Shanaya’s POV :

The cafe felt like a tiny universe of chaos and comfort. But when we stepped out, the world wrapped us back in a blanket of grey skies and city noise. I thought the day would end there—quiet, settled, safe.

It didn’t.

Kabir glanced sideways at me as we walked toward the car. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

That tone. That slight tension in his jaw. I stopped mid-step.

“What is it?”

“My family… they want to meet you.”

My heart dropped. Not in a romantic aww kind of way. In a shit, I just got asked to jump off a cliff kind of way.

“Today,” he added.

“What?” I practically yelped. “As in… tonight? Like… now-now?”

He looked calm. Too calm. Like he knew this would happen.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I squeaked, clutching his arm like he’d just told me we were meeting royalty.

“I wanted to ease you into the day,” he said, chuckling.

“Ease me? Kabir, I look like I’ve been steamrolled by emotions, coffee, and existential dread!”

He stopped, pulled me closer by the waist. “You look beautiful. Always.”

“That’s such a liar thing to say.”

“And yet, completely true.” His voice was gentle now. “You don’t have to be perfect, Shanaya. They just want to know the girl who… changed everything for me.”

My pulse slowed a little.

He meant it.

I nodded quietly. “Okay… but only if I get time to get ready and scream into a pillow.”

“You’ll have both,” he smirked, unlocking the car.

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Kabir’s home turned out to be… nothing I expected. It was too quiet. Too cold.The walls were dark, the lighting dim, and every surface was sleek - minimalism on steroids. No color, no clutter, no chaos.

It didn't feel like a home.

“This is where you live?” I whispered, stepping inside.

He nodded. “It’s peaceful.”

“It’s haunted.”

He laughed, throwing his keys on the table. “That bad?”

I turned to him, arms crossed. “You need plants. And curtains. And warm light. And books that aren’t finance-related.”

“Okay, now you’re attacking me.”

“I’m serious.” I walked toward the giant glass windows, staring out at the city lights. “One day, I’ll change all of this. This place will have wallpapers with handwritten quotes, fairy lights, and scented candles. It’ll feel alive.”

He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“You already brought color to my life, Shanaya,” he whispered into my ear. “This house is just catching up.”

And just like that, the shadows didn’t feel so cold anymore.

---

KABIR’S POV

The moment Shanaya stepped into the penthouse, I felt her go still beside me.

She looked around slowly, taking it all in—the towering floor-to-ceiling windows veiled in sheer black curtains, the concrete walls, the slick wooden floors, the minimal black furniture. It was quiet. Cold. Like the silence had teeth.

She moved through my place like she belonged there. Tossing off her shoes, curling up on the couch, cringing at my lack of home aesthetics.

I watched her rant about white walls and dangerous lighting and realized—I wanted her here. Always.

“This place needs you,” I said suddenly, walking to the kitchen. “You’re the only splash of color I ever needed.”

She just smiled, and my chest felt like it was being carved open—in the best way possible.

---

We moved to the kitchen after that.

I started making my cheese sandwiches—the ones Ma swears saved my life in college. Shanaya leaned on the counter, stealing olives and sipping water like she was a guest and a queen at once.

“Do you always cook shirtless?” she asked casually, tilting her head.

“I’m literally wearing a t-shirt.”

“Yeah, but you vibe shirtless.”

“You’re delusional,” I said, handing her a plate.

We ate in quiet comfort, knees brushing occasionally, laughter still lingering between us like smoke from a candle that didn’t want to go out.

Then I stood up.

“I have something for you,” I said.

She looked up. “Now?”

“Now.”

"Common, baby girl let's go. "

---

SHANAYA’S POV

He led me to his bedroom, and for a moment I expected it to match the rest of the house—dark, cold, impersonal.

But instead…

The room was lit softly, a single warm lamp glowing in the corner. The bed was neatly made, and right on top of it, laid out with the kind of delicate care I never imagined Kabir having… was the most beautiful anarkali suit I’d ever seen.

Ivory white with gold threadwork. Flowing. Regal.

Next to it? My makeup essentials. Jewelry. Hairpins. Everything.

I stared.

Then turned to him slowly. “You did this?”

He shrugged. “Well… I may have broken into your Pinterest boards.”

“Kabir!”

He held up his hands in mock surrender, grinning. “I wanted you to feel ready. And beautiful. And I knew you’d panic over what to wear. So…”

I didn’t say anything.

I just threw my arms around his neck and kissed him—giddy and soft and grateful and maybe a little in love.

“You’re insane,” I whispered into his ear.

