22.

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

"Yes, Mr. Rai, you're absolutely right" I say holding my phone as I speak to a family friend and business partner.

He's recently married and his wife has already turned him into joru ka gulam. He sounds happy about it, though.

I button my shirt, grab my coat and step out of the closet. Aaradhya is at the mirror applying gloss to her lips. For a moment, I wish... never mind.

Walking toward her I notice her soft smile. I lean down, press a kiss on her head, and linger there for a few seconds. The faint pink on her cheeks now makes her look as if she's wearing blush.

"Yes why not? We'll meet soon" I reply to Mr. Rai trying to stay focused on the call.

"Wives really change their husbands they make them their servants," he jokes clearly venting because his wife is upset with him.

"You're absolutely right! Wives really make their husbands their servent. Look at me" I reply, laughing with him. But when I turn back to Aaradhya, I freeze. She's glaring at me.

Confused, I move closer but she grabs her bag and storms out of the room with an angry expression.

What did I do now?

"I'll talk to you later, Mr. Rai" I say cutting the call and following her down the stairs.

"What happened wifey?" I ask trying to catch up. She doesn’t respond just keeps glaring at me before walking ahead again.

“Good morning beautiful lady!” Jaye greets her from behind, lightly shoving me aside. Aaradhya’s face softens as she smiles at him.

“Good morning, handsome man” she replies, her tone warm. They start walking together leaving me behind.

I narrow my eyes at Jaye and smile looking at him yes SmIlE.

“Good morning, everyone!” Aaradhya and Jaye greet the family as they sit down for breakfast. I take my seat beside Aaradhya, waiting for her to glance at me even once, but she doesn’t.

Leaning closer I whisper “What did I do? Please tell me na.”

Her sharp glare cuts through me again. Instead of being scared all I can think is how hot she looks when she’s angry.

“Papa, Chachu can I ask you something?” Aaradhya suddenly says drawing everyone’s attention.

“You don’t have to ask beta. Just say it” Chachu replies with a kind smile.

“Did Maa and Chachi make you guys their servants after marriage?” she asks her voice laced with sarcasm. Oh no. This is why she’s angry. Mr. Rai you’ll pay for this.

“No, she didn’t” Chachu answers with a smile.

“And even if she did I wouldn’t mind” Papa adds playfully. “When the wife is so amazing why feel ashamed of being her servant?” He winks at Maa who blushes shyly.

“Ohooo!” Riya, Raj, Darsh and Jaye cheer loudly.

“But why are you asking bacche?” Chachi asks curiously.

Aaradhya smiles sweetly before replying “Someone here thinks I’ve turned him into a servant after marriage. And he’s been telling the whole world about it.”

Ouch. Her sarcasm hits me directly in the chest. But honestly seeing her like this I feel proud. It’s like she’s claiming me as hers.

“Haww! Only a fool would say something like that to an angel like you Aaradhya” Jaye says dramatically flashing a teasing smile at me. I’ll deal with you later, bro.

“Just ignore people like that beta” Papa chuckles, joining in.

I pout as the family continues teasing me during breakfast.

“Wifey, please I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that!” I say following her to her car.

“Let’s go, Arjun Bhaiyya” she says curtly sitting inside and shutting the door in my face.

Arjun looks at me then back at her unsure.

“I said, let’s go Bhaiyya” she repeats firmly. He starts the car leaving me standing there.

I turn around and catch my bodyguards staring at me, their expressions full of shock. They’ve never seen their boss like this.

Sighing I get into my car and immediately start calling her. She doesn’t pick up. I keep trying then decide to send a message instead.

“I’m really sorry wifey. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m happy that my wife has made me her servant.”

She reads it. I wait anxiously as the typing indicator appears. Finally her reply comes:

“That means I still made you my servant na? 😤”

I groan smacking my forehead. I’m such an idiot.

Back in my office I call her 50 times and send over 80 messages but she doesn’t respond to any of them.

“She might be in her class” I tell myself, trying to focus on work. But my mind is completely preoccupied with her.

When her break  time starts, I get an idea. Connecting my office microphone to her class speaker.I make an announcement.

Aaradhya's pov

I am angry with him not too much, but just enough to tease him a little. Seeing him so desperate is rare and I might not get this chance again. He’s sent me so many messages and calls. I feel happy seeing his efforts to make me talk to him but still he shouldn’t have said those things to his friend about me.

My class ends, and it’s break time. Kia and I are walking outside the class  when an announcement stops me.

"Dil ki dhadkan ruk gai hai, please call utha lo" a raspy voice says.

A chill runs down my spine. It’s Aarav ji. I can’t believe he did this. My heartbeat quickens like it’s racing a horse. My cheeks start heating up and I’m sure I’m blushing.

“What was that?” one of the girls in the class asks confused.

“Don’t think too much guys. That was my boyfriend” Lara, the so-called famous girl declares loudly. “I’m not talking to him so he’s doing all this for me. He’s head over heels for me.”

I roll my eyes. I’m not jealous.....trust me.

“Oh my God! He’s your boyfriend? His voice was so hot! You’re so lucky” another girl gushes. “Can you show me his picture?”

“She’s lying” Kia mutters loud enough for me to hear.

“How do you know?” I ask, walking alongside her.

“She changes boyfriends like outfits. And she looks like an old witch with layers of makeup. Who would be head over heels for her?” Kia says mimicking Lara’s tone. I burst out laughing.

I was thinking of forgiving Aarav ji but now I won’t. Why did he make such a loud announcement? He could’ve sent a voice message instead.

“But you didn’t check any of his messages” my conscience whispers.

