💖 Ishita's Perspective

I walked down the grand staircase of the mansion the heavy silver payal chiming softly with every step. As I reached the main living area, the entire family was gathered. the warmth of our big family always made it feel like home.

I smiled, adjusting the pallu of my teal-blue georgette saree, and approached the elders first. I bent down gracefully to touch the feet of Ram Singh Rathore Papa and Siya Maa, and then moved to Lakhan Uncle and Urmila Aunt.

"Sada suhagrati raho, beta," Siya Maa blessed me, gently patting my head with a warm, maternal smile. "Give our love to Gayatri and Mohan ji. And don't worry about Rudra; we will keep him busy so he doesn't trouble you with constant calls."

"Thank you, Maa," I giggled, knowing very well that no one could actually stop my stubborn husband from calling me.

Next, I turned to the girls. My wonderful sister-in-law Ahana, and my lovely *devranis*, Dhristi and Reet, were already standing in a semi-circle, waiting for me. I opened my arms and pulled them into a tight, warm hug, my red bridal *chooda* jingling brightly.

"We are going to miss you so much, Bhabhi!" Reet whined slightly, squeezing my arm. "Who is going to look at my new fashion sketches now?"

"I'm only a video call away, Reet," I smiled, pinching her cheek softly. "And Dhristi, please make sure Krish doesn't eat too many chocolates while I'm gone."

"I'll try, Bhabhi, but his papa is the one who keeps spoiling him with treats," Dhristi laughed, playfully nudging Akshat who was standing nearby.

"Hey! Don't drag me into this," Akshat chuckled, raising his hands in defense. "I'm just the co-CEO. The real commander-in-chief is currently coming down the stairs."

I turned around to see Rudra walking down, fully dressed now, effortlessly wheeling my heavy luxury suitcases. He still had that faint, brooding shadow on his face, his ocean-blue eyes locked entirely on me.

Before Rudra could even reach us, Jay stepped forward, suddenly clapping a hand over his heart with maximum dramatic flair. The star football player and model was never one to miss an opportunity for a performance.

"Oh, the tragedy! The sheer sorrow!" Jay gasped loudly, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye as he looked at me. "Bhabhi, how could you leave us? Look at this house! Look at Bhai! The dark clouds of misery have already arrived in Delhi. Without your radiant smile, who will protect us from the wrath of the cold-hearted Prince?"

"Jay, shut up," Vardaan chimed in from the couch, rolling his eyes while holding his legal documents. "You are acting as if she is moving to Antarctica, not just a few sectors away."

"You have no romance in your soul, Vardaan Bhai," Jay shot back, completely unbothered, before turning back to me with wide, pleading eyes. "Seriously, Bhabhi, if Bhai loses his temper at the Eternity office this week, I am officially telling the media that the President is throwing a tantrum because his Queen left him."

A loud laugh escaped my lips, and even Akshat and the girls couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't worry, Jay," I teased, throwing a playful glance at Rudra who had just placed the bags by the door and was now standing right behind me, his massive 6'3" frame radiating pure possessiveness. "I have strictly instructed your 'baby' brother to behave himself while I'm gone."

Jay burst into laughter, while Rudra let out a deep, gravelly warning rumble from his chest, his ocean-blue eyes narrowing at his younger brother. "Jay, if you don't want your extra football practice hours doubled by tomorrow morning, I suggest you step away from my wife."

"See? The monster is already waking up!" Jay squeaked playfully, quickly hiding behind Ahana's shoulder, making everyone in the living room laugh out loud.

I smiled and moved toward Lakhan Uncle and Urmila Aunt, gracefully bending down to touch their feet. "Sada khush raho, beta," Lakhan Uncle smiled, while Urmila Aunt patted my back affectionately. Next, I approached Bebe, touching her feet with utmost respect. She pulled me up into a warm blessing, her eyes crinkling. "Holi carefully khelna, beta, and bring sweets back for us."

"Ji, Bebe," I promised sweetly.

Before leaving, I spotted little Krish standing near Dhristi. I knelt down to his level, my teal-blue georgette saree pooling around me, and gently grabbed his chubby face. "Aww, my jaan," I murmured, kissing his cheeks softly, squeezing them until he giggled, and pulling his small frame into a tight, lingering hug. "Badi Mumma will miss you so much!"

Standing back up to my 5'3" height, Rudra instantly took my hand, his large palm engulfing mine as he began leading me out of the grand mansion.

