28.

REYANSH

It's 2 in the morning, and sleep is nowhere near my eyes. Holding Naina close, I fill my heart with the warmth I'll need for the upcoming week.

As I open my eyes, I see her in a deep slumber. Her long lashes rest gently on her chubby cheeks, and her soft, plump lips are simply irresistible.

How I long to lose myself in those blue orbs that hold so much within them, capturing my soul. Lost in these thoughts, I eventually drift into a deep slumber.

•-•-•-•-•-•

Naina is getting ready to leave, checking her things and packing her files. I watch her every small movement, her hair falling and blocking my view occasionally. She places her laptop in her bag, then turns to me with a small smile, stretching her arms forward, "Here."

I bury my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. Oh, God, how will I survive a week without her? Shakti dena, Bhagwan mujhe, I silently pray.

She softly caresses my head. "Don't miss me too much, okay?" she says gently.

"How can I miss you?" I reply. "To miss someone, you have to think about them only for a while. But you, you are always on my mind."

"Trying to be poetic, are we, Mr. Singhania?" she chuckles softly.

"Isn't that how our story started? Through poetry," I say softly, breaking apart.

I pull her closer by her waist, dropping a kiss on her cheek, then her nose, her eyes, and lastly her forehead.

She gives me a big smile. "Now let me go, will you?" Her voice is soft and playful.

"Not in this lifetime, biwi jaan."

"Uff, kya karu main is aashique ka?" she says dramatically, followed by a chuckle. Her laugh captures my heart, bringing me peace.

I take her luggage, and as we move downstairs, she bids goodbye to everyone. With one last hug, she leaves the mansion with Mihir trailing behind her. I watch her disappearing figure before heading back to our room.

•-•-•-•-•-•

I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. What do I do now? It's Sunday, and I completed all my work to spend the day with Naina, but she isn't here. What should I do?

Dadu and Dadi! It's been so long since I spent time with them. I get up from the bed and walk to their room downstairs. Knocking on the door, I enter. They smile upon seeing me.

"Biwi kya chalegai ap ko hamari yaad aagi?" Dadu jokes, laughing.

"Dadu, vaisa kuch nahi hai. I was just missing you," I say before laying my head in his lap.

"Yaad to kisi aur ki aarahi hogi," Dadi teases.

"Accha, meri beti ko khush to rakh rahe ho na?" Dadu asks, patting my cheek.

"Haan Dadu, meri jaan basti hai usme, meri biwi jaan," I answer, and Dadi smiles.

"Looks like someone is blushing," she says, and I hide my face in Dadu's lap. They laugh before Dadi speaks again.

"Reyansh, I trust you. I know you'll keep her happy. She has been through things no one should ever have to endure and never had a shoulder to cry on. You need to read between the lines," her voice serious. I nod in understanding.

"Is there something I need to know" I ask them curiously, my head still on Dadu lap as he caresses my hair "I'll tell you when the right time comes Reyansh" Dadu answers and I nod him.

•-•-•-•-

It was night time and I was working on my laptop, focused on a project that had taken longer than expected. Suddenly, disaster struck — I lost my data. Frustrated, I began the tedious process of restoring everything, sitting on the bed with my laptop in my lap.

As I waited, my eyes caught a notification. A message. I paused the backup process and clicked on the messages.

Unknown number:

Hi little prince,

Attached photo

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the attachment. My brain froze, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. It was a photo from that night. The night Naina's biological father died. The memory of that night, shrouded in mystery and pain, flashed before my eyes.

No, it can't be what I'm thinking. It can't be. Panic and dread coiled in my stomach like a tight spring. My hands trembled slightly as I dialed Kabir's number, hoping he would pick up and somehow make sense of this. But there was no answer.

Sighing deeply, I shut my laptop and rested my head on the headboard, trying to gather my thoughts. "It's okay, Reyansh," I whispered to myself. "I'll talk to Naina once she is back."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and chaotic mind. Should I talk about this with Papa? Yes, I should and I will. But the fear of what this photo could mean gnawed at me, refusing to let go.

Memories of that night swirled in my head — the confusion, the horror, the questions left unanswered. I couldn't shake the image from my mind, nor the implications it carried. My thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. What if the photo wasn't just a coincidence? What if it meant something more sinister?

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I needed to talk to someone, to unload the burden that was crushing my chest. Talking to Papa seemed like the right step, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much darker.

I clenched my fists, determined to protect Naina from whatever storm was brewing. She had been through enough; she didn't deserve to be haunted by her past. I would get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.

The night seemed darker and more oppressive than usual, each minute stretching into an eternity as I sat there, grappling with my thoughts. The room was silent, but my mind was a cacophony of fear, anger, and determination.

I knew I had to be strong, for Naina, for us. Taking another deep breath, I vowed to uncover the truth and protect the woman I loved, no matter the cost.