He moved to switch off the bedside lamp. Before he could, Anika opened her eyes and sat up in bed. They looked at each other. + 

“I just came to turn off the light,” Shivay explained, avoiding her gaze. + 

“It’s okay, it’s your room. I just get startled by even the smallest sounds,” Anika replied softly. + 

“You’re a girl. You should be strong,” Shivay stated, his tone clipped. + 

“It’s odd, isn’t it? Your brother, who preferred girls who were delicate.” + 

“Because he *was* my brother, not me.” He didn’t sound angry, merely detached. + 

An awkward silence descended as their eyes returned to the portrait of Mahi. + 

Later, they both drifted off to sleep. + 

--- + 

Morning broke over the Oberoi Mansion. + 

Anika and Shivay both woke, walked to the washroom simultaneously, and reached for the knob at the same moment. They looked at each other. + 

“You use this washroom. I’ll use the one by the pool,” Shivay offered. + 

She could only nod. She did. + 

She showered, dressed in an olive-green sari with a sleeveless black blouse—a deep neckline held by delicate strings. Stepping out of the washroom, she stood before the mirror, drying her hair. + 

Shivay emerged wearing trousers and a vest, towel-drying his hair. + 

She saw his reflection in the mirror. Her breath hitched. She had never seen him like this before. He seemed to be staring at her. + 

Shivay hurried out of the room. He spotted Priyanka talking on her phone. + 

“Priyanka. Priyanka.” + 

Priyanka turned to him. + 

“Bhaiya, did you want something?” + 

“Anika…she…” He sounded flustered. + 

“What about Bhabhi?” + 

“She wants your help.” + 

Priyanka went to Anika’s room. Shivay stood smiling, muttering “Bhabhi” under his breath. + 

Priyanka entered Shivay’s room. “Bhabhi, you wanted my help? Tell me. This girl is here to serve you.” Her voice was cheerful, almost too eager. + 

Anika turned to her. “Me? No, I don't want any help.” + 

“Bhaiya told me you needed me.” + 

She glanced at the mirror to tie her hair, leaving Priyanka confused. As she braided her hair, Priyanka noticed the strings of her blouse were undone. + 

Unfamiliar with saris and blouses, Anika was used to jeans or salwar suits before her marriage. + 

Priyanka smiled, remembering how nervous Shivay had been to even suggest this. + 

“So, Bhaiya was talking about this,” Priyanka said, her tone teasing. + 

“Whose?” Anika asked, puzzled. + 

“This. Actually, Bhaiya could have fixed it himself.” Priyanka tied the strings, giving Anika a knowing smirk before leaving. + 

Anika felt touched by Shivay’s quiet respect, even within their unwanted marriage. + 

--- + 

The entire Oberoi family gathered in the hall, a tense atmosphere hanging heavy. Anika and Shivay descended together. Shivay sensed something was wrong. + 

“What happened? Why does everyone look so sad?” + 

No one replied. He approached Dadi and took her hand. + 

“What’s happening, Dadi? Have you heard anything about Mahi?” He felt a sickening dread—the feeling that something precious was about to be snatched away. He turned to Anika. Her eyes were filled with tears, threatening to spill over. + 

“Son, the media is outside, and they’re saying who knows what nonsense,” Shakti said, his voice strained. + 

“I’ll handle it,” Shivay declared, reaching for his phone. + 

“Today Anika was supposed to go to her maternal home for the rituals, and now this…” Dadi’s voice trembled with anxiety. + 

“Don’t worry, Dadi. I’ll handle everything. Anika’s rituals will happen, and I’ll deal with the media.” + 

He called Khanna. “Come inside, I need to talk to you.” + 

As Khanna arrived, the media surged forward, eager to get inside. They surrounded Anika. + 

“Anika Rathore, your marriage to Shivay Singh Oberoi came so quickly after your brother’s death. Are we to believe you married for money?” + 

“Mahi Singh Oberoi died only an hour ago, and you married his brother immediately after.” + 

“Answer us.” + 

Shivay stepped forward and took Anika’s trembling hand. + 

“This is our personal matter. The first thing you should remember is never, *ever* make my wife cry. Or else you’ll face the wrath of Shivay Singh Oberoi.” + 

The word “wife” made her stare at him, stunned. + 

He walked proudly by holding Anika’s hand, and Anika still stared at him. + 

The entire Oberoi family breathed a collective sigh of relief that Shivay was accepting this marriage. Tej took over managing the media. + 

--- + 

Outside of Oberoi mansion + 

“I think I should help her.” He thought as he noticed that she is not able to wear her seatbelt. + 

Shivay leaned to help her fasten the seatbelt. + 

But… + 

----------- + 

But what? + 