Author POV

Twinkle was pacing the kitchen, tying her messy bun for the hundredth time while checking the white sauce consistency. She wasn't nervous exactly, but she wanted everything to be perfect-perfect for her best friend, her Ruhanika, and maybe a little for that flirty idiot who was about to be her brother-in-law.

She was making Ruhanika's favourite-white sauce pasta with extra cheese, just the way she liked it. And Yuvraj? Well, Twinkle didn't really care about him. But Ruhanika did. And Twinkle cared about what made Ruhanika smile, so that was enough.

As she stirred the pasta and switched off the flame, she called out from the kitche

"Ruhi Yuvraj! Come fast! Food's ready or I'll eat everything myself!

A moment later, footsteps.

Ruhanika walked in first, wearing an oversized shirt-clearly stolen from Yuvraj's wardrobe-and her lazy bun bouncing with every step. Her eyes scanned the table and widened at the smell.

"You made pasta?! Oh my God, I love you!" she squealed, rushing to hug Twinkle from behind.

"Love you too," Twinkle smirked, "Now where's your Romeo?"

And right then, he entered.

"You called, saali ji? he said, winking at Twinkle.

"Ugh, I regret calling you already, Twinkle rolled her eyes.

"I know. But you still made pasta for me. Admit it, you like me.

Before Twinkle could throw the spatula at him, Ruhanika sat down and dragged Yuvraj with her.

After the meal, as Ruhanika got up to get water, Yuvraj leaned closer to Twinkle and whispered-

"Thank you... for giving her this peace.

Twinkle looked at him.

And for the first time, she saw it. That protectiveness. That hunger to make Ruhanika his, fully, without interference.

"You better never hurt her, Twinkle said seriously.

Yuvraj's eyes darkened, voice calm but intense.

"I won't. But if anyone else does... they won't be able to breathe.

This make twinkle smile and she said-

"So today we'll go to Marine Beach and roam all around," Twinkle announced We'll enjoy the whole day. Because tomorrow is the day. Not just for our Ruhi, but for all of us.

Ruhanika looked up from her plate and smiled, but before she could even say anything, Yuvraj leaned back and dropped a line that made Twinkle stop mid-bite.

"Yeah, me and Ruhi will enjoy today. You can stay at home. I don't want any third wheel ruining our romance plan.

Twinkle gave him the look.

"To be honest," she said slowly, "As far as I remember... you are the third wheel. Not me. I'm Ruhi's Jaan.

That was it.

Yuvraj turned his head sharply toward Ruhi, narrowed his eyes with a fake pissed expression and asked in that deep jealous tone-

"Who is your Jaan, Rooh?

Ruhi blinked like a baby caught in trouble and placed her hand on his arm, "Can we please not start the territorial war again? Please. Let's go together. The trio, okay?

Yuvraj didn't reply, just kept staring at her with that dark teasing look, and Ruhi had to literally boop his nose to get him back to earth.

Then she changed the topic, looking at him curiously, "By the way, when is Shraddha di coming?

She'll be there at the award ceremony. Direct he replied, casually.

"And Nakul and Arjun? Twinkle asked.

"They'll also be there," Yuvraj said, taking another sip of his black coffee.

Ruhi nodded slowly, but then her expression dropped just a little

"There's a problem though, she said, softly.

Both Yuvraj and Twinkle paused.

"What? they asked together.

Ruhi sighed, "My dress... I know I loved it when I bought it. But now, I don't feel like wearing it anymore. Not for something this big.

Yuvraj's lips curved into a lazy smirk. He leaned closer, his voice low and dark-

"You look beautiful. With the dress... or without it.

Twinkle choked on her water, "Can you not flirt like a menace while I'm right here?!

"Sorry, sorry," Yuvraj grinned unapologetically.

"We can go for shopping," Twinkle suggested, rolling her eyes. "Let's find the perfect dress for the perfect day.

Ruhi nodded excitedly, "Yeah, I want something perfect. For my perfect moment. For my to-be fiancé.

And Yuvraj's entire face softened into something that wasn't flirty or teasing anymore.

It was deep. Serious.

He said slowly, "Yeah... I want the whole world to know you belong to me. Especially your so-called family. And that... Rudransh

Twinkle blinked. "That's your competitor, right? You hate him more than anything?

