Ayush sat alone in a dimly lit pub, the haze of alcohol blurring his thoughts as he drowned his sorrows in glass after glass.

His mind was a whirlpool of memories and regrets, the sharp sting of Suman’s rejection and Amay’s stern warnings gnawing at him.

He couldn’t stop replaying the moment in his head—Suman, his Suman, standing there with Amay, the man who now had her, while Ayush was left with nothing but his broken dreams.

How had everything gone so wrong?

How had he lost her?

The alcohol did nothing to numb the ache in his chest, but he drank anyway, hoping to drown out the images of Suman’s laughter and the way she used to look at him.

They had been so happy once, so in love.

And now?

Now it was ruined, all because of his father.

His father, who had forced his hand, pushed him into a corner, and made decisions that shattered Ayush’s world.

He would never forgive him.

Never.

By the time Ayush stumbled out of the pub, it was 2 AM.

His steps were unsteady as he made his way home, his mind clouded with alcohol and regret.

The house was silent when he arrived, the soft glow of the moon casting eerie shadows across the walls.

Everyone was asleep, oblivious to the storm raging inside him.

With wobbly steps, he made his way to his room, his head spinning as he opened the door.

The room was dark, but the faint outline of a female figure lying on his bed was visible.

His mind, clouded with both alcohol and the remnants of his emotions, didn’t register who it was at first.

He walked closer, his heart heavy, and instinctively reached out to caress her cheek.

Tina stirred at the touch, her sleep interrupted by the unfamiliar sensation of someone’s fingers on her face.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she found Ayush leaning over her, his hand softly stroking her cheek.

For a moment, she was shocked—this was the first time Ayush had ever been this close to her, ever shown any tenderness.

But when he leaned down and kissed her forehead, her shock melted into something else.

Is this real? she thought, her heart racing.

Without thinking, Tina sat up, cupping his face, her need and desire for him finally boiling over.

She had waited for so long, yearning for his touch, but he had always been distant.

Now, with him close, she lost control.

Desperation surged through her as she smashed her lips onto his, catching Ayush off guard.

He hesitated, but then, under the influence of the alcohol, he responded to her kiss.

Tina’s desire took over completely as she frantically unbuttoned his shirt, her hands trembling with anticipation.

She had been controlling her urges for months, hoping for this moment, and now it was happening—or so she thought.

Ayush, however, was barely conscious, his intoxicated mind not fully understanding what was happening.

He tried to push her away, his movements sluggish, but Tina ignored it.

She kissed his neck, his chest, moaning his name, thinking this was the moment she had longed for.

But just as her passion reached its peak, she felt his weight slump against her.

Confused, she pulled back and saw Ayush—his eyes closed, his body limp.

He had fallen asleep, completely oblivious to the situation.

The alcohol had taken over, rendering him unconscious in the middle of her advances.

Frustration surged through Tina.

She pushed him off her, her chest heaving as she cursed him under her breath.

She had been so close, her desires burning, only for him to fall asleep, leaving her high and dry.

She glared at him, lying there passed out, completely unaware of the mess he had left her in.

"Damn you, Ayush," she muttered, clenching her fists, her body still trembling with unfulfilled need.

She stormed off to the bathroom, furious with him, but even more furious with herself for letting her emotions get the better of her.

As Ayush slept, oblivious to the chaos he’d caused, Tina stood alone, once again reminded that no matter how much she craved him, Ayush’s heart—and his mind—were elsewhere.

Ayush woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, the dull throb behind his eyes a sharp reminder of the alcohol he'd consumed the night before.

As he shifted in bed, he realized with a start that he wasn’t wearing his shirt.

Confusion clouded his thoughts as he tried to piece together the events of the previous night, but his memory was frustratingly hazy.

He couldn’t recall much after arriving home.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Tina walked in, carrying a mug of black coffee.

Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a subtle, almost shy smile playing on her lips.

Ayush, still disoriented, looked at her with surprise.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice rough from the headache.

Tina, still smiling, replied, “I thought you might need this. You probably have a headache after all the drinking last night.”

She handed him the cup, and without a word, Ayush took it from her, thankful for the relief.

He sipped the coffee, feeling the warm bitterness ease some of the tension in his head.

He exhaled in relief before asking, “What happened last night?”

Tina paused for a moment, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. “You don’t remember?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

Ayush shook his head, trying to force the fog in his mind to clear. “No, I can’t recall much.”

Tina's eyes briefly sparkled with something—hope, maybe—and then she said softly, “You kissed me.”

The cup of coffee in Ayush’s hand slipped, and he nearly choked on the sip he'd just taken.

He coughed violently, trying to process what she had just said.

Tina rushed to his side, gently patting his back until he was able to breathe normally again.

Once he caught his breath, Ayush stared at her in disbelief. “No. That’s not possible. I couldn’t have kissed you.”

Tina’s face fell, her earlier blush fading as the weight of his words sank in.

She had hoped, that something had shifted between them after last night.

