Abhinav, Jahnvi, and Malhar were the last to leave the temple grounds.
They walked in silence—three shadows side by side beneath the soft morning sun—each weighed down by thoughts unspoken. The air between them was thick, not with tension exactly, but something close enough to it.

"So," Abhinav began, trying to gently break the quiet, "are you looking forward to your riding lesson tomorrow?"

Jahnvi turned to him with a small smile. "Yes, definitely. I still have to think of a name for him too."

"Name whom?" Malhar asked sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"Her horse," Abhinav replied before Jahnvi could.

"Horse?" Malhar repeated, as if the word itself offended him.

"Yes," Jahnvi began, "Abhinav gifted me—"

"You should have let her learn to sit on a horse properly before showering her with such ridiculous gifts," Malhar snapped, his tone harsh and sudden.

Jahnvi stopped in her tracks, stunned by the edge in his voice.

Abhinav exhaled, his expression unchanging, as though he had expected this from his cousin.

"It's only a matter of a day or two," he said evenly. "Jahnvi's a quick learner."

"I'm sure," Malhar muttered under his breath.

He turned to Jahnvi then, her eyes cast downward, her shoulders slightly hunched. Guilt struck him like a slow wave, sinking deep.

"Jahnvi," he said after a pause, "it slipped my mind—Kanika was looking for you. Something about Zoon."

Jahnvi's head snapped up at once. Her voice trembled with worry. "Why? Is he alright? He hasn't spent a night without me in—"

"Relax," Malhar said gently, "I'll take you to him." He looked over at Abhinav. "Dada, you should go ahead—we'll join the others shortly."

Abhinav hesitated, eyes shifting between them, then gave a curt nod and walked away without protest.

"Malhar, my Zoon—where's Kanika? Did she—?"

"What did you call me?" he asked suddenly, turning to face her. There was something unreadable in his eyes, but a hint of a smile ghosted across his lips.

"Raje—please," Jahnvi said, too anxious to play along. "You have to tell me—"

Before she could finish, she felt his hand gently clasp hers, followed by a light tug.

"Come," he said, already walking. "I'll show you."

He pulled her gently along, his pace calm but purposeful. The long corridor was flanked by guards on both sides, who bowed deeply as they passed, their eyes curious though their faces remained composed.

They turned the final corner toward his wing of the fort, and Malhar stopped.

"Go ahead," he told her, motioning toward the doors.

Jahnvi blinked. "What?"

"Go. I'm right behind you."

Still confused, she took a hesitant step forward. Behind her, she heard his voice again—firm, quiet.

"Nobody enters," he told the guards. "Nobody."

Her heart quickened. What was this? Had she done something wrong?

She felt his presence behind her, close enough to feel his breath along her shoulder as she crossed the threshold into his private courtyard.

"Raje, I don't understand—"

"I need your help," he said simply, brushing past her and walking to the large seating area near the carved pillars.

"My... my help?" she asked, flustered.

"Yes." He exhaled, the sound heavy with something unspoken. He nodded toward the divan. "Come. Sit."

Reluctantly, Jahnvi obeyed.

"The last time you were here," he said, looking around the courtyard, "you told me this place was... bare. Lacking character."

"I didn't say those words," she said quickly, suddenly cautious.

"No, those were mine," Malhar said, a soft chuckle escaping him. "But you were right."

He paused before continuing, voice quieter now. "It's time I made this space mine—filled it with things I actually like."

She looked at him curiously. "You want me to help you decorate?"

"Precisely."

"Oh." Jahnvi blinked. Then her lips curled in amusement. "Oh!" she exaggerated, leaning back.

Malhar raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You want me to decorate this place for Gauri, don't you? So she feels at home when she moves in."

"I didn't—"

"It's fine," Jahnvi said quickly, waving him off with mock cheer. "You don't need to explain. I get it. It's very sweet, actually. I'll make it beautiful—just tell me what she likes."

"Jahnvi—"

"It's okay, Raje," she added with a teasing smile. "I'll even run everything by you before I make any changes. It'll be our little secret project."

Malhar's jaw tightened.

A beat passed. Then, abruptly, he stood. "We should go. Everyone must be waiting."

Jahnvi blinked, surprised by the shift. "What?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "Now?"

"Yes," he said simply, already heading for the exit.

Her brows drew together. One moment he was pulling her in, the next he was shutting her out.

"Fine," she muttered, standing up with a sigh. She didn't wait for him this time.

Without another glance, she walked out of the courtyard and into the corridor, her footsteps brisk, her pride bruised but her head held high.

Behind her, Malhar watched her go, jaw clenched, the silence between them echoing louder than any words he might have said.

