♡ Five ♡⁠

Tara & Avyansh's Room - evening

The grand door creaked open.

Tara entered slowly, dragging her feet, barely holding back the whimpers from her injured ankle. Her saree was slightly untucked, her face pale, and her hands shaking as she set the tray of tea and files on the table.

The pain was getting worse, her foot throbbing in pulses. She finally sat on the couch with a suppressed cry of relief.

And then

The sound of heavy footsteps.

The air changed. The temperature dropped.

Avyansh Raghuvanshi entered.

In his crisp white shirt and loosened tie, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled from work stress he looked lethal. Dangerous. And as always, angry.

He spotted her sitting on the couch, her ankle clearly swollen, and the untouched tea tray still steaming.

He halted.

A silence.

And then... a laugh. Cold. Cruel.

"Wow. How quickly queens turn into beggars."

Tara looked up, startled.

"Akele room mein acting chal rahi hai kya? Ek twisted ankle aur tumhari duniya hil gayi?" he scoffed, walking toward the mirror to fix his collar.

("Are you putting on an act alone in the room? Just one twisted ankle and your whole world is shaken?")

She looked away, hurt but silent.

"You know what's funny? You once slapped me like you were some kind of fearless warrior. Aur ab dekho... ek choti si chot, and you're crawling like a dying rat," he chuckled, brushing his hair back.

Tara's jaw clenched.

"Why are you like this?" she whispered, finally breaking her silence.

Avyansh turned. Slowly. Dangerous.

He walked up to her, towering above her seated form. His voice dropped to a venom-laced murmur

"Because, Tara,You took something from me. And until I take everything from you... this is just the beginning."

He took the tea cup she had brought, sipped it

And with no emotion said

"It's cold. Just like your presence in my life."

He threw the rest in the sink, the shattering sound echoing in the marble silence.

Then, without another word, he picked up his jacket and left, slamming the door behind him.

Tara - Alone Again

Tara sat motionless.

The pain in her foot... was nothing compared to the one in her chest.

She looked at the door he'd just exited from, eyes filled with tears but she didn't cry.

She couldn't afford to cry.

Because tears gave people like Avyansh satisfaction.

And Tara?

She was learning to suffer with silence.

............................

Raghuvanshi Mansion - Kitchen, Post Dinner

The house was unusually silent.

Everyone had retired to their rooms. Manisha had ordered for her nightly oil massage, and Lavanya tired, drained, and aching was alone in the kitchen, warming the oil on a low flame.

Her hair was tied in a loose bun, saree slightly untucked at the waist after the exhausting day. Her feet ached, her arms felt numb, and her mind was already half-asleep.

She was gently stirring the oil in a copper bowl when

She heard footsteps.

Heavy. Uneven. Staggered.

Lavanya's heart skipped.

Before she could turn around

Two arms suddenly snaked around her waist from behind.

A palm rested on her stomach, warm, sweaty, and uninvited.

The scent of alcohol filled her nose.

She froze.

"Kya kar rahi ho bhabhi..." came the slurred voice.

( What are you doing bhabhi)

Aniket.

Drunk. Disgusting. Dangerous.

His breath fanned over her neck as he leaned closer.

"Tum toh roz sab ka dhyan rakhti ho... kabhi apne devar ka bhi rakh lo na."

("You take care of everyone every day... for once, take care of your brother-in-law too.")

His voice was laced with vile flirtation, his hands tightening.

Lavanya's entire body went stiff with horror.

"Aniket... chhodiye mujhe..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

( Aniket leave me)

But he only chuckled.

"Chhoti si toh baat hai bhabhi... thoda pyaar karne mein kya jaata hai..."

("It's such a small thing, bhabhi... what's the harm in showing a little love?")

He leaned further his hand now moving lower.

And that's when

"ANIKET!!!"

The thunderous voice came from the doorway.

RAJVEER.

His eyes pure fire.

His jaw locked with rage.

He was still in his white kurta, but now... he looked like The Black Wolf.

Aniket froze.

His hands instantly left Lavanya's body as if they'd been scorched.

"Bhaiya... woh main .....main toh "

( Rajveer brother...woh..I)

But he didn't get to finish.

Rajveer crossed the distance in two strides and grabbed Aniket by the collar and slammed him hard against the wall.

"Tu bua ka beta hai ya kachra?!" he roared.

(.are you son if bua or some dirt)

"How DARE you touch my wife!"

Lavanya stepped back, stunned, tears brimming in her eyes.

Aniket whimpered. "Bhaiya, galti ho gayi, main main nasha mein tha..."

