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Omkar Ranawat's POV

I couldn't come back together with everyone, tangled as I was in string of meetings with investors and the design team. I was painfully aware of the whispers circulating throughout the office about Veer; today's "party" was nothing more than an excuse to taunt him.

I held back from interfering, not out of indifference, but because he needed to be capable enough to face this on his own. He had to be, for survival in this world.

The trip to Madhya Pradesh was also essential. The man we were searching for had been captured by Prithvi – I'd had the least expectations from him, yet he'd still managed it. I was sure Randheer Bhai had helped him. I didn't want to leave Veer alone, but it would be utterly unsafe to bring him there, nor was he interested in these kinds of businesses.

At two in the morning, I unlocked the door of the penthouse and stepped inside, finding Veer asleep on the couch, the television still humming. He’d already changed into comfortable, simple clothes. A serene smile touched his lips, and a profound sense of ease washed over me at the sight of his peaceful face. Because of him, these four walls had become more than just a place to live; I could finally call it home. I found myself eager to return, knowing someone would be there for me.

Approaching him, I silently lifted him into my arms and carried him into the bedroom so he could sleep comfortably on the bed.

"You came?" he whispered, stirring in his sleep, his voice soft against my ear.

"Hmm," I replied, and he instinctively snuggled closer onto my shoulder.

Placing him gently on the bed, covering him with the blanket, my gaze lingered on his face. His lips, his nose – every detail of him stirred something within me, an almost overwhelming desire to do something sinful, something intimate. A potent urge to capture those lips seized me. I leaned down, my lips brushing against his, but immediately pulled back, jolted by the realization of what the hell I was about to do. I retreated into the washroom, needing to calm the fire that had ignited within me.

As I touched my own lips, a silly, almost shy smile replaced my previous nervousness.

After a long shower, I emerged wearing only sweatpants and headed to the kitchen to find some food. My eyes landed on some bowls, and a note tucked beneath them. "Eat your dinner after heating it up," it read. I carefully placed the note on the fridge and did as Veer had instructed.

His phone rang, and I moved towards it, curious to see who was calling him at this hour. The screen flashed "Naina," accompanied by a cat emoji.

I already knew she was his only friend from college, but even so, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy because he is close to her.

I'd first seen her with him at their college fest, where I’d been invited as a chief guest. Soon after, I'd managed to investigate his name and background – it hadn't been difficult.

There had always been a link between the Yaduvanshi and Ranawat families, but we rarely mentioned individual family members in business dealings, which was why I’d never known him, or perhaps he had simply remained isolated from business parties and such.

From the moment I saw him, I began to doubt my own personality. It was a dangerous blow to my carefully constructed identity. I couldn’t accept that I was developing feelings for a boy. I tried to be with women by sleeping around, but I simply couldn't; Veer's face would flash before my eyes.

I drowned myself in alcohol, yet still couldn’t forget him. After six agonizing months, I finally accepted myself. Since then, I’d rarely gone home, terrified of my family's reaction.

For the first time in my entire life, I was afraid of my own identity. This gradual, painful acceptance had led to many difficult things in my life, but I knew I had to embrace who I was.

Six months after Veer's college fest, I searched for him again. He was in his second year then. I used to admire him from afar, but I had no idea how to approach a boy. I knew about their accident because I’d already put security personnel in place for him. I had to strongly force myself not to go near him.

I picked up the call, and a high-pitched scream erupted from the other end: "Veer…!"

"Hello," I said, my voice calmer than I felt.

"Hey, who are you? Where is Veer?" she asked, hearing my voice.

"He's sleeping. You can talk to him tomorrow," I stated.

"You are?" she pressed.

"Omkar Ranawat," I replied.

"Sir, can you please talk to him? He was a little bit sad today," she said.

"Okay," I replied, and cut the call.

I knew his sadness from office matters and his isolation.

After eating, I went to the room and lay down beside him. Closing the distance between us, I moved towards him and gently placed my hand over him.

"Good night," I whispered, lightly kissing his forehead. After two and a half years, he was finally in my arms; the wait was undeniably worth it.

Morning came, and I felt him over me, his leg casually draped across mine. I pulled him even closer, sensing his warm breath on the crook of my neck. The sight of him, so peaceful beside me, was incredibly beautiful; I felt utterly blessed in that exact moment. He stirred in his sleep, and I closed my eyes, feeling him try to remove my hand. I tightened my grip on his waist.

"Veer," I whispered. In a swift motion, he was beneath me, and I rested my head on his chest, still feigning sleep.

"Sir, Omkar sir," he murmured, trying to push me away, but I deliberately snuggled deeper into him.

"Sir, please move," he said again, struggling beneath me. Finally, I let him, and he practically ran into the washroom.

I also got up and headed to the gym for a workout, which I had missed due to an injury and Veer's arrival. After completing my morning routine and bathing in the gym's washroom, I returned to the room. Veer was tidying up, humming a tune playing on his phone. Today was his holiday, a privilege  that I don't have.

