As Tania finished wrapping her hijab, Sarfaraaz pushed himself up from the hospital bed, his movements slow but determined.

"Wait!" Tania called out, her voice laced with concern.

She stepped closer, stopping the IV drip before gently removing it from his arm. "It’s finished anyway," she muttered, her fingers lingering for a moment before she stepped back.

"Do you need help walking?" she asked softly, her tone betraying her worry.

"Your monster isn’t that weak, Édesem," Sarfaraaz replied, a weak chuckle escaping his lips.

They left the hospital room together, making their way toward where Rahat had been kept. As they walked down the hallway, all eyes seemed to be pulled toward Sarfaraaz. Whispers rippled through the air, and the nurses shamelessly ogled him. His injury did little to diminish his striking appearance. If anything, the bandages across his arm and abdomen only added to his rugged allure. His chiseled abs and the sharp V-line on display drew every woman's gaze, their admiration barely concealed.

Tania noticed. A slow burn of irritation spread through her, something unexplainable twisting in her chest. Her fists clenched involuntarily before she grabbed his arm and tugged him back toward the room.

"What are you doing, Hazel?" Sarfaraaz asked, his brows furrowing in surprise.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she reached for the spare white bedsheet folded on the side table, snapping it open in one swift motion. Without hesitation, she tiptoed, wrapping the sheet around his broad frame, her movements brisk but firm.

"What do you think you’re doing, Édesem?" he asked, amusement dancing in his dark brown eyes.

"The way they’re looking at you... it’s disgusting," she muttered, her voice sharp with indignation. "No shame at all. I’m just saving your dignity."

A smirk curved his lips as he watched her, the spark of jealousy in her eyes unmistakable despite her attempt to mask it. He adjusted the sheet around him, his gaze never leaving her face.

"Jealous, Hazel?" he teased, his voice dripping with amusement. "And here I thought I was the one always called possessive."

She shot him a death glare, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her. "People don’t care about decency anymore," she muttered under her breath. "Bhalai ka zamana hi uth gaya." ( Time of good deeds has gone)

"But you… you’re absolutely adorable when you’re being territorial, you know that," he added, his hand gently caressing her head.

Her glare intensified, but she couldn’t stop the faint flutter in her chest at his soft gesture.

"Thodi si toh jealousy banti hai, jab aapka banda itna handsome ho, haina?" he said, his smirk laced with pride.
("A little jealousy is justified when your man is this handsome, isn’t it?")

"Don’t flatter yourself," she retorted, her voice sharp, though her faint blush gave her away. "Rahat Bhai must be waiting to see you."

With that, she turned abruptly, leaving him chuckling softly as he watched her walk away.

"Hey, Wait for me..." he said from behind.

___________________________________

Rabba... I’ll go mad someday like this. What’s gotten into me to act that way? And now this shameless man has the audacity to taunt me for it.

As we reached Rahat Bhai’s room, my eyes fell on Shanaya. She was standing there, looking at Rahat Bhai, and he was looking back at her. There was something in the air...something heavy and unspoken that made the room feel tense.

To cut through the awkwardness, I cleared my throat.
"Rahat Bhai," I called softly.

Rayan stood right behind me, his presence grounding yet overwhelming.
"Hey, Tania. You’re here, sister," Rahat Bhai replied looking surprised , his voice weak but steady.

Shanaya’s gaze shifted to me. This time, it wasn’t sharp or venomous like before. I caught her eyes and offered her a small smile. To my surprise, she didn’t look away or scoff.

"How are you feeling now, Sarf… Sarfaraaz?" she asked hesitantly, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it.

"I’m okay," Rayan replied before walking over to Rahat Bhai’s bed and smacking his uninjured shoulder lightly.

"You scared me, you bastard," he said, his voice gruff but full of concern.

"Damn you, Sarfaraaz. That hurts, you f–" Rahat stopped mid-sentence when his eyes flickered to me.

"Well, I won’t curse when the girls are here. But seriously, why the hell are you wrapped up like a corpse in that white sheet?Are you seriously  planning to live as the living dead?" he teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Ask that to your sister," Rayan said, winking at me with a smirk that made my face flush.

I couldn’t help but admire the bond they shared. It was refreshing to see Rayan like this natural, humane, and unguarded.

Shanaya, however, looked out of place. She was fidgeting with her fingers, her unease evident, but she stayed quiet.

"Jokes aside," Rahat said, his tone shifting to something darker. "I swear I’m going to kill that bastard with my own hand. It hurt like hell." He winced, touching his bandaged shoulder.

