Chapter - 25

AROHI'S P.O.V

My thoughts drifted to last night—the way he had gently massaged my lower abdomen, so patient, so caring.

I felt my face go red all over again, my lips curling into a soft smile as I blushed deeply.

Suddenly, Dad looked at both of us and said casually, “Why don’t you two go on a trip?”

I froze. A trip? My eyes widened as I turned to look at him. Me and Ayushman… on a trip? Just the two of us?

Is this our honeymoon?

Arohi what are you thinking??

JUST ONLY TWO OF US??

Ayushman looked from me to Dad, about to say something, but before he could get a word out, Mom jumped in enthusiastically.

“Yes! That’s a great idea! You two never even went on a proper honeymoon. And Arohi really needs a fresh start, a breath of fresh air. It’ll do you both good.”

She continued, “Don’t worry about work—your dad and Aryaan will take care of the business. And Sakshi is here too if anything comes up. Just go, enjoy yourselves.”

Ayushman gave a small nod, still processing it all. I, on the other hand, was spiraling in my thoughts.

Honeymoon… with Ayushman? My heart skipped a beat. What would that even be like?

And then Dad dropped the real bombshell: “I’ll handle everything—your tickets, the flight, the hotel. You two are leaving in two days.”

Two days?! My jaw practically hit the floor. That soon?

I felt a rush of nervous excitement. This would be my first time ever going to another country. My heart pounded in my chest. A mix of butterflies, curiosity, and nerves swirled inside me.

AYUSHMAN'S P.O.V

Mom had asked that question just to tease us, and I instantly started coughing, hoping to change the subject and distract her attention.

But my dear little kitten—Arohi—decided to betray me with a sweet, innocent smile.

“He literally bought every flavour of different ice cream tubs ” I looked at her with widen eyes.

Our eyes met, and she shot me a sharp glare. I glared right back. Why can’t she keep these little things between us?

So, in true tit-for-tat fashion, I fired back. “Well, someone’s mood swings were out of control.”

Her eyes widened in horror, completely caught off guard. Payback, I thought smugly.

Mom, of course, couldn’t stop laughing. Her laughter echoed through the room.

And then, just like that, Dad dropped a bombshell.

“Why don’t you two go on a trip?” he said casually, like it was no big deal.

I turned to him in complete shock. A trip? With Arohi? Just the two of us? ALONE?!

My brain nearly short-circuited. I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out.

How am I supposed to stay calm around her? Every time we’re close, it’s like there’s this fire building inside me—something electric, uncontrollable—and now they want to send us off together, miles away from home?

Mom chimed in with even more enthusiasm. “Yes! It’ll be your honeymoon!” she grinned.

Great. Now it wasn’t just a trip. It was our honeymoon.

Mom probably thought I was going to object because of work—but honestly, that wasn’t what I was panicking about.

There were... other things. Things I definitely couldn’t explain in front of them.

I stared blankly at my phone, trying to collect myself, when suddenly I felt Mom’s hand gently wrap around mine. I looked up, surprised.

“What happened, Mom?” I asked softly.

She leaned in and whispered, her voice filled with concern, “I know... but it’s just— I’m still worried about her safety. You remember what happened… how she was kidnapped…”

My heart clenched. I gripped her hand tighter, nodding slowly. The memory of that terrifying time hit me all over again.

No matter what—come hell or high water—I wasn’t going to let anything happen to Arohi again.

I looked at Mom and said firmly, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect her, no matter what. Till my last breath, Mom—I promise, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Mom smiled softly and gently patted my head, a silent blessing in her touch.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Arohi quietly stepping out into the garden. Curious, I followed her.

She was watering the plants, her focus locked on the white rose tree swaying gently in the breeze.

There was a quiet admiration in her eyes as she watched it, almost like it was speaking to her.

What a coincidence, I thought, Ishi and Arohi... both had the same love for white roses.

For a second, my mind drifted to Rishika—she always preferred brightly colored flowers, bold and loud. But I shook off the memory. No, that’s the past. Let’s not go there.

I walked up to Arohi and stood silently beside her. She noticed me and quickly straightened up.

“I’m sorry!” she said, flustered. “I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. I just… I was just admiring the white rose. I didn’t want to ruin it or anything—”

Before she could say another word, I gently placed my finger on her lips.

“Why are you saying sorry?” I said softly. “This garden is yours too. You can do whatever you want here.”

Her face softened, and a small, sweet smile formed on her lips.

“So…” I continued, “Are you excited? We’re finally going out, just the two of us.”

Her eyes lit up instantly. “Yes!” she beamed. “I’m so excited. This is the first time I’ll be leaving the country. I’ve always dreamed of it, ever since I was little—”

But suddenly, she stopped mid-sentence. The sparkle in her eyes faded, and her voice trailed off.

“But…?” I asked gently, trying to read her expression. “By the way, I remember seeing news once—Advik had visited several countries with his family. It was all over the media. So…”

I paused, searching her face. “Didn’t you go with them?”

Her expression changed. Her eyes widened slightly in panic, and she started stammering, “Y-Yeah… I-I mean, I did... I went—”

Before she could escape, she turned to leave, but I reached out and gently caught her hand, pulling her back to face me.