"Good morning," I said. He looked at me but quickly averted his gaze.

"Good morning, sir," he replied, resuming his task.

"Something happened? Such a happy morning?" I inquired, a smile playing on my lips.

"Oh, my bhabhi is coming today with my nephew, that's why!" he exclaimed, his face breaking into a wide, joyful grin.

"Sorry, I didn't ask your permission," he said, looking slightly nervous.

"Didn't I tell you before? You don't have to ask anyone permission to do anything in this house," I replied, hoping to truly imprint that upon him.

"Come here," I said, and he raised his eyebrows in question.

"Come here, hurry up," I urged again, and he complied meekly.

"Did you bathe?" I asked, my gaze lingering on him.

"Yes," he replied.

I extended my hand to touch his neck, where tiny water droplets still clung. As my hand lightly brushed against his skin, he tried to pull back, but I immediately gripped the back of his neck, gently pulling him towards me. In that moment, I was ready to risk everything just to claim him, to make him undeniably mine.

You should dry your hair first," I said, my voice a struggle to keep steady, battling the fierce urge to lean in and taste the water droplets clinging to his skin.

"I'll do it. It's my holiday today; I'm not in a hurry," he replied, his focus unwavering as he plunged back into his work, seemingly oblivious to the tempest rising within me.

"Your friend, Naina, called you last night," I informed him, hoping to capture  his attention.

"Okay.

Are you not going to the office today?" he finally looked up.

"Baby, it's your holiday, not mine," I retorted, a faint smile playing on my lips.

"Poor you," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Yeah, yeah, but a boss can take off whenever he wants," I countered, a playful challenge in my tone.

"Privileged, huh? And how many times do I have to tell you I'm not 'baby'?" he shot back, annoyed at me.

"But you are a baby, younger than me," I insisted, watching as he opened his mouth to protest, then closed it without saying anything.

"Aapko late nahi ho raha?" he asked,  diverting the conversation.

"Yes, I have to go," I conceded, my thoughts already drifting to the reality of my day as I began to remove my gym wear.

"You really don't have any civic sense," he remarked, his eyes lingering on me.

"Okay, tell me if my biceps are good or not," I challenged, pulling off my t-shirt.

"Mine are better," he replied.

I grabbed his hand, pressing it against my bicep. "See the strength, baby? Yours are nothing compared to mine."

"You are creepy," he said, pulling his hand away, a slight shyness on his cheeks.

"And you don't know how to appreciate something truly wonderful," I countered, closing the distance between us, the air thickening with unspoken tension.

"Vardhaan Bhai and Vishal have better than yours," he declared with defiance in his eyes.

"Huh, those Yaduvanshi brothers are nothing before me," I announced, a competitive fire igniting within me.

Before I could press my point, my phone rang, Vinay Rathi, my secretary, flashing on the screen.

"Yes?" I answered, my patience already thin due to his intruption.

"Sir, the foreign dealers are coming in an hour," he informed me,  reminding my responsibilities.

"Vinay Rathi, your timing is really bad," I muttered, cutting the call, annoyed by the interruption to our conversation.

"Don't roam naked in the house," I heard Veer say as he stepped out.

I quickly changed into my office suit and headed to the living room, where our house helper had already laid out breakfast.

"Can you make me a cup of coffee?" I asked Veer, noticing my previous cup had grown cold.

"Make it yourself," he replied, stuffing a sandwich into his mouth, utterly unbothered. This little kid definitely deserved a punishment.

"It's your day off. At least sympathize with this working man who has to go to the office on weekends too," I said manipulating him little bit.

"Okay, okay, I'm making it, don't be so dramatic," he agreed, stepping into the kitchen. I followed him silently.

He focused on the coffee, completely absorbed in the task, while I indulged in simply watching him—this divine creation. I approached him at the counter, placing my hands on either side, effectively cornering him. He turned, his nose lightly brushing my chin. He looked up, and in that moment, the world ceased to exist.

I stared into his eyes, lost in their depths, but he quickly averted his gaze, placing a hand on my chest, a futile attempt to push me away—an effort I knew he couldn't succeed at unless I allowed it.

"D...don't block my way," he stammered, his eyes still cast downwards.

"I'm just taking a mug," I whispered, reaching for a mug from the shelf,  backing off slightly. He returned to his work, and I remained, silently observing his every move, my arms folded across my chest.

"Here," he said, placing the steaming mug on the table before me.

"Thank you," I replied, gently ruffling his hair.

"I'm not sure if it's good or not," he mumbled, watching me with an expectant gaze as I took a sip. It wasn't extraordinary, not a masterpiece, but in that moment, it was the most delicious coffee I had ever tasted, simply because his hands had made it.

The thought of him making it for me every day filled me with a quiet joy.

"How's it?" he asked being impatient to listen my judgement.

"Delicious," I declared, my voice firm.

"Tell me the truth," he insisted, a hint of doubt in his tone.

