16.

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

Thank you ❤️

Aaradhya’s POV

“What is all this?” I asked staring at the branded dresses, sandals, heels, bags, jewelry, and more lying in front of me.

“Bhabhi all this is from us to you!” Riya clapped her hands grinning.

“But why?” I asked still in shock.

“Beta you’re starting college tomorrow na? This is a small gift from us so that you can try different outfits in college” Maa said lovingly.

“Maa, I’m an introvert and I don’t want anyone’s attention by wearing these luxury items. Aur waise bhi I already have enough dresses and other things” I tried to reason.

“We’re not listening to anything, Bhabhi! You have to wear all this” Raj said crossing his arms dramatically. I scoffed at his stubbornness.

“Okay, and thank you so much for all this” I finally said smiling.

After dinner

We were all sitting in the garden and everyone was busy giving me tips and advice for my first day at college.

“Aur agar kisi ne kuch kaha to wahi muh tod dena uska. Baaki main handle kar lunga” Chachu said firmly. I nodded trying not to laugh at his seriousness.

“Aur Bhabhi hum teeno toh aapke saath hi rahenge! Aapko tension ki koi zarurat nahi” Raj added looking confident. I nodded again.

“Padhai ka stress mat lena mera baccha. Paper mein marks kam bhi aaye toh main hoon na! Waise bhi college tumhare baap ka hi hai” Maa said making everyone burst into laughter.

“Sahi kaha. Main hoon na! Kisi cheez ki tension mat lena” Papa added with a reassuring smile. I nodded again, feeling like a school kid on their first day.

“Aapne hume toh aisa kabhi nahi kaha Papa!” Darsh complained and Papa royally ignored him.

“I’ll pick you up daily and drop you too” Jaye said and I nodded happily.

“No need. Main hoon” Aarav Ji interrupted making my cheeks turn red.

“Nahi! Tu nahi jayega” Papa said and Aarav Ji looked at him confused.

“Why?” Aarav Ji asked in a complaining tone.

“The entire city knows your car and the dozens of bodyguards you carry with you. If you drop my princess, everyone will know who she is” Papa explained.

“Haan sahi hai. Jaye hi jayega lene aur drop karne” Maa agreed and Aarav Ji pouted like a child whose favorite toy was taken away.

“Thik hai. Ab sab jao sone!” Maa declared standing up. One by one everyone left for their rooms.

I was about to go to my room when I saw something that made me smile. Jaye was standing at Riya’s doorstep and it looked like they were about to kiss. Oh my God, they are so cute!

But I couldn’t resist ruining their moment. Riya teased me a few days ago now it was my turn!

I tiptoed towards them. Their eyes were closed and they were leaning in for a kiss.

“Bhooo!” I said loudly startling them.

“Kya chal raha hai?” I asked innocently. Jaye tried to run away but I held his hand.

“Kya chal raha hai maine pucha!” I repeated, keeping my face innocent.

“Bhabhi woh… main… inki dadhi se tinka nikal rahi thi” Riya stammered looking embarrassed.

I burst into laughter. “Seriously Riya?” I teased and she looked down trying to hide her face.

“Good night” she mumbled and quickly shut the door.

“Hmm… Ranjha Ji aap kya kar rahe the?” I asked looking at Jaye who is now pouting.

“Subah se ek bhi baar kiss nahi kiya tha. Abhi karne ja raha tha, toh tum aa gayi” he complained making me laugh harder.

“Besharam! Get a room for this” I teased and he chuckled.

“Agar aisa hi raha toh room lena hi padega” he joked and I playfully hit his shoulder.

“ so jao Good night!” I said still laughing.

“Good night” he replied walking towards his room. Poor Jaye!

When I entered our room, Aarav Ji was sitting on the bed, working on his laptop. I walked over to my side and lay down.

He closed his laptop and switched off the lights.

“Thank you so much” I said softly looking at him.

“For what wifey?” he asked tilting his head confused.

“For taking my admission in college” I said smiling at him.

“I can do more than that for you” he said his words making my heart skip a beat.

