I hope you will like the chapter. Do give your comments, I love them. ❤️❤️ Atleast make it upto 60 comments.🥺

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SHIVANSH'S POV:

"Ina, can you—" Before I could finish, she grabbed her night suit and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door hard behind her.

Is she avoiding me? Is she angry with me? Why is she reacting this way?

She must be tired. I'll wait for her to come out.

I walked over to the nightstand, removed my watch, and placed it there. I felt like my energy had been completely drained.

I was too tired to even stand, so I sat on the bed and leaned my back against the headboard.

I sighed and tried to relax. My head hurt so badly, and so did my back. I just hoped the stitches were okay; otherwise, Inayat would kill me.

Today was horrible—was there even a word to describe how bad it was?

First Vikrant and Trisha, and then Ahana and Aryan. How am I supposed to handle all of this? How did this even happen? What am I going to do now?

Aryan and Ahana... it doesn't feel right to me. Does he really love her? Will Ahana be happy with him? Will he take care of her like we do? What if he hurts her? I swear, I'll kill him!

There are endless questions in my head, and I don't know what to do next. My head is pounding now, so I rubbed my temples.

This night was supposed to be beautiful, special, and memorable. I wanted to make it special for me and Inayat. I wanted to take her on our first date and confess.

Yes, I was going to confess and make it memorable for us. I wanted to celebrate our new beginning.

After so many mistakes and struggles, we're finally together, so I planned everything to tell her how I felt, how much I love her.

_ Oh, this feeling... it does something to me every time I think about loving her.  It's my first time experiencing something so pure, so all-consuming, that it feels like I'm out of this world. When I think about her, about us, it's as if nothing else matters—nothing else exists.

She's become the center of my universe, and loving her makes everything brighter. It's overwhelming in the best possible way, like I've discovered a new dimension of life, one where she and I are the only ones who matter._

Man! When she walked out in that dress, she looked breath taking. My breath literally hitched when she came into view—a pure goddess. Not much makeup, she kept it simple. Her hair was down.

Her beauty was enhanced a thousand times more. The dress was perfectly fitted to her body, as if it was made just for her, caressing her curves. She was majestic. I had always seen her in traditional dresses, so this was my first time seeing her so bold, hot, and elegant.

I just can't define her beauty because to define it is to limit it. And she is beautiful beyond limits.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the bathroom door click open. Inayat emerged in her silk night suit, her hair wet. She looked so fresh and beautiful, as always. But she didn't look at me, not once, since we entered the room.

She stood in front of the dressing table and started drying her hair with the blow dryer. I got up from the bed, walked towards her, and hugged her from behind, my hands snaking around her waist. I buried my face in the curve of her neck, her soft and warm skin against my lips.

I inhaled deeply—a blend of warm vanilla and soft floral notes fogged my senses. She smelled delicious, and I felt like drowning in it; it was so intoxicating. I felt myself relaxing, and then I heard her gasping, I snuggled more, but she stepped away from my hold.

She would never do that!

I opened my eyes and saw her facing away, standing there, trying to catch her breath.

"What's wrong, Ina? Since we entered this room, you've been avoiding me and acting distant." I asked softly.

She turned to look at me. "You don't know, Shivansh?"

But My name is Ansh!

"You don't know what you did down there?" she asked.

Her question made me pinch the bridge of my nose and rub my temple. I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

"So, what was I supposed to do?" I asked, my voice laced with defeat and exhaustion.

"Shivansh, what's the problem if Aryan Bhai loves Ahana? The reasons you gave down there were... they were disgusting. How could you talk to your best friend—someone who's been more like a brother to you—like that?

How could you question his worth, his lineage? And how could you say that you can't accept them because he doesn't have a family?!"

She stepped closer, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't have a family either, Shivansh. The blood running through my veins is that of a murderer. So, according to your theory, we shouldn't be together either, right?"

She looked at me, her eyes filled with hurt and expectation, waiting for an answer that I couldn't give. Her words hit me harder than I could have imagined, leaving me stunned and speechless, unable to process the truth in her question.

