The bottle spun faster, blurring into a streak of light against the backdrop of fairy lights and laughter.
Everyone leaned in closer, hearts thudding in unison.
And then — it wobbled... slowed... and pointed straight at Rudra.
Anaya, who had been too busy stealing glances at Rudra's silent mischief, blinked in surprise.
All eyes turned to Ria, expectant.
Ria grinned mischievously, then turned to Anaya."Can I?" she asked, her eyebrows dancing.
Anaya, feeling the weight of Rudra's calm presence beside her, simply nodded, a tiny, secret smile playing at her lips.(Anaya's inner monologue: Ask something I want to know too!)
Ria's grin widened even more as she turned back dramatically and said,"Bhai, Truth or Dare?"
Without missing a beat, Rudra answered, voice low and steady,"Truth."
Ria almost clapped in excitement.
She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, eyes gleaming.
"Rudra bhai aur Anaya doll," (Rudra bhai and Anaya doll,) she teased, "ye jo bracelet aap dono ne pehna hai... kya ye koi device hai?"(this bracelet you both are wearing... is it some kind of device?)
For a second, everyone went quiet.
Ravi and Aarav, who until now had been too busy teasing each other, finally noticed the matching bracelets shining softly on Rudra and Anaya's wrists.
Their curiosity piqued instantly.
They exchanged a look, eyebrows raised, then turned their attention sharply back to Rudra.
Rudra chuckled softly, running his thumb along the simple band on his wrist.
"Yes," he said casually, "it's a device. Aur ye hum dono—main aur Anaya—ne milkar custom banwaya hai."(and this... me and Anaya custom-made together.)
Ria's face lit up with glee."This is too easy!" she sang, laughing.
Before anyone could ask more, Rudra reached forward smoothly and spun the bottle again.
This time, it spun lazily, wobbling as if drunk itself, before finally stopping at Janvi's side.
Ria, still grinning, turned one eye closed dramatically at Janvi, teasing.
Rudra leaned forward slightly, voice playful,"So, Janvi... Truth or Dare?"
Janvi hesitated for half a second, pretending to weigh her options, then tossed her hair and said boldly,"Truth!"
Rudra's smirk deepened."Alright," he said smoothly, "do you have a crush on someone?"
Janvi laughed — loud and unapologetic."Nope, sir! Main independent hoon!"(Nope, sir! I'm independent!)
The girls burst into giggles at the way she said it — proud, defiant.
Even Anaya chuckled, nudging Ria gently.
Janvi got up with a dramatic twirl."Now it's my turn!" she announced grandly.
She spun the bottle hard.
It made a sharp whirring sound, a blur of pink and green dust... and stopped in front of Ravi.
Everyone cheered.
Janvi folded her arms and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Truth or Dare, Ravi?" she asked sweetly.
Ravi, trying to look braver than he felt, answered,"Dare."
Janvi's smile turned predatory.
"So, Mr. Ravi," she said with a glint in her eye, "show us your childhood picture."
The whole circle erupted in 'Ooooooh!' sounds.
Ravi froze for a moment, then glanced helplessly at Rudra.
In a serious, almost betrayed tone, Ravi said,"Ab main kya karun?"(What should I even do now?)
Aarav leaned back, laughing, and said,"Dekha bhi nahi kaunsa mood mein dare bola tha!"(Didn't even check what mood you were in before saying dare!)
Grumbling under his breath, Ravi scrolled through his phone — and then found it.
He turned the screen toward the group.
It was an old photo — Ravi standing sheepishly, maybe six years old, next to a little girl covered in colors.
The moment Ria spotted it, she gasped loudly, springing up from her seat.
In a half-pretend, half-real angry tone, she pointed at the screen."Ravi! Tum kisi ladki ke saath ho???"(Ravi! You're standing with some girl???)
She put her hands on her hips, mock-outraged.
"You! Sidha-saadha aadmi! (Innocent man!) Maska laga rahe the sabko!"(Pretending to be so simple!)
