After the Mandal’s disastrous night on the sofas, Rudraksh walked into his room holding his neck dramatically.

“Ahhh… this stupid sofa has killed me,” he groaned, tilting his head to one side.

Ruhanika, who was brushing her hair by the mirror, turned with a small smile. “Serves you right. Who told you to gossip about us at midnight, hmm?”

He pouted. “Arrey jaan, it wasn’t gossip, it was… brotherhood.”

She crossed her arms. “Brotherhood or foolishness, now suffer quietly.”

But the moment she saw him struggling to move his neck, her anger melted. With a sigh, she walked over and sat beside him on the bed. “Idiot…” she muttered softly, “you’ll never learn.”

Gently, she placed her fingers on his neck and began massaging. Rudraksh closed his eyes immediately, exhaling in relief. “Ohhh… yesss, that’s it. Only you have this magic touch.”

Ruhanika blushed faintly but continued, her fingertips pressing softly at his stiff muscles. Her hair brushed against his shoulder, and Rudraksh opened one eye to watch her—her face so close, her lips parted in concentration.

He smirked. “You know, if you keep touching me like this, my pain will disappear… but a new kind of fire will start.”

She froze, glaring at him, cheeks turning red. “Shut up, Rudra, or I’ll stop.”

“Nooo…” he caught her hand suddenly, pulling her closer. “Don’t stop. You’re my medicine.”

Their eyes locked, heat sparking in the silence of the room. Ruhanika tried to pull her hand back, but he tightened his hold, whispering near her ear, “Say the truth… you care for me more than you admit.”

Her heartbeat raced. “I… I just don’t want you to cry like a baby,” she muttered, looking away.

Rudraksh tilted her chin back gently, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Then don’t just care for my pain… care for my heart too. Because it only beats for you.”

Before she could answer, he leaned closer, his lips brushing the corner of her cheek. Ruhanika gasped softly, caught between pushing him away and melting into his arms.

He whispered with a mischievous smile, “Neck pain cured. Now, should we test if kisses can cure the heart too?”

Ruhanika’s eyes widened. “Rudraaa…” she warned, but her voice betrayed a hint of a smile.

And in that charged silence, their playful fight turned into a moment of undeniable closeness—intense, teasing, and deeply romantic.

Ruhanika’s breath caught as Rudraksh’s lips lingered dangerously close to her cheek. She placed a hand on his chest, trying to push him back, but his heart was thundering beneath her palm—and that rhythm shook her more than his closeness.

“Rudra… stop this nonsense,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

He smiled faintly, cupping her face with both hands, his thumb brushing away a loose strand of hair. “Nonsense? Baby, when it comes to you, nothing I feel is nonsense.”

Her eyes softened, but she tried to hide it with a glare. “You… you always turn everything into drama.”

He leaned closer, his forehead touching hers, his voice dropping low and serious. “Not drama, Ruhanika. Truth.”

The sudden intensity in his tone made her freeze. His eyes weren’t playful now—they were burning with raw honesty.

“For days, I’ve tried to cover it with jokes. For weeks, I’ve distracted myself with arguments. But I can’t anymore,” Rudraksh confessed, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re not just my wife in name… you’ve become my everything. My pain, my medicine… my reason.”

Ruhanika blinked, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. “Rudra…” she whispered, her defenses crumbling.

He brushed his nose gently against hers, his breath fanning across her lips. “Say it once. Just once, Ruhanika… that you feel the same. Because if you don’t, I don’t know how long I can keep this inside me.”

Her trembling hand slowly rose, resting against his cheek. Her eyes glistened as she whispered back, almost inaudibly, “I… I do, Rudra. I was just… scared to admit it.”

A slow, relieved smile spread across his face. He pressed his forehead to hers, eyes closing. “Then no more fear, jaan. From today, you’re mine in every way.”

Before she could shy away, he kissed her softly—gentle, tender, yet filled with the passion of everything they had left unsaid. She melted into him, clutching his shirt tightly as if afraid to let go.

When they finally pulled back, both were breathless. Rudraksh whispered against her lips, teasing again, “See? Told you… kisses cure everything.”

Ruhanika hit his chest lightly, cheeks burning. “Shut up, Rudra…”

But her smile betrayed her, and in his arms, she finally felt like home.

After their confession, Rudraksh lay back on the bed with Ruhanika still in his arms, both lost in the comfort of each other’s silence. The storm of the night had finally settled.

Suddenly, Ruhanika lifted her head from his chest, her eyes shimmering with something unspoken.

