Mafia's Heartbeat

ch 30

The morning sun bathed the haveli in gold, but Kai’s heartbeat thudded louder than ever as he stood before three very serious people—Nikhil, Nishant, and Kritika.

They weren’t just Raj’s family. They were his entire world. And right now, they looked like they could destroy Kai in a single breath.

“You know why you're here,” Nikhil began, arms folded. Calm voice, but sharp eyes.

Nishant leaned forward. “We know you love Raj, Kai. But if you ever—ever—hurt him…”

“I’ll bury you myself,” Nikhil finished.

Kritika stepped forward. Her tone wasn’t loud. It was quiet. Still. The kind of still that makes everything freeze.

“We may be siblings, Kai. Blood siblings,” she said, her dark eyes locked on his. “But if even one tear falls from Raj’s eyes because of you… I’ll kill you And take him far away from you.”

Kai flinched, pain flashing through him. “Kriti—”

“No,” she cut him off. “No excuses. You have my baby brother’s heart. If you break it, I won’t forgive you. None of us will.”

Kai’s eyes burned. He looked toward the doorway, where Raj stood frozen, trembling, clutching the edge of the wall. Aarav stood behind him, a comforting hand on his shoulder.

And Kai—he slowly dropped to his knees.

Everyone gasped softly.

In front of Rahul and Raj, Kai bowed his head, voice cracking.

“I swear… even if I’m dying, even if the world’s ending, I will protect Raj first. Always. I love him more than I love myself. I’ll protect him with everything I have.”

Raj let out a soft sob and rushed to him, wrapping his arms around Kai’s neck. “Why… why are you saying all this…?”

Kai stood, gently pulling Raj into a hug, stroking his hair. “Because your heart matters more than mine.”

Aarav smiled gently and moved to hug both of them from the side. Tanuj, peeking from the staircase, teared up and sniffled softly into his plushie. Nishant gently wiped his cheek.

“You passed,” Nikhil said with a sigh. “But we’ll still keep watching you.”

“Forever,” Kritika added, though a tiny smile cracked her facade.

---

Later that day at the medical college, Raj and Aarav sat on the grassy slope outside the building, sipping iced tea between classes.

“So… when do you want the wedding?” Aarav grinned.

Raj blushed, kicking his foot softly against the ground. “Soon. I want something… grand but cozy. Like family. Fireflies. Yellow flowers everywhere. Something that feels like home.”

Aarav ruffled his hair. “You’ll have it. Every bit of it.”

Raj smiled dreamily. “I already feel married to him, you know? But I want to say it in front of the world. I want to wear his name proudly.”

“And you will,” Aarav said. “You deserve it all, Raj.”

---

Back at home, laughter echoed in the corridors.

“Ten! Nine! Eight! Kritika’s coming to find you!” she shouted with glee.

Tanuja giggled, in full little space mode, and scurried down the hall with socked feet, hiding his plushie behind his back.

He ducked into the living room, spotted Rahul sipping tea on the sofa, and—without a word—dove behind the couch with a muffled squeal.

Rahul’s eyes twinkled. He calmly took a sip, not even glancing back as Kritika entered.

“Papa, did you see where he went?” she asked, panting.

“Hm? Who?” he asked innocently.

Kritika narrowed her eyes. “Papa… you’re hiding him.”

“Me? I’m old. I can’t even see without my glasses.” He pointed at the table where his glasses rested.

Just then, Tanuj peeked up and whispered, “Shhh…”

Kritika spun around, but Tanuj ducked and Rahul coughed dramatically, covering for him.

She finally gave up. “Ugh! Fine. I’ll check the garden.”

As she left, Rahul leaned over the couch, winked, and whispered, “You won.”

Tanuja lit up. “Yaaaay!! TanTan wins!”

---

That night, after dinner, Raj and Kai sat on the terrace under a soft breeze and a sky full of stars. Fireflies dotted the garden below.

Raj leaned into Kai’s shoulder, voice soft. “You really knelt today… in front of Papa… and everyone…”

Kai kissed his forehead. “I’ll kneel every day if it means protecting you.”

Raj held his hand tightly. “Just… don’t break, okay?”

“I won’t,” Kai whispered. “I’ll hold everything together, even when I fall apart.”

Raj smiled, eyes closing as he rested in his arms. “Promise me forever?”

Kai wrapped his arms tighter around him. “Forever and a day.”

And under the velvet sky, they sat together—two hearts, quietly beating the same promise.

---