The drive to the village had a different kind of energy.

Aryaman sat in the front seat, his father beside him, both discussing something casually. But his focus wasn’t fully there.

It kept shifting.

To the rearview mirror.

Richa sat in the back with his mother, dressed beautifully, her saree adjusted neatly now, her hair falling softly over her shoulder. She was talking politely, smiling, nodding, completely immersed in conversation.

As if she hadn’t turned his world upside down just hours ago.

Aryaman’s eyes flickered to the mirror again.And again.

At one point, she noticed.Her gaze met his through the reflection.

Just for a second.

Then she looked away, hiding a small smile.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.His father continued talking, unaware, while Aryaman forced himself to respond, though his attention had already drifted back to her.

She adjusted her pallu slowly, completely aware of his gaze now.

It was deliberate.A quiet continuation of her teasing.

Aryaman exhaled slowly, shaking his head almost imperceptibly.

She really wasn’t going to let him breathe today.

By the time they reached the village, the atmosphere changed completely. Open space, decorated entrances, people moving around, laughter and music filling the air. Relatives gathered everywhere, greeting each other warmly.

Richa stepped out of the car beside him, adjusting her saree gracefully.

The moment they entered, elders began approaching.

She greeted everyone respectfully, folding her hands, then bending to touch their feet one by one. Her calm, respectful demeanor instantly won hearts.

Aryaman watched her quietly.

There was something about seeing her like this that softened him.

One elderly lady held Richa’s face gently after blessing her.

“Always stay happy,” she said warmly, then added with a smile, “and may you be blessed with a baby soon.”

Richa froze for a brief second.Her cheeks flushed deeply.

Instinctively, her eyes moved toward Aryaman.

He was already looking at her.And then he did it.

A slow, teasing wink.

Her expression changed instantly, a mix of embarrassment and disbelief.

He looked completely calm, as if nothing had happened.

The family gathered together after a while, sitting in a large open area, talking, laughing, sharing stories. Richa sat among the women, blending in naturally, while Aryaman sat nearby with the men.

But their attention kept drifting back to each other.

Then came the toddler.

A small, cheerful child waddled straight toward Richa, instantly drawn to her. Within seconds, the baby climbed into her lap as if it belonged there.

Richa laughed softly, holding the child carefully.

The toddler touched her face, then planted a tiny, messy kiss on her cheek.

Everyone around them laughed.

“So attached already,” someone commented.Richa smiled warmly, kissing the child’s cheek in return, playing along happily.

Aryaman watched.

Quiet.

Still.But his expression shifted slightly.

Not obvious to others.But very clear to her.

She noticed immediately.And instead of calming down, she made it worse.

She hugged the toddler closer, pressing another playful kiss on its cheek, smiling brightly.

Aryaman looked away for a second, jaw tightening.

He said nothing.Because everyone was there.

Because he couldn’t.

A few seconds later, Richa’s phone buzzed softly in her hand.

She glanced down.A message from him.

“Come to the room. You are going to get a hard time.”

Her lips curved slowly.

Without looking at him, she typed back.

“Don’t come near me at least for a week. I need rest.”She hit send.

Aryaman’s phone buzzed.

He read it.And for the first time since they arrived, he actually looked at her directly.

Not subtle this time.

A slow, dangerous look.Richa didn’t look back immediately.

She just continued playing with the toddler, smiling innocently.

But the corner of her lips betrayed her.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Ch 49 LOCKED

The music outside was loud, laughter echoing through the courtyard, but inside the corridor it felt strangely quiet.

Richa walked past the decorated hallway, adjusting her bangles lightly. Someone had told her there were extra dupattas kept in one of the side rooms. Without thinking much, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was dim.

Before she could even turn properly, the door shut behind her with a click.

She frowned, reaching for the handle.

It didn’t move.

She tried again, harder this time.

Locked.

A small breath caught in her throat. “Hello?” she called, knocking lightly at first, then louder. “Is someone there?”

No response.

The noise of the wedding swallowed her voice completely.

Her heartbeat started to rise. The room felt smaller suddenly. The air heavier.

She stepped back, trying to steady herself, but her fingers trembled as she knocked again, louder now.

