Ranveer slowly gained consciousness,

his body stirring as he opened his eyes to blurry vision.He blinked repeatedly, trying to clear the haze from his mind,as memories of the previous night started to resurface.

He lifted his heavy head, realizing he was almost slipping onto someone -

Dhruvika.

His face had been buried in the crook of her neck, intimately close, as if seeking comfort or solace.

As his gaze focused, he locked onto her peaceful face,her breathing calm and serene, like she was in a deep sleep.

Her skin still glowed with its natural radiance,but his heart sank as he noticed something else -many red marks scattered across her spotless complexion,marks that seemed to accuse him, to testify against his actions.

He gulped hard, his throat constricting with guilt and shame.

He did this.

The memories came flooding back,

yesterday's events replaying in his mind like a haunting movie,

each scene more disturbing than the last.

He had closed his eyes to the truth,

trying to deny the darkness within him,but now it stared him brutally in the face.

He was capable of such things...he never knew.

He remembered being drugged at a party, his mind foggy and out of control,his actions dictated by the substances coursing through his veins.

But Dhruvika... she hadn't been drunk or drugged,

so why didn't she stop him?

Why did she let him cross those boundaries,

He was lost in his thoughts,tormented by guilt and uncertainty, when Dhruvika stirred beside him, stretching like a cat waking from a nap.

She slowly opened her eyes, locking gazes with him, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

He thought may be she would push him away, or rush out of bed in horror, but instead, she surprised him by turning into his chest, wrapping her arms around him, and hugging tightly.

"I want to sleep more," she whispered softly against his skin, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine.

His arms automatically enveloped her, holding her close as if he never wanted to let go.

But then she spoke again, her voice laced with reluctance,

"But I have to go to the office."

She pulled back slightly, pouting at him with adorable lips,and his heart skipped a beat - this was her...

his Dhruvi

She reached for her phone on the table and gasped softly,

"Ooo, it's already 11!"

His eyes widened in alarm - 11 am and he wasn't even close to the office.

Normally, panic would have set in,

but today was different.

Today, he just wanted to stay wrapped in her warmth, feeling her heart beat against his.

It was ridiculously comfy, and he never wanted this moment to end.

"Okay, I'll take a bath first, then you can, and we'll head to the office together,"

she said, breaking the spell.

He nodded slowly.

She got up from his arms and he felt something which he didn't like.

She took the towel before forewarding to him. He frowned

"I am taking the blanket " she spoke but he was confused

"Veer warp it arround... you are not wearing anything " his eyes widened slightly before he took the towel and warped.

Dhruvika took the blanket before climbing down. Then his eyes felt on her exposed skin. There are not a single place where the red mark isn't present.

Her skin is filled with marks including her face.

He behaved so roughly with her . She is so soft and delicate how could he behave with her like that.

It's not enough that her steps even tremble making him quickly got up.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly

"Yeah just little sore... it will be fine" he lifted her before taking her to bathroom. He made her stand there and spoke

"Umm....tell me if you want anything"

"Okay" she spoke and he come back.

But as his eyes felt on bed his eyes widened.

"I...it w..was her f.. first " he whispered in shock.

She let him take her purity.

He sat on bad in and his hand went towards the red spot.

His eyes lingered on that spot before he turned away, his mind turbulent with emotions.

Did he really mean this much to her?

He had always thought their marriage was just a compromise.

"We are husband and wife... it's normal."

His heart skipped a beat as he replayed her sentence in his mind.

She had accepted him as her husband,

without hesitation or shame.

A realization dawned on him - he didn't deserve her Yet, fate had still given her to him, and she didn't seem to regret it.

He closed his eyes, overcome with those thoughts.

Then heard the door open, he looked up to see Dhruvika emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in a bathrobe. "Veer, go take bath" she asked, her voice casual. Ranveer's eyes widened slightly as he got up and walked towards her.

"A...are you okay?" he asked, his tone uncertain.

Dhruvika smiled softly. "Yes, I'm okay...go take a bath, I'm hungry."

Ranveer nodded and headed into the bathroom. As he entered, he noticed his shirt, which he had discarded the previous night, was now neatly hung on a hanger. Dhruvika must have picked it up, he thought. He quickly showered and emerged wearing another bathrobe.

When he walked out, he found Dhruvika intensely focused on something. Her back was turned towards him, and he approached her with a frown. "What happened?" he asked, noticing her pout. As he drew closer, she leaned back against him, and he felt her warmth. "It's got tangled," she sighed, her voice soft.

Ranveer 's reaction was unexpected - instead of flinching at her closeness, his mind was preoccupied with other thoughts. He looked at the tangled object, with focus.

"what is it?" He asked in frown

"Bra tap" she replied making him clear his throat as the previous night event started to flash in his brain.

"Now what should I wear?" Dhruvika asked, looking at him

"You can take my coat," Ranveer offered, his voice neutral, but his eyes lingering on her face.

"Sure?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, making him frown slightly.

"Yes," he replied

"Okay, I'll get ready," she said, gathering her saree and other belongings as she headed to the bathroom.

Ranveer looked at the bed where his clothes lay , except for his shirt which was still in the bathroom.

He quickly put on his pants but left the bathroom robe on top since his shirt was unavailable.

Just then, a knock at the door broke the silence.

He opened it to find room service staff holding a tray.

"Sir, your lunch?"

Ranveer nodded, taking the tray before closing the door.

He waited for his wife on the bed, surrounded by the aroma of freshly cooked food.

Minutes passed before Dhruvika emerged from the bathroom, stunning in her saree, holding his coat and shirt.

"Veer, your shirt is wet," she said, placing the coat on the bed and walking towards the dresser with his shirt.

