Author's Note: 3905
Hey, lovely readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter filled with subtle glances, sibling bonding, and those small but meaningful steps in Anaya and Rudra's relationship. Every moment, every word spoken between these two is a piece of their evolving story, and I can't wait to show you what happens next! 💕✨
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Stay tuned for more twists, romance, and action! See you in the next chapter! 💌
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The Singhaniya dining table was filled with the aroma of a delicious spread, and the room buzzed with the usual lively chatter of the family. Komal, the grandmother, sat at the head of the table, enjoying the energy of her grandchildren, her smile never fading.
Aarav, however, seemed lost in his phone, scrolling through social media, oblivious to the chaos around him. Ria, his twin sister, noticed this immediately and nudged him. "Hey, younger Singhaniya! Earth to Aarav! We're having dinner, not an office meeting!"
Aarav didn't even look up, muttering, "I'm multitasking."
Ria rolled her eyes. "Multitasking? You're not the CEO. Leave that to Rudra bhaiya."
Rakhi, their mother, glanced at Aarav and raised an eyebrow. "Aarav, you're at the dinner table, not in your office. Put that phone down and focus on your food."
Before Aarav could respond, Rudra, seated at the other end of the table, spoke calmly while cutting into his food. "Mom, let him be. Aarav loves his work. Don't disturb him."
Rakhi looked at her eldest son with mock exasperation. "You always defend him. Dev, say something."
Dev chuckled, patting Rakhi's hand. "Let him enjoy his work, Rakhi. Aarav, finish your food and then do whatever you want."
Komal, ever the playful one, leaned forward and smirked at Aarav. "But you're forgetting one thing, Aarav. You might be Mr. Busy Workaholic, but you're still my boyfriend, and I don't allow my boyfriends to ignore me during dinner!"
The table erupted into laughter, and Aarav groaned, putting his phone face down on the table. "Dadi, do you have to say that every time?"
"Of course," Komal said with a twinkle in her eye. "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't tease my boyfriend?"
Ria, sensing an opportunity to add to the fun, chimed in. "Dadi, you spoil him. That's why he's always on his phone. You never tease Rudra bhaiya or Misha like this."
Komal shrugged with mock seriousness. "Well, Rudra is too serious, and Misha's too smart to fall for my tricks. Aarav, on the other hand, is the perfect target."
Misha smirked. "Don't drag me into this, Dadi. And Ria, you're just jealous because Aarav gets more attention than you."
Ria shot back, "Please, I don't need attention. I have enough to deal with watching you all day, Miss Perfect."
"Alright, enough bickering," Rakhi said, shaking her head but smiling at the same time. "You two are like this every day. Can't we have one peaceful meal?"
Dev leaned back, chuckling. "Rakhi, I think the chaos is what makes this family lively. Let them be."
Meanwhile, Anaya and Ria were having a silent conversation across the table, using only their eyes and subtle gestures.
Ria raised her eyebrows, nodding toward Komal and Aarav. Dadi's having the time of her life teasing him, isn't she?
Anaya suppressed a giggle, covering her mouth. Poor Aarav. He'll never catch a break with her.
Rudra noticed their exchange and leaned toward Anaya, speaking just loud enough for her to hear. "What are you two plotting now?"
Startled, Anaya straightened in her seat. "Nothing! We were just… observing."
"Observing what?" Rudra asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
"Just… family dynamics," Anaya said, quickly changing the subject.
Rudra didn't look convinced but let it go, returning to his meal.
Komal, ever the instigator, decided to shift her attention. She turned to Misha. "Speaking of family dynamics, Misha, you'd better start getting ready. You're next, you know. By this time next month, you might not be sitting here as Miss Singhaniya anymore."
Misha froze, a fork halfway to her mouth. "Dadi, what are you talking about? Don't start again!"
Komal grinned mischievously. "I'm just saying, you're at the right age. It's time to start thinking about mingling."
Ria jumped in with a laugh. "Oh, come on, Misha. Imagine the peace we'll have once you're married off."
"Peace? You'll miss me!" Misha shot back, her face flushing.
Anaya, enjoying the banter but wanting to support Misha, said gently, "Dadi, let her breathe. She's still young."
Komal waved her off playfully. "Young? She's 25! In my time, we were married at 20."
Dev, sensing Misha's growing embarrassment, intervened. "Alright, enough about Misha. Let her focus on her career. There's no rush."
"Thank you, Papa," Misha said with a grateful smile, shooting Ria a triumphant look.
The rest of the meal passed in a mix of laughter, teasing, and warmth, the family's bond evident in every interaction. Even Aarav, who had been lost in his thoughts earlier, joined in the fun by the end, smiling as his grandmother patted his hand and whispered, "You'll thank me one day, my dear boyfriend."
