The night sky stretched dark and quiet over Officer Colony, but in Penthouse 484, laughter echoed softly from the balcony.

Siya sat cross-legged on the swing, her head resting on Reyansh’s shoulder. His uniform shirt was half unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, hair messy — the way she liked it.

“I still can’t believe you chased a thief through a drainage pipe,” she giggled.

“I slipped twice,” he muttered, pretending to pout.

She laughed harder, placing a kiss on his cheek. “You’re the most dramatic IPS officer this country has ever seen.”

He turned to her with a smirk. “Yet you still chose to marry me.”

“No, no. I didn’t choose. I was trapped.”

“Trapped?” he gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “Wow.”

They were still teasing when his phone rang.

The ringtone wasn’t his usual one.

It was the emergency tone.

Both of them stilled.

Reyansh stood up immediately. “Duty call.”

Siya’s smile faded. Her heart dropped slightly, but she nodded. “Go.”

He rushed inside, changing in minutes. She followed him, helping him button up his crisp uniform. Their fingers brushed, her eyes silently asking, “Is it serious?”

He didn't answer directly. “They need me in South Block. There’s been a small riot near the protest site.”

She looked away, hiding the worry in her eyes.

“Hey,” he said, gently cupping her face. “I’ll be fine. Always am.”

Siya nodded, brushing imaginary dust off his badge. “I know. But don’t be a hero. Be smart.”

“I’ve got someone waiting for me at home. I’ll come back.”

He kissed her forehead. “Promise.”

With that, he was gone.

---

The night stretched long. The clock hit 11:57 PM.

Siya paced in the living room, the TV on mute, the untouched food still on the table. She stared at her phone every two minutes. No calls. No texts.

She went out to the balcony, the wind brushing her cheeks.

And then, down the lane of Officer Colony, she saw a bike.

A familiar black bike.

She didn’t wait.

She ran downstairs barefoot, dodging the security guard’s stare, her saree flying behind her. He was just removing his helmet when she threw herself into his arms.

“Siya—” he began.

“You’re late,” she whispered, hugging him tightly.

He smiled. “Traffic. And some idiot lit a tyre on fire.”

“Don’t care. Just… don’t be late next time.”

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms fully around her. “I’m here. Always.”

The colony was quiet again. Streetlights flickered gently. And as he lifted her up in his arms, carrying her back up to Penthouse 484, she smiled.

Because being the wife of a police officer wasn’t easy.

But loving one like Reyansh?

That was worth every heartbeat.

---