34.

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

“I dare you to touch her and I’ll show you where you belong” Jaye threatens the man his voice sharp and unwavering. The man visibly shivers but tries to cover it up by laughing nervously.

“Young man has hot blood” the old uncle comments with a mocking tone shaking his head.

“Kill that useless person. He’s of no use” Bua snaps her voice laced with venom. I can feel the anger bubbling inside everyone the tension in the room unbearable.

“I’ll kill you if you dare talk about my son!” Maa’s voice cuts through the room like a knife.

Her glare is fixed on Bua her anger clear. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Maa like this....fierce and protective.

“Now not a single person in this house will be alive except my sweetheart” the young man smirks his eyes scanning the room. His words make my stomach churn in disgust.

“Now who should I kill first? You? Or you?” The man’s finger moves pointing at each one of us slowly.

“I think you’re forgetting something Mr. Malhotra, Mr. Kapoor and my so-called mother” Jaye says his smirk unshaken.

“You’ve gone mad young man” Mr. Malhotra says standing up from his chair his face stern.

“Or maybe you’ve gone crazy because you’re getting old” Jaye retorts his words dripping with sarcasm.

The old man’s face hardens as he raises his gun aiming it directly at Jaye. My breath catches and I can feel the fear spreading among us. But Jaye doesn’t even flinch....his smirk remains firmly in place.

“I’m letting you go for a few seconds but not before I kill everyone here” the old man says his smirk widening as if he’s already won.

“I’ve always wanted to see Abhaye Yaduvanshi on his knees” Kapoor sneers. “Do you know why? Because your son made me kneel before the entire world!” His words are loud filled with bitterness.

I glance at Papa. He doesn’t flinch or show any weakness. I know he would never kneel before anyone no matter the threat.

“Your wish will never be fulfilled” Papa replies his voice steady. But Kapoor only smirks his gun shifting toward Maa’s head.

“Okay then I’ll kill your wife first” Kapoor says coldly his finger tightening on the trigger.

“No! Don’t you dare!” Chachu shouts his voice desperate.

“Then tell your brother to kneel before us” Kapoor demands his tone leaving no room for argument. His gun doesn’t move from Maa’s head.

Papa hesitates but finally sighs. “Okay… but leave my wife” Slowly he starts bending lowering himself to his knees.

Before he can fully kneel a loud gunshot echoes through the room louder and sharper than the one before. My heart races my legs trembling as I shut my eyes tightly. The thought of Kapoor shooting Maa fills my mind and I feel frozen in place.

A groan pulls me out of my fear. I open my eyes cautiously and see Kapoor on the ground clutching his bleeding knee.

“Swagat nahi karoge humara?” A voice booms from the main door powerful and steady.

Every head jerks toward the door and I feel my heartbeat quicken. Aarav ji.

“Aarav…” Everyone whispers his name their faces a mix of shock and disbelief.

I can’t look at him. My heart is pounding in my chest the sound so loud I can barely hear anything else.

“You… you died… h-how?” Malhotra stammers his voice shaking as he stares at Aarav ji who walks in calmly.

The silence in the room is deafening. No one can say a word. Everyone is frozen trying to process what’s happening.

But all I can think is....he’s here. He’s here. Aarav ji is here.

“Guar… guards hold him!” Kapoor shouts his voice shaking with panic.

Before his men can move a group of armed men storms into the house. They grab Kapoor’s guards effortlessly and drag them out of the room.

Now only Kapoor, Malhotra and Bua remain.

“H.... how are y.....you alive?” Bua stammers her voice trembling as she stares at Aarav Ji.

Aarav Ji walks to the couch and sits down calmly like the king he truly is. His eyes hold a sharp dangerous glint.

“You don’t have manners Bua” Aarav Ji says his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I just arrived and you’re already questioning me?” He flashes a fake smile that makes the room feel colder.

“Ahh I’m sorry. Did it hurt boy?” Aarav Ji asks Kapoor who’s writhing on the floor in pain clutching his injured knee and hissing in agony.

“How are you alive?” Malhotra growls glaring at Aarav Ji. But the guards standing near him hold him tightly preventing him from making a move.

“Now worry about your life not mine” Aarav Ji replies coldly. I can feel his gaze land on me and it sends shivers down my spine.

