Unspoken ~ KaYu SS ~ Chapter 6 on pg 1

Yug and Kairi silently struggle with their growing love for each other - until something unusual happens that changes everything

Chapter 1

It was a monsoon evening in Delhi — the city's chaos softened by the rain, headlights smearing into long silver streaks on the wet streets. The air smelled of earth, of promises, of things left unsaid.

In his quiet office, Yug Sinha sat at his desk, unmoving, as if the storm outside echoed the storm within. He was known to be calm, decisive, brilliant in the courtroom — but tonight, all his logic failed him.

Across the room, Kairi Sharma stood by the window, watching the rain, or at least pretending to. She wasn't looking at anything, really. She was trying not to look at him.

They had come here to finish a case file together. But neither was working. Neither could speak the words that had been weighing on their hearts for weeks now.

The Unspoken Weight

Finally, Yug broke the silence, his voice low, tentative.

"Kairi... are you okay?"

She startled a little, like his voice had pulled her from some deep thought. She turned, offering him a small smile, the kind that hid more than it revealed.

"Yes... just a little tired."

Yug nodded, but inside, his heart twisted. He knew how hard she was working — juggling her studies, her internship, her family responsibilities. He wished he could say what was on his mind — that he saw her, admired her strength, cared for her... loved her.

Instead, he lifted his coffee mug and held it out to her.

"Here, have this. Might help a bit."

Their fingers brushed as she took it, and their eyes met — his guarded, intense gaze holding her softer, uncertain one. The office, the rain, the world outside seemed to disappear for that heartbeat.

The Near Confession

Kairi hesitated, then spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yug... sometimes I feel like there are things we should say out loud... before it's too late."

Yug felt his heart stutter. His throat went dry. Was this it? Was this the moment?

"Kairi..." he began, his voice softer than he intended, the shield around his heart trembling at the edges.

But at that very moment — a loud clap of thunder rattled the windows.

The spell was broken.

Kairi gave a nervous laugh and took a step back. "Looks like the storm's getting worse..."

Yug closed his eyes for a second, silently cursing the moment lost. When he opened them, she had already turned back to the files, trying to look busy, trying to act like nothing had happened.

And so they sat there, two hearts heavy with unsaid love, separated not by distance — but by silence.

Outside, the rain kept falling — just like their unspoken feelings.

The Story Continues: Stranded Together

The storm outside grew wilder, the wind howling through the cracks of the old office building. Rain lashed against the windows in sheets, and the city beyond blurred into a swirl of lights and shadows.

Yug glanced at his watch, then at his phone — no signal. The clock ticked past 11 PM.

"Kairi... I think we should wrap up. I'll drop you home," he said, his tone gentler than usual, concern edging his words.

Kairi hesitated, looking out at the storm. The roads were already flooding. Even from the third floor, they could hear the rising water sloshing against car tires on the street below.

"I don't think we can leave, Yug. It's really bad out there," she said quietly.

Yug sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. She was right. He walked over to the window beside her and stared out. The city, usually buzzing even at this hour, was eerily still — as if the rain had swallowed its voice.

"Looks like we're stuck here for the night," he muttered.

Kairi gave a small, uncertain laugh. "I hope you don't mind the company."

Yug turned to look at her — really look at her — and for a second, the softness in his eyes slipped through before he masked it again.

"No," he said, shaking his head, voice low. "I don't mind at all."

Moments of Nearness

The power flickered — once, twice — then went out completely, leaving only the glow of the city lights filtering through the rain and the occasional flash of lightning.

Kairi shivered slightly as a cold breeze swept through. Yug immediately took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"You should've said you're cold."

"I didn't want to bother you," she said, holding the jacket tight around herself, her heart beating faster — not from the cold, but from his nearness, his quiet care.

Yug moved to his bookshelf, pulling out a flashlight. He switched it on, its soft beam casting long shadows across the room.

"Come on. Let's sit — no point standing around pretending to work anymore."

They settled on the old leather couch at the corner of his office, the storm their only soundtrack.

The Quiet Between Them

Minutes passed in silence. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was charged — with the weight of everything they hadn't said.

Kairi hugged her knees to her chest, glancing at him through the corner of her eye. "You know... I always thought you'd be the last person I'd ever be stuck in a storm with."

Yug smirked, his usual sarcasm soft for once. "And I always thought I'd never let anyone in my space long enough to get stuck with me."

Their eyes met again. The storm raged on, but inside, all they felt was the warmth of being close, of being seen, even in silence.

Neither spoke the truth. Neither crossed that line.

But that night, stranded together, their hearts spoke all that their lips wouldn't.

The rain kept falling. And maybe — just maybe — it was washing away a little bit of the distance between them.

Night Fades into Dawn

The storm outside roared through most of the night, but inside Yug's office, the storm in their hearts was quieter — no less powerful, just unspoken.

Yug and Kairi had sat on opposite ends of the couch, close enough to feel the warmth of the other, but far enough to keep the truth caged. Kairi eventually dozed off for a while, Yug watching over her in the dim light, his jacket draped around her shoulders, his heart aching with everything he wished he could say.

By the time the rain eased, the first light of dawn was breaking over Delhi.

The Return Home

The drive back was quiet. The world felt fresh after the night's storm, the air cool, the streets washed clean. But between Yug and Kairi, the air was heavy — thick with the weight of all that had been left unsaid.

