The Veiled Hearts

🌹Avni Knows🔪

As Dadi stepped back toward her seat, Maa came next to me, her hand gripping mine tightly as tears streamed down her face. I held her hand firmly, trying to soothe the storm inside her. Aarav had already moved to sit beside Avni, who was still visibly shaken from witnessing the slap. Chachu and Chachi approached as well. Chachi, always soft-spoken and easily frightened, loved my mother dearly and hated seeing her cry. She gently wrapped her arms around Maa, whispering calming words.

Chachu leaned in next to me, his voice low, but playful as always. "Well, your slaps still haven't reached the level me and your father got from Queen Savitri Singhania back in the day." I couldn't help but smile at his attempt to lighten the moment. Even though I knew the slap I just got would leave its mark, Chachu's teasing was like a balm to my pride.

He turned to Dadi and said, "Maa, let Yash clean himself up first. We can continue after. The room's reeking with blood, and it's making the guests uncomfortable." His subtle jab at Tanya and her mother didn't go unnoticed. Their faces were pale, fear etched in every feature, not just from seeing me slapped but from how casual all of this was for us. A CEO covered in blood, slapped by his grandmother-it was all part of a normal day.

Dadi glanced at me, her voice stern. "Clean the traces of your doings and come back in 15 minutes."

I nodded, grateful for the reprieve, and Chachu whispered, "Go, I'll calm her down until you return." With that, I excused myself and headed upstairs.

As I took the stairs two at a time, I glanced back at Aarav, signaling him to come up. He gave me a slight nod, letting me know he'd follow.

Once inside my room, I yanked off my bloodied kurta and tossed it into the trash. I went straight to my wardrobe, pulling out a fresh suit, and Aarav slipped into the room behind me. We exchanged a look, and he grinned as he said, "My dead body count is 15."

I smiled back, unable to resist. "Mine's 11, but I ripped someone's jaw clean off with my hands."

Aarav, ever the joker, plopped onto my bed. "Smooooooooth."

With a shrug, I made my way into the bathroom, letting the hot water of the shower wash away the blood and grime of the day. I heard Aarav shout from outside, "A few trainees left after that bloodbath in the temple, you know."

I hummed in response, letting the water drown out the heaviness of the day. But then, Aarav's voice broke through again, louder this time. "Vansh was there, right? I didn't see him. Is he involved in this temple intrusion?"

That word-Vansh. It made my blood boil. Aarav knew damn well who Vanya was, but he kept calling her Vansh, like it was a joke. And now, to hear him question her loyalty? It pushed my frustration to its peak. He knew she came from a trusted, loyal family, and yet, he had to keep poking at her.

I turned off the shower, my frustration palpable, and began drying myself off, trying to calm down before I snapped. There was no way Vanya was involved, and Aarav knew it too. He was testing me-pushing, like he always did.

I wrapped a towel around my waist, still dripping wet from the shower, and snapped at Aarav with clear frustration, "Are you seriously dragging her name into this? I know she intruded into our house, hiding her identity, but she belongs to one of the most loyal bodyguard families. How can you even question that?"

Aarav's usual smirk faded as he hesitated for a second. "Yash... uhmm, I think-"

I flung the bathroom door open, stepping out with my hair still wet and emotions barely contained. Aarav was standing beside my bed, looking unusually serious. His response only fueled my irritation. "I thought you understood me in this situation, but instead, you're standing there making these absurd accusations."

Aarav gestured behind me with his eyes, silently warning me of someone else's presence. Before I could turn around, Avni's shrill voice pierced the air, "THERE IS AN INTRUDER IN OUR HOUSE!"

My eyes darted to Aarav in panic, but he just murmured, "Now you know why I was using 'Vansh' instead of 'Vanya'. You're digging multiple graves today, Yash bhaiya."

I clenched my jaw. I hated when he called me 'bhaiya' in that sarcastic tone. Dadi had once insisted him show me respect by using it, even though we were born in the same year but months apart as I was older than him just by a few months. But every time I made a mistake, he'd use it like a dagger, a sarcastic reminder of my supposed wisdom as the elder.

Without thinking, I spun around and locked the room door. I rushed toward Avni, placing my hand over her mouth to muffle her panic. "Shhh, stop screaming," I whispered urgently. Aarav walked over and gently pulled my hand away from her, saying softly, "Don't scare her, Yash. She's already freaked out."

Aarav was always protective of Avni, even stepping in when I was too harsh on her. He crouched down to her level and said, "Avni, I know this is confusing, but promise us, whatever we explain to you, you'll stay calm and neutral, okay?"

Avni's wide eyes blinked, and she slowly nodded, still trembling. Aarav began explaining everything to her-about Vanya, her presence in the mansion-but he carefully left out anything about Raj or the Silver Circle. That part wasn't meant for her ears yet. I used the time to change into a fresh suit, trying to shake off the unease settling over me.

As I came out of the closet, ready to face whatever chaos awaited downstairs, Avni suddenly started clapping, her eyes gleaming with a teasing glint. Aarav's face mirrored hers, a smirk growing as he watched me. I frowned. "What?"

Avni giggled. "You love her!"

My eyes widened, and I shot a glare at Aarav. "What load of crap did you fill her head with?"

Aarav shrugged casually and replied, "Language, Yash bhaiya."

I felt my frustration boil over again. Aarav wasn't making this any easier. His teasing was relentless, but the worst part was, some part of me wondered if Avni wasn't entirely wrong.

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