30.

raghav's pov

As she left the room and locked herself in the bathroom, I waited for a couple of minutes, expecting her to come back or say something. But there was nothing—just the sound of water running. I knew her well enough to be sure she wasn’t that quick, which only made me more restless.

I sighed, my fingers automatically reaching for my phone lying right beside my hand—hers was there too. The moment I unlocked it, my eyes landed on the time. 8 AM. My brows furrowed. 8 AM? God knows after how many years I had woken up this late. And the reason? Her.

A tired chuckle escaped my lips as I leaned back against the headboard. Around her, stress felt like a foreign concept. She had this way of pulling me into her world, making me forget everything else. With her, I felt like a kid again—carefree, unbothered, just living in the moment.

But that’s what scared me the most. The changes. The way she was shifting something deep inside me without even realizing it. Just by being here. Just by being her.

And while thinking about her, I finally got up, deciding to freshen up in another room. My body felt oddly light, my mind still tangled in thoughts of her—how effortlessly she made a place for herself in my life, how dangerously easy it was becoming to let her in.

But just as I turned, my eyes landed on the bedsheet.

A faint mark.

My gaze narrowed as I took a step closer. The fabric was light pink—a change made by Rani Sa, who had replaced the usual white with this softer shade. But the mark on it stood out unmistakably. Dark. Crimson. Blood.

For a moment, I just stared. A dull, unfamiliar weight settled in my chest as my fingers curled into a fist. Why? My breathing slowed, my mind ticking, pulling at every possible reason. And then—

It triggered me.

The thoughts. The past. The unease that came with the sight of something that shouldn’t be there. My jaw clenched, my hands twitched at my sides, and suddenly, the lightness I felt moments ago was gone.

I unlocked my phone, only to be met with 100 messages, 10,000 emails, and a million missed calls. But right now, none of it mattered. Not the world. Not the responsibilities waiting for me. Nothing. Because right now, the only thing that mattered was my Siya.

Without wasting a second, I opened my browser and searched for everything a girl might need in this situation. I didn’t care about the brands or the costs—I just ordered them all at once. Then, without hesitation, I called Veer.

"Get here. Now. I don’t care how. Take the chopper if you have to, but be here immediately."

Because in this part of the palace, no one except Veer was allowed. And true to my words, he rushed.

Before my queen could step back into the room, everything I had ordered had already arrived. Not only that—I had arranged it all myself in our room.

Yes. Our room.

The realization hit me the moment I took a step back and looked around. The space that always felt massive suddenly seemed small. Overwhelmingly so. With just her essentials, the room already felt full.

How would she manage in this place? How would I manage to make space for everything she needs?

A deep sigh left me as I ran a hand through my hair.

Oh, God.

I think—no, I am going to build her a new palace.

A place where she can live freely. Where there will be no limits, no restrictions—just a home that belongs to her.

As she stepped into the room, her face was tense. Too tense.

I had expected something different—her eyes lighting up, a smile breaking through, maybe even that excited little gasp she does when she’s overwhelmed with happiness. But instead… she just stared.

Her gaze moved over the things I had arranged, and for a second, I thought she might say something. But before she could, I was already there.

I closed the distance between us in an instant, scooping her up in my arms. Her legs dangled as I held her close, my grip firm but gentle. One hand instinctively moved to her head, my fingers softly running through her hair, offering her the only comfort I knew she needed right now.

Because I knew her.

I knew she must be high on emotions at this moment.

Too much at once. Too much to process. And if there’s one thing I can’t bear, it’s seeing her like this.

And then it hit me.

Her late-night cravings. Her random demands.

That was the reason behind all this. The reason behind her silence, her emotions, everything.

A deep breath left me as I silently thanked Devi Maiya. Thank you, truly. Because if I had actually given in to everything she asked for last night…

I don’t even want to imagine.

I’ve read somewhere that some girls get mood swings so extreme that they even feel like killing people.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Thank you, Devi Maiya. You saved me.

"Iss hafte binna jal ki ek bhi bund grahan kiye vrat karuga, bas inke in saath dino mein... Inhe zyada dard na dena... Aur haan, mujhe bhi inke prakop se bacha lena."

(This week, I will fast without even a single drop of water, just during these days with her… Don’t give her too much pain… And yes, save me from her wrath too.)

Her words snapped me out of my thoughts.

I was still holding her in my arms when she suddenly sobbed—hard. Her small, shaky voice barely made it past the lump in her throat as she spoke, her words hitting me deeper than I expected.

