It was already late at night. The soft glow of the bedside lamp lit the room in a warm hue. Ishani sat quietly on the bed, her legs tucked under the blanket, but she wasn’t asleep  just staring blankly at the wall, lost in her own thoughts. Her lips formed a small pout, her eyes distant.

Across the room, Ranvijay sat on the couch, his laptop open on his lap and a mug of coffee beside him. The faint tapping of the keyboard echoed in the silence. But when his eyes lifted for a second and caught sight of her, his brows furrowed slightly.

“wifey” he called out softly, his voice breaking the quiet.

Ishani blinked and looked at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sound of that word.

“Kuch hua hai? Tum theek ho?” he asked, his fingers still moving over the keyboard, but his attention was clearly on her. He didn’t even have to look up again  he could feel her gaze fixed on him.

That soft pout, those innocent eyes watching him  he could sense every bit of her silence.

“Kya ho gaya inhe achanak se” Ishani thought, watching him from the corner of her eye. He looked so calm, focused on his laptop, but the way he had just called her wifie still echoed in her chest

Before she could even figure out what to say, he spoke again  his deep voice steady, teasing yet serious.

“Main tumhare bolne ka wait kar raha hoon,” he said, looking at her over the rim of his reading glasses.

Her breath hitched a little. He was actually looking at her  really looking. Without replying, she quietly slipped down from the bed. The cold floor made her flinch as her bare feet touched it.

She hesitated for a second, then slowly walked toward him and sat beside him on the couch. Her heart thumped at her own sudden decision  she didn’t even know why she did that. Her mood was strange, restless and her own act surprised her more than it did him.

He looked at her curiously  her long nails were lightly tapping against each other as she played with them, avoiding his gaze. His eyes followed the motion for a second before lifting back to her face.

“Kuch kehna hai?” he asked, voice calm but knowing.

Inhe hamesha kaise pata hota hai mujhe kuch kehna hai? she thought, stealing a quick glance at him. His eyes were still on her, patient and slightly amused.

“Umm haan wo mujhe” she started, then stopped midway, fidgeting with her dupatta and adjusting her sitting position.

He sighed, closed his laptop, and placed it aside. Then he turned fully toward her, giving his complete attention.

“Bolo,” he said.

“Hum bahar chalen?” she asked softly.

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Aur kis khushi mein?”

“Bahar jaane ke liye koi khushi hone zaruri hai kya?” she shot back, a small spark lighting in her tone.

He couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at his lips. Toh meri fiery kitten wapas aa gayi, he thought.

“Nahi, wifey mera matlab tha bahar kyun jana hai? Thand hai, aur raat bhi bahut ho gayi hai,” he said in a calm, steady voice, careful not to tease her too much  because one wrong word and she’d turn away again.

"Aap toh meri koi baat hi nahi maante!" she said in frustration, standing up from the couch, her voice trembling somewhere between anger and disappointment.

Ranvijay leaned back slightly, watching her with an amused look before mumbling under his breath, “Ab toh tumhari hi baat maanni achhi lagti hai, wifey”

He closed his laptop with a soft click, letting out a sigh. By the time he looked up again, she was already walking out of the room.

“Kahaan ja rahi ho?” he called out, getting up and following her.

She didn’t answer her steps were quick, Ranvijay, unbothered, walked at his usual pace, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure. Within seconds, he caught up.

Before she could take another step, his hand reached forward, fingers wrapping around her wrist. With one gentle but firm pull, she stumbled slightly, landing against his chest.

Her palm pressed against the warmth of his shirt, her heart thudding loudly as his other hand instinctively moved to her waist, steadying her.

For a moment, the world fell silent only their breaths mingled in the stillness of the hallway.

She dared to lift her gaze. His eyes, sharp and intense, were already on her, and something in them made her pulse race faster.

She looked down, refusing to meet his gaze, her lashes trembling slightly as she tried to pull her hand away.

“Dekho mujhe,” he said softly, his voice low and persuasive. His thumb brushed lightly over her wrist, tracing slow circles that made her heart skip.

But she shook her head stubbornly, still avoiding his eyes.

Ranvijay let out a quiet sigh, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Acha, chalo chalte hain ice cream khane,” he offered, finally giving in half hoping the mention of her favorite thing would make her look up at him.

But she didn’t.

