39.

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 wake up feeling the sun hitting my face. I adjust the light and open my eyes only to see the most beautiful sight. Aarav ji is lying on me under the cover.

His cheek is puffed into a cute pout. His face rests on my chest and I blush remembering last night. How passionate yet caring he was. He was scared at first, thinking I might get hurt but after I insisted he move further.

I lightly run my fingers through his hair and his hold on my waist tightens. My husband is the most caring man in this world. He looks hard and devilish from the outside but for me he is just pookie. My pookie.

"Aarav ji wake up" I say softly but he doesn’t move an inch.

"Aarav ji please wake up. You’re getting late for work" I try again but he still doesn’t budge.

I smirk getting an idea. "Oh my God! Who is this handsome man?" I say loudly pretending to sound surprised.

The next second he jerks up looking around the room. "Who? Which man? Where is he?" Aarav ji asks his eyes scanning the room.

I burst out laughing clutching my stomach at his reaction.

"Oh so you were teasing me" he says his voice turning deeper as he leans over me. I gulp suddenly very aware of his shirtless state.

"Now tell me wifey who is handsome?" he asks brushing his thumb against my lips.

"Y-you" I stutter looking into his intense eyes. His smirk grows wider.

"You’re looking so hot in my shirt, my love" he says making me blush harder.

"Don’t be shy now" he teases pointing to the faint marks on his chest. "These nail marks of yours show how wild we both were last night."

"It... it’s hurting?" I ask touching one of the marks.

He smiles softly. "Even the pain given by you feels like heaven love" he says his words making my breath hitch.

"Are you feeling pain anywhere? Should I call the doctor?" he asks his hand lightly brushing my lower abdomen.

I shake my head smiling. "Let’s go downstairs. Everyone must be waiting for us" I say.

He sighs dramatically kissing my forehead. "I don’t want to go downstairs. But if you’re saying so let’s go" he says sounding like a child denied their favorite candy.

I giggle at his behavior as we start getting ready sneaking in small moments of romance. Only small, small ones okay? Don’t let your dirty mind wander too much readers.

"Good morning Maa" I greet her as we step into the living room. She’s just coming in from outside.

"Good morning baccha. Did you sleep well last night or not?" Maa asks her smile warm.

I nod quickly "Maa I want coffee made by you please"

She nods and says "Come I’ll make you my special coffee."

She puts her hand on my shoulder and we walk toward the kitchen. I sit on the kitchen slab while Maa starts making coffee for me.

"Your papa loved this coffee a lot and you know when Aarav's grandfather and grandmother came to see me for Abhaye I made this coffee. They selected me as his wife just because I made delicious coffee" Maa shares her voice filled with nostalgia.

I giggle listening to her story.

"Did you and Papa meet after your marriage was fixed? Like on a date or anywhere?" I ask curious and I can see her smile shyly.

"Yes" she says a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks. "At first I wasn’t ready to meet him but one night he sneaked into my room. I was really scared at first but when he started talking I felt so much peace around him. That night I made two cups of this coffee and we sat on the floor in my room. We drank our coffee while watching the moon and talked a lot. After that we met a little here and there because he was just like Aarav in his younger days....popular and famous among girls and I was from a middle class family so it was difficult for us to meet in public places" she explains a pure smile lighting up her face.

I smile back watching how her memories bring her so much happiness.

Just then Aarav ji enters the kitchen. I’m about to ask why he’s here but he leans in and gives me a quick peck before stepping back.

I freeze my cheeks burning thankful that Maa’s back is facing us.

Aarav ji smirks at my shocked reaction and I glare at him.

"Everyone is calling you both outside" he says casually.

"Why?" Maa asks turning to him.

He shrugs his shoulders and moves out of the kitchen but not before winking at me.

Maa and I step outside to see all the family members already gathered there. Maa sits beside Papa while Aarav ji makes space for me next to him.

Once everyone is settled Papa looks at me.

"Are you ready baccha to come in front of the world as Aarav’s wife?" he asks gently and I nod.

"Okay then. We will post our family photo on the internet and after everyone knows about your marriage we’ll throw a party" Papa announces and I nod again.

"It’s done. I posted the photo" Raj says showing the post. It’s the picture from my birthday celebration. I’m standing in the middle with Aarav ji’s hand on my waist surrounded by the entire family.

Almost instantly my phone buzzes with notifications and so do everyone else’s. I open my phone to find our college group chat flooded with messages.

"Oh my God! Aaradhya is Aarav Yaduvanshi’s wife!"

"They both look so pretty together!"