“Aryaman…” she whispered under her breath, more instinct than thought.

Outside, Aryaman had been talking to a few relatives when he noticed something.

She wasn’t there.

At first, he ignored it. Thought she must be with the women or somewhere nearby.

But minutes passed.

His eyes began scanning the area more carefully.

No red saree.

No familiar face.

His jaw tightened.

He walked toward the women’s side. Asked casually. No one had seen her in a while.

That was enough.

His calm shifted instantly.

He moved through the house quickly now, checking rooms, corridors, his steps growing sharper with each second.

Then he heard it.

A faint knock.

He stopped.

Turned toward the sound.

Followed it.

Another knock. Slightly louder.

His expression hardened.

Within seconds, he reached the door and tried the handle.

Locked.

“Richa?” his voice came out firm.

Inside, her eyes widened instantly. “Aryaman!”

Relief hit her so suddenly it almost made her weak.

He stepped back and forced the latch open with a strong push. The door swung open.

Before she could even react properly, he stepped inside, his eyes scanning her from head to toe quickly, checking if she was hurt.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his tone sharp.

“I… I was just locked…” she started, but her voice shook.

His expression changed.

Not relief.

Anger.

“What were you doing here alone?” his voice rose, controlled but harsh. “Who told you to come here? Do you have any idea how careless that is?”

She flinched slightly.

“I just came to get something, I didn’t know—”

“That’s the problem,” he cut her off. “You didn’t know. You don’t think.”

Her eyes filled instantly.

The fear she had been holding back broke through his words.

“I was locked inside,” she said softly, her voice trembling now. “I was scared…”

The moment the word left her lips, something shifted in him.

He saw it then.

Not carelessness.

Fear.

Real fear.

Her fingers were still shaking.

Her eyes were glossy.

For a second, he said nothing.

Then she stepped forward suddenly and held onto him.

Tightly.

Her face pressed against his chest, her grip desperate, like she needed to feel something solid, something safe.

“I called you…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I thought… I don’t know…”

His hands stayed still for a moment.

Just a moment.

Then slowly, they moved.

One arm wrapped around her back, pulling her closer. The other came up to her head, holding her gently against him.

His anger dissolved quietly.

“I’m here,” he said, his voice lower now. “Nothing happened.”

She didn’t let go.

If anything, her grip tightened.

He closed his eyes briefly, resting his chin lightly against her head, his hold firm now, protective.

“You don’t go anywhere alone like this again,” he murmured, softer but serious. “Not here. Not anywhere unfamiliar.”

She nodded against him.

“I won’t,” she whispered.

A few seconds passed like that.

Just silence.

Her breathing slowly calming. His grip not loosening.

Then he pulled back slightly, his hand moving to her face, lifting her chin gently.

“Look at me.”

She did.

Her eyes still wet.

His thumb brushed lightly under her eye, wiping away the tears.

“I shouldn’t have raised my voice,” he said quietly. “But don’t scare me like that again.”

There was something different in his tone.

Not anger.

Fear he didn’t want to admit.

She held his wrist lightly. “Then don’t shout like that.”

A faint breath left him, almost a reluctant acceptance.

“Fine.”

Her lips curved just slightly through the tears.

And before he could say anything else, she leaned forward again, hugging him once more.

This time, he didn’t hesitate at all.

He held her close.

Firm.

Like he wasn’t planning to let go anytime soon.

CH 50 SUSPECT

They stayed like that for a few more seconds, her face still pressed against his chest, his hand steady on her back.Then Aryaman slowly pulled back, but he didn’t let her go completely. His fingers closed around her wrist, firm, grounding.

“Come,” he said quietly.

She nodded.

As they stepped out into the corridor, the noise of the wedding rushed back in. Music, laughter, people moving around as if nothing had happened.

But something had changed.Aryaman’s eyes scanned the area once.

Sharp.

Observant.

And then he saw it.

At the far end of the corridor, a man turned quickly and walked away the moment their eyes almost met.

Just for a second.

But it was enough.

Aryaman’s expression hardened, almost instantly.

Richa didn’t notice.

She was still a little shaken, her steps slower, her fingers tightening slightly around his hand.He didn’t say anything.

