Shivay’s POV

The conversation continued around me.

Rohit was now explaining something very seriously to Shubman about how surviving Ishan required “high emotional stamina.”

Virat kept interrupting with completely unnecessary examples.

Manik argued with every point like it was a courtroom debate.

Typical.

But somewhere in the middle of all that noise…

My attention drifted.

And unfortunately—

It drifted toward Manik.

He was leaning forward on the sofa, elbows on his knees, completely focused on what Rohit was saying. His eyebrows were slightly pulled together in concentration.

Serious Manik.

Which was rare.

His hair had fallen slightly over his forehead and he pushed it back absentmindedly while listening.

And then—

My eyes dropped.

To his lips.

I swallowed.

Unknowingly.

What the hell are you doing Shivay.

Manik was speaking now, arguing with Virat about something stupid.

But my brain wasn’t listening anymore.

Because my eyes were still there.

On his lips.

I licked my own lips unconsciously.

Big mistake.

A huge amount of thoughts suddenly rushed into my head.

Very unnecessary thoughts.

Very dangerous thoughts.

What would happen if I just—

No.

Absolutely not.

I straightened slightly on the sofa.

Control yourself.

But my traitor body had other opinions.

Because it kept whispering—

Just one kiss.

Just once.

Just to see.

I clenched my jaw slightly.

This was ridiculous.

Manik was still talking, completely unaware of the internal war happening two feet away from him.

Rohit suddenly snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“Oye.”

I blinked.

Everyone was looking at me.

Great.

Rohit raised an eyebrow.

“Kahan khoya hai tu?”

“Kahi nahi.” I answered quickly.

Virat smirked suspiciously.

“Lag nahi raha.”

Manik turned toward me now.

And that was worse.

Because now he was looking directly at me.

Close.

Too close.

I quickly leaned back and looked away like the ceiling fan had suddenly become fascinating.

Get a grip Shivay.

Inside my head I muttered firmly—

I control my hormones.

But my body immediately argued back.

No you don’t.

Look at him.

Just kiss him.

I resisted.

Very bravely.

Very painfully.

Because unfortunately Manik had decided this was the perfect time to lean closer.

“Tu theek hai?” he asked.

His voice was softer now.

Concerned.

And again—

My eyes dropped to his lips.

Oh for God’s sake.

I stood up suddenly.

Everyone blinked.

“Water,” I said quickly.

Virat frowned. “Kitchen mein jaake mat marna. Waha Ishan hai.”

From the kitchen—

“MAAAYANK! NAMAK KAHAN HAI?!”

Mayank shouted back in despair.

“YAHI RAKHA THA!”

Rohit sighed dramatically.

“Kitchen officially war zone ban gaya.”

But I barely heard them.

Because when I stood up—

Manik stood up too.

“Main bhi paani le leta hoon,” he said casually.

Of course he did.

Why not make this harder for me.

We walked toward the dining area together.

Silence.

Dangerous silence.

I grabbed a glass and filled it with water, drinking it quickly like it would somehow fix my brain.

It didn’t.

Manik leaned against the counter beside me.

Still watching me.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again.

I nodded.

“Bilkul.”

He didn’t look convinced.

For a second neither of us spoke.

And then—

From the living room Rohit shouted dramatically—

“Arre Shivay ko chhod! Woh deep thinker hai!”

Virat added loudly—

“Haan! Philosophy chal rahi hogi!”

Manik laughed softly.

And that sound did absolutely nothing good for my self-control.

I looked away quickly.

Because my brain had already started again.

Just once.

No one is looking.

I gripped the glass tighter.

No.

Not happening.

Not today.

Not ever.

Maybe.

Probably.

Definitely not.

I put the glass down and walked back toward the living room before my brain could come up with any worse ideas.

Behind me Manik followed.

Completely calm.

Completely unaware.

And honestly?

That might be the only reason I still had control.

Because if he ever figured out what was going on in my head—

I would never survive it.

Not even a little.

I returned to the sofa, determined to behave like a normal human being.

No staring.

No dangerous thoughts.

No looking at Manik’s lips like an idiot.

Simple.

Very simple.

I sat down again and forced my attention back to the room.

Rohit and Virat were now discussing whether Ishan would accidentally burn the kitchen or just emotionally traumatize the utensils.

Manik joined them like it was a serious national debate.

Good.

If he was busy, my brain could relax.

So I looked somewhere else.

And that’s when my eyes fell on Abhishek.

He was sitting slightly sideways on the arm of the sofa.

But he wasn’t listening to the conversation.

Not even a little.

Because his eyes were fixed somewhere else.

I followed his gaze.

Straight to the kitchen entrance.

Where Mayank had appeared again, carrying something and arguing loudly with Ishan.

“Yeh namak hai ya chini hai mujhe samajh nahi aa raha!”

“Arre taste kar na!”

“Main pagal hoon kya?!”

And there—

Abhishek was staring at Mayank.

Not normal staring.

Not friendly staring.

Love-sick staring.

The kind where your brain leaves the chat and your eyes do the thinking.

I slowly smirked.

Ah.

So I wasn’t the only one suffering today.

Poor fellow.

I understood his situation perfectly.

Because unlike me—

He couldn’t even stare openly.

Him and Mayank had kept their marriage secret from the media.

From the world.

From almost everyone.

So in public…

They behaved like strangers.

Which meant this poor man had to admire his own husband like he was watching a celebrity from afar.

Tragic.

Truly tragic.

Almost romantic.

Abhishek suddenly noticed me watching him.

Our eyes met.

For a second we just stared at each other.

Then realization hit both of us at the same time.

And we both started laughing.

Not loudly.

But enough.

Rohit immediately looked at us.

“What happened?”

Virat frowned. “Private joke?”

Manik narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

But the best reaction came from Shubman.

He looked straight at us.

Clearly annoyed.

Not curious.

Just annoyed.

Like unnecessary laughter was disturbing the atmosphere.

Interesting.

I leaned back slightly and looked at him.

“Relax,” I said casually.

Then I added with a small smile—

“Ishan ko samajhna asaan nahi hai.”

Rohit nodded immediately.

“Bilkul.”

Virat added, “Training lagti hai.”

I continued calmly.

“Time lagega.”

Then I shrugged slightly.

“Just cooperate with him.”

Shubman slowly turned his head toward me.

And gave me a look.

A cold one.

Very cold.

Ah.

So he didn’t like advice.

Noted.

I raised both hands slightly in surrender.

“Bas suggestion tha.”

He didn’t respond.

Just looked away again.

Manik whispered beside me, “Tu kab se marriage counselor ban gaya?”

I ignored him.

Because honestly—

Shubman needed it.

He had no idea what he had married.

This wasn’t some quiet, obedient, simple boy.

No.

This was Ishan.

Walking chaos.

Living tornado.

Emotionally explosive.

From the kitchen we

suddenly heard—

“MAAAYANK YEH JAL KYU RAHA HAI?!”

“KYUNKI AAG JAL RAHI HAI ISHAN!”

Rohit groaned.

Virat covered his face.

Manik laughed loudly.

And I glanced once more at Shubman.

Still calm.

Still silent.

Still trying to understand the disaster he had married.

I shook my head slightly.

Poor guy.

Because honestly?

He didn’t marry a person.

He married—

Walking danger.

To be continue....

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