“Rudra…” she whispered softly.

“Hm?” he looked down at her, brushing his fingers through her hair.

She hesitated, then bit her lip. “You know… you weren’t the only one tortured last night.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

Her cheeks turned pink as she admitted, “I didn’t even sleep on the bed either. I… I also lay on the floor. Right beside my bed.”

Rudraksh’s eyes widened in shock. He sat up immediately, holding her shoulders. “WHAT?! You slept on the floor?! Baby, are you crazy?”

She avoided his gaze, mumbling, “I just… didn’t want you to think only you were suffering. If my husband is punished, I should also…”

Before she could finish, Rudraksh cupped her face, eyes filled with a mix of anger, love, and awe. “Pagal ho tum… absolute pagal. Do you even realize how much that breaks me? My queen is sleeping on the floor… no, never again.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she whispered, “I couldn’t sleep in comfort while you were hurting. My heart doesn’t allow it, Rudra.”

His chest tightened with overwhelming love. Without another word, he pulled her into a fierce hug, burying his face in her neck. “Ruhanika, I swear on you… I’ll never let you sleep away from me again. From now on, whether it’s a bed, a sofa, or even the floor—we’ll face it together. But you’ll never suffer alone.”

She clung to him tightly, whispering back, “Same, Rudra. I’ll always be by your side… in every happiness and every pain.”

Pulling back slightly, he kissed her forehead with deep tenderness. Then, with a teasing smirk breaking the intensity, he added, “But from today, you’re banned from the floor. You belong only on this bed—beside me.”

Ruhanika rolled her teary eyes and hit his chest lightly. “Drama king.”

He laughed, pulling her back into his arms. “Drama king maybe, but your drama king.”

And as they lay down together properly this time, Rudraksh held her even closer, making a silent promise to never let her go again.

—----------------------------------------------------

Shivansh dragged himself into his room, his hand pressed dramatically against his lower back. “Ufff… these couches are not made for humans. My back feels like it’s eighty years old,” he muttered, collapsing on the bed with a groan.

Just then, the bathroom door creaked open.

Avnika stepped out, wrapped in a soft pink saree, her wet hair dripping gently over her shoulders. Water beads sparkled on her skin like tiny pearls. She was towel-drying her hair when her eyes fell on Shivansh lying sprawled on the bed.

For a moment, they just stared at each other—the silence of the room charged with something unspoken.

Shivansh blinked, trying to sit up, forgetting his pain. “You look…” His words stuck in his throat as his gaze swept over her.

Avnika raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. “What? Say it.”

But before he could, he tried to get up to head toward the washroom—

“Ahhh!” he hissed, his body jerking in pain as his back protested.

Avnika’s expression instantly changed from teasing to concern. She rushed to him. “Shiv! Are you okay?”

He clutched his back dramatically. “No… I think this is the end. Your husband is officially broken.”

She knelt beside him on the bed, holding his shoulder. “Stop exaggerating. Show me where it hurts.”

Shivansh looked at her, smirking through his pain. “Here…” he pointed to his back. Then, with a mischievous glint, added, “But maybe my heart hurts more. Seeing you in this pink saree—it’s too much.”

Avnika’s cheeks flushed pinker than her saree. “Shut up, Shivansh!” she scolded, lightly pressing his back with her hand to check.

He groaned, half in pain, half in pleasure. “Ohhh… yes, right there. Baby doll, you’re better than any doctor.”

She gave him a death glare. “I’m not your masseuse.”

He winked, catching her wrist. “No… you’re my wife. And right now, my savior. Don’t leave me or I might just die.”

Rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile, Avnika helped him sit properly, her wet hair brushing against his cheek as she leaned close. Shivansh inhaled deeply, whispering, “You smell better than medicine too.”

Avnika shook her head, but her heart betrayed her with a smile. “You’re impossible, Shiv.”

Shivansh leaned back carefully, still holding her hand. “And you’re mine, baby doll. Now, are you going to take care of your poor husband, or should I say nursing tips?”

Her glare returned instantly. “Don’t you dare.”

Shivansh chuckled, satisfied. Pain or no pain—he had won the game.

Avnika sighed, clearly annoyed but more worried than she wanted to admit.

“Fine. Turn around. I’ll massage your back,” she said sternly.

Shivansh’s lips curved into a sly grin. “Oho… baby doll volunteering for husband service?”

“Shut up and turn,” she snapped.

He obeyed, lying flat on his stomach, still smirking. She hesitated for a moment, then muttered under her breath, “This man will drive me insane.”