“Good night” I quickly said closing my eyes trying to calm my racing heart. But I could feel his gaze on me.

“Good night wifey. Sleep tight” he whispered and I couldn’t stop the smile on my face. Did he say that word casually or did he mean it from the bottom of his heart? I fell asleep thinking about this.

Next Morning

I woke up early and took a fresh shower. To be honest I was really nervous about my first day. My identity is hidden from the world; no one knew who I am, and I am glad about it. I didn’t want any unnecessary attention.

I chose a simple set of plazo and kurti, paired with my flat slippers. Slinging my tote bag over my shoulder I headed downstairs.

Stopping by the small temple in the house I prayed silently for a good day and for everyone’s well-being.

“Aaradhya beta yaha aao” Maa called me. I walked over to her curious.

She took out a small wallet and handed it to me.

“Ye kya hai?” I asked opening it. My eyes widened when I saw it was filled with cash.

“Maa ye kis liye?” I questioned surprised.

“Main Maa hoon aur apni beti ka khayal rakhna mera farz hai” she said silencing me with her gentle tone.

I smiled at her care and warmth. It reminded me of my mother who had always seen me as a burden. My family had plenty of money but she never gave me pocket money or anything like that. This moment was so different so pure.

Overwhelmed I hugged Maa tightly. She patted my back with love.

“Mera baccha khub mehnat karna” she said and I nodded my heart filling with gratitude.

After breakfast, it was time for my big moment my first day. The entire family decided to send me off making me feel loved.

We all piled into the Toyota Century Royal limo, and the car started towards my university.

“You guys never see me off like this,” Riya complained crossing her arms.

“Tujhe kya see off kare? Tu toh apne bhai ki tarah don hai. Tujhe kisi ki zarurat nahi” Chachu teased, making everyone laugh.

“papa aap bhi!” Riya huffed pretending to be annoyed.

The lively chatter and jokes eased my nerves a little. I glanced out the window taking in the view silently thanking God for giving me this loving family.

At the University

We entered the university from the back gate. Papa and the others took me directly to the principal’s office. Only the principal knew my real identity because he was Papa’s close friend.

“Welcome, Mrs. Yaduvanshi” the principal greeted me and I felt my cheeks turn red at the way he addressed me.

“Take care of everything about my daughter” Papa said and the principal nodded.

“Don’t worry she’s my daughter now” the principal replied warmly his tone full of affection.

“Okay now we should go. Her classes must be starting” Chachi said and everyone agreed.

They gave me their blessings and started leaving. Aarav Ji didn’t move though. Instead he came closer to me.

I looked at him and he smiled softly. “Take care of yourself and if anything happens just call me hmm?” he said gently.

A small smile automatically formed on my face. “Hmmm and you too take care of yourself” I replied and he nodded.

“Bye bye wifey” he said patting my head lightly.

“Bye” I whispered before stepping out of the office.

Riya, Raj, and Darsh walked ahead of me showing me my class.

“We’ll drop you till your class, but we can’t walk with you. We’re too popular here, and it could cause problems for you” Riya said.

“Bye bye” they whispered as they passed me, pointing out my classroom.

I entered the class and saw it was already filled with students. I spotted an empty bench, walked toward it and sat down quietly. I wasn’t someone who made friends easily. I preferred staying alone.

“Hey can I sit here?” a feminine voice asked. I turned to see a girl wearing a plain white shirt and baggy blue jeans.

I nodded and she sat beside me.

“Myself Kia” she said extending her hand.

“Aaradhya” I replied shaking her hand.

“Wanna be friends with me?” she asked her eyes sparkling with excitement.

To be honest she looked so cute small compared to me. I nodded.

“Sure” I said with a smile.

She jumped in her seat clapping her hands. “Wow! You’re my first friend here!”

“Same here” I replied amused by her energy.

She started talking nonstop about herself, her family, and her likes and dislikes. Soon the professor entered and the first lecture began. I had to admit the professors here were highly trained.

By the time two lectures and one practical session were over, Kia was dragging me toward the canteen.