Yuvraj looked at her, his voice turning ice.

"As deep as the Pacific Ocean. I hate him.

And Ruhi stayed silent.

Because deep down, she knew he had every right to.

She had been abandoned. Ignored. Forgotten.

But Yuvraj? He chose her every single day.

After finishing her last bite, Ruhi stood up, wiping her hands with the tissue.

"Okay I'm going to get changed. You guys also freshen up and meet me downstairs in half an hour.

She was halfway through the corridor when Yuvraj called out, "Ruh-wait-what color are you wearing?

Twinkle slapped her forehead, muttering under her breath, "God save me from these obsessed lovebirds.

And Ruhi?

She just laughed.

Because this-this messy, teasing, overly dramatic little family?

It was hers.

Ruhi POV

I walked into my room after finishing the pasta Twinkle made with so much love, still licking the last taste of her effort off my lips, and honestly, she nailed it... but my mind wasn't on the food anymore, it was on the dress hanging in front of me, the one he bought me on our 4th date. I remember very well and as soon as i changed and do some touchup and look at myself again.

I was looking his ❤️

And then..
Twinkle barged in and asked.

"How's me looking, baby girl?" she twirled like she owned the world and I laughed

"You're looking too beautiful," I said with a wink, fluffing her hair a little, "I think we should go... we have many things to do, I'll praise you more later, your ego doesn't need a boost right.
She rolled her eyes, laughing, but then tilted her head and smirked

"Yeah sure, but there's a problem"

I raised a brow, already sensing some drama coming

She came closer, fixing my earring and whispering right into my ear

"Your Romeo is going to give you so much attention today that I might get jealous and start questioning why I'm still single"

I chuckled, pushing her shoulder a bit

"Blind date? Please Twinkle, that's too much. I said

She laughed again and grabbed her purse

"Let's go before your Romeo comes looking for me asking 'Where is my heer??

I burst out laughing

"Romeo and heer? Since when is that a combo?"

And we headed downstairs

And there he was

Already waiting

Leaning against the car like a damn movie scene, black shirt, messy hair, gold chain shining under the moonlight, and those eyes-God those eyes-they locked onto mine like they had a password only I knew, and then

"As beautiful as always..." his lips moved slowly "As mine... as always"

I felt it in my spine, that familiar shiver that came with his words

"Let's go before Twinkle kills you," I smiled, pretending I didn't just melt

He glanced at her and gave that charming half-smile

She rolled her eyes, mumbled something under her breath and walked ahead

"Let's go," I said again, this time with a grin

But even as we stepped forward, I knew this wasn't just a ride

This night was going to change everything

Because I saw the way he was looking at me

And it wasn't innocent anymore.

The car came to a halt near Juhu Beach, the salty breeze hitting me before I even stepped out.

I opened the door, adjusted the hem of my dress, and stepped out.

Twinkle was already bouncing with excitement, "This pav bhaji stall... this brings my heart alive!"

She pointed to a local vendor with a grin that screamed craving.

"I'm going there. And also, someone doesn't want a third wheel-so I'll leave you two lovebirds. Enjoy.

Yuvraj chuckled beside me.
"Please go fast. I've waited enough for my girl.

I smirked. "Yes, go. He'll start biting me if you don't."

Twinkle gave me a wink and ran off.

And just like that...

His hand slid around my waist. Firm. Claiming. Possessive. Like he was telling the world-she's mine.

We walked on the warm sand, waves crashing just a few feet away, people all around us-but he made it feel like we were in our own world.

"You're wearing the same dress I bought you... on our fourth date," he whispered near my ear, voice low, rough, possessive.
I turned my head slowly, lips tugging into a smile.
"You remember that?"
"I don't forget anything that belongs to me.

And the way he said it... like a dark promise.

He pulled me closer, our fingers laced, his eyes never leaving mine.
"This beach is crowded," he said, voice lower now. "And still... I want to kiss you right here, in front of everyone. Just so they know you're taken. You're mine."

I laughed, nervous, my heartbeat losing rhythm.
"Are you always like this?"
"No, Ruhi. I'm worse when it comes to you."
He tilted his head, brushing his lips near my temple.

