[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Massive Decorated Venue | Haldi Morning*

As soon as I entered the massive decorated venue-filled with marigold, white curtains, and the controlled chaos of *haldi* preps-I immediately spotted *him*.

**Rudra Singh Rathor.**

Standing tall near the far corner in his cream *kurta*, hands in his pocket, face sharp as ever, hair slicked back, stubble perfection, eyes scanning like he owned the damn earth. **6'3 of pure command and dominance.**

My heart skipped-*still* does. No matter how many nights I spend holding his hand, no matter how many times I wake up to his voice saying **"Good morning, jaan,"**-he still makes me feel like the girl from four years ago, looking up at him outside that Shiv *mandir*.

But of course, I kept it cool. Because no one knows. Not yet.

Right then, three maniacs attacked me from the side.

**Muskan, Shifa, and my cousin Prachi:** **"*Ishuuuuuu!* We missed you! You're finally here!"**

I almost dropped the heavy bag I brought for Aditi's bridal stuff, staggering under the combined weight of their love and excitement.

Before I could even say hi properly, **Aditi** came running toward me-eyes wide, bridal glow on, excitement radiating. I smiled and opened my arms for a *filmy* bestie hug... but-

She hugged the *bag*.

**The damn makeup + jewelry bag.**

I blinked. Deadpan.

**Aditi:** ***"Wow, thank you thank you thank youuuu! My chooda is in this na? And those earrings you selected? And the mini skincare set? You saved my life!*"**

**Ishita:** (I muttered under my breath while smiling through my teeth.Chutiya .* Self-obsessed maniac. Hug the human, not the velvet box."**

Muskan elbowed me and stifled a laugh because even *she* heard it.

I looked around-yep. *Elders sitting right behind.* Great.

I rolled my eyes, handed Aditi her *precious treasure chest* of accessories, and turned-only to **bump into Veer**.

Poor guy. Happy, but clearly nervous. Trying to adjust his *haldi kurta*.

**Ishita:** **"Congratulations, Veer,"** I said, offering him a polite smile. **"God bless you and... uh, *save your bank balance*. You'll need it desperately."**

**Veer:** (He frowned.) **"Why? Did Aditi already order something else?"**

I smirked, glancing over at Aditi who was inspecting the *bling* like Gollum looking at the One Ring.

**Ishita:** **"Because clearly, she's more interested in your wallet than your soul. *Poor man. You have been warned.*"**

Veer blinked. **"Wow. That's harsh, even for you."**

Then I added quickly-**"But you're still lucky. She loves you in her... own demanding, high-maintenance Aditi-way. Go enjoy your turmeric bath."**

He nodded, accepting his fate, and walked away.

I greeted Aditi's family politely, hugged her mother, touched her dad's feet... and between the smiles and *beta tu toh itni badi ho gayi* moments, my eyes *searched him.*

There he stood-*watching me.*

From under his lashes, a smile tugging at one corner of his lips.

**Hidden, of course.** Because the *world* still knows him as *that* Rudra Singh Rathor-the emotionless billionaire with ocean-blue eyes and a heart made of stone.

But only *I* know...

He's the same man who hums old Punjabi songs while shampooing my hair. Who texts me reminders to eat. Who remembers what color my eyeshadow was on our first date four years ago.

He's still watching me, making me feel warm despite the morning chill.

And I smiled, brushing my hair back slowly-like I didn't know he was undressing me with his eyes, slowly and silently, with the devotion of a man who finally found his destiny.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

There she is.

**Ishita Sharma.**

Wearing a simple cotton *kurta*, messy bun, minimal makeup-but glowing like the sun I orbit around.

She walks like she owns her world and mine. Confident. Effortless. Irresistible.

She enters and instantly chaos follows her. I saw her mutter *cut...something* at Aditi. She thinks I didn't hear. But I always do, especially when it concerns her.

I stood silently near the corner, coffee cup untouched, watching her talk, laugh, roll her eyes, and then, the most painful part-watching her charm every elder in the room. Why couldn't I claim her yet?

And in between all that... *look at me.*

Our eyes met. Locked. That connection was the only real thing in the room full of fake smiles and loud music.

