The next morning, Aryan was already awake before sunrise.
His body was trained like a machine.
No alarms. No excuses.
He worked out for an hour, showered, and dressed in a black shirt.
His eyes changed when he looked at the mirror.
Not Eagle.
Not the mafia lord.
Just a man thinking about a girl.
At Nithya's house, things were normal as always.
Her father read the newspaper. Her mother cooked breakfast. Her brother complained about math homework.
Nithya sipped her coffee calmly, but her mind was somewhere else.
Aryan's voice kept replaying.
"You are mine."
"I don't need why."
"I will marry you."
She placed the cup down slowly.
No one in her house even imagined that a mafia lord had decided her future without asking anyone.
Her mother looked at her.
"You seem distracted. Everything okay?"
Nithya smiled. "Just college work. Don't worry."
Her mask was perfect.
No crack. No sign.
Aryan couldn't wait anymore.
He asked his parents to meet Nithya's family.
His mother smiled warmly. "We will go today evening. Fix a time."
Aryan called Nithya.
She answered on the second ring.
"What?" she asked, without hello or greeting.
Aryan loved that.
No fear. No formality.
"We are coming to your house this evening," Aryan said.
"For what?"
"For marriage talk."
Nithya leaned against a pillar in her college corridor. Students passed behind her, laughing and rushing for class.
But her world had slowed down.
"So fast?" she asked.
"I am not wasting time," Aryan replied.
Silence.
Then Nithya said something that made his heart spark—
"What if I say no?"
Aryan didn't react immediately.
His voice was steady.
"You won't."
"And how do you know?" she teased.
"I observed you," Aryan said. "You don't fear me. You don't reject me. You're curious."
Nithya smiled softly. "Maybe."
Aryan added, "And curiosity always pulls people closer."
She didn't deny it.
Instead she whispered, "Let's see how far it pulls."
He was the flame.
She was the gasoline.
Together, they could burn the world.
Evening came.
Aryan and his parents arrived at Nithya's house.
Aryan wore a white shirt this time.
White looked soft on him, but his aura was still sharp.
Nithya opened the door.
For a second, Aryan forgot the world.
Her hair was loose, her eyes calm, and she wore a simple peach kurti.
No jewelry.
No makeup.
Still perfect.
Aryan's mother smiled.
"You must be Nithya, right? Very beautiful."
Nithya nodded politely and guided them inside.
Her parents were surprised, nervous, and curious.
They didn't know who Aryan really was.
To them, he was just a handsome young businessman from Korea.
Tea and biscuits were served.
Conversation began.
Aryan's father explained gently, "Our son wishes to marry your daughter. We want to know her opinion and your family's."
Nithya's mother looked at Nithya, shocked.
"Nithya! You didn't tell us anything!"
Nithya shrugged slightly.
"He told me recently."
Her father looked at Aryan.
"You look mature and stable. But marriage is serious. You are older than her."
Aryan answered calmly, "I know her age. And I'm not asking for time. I'm asking for her."
Nithya watched silently.
She wanted to see how far Aryan would push.
Her father turned to Nithya.
"What do you say? Do you like him?"
The living room became silent.
Aryan's heartbeat increased.
He never waited for anyone's answer.
But for the first time, someone had the power to slow him down.
Nithya looked directly into Aryan's eyes.
Her voice was soft— but sharp.
"I don't dislike him."
Aryan almost smiled.
Almost.
Her parents sighed in relief, thinking that meant yes.
But Aryan understood the real meaning.
Not a yes.
Not a no.
A challenge.
Her father said, "If you both agree, we can move forward."
Aryan spoke immediately, "I agree."
All eyes turned to Nithya again.
She took a breath and said, "I need time."
Aryan clenched his jaw.
Time.
He hated that word.
But he nodded.
Not because he wanted to.
Because she asked.
After the families exchanged pleasantries, Aryan stood quietly while leaving.
Nithya came near the door and whispered, "Don't think I will make it easy."
Aryan leaned closer and whispered back, "Don't think I like easy."
Their eyes locked.
Fire met fire.
Marriage was no longer just a plan.
It had become a game.
And only devils enjoyed games like this.