26 | Need a better view, Sweetheart?

"She has a fracture."

The room fell silent.

"WHAT?!" Rutuja nearly yelled.

"A fracture?! Are you serious?" Arohi's eyes widened in horror.

"Will she need surgery?" Satish's voice was calm, but his grip on the chair tightened.

"No," the doctor reassured. "Luckily, it's a minor fracture. But she will need to wear a plaster for a few weeks and avoid putting weight on her leg."

Sharayu groaned. "Weeks?!"

"You're lucky it wasn't worse," the doctor scolded. "You should be more careful."

Satish stayed quiet.

Once they were alone in her hospital room, Satish stood with his arms crossed, glaring at her.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

Sharayu looked at him, confused. "I-"

"Running down the stairs like that? Do you even think before doing things?!"

His tone was sharper than a knife.

"Satish, I didn't-"

"You could have been hurt worse, Sharayu! Do you have any idea what could have happened?!"

Her eyes widened at his intensity.

"I didn't do it on purpose!" she defended.

"That's not the point!" he snapped. "You need to be more responsible! What if-"

Before he could finish, Sharayu leaned forward, heart thudding, and quickly leaned up to press her lips to his.

It was barely a second-soft, quick, like a pause button.

He froze. Completely.

His eyes widened, his breath caught halfway through his sentence, and a deep flush crept up his neck almost instantly. "I-I... what were you..." he stammered, his earlier anger dissolving into stunned silence.

Sharayu looked up at him, her eyes glinting with mischief and affection. "I'm already hurt," she said softly, pointing to the little bandage on her ankle. "Now don't scold me, na?"

Satish just stood there, utterly disarmed, his face turning a deeper shade of red. He tried to regain his composure but failed miserably-his lips parted, ready to continue his lecture, only for his mind to go blank.

She giggled at his lost expression.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, stepping closer.

He sighed, and before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her.

A tight, warm, comforting hug.

"I'm sorry, okay?" His voice was gentle now. "I just... I got scared."

Sharayu froze for a moment.

Then slowly, she relaxed in his arms.

"I hate seeing you in pain," he admitted, his chin resting on top of her head.

Sharayu sighed against his chest.

"I'm sorry too," she whispered. "I'll be more careful."

Satish closed his eyes, exhaling. "Good."

He pulled back slightly, cupping her cheek.

"No more scaring me like that, okay?"

She nodded.

He smirked. "Besides, if you ever fall again-just make sure it's into my arms."

Sharayu rolled her eyes, laughing through her tears. "Shut up, Satish."

The doctor instructed the nurse to bring the plaster kit, while Sharayu lay on the examination table, her face scrunched in pain. The moment the nurse entered with a tray of bandages, rolls of plaster, and other medical instruments, Sharayu gulped.

"This is going to be a little uncomfortable," the doctor said, adjusting his gloves.

Satish stood beside her, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He wasn't angry anymore-no. He was something worse. Helpless.

"Do we really have to do this now?" she asked weakly.

"Yes," the doctor said with a small chuckle. "Unless you want to limp around in pain for the next few months?"

Sharayu sighed.

Satish took a deep breath, watching closely.

The doctor started by carefully lifting her injured leg. Even that tiny movement made her let out a sharp hiss.

Satish's fingers twitched.

"Easy, doctor," he said, his voice lower than usual.

"I am being easy, Sir," the doctor said casually. "But fractures aren't exactly gentle things."

Sharayu gritted her teeth as the doctor slowly adjusted her leg into the right position.

"Oh my God-ow, ow, OW!" she whined, gripping the edges of the table.

Satish hated this.

Absolutely hated seeing her in pain.

"Sharayu, just breathe," he said, his voice softer.

"I AM BREATHING, BUT IT STILL HURTS!" she snapped at him.

Rutuja and Arohi, who were standing nearby, bit back their laughter.

"She's definitely fine if she's yelling at him," Kunal muttered.

The doctor ignored her dramatics and started applying a soft cotton padding around her leg first, securing it properly.

"This is just the padding," he explained. "The actual plaster will go over this."

"God, just end my misery," Sharayu groaned.

Satish let out a breath, kneeling beside her. "You're handling this well, sweetheart."

She glared at him. "Satish, I swear, if you call me sweetheart right now, I will take this cast and beat you with it."

The doctor snorted. "She's got spirit."

Satish smirked. "Oh, doctor, you have no idea."

As the doctor dipped the plaster rolls in water, getting them ready, Sharayu winced in anticipation.

"This is going to feel a little warm when I apply it, okay?"

She nodded hesitantly.

The doctor slowly started wrapping her leg with the wet plaster bandages, molding them into shape.

The warmth was unexpected, making her flinch. "Ahh! It's hot!"

"Just for a few seconds," the doctor reassured.

Satish watched as she bit her lip, trying to stay still.

She looked so small. So fragile.

"Almost done," the doctor said.

But before he could finish, the nurse entered with a syringe.

"Doctor, the painkiller injection you prescribed."

The moment Sharayu saw it, her eyes widened in horror.

"Wait, wait, wait! Injection? No, no, NO. I don't need it!"

Satish sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Sharayu, just take it."

"NO!" she crossed her arms stubbornly. "I hate injections."

"Well, I hate seeing you in pain, so we're doing this," Satish shot back.

The doctor simply cleaned a small patch on her arm with an alcohol swab, preparing the injection.

"This will help with the pain," he said kindly.

"No. I'm fine," she insisted.

Satish rolled his eyes. "You're literally crying in pain, and you're saying you're fine?"

"Shut up, Satish!" she hissed.

Rutuja covered her mouth, laughing.

But then-the moment the needle touched her skin-

Sharayu let out a tiny squeak and instinctively grabbed Satish's hand.

Tightly.

So tightly that he actually winced.

"Okay-OW," Satish muttered under his breath.

She squeezed harder.

"Damn, woman, I need this hand to write!"

"Then shut up and let me squeeze!" she growled.

The doctor carefully injected the medicine, and Satish swore he had never seen her look so betrayed in her life.

"You all ganged up on me," she muttered, pouting.

"For your own good," Satish smirked, massaging his now-bruised hand.

The doctor pulled the needle out, pressing a cotton ball against her arm.

"Done," he said. "See? That wasn't so bad."

"I'm reporting you for emotional damage," Sharayu deadpanned.

The entire room burst into laughter.

Satish just shook his head, fondly watching his girl.

Even injured and drugged up-she was a menace.

Sharayu was grumpy.

Not just because she was in pain.

Not just because she now had a huge, bulky cast on her leg.

Not even because Satish had forced her to take the damn injection.

No.

She was grumpy because she was stuck in the hospital bed, unable to move properly, while her friends were having a gala time laughing at her expense.

She let out an annoyed sigh, crossing her arms. "I hate everyone in this room."

Rutuja smirked. "We love you too, drama queen."

Satish, who had been quiet for a while, just sighed deeply before sitting on the bed beside her. Without saying a word, he just gently pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her.

The whole room went silent.

Vrushal's eyes widened. Hriday nearly choked on air.

Rutuja and Arohi? Speechless.

"Um..." Gayatri whispered, leaning towards Rutuja. "Did... did our professor just pull Sharayu into a hug? In front of us?"

"Yes," Rutuja said slowly, staring at the scene. "Yes, he did."

Hriday blinked rapidly. "So... should we leave?"

"Nope," Vrushal said immediately, crossing his legs like he was watching a movie. "This is getting interesting."

Satish, however, ignored all of them.

Instead, he gently ran his hand over Sharayu's hair, pulling her closer.

"You okay?" he murmured, his voice soft.

Sharayu let out a dramatic sigh. "No. I have a broken leg, my friends are mean, and my boyfriend is an evil, evil man."

Satish chuckled. "Evil?"

"Yes. You let the doctor stab me with a needle."

"To help you, sweetheart."

"Don't 'sweetheart' me, Mr. Rajvanshi."

Satish smirked, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And you love me anyway," she muttered into his chest.

"Unfortunately," he teased.

The entire gang was still watching in utter shock.

Hriday nudged Arohi. "Are we seriously going to ignore the fact that our professor is cuddling Sharayu in broad daylight?"

Arohi shook her head. "Nope. But we're not interrupting either. I like living."

Vrushal whispered dramatically, "I never thought I'd live to see the day where Satish Singh Rajvanshi publicly displays affection."

Satish, who had clearly heard them, gave them a deadly glare. "If you all don't shut up, I will personally fail each one of you in the next assignment."

Instant silence.

Sharayu snickered.

"Abusing your power, professor?" she teased.

"Desperate times, sweetheart," he whispered, squeezing her gently.

"Awww, look at him, being all soft," Rutuja teased.

"Say one more word, and I'll make sure your next project is double the work," Satish shot back.

Rutuja immediately zipped her mouth.

Sharayu giggled. "Scaring my friends, are we?"

"Anything to make sure I get five minutes of peace with my girlfriend," Satish muttered.

Her heart fluttered.

The hospital room was quiet now. Their friends had reluctantly left after Satish's death glare, muttering something about giving them privacy.

And now, it was just him and her.

Sharayu let out a deep sigh, shifting slightly in his arms, her fingers clutching onto his shirt. "I hate this," she whispered.

Satish tilted his head, looking down at her. "Hate what, sweetheart?"

"Being like this. Weak. Helpless. In pain." Her voice was barely above a murmur.

Satish's jaw tightened. He pulled her a little closer, his hand caressing her back gently. "You're not weak, Sharayu. And you're definitely not helpless."

"Oh yeah?" She looked up at him, her eyes glimmering with frustration. "Then why does it feel like I can't do anything right? First, I mess up my assignment, and you scold me. Now, I fracture my leg, and you scold me again. Feels like all I ever do is make mistakes."

Satish's eyes softened.

"That's not true." His fingers gently cupped her cheek, tilting her face up towards him. "I scold you because I care. Because I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt. Because seeing you in pain drives me crazy, Sharayu."

She swallowed hard, her breath hitching.

"But-"

"No buts," he interrupted, his thumb tracing slow circles on her cheek. "I can live with a hundred arguments between us. I can live with you being stubborn. But I can't live with seeing you like this, in pain. I can't, sweetheart."

Sharayu blinked back tears.

"You're such a fool, Satish," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Why do you even love me so much?"