"They must’ve thought we’d already retrieved it. That’s why they dared to attack us so directly," Rayan said, his voice laced with fury as his eyes darkened.

What did they retrieve that nearly cost his and Rahat Bhai his life? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

"Yeah, we’re on the right track," Rahat Bhai agreed. Then his gaze softened as he added, "But let’s not scare the girls." His eyes flickered to Shanaya, whose pale face and clenched fists told me she was barely holding herself together.

"I should be going," she said suddenly, turning to leave.

"Wait," Rayan called out, stopping her in her tracks.

"Stay with Rahat for a while," he said firmly.

Both Rahat Bhai and Shanaya’s eyes widened at his words, a moment of surprise passing between them as they exchanged glances.

Wait… is there something going on here? I wondered, watching the unspoken tension unfold.

"Nope. She just got back from traveling. She needs rest," Rahat Bhai said quickly, brushing off Rayan’s suggestion.

"No," Shanaya interjected, her voice steadier now. "I’ll stay. Just for a little while longer."

Her gaze lingered on Rahat Bhai, and something about the way she looked at him made me feel like I was intruding on something private.

"Alright," Rahat Bhai said, his attention shifting to me. "Send her back to her hostel, Sarfaraaz. She has a test in a few days."

I blinked in surprise. Rahat Bhai remembered. I’d mentioned it to him two days ago when he called to check on me.

"Yeah..." Rayan let out a disappointed sigh, his reluctance evident.

Why did it feel like he didn’t want me to leave?
_______________________

When I returned to his hospital room, I grabbed my phone and purse, hesitating at the door. A part of me...a large part wanted to stay with him. To be there, to see this rare tenderness in his eyes just a little longer.

But I couldn’t.

Because once I stepped into that house again, there would be no going back. It would be an injustice to my existence, my pride, and to that fragile part of my heart still bearing the fresh wounds of being disowned by my own father.

Yet, as much as I tried to resist, there is nothing more betrayer, more dangerous, than one’s own heart.

"I’ll be going now," I said softly, unable to meet his gaze. "Take care of yourself. And tell Muneeb that his Auntie sent him lots of kisses. Also, Marshmallow... take care of him for..."

Before I could finish, he grabbed my hand, his touch firm yet gentle.

"Hazel..." His voice was low, filled with an unspoken longing that made my resolve waver. "Can’t you stay a little longer?"

I looked away, unable to face the emotions in his dark brown eyes.

"Let me fulfill your birthday wish, at least," he added, his tone softer now, almost pleading.

"Birthday wish?" I repeated, my brows furrowing in confusion.

He gave a small, bittersweet smile. "I was going to give you a surprise today anyway. But things didn’t go as planned because of some..." He paused, clenching his fists, the anger flickering in his eyes.

"But it’s even better now," he continued, his expression softening. "Better than some stupid surprise birthday party arranged by your hostel mates."

Wait. What? My hostel mates?

Realization hit me like a wave. He had been planning a party for me... through them?

Before I could process the thought, he added, "Let me make a few calls. Just sit here for a little while. Please."

His words tugged at something deep inside me, and though I knew I should walk away, I couldn’t bring myself to move. A part of me..an undeniably curious part wanted to know what he had planned for me.

So, I stayed.
__________________________________

Thirty minutes later, Rayan’s phone buzzed with a text. A slow, knowing smile curved on his lips as he glanced at the screen.

"Get up," he said, standing from the bed. His hand reached out to me, firm yet gentle, as he pointed toward the door. "We need to go somewhere."

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, rising from the chair. My voice betrayed my surprise and confusion.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he started walking, his hold on my hand steady but not forceful.

Reluctantly, I followed him, though my nerves grew more intense as we approached his car.

Was he planning to drive in his condition? Injured and bandaged?

No way. Not happening.

I yanked my hand free with a sharp jerk, my heart pounding in both frustration and worry. "Where are you taking me, Rayan? Let go of me!"

He turned to me, his expression unreadable, his tone unwavering. "I’m taking you to meet your prince charming. So, stay quiet."

I froze, his words echoing in my mind. "My prince charming?" I repeated in a whisper.

He didn’t answer immediately, but the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips which vanished in a second.

"How did you find him so soon?" I asked, in disbelief.

"That’s not something you need to worry about. I have my ways. I know your life more than yourself" he replied, his tone calm yet laced with something I couldn’t quite place.

"Focus on your evening date with him."

