Siya was sitting at a round table beside Paakhi, surrounded by cousins.

They were laughing, sharing stories.

For the first time that night—

Siya looked relaxed.

Just then—

Aarav walked up quietly from behind her.

He leaned slightly closer and said near her ear,

“I need to talk ,I talk with him .”

Siya didn’t turn.

“Why are you telling me? I’m not interested.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

The cousins immediately noticed.

“Ooooh!”

“Bhaiya can’t live without Bhabhi!”

“See how he came running!”

They started hooting and teasing loudly.

Aarav just smiled.

Siya sighed, embarrassed.

“Go from here,” she muttered under her breath.

He leaned even closer.

“And if I don’t?”

She shot him a warning look.

“I’ll kill you.”

He laughed softly.

“You already did.”

She frowned slightly. “What?”

“With your look tonight.”he said.

Her cheeks flushed pink instantly.

She looked away.

“Shut up.”

He smiled at her reaction.

Satisfied.

Then he straightened and walked away casually.

The cousins continued teasing.

And Siya tried very hard to look unaffected—

While her heart refused to calm down.

One of the cousins leaned forward.

“Bhabhi, do you like driving?”

Siya smiled.

“I love driving.”

“Really?”

“I’ve won car races too.”

The cousins gasped.

“No way!”

She nodded proudly, laughing lightly with them.

For a moment—

She felt normal.

Free.

It was past midnight.

Guests had started leaving one by one.

Music softened.

Lights dimmed slightly.

Vansh was still sitting at the bar.

Regret heavy in his eyes.

Across the hall—

Siya stood near the drinks counter again.

She glanced at her glass.

“I want to drink more,” Siya murmured casually.

A waiter approached immediately with a fresh glass.

“Ma’am.”

She smiled faintly. “Thank you.”

She didn’t notice the subtle smirks exchanged between two cousins nearby.

They had already spiked the drink.

Just for “fun.”

Just to tease.

But they didn’t think further.

Siya took a sip.

Then another.

Aarav, standing a little distance away, watched her helplessly.

He had never touched alcohol.

But his wife clearly enjoyed it.

He walked toward her.

Just as she finished the last sip—

She blinked.

Her vision blurred.

She lifted a hand to her forehead.

“My head…”

Aarav reached her instantly.

“Are you okay? You didn’t drink much.”

“My head is spinning…”siya said.

Her voice was weaker now.

Vansh stood up from where he was sitting.

Watching.

Aarav wrapped his arm firmly around her waist.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded.

But her legs gave up.

Without hesitation—

He bent and lifted her into his arms.

The hall went silent.

Cousins froze.

Guilt spreading across their faces.

Her head fell against his chest.

Her fingers clutched his coat unconsciously.

He turned sharply toward the waiter.

“What did you mix in that wine?”

His voice wasn’t loud.

But it was deadly.

The waiter stammered. “S-sir, nothing—”

Aarav’s jaw tightened.

Across the hall—

Vansh watched.

Watched the way she rested against Aarav.

Watched the way Aarav held her like she was the most important thing in the room.

Aarav didn’t look at anyone else.

He just looked at her face.

Concern. Anger. Protection.

Then he started walking toward the exit.

Every eye followed them.

No one dared to speak.

Aarav carefully placed her in the backseat of the car.

She caught his sleeve weakly.

“Don’t go…”

Her voice was faint.

He immediately leaned closer.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly. “I’m right here.”

He sat beside her.

The driver started the car.

She slowly rested her head on his shoulder.

Her fingers were still holding onto his coat.

“I love drinking… you know,” she murmured lazily.

He sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“But you shouldn’t drink that much.”

“I will, always” she replied stubbornly, even in her half-dazed state.

He almost smiled.

Even like this—

She didn’t change.

The rest of the drive was quiet.

He kept one arm around her to steady her.

Every time the car slowed, he tightened his hold slightly.

They reached the mansion.

Without waiting for anyone, he lifted her into his arms again.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

He carried her upstairs carefully.

Inside their room, he placed her gently on the bed.

He knelt down and slowly removed her heels.

Placed them aside neatly.

She shifted in her sleep.

He pulled the blanket over her.

For a moment, he just stood there.

Looking at her.

Her face peaceful.

Unaware.

Vulnerable in a way she never allowed herself to be when awake.

He sat on the edge of the bed.

“You scare me,” he murmured quietly.

Not because she drank.

But because she didn’t let anyone take care of her.

Except tonight.

He adjusted the blanket once more.

Then turned off the lights.

But before leaving the bedside—

He looked at her again.

And this time, there was no teasing.

No smirk.

Only something deeper.

Something steady.