Satish let out a low chuckle. "That, my love, is a question I've been asking myself since the day I met you."

Her lips parted slightly.

There was something intense in his gaze, something raw, something so utterly consuming that it made her heart pound.

"I hate seeing you in pain," he continued, his voice low and deep, his fingers brushing over her lips lightly. "So from now on, you're not allowed to do anything reckless. Do you understand?"

Sharayu shivered.

Not from the cold. Not from the pain.

But from him. His touch. His words. His presence.

"You're being dramatic," she tried to joke, her voice shaky.

Satish smirked, leaning in just a little. "And you love it."

She sucked in a sharp breath.

Her fingers fisted the fabric of his shirt tightly, pulling him closer.

"I hate you," she whispered, her lips just inches from his.

Satish's eyes darkened.

"Say that again, and I'll kiss you right here, right now."

Her breath hitched.

Because he would. He absolutely would.

Her heartbeat was wild, erratic, uncontrollable.

"Satish-"

"Hmm?"

"My leg is broken," she reminded him, trying to sound stern.

"That doesn't mean you can't kiss me back," he murmured, his lips ghosting over hers.

Sharayu let out a small, shaky laugh.

"You're impossible."

"And you love me anyway," he whispered.

And before she could say anything else, before she could even think-

His lips brushed softly against hers.

Not deep. Not urgent.

Just a whisper of a touch.

A promise. A reassurance. A moment just for them.

And despite all the pain, despite the broken leg-

She kissed him back.

Sharayu could feel nothing except the warmth of Satish's lips, the way they moved against hers so gently yet so possessively. His hand cradled her cheek, his thumb stroking slow, lazy circles against her skin.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest, her breath hitching as he deepened the kiss just slightly, enough to make her head spin.

"Satish," she murmured against his lips, her fingers clutching onto his shirt, pulling him closer.

He groaned softly, his other hand wrapping around her waist, careful not to press against her injured leg.

"You have no idea," he whispered against her lips, his voice husky, almost desperate, "how hard it is to hold back when you look at me like that."

She shivered. Not from pain. Not from cold.

From him. From the way he looked at her, touched her, wanted her.

"Then don't hold back," she whispered, tilting her head, brushing her lips against his again.

His sharp inhale was the only warning she got before he captured her lips again, deeper this time, more demanding.

Sharayu's fingers threaded through his hair, tugging slightly, making him groan.

His lips moved to her jawline, trailing soft, slow kisses down to her neck.

"Satish," she gasped, her breath shattering.

"Hmm?" he hummed against her skin, his lips pressing lightly just below her ear.

"We're... we're in a hospital," she stuttered, trying to sound firm, but her voice betrayed her.

Satish chuckled, his lips grazing her ear. "I know, sweetheart."

"Then... stop," she tried, but even she wasn't convinced.

He smirked against her skin, pulling back slightly, his dark, intense gaze locking onto hers.

"Do you really want me to stop?"

She swallowed hard, her pulse racing.

She wanted to say yes. She really did.

But...

His eyes. His lips. His touch.

"I-" she started, but before she could finish, a sharp knock on the door made them jerk apart.

Sharayu squeaked, pushing him away. Satish cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly annoyed.

"Damn it," he muttered.

Sharayu bit her lip, her cheeks burning.

"Get the door," she whispered, still breathless.

Satish sighed, placing one last lingering kiss on her forehead before turning towards the door.

As he opened it, Rutuja, Arohi, and Hriday stood there with knowing smirks.

"Hope we're not interrupting anything?" Hriday drawled, raising an eyebrow.

Satish glared at him. "Perfect timing as always, Hriday."

Sharayu groaned, covering her face with her hands.

The hospital room was finally quiet. Well, as quiet as it could be after Satish had stolen a moment with Sharayu, only for her friends to ruin it. Now, she was lying back against the pillows, pretending not to be completely flustered, while Satish sat beside her, looking like he wanted to kick Hriday out of the window.

And then-

The door swung open with a loud bang.

"Bhabhi!!"

Two very loud, very energetic voices echoed through the room.

Sharayu froze.

Satish closed his eyes, sighing.

Her friends snapped their heads toward the doorway.

There stood Vanya and Daksh, grinning like they had just found gold.

Rutuja, Arohi, Hriday, Vrushal, and Gayatri all turned to look at Sharayu at once, eyes wide.

"Bhabhi??" Arohi repeated, mouth slightly open.

"Wait... what?" Hriday blinked, looking between Sharayu and Satish.

"Who the hell are they?" Rutuja demanded, pointing at Vanya and Daksh.

Vanya marched in confidently, dropping onto the edge of Sharayu's hospital bed like she belonged there. "Oh, where are our manners? Let me introduce myself. I'm Vanya -Satish Bhai's baby sister."

"And I'm Daksh ," Daksh added, grinning mischievously. "His younger brother. And this-" he gestured to Sharayu with an exaggerated flourish, "is our beloved Bhabhi."

Silence.

A long, painful silence.

Then-

"Bhabhi??" Vrushal choked.

"WHAT??" Hriday almost dropped his phone.

"Oh my god," Arohi whispered, looking at Sharayu like she had betrayed them. "You never told us you were already dealing with in-laws!"

"B-bhabhi??" Sharayu finally found her voice. "I am NOT-"

"Yet," Vanya cut in smoothly, winking.

Daksh leaned against the wall, smirking. "Soon, though. Right, Bhai?"

Satish pinched the bridge of his nose, already regretting his life choices.

"You two need to-" he started, only for Hriday to interrupt.

"Hold up. Hold up. Hold up." Hriday raised his hands. "You mean to tell me... that we have been struggling to keep their secret... while these two have been calling her Bhabhi in broad daylight?"

"Feels unfair," Rutuja added, narrowing her eyes at Sharayu. "How long have you known them?"

Sharayu groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"I... I met them at his house," she mumbled.

"YOU WENT TO HIS HOUSE??" Arohi shrieked.

"Are you guys living under a rock?" Vanya rolled her eyes. "Of course she did. Our parents adore her. Dadi already gave her the family bangles-"

"VANYA!" Satish shot her a warning look.

"Oops," Vanya said, not looking sorry at all.

Sharayu looked ready to sink into the bed and never return.

Daksh laughed, sitting beside Vanya. "Well, now that you all know, I guess we don't have to hide it anymore. Bhai and Bhabhi are the cutest lovebirds ever. Seriously, you should see them-"

"Daksh." Satish's tone was a warning.

"They hold hands under the table at dinner," Daksh continued shamelessly.

"Daksh!"

"And don't even get me started on their eye contact! It's so intense, sometimes I think they're having a whole conversation telepathically-"

"I SWEAR TO GOD-" Satish started to get up, only for Sharayu to grab his wrist, pulling him back down.

"Satish, no murders in the hospital," she muttered.

"Thank you, Bhabhi," Daksh grinned.

Her friends exploded with laughter.

"Oh, this is GOLD," Hriday gasped. "We need to keep them around."

"Agreed," Arohi giggled. "I love these two."

Satish sighed deeply, giving up.

Vanya reached out and patted Sharayu's head. "Don't worry, Bhabhi. You're stuck with us now."

Sharayu groaned again.

Sharayu sat frozen, still processing the absolute chaos that had just unfolded in her hospital room.

Her leg was in a heavy cast, throbbing from the fracture. Satish sat beside her, his arms crossed, looking like he was debating whether to throw Vanya and Daksh out of the window.

Her friends?

Oh, they were having the time of their lives.

"So let me get this straight," Hriday said, still grinning. "We-Sharayu's best friends-had to figure out her relationship through clues and theories. But you two just waltz in here, calling her 'Bhabhi' like it's a done deal?"

"Not our fault we're ahead of the game," Vanya shrugged.

Daksh leaned back against the chair, smirking. "We didn't have to 'figure it out.' Bhai made it so obvious."

"Excuse me?" Satish glared. "I did nothing of the sort."

"Oh, please." Vanya rolled her eyes dramatically. "The way you act when Mom asks about her? Blushing, stammering-Bhai, you were one step away from writing 'Satish ❤️ Sharayu' on a notebook cover like a schoolboy."

Satish opened his mouth to argue, but Hriday held up a hand.

"WAIT." Hriday narrowed his eyes. "His mom knows?"

Rutuja gasped. "His entire family knows??"

"Of course," Daksh said.

"You should've told us!" Arohi pouted.

"Umm, maybe because it's my relationship?" Sharayu finally found her voice, glaring at them all.

Daksh tilted his head. "Correction: It's our family matter now, Bhabhi."

Sharayu groaned.

Vanya grinned and nudged Satish. "So, Bhai. When are you officially making her our Bhabhi?"

Satish rubbed his temples. "You guys came here to check on her, not to interrogate me."

"We're multitasking," Vanya said sweetly.

Sharayu buried her face in her hands.

This was worse than she had imagined.

Her friends, however, were enjoying every second.

"So, when's the wedding?" Kunal wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yes, yes, do tell!" Rutuja joined in. "And when do we get our 'best friends of the bride' privileges?"

"Guys, can you STOP?" Sharayu whined.

"No," they all said at the same time.

Satish sighed, looking at Sharayu with a silent question in his eyes-'Are these really your friends?'

She just nodded helplessly.

Vanya, seeing her misery, decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Oh, by the way, Bhabhi, Mom is already thinking about what kind of wedding invitation she wants."

Sharayu choked on air.

"SHE WHAT??"

Daksh nodded seriously. "Yeah, and Dadi is already discussing baby names."

Satish's head snapped up. "WHAT??"

"She said, and I quote," Vanya cleared her throat, "'Bacche bhi khubsurat honge.'"

The room exploded in laughter.

Sharayu's face turned deep red.

Satish looked like he was considering changing his surname and disappearing.

"I hate all of you," Sharayu muttered.

"Awww, we love you too, Bhabhi!" Vanya and Daksh chorused.

After what felt like an eternity of teasing, the room finally settled down. Sharayu let out a dramatic sigh of relief, leaning back against the pillows.

"Okay, okay," Vanya finally said, holding up her hands. "We'll stop messing with you-for now. But on a serious note, how are you really feeling, Bhabhi?"

Sharayu rolled her eyes at the 'Bhabhi' but knew better than to argue. "The pain is manageable now," she admitted. "But the cast is annoying."

