Mafia's Heartbeat

chapter 23

The morning sun peeked through the haveli’s carved arches, painting soft golden light across the marbled floor. The festive air of the upcoming wedding still lingered, but today, the house was quieter, calmer.

Kritika sat on the swing in the terrace garden, her anklets chiming softly as she rocked back and forth. Her long braid swayed behind her, her thoughts elsewhere.

Kai arrived with two steaming cups of chai, nudging her knee gently. “Still thinking about the Mehendi chaos?”

She smiled weakly. “No… just about how things keep changing so fast. It feels like we’re all growing up too quickly.”

He handed her the cup and sat beside her, their shoulders brushing. “We’ve always had each other. That won’t change.”

Kritika turned to look at her younger brother. “You’ve grown so much, Kai. When did you get taller than me?”

Kai chuckled. “When you stopped standing on your toes to act taller.”

She laughed, the sound finally easing the tension in her chest. “Do you ever miss the way things were before?”

He shrugged, sipping his chai. “Sometimes. But I like who we’re becoming more.”

Her smile faded into something more tender. “I’m proud of you, you know that?”

“I know,” he replied softly. “I’m proud of you too. You’ve always protected me, even when you were scared.”

Their bond, real and rooted in years of trust and memories, was unspoken yet deep. Even amidst the whirlwind of rituals and secrets, they were each other’s constant.

---

Downstairs, Raj and Arav were adjusting their bags, ready for their first proper day at medical college. The day had finally come — the dream was real.

Anjali fed them curd and sugar for good luck. Raj gagged. “Ma, do we really have to eat this? Curd is like… sour milk.”

“You’ll eat it and smile,” she scolded lovingly, pinching his cheek.

Rahul laughed from the side. “It’s tradition, Raj. Suffer with grace.”

As they stepped toward the main gate, Kamolika’s voice slithered through the air like poison. “Let’s hope you boys don’t embarrass this family with your background. A haveli can’t change where you came from.”

Before anyone could respond, Nikhil stepped forward calmly. “Dignity isn’t inherited, Kamolika. It’s practiced. Something you wouldn’t understand.”

She tried to retort, but his sharp gaze silenced her. He turned to Arav and Raj. “Ignore her. You’re making us proud. Go show the world who you are.”

---

At college, Arav and Raj settled into their first classes. The campus was bustling, but the whispers began too soon.

“Isn’t that the poor kid from the NGO?”

“What’s he doing here? Begged his way in?”

“Looks like he wore his entire wardrobe to impress.”

Arav kept his head low, used to the cruelty. But Raj was not.

He stood abruptly, glaring at the group of five bulky boys laughing in the hallway. “Say it again.”

One of them smirked. “Oh, the adopted one’s got a temper?”

“Don’t test it,” Raj warned.

“You going to cry? Or call big brother to save you?”

Wrong move.

Raj didn’t hesitate. His fists flew, precise and powerful. Within seconds, the mocking smirks were replaced with bruises and grunts. Raj fought like someone who had protected others all his life. The five boys — twice his size — didn’t stand a chance.

Faculty ran in, separating them. The principal’s office was summoned. Calls were made.

---

By afternoon, Rahul and Anjali entered the principal’s room with calm power. Arav and Raj stood beside them — one nervous, the other defiant.

The principal cleared his throat. “This kind of behavior—”

“Stop,” Anjali said sharply. “Before you speak about behavior, perhaps speak about protection. My sons aren’t here to be insulted by entitled bullies.”

Rahul nodded. “They stood up for themselves. And if you ever call them again for defending their dignity, you’ll receive legal paperwork instead of our visit.”

The principal faltered. “They could have reported it—”

“They did,” Raj snapped. “No one listened.”

The silence was enough. The meeting ended with a warning — for the other boys.

Outside, Raj looked at Arav. “I’ll always fight for you, bhai.”

Arav placed a hand over his heart. “And I’ll always stand beside you.”

---

Night fell over the haveli.

Inside Raj and Kai’s shared room, Kai lay curled up on his side of the bed, a book in his hands. Raj walked in, hair still damp from a shower, a small smile on his lips.

“You okay?” Kai asked softly.

“Better now,” Raj said, climbing in beside him. “The world’s rough, but you make it better.”

Kai blushed, closing his book. “You scared me today, Raj. I thought you’d get expelled.”

Raj turned to face him, brushing a strand of hair from Kai’s face. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you, or Arav. Ever.”

Kai’s voice wavered. “Promise?”

Raj leaned in, pressing a kiss to Kai’s forehead. “Promise.”

---

In Nikhil’s room, Arav sat on the floor, back resting against the bed, knees pulled up to his chest. Nikhil was tending to the small scratch on Arav’s knuckle from the earlier fight.

“You didn’t even fight,” Nikhil murmured, applying antiseptic.

“I didn’t need to,” Arav said softly. “Raj did enough.”

“You’re not used to someone fighting for you, are you?”

Arav looked away. “No one ever did before.”

Nikhil pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “You’re not alone now. You never have to be again.”

Arav laid his head on Nikhil’s shoulder. “I don’t want this to end.”

“It won’t,” Nikhil whispered. “As long as I’m breathing, you’ll always have me.”

---

In Nishant’s room, the lights were dim, and the atmosphere calm.

Tanuj lay on the bed in his soft pajamas, holding a plush bunny. His big eyes looked up as Nishant entered. “Hubbyyy,” he whined sweetly, reaching up with grabby hands.

Nishant melted. “I’m here, baby.”

He climbed onto the bed, letting Tanuj crawl into his lap and snuggle. Tanuj rubbed his nose against Nishant’s chest, sighing with contentment.

“You’re my safe place,” Tanuj mumbled, deep in little space. “Forever hubby. Mine.”

Nishant kissed the top of his head. “Only yours, baby. No one else.”

The night settled over the haveli with a hush of peace.

Three pairs of hearts beat in sync, held together not just by love — but by loyalty, courage, and the kind of bond that even fate couldn’t break