“Tell us what all this is, Aarav!” Papa demands his tone sharp his glare fixed on Aarav Ji.

Aarav Ji leans back completely unbothered and begins to explain. “Actually Papa Malhotra and Kapoor were planning to kill me. Unfortunately for them I found out about it in time. If I wanted I could’ve killed them then and there. But I also knew someone close to us was passing information to them. So I decided to play along.”

His words leave me stunned each sentence making my heart race faster.

“I went to the factory because I knew they were planning to burn it down hoping to trap me. That was part of their grand plan to kill me. But I had my own plan ready” Aarav Ji continues. “Jaye and I discovered that some of our guards and helpers were working with them. That’s why we didn’t tell anyone....it was too risky.”

“When their goons shot at my car nothing happened to me or Rahul. We were prepared. Rahul deliberately drove the car into the river, and we swam to the other side without anyone noticing. I was waiting for the right moment....for them to think they’d won and show their true faces. And now here we are”

His explanation leaves me frozen. He’s been alive this entire time playing a dangerous game to catch them.

“So you were never dead?” Chachu asks his face full of confusion. “But whose body was it?”

Aarav Ji smirks as he stands up his presence commanding. “The body was one of their men the one they sent to kill me. Coincidentally his body resembled mine”

The room goes silent as the truth sinks in.

“And you” Aarav Ji says his voice dangerously low turning his piercing gaze to Kapoor. “What were you saying earlier? That you want my wife?”

Kapoor’s face pales and the room feels suffocating under the weight of Aarav Ji’s fury.

“She is mine” Aarav Ji growls his voice low but deadly. “And if you even think about her be ready to meet the devil”

Without waiting for a response he punches Kapoor hard in the face the sound echoing through the room.

“Loo…look I wasn’t with them! Please please leave me!” Bua screams tears streaming down her face as she cries in desperation.

Her sobbing turns into loud wails when Aarav Ji pulls out his gun and shoots her hand.

“My lovely Bua” Aarav Ji says smirking as he watches her clutch her injured hand. “You wanted my family to become beggars right? Now with that hand, you can’t even lift a bowl to beg for money” His cold tone makes her cries grow louder as she writhes in pain.

“Take them to the basement” Aarav Ji orders his voice calm but commanding.

The guards immediately step forward dragging Kapoor, Malhotra and Bua out of the room.

I watch stunned thinking he would end it here. But deep down, I know whatever he plans for them next will be far worse.

Aarav Ji turns back to us a soft smile appearing on his face as if nothing happened. But before he can say anything, Maa steps forward and slaps him hard across his cheek.

The room goes silent the sound of the slap ringing in my ears.

“What do you think we are? Fools?” Maa yells her voice trembling with anger and tears streaming down her face. “You played with all our emotions!”

Aarav Ji lowers his head guilt flashing across his face. “I’m sorry Maa but if I hadn’t done this we all would’ve been in danger” he says softly his voice barely above a whisper.

Maa doesn’t calm down. Instead she points at me and shouts, “Do you even realize what your actions did? Your wife was about to kill herself because of your stupid plan!”

Aarav Ji’s eyes widen in shock. He looks at me instantly his steps quick as he comes toward me his hand reaching out to comfort me. But before he can get too close I slap him hard across his other cheek.

“Stay away from me!” I shout my voice cracking as tears stream down my face “Don’t come near me! I hate you!”

Aarav Ji freezes his expression filled with pain but I don’t care. I turn and run to our room my sobs echoing in the silence of the house.

Once inside I collapse onto the bed burying my face in my hands as the tears flow nonstop. My chest feels heavy with a mix of relief and anger.

“What does he think of himself? That he can do whatever he wants? Does he even know what we went through? What I went through?” I whisper to myself my voice shaking.

But as my anger burns a quiet prayer slips through my lips “Thank you God. Thank you for keeping him safe”

I clutch my pillow tightly “But I won’t forgive him. Not anytime soon”

Aarav's POV

I was just trying to protect everyone and here I am getting slapped by everyone.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me” I say looking at everyone with guilt in my eyes but all I get are glares in return.

“Ask forgiveness from your wife not from us. When she forgives you we’ll also forgive you” Papa says firmly before taking Maa with him to their room.

“Chachu, Chachi please forgive me” I plead turning toward them my voice desperate. But they don’t even look at me.

