21.

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

Thank you ❤️

I'm really sorry for the late update. My internet wasn't working and I didn't notice it at first. When I tried to upload the chapter, it wouldn't upload. It just started working now. I'm really sorry, my lovely readers ❤️.

Aaradhya's POV

"Today's class was boring" I said to Kia while eating my sandwich.

"For me, every class is boring" she replied making me laugh. She has no interest in college. She's just here to complete her degree and get a decent job.

We were talking and eating when I felt someone's gaze on me. It's been a few weeks now that I keep feeling like someone is watching me but I never find who it is. I looked around only to see everyone busy with themselves. Shaking off the thought. I continued gossiping with Kia.

She always tells me all the hot news of the college. I'm not usually interested in these things but listening to her is fun.

We were walking back to class when we saw a crowd gathered near the hallway.

"Why are so many people here?" Kia asked one of the boys rushing past.

"Some boys were talking crap about Riya Yaduvanshi and her brothers are beating them up" the boy replied running towards the commotion.

"What the heck!" I muttered and without a second thought I ran toward the crowd with Kia following behind me.

"How dare you talk like that about her!" Raj shouted punching a boy who was bleeding badly. His face was red not just from anger but also from the boy's blood.

"You'll see hell today!" Darsh yelled hitting another boy with the same fury. They looked terrifying. These weren't the bubbly, playful devars I knew right now they looked like Aarav Ji's brothers-scary and unyielding.

"Bhai let them go!" I heard Riya's voice from the side.

I turned to look at her. She was standing in a corner her face pale. When her eyes met mine, she gave me a weak smile to assure me she is fine.

"IF ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT OUR SISTER AGAIN, BE READY TO SEE HELL ON EARTH!"Raj yelled his voice echoing across the corridor.

"Wow, sabko aise bhai chahiye" Kia whispered pulling me away from the scene as the crowd began dispersing.

I glanced back to see Riya wiping Raj and Darsh's hands with a cloth. I hoped they were okay.

After our lectures I left the campus. Arjun Bhaiya came to pick me up and I got into the car.

As we stopped at a signal I looked out the window and my eyes fell on someone. My breath hitched.

"Mom... Dad" I whispered staring at them.

They were sitting in a worn-out car.

They looked so thin-nothing like the Mr. and Mrs. Bansal I remembered. Their car had scratches all over it and their faces had dark circles, like they hadn't slept in days.

Our car started moving but I couldn't take my eyes off them. What happened to them?

When I reached home I saw Maa and Chachi scolding Darsh and Raj while bandaging their hands.

"Kya zarurat thi itna marne ki?" Maa shouted at Raj.

"Par kyun maara unhe? Batao humein!" Chachi demanded looking between the two of them.

"Bhabhi aaiye" Riya called and I sat beside her.

"Why were you beating them?" I asked looking at Raj and Darsh.

"Let me tell you Bhabhi" Riya said

folding her legs on the couch. "Two boys from our class were saying I told them to... um... have a one-night stand with them. Raj and Darsh overheard and well you saw the rest."

The moment Riya finished a loud slap echoed in the room. Both Raj and Darsh had been slapped-this time by Maa and Chachi.

"Kisi kaam ke nahi ho! Bas maar ke chale aaye!" Maa scolded stopping mid-bandage.

"Riya ne rok liya tha humein!" Darsh complained rubbing his cheek.

Just then Papa's voice broke the commotion. "What's going on here?"

We all turned to see Papa, Chachu, Aarav Ji, and Jaye standing at the door. They were home early today.

"Look what your sons have done!" Chachi exclaimed pointing at Darsh and Raj.

"What happened?" Aarav Ji asked sitting beside me.

Riya explained everything again. Another slap landed on both Raj and Darsh, this time from Papa and Chachu.

"Kisi kaam ke nahi ho dono!" Papa said taking out his phone to make a call.

"I'll handle this" Aarav Ji said standing up. Jaye followed him as they both walked out of the house.

"Bhabhi aap hi boliye na!" Darsh said sitting beside me. "She's the one who stopped us!"

"They're right" I said glancing at Riya. "They were beating the boys but Riya stopped them."

Everyone turned to glare at Riya who looked down avoiding their gazes.

Aarav's POV

"Don’t you even fear saying this about a Yaduvanshi’s daughter?" I say sitting on the car bumper while Jaye beats the boys mercilessly. His punches are relentless his rage unrestrained. He’s not letting me touch them completely losing himself in his fury.

"She is mine, and don’t ever think of messing with her!" Jaye growls snapping one of the boys’ legs with a sickening crack.

"Sorry… w-we won’t do it again!" they plead trembling and begging for their lives.

"Stop now or they’ll die" I say firmly stepping down from the car bumper. He takes a deep breath his chest heaving and finally lets them go.

"Now they’ll show everyone the consequences of messing with us" I add dragging Jaye back to our car. He doesn’t speak, just sits quietly his fists still clenched.

Jaye isn’t what he appears to everyone else. Only Papa, Chachu, and I know his real devil side.

"Cool down, lover boy" I tease trying to ease the tension as I drive. He glares at me his jaw tight.

We reach the mansion, take quick showers and head to the dining table where everyone is already seated. I sit beside Aaradhya and she greets me with a warm smile.

Dinner is uneventful, filled with the usual chatter. Once it’s over, I head to our room and settle on the bed with my laptop working on some files. Aaradhya stays downstairs talking with the ladies.

