Late Night – Rajveer & Lavanya’s Room
The massive room was quiet, except for the soft click of Rajveer’s laptop keys and the faint ticking of the antique wall clock.
It was 1:07 AM.
Rajveer Raghuvanshi sat upright on the grand bed, a soft glow from the lamp casting shadows across his sharp features. Dressed in a crisp black vest, his brows were furrowed as he typed away, reviewing an international deal.
But his eyes kept darting to the door.
Lavanya still hadn’t returned.
And for the first time… he noticed.
Just as he opened another email, the door creaked gently.
Lavanya stepped in.
Her walk was tired. Her steps slow. A few loose strands of hair framed her pale face, and the dark circles under her eyes spoke of days without rest. She didn’t even glance his way just quietly grabbed her nightwear and disappeared into the bathroom.
The sound of running water filled the room briefly.
Rajveer's eyes stayed fixed on the bathroom door. Something gnawed at his chest.
Minutes later, Lavanya came out, now in a soft, faded peach nightdress that clung gently to her weary form. Her face looked freshly washed, yet the tiredness didn’t leave.
She silently walked towards the couch in the corner her usual bed.
Rajveer cleared his throat. “Itna late tak kya kar rahi thi?” His voice was low, rough.
Lavanya paused, surprised by his question. She turned slightly, her tone gentle but blank. “Dadi ko tel malish deni thi… fir Veer jag gaya, usse kahani sunani padi.”
(Had to give Dadi her oil massage… then Veer woke up, needed a bedtime story.)
She didn’t explain further. She never did.
Rajveer looked at her really looked.
She hadn’t eaten dinner. She was limping slightly. And still, she was answering him without complaint, without expectation.
“Tumne khana khaya?” he asked, almost reluctant.
[ Did you ate?]
Lavanya gave a faint smile, shaking her head.
“Main thak gayi thi. Bhookh chali gayi.”
(I was too tired. Lost my appetite.)
She turned again and walked to the couch.
Rajveer closed his laptop slowly.
His jaw clenched.
His heart? Maybe… maybe just a little, it softened.
He watched as Lavanya folded a thin shawl around her shoulders, curled into a ball, and closed her eyes on that same damn couch, while he slept like a king in the bed.
She didn’t ask for space.
She didn’t ask for warmth.
She just… disappeared into silence.
And for the first time, Rajveer sat frozen, staring at her. Wondering why the hell the woman he had sworn to hate… was the only one in this mansion who ever gave without asking for anything in return.
Lavanya had just laid down on the couch, pulling the thin shawl tighter around her shoulders. Her back was to Rajveer, her body curled up into itself as though trying to vanish into the cushions.
From the bed, Rajveer watched.
He hadn’t looked away once since she came out of the bathroom.
That frail figure.
That silence.
That endurance.
His hand clenched slightly into the comforter, and before he could stop himself, his voice came out low, rough, but audible in the still night.
“Yahan… bed pe so jao.”
(Sleep here… on the bed.)
Lavanya didn’t move. For a second, he thought maybe she hadn’t heard him. But then slowly she turned her head.
Her eyes were wide with disbelief, unsure if she’d imagined it.
“Main couch pe theek hoon,” she said softly.
(I’m fine on the couch.)
He ran a hand down his face and exhaled.
“Zid mat karo, Lavanya. Bed pe so jao.”
(Don’t be stubborn, Lavanya. Sleep on the bed.)
There was no softness in his voice but no cruelty either.
Lavanya sat up slowly, watching him with guarded eyes. She didn’t speak again, just stood up, hesitant. Her bare feet padded softly across the rug as she approached the bed not the side near him, but the far edge, careful not to disturb a single wrinkle in the sheets.
She lay down quietly, facing away from him.
Rajveer turned off the bedside lamp, the darkness swallowing the room.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
But sleep didn’t come quickly for either of them.
After a while, in the hush of the night, Rajveer whispered into the dark
“Veer sirf mera beta nahi hai…”
(Veer isn’t just only my son...)
Lavanya blinked slowly in the dark, her breath caught.
Rajveer didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t have to.
The silence that followed was different.
Not cold.
Not hateful.
