Raghav pulled Siya close, her back against his chest. His arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her into a tight, protective cuddle. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his breath tickling her ear.

"Waise, Siya... agar aisa har baarish mai hoga toh mai har hafte baarish ki prarthna karunga."

(By the way Siya…if this happens in every rain I will pray for rain every week.)

She blushed red, remembering the kiss and bit her lip, before muttering.

"Goodnight, Raghav. So jaiye."

(Sleep.)

"Goodnight, my beautiful, blushing wife."

Siya didn't argue, she just shifted closer, letting the sound of his steady breathing and the rhythm of the rain lulled her into a deep, peaceful sleep. 

The vibrant energy of the Oberoi house had dimmed significantly because the heart of the home was unwell. Siya had been down with a high fever for two days, a nasty viral infection that had drained all the color from her face.

Raghav was no longer the man cracking jokes in the kitchen. He hadn't cracked a single joke in forty-eight hours. His entire world was currently narrowed down to the woman shivering under three layers of blankets.

Raghav sat on the edge of the bed, dipping a small towel into a bowl of cool water. He wrung it out with trembling hands and gently placed it on Siya's forehead.

"Raghav... aap so jaiye. It's 3:00 AM."

(Raghav…you sleep.)

"Main tab tak nahi sounga jab tak tumhara fever kam nahi hota. Chup-chap leti raho."

(I will not sleep until your fever breaks. Keep quiet and rest.)

"You look tired. Your hair is a mess."

Raghav tucked the blanket tighter around her shoulders, his expression hard and focused.

"Baal phir se theek ho jayenge, Siya. Tumhare bina is ghar mein kuch achha nhi lag raha hai. I don't like this silence. It's the wrong kind of quiet."

(Hair can be made again, Siya. Nothing seems nice in this house without you.)

A little later, his phone rang loudly in the hallway, the sound piercing through the stillness. Raghav moved like a flash, catching it before the second ring so it wouldn't wake Siya. He hadn't even noticed he'd left his phone there.

It was a cousin calling to check in but mostly gossiping about a family function they were missing.

Raghav's voice, usually warm and loud, was like ice as he spoke into the receiver.

"Meri baat sun, Priyansh. My wife is very sick. She needs rest, not your questions about why we missed the dinner. Don't call this number again tonight. Samjha?"

(Listen to me, Priyansh….Got it?)

He hung up the phone before they could reply. He walked back to her to find Siya watching him with tired, soft eyes.

"You were a bit mean to them, Raghav."

"Mujhe fark nahi padta, Siya. Right now, only you matter. Pure duniya ek taraf, aur tumhari health ek taraf. If someone disturbs you, they have to deal with me first."

(I don’t care, Siya….The whole world is at one end and your health is at one.)

He sat back down and took her hand in his. Her palm was still hot, but the shivering had stopped.

As the first light of dawn began to peek through the curtains, Siya's fever finally broke. She felt a cool sweat on her skin and a lightness in her head. Raghav was still there, leaning his head against the headboard, his eyes closed but his hand still firmly holding hers.

"Raghav?"

He snapped awake instantly, leaning over her.

"Kya hua? Pain? Do you need water?"

(What happened?)

"Nahi. I feel better. Fever kam ho gaya shayad."

(Fever has broken I think.)

Raghav let out a long, shaky breath. He leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes in pure relief.

"Thank God. Seriously, Siya... tumne mujhe dara diya tha. I realized something these last two days."

(Siya…you scared me.)

"Kya?"

(What?)

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. He looked vulnerable, his voice cracking slightly.

"I realized that all my jokes, all my rockstar drama... it only works when you are there to listen to it. Tumhare bina ab kuch krne ka, hasne ka mann nhi krta. I don't even know how I lived without you before this."

(I don’t want to do anything without you anymore.)

He paused, his thumb tracing the back of her hand.

"Main tumse bohot pyaar karta hoon. I love you, Siya."

(I love you so much.)

Siya felt a tear slip down her temple. She reached up with a weak hand, touching his cheek. 

"I love you too, Raghav. Even when you are being a loud, annoying hero... I love you."

Raghav gave a small, genuine smile, the first one in days. He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.

"Theek hai. But just for today, I'll be a quiet hero. Ab so jao. My life is back on track now."

(Fine….Now sleep.)

He slid into the space beside her, pulling her into a gentle cuddle. Siya tucked her head under his chin, falling into a deep, healthy sleep, knowing she was the most protected woman in the world.

Their six months anniversary arrived and Raghav made sure Siya would never forget the day. He had considered Siya's love for silence more than his own love for noise.

He had spent the morning cancelling a flash mob, a flower-drop drone, and a music orchestra, feeling like he was stripping away his very soul.

The air on the terrace of their home was thick with smell of roses and the earthy aroma of hot food. Raghav was leaning against the railing, looking at the city lights.

He looked back as she approached, his eyes tracing the way her simple chiffon saree caught the moonlight.

"Finally. Mai akele khaana start krne wala tha. My self-control has a very short expiry date, Siya."

(I was about to start eating alone.)

Siya walked closer, her eyes taking in the decorations he'd done with fairy lights, roses and candles.

"Ye sab aapne kia? Without a team of assistants?"

(You did all this?)

"The one and only, Mrs. Oberoi. I even burned my thumb once. Are you impressed, ya phir mai dance perform krke dikhau?"

(Are you impressed, or should I give you a dance performance?)

Siya laughed, reaching out to take his hand.

"I'm very impressed. It's beautiful, Raghav. And I'm surprised aapne kuch noisy nhi kia. So against your persona."

(And I’m surprised you did not do anything noisy.)

"Don't get used to it. My vocal cords are currently on strike, but they'll be back in full force by tomorrow."

He pulled her into the circle of cushions, they sat cross-legged, sharing spicy pav bhaji, their fingers brushing as they reached for the same piece of bread. Raghav spent the time trying to feed her the best bits, his eyes never leaving her face.