22-02-2026, 12:52 PM
Chapter 11: The Unveiling
Eid arrived, and with it, Arif. The thirteen-year-old was tall for his age, with his father's build and his mother's eyes. He was polite but reserved with Riya, understandably protective of his father's memory.
Rohan had been honest with his son about the relationship, though he'd omitted the details of how it began. "Riya is important to me," he told Arif. "I hope you can be happy for us."
Over the three days of Eid, Riya slowly won the boy over. She didn't try to replace his mother, but offered friendship instead. They talked about his college, his friends, his future. By the third day, he was calling her "Riya apa" with genuine affection.
The night before Arif returned to college, Rohan took them both out to dinner. Watching father and son together, Riya felt a longing she hadn't expected—a desire for family, for belonging.
Later, after Arif was asleep, Rohan found her on the balcony, looking at the city lights.
"Penny for your thoughts," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"I was thinking about family. About what we're building."
He rested his chin on her head. "It's good, isn't it?"
"It is." She turned in his arms. "But Rohan... I need to know. Are we exclusive?"
The question hung between them. Rohan's expression grew serious. "Since I met you, there hasn't been anyone else. I haven't wanted anyone else."
"But the hunger?"
He sighed. "It's still there. But different. With you... it's not just about release. It's about connection." He kissed her forehead. "You're enough, Riya. More than enough."
It wasn't a perfect promise—they both knew his nature—but it was honest. And for now, it was enough.
Eid arrived, and with it, Arif. The thirteen-year-old was tall for his age, with his father's build and his mother's eyes. He was polite but reserved with Riya, understandably protective of his father's memory.
Rohan had been honest with his son about the relationship, though he'd omitted the details of how it began. "Riya is important to me," he told Arif. "I hope you can be happy for us."
Over the three days of Eid, Riya slowly won the boy over. She didn't try to replace his mother, but offered friendship instead. They talked about his college, his friends, his future. By the third day, he was calling her "Riya apa" with genuine affection.
The night before Arif returned to college, Rohan took them both out to dinner. Watching father and son together, Riya felt a longing she hadn't expected—a desire for family, for belonging.
Later, after Arif was asleep, Rohan found her on the balcony, looking at the city lights.
"Penny for your thoughts," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"I was thinking about family. About what we're building."
He rested his chin on her head. "It's good, isn't it?"
"It is." She turned in his arms. "But Rohan... I need to know. Are we exclusive?"
The question hung between them. Rohan's expression grew serious. "Since I met you, there hasn't been anyone else. I haven't wanted anyone else."
"But the hunger?"
He sighed. "It's still there. But different. With you... it's not just about release. It's about connection." He kissed her forehead. "You're enough, Riya. More than enough."
It wasn't a perfect promise—they both knew his nature—but it was honest. And for now, it was enough.
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