Arohi stood frozen, her heart racing, as she heard the words she never thought would come from him. The most feared mafia... apologizing? Was this even real? Her eyes widened in disbelief, unable to blink, as she tried to process what was happening. Ayushman's voice broke the silence, a rare vulnerability in his tone.
"I shouldn't have done that to you... I'm sorry for making you feel that way... You have every right to be angry with me... I'm truly sorry, wife"ย
He murmured, his words heavier than any weapon he'd ever wielded.
Arohi blinked, once, twice, as if the shock was too much for her to absorb in one moment. Slowly, she let out a breath, her voice barely a whisper,
"It's okay... just... please, get up."
Ayushman's voice softened, yet there was an undeniable edge to it.
"No, first say you forgive me, then I'll stand up,"
He insisted, his gaze intense.
Arohi, still processing the weight of his apology, nodded slowly.
"Yes, I forgive you... Now, please, get up. It's not right for you to kneel before me; you're older than I am,"
She said, her tone firm but gentle.
Ayushman stared at her, his eyes widening in disbelief, as if the very notion of her commanding him was something he couldn't quite grasp. But, slowly, he complied. He rose to his feet, but as he did, his mind momentarily betrayed him-his gaze flickered downward, catching sight of Arohi's bare legs, the smooth skin that seemed to demand his attention.
He quickly shook his head, desperate to rid himself of the distracting thought. With a grunt, he sat down beside her on the bed, trying to gather his composure, but the tension in the air was thick with unspoken words.
Arohi's voice faltered as she spoke, her eyes filled with regret.
"I'm sorry too... I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just that... I lose my temper sometimes, and-"
Ayushman cut her off gently, but with a firmness that surprised her.
"No, no, it's okay... Your anger is completely justified. I understand. But..."
He paused, his eyes darkening, the weight of his next words hanging heavily in the air.
"Yeah, I may not accept you as my wife... but that doesn't give me the right to treat you like that.ย I'm sorry for behaving that way. I can't just come close to you then leave you like a thing. It's really unnatural of me. I respect women. My mother taught me that. I'm really sorry for what I've done. Please forgive me wife.... I'll not do that again..."
Arohi's heart clenched painfully at his confession. The words I can't accept you as my wife felt like a dagger to her chest, each syllable digging deeper into the raw wound of her emotions.
The ache inside her was almost unbearable, as if his rejection was not just of her, but of everything she had hoped for between them. She blinked back the sting of tears, but the hurt in his words echoed in her soul, leaving a bitter taste she couldn't shake.
Ayushman took a deep breath, his gaze softening ever so slightly as he continued.
"But... we can try, you know, as friends... Like now, we're business partners, so we could be friends, and maybe, just maybe, try to understand each other better."
AYUSHMAN'S P.O.V
I don't understand why I even try to be her friend... It's not in my nature to disrespect her, and I know I have no right to. Yes, this marriage may have been forced, but that doesn't change the fact that I love Ishi, and I can't bring myself to treat her with anything less than respect.
I may have promised to make her life a living hell, but the moment I look into her eyes, all those dark thoughts just fade away. Ugh, let's put all that aside and focus on what really matters now.
Arohi's lips curved into a smile, though it was tinged with the faintest hint of sadness. She nodded, her voice steady but with a hint of resolve.
"Sure... we'll be friends... but my one condition... No more hurtful words, okay?"
Ayushman let out a quiet laugh, something raw and genuine in it, as if the tension between them had momentarily cracked.
"Okayy" he replied, his tone light but sincere.
Arohi's heart fluttered at the sound of his laugh-something she had never thought she'd hear from him. This was the first time, perhaps, that she had made him laugh, and the thought made her smile brighter than ever.
For the first time in a long while, a sense of warmth bloomed in her chest, filling the empty spaces where doubt and hurt once lingered.
Arohi's voice was soft but purposeful as she spoke, the weight of the evening settling in her words.
"Okayyy, let's sleep now... Tomorrow, the arrangements for your crowning ceremony will begin."
