The dining hall was quiet now. But not as quiet as Krishav's thoughts. Every word from last night kept replaying in his mind.
I only met Rehaan that day…
My father gave this ring before he died…
Find actual proof before accusing me again...
Krishav stood near the balcony of his study upstairs, jaw tight as he stared at the gardens below. He had been observing Veeransh ever since he returned after his father's death. And since then, it had been like a puzzle for him to solve. But, something about Veeransh's expressions yesterday hadn't felt fake.
Because if Veeransh was innocent… Then someone else was playing them all. And this someone must have been Tamas.
The sound of the door opening snapped him out of his thoughts. "Bhai." He looked at the door and stood there was Prem. "Why do you look like that?" Prem stepped in and asked.
"Like what?"
"Nevermind, leave it." Prem handed the file toward him. "Badi Mummy asked me to give you these documents. She wants you both to register the marriage as soon as possible before the media starts creating more controversy. Last night was already a complete disaster."
Krishav took the documents from his hand with a quiet hum. "Hmm."
Prem casually sat on the couch nearby, stretching comfortably. "Well bhai…" he said after a pause, "do you actually like Jiju?"
Krishav stopped mid-step and simply stood there staring at the papers in his hands before looking up slowly. "Yes... I do."
Prem visibly relaxed. "Well… that's good then."
Krishav frowned slightly and turned toward him. "What do you mean by that?"
Prem shrugged. "Bhai, be honest. Did you seriously think Jhanvi would've made a better spouse? I don't know… I never really liked how entitled she acted sometimes. And come on, she was never exactly easy to deal with."
Krishav shot him a sharp glare instantly.
"Okay, okay, sorry!" Prem raised both hands. "But still… I think Veeransh jiju is a much better match for you."
Krishav looked back down at the documents silently while Prem kept talking. "And honestly," Prem added, "he already fits into the family weirdly well."
Krishav's fingers paused against the papers.
"Okaaaay bhai, I'm leaving now," Prem stood up. "Jiju made extra kheer and I fully plan on finishing it before Aarav bhai sees it." He walked out casually.
Krishav's gaze slowly fell toward the documents in his hands. Marriage registration papers. His and Veeransh's marriage. His thumb brushed absentmindedly against the mangalsutra on chest. And his mind drifted to the time when Veeransh was pinned between the marble counter and his body.
That angry kiss.
The unusual warmth he felt from Veeransh, which he could never feel from Jhanvi. The way Veeransh looked at him... it did something to him. Krishav shut his eyes briefly in frustration. None of this made sense.
Veeransh was practically a stranger to him until yesterday. Someone he was supposed to hate. Someone he had spent days suspecting, watching, trying to expose.
And yet…
Why had marrying him felt right? Why did the thought of Kairav touching him still burn inside his chest?
Krishav clenched the papers tighter. "I love Jhanvi," he muttered under his breath, almost like he was trying to convince himself. But for the first time, the words didn't feel right.
* * *
The kitchen smelled faintly of cardamon and milk. Servants cleaned the messed up kitchen from making breakfast. Veeransh stood near the main counter, pouring the kheer in separate containers. But, he was distracted because of something. It was the wedding, Kairav, Krishav and that kiss...
"Still preparing the kheer."
The voice made Veeransh to look up. It was Kairav. His hair was messy and his eyes looked ruined. The servants quietly excused themselves.
Veeransh looked away first. "You should eat something. You left the breakfast table."
Kairav laughed bitterly. "How nicely you're acting."
Veeransh's grip tightened around the bowl.
"You're standing here cooking for everyone like nothing happened yesterday, like you didn't almost become my husband." Kairav stepped forward.
Pain flickered across Veeransh's face. "Kairav—"
"No." Kairav walked closer. "Answer me honestly once."
Veeransh slowly looked at him.
"If Krishav hadn't stopped the wedding…" Kairav's voice cracked slightly, "…would you have married me?"
The question shattered whatever little composure Veeransh still had. "Yes. Yes... I would have."
Kairav shut his eyes immediately. That one word hurt more than rejection ever could.
"But things changed."
"No," Kairav said. "They were changed for us." He stepped closer now until barely a foot remained between them. "Come with me. We can still fix this," he spoke desperately. "This marriage happened suddenly. We'll talk to the family again."
Veeransh shook his head instantly. "You know they won't agree."
"Why?" Kairav snapped. "Because of their beliefs? Their apshagun nonsense?" His eyes turned red. "You love me."
Veeransh looked away.
"You do love me… right?" Kairav pulled Veeransh's shirt. The voice was low, which hurt even more. Veeransh slowly nodded once and Kairav's expression broke completely. Then suddenly, he grabbed Veeransh's wrist tightly. "Then end this marriage."
Veeransh stiffened. "Kairav—"
"I'm serious." His voice trembled now. "I can't watch you stand beside him pretending everything is normal."
"It's not that simple."
"Why not?"
"Because your family already believes this marriage saved something terrible from happening!" Veeransh finally snapped. "Your mother thinks breaking it now will bring bad luck. Everyone's emotions are already shattered."