"That's what you get for not being careful," Satish muttered beside her, arms still crossed.

She narrowed her eyes. "Would you like me to use this cast to kick you?"

Vanya and Daksh burst out laughing.

"She's feisty. I like her." Daksh smirked.

"So do I," Satish murmured under his breath, just enough for Sharayu to hear.

Before she could retort, Vanya's phone started ringing. She glanced at the screen and grinned.

"Perfect timing!"

Without warning, she answered the video call and turned the phone toward Sharayu.

"Mom! Dadi! Look who's here!"

Sharayu stiffened immediately.

On the screen, Satish's mother and grandmother appeared, their expressions instantly softening when they saw her.

"Sharayu beta!" his mother exclaimed, her face full of concern. "Are you alright? We heard about your accident. We were so worried!"

"Haan beta," Dadi added. "Thoda dhyan se rehna chahiye. Dekho, Satish ko kitni tension ho gayi!"

Sharayu quickly sat up straighter, flustered by their worry. "Aunty, Dadi, please don't worry. I'm fine now. The doctors said it will take time to heal, but I'll be okay."

"Aunty?" his mother raised an eyebrow. "Sharayu, didn't I tell you last time to call me 'Maa'? You're practically family now."

Sharayu's face turned red instantly. Satish smirked, enjoying her embarrassment.

"And look at my future granddaughter-in-law," Dadi said proudly. "Bilkul strong hai. But beta, be more careful next time, okay? Your legs are important for your wedding pheras."

"DAADI!!" Satish choked on air.

Sharayu buried her face in her hands. "I...I-"

His mother laughed. "Okay, okay, we won't tease her too much. But seriously, take care of yourself, beta. And Satish-" she suddenly turned serious as she addressed her son. "Make sure she doesn't overstrain herself. She needs rest."

"Of course, Maa," Satish nodded. "I won't let her do anything reckless."

Sharayu scoffed. "Oh please, this man was just scolding me like I committed a crime."

"Because you don't take care of yourself!" Satish argued.

Vanya grinned into the camera. "Dadi, Maa, don't worry. We're taking care of Bhabhi here. She's in good hands."

"Good. And beta, as soon as you recover, you must visit us again," his mother said.

Sharayu nodded, still overwhelmed. "Of course, Aun-Maa. I will."

His mother smiled warmly. "Take care, beta. And Satish, take care of her."

The call ended, and the room was silent for a moment-until Daksh clapped his hands together.

"Well, that was fun!"

Satish sighed heavily. "Fun for you, maybe."

Sharayu, still processing everything, could only groan.

The moment the video call ended, the hospital room fell into a stunned silence.

Sharayu could already feel it coming. The shift in her friends' expressions was so dramatic that it almost made her want to disappear into her hospital bed.

Arohi's jaw was practically on the floor.

Gayatri looked like she had witnessed an alien invasion.

Vrushal and Hriday shared a look that screamed-'Did we just see what we think we saw?!'

And Rutuja... oh dear Lord, Rutuja was already cracking her knuckles like she was ready to interrogate a criminal.

Then, it happened.

"YOUR DADI IS PLANNING YOUR WEDDING?!" Vrushal yelled.

"AND-AND YOUR MOM ASKED HER TO CALL HER 'MAA'?!" Gayatri gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like she had just witnessed the climax of a Bollywood movie.

Sharayu covered her face with both hands. "Kill me. Just kill me now."

"NO, NO, NO, BAHURANI!" Rutuja grabbed her shoulders. "EXPLAIN. RIGHT. NOW."

Satish sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Can you all not react like we just committed a crime?"

"EXCUSE ME, SIR?!" Gayatri pointed at him, eyes wide. "You-THE Professor Satish Singh Rajvanshi-have introduced our best friend to your parents, your DADI has already called her your wife, and WE were the last ones to know?!"

Arohi gasped dramatically again. "I FEEL BETRAYED."

Hriday shook his head, still trying to process. "So wait... sir, your mom and grandma already know about your relationship?"

"Yes." Satish said it so casually that it made things even more chaotic.

"SINCE WHEN?!" Vrushal demanded.

Sharayu let out a defeated groan. "Since Christmas vacations..."

That did it.

Rutuja let out a loud scream. "YOU MET HIS FAMILY DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION AND YOU DIDN'T TELL US?!"

"W-Wait, wait!" Arohi gasped. "Then that means... the 'pooja' excuse that day... WAS A LIE?!"

All of their heads snapped toward Sharayu.

Sharayu gulped.

"I AM GOING TO THROW THIS PILLOW AT YOU!" Rutuja grabbed the hospital pillow, ready to launch it.

"RU-TU-JA!!" Sharayu ducked. "I WAS GOING TO TELL YOU GUYS!"

"WHEN?! AFTER YOUR WEDDING INVITATIONS WERE PRINTED?!" Gayatri yelled.

Satish, who had been silently enjoying this entire show, finally let out a small chuckle. "At this rate, I think they'll find out about the wedding before we do."

Sharayu glared at him. "YOU ARE NOT HELPING."

Kunal crossed his arms. "You know, I had my doubts. But never in my wildest dreams did I think you would actually visit his house."

Vrushal laughed. "And now she has in-laws before even graduating."

Arohi leaned forward, grinning. "So tell me, Sharayu, how does it feel to be the future 'Mrs. Rajvanshi'?"

"I HATE YOU ALL." Sharayu whined, throwing the pillow in frustration.

"I LOVE THIS." Rutuja grinned. "Now, tell us EVERYTHING."

"Listen up, people!" Rutuja clapped her hands, pacing back and forth like a military general. "We cannot-AND I REPEAT-CANNOT let Sharayu's Aai find out that Satish sir was going to drop her home. If she even gets a whiff of this information, we're DEAD."

Gayatri nodded firmly. "Agreed. If Aai suspects something, she'll interrogate Sharayu like a CID officer. And let's be honest, Sharayu CANNOT LIE TO SAVE HER LIFE."

"I can lie!" Sharayu protested weakly.

"Oh really?" Arohi smirked.

"Remember last time? 'Aai, I was at Rutuja's house for a pooja'-but you were actually at sir's house meeting his MOM!"

Sharayu: ...

"EXACTLY." Vrushal crossed his arms. "So, here's the plan. WE will drop you home. Not Satish sir."

Satish, who had been standing silently, amused by their over-the-top planning, finally spoke up. "I think you all are overreacting."

"No, sir, YOU don't understand the power of Indian mothers!" Hriday shook his head. "If her Aai sees you even near the building, she'll activate her sixth sense."

"And then she'll connect all the dots!" Rutuja waved her hands dramatically. "And before you know it-BAM! Marriage discussions will begin, and Sharayu will be engaged before she even graduates!"

"HEY!!" Sharayu yelled.

Satish chuckled. "You all are insane."

"We're survivors, sir." Gayatri corrected him.

Arohi winked. "And we are the best at covering up our friend's secret relationship."

"For now," Vrushal added with a smirk. "Because the moment she graduates, we're making sure she tells her Aai EVERYTHING."

Sharayu groaned. "Ugh. Fine. But can we PLEASE go now? My leg is in pain, and I'm exhausted from all this drama!"

"Alright, alright!" Hriday helped her up. "Let's go, before sir loses his patience and actually takes her home himself."

Satish rolled his eyes. "I could still do that."

"NO, SIR, YOU WILL NOT." The entire gang yelled together.

Sharayu sighed. She didn't know what was worse-her fractured leg or her crazy friends.

📍 Scene: Outside the Hospital

Satish stood next to his car, arms crossed, looking unamused, as Vanya and Daksh grinned like mischievous devils.

"So," Vanya smirked, "Bhabhi is going home with her little college squad instead of YOU, dear Bhai?"

Satish sighed. "They're overreacting. Sharayu's Aai doesn't even know me. Why would she suspect anything?"

Daksh chuckled. "Oh, Bhai, sweet, naïve Bhai. Indian moms don't need proof. They just... KNOW."

"Exactly!" Rutuja jumped in. "Her Aai has a PhD in catching lies. You? You're a walking red flag for suspicion!"

Sharayu groaned. "Guys, can we STOP acting like my mom is Sherlock Holmes?!"

"But she IS." Hriday deadpanned.

Vanya giggled, throwing her arm around Sharayu. "Bhabhi, don't worry. We will PROTECT your secret... for now."

Sharayu winced. "Stop calling me Bhabhi!"

"But you ARE our Bhabhi!" Daksh grinned. "And now that you're injured, we have all the more reason to pamper you."

Satish: "I'm taking her home. No more arguments."

Rutuja: "Absolutely not! We already planned this perfectly!"

Vanya: "Aww, Bhai, you're SO desperate to spend more time with her, huh?"

Satish: "...No comments."

Daksh: "Look at him blushing! ADORABLE!"

Satish pinched the bridge of his nose. "You people are impossible."

Gayatri nodded seriously. "Sir, you don't understand. If her Aai sees you, she'll ask questions. Then Sharayu will panic, and when she panics, she blurts out things. And if she blurts out something suspicious-GAME OVER."

Satish looked at Sharayu, who was avoiding his gaze. "Is that true?"

Sharayu mumbled. "...Maybe."

Satish sighed in defeat. "Fine. But I'm coming later to check on you."

Vanya clapped excitedly. "Yay! Bhai, being the caring boyfriend, is the CUTEST thing ever!"

Sharayu hid her face in her hands. "I HATE ALL OF YOU."

Daksh patted Satish's back. "It's okay, Bhai. One day, when she officially becomes our Bhabhi, you can drop her home every day."

"DAKSH!" Sharayu yelled.

Rutuja snickered. "Alright, let's get going before sir changes his mind."

"Sooooo," Vrushal smirked. "How does it feel to be Satish Sir's Siblings 'Bhabhi'?"

"I WILL JUMP OUT OF THIS CAR." Sharayu warned.

"With a FRACTURED LEG?!" Arohi laughed.

Gayatri patted her arm. "Accept your fate, darling. You're basically family now."

Sharayu groaned, leaning her head back. "Someone, please end my suffering."

Hriday chuckled. "Sorry, but your suffering is our entertainment."

"UGH."

Sharayu took a deep breath as Rutuja's car stopped in front of her building. She had mentally prepared herself for all kinds of questions from her mother.

But was she truly prepared? Absolutely not.

