Reyansh, annoyed but amused, glared at the group. “Tum log ek minute ke liye normal behave nahi kar sakte kya?”

The group burst into laughter, leaving Shashwat and Reyansh shaking their heads, their exasperation fading into reluctant smiles.

After a long day of shopping, everyone was walking in the mall sipping on their favorite coffees and chatting casually, but Ritika was still on the lookout for something special. Her eyes landed on something that immediately caught her attention.

A soft satin nighty hung on a display rack, and Ritika couldn’t resist walking over to it. She picked it up, admiring the smooth fabric in her hands before heading back to join the group.

"Ye lena to bhul hi gayi," Ritika said, holding up the nighty with a mischievous grin, her voice dripping with excitement.

The group paused mid-conversation, their eyes widening as they saw what Ritika was holding. A beautiful satin nighty, of all things. The room grew tense, and everyone stared awkwardly, unsure of how to react. Arav’s face turned a deep shade of red .

"Didi, bag mein rakh do. Ham saath mein billing karva denge," Siya suggested quickly, hoping to steer the situation away from further embarrassment.

But Ritika wasn’t about to let the moment pass so easily. With a cheeky smirk, she responded, "Haan par tum log hi batao, mast hai na... isko pehan ke main apne Swami ko seduce karungi shadi ke baad."

The entire group nearly choked on their coffee, caught off guard by her words. Arav's face turned even redder, and he glanced around nervously, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Ritika... pagal ho kya?" Arav said, his voice cracking awkwardly.

"Kya pagal? Aapko nahi hona seduce," Ritika replied with a playful wink, completely unfazed by the discomfort she was causing.

Siya immediately closed her eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Didi, yaar, chup karo," she muttered under her breath, wishing she could disappear into the floor.

The boys were all in their own world, desperately trying to avoid making eye contact or acknowledging what was happening. They shifted uncomfortably, pretending to be absorbed in their coffee.

"Maar khane kaa kaam karti ho. Tumhara bhai bhi yahi khada hai, besharam" Reyansh added, geting shocked at Ritika’s audacity.

"To isme besharam wali kya baat ho gayi... Khud Arushi karegi to bada maza ayega," Ritika said, shaking her head.

"Bhabhiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Arushi exclaimed, her face turning bright red as she nearly spilled her coffee, completely mortified by the direction the conversation had taken.

"Didi, kabhi kabhi hesitate kar lena chahiye," Richa suggested, her voice laced with embarrassment as she tried to steer Ritika towards a less awkward conversation.

"Tum log bhi na... Ye sab normal baat hai. Ab apne pati ke saath aise baat nahi karungi to kya padosi ke saath karun?" Ritika said confidently, as if everything she said was completely natural.

"Haan to pati ke saath karo na, devar ke samne kon karta hai?" Divya added, still trying to keep the mood light but failing to hide the awkwardness in her voice.

"Haan, devar bade shareef hain. Khud ki shadiyan hogi to saari sharafat nikal aayegi... Chalo ab," Ritika said, trying to move on, but not before casting one last cheeky glance at the group.

Just as the tension seemed to settle, Ritika’s eyes caught something new on a nearby shelf — a short, lacy lingerie set. A wicked smile crossing her face as she turned toward Siya.

"Siya, tu wo wali pehn na... Shashwat to..." Ritika began, but before she could finish, Siya’s eyes went wide with horror. She quickly stood up and bolted out of the coffee shop, leaving the group in stunned silence.

The group sat there for a moment, trying to recover from the whirlwind of awkwardness that had just unfolded.

Reyansh strolled through the crowded mall, his eyes scanning the various stores, but his attention quickly shifted when he spotted Akash at one of the counters, carefully selecting a sleek watch for Richa. His eyes softened as he watched Akash, but then they narrowed when he saw Arav at another counter, choosing a gift for Ritika.

Arushi was standing in front of a jewelry display, her fingers lightly grazing over the delicate pendants, her face lost in thought. There was something about the way she was looking at the pendant, as if she was searching for something but didn't want to admit it.

