Meera stood outside Ishani's hospital room, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the door handle. The muffled voices from within caught her attention. She wasn't one to eavesdrop, but something about the tone of Ishani's words made her freeze.

"Bhaiya, you should think about starting a family with Meera," Ishani said softly, her voice laced with affection. "It'll be good for both of you. I mean... maybe she'll settle down more. Adjust."

Meera felt her breath catch in her throat. A family? Her chest tightened as her worst fears surfaced. She wasn't ready. Not now, not ever, with the way her life was unraveling under Shaurya's control. The very idea of being bound further, of losing what little freedom she  could have made her stomach churn.

But then Shaurya's voice broke through, calm but firm. "Ishi, leave it. That's between Meera and me. I'll think about it when she's ready. Don't push her into something she isn't prepared for."

Meera's lips parted in disbelief. Did Shaurya just...defend her? A flicker of something close to relief spread through her chest. For once, he hadn't dismissed her feelings. Maybe there was a sliver of hope, a possibility that this marriage wasn't entirely doomed.

Gathering her courage, Meera sat stiffly on the bench outside Ishani's hospital room, her fingers fidgeting with the edges of her dupatta. She'd been sitting there for hours now, watching nurses and doctors walk by, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Shaurya had told her to wait outside. His tone had been firm, brooking no arguments, and she didn't dare defy him.

The door finally opened, and Shaurya stepped out, his expression unreadable as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

"Come inside. Ishani wants to say bye," he said, his voice flat before pulling his phone back out and resuming typing.

Meera stood quickly and followed him inside, her heartbeat quickening. Ishani, reclining against the hospital bed, greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

There you are," Ishani said, her tone light but with an edge that made Meera's stomach twist. "I was wondering how long you'd make Bhaiya keep you out there like an obedient puppy."

Meera flushed, opening her mouth to respond, but Ishani continued before she could.

Shaurya's eyes flicked to Ishani at the comment, but he said nothing, standing stoically by the side of the bed.

Meera looked down, avoiding Ishani's gaze. "I was just—"

"Doing as you were told," Ishani interrupted smoothly, her lips curling in a faint smirk. "Good. You should get used to it, Meera. That's the first step to being a good wife, isn't it?"

Shaurya turned to Meera and motioned toward the door. "Wait outside. I'll join you in a minute."

Meera hesitated but nodded, almost grateful for the escape. As she slipped out of the room, she felt Ishani's gaze following her.

The moment the door shut, Shaurya turned to his sister, his expression cold. "Ishani, learn to respect her."

Ishani's smile faltered. "Respect her? Bhaiya, I was just—"

"No excuses," Shaurya snapped. "She is my wife, and no one has the right to disrespect her. Not even you."

Ishani's jaw tightened, her fingers gripping the blanket. "Fine, Bhaiya. If that's what you want."

"It's not about what I want," Shaurya said sharply. "It's about what's right. I am keeping her in line already. Keep yourself out of this ishi and focus on your family now. "

Ishani nodded stiffly. "Okay, Bhaiya. I understand."

Shaurya lingered for a moment, his gaze softening.

"Take care of yourself. Ishi" Shaurya kisses her forehead before leaving.

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The drive back to their home was unusually quiet. Meera sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the scenery rushing past the window. The silence stretched between them, growing heavier with each passing second.

Suddenly, the car came to a halt in front of a restaurant. Confused, Meera looked at Shaurya.

"You didn't even eat breakfast," he said simply. "We're eating here."

Meera nodded, unsure of how to respond, and followed him inside.

They sat across from each other in a quiet booth. The low hum of conversations around them barely registered in Meera's mind as she fiddled with the edge of her dupatta.

Shaurya broke the silence. "What do you want to eat?"

"I'll have whatever you're having," she replied hesitantly.

He raised an eyebrow. "That's not how this works. Tell me what you want."

"I...I don't know."

Shaurya sighed, waving the waiter over and placing an order for both of them. Once the waiter left, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on her.

"You can talk to me, you know," he said suddenly.

Meera blinked, startled. "J-ji?"

"I'm your husband. If there's something on your mind, say it. As my wife, shouldn't you be getting to know me better? Don't just sit there like a statue."He said as he casually scrolled through his phone "Go ahead. Ask me something."

Her mind went blank. She didn't know what to say. Hesitantly, she ventured, "I-is your favorite color grey and black?"

Shaurya raised an eyebrow at her question. "Out of all the questions you ask me this. Anyways, What makes you think that?"

"You always wear those shades," she replied carefully, "and your house is decorated in the same colors. Everything you own seems to be from that range."

Shaurya looked at her, as he raised his eyebrow. "First of all, that's our home," he corrected. "Second, I don't bother much with colors."

Meera murmured under her breath, "His sister is a fashion designer, and he's stuck with grey and black."

Shaurya caught the words, his eyes narrowing . "What did you just say?"

Meera's face flushed. "N-nothing."

"What about you?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.

Her heart thudded in her chest at his sudden shift in focus. She hesitated before responding, "I like bright colors...like yellow or pink but I also like maroon and red"

Shaurya nodded and seemed thoughtful for a moment but didn't comment further. Instead, he gestured for her to continue. "What else?"

"So..." she started, hesitant at first, but then gaining a bit of confidence. "Who's your favorite actress?"

Shaurya looked up from his phone, his eyes locking onto hers for a moment, and his expression darkened. "We're not on a date, Meera," he said flatly, his tone dismissive. "You're my wife. Stop asking such silly questions."

Meera blinked in surprise, the abruptness of his reply catching her off guard. She quickly shifted in her seat, her cheeks flushing with the embarrassment of having asked a harmless question.

"Oh... I was just curious," she mumbled, shifting the conversation. "Okay then... what about your business? What kind of projects are you handling?"

Shaurya leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. His lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in his smile. "You wouldn't understand."

Meera felt a brief sting at his words, irritation rising. "Favourite actress pucho toh aap kehte hai it's too silly, and if I ask about your business, you say I won't understand?" She scoffed, shaking her head. "Jaane dijiye, mujhe nahi puchna aap se kuch bhi."

(Trans - if I ask about your favourites you say that's silly, if I ask about your work you say I won't understand. Let it be I don't want to ask you anything)

She didn't realize how careless she had been, her words flowing more freely than she intended. It wasn't just the business or the actress question—it was her frustration boiling over, a mix of confusion and pent-up emotion. She didn't even consider that she was speaking to her husband, the man who had the power to hurt her.

As the silence stretched, she suddenly froze, her mind catching up with her words.

What did I just say?

Her heart raced, and she quickly glanced up at Shaurya, her throat tightening. She opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could, he let out a deep, unexpected laugh.

"I forgot," Shaurya said between chuckles.

"You're an angry bird too."

Meera blinked in confusion, her eyes widening as she registered his amusement. She had never expected him to laugh—at her expense, no less. Her initial shock slowly gave way to a quiet relief, mixed with the faintest curiosity. Could he change? Could he... be different?

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe it was possible, but the thought disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

Shaurya's eyes gleamed with a sort of dark satisfaction as he watched her reaction. "You've got some fire in you," he remarked casually, leaning forward slightly. "Just remember, I'm the one who keeps you in check, Meera."

Meera bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. Part of her wanted to ask more questions, try to understand him better—but another part of her was just afraid. Afraid that whatever small connection they might have just formed would vanish the moment she let her guard down again.

Soon the food arrived. They ate in silence, Shaurya occasionally glancing at her. For the first time in a while, he seemed almost...approachable.