"Alright, here we go," Rutuja muttered, looking at Sharayu with sympathy. "Want us to come up with you?"

"And risk my Aai interrogating all of you? No thanks," Sharayu sighed.

Hriday grinned. "Good luck facing the 'Sherlock Aai' alone."

"I hate you all," Sharayu grumbled as she carefully got out of the car.

Her friends watched as she hopped towards the building entrance, muttering curses under her breath.

"She's gonna suffer," Vrushal smirked.

"Totally," Arohi agreed.

As soon as Sharayu opened the door, her Aai's sharp gaze fell on her bandaged leg.

"SHARAYU!"

Before she could even blink, her Aai was in full panic mode.

"Oh my god, what happened? How did this happen?! Why didn't you call me? Why are you home so late?! Were you in an ACCIDENT?! Did a vehicle hit you?! Tell me everything RIGHT NOW!"

Sharayu froze. Mission: Sneak Inside Without Drama had FAILED.

"Uhh... Aai... um..."

Aai crossed her arms. "I'M WAITING!"

Sharayu took a deep breath. "Okay, okay! Relax. I... slipped."

Aai narrowed her eyes. "SLIPPED?! HOW?! WHERE?!"

"In... college."

Aai's suspicious expression deepened. "Sharayu, I sent you to college to STUDY, not to break bones!"

"Aai, I didn't do it on purpose!"

"How does someone 'accidentally' fracture their leg?!"

Sharayu rubbed her forehead. "Aai, I swear it wasn't a big deal-"

"NOT A BIG DEAL?! You're FRACTURED!"

Before Sharayu could say anything, her Aai gently took her hands, concern replacing her anger.

"Beta, are you in pain? Should we go to another doctor? What medicines did they give? Did you eat?!"

Sharayu sighed. "Aai, I'm fine. The doctor said it will heal in a few weeks."

Aai was still frowning. "And why did your FRIENDS drop you home? Why didn't you call me?"

Sharayu internally screamed. She needed to avoid ANY mention of Satish.

"Because... um... they insisted!"

Aai didn't look convinced.

"Hmm."

Oh no. That 'hmm' was dangerous.

📍 Meanwhile...

Satish had been restlessly pacing in his room, his phone gripped tightly in his hand.

"What's with that face?" Vanya smirked, entering his room.

"She didn't call me yet," Satish muttered.

"Oh my god," Vanya laughed. "You're acting like a worried housewife."

Satish shot her a glare. "She's injured, Vanya!"

Daksh popped his head inside. "So? Her friends dropped her safely. She's in her house. What's the issue?"

"The issue is her Aai is probably interrogating her right now," Satish sighed.

Vanya grinned. "You should be THANKFUL she didn't let you drop her home. Imagine her Aai's reaction if YOU showed up at her door."

Satish ran a hand through his hair. "I just want to make sure she's okay."

Vanya rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just text her. But don't sound desperate."

"I'm not desperate."

Daksh snorted. "Yeah, sure."

Sharayu had finally managed to calm her Aai down and was sipping on haldi milk, which her mother had forced on her.

Her phone buzzed.

Satish: Are you okay?

She smiled slightly.

Sharayu: Survived Aai's interrogation. Barely.

Satish's reply was instant.

Satish: Told you to let me drop you. I would've handled it.

Sharayu: Handled it? With your face? My Aai would've smelled the 'boyfriend' energy from a mile away!

Satish chuckled at her text.

Satish: Fine. Next time, I'll wear a "Not Her Boyfriend" t-shirt.

Sharayu: That would be more suspicious.

Just then, Aai walked in, noticing Sharayu smiling at her phone.

"Who are you texting?"

Sharayu almost dropped the phone.

"N-No one!"

Aai narrowed her eyes. "Are you SURE?"

Sharayu forced a laugh. "Hehe... yes?"

Aai sighed. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I'll find out eventually."

Sharayu gulped.

Uh-oh.

Sharayu lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her leg propped up on a pillow.

Her mind was a chaotic mess. Between her injury, Aai's suspicions, and Satish being his usual dramatic self, she had no idea what to worry about first.

She had barely relaxed for five minutes when her Aai walked back into the room with a steaming cup of herbal tea.

Oh no. The dreaded "Mother Mode" was activated again.

"Here, drink this," Aai said, handing her the cup.

Sharayu wrinkled her nose. "Aai, why? It smells like a mix of grass and medicine!"

Aai gave her a pointed look. "Drink. It will help with healing."

Sharayu sighed and took a sip, shuddering at the taste.

Aai sat beside her, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "Now tell me. The truth."

Sharayu froze. "Truth? What truth?"

Aai raised an eyebrow. "Don't act innocent. There's something you're hiding."

Sharayu forced a nervous laugh. "Aai, you're overthinking-"

"Overthinking?! You come home with a fractured leg, dropped off by your friends, and now you're smiling at your phone like a love-struck teenager!"

Sharayu almost choked on the tea. "LOVE-STRUCK?!"

"Yes! Who were you texting just now?" Aai demanded.

Sharayu clutched her phone like it held state secrets. "No one! Just... Rutuja! Yes, Rutuja!"

Aai narrowed her eyes. "Then show me the messages."

Sharayu's heart stopped.

Her chat with Rutuja was buried beneath 10 unread messages from Satish.

She quickly clicked on Rutuja's name and held out the phone. "See! Nothing suspicious!"

Aai stared at the screen, unimpressed. "Hmm. Fine."

Sharayu let out a sigh of relief.

But Aai wasn't done.

"Also, why did your friends bring you home instead of you calling me? Hmm?"

Sharayu stammered. "Uh... because... I didn't want to trouble you!"

Aai tilted her head. "And not because you were with someone ELSE?"

SHIT.

Sharayu forced a smile. "No, Aai! Of course not!"

Aai looked at her like she was lying through her teeth. "Hmm."

That damn 'hmm' again!

Satish sat in his room, staring at his phone, annoyed.

Sharayu still hadn't replied.

"Maybe she fell asleep," he muttered.

Vanya poked her head inside his cabin. "Still stalking her messages?"

"I'm NOT stalking!" Satish snapped. "I'm just checking if she's okay!"

Daksh walked in, laughing. "Dude, you sound like an overprotective husband."

Satish glared at him. "She has a fractured leg! Of course I'm worried!"

Vanya grinned. "Aww, so cute. Professor Rajvanshi, deeply in love."

Satish groaned. "Will you two leave me alone?!"

Sharayu had somehow dodged Aai's suspicions for the moment.

But she knew it was only a matter of time before her mother figured out the truth.

Her phone buzzed again.

Satish: Still alive? Or did Aai murder you?

Sharayu smiled.

Sharayu: Barely survived. Aai's 'suspicion mode' is ON.

Satish: I told you, you should have let me drop you!

Sharayu: Oh sure. And have my Aai sniff out our relationship in five seconds? No thanks!

Satish: She'll find out eventually.

Sharayu: Yes, but not today!

Just then, Aai called from the kitchen.

"Sharayu! Come eat your dinner!"

Sharayu sighed.

"Coming, Aai!"

She quickly typed one last message.

Sharayu: I'll text you later. Aai's watching me like a hawk.

Satish: Good luck, Miss 'Not-So-Innocent'.

Sharayu rolled her eyes, smiling.

The aroma of hot phulkas, dal tadka, and sabzi filled the air, making her stomach grumble. But the moment she saw Aai's expression, she knew...

She wasn't off the hook yet.

Aai was stirring the dal with the precision of a detective processing evidence. Her sharp eyes flicked to Sharayu, then back to the dal, then back to Sharayu.

"So... still in pain?" Aai asked casually, serving the dal in a bowl.

Sharayu gulped. "A little... but it's manageable."

The next morning, Sharayu woke up to chaos.

Her mother was in the kitchen, shouting instructions, her father was reading the newspaper, but throwing her suspicious glances,

Too much activity. Too early in the morning. Not a good sign.

She winced as she tried to shift, her fractured leg reminding her of its existence.

And just like that, Aai was at her bedside.

"What do you think you're doing?" Aai demanded.

"Um...trying to sit?" Sharayu answered hesitantly.

"Lie back! Do you want another leg broken?"

"Aai, it's just a fracture, not a war injury!"

"You are not moving unnecessarily! Do you understand?"

Sharayu sighed. There was no winning against Aai.

Just as she was about to escape, Aai placed a glass of milk in front of her.

"Drink."

Sharayu stared at it like it was poison. "Aai... please no."

"DRINK."

"But-"

"Do you want me to pour it in your mouth like a baby?"

"Okay, okay! I'm drinking!" she groaned.

Vanya and Daksh watched him, unimpressed.

"Why are you so restless?" Vanya asked, biting into an apple.

"She hasn't texted since morning!" Satish fumed. "What if her Aai is suspecting something?"

"You act like she's being interrogated by the FBI," Daksh rolled his eyes.

Satish glared. "Her mother is SCARIER than the FBI."

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Sharayu: Survived. Barely. Aai & Baba are CIA agents in disguise.

Satish sighed in relief.

Satish: Told you. They'll catch you one day.

Sharayu: Not today. Mission successful.

Satish smirked.

"She's safe?" Vanya asked.

"For now," Satish muttered. "But we need to be careful. Aai is getting suspicious."

Daksh grinned. "I say we tell her."

"I say we DON'T," Satish shot back.

Vanya giggled. "This is getting fun."

📍 Back at Sharayu's House...

After escaping Aai's milk torture, Sharayu finally got some alone time.

She smiled at her phone.

Satish: Rest. Don't move too much. And don't do anything reckless again.

Sharayu: Yes, Dad.

The second she hit send, she knew she had poked the lion.

Her phone vibrated almost instantly with a response.

Satish: Excuse me?!

She bit her lip, suppressing a giggle as she typed again.

"Oops, sorry. Professor"

The dots indicating he was typing appeared and disappeared. Appeared. Disappeared.

And then, finally:

Satish: You really have a death wish, don't you?

Sharayu smirked. "And yet, you love me."

She expected him to leave her on read, but instead-

Satish: Oh, I do. But you just made a mistake, sweetheart.

She blinked. Uh-oh.

Before she could type back, another message came in.

Satish: One day, I'm going to show you exactly what this 'Daddy' can do.

Her breath hitched.

Oh. Oh.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. He wouldn't-

Satish: You think you can tease me and walk away unscathed?