Right on our heels, Ahana and Jay sneaked out, following us like a pair of absolute spies. Back in the living room, Dhristi and Reet tried their best to stop them, calling out in hushed, laughing whispers, "Hey, stop it! Leave them alone!"—but the duo completely ignored them, determined to cause chaos.

Rudra didn't even need to turn around; his sharp instincts immediately picked up on the rustling behind us. He knew exactly why his dramatic siblings were tailing us—they wanted to witness our romantic goodbye and tease him for the next seven days.

Reaching the luxury car, Rudra effortlessly loaded my heavy suitcases into the trunk. The moment the trunk clicked shut, his towering 6'3" frame whirled around, his ocean-blue eyes narrowing dangerously as he caught Jay and Ahana standing just a few feet away with identical, mischievous smirks.

"Do you two want to learn how to kiss someone?" Rudra rumbled, his deep, gravelly baritone dripping with direct, unbothered sarcasm.

Jay and Ahana instantly blinked, exchanging a quick look before crossing their arms simultaneously. "No! Gross, Bhai! Why would we?" they yelled in unison.

"Then why are you standing here? Go back inside," Rudra ordered deadpan, stepping closer to me as if physically blocking their view.

"No way, we want to watch!" Jay shot back with zero shame, leaning to the side to peek around Rudra's broad shoulders.

Rudra let out a low, warning rumble from his chest, his gaze locking onto his younger brother. "You want to watch your elder brother kissing his wife?"

"Uh, yeah!" Jay grinned dynamically, completely unbothered by the cold corporate glare directed at him. "I need to see if the cold, heartless Prince actually knows how to be romantic, or if Bhabhi does all the heavy lifting in this relationship!"

"Jay!" Ahana smacked his arm, laughing, before turning her eyes back to us. "But seriously, Bhai, just a quick hug and a cheek kiss will do. Save the Bollywood romance for when the audience isn't here."

I couldn't help but hide my face against Rudra’s muscular chest, my red bridal *chooda* jingling softly as a breathless laugh escaped my lips. "Ru, please, your siblings are going to be the death of me," I whispered against his t-shirt.

Rudra’s hand slipped around my waist, pulling my slim figure flush against him, completely ignoring the two spectators. He shot one final, icy glance over his shoulder at Jay. "Jay, if you and Ahana aren't back inside the mansion in exactly three seconds, I am personally canceling your weekend passes. One... two..."

"Okay, okay! The King is using his powers illegally!" Jay squeaked, grabbing Ahana’s hand and dashing backward toward the mansion doors. "Bhabhi, call me if he locks you in the car!"

👑Rudra's Perspective

The heavy double doors of the mansion finally clicked shut as Jay and Ahana scrambled back inside, their lingering giggles cutting off as the silence of the driveway wrapped around us.

I turned my full attention back to my wife. My hands slid from her waist, my large palms framing her face, my fingers gently tucking a stray curly lock of her hair behind her ear. Her heavy silver jhumkas swayed softly, catching the bright Delhi morning sun. Looking down at her slim figure wrapped perfectly in that deep teal-blue georgette saree, my chest tightened with a heavy, familiar ache.

"Finally," I rumbled, my deep, gravelly baritone dropping into a raw, private whisper meant only for her.

Ishita looked up at me, her beautiful brown eyes shimmering with unadulterated love, her hands resting flat against my chest right over the tattoo that bore her name. "You really scared them away, Ru," she whispered, a soft, breathless smile playing on her lips.

"They were testing my patience, Janna," I murmured, leaning down until our noses brushed, my warm breath fanning across her face. "And right now, I don't have a single drop of patience left to waste on anyone but you."

Slowly, deliberately, I lowered my lips to the side of her face. I pressed a deep, lingering kiss onto her warm cheek, breathing in her familiar, intoxicating scent. From there, my lips traced a slow path down to her jawline, pressing firm, possessive kisses directly over the small dark moles

Ishita let out a soft, trembling gasp, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric of my shirt, her red bridal *chooda* clinking sharply against my chest as she leaned completely into my weight.

"Ru..." she murmured weakly, her grip tightening. "The driver... he's right there."

"Let him look away," I growled softly against her skin, my hands sliding down to grip her waist, pulling her so flush against my muscular frame that there wasn't a single inch of space left between us.

I captured her lips in a deep, slow, and devastatingly passionate goodbye kiss. It wasn't the playful, teasing kiss from the bedroom; this was a heavy, possessive promise of my return, a silent declaration that even though she was stepping out of my sight for seven days, every single part of her still belonged to the King.