"Kyun kiya aapne yeh… sab?" (Why did you do all this?)

For a moment, I just stared at her. She was crying. Not because she was upset—no, it was something else. Something more.

I exhaled, tilting her face up, forcing her teary eyes to meet mine. But no matter how much I wanted to hold her longer, to keep her safe in my arms, I gently let her down, making her stand on her feet.

Even when I didn’t want to.

I slowly wiped the tears from her face, my fingers brushing against her soft skin with a tenderness I didn’t know I was capable of.

Then, placing both my hands on her shoulders, I looked straight into her eyes and said in a quiet yet firm voice—

"Kyun ki... aapko zaroorat thi."

(Because... you needed it.)

She balled her fists and started hitting me on my chest—hard.

And here I was, just in trousers, while madam seemed to have a whole plan to murder me… with those same choodas I had gifted her myself. The irony.

I let out a sigh before finally grabbing her hands, stopping her assault. But before I could say anything, her gaze shifted.

Her eyes landed on the very thing she had missed noticing before. And just like that—she froze.

I watched as her eyes widened in pure shock.

Then, as if in a daze, she started walking around the room, taking everything in.

And just when I thought she had seen enough, she shouted—loud enough to shake my soul.

"Kis maha-sankat mein phas gaya mai...."

(What great disaster have I gotten myself into…?)

And suddenly, I feared for my own life.

"Aap pagal ho...!" (You’re crazy!) she practically yelled, turning to face me with an expression that was a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

"Log chocolates laate hain... uska poora freezer nahi!" (People bring chocolates, not an entire freezer of them!) She threw her hands in the air before her eyes landed on something else—

And then came the real outburst.

"Aur ye ice cream trunk poora... Ohh mere Mahadev!" (And this entire ice cream trunk… Oh, my Mahadev!)

Her gaze then locked onto the pile of boxes, and her jaw literally dropped.

"Pads... Pads ke almost saare best brand ke large boxes le aaye aap?!" (You brought almost every top brand’s large boxes of pads?!)

She turned back to me, eyes narrowing like I had personally offended her existence.

"Pagal ho! Ab kya inko yahan dukan laga ke bechu mai?!"

(Are you crazy?! What am I supposed to do now, open a shop and sell them?!)

And that was the moment I genuinely considered running for my life.

Just when she was about to continue her angry rant, Veer walked in.

The door was already open, and this time, he came carrying an insane amount of munchkins and teddy bears in his arms—so much that I could barely see his face behind the pile.

Seeing her standing there, clearly fuming, he asked in his usual calm tone,

"Kaha rakhu inse, hukum rani sa?"

(Where should I keep these, Your Highness?)

For the first time in the last few minutes, she didn’t yell. Instead, she simply stepped aside, giving him space to enter.

Then, taking in his exhausted state, she sighed and said,

"Veer bhai sa, aap jayiye. Aaj rest kijiye. Baaki hum dekh lenge."

(Veer bhai sa, you go and rest today. We’ll handle the rest.)

But the way she said "dekh lenge" this time—her eyes locked onto mine.

And for a brief moment, this five-foot-tall woman somehow made me flutter my eyes.

"Aaj toh meri jaan leke hi maanegi ye…!" (Today, she won’t stop until she takes my life…!)

And just as I was panicking internally, my subconscious decided to mock me.

"Nahi nahi, innhe jaldi vidhwa nahi hona hai ye."

(No, no… she won’t let herself be widowed so soon.)

I shut that annoying voice in my head and mumbled to myself,

"Kuch bhi matlab… Jaan legi matlab pitega mujhe pakka! Aisa hi hota hai, padha hai maine... Ladkiyan bohot hi shout waghera karne lagti hain…"

(What nonsense… By ‘taking my life,’ she means beating me up for sure! I’ve read about this… Girls get really aggressive during this time…)

I was still lost in my world of self-pity when—

SNAP.

Her fingers snapped right in front of my face.

I blinked and saw her gesturing at me with her fingers—telling me to come down to her level.

"Ji?" I asked, still dazed.

And the next thing I knew—

She grabbed my hair. Tight.

"Maiyaaa…!"

It really hurt!

This woman… she has officially turned into Chamunda!

"Koi toh bachao mujhe…!" (Someone save me…!)

"Ye dekho!" (Look at this!) she demanded, shoving the things in front of my face like a teacher scolding a student.

I obediently looked at them, nodding as if I were seeing them for the first time—even though I had already seen them all.

