Heartbeat

I Love You Forever and Ever

Neo, unimpressed by the diversion, folded her arms. “Smart move. But don’t you think you owe us an explanation?”

Rishi sighed. He knew there was no escaping this. “Fine. I’ll tell you,” he admitted, raising his hands in surrender. “But promise me you won’t get mad. And—” he glanced at Devika cautiously, “—definitely no biting my head off.” He inhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts. “If you think I was wrong, you can scold me, but…”

Neo wasn’t buying time-wasting tactics. “Answer. Now.”

Rishi exhaled sharply, as if forcing himself to say the words before he lost his nerve. “Mom… I think I have a crush on Heeranya.” His voice was quick, almost rushed, as if admitting it any slower might make it too real.

Silence.

Neo and Devika stared at him, wide-eyed, their shock evident. And then, as if their legs gave out at the same time, they both dropped onto the sofa, expressions a mix of disbelief, surprise, and something else—something unreadable.

Devika was the first to recover. “And what does Heeru think about this?” she asked, her voice carefully measured.

Rishi hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Aunty… she doesn’t know anything.” His tone was quieter now, uncertain.

Neo leaned forward, studying him intently. “And what exactly do you expect from us?”

For once, Rishi had no quick response. He simply remained silent.

Neo sighed, her voice turning softer, more thoughtful. “Rishi, at your age, these kinds of attractions are common. If you think it’s more than that, then give yourself time to understand it. But one thing—don’t hurt her. Not even a single tear should fall from Heeru’s eyes because of you. Think twice before taking any step.”

Devika nodded, her expression serious yet trusting. “Rishi, I know you. I trust you. But this isn’t the right time for all this. Give it time. Heeru is still young… I think you understand what I mean.”

Rishi inhaled deeply, straightening his shoulders. “Mom, Aunty… I know. Honestly, I don’t even understand these feelings myself. And I don’t want to overthink them either. But one thing I can promise—you can always trust me with her. I will always protect her.”

He paused, his voice turning firmer. “And one more thing… if, after years, these feelings only grow stronger—if I know for sure what I feel for Heeru is real—then trust me, she will be mine. Forever. Even if she tries to walk away, I won’t let her go.”

Neo and Devika were stunned into silence, his words hanging heavy in the air.

With Every Beat Of My Heart

Rishi, when they said we should marry, I felt it in my breath.
Butterflies, silence, stars—everything paused.
They think we’re made for each other…
but only we know, we always were.”
– Heeranya

Inside the Room

Rishi pulled Heeranya into a tight embrace, both tumbling back onto the bed, still holding each other. Her head rested over his heart, and neither could wipe the smiles off their faces.

Shifting positions, Rishi smoothly pinned her hands down, his gaze intense yet filled with warmth. “So, Jaan… are you ready to become my wife? Ready to be Mrs. Heeranya Rishi Arka?” he asked, his voice a mix of playfulness and sincerity.

Heeranya cupped his face gently, her eyes gleaming. “I’ve been waiting for this moment, Mr. Arka,” she whispered, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. As she lingered close, Rishi could feel the warmth of her breath on his lips, making his heart race.

But just as he leaned in, Heeranya slipped from his grasp, chuckling as she made her way toward the door. Before she could open it, Rishi caught her wrist and pulled her back, pinning her against the wall, his smirk deepening.

Just then, voices echoed from outside their room. 

Outside the Room, Near Their Room

Charan: “What do you guys think?”

Alekhya: “Yaar, how much longer are they going to take?”

Dhruv: “I can’t hear their voices at all…”

Inside the room, Rishi and Heeranya overheard the conversation.

Rishi traced his fingers along Heeranya’s lips, his voice a teasing whisper. “They want to listen to our conversation… so let’s give them something to hear.”

Heeranya frowned slightly, confused. “What…?”

Before she could say anything more, Rishi pulled her closer, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, making sure there was barely any space between them.

“Just talk normally… follow my words,” he murmured against her ear.

Heeranya hesitated but nodded. “Hmm…”

Rishi traced his fingers along her cheek, his breath warm against her skin. In a hushed voice, he whispered, “Rishi… I don’t understand anything. I’m confused.”

Trying to keep her voice steady, Heeranya repeated the words exactly as he said them. “Rishi… I don’t understand anything. I’m confused.”

Outside the Room, Near the Door

Dhruv leaned in closer, straining his ears. “Guys, listen! They’re talking!”

Excitement rippled through the group, and they all huddled near the door, eager to catch every word.

Inside the Room

Rishi smirked, easily catching the muffled whispers outside. He knew exactly what they were up to. Amused, he trailed a slow kiss on Heeranya’s cheek before speaking in a calm, natural tone.

“It’s okay, Heeru… if you don’t want this,” he murmured, his voice carrying just enough for their eavesdropping friends to hear.