I should have been excited. Thrilled, even.

But instead, a strange pang shot through my heart, one I couldn’t explain.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at him firmly. "Okay. But don’t you dare drive today. It might open your wound."

"Alright, pri... Édesem," he replied, his voice soft, yet there was something off. He was acting strange, and it unsettled me.

______________________________

After an hour and a half, the car came to a halt in front of an old mansion that looked like a castle. Even in the dim evening light, the structure exuded both a regal charm and a haunting allure.

"Where are we, Sarfaraaz?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"It used to be an old palace," he said, his voice resolute. "Since you’re meeting your prince charming after so many years of waiting, I wanted to create the perfect ambiance for you."

His words, so determined, only made guilt stir in my chest.

"You... you didn’t have to do all this," I murmured.

"It was your wish, Édesem," he said, his gaze avoiding mine. "At least this is the best I could do for your birthday. Not every day you'll turn 22"

_____________________________

Once we stepped inside, I was mesmerized by the elegance of the place. The golden-themed interior perfectly complemented its royal vibe, and the large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled like a constellation of stars.

"When did you arrange all this?" I asked, awe-struck.

"Two hours is more than enough,” he replied with a casual shrug, then gestured toward a nearby room. "Let’s get you ready first."

He led me into the room, where two women were waiting, their eyes lighting up as we entered.

"Get her ready like a princess," he instructed them, his voice deep and commanding.

"Rayan!" I exclaimed, surprised by his extravagance.

"Don’t say anything," he said softly, his fingers brushing my cheek. "You deserve this."

His touch lingered a moment too long, leaving my skin warm as he turned and walked out of the room.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I whispered to the empty air.

All my life, I had dreamed of meeting my prince charming, my mysterious first crush or love whatever it was. But now... now it felt different. Wrong.

How could I feel excited when my own husband was giving me this princess treatment to meet another man, someone who felt more like a stranger than a dream?

This wasn’t the birthday I had wished for.
_______________________________

I sat in silence as the beauticians worked on my face, their chatter a distant hum in the background. My expression remained blank, my thoughts drifting far away.

When they finished, they brought out a beautiful Victorian-style corset gown.

"Sir wanted you to wear this," one of the women said, holding the dress with reverence.

I nodded quietly and asked them to leave while I changed.

Slipping into the gown, I called them back to help fasten the laces. But before they could approach, a familiar scent enveloped me–wood and moss.

Sarfaraaz.

My breath hitched when I saw him standing behind me in the mirror. His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto mine. I felt exposed and vulnerable under his gaze; the corset was sleeveless, leaving my shoulders bare, while the extra full-sleeved shrug still rested on the dressing table.

Without a word, he reached for the lace of my corset gown. His fingers brushed against my back, sending a shiver down my spine. Slowly, deliberately, he began tightening the lace.

I couldn’t help but watch him in the mirror. The intensity in his gaze, the way his jaw tightened with every pull–it was impossible to look away.

"Are you really okay with this?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. "Going on a date with another man… wearing this, chosen by you?"

His hands paused for the briefest moment, and then he pulled the lace tighter, making me gasp as the corset hugged my body. My breath hitched, and my cleavage became more prominent, framed perfectly by the delicate fabric.

I caught his eyes in the mirror, and my heart skipped a beat. His gaze wasn’t just intense. It  was possessive, darkened with a purpose that made my skin tingle.

"Anything to make your wish come true," he said, his voice low, almost a growl. His lips curved into a faint, dangerous smirk. "I bet I won’t regret it."

His words were calm, but the storm in his eyes told a different story. It was as if he were daring me, testing the limits of my resolve.

I looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. My pulse raced, my mind torn between the excitement of meeting my "prince charming" and the undeniable tension crackling between us.

When he finished, his hands lingered on my waist for a moment too long before stepping back.

"You’re missing something....a perfect pair of heels," he murmured.

He bent down and pulled out a box from under the couch, one I hadn’t noticed before.

When he opened it, a breathtaking pair of heels gleamed inside.

"This…" I began, taken aback. I wasn’t usually a fan of high heels, but these were awe-inspiring.

He made me sit on the couch, kneeling before me. The gesture left me stunned.

"Give me your feet, Hazel," he said, his voice low yet commanding.

"Rayan… this isn’t..."

"Shh… let me," he interrupted, gently pulling my foot out from beneath the gown. He slipped the heels on, one by one, his touch light and deliberate.