Reyansh couldn't help but smile at her. He walked toward her, his voice a little playful.

"Chahiye?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Arushi blinked, startled, before quickly shaking her head. "Huh? Nahi nahi... itna khaas bhi nahi hai."

Reyansh, however, was unfazed. He tilted his head, eyes scanning the pendant she was eyeing. "Tumne dekh liya na, khas ban gaya. Ruko," he said, his tone teasing but filled with affection.

Arushi's face flushed slightly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Reyansh, sach me mujhe pasand nahi aaya... zarurat nahi hai. I already have so many," she replied, trying to brush off his gesture.

But Reyansh was already determined. "Shh!" he cut her off, his finger gently pressing against her lips. He looked at the pendant once more, then turned to the salesgirl. "Show me this one," he said.

The salesgirl quickly presented the pendant to him, but Reyansh’s eyes were elsewhere. He was already pulling out his phone, scrolling through his banking app to check his account balance. As his fingers skimmed the screen, a sinking feeling hit his chest.

500 rupees.

The weight of his financial situation hit him like a wave. His heart raced as he realized the consequences of his recent decisions, particularly spending money on publishing his books — which hadn’t sold a single copy. The thought of his own humbling situation made his stomach twist in shame. He wanted to buy her the pendant, wanted to do something nice for her, but the reality of his circumstances stopped him dead in his tracks.

Arushi had been watching him closely, sensing the sudden shift in his demeanor. She noticed the way his fingers gripped the phone tighter, his jaw tightening, and the frustration that flickered across his face. Her gaze softened in concern, but Reyansh couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

He couldn’t meet her eyes. A mix of shame and humiliation filled his chest as he quickly turned away, walking back toward the door.

Arushi’s voice called out to him. "Reyansh, I swear, iski design bahot common hai... mujhe ye bilkul accha nahi laga... I don't need it... aap vapas rakh lijiye."

But he couldn’t hear her. The rush of emotions overtook him as he pushed through the door and left the store without looking back.

Arushi had been walking just behind him when she noticed the change in his demeanor, the way he hurriedly walked out of the mall, as if running away from something. When she caught up with him, he had collapsed in a heap, burying his face in his palms. Her heart sank. She had never seen Reyansh like this before.

"Reyansh!" she called softly, kneeling in front of him. Her voice was gentle, but filled with concern as she reached out to him. "Kya hua? Look at me." Her eyes softened as she took in his hunched form, feeling the weight of his silent sorrow.

He didn't look up at her. Instead, his voice, raw and fragile, broke the silence. "I can't! I can't look at you, Arushi... mai uss layak hi nahi hun," he said, his words laced with a deep ache that seemed to come from the very core of his being. His voice faltered as the tears began to spill, falling silently, his hands still hiding his face from the world and from her.

Her heart shattered at the sound of his pain, a pain she had never seen in him before. She leaned forward, removing his hands from his face gently, her touch tender. She was met with the sight of his tears, his face twisted in grief, and for the first time, Arushi saw the man who always carried himself with a confident smile now crumbling under the weight of his insecurities.

"Reyansh, please... kya hua?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she held his gaze.

His sobs were quiet at first, the kind of cry that came from deep within, a cry that carried years of unspoken pain. He wiped his eyes, his voice choked. "It's humiliating... it's so humiliating, living like this. I can't buy you a thing you like," he said, his breath ragged, his shoulders shaking with the weight of his words.

Arushi's heart ached as she shook her head, trying to reassure him. "Reyansh, it's okay... I don’t need that pendant," she said, her voice gentle but firm, hoping to ease the pain she could see radiating off him.

But Reyansh, lost in his thoughts, shook his head vehemently, his voice laced with frustration. "It's not about the pendant, Aru," he said, his voice growing more intense, the words pouring out in a rush, a desperate plea for understanding. "Everyone is earning... yahan tak ki meri choti behen bhi..." His eyes welled up again, and he choked on his own emotions. "I am proud of them... but... but it's so humiliating, Aru... being her elder brother and I'm here, useless! And you... you are an artist... half of Mumbai knows you, and after some time, the whole world will know you..." His voice broke as a bitter laugh escaped his lips. "Aur mai kya? Writer!!" His eyes were filled with self-loathing. "So-called writer!! Who has nothing to give anyone... absolutely nothing!" His voice cracked again, and he sobbed openly now, the weight of his own thoughts too much to carry.