But well, biwi ne bola hai, toh dekhna hi padega. (Wife has said it, so I have to look.)

And considering she was on her periods…

Jhukna bhi padega. (I’ll have to bow down too.)

"Baithiye yaha." (Sit here.) she said, pointing at the couch.

I frowned slightly but did as told, still using my brain to figure out what she was planning—especially with my half-covered body.

But before I could think too much, she climbed onto my lap and curled up like a baby, hugging me tightly.

Her face hid in my chest, her warm breath fanning against my skin.

And then—I felt it.

A single tear fell.

She didn’t want me to see her like this. Maybe she wasn’t comfortable enough to let herself be this vulnerable in front of me just yet.

But making her comfortable was my only goal right now.

So, I pressed a soft kiss against her temple, my lips lingering for a second.

At the same time, I gently ran my fingers through her hair, caressing her head with all the love I had.

"Aapko pata hai..." (Do you know...)

Her crying voice reached my ears, making my chest tighten. I hummed softly, letting her know I was listening.

"When I was 12 years old, I got my first period. And they say the first and last periods always come with unpredictable things… and pain. Mine came with pain."

She took a shaky breath before continuing,

"Still, no one in my family ever cared. They thought it was just a normal thing that happens to all girls... but they forgot—yes, it's normal, but it's also the time when we need rest, care, and emotional support."

She paused for a moment, her fingers clenching the fabric of my trouser.

"I always craved family love… but just because I was a girl, they only saw me as someone to earn from… or someone to kill. The only reason I even lived in my house for 19 years was because of my uncle. Otherwise, my own mother and father would have killed me the day I was born."

Her words hit me like a storm, leaving a deep, burning ache in my chest.

And then—she clung to me tighter, hugging me like a baby, burying herself into me as if trying to disappear.

And today…

For the first time in years…

I felt those tears in my eyes—the ones I had always ignored.

But I refused to be sad.

Because her past might have been cruel, but I am her present.

And I am her future.

And as long as I am here, I won’t let her smile fade—ever.

Tears taking place in her eyes? Not a chance.

"No one ever did anything for me... Aap kyu kar rahe ho? Mat karo... agar aap chale—" (Why are you doing this? Don’t do it... what if you leave—)

She was still speaking when I pulled her back, forcing her to look at me.

Her teary eyes met mine, filled with pain, fear, and years of longing.

"Kyu kar rahi hain aisi baatein aap?" (Why are you saying such things?)

I cupped her face gently, my voice firm yet soft.

"Ab shaant ho jaiye... Aur ye jo hum kar rahe hain, sab aapke liye hai." (Calm down now… Everything I am doing is for you.)

"Aur hum? Hum apni Rani Sa ko chhod ke kahan jaayenge bhala?" (And me? Where would I even go, leaving my Queen?)

I saw the slight quiver of her lips, the way her eyes searched mine for reassurance.

"Jaanti hain na aap?" (You know it, right?)

"Shaadi ki hai aapse Rajputani style mein..." (I married you in Rajputana style...)

"Aise hi nahi chhodenge jab tak jaan hai." (I won’t leave you just like that, not until my last breath.)

"Aur aap jaana bhi chahegi, tab bhi nahi jaane denge." (And even if you want to leave, I won’t let you go.)

With that, I gently wiped her tears away and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.

She closed her eyes, her body finally relaxing in my hold.

I looked at her, my thumb gently caressing her cheek, and asked softly,

"Dard ho raha hai?" (Is it hurting?)

She nodded in response, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Without a second thought, I lifted her into my arms, holding her close as if she was the most fragile thing in the world. She didn’t protest—maybe she didn’t have the strength to.

I placed her gently on the bed, making sure she was comfortable. I had already cleaned everything myself, ensuring she wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

But the moment I started pulling away, her face crumpled, tears threatening to spill.

"No..." she whispered, her voice trembling, her grip tightening around my wrist.

Her eyes pleaded with me not to let go, not to leave her alone.

I leaned down, brushed my fingers through her hair, and whispered,

"Just a minute, jaana… please." (Just a minute, my love… please.)

Only then, reluctantly, she loosened her hold, letting me go—but not without hesitation.

I walked over to her things and found the hot pouch I had put on charge earlier. It would help ease her pain.

Turning back to her, I saw her curled up slightly, trying to mask her discomfort.

"Stomach mein pain ho raha hai, bachha?" (Is your stomach hurting, my love?) I asked gently, holding up the pouch.