As they pulled up outside Sinha Mansion, Kairi turned to him with a tired but genuine smile.

"Thank you, Yug. For last night... for everything."

Yug simply nodded. His usual sharp words were lost in the gentleness of the moment.

"Anytime, Kairi."

She slipped out of the car, walking toward the outhouse where she lived, while Yug stood watching until she disappeared inside.

The Twist

Yug entered the mansion, running a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the night's emotional weight. He was halfway to his room when Shaurya, his usually cheerful and easy-going brother, called out to him.

"Yug! Wait. I need to talk to you. It's important."

Yug frowned slightly, noting the seriousness in Shaurya's tone. "What's up?"

Shaurya glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then pulled Yug aside into the study.

"I've been trying to find the right time to say this... and maybe after last night, I can't wait any longer," Shaurya said, his voice filled with nervous excitement.

Yug's heart sank, though he didn't know why yet.

Shaurya continued, a smile playing at his lips.

"Yug... I think I'm in love. With Kairi."

For a second, the world seemed to tilt under Yug's feet.

"Kairi?" Yug managed, his voice steadier than he felt.

Shaurya nodded eagerly. "Yes. I didn't mean for it to happen. But she's incredible — the way she takes care of her siblings, the way she stands up for what's right. I just... I can't stop thinking about her."

Yug forced a smile, his heart pounding, his mind racing.

"That's... unexpected," he said quietly.

Shaurya laughed softly, mistaking Yug's tension for surprise. "I know, right? But I'm serious about this. And I wanted you to be the first to know. I... I think I want to tell her. Soon."

Yug stood there, silent, torn between the love he had buried in his heart and the brother who had unknowingly just shattered him.

Outside the study window, the morning sun rose higher — bright, warm, and completely unaware of the storm now brewing within Yug Sinha.

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To be continued.

This is amazing and interesting. Please do continue can't wait to read the next part

Chapter 2

The Storm Within Yug

The study felt smaller than ever, the walls closing in as Shaurya’s words echoed in Yug’s mind.

“I think I’m in love with Kairi.”

Yug forced himself to nod, to smile, to be the brother Shaurya needed him to be. But the moment Shaurya left the room, excitement still bright in his eyes, Yug sank into the nearest chair — his mask cracking the second he was alone.

He pressed his hands to his face, taking slow, deep breaths.

What was he supposed to do now?

The woman he loved — the one he had kept hidden in his heart, thinking there was time, thinking they would figure it out — now suddenly felt further away than ever. How could he stand between his brother and what Shaurya believed was love? How could he let go of Kairi without ever having had her?

Kairi Senses the Change

Later that day, Kairi crossed paths with Yug in the garden as he returned from a phone call. She offered him her usual warm smile.

“Hey… everything okay? You seem… I don’t know, distant.”

Yug hesitated. He could see the concern in her eyes — the softness that had drawn him in from the start.

“I’m fine, Kairi,” he said — too quickly, too flatly.

She frowned, stepping closer, searching his face for the truth.

“You’re lying. Did I do something?”

“No,” Yug said, and the word felt like it tore at his chest. “It’s not you. I just… have a lot on my mind.”

She wanted to ask more — but something in his tone stopped her. She nodded instead, her heart sinking. The sudden distance between them felt sharper than ever.

A Shift in Their Bond

From that moment, things began to change.

Where once there were long, stolen glances, now Yug avoided meeting her eyes. Where once there were quiet moments filled with unspoken comfort, now there was silence — heavy with tension.

Kairi felt it — the wall he was building between them. And she didn’t understand why.

Yug watched her from afar, his heart breaking a little more each day. But he had made a choice: to protect his brother’s happiness, even if it meant burying his own.

And so, their love remained hidden — trapped between duty, silence, and the cruel hand of fate.

The Visit That Changes Everything

It was a calm morning at the Sinha Mansion. Birds chirped softly in the garden, and the fresh air carried the scent of damp earth from last night’s storm. Yug sat at the breakfast table, staring at his untouched tea. His mind was far from the room — until Indrani Sinha’s voice snapped him back.

“Yug, beta, come with me,” she said, her face glowing with purpose. “There’s something important we need to do this morning.”

Before he could ask, she continued, lowering her voice with excitement.

“I want us to go to Kairi’s house — to the outhouse. We should formally speak to her about Shaurya’s proposal.”

Yug froze, his heart pounding. But he could only nod. What else could he do?

Indrani didn’t wait. She stood, smoothing her saree, and motioned for him to follow. Together, they walked across the manicured lawn toward the outhouse — Indrani brisk and eager, Yug trailing behind, each step heavier than the last.

At Kairi’s Door

Inside, Kairi was humming softly as she folded the laundry, her siblings playing nearby. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, catching the warm smile on her face. It was an ordinary day — until she glanced out the window and saw Yug and Indrani approaching the outhouse.

Her heart skipped a beat.
Yug. And his mother. Coming to see her.

A flush rose to her cheeks, her hands freezing mid-fold. She blinked rapidly, her breath catching in her throat.

He’s come... with his mother. Oh God... is this... is this finally happening? she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with hope.

Excitement bloomed wildly in her chest. Her mind was already racing — had he finally decided to speak to Indrani about them? Was this their moment?

She rushed to the mirror, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, straightening her kurti. Her fingers trembled slightly as she smoothed the creases. Her heart thudded in her chest as she darted one last glance toward the gate — they were just steps away.