Just… broken.
Maybe, tonight, one crack had formed in the walls around his heart.
____________________
2:03 AM – Yuvaan & Jaanvi’s Room
The night was eerily quiet.
Only the soft clacking of keys echoed in the vast bedroom, swallowed by the cold air.
The king-sized bed, immaculate on one side, was occupied by Yuvaan Raghuvanshi, who lay wide awake, his back turned to the room expression unreadable, but every inch of his body rigid, aware.
At the far corner, hunched over the desk, Jaanvi sat still in her office saree, eyes red and tired, working on a presentation.
Not just any presentation.
One he didn’t need. One he wouldn’t even open.
But still, he'd said
“Kal subah tak chahiye.”
(I want it by morning.)
So here she was.
Alone. Exhausted. Obedient.
The harsh white light from the desk lamp bathed her face in shadows, highlighting the strain in her expression. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted another pie chart, checking each slide again and again, praying to avoid another explosion.
Suddenly
"Ab tak complete nahi kiya?"
(Still not done?)
The voice was cold. Sharp.
Not loud but loud enough to cut.
She flinched.
Her fingers froze over the trackpad. She turned slightly to see Yuvaan still facing away from her, one hand behind his head, eyes open now his voice laced with irritation.
"Main bas final formatting kar rahi thi," she said softly, swallowing hard.
(I was just finalizing the formatting.)
He scoffed bitterly, eyes narrowing at the ceiling.
"Tumhara formatting bhi tumhari tarah bekaar hai. Bas time barbaad karti ho."
(Your formatting is as useless as you are. Just a waste of time.)
Jaanvi blinked, the words hitting harder than they should have.
But she said nothing.
No defense.
No reaction.
Just silence.
She lowered her gaze back to the screen, shoulders curling forward.
Yuvaan turned his head slightly now, eyes cold as ice.
“Tum jaisi ladkiyon ko kaam ke liye hi rakhte hain shaadi toh sirf ek bahana tha.”
(Girls like you are kept around for work marriage was just a deal.)
Her eyes burned.
Not with tears.
Just fatigue. Hopelessness.
She quietly saved the file, printed it, and stood up with trembling hands. As she placed the freshly printed report on his desk, she avoided looking at him.
He didn’t even glance at her.
No thanks. No nod. No acknowledgment.
Nothing.
She stepped away silently, walked to the couch in the corner, and wrapped herself in a thin shawl. No warmth. No comfort. Just cold leather and loneliness.
She hadn’t eaten. Hadn’t slept.
And yet no one cared.
Yuvaan turned back to his pillow, shutting his eyes like she didn’t exist.
And for the hundredth night in a row
Jaanvi lay awake, listening to her own heartbreak.
---------------------
4:00 AM – Raghuvanshi Mansion Kitchen
The shrill ring of the alarm tore through the silence of the early morning.
It was still dark outside. The whole mansion lay in deep sleep all except three women who bore the weight of a palace built on power and cruelty.
Lavanya was the first to rise from her couch, eyes heavy with fatigue but body moving with practiced precision.
Tara groaned softly, rubbing her forehead, muttering, “Phir se wahi din…” (Another day again...)
And Jaanvi... hadn’t slept at all.
She was already awake had been all night. Her eyes were red, her head aching, her limbs stiff from the cold leather couch. She stood slowly, every joint screaming, her hands trembling slightly as she picked up her shawl.
She didn’t say a word.
Not because she was angry.
Because she didn’t have the energy.
Kitchen – 4:20 AM
The kitchen lights flickered on. The three daughters-in-law moved like shadows silent, graceful, mechanical.
Lavanya stirred the tea leaves into the boiling water, her navy blue saree perfectly pinned despite the hour.
Tara chopped onions, her lavender saree slightly wrinkled, hair tied into a messy ponytail.
And Jaanvi stood near the stove, blankly flipping parathas her pink saree draped carelessly, hair still undone, eyes half-dead.
“Bhabhi, aapne dahi check kiya?” Tara asked softly, trying to sound awake.
( Sister in law did you checked the curd)
Lavanya nodded. “Haan, kal raat rakh diya tha fridge mein.”