"Okay, taste it yourself," I offered, holding out my mug. He took a sip, his brow furrowing slightly.

"It's not that good. Don't drink it," he said, about to tip it into the sink, but I quickly grasped his hand.

"Don't. I really liked it," I said, taking the mug back.

"As you wish," he replied, and moved to the breakfast table.

"When will your Bhabhi come?" I asked, breaking the  silence.

"Maybe after twelve," he replied.

"Okay, I'm going. Lock the door and don't open it for any stranger," I instructed, because mind shifting to the dangers that lurked for Omkar Ranawat and my close one, my rivals always seeking a weakness that could destroy this empire.

"Okay, sir," he replied, his face a mask of annoyance at my protective words.

In the office, my eyes kept drifting to Veer's empty desk. Before I met him, this intense craving, this consuming obsession, hadn't existed. But after experiencing life with him, even for a short time, it felt impossible to be apart. This longing was becoming dangerous for my fragile heart, a heart that stood a ninety-nine percent chance of being utterly shattered by him. If he didn't reciprocate my feelings, if his interest lay solely in women, there was nothing I could do. The thought of his inherent preference for women was my greatest nightmare. I couldn't bear to see disgust in his eyes, though hatred I might endure. But if my very presence repulsed him, that would be the end of me.

Yet, even with a mere one percent possibility, I would try to make him understand my love. Perhaps he wouldn't love me back, but at the very least, he might come to respect the depth of affection I had held for him for two and a half years.

After a day of balancing office accounts and back-to-back meetings, I finally sank into my office chair, gazing out the window. The evening haze was settling on the monuments, painting a beautiful, tranquil scene. Yet, even this calm atmosphere couldn't soothe the turmoil within me, the  fear of losing the life I'd built with Veer over the past few days.

"Cancel all my further meetings until tomorrow," I announced to my secretary, the words sharp with an urgency I couldn't contain, and then I practically dashed out of the office.

On the drive home, my eyes landed on an ice cream shop. I knew girls often liked ice cream, chocolate, and "flowery" things—my elder sister had made me these things for her, But for boys, I wasn't so sure. Should I buy him beer instead? After a brief internal struggle, I decided on ice cream, reasoning that we already had plenty of alcohol stocked at home.

Reaching the penthouse door, I unlocked it and stepped inside. The sight that greeted me was utterly captivating. Veer was on the living room floor, completely engrossed in playing a baby, both surrounded by  balloons.

"Chachu,"  tiny voices chirped, placing a balloon on Veer's head. Both of them giggled, lost in their own world, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

"Namaste," a woman's voice said, and my gaze shifted to her as she emerged from the kitchen.

"Bhabhi, namaste," I replied, instinctively bending to touch her feet.

"Oh, please don't," she said, gently stopping me.

"Vardhaan would kill me if he heard I disrespected you, his only wife," I teased, and she laughed.

"Don't worry about that, I'm on your side," she countered playfully.

"Why didn't my friend follow you here?" I asked, a hint of curiosity in my voice. "From what I know, he's quite possessive about you. He used to get jealous whenever I mentioned you."

"He's busy," she replied simply.

"How is Veer at the office?" she then asked, changing the subject. "Did he make friends there?"

"He's quite diligent in his work," I explained. "And as for friends, you must know his introverted nature." She nodded in understanding, acknowledging my statement with a soft smile.

Oh, you came early today," Veer said, his gaze meeting mine. The little baby, startled by a stranger, tried to hide deeper in Veer's arms.

"Yes, work finished early today," I replied, a soft smile forming as I approached them.

"Have you both eaten?" I asked, my voice gentle.

"I'll make it today," Bhabhi replied, her own smile warm and inviting.

"No, you're our guest. I should be the one to cook. You just relax and enjoy your time with Veer," I insisted.

"It's okay. Veer wanted to eat my cooking today. You can cook for us some other time; Veer told me you're a wonderful cook," she said, her approachability and kindness shining through without any hint of pretense. It was clear then why Vardhaan was so deeply in love with her.

"Okay, but at least let me help you," I offered, and she readily agreed.

"Veer, look, learn something from Omkar bhai," she gently chided Veer, a playful glint in her eyes.

"You don't have to worry about him; I'll cook for him," I said, my words carrying more meaning than I intended as I found Veer's intense gaze fixed on me.

"You can't do that forever," she replied, her tone light, but the truth of her words stung a little. I couldn't voice the silent thought, the  wish that I was willing to do just that – cook for him, care for him, be there for him forever if he'd only let me.

"Mamma, Mamma!" the baby cried, pulling Bhabhi's attention away. She went to him immediately, scooping him into her arms.

Veer then moved towards me, his eyes still holding that captivating intensity.

"Is this for us?" he asked, indicating the ice cream bag in my hand.

"Oh! Yeah," I stammered slightly, caught off guard by his directness. "Do you like ice cream?"

"Who doesn't like ice cream, Mr. Ranawat?" he said with a hint of amusement, taking the bag from my hand and placing it carefully in the fridge.

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