Rudransh'pov

It’s 4 in the morning, and the queen of my heart is sleeping peacefully in my arms. I haven’t even dared to close my eyes because sleep is nowhere to be found. How could it be when I have the most precious thing in my life resting against me?

She’s a beautiful mess—her hair tangled, her lips slightly parted, her skin carrying the marks I left on her, and yet, she’s never looked more breathtaking.

She’s mine now, and I’m hers. Bound in ways words cannot describe, marked in ways that go deeper than the surface.

She stirs slightly in her sleep, her fingers tightening on my chest as if she’s afraid I might slip away. As if I’d ever leave. I run my fingers through her messy hair, soothing her, grounding myself in her warmth.

My heart clenches as I take her in. How could someone so pure, so selfless, love a man like me? I don’t deserve her, yet she’s here, trusting me with every part of her.

Guilt claws at my chest, a brutal reminder of the man I used to be—the man who hurt her, who made her cry. I can’t even imagine how many sleepless nights she endured because of me, how many tears she shed in silence. The thought alone makes my stomach churn, and I hate myself for it.

I swear, if I could go back, I’d put a bullet in my own skull before letting myself hurt her the way I did.

But not anymore. Not now. The world doesn’t get to lay a finger on her, not even the air she breathes, without my approval.

I’ll guard her smile with everything I have. I’ll fight anyone who dares to take it away, even if that person is me.

Leaning down, I press a tender kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering as if to seal my promise. I pull the blanket up, tucking it around her, and as if sensing my movements, she snuggles closer to my chest, letting out the faintest sigh. Her trust in me, even in sleep, breaks and heals me all at once.

She shifts slightly, her lips brushing against my bare chest as she settles into me, and I feel the faintest tug of a smile. For the first time, I believe I can be the man she deserves—the man who makes her proud.

The world outside is a blur, its chaos and noise fading into the background. All that matters is her—this woman who has turned my life upside down and made me whole.

****

“Hukum, we’ll prepare breakfast. Why are you doing this?” the head cook asked, his tone careful but confused.

I kept my focus on the pan, flipping the paratha with determination. “It’s fine, I’m almost done. Just make sure breakfast is ready for everyone else once I’m out of here.”

He didn’t argue further, but I could feel his curious gaze lingering before he stepped back. I couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t every day I was seen standing in the kitchen.

I looked at the tray in front of me, a mix of hope and nervousness stirring inside. Cooking wasn’t my territory, but I wanted to do this—needed to do this. Not for approval, but for her smile. For her to see that I was trying, in my own way, to make up for every harsh word, every moment I failed her.

Finally, everything was in place. I carried the tray up to our room, a mixture of pride and anxiousness swirling inside.

When I entered, the sight of her stopped me in my tracks. There she was, wrapped up in the soft duvet, her hair spilling across the pillow in messy waves, her lips slightly parted in sleep. Peaceful. Mine.

Setting the tray down quietly on the bedside table, I leaned over her, brushing a few strands of hair off her face. I kissed her forehead lightly, her skin warm and soft beneath my lips.

“Jaan,” I whispered gently, my voice low so as not to startle her. “Wake up, biwi. It’s morning. Please open those beautiful eyes for me.”

She shifted slightly, a soft hum escaping her lips as she buried her face deeper into the pillow. I chuckled, leaning in closer. “Come on, sleepyhead. I have a surprise for you.”

Her lashes fluttered, and she blinked at me, her eyes still heavy with sleep. When her gaze finally met mine, the corner of her lips tugged into a small, sleepy smile. “What’s going on?” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.

I grinned, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “You’ll see. But first, you need to sit up,” I said, pulling her up gently by the shoulders.

Once she was sitting up, I grabbed the tray and placed it in front of her. Her eyes widened, her gaze darting between the tray and me.

“You made this?” she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, suddenly feeling a little awkward. “I mean, it’s not perfect, but yeah. It’s for you.”

Her lips parted slightly, and for a second, she just stared at me. Then, to my surprise, she reached out, cupping my face in her hands.

“You’re full of surprises, Rudransh,” she said softly, her smile growing as her thumbs brushed against my cheekbones.

“Let me freshen up before having anything. By the way, what’s the time?” she asked, her voice still soft from sleep.

“Nine o’clock, honey,” I replied, smirking as I leaned against the bedpost.

Her eyes widened in shock, and she practically yelled, “What? Ansh, why didn’t you wake me up sooner? Everyone must be waiting for me!”

Before she could rush out of bed, I grabbed her waist and pulled her close. “Not today,” I said firmly, my voice laced with a playful seriousness. “I already informed everyone that you’re unavailable today. Your whole day belongs to me, biwi.”

She paused, her lips forming an adorable pout as she listened, clearly still half-distracted by the time. That pout of hers made my heart swell, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“So now,” I added, brushing a strand of hair off her face, “get freshened up and enjoy my royal services, Rani Sa.”

But instead of agreeing, she grabbed me by the collar, surprising me. She pulled me in for a kiss, her lips pressing against mine with a fiery urgency. My hands instinctively found their way to her waist, holding her close as I kissed her back, matching her intensity.

In between kisses, she murmured, “I love you, Ansh.”

I grinned against her lips and whispered back, “I love you too, biwi,” before pulling her even closer, deepening the kiss.

Her fingers roamed through my hair, tugging slightly, and slid down my back, sending shivers through me. That single motion lit a fire in me.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. Pulling back just enough to whip my T-shirt off, I tossed it aside and leaned in again, kissing her more fiercely this time.

Her breath hitched, and I could feel the heat radiating off her skin. She was mine, and every touch, every movement reminded me of just how much I craved her.

“I can’t wait anymore,” I said hoarsely, my voice dripping with hunger. Sliding us under the covers, I let my actions speak louder than words.

Her soft moans filled the room, a melody meant only for me. Every sound, every gasp, every whisper of my name only drove me further, showing her just how much she meant to me.