She nodded without a word.

I quickly handed it to her, making sure she was comfortable.

Then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, I took a small bow, my voice playful yet full of affection—

"Kya khana pasand karegi aap, Rani Sahiba?" (What would my Queen like to eat?)

I saw the faintest hint of a smile tug at her lips, and that was all I needed.

I just wanted her to feel at ease, to forget the pain, the bad memories—if only for a little while.

"Aaj agar mera saala zinda hota toh batata usse..." (If my brother-in-law were alive today, I would have taught him a lesson...) I thought, but shook the thought away—right now, my wife needed me more than anything else.

I focused back on her, my Rani, my siya.

"Ice cream..." she murmured, slowly closing one eye, a small, teasing smile lingering on her lips.

And after this—by God, I was done.

How could I ever say no to this cutie?

A defeated sigh left my lips as I gave in completely, my voice filled with dramatic submission—

"Jo hukm, biwi." (As you command, wife.)

I walked straight to the freezer, pulling out an ice cream tub.

If this is what makes her happy, then so be it.

As I went near her, she softly asked me to sit beside her.

I handed her the ice cream box and settled on the bed, resting my head against the dashboard.

She inched closer, resting her head on my chest, her warmth sinking into me.

With a small smile, she opened the ice cream box, took a bite, and closed her eyes in satisfaction.

"Thankfully, she doesn’t have any specific preference..." I exhaled in relief, watching her.

Because, by God, I had completely forgotten to add chocolate ice cream to the list.

After a few bites, she held the spoon out to me, offering me a taste.

The same spoon she was eating from.

I was already content just seeing her act normal—that was enough for me. But well, if my biwi wants to feed me ice cream, who am I to refuse?

I took the bite, the cold sweetness melting in my mouth, when she suddenly asked,

"Hukm sa... can I ask you something?"

"Ji," I replied, my voice softer than usual, as I gently rubbed her wet hair with the small, soft towel she had taken with her when she came out of the bathroom.

"Why did we turn our room into a whole mart?" she asked, but my mind fixated on just two words—OUR ROOM.

Did she really mean it?

For a moment, I just stared at her, letting those words sink in.

Then, gathering myself, I finally replied,

"Because I know that during periods, sometimes the pain is too much even to walk. So, I thought... even if I’m not here, you can have everything you need, right here, in this room of OURS only."

She turned towards me, "Aapka brain sach meh hang ho jata h" (Your brain seriously hangs sometimes), she said, and I felt like—what? What did she just say?

"Hang..." unknowingly slipped out of my tongue.

"Haan… matlab, I’m really thankful ki aapne ye sab kiya (I’m really thankful that you did all this), but ye humare kitchen meh jyada khubsurat lagta (but this would look better in our kitchen)," she said while shutting my mouth close through her one finger, which had unknowingly opened when she said hang.

I looked at her like—Ittu si toh hai… aur dimag dekho… 60 saal ke budhe jitna chalana hai inko… (She’s this tiny, and look at her brain… she thinks like a 60-year-old man).

I’m just done. I really have no words, yrrr.

I just nodded with a forced smile because saying no wasn’t even an option.

"Enjoy your ice cream and let me take a quick shower," I said while moving out of the bed.

She held my hand with one of hers and said, "Are mharo bin... ek baat toh bata do... how did you get to know that I was on my periods?" (My beloved, tell me one thing… how did you find out that I was on my periods?)

And in a hurry, I said something I absolutely didn’t want to… BAD TIMINGS.

"That there was a stain on the bedsheet na," and then I bit my tongue.

I thought she would feel embarrassed, but her reaction just made my day.

"But how? I had checked, and I found nothing... maybe I missed something?" she questioned and then answered herself, continuing with her ice cream. Lagta hai ek do tub toh khatam karke hi manegi. (Looks like she won't stop until she finishes one or two tubs.)

And I, who was supposed to be in the bathroom by now, was still standing there, adoring her childlike innocence.

She is so pure, so precious—I can say I want to be her devotee.

"Charan dena, patni ji aapke," (Bless me with your feet, dear wife) my subconscious mocked, and before I could shut him up, she shot me a glare.

"Raat mein taare dikha diye,

subah suraj,

ab kya aankhon se lave barsa ke manogi, biwi ji?"

(At night, you showed me stars,

in the morning, the sun,

now will you make lava rain from your eyes, dear wife?)

I didn’t say anything further and ran straight to the bathroom.