Third person's pov!

Shraddha's eyes snapped open, her heart pounding at the insistent knocking on the door.

She stretched, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains casting a golden hue over the room.

Her muscles ached pleasantly, but the momentary bliss was replaced by sheer panic as she glanced down at herself.

Blanket. Naked body. Dhruv. Last night.

The memories rushed back, making her cheeks burn.

Her gaze darted to her side, where Dhruv lay sprawled on his stomach, his bare back rising and falling in the rhythm of deep sleep.

"Oh no," she whispered, her voice trembling. She sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest. The knocks grew louder.

"Shraddha? Open the door!"

Shraddha's breath hitched. Maa?! Oh, Krishna!
She shook Dhruv's shoulder urgently.

"Dhruv! Wake up!" She hissed.

He groaned, his hand lazily swatting at hers.

"Five more minutes," he muttered sleepily, his voice gravelly and deep.

"There are no 'five more minutes!' My Maa is at the door!" She whisper-yelled, frantically scrambling to find her clothes.

Dhruv finally cracked one eye open, a lazy smile spreading across his face as he took in the sight of her, hair tousled, cheeks flushed, and wrapped in nothing but a blanket.

"Good morning, Mrs. Bhatra," he drawled, reaching out to tug her back onto the bed.

"Dhruv!" She snapped, batting his hand away.

"This is not the time! My Maa is right outside!"

"Gudi! Are you alright? Open the door.!" The knocking continued, sharper now.

Dhruv's eyes widened, his sleep-addled brain finally processing her words. He sat up abruptly, the blanket slipping off his chest.

"What the hell is she doing here?" He asked, panic flickering in his voice.

"Oh, I don't know, Dhruv," Shraddha said sarcastically, hopping on one foot as she struggled to pull her leggings on. "Maybe she decided to stop by for a cup of tea and a dose of heart attack!"

Dhruv ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it even more. He spotted his shirt on the floor and reached for it just as Shraddha yanked her kurta over her head.

"Dhruv, hurry up!" She urged, flinging his pants at him.

He caught them with one hand, the other pulling her back toward him. She stumbled, her hands bracing against his chest as he grinned up at her.

"You are so cute when you panic," he teased, leaning in to kiss her.

"Dhruv!" She hissed, shoving him away. "Focus!"

Another round of knocks made both of them freeze.

"Shraddha!"

Dhruv's eyes widened comically as he scrambled to his feet.

"Doesn't she know how to wait?" He whispered furiously.

"Shut up!" Shraddha shot back, throwing a pillow at him. "Hide! Now!"

"Not under the bed again," Dhruv grumbled, pulling his pants on hastily.

"Fine, go to the bathroom!" Shraddha whispered, pointing urgently.

Dhruv darted into the bathroom just as Shraddha threw open the door, her hair still mussed.

"Maa! Sorry, I overslept," she said, her voice breathless.

Her mother gave her a once-over, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"Overslept? You look like you have been wrestling with your blanket." Anjana said, looking at the crumbled blanket on the floor.

"Uh, yeah, bad dream." Shraddha laughed nervously, smoothing her hair.

From the bathroom, Dhruv stifled a laugh.

"You usually wake up early. It's half past ten now. That's why I came to check on you." Anjana said and Shraddha's eyes widened in surprise.

"Half past ten?" Shraddha asked in shock.

"That's what! I was worried you got sick or something.." Anjana said cupping her daughter's cheek.

"I am fine, Maa."

"Good. Now go brush your teeth and come down for breakfast. Vaiga and I are waiting for you. Papa and your brothers left for office already." Anjana said.

"Um Maa, you guys have your breakfast. I need a shower." Shraddha said.

"Are you sure? Vaiga should eat on time as she is breastfeeding. I will wait for you." Anjana said.

"No, Maa. I will take some time. You have breakfast." Shraddha said. Anjana left and Shraddha quickly locked the door and sighed in relief.

Shraddha pushed open the bathroom door and found Dhruv perched precariously on the edge of the bathtub, his shirt half-buttoned and his pants simply slung over his shoulder, and a mischievous grin plastered across his face.

"Well, Mrs. Bhatra, it seems your mother's impeccable timing has made this morning a tad more adventurous," he teased, winking at her.

"Adventurous? Adventurous?! Dhruv, my Maa was two seconds away from catching us in the act! This is not a honeymoon experience; this is my worst nightmare!" Shraddha snapped, frantically pacing the small space.

"Relax, sweetheart. It's just a minor hiccup." Dhruv chuckled, hopping off the tub.

"A minor hiccup?" She shot back, poking a finger into his chest. "If my mom finds you here, she will turn this 'hiccup' into your funeral, and I will be the grieving widow explaining why there is a man in my bedroom half-naked!"

Dhruv grabbed her hand mid-poke, pulling her closer.

"I wouldn't mind haunting you," he murmured with a wicked smile.

"Dhruv!" She hissed, yanking her hand away. "Stop flirting and start thinking. You need to leave. Now!"

"How about I climb out through here? Very James Bond." With a dramatic sigh, Dhruv looked out the tiny bathroom window.

"James Bond doesn't have a death wish. You'll break your neck trying to squeeze through that!" Shraddha rolled her eyes.

"I have been told I am very... flexible." Dhruv shrugged.

"Flexible enough to explain to my mom why you are dangling from the second floor in your boxers?"

"Point taken."

"Shraddha?" Just then, a knock came from the door.

Both froze like deer in headlights.

"Vaiga bhabhi!" Shraddha whispered anxiously.
"Why is she here now?"

"Who knows?" Dhruv muttered, earning a glare.

"Shraddha, open up!" Vaiga called again.

"Stall her!" Dhruv mouthed, grabbing his shoes and pants.

"Hi, bhabhi! What's up?" Shraddha opened the door a crack, forcing a wide smile.

"Maa sent me to check if you fell asleep again. And why do you look so... disheveled?" Vaiga asked suspiciously.

"Disheveled? Oh, um, new skincare routine! You know, it really invigorates the skin." Shraddha laughed nervously.

"Alright, come down soon." Vaiga raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.

Once Vaiga left, Shraddha turned to Dhruv, who was now trying to shove his foot into the wrong shoe.

"Would you stop messing around and focus?" She snapped.

"Fine, fine," Dhruv muttered, switching his shoes. "So, what's the plan, genius?"

"You will sneak out through the french door. It's the only way." Shraddha rubbed her temples, muttering curses under her breath.

"French door? Sounds promising," Dhruv whispered, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Lead the way, General."

"I am this close to shoving you out of a window instead," Shraddha shot back, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the hallway.

As they tiptoed toward the side door they froze seeing the person looking at them both with confusion.

A/n

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SF❤️