“The Button, The Hair

The soft light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains of the master bedroom, touching the edges of a brand new day—one that held weight, nerves, and... expectations. The vibrant memories of Holi had faded with the night's silence, and now the house buzzed softly with the calm chaos of morning rituals. But time had paused… or perhaps, it was tangled like Anaya's hair caught between her crimson shirt button.

Standing in front of the mirror, her breath a bit rushed and brows furrowed, Anaya tugged softly—then desperately—at the shirt button stuck in her messy hair. She had changed thrice already but this was the outfit: a rich ruby red shirt tucked into sleek black trousers, sharp enough to match her spirit, modest enough to stand tall in front of the board. Her heart thudded for the presentation she and Janvi had prepared all week—for the CEO… for him.

"Ugh… just great," she muttered, fingers trembling as she fought the fabric.

And then—

A shadow loomed behind her. Warmth. Breath. Familiar. Strong.

Her heart skipped.

Before she could turn, a husky voice whispered near her ear, dangerously calm—

"Struggle kar rahi ho, Velvet?"

Her fingers froze. Her breath hitched.

"Ru—Rudra?" she gasped, almost stumbling forward, but his palm caught her waist, steadying her as if it was his second nature.

She didn't even hear him enter.

His long fingers reached up, brushing her hair with slow precision as his eyes followed the button stuck in her strands. His scent surrounded her—musk, mint, and something purely Rudra. Calmly, he untangled the mess, his thumb grazing the nape of her neck. Her skin flared where he touched, her eyes helplessly finding the mirror reflection of the man behind her.

She couldn't breathe.

With one swift move, he freed her hair, and then… his fingers moved to the open top buttons of her shirt. One. Two. Click.

"Mrs. Rudra Singhaniya," he said, voice velvet-smooth, still standing behind her, his face now inches from hers, eyes trained on her reflection.

Anaya blinked, lips slightly parted.

She was lost.

And Rudra smirked, his fingers still at her collar as he leaned just a little more.

"Velvet, agar tum aise hi mujhe dekhti rahi…"His voice dropped an octave."…toh main jo ye buttons abhi close kiye hai, woh do baar speed se open bhi kar sakta hoon."

Anaya nodded—soft, dazed, completely not in her senses.

And Rudra chuckled—dark, low, possessive.

His hand snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him, her back to his chest. The other hand lifted to her jaw, tilting her head slightly. His lips brushed the shell of her ear.

"Anaya, maine kuch kaha abhi…"

She barely managed a whisper, "K-kya?"

"Kiss chahiye kya?"That teasing growl, that warmth brushing her skin, that sinful smirk in the mirror.

And she… she nodded again—barely, like a fool, like a lover.

Rudra's jaw clenched, his eyes now darkened.He chuckled again, chukle soch lo…

"If I start… toh rukne ka plan bilkul bhi nahi hai, Velvet."

Her eyes widened slightly, her senses returning in a chaotic swirl.

"What?" she gasped, stepping back, placing a hand on his chest as if it could create distance.

"Kya chahiye tumhe, Rudra?"

"Mujhe nahi… tumhe." He grinned."Tum hi toh ho jo kiss maang rahi ho."

Her cheeks flushed violently.

"Main— I mean, thanks for the help, but I'm getting late and I don't want anything right now…"

Rudra tilted his head.

"Huh… but mere lips ko toh kuch aur lag raha hai."

His tone was filled with mischief, yet a silent plea hung in the air. His hand went to the back of her neck again. He was inching closer, again.

Anaya swallowed, gathering courage to speak.

"Janvi ghar pahuch gayi kya?"

"Oh?" Rudra raised an eyebrow, stepping even closer, his lips nearly brushing her temple.

"Toh yahi ruki hai kal raat se… Ria ke room mein."

As he spoke, she tried to fix her hair quickly, but he didn't move away.

Instead, he leaned in—again.

His hand ran gently along her waist before caging her, his arms around her like a barrier to reality.

"R-rudra…" she whispered.

"Worship kar raha hoon apni biwi ko, kya galat kiya?"That voice—husky, arrogant, and oh so sinful.

Anaya gasped lightly, her palms on his chest."It's morning and I have to go to—"

"I know…" he interrupted, trailing kisses to the curve of her neck."Lekin abhi toh sirf 7 baje hai… Janvi bhi abhi tak brush kar rahi hogi."

His lips brushed her ear, "Velvet…", he breathed, "kal raat tum so gayi thi… lekin yaad hai kya bola tha?"

Her lashes fluttered, lips parted.

"You said you'll follow my orders…"His tone darkened, almost a threat wrapped in silk.

"Rudra…" she pleaded.

"Kya abhi mujhe jaane de sakte ho? Mujhe focus karna hai presentation pe…"

Rudra stilled. He stepped back slightly, brushing a hand across her cheek gently this time.

