Aayansh pov
I was back at my desk, pretending to work, but my mind was still stuck in Ruuh’s cabin.
Her smile.
The roses.
And the way Rishabh’s eyes had lingered sharp, questioning.
I was still lost in thought when my phone rang.
Ruuh.
I picked up immediately.
“Hello?”
Her voice came through soft… but heavy, like she was holding something back.
“Ruuh,” I said instantly, sitting straighter. “What happened?”
There was a brief silence on the other end. Long enough for my heart to start racing.
Then she spoke.
“Rishabh bhai wants to meet you.”
For a second, everything inside me stilled.
“Okay,” I replied, even though my grip tightened around the phone. “I’ll meet him.”
She started explaining everything that happened after I left, how he noticed the bouquet, the look on his face, the questions he asked. I could hear the fear in her voice, the worry she was trying so hard to hide.
“Aayansh,” she said quietly, “go only if you want to. I can handle it. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
That was it.“Hey,” I said gently but firmly, “listen to me. I’m not running away. I’ll meet him. I’ll be fine.”
She sighed softly, not fully convinced.
“Okay… just be careful ok dont get angry if he says something and please don't fight .”
“I will be careful and dont worry i wont fight,” I assured her. “Trust me.”
We hung up after that.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.
I told her I’d be fine.
And I meant it.But the truth?
I was nervous.
Not because I was scared of Rishabh but because I cared too much about Ruuh.
And I knew one thing for sure.
This meeting wouldn’t be easy.
And it wouldn’t be simple.
But if standing in front of her brother was the price of loving her openly
Then I was ready to pay for it.
By the time evening arrived, I was already there ten minutes early. The café was quiet, soft music playing in the background, the smell of coffee lingering in the air. I chose a table near the window, my fingers tapping lightly against the cup in front of me.
I kept telling myself to stay calm.
I hadn’t done anything wrong.
Still… This was Ruuh’s brother.
Exactly at six, the bell above the door rang.
I looked up.
Rishabh walked in.
Tall. Composed. Expression unreadable.
His eyes scanned the café once and then settled on me. He walked over and sat across from me without a word.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
“So,” he finally said, folding his hands on the table. “Aayansh.”
“Yes,” I replied evenly.
His lips curved slightly not a smile, more like acknowledgement.
“You know why I asked you to meet me.”
“I do,” I nodded. “And I won’t lie.”
That seemed to please him.
He leaned back slightly, studying me the way someone inspects something fragile yet valuable.
“You’re dating my sister.”
“Yes.”
No hesitation. No excuses.
His jaw tightened.
“How long?”
“Long enough to know I’m serious about her.”
He went quiet. Too quiet.
“Ruhi isn’t just my sister,” she is my first child he said slowly. “She’s my responsibility.”
“I understand,” I replied. “She means everything to you.”
“She is everything,” he corrected. “When her father died, she broke. And I promised myself that no one would ever hurt her again.”
His eyes sharpened as they met mine.
“So tell me, Aayansh,” he said, leaning forward. “Why should I trust you with her?”
I didn’t rush my answer.
“Because I don’t want to protect her from the world,” I said honestly. “I want to stand beside her while she faces it. I don’t want to cage her or decide for her. I want to choose her every single day.”
He watched me closely, searching for cracks.
“And if you hurt her?” he asked quietly.
“I won’t,” I said. “But if I ever do it intentionally or not you won’t have to come looking for me. I’ll answer to you myself.”
That surprised him.
He leaned back, exhaling slowly.
“You’re calm,” he observed. “Most people get defensive.”
“I don’t need to be,” I replied. “I love her. That’s the truth.”
Silence settled between us again.
Then he spoke, his voice lower.
“I’m not asking you to leave her.”
My chest loosened slightly.
“But,” he added, raising a finger, “don’t mistake this for approval.”
“I didn’t expect it,” I said honestly.
“Time will tell if you’re capable of being her boyfriend.”
He looked at me steadily.
“If you ever make her cry,” he said slowly, “I won’t warn you. I won’t shout. I won’t threaten.”
He leaned closer.
“I’ll end it.”
I met his gaze without flinching.
“Understood.”
He stood up.
“Take care of her,” he said. “Not like a hero. Like a partner.”
“I will.”
He paused before leaving.
“And Aayansh?”
“Yes?”
“She smiles differently when she talks about you,” he said.
“I know you. You’re a good person. Don’t disappoint me or make me hate you.”
“I won’t,” I replied quietly.
He walked out, leaving me sitting there heart pounding, hands slightly shaky, but grounded.
It wasn’t approval. It wasn’t rejection.It was a warning.
And a chance.
And for Ruuh, I was ready for both.
Singhania Mansion
After meeting Rishabh, I came home, but my mind was still stuck at that café.
Honestly, it went nothing like I had imagined.
I thought he would punch me first and then talk just like Aditya had done. I was prepared for anger, threats, maybe even a warning to stay away from Ruuh.
But instead… he listened.
And somehow, he trusted me.
That trust sat heavy on my chest in a good way, but also with responsibility. I promised myself right then that I would never break it. Not his. Not Ruuh’s. Not anyone’s.
I picked up my phone and dialed Ruuh’s number. She had already messaged me, asking me to call as soon as I was done meeting Rishabh.
She picked up immediately.
“How was it? What happened? What did Rishabh bhai say?” she blurted out in one breath. “He came back home long ago, and I wanted to ask him but I didn’t dare”
“Ruuh,” I chuckled softly. “Calm down. Let me speak.”
“Oh sorry,” she said quickly. “I was just… worried.”
“Don’t worry,” I said gently. “It was… better than we expected.”
There was a pause on the other side.
“Better?” she asked cautiously.
“He didn’t shout,” I continued. “He didn’t threaten me. And no he didn’t punch me either.”
I could almost hear her release the breath she had been holding.
“So… what did he say?” she asked softly.
“He said he’s not asking us to break up,” I replied. “But he made one thing very clear I hurt you, and he won’t forgive me.”
She went quiet.
“And?” she whispered.
“And I told him I won’t ever give him a reason to,” I said. “He trusts me, Ruuh. Not completely but enough to give us a chance.”
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then I heard it.
A small, shaky sniff.
“Are you crying?” I asked immediately.
“No,” she said, but her voice betrayed her. “I’m just… relieved.”
“I told you,” I said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re sure?” she asked. “You’re not scared?”
I smiled to myself. “Of your brother? Maybe a little.”
She laughed through her tears. “I knew it.”
“But for you?” I added. “Never.”
Her voice softened. “Thank you, Aayansh. For meeting him. For standing up. For us.”
“Always,” I replied. “Now rest, okay? And stop overthinking.”
She hummed in agreement. “You better come meet me soon.”
“I will,” I promised. “Very soon.”
After the call ended, I leaned back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
The hardest part wasn’t over yet.
But the most important wall had cracked.
And for the first time,
our future didn’t feel impossible anymore
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