But now, hearing the clear rejection in his voice, that hope shattered into pieces.

Still, she composed herself, refusing to let her disappointment show too much.

“I’m telling you the truth,” Tina said, trying to keep her tone even. “You did kiss me last night, Ayush.”

Ayush shook his head again, more adamantly this time, his heart sinking with guilt.

He didn't want to hurt her, but at the same time, he had no interest in building any kind of relationship with her—especially not one based on drunken mistakes.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, rubbing his temples as the headache pulsed stronger. “I was drunk. I didn’t mean to...whatever happened, it was a mistake. Just...forget it, alright?”

Tina felt a sharp sting at his words, but she swallowed the hurt.

Tears threatened to fill her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to break down in front of him.

For months, she had tried to get closer to him, hoping for something real, but it seemed Ayush didn’t—and never would—see her the way she wanted.

“Fine,” she said, her voice flat, betraying none of the turmoil she felt inside. “Finish your coffee, Ayush. You should get ready. You’ll be late for work.”

Without waiting for a reply, Tina turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Ayush behind in a daze.

He sat there, staring at the door, still trying to make sense of what had happened.

His mind was a mess, filled with fragments of last night, Suman, and now this unexpected situation with Tina.

Nothing felt right.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Ayush exhaled deeply.

His head was spinning—not just from the hangover, but from the confusion swirling inside him.

He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.

Suman stepped out of the room, adjusting the pallu of her light cotton saree, preparing for another day at school.

The soft morning light streamed through the windows of Shekhawat Mansion, casting a warm glow on everything.

As she moved around, her eyes fell on Amay, still sound asleep on the sofa, his messy hair falling adorably over his forehead.

A smile tugged at her lips as she stood there for a moment, watching him.

He looked peaceful, and for a brief second, she thought about how cute he looked—completely different from his usual composed self.

She couldn't help but reminisce about the night before.

They had shared a quiet dinner.

Slowly, unknowingly, he was making a place in her heart.

Suman could feel her heart opening up to him, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop it.

It felt surreal—this slow shift from strangers to something more.

She smiled softly, the thought of sharing her life with him somehow feeling comforting.

As she resumed getting ready, she heard a rustling sound behind her.

Amay stirred in his sleep and then slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the sight before him.

There she was—his wife—getting ready, the soft fabric of her saree draped elegantly around her, the morning light making her look even more ethereal.

His heart skipped a beat, and a lazy, satisfied smile appeared on his face.

For a moment, he just stared, feeling privileged to witness such a simple, intimate scene.

She was breathtaking, and if he ever became jobless, he mused, he’d gladly take up the job of watching her like this for the rest of his life.

Suman turned around, catching him in the act.

Their eyes met, and she caught him red-handed, staring at her.

Startled, Amay tried to move, attempting to roll to the other side of the sofa, but he miscalculated his movements and fell off with a loud thud.

"Amay!" Suman gasped, rushing to him. "Are you fine? Lagi toh nahi?"

He looked up, his heart stuttering at how close she was.

The concern in her eyes made his mind freeze for a moment, and the way her fingers brushed against his waist sent a shiver through him.

To his surprise—and embarrassment—he let out a small giggle.

Suman raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile appearing on her face. "Wait... you're ticklish?" she asked, clearly amused.

Amay's eyes widened, but before he could protest, Suman's fingers gently prodded at his waist again, and he burst into laughter. "Suman, stop!" he pleaded between fits of laughter. "Please stop!"

But she was having too much fun now, and ignored his pleas.

She tickled him mercilessly, his laughter filling the room as he squirmed beneath her teasing fingers.

"Suman!" he gasped, trying to catch his breath. "If you don’t stop, I’ll have to punish you!"

She chuckled, her own laughter mingling with his. "Oh really? How so? Right now, you’re completely at my mercy."

But Amay was quick. In one swift motion, he grabbed her hands and flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.

Suman let out a soft gasp, surprised by the sudden turn of events.

She found herself staring up at him, her wrists held above her head as he hovered over her, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

“What happened, Mrs. Shekhawat? Confidence khatam ho gaya?” he teased, his voice low and playful.

Suman gulped, her heart racing.

For the first time, she noticed the sharpness of his jawline, the intensity in his eyes, and without meaning to, her gaze drifted to his lips.

Her mind went blank, the only thought circling through her head was how close he was.

A tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered, You’ve become a pervert, Suman.

Amay’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Kya hua? Ab jawab kyun nahi de rahi tum?” he asked, noticing her sudden silence.

Suman stammered, her voice barely a whisper, “K...kya?”

He grinned, clearly enjoying the shift in power. “Well, Mrs. Shekhawat, you deserve a punishment for troubling me.”

Her subconscious immediately jumped to conclusions, A sensual punishment, I guess, which made her eyes widen in shock.

Before her imagination could run wild, she quickly pushed against him, trying to get up.

Amay, sensing her sudden discomfort, immediately released her, standing up and looking guilty.

