23.

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

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Aaradhya's POV

I just came back from college and was about to enter the mansion when Riya stopped me.

“Bhabhi, let’s go” she said grabbing my hand and dragging me along.

“Where?” I asked confused, as she pushed me into her car.

“Bhabhi, it’s our day today! We’re going for some self-care” she said starting the car with excitement.

“But let’s inform Maa and Chachi” I suggested hesitating a little.

She shook her head firmly. “Bhabhi we’re mature now. We have all the rights to spend a day for ourselves” she said smiling confidently. I couldn’t help but smile back. She is right.

“Okay then, today is our day” I said and her face lit up with excitement.

“First of all Bhabhi switch off your phone and mine too” she said while driving. I looked at her confused.

“Oh my innocent Bhabhi if our phones are on they’ll call us again and again and eat our brains! You know who, right?” she added her voice dropping to a shy tone at the end. I burst out laughing.

“Okay” I said pulling out both our phones and switching them off.

“This is going to be fun!” she said doing a happy little dance in her seat.

We arrived at the salon and as soon as I stepped in, I could tell it was owned by the Yaduvanshi's. It screamed luxury—expensive interiors, spotless floors, and classy decor but it was completely empty.

“Why is there no one here?” I asked glancing around.

Riya grinned. “I booked it just for the two of us” she said proudly. I laughed at her enthusiasm.

“Good evening, ma’am” one of the staff greeted us politely. Riya and I smiled back at her.

They served us refreshing drinks and some snacks right away.

“What would you like to do today ma’am?” another staff member asked us her tone respectful.

“Everything!” Riya announced with excitement. “We want haircuts, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, a spa—everything!”

The staff nodded and immediately got to work.

Aarav's POV

Why is her phone switched off? I think, trying to call her again and again. I had planned to take her out for dinner tonight. Maybe she’s in the living room.

When I come home at night, I ask “Where is Aaradhya?” the moment I enter.

“What do you mean by ‘Where is Aaradhya’? Isn’t she with you?” Maa asks looking confused.

“Why would she be with me? Didn’t she come back from college?” I ask panic bubbling inside me.

“No, she didn’t come back from college” Chachi says and I immediately call Arjun.

“Where is Aaradhya?” I ask keeping my voice calm, though I’m scared.

“I dropped Ma’am at mansion Sir” he says clearly panicking.

“Maa says she didn’t come home today” I say fear growing inside me.

“I personally dropped her at mansion Sir. You can check the CCTV” he replies, and I cut the call.

“Riya is also not home since evening” Chachi says her voice filled with worry. My panic increases. Where could both of them have gone?

“She came back with us from college” Raj says trying to call her.

After a moment he looks up. “Her phone is switched off” he says frustrated.

“Where’s Riya?” Jaye asks entering the room suddenly. “I mean I have some work with her” he adds but I can sense something is off.

“Bhabhi and riya are not home since evening” Darsh informs him and Jaye exchanges a worried look with me.

I check the CCTV footage, and Arjun is right. Aaradhya did come home but Riya took her somewhere in her car.

“Where did she take them?” Papa asks watching the footage.

“Track Riya’s car location” I order my men immediately.

“We should go look for them. They must be nearby” Jaye says, and we step out of the house together.

“Don’t worry. They must have gone somewhere” I tell the family but only I know how worried I am.

I sit in my car and Jaye gets into his.

“Find out where Aaradhya and Riya are right now” I order my men.

“Sir, their location is showing at one of your salons” my man says and I sigh in relief. They’re at the salon.

I inform Jaye and we head toward the location. I know she’s safe but I won’t relax until I see her with my own eyes. I speed up my car my heart still heavy.

When we reach the salon, I step inside and find both of them sitting in chairs while the staff works on their nails.

Jaye and I both sigh in relief. I quickly message everyone that they’re safe.

“Bhabhi this color will look good on your nails” Riya says pointing to Aaradhya’s hands. Neither of them notices us.

“And this one will suit you better” Aaradhya replies with a smile.

Jaye and I look at each other in disbelief. Are they for real? After making us worry like crazy they’re here deciding nail colors.

“Ahem, ahem” Jaye clears his throat loudly and they finally notice us.

“What are you guys doing here?” Riya asks casually as if nothing happened.

“They probably came to get their nails done too” Aaradhya jokes and both of them burst out laughing.

“Are you both serious? Why were your phones switched off? And why didn’t you inform anyone where you were?” I ask frustrated. They ignore me completely.

“Why can’t we have our girls' time huh?” Aaradhya replies boldly, and I can’t help but notice how confident she’s becoming.

“I will.....” Jaye starts to say something but I stop him since the staff is around.

“We’re waiting for you in the car. Come fast” I say and Jaye and I walk out.

Once outside we look at each other and exchange a look of sympathy before hugging briefly.

“They’re just girls” we both say together, shaking our heads as we sit in our cars.

After an hour they finally come outside.

