Dhruv's POV

The conversation eventually drifted away from food and onto lighter things.

"So, Kabir," Karan began between bites, "when are you buying that new bike you've been drooling over?"

Kabir's face lit up instantly. "Soon! I'm finalizing between two bikes. Just need to test ride both to select. Or might get both."

Before I could roll my eyes at his obsession, Aakriti suddenly perked up. "You ride too?" she asked, interest clear in her voice.

Kabir grinned. "Oh, you like bikes?"

"I love them," she said without hesitation, her tone a little too enthusiastic for my taste. "I've been riding since school. Dad taught me. I learned before my friends did."

Kabir's eyes widened like he'd found a long-lost sibling. "Same here! There's nothing like the feel of the road when you're on a bike. You should join me for a ride sometime."

I set my fork down, staring at the two of them. Excuse me?

Kabir leaned forward like he'd just found a rare gem. "Wait, wait, wait... You ride a bike? As in, you can handle a gear shift and balance a heavy machine?"

"Were you even hearing when I was talking?" Aakriti said with a disbelieving look.

"I taught Ruhi how to ride a bike. Secretly, though. And got scolded pretty bad when she had that accident." She continued with a smile.

Kabir's eyes practically sparkled. "Now that... is impressive. Most people just pose for pictures on bikes. You actually ride one."

"How about we race sometime? I am pretty sure I will win." She said, challenging Kabir.

"Are you sure?" Kabir said with a raised eyebrow.

"It will be fun. But before that you've got to see my collection, Bhabhi. I've got vintage, sports—everything. You'd love it." He said with pride in his eyes.

"I would." she said before I could cut in.

I gave her a look that said, 'Really?' But she just sipped her juice innocently.

Brunch wrapped up soon after, with Dadu disappearing for his afternoon nap and Karan glued to his phone. I caught Aakriti heading toward the courtyard with Kabir in tow.

"Where are you going?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"To see the bikes," Kabir answered for her, like an overexcited tour guide.

"I'll come with you."

"You don't have to—" Aakriti started, but I was already following.

Kabir's 'collection' was housed in the far corner of the garage—a row of gleaming machines lined up like soldiers. Some looked like they'd come straight from a racetrack; others like they belonged in a museum.

Aakriti's eyes widened. "These are... beautiful." She walked slowly down the line, fingertips trailing over the leather seats.

"Careful, Bhabhi," Kabir teased. "If you touch them too long, you'll fall in love with it."

"I am already in love," she said with a grin. "Especially this one—" She stopped at a deep red Ducati, her expression softening like she'd just seen an old friend. "Oh, this is beauty."

Kabir crouched beside the Ducati, running his hand over the tank like it was a living thing. "Imported this beauty last year. Only taken her out twice. She's my favorite."

"Let me ride it." Aakriti said, eyes glinting with excitement.

Kabir's hand froze mid-stroke. "But."

"Please. Please. Pretty please." She clasped her hands dramatically, tilting her head and giving him the deadliest pair of puppy eyes known to mankind. Aakriti pleaded.

Kabir blinked at her, utterly thrown off. Why is she behaving like this? Since when does she plead? If she really wants it, I can buy her one of her own. Why behave like this? So childish.

"Bhabhi, you're dangerous. This is my love. How can I give it to you?" He muttered, trying not to let his resolve crack. He hugged his bike tightly.

"I know I am dangerous." she quipped, stepping closer, fingers brushing the handlebar as if testing how much she could get away with. "Come on, Kabir. Don't be such a possessive old man."

"I'm not old." His jaw tightened. "And it's not about possession. This bike—it's powerful. Not a toy."

Aakriti smirked, eyes dancing. "So am I. And I will handle it just fine."

Finally, with a sigh, he dug into his pocket, pulled out the keys, and dangled them just out of her reach.

"You drop her, even a scratch—forget puppy eyes. I might forget you are my dear adorable bhabhi."

Aakriti grinned, snatching the keys with a victorious laugh. "Kabir. I love you, yaar. I'll treat her better than you ever could." Did I hear her right? She said 'love you' to Kabir. Does she even realize I am here? Her husband. I have been waiting to hear those words for so long. Trying every means to make her feel loved, and she goes and says it to Kabir.

My stomach dropped. The words lingered in the air, a reminder of a cruel joke. She said it. Just like that. Not to me. To him.

"Are you serious, Raja sa?" My inner self mocked me using Aakriti's tone.