She shook her head in disappointment, her eyes filled with a sadness that cut through me, before turning and walking out of the room, leaving me alone with my guilt, thoughts, and the weight of my own actions.

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INAYAT'S POV:

No one had eaten dinner, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and bring it to them in their rooms. I started with Advay Bhai. I knocked gently on his door, and when he opened it, his eyes moved from my face to the plate in my hands.

"You didn't have dinner, so... I brought this for you," I said, holding out the plate. His expression softened as he took it from me.

"Is Shivansh Bhai okay? Did he eat? And what about Ahana?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'll check on Ahana next. Shivansh is stable now, and after I make sure Ahana's okay, I'll get him to eat too. Don't worry," I reassured him, offering a small smile.

He nodded, and I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. "Inu?"

Hearing him call me by that name after so many days stirred something inside me, and I felt a wave of emotion.

"Make sure you eat something too, okay?" he said gently.

I nodded, this time with a genuine smile, and left the room
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Next, I went to Ahana. When she opened the door, her cheeks were stained with tears, her eyes swollen and red.

She glanced at the plate I was holding. "I don't want to eat, Di," she muttered, her voice shaky, before turning back inside.

I followed her in, setting the plate down on the nightstand. Walking over to her, I gently placed my hands on her shoulders and guided her to sit on the bed.

"Baccha..." I cupped her face, wiping away her tears.

"Trust your Inu Di, okay? I'll talk to him. Don't cry or worry about anything, yeah?" I soothed her softly.

She looked at me, tears still streaming down her face, and began sobbing even harder. I rubbed her back, trying to calm her down.

"I'm so sorry, Di," she whimpered.

"I did so much wrong to you, and yet you're still here, comforting me. I hurt you with my words... I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, baccha. I never minded. That was my entire fault anyway. You don't need to apologize. Just stop crying, baby," I said, my heart breaking as I watched her struggle to breathe through her tears.

I picked up the plate, made a small morsel, and gently brought it to her lips. She looked at me, eyes puffy, but she ate.

"Now finish the rest, okay?" I handed her the plate. "I have to make sure your brother eats and takes his medicine."

Before I could leave, I added, "And don't forget to call Aryan Bhai and check if he's eaten, okay?"

She nodded weakly.

"Di?" she called out just as I was about to step out.

"Hm?"

"You won't leave him again, right?" she asked so innocently, her eyes wide with concern.

"Please don't leave him. I can't see him broken again. His heart's already been shattered once, and somehow, he managed to heal. Now he's trusted you, given you everything. Please don't hurt him," she pleaded.

"His heart was broken?" I asked, surprised. He had a girlfriend before me? I thought I was his first... A surge of anger flared up inside me at the thought.

"Yes," she whispered, "and that's why he turned to drugs, alcohol, destroyed himself. He left us behind. Please, Di, don't let him go through that again."

I nodded, though my mind was spinning. Without another word, I stormed out of her room, a whirlwind of emotions inside me.
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I stood in front of his room, trying to calm my nerves. With a deep breath, I walked inside and found him lying on the bed, clutching his head, eyes closed. He looked like he was suffering from a headache.

Quietly, I placed the plate on the nightstand, which made him open his eyes and sit up. I pulled open the drawer, took out the balm, and gently applied it to his forehead. He just watched me, not saying a word, nor did I. After I finished, I handed him the plate.

I went to wash my hands, and when I returned, the plate was still sitting on the nightstand untouched. He was lying back against the headboard, his eyes closed again.

"Shivansh, woh kheechdi maine, nightstand par sajane ke liye nahi di hai. Eat it and take your medicines," I said, my irritation evident.

"I don't like khichdi," he muttered.

I clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm. Without arguing, I picked up the plate, sat in front of him, made a bite, and pushed the spoon toward his mouth before he could protest.

His eyes widened. "Acchi zabardasti hai???" he whined as he reluctantly chewed.