"And what about us?" Kairav whispered and his words made Veeransh to go quiet. Kairav moved even closer. "Tell me honestly… when Krishav touched you today… Did you feel anything?" Veeransh froze completely. That silence alone gave Kairav his answer. His grip loosened instantly. The hurt in his eyes became unbearable.
Kairav stared at him for several long seconds. Then he laughed and it sounded broken "So that's it? One day. That's all it took?"
Veeransh frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Kairav's eyes burned. "Yesterday morning you were ready to marry me. And now it's Krishav, and I cannot find a hint of remorse or sad in your eyes for me."
"Kairav—"
"No." He shook his head sharply. "Don't lie to me now." Kaitav stepped back. "You're pulling yourself away from me."
The accusation made Veeransh look in shock. "I'm not."
"You are." Kairav stepped closer cornering him against the counter now. "You don't even realize it yourself, do you? The way you defend him now… the way your eyes searched for him in the dining table…"
Veeransh's heartbeat started rising. "Kairav, enough."
"Why?" he snapped. "Because the truth makes you uncomfortable?"
Veeransh pushed Kairav. "You're crossing a line."
Kairav stumbled back. "And what line did Krishav respect?" Kairav shot back bitterly. "He snatched you from me in front of everyone. And now..." he straightened his shirt, "...it's like you are taking his side.
"That marriage happened because of circumstances. And, I'm not taking his si—."
"Then leave those circumstances!" Kairav grabbed his wrist again. "Come back to me."
"You're making this harder."
"Harder?" Kairav repeated. "You think this is hard only for you?"
"Kairav look... We can talk about it later."
"THERE'S NO LATER, VEER!!" Kairav bashed throwing Veeransh's wrist. "Krishav doesn't love you! He only loves Jhanvi! It's all a facade!! WHY ARE YOU NOT UNDERSTANDING?!"
Veeransh looked away. Kairav was right somewhere. Krishav really didn't love him, it was just something he did out of suspicion. But, something in him told that this wasn't all about Krishav. Then he spoke up, "Krishav is not that bad."
This broke Kairav. "Veeransh! I have loved you before you even knew he existed!"
"Kairav... it's not about tha—"
"Then? What is it about??" Kairav grabbed Veeransh shoulders. "Wait.. maybe I understand now."
Veeransh frowned. "Understand what?"
"Why you're staying." The tone in his voice changed, and it was darker and sharper.
"Kairav…"
"You saw something better in him, didn't you?" he asked quietly. "That's what this is."
"Stop it," Veeransh said slowly.
"Krishav is richer. More powerful. He's the most talked about guy," Kairav's voice was bittery. "And maybe that attracts you more than someone like me. "
"That's enough."
"Or maybe," Kairav continued over him, "he is too handsome for you, huh?" He stared at Veeransh. "Or maybe you just liked the fact that he fought the whole family for you. You needed that, right?"
"You know that's not true."
"Then prove it!" Kairav suddenly slammed his hand against the counter beside Veeransh, making him flinch slightly. "End this marriage right now!" Kairav's eyes went to the mangalsutra on Veeransh's chest. "Take this out first!"
Veeransh stared at him. "Kairav, you are talking crazy!" He tried to push Kairav's hands. But Kairav grabbed the mangalsutra and tried to pull it.
Before Veeransh could force Kairav's hand away, another hand suddenly grabbed Kairav's wrist harshly, hard enough to make him let go instantly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The voice made Kairav and Veeransh turn around. Standing there behind Kairav was Krishav, with his hand stopping him from pulling the mangalsutra. "Bhai, I think you have forgotten that Veeransh here married me yesterday."
Kairav jerked his wrist free angrily. "Stay out of this."
Krishav laughed. "Out of this?" he repeated. "You're grabbing my husband and telling me to stay out of this?"
The word husband made Kairav to step back and he looked at Veeransh, who had his eyes locked on Krishav.
Veeransh stepped forward. "Krishav, leave it—"
But Krishav ignored him completely. Instead, he stepped closer toward Kairav. "You know what's embarrassing, bhai? Watching someone beg for a person who's already married."
"Krishav! Remember this marriage was deception. You married my Veeransh under the deception of Shehra. Don't you dare say that he's your husband." Kairav raised a finger towards Krishav.
"Or what?" Krishav tilted his head. "You'll snatch the mangalsutra off his neck because you can't handle rejection?"
"KRISHAV!" Kairav stormed and gripped his collar.
Krishav effortlessly pushed Kairav, "Bhai, control yourself."
Kairav was bubbling with anger and he picked up the nearby knife. And charged towards Krishav.
Veeransh realising the danger instantly drifted infront of Krishav and gripped Kairav's hand. "Nahi Kairav, Nahi!" He pleaded. Krishav looked down at Veeransh and the mockery faded from his face.
Veeransh's fingers were trembling around Kairav's wrist as he struggled to keep the knife away. "Kairav… please, put it down."
Kairav's eyes were bloodshot with anger and heartbreak as he looked from Veeransh to Krishav. He stopped his gaze at Krishav. "You ruined everything," he said through clenched teeth. "You stole my life from me."
Krishav smirked, "Yes, I did."
"Enough, you two!" Veeransh shouted. "What's done is done. It can't be changed now."
At his shout, Kairav stepped back and the knife slipped from his hand. "He changed you..." his voice cracked.