She charged toward Ravi dramatically, ready to grab his arm.
Janvi barely managed to block her path, laughing breathlessly."Arre! Kya jealousy!"(Oh! What jealousy!)
Ria stumbled back, flustered."Who, me? Jealous? Nahi nahi!"(Me? No no! Not jealous!)
Everyone roared with laughter at her transparent denial.
Meanwhile, Anaya, curled up comfortably beside Rudra, slowly leaned her head against his shoulder, her laughter fading into soft breaths.
Rudra turned, ready to tease her—
And found her fast asleep.
A smile, soft and rare, crossed his face.
Carefully, he tightened his arm around her protectively.
He looked up and said firmly,"Guys... game over. She needs rest."(Guys... game over. She needs rest.)
Janvi and Ria, still laughing, immediately sobered when they saw Anaya's peaceful face.
Janvi nodded quickly."Okay bhai," she said gently.
Ria gave a small salute."Got it, boss."
Without another word, Rudra carefully slid one arm under Anaya's knees and the other behind her shoulders, lifting her effortlessly in a bridal carry.
As he moved toward the terrace exit, he called over his shoulder,"Boys! Bring the antidote stuff. Aur dono ko Ria ke room mein le chalo."(Boys! Bring the medicine. And take both to Ria's room.)
Aarav scrambled to his feet."Chalo chalo! Game khatam. Ab medicine time!"(Let's go, let's go! Game's over. Now it's medicine time!)
Ravi and Aarav hurried to gather the bottles of water, some cold cloths, and a few ancient hangover remedies Ria's mother had forced into their hands before the party.
Meanwhile, Rudra, carrying Anaya close against his chest, made his way steadily across the terrace, her soft breath warming the hollow of his neck, her hand clutching his shirt in her sleep.
Outside, the night breeze stirred faintly.
Above them, fairy lights blinked like a thousand tiny stars.
And somewhere deep inside all of them, something shifted quietly —
A memory, a feeling, a night that none of them would ever quite forget.
.______..______..______.💕.______..______..______.✒️
The clock had barely struck six in the evening when their game had begun — but between the laughter, dares, and half-whispered confessions, time had melted away.
Now, as the first golden hues of dusk softened into evening, Rudra carried Anaya carefully in his arms, heading from the second to the third floor.
He cradled her against his chest like she weighed nothing — and truly, to him, she didn't.At six-foot-one, broad-shouldered and strong, Rudra made the petite Anaya, barely five-foot-five, feel as light as a feather, as if she were just another part of him.
As he climbed the stairs steadily, he glanced down at her sleeping face.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Velvet..." he murmured low under his breath, the nickname slipping out naturally, "you are forgetting the promise. Just like that, falling asleep?"
His voice was teasing, but soft with something deeper — something tender and raw.
"And if you just doze off," he whispered, tightening his hold protectively, "then how will you handle the surprise, hmm?"
Step by steady step, he continued climbing, holding her effortlessly close against him.
It felt... right.Natural.Like she had always been meant to be carried like this — only by him.
When he finally reached the door to her room on the third floor, Rudra shifted his weight expertly, balancing her against his chest with one arm.With his free hand, he twisted the doorknob, pushing the door open with a gentle kick of his foot.
The room welcomed them in — dim, cozy, scented faintly of lavender.
He stepped inside and, with a soft nudge of his foot, closed the door quietly behind him.
Moving slowly, he carried Anaya toward the bed.
The bed was wide and neatly made, the sheets crisp and waiting.
Rudra knelt slightly as he placed her down carefully on the left side of the bed, making sure her head rested comfortably against the pillow.
Anaya stirred a little, a faint, sleepy smile curling her lips — but she didn't wake.
Soft strands of her half-braided hair fell across her face, framing it like the most delicate artwork.
Rudra watched her, his chest tightening with a feeling he didn't even try to name.