When the doorbell rang, she practically floated to the entrance.

She opened it, her eyes glowing, her smile wide with anticipation.
“Yug… aunty… please come in.”

Yug didn’t meet her eyes. His jaw was tight, his gaze flickering everywhere but her. Kairi’s brows furrowed for a fleeting second — but Indrani’s presence and smile kept her grounded in the possibility.

Indrani stepped inside, holding a small silver tray with sweets, her voice warm.
“Kairi beta, we’ve come with a special request. We’d like to ask for your hand—”

Kairi’s heart leapt. Her breath caught. Her eyes flew to Yug. She swore she saw a flicker of something in his gaze — longing? Nervousness? Was he as overwhelmed as she was?

She clutched the edge of her kurta, trying to contain her smile, her eyes shining. This was it. This was the moment she’d secretly dreamed of.

Indrani continued with a radiant smile, unaware of the silent storm brewing inside Kairi.

“—for Shaurya.”

The words hit like thunder on a clear day.

Kairi blinked.
“For… Shaurya?”
Her voice was barely above a whisper — thin, stunned.

Indrani nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes. We’re so happy about this. I know Shaurya will be the perfect match for you. He's already spoken to Yug. Everything’s falling into place so beautifully.”

Kairi’s world tilted. She staggered back half a step, as if her body needed space to absorb the blow. Her eyes darted to Yug — searching, pleading — but he stood silently, lips pressed into a line, his pain buried beneath layers of restraint.

There was no correction.
No denial.
No protest.
Only silence.

Kairi’s smile faded slowly, like light draining from the day. Her fingers, still clutching her kurta, began to tremble.

Inside, something cracked — sharp, clean, final.

And yet, she managed to nod, eyes glassy, lips parting with a soft, “I… I see.”

But the truth was, she didn’t. Not at all.
Not anymore.

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To be continued.

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Chapter 3

Shattered Silence

Indrani went on, oblivious to the quiet devastation in Kairi’s eyes. “We know it’s not the most traditional setting, but we didn’t want to wait. Shaurya insisted. He really admires you, Kairi — your simplicity, your strength… and we think this alliance would benefit both families.”

Yug remained motionless beside her, his eyes still refusing to meet Kairi’s. His silence was louder than any confession.

Kairi swallowed hard, nodding again — the motion mechanical now, her body moving on autopilot while her heart threatened to cave in.

The voices around her began to blur. Her siblings giggled in the background, still playing, unaware that their sister’s heart was breaking in real time.

She felt lightheaded. Her knees nearly gave out, but she masked it with a polite smile, stepping aside to let them in.

“Please… sit,” she managed, her voice hoarse.

They took their seats on the modest sofa. Kairi sat on the floor across from them — partly because there wasn’t enough space, but mostly because her dignity was crumbling, and she couldn’t bear to be on their level right now.

Indrani set the silver tray on the table. “We’ll speak to your relatives too, of course. I know your father’s… situation must make things complicated.”

Kairi stiffened.

She had never minded people knowing her father was in jail. It was a fact she’d come to live with. But somehow, hearing it now — in the same breath as a marriage proposal not meant for her — made it sting in a new, humiliating way.

Yug finally looked at her.

It wasn’t a bold gaze. It wasn’t defiant. It was apologetic. Drenched in guilt. The kind that said I wanted to fight for you, but I couldn’t.

She held his gaze a second longer, then blinked away — because if she didn’t, the tears would come.

“Kairi?” Indrani’s voice brought her back. “I know this is sudden. We’ll give you some time. But I truly believe Shaurya will keep you happy.”

Shaurya.

The boy she’d barely spoken to. The one who thought teasing her at wedding functions counted as courtship. The one whose mother was now offering a future Kairi had once imagined — but with the wrong groom.

She offered another small nod, the kind that hurt her neck more than it should have.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Kairi whispered, her smile faltering.

Indrani patted her arm kindly. “Take your time, dear. I know you’ll give us the answer we hope for.”

The visit didn’t last long after that.

When Indrani and Yug stood to leave, Kairi followed them to the door, her smile forced but polite. She wished she could slam the door shut behind them. Instead, she folded her hands and said softly, “Thank you for thinking of me.”

Indrani beamed. “Of course, beta. You’ll make a lovely bride.” She touched Kairi’s head lightly in blessing, then turned to Yug. “Shall we, beta? We have a few more things to check with the pandit.”

Yug gave a slight nod and turned to leave, but Kairi stepped forward suddenly — her voice catching.

“Yug,” she said, her tone barely above a breath.

He stopped, his back stiffening, but didn’t turn.

“Did you… know?” she asked. “About this?”

He didn’t answer right away. When he finally did speak, his voice was low and tight. “It was Shaurya’s idea. He… really likes you.”

Her heart clenched. “And you?”

Silence.

She waited. For a heartbeat. Two.

But there was nothing more.

Yug hesitated at the threshold. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something — maybe everything. But all that came out was:

“Take care, Kairi.”

She met his gaze — steady now, hollow.

“You too, Yug.”

The door clicked shut.

And Kairi stood there for a long time, her back against the wood, her eyes fixed on nothing.

Outside, the morning had shifted into harsh afternoon light.

Inside, her little siblings called out for her — but for once, Kairi didn’t answer.