"You're perfect."He smiled, that rare genuine smile."But haan, aaj tumhara special day hai. Aur yeh ruby red shirt… damn, Velvet. Professional lag rahi ho, par tempting bhi."

And then…His eyes dropped to her lips.His voice dropped again.

"Par topic mat badlo. Meri kiss— kahaan gayi?"

He turned her gently, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Tum bahut innocent ho, I know. And I don't want to break that innocence… but I have the right to ask for that kiss, Anaya."

His hand at her nape, the other on her waist.Their bodies barely apart.Her chest brushed his with every breath.Their lips—just one whisper away.

.______..______.💕.______..______..______.📑.______.

The morning sun filtered through the cream curtains, casting a golden hue across the wooden floor. The echoes of Holi celebrations had barely faded, but inside the Singhaniya mansion, a new warmth was growing — one that had nothing to do with the weather. The air was still thick with unsaid words, lingering glances, and one unexpected stolen moment that Anaya was still trying to make sense of.

Knock knock.

The rhythmic sound of someone knocking on their bedroom door pulled Anaya out of her daze.

"It's Ravi outside… stop!" she whispered quickly, almost jumping off the bed.

Rudra, half-buttoning his cuff, let out a sigh — a low, annoyed murmur that sounded far too attractive in the quiet room."Tumhara bhai hai ya mera assistant? Har waqt disturb karta hai."("Is he your brother or my assistant? Always disturbing.")

Anaya couldn't help but chuckle as she smoothed her shirt."Shayad dono... ya phir brother-in-law?"("Maybe both… or perhaps your brother-in-law?")

Her voice held a teasing lilt, and Rudra — amused and slightly taken aback by her unexpected confidence — turned to her. In one swift, unhurried move, he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. Not rushed. Not overly passionate. But enough to send her head spinning and heart thudding like temple bells during aarti.

"I'm going now. Meeting mein milte hain."("I'm going now. See you at the meeting.")

He grabbed his suit blazer, the smirk playing on his lips as his fingers brushed against the doorknob. He turned to her once more, the mischievous glint in his eyes unmistakable."Cyy, velvet," he said softly — a wink following, then the door closing behind him.

And just like that, Anaya stood frozen, blinking slowly like her system was buffering after a sudden overload."What just happened?" she whispered, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her breath caught in her throat. Her hair was messy, her kurta wrinkled from their earlier play, and her lips — smudged. But what caught her eye wasn't her own face, it was the missing patch of her lipstick.

Her lips parted as realization dawned."Oh god… woh toh uske lips pe bhi lag gaya hoga!"("Oh god… the lipstick must've transferred to his lips too!")

A small scream escaped her — not of fear, not even of embarrassment — but one of pure, shocked disbelief."Anaya! Tu pagal ho rahi hai! You're getting late!" she muttered, slapping her cheeks and pulling her dupatta up."Ugh, ab mujhe phir se ready hona padega!"("Ugh, now I have to get ready all over again!")

Meanwhile, outside, Rudra walked down the corridor with a barely contained smirk on his face. His steps were confident, his mind lost in the faint memory of her surprised, breathless expression. He was already replaying it in his mind like his favorite scene from a movie.

Ravi, standing near the stairs and adjusting his watch, looked up and smiled."Good morning, Rudra." He paused, noticing something off. "Umm..."

He took out his handkerchief and offered it forward."Clean your face, bhai."

Rudra raised a brow."Kya?!"("What?!")

Ravi pointed to his lips with a sheepish grin."Umm… woh lipstick mark… it's looking cute on you."

Rudra blinked once, surprised, before he chuckled — that deep, husky laugh that was rare but gold when it came. He took the handkerchief and wiped the corner of his mouth, not too rushed, almost like he wanted to preserve the mark a little longer.

"Single tum ho… main nahi."("You're the one who's single… I'm not.")

Ravi rolled his eyes and nudged his arm

Ravi stepped closer, arms still crossed, but now there was a wicked glint in his eyes."Wahi toh... Single main hoon. Jab tak tumhari behen haan na keh de."

Rudra blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Processing.

"Wait... tu... Ria ki baat kar raha hai?" His voice dropped low, almost dangerous—but more stunned than angry.

Ravi didn't back down. He simply shrugged, lips twitching into a devilish grin.

"Aur kiski? Warning de raha hoon, seedha propose karunga. Soch lo, bhaiya."

Rudra stared at him, half ready to punch, half ready to laugh.But one thing was sure—this was going to get very interesting.

Both of them laughed, a rare moment of brotherly bonding warming the corridor as they walked together toward the garden where the rest of the family was already gathering — unaware of the quiet storms of affection, drama, and confusion that were starting to take root inside the Singhaniya mansion.