“Shut up, or I’ll kill you today” I mutter to myself.

“Aardhya look! Raj yaduvanshi our senior is staring at you again. I think he likes you” Kia says smirking.

“There’s nothing like that” I reply laughing. “And jaisa dikhta hai, waisa hota nahi hai Kia.”

“I’m just trying to find the perfect guy for you and look at you!” Kia pouts in her baby voice.

“Aww, you don’t need to find anyone. I already have someone” I whisper. Her eyes widen, and she nods excitedly. Little do I know someone else hears this too.

After class I’m exhausted. When I open my car door I find a huge bouquet and a box of my favorite chocolates on the seat.

“Boss sent this for you ma’am” Arjun bhaiya says.

I sit inside sniffing the fresh flowers. They smell heavenly. Carefully placing the bouquet beside me. I open the chocolate box and pop one in my mouth.

The creamy sweetness melts, relaxing me after the hectic day. I offer one to Arjun bhaiya, but he declines, being his professional self.

I come home and see Maa and Chachi sitting on the sofa, talking about something.

"I'm home" I say, walking in and sitting beside them with the bouquet and chocolate box in my hands.

“Who gave this to you?” Chachi asks picking out one of the roses and tucking it into her hair bun.

“Aarav ji sent this as an apology” I reply, laughing while looking at the flowers.

“Oho! Bouquet aur chocolates bheje jaa rahe hain” Chachi teases and I smile lightly.

“It feels so nice to see both of you like this” Maa says softly, stroking my head.

“Should I bring you something to eat?” Chachi asks.

I shake my head. “I just need a nap. I don’t know why but I’m really tired.”

“Go and rest. We’ll call you for dinner” Maa says and I nod, heading to my room.

I change into comfortable clothes, put my things in their place and lie down on the bed. Within moments, I’m fast asleep.

At night

I come downstairs after Maa calls me for dinner. I feel fresh now. I reach the dining table and see everyone there except him. I check my phone and notice his messages and missed calls.

"Bhabhi did you forgive Bhai?" Riya asks and I shake my head.

"Good job, Bhabhi! Don’t forgive him easily" Darsh says, laughing mischievously.

“Ahm ahm” I hear and turn around to see him standing there.

“Vicks ki goli lo, khich khich dur karo” Jaye says making everyone laugh.

“Jaa, jaldi se change kar ke aa” Maa says to him. He nods and leaves to change.

After some time, he comes back and sits beside me.

“Hii wifey” he says softly but I ignore him and focus on eating my food.

I’m not mad about the morning incident anymore but that announcement and Lara claiming him as her boyfriend—that still bothers me. I know she doesn’t know him, but I can’t tolerate it.

We have dinner and he sulks the whole time. His actions make me smile inside, though I don’t show it.

After dinner I head to our room. He follows me like a lost puppy. Once inside, I turn around and smile at him. His face lights up.

“Did you forgive me?” he asks. His expression is so cute and hot that I almost want to kiss him.

“Yes, I’ll forgive you but not now. For tonight you’ll sleep outside the room. Don’t come in” I say and close the door on his face.

“No, wifey! That’s not fair. You know I can’t sleep without you. Please let me in. I promise I won’t do anything like this again!” he pleads from outside.

I decide to let him in after some time. I change into my pajamas and open the door but he’s not there.

I don’t lock the door, go back to bed and lie down. I wait for him, but he doesn’t come. Did he take my words seriously?

I get up to check but just then, my phone rings. It’s him. I pick up, and he speaks.

“I’m sorry, wifey for upsetting you. Can you please come to the balcony? Please, don’t say no” he says, his voice soft and pleading.

I smile cut the call and walk to the balcony.

When I step outside, I stop in surprise.

“What is this?”

The entire sky is filled with fireworks and it looks so beautiful, like something out of a fairytale. There are fireworks in every color, and it feels unreal.

Then, I see a “SORRY” written in the sky with a cute crying emoji. I laugh softly, but my breath stops when I feel his hand on my waist.

He hugs me from behind resting his face on my shoulder.

“Am I forgiven now?” he asks in a husky voice near my ear, sending shivers all over my body. I can’t even speak.

He gently turns me around and I look up at him. His height difference is... something else.

He holds my face with his hands, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. I can’t take my eyes off him. He leans closer, our eye contact unbroken. The closer he gets, the more I feel butterflies doing bhangra in my stomach.

I close my eyes as he comes closer. I feel his lips press lightly on my forehead and then he moves back. I don’t like this.....at all.

“Sorry wifey” he says and I open my eyes to look at him.

“You’ll not do anything like this again?” I ask my voice firm. He nods quickly.

“Okay, no more surprises with fireworks” he says trying to smile. I lightly hit his chest.

“Not this.....the announcement” I say glaring at him.

“Why?” he asks confused.

“Just do what I tell you. Don’t ask questions” I say narrowing my eyes. He nods like an obedient child.

“By the way you looked so hot when you were angry with me” he says with a teasing smile, making me choke on air.

“You’re shameless” I mutter, walking into the room, my cheeks turning red.

“I haven’t even started and you’re calling me shameless” he says laughing as he follows me.

He lies beside me, pulling me into a hug from behind.

“Good night, my lady” he whispers.

“Good night” I reply softly.

We both fall asleep with smiles on our faces, completely unaware of what tomorrow has in store for us.

I didn’t give you guys a target do you know why? Because some of you sincerely vote for every chapter. If I set a target and it’s not met, I might not upload the next chapter and I don’t want to disappoint those who consistently support me. So, if you’re enjoying my story, please vote!❤️

Till next chapter bye and take care of your self ❤️ 😚