He pretends to be shocked, as his eyes glint with mischief. “You’re both ganging up on me.”
“Anyway, I’d never do that, Maa,” Rudra adds, his voice softening. “I know better than to get on your bad side.”
“Good boy,” she teases, and I can practically see her smiling. “And Shivani, don’t let him get away with too much. Sometimes these men need a firm hand.”
“I know who the boss is,” Rudra says, winking at me.
“Of course I’m the boss,” I say, trying to sound stern, but I end up laughing.
“Beta, whether you both admit it or not, Shivani will always be the boss,” Papa says suddenly, and we both go still for a second, surprised.
“I’m happy that way,” Rudra says quietly, looking at me with a soft smile. His eyes sparkle in that way that always turns my insides to mush. My heart races.
“Raksh, Bhabhi! If you’re done with your romance, can we please watch the movie?” Aaryan yells from the living room.
“Okay, you two go enjoy yourselves; we will come back tomorrow,” Maa informs us before lowering her voice.
“Why did you tell them? We were going to surprise them!” Papa huffs, and they start bickering.
I giggle helplessly as Rudra shakes his head, but there’s a smile on his face too. He ends the call and casually slips my phone into his pocket, taking my hand and leading me back to the living room.
We settle back on the couch, this time behind everyone. I sink into Rudra’s lap again, leaning into his chest. His arms come around me naturally, and I feel... home.
As the movie plays, laughter and jokes echo around the room, and Rudra’s hand strokes my arm gently. It’s such a small thing, but I feel it. All of it.
I glance around, taking in the smiles, the comfort, and the warmth that fills this space. My heart swells. This—this right here—is everything I once dreamed of. Family, love, safety, and a place where I belong.
What started as a forced arranged marriage has somehow turned into the most beautiful blessing of my life. I found love. I found peace. I found people who cherish me for who I am.
I glance up at Rudra. He catches my eye and smiles.
“What’s on your mind?” He asks softly, his breath brushing against my skin, giving me goosebumps.
“Just thinking how lucky I am,” I whisper. “That I got to marry this ruthless, arrogant man.”
He chuckles, and warmth surges in me. “For everyone else, maybe. But never for you, Shivani. I’m hopelessly in love with you.”
He kisses me, soft and quick, but it still makes my heart race. “And I’m the one who’s lucky,” he adds.
“Okay, fine,” I sigh dramatically; he will never let me win this argument. “Let’s just say we’re both lucky, okay?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I don’t agree. I’m the lucky one. Fight me.”
I laugh, leaning my head against his shoulder. I look at him—really look at him—and I know, deep in my soul, that this man is everything. He makes me feel seen, special, and loved beyond reason. He knows what I need before I can even say it, reads my face like it’s his favorite book, reads my books even though he doesn't like the genre, and spends all the time he can with me without being asked. He’s my world. This man healed my broken heart.
“You’re the best gift God has ever given me,” I whisper and lean back into him, letting the warmth of the room wrap around me.
This—this is my home, my family, my heart. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
EPILOGUE
SHIVANI
I’m excited and nervous. My stomach twists with anticipation and fear. I don’t know how Rudra will respond. What if he doesn’t take it the way I hope he will? But I can’t delay it anymore. It’s driving me crazy—keeping this to myself, pretending like everything’s normal.
“Do you think he'll be happy?” I ask Simbu, who looks at me and meows. I am taking it as a yes.
I bite my nail as I wait for his arrival, pacing around the room, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I hope he’ll be as happy as I am. God, please let him be happy.