"I... I’m really sorry, Suman," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Main bas mazak kar raha tha. Please believe me, mera aisa kuch karne ka irada nahi tha."

Suman looked up at him, confused by the sudden apology.

"Tum itni sundar ho," Amay blurted out, his cheeks turning a faint shade of red. "I forget to control myself sometimes, but I promise... aage se aisa nahi hoga."

Suman’s eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn’t expected to hear that.

For a moment, she stared at him, not knowing what to say.

His flustered expression, the way he was blabbering nervously, and the fact that he thought she was beautiful...

It was all so unexpected.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but she kept it hidden. Amay Shekhawat was more interesting than she had ever thought.

Suman sat across from Namita in their favorite café, the comforting aroma of coffee swirling around them as they settled into their chairs.

Namita was all ears, her curiosity piqued as Suman filled her in on what had happened a few days ago at Shekhawat Legacy.

“So, you’re telling me Ayush and Amay jiju are business associates? Or, more like, Amay jiju is Ayush’s client?” Namita’s eyes widened as she processed the information.

Suman nodded, stirring her tea absentmindedly. “Yes, they had their business deal before our wedding. Ayush’s company is going to build the new hotel for Shekhawat Legacy.”

Namita blinked in disbelief. “Oh teri! Matlab tera ex-fiancé aur tera current husband ek saath kaam karenge? Wow.”

She let out a low whistle, thoroughly amused by the twist of fate.

Suman shot her an irritated look. “Shut up.”

Namita, however, was laughing, clearly enjoying the drama. “Okay, okay, on a serious note. Tu kya chahti hai? What do you want out of all this?”

Suman sighed, her gaze distant for a moment. “I just want to stay away from Ayush. Whatever the reason, he married Tina, and we can’t deny the fact that now Tina is his wife, and I am married to Amay. So it’s better for both of us to move on.”

Namita leaned in, studying her closely. “And are you ready to move on? Because jaha tak mujhe pata hai, Ayush ko tu bachpan se jaanti hai. You had your dreams with him, and then suddenly everything changed. So, are you really ready?”

Suman didn’t answer immediately, her eyes dropping to the table.

Namita pressed gently, “Okay, let me ask it in a simpler way. Is Amay a nice man?”

Without missing a beat, Suman replied, “He’s a great man, Namu. Trust me when I say this—I have never seen a man like Amay. Not even Ayush.”

Namita raised her brows, surprised. “Accha, itne acche hain vo?”

Suman blushed just a little and nodded. “Haan, bahut acche hain vo.”

Namita grinned, sensing something more. “Is he a pervert?” she teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Suman’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Hey! Don’t call him that! In fact, I was the one who...”

She trailed off, realizing what she was about to confess, her cheeks turning crimson.

Namita pounced on the hesitation. “Wait, wait—complete the sentence! You were the one who what?”

Suman looked down, suddenly shy. “Actually... this morning he was saying something, but I wasn’t listening.”

Namita tilted her head, curious. “And that’s because...?”

Suman hesitated, biting her lip. “Because my entire focus was on his lips. I wanted to... kiss him.”

Namita gasped dramatically, her eyes wide. “Oh my God! Meri best friend Suman kahaan hai? Yeh tu nahi ho sakti! Such an unholy thought! Sach sach bata, what’s going on?”

Suman tried to hide her embarrassed smile. “Namu, I think... I like him.”

Namita leaned in even closer, eyes sparkling. “Who? Your husband?”

Suman blushed even deeper and nodded. “Who else? Yes, my husband.”

Namita let out a playful “Oooooohhh!” before leaning back with a grin. “Really?”

Suman nodded. “Really. Tuhje pata hai, unhone mujhe aur Ayush ko saath dekha. Ayush was about to explain everything, but Amay said he didn’t need any clarification. He trusts me. And you won’t believe it—when he said that, my heart skipped a beat.”

Namita smiled warmly, seeing the sincerity in her best friend's eyes.

“And you know, on our wedding night,” Suman continued softly, “I said a lot of hurtful things, but he never responded. He just listened, quietly. He’s never touched me without my permission. And this morning, when we came close by accident, do you know what he did? He apologized.”

Namita raised her eyebrows, impressed. “He apologized?”

Suman nodded, her voice growing softer with emotion. “Haan, every single time, even when he doesn’t have to. He gives me the respect every woman deserves. And not just respect, but trust... he’s earned my trust, too. And Namu, I like him very much.”

Namita’s smile softened. “Sumi, you’re a lucky woman. Amay jiju sounds like a dream.”

Suman’s heart fluttered at the thought.

She lowered her gaze, her fingers playing with the edge of her saree. “I think I am lucky... because Amay has every quality to be every girl’s dream man.”

Namita grinned cheekily. “But the reality is, he’s your man.”

Suman blushed, her heart fluttering at the possessiveness of the words.

“My man,” she repeated quietly, her lips curving into a soft smile. “He’s not only trusted me, Namu, but he’s also earned my respect. He respects me so much, and... I like him very much.”

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