Instead, he gently guided her back toward the main gathering, his hand still holding hers, not loosening even when they entered the crowd.

A few relatives noticed.

“Where were you both?” one of the aunts asked with a teasing smile.

Richa’s cheeks flushed lightly, but before she could say anything, Aryaman answered calmly, “She needed something from inside.”

They settled back with the family, but this time Richa didn’t sit far.

She stayed close.Closer than before.

Her shoulder lightly touching his arm, her presence almost instinctively seeking him.

Aryaman noticed.He didn’t comment.

But his hand moved subtly, resting over hers for a brief second.

A silent reassurance.Time passed, conversations resumed, laughter filled the space again. But Aryaman wasn’t fully present anymore.

His attention split.

Later, when things got slightly quieter, he leaned closer to her, his voice low enough that no one else could hear.

“You don’t leave my sight again today.”She looked at him, surprised at the firmness in his tone.

“I was just—”

“I know,” he cut in, softer this time. “Still.”

She studied his face for a moment.

There was no teasing there.

She nodded slowly. “Okay.”

That was enough for him.Evening turned into night.The wedding functions slowed, people started settling into their rooms, the noise fading into a softer hum.Richa sat on the edge of the bed in their room, removing her earrings slowly, her thoughts still drifting back to that moment.

She looked up when Aryaman entered.He closed the door behind him, his movements quieter now, but his expression still unreadable.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.Then she broke the silence.

“That wasn’t an accident, was it?”He paused.

Her fingers stilled. “Aryaman…”

He walked toward her, stopping a step away. “You shouldn’t have been there alone.”

“That’s not what I asked,” she said, her voice softer but steady.

A brief silence passed.

“No,” he said. “It didn’t feel like one.”Her heart skipped.

“Who would do that?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “Someone who wanted to see what happens when you’re alone.”

A chill ran through her.

Without thinking, she stood up and stepped closer to him.

“You knew?” she asked.

“I suspected something off the moment I couldn’t find you,” he replied.

She held his arm lightly. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

His gaze softened just a fraction. “Because I don’t want you scared every second.”

She let out a small breath. “Too late.”

For a moment, he just looked at her.Then his hand came up to her face again, gentler now.

“I won’t let anything happen,” he said quietly. It wasn’t a promise filled with softness.

It was a statement.

She searched his eyes. “And if someone tries again?”

“They won’t get a second chance.”The room fell silent after that.

Richa didn’t ask more.But something settled inside her.This wasn’t just a wedding trip anymore.There was something else here.

Later that night, when she finally lay down, sleep didn’t come easily. She shifted slightly, her thoughts restless.

Aryaman noticed.

He turned toward her, without a word pulling her closer.

Her head rested against him again, just like in the morning.

This time, she didn’t resist.

Her fingers curled into his shirt, holding on.

His arm tightened around her.

But even as her breathing slowly evened out, Aryaman’s eyes remained open.And somewhere in his mind, a decision had already been made.

CH 51 A WEEK?(15+)

Morning in the village came alive with bright sunlight, laughter, and loud preparations. The courtyard was filled with yellow decorations, bowls of haldi placed everywhere, महिलाएँ singing traditional songs, teasing the bride and groom.

Richa stepped out dressed in a simple yellow suit, her hair loosely tied, minimal jewelry, glowing in the soft morning light. The atmosphere felt lighter than yesterday, but somewhere inside, she still stayed closer to Aryaman without realizing.

Haldi began with laughter and chaos. Family members playfully applied haldi to the bride, smearing it across cheeks, hands, even arms while everyone cheered.

Soon it spread to everyone.Someone pulled Richa into the circle.

“Come, you too,” one of the cousins laughed, dipping fingers into the haldi bowl and applying it to her cheek.

Richa laughed softly, trying to dodge, but it was useless. Within seconds, her hands and face had streaks of yellow.

Aryaman stood at a distance, watching.Calm on the outside.

But his eyes stayed on her.She turned slightly, meeting his gaze.

That same look.

A few minutes later, when the crowd got busier, Aryaman stepped forward, picking a bit of haldi on his fingers.

"Your turn,” someone joked.