Sharayu swallowed hard. Damn him.

Sharayu: Satish-

Satish: No, no. Keep calling me that, sweetheart. Let's see how far you can handle it.

Her cheeks burned.

She knew he was just playing with her, but the way his words made her stomach twist was not fair.

Sharayu: You're impossible.

Satish: And yet, you love me.

She clenched her phone. This bastard just threw her own words back at her.

Before she could even type another sarcastic reply, another message came in.

Satish: Be careful, Jaan. Because when I get my hands on you, I'll remind you exactly who's in control here.

Sharayu's entire body heated up.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed:

Sharayu: I hate you.

His reply was instant.

Satish: Lie. Say it to my face, and maybe I'll believe it.

She threw her phone aside and buried her face in her pillow.

This man was going to kill her.

She sat on her bed, her phone lying beside her like a ticking time bomb, while she still tried to cool off from their last exchange.

Why does he always turn things around on me?

Before she could gather her wits, her phone lit up again. This time, it was a call.

Her heart stopped.

She stared at the screen. Satish Calling...

She debated not answering. Maybe if she ignored him, he'd forget this ever happened.

But before she could make a decision, her traitorous thumb swiped across the screen.

"Hello-"

"Say it again."

His voice was low, teasing, dangerously smooth.

Sharayu's breath caught. "What?"

"You heard me, sweetheart."

She swallowed hard. Shit.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about."

A deep chuckle rumbled through the speaker. "Oh, so we're playing dumb now?"

Her toes curled against the bedsheet. "I wasn't playing anything-"

"Oh, you were," he cut in smoothly. "And now that you've started, you think you can just back out?"

Sharayu closed her eyes and bit her lip.

This man. This insufferable, evil, and sinfully smooth-talking man.

"Satish, listen-"

"No, no, sweetheart," he interrupted, voice dripping with amusement. "You started this. Now finish it. Call me that again."

Her cheeks burned.

"You're impossible."

"Wrong answer," he said.

She groaned, flopping onto her pillow. "Satish-"

"You know," he continued, voice slower now, like he was drawing out each word on purpose, "it's funny how brave you are behind a screen. But now, when I'm actually here... you're suddenly shy?"

Her stomach flipped.

"I am not shy," she huffed.

"Then say it."

She gritted her teeth.

"No."

Satish tsked. "Such a brat."

Her eyes snapped open.

"Excuse me?" she challenged.

He chuckled again, and this time, there was a dangerous promise in his voice.

"One day, I'll make you regret ever teasing me like this, Jaan."

Sharayu shivered at the way he said Jaan.

She needed to get off this call before she lost her mind.

"You're all talk," she challenged.

"Hmm," he mused, like he was considering something. "You think so?"

She gulped. That tone was dangerous.

"Yes."

Another pause. Then-

"I guess I'll just have to prove you wrong."

And before she could even process his words, he hung up.

She stared at her phone.

Her heart was pounding.

Her hands were sweating.

Sharayu stared at her phone like it had personally offended her.

The call had ended. Just like that.

And now, she was stuck with a racing heartbeat, a burning face, and an inexplicable sense of doom.

What the hell just happened?

She clutched her pillow and screamed into it.

This man. This man!

How did he always manage to turn things around on her? It was unfair. She had only sent that "daddy" text as a joke! And now, instead of her teasing him, he was teasing her to death.

One day, I'll make you regret ever teasing me like this, Jaan.

His words replayed in her head, making her shiver.

"Ughhh!" She threw her phone on the bed and flopped backward.

Why did she even date this man?

Oh right. Because he was annoyingly attractive, disgustingly intelligent, stupidly caring, and just the right amount of dangerously charming to make her fall head over heels.

I am doomed.

She needed a distraction.

Meanwhile, in Another Part of the City...

Satish leaned back in his chair, smirking.

His phone lay on his desk, the screen still lit from the recent call.

He could already picture how Sharayu was reacting.

Flustered. Annoyed. Probably screaming into a pillow.

Adorable.

He chuckled to himself.

She had no idea what she had started.

And oh, he was going to enjoy every second of making her pay for it.

Sharayu was bored.

Beyond bored.

Lying on the bed all day with her leg in a cast, stuck at home while everyone else was going to college, was pure torture.

She missed everything.

The lectures.

The classroom banter.

Her friends.

And most of all, she missed him.

Talking on the phone wasn't enough.

She wanted to see him, tease him, argue with him in person. Not just listen to his voice through a stupid mobile screen.

She sighed dramatically and stared at the ceiling.

That's when her phone rang.

His name flashed on the screen.

A smile tugged at her lips before she answered.

Satish: "What's with that sigh? Missing me too much, hmm?"

Sharayu rolled her eyes, adjusting her pillow to sit up properly.

Sharayu: "As if. I'm missing my lectures, my notes, my friends-"

Satish: "Oh? So I don't even make it to the list?"

Sharayu (smirking): "You're my professor. It's unprofessional to say I miss you."

He arched a brow at her through the screen.

Satish: "Unprofessional?"

Uh-oh.

She recognized that tone.

Before she could say anything, he leaned closer to his camera and smirked.

Satish: "What about when you call me 'daddy' in texts? Is that professional, Miss Sharayu?"

Her soul left her body.

Sharayu: "I- YOU- SHUT UP."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying how flustered she was.

Satish: "Relax, sweetheart. I'm here to teach, not tease."

Sharayu: "Then get to it! You're late, Professor Rajvanshi."

Satish just shook his head, amused, before flipping his notebook open.

Satish: "Alright then. Welcome to 'Special Private Lectures for Injured Students.' Today's topic: How to focus despite missing your professor terribly."

Sharayu gasped.

Sharayu: "I do NOT miss you terribly!"

Satish: "Mmm-hmm."

Sharayu: "I hate you."

Satish: "And yet, here you are, all ready with your pen and notebook like a good girl."

She grabbed a cushion and threw it at the camera in frustration.

Sharayu: "Just start the damn lecture."

He laughed but finally started explaining the day's topic.

Sharayu tried her best to focus. But damn, it was distracting when he looked so good, leaning back in his chair, running a hand through his hair every time he explained something.

Her stupid heart refused to calm down.

And when he suddenly paused and smirked at her?

She knew.

He had definitely caught her staring.

Satish (teasingly): "Concentrate, Miss Sharayu. Or should I make this lesson even more... interesting?"

Oh, she was so dead.

Sharayu cleared her throat, forcing herself to look down at her notebook instead of his stupidly attractive face.

Sharayu: "I am concentrating. Unlike someone who keeps getting distracted with unnecessary flirting."

Satish chuckled, leaning back in his chair, his smirk deepening.

Satish: "Flirting? Oh no, sweetheart. This is just... an interactive learning experience."

Sharayu (raising an eyebrow): "Oh really? Then go on, Professor. Teach."

Satish: "With pleasure."

His voice had dropped-smooth, deep, dangerously teasing.

He continued explaining the lecture, but there was a shift.

His words were slower, more deliberate.

His eyes never left her.

Sharayu tried to focus, she really did, but his tone? That tone? It sent a slow, warm shiver down her spine.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip.

Satish noticed.

Of course, he did.

Satish (softly): "You do that a lot, you know?"

Sharayu blinked. "Do what?"

Satish: "Bite your lip. When you're nervous. When you're distracted. When you're trying to hide something."

Her fingers froze mid-air.

Sharayu: "I do not."

Satish (amused): "You just did it again."

Damn it.

She quickly crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Professor Rajvanshi, please stick to the subject."

His smirk deepened.

Satish: "Oh, but I am. This is my favorite subject, actually."

Sharayu (narrowing her eyes): "And what subject is that?"

He leaned closer to the screen, his voice dropping to a sinful whisper.

Satish: "You."

Her breath hitched.

A heavy silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension.

Sharayu's fingers curled against her bedsheet.

Her heart was hammering.

Sharayu (softly): "You shouldn't say things like that."

Satish: "Why not?"

Sharayu: "Because... I'm already missing you too much. And you're making it worse."

A flicker of emotion crossed his face. Something intense. Something dangerous.

Satish: "Then what should I do, hmm? Come over?"

Her breath stilled.

For a second, she thought he was joking. But his gaze? Serious. Intense. Completely unwavering.

Sharayu swallowed, gripping her phone tighter. "You wouldn't."

Satish (challenging): "Wouldn't I?"

She knew that look.

That damn determined look.

And suddenly, her stomach flipped.

Sharayu (whispering): "Satish..."

His lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.

Satish: "Just say the word, sweetheart."

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Did she really want this?

Yes.

No.

Maybe?

A knock on her door suddenly snapped her out of it.

She nearly jumped in panic, fumbling with the phone.

Her mother's voice: "Sharayu? Kisse baat kar rahi ho itni der se?"

Oh. Shit.

She shot Satish a wide-eyed look, mouthing 'GO' before hurriedly ending the call.

Her heart was still racing.

Damn that man.

Sharayu let out a deep breath, pressing her palm against her wildly beating heart.

That was close.

Her mother stood outside the door, waiting for a response.

Sharayu (quickly composing herself): "Uh... Rutuja se baat kar rahi thi, Aai!"

Her Mother: "Itni der se? Lagta hai college ka kaam bahut badh gaya hai."

Sharayu forced a nervous laugh, secretly glaring at her phone, blaming Satish for this situation.

She heard her mother walk away, and only then did she pick up her phone again.

A message flashed on the screen.

Satish: "You cut the call on my face, sweetheart. That's very rude."

She rolled her eyes, typing back:

Sharayu: "You almost got me killed, Professor. Stop being reckless."

Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.

And then-

Satish: "Did I? Or did I just make you nervous?"

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

She should ignore him. She really should.

But her heart? A traitor.

Before she could reply, another message popped up.

Satish: "So, when do I get to continue my lesson in person? You left it unfinished, you know."

She could practically hear his smirk through the screen.

Damn him.

Sharayu: "NEVER. Goodnight."

She put the phone away, determined to ignore him.

But her mind?

Stuck on the way he said, "Just say the word, sweetheart."

Sharayu tried to focus on her notes. She really did.

Her notebook lay open on her lap, her pen poised to write.

But her mind?

Absolutely blank.

All because of one infuriating man.

Satish Singh Rajvanshi.