“This time, I’m not with you Aarav” Chachu says coldly before they both leave.

“Bhai we are not supporting you this time. You made Maa and Bhabhi cry too much” Riya says her voice filled with disappointment. She walks away with the others, leaving me completely alone.

I glance at Jaye hoping for support but he’s glaring at me too. I know why—he was never in favor of this plan but I forced him into it.

Sighing heavily I walk toward our room hoping she’ll at least talk to me. But when I try the door it’s locked from the inside.

“Jaan please open the door” I plead my voice soft but shaky. “Please forgive me. I promise I’ll never do this again. Please Jaan open the door.”

I knock continuously desperation rising with every second but there’s no response.

“Only I know how I survived these three days without you” I murmur leaning my forehead against the door. “And now you won’t even look at me You said you hate me. Ahhh Maa…”

I knock again my voice breaking. “Baby please open the door. Please…” But deep down I know she won’t. She’s Aaradhya Aarav Yaduvanshi and when she’s angry, she won’t back down easily.

Feeling defeated I drag myself to Jaye’s room and knock. He opens the door his face full of irritation.

“What?” he snaps but I push past him and enter the room anyway.

He shuts the door behind me his anger still evident.

“Bro you’ve messed up your love life and now mine too!” Jaye complains sitting beside me on the floor “I swear if your sister doesn’t forgive me soon I’m dead too. She’s not talking to me nor letting me inside her room”

I sigh and sit down next to him burying my face in my hands.

We both sit there our hands on our heads drowning in the mess I’ve created.

"Think of something to make them happy!" I say looking at Jaye hoping he’ll have a solution.

Instead he pushes me so hard that I land flat on the floor.

“Just do whatever you want! Don’t ask me anything you bloody stupid idiot!” he yells glaring at me.

I sit up and glare back at him. "No one respects me in this house. I risked my life to save everyone and here they are cursing me!" I mutter under my breath.

All I want is to hug my baby, to kiss her, to hold her close. I miss her so much. I turn my head and freeze. She’s here.

She’s sitting right there glaring at me but she’s here! I quickly sit up straight my heart racing.

“Baby” I whisper and without thinking I pull her into a tight hug.

I start kissing her face desperate and apologetic. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry baby! I’ll never do this again. Please forgive me Jaan. Please!”

But instead of melting into my arms she shoves me so hard that I almost fall back.

She’s stronger now. In just three days she’s become stronger.

“Pervert man! I’m Jaye not your baby! Leave me you freak!”

I blink confused and then finally look at the person in front of me. It’s not her. It’s Jaye!

I look around the entire room my heart sinking. She’s not here. She was never here.

“Oh no…” I groan clutching my head. “I was hallucinating.”

I slump back onto the floor my heart aching “I’m missing my wifeeeeee!” I cry out loud and miserable.

“I’m missing my girlfrienddddd!” Jaye wails beside me and I look at him. He looks as heartbroken as me.

I put my head on his shoulder and he puts his on my head. We sit there crying like two helpless idiots.

“No matter how successful or powerful you are” I sniffle “in front of your wife you’re nothing.”

“Absolutely nothing” Jaye agrees nodding.

“She’ll make you eat lohe ke chane and you have to smile and say they’re delicious” Jaye adds and I nod in agreement.

I sigh heavily. “I’m married. You’re not. Your pain is less than mine”

Without warning Jaye pinches my waist so hard that I yelp.

“Ouchhhh!” I cry rubbing my waist.

“Your sister is no less than a gangster” Jaye says shaking his head.

I nod solemnly. “True”

We both look at each other hopeless and defeated.

“What should we do now?” we ask in unison our voices full of fake crying.

Next morning

Aaradhya's POV

"I’ll not forgive him easily this time" I mutter pouring coffee into the mugs.

"Yes me too. He went too far this time" Chachi says angrily chopping vegetables.

"He didn’t even think to tell us. Not even Jaye" Maa adds spreading butter on bread with more force than necessary.

"We have to teach both of them a lesson" Riya says munching on an apple.

"Yes" we all agree in unison glaring at nothing in particular.

We set the breakfast table arranging everything neatly. Everyone comes to the table except for Aarav Ji.

"Yes arrange my interview with the media today. I’ll clear all the misunderstandings. Yeah" I hear his voice as he walks into the room dressed sharply in his office attire.

