Note: This story explores emotions that are not always right, but are real.The characters are flawed, human, and sometimes lost between what they feel and what they should do.Please remember—this is not a justification of actions, but a portrayal of complex emotions that exist in real life.Read with an open heart... and your own judgement. 🤍
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Ranveer's POV

I was standing on the balcony again, smoking, while Aira was in Shivani and Aarav's room talking about shopping of clothes and all. 
Shivani was staying in the same hotel tonight as she wanted to spend time with Aarav.
The nightclub fight, the fear in her eyes, I just somehow wanted to make it easy for her. I was reacting a lot now a days, to the point that it felt wrong yet real. 
She wore the diamonds, everything was so normal, yet that fight scared her. 
But those diamonds looked beautiful on her, a small token of gratitude from me, for being there for me selflessly. 
So I texted her, but it seemed she has already sensed a lot. And lying to her felt lying to myself. 
That's why I did not lie to her, about remembering everything about her. 
Something was feeling shifting inside me, a calmness was settling in, just then, she asked me to meet. 
"Coming in Five.", I replied, informed Aira about a walk and went ahead. Didn't let myself think beyond that.
But the real talk began when Idhika said the word 'Consequence'. 

I wanted nothing from her. Just her presence... even friendship would suffice.

I didn't know why she felt so... inevitable. Yet so far from me.

Letting her go would mean letting go of this version of myself.

And I was starting to like this version.

Ugh...

I never thought she would understand me this well.

Something that only she... seemed to get.

As she went inside her home, I stood there, smiling like an idiot.

I turned around, forcing my face to settle. I shouldn't be smiling like this.

Aira was waiting for me in the hotel.

After all... she's my wife.

I started walking back, replaying every moment with her, cigarette still between my fingers.

I reached the hotel room, closed the door with a soft click, and lay down beside Aira.

I turned to the other side, burying my face in the pillow.

Fuck...I have to stop thinking about her.

Sirf friendship rakh, Ranveer.

Bas kar. It's getting dangerous. 

In the morning Aira woke me up, "Baby, wake up. We have to go sight seeing, to that park.."

My mind was running marathon in dreams, Idhika, Idhika, Idhi-

I shook my head to stop it, then looked at the baby crib. 

Aryan was turning menace day by day. My calm superman was not so calm anymore. 

"Which park?", I asked to Aira. 

"Eco park, or nicco park, I don't remember. Shivani was saying.", Aira said, and I got up to freshen up. 

"Call Shivani and ask na, which park", I said from the washroom. 

"Yeah, she called just now. It's Eco Park. Get ready fast.", Aira said. 

I searched Eco park on google, it has a huge rose garden in it. PERFECT! I would pluck Rose for Aira. 

"Aira, aj saree pehno na.. Eco park mein rose garden hai, I will tuck a rose in your hair.", I said, coming out of the washroom. 

Aira giggled, "Patidev, they won't let you pick it up. Will they?", Aira said, smiling playfully. 

"Lets see, I can sneak in and pluck a rose for you, biwi ji.", I smiled at her, pinching her cheeks. 

"Haan, aap aa gaye bohot bade prime minister. Ok, lets see.", Aira mocked me and started blow drying her hair. 

I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her neck, "Aira, saree, please.."

"Nahi nahi, I face difficulty while walking in saree.. I will wear a kurta today.", Aira said, smiling. 

"Then that yellow one, you brought that one from Mumbai?", I asked her. 

"Hmm, that I can wear. Ok fine.", She turned her head and kissed me on the lips.

I kissed her more, deeper, even she was surprised by the sudden affection. But I wanted to do it so much. I did not know why, I wanted to present for Aira more than usual. 

As we pulled away from the kiss, her hazel eyes looked heavenly, she switched off the blow dryer, kept it away, and kissed me again. 

"Ranveer, lets have a quickie", Aira smiled playfully. 

I chuckled, raising my eyebrows, "You asked me to get ready fast, for that?"

She nodded like a kid, "Yes, quick... quickie."

I chuckled and kissed her, and then put her to bed to have a quickie...

As we were into the moment, Aira's phone started ringing. 

We both chuckled, and I slowed down. "Who's calling? Pakka Shivani hogi. Bolegi jaldi karne.", I said to Aira. 

"Once check na who's calling.", Aira said, still lying beneath me. 

Idhika.
My stomach dropped. And I didn't like what that meant.

I cleared my throat, "It's doctor saab. Let me... pick it up.", I picked up the call.

"Yes, doctor.", I said panting over the phone, looking at Aira.

"Ummm... Ranveer? Oh, where is Aira?", Idhika said over the phone. 

"Oh need Aira? Ok 1 minute.", I handed the phone to Aira, then lied beside her. Looking at the ceiling.

