Third person’s pov!

“Why, brother in law? Already feeling burdened by my presence?” Dhruv asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course no. I was just wondering. By the way, you look very friendly with Shraddha. What’s up with that?” Siddhant asked, trying to hide his worry.

He knows what a reputation his brother in law has. And Shraddha has become like a sister for him in the last couple of months. He was worried about Dhruv’s intentions. Shraddha was an innocent girl, who doesn’t have much experience with men. And she was under his employment too. So, it was his responsibility to look after her safety.

“What’s wrong with that?” Dhruv shot back, trying hard to control his fury.

“Nothing, Dhruv. I was just asking. Since Shraddha works for me, she is my responsibility, right? So, I was just looking out for her.” Sid said.

“I understand. But you can rest assured that I have no evil intentions considering Shraddha. I happen to like her very much. And I was thinking it was high time I got settled in my life and Shraddha seems like a good partner. What is your opinion, Sid? Wouldn’t she make a good wife for me?” Dhruv asked deliberately, closely watching Sid’s face for any expression that would betray his true intentions.

True to his thoughts, Sid was very much startled by Dhruv’s words. And then something akin to panic flashed through his eyes. Dhruv’s face hardened seeing that.

“I- I didn’t understand, Dhruv. What do you mean by that?” Sid stammered and Dhruv shot a sly smile at his brother in law.

“Oh, I think you clearly understood. I was thinking about proposing marriage to Shraddha. She is a loner. She doesn’t have anybody to call hers. I only had Diya. And now that she is settled in her life, I should also find someone who could make a family with me. And I think I found it with Shraddha.” Dhruv said, pasting a smile on his face.

Sid didn’t know how to react. He had no idea how he would manage if Shraddha leaves. She was wonderful with Ansh. He was waiting for Dhruv to leave, so that he could do something about Diya’s conditions. It would need professional help and he has no idea how extensive a treatment this requires. With Shraddha looking after Ansh, he could have looked after Diya’s treatment with a peaceful mind. And his friend had suggested that they should take a break and move to some other place for a month or so. And he suggested a ayurveda ashram in Kerala. He had intended to go to Kerala with Shraddha with them. With Shraddha looking after Ansh, he could entirely focus on Diya’s treatment.

But he was being selfish. If Shraddha was getting a good life, he should be happy for her. But would Dhruv make a good husband for her? He is a playboy. Will he remain faithful to Shraddha? Sid was very worried about Dhruv’s revelations.

On the other hand, Dhruv was watching Sid’s each and every expression closely. And seeing the worry and panic on his face, Dhruv misunderstood.

“What happened? You don’t seem very happy for me, Sid?” Dhruv asked sarcastically.

“Of course, I am happy. I was just worried. Wondering whether you two would suit each other. You both are from very different worlds.” Sid said, trying to smile, hiding his worries.

“Like you and Diya..” Dhruv said and Sid frowned.

“Huh?” Sid asked in confusion.

“You and Diya are from two different worlds, aren’t you? Yet you both are very happily married.” Dhruv said, his voice hardening when he said happily married.

“Of course. I didn’t think about it.” Sid said with a smile.

“Does Shraddha know everything about you?” Sid asked, after a few minutes of silence.

“What do you mean?” Dhruv raised an eyebrow at him.

“Err.. about your lifestyle and all..” Sid said awkwardly and Dhruv understood he was talking about the playboy name tabloids gave him.

“She does..” Dhruv lied through his teeth. As it is, he isn’t a playboy like what the tabloids say. He cultivated that reputation during his college days to get relief from the sympathetic looks he had received back then. So, Shraddha doesn’t have to know about it all. 

Sid stared at Dhruv, the unease in his eyes growing deeper with every passing second. Dhruv’s expression remained calm, almost too calm, as if he was savouring Sid’s discomfort. Sid was still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of Dhruv wanting to marry Shraddha, but something about the whole situation didn’t sit right with him.

“Look, Dhruv…” Sid began, hesitating as he searched for the right words. “I am just concerned. Shraddha… she’s not like the women you usually—" he trailed off, realising how judgmental he was about to sound.

Dhruv’s jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. 

"The women I usually… what? Have flings with? Use and discard?" His voice was sharp, laced with a challenge. "Don’t insult Shraddha by comparing her to anyone from my past. She’s different."

Sid’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t expected this level of defensiveness from Dhruv, and it only deepened his suspicion. What was it about Shraddha that had Dhruv, the man who never took relationships seriously, so worked up?

“I didn’t mean to insult her,” Sid replied, raising his hands slightly in surrender. “I just… I know how you are, Dhruv. And I don’t want Shraddha to get hurt in the process. She is like a family to me.” 

Dhruv's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as if Sid’s words had triggered something volatile within him. He took a slow step forward, closing the distance between them, his tone lowering dangerously.

“Family to you, is she?” Dhruv’s words were sharp, cutting through the air like a knife. “You forget, Sid. You have your family. Diya and your son. Shraddha has no one. But she could have me.”

Sid flinched at the bitterness in Dhruv’s voice. 

“I am not forgetting anything, Dhruv. I just—” He paused, collecting his thoughts. “I just don’t want her to become collateral damage in whatever game you are playing. You are impulsive. And Shraddha? She is an innocent girl. She deserves more than just being someone’s fleeting interest.”

Dhruv’s smirk returned, but this time it was laced with a warning. 

“You are underestimating me, Sid. And maybe, just maybe, you are underestimating Shraddha too. You think she is some fragile thing that needs your protection, but she is stronger than you think. And for the record, this isn’t something fleeting. Not for me.”

Sid stared at him, trying to gauge the sincerity in Dhruv’s words. There was something unsettling about the way Dhruv spoke, as if he believed every word but also had something hidden beneath the surface — something Sid couldn’t quite grasp.

“I understand..” Sid said, though he didn’t grasp it fully.

“Now that we are talking, I would like to know why my sister doesn’t look happy with you, Sid?” Dhruv asked and Sid went pale hearing Dhruv’s direct question.