Arushi watched him, her own chest tightening at the pain in his words. She couldn't stand to see him like this, her heart breaking for him, for the man who had always been strong, always the one who cracked jokes and carried others’ burdens. But now, the person she admired so much was struggling to breathe under the burden of his own self-doubt.

Without thinking, Arushi moved closer to him, kneeling beside him. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, pulling him into an embrace. Her heart raced as she held him, as his body shook against hers with the force of his sobs. She didn’t say anything at first; her touch was all that she could offer, holding him through the pain he was going through.

Reyansh, completely overwhelmed, buried his face in her shoulder, his tears staining her clothes. "I’m sorry, Arushi. I’m so sorry..." His voice trembled against her skin.

Reyansh's breath had slowed, his sobs reduced to quiet sniffles, but the pain in his eyes still lingered.

Arushi pulled back slightly, keeping her hands on his shoulders as she looked into his eyes, her gaze steady and unwavering. She could see the conflict in him, the struggle between his self-worth and the image he projected. It broke her heart to see him like this, but she also knew it was the right time — the right moment — to make him see himself for who he truly was.

"Reyansh," she began, her voice soft but clear, "You have no idea what you mean to me." She took a deep breath, finding the words she had been holding back for so long. "You’ve taught me more than anyone ever could. You showed me that strength doesn’t always mean being perfect or having everything figured out. It means standing up, despite all the fears and the flaws. It means trying, even when you feel like you’re failing. It means loving, even when you don’t feel worthy of love."

Reyansh's eyes flickered with emotion as she spoke, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out, trying to touch her, to feel her presence. But she stopped him gently, her fingers brushing against his hand before moving to cup his cheek.

"You’ve always been there for me," she continued, her voice steady. "You’ve supported me when I doubted myself. You’ve believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. You’ve shown me what kindness and loyalty really mean. And... and you’ve given me so much more than anyone ever could. More than I could ever ask for." Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "You gave me your trust, your time, your heart. That is worth more than any pendant, any material thing. You are worth more."

Reyansh stared at her, his breath catching in his throat. The weight of her words slowly began to sink in, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he could see himself through her eyes. It wasn’t about the money or the gifts — it was about the person he was. And suddenly, everything she said made sense.

Reyansh shook his head, the familiar weight of his insecurities creeping in again. "I just want to be able to give you everything. I want to be the one to take care of you... to give you everything you deserve."

Arushi’s expression softened, and her hand gently traced the line of his jaw. "Reyansh, you already give me everything I need," she said with a smile. "You gave me your heart, your love, your trust. What more could I ever ask for?"

His heart fluttered at her words, but his mind still lingered on the things he hadn’t been able to provide. "But..."

She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him gently. "No buts, Reyansh," she said, her voice playful now, a soft glint in her eyes. "I’m not asking for anything else. You’ve already given me everything. And one day, we’ll come back here."

Reyansh furrowed his brow, confused for a moment. "Kyun?”

Arushi’s eyes sparkled as she grinned mischievously, her hands still resting on his chest. "One day, we’ll come back here. You’ll walk in with me, and I’ll pick out every pendant in this shop. I’ll buy the whole store with your money."

Reyansh chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief.

Arushi’s smile widened, and before he could pull away, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "And you’re mine," she whispered, her voice full of warmth and love.

Reyansh, overwhelmed by the depth of her feelings, returned the hug, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "I love you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Arushi rested her head against his chest, her heart racing as she whispered back, "I love you too, three four five six seven eight nine ten…infinite.” They both laughed.

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Chapter 3 of TERI DEEWANI has been updated on scrollstack. Scrollstack Link is in our Instagram and Wattpad bio.

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