Straight forward

Parents’ Approval

Aarav was not good with emotions.

So instead of confessing like a normal man…

he went to meet her parents.

Without telling her.

“Sir… do you love our daughter?” her father asked, bewildered.

Aarav blinked.

“I am… getting there,” he admitted honestly.

“But I want your blessings first.”

Her mother dropped her spoon.

Her father rubbed his temples.

“Beta, don’t you think you should ask her first?”

Aarav nodded seriously.

“Yes. Eventually.”

Lost in the Wild

A business trip plan.

A sudden storm.

A staged attack (unknown to them).

Aarav grabbed Dimpal’s wrist as they ran through the forest, rain soaking them completely.

She stumbled.

He caught her instantly.

Her forehead hit his chest.

Her breath mixed with his.

For the first time, Dimpal felt something warm in her stomach.

“Aarav… I’m scared,” she whispered.

“I’m here,” he said softly.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His voice wasn’t cold anymore.

It was gentle, Reassuring, Almost… loving.

The Cave Night

They found shelter in a small cave.

Aarav lit a fire with shaking hands.

Dimpal shivered violently.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

She nodded.

Without hesitating, he wrapped his coat around her shoulders.

Her head slowly fell onto his arm as she drifted into sleep.

Aarav didn’t sleep the whole night.

He watched her tiny breaths.

Adjusted the coat around her.

Brushed a strand of hair off her forehead.

Whispered things she couldn’t hear.

“You are… the only one I can touch.”

“You make me feel normal.”

“I think I’m falling for you, Dimpal.”

He pressed his forehead to hers, checking her fever gently.

Something in his chest softened in a way he had never felt before.

The Village of Misunderstandings

When they entered the tribal village the next morning, the villagers instantly judged the situation:

A man… and a young woman…

together…

in the wild…

“Are you married?” the village chief asked.

Dimpal: “Wha—no—actually—”

“Yes,” Aarav replied calmly, without blinking.

“YES?????” Dimpal hissed at him.

“Temporary. For safety,” he whispered back.

“But also… I don’t mind.”

Fake Husband, Real Feelings

The village gave them a tiny hut.

One bed.

One blanket.

Zero electricity.

Dimpal nearly died of embarrassment.

“This is SO awkward,” she whisper-yelled.

Aarav was smiling like a satisfied cat.

Their days became a mix of:

Dimpal burning chapati → village women laughing

Aarav learning to chop vegetables → cuts his fingers

Both trying to understand villagers’ sign language

Sharing stories in darkness

Accidentally brushing hands

Laughing at each other’s clumsiness

Protecting each other like real partners

Some nights, Dimpal would fall asleep against his shoulder while talking.

And Aarav would stay still the entire night…

just to not disturb her.The Moment That Changed Everything

During the tribal festival, Dimpal got lost in the crowd.

Aarav panicked—really panicked—for the first time.

He found her minutes later, looking confused and scared.

She looked up at him with relief.

“Aarav!!”

Without thinking, she grabbed his hand.

Hard.

Aarav felt his heart explode.

She didn’t let go.

For the first time, she didn’t pull away.

She didn’t second-guess.

She didn’t hide.

Her fingers stayed interlocked with his.

Aarav whispered, breathless:

“Dimpal… don’t let go.”

“I won’t,” she whispered.

And for the first time…

she meant it.

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