I didn't reply, just kept feeding him even as he tried to resist. After few minutes of suffocating silence, he finally spoke.

"Ina, don't be so quiet. It's suffocating," he said between bites, his voice strained.

I paused for a moment. "What do you want me to say?" I asked, still feeding him.

"Anything. You want to scold me? Do it. You want to scream at me? Go ahead. Fight with me, but don't stay silent like this," he pleaded.

"I don't know what to say anymore, Shivansh. Whenever I think you've changed, you go and ruin it all over again. Your anger, your impulsiveness... it destroys everything.

Do you ever think before speaking, about how much you might hurt someone? You only regret it after the damage is done, but never stop to think beforehand." My voice cracked, and I blinked away the tears welling up in my eyes. He just stared down, avoiding my gaze.

I took a deep breath. "Shivansh, you're not the man I fell for. You're someone else entirely," I said, and he finally looked up at me.

"You're making me regret my decision of not leaving you Shivansh." The words broke my heart to say, but they needed to be said.

The lump in my throat gave way, and tears streamed down my face.

His eyes filled with tears too, and when one finally fell, he hung his head, staring at his hands as a single tear dropped onto his skin.

Guilt washed over me for making him cry, but he needed to understand that his anger was destroying everything beautiful in his life.

Maybe my way was harsh, but I had to get through to him.

Once he finished the food, I stood up and took out his medicine, handing it to him.

He swallowed it without meeting my eyes, silently taking the water I gave him. Neither of us spoke. The air between us was thick with unsaid things.

I gathered the dishes and left for the kitchen, my heart heavy, knowing this conversation was far from over.

I came back to the room and saw him still sitting silently against the headboard, lost in thought, just as I had left him.

Without a word, I quietly walked past him, switching off the light on his side. The room dimmed, and I moved to my side of the bed.

After turning off my lamp, I slipped beneath the covers, my back to him, pretending to seek sleep.

The silence between us was thick. I could feel his eyes on me, the weight of his gaze making my skin tingle, but I didn't turn around.

I stayed rigid, Anger was still there, simmering, but the guilt crept in, uninvited, making my chest feel tight.

I knew the words I had spoken were harsh, sharp, meant to cut deep so he would understand. Now I wasn't so sure if I'd said too much, or if it was exactly what he needed to hear.

Each minute that passed seemed to stretch unbearably, the silence hanging over us, growing heavier.

I felt the mattress shift as he finally lay down beside me, but it brought no relief. His restlessness was palpable—tossing, turning, trying to find some form of peace but finding none.

This night felt endless, like we were trapped in this agonizing quiet, both unable to reach each other.

The tension between us was thick, suffocating, and the weight of it pressed down on me until I couldn't take it anymore.

My own thoughts, our argument, kept circling in my mind. Eventually, the pressure became too much.

Suddenly, I sat up in bed, my movement sharp and abrupt, and it instantly caught his attention.

He followed, sitting up beside me, his concern evident as he turned on the light, his expression soft yet questioning.

"What happened, baby? Are you okay? Do you need something?" His voice, despite everything, was calm, gentle, like he was trying to soothe me.

How did he manage to stay so composed when I felt like I was drowning in my own emotions?

I took a shaky breath, my voice trembling with frustration and the overwhelming need to break the unbearable silence.

"Shivansh, what's going on in your head?" I asked, meeting his eyes.

"It's suffocating in this silence, and neither of us can sleep. We need to talk this out." My words were almost a plea, a desperate call to pull us out of this emotional fog.

He held my gaze, the same conflict mirrored in his eyes, and I knew he felt it too—the weight of everything unsaid between us.

Shivansh sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to find the right words.

His eyes were heavy with emotion, and the vulnerability in his expression made my heart ache.

"Ina, I know I messed up. I know my impulsiveness and anger take the worst out of me," he admitted, his voice raw.

"But believe me, my intentions were never to hurt anyone, least of all you. It just... happens. I get so paranoid when it comes to Ahana.