A low chuckle rumbled from him as he whispered,"Anaya... aaj toh bach gayi."(Anaya, today you got saved.)
He pulled the blanket up gently, covering her snugly.
"But tomorrow..." he murmured with a slow, mischievous smile, "dekhte hain kaise bachti ho."(Let's see how you escape tomorrow.)
Still watching her, he moved toward the corner of the room, picking up the remote control and switching on the air conditioner with a soft beep. The room instantly cooled, the hum blending into the hush of the evening.
Satisfied, Rudra made his way to the wardrobe.
Moving efficiently, he pulled out his night clothes — a simple grey t-shirt and soft black lounge pants — and changed quickly, tossing his day's dusty, color-streaked clothes into the laundry basket.
When he returned to the bed, Anaya was still fast asleep, her breath slow and even, her fingers curled slightly against the blanket.
Something about her peacefulness struck him deeply.
He walked to his side of the bed, slipping under the covers with a quiet sigh.
For a moment, he just lay there, propped on one elbow, watching her.
His voice dropped to a whisper meant only for the walls and the stars outside.
"Anaya," he said softly, "you don't even realize how important you are... to this demon."
His fingers brushed lightly through her hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.
"The demon you never want to see," he continued in a hushed tone, as if confessing a sin, "I hope... you never have to."
The room was still, holding its breath with him.
Gently, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead — a vow sealed without words.
"Goodnight, Velvet," he whispered against her skin.
He pulled the blanket up around them both, his arm sliding around her, careful not to wake her.
"I hope... next Holi will be even more special for us."
And with that, Rudra closed his eyes, holding his world safely within his arms — as the night deepened around them, soft, silent, and sacred.
.______.💕💕.______.💕🫣.______..______..______.
The night deepened, spreading its velvet cloak across the sky.
In the quiet room, the soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of the curtains were the only sounds.
Rudra slept lightly, as he always did — years of instinct that never let him fall into deep unconsciousness.But tonight... something pulled at him, something soft and familiar.
He stirred.
Half-opening his eyes, he felt it immediately — a small weight pressed against his chest.Warm. Fragile. Trusting.
Blinking fully awake, he tilted his head down slightly.
Anaya.
Somewhere in her sleep, she had moved closer to him — unconsciously seeking his warmth.Her slender arms were wrapped tightly around his torso, clutching his t-shirt with small, stubborn fists.
Her face was buried against his heart, her breathing even but her hold firm — as if, even in dreams, she refused to let him go.
Rudra froze for a moment.
Not out of fear.
But because the rush of emotion was too much, too fast.
His heart, usually so disciplined and cold, threatened to betray him with its sudden, fierce pounding.
Slowly, carefully, he moved his arm around her, pulling her even closer.Her body fit against his so perfectly — as if molded just for him.
A soft sound escaped her lips — a sigh of pure comfort — and she nuzzled even closer, her fingers tightening slightly in his shirt.
Rudra shut his eyes for a long moment, breathing her in.The faint scent of lavender from her hair.The warmth of her breath against his chest.The feel of her heartbeat fluttering so close to his own.
He whispered into the darkness, so softly it was almost a thought:
"Velvet... if you hold me like this, even in your dreams...how am I ever supposed to let you go?"
His hand moved up to gently stroke her hair, his thumb brushing the soft curve of her cheek.
He wished he could freeze this moment.
Capture it.
Hold it forever.
The world outside — its expectations, its battles, his own hidden demons — none of it mattered here.
Only her.
Only this.
Rudra leaned his forehead against hers gently, careful not to wake her.
"You are my home, Anaya," he whispered into the quiet, so low only the walls and his heart could hear."And I will fight every demon inside me... if it means protecting your smile."
Outside, the stars blinked softly, the universe bearing silent witness to the promise being made in the shelter of the night.
Wrapped in each other's arms, they slept — two souls tangled together by a bond deeper than they even knew yet.
The night passed slowly, lovingly, as if it too didn't want morning to come.