Chapter 11: A Little Closer

After the incident at the fair, something had changed.

Reet started noticing the way Abeer looked at her — not with annoyance or confusion anymore, but with something gentler. Protective. Possessive. And maybe… affectionate?

And Abeer, though still quiet, had begun to feel something shift inside him. Reet wasn’t just his classmate anymore. Not just his sudden bride. She was his....His wife. And that meant something now.

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The Exam Results

Time flew, and second term exams arrived. The whole hostel was buried in books and stress. But when the results came out — there was something worth smiling about.

Reet had scored really well.
So had Abeer.

Their friends cheered for them in the corridor. Preet ran to hug Reet.

Preet: "Topper ban gayi tu toh, Mrs. Mystery!"
Reet giggled, blushing slightly.

Later, when Abeer passed by her in the hallway, he paused and gave a little smile.

Abeer (softly): "Good job. Proud of you."
Reet (smiling): "Same to you… Mr. Quiet Genius."

They didn’t say more. They didn’t need to.

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Leaving for Home

The school had given everyone a 10-day holiday after exams. It was time to return home.
A
As usual, they left the hostel separately. Pretending they were just classmates. Not husband and wife. Not the two people who sat in silence, together, every evening — sharing glances, not words.

But once they were outside the gates, they quietly walked toward the same car. Abeer opened the door for her. She sat inside. No words spoken, but her heart skipped.

Reet (to herself): He’s not just Abeer anymore. He’s… mine.

They sat in silence as the car moved through the city. Their shoulders close, eyes fixed outside, thoughts tangled.

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Back Home

At the doorstep, their families were waiting. But something wasn’t right.

Reet stepped forward, a soft smile on her face — but her mother-in-law’s expression was cold. No aarti. No warm hugs. Just a stiff nod.

Mother-in-law (coolly): "Aa gayi? Tumhe toh padhai hi karni thi na. Kar lo ab."

Reet’s smile faded. She lowered her eyes and walked in quietly.

Abeer watched, anger tightening his chest. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes were fierce as they followed his mother’s cold behavior.

Later, when they went to their room, Reet placed her bag on the side and sat on the bed, silent.

Abeer entered after her.

Abeer (gently): "Tumhare marks sabse ache aaye hain. Tumne deserve kiya tha unka pyaar. Don’t let it affect you."

Reet (softly): "I didn’t expect much... But thank you, Abeer."

There was a pause. She looked at him.

Reet (teasing, with a tiny smile): "Waise… you’ve become a little like a bodyguard lately."

Abeer (raising an eyebrow): "Bodyguard?"

Reet (shrugging): "My handsome bodyguard."

He blinked. And then… chuckled. A small, rare laugh.

Abeer: "You’re not so bad yourself, Mrs. Topper."

They both smiled. It was real. Unforced.

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The Start of Something New

Ten days of holidays ahead.

And though they were still hiding their truth from the world, they weren’t hiding from each other anymore.

They ate dinner on the same table now — not awkwardly.

They watched the movie in the same room — laughing, but together.

And at night, while Abeer laid down on the sofa and Reet on the bed, they’d exchange a few words before sleeping.

Just enough to make this strange relationship feel… warm.

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Thank you for reading Chapter 11!💫
Their bond is getting stronger — but for how long can they keep it hidden from the world?
Find out more in Chapter 12!✨