Arvi's pov:

I stirred awake, the softness of the comforter brushing against my cheek as sunlight spilled gently through the curtains. For a moment, I just lay there, the warmth of the bed cocooning me. It smelled faintly of cedarwood and something else familiar, comforting.

Wait.

My eyes snapped open.

This... this was our room. Mine and Rayaan's. I bolted up, the realization hitting me like a wave. I remembered the night before we were in the home theatre with his cousins and him, watching that movie I picked. I was curled up in one corner of the couch, half listening to the plot, more focused on trying to stay awake.

How did I end up here?

I looked down. I was still in my sweatshirt and leggings from last night. So I didn't come here consciously. Someone must've brought me. But who?

Before I could spiral into a dozen theories, the door creaked open. Rayaan walked in, shirt clinging to his body from sweat, chest rising and falling from his workout. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and there was a faint smirk playing on his lips as his eyes landed on me.

"You're up," he said, grabbing a towel from the dresser and rubbing the back of his neck. "You knocked out cold during the movie. I carried you here."

My mouth parted slightly. "You... carried me?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you expect one Vivaan to do it?" he asked, the corner of his lips twitching in amusement. "I'm not letting any of them carry my wife."

I looked away, my cheeks heating. His wife. Even if this marriage was complicated and full of friction, Its the first time he said that to me it did something to me.

He tossed the towel aside and came closer. "Go freshen up."

I blinked, still trying to process everything. But before I could reply, he was already out the door.

My heart was racing for no reason at all.

God, this man.

I couldn't stop the tiny smile tugging at my lips as I got ready. The fact that Rayaan carried me to bed last night something about it made my heart do a weird little flip. I wasn't used to him being... soft. Not like that.

After quickly freshening up, I headed downstairs, following the aroma of freshly made parathas and chai. The dining table was already bustling.

"Good morning," I said warmly, offering a small smile to everyone

Everyone turned and smiled back. "Good morning, beta. Come, sit."

Moments later, Aleesha and Arekha strolled in, both dressed in their usual comfy house clothes definitely not college attire. I raised an eyebrow.

"You girls aren't ready?" Maa asked, eyeing them curiously.

Aleesha mumbled, "We're not going to college today."

"Me neither," Arekha added, fiddling with her phone.

Vanisha quietly chimed in, "I'm skipping school too."

I paused mid-sip of water, glancing at them in surprise. "But we have important classes today-"

Before I could finish, Rayaan walked in. He hadn't heard the entire conversation, but he definitely heard enough.

His steps slowed, his gaze landing on the three girls like a warning bell.

"You're not going?" he asked, voice low and controlled.

Aleesha stiffened. "There's something going on at Vivaan's friend's place-"

"And you think that's more important than college?" Rayaan's tone was sharp now. "What about you, Arekha? Vanisha?"

Arekha didn't speak. She just shook her head, eyes on the table. Vanisha bit her lip and nodded, barely whispering, "I didn't feel like going."

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Rayaan's jaw tightened. "I've made this clear before, your education isn't optional. It's your responsibility. You don't get to skip it because you don't feel like going."

None of them dared speak.

"I don't care whose friend is throwing what. If this happens again, I'll cancel every plan, take away your cards, your phones, and have the drivers report directly to me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, bhai," all three said quickly, almost in sync. Heads down, voices small.

Rayaan didn't even glance at them again. He turned to me. "We're getting late."

I grabbed my bag and followed him out, the tension still hanging thick in the air behind me.

I wasn't sure what was louder my footsteps or the way my heart thudded at the calm authority in his voice.

He didn't shout.

He didn't need to.

The car ride started in silence.

I sat beside him, hands clutched tightly around my bag on my lap, staring out the window even though I wasn't really looking at anything. The engine purred quietly as Rayaan drove, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear.

Why was I nervous?

Maybe it was the way he scolded his cousins so calmly, so confidently. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't even blink before telling me to go.

"What are you thinking," he said suddenly, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.

I glanced at him. "Just... nothing."

He didn't push further. Just nodded slightly, eyes on the road.

We stopped at a signal, and that's when he spoke again this time, softer.