Ayushman got up and was going to the couch when Arohi stopped him .She paused, then added with a gentle tone.
"If you want, you can sleep on the bed... It's a king-size, so there's plenty of space-on one side, you and on the other, me. Besides, I know how uncomfortable you feel sleeping on the couch."
Ayushman's eyes sharpened, absorbing each word she said, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that made the air between them thick with unspoken thoughts. Arohi, suddenly self-conscious, lowered her gaze to the floor, silently waiting for his response.
Ayushman hesitated for a brief moment, his voice low but steady.
"Okayyy."
Arohi's heart skipped a beat as she looked up, a wide smile spreading across her face. It was genuine, a smile that reached her eyes, one that had been rare between them.
Ayushman, for the first time in what felt like ages, returned the smile, a faint curve of his lips, and for a moment, the space between them didn't feel so heavy.
Arohi meticulously arranged everything on the bed, placing pillows between them with a deliberate intent.
"This will prevent us from touching," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "You know, it's just... too much, the constant proximity."
Ayushman, silently acknowledging her words, nodded in agreement. Then, with a sudden shift in tone, Arohi asked, her eyes narrowing,
"Do you know who closed all the curtains this morning?"
Ayushman's eyes went wide, a mix of shock taking over his expression.
Ayushman nervously scratched the back of his neck, his voice faltering as he replied.
"I... I don't know... maybe Mom or the maid..."
He quickly added.
"Uh, let's just sleep. Good night."
Without another word, he turned onto his side, his body tense. Arohi, her brow furrowing in confusion, stared at him for a moment.
Ayushman
Suryavanshi..stammering?
The thought lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside with a shrug, settling down beside him. Yet, sleep eluded her; her mind remained restless, thoughts swirling in the darkness.
Arohi lay still, waiting for Ayushman to drift off, her eyes tracing the soft rise and fall of his chest. After several minutes, she finally heard the steady rhythm of his breathing, signaling he was in a deep slumber. Silently, she slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and grabbed her iPad.
With focused determination, she began writing her chapter, each word flowing as the hours slipped away. When she finished, she returned to the bed, her movements almost ghostly. There, in the moonlight, she found Ayushman lying on his back, his mouth wide open, completely unaware, looking like an innocent, oversized baby.
A soft giggle escaped her lips before she quickly stifled it, shaking her head in amusement. With a final glance at his peaceful face, she snuggled back under the covers, allowing herself to drift into sleep, a smile playing on her lips
AROHI'S P.O.V
Aww, he looks just like a babyโso innocent, so pure. I can't help but feel a little warmth in my heart, especially knowing that at least he's trying to be my friend. Deep down, I know he doesn't love meโhis heart belongs to Rishuโbut even so, some sometimes my heart struggles to accept that reality.
I donโt expect and anything from this marriage, but every now and then, itโs hard to swallow the truth. , Iโll wait for tomorrow morning, hoping that it brings a little more peace than the day before.
When Ayushman awoke the next morning, he was enveloped by a soft, comforting warmth. He instinctively snuggled deeper into it, enjoying the coziness. But then, he felt a strange movement.
Can a pillow move?
He wondered, trying to brush off the odd sensation. Yet, his curiosity got the better of him, and his eyes snapped open. To his utter disbelief, he realized with a jolt that the softness he had been clinging to was not a pillow at all... but his own replaced wife, Arohi, now lying in his arms. His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened in shock, the realization hitting him like a thunderclap.
As Ayushman's breath caught in his throat, he realized that Arohi remained soundly asleep, unaware of the chaos that had just unfolded. With a racing heart, he gently eased her back into her side of the bed, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber.
His movements were slow and deliberate, like a man trying to erase the evidence of his own shock. With a deep, shaky breath, he slipped out of bed, his mind still reeling. In the silence of the room, he mechanically walked to the windows, his fingers fumbling as he closed each curtain, just as he did every morning, as if to conceal not just the light but the strange reality of the moment..
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