My possessiveness over her, it's not healthy. I know that. But I can't help it. I feel like I have to protect her from everything, even the smallest scratch, like I'd tear the world apart just to keep her safe."

He paused, his gaze dropping to the floor as his shoulders sagged. "I'm toxic, I know it. But it all comes from this overwhelming need to protect her. I don't know how to control it."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before I continued. "Shivansh, I understand your love for Ahana. I know how much she means to you. I see it every day, in everything you do, in how fiercely you love her, and I know you'd do anything for her.

But you have to understand something—it's becoming too much. Your need to protect her, its crossing a line, and instead of keeping her safe, it's starting to hurt those around you.

You're building walls, pushing people away who care about her just as deeply as you do. And you're right—it's not healthy. In doing that, you're hurting the people who love her."

I paused, searching his eyes for understanding. "Shivansh, Aryan Bhai's love for Ahana is genuine, anyone can see that. His love is evident in everything he does for her. You don't need to worry about him ever hurting her.

He loves her deeply, maybe even more than anyone else could. You've known him for years, longer than I have. You know in your heart that he's the best person for her, even if your fears have clouded that truth."

He closed his eyes, letting the weight of my words sink in. but there was still tension in his features, as if he were battling with his own emotions. I leaned in slightly, my voice gentler now.

"So tomorrow," I said softly, squeezing his hand for emphasis, "you'll sit down with Aryan Bhai. You'll talk things through and sort everything out.

No more fighting, no more pushing him away. It's time to accept them—Aryan bhai and Ahana—together. It's the right thing to do for both of them. Right, Shivansh?"

His eyes softened, I could tell how difficult it was for him to accept, but there was a shift in him, recognition of the truth. Slowly, he nodded. I could see him forcing himself to understand, to let go of the irrational fear that had been driving him. That alone was a huge step forward.

He hesitated for a second before exhaling shakily, a quiet surrender in his voice. "Yeah," he whispered, nodding again. "I'll do it."

Relief washed over me, but I wasn't done. "And one more thing,"

I added, my voice firm but gentle. "Promise me, Shivansh, that you won't let your anger control you anymore. If you're angry, walk away.

Calm yourself down, and then come back and talk things through rationally. Don't let your impulses dictate your actions. Don't hurt the people you love just because you're angry."

He looked at me, the conflict still visible in his eyes, but there was something else there too—resolve. "I promise," he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll try, Ina. For you, for us."

A soft smile tugged at my lips as I listened to his words. I gently cupped his face, my thumb brushing against his cheek, before planting a tender kiss on his forehead.

Then, I leaned in closer, resting my forehead against his, letting the warmth of his breath mingle with mine as we shared a quiet, comforting moment of understanding. No words were needed—just the closeness between us.

After a few minutes, I pulled away and quietly stood up, walking over to the dresser to grab the bottle of oil. He had been complaining of a headache earlier, and I figured a massage might help ease the tension. I returned to the bed, sitting at the edge, and noticed his curious expression.

"Come here," I gestured, patting the space between my legs where I sat cross-legged on the bed. He looked confused for a moment but then stood and sat down on the rug in front of me, facing me.

"Turn around, Ansh," I whispered softly, and he obeyed without question, his shoulders relaxing as he turned his back to me.

I poured a small amount of oil into my palms, rubbing them together to warm it before gently placing my hands on his scalp. Slowly, I began massaging his head, working my fingers in circular motions, feeling the tension in his muscles begin to melt away.

His eyes fluttered closed, and he let out a soft sigh of relief, the stress and exhaustion easing from his body. A serene smile crept onto his lips, and seeing him so relaxed filled me with a deep sense of peace.

As I continued to massage his head, Ahana's words suddenly resurfaced in my mind, her plea for me not to break Shivansh's heart again. I couldn't stop the curiosity that rose within me. The thought gnawed at me, and before I could stop myself, the question slipped out.

"Shivansh," I began, my voice hesitant, "I went to Ahana earlier to give her dinner."

His eyes fluttered open, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "And?" he prompted, his voice calm but cautious.

