Arvi's pov:

I lay there, my body aching from everything that had happened. The pain, the confusion, it was all too much. But as I heard Rayaan's voice crack through the silence, something shifted inside me.

He was speaking, but the words... they felt different. The weight of his voice, the rawness in it, made my heart skip a beat.

“I left because I thought I’d lose you,” he said, his words stumbling out, each one filled with regret. “Just like I lost someone else in the past. I was scared,scared of losing you too. And I didn’t know how to handle it. I thought I’d protect myself by pushing you away. But I was wrong. So wrong.”

My chest tightened, a lump forming in my throat. He was telling me why. Telling me everything I had always wondered. But could it really be true? Could he really have felt the same way? Was this the Rayaan Oberoi the powerful, controlled man I knew confessing his fears, his pain, his love for me?

“I love you, Arvi,” he whispered, his voice shaky now. “I love you more than I ever knew how to say. I pushed you away because I was terrified of what it meant to let someone in. But the truth is, I need you. I can’t breathe without you. I… I love you.”

His words hit me like a wave crashing against the shore. I wanted to believe him, wanted to take those words and hold onto them forever. But how could I? How could I trust that this wasn’t just some fleeting emotion, a reaction to everything that had happened?

I searched his face, looking for the truth in his eyes. I needed to know. I needed to see the sincerity in him, the raw honesty that matched the brokenness I felt inside.

But as I looked into his eyes, something shifted. His gaze was full of regret, but also hope hope that I would understand, that I would believe him. I wanted to. I really did.

Before I could even speak, the words left my lips in a soft whisper, shaky but full of emotion, “Gale lagayi muje... Dekh kya rhe hai?”

I reached out, feeling the desperate need to close the distance between us. I didn’t know what else to say. I was scared, too scared of letting myself fall for him again, scared of what it would mean for me if I did. But when his arms enveloped me, when he pulled me close, I felt something I hadn’t felt in so long.

Safe.

I pressed my face against his chest, my body shaking with the weight of everything I had been holding back. His arms tightened around me, and I finally let myself relax into him. I didn't need to say anything else. In that moment, everything was clear. I didn’t need grand declarations, or promises of forever. All I needed was him, here with me, holding me.

“I’m here now,” he whispered into my hair. “I won’t leave again. I swear.”

And somehow, I believed him. For the first time, I believed in us.

The warmth of Rayaan’s embrace was the only thing that kept me grounded, but just as I finally allowed myself to sink into the safety of his arms, the door to the room creaked open.

I didn’t even need to look up to know who it was. A wave of familiar warmth swept over me, and then I felt arms encircle me from behind.

Maa. She pressed her face against the top of my head, her hands shaking as she held me tightly, as though afraid I might slip away from her. “Beta,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, “You gave us all such a scare.”

And then, one by one, they all came in.

Vivaan was next, his face blotchy with tears. He didn’t say anything, just held me, like he was trying to reassure himself as much as me.

“You scared us all, Arvi,” he murmured, his voice hoarse. “I—I'm so sorry.”

Vanisha, Aleesha, and Arekha followed, their faces pale but filled with relief. They crowded around me, their arms wrapping me up, their sobs a soft chorus in the background.

“Arvi, don’t you ever do that again!” Arekha cried, squeezing me tightly.

“I thought we were going to lose you,” Aleesha whispered, brushing her hand through my hair.

“I was so worried bhabi” Vanisha cried.

And then came Choti Maa. She entered quietly, her eyes filled with the kind of concern only a mother could carry. Without a word, she knelt beside me, holding my hands in both of hers.

“Arvi, beta, you’re safe now. We won’t let anything happen to you,” she said softly, her voice filled with the kind of warmth I had always sought.

Each hug, each touch, felt like a balm to the wounds I didn’t even know were there. My heart was overwhelmed by their love, their concern. I realized that even though I had always felt so alone, I had never truly been alone.

I turned my face toward Rayaan. His eyes were full of emotion grief, guilt, relief, but most of all, love. He stood quietly, letting me have these moments with his family, but his presence was a steady force behind me.

Maa, with tears streaming down her face, pulled away slightly and said, “Rayaan.. you need to know, Arvi needs us all now. She’s our daughter, too.”

Rayaan nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. I could see the softness in his gaze as he turned to face the family. The bond between him and them was growing. They had always been protective of me, but they were seeing him in a new light.

As they all stood around me, I realized that no matter what had happened, no matter the misunderstandings, we were a family. And we would heal, together.

Rayaan slowly stepped closer, his hand on my shoulder, and pulled me into another hug, this time with his family surrounding us. It wasn’t just the two of us anymore. We had them. Together, we would face whatever came next.

“I love you,” he whispered softly, and I knew really knew that this time, he meant it.

“Take rest now, jaan,” Rayaan said gently, his voice soothing. “I’ll be here.”

I couldn’t help but smile as Aleesha Arekha Vanisha gathered around us rest of family left, their teasing voices filling the room.

Vivaan raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Rayaan Oberoi, calling his wife ‘jaan’? Oh ho, who would’ve thought?” He winked at me, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Guess our Bhai’s gone soft, huh?”

Aleesha laughed, nudging Arekha. “Bhai is  romantic now? Calling her ‘jaan’? I never thought I’d see the day.”

Arekha giggled, her voice full of mischief. “Looks like someone’s wrapped around her finger.”

I could feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I wasn’t sure how to react. Their teasing was light, but it made me blush harder, especially with them staring at me with those knowing smiles.

I glanced at Rayaan, but his expression was unreadable. He didn’t seem thrilled with the teasing, but there was a certain tension in his jaw. He glanced at his cousins, and I could feel the air change around us. He wasn’t going to let this go on for long.

Vivaan’s smirk grew wider as he continued. “Wow, Bhai calling her ‘jaan’... What’s next? Writing her love letters?”

Aleesha leaned in, teasing. “I never thought I’d see Rayaan Oberoi getting all soft and mushy. Is this even the same guy?”

I could feel myself getting flustered. My heart was racing, and I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or hide. Their words made me feel like the center of attention, and I wasn’t used to it.

Then, their teasing shifted to me. Vivaan turned to me, his grin widening. “Arvi, you’ve got him wrapped around your finger, huh? Didn’t think Bhai was the type to call anyone ‘jaan.’”

I couldn’t hold back the blush that spread across my face. The attention felt overwhelming, and I shifted in my seat, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Aleesha raised an eyebrow. “So, Arvi, what’s it like being ‘jaan’ to Rayaan Oberoi? Must be nice.”

I was at a loss for words. My face was burning, and all I could do was look at Rayaan, who was still staring at his cousins with a stern expression.

But before I could say anything, Rayaan stepped in. His eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped, low and commanding. “Enough.”

His tone was sharp, and in an instant, the teasing stopped. Vivaan’s grin faded, and Arekha and Aleesha fell silent, realizing Rayaan wasn’t in the mood for their playful banter.

Vivaan quickly cleared his throat. “Sorry, Bhai, didn’t mean to embarrass her.”

Rayaan’s gaze softened as he turned to me, his hand resting gently on my back. “Ignore them,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “They’re just jealous.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his words, the warmth in his touch calming me. The teasing was still fresh in my mind, but Rayaan’s protective side always managed to ease my nerves.

I smiled up at him, my voice soft. “I’m not complaining,” I teased. “I kind of like hearing you call me ‘jaan.’”

Rayaan’s eyes softened, and for a brief moment, he seemed almost shy. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, his hand staying on mine.

“Take rest now, Arvi,” he said gently, his concern evident. “We’ll be here.”

The teasing faded into the background as I sat next to him, feeling completely at ease.