She did that thing again-tucking her hair behind her ear and acting casual-like she doesn't know what she does to me, how every small gesture she makes undoes years of my self-control.

Veer walked over beside me, looking genuinely rattled.

**Veer:** **"She said I'm gonna go bankrupt. Do you think she's right?"**

I didn't look away from Ishita. **"She's not wrong. But you will be the happiest broke man on the planet."**

**Veer:** **"Still the same Rudra. Cold for the world. But your eyes just got soft, bro. The mask is slipping."**

I sipped my coffee slowly. **"Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain."**

**Veer:** **"Your secret's safe. But damn... never thought *you* would fall like this. I thought you were immune."**

I replied without blinking, watching Ishita's smile as she finally moved toward her friends.

**Rudra:** **"Didn't fall, Veer. I jumped. Head first. Into the fire she started four years ago."**

And I'd do it again. Every. Single. Time.

**Rudra:** **"Go on, Veer. Enjoy your Haldi. Before Ishita decides you need a touch-up and makes you miss the ceremony."**

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

I finally sank into the giant sofa beside **Muskan**, **Prachi**, *me*, and **aditi**-my four crazy women. **I was exhausted** after roaming the entire venue for the last hour-bags dropped, makeup box handed, bride handled, sanity barely intact.

The living room hall of the venue was now filled with familiar laughter, cushions scattered, snacks flowing, and those marigold strings hanging in awkward angles that clearly didn't follow any symmetry. But it looked festive-chaotic and beautiful.

Grown-up, yet still **laughing like idiots again.**

But this time, I had **Rudra** back... even if no one knew yet.

**Kabbu:** ***"Maasi! Maasi Baby!"***

A tiny squeal snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked down and saw **Kabbu**-Prachi's 3-year-old-running at me with his chubby arms open and **half a chocolate bar** stuck to his palm.

**Ishita:** (I laughed, pulling him onto my lap.) **"Kabbu! Are you giving me chocolate or just sharing the mess, you little rascal?"**

**Kabbu:** **"You take big bite, I take small! Maasi need energy!"** he grinned, holding up the sticky palm.

I leaned down dramatically. **"*Okay, done deal!* Only because you said I need energy!"** I took a tiny bite of the chocolate, trying to avoid the maximum amount of goo.

**Muskan:** **"He loves you more than he loves Prachi, Ishita! That's betrayal, Kabbu!"**

**Prachi:** **"That's because I make him eat vegetables and follow a bedtime schedule. Ishu just gives him free sugar and zero rules."**

As we all burst into laughter, the conversation drifted to **college memories**-

**aditi:** **"Remember when muskan tried to sneak out of the hostel and got stuck on the balcony railing? Like a giant, terrified squirrel?"**

**muskan:** **"I was trying to be athletic! And that was only because Ishita dared me to!"**

**Ishita:** **"I dared you to call the guard *Uncle*, not scale the building, you maniac! That was the time we dyed our teacher's white dupatta pink by accident trying to make Holi colours!"**

It felt... warm. Like nothing had changed.

Except *everything* had.

Because I could feel it.

That **watchful gaze.**

Even through all the madness and the laughter and the chocolate smear on my palm, I could *feel* his eyes on me from the far corner of the hall.

So I did the only thing I could without making it obvious.

I smiled more. **Laughed louder.**

And secretly savored every second, knowing that the most terrifying man in the country was busy being distracted by a laughing woman holding a chocolate-smeared toddler.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

I sat at the corner table with **Veer** and **Shiv**, nursing my black coffee like it was whiskey, even though I hated both equally. The cold exterior was back on, but the internal chaos was all hers.

They were talking-mostly about stock splits and offshore investments. I nodded, contributed where needed, but my attention wasn't here.

It was **across the room.**

Where *she* sat. My sanctuary.

Her laughter rang louder than the whole hall. She was surrounded by four women who clearly adored her, and now she was covered in chocolate, holding a tiny human in her lap.

**God.** That glow. Mine.

My fingers curled tighter around the coffee mug, struggling to remain indifferent.

