7.

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

I got ready for work and came downstairs expecting the dining table to be full but it was empty.

“Maa where are you all?” I called out.

"We are all in the kitchen bhai!” Riya’s cheerful voice came from inside the kitchen.

What are they all doing in the kitchen? I walked over and sat at my usual place at the dining table. Soon everything was set on the table.

"I made this bhai. Especially for bhabhi" Riya said excitedly bringing out a plate of poha and placing it in front of Aaradhya’s seat. She rushed back to the kitchen humming to herself.

Nobody in the house eats poha. Oh so it’s specially made for her. A mischievous idea clicked in my mind. I took the plate and poured a large amount of red chili powder mixed it well and placed it back. A small smirk played on my lips as I imagined her reaction.

“Good morning beta” Chachu greeted as he came downstairs.

“Good morning Chachu” I replied as he sat beside me. Slowly everyone gathered.

"Today I made poha for bhabhi!" Riya announced proudly clapping her hands with excitement.

“Wah beta! That’s a very good thing"  Papa praised her.

"Bhabhi it's better to stay hungry than eat food made by Riya" Darsh joked making everyone laugh.

“Darsh bhai! Aap na nandon ki tarah bezzati karna band karo!” Riya pouted dramatically.

"Bhabhi wait. Let me call the ambulance first" Raj teased and everyone burst out laughing again.

“Papa, bade papa Look at these two!"  Riya sulked crossing her arms making Papa glare at Darsh and Raj. They both quickly looked down pretending to behave.

"Bhabhi eat and tell me how it is?" Riya asked eagerly.

Aaradhya took a bite and that was the moment I was waiting for. Her eyes instantly filled with tears. She looked around, trying to stay calm but the spice hit her hard.

"How it is beta?” Maa asked with a kind smile.

"Very... very good I could eat poha like this every day" Aaradhya said with a forced smile. Then she quietly continued eating alternating between bites of poha and gulps of water.

Riya said proudly. "See! I told you all I am a very good cook!"

Poor Aaradhya. Her face was red and her eyes were teary but she ate every bite of the spicy poha without a single complaint.

Aaradhya’s POV

I knew it was Aarav ji who had added the chili to the poha. Riya had shown me the dish before serving it, and there was no chili then. I ate it anyway because I didn’t want to upset Riya.

I glanced at Aarav ji who was eating his breakfast with a satisfied smirk. When our eyes met, he raised an eyebrow, as if daring me to react. Instead, I gave him a soft smile.

His smirk falteredband he stared at me stunned.

Maa said to face challenges with a smile, I thought. That’s what I was doing and the look on his face made it worth it. The reaction he wanted from me tears, anger or complaints I gave him the exact opposite.

After breakfast, everyone left for their work.

“Aaradhya beta take this” Maa called me softly handing me a tablet.

"For what is this Maa?” I asked confused.

She gently caressed my head and kissed my forehead. "Aarav had put chili in the food right? This is for that. It will reduce the pain"

I smiled at her kindness and took the tablet.

"I think Aarav ji is exactly like the mother-in-law in TV serials" I joked hoping to lighten the mood "His every action is just like that!"

Maa burst into laughter. “absolutely right  beta!” she said wiping her tears of laughter "Let Aarav come in the evening. He made you eat chili right? I'll teach him such a lesson that he'll remember it!"

Aarav’s POV

How could I have been so wrong? I stared blankly at the file in my hands.

A few hours earlier Rahul had handed me Aaradhya’s file "These are all the details about ma'am" he said before leaving.

Curious I opened it and read through the pages. Each line shook me to the core.

Aaradhya’s parents… they never cared for her or her sister. They treated them like puppets controlling every aspect of their lives from what they wore to what they studied.

Nisha didn’t want to marry me. She wanted to be independent and had run away to chase her dreams. Aaradhya… she was forced into this marriage. A pawn in her father’s plan to grow his business.

I clenched my fists. How could I have been so blind? I should’ve done my research before jumping to conclusions. All this time I punished her for something that wasn’t her fault.

Maa and Papa had warned me not to take revenge but I ignored them. Aaradhya had betrayed me yes but not out of her own choice. I… I was an idiot.

Looking back all those moments where I tried to hurt her… She didn’t deserve any of it.

I closed the file and sighed deeply. “I have to fix everything. I have to make up for my mistakes.”

Aaradhya’s POV

“Maa let’s make chole puri today!” I suggested. It was everyone’s favorite and I wanted to do something nice for the family.

We got busy in the kitchen preparing the meal. Slowly everyone returned home and gathered in the living room chatting about their day.

But Aarav ji… he wasn’t there. I wondered where he was when I suddenly saw him enter the house. He looked different today. Sad maybe? Or hurt? I couldn’t tell.

“today You are late bhai?” Raj asked.

“there was a lot of work" Aarav ji replied sitting beside Maa. His gaze met mine but it wasn’t cold or filled with hatred like before. It was something else entirely.

“Bhabhi see this” Riya said showing me some jewelry pulling me out of my thoughts.

Aarav’s POV

“what happen beta?” Maa whispered noticing my unease.

“nothing Maa” I lied. I couldn’t tell her the truth. She had warned me not to seek revenge and now her words rang louder in my head.

I wish I had listened to her.

Dinner was served and everyone gathered around the table. I watched Aaradhya from the corner of my eye. I had hurt her so much and yet she remained calm and kind.

As everyone ate and chatted I stayed silent lost in my thoughts. My gaze kept drifting toward Aaradhya. How could she stay so composed after everything I’d done? Every time I tried to break her spirit she came back stronger with that soft smile on her face.

For the first time I noticed the small things about her how she listened to everyone, how she smiled even when someone teased her and how she blended into the family so effortlessly. She didn’t deserve any of the pain I caused her.

After dinner I went to my room and sat on the bed staring at the file again. The words blurred but the truth stayed clear in my mind. Aaradhya had been nothing but a victim of circumstances and I had made it worse for her.

How do I face her now? How do I even start to make up for what I’ve done? She deserved kindness not the cruelty I had shown her.

I leaned back against the headboard my mind racing with thoughts. One thing was clear I couldn’t change the past, but I could change the future. I would fix everything no matter how long it took. I owed her that.

I know many of you hate Aarav because of his behavior towards Aaradhya but I wrote his character this way intentionally. Not everyone is perfect from the start naa. I made him realize his mistakes and he will face the consequences of his actions in the upcoming chapters. So, please don't hate him just yet ❤️😊

Aur chapter thoda chota tha us ke liye sorry next chapter pakka bada likhun gi i promise 😚.

Vote karna mat bholna cuties 🥰

Till next chapter bye bye and take care 😘 💝