Kabir leaned closer to her and whispered to her. "Careful, Bhabhi! You say you love me once, and my bhai's glare might just murder me."

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "He's not wrong," I muttered under my breath, though no one paid me any attention.

"I will change and come. Can't ride this beauty wearing a saree." She said and went out. And before I could corner Kabir, he bolted after her like his life depended on it.

I followed, only to catch snippets of chaos in the corridor. Kabir was practically sprinting, with Karan trailing behind, confused.

"Why are you running like you saw ghosts?" Karan asked, frowning.

"No. Someone scarier than a ghost." Kabir's eyes darted behind him nervously.

"Huh?"

"I advise you also should run. Because Bhai is in the mood for murder."

Karan blinked. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." Karan raised an eyebrow. His face screamed liar.

"Bhabhi did. She said 'I love you' to me, and now Bhai is fuming." He chuckled, shaking his head. "She said it because she thinks of me as her brother. I don't understand why Bhai is getting jealous of that. If Bhabhi said it to him with the same meaning, he would be crying."

Karan looked half-amused, half-concerned. "You said that, so why are you telling me to run?"

"Are you stupid? You look like me. We are identical. Bhai is so angry that he won't wait to confirm whether he is punching Kabir or Karan."

"Done," I said, my voice echoing behind them. They both froze. Karan's face drained of color. Kabir cursed under his breath.

"Run, Karan!" Kabir yelled, taking off like lightning.

Karan scrambled after him.

Kabir said and ran away. I don't know whether I should laugh or be angry now.

I stood there, torn between chasing them down or laughing at their ridiculousness. But the burn in my chest didn't let me laugh. Not yet.

I need to hear 'love you' from my wife; only then will I feel calm. I am coming, baby. Be ready.

I entered my room and saw her tying her hair in a high ponytail. She looked so sexy, wearing a black leather jacket. I went near her and pulled her towards me. She jerked, and her hair flowed down. She looked so tempting right now.

"Dhruv, What are you doing?"

"I just want to know why Kabir has the privilege to hear 'I love you' from you."

She shot me a glare. "Don't start, Dhruv."

"No. No. I want to know."

She sighed. "Don't be ridiculous. I said it in a joking, casual way."

"Then say it to me."

"What?" She asked with a frown.

"Say it."

"Stop joking, Dhruv."

I put on my best mock-hurt face. "Oh, so you can say it to him. But when it comes to me, you're suddenly allergic?"

"Dhruv." She said, giving me a helpless look.

I pulled her closer to me. "Say it once. Go on. Just once. I promise I won't ask again."

Her eyes flicked to mine. "You're unbelievable."

"Unbelievably deprived of love," I corrected smoothly. "And maybe unbelievably jealous."

"Jealous? Of whom? Kabir. Your own brother." She said with disbelief.

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Because apparently, my wife finds it easier to shower affection on everyone except me." I leaned closer, dropping my voice. "Even the bike got to hear you say, 'I love you.'"

Her cheeks went pink, and she swatted my arm. "Stop twisting everything!"

I caught her hand before she could pull it back, smirking. "Fine. Prove me wrong. Say it."

She narrowed her eyes. "And if I don't?"

"I'll just keep reminding you every hour until you finally do. Loudly. In front of everyone. Maybe I'll start with Dadu and tell him I'm heartbroken because my wife loves Kabir more than me." I said dramatically.

Her jaw dropped. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, I would." I said, teasing her more.

She tried to wriggle out of my hold, muttering, "I'm not saying it just because you're blackmailing me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Blackmail? This is called negotiation, Mrs. Rathore. 'Very fair deal'—three words, and your husband shuts up. On top of that, you just have to say it in a joking manner, not like anything serious."

And when I thought she would come up with an excuse, she just circled her arms around my neck and pulled me towards her. She kissed me softly, and I got lost in her.

By the time I kissed her back, she was already pulling away with the smuggest little smile on her face.

"Deal closed," she said sweetly, patting my cheek like she'd just shut me up with the easiest trick in the book.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait. That's cheating."

"I don't care." She said with a smirk. Her laugh echoed as she flipped her hair and headed toward the door, looking far too victorious.

I ran a hand through my hair, still dazed. "God, this woman."

From the doorway, she glanced back with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "You had your way today. Just wait for me to pay you back."

"God, I am madly in love with her." I murmured to myself.

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