She slid to the floor, buried her face in the folds of a half-folded bedsheet, and wept.

Not just for the boy who didn’t choose her.

But for the girl who still thought he would.

Flashback: How They Fell for Each Other

It hadn’t started like a grand love story. There were no dramatic declarations, no fireworks — just a series of moments, quiet and unmistakable.

Kairi first noticed him when she was rushing across the street, holding Gujiya’s hand while balancing a bag of vegetables. A motorbike sped past too close, and she stumbled. Before she could fall, a steady hand caught her elbow.

“Careful,” Yug had said, his tone firm but not unkind.

That hand lingered a second longer than necessary before he let go.

After that, he seemed to always be around. At first, just polite nods when they crossed paths in the market or temple. Then, longer conversations while waiting for the bus. He would carry an extra umbrella on days it looked like rain. She would save him a portion of her favourite mango pickle when he helped her siblings with homework. No one said it was love. But it was there.

One evening, during the festival at the temple, Kairi was lighting diyas by the steps when a gust of wind blew them out. She sighed and began relighting them. Without a word, Yug knelt beside her, shielding the flames from the wind with his hands.

Their fingers brushed.

Neither of them moved away.

She had glanced at him then, and something in his eyes had looked back with the same question her heart was whispering — Is this real? Is this us?

That night, as they parted without saying anything, her heart had raced for the first time.

No promises were made.

But the silences between them had grown full of meaning.

Until now. When that silence suddenly felt like betrayal.

Flashback: From Yug’s Eyes

It was never supposed to be her.

Yug told himself that often, especially in the beginning — especially when it started happening in ways he couldn’t control.

The first time he really noticed Kairi was the day she had marched into the local ration shop and firmly demanded her fair share, despite the grocer’s condescending tone. Her voice didn’t tremble. Her eyes didn’t flinch. And when she left — children in tow, pride intact — Yug found himself watching her long after she disappeared around the corner.

After that, she became a quiet presence in his days. Unavoidable. Familiar. Dangerous.

She laughed with her whole face — even when life clearly hadn't been kind. She took care of her siblings like a mother, not a girl barely in her twenties. She stitched school uniforms at night and sold spiced peanuts in the afternoon. And yet, she found time to feed stray dogs and light a diya every evening without fail.

One day, when Yug dropped off a file to Shaurya at the tea stall, he saw her reading to Gujiya from a tattered storybook. Her voice was animated, eyes sparkling. The world had bruised her, but she still managed to make fairy tales feel real. That did something to him.

He started timing his errands to cross paths with her. She never noticed at first — or maybe she pretended not to. But every now and then, she’d catch him with a small, knowing smile and say nothing. That silence grew between them, warm and loaded.

Then came the night of the temple fair.

Kairi had worn a simple green kurti. No makeup, no jewellery. But she glowed — like home, like peace, like everything Yug had forgotten how to want.

He saw her struggling with the diyas, the wind relentless. Before his mind could stop him, his feet had already moved.

When their hands touched, he didn’t let go immediately. Couldn’t.

For the first time in years, he had wanted something just for himself.

But Yug wasn’t free to want like that.

Not when his family’s future was hanging by threads. Not when his mother had begun speaking of alliances and sacrifices. Not when Shaurya — younger, braver, more open-hearted — had walked into the same story and said the words Yug never dared to.

He’d tried to stay away after that. He told himself it was the right thing.

But every time he passed by the old temple steps, he remembered her fingers trembling as she lit the flame.

And every time her name came up in conversation, something in his chest ached — not quite jealousy, not quite guilt, but something far worse:

Regret.

Back to the Present: Kairi’s Restless Night

The night after the day when Indrani brought Shaurya’s proposal, Kairi lay awake, staring at the ceiling of her small room, her mind replaying every moment — Yug at her doorstep, silent. His eyes speaking of pain, but his lips sealed.

Why didn’t he say anything?
Did I imagine everything between us?
Was I wrong to hope?

Her heart was heavy, but a part of her refused to believe that Yug had truly wanted this proposal for Shaurya. She needed answers — not for pride, but for peace.

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To be continued.

Chapter 4

Kairi Confronts Yug

The next morning, Kairi spotted Yug in the garden, standing by a tree, lost in thought. Gathering her courage, she walked up to him, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

“Yug, I need to talk to you.”

He turned, surprised — and the moment their eyes met, his heart clenched.

“Kairi…” he began, but she held up a hand.

“No. Let me speak. Please.”

He nodded, silent.

“I want to understand. Yesterday — when you and aunty came… did you know? Did you really want that proposal?”

Her voice cracked on the last word, the weight of her shattered hopes making it hard to breathe.

Yug looked away, jaw tight. Every instinct screamed at him to tell her the truth — to pull her into his arms and confess everything. But Shaurya’s face, Shaurya’s happiness, flashed in his mind.

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he said finally, his voice low, broken.

Kairi’s eyes filled with tears. “But you did, Yug. You did.”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The wind rustled the leaves around them, the world moving on as their hearts stood still.

And then Kairi turned and walked away, her steps hurried — as if distance might somehow ease the ache.

Yug stood rooted to the spot, watching her go, knowing he’d just lost something precious — and wondering if he’d ever find the courage to fight for it.

Yug’s Inner Conflict

As Kairi disappeared down the winding garden path, Yug clenched his fists, fighting back the urge to chase after her.