**Shiv:** **"Earth to Rudra? I asked if you looked into that crypto proposition the Dubai firm offered last quarter. You're staring into space like you're calculating the distance to Mars."**

I barely looked away from her. **"Laksh is handling it. I already sent revisions. It's a low-yield portfolio, Shiv."**

**Veer:** (Veer followed my gaze, then smirked under his breath.) **"It's amazing you can still talk about crypto when your eyes are clearly calculating the softness of Ishita's cheek after that kid smeared chocolate on it. You're not even subtle anymore, bro."**

I didn't deny it. Why would I?

**Rudra:** **"The chocolate must be addressed immediately. It's a priority breach of her perfectly maintained appearance."**

**Shiv:** (He raised an eyebrow.) **"You're seriously gone for her, huh? You're tracking chocolate levels on her face instead of global markets."**

I finally looked at him. **"She's not just a woman, Shiv."**

I set the mug down, voice lower now, intense.

**Rudra:** **"She's *home*. She's the only place I can turn off the CEO and just be Ru."**

**Shiv:** **"Bro. That's deep. You need to write a book: *The Billionaire's Guide to Emotional Destruction by a Five-Foot-Three Angel*."**

**Veer:** **"This is the Rudra 2.0 I told you about, Shiv. He's been replaced by a lovesick, coffee-hating mush-ball."**

I leaned back, smirk tugging at my lips. **"Only for her. For the world-I'm still the same cold bastard you grew up with. Don't test me."**

And right at that moment-**she laughed again.**

Head thrown back, eyes shining, a smear of chocolate on her cheek thanks to the little one. Her friends squealed, and that toddler kept calling her *"Maasi Baby"*.

My jaw relaxed. My heart was already in her palms.

**Rudra:** **"Shiv, make a note: Buy a box of the most expensive organic chocolate tomorrow. She deserves better than whatever Kabbu is currently contaminating her with."**

**Veer:** **"And this is why she's the boss, Shiv. He's already planning the apology chocolate."**

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

Everything was going *perfect.* I was half lying on the sofa, feet tucked beneath me, still playing with **Kabbu** and snacking on chocolate like a true multitasker. My girls were teasing me about the glow on my face (ugh, I had to keep dodging their suspicions about "some man in your life"), and the *haldi* vibes had started to kick in with soft *dhol* music playing in the background.

And then... like a *crack in perfect glass*-**he walked in.**

**Rajjo.**

Aditi's overly dramatic, *self-declared heartthrob*, painfully flirty *long cousin* who has *zero sense of boundaries* and *absolutely no filter.*

**Rajjo:** ***"Ooooo Ishitaaa!*"** he said, arms wide like I was going to run into them (ew, never), **"Looking beautiful! I'm sure it's all for *me*, right? I almost missed your gorgeous face!"**

I *didn't* even look up from my chocolate. I just popped another square in my mouth and replied lazily, with maximum dismissal.

**Ishita:** **"Arey Rajjo bhaiya, ghar bhar nahi hai kya aapka? Jab dekho yahin pade rehte ho... like a *lost remote* that no one cares to find."**

He put his hand over his chest like he was fake-hurt. **Rajjo:** **"Bhaiya vaahiya mat bol, Ishu! Bohot jaldi rishta badalne wala hai humare beech. You can feel the tension, right?"**

*I stopped chewing.*

I narrowed my eyes. **Ishita:** **"Rishta? Kis angle se, Rajjo? Aama banane wale ho kya apni tum mujhe ? Or maybe a door mat for your new apartment?"** I said, sarcasm dripping.

He smirked like a true clown. **Rajjo:** **"Aama toh nahi, par apne bacho ki maa zaroor banaunga tujhe, baby..."**

I *gagged*.

**Ishita:** **"Bhudda hai tu! And you smell like cheap deodorant! Tujhse shaadi karun? Isse accha main... main shaadi mein hi *expire* na jaaon and haunt your nightmares!"** I shouted, throwing a cushion at him.

