𝐑𝐚𝐨: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥.

╰┈➤"𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥."

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Athrav and Avyan stepped into the living hall, where all family members was already gathered. Their father, Reyansh Rao, and uncle, Rishav Rao, sat on the couch beside their grandparents.

Parvika and Veda were also present, but Ayur and Tejal were noticeably absent.

Reyansh, beaming with a warm smile, rose from the couch. "Athrav, Avyan, come! Come. I was asking them why you both weren't here."

Avyan flashed a bright smile as he hugged his father. "Oh Papa, I missed you so much."

Rishav feigned a dramatic expression. "Oh, so you only missed your father, not your chachu?"

Avyan chuckled, walking towards Rishav. "No, chachu, I missed you both."

Veda rolled her eyes, amused by her husband's overly dramatic charming behavior.

Reyansh turned to Athrav. "How about you, Athrav?"

Athrav's gaze met Parvika's, his eyes locking onto hers for a moment. "I was feeling some uneasiness two days ago, but I'm feeling much better now."

Reyansh followed Athrav's gaze, noticing Parvika's keen eyes on Athrav. A knowing smile spread across his face. "Oh, okay then."

Reeva, who had been observing the exchange, spoke up, her voice tinged with disapproval. "Reyansh, Rishav, didn't you notice the uninvited guests your sons brought home? Are you not going to say anything about it? They arrived yesterday, and already they're controlling our boys. Ayur, who never disobeys, is nowhere to be found because of that girl."

Reyansh sighed, his eyes meeting Rishav's. "Maa, it's their life. We shouldn't interfere. It's their decision, and it's best if we respect that."

Reyansh's gaze returned to Athrav, his expression a mix of understanding and concern.

Reeva's incredulous gaze locked onto Reyansh, but he remained calm, his expression a gentle reminder that their sons were grown men, capable of making their own decisions.

The room fell silent, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner breaking the stillness.

Rishav stood up, stretching his lean frame. "Everyone, bhai and I are starving. The flight food was terrible. I'm sure Bhai is hungry too. Please serve some food. I'll come downstairs after a long shower."

Maya trailed behind him as he headed for the stairs. Reyansh followed suit, addressing Anamika. "Yes, I'm hungry too. I'll come downstairs after my shower. Anamika, please help me unpack my suitcase."

As the elders departed, Reeva's disapproving glare settled on Parvika and Veda. She rose from the couch, her movements stiff, and walked away without a word.

Jayaraj, who had been observing the exchange, approached Athrav and Avyan. His voice was low and measured. "I hope you boys know what you're doing. I hope you don't regret your decisions later."

With that, Jayaraj walked away, leaving Parvika, Veda, Athrav, and Avyan alone in the living hall, only slience talking between them.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Ayur and Tejal were ensconced in their bedroom, the tension between them palpable. "Why didn't you go downstairs?" Tejal asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Ayur sat on the bed, his gaze fixed on the wall ahead. "I didn't feel like it," he replied, his tone flat.

Tejal's eyes narrowed. "Oh, and I forgot to give you something."

Ayur rose from the bed and walked towards the cupboard beside the closet. He retrieved a small box and returned to Tejal, who instinctively stepped back as he approached.

Ayur's sigh was barely audible as he pulled Tejal close, his hands wrapping around her arms. He placed a sleek new phone in her hands. "I brought this for you. My number's already saved."

Tejal's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze darting from the phone to Ayur's face. "Ayur...this..."

Ayur's finger pressed against her lips, silencing her. "Shhh...don't say anything."

Tejal pushed his finger away, her voice firm. "Why are you doing this, Ayur?"

Ayur's smile was disarming. "What? I just brought a gift for my wife."

Tejal's sigh was laced with frustration. "Stop it, Ayur! I'm not interested in this lovely husband-and-wife game."

Ayur's smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But it's not a game, love. You're my wife, and I'm your husband."

Tejal's eyes flashed with anger. "Ayur, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Stop this act! It's getting on my nerves."

With a sudden surge of strength, Tejal pushed Ayur away, her chest heaving with emotion. Ayur's smile never wavered, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment and hurt.

"I'm just trying to make things right between us, Tejal," Ayur said, his voice low and even. "Why won't you let me? I don't care about the past. What you and others did."

Tejal's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and frustration. "Make things right? You think a new phone and a charming smile can fix everything? Or maybe you think locking me in here will solve everything?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You're delusional, Ayur."

Ayur's expression remained calm, but his jaw clenched slightly. "I'm trying, Tejal. Can't you see I love you?" He took a step closer, his eyes pleading, "I know caging you here won't make you love me, but i'm not trying to caging you inside our room. you're free to leave whenever you want."

Tejal's laughter was bitter. "Our room? Free to leave? Don't make me laugh, Ayur." Her eyes flashed with anger.

Ayur's voice remained gentle, but his words were laced with desperation. "Tejal, please listen to me. You know I love you, i truly love you. I want to work through this, together."

For a moment, Tejal's gaze faltered, and Ayur thought he saw a glimmer of hope. But then her expression hardened, and she turned away. "you love me? But I don't, I will never and you know it damn well! Just leave me alone" Tejal said while looking at him.

Ayur's face fell, she sighs "Tejal please..." Ayur's eyes pleaded with Tejal, but she stood firm, her expression unyielding. "Tejal, please...don't say that. You don't mean it."

Tejal's laughter was cold and mirthless. "Oh, I mean every word. You're just a selfish, arrogant man who only cares about himself. You don't love me, Ayur. You love the idea of possessing me, of controlling me. But I'll never let that happen."

Ayur's face fell, his eyes clouding with pain. He took a step closer, his hands reaching out, but Tejal recoiled, her eyes flashing with warning.

"Don't touch me!" she spat, her voice venomous. "You have no right to touch me, to even look at me. You're nothing to me, Ayur. Nothing!"

The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Ayur felt his heart shatter into a million pieces.

He knew she will never love him back. But he couldn't help himself he loves her, and he couldn't bear the thought of living without her.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Avyan walked into his bedroom to find Veda standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

Avyan scratched his head in confusion. "Why are you standing there like my mom, who's angry at me for cutting classes in school?"

Veda rolled her eyes. "Oh, dear Panti ji, are you forgetting something you did this morning?"

Avyan looked puzzled. "I did something? What did I do? I'm not getting it."

Veda walked towards him, her glare intensifying. "Don't act foolish, you idiot! You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Avyan's confusion deepened. "No, star, I'm really not getting it."

Veda clenched her fists. "The kiss, you idiot! The kiss! You kissed me on the cheek this morning in front of everyone!"

She poked her fingers into his chest, emphasizing each word. Avyan's expression transformed into one of pride. "Oh, that's what you mean? Why? Did I make you blush, star? I hope you liked it."

Veda rolled her eyes again. "I didn't, you idiot! How dare you kiss me in front of everyone?"

Avyan clutched his chest dramatically. "Oh, star, apun hurt hogaya"

(Oh, star, I'm hurt).

Veda's anger escalated. "Stop being dramatic! Now I'll show you what hurt means." She picked up a vase from the nearby table.

Avyan's eyes widened in alarm. "What's wrong with you? This crazy woman! Why did I even marry this crazy woman?" He sprinted into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

Veda banged on the bathroom door, vase in hand. "Open it! Open it, you idiot!"

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

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