Her silence lingered between them, heavy and cold. He looked down at her so close, yet so distant and for a fleeting second, closed his eyes. Her fragrance surrounded him, soft and maddening, wrapping around him like a spell he couldn’t break.

“Aap hi chale jaaiye mujhe nahi jaana,” she murmured, still refusing to lift her head.

He opened his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. “Itna zyada gussa, wifey?” he teased lightly, leaning in just enough for his breath to brush against her ear. “Not good for health.”

“Jaane dijiye mujhe neend aa rahi hai,” she muttered softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to wriggle free from his hold.

Ranvijay’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a deep murmur that brushed against her ear.

“Aur agar nahi jaane diya toh?”

His warm breath fanned against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Her eyes fluttered shut, her pulse quickening.

“Toh toh main ” she stuttered, words dying in her throat.

He smirked, amused by her helplessness, his tone laced with quiet dominance.

“Hmm toh tum kya, haan?” he whispered, his hand brushing lightly along her arm just enough to make her breath hitch, her heart thudding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

“Kuch nahi kar sakti na, wifey” he teased, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he looked down at her.

But before he could say another word, Ishani leaned in so close that he froze for a second, his breath caught. A flicker of amusement flashed in his eyes, thinking she was finally giving in until he felt her teeth sink sharply into his jaw.

“Aah !” he hissed, instinctively letting her go.

By the time he blinked, she was already halfway across the hall, running back to their room with her dupatta flying behind her like a rebellious flag.

Ranvijay stood there, one hand on his jaw, completely still for a moment. And then slowly, unmistakably his lips curved into a grin. Not his usual cold, composed smirk, but a real smile.

The great Ranvijay Malhotra,  stood there like a boy who had just been handed his favorite chocolate stunned, amused, and a little too delighted by his fiery wife’s unexpected bite.

He walked back to his room, the quiet clicking of his shoes echoing softly in the dim light. The main lights were off; only a single lamp glowed faintly in the corner, casting a warm golden hue across the room.

His gaze instinctively went to the bed empty.

He frowned, scanning the room before his eyes landed on the couch. There she was again curled up like a tiny kitten, blanket barely covering her, breathing softly in sleep.

Ranvijay exhaled, a helpless smirk tugging at his lips.

The bloody couch again.

“Is she obsessed with that thing or what” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

He walked toward her quietly, his steps measured and slow. Her face was hidden beneath the blanket, only a soft wisp of hair peeking out. For a moment, he thought she might actually be asleep but the way her shoulders stiffened gave her away.

With a faint smirk, he crouched beside her and gently lifted the edge of the blanket. Her eyes were shut too tightly, her lashes trembling ever so slightly.

“I know tum soyi nahi ho,” he said, his voice low but laced with authority. “So stop acting.”

She stayed still for a second before slowly turning away from him, pretending to ignore his words. In the process,  her kurti shifted a little revealing the soft skin just below her neck.

For a fleeting second, his gaze dropped there unintentionally but the sight made his jaw tighten. He immediately turned his head away, his throat going dry.

“Go to bed, wifey,” he said, his tone sharp and commanding though even he knew it lacked real seriousness this time. Inside, he was fighting a very different kind of battle.

And then, without uttering another word, he straightened up and slipped one arm under her shoulders and the other beneath her knees.

Before Ishani could even process what was happening, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Her eyes widened in shock. “Kya kar rahe hain aap?” she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief, her fingers instinctively clutching his shirt for balance.

He didn’t answer. His face remained unreadable, his silence more commanding than words.

Reaching the bed, he gently laid her down, adjusting the blanket over her with deliberate care. She looked at him part angry, part startled as if she couldn’t decide whether to scold him or stay quiet.

But before she could react, he switched off the lamp, walked around, and slipped into bed beside her calmly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Her heartbeat quickened, her breath caught somewhere in her throat. He said nothing, only rested his arm behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling, while the soft sound of her restless breathing filled the silence between them.

“Bahut bure ho aap!” she snapped, her voice trembling somewhere between anger and flustered embarrassment.

Ranvijay, eyes still closed, let out a quiet chuckle. “Haan, jaanta hoon,” he murmured lazily, a smirk curling at his lips. “Par shayad tum nahi jaanti kitna.”