The pain in her eyes haunted him — not because she blamed him, but because she still cared. He saw it in the way her voice trembled, in how she’d waited, hoping for truth.

But how could he tell her the truth without breaking his brother?

Shaurya's Unaware Optimism

That evening, Shaurya dropped by Kairi’s home again, this time alone — carrying a small packet of sweets and a hopeful smile.

“I thought you might like these,” he said sheepishly, holding them out. “Maa said you didn’t eat them yesterday.”

Kairi took them politely but didn’t meet his gaze.

“You didn’t answer me,” he added, his tone hopeful. “I know it’s a bit sudden, but I meant everything. I think we could be good together, Kairi.”

She forced a smile. “You’re kind, Shaurya. And honest. But I… I need some time.”

Shaurya nodded, unaware of the storm brewing beneath her calm.

“Of course. Take all the time you need,” he said, smiling wide. “Just… think about it, okay?”

As he walked away, Kairi sank into the threshold of her home, the box of sweets resting on her lap like a burden.

How could she say yes, when her heart was never hers to give?

Yug at the Lakeside

That night, Yug drove his bike aimlessly through the town, eventually stopping at the lakeside — a spot where he and Kairi had once shared a quiet evening during a temple festival.

He sat on the old bench, memories flashing like lanterns in the dark.

Her laughter.
Her scolding him for stealing extra jalebis.
Her shy smile when he tucked her hair behind her ear.
The way her hand had brushed his — and neither of them pulled away.

He’d loved her then.
He still loved her now.

But he was the eldest — the responsible one.
The one expected to sacrifice.

A drop of rain hit his knuckle. Then another.

He didn’t move. He welcomed the storm.

Because in that moment, it was the only thing that understood his silence.

Yug’s Breaking Point

Yug couldn’t sleep that night.

The silence of the house only amplified the noise in his head — Kairi’s voice echoing, her eyes brimming with questions, her pain etched into the space between them.

He sat by his window, staring at the moonlit path that led to the outhouse — a path he had walked a thousand times before: carefree, confident, certain of her smile waiting at the other end.

But tonight, that path felt longer than ever. Cold. Distant.

He clenched his fists.

Why didn’t I stop her? Why didn’t I tell her it was never about Shaurya?

The truth weighed heavy on his chest. His brother’s happiness. His mother’s expectations. The promise he had made not to complicate things.

But what about Kairi’s tears?
What about his own?

His heart ached with the knowledge that he had hurt the only person who truly understood him.

He couldn’t stay silent anymore.

Shaurya’s Innocence

The next morning, Yug found Shaurya chatting happily with their mother over tea, completely unaware of the turmoil he’d left behind.

“She’s so kind, Ma,” Shaurya was saying, smiling. “Simple, grounded. Just like you always wanted.”

Indrani beamed. “I always knew she’d be perfect for this house.”

Yug swallowed hard. Guilt gnawed at him.

Shaurya didn’t know. He didn’t see the bond that had quietly bloomed between Yug and Kairi — the late-night conversations, the laughter, the soft silences filled with unspoken feelings.

He had no idea they were in love with the same girl.

And Yug couldn’t bear to break his brother’s heart.

But how long could he keep breaking Kairi’s?

Kairi’s Quiet Resolve

Kairi busied herself that morning — sweeping, folding clothes, packing lunch for her siblings. But everything felt mechanical. Hollow.

Her body moved, but her mind was stuck in that moment.

She kept seeing Yug’s eyes — the guilt, the helplessness.

She wished he had lied. Or better yet, told the truth.

Anything but that silence.

Later that afternoon, as she sat near the tulsi plant, Biscuit brought her a flower Yug had once picked for her from the same bush. Biscuit, who had always been closest to Kairi, somehow knew her heart.

She stared at the flower for a long moment, then gently placed it in the diya stand, whispering a prayer she wasn’t sure anyone would hear.

“Give me strength to forget him,” she whispered.

But the heart, she knew, never forgets that easily.

Indrani’s Suspicion

That evening, Indrani noticed Yug sitting alone on the veranda, his usually neat hair tousled, his shirt sleeves still rolled from the morning.

“You look like someone who’s lost a battle,” she said lightly, taking a seat beside him.

He didn’t reply.

She studied him for a moment, then softened her tone.

“Is something bothering you, Yug?”

He forced a smile. “Just tired, Ma.”

Indrani watched him carefully. Mothers always knew. And somewhere, in that silence, she began to sense that the arrangement she had proudly orchestrated — may not be as smooth as she thought.

Shaurya’s Hope, Yug’s Dilemma

Shaurya bounded up to Yug later that afternoon, his face lit with excitement.

“Bhai! I can’t believe Ma really went ahead with it. She said Kairi didn’t say no!”

Yug managed a tight smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s… good, Shaurya.”

Shaurya didn’t notice the strain in his brother’s voice.

“You know, I always thought there was something special about her. She’s different. Kind. Real. Not like the others Ma keeps choosing for me.”

Yug’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He nodded vaguely, but his thoughts were elsewhere — caught in the silent anguish on Kairi’s face, her trembling voice, the way she walked away as if walking away from him forever.

Kairi’s Growing Distance

Days passed. Kairi withdrew into herself.

She still smiled, still helped her siblings with schoolwork, still sang softly while cooking — but there was a dullness to her cheer, a hollowness in her laughter that only someone who once knew her real smile would recognize.

