05-03-2025, 02:34 AM
CHAPTER – 47
As the days slipped by, Kavya and Danish fell into a rhythm that felt as natural as it was dangerous.
By day, they carried on with their regular lives—work, gym, and mundane routines. But by night, they belonged to each other, wrapped in sheets, tangled in passion, lost in whispered confessions. The secrecy only made it more thrilling, but with every passing moment, Kavya felt something shifting inside her.
She wanted more.
At first, she told herself it was just the heat of the moment, the intensity of their stolen nights that made her crave something deeper. But now, the thought wouldn’t leave her. She wanted to be part of Danish’s world—not just in the privacy of this apartment, but beyond it.
One evening, after another night spent in each other’s arms, Kavya lay curled up against Danish’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. His fingers lazily traced patterns on her back, a silent rhythm that had become familiar.
“Danish…” she murmured, her voice soft but sure.
He hummed in response, his touch never stopping.
She hesitated for a second before speaking, but she knew she had to say it. “I want to meet your family.”
His fingers stilled for just a second, but that pause spoke louder than words.
“Kavya…” His voice carried a warning, but she wasn’t going to back down.
Lifting her head slightly, she looked at him, determination shining in her eyes. “I’m serious, Danish. I know everything about you, but I’ve never met your family. I want to be part of your life in a real way.”
Danish sighed, rubbing his face as he sat up a little. “You know that’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” she pressed, feeling her heartbeat pick up. “You say you love me. We spend every night together. But when it comes to taking a real step forward, you hesitate.”
He exhaled slowly, his gaze unreadable. “Because it’s complicated, Kavya.”
“But your family doesn’t even know Rahul,” she countered. “It’s not like they’ll see me as his wife. To them, I’ll just be me—Kavya.”
Danish looked at her, his jaw tightening. “That’s not the point. Even if they don’t know Rahul personally, they know I have a best friend, and they know I’m staying at his house while he’s away. If they put the pieces together…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “They’ll never accept this, Kavya.”
Her chest tightened at his words. “Why do you say that? They don’t know about Rahul, they don’t have to know everything right away. I just…” She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “I just want to feel like we’re not hiding.”
Danish ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his expression. “Kavya, you’re still married.”
She bit her lip, looking away for a moment. The guilt was always there, lingering in the shadows, but it didn’t change how she felt. “I know,” she admitted. “But I don’t feel married, Danish. I don’t feel like Rahul is my future anymore.”
He turned toward her, searching her eyes for something—hesitation, uncertainty, anything that would tell him she wasn’t completely sure about what she was saying. But all he saw was conviction.
“I need time,” he finally said, his voice quiet but firm.
Kavya inhaled sharply, nodding even though her heart ached. She knew he cared for her—his every touch, every kiss told her that much. But was love enough? Would he ever be ready to take the risk she already had?
She lay back beside him, staring at the ceiling. “Okay,” she whispered, but deep down, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait.
The weight of uncertainty hung between them, unspoken but ever-present.
Kavya didn’t press Danish further that night, but the question lingered in her heart. She had taken a risk—given herself to him completely, knowing it could change everything. And now, she needed to know if he would do the same.
The next few days passed in a blur of routine. Work, gym, stolen moments together—every night, she found herself in Danish’s arms, their bodies seeking comfort in the only way they knew how. But despite the passion they shared, there was something different now.
Kavya could feel it.
Danish was distant, his usual charm tinged with hesitation. He still held her the same way, still kissed her with the same hunger, but when the night ended and the real world crept back in, something felt off.
One evening, as they lay together in bed, Kavya turned to him, unable to keep her thoughts bottled up any longer. “Danish, what’s going on?”
He looked at her, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?”
She propped herself up on one elbow, studying him. “You’ve been acting different since I asked about meeting your family. Did I say something wrong?”
Danish sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that, Kavya. It’s just… this isn’t easy for me either.”
She frowned, her heart sinking. “Then talk to me. I don’t want to feel like I’m the only one thinking about our future.”
Danish turned on his side, facing her. “I do think about it, Kavya. More than you know. But the reality is… you’re still married. Even if your feelings for Rahul have changed, the truth hasn’t.”
Kavya exhaled, frustration bubbling up inside her. “I know that, Danish. And I know it’s not something that can be fixed overnight. But I need to know where we stand. Am I just someone you’re passing time with until Rahul comes back?”
His expression darkened, and he sat up abruptly. “Don’t say that.”
“Then tell me the truth,” she urged, her voice softer now. “Do you see a future with me?”
Danish hesitated for just a moment too long.
