He started unbuttoning his cufflinks, face unreadable. "Why?"

I swallowed. "I needed to tell you something. It's important."

He didn't look up, but the pause in his movements told me he was listening.

"I'm... joining college again," I said, voice trembling despite me trying not to sound so small. "From tomorrow."

That got his attention. He looked at me then direct and hard. Not cruel. But serious. Like he was measuring the weight of every word I said.

"Who gave you that idea?"

"Arekha. But it was something I wanted too. And Ma said it's a good decision. She even offered to help."

The silence stretched. I could feel my pulse in my throat.

He stepped closer, his gaze steady, unreadable. "Why are you telling me?"

I met his eyes, nervous but honest. "Because you're my husband. And I live under your roof. I thought... you should know from me."

Something flickered in his eyes. Something unreadable. Not anger. Not softness either. Something in between.

He turned, loosening the top buttons of his shirt. "Tell the driver. You'll be dropped and picked up. No arguments."

"I can take the metro," I murmured.

He stopped mid-motion, then turned his head slowly toward me.

"I don't care what you can do. You'll do as I say."

My breath caught.

I lowered my eyes. "Okay."

He didn't speak for a moment. Then, unexpectedly softly he said, "Good. You should've gone back sooner."

I looked up, surprised.

He didn't meet my gaze again. Just walked to his wardrobe and said, like it didn't matter, "Don't be late. And don't skip meals."

It wasn't permission.

It wasn't approval.

But in his own way... it was support.

And somehow, that was enough to make my fear quiet down just a little.