Her fingers touched his shirt-covered back gently, pressing lightly. Shivansh winced, then relaxed. “Mmm… feels good. But… maybe without the shirt it’ll be better?” he teased.

Avnika rolled her eyes. “Uff, such drama! Wait.”

Before he could even blink, she tugged at his shirt and pulled it off in one swift motion.

Shivansh froze. Avnika froze.

The silence in the room thickened instantly. Shivansh, now bare-backed, glanced over his shoulder with raised eyebrows and a teasing smile. “Wow… didn’t know my baby doll was in such a hurry to undress me.”

Her cheeks turned crimson. “I… I did it only because of your pain! Don’t overthink!” she stammered.

He chuckled, turning his face back. “Overthinking? I’m just appreciating my bold wife. Continue, doctor.”

Avnika bit her lip, embarrassed, but started massaging his shoulders and back gently. Her touch was soft, her wet hair occasionally brushing his skin, making him shiver.

Shivansh groaned dramatically, “Ahh… baby doll, you’ll kill me. This is heaven.”

“Stop your nonsense,” she muttered, though her own heart was racing wildly.

After a few minutes, Shivansh suddenly rolled over onto his back, grabbing her wrist. She gasped, landing half on top of him.

Both froze again—their faces just inches apart. Her hair fell over him like a curtain, water droplets trailing onto his bare chest.

Shivansh whispered with a smirk, “Now tell me honestly… Was this massage for my back or for your heart?”

Avnika’s breath hitched. “Shiv…” she whispered, not finding any excuse.

Shivansh slid his hand slowly to her cheek. “Embarrassed?”

She nodded faintly, blushing hard.

He smiled softly this time, not teasing. “Don’t be. I like this side of you. The one who cares… and the one who can’t hide how much she loves me.”

Avnika blinked at him, her heart thundering in her chest.

Avnika was still caught between wanting to escape and wanting to stay right there in his arms. Her blush deepened as Shivansh’s fingers gently caressed her cheek, his eyes softer than she’d ever seen.

“Shiv…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Shhh,” he hushed her, his thumb brushing her lips. “No excuses, no fights… just us.”

For a heartbeat, silence filled the room—only their breaths mingling. Then, slowly, Shivansh tilted his head closer.

Avnika’s eyes fluttered shut, her heart racing uncontrollably. And when his lips finally touched her cheeks, it was soft… hesitant at first, almost like a question.

She answered without words, leaning in, her hand clutching his bare shoulder as if anchoring herself. The kiss deepened just slightly—gentle, warm, and filled with all the unsaid love between them.

When they finally pulled back, Shivansh rested his forehead against hers, smiling. “See? Best medicine ever. My pain is gone.”

Avnika rolled her eyes, trying to hide her blush. “You’re impossible.”

He smirked, tightening his arm around her. “And you’re mine, baby doll. Now stop pretending you don’t like it.”

This time, she didn’t argue—she just hid her face against his chest, smiling secretly, while Shivansh closed his eyes in contentment.

Avnika was still half on top of him, her wet hair tickling his bare chest, her cheeks burning crimson. Shivansh held her wrist gently, his eyes locked onto hers, a teasing smile curving his lips.

“Baby doll…” he whispered huskily.

“Hm?” she managed, her heart thundering in her chest.

His smirk softened into something deeper, his thumb brushing against her jawline. “Can I ask you something?”

She blinked nervously. “W-what?”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against her lips. “A kiss… give me a kiss, Avnika?” he murmured, his voice low, almost pleading.

Her eyes widened, and for a second, she froze. His gaze was so intense, so vulnerable beneath the playful tone—it made her heart melt.

Avnika swallowed hard, her face turning redder, and then—hesitantly, shyly—she nodded.

Shivansh’s grin faded into a look of awe, as if he couldn’t believe she’d said yes. “Really?” he asked softly, like a boy afraid it was a dream.

She gave the tiniest smile, whispering, “Really.”

And then he closed the little distance between them.

The kiss was slow, deliberate, filled with every bit of unsaid love. Shivansh cupped her face tenderly, savoring the moment, while Avnika let her hands slip around his neck, pulling him closer.

When they finally broke apart, Shivansh rested his forehead against hers, his breathing uneven but his smile brighte

r than ever.

“Best moment of my life,” he whispered.

Avnika blushed furiously, burying her face in his shoulder. “Drama king.”

He chuckled, holding her tighter. “Maybe. But now I’ve got my queen’s kiss… and that makes me unbeatable.”