I don’t spare him a glance and sit in my usual seat. He sits beside me acting as if nothing has happened.

"Good morning wifey" he whispers softly in my ear but I ignore him completely like he doesn’t exist.

"The food is really tasty" Jaye says trying to start a conversation but we ignore him too.

"Sorry na. Please forgive me" Aarav Ji pleads looking at everyone with those puppy eyes.

"Me too!" Jaye adds quickly but no one even looks at them.

"Maa my exams start the day after tomorrow so I’ll be late because I plan to study in the library with Kia" I say casually sipping my coffee.

"Okay" Maa nods looking up at me.

"I’ll pick you up after work and then we’ll go on a long drive" Aarav Ji says in a sweet voice trying to melt me but I remain unmoved.

The entire breakfast he tries everything to make me talk to him,cute gestures, small jokes but I ignore him entirely.

After breakfast I get ready to leave for college with Darsh, Raj and Riya. As we head out he follows me.

"I’ll drop you. Please don’t say no" he asks blocking my way.

I think about ignoring him again but an idea pops into my mind. I walk past him without a word. He hurries ahead of me opens the car door and waits. I sit silently inside and he closes the door before getting in beside me.

"I’m sorry love. I’ll never do this again" he says softly starting the engine. "If I hadn’t done it they might have harmed any of us without our knowledge"

I know he’s right. Papa already told me everything. But I don’t respond. I reach for my loose hair gathering it into my hands and twisting it into a bun.

As I secure it I notice the way his gaze lingers on my neck. He gulps hard clearly distracted.

I smirk to myself knowing I’m driving him crazy without even trying.

Now it’s my turn to make you pay

Mr. Yaduvanshi, I thought smirking evilly. But my face stayed calm unreadable.

I turned towards the backseat to pick up my bag and deliberately brushing my chest against his bicep. Sitting back in my seat I pretended to search for my phone.

My eyes fell on the red lipstick in my bag and an idea sparked in my mind. I could feel him growing uneasy because of my actions but he didn’t say a word.

I opened the rearview mirror of the car and began applying the lipstick slowly sensuously. I knew he is watching me but I ignored him focusing on perfecting my look.

Once done I popped my lips together setting the lipstick just right.

I knew exactly what this bold red lipstick did to him. Every single time I wore it he ended up kissing me like a man possessed. But not today.

Putting the lipstick back in my bag I casually clicked a selfie then sent it to Darsh and Raj. Immediately I started a conference call with them and put it on speaker.

“Bhabhi you’re looking bomb in that red lipstick! My God I was on the verge of a heart attack!” Darsh exclaimed dramatically.

I laughed. “Thank you handsome” I replied and they continued showering me with compliments.

I noticed Aarav Ji’s grip on the steering wheel tighten.

After a while I ended the call and turned to look out of the window a smile tugging at my lips. I could feel his frustration without even glancing at him.

“Please don’t do this baby. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’ll do whatever you tell me to” he said his voice low and filled with desperation.

I smirked but didn’t respond.

Reaching for the water bottle, I leaned forward intentionally bending a bit too much making sure his eyes had a clear view of my cleavage.

Then sitting back properly I took a sip of water letting a few drops spill onto my neck on purpose.

A low groan escaped from him.

We finally reached the college and I opened the door to get down. But before I could he grabbed my wrist firmly.

“Sorry jaan” he murmured softly.

I turned to look at him locking eyes for a moment. But I didn’t say anything. He looked like he wanted to say more but I stepped out of the car before he could.

Walking towards the college I wiped off my lipstick trying to distract myself. It wasn’t easy for me either. Staying away from him even for a short while is torture.

Just as I reached class and sat down, I heard a loud voice calling my name.

“Aaruuu!” Kia shouted rushing towards me her face flushed red.

“What happened? Why do you look like this?” I asked staring at her as she caught her breath.

“You won’t believe what I did today. I just want the earth to swallow me whole!” she wailed fake-crying as she plopped into the seat beside me.

I laughed at her antics. “Okay okay tell me what you did.”

She looked at me seriously biting her lip. “You remember the boy I accused at for spilling water on me at the park?”

I nodded curious.

“I met him today. And you won’t believe who he is…” She paused dramatically.

“Who?” I asked my curiosity now piqued.

3527 words❤️

Mazaa aaya 😏😉.