When I finally pulled back, both of us were breathing heavily. I rested my forehead against hers, my thumb gently rubbing her flushing cheek.

"Seven days, Ishi," I rumbled, my ocean-blue eyes locked intensely onto hers. "The countdown has officially begun. You better keep your promise about those calls."

"I will," she whispered, her eyes soft and shining as she reached down to open the car door, her heavy silver payal letting out one final, sweet chime against the pavement. "Go inside, Ru. I'll call you the second I reach home."

The mansion felt sickeningly quiet without the constant, musical jingling of her red bridal *chooda* or the sweet melody of her laughter echoing through the halls. Three days had dragged by like three agonizing years. During the day, I buried myself completely in work at the Eternity corporate office, trying to numb the emptiness. We managed to slide in quick texts and brief voice calls between my back-to-back board meetings and her chaotic family pre-Holi gatherings, but it was never enough to satisfy the constant ache in my chest.

But the nights—the nights were my only saving grace.

It was past midnight when my phone finally buzzed on the nightstand, the screen illuminating the dark, empty bedroom with her incoming video call. I didn't waste a single millisecond. I swiped the screen instantly, my ocean-blue eyes locking onto the display as her beautiful face filled the screen.

She was sitting on her old bed at the Sharma house, her long curly hair cascading wildly over her shoulders, looking breathtakingly pure without any makeup. She had already changed into her comfortable night pyjamas, and as she moved her hand to prop up the phone, the familiar clinking of her *chooda* filtered through the speaker, instantly sending a wave of relief straight to my heart.

"Hi, Ru," she whispered softly, her brown eyes softening into pure, unadulterated love the moment she saw my face. "Look at you. Why are you still awake? And why are you frowning at your phone, Patidev?"

"I'm missing you, Janna," I rumbled, my voice dropping into a deep, raw, and completely unguarded gravelly baritone that I only ever used with her. I leaned back against the headboard of our massive, lonely bed, staring intently at the screen. "This room is entirely too big without you in it. Oscar is sleeping in his own lounge because he refuses to cuddle with me, and his mother is currently blocks away, torturing me."

Ishita let out a soft, breathless giggle, the sound instantly melting away a fraction of the tension locked in my tight jaw. "Arey, I am not torturing you! I miss you too, Ru. The house is so loud and full of people, but every time I look around, my eyes keep searching for my 6'3" King."

"Then come back tomorrow morning," I demanded possessively, my gaze dropping to her neck, tracing the lines of her jaw where those beautiful dark moles were visible even through the screen dynamic. "I'll send Laksh with the car at 6:00 AM. I don't care about the remaining four days of the festival anymore."

"Rudra!" she gasped playfully, a beautiful blush spreading across her brown skin. "Only four more days left for Holi, and then you are coming here anyway, remember? Don't be a stubborn baby now."

"I am missing my wife, Ishi. That doesn't make me a baby," I muttered, my thumb subconsciously brushing against the glass screen, tracing the outline of her cheek as if I could actually feel her warm skin beneath my fingers. "The second I get to the Sharma house on Holi, I am locking you in a room and not letting anyone else put even a speck of color on you. You are mine to claim first."

"And since when did you start cuddling Oscar, anyway?" Ishita teased through the screen, her brown eyes wrinkling at the corners with absolute amusement. She adjusted her phone against the pillows, her red bridal *chooda* clinking merrily. "From what I know, you two emotionless beings only ever cuddle with *one* person, and that is me!"

A slow, self-deprecating smirk replaced my brooding frown. I ran a hand through my hair, leaning closer to the camera.

"I didn't say I *succeeded*, Janna," I rumbled in my deep, gravelly baritone, letting out a faint grunt. "I walked into his lounge about an hour ago, completely desperate for some company. The ungrateful beast looked at me, let out a massive huff, turned his entire 500-pound black-striped body the other way, and faced the wall."

Ishita burst into a fit of breathless, loud giggles, covering her mouth with her hands as her curly hair bounced over her shoulders. "Oh my god! Oscar rejected the great corporate King? The ruthless Rudra Singh Rathore got cold-shouldered by his own tiger?"

"He is entirely your son, Ishi," I muttered deadpan, though a rare, genuine smile broke through my tight jawline at the sound of her laughter. "He literally has zero respect for my corporate status or me He only understands your voice. I swear, the moment you left, he looked at me like I was just the guy who pays for his high-quality meat imports, not his trainer."

"Because he knows his Mumma is the real boss of the Rathore mansion!" she cheered proudly, blowing a dramatic kiss toward the camera. "You two are literally carbon copies—emotionless, heartless, and completely stubborn to the world—but both of you melt the second I am in the room."

