O mere dil ke chain

Chain aye mere dil ko dua kijiye

Apna hi saaya, dekh ke tum

Jaane jahan, sharma gaye

Abhi to ye pehli manzil hai

Tum to abhi se ghabra gaye

Mera kya hoga socho toh zara

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Aaranya’s POV

The morning sunrays fell from the window into the room, making me stir slightly.

I tried to sit up, but I felt too dizzy; my head felt like dinosaurs were dancing in it. I sighed, trying to remember what happened last night.

Just then, Yuvraj came inside with a glass of lemon water in his hand.

“Raj yaar kal esa kya hua tha… mujhe kuch yaad nahi aa raha aur sar bhi fata jaa raha hai,” I asked him while internally debating on topics to myself about what I had done last night.

(Raj, what happened last night… I can't remember anything, and my head is also throbbing.)

I looked at myself and saw my dress had changed… who did that? Uff… Ofc Raj did.

But what happened last night, and why can't I remember anything?

He placed the glass beside me with a soft clink and gestured for me to pick it up “Pi lo Anya yeh, you will feel better.”

(Drink this, Anya. You will feel better.)

I nodded and took the glass while taking small sips.

Just then, he started humming some song, small portions of the lyrics fell within my hearing range, ‘I like the way you kiss me…. I like the way you-, uh… I like the way you kiss me, I can tell you miss me’

I have heard this somewhere recently. But the question still arises… where?

Shitt!!

Last night… club…

As the realisation finally dawned on me slightly, I looked at Yuvraj, who was already looking back at me with a wicked smirk…

And I knew it all… I got DRUNKKK!!

So, that mocktail was spiked. Shit… what have I done..?

“So… Anya… You like the way I kiss you? Or Laga ke tujhe honth se apni dekhun
Kahan se tu meetha kahan se tu khaara,” he teased while mimicking the lyrics I was using on him last night.

“Raj yaar… I was…” I tried to make up words, heavily embarrassed and slightly ashamed.

His teasing demeanour melted into softness.

“Shh… Anya its okay, baby.” He said while kissing my forehead and urging me to finish the water.

I complied while I looked at him and asked, “Did I embarrass you a lot last night?”

He shook his head, “You can never. It was really cute to know that… you like the way I kiss you.” He teased again while playfully pecking my lips.

I grumbled under my breath, though clearly there was no underlying frustration.

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Author’s POV

Yuvraj and Aaranya reached India soon after by the evening, and as their car halted in the Raghuvanshi palace parking, the entire family was already seated in the living area, and the entire place was filled with lively chatter.

The Rajputs were also there.

Shivika was seated in a corner as she was making a face, while Veer was trying to feed her. His entire stoic king façade crumpled into shreds.

Yuvraj went towards Veer… “Arey Veer bhai aap toh bilkul is bandariya ke isharo par naachne lag gaye ho.” He teased while giving a wink.

(Veer brother, you are dancing on this monkey’s gestures.)

Veer rolled his eyes “Abhi mujhe keh raha hai na, jab teri baari aayegi tab dekhte hai.”

(You are saying this to me right now, when it would be your turn, then speak.)

Aaranya and the rest of the family laughed while Aryan and Rudra came to her and hugged her, “Bhabhi hamne aapko bahot miss kiyaa”, Rudra said in a small child-like mimic, making Aaranya giggle

(Bhabhi, we missed you a lot.)

“Aww mere bacche ne mujhe miss kiya.” She teased him while playfully pulling both his cheeks. He wiggled out of her hold and put up a face of mock irritation, “Bhabhi yaarrr” He whined, making her giggle more.

(Aww, my kiddo missed me.)

“Fine, fine.” She said while moving towards the couch where all the elders were sitting.

She greeted them, and they blessed her

“Pura mahal shant sa ho gaya tha iske kamro ki bulbul ke bina,” Priyanka said while gently caressing her hair and patting the other side for Yuvraj to sit.

(The entire palace was quite devoid of its charm.)

He complied and placed his head on her lap while she moved her fingers through the silk strands of his hair.

“Maa sa ham aap sabke liye gifts laaye hai.” She said before going to take the bag.

(Maa sa we have brought gifts for everyone.)