•••

The morning sun filtered softly through the latticework of the breakfast veranda, casting patterned light across the long stone table where brass plates and fresh flowers were neatly arranged. The aroma of warm parathas and spiced potatoes floated in the air, blending with the low hum of casual morning chatter.

Nanda sat at the head of the table, poised as always, sipping her chai. Jai was halfway through a plate of poha and chutney, talking animatedly to Nanda.

Abhinav entered alone, he nodded at Nanda and Damini before slipping into a seat beside Jai.

"You're alone," Jai said, nudging him. "Did your squire ditch you after one ride?"

Abhinav smiled faintly. "She's with Malhar. Something about Zoon. He said he'd bring her back."

Gauri walked in a beat later, tying a shawl around her arms. She took the seat beside Nanda, glancing toward Abhinav and then toward the veranda entrance.

"They're not far behind," Abhinav added, without prompting.

"Hmm," Gauri said, reaching for a banana. "She would have gone to check on zoon, probably panicking about Zoon not sleeping properly."

"Or about him not eating," Jai offered dramatically. "That cat is treated like royalty."

"She loves him," Gauri said with a chuckle. "I've seen her argue with cooks over his milk temperature."

Jai snorted. "Wouldn't be shocked if Zoon gets a golden bowl before I do."

Damini listened to the chatter, her expression unreadable.

Footsteps echoed down the outer corridor.

Jahnvi appeared, walking at a steady pace, expression composed. Her braid was slightly loosened, her cheek flushed from the sun. Malhar followed a few steps behind, his hands clasped behind his back, face unreadable.

They entered the space silently, but the energy shifted the moment they did.

"Finally," Jai announced. "We were about to send a search party."

"Unnecessary," Malhar said dryly, walking to take the empty chair beside Nanda.

Jahnvi quietly took the seat next to Abhinav. She offered a polite smile to the table, then reached for the fruit bowl.

"You missed the mango." he said, pushing the small bowl with the cut fruit toward her. His tone was light, but there was something quietly protective in the gesture.

Jahnvi smiled and took it without a word.

Nanda glanced at the two of them, then at Malhar, and her hand instinctively reached under the table to squeeze her son's.

Malhar didn't react—but he didn't pull away either.

The clink of brassware continued and soft murmur of conversation floated under the arches of the breakfast veranda.

Jahnvi ate slowly, offering polite smiles where needed. Her mind still lingered on Malhar's strange behaviour earlier.

Damini sat across the table, stirring her tea slowly. Her gaze, though casual on the surface, kept drifting toward Jahnvi.

"You know," she said lightly, "there's something rare about women who don't try too hard to be noticed."

Jai looked up from his plate. "You're starting early with your riddles today, Kaki saheb."

Damini gave a soft chuckle, ignoring him. Her gaze stayed steady on Jahnvi. "Some people fill a space not with noise, but with calm. It's not something one can be taught."

Jahnvi raised her head, puzzled by the comment but unsure if it was meant for her. She offered a small nod out of courtesy.

"Composure is valuable," Damini continued, now lifting her teacup. "Especially in a household like ours. Someone who observes, listens, adapts... Such qualities are wasted on the unworthy."

Abhinav, seated beside Jahnvi, glanced briefly at his mother, then at Jahnvi. "You're being unusually poetic this morning."

"I'm only speaking what's plain to see," Damini replied smoothly. "Some women are born with grace. And when that happens, it's our duty to ensure they find the right place... to thrive."

Jai raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Kaki saheb I feel dumb when you talk in riddles."

Damini sipped her tea, saying nothing.

Across the table, Malhar had grown still.

Jahnvi shifted slightly, aware now that the conversation had turned toward her—wrapped in compliments too deliberate to be casual.

Abhinav leaned forward and broke the tension. "Gauri, if you're not too tired, would you like to be introduced to Jahnvi's horse."

Gauri blinked. "Jahnvi's horse ?" She asked confused.

"Yes." Abhinav confirmed with a smile.

"Of course. I'd like that."

"Good," Damini said, almost to herself, before setting her teacup down. "Shared interests build stronger foundations than hollow promises."

Malhar's fingers curled around the edge of his plate.

Before the mood could tilt, Nanda spoke gently, her voice smooth as silk. "The morning is still young. There will be time later to stroll around the stable. For now, let us enjoy breakfast—together."

Her words were soft, but her eyes locked momentarily with Damini's. A silent exchange passed—centuries old and womanly, veiled and weighty.

Damini offered a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

AN: I'll keep the chapters coming and you keep the votes and comments up.
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