Yug watched her from a distance, his heart aching.

He tried to avoid being alone with her, fearing what he might say — or worse, what he might not be able to.

Kairi, meanwhile, stopped looking for him.
She stopped hoping.

A Shift Between Them

The tension didn’t go unnoticed. Even Shaurya sensed it one evening when they crossed paths in the garden.

“Kairi?” he asked gently. “Are you okay? You’ve been… quiet.”

She smiled faintly. “I’m fine, Shaurya.”

But she wasn’t. And Yug could see that clearly.
It haunted him.

Yug’s Breaking Point

One night, Yug sat alone in his room, staring at the engagement ring Ma had bought — meant for Kairi, from Shaurya.

He turned it over in his hand, heart pounding.

The wrongness of it pressed on his chest like a stone.

How could something that should have brought joy feel like betrayal?

How long could he keep this lie alive?

He closed his eyes, Kairi’s voice echoing in his memory: “Did you really want that proposal?”

He had no answer. Not yet. But he knew one thing:

He had to find the courage. Before it was too late.

------

To be continued.

This was too well crafted. You're so great at writing sensitive chapters. Loved it beyond imagination. Waiting for the next chapter

Chapter 5

Kairi, Biscuit, and Shalu Didi – An Honest Nudge

The sun was barely up when Kairi stepped into the narrow courtyard outside her house. She was wrapped in a long cotton stole over her printed kurta and jeans, her hair tied in a loose braid. The events of the past few days still sat heavy on her chest. Her eyes flicked toward the gate—part of her hoping Yug would show up, though she knew he wouldn’t.

Just then, the loud chug of an auto filled the air, followed by a sharp honk.

“Move, Biscuit!” came the familiar voice of Shalu Didi, who pulled the auto to a stop with her usual dramatic flair. Dressed in a navy kurta and grey leggings, aviators perched on her head, she hopped out, tugging at her kurta. “You’re always in the way, idiot.”

Biscuit rolled his eyes but grinned. “You love me. Admit it.”

Kairi smiled faintly at their banter.

“Good,” Shalu said, eyeing Kairi as she came forward. “You're finally out of your cave.”

Kairi crossed her arms, trying to act casual. “I was just getting some air.”

“Some air?” Biscuit snorted. “Di, you’ve been walking around like a ghost since yesterday.”

Shalu leaned against the auto, arms folded. "Yug came with his mom to ask for your hand on Shaurya’s behalf, and you haven’t even talked to him properly. That man’s got half his face carved with guilt, and you're just letting it slide?”

Kairi looked down. “It’s not that simple.”

“No?” Biscuit said, stepping closer. “Di, I’ve seen you look at him when you think no one’s watching. You like him. Maybe even—”

“Don’t,” she said quickly, eyes flashing.

Shalu softened. “Look, I know you're scared. Yug’s your boss and mentor. His brother Shaurya clearly likes you too. You feel like you're betraying someone. But tell me something honestly, Kairi—”

She stepped forward, her tone firmer now.

“—if you saw Yug about to walk away forever… would you let him go?”

Kairi’s breath caught in her throat.

Biscuit added quietly, “Di, you always tell me to fight for what’s right. Don’t you owe yourself that same advice?”

Kairi looked at them—both waiting. No judgment, just concern.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

Shalu smiled. “Then at least you’ll have no regrets. But I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Kairi. He feels something. You just have to give him a reason to stop running.”

Kairi stared at the street beyond, heart pounding. The street was still quiet, save for the occasional rattle of a bicycle or a chaiwala calling out his wares in the distance. A breeze stirred the hem of her kurta as she stood motionless, eyes fixed ahead.

Shalu exchanged a glance with Biscuit before walking closer. “Look, I’m not saying go jump into his arms and sing filmy songs. But don’t let silence do the talking for you. If you have something to say, say it.”

Kairi exhaled slowly. “It’s just… everything’s tangled. Shaurya likes me. Yug probably feels guilty for stepping into the middle of it all. And I—”

“You love him, Di,” Biscuit said simply.

Kairi’s eyes widened.

Shalu gave him a sharp look, but he shrugged unapologetically. “Well, someone had to say it.”

Kairi swallowed hard. Her chest ached with everything she hadn’t been able to admit even to herself. “I don’t know what I feel.”

Shalu gave a small smile. “Then find out. But not by hiding here and watching him from behind windows.”

Biscuit took a step forward, his expression unusually serious. “Di, you taught me that we don’t get to choose who walks into our lives. But we do get to choose if we let them walk away.”

Kairi blinked at him, her lips parting slightly.

Shalu tapped her lightly on the forehead. “Stop overthinking and start living, madam. You’re allowed to want something for yourself.”

The wind carried the faint sound of temple bells, as if the world itself was nudging her forward.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” Kairi said quietly.

Shalu pointed down the road. “Begin where it hurts. That’s usually where the truth lives.”

Kairi stood there for a moment, then slowly turned toward the house. Her steps were hesitant, but there was a flicker of purpose in her stride.

“Where are you going?” Biscuit asked.

“To talk to Imarti and Gujiya,” she replied, not turning back.

“And then?” Shalu called after her.

Kairi paused at the door, her hand on the frame. “Then I’ll see if there’s still time… to stop someone from walking away.”