"They look like they were made for you, Édesem," he murmured, his fingers brushing over my feet. His touch was silky, velvety, making my knees feel weak.

"Isteni," he whispered in Hungarian. (Divine.) His voice was softer now, but no less intense. "You look perfect, Édesem."

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath.

If you really want this, fine. Let it be this way.

"Thanks. For everything. I’ll enjoy a good date," I said defiantly, pulling the full-sleeved shrug over the gown.

He said nothing, simply staring at me, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he turned and left, leaving me alone in the room, drowning in the chaos of my own heart.

_________________________________

Once Sarfaraaz left the room, the beauticians re-entered to help Tania with her hair.

"Don’t make it too complex. Just clip it up," she instructed curtly. "I’ll wear a scarf over it anyway."

Her voice betrayed the bitterness slowly building inside her. The excitement of meeting her "prince charming" was starting to feel hollow.

Once she was ready, one of the women smiled. "Ma’am, please proceed to the hall. Your guest will arrive at any moment."

Tania’s heart raced at the thought. Nervousness churned in her stomach as she walked toward the hall. Her palms felt sweaty, and her breaths came shallow.

The hall was dimly lit, with scented candles casting a soft glow over the dining table. Soft music floated in the air, creating a magical ambiance.

But it did nothing to calm the storm inside her. If anything, the perfection of the setting only raised her inner chaos. A pang of guilt stabbed at her chest. She felt like she was cheating on Sarfaraaz. An irrational thought, considering the fragile state of their marriage. Still, her heart knew her better than anyone else

Her thoughts shattered as the door creaked open.

Her heart drummed wildly as someone stepped inside, dressed in regal attire.

No.

This can’t be.

She blinked, her body freezing in place as recognition struck her like a thunderbolt. Her hand instinctively flew to her lips in shock.

"You?"

"I know it’s a shock," he said, his voice calm but edged with something deeper. "But it’s the truth. Broad as daylight, true as the sun and moon."

Sarfaraaz Talukder Rayan stood before her, wearing the attire of a prince. The intricate embroidery and royal flair perfectly synchronized with his aura. His tall frame, broad shoulders, and muscular build were impossible to miss, even under this elegant costume. His regal mustache added a touch of medieval dominance, making him look like a Sultan straight out of history.

Tania stared, her mind struggling to comprehend.

"This… this is a lie. How?" Her voice trembled, her confusion clear.

"No, Édesem," he said softly, closing the distance between them. Without hesitation, he reached out, loosening the scarf wrapped loosely around her hair. He gently pulled the clip from her hair, his movements tender yet deliberate.

"This," he murmured, holding the clip between his fingers, "I gave it to you on your first birthday. I bought it for my mother, but before I could give it to her… she was gone." His voice cracked, barely a whisper.

"When I saw you for the first time, you looked so angelic. So I felt like giving it to you. So, I gave you this."

Tania’s breath caught in her throat. Words seemed to vanish as his confession washed over her. Shock mingled with an unexpected sense of relief.

"At first, I was surprised when you mentioned your ‘prince charming,’" he continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Even if you can’t see me as him yet, I wanted you to live the dream you’ve always had."

Her eyes stung with unshed tears. "You have no idea how guilty you made me feel," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I thought..how could you give me a makeover for another man when you claimed to love me?"

"I wouldn’t even think about it," he replied, his voice darkening as his hands slid possessively around her waist.

"I booked you for myself the moment my eyes landed on you," he said, his tone low and deliberate. "Whether it was affection or something else, I don’t know. Call it fate or my own doing I don't fucking care. You were mine from the start, Hazel. Only mine."

Her hazel eyes widened, locking onto his. The weight of his words settled heavily in her chest.

Then, as though realizing the intensity of the moment, he stepped back, his expression softening.

"Shit," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I’m ruining your special day."

He inhaled deeply, composing himself, before extending his hand toward her. His voice was velvet-smooth as he said, "Let’s forget who we are for tonight. Spend this night with your prince charming, Princess."

For a moment, she remained frozen, staring at his outstretched hand. Then, with a deep breath, she placed her hand in his.

"You’ll be the death of me, Sarfaraaz Talukder Rayan," she murmured, her voice filled with equal parts frustration and surrender.

Yet, there was also something which made her feel safe with– her Prince Charming, her forced Husband who slowly started to become her everything despite the storm raging within her.
___________________________________

How was it?✨💖

Spoiler : "Give me the honor of pleasing you, My Princess" his voice low, almost pleading crumbling the last piece of resistance she had.