He cackled like it was the funniest joke of the decade. **Rajjo:** **"Chhoti chhoti baatein leke dil pe kyun le rahi ho jaan... I'm just being playful."**

I threw another cushion. **Ishita:** **"Chal nikal, ullu ka pattha! And don't you dare call me jaan! And haan, chocolate ke paas bhi mat aana, warna haath tod dungi! Go bother the DJ!"**

Everyone burst out laughing-including Veer and Aditi who had come over hearing the commotion. Aditi gave me a double thumbs up and a **"*sorry yaar, you know he's like that*"** face.

I rolled my eyes hard and muttered under my breath, *"Full-time menace, part-time clown who needs a lesson in personal space."*

I settled back, unbothered, unbothered *visibly* at least. Secretly, I knew someone *else* was watching all of this, and the temperature in his corner just dropped to freezing.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

I had just taken a sip of water, keeping my usual *stone-cold, emotionally unavailable CEO face* on, when I heard a familiar annoying voice across the hall. Rajjo.

He entered with that *cheap swagger* and the *too-tight shirt*. I watched as he strutted up to *my woman* like he owned the floor.

**Control, Rudra.** You're not supposed to *exist* in her story right now. You're just Veer's friend. Shiv's bro. The world doesn't know you're *hers.*

But when she fired back with-**"Arey Rajjo bhaiya, ghar bhar nahi hai kya aapka?"**-I smirked. That's *my girl.* I hated him, but I loved her defense mechanisms.

Then came his next line about her being the mother of his children?

*My veins burned.* My hand was an inch away from crushing the expensive crystal glass.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *If this man touches her, I will personally kill him to death

But then she... She *roasted* him so badly, even I couldn't help but laugh quietly. Her words? Brutal. Her expressions? Sharper than my business contracts.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *Tujhse shaadi karun? Isse accha main shaadi mein hi expire ho jaun!* - A woman who jokes about death rather than marrying a pest. She is perfect.

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing out loud.

**Shiv:** (Shiv nudged me, his voice conspiratorial.) **"Dude, you need to see this. She just called him *ullu ka pattha*! She's fearless!"**

**Rudra:** **"She is,"** I said, my voice dangerously even. **"She shouldn't have to waste her energy on such insects."**

**Shiv:** **"Remind me to never try flirting with her, Ru. She'd probably use my spine as a bookmark."**

I finally looked at Shiv, my ocean-blue eyes sharp. **Rudra:** **"You won't survive, Shiv. She's already claimed my soul. She doesn't take prisoners, only property."**

I set the glass down, a final, possessive statement. I didn't need to yell. I just needed to make sure she was okay.

**Rudra:** (I leaned in toward Shiv and Veer, my tone shifting back to the CEO.) **"Veer, please ensure Rajjo stays on the opposite side of the venue for the rest of the function. If he crosses the boundary, inform me. I'll handle the asset relocation."**

**Veer:** **"Got it, Rudra. Rajjo containment protocol initiated."** He grinned. **"You're seriously terrifying, you know that?"**

I looked back at her-her fire, her spark, her boldness, her everything. She was settling back, triumphant.

**Rudra:** **"Good. She deserves a little territorial protection after that verbal abuse she just suffered. Now, who has eyes on the chocolate levels on her face?"**

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]

After the Rajjo-induced chaos subsided, we all settled back down. **My friends-Prachi, Muskan, and Aditi-started talking about novels.** Specifically, the kind of dangerously handsome, emotionally complicated heroes that fill the pages of Wattpad stories.

Aditi, naturally, dominated the conversation for a while, telling stories of her and Veer's love-framing even his basic habit of bringing her coffee as a grand romantic gesture worthy of a billionaire protagonist.

**Aditi:** **"...And then, when I was completely stressed about the guest list, Veer just walked in, took the list from my hand, and said, 'My priority is you, Aditi. The list can wait.' I swear, I almost cried! He's so fictional types sometimes!"**

Muskan rolled her eyes playfully. **Muskan:** **"Honey, fictional heroes would have already bought the venue and fired the coordinator before you even finished your sentence. But yes, Veer is cute."** (She glanced at Prachi and herself.) **"Look at us, Prachi! We're married, settled, and our husbands are just... practical."**

**Prachi:** **"Mine yells at me for leaving the milk open. No dominant, cold-eyed billionaire romance there, just domestic bliss."**

And then, **they all turned towards me.** Four pairs of eyes zeroed in.