"I don't mind melting for you, Janna," I whispered, my voice dropping its playful edge, my ocean-blue eyes darkening as I stared intensely at her through the screen. "But as for Oscar... the next time he rejects my presence, I'm cutting down his custom-imported Canada treats. Let's see how much loyalty he has for his Mumma on an empty stomach."

"Rudra, don't you dare starve my baby!" she gasped, playfully pointing a finger at me, her pink bow-detailed nail catching the light. "Or else I am extending my stay at the Sharma house by another week!"

"Don't even joke about that," I growled softly, my possessive streak flaring instantly. "Four more days, Ishi. Not a single second more."

She shifted the phone against pillows and lay down on her side, pulling blanket up to her chin. Across the screen, I mirrored her movement instantly frame settling sideways onto our lonely king-sized bed. I propped my head up with one large hand, eyes locking onto her with an intensity that made the distance between her parents house and our mansion completely vanish.

"It feels like old times, Ru," she whispered softly, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips as the familiar clinking of her red bridal *chooda* echoed through the quiet room.

"Like what, Janna?" I rumbled, deep, gravelly baritone sending a shiver straight down her spine even through the speaker.

"Like back when I was twenty," she murmured, her brown eyes softening as the memories flooded back. "Remember? For the first six months, we were nothing more than just friends, long before you finally confessed to me at the Gurudwara. We used to stay up late and hide under our blankets, talking just like this on the phone for hours... so my parents wouldn't find out I was talking to a boy."

A low, breathtakingly handsome chuckle rumbled deep inside my chest, the tight, brooding lines of my jaw finally softening completely. My mind instantly traveled back five years, remembering a time when my world hadn't yet been torn apart by blackmail and a three-year separation.

"I remember every single second of it, Ishi," I rumbled, my voice dropping into a raw, velvety whisper meant only for her. "I used to sit in my car outside your neighborhood just to be closer to your signal. The top tycoon of Rajasthan was losing his sleep, acting like a reckless teenager because he was so completely maddened by a 5'3" curly-haired girl."

"You were so patient back then, Patidev," she giggled breathlessly, her fingers tracing the edge of her pillow on the screen, her dark eyes sparkling with pure affection. "You never rushed me. You just listened to me ramble about my makeup clients and modeling gigs until the sun came up."

"I wasn't patient, Janna," I corrected her softly, my gaze darkening with an unyielding, possessive warmth as I stared at her flushing brown skin. "I was just completely desperate to keep you on the line. I knew even then that the moment I let you go, my world would go back to being dark and emotionless. You changed everything for me. You made a man who didn't believe in God believe in love."

Ishita’s breath hitched over the speaker, her gaze dropping to the spot over my heart where my tattoo permanently etched her name—*ISHITA* and *Janna*—right over my heartbeat.

"Five years of pure love, a painful separation, and we're still right here, aren't we?" she whispered, her voice thick with beautiful emotion. "Still hiding under the covers, talking until midnight."

"Except this time, there's a legal marriage certificate, a royal crown, and a red *chooda* on your wrists that says you belong entirely to me, my Queen." I let out a deep, lingering breath, my thumb once again brushing the glass of the screen where her lips were. "Four more days, Ishi. Sleep well, my life. I'll be counting every single heartbeat until I can finally hold you for real."

The next morning, the silence of the Delhi penthouse was broken not by her voice, but by a series of high-definition video files flooding my phone. The caption read: *“Sharma House Holi Madness! Vlog Day 1 🎨🔥.”*

I sat back in my leather chair at the Eternity office, completely ignoring the stack of corporate legal documents waiting for my signature, and tapped play with a rare, genuine smile tugging at my lips.

The screen immediately shook with chaotic energy. The very first frame was my gorgeous wife, her long curly hair tied up in a messy, loose bun, a streak of pink organic gulal already smeared across her nose.

*"Good morning, Patidev!"* Ishita’s sweet, energetic voice chimed through the speaker. *"So, Holi preparations have officially started! Maa and Riva Bhabhi are trying to make gujiyas and special sweets, but as you can see, the real management team is currently in charge."*

She flipped the camera, and I let out a low, breathless laugh that would have shocked my board of directors.

There she was, my beautiful, mischievous Queen, sitting flat on the kitchen floor alongside our nephew, Purav. He was just a tiny, chubby one-and-a-half-year-old bundle of absolute trouble. And right now, the two of them were systematically destroying the entire kitchen's hard work.