He didn’t respond.He walked straight to her.

Richa stilled slightly as he came closer.The noise around them faded for a moment.

He lifted his hand and gently applied haldi to her cheek, slower than necessary, his fingers brushing against her skin.

Her breath caught slightly.

His gaze didn’t leave her face.

“Done?” she asked softly, trying to keep her voice steady.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his fingers moved again, this time to her other cheek, then lightly along her jaw. It wasn’t playful anymore.

It was deliberate.She glanced around quickly. People were still busy, distracted.

“You’re making a scene,” she whispered.

“Not yet,” he replied quietly.

Before she could react, his hand closed around her wrist.

“Come.”

She frowned slightly. “Where?”

He didn’t answer.

He simply guided her away from the crowd, through the side corridor, into a quieter part of the house.

Her heart started beating faster.

“Aryaman… someone will see…”

“No one is looking,” he said calmly, pushing open a room door and pulling her inside.The door closed behind them.

Richa turned toward him, her pulse uneven. “What are you doing?”He stepped closer.

“You were enjoying out there,” he said, his voice low.

“I was just—”He didn’t let her finish.His fingers lifted her chin slightly, his gaze fixed on the faint haldi marks on her face.

“Standing there… laughing… like nothing affects you.”

Her breath softened. “And it does?”

He didn’t reply with words.Instead, he dipped his fingers into the small haldi still on her hand and brought it up again.

This time, he didn’t stop at her cheek.His hand moved lower, brushing lightly near her neck, leaving a faint yellow trail.

Richa’s breath hitched.

“Aryaman…” she whispered.

His voice dropped further. “You said you needed rest.”

There was a hint of teasing now.Her lips parted slightly. “I did.”

“Doesn’t look like it.”

His fingers moved again, slower, more aware, tracing lightly over her waist where the fabric met skin, leaving a soft mark of haldi there.

She froze for a second, her hand gripping his wrist instinctively.

“That’s not fair,” she murmured.

“Neither was yesterday,” he replied.

The air between them shifted again, heavier, deeper than before.But this time, it wasn’t rushed.

His hand stilled at her waist, not moving further, just holding her there, grounding her.

After a few seconds, he stepped back slightly.Her breathing was still uneven.

“So,” he said quietly, a faint smirk returning, “still need a week?”

She looked at him, a mix of embarrassment and challenge in her eyes.

“Maybe,” she replied softly.

He nodded once, as if accepting it.“Let’s see how long that lasts.”

"A week" She said putting her arm around his neck,toeing on her toes leaning toward him rubbing her yellow coloured cheek against his cheek and his head leaned back.

"You exactly knows what are you doing?" He said gulping down.

"I exactly knows what I am doing" She whispered back .

Her hand reaching to unbutton his shirt and she did.

And their gaze met,her palm rested on his chest trailing down slowly to beginning of V line. Before he can took a moment,her hand replaced with her lips on his chest,he fixed himself on a place,her feets bent and she sat down infront of him.

Her hands tracing the buckle of belt "don't start if you can't end it"his voice dangerous yet slow .

But her being bold and mischievous, she opened the belt, and untucked the button,his pants loosing down, rolling bottom of his ankle, stood only in his boxers,Her hands cupped his clothes hardness and his hand grabbed her hairs messing them.

Removing his boxers, grabbing him in her soft tiny hands,he felt warm in her hold,he controlled himself down, groaning and muffling himself.

"Richaaa" He groaned.

The skin of his hardness get a movement from her of back and forth as she rubbed slightly,his toes clenched inside his black shoes,his brows groaned and mouth opened.

"You are playing dirty" He said between his breaths..

"Am I?"

He again gulped down,she is doing slow teasing him,he put his own hand on her and increased the pace back and forth,one hand on her hairs.

His groans and sloppy voice filled the room air,as his warmness spilled around his hardness and on her fingers.

He immediately pulled her, holding her waist, kissing hungrily, biting and nibbling her lips,his one hand reached to his locked, taking handkerchief he cleaned her hands on his own and placing a kiss on her forehead cleaning themselves,they reached out.

Stealing glances... dancing..

PRECAP- RICHA IS DEAD??