“And you’re radiant,” he whispered back. “Go get ready, my gulabo. Tonight's about you. "

And for the first time in years, I didn't feel like I had to hide, shrink , or fake strength.

Tonight, I was going to be myself.

Loved, chosen, whole.

-------------------



The soft yellow light of Kabir’s bedroom wrapped around Shanaya like a quiet embrace. She stood in front of the mirror, her breath caught somewhere between a sigh and a sob. The delicate ivory anarkali hugged her figure gracefully, tiny sequins shimmering like stars across her sleeves. Her makeup was subtle—warm tones brushing her cheeks, kajal lining her eyes just enough to reflect the storm within.

But it wasn’t the outfit or the kajal or the jewelry that had her hands trembling.

It was everything else.

The way Kabir had planned it all—the dress, the accessories, the way each detail felt so her. As if he’d seen straight into her heart and stitched together her healing.

Tears welled up. Her fingers curled around the edge of the dresser, the weight of it all pressing down hard.

Just then, the door opened quietly.

She didn’t turn.

“Kabir,” she whispered, voice cracked. “Please. Just give me a second.”

He didn’t speak, but his footsteps were slow, thoughtful—he didn’t need words to tell her he was there.

He stopped behind her, eyes fixed on her reflection in the mirror. And when he finally spoke, his voice was velvet and reverent.

“You look like poetry.”

She broke.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, fast and silent. She tried to smile, to wave it off, but Kabir moved closer, gently turning her toward him.

“Why the tears?” he asked softly, brushing one away with his thumb.

“I don’t know,” she choked out. “This dress… tonight… your family… you. You’re looking at me like I’m something rare. And I—I don’t know how to be that.”

Kabir stepped closer, pulling her into his chest. She melted against him, letting herself be held.

“You don’t have to try,” he said against her hair. “You already are.”

She nodded weakly, fingers gripping his shirt. His heartbeat was steady. Real.

He pulled back just enough to see her face. “Also, I think you need to tone it down a bit.”

She blinked. “What?”

He smirked. “You look so beautiful, I might have to cancel dinner because I won’t be able to focus.”

She giggled through her tears. “You’re such a drama queen.”

“You’re such a miracle,” he replied without missing a beat.

She rolled her eyes, finally managing a real smile. “Okay. Okay, I’m good now.”

He offered her his hand, eyes twinkling. “Then let’s go turn some heads.”

-----------

The car ride to Kabir’s family mansion was quiet for a while. Shanaya sat with her hands folded in her lap, clutching the edge of her dupatta like a lifeline. The passing streetlights flickered across her face, revealing the tension in her jaw, the occasional worried glance out the window.

Kabir broke the silence first.

“Alright. Want the crash course?”

She looked at him, grateful for the distraction. “Yes. Please.”

He nodded. “Okay. First, my mom—Ma. She’s sweet, very observant, and way too sharp for her own good. She’ll act relaxed but trust me, she notices everything. If you put your spoon in the wrong direction, she’ll raise an eyebrow.”

Shanaya’s eyes widened. “What direction?!”

“Relax, I’ll sit next to you and copy you if needed.”

She laughed nervously.

“Next is Dad. He’s quiet. Reserved. But if he likes you, he’ll offer you whiskey after dinner. If he offers you water, it’s not great.”

“Noted,” she whispered. “Whiskey equals love.”

“Exactly.”

“And then?” she asked.

“Then there’s Rohit—my younger brother. He’s a little intimidating at first, but he’s chill once he warms up. Very protective. Mostly of me, believe it or not.”

“Of you?”

“Yep. Younger brother energy, just in reverse.”

Shanaya smiled.

“And then there’s Shreya—his girlfriend. She’s the warmest human alive. You’ll adore her.”

“That helps,” Shanaya said, her voice a little steadier.

“Oh, and last but not least—Shadow. Our lab. He’s the real boss. If he growls at you, you’re doomed. If he licks you, you’re golden.”

Her head fell back against the seat in exasperation. “Great. Judged by a dog now.”

“Hey,” Kabir said, reaching over and lacing their fingers. “You’ve already passed the only test that matters.”

She looked at him.

“My heart,” he added. “You’ve had it since the day you walked into my chaos and asked where I kept the sugar.”

That made her laugh. Really laugh.

The kind that echoed in the car and settled somewhere in both their bones.

She turned her head to him, smile soft. “I’m still scared.”

“I know,” he said. “But you’re also brave. And you’re not alone anymore.”

And with that, they drove on—toward the mansion, the family, the unknown.

Hand in hand.

Ready.

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END OF THE CHAPTER

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