**Aditi:** **"Okay, enough about us settled folks! Ishu, my darling, you are the last single woman standing in this group. Spill the tea! Anyone in your life yet?"**

**Muskan:** **"Yeah, your glow is too bright to be just a new foundation, Ishita. Are you finally dating that cute cameraman from the last shoot? He had potential!"**

**Ishita** (Inner Monologue): *Of course, only I am single left in our group-Muskan and Prachi are married and even mothers, and now Aditi is going to be.* *How do I handle this without spilling the six-foot-three, ocean-eyed secret sitting across the room?*

I dramatically sighed, leaning my head back against the cushion, and then gave them my best, most elaborate denial.

**Ishita:** **"Ugh, why are you guys so obsessed? No one, okay? Absolutely no one measures up to the standards I've established."**

**Prachi:** **"Standards? You mean your *fictional* standards? Are you waiting for a man who is 6'3", owns a private jet, and broods beautifully in designer suits?"**

**Ishita:** **"Exactly!"** I exclaimed, pointing a finger at her. **"My current man is far more satisfying and less complicated than any real person!"**

**Aditi:** **"Who is this *current man*? Does he have a name?"**

I grinned mischievously. **"Yes, he does! I call him... *Alpha X*. He's a ruthless CEO by day, and by night, he whispers sweet Punjabi nothings to me while protecting me from danger. He doesn't believe in God, but he worships *my* fierce independence."**

**Muskan:** **"Wow, so a hot billionaire who's also an anti-theist poet? That's specific, Ishu! Where do you find these mythical creatures?"**

**Ishita:** **"Oh, he lives right here,"** I tapped my head dramatically. **"And honestly? He's the *only* one allowed to give me attitude. Real men are too... *tame*."**

**Prachi:** **"You're hopeless! But that explains the glow. You're in love with your own creation!"**

I shrugged, successfully tackling the question with my novels' handsome heroes, all while my *real-life* Alpha X watched me from the corner, silent, possessive, and undoubtedly amused.

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

I was supposed to be discussing portfolio reallocation with Veer, but my ear was straining to catch every syllable Ishita uttered.

**She was talking about her "standards."**

**Veer:** (Veer chuckled, nudging me.) **"She's roasting you, Rudra. She's definitely describing you."**

**Shiv:** **"Wait, Veer, who are they talking about? *Alpha X*? Is that a new competitor? Why does he sound so intense?"**

**Rudra:** (I sipped my black coffee, trying to look bored.) **"It's a fictional character, Shiv. Ishita reads too many romance novels."**

**Veer:** **"And yet, her description was 6'3", ruthless CEO, broods beautifully, and whispers Punjabi nothings. Sounds suspiciously like someone who just tied her wrist to a sofa with a silk tie."**

I just gave a non-committal grunt. **"Coincidence. Punjabi is a common language."**

**Shiv:** (He leaned in, confused.) **"But why would she say he doesn't believe in God but worships her independence? That's oddly specific for a made-up guy."**

**Rudra:** (Inner Monologue): *Because she knows I am an atheist, but I damn well worship her. She's teasing me.*

**Rudra:** **"Because she finds complicated men interesting, Shiv. It's a common trope. She's trying to establish a preference for dominance that no real man can match."**

**Veer:** **"Except for the real man who is currently looking at her like he wants to kidnap her and make her his permanent CEO of Domestic Affairs."**

**Rudra:** (I shot him a warning look, but my lips betrayed me with a slight smile.) **"She called real men 'tame,' Veer. I need to maintain the reputation she has so carefully crafted for me, even if it's fictional. It saves me effort."**

**Shiv:** **"So you're saying she's using the fictional *Alpha X* as a shield because the real man in her life is too terrifying to mention?"**

I set my cup down, finally looking at Shiv, my **ocean-blue eyes** cold and sharp once more.

**Rudra:** **"Precisely, Shiv. And I suggest you continue talking about IPOs. The fictional world is far too dangerous for your sanity."**

I glanced back at Ishita. She was laughing, oblivious to the fact that her 'fictional' hero had just finished his meeting and was now formulating a plan to sneak her away from her friends for a mandatory 'no chocolate' kiss.