"She didn’t even tell us!"

And then Lara’s message pops up. "We are friends. We just pretend in front of everyone that we don’t like each other" she writes.

I smile knowingly. She always craves attention.

"Lara we saw this yesterday. Don’t lie now" one of our classmates responds.

"Yeah she just wants attention" another adds.

I sigh putting my phone aside and focusing on my family.

"Okay Bhai now you can take Bhabhi anywhere you want openly" Darsh teases making everyone laugh.

"I want to tell you all something" Jaye says suddenly standing up and moving to the center of the group.

"What is it?" Papa asks looking at Jaye. Jaye glances at Riya and then back at us.

"Actually... Riya and I love each other" Jaye says nervously, his eyes shifting between everyone.

"WHAT? WHY? You chose this way to ruin your life Bhai?" Darsh says dramatically and everyone tries to control their laughter.

"For how long have you both been in love?" Chachu asks raising his eyebrows.

This time Riya stands from her place and moves beside Jaye.

"We’ve been in a relationship for the past five months. Papa please don’t say no. We both love each other" Riya says holding Jaye’s hand. They both look so beautiful together their eyes filled with hope.

Papa and Chachu stand up and walk towards Jaye their expressions serious.

"I’ll give her every happiness in the world I promise" Jaye says his voice steady but nervous.

Papa and Chachu stay quiet for a moment before suddenly pulling Jaye into a hug.

"Thank you so much for taking our problem with you. Take her and go away from here" they say and everyone bursts out laughing.

"You all are so bad" Riya says pouting.

"We approve of your relationship" Papa and Chachu finally say smiling.

Now everyone looks at Maa and Chachi for their reaction.

"We’ve known this from the start and we don’t have any problem" Chachi says giggling.

Papa and Chachu turn to them with betrayed faces.

"Jaye Bhai all the best for your married life in advance" Raj and Darsh tease making everyone laugh again.

"Thank you so much for giving me your precious daughter" Jaye says looking at Riya with so much love in his eyes. She smiles shyly.

"Ahem, ahem we are still here guys. Put a full stop to your romantic talks" Aarav ji says breaking the moment.

Jaye glares at him but Aarav ji just smirks.

We all sit together sharing stories about how much Riya used to fight with Jaye and laughing over childhood memories.

It feels like the best time of life spending these moments with family.

Kia's POV

I’m getting ready because I’m going to meet someone. Yes, yes you guessed it right I’m going to meet Rahul. Since the day he took my number we’ve talked a lot through messages and on the phone. We’ve become good friends but I know he feels something more for me. And honestly I feel the same for him.

His personality is exactly how I want my life partner to be. He’s sweet and most importantly he’s a gentleman. He never says or does anything that could make me uncomfortable.

He knows his boundaries and stays within them and I love this about him. Or maybe I just love everything about him.

I step out of my room and see Mom and Dad sitting in the living room. Their eyes fall on me.

“Where are you going all dressed up baby?” Mom asks with a smile.

“I’m going out with a friend” I say smiling back.

“Okay enjoy your time” Papa says and I nod before stepping out of the house after saying goodbye.

As soon as I step outside I see him already waiting for me outside his car. My heart skips a beat. I quickly adjust my dress and walk toward him.

“Hi” I say and he looks up from his phone and smiles.

“Hi you’re looking pretty” he says his voice soft and warm. I can’t help but blush.

He opens the door for me and I sit inside. He comes around sits in the driver’s seat and starts the car.

“Where are we going?” I ask curious.

“Wait for a few minutes and you’ll see” he says with a playful smile and I nod.

“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday that you were also coming to college?” I ask remembering how surprised I was to see him.

He laughs a little. “I wanted to surprise you” he says glancing at me briefly.

I narrow my eyes at him. “You wanted to surprise me or someone else?” I ask thinking about how some girls were drooling over him and his looks yesterday.

“Of course you! I don’t even know anyone else in college except you” he says and I feel a wave of relief.

We finally reach the location and I step out of the car. My eyes widen in awe. The place looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.

We are at a lakeside area and it feels like someone’s private property because everything is set so perfectly with a personal touch in every detail.

“Where are we? It feels like we’re outside the city” I ask as he walks beside me leading me toward a beautifully arranged table with food and decorations.

“Yes we’re outside the city. And this is our land. It belongs to us” he says casually and my eyes widen in shock.

Cool Kia Cool Obviously he’s Rahul Mehra. What else can you expect from him other than something grand like this?

He pulls out a chair for me and I sit down. He takes a seat beside me his gaze soft but nervous.