*"Say hi to fufa ji , Purav baby!"* Ishita cooed, her red bridal *chooda* jingling wildly as she held up his small, flour-covered hand toward the camera.

Purav just let out a squeal of pure joy, clapped his sticky hands together, and sent a massive cloud of dry flour flying directly into Riva Bhabhi’s freshly prepared batch of sweet dough.

*"Ishita! Purav! Get out of the kitchen right now!"* my brother-in-law Ravi’s voice yelled jokingly from the background, though he was clearly trying not to laugh. *"You two have literally done zero work and managed to destroy three kilograms of premium flour in ten minutes!"*

*"We are helping, Bhai!"* Ishita shot back, filming herself as she dramatically gasped, her brown eyes wide with mock offense. She turned the camera back to her face, leaning in close. *"See, Ru? They don't appreciate our creative kitchen art. So, Purav and I are going to move our operations to the living room decorations now!"*

The vlog cut to a second clip.

This time, the living room was a warzone of colorful paper streamers, flowers, and metallic balloons. Mummy and papa were trying to hang up a beautiful 'Happy Holi' banner, but my 5'3" wife had other plans. She had placed Purav on her hips, running around the room while he happily pulled down the freshly hung marigold garlands from the back of the sofa, scattering petals everywhere like a little floral tornado.

*"Look at them, Rudra,"* mummy's voice came through, fond but thoroughly exhausted as she pointed a rolling pin at the duo. *"Your wife is twenty-five, but when she is with this baby, she turns into a five-year-old herself! They are destroying everything we set up!"*

*"We are just spreading the festive joy, Mummy!"* Ishita laughed, her nose wrinkling in that cute way that made my chest ache with possessive longing. She ended the video by blowing a sweet, lingering kiss right into the camera. *"Miss us, Ru! We'll send you Vlog Part 2 after we finish ruining the balcony decorations!"*

I stared at the black screen for a long moment after the video ended, the warmth of her vibrant energy still humming in my chest.

I picked up my phone and quickly typed out a reply, my fingers flying across the screen:

> **To Janna:**

> *I see my wife and my nephew are running a highly successful demolition business in Delhi. Tell Ravi I will personally reimburse him for the ruined flour. But as for you, my beautiful troublemaker... the count is down to three days.

Enjoy your freedom, because the second I arrive, you are answering to your husband for all this sweet, chaotic torture.*

The highly anticipated morning of Holi finally arrived. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my light pink kurta, which featured intricate colorful embroidery along the neckline, cuffs, and hemline. Sliding my dark sunglasses into place, I felt a rare, genuine wave of excitement. The agonizing wait was finally over. Today, I was going to see my Queen.

"Rudra," Siya Maa called out as I grabbed my car keys from the dresser. "Since you are heading to the there house, make sure to buy some fresh sweets and gifts on the way. Don't go empty-handed on a first festive day."

"Ji, Maa," I replied, heading downstairs with a purposeful stride. My only goal was to get through the Delhi traffic and pull Ishita into my arms.

But the moment I reached the bottom of the grand staircase, my steps ground to a sudden halt.

Standing directly in front of the exit, completely blocking my path, were Jay and Ahana. Both of them had their hands folded, wearing identical, comically exaggerated pleading expressions.

"What is this?" I rumbled, my deep, gravelly baritone dripping with immediate suspicion.

"Bhai... our dearest, most handsome, most generous elder brother," Jay began with supreme dramatic flair, blinking his eyes rapidly. "Please, take us with you!"

"Yes, Bhai! Please, please, please take us to Bhabhi's house!" Ahana chimed in, clasping her hands tightly. "We promise we will be on our absolute best behavior!"

I slowly lowered my sunglasses to the bridge of my nose, my ocean-blue eyes scanning the space behind them. Sure enough, Vardaan and Reet were standing right there, trying and failing to look innocent. Reet was biting her lip to hide her grin, while Vardaan gave me a sheepish shrug.

And then my eyes drifted further down the line.

Akshat was standing there, looking completely defeated, as if he had been dragged into this scheme against his will. Little Krish was holding onto one of his hands, jumping up and down, while Dhristi held his other arm securely, preventing any chance of his escape. Both Dhristi and Krish were beaming at me with wide, hopeful smiles.

They had formed a literal human blockade. Every single one of them was dressed in festive whites, silently screaming: *Take us too, please!*

"Let me get this straight," I said, crossing my arms over my chest, my frame casting a shadow over the group. "I am going to my in-laws' house to celebrate Holi with my wife. Why are all of you standing in a queue like you're waiting to board a tourist bus?"