Outside the Room

Charan’s jaw dropped. “Has he lost his mind?! What does he mean by ‘It’s okay’?!” he whispered harshly, glancing at the others in disbelief.

The group exchanged stunned glances, their curiosity deepening.

Inside the Room

Rishi smiled at their reaction. He tilted Heeranya’s chin, gazing deeply into her eyes before pressing another soft kiss to her cheek. His touch was firm yet gentle, reassuring yet possessive.

“You’re mine, Heeranya. And you always will be mine,” he whispered, sealing his words with a kiss to her forehead.

She shivered slightly but smiled, warmth flooding her heart.

Still playing with the strands of her hair, Rishi leaned in closer, his breath tickling her ear. His voice dropped to a whisper, thick with meaning.

“Now, say this, love—‘Rishi, it’s okay if our parents are happy.’”

Heeranya hesitated, momentarily lost in his touch, but she knew what he was doing. A mischievous glint sparked in her eyes before she nodded.

Taking a soft breath, she spoke—just loud enough for their audience outside.

“Rishi, it’s okay if our parents are happy. I am okay with it.”

Outside the Room

Charan sighed in relief, shaking his head. “Thank God, at least my sister has some sense.”

Alekhya nudged him, rolling her eyes. “Oh, shut up, Charan. Let’s just see where this goes.”

The group exchanged knowing looks, waiting to see what would unfold next.

Inside the Room

Rishi fought back a victorious smirk, glancing towards the door before looking back at Heeranya. She was trying hard to suppress her laughter.

“I hope our dear friends don’t interfere. Let’s take things slowly, Heeru,” he said in a perfectly normal voice.

Outside the Room

Moksha turned to the others, her tone serious. “No one teases Rishi and Heeranya, understood? Let them figure this out on their own.”

The others nodded, though their excitement still lingered.

Inside the Room

Rishi’s smirk widened as he met Heeranya’s gaze. Checkmate.

Heeranya’s eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching in her throat.

Rishi smirked at her expression, tilting his head slightly. “Don’t make such cute faces, jaan,” he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. Before she could protest, he pressed a soft kiss to her chin, making her shiver.

Forever Every Beat Belongs To You

“Heeru, Forever… every beat of my heart belongs to you.
Before you, it was just a sound—
now it’s a promise.” – Rishi

“Rishi, Forever… every beat you hear in me is yours.
I didn’t give you my heart—
it already knew your name.” – Heeranya

Rishi…

I don’t even know where to begin. (Rishi chuckled softly as he read the opening line, already imagining Heeranya’s shy smile while writing it.) The moment I wrote your name, I wanted to write it again and again—Rishi, Rishi, Rishi—like an endless rhythm in my heart.

I’m glad I’ve managed to steal your sleep; maybe that should earn me an award. But don’t think for a moment that it’s only you missing me. I’m waiting for you—every second, every heartbeat.

When I close my eyes, I still see you. Not with sight, but with my heart. You were right—each word of yours lingers with me, and as I follow them in memory, I can’t stop smiling. To be missed by you—it’s a feeling that flutters in my chest, overwhelming and sweet. Sometimes, in the quiet hours of the night, I don’t know what to do except count the stars and wonder—what might you be doing at this very moment?

Your memories bring me both joy and ache. I can’t define this feeling… but I know this much—waiting for you is strangely beautiful.

Rishi, I have a doubt. Why is it that every time I whisper your name, my lips curve into a smile? Why is it that when I look at the moon, I feel as though you, too, are gazing at it?

I wish the moon would always remain full and bright—just as I wish for you to always remain calm and strong. And whenever you reach out to switch off the light at night, remember this—I’ll be thinking of you, waiting for you.

You want to know what happiness is for me, Rishi?
It’s waking up in the middle of the night for no reason, lying there with the silence around me, and suddenly thinking of you—telling myself just how much I’m missing you.

I wish I could see you without blinking, without letting my gaze shift for even a second, just so I could forget the ache of how much I’ve missed you.

Nothing says home to me more than the safety of your arms. That’s where I belong. That’s where I want to be. I hope… I pray… that I’ll see you soon.

When I say I miss you, I mean it in every sense. If I tell you that I miss you, it’s because you mean so much to me. It means you’ve touched my life in ways no one else ever could. It means I want you here—not just as a moment, but as something permanent.

Distance… it can’t separate hearts that truly care. Our memories keep me alive; they remind me with every breath how lucky I am to have someone like you to miss.

Rishi, I will be waiting for you.

And yet, here I am at the end of this letter, wondering—what name should I use to sign it? You’ve given me so many names, so many pieces of yourself. Which one should I choose tonight?

Keep smiling—it means the world to me.
I love you, Rishi.

Yours, always—
Your heartbeat,
Mrs. Heeranya Rishi Arka

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