( Yes I did , I put it in fridge last night)
There was a pause. Then Tara looked at Jaanvi and her expression changed.
“Jaanvi bhabhi... aap thik ho?” she whispered, walking over. “Aapki aankhein ”
( Jaanvi sister in law you okey, your eyes...)
Jaanvi just shook her head.
“Kuch nahi. Kaam tha.”
(Nothing. Just work.)
Lavanya, concerned, came over too. “Tumhe fever toh nahi? Tum kaap rahi ho…”
( Do you have fever, you're shivering)
Jaanvi tried to smile.
But it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Bas neend nahi aayi.”
(Just couldn’t sleep.)
None of them asked more. They didn’t need to.
They knew.
The kitchen smelled of cardamom, ghee, and quiet misery. The kind of misery that had no name.
--------------
6:00 AM – Dining Room
As always, the long dining table was set to perfection.
The three women moved around serving breakfast, their hands steady even when their hearts were not.
Rajveer. Yuvaan. Avyansh. Manisha. Malika. Anika. Nitya. Manish. All sat in their usual seats.
But the difference was Jaanvi.
Her feet wobbled slightly as she moved.
Her tray trembled in her hands.
And her vision was starting to blur.
She placed a plate in front of Yuvaan carefully but he didn’t even look up from his phone.
And then
Everything spun.
Her knees buckled.
The tray clattered to the floor.
And before anyone could react
Jaanvi collapsed.
Gasps filled the room. Plates rattled. Lavanya rushed to her side, dropping to her knees. Tara grabbed a glass of water.
But Yuvaan?
He stood, eyes dark, jaw clenched not with concern, but irritation.
“Show-sha mat karo, Jaanvi.”
(Don’t create drama, Jaanvi.)
Lavanya looked up at him in shock. “Yuvaan! She fainted!”
Yuvaan just folded his arms.
“Toh mujhe kya? Kaam karte karte thodi acting bhi seekh gayi hai.”
(So what? Seems like she’s learned acting along with working.)
Jaanvi’s lips trembled even as she lay unconscious.
And just like every morning
The pain continued.
----------------
Dining Room, Raghuvanshi Mansion
Lavanya cradled Jaanvi’s head in her lap, gently patting her cheek.
“Jaanvi? Jaanvi, aankhein kholo,” she whispered urgently.
(Jaanvi? Open your eyes.)
Tara held the glass of water, trying not to panic. “Paani do, bhabhi… usse paani do.”
( Water sister in law, give her water)
Yuvaan just stood there. Arms folded, jaw tight, a scoff playing at the corner of his mouth. His voice was cold, almost mocking
“Zyada mat banaye Lavanya bhabhi. Yeh behosh nahi hui, sirf attention chahiye isse.”
(Don’t overact, Lavanya. She didn’t faint she wants attention.)
Lavanya’s eyes flared.
For a moment just a moment she looked ready to scream at him. But then… she swallowed it.
She had learned the hard way Raghuvanshi men don’t listen when they hate.
But Manisha spoke now, tone sharp and uncaring.
“Yeh hota hai jab naukraniyon se bahu banaya jaye. Thoda kaam kya kar liya, behosh ho gayi.”
(This is what happens when you turn maids into daughters-in-law. A little work, and they faint.)
Malika nodded immediately. “Sahi keh rahi hain Maa ji. Nakhre toh dekho. Subah-subah drama.”
( Mother in law is right see her tauntrum , morning drama)
Tara stood up abruptly. Her fists were clenched. She was breathing hard.
“Yeh drama nahi hai,” she snapped, her voice tight with fury.
(This isn’t drama.)
Anika raised a brow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Wah wah, ab choti bahu bolne lagi? Tara, apni aukaat mein raho. Tumse zyada besharam toh koi nahi is ghar mein.”
(Wow, the youngest daughter-in-law has a voice now? Tara, know your place. No one is more shameless than you.)
Lavanya placed the glass near Jaanvi’s lips. Finally finally she stirred. Her lashes fluttered.
“Jaanvi,” Lavanya said softly, her voice breaking. “Main hoon… tum thik ho?”