The door shut behind her with a soft click, but the change in her energy lingered like the aftertaste of strong tea.

Shalu grinned. “Finally.”

Biscuit nodded, hands in his pockets. “She’s going to fight.”

Shalu chuckled. “About damn time.”

Later that afternoon, the narrow lanes of their mohalla buzzed with life. Rickshaws jostled for space, children darted past with cricket bats, and women leaned over balconies, gossiping across fluttering clotheslines.

Kairi was on the terrace, helping Imarti pin up fresh sheets when a voice echoed from below.

“Kairi!”

Startled, she turned to the edge—and there he was.

Shaurya, clean-shaven, stood beside his polished black bike, a bouquet of sunflowers in hand. He wore jeans, a white T-shirt, and a slate-grey blazer that looked slightly too warm for the weather—but somehow, it still suited him.

From the window below, Shalu peeked and muttered, “Drama alert.”

Imarti smirked. “Full-on filmy today.”

Kairi descended the stairs slowly, brushing her damp palms against her kurti. “What are you doing here?”

Shaurya offered a crooked grin. “Showing up. Isn’t that what you once told me you wished someone would do? No drama, no overthinking. Just... show up.”

Before she could react, he stepped forward and held out the bouquet.

“You told me once that sunflowers always find the sun, even on cloudy days,” he said. “You’ve been that sun for me, Kairi. And I’m done hiding in the shade.”

She blinked. “You barely know me—”

“I know your silence better than most people know words,” he interrupted, softly. “I know how you press your thumb against your palm when you’re angry. How you fake-smile when you’re scared. I know you keep showing up for others even when you're breaking inside.”

His voice cracked just a little.

“And I know I don’t want to let this go.”

From the balcony, Shalu whispered, “Did he rehearse that or swallow a poetry app?”

Just then, a black SUV turned the corner and pulled up quietly, unnoticed by most—but not by Shalu.

Inside sat Yug, sunglasses masking his eyes, but his clenched jaw said enough.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened when he saw Shaurya tuck a strand of Kairi’s hair behind her ear.

Kairi took the bouquet hesitantly, glancing around—but not toward the SUV.

“You didn’t have to bring all this,” she murmured.

“I did,” Shaurya said, lowering his voice. “Because you’ve spent too long thinking you’re not enough. I just wanted to be the first to prove you wrong.”

She didn’t answer, but her gaze flickered, softened. Her fingers brushed his—brief, but electric.

Inside the SUV, Yug turned off the ignition. He didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

Watching Shaurya take the step he never had the courage to.

Watching Kairi begin to smile in a way he’d always hoped she would—with him.

Beside Shalu at the balcony, Biscuit leaned in. “He’s watching, na?”

Shalu nodded slowly. “Of course he is. But the question is—when will he stop punishing himself and start fighting?”

------

To be continued.

Chapter 6

Same Mohalla Street, A Few Minutes Later

Shaurya leaned his bike against the wall and walked with Kairi toward the gali corner. Their laughter was low and easy, almost musical.

He pointed to the yellow petals of the bouquet she was still holding. “You know, I actually Googled which flower lasts longest without wilting. Sunflowers. Just like you.”

Kairi rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “And how many girls have you said that line to?”

“Only the ones who ignore my texts for two weeks and still make my heartbeat sound like a dhol,” he said casually, brushing his arm against hers with deliberate softness.

From the SUV, Yug’s breath hitched.

He clenched his jaw tighter, veins in his arm taut as he gripped the steering wheel like it had personally offended him. His eyes tracked every movement of Shaurya’s hand—how it brushed against Kairi’s lower back when she stumbled over a pothole, how casually he tugged her closer as they crossed the street.

And Kairi wasn’t pulling away.

Inside Yug’s head, it was thunderous silence. Not the sad kind—the kind that burns.

He threw open the car door and stepped out.

In his black shirt and open collar, Yug didn’t look fragile or broken. He looked dangerous—the kind of man who’d burn bridges just to make sure no one else crossed over to her side.

Kairi turned, startled to see him. “Yug?” she said, brows drawn in confusion.

Shaurya stiffened, his hand dropping from her waist. “Bhai? You here?”

Yug stood under the streetlight, his eyes fixed on Kairi—not his brother. “I had some work nearby,” Yug replied smoothly. “Didn’t realize you'd be playing bodyguard now.”

Shaurya chuckled, oblivious to the tension. “It wasn’t planned.”

Yug’s gaze didn’t shift. “No, of course not. Things rarely are with her.”

He smiled faintly, almost teasing. “She has this habit of walking into storms with a smile, doesn’t she?”

Kairi’s smile faded.

Shaurya tilted his head. “That sounds… poetic?”

Yug shrugged. “Poetry’s not always sweet, Shaurya. Sometimes it hides everything that should’ve been said plainly.”

Kairi stiffened, her fingers tightening around the bouquet.

Shaurya, still unaware, nudged her playfully. “See? Even bhai agrees you’re unpredictable.”

Yug’s smirk was dry, tinged with something darker. “Unpredictable, yes. But consistent in one thing—she’ll always pretend she's okay.”

He looked at Shaurya briefly. “Just a tip… if she ever says she’s fine, she probably isn’t.”

Shaurya frowned slightly. “Okay… noted.”

Kairi looked down, her throat tight.

Shaurya stepped forward. “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all,” Yug said, voice smooth as glass. “I just came to say congratulations.”