( Brother, it was my fault, I was drunk)

SLAP.

Rajveer's palm connected with his cheek so loud the walls shook.

"Sharab mein tha toh kisi whore ke paas jaata! Meri patni ke paas aaya kyun?"

("If you was drunk, you should've gone to some whore! Why did I come to my wife?")

He punched him once, twice until Aniket dropped to the floor, holding his bleeding lip, gasping for air.

"Aaj ke baad agar Lavanya ke aas-paas bhi dikh gaya na, Aniket... tera chehra pehchaane layak nahi bachega."

( "From today onwards, if I even see you anywhere near Lavanya, Aniket... your face won't remain recognizable.")

"GET. OUT."

Lavanya & Rajveer - Moments Later

Aniket crawled out of the kitchen, limping and terrified.

Rajveer turned to Lavanya slowly, breathing hard.

For a moment he didn't say a word.

He just stared at her shaken form, trembling hands, tear-stained cheeks.

She looked away, not knowing what to expect.

And then

He walked up to her silently.

Lifted the oil bowl from the stove.

And said softly, his voice gruff

"Main koi servant ko bol dunga Dadi ko tel laga de . Tum jaake Veer ke paas jao."

("I'll tell some servant to put oil on Dadi's head. You go and be with Veer.")

Lavanya's lips parted in shock.

He didn't wait for a response.

But as he turned and walked away, something in her chest cracked open...

Maybe... just maybe... the Rajveer she had fallen for once... still existed somewhere.

but the iol got cold so she again started to heat it up

Lavanya stood frozen near the stove.

Her hands were still trembling, the bowl of warm oil trembling in her grip. Her wide, tear-filled eyes remained lowered, too afraid to meet Rajveer's. Her heart pounded against her ribs like it was trying to escape the pain trapped inside.

She expected him to leave.

As always.

Just... walk away.

But instead...

Footsteps. Closer. Slower.

And then

Warmth.

Arms. Around her.

RAJVEER.

Without a word, without warning, he pulled her into a hug.

A real one.

Tight. Protective. Raw.

Lavanya stiffened. Her breath hitched. Her whole world tilted.

"Bas," he whispered, his voice low, gritty barely above a breath.

"Main hoon na..."

( Enough....I am here)

Lavanya's tears finally broke free, spilling down her cheeks silently as her fists slowly curled against his chest.

She didn't know whether to sob or push him away.

She didn't understand why.

Why now?

But still... she stood there.

Letting his arms stay around her.

Her head tucked under his chin, his hand cradling the back of her head like she was something fragile. Something his.

For the first time in years, Rajveer Raghuvanshi held his wife.

Not out of obligation. Not out of anger.

But because he couldn't bear to see

her broken anymore.

After what felt like forever, he spoke again.

This time... not as a mafia king.

Not as the cold-hearted CM.

Just as... Rajveer.

"Aaj main agar late aata... toh?"

( What if I come late by any chance?)

His grip tightened slightly.

Lavanya's lips parted, but she couldn't speak. Only a quiet sob escaped.

"Mujhse aur kuch bhi kehna mat... lekin aaj ke baad... kabhi akeli mat rehna.

( You don't have to say anything, but don't stay alone)

A beat.

"Please."

That one word...

It hit her harder than anything ever had.

He had never said please to her before.

Rajveer held her tightly, his breath deep and heavy as if he were trying to steady something inside him that had never been steady before.

Lavanya's head was still buried in his chest, her tears soaking the soft fabric of his kurta. Her hands remained frozen between them, as if unsure whether to hold him back or protect herself from another heartbreak.

The silence between them was loud.

Too loud.

Finally...

She whispered.

So soft, it was almost a breath.

"Aapko... fark padta hai?"

( Dose it matter to you)

Rajveer's body stiffened slightly.

Her words cut deeper than any accusation. There was no anger in them just raw, aching vulnerability. The kind that bleeds without sound.

"Maine kabhi kuch nahi maanga..." she continued, her voice shaking,

"...na pyaar, na izzat... bas ek baar... ek baar toh bata dijiye, Rajveer... kya main sirf Veer ki nanny hoon? Ya kuch aur bhi?"

( "I never asked for anything...not love, not respect... just once... just once tell me, Rajveer... am I only Veer's nanny? Or something more?")

Rajveer said nothing for a long moment.

His jaw clenched.

His eyes closed.

And then

He slowly pulled her away from his chest, just enough to look into her eyes.

Her face was streaked with tears.

Exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.

But there was strength in her gaze too.