She grabbed the dryer and called out her husband, "Veer?"

He walked towards her.

"Hold this," she said, handing him his shirt before turning on the dryer.

Once dry, she huffed softly. "You can wear it now."

Ranveer just looked at her, his eyes locked intensely before finally putting on the shirt.

As he walked back to the bed, he found her eating breakfast.

"I was so hungry," she said, mouth full of roti.

Ranveer's gaze fell on her long, wet hair.

"Why didn't you dry your hair?" he asked

"I'm hungry," she dismissed him

He frowned, got up, and grabbed the dryer again.

Walking back to her, he started drying her hair gently.

"Thanks, Veer," she said relaxing, eyes closed, savoring her food.

Her hair was long and thick, so he divided it into sections to dry.

As he worked the dryer through her locks, she took a roti with curry and fed him a bite.

He chewed slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

She repeated this gentle gesture, feeding him another bite .

This tender routine continued - him drying her hair, her eating and feeding him.

The room filled with comfortable silence, except for the soft hum of the dryer and occasional happy sighs from Dhruvika.

Finally, she opened her eyes, hair almost dry, and smiled up at him.

"All done?" she asked

Ranveer nodded, turning off the dryer, his fingers brushing against her soft hair...

"Let's go then," Dhruvika spoke, getting up from the bed.

He took his coat and helped her wear it, his fingers brushing against her shoulders.

She then put on her heels and suddenly lost balance, about to fall.

Ranveer swiftly caught her, holding her steady before bending down to help her adjust her shoe strap.

"Thanks," she said with a smile when he stood up, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

She then reached out and took his hand, a gentle gesture that felt perfectly natural to him.

He didn't react with surprise, his hand fitting comfortably in hers as they walked out together.

At the hotel reception, Dhruvika mentioned she had booked the room but hadn't paid yet, unsure of their stay duration.

"Let me," Ranveer said, taking out his old credit card to settle the bill.

"My car is in parking," she spoke up, and he nodded before walking with her towards the parking lot.

He opened the front door for her, and she slid in , he put her pallu inside before closing the door then he got into the driver's seat.

The drive home was quiet, with only occasional glances exchanged between them.

As they arrived home, Dhruvika practically fell onto their bed like a sack of potatoes.

"I'm so sleepy," she whined, burying her face in the pillow.

Ranveer felt a pang of guilt - she hadn't slept well because of him.

"Is the meeting very important?" he asked softly.

"Hmm a little" she mumbled into the pillow.

"But I don't want to go," she added, her voice barely audible.

"Then don't go... take rest," he suggested, sitting beside her on the bed.

She sat up and looked at him, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"You're right," she said softly, a small pout present on her lips.

Then, she reached for her phone and started typing a message. She massage

After sending the message, she tossed her phone aside and leaned into him.

Her face buried into his chest, and he could feel her gentle breathing.

At first, he didn't react, unsure how to respond to this intimate gesture.

But slowly, his hands rose, and he started caressing her soft hair.

"You'll go to office?" she asked muffled against his chest.

He felt a pang of guilt for the first time for going to work.

"Hmm," he replied softly.

"Okay, come quickly," she said, her voice still muffled.

She lay back on the bed.

Ranveer got up reluctantly, covering her with a blanket before heading to change for work.

When he emerged from the bedroom dressed in his office attire, he found her fast asleep.

He sighed, adjusting her blanket to keep her cozy.

His fingers brushed against her face in a soft caress .

She opened her sleepy eyes and looked at him.

"Take care" she spoke and kissed his cheek.

He looked at her who went back to dreamland.

He locked the door behind him, feeling a sense of longing as he walked away from her sleeping form...

Ranveer walked into the office building at an unusual hour afternoon. Normally, he would have been seated at his desk by 6 am sharp, but today felt different.

Today, he had spent the morning with his wife.

As he entered the office, a familiar voice stopped him,

"Ranveer sir, you're required in the cabin."

He nodded and headed towards the cabin, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.Upon arrival, he knocked softly and entered after receiving permission.

Inside, he found the trio he dreaded facing: Agastya, Avyan, and Ikshita - their faces etched with frustration.

He approached them with his routine submissive demeanor, bowing his head slightly.

Agastya sneered, his teeth glinting with mockery,

"Oo, see who's finally graced us with his presence."

Ranveer didn't flinch or look up,

maintaining his bowed head and neutral expression.

Avyan broke the silence,

"Why are you late?"

"I wasn't well."Ranveer replied

Agastya raised an eyebrow, feigning innocent

"What happened to you?"

Ranveer's voice remained robotic, his eyes still cast downward,

"My drink was spiked."

Ikshita's patience snapped at this point, her voice exploding into the room,

"WHAT WERE YOU DOING INSIDE THAT ROOM WITH DHRUVIKA?IF YOUR DRINK WAS SPIKED!"

Ranveer's head jerked up slightly,

his icy eyes locking onto Ikshita's furious gaze.

He recalled the malicious gossip he Heard previous night.

His nerves tightened...his jaw cleanched, he felt defiance spark within him.

He controll his urge to destroy everything.

In a calm, collected tone, he uttered words that stunned everyone present.

"What I do with my wife inside my room is totally my personal matter."

The room fell silent, with Agastya, Avyan, and Ikshita exchanging disbelieving glances.

Ranveer, the notorious royal slave,

had just talked back to his superior family members while maintaining eye contact.

He added further,

"And it's impropriet for you to ask."

Before Ikshita could erupt again,

Ranveer concluded with unexpected boldness,

"Now, excuse me, sir if you want to know only this"

With that, he turned to leave the cabin, leaving behind a trail of shock and bewilderment.

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