After dinner, the family gradually moved to the living room. Komal, comfortably seated in her favorite armchair, called Aarav over with a wave of her hand.
"Aarav, come sit next to me. I need my boyfriend's company," she said, a playful smirk lighting up her face.
Aarav, used to her antics, rolled his eyes but obeyed. "Dadi, you've teased me enough for one day. Don't you think I deserve a break?"
Komal gasped, feigning offense. "Break? Boyfriends don't ask for breaks! They pamper their girlfriends, don't they?"
The family burst into laughter, and even Rudra, who had been quiet during dinner, smirked as he leaned against the armrest of a sofa. "Dadi, don't let him off the hook so easily. He needs to learn how to treat you better."
Ria jumped in, grinning mischievously. "Exactly, Dadi! If Aarav doesn't shape up, you should replace him."
"Replace me?" Aarav exclaimed, leaning back in mock disbelief. "Dadi wouldn't dare. I'm her favorite."
Komal tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "Hmm… you are my favorite. But you're getting too cheeky. Maybe I should find someone else."
Misha laughed, chiming in. "How about me, Dadi? I'd make a much better companion than Aarav."
"Please, Misha," Aarav shot back, grinning. "You wouldn't last a day dealing with her teasing."
"Try me," Misha retorted, crossing her arms.
Rakhi shook her head at the playful banter, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, everyone, give Aarav a break. Komal, you've made him blush enough for one night."
Anaya, who had been quietly observing, leaned closer to Ria and whispered, "Your family is amazing. I love how close everyone is."
Ria nodded, her eyes sparkling. "This is just how we are. Loud, chaotic, but full of love. And you're part of it now, Anaya."
Anaya's cheeks warmed at the sentiment, and she murmured, "Thank you, Ria. That means a lot."
Meanwhile, Rudra, standing near the fireplace, glanced at Anaya. His sharp eyes softened momentarily as he watched her interact with his siblings. She fit into the family so seamlessly, yet her quiet presence added a unique warmth.
Dev, noticing his eldest son's gaze, approached and patted Rudra's shoulder. "She's doing well, isn't she?"
Rudra gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "She is."
Dev smiled knowingly but didn't press further. Instead, he turned to the group and clapped his hands together. "Alright, it's late. Everyone off to bed. We have another busy day tomorrow."
"Yes, yes," Komal said, waving her hand dismissively. "But not before Aarav fetches me some water. A good boyfriend always takes care of his girlfriend."
"Dadi, you're impossible," Aarav said, but he stood up anyway, heading to the kitchen.
As the family dispersed, Anaya found herself walking alongside Rudra. She glanced at him hesitantly, unsure if she should say something.
"You're quiet," Rudra said, breaking the silence.
"I just… it's nice to see how close your family is. I didn't grow up with this kind of warmth," Anaya admitted softly.
Rudra's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he replied, "You're part of this now. And you'll get used to it."
Anaya smiled faintly. "I hope so."
Rudra nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Goodnight, Anaya."
"Goodnight, Rudra," she replied, watching him walk away.
In her heart, she felt a glimmer of hope—a small but growing sense of belonging in the Singhaniya family.
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As the house settled into its nightly rhythm, the quiet hum of activity replaced the earlier liveliness. Komal retired to her room, still chuckling about her playful banter with Aarav, while Dev and Rakhi took a brief walk through the garden, enjoying the cool breeze.
Anaya had just stepped into the hallway leading to her room when she heard soft footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Ria sneaking in her slippers, her face lit with mischief.
"Psst, Anaya! Come with me for a minute," Ria whispered, grabbing her arm.
Anaya raised an eyebrow. "What's going on now? You look like you're up to something."
"It's nothing major," Ria said, grinning. "I just wanted to talk without the whole family listening in. You're the new sister-in-law, after all. We have to bond."
Anaya chuckled, letting Ria drag her to the kitchen. They sat at the counter, where Ria handed her a glass of water and grabbed one for herself.
"So," Ria began, leaning on the counter, "how do you feel about Rudra now? Don't think I haven't noticed the subtle glances between you two."
Anaya almost choked on her water. "Subtle glances? Ria, you're imagining things."
"Oh, come on!" Ria exclaimed, her voice rising slightly before she quickly lowered it. "I'm not blind, you know. He looks at you like you're the only one in the room sometimes. And don't even get me started on how he always defends you, even if he doesn't say much."
Anaya's cheeks flushed, and she glanced down at her glass. "He's… complicated, Ria. And so am I. We're still figuring things out."
Ria tilted her head, studying her. "You mean you're figuring him out. My brother is like that—he's not great with words, but his actions speak volumes. Just give him time."
Anaya nodded thoughtfully. "It's not just about Rudra, though. I feel like I still need to find my place here, in this family. Everyone's been so welcoming, but it's a lot to adjust to."