( I'm here, you okey)
Jaanvi blinked, confused and dizzy. She tried to sit up, but her body gave out again.
And just then
Rajveer, who had been silently observing the entire scene from the head of the table, slammed his hand against the table with a thundering crack.
Everyone went still.
His voice was low but dangerous.
“Enough.”
“Lavanya, take her to the room. Tara, help her.”
Lavanya quickly nodded and with Tara’s support, lifted Jaanvi to her feet. The poor girl could barely walk.
As they helped her out, Jaanvi’s eyes glanced briefly at Yuvaan.
Still no concern. Just… cold disgust.
She looked away.
Upstairs – Guest Bedroom
They laid Jaanvi gently on the bed. Lavanya wiped her face with a damp cloth.
“You haven’t eaten properly in two days,” Lavanya murmured, brushing hair off Jaanvi’s forehead.
“Aur yeh sab extra kaam, woh bhi bina neend ke... tumhara sharir kab tak seh payega?”
(And all this extra work, with no sleep… how long will your body endure?)
Tara stood nearby, arms crossed, watching her sister-in-law’s pale face.
“Yeh bas faint nahi hua bhabhi,” Tara muttered bitterly. “Yeh system failure hai. Emotionally, mentally, physically.”
( This is system failure)
Jaanvi turned her face away. Silent.
Lavanya squeezed her hand gently.
“Tum akeli nahi ho. Hum hain na.”
( You're not alone, we are with you)
Downstairs – Dining Room
Rajveer resumed his seat slowly. His gaze lingered on Yuvaan.
“Tumhare liye woh sirf ek secretary hogi…...lekin is ghar mein woh meri chhoti behan jaisi hai. Next time, I won't tolerate this.”
( For you she maybe your secretary only but in this house she is like my sister, )
Yuvaan met his elder brother’s gaze shocked for a second but said nothing.
He picked up his phone and walked out.
But a storm had begun to brew.
__________________________
Guest Room – Late Morning
The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains.
Jaanvi lay quietly on the guest room bed, her hand pressed lightly against her forehead. Her face was pale, lips dry, the heaviness in her body making it hard to move. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, still drowsy from exhaustion.
She was just beginning to sit up when
The door flung open.
Yuvaan stepped in, his usual arrogance intact, dressed in his sharply tailored black suit. His eyes were hard, and his voice colder than winter.
“Bohot ho gaya yeh natak.”
(This drama has gone on long enough.)
Jaanvi blinked up at him, confused, still not fully stable.
“s.. sir…?” she whispered, startled by his presence.
“Get ready. I don’t pay you to lie around like a sick princess.”
His words sliced through the room like ice.
Jaanvi tried to sit up straighter, her body protesting every movement.
“Mujhe sirf thoda aaram chahiye tha… main bas ”
( I just want a bit rest)
He cut her off, stepping closer.
“Aaram?” he laughed bitterly.
“Tum logon ka toh kaam hi aaram hai. Office mein file late, ghar pe drama. Bas sympathy chahiye tumhe.”
( Rest? ,for people like you work is only rest, in office files are late and in home all this drama , you only want sympathy)
Tears welled in Jaanvi’s tired eyes.
“Main sirf... bimaar thi, sir.”
( I was ill sir)
“Tum har waqt bimaar kyun hoti ho?” he snapped.
(Why are you always sick?)
“Maybe because you’re too weak for this family. This job. This marriage.”
She flinched. The word “marriage” hung heavily between them.
Yuvaan’s eyes narrowed.
“Utho. Tumhe office chalna hai. Presentation hai shaam mein. Aur tumhari wajah se agar kuch delay hua…”
(Get up. You’re coming to the office. There’s
a presentation this evening. And if there’s any delay because of you…)
He didn’t complete the sentence.
He didn’t have to.
The unspoken threat lingered in the air.
Jaanvi swallowed her pride and her pain. Slowly trembling she stood up, her legs shaking.
She didn’t protest. She never did.
As she reached the closet to change, her eyes welled again.
Not because of his words.
But because…
He didn’t even ask if she was okay.
Not once.
....................................
Hopefully you will like it and sorry for the mistakes 🙏
Luv u all 😘
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