EP-5
The car ride was silent except for the soft hum of the engine.
Preeti sat beside Riyan, her eyes swollen, hands trembling slightly as she hugged her knees. Riyan kept glancing at her, jaw clenched, barely controlling his fury. He had never wanted to kill someone more than he wanted to destroy Aarav.
But when he saw her slowly drifting off—eyelids fluttering shut—his anger melted into a quiet ache.
She was exhausted.
And she felt safe enough to fall asleep beside him.
He sighed..
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Of course you’d fall asleep now… drama queen.”
Her head lolled to the side, gently landing against the window.
She looked so peaceful.
And so heartbreakingly soft.
Riyan slowed the car as they entered the city, but his mind was spinning. He didn't even know where she lived.
He leaned closer and tapped her shoulder.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“preeti. Oi. Wake up.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He sighed. “Where the hell do you even live, Preeti..”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He tapped her shoulder lightly. “Preeti?”
She didn’t move.
He frowned, glanced at her lap—her phone was still there. He hesitated for a moment, then picked it up and unlocked it using her fingerprint. It worked.
Pulled up her contacts.
‘Mom’ was right on top.
He typed:
> "Hey mom, staying over at a friend’s place for a night. Group study. Don’t worry. Will be back in the morning."
Sent.
He stared at the message, sighed, and muttered to himself.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Let’s just pray I don’t get arrested for kidnapping you.”
He drove home.
---
Later that night... Malhotra Mansion
Riyan parked and gently lifted Preeti into his arms.
She murmured something in her sleep and curled up against his chest instinctively.
As he stepped into the house, the lights flicked on.
“Riyan?” a familiar voice called out.
His mother, Mrs. Malhotra, stood at the top of the stairs in her satin robe. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her—Preeti Sharma, unconscious in her son’s arms.
But instead of asking questions, her face lit up.
Riya malhotra
“Oh my god… is that—Preeti?” she whispered, rushing down with a big smile. “What happened?! Is she okay?”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She’s fine. Just tired.” he avoided eye contact.
His mother gently touched Preeti’s hair, her face glowing.
Riya malhotra
“She saved me the other day, remember? Such a sweet girl… and now she’s here in my home! Beta, take her to the guest room. I’ll get warm water and a fresh set of clothes.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You’re not even going to ask why your son brought a girl home unconscious?” he asked, dumbfounded.
Riya malhotra
“Only if the girl wasn’t Preeti Sharma. I like this one. I always have.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
What the hell?
Preeti lay tucked under the blankets, a warm compress on her forehead. Mrs. Malhotra sat beside her, gently stroking her hair and whispering sweet nothings like she was her own daughter.
Riyan stood awkwardly at the door, watching.
His terrifying mother had turned into a karela-loving fairy godmother.
Riya malhotra
“She deserves someone good.” she whispered, mostly to herself. Someone who’ll love her, protect her, treat her like gold.”
Riyan cleared his throat.
His mother turned and raised an eyebrow.
Riya malhotra
“You planning to do that?” she asked casually.
Riyan malhotra/ML
He froze. “Do what?”
Riya malhotra
She smiled. “You know what.”
He looked at Preeti, sleeping peacefully under his roof, wearing his mother’s kurti, her cheeks finally glowing with warmth.
Riyan leaned against the wall outside the guest room, arms crossed, silently watching as his mom gently adjusted the blanket over Preeti.
Riya malhotra
“She’s sleeping peacefully,” she whispered with a warm smile. “She must’ve been so scared earlier.”
Riyan’s expression darkened slightly, the memory of Aarav’s filthy words still burning in his mind.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She’s safe now,” he muttered. “Because I’m here.”
His mother turned, lips twitching into a knowing smirk.
Riya malhotra
“Oh, you’re here, huh?” she teased. “Protecting her like a knight in shining armor?”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He groaned. "Mom!"
Riya malhotra
She ignored him and gave him a solid pat on the back. “Good. Stay with her tonight.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He stiffened. “Wait—what?”
Riya malhotra
“I’m feeling a bit tired. Besides, she’ll feel safer seeing a familiar face if she wakes up,” she said casually, already heading toward the door.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Mom—seriously?” He followed her like a panicked puppy. “What if she wakes up and screams bloody murder thinking I kidnapped her?!”
Riya malhotra
“Beta… don’t worry. She’s your future wife. She’s safe with you.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
Eyes widened. “EXCUSE ME—WHAT?!”
But his mom just smiled smugly and kept walking away.
Riya malhotra
“Oh, and don’t forget to give her the soup when she wakes up! Be gentle. Girls need softness.”
The door shut behind her.
Riyan stood there for a full ten seconds, blinking in disbelief.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Future what now—?” he whispered to himself, hand dramatically pressed to his chest. “Is she serious?! Maa is insane.”
A soft sigh interrupted his mini heart attack.
He looked back—Preeti had shifted in bed, mumbling something in her sleep. Her forehead was still creased like she was scared, even in dreams.
Riyan’s expression softened.
He walked over quietly, sat on the edge of the bed, and adjusted the blanket over her shoulder. Just watching her sleep made something twist in his chest.
His mom’s words echoed in his head again.
“She’s your future wife.”
He scoffed, looking away.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“As if I’d ever marry a girl who painted a mustache on my ID card,” he mumbled.
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