"I'll pick you up after college. Don't take a cab."

I blinked, caught off guard. "You... don't have to. I mean, I can manage."

He turned his head slightly to look at me. "I said I'll pick you up."

There was no room for argument. Not harsh, just firm.

My heart did that fluttery thing again, and I had to look away before he saw the slight smile forming on my lips.

"Okay," I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

The rest of the ride continued in silence but this time, it was a different kind of quiet.

Comfortable.

Almost... warm.

And when we pulled up outside the college gates, I stepped out with a strange thought in my head

Maybe I was getting used to this version of him.

.

.

.

The college gates had never looked this crowded before. The usual chattering crowd had morphed into a chaotic voices shrill with excitement, phones flashing, students pushing to get a glimpse.

And there he was.

Rayaan Oberoi.

Leaning against his black SUV like he owned the universe, dressed in a crisp armani suit that hugged his frame just right, a pair of expensive sunglasses shielding those fierce eyes. His aura screamed power, confidence... danger. Girls swarmed around him, their hands stretched out with phones for selfies, notebooks for autographs.

But his bodyguards formed an unbreakable circle no one touched him. They all tried, though. Some even squealed just standing near him.

I rolled my eyes. Ridiculous.

Still... I found myself walking in his direction. I was supposed to go with him. He was my ride. My husband.

That last word echoed in my head like a secret no one else here knew.

But just as I got closer, someone shoved me hard. Whether it was intentional or just the chaos, I didn't know. My balance slipped, the edge of the pavement threatening to meet my face.

But before I could fall, a strong hand gripped my wrist.

Rayaan.

He pulled me to him effortlessly, steadying me like I weighed nothing. His sunglasses slid just enough for me to see the flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Careful," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Before I could catch my breath, he opened the passenger door of his car. His hand was still on my arm.

"Sit," he ordered.

And I did.

But just as I was getting in, I heard a girl whisper behind me, loud enough for her group to giggle.

" ye banda agar humara boyfriend hota na, toh hum toh marr hi jaate."

I froze for a second. My hand clenched the edge of the seat tighter than necessary.

Boyfriend? I bit the inside of my cheek, resisting the urge to turn and scream he's taken. He's mine.

Instead, I sat down silently, my heartbeat far too loud in my ears. Jealousy twisted quietly in my chest, and I hated how possessive it made me feel.

But as Rayaan shut the door behind me and rounded the car to the driver's side, a small part of me didn't care if the whole world wanted him.

Because at the end of the day... he was coming home with me.

The car door shut with a soft thud, sealing me inside with the subtle scent of his cologne still lingering in the air. I watched him from the corner of my eye as he slid into the driver's seat, his jaw sharp and focused, sunglasses still on like he wasn't just the center of a full-blown fan frenzy two seconds ago.

The engine purred to life, and for a while, neither of us spoke.

And then, unexpectedly, his voice cut through the silence.

"How was your day?"

Simple. Calm. Like he hadn't just caught me from falling. Like we weren't still sitting in the middle of a crowd that was practically worshipping him five minutes ago.

I blinked, caught off guard. He never asked things like that not in that tone. Not so casually.

I looked at him, trying to see if there was sarcasm hiding behind his shades. But his grip on the wheel was relaxed, his posture easy. He wasn't mocking me.

"Uh... it was fine," I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Classes were long."

A beat passed. He nodded slightly.

"Hm."

I stared at him. That's it? No teasing? No offhand comments? Just a hm?

Before I could overthink it, he added, still looking straight ahead, "Next time, wait inside. I don't want you walking into that kind of mess again."

There it was. The control. The protectiveness disguised as orders.

I wanted to argue. Tell him I didn't need him to protect me.

But all that came out was a soft, "Okay."

Because the truth was I kind of liked it.

Authors Note:

I had way too much fun writing this chapter like, literally giggling like a child while writing. Arvi's lowkey jealousy? The dramatic catch UGH, my heart! This chapter felt like a mini movie playing in my head, and I hope you loved it as much as I did writing it. Let me know your favorite part I'm already excited for what's coming next are You?