AUTHOR'S POV

That night, the air outside was calm. The sky sprinkled with silver stars, soft light falling through the open balcony curtains.

Inside, the villa felt quiet and serene, the kind of silence that carried warmth instead of emptiness.

Arisha stood up from the couch, brushing her hair back, and turned toward the kitchen.

“It’s getting late. I’ll make something for dinner,” she said casually, already taking a step forward.

Before she could move further, Yugant’s voice came, firm but gentle, “No.”

She blinked, looking back at him.

“No? Then who will cook? You?” she asked, raising a brow with a teasing smile.

Yugant stood up from the chair, his posture calm but his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Yes. I’ll make it. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

Arisha folded her arms, studying him suspiciously. “You… cook?”

He gave her a half-smile, walking past her toward the kitchen. “I can handle a few things. You just sit and relax.”

She followed him, curiosity lighting her eyes as she leaned against the counter.

“This is new. The mighty Yugant Raghuvanshi in the kitchen,” she said with a light chuckle.

Without looking at her, he replied, “A husband who can’t even cook for his wife isn’t much of a man, is he?”

The words caught her off guard. For a second, she didn’t know what to say. There was no arrogance in his tone, only quiet sincerity.

Yugant began pulling out ingredients, moving with a kind of confidence she didn’t expect.

“What do you want to eat?” he asked while washing vegetables.

Arisha tilted her head. “I didn’t think you would ask me.”

He finally turned to face her, eyes steady. “I told you before.. I want to pamper you. That starts from small things. So tell me, what would you like?”

For the first time that day, she smiled genuinely.

“Surprise me,” she said, crossing her arms but staying to watch.

He smirked faintly, nodding. “Then don’t complain later.”

As he began chopping vegetables, Arisha couldn’t help but admire the ease in his movements.

He wasn’t clumsy or lost. He looked… peaceful. Like this version of him didn’t wear a crown, didn’t rule a kingdom.. just a man, cooking for the woman he wanted to understand.

As the soft sizzle filled the air, she leaned closer, watching him move around the kitchen with an ease that amused her.

The contrast was striking, the same man who ruled with such command, now stirring a pot with complete focus, like this was his battlefield for the night.

She folded her arms. “I never thought I’d see the great Yugant Singh Raghuvanshi chopping vegetables,” she said with a playful smirk.

Without glancing up, he replied smoothly, “You’ve only seen one side of me, Mrs. Raghuvanshi. You should stick around, I’m full of surprises.”

She chuckled. “Is that a warning or a promise?”

Finally, he looked at her, those dark eyes glinting under the kitchen light. “Depends on how you take it.”

Their eyes held for a heartbeat longer than either intended, and Arisha quickly looked away, brushing back her hair.

“You talk too smooth for your own good.”

He smiled faintly, turning off the stove. “Only with you.”

She raised a brow. “You flirt too much.”

“And you blush too easily,” he countered, placing two plates on the counter.

Arisha blinked. “I do not.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice, “Then why did you just look away?”

Her lips parted, she didn’t have a comeback for that.

He smirked, satisfied with her silence, and pushed a plate toward her.

“Sit. Taste and tell me if your husband can cook,” he said, taking a seat opposite her.

She hesitated for a moment before sitting down, taking a cautious bite. Her eyes widened slightly, the food was genuinely good.

“You… actually can cook.”

He tilted his head. “Was that surprise I heard?”

“No, it’s just…” she paused, smiling faintly, “you don’t seem like the type who steps into a kitchen.”

“Maybe I’m not,” he said softly, watching her reaction more than the food, “but for you, I can be anything.”

Her fork froze midair, and she blinked, heart skipping a beat at his tone.. calm, honest, and strangely intimate.

For a few moments, neither spoke. The only sound was the quiet hum of the night, broken by her soft laugh.

“You’re really dangerous, you know that?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Only if you make me.”

After dinner, the silence in the mansion felt softer. Arisha gathered the plates, but before she could move toward the sink, Yugant stopped her with a single look.

“Leave it,” he said firmly. “We’ll get to it later. Come with me.”

She frowned slightly. “Where now?”

He didn’t answer, only walked toward the living room.

Curious, she followed him, watching as he picked up the remote and switched on the large TV.