"Haan Idhika, Eco park. Oh your mom wants to come too? To babysit? Hahaha, she is so sweet. Yeah, sure, bring her along. The more the merrier.", Aira spoke over the call, smiling.

Idhika's mom? Again? No, I am not ready for it. No. Phir se ladka dhundne bolegi mujhe.

I got up, and wore my clothes, clearly frustrated about the fact that aunty will be there. 

Aira was still talking to her over the call, but I just got started dressing up for the outing. 

"No, no Idhika, you didn't disturb us. We were getting ready anyway.", Aira said over the call. 

Oh fuck! Did she understand that I was in the middle of... Why did I pick up the call? Doomsday!

I texted her fast, "Why is your mom coming?"

She replied, so unexpected, "You were having that? 😂"

I looked at Aira, she was trying to find her yellow kurta, from the pile of clothes.

"Aira, I am ready. Main bahar hu, tum ready hoke aa jao.", I said and made a quick exit.

I texted her back, "What did you say? Dirty mind."

She did not reply for another minute. 

Then it came, "I am a doctor. I know things."

Hah! My heart just....forget it.

I straight went downstairs to the lobby area, and called her up, "Idhika, what was that huh?", I said, controlling my laughter.

She laughed like a maniac, "You picked up my call on Aira's phone in between your action? Are you crazy?"

I just controlled my laughter, "I was not... ok I was, but why are you laughing? Aren't you...ahem..jealous?", I asked teasing her, scanning my surroundings.

She slowly stopped laughing, gasping for air, "No, I am not. Why would I be?"

I smiled, "Exactly, why would you be? So are you wearing that?"

I just loved the way she carries herself, with sass and pure charisma. 

"Surprise... wait and watch.", Idhika said, giggling. 

"Why are you torturing me subah subah?", I asked, softly. 

She cleared her throat, "You shouldn't have picked up the call then. You tortured me first. I am poor, single girl. Huh!"

"Oh, aisa hai kya?", I chuckled. 

"Aur nahi toh kya?... You and Aira are always like this.. Cozy-cozy. You don't care about the single souls around you..", Idhika yapped a little. 
She can yap too?  That was new.

I smiled unknowingly on her cuteness, "Ok ok, stop complaining now. I am having intrusive thoughts.", I joked.

"Shut up!", she scolded me. 

Hahahaha...

"Ok, I will shut up. As you say.", I chuckled. 

"Ok, now go. See you in park.", Idhika said and hung up. 

I chuckled, and understood that she felt shy, "Ok bye. See you.", I hung up.
Just then Junaid called me. I picked it up. 
"Haan, Junaid, tell me.", I said over the call. 
"Sir, a composer was wanting to see you and Aira ma'am.", Junaid said. 
"Okay, name?", I asked. 
"Reyansh Mehra. Sir I have heard he has already lend music to a few regional films.", Junaid said, in his timid tone. 
Reyansh Mehra...hmm, it rings a bell. 
"Ok, Junaid, ask him to come once we are back to Mumbai. Ok?", I said. 
"Ok sir.", he said and hung up.
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Eco park

Ranveer's POV

We finally reached the park, and Idhika, and her mom were already waiting there. 

She was wearing a red salwar suit, dupatta hung on one side.

My jaw tightened, she looked gorgeous.

Aarav walked upto Idhika, "Hii, aunty bhi aayi hain? Wahh."

Aira, Shivani and I stood there too. 

Aunty instantly glowed up seeing the twins. I just smiled at them, and noticed her diamond earrings were intact. 

Aira looked at me, "Her mom is so cute. hahaha."

I smiled at Aira, "Of course, baby.", I said.

Shivani and Aira were chatting with Aunty.

Aarav was with Idhika.

"We were thinking of setting a hotel in this location..." he said.

I didn't like the way he was talking.

Too smooth.

Too easy.

That Casanova tone of his.

"Hmm, this is one of the prime locations... a stadium is also here. Eden Gardens is a little far." Idhika replied calmly.

I moved toward them before I even realized it.

"Business?", I asked.

Aarav looked at me. "Haan... dad was saying ki ek branch idhar bhi open karenge. That's what I was discussing with her."

With her?

Since when did this idiot start discussing business with Idhika?

Normally toh "Idhika mast hai, mast hai" karta rehta hai.

I nodded slowly.

"Shaadi se pehle kholega hotel?", I asked, sarcastically.

Aarav frowned. "Abey pehle kaise hoga? Baad mein hi hoga na—"

"Toh abhi kyun research kar raha hai?" I cut in, "Abhi Shivani ke saath enjoy kar. Baad mein karna research."

"Abey kya tu bhi?" he muttered, leaning closer, "Idhika se baat karne de na. Kya problem hai?"

