AROHI'S P.O.V
As I lay there, my forehead tingling with an unfamiliar sensation, I groggily opened my eyes. To my surprise, I found myself resting in my husband's lap, his gentle fingers soothing my brow.
In disbelief, I jolted upright, blinking rapidly as my mind struggled to make sense of what had just unfoldedāhow could this be? It felt like a dream, yet I was wide awake.
He gazed at me with eyes full of worry, his voice soft and filled with concern. "What happened, Arohi? Did you have another bad dream?"
I shook my head, a silent 'no' escaping my lips.
Relief washed over his face as he let out a quiet breath, his tension melting away. "Thank God," he murmured, his eyes still searching mine. "I couldn't understand what happened a few hours ago."
My eyes widened in horror, and a rush of guilt hit me like a tidal wave. Oh God, what have I done...? I thought to myself, a sinking feeling gnawing at my insides. I despised these traumasāthey didnāt just haunt me, they dredged up the rawest of emotions.
I didn't want anyone to see this side of me, to know the pain I carried so deeply. I couldn't bear the thought of people pitying me, of offering their sympathy just because I had never known a father's love.
He could hurt me, again and again, but no matter how cruel he was, he would always be my father. He might refuse to see me as his daughter, but I would never stop seeing him as my father.
Suddenly, Ayushmanās voice pierced through the heavy silence. "Uh... would you like to talk about it?"
I lowered my gaze, my teeth sinking into my lower lip as I fought to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over.
I couldnāt tell him... not this. I couldnāt let him see the depth of my paināhe would only pity me, and I couldnāt bear that.
I couldnāt allow the image of my father to crumble in his eyes, to reveal the broken truth of who he really was. God, please, I silently begged, save me from this.
He spoke again, his voice gentle, yet filled with understanding. "Okay... well, donāt pressure yourself. I just wanted you to know that if you need to talk, Iām here. I want you to feel light, but I understand you need time. Iām not forcing you to spill the truth. Take all the time you need, and when you feel like the moment is right, you can tell me. Justā¦ whenever you're ready."
I lifted my gaze to meet his, stunned by his words. How could someone be so kind? So patient? He truly cares for me, I thought, a wave of warmth washing over me. Heās waiting for me to feel comfortable, to open up when Iām ready... Is this real, or am I still dreaming?
Barely able to find my voice, I whispered, āCanācan I... hug you?ā
Ayushman looked at me, momentarily stunned, before his expression softened, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"You may"
He nodded, and without thinking, I threw myself into his arms. The moment he enveloped me, it felt like coming homeā
A place of safety, warmth, and the comfort I had always longed for, a sanctuary I never thought Iād find.
He gently patted my head, his voice soothing as he said, "Everything will be okay, don't worry. Now, let's go home."
I pulled away from the hug instantly, my mind racing. "What about theĀ pending work?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief. Without missing a beat, he replied, "It's all done."
My jaw dropped in shock. "You didn't have to do that!"
"It's fine, really!" He protested and simply shrugged and smiled.
"The doctor told you to rest properly," he said, his tone full of assurance. I froze, my eyes wide with surprise. "When did the doctor come?" I demanded. He chuckled softly, "While you were peacefully sleeping." I shot him an angry pout, but he just laughed again, his amusement clear.
"Let's go, Angry Bird," he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I crossed my arms, protesting, "I'm not an angry bird!" He burst into laughter, not the least bit fazed.
"Oh yes, you are," he grinned, before playfully tugging me out of his cabin. We made our way home, the car ride filled with lighthearted banter and laughter.
As we pulled up to the house, we were greeted by Maaās warm, loving smile, a sight that instantly calmed me. She informed me with excitement that tomorrow, weād be going shopping for the crowning ceremony. The mention of it made my heart flutter.
Ayushmanās coronation... Oh, how it set my heart racing with excitement! I just know heās going to be a magnificent king. Heās flawless in every aspectātruly perfect. Sure, heās always teased me since we were little, but thatās what friends do, right? Still, as I glanced at him, I couldnāt help but notice that smile of his... who could possibly resist it? Ugh, Arohi, get a grip! What on earth are you even thinking? What is happening to me right now?!
Sometimes, I find myself questioning my kismat, wondering how on earth fate could have chosen me to be his wife. I mean, seriously, how did this even happen? But then, a thought strikes meāafter all, itās destiny. And no one, not even the strongest of wills, can ever escape it...
