A Growing Bond

The days at Veer estate passed with a quiet sense of normalcy, yet an undercurrent of something deeper ran between Arya and Veer. It was subtle—shared glances across the dining table, fleeting touches when passing each other in the hallways, unspoken words that neither dared to voice.

Arya found herself seeking out Veer's presence more than she realized. And strangely, Veer seemed to welcome it.

One afternoon, she found herself in the music room, absentmindedly running her fingers over the piano keys. The melody she played was soft and hesitant, as if reflecting the emotions swirling inside her.

"You play?"

The deep voice startled her. She looked up to find Veer standing in the doorway, his gaze curious.

"A little," she admitted. "It helps me think."

Veer stepped into the room, his presence filling the space. "Then please, don't stop."

Arya hesitated for a moment before continuing. The melody flowed through the room, gentle and soothing. When she finished, she turned to find Veer watching her intently.

"That was beautiful," he said.

She smiled. "Thank you."

Veer moved closer, leaning against the piano. "You seem… more relaxed today."

She nodded. "I think it's because of you."

Veer's expression shifted, as if he hadn't expected her to say that. But instead of responding, he reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, sending a shiver down her spine.

Neither of them spoke. The air between them grew charged, filled with something fragile yet undeniable.

And then, as if sensing that they were on the verge of something neither of them was ready to face, Veer stepped back. "I should let you practice."

Arya watched him go, her heart pounding.

Whatever was happening between them—it was growing stronger. And it was only a matter of time before neither of them could ignore it anymore.

As Veer walked away, Arya exhaled, pressing her fingers against the piano keys to steady herself. There was something about the way he looked at her—something intense, unspoken, but undeniably there. She wasn't sure what it meant yet, but she could feel it.

She played a few more notes, though her concentration was slipping. Eventually, she let her hands fall to her lap, her mind drifting to Veer's touch, however brief it had been.

But before she could dwell on it any further, the door to the music room opened again. This time, it was Rohan.

"Ah, found you," he said, grinning as he strolled in. "I was beginning to think Veer was hiding you somewhere."

Arya rolled her eyes. "Why would he hide me?"

Rohan shrugged, dropping into a nearby armchair. "Who knows? Maybe he's starting to realize he enjoys having you around."

Arya stiffened slightly, but she masked it with a small laugh. "Veer enjoys peace and order, not company."

"Then why is he always looking for you?" Rohan smirked.

Arya opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. She had no answer to that.

Before the conversation could go any further, a knock at the door interrupted them. A house staff member stepped inside, looking slightly nervous.

"Miss Arya, Mr. Veer has asked for you in the study," she said politely.

Rohan raised an eyebrow. "Well, speak of the devil."

Arya ignored him, standing up. "Thank you. I'll be there in a moment."

As the staff member left, Rohan whistled. "You know, at this rate, you might end up running this place."

Arya shook her head but couldn't fight the small smile on her lips.

A Private Discussion

When Arya entered the study, she found Veer standing by the large window, his hands in his pockets. His posture was tense, as if something was weighing on his mind.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, stepping closer.

Veer turned to face her, his dark eyes unreadable. "I did."

He gestured toward the chair across from him, and she sat down. For a moment, he was silent, as if choosing his words carefully.

Finally, he spoke. "I need to leave for a few days."

Arya frowned. "Leave? Where?"

"There's some business I need to take care of in the city." His expression darkened slightly. "Something related to the security breach."

Arya felt a pang of unease. "Is it dangerous?"

Veer hesitated. "Not for me."

That wasn't exactly reassuring.

"Then why do I feel like you're keeping something from me?" she asked.

His gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost… conflicted. "Because I don't want you to worry."

Arya exhaled, crossing her arms. "That's not how this works, Veer. If I'm staying here, I deserve to know what's happening."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "I know."

They sat in silence for a moment, neither backing down. Eventually, Veer ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I'll be back in three days. Rohan and the security team will stay here to make sure nothing happens while I'm gone."

Arya studied him, unsure why she felt so unsettled by the idea of him leaving. "Just… be careful, okay?"

Something in his expression shifted. He stepped closer, resting a hand on the back of her chair. "Are you worried about me?"

She swallowed. "Of course I am."

His gaze softened, his fingers tightening slightly against the chair. "Then I promise, I'll come back."

For a second, Arya thought he might say something else. But instead, he simply stepped back and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced back at her. "Try not to get into trouble while I'm gone."

Arya rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest lingered long after he was gone.

A Long Three Days

The next three days were slower than Arya had expected. Without Veer around, the estate felt strangely quiet. She spent most of her time in the garden or the library, trying to keep herself distracted.

Rohan, as always, did his best to keep her entertained.

"So, how's life without your brooding protector?" he teased one afternoon as they sat on the terrace.

Arya took a sip of her tea. "Peaceful."

Rohan chuckled. "You don't sound convinced."

She sighed. "I just… hope he's okay."

Rohan's playful expression faded slightly. "Veer can handle himself, Arya. But I get it. He's not the easiest person to figure out."

That was an understatement.

Later that evening, Arya found herself in the music room again, fingers gliding over the piano keys absentmindedly. She wasn't even playing a real song—just lost in thought.

She didn't realize how much time had passed until she heard footsteps behind her.

"Arya."

She turned, heart skipping a beat.

Veer stood in the doorway, looking slightly exhausted but unharmed. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, before she could stop herself, she stood and rushed toward him.

She didn't think—she just wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

Veer froze.

For a moment, she worried she had crossed a line. But then, slowly, his arms came around her. His hold was firm, steady, as if grounding her in place.

"You're back," she whispered.

Veer let out a slow breath, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head. "Yeah. I'm back."

She closed her eyes, allowing herself to take in the warmth of his embrace. She had missed him. More than she had expected.

And from the way he held her—just as tightly—she had a feeling he had missed her too.