She huffed, turning her back toward him, pulling the blanket up to her shoulder. Sleep was nowhere near her eyes now; her heart was still racing.

“Jaanti hoon,” she whispered under her breath. “Bahut bure ho aap”

And before she could even blink, the mattress dipped, and she found herself pinned softly against the bed.

Her eyes widened in shock he was hovering above her, his face dangerously close, the faint glow of the lamp outlining the sharpness of his jaw, the mischief in his eyes.

Her breath hitched; her cheeks turned crimson.

“dikhau,” he whispered, his voice low, teasing, and husky, “kitna bura hoon main?”

She froze, her eyes darting everywhere but at him. The teasing smile on his face deepened when she looked away, her lashes trembling.

He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her ear, and for a moment the world outside ceased to exist.

He leaned in slowly, his breath warm against her skin, and then his teeth scraped gently across her jawline. She closed her eyes, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips as his mouth met her skin. Her fingers clenched his shirt, the fabric a tight lifeline she held on to.

He pulled back, his gaze searching hers, and saw her eyes gleam with unshed tears. For a moment, she glared at him, a silent question passing between them. Then, he leaned down again, this time with a soft, deliberate pressure, his lips working tenderly against the spot he had marked.

As she pulled him closer, he soothed the sting, his tongue a slow, passionate balm.

For a heartbeat, he stayed close enough for her to feel his breath against her face before pulling back just slightly, his eyes searching hers as if daring her to speak.

Her lips parted, but no words came only the echo of her racing heartbeat filling the space between them.

He finally whispered, his voice low and rough, “hisab barabar Wifey”

She looked away, her cheeks flushed, her breath uneven. But this time, she didn’t deny it she couldn’t.

He moved back with a small smirk playing on his lips, the kind that made her pulse stutter for reasons she couldn’t understand. Her heart was still racing wildly as he laid down beside her, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension.

Ishani quickly turned to her side, shutting her eyes tight as if that would calm the storm inside her. But it didn’t. She could still feel the warmth of his breath lingering on her skin, the closeness of his presence making her heartbeat quicken all over again.

She tried to steady her breathing, clutching the blanket near her chest, but the memory of his gaze, his voice, and the way he’d looked at her refused to leave her mind.

From beside her, Ranvijay exhaled softly, his tone barely above a whisper almost teasing, almost fond.

“Goodnight.”

She didn’t reply, but her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, betraying the calm she tried so hard to keep.

Morning sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, spreading a soft golden hue across the room. Ranvijay’s eyes fluttered open, a lazy sigh escaping his lips. For a moment, he didn’t move just lay there, letting the quiet calm of the morning settle around him.

When he finally turned to his side, the spot beside him was empty. The blanket was half folded, her faint scent still lingering on the pillow. His hand reached out instinctively, brushing against the cool sheet before his fingers touched something soft her hair tie.

He picked it up, turning it slowly between his fingers. The simple piece of fabric looked ordinary, yet it carried a strange warmth, like her. A small smile tugged at his lips as he stared at it.

“She really thinks she can scare me,” he murmured to himself, his voice low, a mix of amusement and fondness.

Leaning back against the headboard, he chuckled softly, remembering her fiery glare from last night, the way she’d bit him, and that little pout she always carried when angry.

“Unbelievable woman,” he whispered, shaking his head with a smirk that refused to fade.

He got up from the bed, still smiling faintly. After a moment, he slipped her hair tie safely into his pocket as if it were something precious. Straightening his shirt, he stepped out of the room.

The morning air was crisp, sunlight spilling softly across the verandah as he walked through it, scanning the open courtyard. His eyes landed on her almost instantly. Ishani was sitting on the charpai with Divya, both deep in conversation, their heads close, expressions serious.

He leaned slightly against the verandah pillar, his eyes never leaving her. She looked peaceful her soft yellow dupatta draped loosely over her shoulder, a few strands of hair dancing with the breeze. For a moment, he simply watched, his lips curving unconsciously.

Then Vaidehi walked in from behind and sat beside Ishani, glancing at her face. “Ishani, yeh tumhare cheek pe kya ho gaya?” Vaidehi asked, squinting at the faint mark near her jaw.

Ishani froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Ranvijay’s brows rose in amusement as his smirk deepened.