“Why did you call me here? And all this decoration and effort is it for something special?” I ask hoping he’ll say what I want to hear.

“Yeah… actually” he says his voice trailing off as he looks at me.

“Please don’t mind my words or any mistakes I make because I’m not good at expressing my emotions. But I want to tell you everything. And if I mess up please forgive me” he says sounding like a nervous child about to give his first speech on stage.

I nod encouraging him and he takes a deep breath. He looks down then back up at me his eyes filled with sincerity.

“I love you. I know it’s unexpected but I really do. I feel things for you that I’ve never felt for anyone. Whenever I look at you I never want to look away. Please… just give me one chance. I promise I’ll prove myself worthy of being your life partner. I’ll never leave your side during any difficult phase of your life and I’ll love you with everything I have. Please give me a chance Kia” he says looking straight into my eyes his voice trembling slightly.

I smile my heart racing. “I love you too” I say softly.

For a moment he doesn’t react as if he didn’t hear me. Then suddenly he jumps up from his seat his eyes wide with excitement.

“What? You love me? You really love me? Please tell me again—you love me?” he asks holding my hands his face lighting up with pure joy.

I stand up too holding his hands tightly my smile growing.

"I love you Rahul" I say and the next moment I’m in the air.

"I love you so much Kia! I love you I love you!" he says spinning me around in his arms. I laugh with all my heart. He puts me down gently his smile wide and full of joy.

"Thank you so much for giving me a chance" he says and I smile back my heart feeling full.

We sit down at the table again starting our dinner. Our smiles are shy but content. I talk non-stop sharing everything on my mind while he listens to me like the most patient and caring boyfriend.

When we reach my house he stops the car. "Okay bye and good night" he says his tone soft.

I look at him hoping—just hoping—he’ll kiss me. But no he didn't. he’s being the perfect gentleman as always. With a sigh I grab my bag and start stepping out of the car murmuring under my breath "He should’ve kissed me but no he’s always a gentleman…"

Just as I’m about to close the door he pulls me back inside the car. I look at him shocked and he leans closer a smirk on his face.

"Sorry but a gentleman fulfills every wish of his lady. So here you go" he says and before I can process his words his lips are on mine.

He kisses me softly and I respond with the same passion my heart racing.

"Good night and love you" I say breaking the kiss my cheeks flushed.

He smiles and leans in pecking my lips again. I step out of the car waving goodbye and walk toward the house feeling like I’m on cloud nine.

"Oh my God I’m so happy!" I whisper to myself starting to do a little happy dance.

But then I freeze.

Mom and Dad are standing right there looking at me.

"He’s a nice man. Keep going" Dad says a small smile on his face.

I stare at him shocked. Mom smiles too and gently caresses my head.

"We’re happy in your happiness" she says softly and I can’t hold back anymore. I hug her tightly my heart swelling with love.

They really are the best parents in the world.

Aarav's POV

We are sitting on the terrace spending time together because Raj, Darsh, Riya, and my baby are all starting new journeys in their lives.

They’ll be busy after this so we are making the most of this time talking about random things and laughing.

"Jaye bhai whenever she makes tasteless food you should be prepared with all medicines. Once she made pasta for us and we ended up sitting in the toilet the entire day!" Raj says laughing.

Everyone bursts out laughing and Riya glares at him. "I’ll kill you both for sure!" she says sitting beside Jaye.

I’m sitting behind them my baby resting her head on my chest. Our hands are intertwined and I feel so at peace.

"No no my sister is really lucky and she’s the gem of our family" Darsh says getting emotional.

"I’ll cry don’t say that" Riya says her voice trembling a little and I smile looking at my siblings.

My eyes fall on the snacks placed in front of us. I grab a strawberry and hold it out to my baby. She looks at me and eats it. I keep feeding her strawberries one after another.

This time I hold out another strawberry but don’t let her eat the whole. I eat half of it myself looking straight at her. She blushes when she sees me eating it.

"Umm it’s tastier this way" I say with a smirk and she blushes even more.

"After two month you’re getting married. You should take care of yourself" my baby says her tone full of care.

Riya nods and smiles. "Bhabhi you’re the only one here who cares for me genuinely. I love you" Riya says blowing her a flying kiss.

I wave it away instantly. "She’s my wife. Do these things with your man" I say pretending to be annoyed.

Everyone laughs and Riya sticks out her tongue at me.

We spend the rest of the night on the terrace, teasing each other, playing games, and making memories that will stay with us forever.

Just 3 or 4 chapters are left😭❤️.