That pause—those few seconds of silence—felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
Kavya looked away, blinking back the sting of tears. She wasn’t naive. She knew their situation was complicated. But she had allowed herself to hope. And now, she feared that hope was misplaced.
“Maybe I was wrong to think this could be more,” she whispered, pulling the blanket up around her.
Danish reached for her, his touch warm yet hesitant. “Kavya, it’s not that simple.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady herself. “It never is.”
The room fell into silence, the weight of their emotions pressing down on them.
Kavya took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she looked at Danish.
“Fine,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I understand that it’s complicated, but at least let me meet them. We don’t have to tell them everything right now… Just say that I’m your friend. Or your girlfriend. Whatever makes it easier.”
Danish let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. “Kavya, it’s not that simple.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why not? We keep talking about the future, but we’re stuck in the same place. If we really want this to work, we need to start somewhere.”
Danish looked at her, his expression torn between frustration and something deeper—something he wasn’t saying.
“What is it?” she pressed.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. “It’s my family, Kavya. They’re… traditional. Conservative, even. And you—” He exhaled sharply, as if struggling with the words. “You’re *****. I’m '.. That’s not something they’ll just accept.”
Kavya’s breath hitched. She knew interfaith relationships were complicated, but hearing it out loud—knowing that their love might not be enough for his family—made her stomach sink.
“So you’re saying they won’t even consider it?” she asked, her voice softer now.
Danish ran a hand through his hair. “I’m saying they won’t even entertain the idea. It’s not just about us, Kavya. It’s about generations of beliefs, expectations, traditions… You don’t know what it’s like. I can’t just walk in and tell them I’m with you. They’ll never agree.”
Kavya swallowed hard. She had braced herself for hesitation, for fear, but not for this. Not for an outright impossibility.
“But we haven’t even tried,” she said, desperation creeping into her voice. “How do you know unless you talk to them?”
Danish shook his head. “Because I know them, Kavya. My parents have always expected me to marry within our faith. They’ve already spoken to me about proposals, about finding the ‘right girl.’ If I tell them about you, it won’t just be rejection—it’ll be a war.”
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.
Kavya looked away, blinking back the sting in her eyes. She had fought so hard to be with him, risked everything, and now it felt like she was fighting alone.
“So what now?” she whispered. “Are we just… doomed?”
Danish reached out, cupping her face gently. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I do know I don’t want to lose you.”
Kavya leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that love could be enough.
But for the first time, doubt crept into her heart.
Danish let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process everything Kavya had just said. He looked at her, really looked at her—her eyes held no hesitation, no doubt. She meant every word. She was ready to fight for them, to take whatever risks came their way. But was he?
Kavya reached for his hands, intertwining her fingers with his, grounding him in that moment. Her touch was warm, reassuring. “It’s okay, Danish. I’m with you,” she said, her voice steady. “We’ll figure it out, one step at a time.”
His grip on her hands tightened instinctively. “But Kavya… it’s not just about us. My family… they’re different. They won’t accept this easily.” His voice was laced with concern, his brows furrowed.
She nodded, understanding. “I know. That’s why I’m not asking you to tell them everything right away. Just… let me meet them. As a friend, as your girlfriend—whatever you’re comfortable with. But if we don’t take any step forward, Danish, we’ll just be stuck here. Forever.”
Danish swallowed hard. She was right. As much as he feared his family’s reaction, as much as she dreaded confronting Rahul about a divorce, doing nothing would only keep them trapped in uncertainty. And the thought of losing her because of his own hesitation terrified him more than anything else.
Kavya gently squeezed his hands, drawing his attention back to her. “I know I have to deal with Rahul, and I will. I just need a little more time,” she admitted, her voice softer now. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t move forward. Even if it’s just a small step.”
Danish exhaled, his jaw clenching for a moment before he looked into her eyes again. “You’re braver than me,” he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief at how certain she was, how fearless she seemed.
A faint, sad smile touched her lips. “No. I’m just in love with you.”
Something inside him shifted at her words. It was love—not just passion or desire, but something deeper, messier, more terrifying. A love that came with complications, consequences. A love that neither of them had planned for but couldn’t turn away from.
Without thinking, Danish pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. He held her close, his chin resting on top of her head as he closed his eyes. “Then let’s take the first step,” he whispered, his voice filled with both fear and determination.
Kavya melted into him, her arms wrapping around his waist, her face pressed against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, strong yet slightly erratic, mirroring her own emotions. In that moment, she knew there was no turning back. No matter what lay ahead—Rahul, Danish’s family, society’s judgment—they would face it together.