"Trust me," Ria said with a reassuring smile. "You're doing great. Dadi adores you, Mom and Dad treat you like their own, and even Misha—who doesn't warm up to people easily—likes you. As for Rudra… well, he's already smitten. He just doesn't know how to show it yet."
Anaya laughed softly, feeling a little lighter after Ria's words. "Thanks, Ria. You're a good sister."
"Of course I am," Ria said, winking. "And don't you forget it."
Meanwhile, in his study, Rudra sat at his desk, flipping through some files. His focus was uncharacteristically scattered, his mind replaying moments from dinner. Anaya's quiet laugh, the way she interacted with his siblings, her shy yet bold demeanor—it all tugged at something deep within him.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. His phone buzzed on the desk, and he glanced at the screen to see a text from Aarav.
Aarav: Dadi's already planning to rope you into tomorrow's breakfast prep. Good luck, bro.
Rudra smirked, typing a quick reply.
Rudra: Thanks for the warning. You'd better not skip out, or I'll make you do double work.
As he set his phone down, his thoughts wandered back to Anaya. He didn't understand why she had such an effect on him, but he knew one thing for certain—he couldn't ignore it.
In her room, Anaya stood by the window, looking out at the moonlit garden. She thought about everything Ria had said, about Rudra's quiet protectiveness, and wondered if there was more to his cold exterior than he let on.
A knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Rudra standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low.
Anaya nodded, stepping aside to let him in. He entered, standing a little awkwardly near the window.
"I wanted to say…" he began, hesitating for a moment. "You handled yourself well tonight. With the family."
Anaya blinked, surprised by the rare compliment. "Thank you. They've been very kind to me."
Rudra nodded, his gaze shifting to the floor. "You're… fitting in better than I expected."
"Better than you expected?" she teased lightly, a small smile playing on her lips.
He looked up at her, caught off guard by her tone. A faint smirk tugged at his lips before it disappeared. "Yes. Better than I expected."
They stood in silence for a moment before Anaya spoke again. "Rudra, do you think… we'll ever figure this out? Whatever this is?"
His eyes met hers, dark and searching. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time."
It wasn't a grand declaration, but it was enough for now. Anaya nodded, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his words. As he turned to leave, she called out softly, "Goodnight, Rudra."
He paused in the doorway, glancing back at her. "Goodnight, Anaya."
And with that, he was gone, leaving her with a heart that felt both uncertain and hopeful.
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The night stretched on, the Singhaniya mansion settling into quietness as everyone retired to their respective rooms. Anaya sat by the window in her room, gazing at the moonlit garden. Her thoughts wandered back to Rudra—his rare compliment, his steady gaze, and the way his presence always seemed to dominate a room.
Her lips curled into a small, thoughtful smile. He's so difficult to read… but maybe, just maybe, there's more to him than the cold exterior he shows.
As her thoughts swirled, a soft knock interrupted her musings. She turned toward the door, expecting Ria or even Misha. But when she opened it, there stood Ria, a grin plastered across her face, holding two steaming mugs.
"Can't sleep?" Ria asked, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.
Anaya chuckled softly, closing the door behind her. "Something like that. What's this?"
"Hot chocolate," Ria said, handing her a mug. "Thought we could have some girl talk. You know, typical bonding stuff."
Anaya took the mug, the warmth seeping into her hands. "You're full of surprises, Ria."
"Always," Ria replied, plopping onto the edge of the bed. "So, tell me. What's really going on with you and Rudra?"
Anaya almost spilled her drink. "Ria!"
"What?" Ria asked, feigning innocence. "I'm just curious. You're married to my brother, and I barely see you two talk unless the family's around. Don't you think it's weird?"
Anaya sighed, sitting beside her. "It's… complicated. He's not exactly the most expressive person."
"Understatement of the year," Ria quipped, rolling her eyes. "But he's not heartless, Anaya. He's just bad at showing his feelings. Trust me, I've seen how he looks at you when you're not paying attention."
Anaya felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "He looks at me?"
"Like you're the only one in the room," Ria said dramatically, making Anaya laugh. "No, seriously. He does. And I know my brother. He doesn't do that with just anyone."
Anaya looked down at her mug, her thoughts swirling. Could Ria be right? Could Rudra's reserved demeanor hide something deeper?
Across the hall, Rudra was in his study, staring at a stack of reports he had no interest in reading. His mind kept wandering.
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as he traced absentminded patterns on the desk with his fingers. His thoughts kept drifting back to Anaya—her smile, the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't paying attention. He sighed, pushing the papers away as if they were just distractions from the real thing he couldn't get out of his mind.
What is it about her? he thought. Why does it feel like she's slowly becoming the center of my world?
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He couldn't understand how she had slipped under his guard, how she made him feel things he didn't want to feel. He thought he was in control of everything, but with her... it was different. There was a softness in her, a kindness that disarmed him, and yet he couldn't bring himself to open up to her fully.
A knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he muttered.
To his surprise, it was Anaya who entered, her eyes a little wide but determined as she stood in the doorway. She wasn't wearing her usual serious expression; tonight, there was something more vulnerable about her.
"I couldn't sleep," she said, her voice softer than usual. "And I… I wanted to check on you."
Rudra blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
"Yes, you," she replied with a small smile. "You've been working late a lot lately, and I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
Rudra stood, walking over to where she stood in the doorway. He could feel his heart beat a little faster, though he tried not to let it show. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady but low. "Just busy."
She stepped into the room, looking around awkwardly before meeting his eyes again. "You know… it's okay to not always be fine, right?"
Rudra's jaw tightened, but the softness in her tone caught him off guard. He found himself staring at her a little longer than he intended. She looked beautiful under the dim lighting, the moonlight spilling in through the window casting a soft glow on her face.
Anaya took a cautious step toward him, her heart racing, unsure of what she was doing but feeling compelled to. "You don't have to be perfect, Rudra. You don't have to pretend."
For a moment, the air between them thickened with unspoken words. Rudra's gaze softened, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself vulnerable in front of her. He swallowed hard, his throat tight. "I don't know how to be anything other than what I've always been. Detached. Cold. Calculated."
Anaya reached out, gently touching his arm, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't have to be that way with me. I'm not going anywhere."
His breath caught, and for the first time in what felt like forever, his walls began to crack. He closed his eyes, unable to resist the pull he felt toward her.
Anaya's hand lingered on his arm, her heart pounding in her chest as she leaned closer. "Rudra…" she whispered softly.
Before she could say anything more, Rudra turned to face her fully, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch surprisingly tender. The space between them closed, and his lips, despite the hesitation in his movements, met hers in a kiss that was soft at first, but quickly deepened as if their longing had been building for months.
Anaya's heart fluttered wildly as she kissed him back, her hands resting on his chest as if grounding herself in this moment of shared vulnerability. It wasn't just the kiss—it was everything that led up to it: the distance, the walls they both built, and the quiet understanding that was finally breaking free.
When they pulled apart, their breaths mingled in the silence, and Rudra's hand lingered on her cheek. "I don't know what this is… or what it means, but I can't ignore how I feel anymore," he said quietly, his voice raw and honest.
Anaya's heart swelled with a mix of emotions—relief, joy, and something deeper she couldn't quite name. She smiled softly, her eyes sparkling. "Neither can I, Rudra. Neither can I."
And for the first time, Rudra let himself smile back at her, a real smile, full of warmth and promise.
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The silence between them felt different now, filled with an unspoken understanding. Anaya stayed close, her hands gently resting on Rudra's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingers. For a moment, it felt as if time had slowed, as though the world outside the walls of this room had ceased to exist.
Rudra's gaze softened, his eyes searching hers, as if he were trying to read her, trying to decipher the emotions swirling within her. "You make me feel... things I've never allowed myself to feel," he admitted quietly, his voice almost a whisper.
Anaya felt her heart flutter, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words felt inadequate. Instead, she simply leaned in closer, pressing her forehead to his in a gesture that was both intimate and comforting. It was as though, in that moment, they both needed the reassurance that they were real, that this was real.
"You don't have to be afraid, Rudra," she murmured, her voice steady despite the vulnerability in her chest. "I'm not going anywhere. Whatever this is, we'll figure it out, together."
Rudra let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his hands slowly finding their way to her waist, holding her close, as if afraid to let go. "You're the first person I've ever wanted to open up to," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion.
Anaya's heart skipped a beat at his words. She never expected him to say that. He, who had always been so guarded, so distant, now standing here, vulnerable in a way that was entirely new.
She gently cupped his face in her hands, looking into his eyes with a softness that spoke volumes. "You don't have to hide from me, Rudra. I see you. The real you. And I don't want anything from you but to be with you, in whatever way you're ready for."
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I think... I think I'm ready," he said quietly, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw.
And then, without another word, he leaned down and kissed her again. But this time, there was no hesitation. It was a kiss filled with promise, with everything they had been dancing around for so long. It wasn't just passion; it was raw and tender, an acknowledgment of everything they were both too afraid to say.
When they finally pulled away, their foreheads resting together, neither of them spoke for a long while. There was no need for words. The night had spoken for them—spoken of desires, of fears, of vulnerabilities—and for the first time in a long time, both of them felt seen, truly seen.
Rudra exhaled deeply, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from Anaya's face. "I don't know where this will go, but I want to find out," he whispered.
Anaya smiled, her heart soaring. "Me too, Rudra. Me too."
And in that quiet moment, in the stillness of the night, they both realized that no matter how uncertain the future might be, they were no longer walking alone. Together, they would face whatever came next.