“This tiny creature is really something” I thought smiling.

The university canteen was amazing, just like everything else here perfectly organized and clean.

“What do you want to eat today? I’ll treat you because you’re my friend!” Kia said excitedly.

I laughed at her enthusiasm and told her my preference. She rushed off to get the food while I pulled out my phone.

There was a message from an unknown number.

Everything is fine?

Who? I replied confused.

Within seconds I got a response that made me blush.

Don’t tell me wifey, you don’t have my number, It’s Aarav Ji.

Sorry, I typed quickly feeling embarrassed.

It’s okay. Is everything fine? he asked again.

Everything is perfectly fine, I replied adding a happy emoji.

Okay then take care of yourself, he said.

I saved his number and put my phone away. Looking around the canteen, I noticed most of the girls busy applying makeup.

Why? I wondered when I heard a group of girls chatting.

“Darsh and Raj are coming! I have to look presentable,” one of them said, fixing her hair.

So, my Devars are really popular. Not surprising they are charming and handsome.

“Riya looks so pretty in her floral frock” a boy commented nearby. I chuckled internally. If Jaye were here he’d definitely strangle that guy.

“Here we go!” Kia announced placing the food on the table.

“Thank you for the treat” I said and we started eating while chatting. Kia’s parents owned a famous bakery in the city.

Suddenly I heard excited whispers. “Oh my god they’re here!”

“You know I just heard that yaduvanshi siblings are the heartthrobs of the college. And the girl sitting there is the girlfriend of one of them—they’re secretly dating” Kia whispered pointing at a girl.

I glanced at the girl and couldn’t help but think, There’s no way my Devars could like someone like her.

“Maybe you heard something wrong” I told Kia and she nodded agreeing.

I saw Darsh, Raj, and Riya sitting at a table with their friends. Darsh noticed me and smiled.

After finishing our food we returned to class to attend the remaining lectures.

Aarav's POV

She didn’t save my number. I chuckled at the thought and quickly messaged Jaye about something. As expected he agreed with me.

Unbeknownst to anyone I had secretly appointed some of my best-trained female guards to keep an eye on Aaradhya. It wasn’t about trust it was about safety. With that handled, I dove back into work planning a little surprise for her later.

Evening

As soon as I wrapped up my work. I got up from my chair and headed outside. Jaye was waiting near the cars. Today we had a plan he would take my car to pick up his lover while I would take his car to fetch Aaradhya.

We exchanged cars and drove off. When I reached her college. I saw her standing at the gate phone in hand. probably calling Jaye. I stopped the car in front of her and her expression turned to shock when she saw me.

“Hii wifey” I greeted her with a teasing smile.

“You?” she asked clearly surprised.

I nodded starting the car. “Jaye wanted to pick up Riya so I came to take you” I explained, pretending it was no big deal. She nodded though she still looked a bit confused.

I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Riya happily getting into my car with Jaye.

“How was your day?” I asked Aaradhya stealing a quick glance at her.

“It was amazing! You know I made a new friend” she said excitedly.

“Girl friend?” I asked instantly feeling a sense of relief when she nodded.

“Yes! She’s really cute and so talkative. And…” She started telling me about her friend, her excitement bubbling over.

I kept driving listening to her with a small smile. She is opening up to me and honestly I couldn’t ask for more.

At the Mansion

When we reached home Jaye and Riya were already there. As soon as we stepped inside, Maa rushed to Aaradhya.

“How was your day mera baccha?” she asked lovingly.

“It was really great Maa” Aaradhya replied, her face glowing with happiness.

“Koi badi jaldi aa gaya aaj Bhabhi” Chachi teased her gaze shifting to me.

“Office timings end at 5. I’m not early, Chachi” I replied sitting beside her.

“Ohh I see. Waise toh tum 9 baje tak aate ho, aur aaj itni jaldi” she said giving me a playful slap on the shoulder.

Aaradhya, who was still beaming with excitement, joined in.

“Aap logon ko pata hai, aaj mujhe kya pata chala?” she began, eager to share her day.

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