“Woh woh bhabhi” Ishani stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, but before she could think of an excuse, Divya spoke up smoothly, “Vaidehi, mujhe lagta hai yahan macchar zyada hain, raat mein kaat liya hoga.”

She said it with such a serious tone that Ishani immediately nodded, “Haan! Haan woh macchar ne hi kaata tha!”

Ranvijay’s chuckle slipped out before he could stop it. Shaking his head, he brushed his hair back and turned to leave.

“Macchar” he muttered under his breath with a crooked grin.

As Ranvijay turned to head back to his room, he halted mid-step four pairs of stunned eyes were fixed on him.

Rishabh, Siya, Utsav, and Prisha stood there in the corridor, mouths slightly open, expressions frozen in pure disbelief. For a moment, no one moved.

Ranvijay frowned, his smirk fading into his usual gruff look. “Aise kya dekh rahe ho sab?” he asked in his deep voice, brows knitted in irritation.

They all blinked at once, glancing at each other like they’d just seen a ghost. Rishabh was the first to react, clearing his throat awkwardly. “N-nahi bhai, kuch nahi”

Siya and Prisha quickly shook their heads in agreement, while Utsav looked like he was holding back a laugh.

Ranvijay narrowed his eyes at them suspiciously , brushing past them and walking back toward his room, his usual serious expression back in place.

As soon as he disappeared inside, Siya turned to the others, eyes wide with shock. “Rishi bhai aapne dekha na? Ran bhai ko kya hogya ”

Rishabh nodded slowly, still looking at the door Ranvijay had gone through. “Haan Siya "

They all burst into quiet laughter, still unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

Ishani quietly slipped away from everyone and rushed back to her room, her heart still hammering in her chest. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a second, breathing out heavily before walking to the mirror.

As her reflection stared back, she gently touched her jaw  the spot where his teeth had sunk into her skin last night. The area had now turned red with a faint purple bruise.

“Uffo yeh toh kahin se bhi nahi lag raha kisi machhar ne kaata hai,” she muttered, wincing at the sight. “Kya soch rahe honge sab” She sighed, covering her face with both hands in embarrassment.

Just then, she heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. Her eyes flicked up through the mirror, and she froze.

Ranvijay  stepped out, water still glistening on his skin. He wore nothing but a pair of loose cotton pants, a towel hanging around his neck. His hair was damp, a few drops trailing down his collarbone, and his chest was bare defined, calm, and annoyingly perfect.

He noticed her instantly, the way she stiffened and looked anywhere but at him. His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. He tossed the towel onto the hanger casually, his eyes fixed on her reflection.

Ishani quickly looked down, pretending to be busy. She snatched her concealer from the dressing table, dabbing hurriedly at her jaw to cover the mark. Her movements were fast almost panicked.

He took a few unhurried steps toward her, his reflection growing clearer in the mirror as he came closer. The air around her seemed to thicken she could feel his presence behind her, the faint warmth of his body, the scent of his aftershave mixing with her perfume.

Still refusing to look at him, she focused on blending the concealer.

Her gaze fell upon his face, now clean-shaven. The previous night, he had sported a beard, and her brows furrowed in confusion. It wasn't that she had a problem with him being clean-shaven, but her bite mark was now clearly visible on his jaw. No one could mistake it for a mosquito bite it was a distinct teeth mark. She mentally slapped her forehead in mortification and turned to face him.

"Why did you suddenly shave?" she asked, her eyes fixed on his jaw and the incriminating marks.

"Isn't it good? You were the one who said my beard had gotten too long, so I cleaned it up," he replied, feigning nonchalance.

"Yes, I did say that, but that mark." she trailed off, pointing to his jaw.

"That what, wifey?" he asked, fully aware of what she was referring to and smirking mischievously, ready to tease her further.

"Your your that mark," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"Yes, my what?" he pressed, raising an eyebrow and struggling to suppress his laughter.

Taking her concealer, she said softly, “Wait  you can’t go out like this.”

She started carefully covering the mark on his jaw. He smirked, watching her  she was so close that he could feel her breath on his skin. His eyes lingered on her face, on the little crease of concentration between her brows, the adorable pout she always made when she was focused.

Gently, he lifted his hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear that was falling over her eyes. She glanced up at him once, her eyes meeting his for a brief second, then quickly looked away and returned to what she was doing cupping his face lightly as she blended the concealer on his jaw with slow, careful strokes.