The college gates buzzed with the usual morning chaos, students chattering, bikes revving, and the air thick with anticipation. But all attention immediately converged on one figure—Yuvaan Pratap Singh. The moment he stepped out of the car, perfectly dressed in black, hair slightly tousled by the morning breeze, the crowd of girls practically swooned.
Kiara's jaw tightened, blood simmering in her veins as she watched them swarm around him, giggling and whispering. She gritted her teeth. Every. Single. Day.
And then she saw her.
Aishwarya.
Aishwarya swept through the girls like a storm, her smile wide and confident, and wrapped her arms around Yuvaan. "Sugar baby!" she purred, her voice dripping with infuriating familiarity.
Kiara's mind raced back to a few days ago—the time she had called Yuvaan's phone, only for Aishwarya to pick it up, lying effortlessly that he was with her. Heat surged in Kiara's chest, boiling her blood.
Without a second thought, she stepped forward, moving like a predator. With a swift motion, she separated Aishwarya from Yuvaan, planting herself firmly by his side. Her fingers curled around his arm, holding him close.
Their eyes met. Yuvaan's gaze darkened, locking with Kiara's fierce, unwavering stare. For a moment, the world around them seemed to blur—the chatter, the crowd, even Aishwarya's shocked gasp faded into nothing.
Aishwarya's grin faltered, replaced by a flash of anger.
Kiara leaned closer, voice calm but laced with steel. "Keep your distance from him," she said, letting every word carry weight. "No matter how hot, handsome, or tempting he is… because he is my husband. And don't you forget it."
Kiara rested her right hand possessively on Yuvaan, who secretly couldn't help but feel a warm, dangerous thrill at her assertion.
The old tension flared again. Kiara's eyes narrowed at Aishwarya. "Now, return his phone. My husband's phone."
Aishwarya's pride cracked; humiliation flashed across her face. With a sharp exhale, she reluctantly handed the phone over. Kiara took it smoothly, tucking it safely away with a polite, "Thank you."
Yuvaan's smirk widened, crimson eyes sparkling with mischief. Kiara's hand tightened around his, and she said softly, "Baby, let's go to the cafeteria."
"Baby?" Yuvaan's voice was teasing, amused, and undeniably pleased.
Kiara pinched his arm lightly, a glare masking her smile, and began to lead him through the crowd. Yuvaan chuckled, allowing himself to be guided, watching the subtle fire in her eyes.
Aishwarya stood frozen, her fists clenching. "This isn't over, Kiara," she whispered under her breath, her teeth gritted. "You've humiliated me… and I will teach you a lesson."
Kiara, unaware of the silent threat, led Yuvaan toward the cafeteria, a triumphant glint in her eyes. And Yuvaan? He walked beside her, secretly savoring every second of it.
The corridor to the cafeteria was quieter than usual, the chatter of students fading behind them as Yuvaan and Kiara walked side by side. The tension between them was palpable—electric, teasing, and thrilling all at once.
Without warning, Yuvaan slipped his hand around Kiara's waist, guiding her into an empty classroom nearby. The door clicked shut behind them. In the dim light, the air seemed to thrum with anticipation.
Before Kiara could protest, Yuvaan pressed her gently against the wall, his presence overwhelming. Their eyes locked, black meeting brown, and Kiara felt her pulse spike.
"Y-Yuvaan… what… what are you doing?" she stammered, cheeks warming as she tried to look anywhere but him.
He tilted his head, a slow, teasing smile playing on his lips. "Oh, wifey… you were quite the show back there," he murmured, referring to her earlier confrontation with Aishwarya. "Tell me… do you really want to give our… relationship a chance?"
Kiara's gaze darted away shyly, her fingers twisting at the hem of her jacket. "I… I don't know," she whispered, almost breathless. "You'll… have to walk harder."
Yuvaan's smirk widened, crimson eyes glinting with mischief. He leaned closer, his voice low and velvety. "Is that a challenge, wifey?"
Before she could reply, he pressed a long, teasing peck to her cheek. The warmth of it lingered, sending shivers down her spine. Kiara's breath hitched, and her heart pounded audibly in the silence of the empty classroom.
"You—" she began, flustered, trying to regain composure, but Yuvaan's mischievous grin stopped her words.
"Relax," he whispered, voice playful yet commanding. "We'll walk… slowly. But remember, wifey… villains always take the lead."
Kiara's cheeks flamed, her mind a chaotic storm of embarrassment, excitement, and a little fear. And somehow… she liked every second of it.
Deep within the dark, sprawling halls of Kaal Vansh, shadows twisted and flickered against the obsidian walls. Betty and Tulika knelt before Taamsi, their expressions a mix of apprehension and urgency.
"Dark Lady," Betty began cautiously, "Yuvaan… he's completely smitten with that Reevavanshi girl. If he continues down this path, the upcoming war during the Great Eclipse may not favor us. His allegiance could turn against us."
Tulika nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mistress. His heart seems… distracted. Our forces might falter if he fights for them instead of Kaal Vansh."
Taamsi's eyes, sharp and calculating, glimmered in the dim light. She leaned forward slightly, her voice low and chilling. "Hmph. So, the prodigal dark lord is entangled in the web of affection. Very well… if he refuses to walk the path of darkness willingly, I will have to ensure he is reminded of the destiny he truly belongs to."
Betty and Tulika exchanged a nervous glance. "What… what will you do, Mistress?" Betty whispered, almost afraid to speak the words aloud.
A slow, cold smile spread across Taamsi's lips. "I will pull him back… whether he wants it or not. For the path of the Dark Lord leaves no room for hesitation or love. Yuvaan belongs to Kaal Vansh… and I will make him remember that."
The shadows in the hall seemed to deepen, curling around Taamsi like living serpents, as the fate of the Reevavanshi and the Dark Lord teetered on the edge of the Great Eclipse.