I hesitated, unsure if I should push forward, but the weight of the unknown pressed on my heart. "And... she told me something. She asked me not to leave you, to not break your heart again.

She said it had already been broken once, and that because of it, you... you destroyed yourself. She mentioned drugs, alcohol... even leaving your family." I trailed off, my voice small as the words hung between us.

He immediately tensed beneath my touch, and when he turned to look at me, there was a fear in his eyes that I hadn't seen before. It was raw, vulnerable, like a wound that had been left to heal but never truly closed. My heart clenched.

Please, Shivansh, don't let my overthinking be true.

I prayed internally, hoping that the truth wasn't as dark as Aahana had hinted. His expression only deepened my concern, and I watched as he struggled to find the right words.

As Shivansh began speaking, I could feel the weight of his words pulling at my heart. His voice was low, his gaze distant, as if he were reliving the painful memories he had kept buried for so long.

"Since childhood," he began, his tone heavy with emotion, "my parents were always busy with work. They never really had time for me or Aahana. I missed them a lot, but thanks to my Chacha and Chachi, I never felt too neglected.

They were everything to me. They would even attend my parent-teacher meetings, parents' day functions—things my parents should have been there for.

The mother who showers me with love today probably doesn't even know how many times I was sick as a child. She was always focused on fulfilling her role as a wife, traveling with Dad for business matters."

I could see the pain in his eyes as he spoke, and my heart ached for him. I reached out instinctively, resting my hand on his arm, offering him silent support. He glanced at me briefly, as if reassured by my presence, and then continued.

"My Chachu also managed the family business, but he always found time for me and Aahana. I had a childhood filled with love, not from my parents but from them. But then, one day, everything changed. My Chacha and Chachi died in an accident."

He paused, the words seemingly too heavy to say. "Chacha died on the spot. But Chachi... she was taken to the hospital. She was in critical condition, and in her last moments, she asked to see me. I'll never forget that moment."

His voice trembled slightly as he recounted that fateful day. I could feel my throat tightening, the sadness overwhelming the room.

"When I went to her, she held my hand and said, 'Shivansh, beta, I love you the most and trust you the most. I have faith in the way I raised you, that I made you capable enough to handle everything.'

She told me she knew Advay would be strong enough to handle his grief, but she worried about Advik and Adwit. She said it was my responsibility now, to take care of them. And then... she was gone."

I could see the tears brimming in his eyes now, and I didn't stop myself from pulling him close, wrapping my arms around him. He didn't resist. He needed this. I could feel the weight of years of pain and guilt in his embrace as he rested his head against my shoulder.

"And after that," he whispered, "everything spiraled out of control. I tried my best to be there for them, but I was only 21. My parents were barely around. It was like they didn't even realize how broken I was.

I felt so alone.  At that time Aryan was also living in US with his aunt. So, I started looking for friends outside the family. It was a mistake, but at the time, it felt like my only option."

I pulled back slightly to look at him, my fingers brushing a stray tear from his cheek. His vulnerability made me want to protect him, to shield him from everything that had hurt him in the past.

"I made the wrong friends," he continued, his voice growing more bitter. "At first, it was just partying, drinking... I thought they cared. But they only wanted to use me. I didn't listen to Aryan when he warned me.

Then, one day, I brought my friends home, not knowing that my parents were there. My dad met them and didn't like them. He asked me to end my friendship with them, saying they were only interested in my money.

I argued with him, saying he couldn't see me happy, and he didn't say anything after that.

This continued for a year until one day I overheard my friends talking. The ground beneath me slipped away when I heard them laughing at me, mocking what a fool I was, and how they had tricked me, using my money and status for their fun. I was shattered.

The people I trusted were only after my money. From that day, I decided never to trust anyone again. I didn't have the courage to confront them because I knew if they said anything worse to my face, I wouldn't be able to bear it, so I simply distanced myself."

I squeezed his hand, my heart breaking for him. I couldn't imagine the betrayal he had felt, the loneliness that must have consumed him.