As the days slipped by, Kavya and Danish fell into a rhythm that felt as natural as it was dangerous.
By day, they carried on with their regular lives—work, gym, and mundane routines. But by night, they belonged to each other, wrapped in sheets, tangled in passion, lost in whispered confessions. The secrecy only made it more thrilling, but with every passing moment, Kavya felt something shifting inside her.
She wanted more.
At first, she told herself it was just the heat of the moment, the intensity of their stolen nights that made her crave something deeper. But now, the thought wouldn’t leave her. She wanted to be part of Danish’s world—not just in the privacy of this apartment, but beyond it.
One evening, after another night spent in each other’s arms, Kavya lay curled up against Danish’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. His fingers lazily traced patterns on her back, a silent rhythm that had become familiar.
“Danish…” she murmured, her voice soft but sure.
He hummed in response, his touch never stopping.
She hesitated for a second before speaking, but she knew she had to say it. “I want to meet your family.”
His fingers stilled for just a second, but that pause spoke louder than words.
“Kavya…” His voice carried a warning, but she wasn’t going to back down.
Lifting her head slightly, she looked at him, determination shining in her eyes. “I’m serious, Danish. I know everything about you, but I’ve never met your family. I want to be part of your life in a real way.”
Danish sighed, rubbing his face as he sat up a little. “You know that’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” she pressed, feeling her heartbeat pick up. “You say you love me. We spend every night together. But when it comes to taking a real step forward, you hesitate.”
He exhaled slowly, his gaze unreadable. “Because it’s complicated, Kavya.”
“But your family doesn’t even know Rahul,” she countered. “It’s not like they’ll see me as his wife. To them, I’ll just be me—Kavya.”
Danish looked at her, his jaw tightening. “That’s not the point. Even if they don’t know Rahul personally, they know I have a best friend, and they know I’m staying at his house while he’s away. If they put the pieces together…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “They’ll never accept this, Kavya.”
Her chest tightened at his words. “Why do you say that? They don’t know about Rahul, they don’t have to know everything right away. I just…” She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “I just want to feel like we’re not hiding.”
Danish ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his expression. “Kavya, you’re still married.”
She bit her lip, looking away for a moment. The guilt was always there, lingering in the shadows, but it didn’t change how she felt. “I know,” she admitted. “But I don’t feel married, Danish. I don’t feel like Rahul is my future anymore.”
He turned toward her, searching her eyes for something—hesitation, uncertainty, anything that would tell him she wasn’t completely sure about what she was saying. But all he saw was conviction.
“I need time,” he finally said, his voice quiet but firm.
Kavya inhaled sharply, nodding even though her heart ached. She knew he cared for her—his every touch, every kiss told her that much. But was love enough? Would he ever be ready to take the risk she already had?
She lay back beside him, staring at the ceiling. “Okay,” she whispered, but deep down, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait.
The weight of uncertainty hung between them, unspoken but ever-present.
Kavya didn’t press Danish further that night, but the question lingered in her heart. She had taken a risk—given herself to him completely, knowing it could change everything. And now, she needed to know if he would do the same.
The next few days passed in a blur of routine. Work, gym, stolen moments together—every night, she found herself in Danish’s arms, their bodies seeking comfort in the only way they knew how. But despite the passion they shared, there was something different now.
Kavya could feel it.
Danish was distant, his usual charm tinged with hesitation. He still held her the same way, still kissed her with the same hunger, but when the night ended and the real world crept back in, something felt off.
One evening, as they lay together in bed, Kavya turned to him, unable to keep her thoughts bottled up any longer. “Danish, what’s going on?”
He looked at her, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?”
She propped herself up on one elbow, studying him. “You’ve been acting different since I asked about meeting your family. Did I say something wrong?”
Danish sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that, Kavya. It’s just… this isn’t easy for me either.”
She frowned, her heart sinking. “Then talk to me. I don’t want to feel like I’m the only one thinking about our future.”
Danish turned on his side, facing her. “I do think about it, Kavya. More than you know. But the reality is… you’re still married. Even if your feelings for Rahul have changed, the truth hasn’t.”
Kavya exhaled, frustration bubbling up inside her. “I know that, Danish. And I know it’s not something that can be fixed overnight. But I need to know where we stand. Am I just someone you’re passing time with until Rahul comes back?”
His expression darkened, and he sat up abruptly. “Don’t say that.”
“Then tell me the truth,” she urged, her voice softer now. “Do you see a future with me?”
Danish hesitated for just a moment too long.