She took out a set of four fluffy hoodies, which looked damn comfy and had ‘best brothers’ printed on them, and handed them to her brothers, and then took out two more hoodies of the same design and text and handed them to Aryan and Rudra “Ab tum dono bhi toh mere bhai ho.”

(You both are also like my brothers.)

Meanwhile, Yuvraj handed over the beautiful embroidered scarves and other souvenirs they had brought for the elder members.

Aaranya went towards Shivika and tied a pendant around her neck, “Yeh aapke liye aur…” She took out a bag filled with soft kids' clothes “Yeh mere pyaaree se bhatije ya bhatiji ke liye.”

(This is for you and…)(This is for my nephew or niece.)

She giggled, “Bahot pyaaare hai aur inka texture bhi bahot soft hai.” Shivika said, clearly appreciating the gesture.

(These are very pretty, and the texture is amazing too.)

As soon as all the gifts were distributed, they went back to their room to rest.

As soon as Aaranya’s back touched the bed, sleep took over her, lulling her into peace.

Yuvraj entered soon after, a fond smile on his face as he saw her resting peacefully.

He slipped into the bed beside her as the mattress dipped slightly under his weight, and he cocooned her in his arms for comfort and safety before dozing off himself.

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Yuvraj’s POV

As I woke up… ah… I was alone.

I blinked a few times, trying to look around and see where Anya had gone.

“Anya?” I called out softly, got out of bed and picked up my t-shirt.

I looked for her in the washroom, the wardrobe, the balcony, but she was nowhere.

I walked outside the room, my hair still dishevelled and skin flushed from sleep.

Outside, there was also no one…

Entire darkness…

I looked at my phone screen, and it was past midnight, so probably everyone was already asleep.

Just then, I heard giggles from the garden.

Who must be there at this time…

Thinking about that, I strode towards the garden where a candle was lightened and giggles continued.

Sat there was a familiar figure with the familiar laugh. I walked closer until the face was clearer to me.

It was Anya.

“Anya raat ke 2 baje yaha kya kar rahi ho?” I asked her, confused and concerned.

(Anya, what are you doing here at night, at 2 am?)

She looked up, clearly neither expecting me nor happy with the disturbance.

“Papad sukha rahi hu, aaiye madat karwa dijiye.” She said, which seemed funny enough as an unexpected giggle escaped my lips, before I bit my lip in realisation.

(I am drying papad. Come and help me.)

“Sorry, sorry. Par itni raat ko papad sukhenge kaise.” I asked, now genuinely confused

(Sorry, sorry but how will the papad dry at this night.)

She rolled her eyes so hard that I swear it might have fallen like marble balls.

“Ya toh aap pagal hai nahi toh ban ne ki koshish kar rahe hai Raj.” She stated flatly, “I said that in sarcasm, can't you see I am sitting here with a book in my hand. So what must I be possibly doing?” She said, looking frustrated.

(Either you are already mad or trying to become Raj.)

I realised and looked down with a slight embarrassment. “Heheh”

“Waise esa bhi kya hai in books mai jo padh kar itna hasti ho aur blush karti ho,” I asked, now back to seriousness. Jealousy built up in me as I thought about it.

(What is it in these books that you smile and blush so much while reading?)

Have I been less in any way?

She just smiled, “These stories are all so cutesy, and you know that… ahm…” She spoke, fumbling to find the right words.

I rolled my eyes “They might be, but can they touch you like this?” I said while pulling her to my chest. “This?” I pushed back a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned down, making sure my breath fell on her neck, my finger tips grazed around her nape “Like this?”

She leaned closer to my touch, making me smirk in satisfaction.

“No…” She replied, making me sigh in relief, before I picked her up in my arms suddenly.

“Ahh Raj kya kar rahe ho? Koi dekh lega…” She said, trying to wiggle out of my arms.

(Ahh, what are you doing, Raj? Someone will see…)

I just held onto her tighter, “Kisi ko dekhna hota toh woh ab tak dekh chuka hota aur waise bhi you deserve some practicals of the scenes that make you blush.”

(If someone had to see, they would have by now, and you deserve practicals of the scenes making you blush.)

Her eyes widened at my words as realisation sank in.

And soon our light-hearted banter fell into a loving session…

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