Ishan’s POV

The spoon was still in front of my mouth.

Held by Shubman.

And the entire table had gone dead silent.

Siraj looked like he had just witnessed a ghost.

Tilak’s eyes moved between us like a tennis match.

Hardik bhai leaned forward slowly.

Very suspiciously.

Then he asked the most dangerous question possible.

“Why do you care?”

He looked directly at Shubman.

“Hmm?”

The air suddenly felt very heavy.

Too many eyes.

Too many ears.

This was exactly the type of moment where secrets explode.

So I reacted instantly.

“Nothing bhai,” I said quickly.

Then I smiled casually.

“He is like my brother na.”

“That’s why.”

The moment the words left my mouth—

Abhishek spit his drink.

Literally.

Water sprayed out of his mouth.

He coughed violently.

Everyone jumped.

“Arre!” Tilak shouted.

“Saale mar gaya kya!”

Abhishek wiped his mouth and stared at me.

Just stared.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

His eyes narrowed.

Then he gave me a look.

A very knowing look.

The type of look that said—

Tu jhooth bol raha hai.

I gave him the most innocent smile possible.

He almost started laughing again.

Across the table—

Shubman didn’t laugh.

He didn’t react.

He simply placed the spoon back on the plate.

Very quietly.

Then he stood up.

And walked away.

Just like that.

The table remained silent for a second.

Then Siraj leaned closer.

“Bhai…”

He whispered dramatically.

“Corporate bhai-behen bond.”

Tilak snorted.

Hardik shook his head.

“Strange family.”

Abhishek leaned toward me slowly.

“You just called him brother.”

“Yes,” I said calmly.

“You kissed him in the washroom.”

I kicked him under the table.

“Shut up.”

But when I looked toward the bar area—

Shubman was gone.

…

Is he hurt?

I frowned.

It’s not my fault.

I can’t tell these idiots that we are married.

They would create an international scandal.

Still…

Something felt wrong.

---

Later – Gill House

The drive back was quiet.

Too quiet.

When we entered the house, Shubman walked straight inside without looking at me.

No comments.

No sarcasm.

Nothing.

He just loosened his tie and walked toward the bedroom.

I followed him.

Obviously.

Inside the room he started removing his watch.

Ignoring me completely.

“Shubman,” I said.

No answer.

He placed the watch on the table.

Then started unbuttoning his shirt.

“Shubman.”

Still nothing.

Oh.

So we are ignoring now.

Fine.

I walked around the bed and stood directly in front of him.

“Are you angry?”

He moved past me.

Like I was invisible.

Excuse me???

I followed him again.

Like a lost puppy.

“Are you angry because I said brother?”

Silence.

He opened the wardrobe.

Took out a t-shirt.

Still ignoring me.

“Shubman!”

He finally spoke.

But didn’t look at me.

“You should sleep.”

Cold.

Very cold.

That hurt a little.

I stepped closer again.

“Look at me.”

He didn’t.

So I grabbed his arm.

“Look at me.”

Finally he turned.

His eyes were calm.

Too calm.

“You called me brother,” he said quietly.

I rubbed the back of my neck.

“That was for them.”

“You also jumped on Abhishek.”

“That was for the song.”

“You fed half the table.”

“They asked.”

“And me?”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You didn’t feed me.”

I stared at him.

Is that seriously the problem?

“You literally tried to feed them in front of me!”

“Yes.”

“And you called me brother.”

Ah.

So that really bothered him.

I sighed.

Then stepped closer.

Very close.

“Mr Gill…”

He didn’t react.

“Are you jealous?”

“No.”

Another lie.

A terrible lie.

I smiled slightly.

Then poked his shoulder.

“Liar.”

He grabbed my wrist suddenly.

Not hard.

Just enough to stop me.

His voice dropped lower.

“I don’t like sharing.”

My heart skipped again.

Stupid heart.

“I am not a thing,” I said softly.

“I know.”

“Then why are you angry?”

He looked straight into my eyes.

“Because you pretended I am nothing.”

That… hurt.

Oh.

Now I understand.

I sighed.

Then leaned forward slightly.

“Listen…”

But he moved away again.

Going toward the bed.

Ignoring me again.

Excuse me???

I followed him immediately.

“Stop walking away!”

He sat down on the bed.

Still silent.

I stood in front of him.

Hands on my hips.

Like an angry wife.

Which… technically—

No.

Focus.

“Fine,” I said dramatically.

“If you are angry, I will fix it.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“How?”

I leaned down slightly.

And whispered near his ear—

“Tomorrow…”

Pause.

“I will feed only you.”

For the first time tonight—

His expression cracked slightly.

Just a little.

Good.

Very good.

Because if Mr Gill wanted a war—

Then I was ready to win it. 😌🔥.