9.

This book is entirely a product of my imagination. Please do not copy my work, or I will take strict action.

Thank you ❤️

Aarav's POV

She’s looking at me like I’ve done something wrong by saying sorry to her. I focus on my plate I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of everyone.

"When will bua return from her yatra?" Darsh asked while eating.

"Why are you missing her?" Riya teased and everyone laughed.

"It's not like that, I was just asking till when there will be peace in the house" Darsh replied with a smirk.

"She will come next Monday." Papa informed while sipping water.

I finished my dinner quickly and excused myself. Before leaving I glanced at her. Wow Aarav Yaduvanshi! One moment you don’t want to look at her and the next you’re glancing at her again and again.

I went to my home office to divert my mind from her. I need to gain her forgiveness. Whenever I see her I feel a whirlwind of emotions.

"Dramebaaz" my subconscious mocked but I ignored it. I was going through some files when I heard a knock.

"Come in" I said. Maa entered with a cup of coffee which I badly needed.

"Do you have a lot of work?" she asked while sitting in front of me.

"Just a little work left" I replied taking a sip of coffee.

"What happen?" she asked her eyes filled with concern.

"Nothing" I said but her look told me she didn’t believe me.

"I am your mother I know everything. Tell me mera baccha" Her warmth melted my hesitation and I found myself opening up to her.

"I’ve made Aaradhya’s life miserable with my behavior. I thought she was betraying me so I…" I stopped mid sentence guilt consuming me.

"I know everything Aarav. That’s why I kept telling you she’s innocent but you never listened. Ab sab kuch saamne hai na?" Maa said shaking her head.

I looked down ashamed. "I regret my actions. What should I do now Maa?"

"Will you give this marriage a chance?" she asked.

"I don’t know Maa" I said conflicted.

"Look Aarav you can still fix everything but you’ll have to work hard. She’s the most innocent soul I’ve ever met. Believe me you won’t find anyone like her" Her words struck a chord in my heart.

"Yes Maa. I’ll earn her forgiveness even if I have to go down on my knees" I said firmly.

Maa laughed. "Oh my God Aarav Yaduvanshi! On his knees for his wife? Lagta hai tum jaldi joru ke gulaam ban jaoge!" Her teasing made my heart race.

"You need to talk to her tonight. Tell her everything. Whether she forgives you or not is her decision" Maa advised.

After she left I kept wondering how to start the conversation. How should I begin? It’ll be so awkward because of my mistakes.

That night I finally mustered the courage to go to my room. I took a deep breath opened the door and found her standing in front of the dressing table. She looked at me through the mirror but quickly broke eye contact.

I walked toward her nervously. I wasn’t even this nervous when I received the Best Businessman of the Year award!

She started moving toward the sofa to sleep but I stopped her.

"I wa…want to ta…talk to you" I stammered. Great start Aarav.

"Ji" she replied softly.

"You were calling her a betrayer days ago and now you’re stuttering!" my subconscious mocked.

"I’m really sorry for my behavior and for all the hurt I’ve caused you. I’ll fix everything and wait until you forgive me" I said in one breath. Her eyes widened.

"I’m dreaming again" she murmured walking toward the couch. I gently held her wrist.

"No you’re not dreaming" I said.

"A…are you really saying sorry?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I nodded.

"But you thought I betrayed you. Why are you apologizing now?" she asked her pain evident.

"I’ve realized my mistake. I’m not forcing you to forgive me. I’ll earn it" I said sincerely.

She removed her wrist from my hand. "It’s not easy for me to forgive you after everything you’ve done" she said.

"I’m ready to bear any punishment" I replied earnestly.

"Okay gain it then. All the best" she said a small smile playing on her lips.

I smiled back. She’s still willing to forgive me despite everything I’ve done.

"From now on you’ll sleep on the bed and I’ll take the couch" I said walking toward the couch.

"You can…" she started but I interrupted.

"It’s final" I said lying on the couch.

Aaradhya’s POV

How can he change so much in just one day? For the past week he was doing everything to make me regret marrying him. And now he’s adamant about earning my forgiveness.

I was so shocked by his apology that I couldn’t even say much. Maa had already warned me not to forgive him easily And I will listen to her because the pain he caused me cannot be ignored.

Still I can’t deny my own fault in all this. Maybe I’ll forgive him soon but not without making him understand what he’s done.