I looked at him, "Are you flirting with her?", I asked.

He clicked his tongue. "Nope yaar... par saali hai. Thoda flirt toh kar sakta hoon."

I didn't like that.

Not one bit.

"Jiju, aaj lunch meri taraf se treat," Idhika suddenly said.

Then she looked at me.

"Ok Ranveer?"

I blinked, "Why? It's my trip na. I'll pay."

The words came out too fast.

Aarav jumped in, "No no, I should also—"

Their voices blurred for a second.

I was still stuck on the way she said my name.

"Ok Ranveer, tum baad mein treat dena kabhi," she smiled.

"Sure... no problem."

Why was I this happy?

"Aarav—" Shivani called from behind.

His smile dropped instantly. Idiot.

And then—

Idhika stepped closer.

"Stop looking at me like that," she said keeping her voice low.

"Sab hai yahan. They'll doubt you. Don't look at me at all.", she said in her scolding tone.

My eyes widened.

"Is it that obvious? When did I look?", I muttered. But She just nodded, smiled and walked away. 

Did not answer me. 

I tried my best to not look at her, at all. Which obviously failed. She was glowing in red, but I tried to keep my focus on Aira and the park. 

The wintery weather was nice, so we could walk peacefully. There was some manmade village demos, some buddha temple demos. And seven wonders of the world demos too. 

And then we went to the Rose Garden. 

"Let me pick up one rose for you Aira. Look at them, so beautiful", I said, to Aira.

"The police will catch you. This is not Mumbai.", Aira hit me lightly. 

"Hahaha, ok madam ji. Fine.", I said pinching Aira's cheeks. 

Idhika's mom was behind us, "Omaaa, kitna pyaar hai. Dekho dekho"

Arey yaar!

I turned and looked back at her, and beside her was Idhika, she looked at me and looked away, a small smile on her lips, "Haan aunty...", I chuckled. 

"Idhi, tu dekh, aisa ek boyfriend dhund nahi sakti? Allergy hai kya ladko se?", Aunty said to Idhika in a scolding tone. 

Idhika turned at aunty, "Maa, what are you saying? Stop it!"

For some reason...I was enjoying this.  I looked at Aira, and said, "Let me tease Aunty and her a bit."

Aira chuckled, "Pagal hain aap bhi. Zyada tease mat kijiye.", she said, smiling.

I turned back, slowing down slightly, letting Aira was slightly ahead, "Aunty, I have a guy, known. Businessman. Does it work? Or do you need a doctor only?", I didn't know why I said that. 

Idhika muttered, "Shuru ho gaya ye bhi.", with a poker face.

Aunty almost jumped in excitement, "Haan, works, works. Idhi's Baba is businessman toh. Jamai bhi businessman hua toh chalega."

Idhika glared at her mom, "Maa, bas.. Wo mazak kar raha hai."

I looked at her, with a knowing look. 

"Ei Ranveer, tum baat chalao, samjha? Oi tumhara friend ke saath.", Aunty said.

"Maa, koi friend nahi hai. He was joking. Tum bhi na.", Idhika said, frustrated. 
I smiled at aunty, "She doesn't know all my friends, aunty.", I said.

"Dhat! Aira chalo hum dono chalte, let maa and him talk.", Idhika walked so fast that her dupatta flew on my arm, cold, silky.

She grabbed Aira by her arm and walked off- a little too fast.

I kept staring at her back, something felt unsettling inside me, that's when aunty nudged me, "Ei sach mein mazak kar rahe the?"

I smiled at her, "No, aunty. Ek ladka hai, I will talk to him.", I said and walked along with her.

The day was amazing, and my heart was full. The lunch was dramatically paid by Aarav. 
and by the evening we were so exhausted that we just wanted to go and sleep at the hotel. 

"Guys tomorrow's chartered flight at 11 am, please be ready. ok?", I announced to everyone. 

Idhika's mom started crying dramatically, like full on tears. 

"You will again go back beta? You were good in Kolkata only.", aunty sobbed, hugging Idhika. 

No, she wasn't! She is best in Mumbai. Haha..

We all were controlling our laughter seeing Idhika's expression, "Maa, bas... aaungi toh Shivi ke shaadi mein., she said rubbing her mom's back. 

Lucky girl, to get a mother like this. Because I never got, everybody doesn't get. 
I did not know about others but my smile faded, remembering my mother. 

Our eyes met at that moment and she saw through it, the longing. I looked away, fast. 

"Maa, ghar toh chalo. Aaj ki raat baki hai abhi.", Idhika said, wiping her mother's tears.

But for me that eye contact changed everything, how she saw me, how  safe I felt. How I never wanted her to go away from me. Ever.