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I was heading out for shopping! The excitement bubbled inside me. We sat down to dinner, and for the first time, we shared a meal together, all smiles and laughter.
It felt surrealāI was on cloud nine. I was getting the things I had always dreamed of, the ones I only ever wrote about in my novels. It was as if I were living a dream, something I had only ever imagined.
"Finally I was getting Kitaboon wla parental love....."
After that, we all retreated to our rooms, the warmth of the evening still lingering, and drifted off to sleep, our hearts light and content.
AUTHOR'S P.O.V
In the early morning Ayushman called Aryaan.
"Bhai so rha hain kya?"
[Bro are you sleeping?]
Aryaan replied,
"Nahi toh! Main to photosynthesis kr rha hu suraj nikal gya hain na"
[No! I'm doing photosynthesis... Sun has already come out right!!]
Ayushman rolled his eyes.
"I called you because Arohi and I wonāt be going to the office today," Ayushmanās voice echoed through the phone. Aryaan shot up in shock. "What? Where are you two going?" His mind couldnāt grasp the words, and then, in utter disbelief, he asked, "Ayushman Suryavanshiātaking a day off? Am I hearing this right?"Ā
Ayushman sighed in exasperation, "Stop with the drama, Aryaan. This weekend is my crowning ceremony, and Arohi and I are heading out for shopping. Thatās all."
Aryaan blinked, his surprise fading into irritation. "Ohhh, that thing! And you're calling me at this ungodly hour just to tell me this?"
Ayushman groaned, clearly over it. "Jeez! Now, go back to sleep. Bye!"
AYUSHMAN'S P.O.V
"I called Aryaan to tell him thisāoh god, heās so dramatic!" I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes as I ended the call. My gaze shifted to theĀ bed, where Arohi lay curled up, hugging a pillow, her face serene and innocent, looking like a little kitten in a peaceful slumber.
A soft smile tugged at my lips before I gently closed the curtains, casting the room in a soft, muted light. With a sigh, I made my way to the bathroom, preparing to shower and face the day ahead.
AROHI'S P.O.V
I woke up, my body still heavy with the remnants of a peaceful sleep, only to find Ayushman wasnāt beside me. I assumed he mustāve been in the shower.
I glanced around the roomāoh, the curtains were still drawn. It had become such a familiar sight, I didnāt give it a second thought. As I was about to slide out of bed, the bathroom door suddenly creaked open, and there stood Ayushman, his body clad in nothing but a towel wrapped low around his waist.
He didnāt notice me at first, his eyes focused on the ground, but then, as if by fate, he looked up, and our gazes collided. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel the heat flooding my faceāI was already a blushing mess.
"Oh, you're up," he said, his voice calm, though there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "I thought you were still sleeping."
I couldnāt bring myself to reply, too embarrassed to speak. Ayushman, visibly confused, looked down in realization, his face turning an instant shade of red.
Without a word, he rushed into the closet, his face flushed with equal mortification. I stood there, frozen, my heart racing, silently cursing the situation. Oh God, this was so embarrassing.
He returned, absentmindedly scratching the back of his neck. "Uhh... well, sorry about that," he muttered. I gave a quick, enthusiastic nod, trying to mask the awkwardness. Standing up, I stammered, "I-I need to use the washroom," before hurriedly escaping.
After a few moments of composure, we all made our way downstairs and exchanged polite "good mornings" with the family. But when the time finally came to head out for shopping, everything came to a sudden halt. Ayushman stepped forward, his voice heavy with urgency. "Mom, I have an important meeting. Iām leaving."
My smile instantly faded. What? He's not coming? The words caught in my throat, but before I could say a thing, he was already gone, leaving me standing there, stunned. I stared at the floor, my heart sinking, and joined the rest of the family, my excitement now replaced with a quiet emptiness.
As we arrived at the shop, a strange fog of distraction settled over me. The vibrant colors of the clothes around me seemed to blur into nothingness. All I could think about was him. I couldnāt fathom why, but his absence left a hollow ache in meāhis presence always gave me an unexplainable strength, a courage I couldnāt find without him.
In the midst of my tangled thoughts, my mom's voice sliced through the silence. "Aru, which one do you like? The red saree or the black one?" Her question hung in the air as I gazed at both, mesmerized by their beauty but unable to choose. My mind was a whirlpool, caught between indecision and longing.
Just then, out of nowhere, a familiar voice floated towards me from behind.
"The black one is better."
My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, every fiber of my being recognizing that voice.
To be continued...
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