After some time the door creaks open. She walks in, looking tired but calm. She changes into her comfortable night pajamas and climbs into bed. I shut my laptop, switch off the lights, and lie down.

She rests her head on my chest wrapping her arms around me. I pull her closer, running my hand over her back in gentle, soothing strokes.

"How was your day?" I ask softly.

"It was tiring" she murmurs her voice muffled against my chest.

"Ask, wifey" I say sensing she has something on her mind. "I know you want to say something."

She pauses for a moment before speaking. "Aarav Ji I saw Mom and Dad today" she says hesitantly.

I stay quiet giving her space to continue.

"Their condition is not good" she says her voice low. "By seeing them I know they’re facing a lot in life. I know they’ve done many unforgivable things, but still… I feel pity for them."

Her words come slowly but I listen patiently letting her pour her heart out.

"Can I ask you something?" she whispers tilting her head to look at me.

"You don’t have to ask wifey. Just order me" I say, giving her a small smile.

A faint smile plays on her lips before she continues. "Don’t think I’m selfish but… can you give them their company back?" She pauses taking a shaky breath.

"I know it sounds selfish," she adds quickly, "but I can’t see them like this. They raised me gave me shelter. That’s why I’m asking. Once I start earning money, I’ll pay you back slowly."

I chuckle softly brushing her hair away from her face. My wifey is truly something else.

"My everything is yours" I say looking into her eyes. "You don’t have to think twice before saying such things. Just order me and everything will be in your service."

Her eyes light up and she gives me the sweetest smile. "Thank you so much! You’re the best!" she exclaims hugging me tightly.

I pull her closer kissing the top of her head. As she settles in my arms, I grab my phone and message Rahul instructing him to handle what my wife wants.

I pull the blanket over both of us and hold her tightly. She can’t bear to see anyone in pain. My angel. I think to myself, smiling as I drift off to sleep.

Aaradhya’s POV

Today is Sunday and I wake up late. After freshening up I head downstairs to find the family.

“How was your sleep?” Maa asks setting dishes on the dining table.

“Fantastic” I reply smiling. I truly have the best mother-in-law in the world. She doesn’t complain, even if I wake up at noon. “Where’s Papa and Chachu?” I ask noticing they aren’t at the table.

“They’ve gone to meet some friends” Chachi answers sitting down.

Soon, Aarav Ji, Jaye, and the rest join us and we start breakfast.

“Let’s watch a movie today!” Darsh says excitedly.

“No, I......” Aarav Ji starts to protest but I cut him off.

“Yes, let’s watch! It’s been so long since I’ve seen a movie” I say eager for some fun.

“If you don’t want to watch you’re not welcome” Jaye teases Aarav Ji who glares at him.

“Fine I’m in” Aarav Ji says reluctantly taking a bite of his food.

“But a movie so early?” Maa wonders.

“bhabhi it’s already 11 a.m.” Chachi points out.

In the home theater, Raj scrolls through movies. “Which one?” he asks.

“A funny one” I suggest settling beside Aarav Ji.

“This one looks funny” Raj says playing a movie. Everyone finds their spots...Riya and Jaye sit together, Aarav Ji and I sit together, and Darsh and Raj take the other seats.

I get so engrossed in the movie that I don’t notice Aarav Ji staring at me.

“It’s getting cold” I whisper to him. Without a word. he pulls a blanket from the side and wraps it around both of us.

“Thank you” I say leaning into him. He cuddles me closer and my cheeks heat up as usual. He’s getting obsessed with cuddling me and it always feels like the first time.

After the movie we head to the living room. With the parents out it’s just us youngsters at home.

“Look at this Bhabhi! Isn’t it pretty?” Riya says showing me a picture of a garden full of roses.

“Wow! You know I love roses too” I say smiling.

“Same pinch Bhabhi! I love them too!” she says pinching me lightly and laughing.

Raj interrupts. “Let’s order lunch from outside since Maa just messaged that they’ll be home at night.”

We all agree and order food. After lunch, everyone heads to their rooms. Aarav Ji has left for urgent work so I open my laptop to catch up on my college assignments. Time flies as I work, completely focused.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes. It’s a message from Aarav Ji “Come to the balcony.”

Curious I get up and walk to the balcony. What I see shocks me.

Aarav Ji is standing in the garden which is now filled with roses of every kind. The sight leaves me speechless.

I run downstairs and head straight to the garden. “What is all this?” I ask staring at the sea of roses.

“You said you love roses right?” he replies his voice soft.

Emotion wells up inside me as I look at him. “Did you like it?” he asks his gaze fixed on me.

I hug him tightly unable to express my happiness in words. “I love it Aarav Ji” I whisper pulling back slightly.

“I’m glad you do” he says handing me a bouquet of roses in every color. I feel so special like I’m living a dream.

“Thank you so much” I say plucking a single red rose from the bouquet. I hand it to him, smiling shyly. “This is for my husband.”

He takes it, his cheeks turning pink like a teenage boy.

“What will we do with all these roses?” I ask looking around at the countless flowers.

“We’ll plant them in our garden” he replies and I nod.

“Let’s click some pictures!” I say and he agrees. We take countless selfies laughing and enjoying the moment.

“Aaradhya! Aarav!” Maa’s voice calls out from the house.

“Let’s go” he says taking my hand as we head back inside. My heart feels lighter, happier than ever.

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