Strength he had ignored.

Strength he had bruised.

And tonight... it shamed him.

"Tum Veer ki maa ho," he said quietly.

"Aur iss ghar ki izzat bhi."

("You are Veer's mother," "And the honor of this house as well.")

Lavanya's breath caught in her throat.

"Lekin..." he continued, voice low, "Mere liye kya ho? Mujhe samajhne mein waqt lag raha hai, Lavanya... par shayad... main galat tha."

("But...what are you to me? It's taking me time to understand, Lavanya... but maybe... I was wrong.")

Her eyes welled up again.

He raised his hand, hesitated, then gently wiped one tear off her cheek with his thumb.

"Aaj raat agar main der se aata... toh zindagi bhar khud ko maaf nahi kar pata."

("If I had come late tonight... I would never have forgiven myself for the rest of my life.")

That one sentence shattered something in her.

And maybe, for the very first time...

he meant every word.

Lavanya stood silently, eyes locked with his, breath still uneven.

She had waited so long for this one moment where he wouldn't look at her like a stranger... or worse, like a burden.

And now, here he was.

Still rough. Still distant. But something had cracked open.

Rajveer glanced down at her trembling hands still holding the bowl of warm oil.

"Yeh sab chhodo," he said, his voice soft but firm. "ye sab kal bhi kar sakti hai. Tum raat bhar jaagti rahi ho, Lavanya."

("Leave all this," , "You can do it tomorrow as well. You've been awake all night, Lavanya.")

Lavanya blinked at him.

Did he just... tell her to rest?

"Come on," he murmured, turning.

"Chalo. Let's go."

She followed him in silence, her steps slow and hesitant as they walked through the quiet corridor, past the closed doors of brothers, rivals, traitors, and broken wives. The Raghuvanshi mansion was never asleep it only pretended to be.

Rajveer & Lavanya's Bedroom

The room was dark except for a small night lamp beside Veer's little bed.

He was curled under his Avengers blanket, his chubby hand still gripping a tiny stuffed tiger. His soft snores were the only sound in the otherwise silent room.

Lavanya stepped forward, gently checking if the blanket covered Veer properly. She leaned in, kissed his temple.

"Goodnight, mera chhota Prince," she whispered.

Rajveer watched her from near the door.

Something inside him twisted again.

This woman... she had raised Veer. Protected him. Loved him.

And what had he given her in return?

Wounds.

Only wounds.

Lavanya turned to return to her couch in the corner, where she had spent night after night curled in pain and loneliness. But before she could reach it

"Lavanya," Rajveer's voice stopped her.

She turned slowly, unsure.

He pointed to the large king-sized bed behind him.

"Yahan so."

( Sleep Here)

Her breath caught.

"Par..." she hesitated, confused, "Veer ke saath toh"

( But .. with veer)

"Veer ke saath nahi," he cut her gently, eyes serious.

"Mere saath."

( Not with veer, with me)

Her eyes widened.

Not in lust.

Not in romance.

Just... an invitation to finally rest like a human being.

Lavanya stood frozen, unsure of what to do, what to say. Her hands twisted into the hem of her night dupatta. This man had pinned her to a wall with venom just days ago. And now?

"Main kuch nahi karunga," he added softly, sensing her hesitation.

"Wada karta hoon."

( I won't do anything, I promise)

She looked at the couch. Then at him. Then... finally... nodded.

Moments Later - In Bed

Lavanya lay on the left side, her back slightly turned but her heart loud in her chest.

Rajveer lay on the other side, his hands folded behind his head, eyes on the ceiling but his gaze kept drifting toward her.

The distance between them was still there. But it no longer felt hostile.

It felt like... a beginning.

Suddenly, a small voice interrupted the silence.

"Mama..."

Veer, half-asleep, shifted on his small bed.

Lavanya quickly got up, leaned over to stroke his hair.

"Main yahin hoon, beta," she whispered, kissing his forehead.

( Mama is here baby)

Rajveer watched her.

She lay back down.

And after a moment... he did something unexpected.

He turned. Towards

her.

"Lavanya?" he said, almost like he wasn't sure if he should say her name at all.

She turned her face slightly, surprised.

"Haan?"

( Yes)

Rajveer hesitated.

And then he said it.

Something so simple. So rare. So earth-shattering for a man like him.

"Goodnight."

Lavanya's eyes welled up again.

But this time... it wasn't pain.

"Goodnight, Rajveer."

..........................

Goodnight too guy's it's too late and main abhi bhi ullu ke tara jag rahi hu