It had been three days since she had last seen him in person. Three. Whole. Days.

And in that time, he had somehow managed to make her life both easier and more difficult at the same time.

Every evening, after his college hours, he would call her without fail.

To teach her.

That was his official reason.

The real reason?

To torment her.

To tease her.

To steal every ounce of her focus until she couldn't think straight.

And today was no different.

Her phone buzzed. Video call.

She exhaled sharply.

I should ignore him.

Let him suffer for a change.

Her fingers?

Betrayed her.

She swiped to answer.

And there he was.

Satish Singh Rajvanshi, in all his sharp, annoyingly handsome glory.

Wearing his usual crisp shirt, top buttons undone, sleeves rolled up, and that damn smirk on his face.

Satish: "I was beginning to think you weren't going to pick up, sweetheart."

Sharayu: "I almost didn't."

His smirk widened.

Satish: "Liar. You were waiting for my call."

She narrowed her eyes. He was too smug for his own good.

Sharayu: "I was studying."

Satish (raising a brow): "Oh? Then tell me-what was the last thing I taught in class?"

She opened her mouth.

Paused.

Her mind-completely blank.

Damn it.

His chuckle was slow and deliberate.

Satish: "Exactly what I thought."

She huffed, crossing her arms.

Sharayu: "Maybe if my professor focused more on teaching and less on distracting me, I would remember things better."

His eyes darkened slightly.

Satish: "Sweetheart, you have no idea what real distractions feel like."

Her breath hitched.

She pointed at the screen. "Behave."

He laughed. "I am. For now."

Then he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

Satish: "Now, pay attention. I'm going to start today's lesson."

She sighed dramatically.

Sharayu: "As long as you don't flirt in between."

His lips twitched.

Satish: "I can't make any promises, sweetheart."

.

Four long, torturous days of not being in college, not seeing her friends, and most importantly-not seeing Satish.

Yes, they talked. Every day.

Yes, he taught her. Every evening.

Yes, he made her heart do stupid flips every damn second.

But it wasn't enough.

And the worst part?

He knew it.

That devil of a man knew exactly how much she missed him, and he was enjoying every bit of her suffering.

Today was no different.

Her phone rang.

Satish Singh Rajvanshi.

The root cause of her current distraction problem.

She took a deep breath, straightened her kurti, fixed her hair-even though it was a damn video call-and answered.

And there he was.

Smug. Smirking. And looking too good for her own sanity.

Satish: "You're early today."

Sharayu: "Maybe I actually want to study."

His low chuckle sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

Satish: "Or maybe you just miss me too much."

She rolled her eyes. "Your overconfidence is showing, Professor."

Satish (raising a brow): "Is it? Or am I just stating facts?"

Ugh. This man.

Sharayu: "Can we start? I need to focus."

Satish: "By all means, sweetheart. Let's begin-Chapter 6, point number one..."

She scribbled in her notebook, determined to concentrate this time.

Five minutes in.

She was doing good.

Ten minutes in.

Still good.

Fifteen minutes in.

He licked his lips.

And she forgot everything.

Her pen froze mid-air. Her brain? Gone.

He noticed.

Oh, he definitely noticed.

And like the evil man he was, he tilted his head, his voice dropping just a little.

Satish: "Something wrong, sweetheart?"

She snapped out of her daze. "NO."

His smirk widened. "Are you sure?"

She glared. "Yes."

Satish: "Then why did you just write 'Satish' instead of the actual answer?"

Her eyes widened.

She looked down.

Oh. My. God.

She had actually written his name instead of the damn answer.

Heat rushed to her face.

He laughed.

Satish: "Admit it, Sharayu. I'm a better distraction than any subject."

Sharayu: "Shut up."

Satish: "Say it."

Sharayu: "No."

Satish: "Say it, and I'll stop teasing you."

She folded her arms. "I'd rather fail my exams."

He grinned. "Well, in that case, I guess I'll just have to tutor you every night."

Her heart stuttered.

Every night?

Sharayu: "Behave."

His low chuckle was anything but innocent.

Satish: "I am, sweetheart. For now."

It was Sunday.

A rare, peaceful, quiet Sunday.

No parents. No siblings. No one to disturb her.

Sharayu had spent the entire morning thinking about him.

Missing him.

Wanting to hear his voice.

So, like any normal girlfriend, she picked up her phone and called him.

One ring. No answer.

Two rings. Still nothing.

Three rings. What the hell was he doing?!

She pouted, throwing her phone on the bed. "Stupid professor."

But just as she was about to sulk, her screen lit up.

Incoming Video Call: Satish

She quickly answered. "Where the hell-"

And then she froze.

Her words died.

Her brain shut down.

Because there he was.

On her screen.

Half-naked.

Water droplets sliding down his sharp jawline, his wet hair sticking to his forehead, and his broad, bare chest on full display.

And God, he looked sinful.

Her throat went dry.

Sharayu: "You- you just-"

Satish (smirking): "Yes, sweetheart?"

She gulped.

He leaned closer to the camera, his eyes dark with mischief. "You called me, so I rushed. Didn't even have time to put on a shirt."

Liar. He was enjoying this.

She tried to look away. Tried.

But her eyes betrayed her.

He noticed.

Of course, he did.

His smirk deepened. "Like what you see?"

Sharayu: "I- I was just-"

Satish: "Staring? Gawking? Fantasizing?"

Her face burned.

Sharayu: "I WAS NOT."

Satish: "Mhm, sure. You've been silent for a whole minute, sweetheart. That's a record."

Sharayu: "Put a damn shirt on."

His low chuckle sent shivers down her spine.

Satish: "Why? Am I distracting you?"

She glared. "You wish."

His gaze turned playful. "Oh, I know."

And then-

He reached for his towel.

Satish: "Need a better view?"

Her eyes widened. "SATISH, DON'T YOU DARE-"

But he moved the towel slightly, teasingly, just enough to-

She screamed.

Sharayu: "I HATE YOU!"

Satish (laughing): "No, you don't."

Sharayu: "YES, I DO."

Satish: "Sweetheart, we both know that's a lie."

Her face was on fire.

She huffed, covering her eyes. "This is harassment."

Satish: "This is love, sweetheart."

She peeked through her fingers.

Still shirtless. Still smug. Still the biggest menace in her life.

Sharayu: "I'm hanging up."

Satish: "Aww, don't go. I'll behave."

Liar. He never behaves.

But before she could argue, his voice dropped. "At least not until you ask nicely."

Her heart skipped.

Her stomach flipped.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Put on a shirt, Satish."

He tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm... nah."

Sharayu: "I swear to God, I will end this call-"

Satish: "Will you?" His voice dipped lower, teasing, sinful. "Because from where I'm sitting, sweetheart, you don't seem like you want to leave."

Damn it.

He had a point.

She hadn't ended the call.

In fact, she had been staring at him-way too much.

And Satish, being the shameless flirt that he was, was enjoying every second of it.

"I hate you."

His chuckle was dark and deep, making something dangerous curl in her stomach.

"We both know that's a lie, sweetheart."

Her breath hitched.

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Her eyes widened.

"Satish!"

"What?" He feigned innocence, leaning closer to the camera.

His damp hair fell over his forehead, his sharp jawline still glistening from the water.

Her throat went dry.

Damn him.

He was doing this on purpose.

"You're such a tease."

"Only for you, sweetheart."

Her stomach flipped.

He grinned, knowing exactly what he was doing to her.

"Admit it," he drawled. "You like this view."

Her face burned.

"I- I do not."

"Liar."

Her fingers clenched the bedsheet.

Why was he like this?

Why did he love torturing her like this?

"You're so shameless."

"Hmm." He nodded. "And yet, you still love me."

She sucked in a sharp breath.

That was unfair.

He knew that hearing him say that made her weak.

But before she could argue, his voice dropped lower.

"Admit it, Sharayu."

She swallowed. "Admit what?"

His dark, heated gaze locked onto hers.

"That you want me there."

Her heart stopped.

"Satish..."

His smirk faded.

His expression turned serious. Intense.

"Say it."

Her pulse raced.

She did want him there.

She always wanted him there.

But she wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

So, instead, she whispered, "In your dreams."

His eyes flashed.

"Sweetheart," he murmured, voice dripping with sinful promise.

"You have no idea what I dream about."

Sharayu's breath hitched.

Satish's eyes darkened, his smirk wicked as he leaned back against the headboard, still gloriously shirtless.

"You really want to know what I dream about, sweetheart?"

Her fingers clenched around the bedsheet, her heartbeat wild in her chest.

She should say no.

She should end the call.

But she didn't.

Satish saw the hesitation in her eyes and grinned like the devil himself.

"You." His voice was deep, rich, sinful. "I dream about you, Sharayu."

Her stomach flipped.

"Satish..."

"Let me paint the picture for you, hmm?" His voice dropped lower, rougher.

She swallowed hard.

"You in my arms, right here-" He patted the space beside him on the bed. "Wrapped up in my sheets, wearing nothing but my shirt."

Her face burned.

He wasn't even touching her, but her body reacted like he was whispering those words right against her skin.

His gaze held hers, unwavering, intense.

"You tangled beneath me, your fingers in my hair, your lips parting when I kiss you-"

She squeezed her eyes shut. "Stop."

"Why?" His smirk was slow, deliberate. "Am I saying something you haven't thought about yourself?"

Her face was on fire.

This was torture.

Satish knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying it.

"I dream about how soft you feel," he continued, his voice a sensual whisper. "The way your breath hitches when I trace my lips down your neck."

Her throat went dry.

"I dream about your hands on me, pulling me closer, the way you melt into me when I-"

"STOP!" She yelped, face burning as she hid behind her hands.

His low chuckle sent shivers down her spine.

"You asked, sweetheart."

She groaned. "I hate you."

"Do you?"

She peeked at him between her fingers, only to see him still grinning like he had just won a battle.

"Yes."

"Liar."

She let out a frustrated sigh. "You're impossible."

His smirk softened, turning into something fond.

"And yet, you still love me."

Her chest tightened.

Sharayu groaned, still burning from the words Satish had just whispered in that sinful voice of his.

Why did she ask? WHY?

He was smug.

Too smug.

Sitting half-naked, fresh from the shower, his hair wet and messy, that smirk absolutely devilish.

She was still hiding behind her hands, her face hotter than the sun, when she heard his low chuckle.

