Mafia's Heartbeat

chapter 21

Nishant’s business partner, Mr. Raghav, arrived unexpectedly. With his slick words and fake charm, he greeted the family and offered congratulations.

But when his eyes landed on Tanuj, soft and dreamy in his bunny hoodie and pastel kurta, a disturbing smile tugged at his lips.

“You didn’t tell me your husband was so… precious,” Raghav said with a slow glance.

Nishant’s gaze hardened. “Watch it. He’s not someone you look at like that.”

---

In the quiet of the afternoon, when Tanuj skipped toward the storage area to grab extra decorations — humming a lullaby — Raghav followed.

“You like sweets, don’t you?” he murmured as he closed the door behind them. “I have something better than candy…”

Tanuj blinked, confused in his little space. But something didn’t feel right. Something itched. His tummy hurt in fear.

“Go ‘way,” he whispered. “You’re bad.”

Raghav stepped closer.

That’s when Tanuj screamed.

And ran.

Tears spilled from his eyes as he raced barefoot down the marble floor. The haveli froze.

He spotted Nishant and flung himself into his husband’s arms — wailing, sobbing like his whole world had broken.

“hubby… bad man… he touched… don’t like! Don’t want! Hubby!”

Nishant held him close, trying to breathe through his rage. “Shh, baby… I’m here. Nothing’s going to hurt you.”

But just then, a ping.

Komal had sent a photo to the family group.

Tanuj in Nishant’s lap, crying, face buried in his chest.

Her caption?

“Here we go again. Maybe if he acted like an adult, he wouldn’t attract this kind of attention. Drama queen.”

Silence.

Then Nikhil stood up. “Delete that. Right now.”

Kritika’s jaw clenched. “You heartless witch.”

Komal smirked from the corner. “Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

Nikhil’s voice turned ice. “No, you hurt. Because you don’t understand love. Or family.”

Nishant kissed Tanuj’s forehead. “You don’t deserve to be in the same house as him.”

---

That night, as the haveli went quiet and the lights dimmed, Kritika led Raghav down the servant hallway, pretending to show him something.

He never realized where they were until Nishant locked the basement door behind him.

“You scared my bunny,” Nishant said, eyes cold.

“You broke him,” Kritika added.

Raghav laughed nervously. “What are you going to do?”

“Make sure no one ever finds your body,” Kritika said simply.

And they did.

Later, wrapped in their soft blanket, Tanuj lay quietly in Nishant’s arms.

“I… I didn’t do anything wrong,” he mumbled in little voice, tears still clinging to his lashes.

“You didn’t,” Nishant whispered, kissing his temple. “You were so brave, love. You ran. You knew. I’m proud of you.”

“But… what if no one believed me?” Tanuj asked, voice breaking.

Nishant cupped his cheeks

“Even if the whole world turns its back… I’ll still believe you.”

---

Later that night, Aarav sat on the steps outside Nikhil’s room, arms around his knees.

Nikhil opened the door quietly.

Without a word, Aarav walked in, sat on the bed, and leaned into him.

They didn’t speak. Just stayed there. Breathing.

Finally, Nikhil whispered, “You’re safe here.”

Aarav looked up. “I know.”

They fell asleep like that — side by side.

In a house full of darkness and protection, they found peace in each other.