[ISHITA'S PERSPECTIVE]**

*Bike Ride on a Quiet Road | October Evening*

It was *infuriating.* We were here-*together*-under the same roof, breathing the same air, stealing glances like strangers in a drama. Yet... we didn't get a single moment *alone.* Not one.

I could feel Rudra's gaze from across the room. Not the usual soft, aching kind. This one was sharp. *Possessive.* The kind where his eyes said, *"You're mine. And the entire world is coming in my way right now."*

And then, out of nowhere, Aditi suddenly clapped and said with full bridezilla energy: **"Guys, let's go on a long bike drive! I'm bored! I wanna feel the wind!"**

Everyone: *cheers and whistles.*

Me: *headache intensifies, but internal glee builds.*

As couples paired off, there was *me and him.* Unintentionally. Obviously. Totally "random." *My heart skipped a beat.*

I wore jeans and a crop top. **It's October month**, and the air was cool, but who is going to tell him fashion matters, especially when you are a model too? **I knew he would scold me.**

And god, when he handed me the helmet and helped strap it under my chin without saying a single word-just those brooding eyes burning into mine-I *knew* I was dead.

I rolled my eyes, hopped on behind him, and wrapped my arms around his waist anyway. He didn't say a word. Typical.

I started talking, rambling, joking, teasing him while the bike purred down the quiet road. His broad back was warm against me, and I could feel the tension in his shoulders.

I leaned in closer, resting my cheek lightly on his back.

**Ishita:** **"You're still angry, hmm?"** I asked, softly, almost smugly.

His grip on the handle tightened for a second. *Bingo.*

**Ishita:** **"I know you, Mr. Rathore,"** I whispered near his ear, my voice dancing with mischief. **"You've been dying to snatch me away since we came here. You couldn't handle me laughing with everyone could you?"**

Still no answer. But I knew he was *listening.*

**Ishita:** **"So, Mr. Rathore, you glared at me for not wearing a helmet. That was hot. And yes, I've been ignoring you most of the day. That was fun."**

Then I smirked and tugged his shirt slightly from the back.

**Ishita:** **"But now I'm here. Pressed against your ridiculously broad, muscular back. So what're you gonna do about it, hmm? So are you going give me punishment

[RUDRA'S PERSPECTIVE]

She thinks she's smart. She *knows* I hate it when she rides without a helmet, and she knows that fitted crop top in the cool **October** air drives me insane with worry and possessiveness.

She got on the bike without a care in the world, and the moment her arms wrapped around me, it was over. My anger? Still there. But so was everything else-*need, madness, love.*

And now she's pressing her cheek against my back, whispering insults to my self-control.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *The punishment? The punishment is that I haven't been able to taste her all day while that ridiculous cousin was breathing the same air as her.*

**Ishita:** **"So what're you gonna do about it, hmm? What's the punishment, General?"**

I pulled the brakes gently and turned the bike off, stopping by a quiet side road under a huge *gulmohar* tree whose leaves were falling in a slow, rustling rhythm.

**Rudra:** (I kept my voice flat, controlling the earthquake happening inside.) **"Get down, Ishita."**

**Ishita:** (She looked confused, pulling back slightly.) **"What? Why? Did I break the bike? Or did I finally give you a heart attack with my flirting?"**

I got off the bike, walked around to her side, and gently pulled her off-hands firm on her waist.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at me, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. **"Rudra... what are you doing? The others are right behind us."**

I leaned down, voice low, warm, and full of something only she understood-the promise of ownership.

**Rudra:** **"You've had your fun, Ishi. Now it's my turn. You owe me interest for four days of separation, three hours of silence, and one disgusting man flirting with my woman."**

I didn't wait for her reply. I cupped her jaw, tilted her head slightly, and brought my mouth down on hers with the force of a man who was done waiting.

The kiss was deep, demanding, and utterly possessive. My hands stayed firm on her waist, holding her still against the cool night air and the heat of my body.

**Rudra:** (I broke the kiss just enough to breathe against her lips.) **"No more teasing, **Jaan**. No more secrets tonight. You are mine. Say it."**