"Sweetheart, you started it. Don't get shy now."

"Satish, shut up!" she squeaked.

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, watching her with lazy amusement.

"Oh, but I'm enjoying this." His dark eyes glowed with mischief. "Did my dreams fluster you that much?"

"I'm hanging up."

"No, you're not."

Her hand hovered over the end-call button.

"Sharayu, if you hang up, I'll just call again. And again. And again-"

She glared. "Why are you like this?"

He grinned. "Like what? Completely in love with my girlfriend and not ashamed to say it?"

Damn him.

Why did he have to say things like that so easily?

Her heart did an embarrassing flip in her chest.

"Shut up," she muttered.

Satish let out a mock sigh. "Fine. Let's talk about something else."

Sharayu narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"

"Like how you're completely avoiding looking at me right now."

Her cheeks burned again. "Because you're half-naked, idiot!"

He smirked, and before she could blink-

-he dropped the towel from around his shoulders.

Sharayu gasped, eyes wide.

Satish grinned, shameless as ever.

"Need a better view, sweetheart?"

"SATISH!"

She whipped around so fast she nearly fell off her bed.

His deep laughter rumbled through the phone, rich and completely unrepentant.

"Oh, come on," he teased. "It's not like you haven't seen me before."

"That was different!" she whined, still refusing to look at the screen.

"How?"

"Because-because-just SHUT UP!"

Satish was having the time of his life.

"You're adorable, you know that?"

"I hate you."

"Liar."

"I do!"

"Say it while looking at me, then."

She squeezed her eyes shut. "I HATE YOU."

Satish chuckled, low and smug. "Still not looking."

"YOU'RE INSANE!"

"And you love me for it."

She groaned. "Why did I call you?"

"Because you missed me."

Damn him.

She really did.

She sighed, finally peeking at the screen, only to see him smiling at her softly now, all the teasing melting into something warmer.

"Did you eat?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

She shook her head.

"Then eat first," he said, "and then we'll talk, hmm?"

Her heart melted.

Sharayu groaned, pressing her forehead against her pillow.

This man-this absolutely shameless man-was going to be the death of her.

She could still hear his laugh through the phone, deep and rich, completely enjoying how flustered she was.

"You done hiding, sweetheart?"

"I swear, Satish, one day I'm going to kill you."

"As long as you kiss me first, I don't mind dying in your arms."

"UGH!" She dramatically flopped onto the bed, trying to ignore the fact that her entire body was on fire because of him.

"You're enjoying this too much," she muttered.

"Of course," he said, smug as ever. "My girlfriend just admitted she can't handle looking at me shirtless. That's a huge win for me."

"STOP BEING SO FULL OF YOURSELF!"

"Not my fault you're cute when you're flustered."

"I AM NOT FLUSTERED!"

"Sweetheart, your face is literally as red as a tomato."

She gasped, touching her cheeks. "You can't even see me properly!"

"I don't have to."

Sharayu huffed, glaring at the screen where Satish was grinning like the devil himself.

"Why did I even call you?" she muttered.

"Because you missed me," he said, without missing a beat.

Damn him.

He was right, and he knew it.

Sharayu refused to give him that satisfaction.

"No. I called because I wanted notes."

Satish tilted his head, a slow, knowing smile curling on his lips. "Notes, huh?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes. Notes. Important notes. College notes. Academic notes. NOT 'I miss my shameless boyfriend' notes!"

Satish laughed, shaking his head. "You're terrible at lying."

"I AM NOT LYING!"

"Sweetheart, you literally called me twice in the last ten minutes. And texted me before that. And sent me a picture of a cat saying, 'I'm bored.'"

She froze.

Damn it.

She had, in fact, done that.

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!" she tried.

"Mmm." He pretended to think. "So if I suddenly disappear for a few days, you won't miss me at all?"

Sharayu's heart skipped a beat.

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably at the thought of not seeing him.

Not hearing his voice.

Not having him tease her endlessly or say ridiculous things just to make her blush.

"That's what I thought," Satish said, his voice gentler now.

She sighed.

He really was impossible.

"Fine," she mumbled. "Maybe I missed you a little."

Satish's grin widened. "Say that again?"

"NO."

"Say it properly, sweetheart."

"I WILL THROW MY PHONE AT THE WALL, I SWEAR!"

Satish chuckled, shaking his head. "You're so dramatic."

"And you're so ANNOYING!"

"Annoyingly handsome?"

"ANN-"

She stopped.

Because Satish had leaned closer to the camera, his wet hair falling into his eyes, his lips curling at the corners in a way that made her brain short-circuit.

"Finish that sentence," he murmured.

She swallowed.

Satish smirked. "That's what I thought."

Oh.

OH, HE WAS EVIL.

"I hate you," she muttered.

"Liar."

"Satish-"

"Say it."

She bit her lip.

Her hands clenched her bedsheet.

"...I missed you," she whispered.

Satish sighed dramatically, holding his chest like he'd been shot. "FINALLY! She admits it!"

Sharayu groaned. "You're so ANNOYING!"

"And you love me anyway."

She pouted, but her heart felt full.

It had been days since Sharayu had last seen Satish in person, and she was losing her mind.

Texting? Not enough.

Calling? Still not enough.

Video calls? Better, but nothing compared to actually being near him.

And she knew Satish was just as frustrated.

Which is why when he called her with an idea, she was already mentally preparing herself for whatever madness he had planned.

"Be ready and act like you know nothing," he said, his voice low and mischievous.

Sharayu narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like this plan is stupid?"

"Because it is," he admitted, completely unbothered. "But it's also brilliant."

She sighed. "Fine. Tell me."

Satish grinned through the phone. "I'll tell your mom that I came to visit my friend Nilesh, who-by the way-lives in your building."

Sharayu frowned. "Nilesh?"

Sharayu slowly nodded. "Okay... But how does this help us?"

"Because I told Nilesh to tell your mom that his friend-aka me-wanted to check on one of his students who recently got injured."

Sharayu was still not convinced.

"So... you're just going to knock on my door and pretend it's all a coincidence?"

"Exactly!" Satish sounded far too proud of himself. "Genius, right?"

"Idiotic, actually."

"Oh, sweetheart," he said, chuckling darkly. "Just wait and see."

Sharayu sat nervously on the couch, her leg propped up with a pillow, when the doorbell rang.

Her mother, completely unaware of the madness about to unfold, went to open the door.

Namaskar Kaku!" came a cheerful voice.

Sharayu almost burst out laughing.

NILESH.

He sounded too excited, like he was enjoying this ridiculous scheme way too much.

"Arre, Nilesh beta, come in!" her mother greeted warmly. "What a surprise! How is everyone?"

"Everyone is good, Kaku! Actually, I came with my friend, Satish."

Sharayu could practically hear Satish smirking.

"Namaste, Aa-Aunty ," his voice followed, smooth as ever. "I was actually in the building to visit Nilesh, and he mentioned that one of his neighbors-one of my students-got injured. So I thought I'd check in, if that's okay?"

Sharayu's mother gasped. "Oh, how thoughtful of you, beta!"

Sharayu, meanwhile, wanted to die.

Her heart pounded as her mother ushered them inside.

And then-the moment of truth.

Her mother turned to her. "Sharu, look who's here! Your professor, Satish Sir."

Sharayu put on her best 'shocked' expression.

"S-Sir?" she stammered, blinking as if she hadn't spoken to him 0.5 seconds ago.

Satish, the shameless man that he was, played his part flawlessly.

"Miss Sharayu? Oh!" He looked appropriately surprised. "I didn't realize it was you! You're the injured student?"

Sharayu nodded weakly.

Nilesh, the traitor, barely held in his laughter.

Her mother sighed dramatically. "This girl! She fell down the stairs! Imagine, at this age!"

Satish nodded seriously, like he was deeply concerned. "That's unfortunate. How's the leg?"

Sharayu shot him a glare. "It's fine, sir. Painful, but manageable."

"Hmm," Satish mused, pretending to be thoughtful. "You should be more careful, Miss Sharayu."

Her eye twitched.

He was enjoying this too much.

Nilesh, meanwhile, pretended to be a helpful friend. "Aunty, Satish is a really nice guy. He was genuinely worried when he heard someone from my building got hurt."

Sharayu's mother smiled warmly. "That's very kind of you, beta."

Satish gave a modest nod, as if he wasn't the most shameless man alive.

"Would you like some tea, Satish beta?" her mother asked.

Before he could answer, Sharayu quickly interrupted. "Aai, I actually need to ask sir some doubts about our syllabus."

Her mother looked pleased. "Good! At least you're focusing on your studies!"

Sharayu forced a smile. "Yes, Aai. Can we sit on the balcony?"

Her mother nodded approvingly. "Of course, of course. Nilesh, beta, you'll have tea, na?"

As they moved to the balcony, Satish leaned in slightly.

"Not bad, sweetheart. You're learning."

Sharayu whispered sharply, "I hate you."

Satish grinned. "And yet, here we are."

She sighed. "This plan was stupid."

"And yet, it worked."

She glared at him. "You are insufferable."

Sharayu had just about recovered from Satish's ridiculous plan when she saw him pulling out a bag of stuff he had brought for her.

Her mother, blissfully unaware of the chaos that was their relationship, was in the kitchen making tea for Nilesh.

Meanwhile, Satish sat across from her, looking far too smug for someone who had just pulled off a questionable plan.

"I brought you some things," he said casually, placing the bag on the table.

Sharayu peeked inside.

Fruits.

Her favorite cookies.

A few chocolates.

And-oh.

She froze.

At the bottom of the bag was his hoodie.

Her favorite hoodie of his.

Her heart did an embarrassing somersault.

She looked up at him. "You brought me your hoodie?"

Satish tilted his head, watching her reaction carefully. "I figured if you had it, you wouldn't feel so lonely."

...Oh.

Her stupid heart melted.

She lifted the hoodie out of the bag and, without thinking, hugged it close to her chest.

"I hate how thoughtful you are," she muttered.

Satish chuckled, leaning in slightly. "And yet, here you are, blushing over a hoodie."

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

"Never."

Before she could reply with something equally sarcastic, he did something that made her brain completely short-circuit.

He grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her slightly closer."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft, genuine, real.

The teasing was gone.

For a moment, she just stared at him.

