"Rebel Hearts: Defying Destiny"

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚-𝒐𝒏𝒆♡

Author POV

The car moved smoothly along the road, the gentle hum of the engine filling the air. The initial chatter had faded into silence, interrupted only by the occasional rustling of the wind outside.

Ishanvi, who had been stubbornly trying to fight off sleep, finally gave in. Her head leaned against the window, but the hard surface made her shift uncomfortably. Her body fidgeted as she tried to find a suitable position, but nothing seemed to bring her relief.

Aayansh, who had been stealing glances at her from the corner of his eye, exhaled quietly. She could never sit still, could she? Without a word, he reached out, his hand finding her waist as he gently pulled her towards him.

Ishanvi murmured something incoherent, her lashes fluttering in her half-sleep state. But instinct took over—her body naturally gravitated toward the warmth and familiarity of his presence. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his coat, and with a soft sigh, she melted against his chest.

Aayansh stilled.

He hadn’t expected her to give in so easily. His arms hesitated for a fraction of a second before they adjusted, wrapping around her securely. His palm rested on her back, fingers spreading out slightly as he held her as if she were something fragile, something precious.

The scent of her hair filled his senses—soft, floral, and unmistakably hers. He could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of her breath against him, the warmth of her cheek pressed against his heartbeat.

Ahaan, watching them through the rearview mirror, smirked. “Bhai Sa, comfort chahiye tha na? Lagta hai ab dono ko mil gaya.”

["Bhai Sa, you wanted comfort, right? Looks like you both got it now."]

Ayesha whispered to Ahaan, barely holding back her laughter. “Haan, aur Avni ko neend udane ke liye ‘discomfort’ mil gaya.”

["Yeah, and Avni got ‘discomfort’ to keep her awake."]

Avni, sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, gritted her teeth so hard that her jaw ached. Her nails dug into her palms as she glared at the reflection of Ishanvi—curled so perfectly, so effortlessly—against her Aayansh.

This should’ve been her.

She had fought to sit beside him. She had thrown tantrums, used her childhood bond, and even sought Rajeshwari Bua’s help—only for it all to be in vain.

And now, as if mocking her very existence, Ishanvi was there in his arms.

But what burned Avni the most wasn’t just the sight of Ishanvi resting against Aayansh—it was him.

The way Aayansh was holding her. The way his grip was firm yet protective. The way his fingers moved—grazing her back in slow, unconscious circles, as if comforting her in sleep. The way his chin tilted slightly downward, his lips brushing against the top of her head in a touch so light, it was almost imperceptible.

He had never done this for anyone.

Aayansh wasn’t just allowing Ishanvi to lean on him.

He was holding her. Embracing her. Sheltering her.

And Avni hated it.

Ishanvi, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Avni, sighed softly, burrowing closer. A sleepy whisper left her lips—so faint that only Aayansh could hear it.

“…Aayansh…”

His heart skipped a beat.

The sound of his name, murmured in her drowsy state, sent an unfamiliar warmth through his chest.