“Then why did you say you never travelled?” I asked, my voice quiet but serious. “They didn’t take you with them… did they?”

She looked up at me, her eyes glassy and brimming with tears.

I looked at her, concerned. “Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”

Her voice trembled as she replied, “If I tell you something… will you believe me?”

I stepped closer, my eyes locked on hers. “Of course I’ll believe you. Why wouldn’t I?”

A single tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, “Dad never took me with them.”

I stood there, stunned.

“They always took Rishika,” she continued, her voice shaking. “Whenever they traveled—family vacations, events—I was left behind. Always. Like I didn’t exist.”

My heart sank as she took a deep breath and her voice grew softer, more fragile. “One time, during my childhood… Mom, Dad, and Rishu went on a vacation.

I had just gotten my periods for the first time. I didn’t even know what it was. I woke up and saw blood all over the bedsheets… I thought something horrible had happened to me.”

She was barely holding it together now.

“I cried in my room the whole day. I didn’t understand anything. No one was there... But then, one of our old maids, a kind elderly woman, noticed I was missing and came to check on me.

She understood what was happening… she helped me, comforted me. If she hadn’t come, I don’t know what I would've done.”

I was speechless.

What kind of pain had she buried in her heart all these years? What kind of child goes through something like that—alone?

Without saying a word, I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms. She melted into the hug, and I held her close.

“Don’t cry,” I whispered, stroking her hair. “You were alone then… but now you’re not."

"I promise, I’ll never leave your side. Whatever happens, I’ll be there—always. I’ll support you, stand by you, protect you… just like I said.”

She looked up at me, a soft smile breaking through her tears.

I wiped them gently from her cheeks. “So… do you want to have some chocolates?”

She blinked, then grinned mischievously. “Yes, yes, yes! Let’s gooo!”

I laughed, my heart feeling a little lighter, just from seeing her smile again.

We both headed to the kitchen, still smiling from our little garden moment.

I handed her a chocolate bar, and she immediately unwrapped it and began eating like a happy little kid.

There was something so pure, so innocent in the way she enjoyed it—it made my heart flutter.

She suddenly held out a piece toward me, eyes gleaming with mischief.

I leaned forward, ready to take it—but just as I opened my mouth, she cheekily snatched it back and popped it into her own mouth, bursting into laughter.

Oh, so she’s in a playful mood now, I thought, narrowing my eyes with a smirk.

The second time she brought the chocolate close to her lips, I caught her hand gently and leaned in.

I took the piece straight from her fingers into my mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise as my lips brushed against her skin—soft and deliberate.

Then, still holding her gaze, I slowly licked her chocolate-stained fingers.

She froze. Completely still.

Her breath hitched, her cheeks flushed. I could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She swallowed hard, visibly nervous, and her eyes darted everywhere—anywhere but into mine.

Flustered, she quickly put the rest of the chocolate in the fridge and almost ran out to the main hall.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. So adorably shy, so easily flustered. Her childlike innocence mixed with her grown-up charm—it was dangerously irresistible.

Skip to the day of our trip—excitement in the air, and Arohi buzzing with curiosity. She had no idea where we were headed, though I knew every detail.

Since morning, she’d been trying every trick in the book, asking me questions in the most clever, roundabout ways, hoping I’d slip. But I am Ayushman Suryavanshi.

When I say it’s a surprise, it stays a surprise. That’s not just a promise—it’s a vow.

AROHI'S P.O.V

I woke up early that morning—after all, it was trip day! But here’s the twist: everyone knew where we were going… except me.

Seriously? How is that fair! I asked Maa, hoping for a hint, but all she said was, “It’s a nice place, you’ll enjoy it.”

Ugh. I didn’t bother asking Dad—he’d just think I was being childish.

So I turned to my last and most dangerous option—my Greek God mischief husband, Ayushman Suryavanshi. The man I was staring daggers at for answers.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“It’s a surprise,” he said with that infuriating calm.

“What kind of clothes should I pack then?”

“Anything you love… or just shop from there,” he replied, smirking.

UGH! His vague, smug replies were driving me crazy. I started packing, frustrated and grumbling under my breath, when I noticed him chuckling at my misery.

Oh, just you wait, Mr. Suryavanshi. I will have my revenge.

Finally, the moment had arrived—we were leaving for the airport. With our bags packed and hearts racing, we took blessings from our parents.

Maa pulled me into a warm hug and whispered, “Enjoy… and make us grandparents soon.”

My eyes went wide, and in an instant, I turned into a blushing mess.

I let out a nervous laugh while Maa chuckled at my reaction.

Just then, Ayushman noticed the exchange. Without a word, he extended his hand toward me. I looked at him, puzzled.

He simply nodded, silently telling me to take his hand. I slipped my hand into his, and together we walked to our car—yes, our very own car.

We settled inside, and as the engine roared to life, the city slowly slipped past our windows.

A few minutes into the ride, he casually asked, “Why were you blushing back there? What did Mom say to you?”

I turned to him with wide, shocked eyes. How did he know?!

To be continued....

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