And then she nodded. "Yeah. It sucks, but I'll survive."

He smiled. "Good."

And then-he kissed her.

Right there.

In her house.

Where her MOTHER was also present.

WHERE HER MOTHER COULD WALK IN AT ANY SECOND.

Her eyes widened in pure panic, but before she could react, he pulled away, smirking.

"You-ARE YOU INSANE?" she whisper-yelled.

Satish, completely unbothered, simply leaned back in his chair. "A little."

Sharayu gasped, still in shock. "My mother is in the house, you reckless idiot!"

Satish shrugged, smug as ever. "So?"

"So?! SO?! If she had walked in-WE WOULD BOTH BE DEAD!"

Satish laughed. "Relax, sweetheart. I timed it perfectly."

Sharayu glared at him. "You are the worst human being alive."

He grinned. "And yet, you still kissed me back."

Sharayu was still recovering from the complete insanity of what had just happened.

A kiss.

In her house.

With her mother just a few steps away.

And Satish-the absolute menace that he was-sat there completely unbothered, munching on a cookie like he hadn't just risked both their lives.

"You know," she whispered angrily, adjusting her hoodie, "I don't know why I even like you."

Satish raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? So you admit you like me?"

She froze.

Damn it.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" she whisper-yelled, eyes darting toward the kitchen where her mother was still chatting away with Nilesh.

Satish just leaned in, voice dropping lower. "You love me, sweetheart. Just say it."

Sharayu glared. "I hate you."

"You love me."

"I loathe you."

"You ADORE me."

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. "I hope your car breaks down on the way home."

Satish laughed, completely entertained by her frustration.

At that moment, her mother called from the kitchen. "Beta, you're staying for dinner, right?"

Sharayu's entire body stiffened.

Satish, of course, looked way too pleased with the idea. "Oh, Aunty, I-"

"No, he's not!" Sharayu cut him off before he could accept. "He has to leave soon!"

Her mother peeked into the living room, eyeing her suspiciously. "Are you sure? He brought all this for you. At least let him have dinner before he goes."

Sharayu was this close to screaming. "No, no, he's busy! Right, Satish Sir?"

Satish smirked. "Actually, I-"

She stomped on his foot.

Hard.

"OW-yes, very busy! SUPER busy!" he corrected quickly, trying to hide his wince.

Her mother, completely oblivious to the silent war happening between them, just sighed. "Alright, if you say so."

As soon as she disappeared back into the kitchen, Satish turned to Sharayu, grinning. "You're so mean to me."

Sharayu rolled her eyes. "If you stayed, you'd get too comfortable, and then you'd do something stupid like-oh, I don't know-KISS ME IN FRONT OF MY MOTHER?"

Satish laughed. "It was a risk worth taking."

She glared. "You have a death wish."

He leaned closer, his smirk turning into something more teasing. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like making my girl flustered."

Sharayu hated how her stomach did a flip at that.

She turned away, hugging his hoodie to her chest. "You're the worst."

Satish grinned, standing up. "And yet, you're still holding onto my hoodie like it's your most prized possession."

Her face turned red.

Before she could throw something at him, her mother walked back in with a tray of tea. "Satish beta, at least have some chai before you leave."

Satish winked at Sharayu before turning to her mother with the most innocent expression ever. "Of course, Aunty! I'd love to."

Sharayu groaned internally.

This man was going to be the death of her.

After finishing his tea, Satish stretched his arms lazily, completely at ease, like he hadn't just pulled one of the riskiest stunts of their relationship.

"Alright, Aunty," he said, flashing his most charming smile, "I should get going now. Thank you for the tea."

Sharayu's mother nodded warmly. "Of course, beta. Come visit again. And take care of Nilesh, poor boy looked so tired today."

Satish nodded, casting a quick glance at Sharayu, who was still hugging his hoodie like her life depended on it.

He wanted to tease her. Badly.

But he also wanted to leave this house alive.

So instead, he just gave her a slow, knowing smirk, before stepping toward the door.

"Take care, sweetheart," he murmured just low enough for only her to hear.

Sharayu froze.

Her hands clenched around the fabric of his hoodie.

He was enjoying this way too much.

Before she could glare at him properly, he was already walking out, his steps leisurely, like he had all the time in the world.

Sharayu sighed in relief, but the moment she turned around, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Her mother was staring at her.

"What?" Sharayu asked, trying to sound normal.

Her mother just raised an eyebrow. "You two seem... close."

Sharayu swallowed hard. "I mean-uh-he's just... my professor, na! Why wouldn't he be nice?"

Her mother hummed suspiciously. "Right."

Too dangerous. Too damn dangerous.

She needed to change the topic fast.

"Aai, I need to rest for a bit. My leg is still aching." She grabbed her crutches and hobbled toward her room as fast as possible.

Her mother sighed. "Fine, but don't keep using that leg as an excuse to avoid me!"

Sharayu nodded hurriedly and shut the door behind her.

She leaned against it, letting out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.

"That was too close."

But before she could even recover from the madness of it all, her phone pinged.

A message from Satish.

Satish: Missing me already?

Sharayu rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw another dimension.

Sharayu: Missing the peace I had before knowing you.

Satish: Liar.

Sharayu: Annoyance.

Satish: Love of your life.

She groaned, covering her face.

This man was impossible.

Sharayu sat on her bed, still clutching Satish's hoodie like it was a lifeline. The soft fabric smelled just like him-a mix of cologne, sandalwood, and something distinctly Satish. It was warm, comforting... and incredibly frustrating.

"Ugh! Why am I like this?" she muttered, pulling the hoodie over her head despite the fact that she was indoors and it wasn't even cold.

Her phone buzzed again.

Satish: Wearing my hoodie already, aren't you?

Her eyes widened.

Sharayu: Excuse me? How do you know?

Satish: I just know, sweetheart. Call it boyfriend instincts.

She groaned, falling back against her pillow. This man had a sixth sense for her weaknesses, and it was downright unfair.

Still, she typed back.

Sharayu: You think you're so smart, don't you?

Satish: I don't think, I know.

She huffed, shifting her position when her injured leg throbbed painfully. It was so annoying being stuck at home, not being able to go anywhere, not even college. She was missing everything-her friends, the lectures, and most importantly...

Him.

It was getting ridiculous.

Sharayu: I hate this. Being stuck here, not seeing anyone. Not seeing...

She stopped herself before completing that thought.

But, of course, he picked up on it immediately.

Satish: Not seeing me?

She rolled onto her stomach, biting her lip.

Sharayu: Don't flatter yourself.

Satish: It's too late for that, love.

Sharayu buried her face in the pillow, muffling a groan. Why was he like this?

Her phone started ringing.

She hesitated for all of two seconds before answering. "What do you want?" she mumbled.

His deep chuckle came through the speaker. "You."

Oh.

Sharayu squeezed her eyes shut. Why did his voice have to sound so sinful, even over the phone?

"Shut up," she muttered, but he only laughed harder.

"Tell me something, sweetheart," he said after a pause. "Are you lying on your stomach right now?"

Her heart skipped. "What?"

"I can practically see you," he continued, his voice dropping to that dangerous, low tone that sent a shiver down her spine. "Wearing my hoodie, hiding your face in the pillow, kicking your feet like some love-struck teenager."

Sharayu sat up so fast she nearly fell off the bed. "I AM NOT KICKING MY FEET."

Satish burst into laughter. "Oh, but you were."

This man was insufferable.

"I hate you."

"And I love you."

She sputtered, clutching the phone tighter. "Satish!"

"What? Can't a man declare his love for his very adorable, very stubborn girlfriend?"

Sharayu's face burned. He was going to be the death of her.

Just then, a sharp knock came at her door.

"Sharayu, dinner's ready!" her mother called.

She scrambled to mute the phone. "Coming, Aai!"

Satish chuckled. "Go eat. You need the strength."

She narrowed her eyes. "Strength for what?"

"For when I finally get my hands on you again."

Her breath hitched.

And before she could respond, he hung up.

Sharayu stared at the screen in utter disbelief.

The past few days had been dragging like eternity for Sharayu. With her fracture keeping her confined at home, she was growing restless. She missed her college, her friends, and more than anything-Satish. But things were about to get lively because her cousin sister Gargi had just arrived with her little tornado of a son, Vardan.

As soon as Gargi stepped into the house, she gasped dramatically, placing her hands on her hips.

Gargi: "Madam, I had to hear from Aai that you had an accident? And you didn't bother to tell me?"

Sharayu, sitting on the sofa with her leg propped up, gave an innocent smile.

Sharayu: "Arre, I didn't want to stress you out! Also, it's just a small fracture-"

Before she could complete her sentence, a three-year-old missile launched himself onto her lap.

Vardan: "Mauuu!"

Sharayu (laughing, hugging him tightly): "Mera shona! Aree dhyan se, Mau ka pair dukh raha hai!"

Vardan gasped and immediately climbed off, looking at her leg with wide, horrified eyes.

Vardan: "Mau, kisne maara? Batao, main usko danda se maarunga!"

The entire house burst into laughter at his adorable threat. Sharayu's mother, who was standing nearby, chuckled.

Sharayu's Aai: "Your Mau is very careless, Vardan. She keeps running around like a monkey and falls down."

Vardan(nodding seriously): "Tabhi Mau ko daantna chahiye."

Gargi winked at Sharayu. "See, even Vardan thinks you need to be more responsible."

Just then, Sharayu's father entered the living room, wiping his glasses.

Baba: "Ah, Gargi beta, you finally arrived. And Vardan, come here champ!"

Vardan ran to him, hugging his legs, while

The house was filled with warmth, laughter, and chatter as Gargi and Aai went to unpack in the guest room. Meanwhile, Vardan refused to leave Sharayu's lap, constantly asking about her leg.

As everyone got busy, Sharayu discreetly reached for her phone, sending a quick message to Satish.

Sharayu: "My house is under attack. Gargi and Vardan are here. Send help."

Within seconds, her phone buzzed with a reply.

Satish: "Oh no, soldiers incoming. Take cover. Don't get caught."

She giggled softly, but before she could reply, Gargi suddenly snatched her phone.

Gargi (raising an eyebrow): "Hmm, whom are you giggling at?"

Sharayu's heart almost jumped out of her chest.

Sharayu (nervously): "Uh...meme group chat!"

Gargi: "Oh really? Let me see!"