We sat down, waves crashing near our feet. I closed my eyes, letting the silence say what words couldn't. But then he leaned again, this time whispering on my skin.

"You think I let you come here to enjoy the beach? I came to see the way you smile under the sun. I came to see how many people will look at you... so I can hold you tighter."
His voice... it was dark velvet. And I shivered.

He looked at me, pupils dark, jaw clenched.
"I hate it when someone looks at you, Ruhi. I swear, sometimes I feel like locking you up in my arms, forever."
And god... I should've been scared. But instead...

I leaned in and whispered, "Then do it."

His eyes pinned me, like I belonged to no one else. Not even myself.
And maybe I didn't.

He didn't ask this time.

He just claimed.

His hand slid from my waist to the small of my back, gripping me so tightly I forgot how to breathe.
Then his other hand cupped my face, holding me like I was the only thing he ever wanted to hold.

And then-he kissed me.

(Them😭❤️)

Yuvraj POV
She was laughing.
Twinkle had just run off to her precious pav bhaji stall, and Ruhi was giggling like it was the most innocent thing ever.

But nothing about her was innocent to me.
Not the way her cheeks flushed when she laughed.
Not the way her dress swayed just above her knees.
Not the way her eyes found mine... like she knew I was burning.

And I was. Burning. Craving. Losing it.

I stepped closer, wrapping my arm around her waist, fingers digging in-not too hard, but just enough to make her know.

She was mine. In every way. In every breath.

"Let's go," I said, my voice already darker than I meant it to be.

She looked up, her eyes wide... soft... trusting.

Fuck, that look. That's what undid me.
That's what snapped the leash.

Because suddenly, the waves weren't the loudest thing on this beach.

It was my pulse. My want. My madness.

I grabbed her face-not roughly, but not softly either.
Fingers against her jaw, thumb brushing her lower lip, eyes locked.

"You've no idea what you do to me, Ruhi..." I whispered.

And I meant every damn word.
Because standing there, under the open sky, with the scent of salt and chaos all around us-

I only saw her.
I only wanted her.

"Look at you," I breathed, gaze sliding down to her lips.
"Wearing my dress, making me lose every ounce of self-control I've got left."

Her breath hitched.
Her lips parted.

And I didn't wait.

I kissed her.

"Don't ever smile like that for someone else."
"Don't ever let another man hear your laugh."
"I'll fucking lose my mind, Ruhi."

And she stared back, breathing hard.
"Then don't let me go." she whispered.

That's it.

That's when I lost it completely.

I kissed her again-deeper, rougher, desperate.

But just then-of course-Twinkle came bouncing back.

"Enough romance for today, you two! Now smile. Time for pictures - she said

I sighed, a bit annoyed... but Ruhi laughed, her cheeks still flushed from our kiss.
And God, that laugh was everything.

We clicked a few. I took some solo shots of Twinkle while Ruhi stood beside me, still trying to catch her breath.
And then Twinkle turned the tables, snatching the phone from my hand and forcing us into a pose.

But what pose could capture this?

This fire. This bond. This fucking obsession that lived under my skin for her?

She stood next to me, but I didn't let it stay like that.

I pulled her into my side, hand firm on her waist. Her back against my chest. My chin almost touching her temple. My eyes on her.

Because the lens should know: she isn't just standing beside me. She's mine.

Twinkle giggled and snapped, "Damn, this photo is SCREAMING couple goals."

No.
It's screaming possessiveness.
It's screaming-she's taken. Untouchable. Untouchably mine.

I took the phone back.

Clicked through the shots slowly.
And then paused at the one.

"Perfect," I murmured.

I opened Instagram.

And without thinking twice, I posted it.
No caption. Just the picture.

Because sometimes, a photo says everything.

That she's mine. Ever and forever.

Even if her brother Rudransh follows me.
Even if he looks at that picture tonight and scrolls past, clueless.

Tomorrow, the world will know.

But tonight... I don't care.
This photo had to go up. Because I'm done hiding. Done pretending.

She's not a secret.

She's a storm I proudly walk into. A chaos I crave. A girl who'll never know what it's like to feel alone again.

Because I won't let anyone hurt her.
Not her family. Not this cruel world.

And not even me.

The picture...❤️