𝑬𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

10♡

The clock struck 3 a.m. as Abhimaan stepped into the grand foyer of the Singhania mansion. The usual warmth of the house felt oddly cold tonight, the dim glow of the chandeliers barely illuminating the intricate carvings of the marble walls. Each step he took echoed through the silence, his leather shoes clicking against the polished floors. He was exhausted, but his mind was sharper than ever, turning over the events of the night with precision and unease.

He reached his room and pushed the door open, expecting silence. Instead, his eyes landed on Anaya, perched comfortably on the bed with her legs crossed. A journal rested on her lap, and her brow furrowed in concentration as she wrote. She looked up the moment he entered, her face lighting up with a mixture of relief and mild irritation.

"You're back," she said, shutting the journal and placing it on the bedside table. Her tone was casual, but her eyes betrayed her concern. "Finally. Now I can sleep."

Abhimaan raised an eyebrow, shrugging off his jacket and loosening his tie. "Why didn't you sleep? I told you I'd be late."

Anaya shrugged, her lips curling into a playful smile. "I don't know, maybe because I was too busy worrying about whether you'd bother coming home or just move into your office."

He gave her a dry look, but his lips quirked upward. "You're too dramatic for your own good."

"Says the man who just worked 18 hours straight," she shot back, getting off the bed and stretching. "Anyway, now that you're here, I'll sleep."

"Good," he said, moving toward the couch and grabbing his laptop. "But don't make it a habit to wait for me. It's unnecessary."

She frowned, crossing her arms. "Unnecessary, huh? Fine, then I won't next time. Happy now?"

Abhimaan smirked as he opened his laptop. "Ecstatic. Now go to sleep."

"Mere liye wait mat kiya karo," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as she climbed into bed. She switched off the bedside lamp and turned her back to him, tugging the blanket over herself. But Abhimaan heard her words, and though he didn't respond, a small, amused smile tugged at his lips. He worked silently, occasionally glancing at her as her breathing evened out, signaling sleep.

---

The first rays of sunlight peeked through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Anaya stirred, her body resisting the pull of wakefulness. She turned toward the other side of the bed, expecting to find Abhimaan, but it was empty. Her brows furrowed as her sleepy gaze drifted to the couch.

There he was, sprawled out, his laptop precariously balanced on his lap. His head rested against the armrest, his face peaceful in sleep—a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor.

"Sometimes I wonder," she murmured to herself with a soft chuckle, "am I his wife or that laptop?"

Carefully, she walked over to him, removing the laptop and placing it on the nearby table. She adjusted the blanket over him and hesitated for a moment before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"I hope humara rishta aage badhe, Abhimaan," she whispered, her heart echoing the words his father had said just days ago. She stood there for a moment longer, then turned away to get ready for the day.

---

Downstairs, Anaya hummed softly as she prepared breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling parathas filled the air, adding a rare warmth to the otherwise cold mansion. Just as she reached for a plate, she sensed someone watching her. She turned, unsurprised to find Shalini standing at the doorway, her arms crossed and her lips curled into a disdainful sneer.