The tension within

Before Armaan or Aarav could throw another question, Shreyansh finally snapped. His patience had already been tested beyond limits.

“That’s enough for now,” he said firmly, rubbing his temple in frustration. “I’ll tell you everything later… but not right now. So no more questions.”

Armaan and Aarav exchanged a mischievous glance. Aarav was the first to speak, pretending to agree. “Okay, fine, bhai. But you only have till tomorrow morning.”

Shreyansh frowned. “And if I don’t?”

Armaan crossed his arms dramatically, smirking. “Then, dear brother… whatever we know so far—will be known to the entire house. And then, you’ll have to narrate your love story in front of everyone.”

Both brothers burst out laughing, clapping each other’s hands.

Shreyansh’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh, for god’s sake… you two are unbelievable!” he muttered, looking completely done with the situation. He was just about to shout at them when—

“Please don’t tell anyone!”

The sudden voice made all three turn at once. Shreya was sitting upright now, looking worried. Her tone was soft but desperate. “Please… don’t tell your family anything. Everything will just become more complicated and… awkward. I’ll leave soon anyway.”

She glanced toward Shreyansh — her eyes full of sincerity and a hint of guilt.

Shreyansh blinked, confused. Why is she looking at me like that? What is she about to say now? he thought, his heartbeat picking up again.

Shreya continued nervously, “And then… he’ll have to face all the questions. How will he even look his parents in the eye after that?” she said innocently, genuinely worried for him.

Her concern was pure — almost childlike — but it landed like a thunderbolt in the room.

Armaan and Aarav exchanged a quick, wicked glance before repeating in unison, “He’ll have to face his parents?” They both broke into laughter again, clutching their stomachs.

Shreyansh groaned, glaring at them. “Can you two stop talking nonsense for one second?”

He turned to Shreya, still tense and flustered. “And what are you even saying? Why would I not be able to face them? I didn’t do anything wrong to you!”

Shreya’s eyes widened as she quickly waved her hands. “N-no! That’s not what I meant at all!” she stammered, trying to explain.

But before she could finish, Aarav interrupted with mock seriousness, “Bhabhi, please don’t be scared. You can tell us the truth. If bhai did anything wrong, we’re on your side!”

Shreyansh’s jaw dropped. “What the hell are you both even saying!?” he said, completely lost and nervous now.

Armaan smirked, raising a brow. “We’re just trying to know about the beast inside you, bhai… the one that only comes out when she’s around.”

Shreya’s mouth fell open, her eyes darting between the two brothers in utter confusion and shock.

Shreyansh blinked twice, his voice trembling between disbelief and frustration. “Beast inside me? WHAT do you even mean by that!?”

The room went silent for a second — only to burst into chaos again when Aarav dramatically whispered, “You know… the romantic beast.”

“WHAT—?!” Shreyansh shouted, completely losing his composure as Armaan and Aarav doubled over laughing.

Shreya tries to calm everyone down, her voice soft yet trembling, “Please… stop it, all of you… let me say something…”

But before she can say anything more, the chaos keeps growing — Armaan and Aarav continue teasing, while Shreyansh’s irritation reaches its peak.

After a few minutes, Shreyansh finally loses control. His jaw tightens, his eyes blaze with anger as he shouts,

“JUST SHUT UP, YOU ALL!”

The whole room turns silent in an instant.

No one dares to move — even the air feels frozen.

Shreyansh’s voice turns cold but sharp —

“If anyone says even a single word now… it won’t be good for them.”

Armaan and Aarav exchange a quick look, realizing their brother is seriously angry this time.

Shreyansh glares at them and says firmly,

“You two, go to your rooms. I’ll talk to you later.”

But Armaan, unable to resist teasing, smirks and says playfully,

“Bhai, just admit it… you want some alone time with Bhabhi.”

Aarav chuckles, sharing a mischievous smile with Armaan.

Shreya’s eyes widen in shock, her face turning crimson with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Shreyansh stands completely still — his expression serious, eyes filled with fury — clearly not in the mood for jokes.

His sharp glare is enough for Armaan and Aarav to understand that staying there any longer would be dangerous.

Aarav raises his hands slightly, trying to ease the tension,

“Okay okay, Bhai… relax! We’re going. Just enjoy your alone time.”

Saying that, both Armaan and Aarav grin and hurry out of the room, their faint laughter echoing in the hallway.

After Armaan and Aarav left the room, silence hung thick in the air. Shreyansh ran a frustrated hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down. His jaw tightened as he exhaled deeply, forcing his temper to settle. Slowly, his eyes shifted toward Shreya — she was sitting quietly, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the bedsheet, her face a mix of embarrassment and confusion.

Taking a slow breath, Shreyansh’s voice softened.

Shreyansh: “Are you alright?”

Shreya looked up at him, startled for a moment. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

Shreya: “I’m… I’m sorry. I said all that without thinking, and because of me, everything became such a big mess. I really didn’t mean to...”

Her tone was filled with guilt and genuine concern. For a second, Shreyansh just watched her — the sincerity in her eyes made his anger fade completely.

He sighed and replied gently, his tone calm now.

Shreyansh: “Relax, it’s okay. Don’t think too much. My brothers have a bad habit of turning small things into big dramas. They enjoy teasing me, actually.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Shreyansh: “But everything’s fine now. You don’t need to worry.”

Shreya nodded slowly, understanding, though her nervousness still lingered.

After a short pause, Shreyansh asked,

Shreyansh: “Are you hungry?”

Shreya (quickly): “No… no, I’m not.”

But just as she finished her sentence, her stomach growled softly. The sound broke the tension in the air. Shreyansh raised an eyebrow, clearly holding back a smirk.

Shreyansh: “Seems like your stomach disagrees with you.”

Shreya’s cheeks turned pink in embarrassment as she looked away.

Shreyansh (light chuckle): “I’ll get you something to eat.”

Shreya hesitated, then nodded shyly.

Shreya: “Okay…”

Without saying another word, Shreyansh turned and walked toward the kitchen, his footsteps fading as the room fell silent again — leaving Shreya sitting there, lost in thoughts she couldn’t quite name.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***