“Cool, Aarav, cool. She’s fine” I tell myself as Aaradhya sits in my car and Riya joins Jaye.

I’m ready to scold her but stop when she asks me “How am I looking with this haircut?” She smiles sweetly showing her hair, and I forget everything I was about to say.

“This haircut suits you” I reply, lightly touching her hair.

“And look at my nails. How are they?” she asks showing them proudly.

“They’re beautiful” I say with a smile, my heart melting at her excitement.

The entire ride, she talks about how relaxing the spa was and how good she feels with her haircut. I listen quietly, like a good husband, enjoying her happiness.

When we reach home Maa and Chachi ask together “Where were you both?”

“Maa, Riya took me to the salon for a spa, nails, and everything” Aaradhya replies showing off her haircut and nails.

“You should have told us! Even my nails are in bad shape” Chachi says admiring their nails.

“Yes, she’s right. I also want a new haircut. I’m bored with this one” Maa adds, and they start planning their next trip to the salon.

We men exchange tired looks and shake our heads. Girls!

Aaradhya's POV

I laugh softly, listening to how much they were worried for us. Aarav ji and I are lying on the bed, cuddling each other.

"But why worry so much? We're mature now" I say, teasing him a little.

He shakes his head, his expression serious. "You might be mature, but the world is full of evil" he says and I know he's right.

"What if I had run away from you?" I joke trying to lighten the mood.

But I realize it's the wrong move.

His face hardens and before I know it, he pins me on the bed, hovering over me. My breath catches in my throat as I stare into his eyes, which are filled with emotions I can't read. He leans closer, his face just inches from mine and his voice is low and dangerous as he whispers,

"If you ever run away from me, I'll take you back and cage you here, with me."

My heart races at his words and I stammer "W....why?"

He looks straight into my eyes his gaze intense. "Because you are mine. You are Aaradhya Aarav Yaduvanshi" he says firmly.

His words send shivers down my spine and I press my legs together as I feel an unfamiliar sensation deep inside me.

Aarav Ji's face comes even closer and his lips brush against my neck. My breath stops. He places a light kiss on my collarbone and my lips part involuntarily. He starts trailing slow soft kisses along my neck and the world around me fades away.

His lips feel magical and I want them to stay on my skin forever. My hand moves from his chest to his neck and I gently hold his hair, pressing his face closer to me.

But then suddenly he pulls away.

I blink, shocked and confused, as he moves back. His face looks different now-full of guilt.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it" he says quietly and turns away, lying on his side with his back facing me.

His words hit me like a stone. What does he mean by he didn't mean it? Does he not like being close to me? The thought scares me.

Does he not have any feelings for me? Does he not like me at all?

Tears fill my eyes before I even realize it. My chest feels heavy as all these thoughts swirl in my head.

"I love you, Aarav Ji" I whisper to myself, the words heavy with the pain I feel. "And here you are..."

Did I make a mistake by falling for him?

I stay silent, staring at his back hoping he'll turn around, hoping he'll hug me. But he doesn't.

I think my expectations are too high. Maybe I'm expecting too much from him.

I wipe my tears, trying to stop them, but they just keep coming. My heart feels broken and I don't even know why.

Thinking of him, of his words, of his actions, I don't realize when sleep finally takes over me.

Aarav's POV

Why did I do that? She must have felt uncomfortable. I should have stopped myself.

I turn around and see her back facing me. Is she angry with me now? I can’t bear to see her angry. Why did I make her uncomfortable with my actions?

I move a little closer to her and notice she’s already asleep.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you with my actions” I think leaning closer to kiss her head from the back.

Next Morning

I wake up but she’s not beside me. Did she wake up early today?

I go to the gym and after finishing my workout, get ready and head downstairs.

She’s sitting at the dining table with everyone but she doesn’t look as cheerful as usual.

“Good morning” I say, sitting beside her. But she doesn’t greet me back. She’s definitely angry with me because of what happened last night.

“What happened, beta? Why are you looking so dull?” Papa asks her concerned.

“I’m fine, Papa” she says softly and continues eating her breakfast silently.

“I’m going” she says after eating just a little.

“But you didn’t eat properly, baccha, and there’s still time left for your class” Maa says worried.

“No, Maa. I’m full and there’s something important today” she replies and walks outside.

I can’t see her like this. I have to apologize before things get worse.

“Aaradhya!” I call her name and run after her, but she gets into the car ignoring me completely, and arjun drives away.

“I’m sorry, wifey. I made you so uncomfortable” I think staring at her car fading into the distance.

At the office, my mind refuses to focus. All I can think about is her.

I message her a few times, asking if she’s okay. She replies with short answers just "yes" or "no."

It hurts. I can’t take this.

I lean back in my chair, frustrated and helpless, wondering how to make things right.

Happy New Year to all the beautiful ladies here! 🎊💐💖 Thank you so much for 50k+ reads in just 20 days—I can’t even explain how happy I am right now! 😭💖😭 Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️😚 Love you all so much!

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