He scrolled through the options and said casually, “Let’s watch a movie.”

Arisha blinked, surprised. “You? Watching a movie?”

He arched a brow. “What do you think I do in my free time? Rule kingdoms and threaten businessmen?”

She smirked. “Isn’t that what you actually do?”

He chuckled lowly, the sound deep and warm. “Maybe. But even a king deserves a break.”

She hesitated for a moment, then took a seat beside him.. not too close, but not too far either.

He noticed the careful distance but said nothing. With a faint smile, he handed her the remote.

“Your choice, Mrs. Raghuvanshi.”

Her eyes flicked to him. “What if I pick something boring?”

He leaned back, stretching an arm over the couch, not touching her, but close enough that she felt the heat of him.

“Then I’ll still watch it, because you chose it.”

Her lips curved faintly at his tone. “You’re being too nice today.”

He turned slightly toward her. “Maybe I’m just trying to make my wife comfortable.”

Ignoring the warmth creeping up her neck, she quickly scrolled through and picked a movie, a light romantic comedy.

Yugant gave her a playful side glance. “Romance, huh?”

“Problem?” she asked, tilting her head.

“No,” he said, voice soft. “Just wondering if you’re trying to tell me something.”

She rolled her eyes. “You think too much.”

“And you avoid too well,” he murmured, half-smiling.

The movie began, flickering light dancing across their faces.

As the characters on screen bickered and fell in love, Arisha found herself relaxing.. laughing softly at certain moments.

Yugant watched her more than the screen, his gaze tracing the way her expressions changed from amusement to surprise to quiet thoughtfulness.

When she noticed, she said, “You’re staring again.”

He didn’t even deny it. “Maybe the movie’s not as interesting as you.”

“Do you ever stop flirting?” she sighed, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“Not when it works,” he said easily.

Halfway through the film, her head slowly tilted, resting against the back of the couch, her eyes half-lidded from the long day.

Yugant noticed, his expression softening. Quietly, he reached for the blanket on the side and draped it over her shoulders.

Her lashes fluttered, and she murmured drowsily, “You didn’t have to…”

“I wanted to,” he replied quietly.

For a while, the movie played on but all Yugant saw was her sleeping form beside him, calm and peaceful. He leaned back, eyes still fixed on her, and whispered under his breath..

“Someday, Arisha… you’ll look at me like I look at you.”

I looked down at her as she slept in my arms.. soft, peaceful, unaware of the storm she’d brought into my life.

Every line of her face was calm, untouched by the noise of the world. She looked like she belonged to another realm, one far gentler than mine.

Carefully, I pushed open the door to our room and stepped inside.

The moonlight fell across the bed, and for a moment, I just stood there, reluctant to let her go.

Then I lowered her onto the bed, making sure the blanket covered her shoulders. She stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent, and then went still again.

I stood there for a few seconds, just staring at her. The queen of Rajasthan… my wife… and yet, it still didn’t feel real.

Then another thought struck me. Where the hell was I supposed to sleep?

I looked at the bed, then back at her.

She’s already taken half of it.

My instinct said it’s my bed, but the next second, I scolded myself. She might not be comfortable with me beside her. I shouldn’t do that without asking her first.

I rubbed the back of my neck, whispering under my breath, “But she’s my wife…”

Another part of me.. the rational, self-controlled part - snapped back immediately.

No, Yugant. Control yourself. You don’t just hug her because you want to. She’s not ready for that. You’ll wait until she lets you in completely.

Letting out a long sigh, I turned away from the bed and glanced toward the couch.

It was small. Too small for me. But it would do.

I walked over and sank down onto it, leaning back with a groan.

“Yesterday also I had to sleep on the couch,” I muttered, glaring at the ceiling. “And today too.”

My gaze flicked back toward her once more. She shifted in her sleep, clutching the pillow close.

“Why does she sleep this early?” I whispered, a small, tired smile tugging at my lips. “Doesn’t she know I can’t sleep without hearing her voice now?”

I turned on my side, resting my head on my arm, still watching her from across the room. The couch wasn’t comfortable, but somehow, with her near,  it didn’t matter.

“Goodnight, Jaan,” I whispered softly before closing my eyes.

To be Continued...