Page 101 of Cherish my Heart

I’m not someone easily accepted. I know that. My name comes with a certain weight, and my presence, a certain discomfort. But stepping into her living room today, the warmth hits me before I have barely taken the last step. Her mom calls mebetawithout hesitation. Aarav jokes about how I look too serious for someone dating his sister. Shivani hands me a glass of juice, and Anika insists I sit in the dining room; there’s no formality here—we’re all family.

Family.

It's a loud word. A big word. But it fits in this house.

Except for one pair of eyes burning holes into me.

Rudraksh.

He hasn’t said a word to me. Not directly. But he’s watching. Every blink. Every breath. Every glance I give his sister.

I’m not surprised.

She talks about him often. With irritation, with affection, with that exasperated sort of love reserved only for people you can’t live with but wouldn’t dream of living without. I’ve neverhad a sibling, but I understand possessiveness now, after I met Aditi. I understand protectiveness. I understand wanting to keep someone safe, even if you don’t know how.

Eventually, the room thins out. Her mother goes to check on lunch, Aditi disappears with her bhabhi, and Rudrani runs after the cat—leaving just the two of us. I don’t flinch when he walks toward me.

He doesn’t speak until he sits next to me. Arms folded, jaw tight. Like he’s still deciding whether to punch me or not.

“You break her heart,” he says quietly, too calm for comfort, “I’ll ruin you.”

His voice isn’t threatening. It’s a statement of fact. The way someone might say, “It’s going to rain.”Not personal. Just inevitable.

I keep my eyes on him. I owe him honesty, if nothing else.

“I’m not afraid of you ruining me,” I say calmly. “I think Aditi already did that when she walked into my life and turned everything upside down.”

His brows twitch slightly.

“But I’m not here to break her. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. All I want is her. And I will spend every single day making sure she’s happy. You have my word.”

His gaze doesn’t soften, but I see something shift. Maybe the tiniest crack in the wall.

“I’ll be watching,” he says eventually, getting up.

“I’d expect nothing less.”

Before he can leave, there’s a tug on my hand. Small fingers curl around mine.

I look down to see Rudrani standing there in her little pink frock with sparkles on the sleeves and a question in her eyes.

“I have already given you my blessing for the wedding, but I have some questions,” she asks, deadly serious, head tilted like she’s conducting an interview.

I bite back a smile.

“Thank you. What are the questions?” I say, crouching to her level.

She narrows her eyes. “Do you like Simbu?”

“I guess so.” I look at the cat beside her, glaring at me.

“Do you know how to braid hair?”

“...I can learn.”

“Okay,” she nods with great gravity. “Then you may stay.”

“Also, Mumma is calling you both in the dining hall.” She pats my shoulder like she’s blessing me again with a knighthood and runs off again. I glance up just in time to see Rudraksh trying—and failing—not to laugh.