I lay on the bed and glanced at him struggling to fit on the couch. His large frame made it impossible to lie comfortably. I felt bad for him but he wouldn’t listen even if I asked him to sleep on the bed.

I thought back to everything he had done. Yes my family betrayed him and his anger was justified but he didn’t have the right to punish me. Still he apologized and if Maa hadn’t told me to hold out I would have forgiven him on the spot.

The next morning

I woke up early dressed in a light pink saree and did minimal makeup. When I opened the door to leave the room Aarav ji entered drenched in sweat from his gym session.

I froze as he walked toward me. "Good morning" he said casually.

I was surprised but didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. "Good morning" I replied softly and left the room.

I went downstairs and headed to the kitchen to prepare tea and coffee for everyone.

"Bhoo!" someone tried to scare me. I flinched turning to see Chachi and Maa laughing at me.

"You scared me!" I said laughing nervously while they chuckled.

As we worked together on breakfast Maa whispered "Did Aarav apologize?"

"Yes" I admitted and she grinned.

"Do you remember that you shouldn't forgive him so quickly?" she reminded me. I nodded though part of me wished I could forgive him.

We set the table and one by one everyone joined us.

"Good morning everyone!" Aarav ji greeted his tone unusually cheerful.

"Good morning beta ji. You are looking happy" Papa teased.

Aarav glanced at me before replying, "Yes today is something special, that's all."

Everyone smiled but I couldn’t stop myself from hiding my own smile.

"Bhabhi you had once mentioned that you want to take a skill development course" Riya suddenly brought up while pouring juice.

I nodded cautiously. "Yes I had mentioned."

"So Bhabhi why don't you join our college? This year's batch is starting next week" Darsh suggested.

I hesitated and glanced at Aarav ji who seemed focused on his food. "I will see" I said.

"Yes beta if you want to do it then definitely do it" Chachi encouraged.

"Okay I will tell you by evening." I replied deciding to ask Aarav ji about it later.

We finished breakfast and everyone got up to leave.

"I'm going" Aarav ji said looking directly at me.

"Come soon" Maa said and he nodded before leaving. One by one everyone else left too.

Aarav’s POV

"Take an admission in Yaduvanshi International University for Aaradhya Yaduvanshi in the skill development course" I instructed Rahul my assistant.

He looked at me briefly then nodded. "Okay sir. Anything else?"

"I want the admission finalized by noon. Bring me the papers once it’s done" I said firmly. He noted everything and left.

I leaned back in my chair thinking. I didn’t even know she wanted to study further. Well you’ve never really talked to her Aarav.

I want to fulfill her every wish now. Why? I don’t know. I just want her to be happy. She’s innocent and perfect in every way.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I focused on my work. Today is going to be hectic.

That evening

When I came home I went straight to my room and saw Aaradhya sitting on the couch reading. I coughed lightly to grab her attention.

She looked up quickly closed her book and stood."Please come after freshening up for dinner" she said politely heading for the door.

"Wait" I stopped her handing her the confirmation papers.

She hesitated then took them. As she read her eyes widened and a mix of shock and happiness lit up her face. It was worth the effort just to see her like this.

"For what is this?" she asked looking between the paper and me.

"Accept it as a sorry" I said.

Her gaze softened. After a brief pause, she whispered "Thank you for this."

I nodded and walked toward the bathroom to freshen up.

Aaradhya’s POV

I’m so happy! He got me admitted to the best university. I carefully placed the documents in my cupboard and went downstairs to share the news.

Maa and Papa were overjoyed and Riya couldn’t stop teasing me"Bhabhi what have you done to Aarav brother that he is going crazy behind you?"  she joked making everyone laugh.

I smiled shyly and set the table.

"Toh iska matlab ab bhabhi humare saath college jayengi!""So, does this mean that now bhabhi will go to college with us?" Darsh said and I nodded happily.

When Aarav ji came to join us for dinner Darsh couldn’t resist. "Bhai you are getting more and more crazy about bhabhi!"

Everyone burst out laughing. I blushed furiously feeling both embarrassed and flustered. Aarav ji gave Darsh a sharp glare but the corner of his lips twitched in amusement.

As we all enjoyed dinner a loud voice interrupted us.

"Hello everyone!"

A young man around Aarav Ji's age stood at the door. His confident demeanor caught everyone’s attention.

I glanced at Aarav ji who was glaring daggers at the newcomer. Who is he?

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