He looked at Kairi now, eyes unreadable. “You always said you didn’t believe in easy answers. Guess you found one anyway.”

Kairi’s eyes flashed—the undercurrent not lost on her.

Shaurya smiled, missing the layers. “I didn’t think you’d approve this quickly, Bhai.”

Yug’s lips curved into something too sharp to be a smile. “Let’s just say I’ve learned not to expect consistency from certain people.”

Kairi flinched. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Shaurya moved closer to her, protective now. “Okay, we’ll leave. Come on, Kairi.”

She nodded, avoiding Yug’s gaze.

Shaurya put an arm around her casually, brushing her shoulder. “I’ll drop you home.”

Yug didn’t move. He just stood there, watching—his chest heaving, fingers curling into fists, eyes burning holes into Shaurya’s back.

He wasn’t going to stay quiet much longer. Because Kairi wasn’t just someone he had feelings for. She was the part of him he never confessed.

And watching someone else hold her like that? It was becoming unbearable.

Late Night – Outside Sinha House

The air was heavy with post-monsoon humidity, a restless silence cloaking the mohalla. Well past midnight, Kairi stepped into the courtyard with a half-empty glass of water, trying to still the storm in her chest.

Her kurta clung damply to her skin—the earlier rain, a soaked ride back with Shaurya, and everything Yug had said now sticking to her like sweat.

Then she heard it.
The quiet clink of a glass bottle against stone.

She turned.

Yug stood near the old neem tree, one hand on the pillar for balance. The soft amber glow from a distant streetlamp caught the glint in his eyes—and the unmistakable glaze of alcohol.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep, bhabhi-to-be?” he muttered, voice slurred but laced with something far sharper.

Kairi flinched. “Don’t call me that.”

Yug gave a crooked laugh, bitter and aching. He took another swig before tossing the bottle into the bushes. “Right. That’s Shaurya’s line now. He gets the poetic parts of you. The sunflower girl.” His eyes flicked toward her. “I got the thorns.”

“You’re drunk,” she said, more to herself than to him.

“And you’re pretending none of this matters,” he whispered, stepping closer. “Like I didn’t matter. Did I ever?”

Her silence was louder than a slap.

“I saw you today,” Yug said, voice raw. “Smiling at him like the world made sense. That smile… you used to hide it from everyone. Except me.”

Kairi’s jaw tightened. “You made it clear a long time ago that I was just a distraction.”

His breath caught. “No. I pushed you away because I was terrified.”

Their eyes locked. Days of longing and guilt crackled between them.

“Terrified of what?” she demanded. “Of feeling something real for once in your life?”

“I was trying to protect you!” he snapped.

“From what—your feelings or mine?” she hissed. “You pushed me away, again and again. And now you’re angry I stopped waiting?”

Yug’s hand reached for her wrist—not forcefully, but trembling. “You think I didn’t want to choose you? You think I didn’t dream of it every night?”

He was too close now. Her breath hitched. “Then why didn’t you?” she whispered.

The storm broke.

“I don’t know,” Yug murmured. “But I never stopped wanting you.”

Before she could speak, he kissed her.

It was rough. Desperate. Starved.

She didn’t pull away. Couldn’t. Her hands gripped his shirt, pulling him in as his fingers threaded into her hair. They stumbled back into the courtyard shadows, deeper into the dark, until they hit the side of the house.

He kissed her like she was the last truth he had left. She kissed him like he was the only lie she still believed.

One kiss became two. Two became everything.

Yug’s breathing turned ragged, lips trailing down her neck, arms wrapped tight around her waist. Kairi’s hands fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, breath catching at the heat of his skin. Her kurta clung to her damp frame, rain from earlier now cold against his palms.

He led her up the back stairs, silently unlocking the door to his bedroom.

Their clothes slipped away in silence.

There were no declarations—only gasps, touches, and desperate, aching movements.
Their bodies spoke the words they never had the courage to say. Days of denial exploded into a storm of limbs and breath—the kind of love-making born from both punishment and craving.

They clung to each other in rhythm, fueled by every buried ache, every held-back confession. She held him like she was afraid he’d disappear. He touched her like she was the only thing keeping him from breaking entirely.

That night, they weren’t Kairi and Yug. Not Shaurya’s almost-fiancée or the elder brother. They were just two fractured hearts trying to feel whole—if only for a moment.

Next Morning – Inside Yug’s Bedroom

Sunlight slipped through the half-open curtain, warm and uninvited. The world outside was beginning again.

Inside, silence.

Yug stirred, his temple throbbing. He reached for his head… and then felt the weight of something soft against his side.

A bare shoulder. Her breath, steady.

Kairi.

He jolted upright, heart hammering.

Memories crashed into him—her voice, her eyes, the warmth of her skin, the way she whispered his name like it was both salvation and surrender.

A broken gasp escaped him. “No…” he muttered, dragging his hands through his hair. “No, no, no…”

Kairi stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open. She didn’t speak—just watched him from the edge of the mattress, sheet clutched to her chest, her face unreadable.

Yug rose shakily, pulling on his shirt.

He looked at her one last time—his gaze filled with guilt, grief, and something dangerously close to love.

He hadn’t just crossed a line. He’d shattered the only thing that ever truly mattered to him—his brothers’ trust.

And now? He had no idea how to face Shaurya.

------

To be continued.