The basement was still cloaked in silence, save for the faint hum of morning outside. Vihaan's gaze softened as he traced the dried streaks of tears on Gauri's cheeks with his thumb. Gently, he brushed them away, his touch lingering longer than he intended.
The faint movement stirred her awake. Gauri's lashes fluttered, and the first thing she saw was his face—closer than ever, his hand still cupping her cheek. For a heartbeat, neither spoke. Their eyes locked, unspoken emotions tangled between them.
Realizing their closeness, Gauri's breath hitched. She shifted, trying to rise from his lap, her fingers fumbling for balance. But before she could pull away, Vihaan's arms tightened around her waist. He buried his face against her shoulder, voice low, raw, and trembling.
"Don't leave…" he whispered, as though the very thought terrified him.
Startled, Gauri froze. She felt the weight of his embrace—not rough, not commanding, but pleading. His hold wasn't the ACP's authority; it was a wounded man's desperate need.
Her heart raced as his warmth enveloped her again. For the first time, she realized… Vihaan wasn't just letting her in—he was asking her to stay.
Later that day, Gauri and Vihaan walked side by side through the quiet corridor of the mansion. Neither spoke, but the silence wasn't heavy—it was charged with the memory of last night's embrace, of the morning where their hearts had brushed closer than either had intended.
Their eyes met for a fleeting second. Gauri quickly looked away, her cheeks warming, while Vihaan's lips curved into the faintest smile. Without a word, he let his little finger brush against hers.
At first, Gauri stiffened, startled by the sudden contact. But when his finger slowly entwined with hers, her heart skipped a beat. She glanced at him, only to find his gaze fixed ahead, as if nothing had happened.
A shy smile tugged at her lips. She didn't pull away. Instead, she let their pinkies stay linked, the smallest of touches holding the weight of a thousand unspoken feelings.
Something was brewing between them—quiet, tender, inevitable.
Just as their pinkies lingered together, a voice echoed from the other end of the hall.
"Bhai!" Yug called out as he strode toward them.
Startled, Vihaan instantly slipped his finger free from Gauri's and stepped a little aside, his expression snapping back to its usual composure. Gauri tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to mask her fluster, but her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush.
Yug reached them, glancing between the two curiously. "Bhai, are you… okay now?" he asked, worry flickering in his tone.
Vihaan gave the slightest nod. "Yes… I'm fine. Thanks to Gauri."
At his words, Gauri froze. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her role so openly. To hide the rush of emotion rising in her chest, she quickly murmured, "I should go check on Dadi," and turned away, walking off before either could see the faint smile tugging her lips.
Yug, however, caught what Vihaan thought he'd concealed—the rare, fleeting smile that curved his brother's lips as his gaze lingered on Gauri's retreating figure.
For a moment, Yug just stood there, amazed. Bhai never smiles like that… but he just did, for her.
Later that day
In the hall, Gauri adjusted her dupatta absentmindedly as she turned a corner—only to bump into a woman she hadn't seen before. The lady stood tall, her posture regal, her sharp eyes scanning Gauri with the weight of quiet authority. She looked older than both Veena and Urvashi, her aura so commanding that Gauri instantly straightened.
"Namaste…" Gauri greeted softly, her voice carrying a touch of uncertainty. "I'm sorry, may I know who you are?"
Before the woman could answer, footsteps echoed from the staircase. Dadi, Urvashi, Shyom, Raani, Yug, and Vihaan descended together.
Dadi's eyes lit up. "Gauri, this is Sharda… my eldest daughter-in-law."
Urvashi stepped forward with a slight smile. "And my elder sister-in-law. She just returned from her long pilgrimage. That is why you haven't met her until now."
Gauri quickly bent down, seeking her blessings. Sharda placed her hand gently on Gauri's head but her tone was firm. "A daughter-in-law should always cover her hair while seeking blessings."
Gauri blinked, realizing her dupatta had slipped back. She quickly adjusted it over her head. "Ji… forgive me, it won't happen again."
Sharda gave a brief nod, her face unreadable.
As the family exchanged respectful greetings, Gauri lowered her eyes, thinking to herself, Oh God… this new aunty looks even sterner than mother-in-law Veena. First one dragon, now two. Kahna, please save me from my dragon mothers-in-law!
Vihaan glanced briefly at her, catching the faint nervous twitch of her lips, but remained silent, his usual stoic mask intact.
Vihaan stepped forward, his expression softening as he folded his hands respectfully. "Bade maa…" he greeted.
Sharda's stern gaze softened only for a moment as she placed her hand on his head. "You have grown more mature, Vihaan," she said, her voice calm but edged with weight. Then her eyes flickered toward Gauri, just for a heartbeat. "But your choice… is poor."
Gauri froze at the words, her lips parting in shock. The glance had been so brief, but the sting of it echoed deep inside her chest. Vihaan stiffened, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing.
Sharda shifted her gaze away as if dismissing the subject altogether. "Where is Veena?"
Urvashi quickly stepped in. "Sister-in-law, after the Janmashtami celebrations she grew tired. She is resting in her room."
"Hmm." Sharda's tone carried no warmth. She lifted her chin. "Very well." Her eyes swept toward Yug. "Take my luggage to my room."
Yug, who had been standing with a lopsided grin moments ago, immediately straightened. "Ji, badi maa," he said and rushed off, motioning to the servants to follow.
The hall fell quiet again, the weight of Sharda's presence settling over everyone like a heavy veil. Gauri kept her eyes downcast, clutching the edge of her dupatta tightly, while Vihaan's gaze lingered on her for a moment—an unreadable storm brewing in his eyes.