"Things got worse after that," Shivansh said, his voice quieter now. "I drank more, did drugs to numb the pain. One night, I almost had an accident driving drunk, but Vikrant's dad saved me.

That's when everything came crashing down. My dad found out, and we had the worst argument of my life. I was so angry, so ashamed, but my ego came between and I couldn't admit that he was right—that my so-called friends had betrayed me.

Instead, I lied. I made up a story about a girl, Ayesha, who had broken my heart. I thought if I gave him an excuse, he'd back off. But it only made things worse."

He shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. "After that, my father didn't speak to me. He distanced himself not just from me but from Advay, Advik, and Adwit too. He cut off our finances, only limiting himself to pay the school and college fees.

My parents left for another business trip, and I was left to handle everything alone. I was only 22, but I had to grow up fast.

The drinking stopped eventually, but the damage was done. I lost a year of my life to those so-called friends, and I paid for it with more than just my money."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words, the magnitude of what he had been through. "Shivansh, you went through all that... and you're still standing. You took care of your brothers and sister, even when you were broken yourself. That takes strength."

His gaze softened, and for a moment, the pain in his eyes flickered with something else—something like hope. "I had to. They were all I had left. But I nearly ruined it all. One day, Aahana fell seriously ill. My parents returned for her, but that same day, I saw those friends again.

Seeing them living their carefree lives while I was drowning in guilt and responsibility... it broke me all over again. I bought a drink instead of her medicine. I was wasted when I came home, and that was the last straw for my father. He threw me out."

I let out a shaky breath, tears threatening to fall. The pain he had endured, the burden he had carried—it was overwhelming. But here he was, sharing it all with me, trusting me with the darkest parts of his soul.

Without thinking, I pulled him closer again, pressing my lips gently to his forehead. "I'm so sorry, Shivansh," I whispered, feeling my own tears mixing with his.

"But you're not alone anymore. You have me now, and I'm not going anywhere. Ever."

He closed his eyes, resting his head against mine, and for the first time since he started talking, I felt a sense of calm between us. The storm had passed, and now, we could begin to heal—together.

After a long moment of silence, I gently pulled back from our embrace, cupping his face in my hands. His eyes were still closed, his face a mixture of relief and lingering pain. I knew this was hard for him, but there was something that needed to be said.

I spoke softly, my voice filled with empathy but also honesty. "Shivansh, I can't even begin to imagine the hurt you've carried all these years. But your parents... they weren't wrong in cutting off your finances.

They were trying to bring you back to the right path, even if their methods were harsh. They saw that you were slipping, and they did what they thought would wake you up. In their own way, they were trying to save you."

His eyes opened slowly, and I could see the struggle behind them. He was listening, but this was not easy to hear.

"But," I continued, "what they failed to do was be there for you when it mattered the most. They didn't give you the time and love you deserved, and that's something you need to talk about with them. You can't keep this buried forever.

It's important that you tell them how you felt growing up, how much you missed them, how their absence affected you. I know it's hard, but it's a conversation you need to have, for your own healing and for theirs."

His gaze softened, but there was uncertainty there too. I squeezed his hand, urging him gently, "You deserve to be heard, Shivansh. And they need to understand the damage their choices caused. They may not have realized it, but that doesn't mean you should keep carrying this pain alone."

He took a deep breath, the weight of my words sinking in. I could feel him processing, and I hoped that what I said would help him find some clarity.

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I am very sorry for giving a very late update but I was not well. I was having severe cold then fever. Then when I had gone to gym a 10 kg dumbell fell on my right hand due to which my finger was hurt and I was not able to do anything with that hand so I could not edit the chapters and then when that became little well I again caught cold idk how.

My ears have caught infection due to which it is paining really hard and right now also I am not able to hear properly. And then lastly again the fever came back. I really dont know whats going on with my health but I think this is due to the climate change maybe.

But yes this was the reasons why I could not update the chapter or update about anything regarding when the chapter will come and all.

Next chapter will come on Monday

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