Morning sunlight streamed through the thin hotel curtains, tracing golden lines across tangled sheets and tangled limbs.
Hiya stirred first, cheek nestled against the warmth of Dev's bare shoulder, her fingers still curled lightly against his chest. His arms instinctively tightened around her, even in sleep.
She watched him quietly, eyes tracing the gentle scruff on his jaw, the softness of his lashes, the faintest hint of a frown even in peace.
"Still thinking too much," she whispered, pressing a feather-light kiss to his collarbone.
Dev's eyes fluttered open slowly, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "That's because you're sleeping like a cat on my heart."
She grinned and propped herself up, the oversized shirt slipping slightly down one shoulder. "You complaining?"
He caught her waist and pulled her back into him. "Never."
Their lips met again — slow, sweet, a kiss that tasted of warmth and shared silence. His fingers skimmed down her back, hers tangled in his hair.
"I've been given a fifteen-day leave," he murmured between kisses.
She blinked. "Really?"
He nodded. "I thought we could… go somewhere. Just us."
Hiya paused, resting her forehead against his. "I want to go with you… but not for a trip."
He looked at her, confused.
"I want to see where you live. Your desk. Your kitchen. Your balcony. I want to make tea there. Wrap your books in brown paper. Fill that place with me."
His breath caught — not at the words, but at the devotion behind them.
"Then we'll go home," he whispered.
They left after breakfast, Dev holding her hand almost possessively the entire way. Hiya leaned against his shoulder in the train, her eyes closed, her fingers tracing his pulse absentmindedly.
But as they reached the gate of his residence — the familiar lane lined with flowering trees — Dev slowed his steps.
Someone was standing near the entrance.
A woman.
Tall, elegant, her hair in a neat ponytail, wearing a beige coat and sunglasses.
Dev stiffened slightly. "Devika?"
The woman turned, relief flooding her face. "Dev! Thank god. You didn't reply to my messages. I was worried."
Hiya felt Dev's arm around her tighten.
He cleared his throat. "I was… caught up. What are you doing here?"
Devika stepped forward, her eyes flicking toward Hiya before returning to him. "I just… needed to see if you were okay. You've been off lately. Everyone noticed."
Before Dev could respond, Hiya took a small step forward, offering a gentle smile.
"I'm Hiya," she said softly. "His wife."
Devika's smile faltered — just a flicker — before recovering into practiced politeness.
"Oh. I see. That's… unexpected."
Hiya tilted her head slightly, her voice sweet but not naive. "We don't share much online. We prefer privacy."
Dev glanced at Hiya — at the soft glint of mischief in her eyes, the calm steel behind her softness.
She was claiming him. Proudly.
And that old pout on her lips — the one he hadn't seen in weeks — made his heart ache with warmth.
Devika looked between them, her smile growing stiff. "Well. Congratulations. You must be very special."
Hiya nodded gently. "I like to think so."
Devika's eyes lingered just a moment too long before she gave a quick wave. "I'll get going then. Glad you're okay, Dev."
"Thanks," he said with a brief nod.
When she was out of earshot, Dev leaned in toward Hiya, lips brushing her ear. "Were you… jealous?"
Hiya narrowed her eyes and smiled. "No. But I am territorial."
He chuckled. "You didn't have to tell her."
"Yes, I did," she said, stepping into his arms as they crossed the threshold of his residence. "Because she needed to know what home looks like."
He kissed her then — deeply, firmly, inside the quiet of the house that would never be empty again.