"Because it *is* a tourist bus, Bhai! A love bus!" Jay grinned, stepping closer and wiggling his eyebrows. "You can't expect to have all the fun, delicious gujiyas, and Bhabhi's attention all to yourself. We want to celebrate with our Bhabhi too!"

"Akshat," I muttered, looking directly at my co-CEO. "Are you seriously part of this?"

"Bhai , look at my left hand and look at my right hand," Akshat sighed, raising his arms slightly to show Dhristi and Krish still clamping down on him like human handcuffs. "I had no choice. My son threatened to throw a tantrum, and my wife backed him up. I am a hostage here. Just let us in the car."

"Bade papa , please!" Krish cooed, letting go of Akshat for a split second to run over and tug at my pink kurta. "I want to play Holi with ishu Mumma-bhabhi! Please take us!"

Seeing the little kid's pleading face, my stern expression cracked. I looked at the sea of eager, smiling faces of my family.

"Fine," I rumbled, letting out a low, defeated sigh, though a faint smirk played on my lips. "But we are making a stop on the way. Maa wants sweets. If any of you make a mess in the SUV before we even reach the Sharma house, I am dropping you off on the Delhi highway. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Captain!" Jay cheered, immediately high-fiving Ahana as the entire sibling clan erupted into victorious laughter, rushing out the door toward the driveway.

We finally piled into the massive family SUV. Akshat, letting out a heavy sigh of resignation, took the driver's seat, while I slid into the front passenger seat next to my brother and co-CEO. In the back rows, the rest of the clan settled in, and the doors had barely clicked shut before absolute, noisy chaos erupted.

"Alright, people, focus," Jay called out from the middle row, clapping his hands like a self-appointed team captain. "Sweets. We need to make a decision before Akshat Bhai pulls up to the sweet shop. Maa's orders. I vote for premium, gold-leaf Motichoor Ladoos."

"Oh, please, Jay," Ahana scoffed, rolling her eyes. "It is Holi! You cannot go to Bhabhi's house without a massive box of classic, saffron-infused Gujiyas. It’s practically a crime."

"Why don't we get both?" Reet suggested, leaning forward from the back row next to her husband, Vardaan. "And maybe some fresh, spongy Rasgullas? They are lighter!"

"No way, too messy," Vardaan countered in his typical practical lawyer voice. "We'll end up with sugar syrup all over our clothes before the colors even touch us."

"I want chocolate peda!" little Krish chimed in, bouncing on Dhristi's lap as she laughed and tried to keep him still.

The debate raged on, with voices overlapping, hands gesturing wildly, and Jay dramatically defending the honor of Ladoos. Beside me, Akshat kept his eyes on the Delhi traffic, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel with an amused but thoroughly exhausted expression. My temple throbbed slightly under my sunglasses. I loved my siblings, but their volume levels when gathered in a confined space were loud enough to challenge a stadium crowd.

"Enough," I rumbled.

My deep, gravelly baritone wasn't loud, but it carried the immediate, commanding authority of a King. The entire SUV fell into an instant, dead silence. Jay froze mid-sentence, his mouth still half-open.

I didn't turn around to look at them. I kept my gaze fixed on the road ahead, though a soft, genuine warmth completely melted the coldness in my ocean-blue eyes.

"We are buying Kaju Katli," I announced, my voice dropping into a firm, undeniable tone.

Jay blinked, leaning forward between our seats. "Kaju Katli? For Holi, Bhai? Isn't that a bit... standard? What about the festive specials?"

I adjusted my sunglasses, a faint, proud smirk gracing my lips as the image of my beautiful, curly-haired wife flashed in my mind.

"We are getting Kaju Katli," I repeated softly, the possessive warmth in my chest expanding with every word. "Because my Janna loves them. And whatever she loves is what is going into that house."

The silence in the car lasted for exactly two seconds before the back rows erupted.

"Oh, God," Jay groaned, leaning back into his seat with a dramatic hand over his forehead. "My eyes! My ears! The ruthless, cold-hearted Prince has been completely replaced by a lovesick puppy!"

"Aww, Bhai!" Ahana cooed, clapping her hands in absolute delight. "That is actually so sweet. Bhabhi really has you wrapped around her little finger!"

Reet and Dhristi shared a knowing, fond smile from the back, while Akshat let out a quiet chuckle next to me, shaking his head. "Well, there you have it, team. The President has spoken. Kaju Katli it is."