The room was filled with quiet tension.

Rudraksh had pulled Ruhanika closer, his hand resting firmly at her waist. The distance between them had almost disappeared, their breaths uneven, hearts racing after everything that had happened that night.

Ruhanika’s fingers were still clutching the front of his shirtless chest when—

Knock. Knock.

Both of them froze.

The sound felt louder than it actually was.

Rudraksh’s eyes closed for a second, frustration flashing across his face.

Another knock.

“Bhai?” a voice came from outside.

Ruhanika’s eyes widened.

“Shivansh!” she whispered in panic.

Without wasting another second, she quickly stepped away from Rudraksh and rushed toward the bathroom, gathering the edge of her saree as she disappeared inside.

The door shut softly.

Rudraksh exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

He grabbed his shirt from the chair, quickly slipping it on and buttoning it halfway, still clearly irritated at the interruption.

The knocking came again.

“Bhai, open the door.”

Rudraksh walked to the door, his expression now calm but his eyes still sharp with annoyance.

He pulled the door open.

Standing there with a suspicious grin was Shivansh.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, raising one eyebrow.

“Took you long enough,” Shivansh said, glancing past Rudraksh into the room.

Rudraksh crossed his arms. “What do you want?”

Shivansh’s grin only widened.

“Relax, I’m not here to inspect your room.”

Rudraksh’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Shivansh.”

“Okay, okay,” he laughed softly. “I came to tell you that Dad is asking for you downstairs. Some investors stayed back.”

Rudraksh sighed under his breath.

Of course.

Business never stopped.

But Shivansh’s eyes moved toward the bathroom door for a brief second before returning to his brother.

“Also…” he added teasingly, lowering his voice. “I might have interrupted something.”

Rudraksh gave him a cold stare.

“Get to the point.”

Shivansh raised his hands in surrender, still smiling.

“Point is, Bhai… next time lock the door.”

Rudraksh shut the door in his face.

Outside, Shivansh burst into quiet laughter as he walked away down the corridor.

Inside the room, Rudraksh rubbed his temples in frustration.

A few seconds later, the bathroom door slowly opened.

Ruhanika peeked out, cheeks flushed.

“Did he go?” she asked softly.

Rudraksh looked at her and shook his head slightly, a tired smile finally breaking through his irritation.

“Yes,” he said.

“But he’s never going to let me forget this.”

Ruhanika slowly stepped out of the bathroom once she was sure Shivansh had gone.

Her cheeks were still slightly flushed, but when her eyes met Rudraksh’s, a small shy smile appeared on her face.

“Looks like business is calling Mr. Raizada again,” she said softly.

Rudraksh sighed, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. “Unfortunately.”

Ruhanika walked closer and gently straightened his collar, her fingers brushing against the fabric carefully.

“You should go,” she said. “They’re waiting.”

For a moment he didn’t move. His eyes stayed on her face, softer now than they had been all evening.

“And you?” he asked quietly.

“I’ll come too,” she replied with a small nod. “It’s your party… I should be there.”

Rudraksh studied her expression, making sure she was truly okay after everything that had happened earlier.

Seeing her calm smile, he finally nodded.

“Alright.”

He picked up his blazer and slipped it back on, instantly returning to the composed, powerful presence everyone downstairs expected.

But before moving toward the door, he stopped for a second and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Ruhanika’s face.

“Stay close to me downstairs,” he murmured.

She nodded.

Within moments, they both walked out of the room together.

The mansion downstairs was still glowing with warm lights. A few guests remained, talking over drinks while staff quietly moved around clearing tables.

As Rudraksh and Ruhanika stepped down the staircase together, a few heads turned again.

But this time—

Ruhanika didn’t lower her eyes.

She walked beside him calmly.

And Rudraksh, standing tall beside her, made it very clear without saying a word—

That she belonged exactly where she was.

______________________________________________________________

The mansion had finally gone quiet.

Most of the guests had left, and the staff downstairs were finishing the last of the cleaning. The bright party lights were dim now, leaving the Raizada house calm after the long evening.

Rudraksh pushed open the bedroom door and walked in, loosening his tie.

Behind him, Ruhanika followed, carefully closing the door.

For a second both of them just looked at each other.

Then Ruhanika folded her arms and tilted her head.

“Mr. Raizada,” she said in a teasing tone.

Rudraksh glanced at her while removing his watch. “Hmm?”

“You ignored me the whole party.”

He paused.

“Oh really?” he said casually. “I remember someone making half the businessmen forget their drinks.”

Ruhanika’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

He stepped closer, a faint smirk appearing.

“Yes. Everyone kept staring.”

“That’s not my fault,” she muttered, looking away.

Rudraksh chuckled softly.

“No. It’s mine.”

She frowned slightly. “How is it your fault?”

“Because,” he said, leaning closer, “I allowed my wife to walk downstairs looking like that.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly.

“I was nervous the whole time,” she protested. “And you were busy being the great Mr. Raizada.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? And who was the one confidently walking beside me?”

“That was fake confidence,” she admitted quietly.

Rudraksh laughed under his breath.

He moved even closer until there was barely any space between them.

“Well,” he said, lowering his voice, “you fooled everyone.”

Ruhanika tried to stay serious but a smile escaped her.

Then she poked his arm lightly.

“And what about you? Getting jealous over one compliment.”

Rudraksh looked offended for a second.

“I wasn’t jealous.”

She raised both eyebrows.

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

She crossed her arms again, clearly unconvinced.

Rudraksh sighed dramatically.

“Fine,” he admitted. “Maybe a little.”

“A little?” she laughed.

He leaned down slightly, his expression playful now.

“Alright… more than a little.”

Ruhanika shook her head, still smiling.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet you married me.”

Before she could reply, Rudraksh gently caught her wrist and pulled her closer.

Her balance shifted and she ended up right in front of him again.

“Besides,” he added softly, “if anyone is allowed to admire you…”

He tapped his chest lightly.

“…it’s me.”

Ruhanika looked up at him, trying not to smile too much.

“Possessive,” she whispered.

“Very,” he replied without hesitation.

For a moment the teasing stopped.

Then suddenly Ruhanika stepped back and pointed toward the bed.

“Go change first. You still look like you’re about to attend another meeting.”

Rudraksh looked down at his half-buttoned shirt and sighed.

“Bossy.”

She grinned.

“Only with you.”

He shook his head,

but there was clear amusement in his eyes as he walked toward the wardrobe.

Behind him, Ruhanika sat on the edge of the bed, still smiling to herself.

Because after all the drama of the evening—

This quiet teasing moment felt like the best part of the night.