That pause—those few seconds of silence—felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
Kavya looked away, blinking back the sting of tears. She wasn’t naive. She knew their situation was complicated. But she had allowed herself to hope. And now, she feared that hope was misplaced.
“Maybe I was wrong to think this could be more,” she whispered, pulling the blanket up around her.
Danish reached for her, his touch warm yet hesitant. “Kavya, it’s not that simple.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady herself. “It never is.”
The room fell into silence, the weight of their emotions pressing down on them.
Kavya took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she looked at Danish.
“Fine,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I understand that it’s complicated, but at least let me meet them. We don’t have to tell them everything right now… Just say that I’m your friend. Or your girlfriend. Whatever makes it easier.”
Danish let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. “Kavya, it’s not that simple.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why not? We keep talking about the future, but we’re stuck in the same place. If we really want this to work, we need to start somewhere.”
Danish looked at her, his expression torn between frustration and something deeper—something he wasn’t saying.
“What is it?” she pressed.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. “It’s my family, Kavya. They’re… traditional. Conservative, even. And you—” He exhaled sharply, as if struggling with the words. “You’re *****. I’m '.. That’s not something they’ll just accept.”
Kavya’s breath hitched. She knew interfaith relationships were complicated, but hearing it out loud—knowing that their love might not be enough for his family—made her stomach sink.
“So you’re saying they won’t even consider it?” she asked, her voice softer now.
Danish ran a hand through his hair. “I’m saying they won’t even entertain the idea. It’s not just about us, Kavya. It’s about generations of beliefs, expectations, traditions… You don’t know what it’s like. I can’t just walk in and tell them I’m with you. They’ll never agree.”
Kavya swallowed hard. She had braced herself for hesitation, for fear, but not for this. Not for an outright impossibility.
“But we haven’t even tried,” she said, desperation creeping into her voice. “How do you know unless you talk to them?”
Danish shook his head. “Because I know them, Kavya. My parents have always expected me to marry within our faith. They’ve already spoken to me about proposals, about finding the ‘right girl.’ If I tell them about you, it won’t just be rejection—it’ll be a war.”
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.
Kavya looked away, blinking back the sting in her eyes. She had fought so hard to be with him, risked everything, and now it felt like she was fighting alone.
“So what now?” she whispered. “Are we just… doomed?”
Danish reached out, cupping her face gently. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I do know I don’t want to lose you.”
Kavya leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that love could be enough.
But for the first time, doubt crept into her heart.
Danish let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process everything Kavya had just said. He looked at her, really looked at her—her eyes held no hesitation, no doubt. She meant every word. She was ready to fight for them, to take whatever risks came their way. But was he?
Kavya reached for his hands, intertwining her fingers with his, grounding him in that moment. Her touch was warm, reassuring. “It’s okay, Danish. I’m with you,” she said, her voice steady. “We’ll figure it out, one step at a time.”
His grip on her hands tightened instinctively. “But Kavya… it’s not just about us. My family… they’re different. They won’t accept this easily.” His voice was laced with concern, his brows furrowed.
She nodded, understanding. “I know. That’s why I’m not asking you to tell them everything right away. Just… let me meet them. As a friend, as your girlfriend—whatever you’re comfortable with. But if we don’t take any step forward, Danish, we’ll just be stuck here. Forever.”
Danish swallowed hard. She was right. As much as he feared his family’s reaction, as much as she dreaded confronting Rahul about a divorce, doing nothing would only keep them trapped in uncertainty. And the thought of losing her because of his own hesitation terrified him more than anything else.
Kavya gently squeezed his hands, drawing his attention back to her. “I know I have to deal with Rahul, and I will. I just need a little more time,” she admitted, her voice softer now. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t move forward. Even if it’s just a small step.”
Danish exhaled, his jaw clenching for a moment before he looked into her eyes again. “You’re braver than me,” he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief at how certain she was, how fearless she seemed.
A faint, sad smile touched her lips. “No. I’m just in love with you.”
Something inside him shifted at her words. It was love—not just passion or desire, but something deeper, messier, more terrifying. A love that came with complications, consequences. A love that neither of them had planned for but couldn’t turn away from.
Without thinking, Danish pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. He held her close, his chin resting on top of her head as he closed his eyes. “Then let’s take the first step,” he whispered, his voice filled with both fear and determination.
Kavya melted into him, her arms wrapping around his waist, her face pressed against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, strong yet slightly erratic, mirroring her own emotions. In that moment, she knew there was no turning back. No matter what lay ahead—Rahul, Danish’s family, society’s judgment—they would face it together.
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