Rhea had thought she was done with surprises for the day.

She had barely processed everything Dushasana had thrown at her—his bluntness, his unexpected honesty, the realization that maybe neither of them truly knew where they belonged.

But of course, fate had other plans.

Because just as she was about to part ways with Dushasana—

They nearly walked straight into Ashwatthama.



The collision was avoided by half a second, but the tension hit like a storm.

Ashwatthama, standing tall, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever. He had clearly been heading in their direction, though whether it was intentional or coincidence, Rhea had no idea.

Dushasana let out a low whistle. "Well, well. Seems like the world really wants you two to meet today."

Rhea shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Ashwatthama raised a brow at that, shifting his gaze between them. "What exactly am I interrupting?"

Rhea opened her mouth—and promptly realized she had no idea what to say.

Dushasana, of course, had zero hesitation.

"Oh, just a casual conversation about fate, expectations, and how my dear friend here is avoiding marriage talk like it's a plague."

Rhea elbowed him so hard he actually winced. "Ow! You are terrifyingly strong for someone who claims to be 'avoiding fights.'"

She ignored him, straightening as she turned to Ashwatthama.

"Ignore him."

"I already do," Ashwatthama said dryly.

Dushasana placed a dramatic hand on his chest. "Hurtful. Truly."

Ashwatthama didn't even look at him. His eyes remained on Rhea, searching, assessing.

She suddenly felt very aware of herself.



Rhea wasn't sure how much Ashwatthama had heard.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe enough.

But either way, she saw it—the slight crease of his brows, the way his expression was neutral yet too carefully so.

He knew something.

The thought unsettled her.

"You've been quiet," he finally said.

Rhea crossed her arms. "Since when do I talk too much?"

Ashwatthama tilted his head slightly. "Since when do you let Dushasana speak for you?"

Dushasana snickered. "He's got a point."

Rhea sent him a murderous glare.

Ashwatthama, however, wasn't smirking.

His gaze was steady, waiting, as if he expected her to say something she wasn't ready to.

Dushasana, naturally, took the silence as an opportunity to cause chaos.

"You know, Ashwatthama, since you're here—you should really help Rhea figure out her feelings on this whole marriage thing. I think she needs another opinion."

Rhea physically froze.

Ashwatthama's entire body tensed.

And for the first time, Dushasana seemed to realize he had actually struck something real.

Rhea turned to him, voice low and dangerously even.

"I. Will. End. You."

Dushasana slowly took a step back, suddenly far less smug.

"Right. That's my cue to leave."

And before either of them could stop him—he was gone.

The silence stretched.

Rhea felt it settle around them—the weight of what had just been left unsaid.

Ashwatthama exhaled slowly, shifting his stance. "So. Marriage, is it?"

She groaned, rubbing her temples. "It's nothing. Just people talking."

"People talk for a reason."

She met his gaze, hating how calm he looked.

"Does it bother you?" she asked.

The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

Ashwatthama didn't answer right away.

And that... that was more telling than anything else.

Rhea didn't know what she expected him to say.

Some sarcastic remark? A casual dismissal?

Instead, he was... thoughtful.

Not uncomfortable. Not irritated.

Just... thinking.

And for some reason, that made her uncomfortable.

"I never considered it," he admitted finally.

Rhea blinked. "Considered what?"

"That people would say something like that. About us."

She hesitated. "Me neither."

And yet, here they were.

Talking about it.

Acknowledging it.

For the first time, it wasn't just an idea floating in the air.

It was real.

And neither of them knew what to do with that.

Ashwatthama sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Forget it. It's just talk."

Rhea nodded, forcing a small smirk. "Exactly. No need to dwell on it."

They both lied.

And they both knew it.

But neither of them called the other out.

Instead, Ashwatthama gave her a long look—**one she couldn't quite decipher—**before stepping back.

"See you around, Rhea."

She exhaled. "Yeah. See you."

And just like that, he was gone.

But the thought stayed.