8.

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 was sleeping peacefully when a loud thunder woke me up. I sat on the sofa and looked out through the glass of the balcony. The clouds were dark and it looked like heavy rain was about to start. I hoped it wouldn’t thunder too much. I glanced at Aarav ji. He was sleeping peacefully.

Another thunder roared and I flinched letting out a small shriek. Memories from my childhood flashed in my mind. I used to love the rain and thunder until one night when everything changed. It had rained heavily and my father punished me and Di for going to a friend’s house. He made us stand outside the entire night in that storm. I was six and Di was eight. We hugged each other and cried through the night trembling in the cold. From that day I feared thunderstorms.

The memory made tears roll down my cheeks. I didn’t even realize when I started crying. The sound of thunder grew louder and louder. I clutched my ears with both hands and hugged myself tightly. “Please stop. Please stop” I murmured. My eyes were shut when I felt someone near me. I opened my eyes and saw Aarav ji standing there.

“what happen?” he asked softly concern evident in his voice.

I couldn’t speak properly and stuttered “Wo... wo ba...” Another loud thunder boomed and I burst into tears again. He sat beside me.

“are you not feeling well?” he asked gently but I shook my head. The only thing in my mind was how to make the thundering stop.

Another thunder roared and I couldn’t take it anymore. I hugged Aarav ji tightly burying my face in his neck. My arms wrapped around him like my life depended on it. “Please stop that. Please” I pleaded.

“stop what ?” he asked holding me by my waist.

“that!” I said between hiccups.

“what?” he asked again his voice steady. as he looked into my eyes.

“I’m scared of thunders” I finally admitted. He looked out at the storm and then back at me.

“is that so” he said and suddenly picked me up in his arms. I was surprised but too shaken to protest.

He carried me to the bed and pressed a button near the bedside. Slowly the sound of thunder began to fade. The room became so quiet that even the sound of rain disappeared. I looked at him in amazement. My tears stopped.

“now it's fine?” he asked and I nodded. But then I realized I was sitting on his lap. Embarrassed I jumped up and quickly adjusted my dress. My face felt like it was on fire.

“I’m sorry... f...for troubling you” I stammered looking down.

He shook his head slightly and said “You’re my wife. Don’t say sorry for such small things”

I stared at him shocked my jaw practically touching the ground. Realizing what he’d just said his expression changed. “it's late. Let’s sleep” he said quickly and lay on the bed pulling the blanket over himself.

I blinked in confusion. “Maybe you’re dreaming Aaradhya” I muttered to myself and went to the couch. Within minutes I fell asleep like Kumbhkaran.

Aarav’s POV

Why did I embarrass myself like that? Why couldn’t I control my tongue? My brain must’ve stopped working.

I was sleeping when I heard her crying. When I looked at the couch I saw her sitting there hugging herself and trembling.

I rushed to her side and asked what happened but before I could process her answer she hugged me tightly. My heart stopped for a moment. It was the first time someone hugged me like that.

My brain froze but strangely it felt good. I hugged her back as she told me she was scared of the thunderstorm.

I pressed the soundproof button. She stayed in my arms the entire time and honestly I didn’t want to let her go. But she moved away apologized and left me. I smiled as I watched her. She fell asleep in no time.

I wish I could take all her pain away. But then my subconscious taunted me, You’re the one causing her pain.

“Shut up” I muttered to myself. I decided to stop listening to my subconscious. From now on I’d listen only to my heart.

Aaradhya’s POV

I woke up I stretched and sat up. The memory of last night hit me like a storm. Did I really hug him? And did he hug me back? I thought I was dreaming but when I looked outside the wet balcony and scattered leaves confirmed it had rained heavily last night.

“Oh no... I really hugged him!” I groaned scolding myself while getting ready.

To avoid any awkwardness I decided I’d avoid him today. That was the best option. He probably didn’t want to talk to me either. But then I remembered how gentle he’d been last night.

“Maybe he was half asleep” I muttered smiling to myself.

"What’s the matter? Smiling all by yourself. Looks like last night..." Chachi’s voice broke my thoughts. My cheeks burned.

"It's nothing like that, I was just..." I tried to make an excuse but failed miserably.

“Awww My child is blushing" Maa teased and I sulked.

“Maa!” I whined but they kept laughing. I joined them in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

When we set the table everyone started gathering. Aarav ji walked in and took his seat. I quickly looked away focusing on my plate.

"What’s the matter? Everyone is smiling a lot today, Bhabhi" Chachi teased him and I prayed the ground would swallow me.

"Yes something is definitely up. First the daughter-in-law was smiling and now the son....." Maa added laughing. I covered my face with my hair staring at my plate. I could feel Aarav ji’s gaze on me.

“Bhabhi bhai something something ?” Riya teased and I wished I could disappear.

“there is nothing” Aarav ji said his voice calm but firm.

Everyone froze for a second before Chachu grinned and said"Then it's something more than that beta ji?” The whole table burst into laughter. Aarav ji’s attempt to clear the situation made it worse.

After breakfast he left for work. I returned to our room determined to avoid him. I didn’t want the family getting false hopes about our nonexistent relationship progress.

Aarav's POV

I stepped out of my car and walked straight towards my private lift.

"Good morning sir" Rahul greeted joining me inside. I gave him a slight nod as the lift doors closed.

"We have a really important meeting today" he started scrolling through his tablet. "You’ve worked hard for this deal sir. It’ll bring huge benefits if it goes through."

"Is everything ready?" I asked my voice sharp.

"Yes, sir. Just your pen drive was left" he replied. I handed him the pen drive I had prepared last night the one holding every single detail I had worked on to impress the client.

Rahul’s phone rang. "Yes yes we’re coming" he said. Cutting the call he turned to me "Sir they’re already here."

adjusting my suit i said "Let’s go then"

We walked into my grand conference room. The luxurious space designed for deals of this level felt perfectly silent. Everyone was already seated.

"Good morning Mr. Yaduvanshi" said Mr. Martin an older man probably my father’s age but sharp in his ways.

"Good morning Mr. Martin. Let’s begin" I said sitting down with the confidence of a king.

The room only had our assistants nothing more. The meeting was confidential and no one else was allowed inside.

"Rahul start the presentation" I ordered. Rahul inserted the pen drive clicked to open the file but…

"Sir it’s blank" Rahul said in a low voice panic creeping into his tone.

"What?" I snapped leaning forward. I checked the pen drive myself. Nothing. Empty. My heart thudded.

Mr. Martin raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem Mr. Yaduvanshi?"

Someone had played with me. I checked the pen drive again hoping something would appear. Nothing. My jaw clenched.

"I’m really sorry" I said keeping my voice steady hiding the storm inside me. "Something seems to have happened to the pen drive. Maybe it got deleted."

Mr. Martin stood up a small laugh escaping him. "Well well. I always believed Aarav Yaduvanshi was the other name of perfection. But maybe not today" he said mocking me lightly.

Anger boiled in my veins. Who dared do this to me? I’ll find them. I’ll make them regret it.

"Maybe you upset an angel Mr. Yaduvanshi" Martin joked his words light but they hit me like a brick. A face flashed in my mind instantly Aaradhya.

Martin patted my back. "Don’t worry young man. We’ll continue this meeting tomorrow. I’m here in India for a few more days"

With that he walked out leaving the room silent and heavy with failure.

"Sir how did this happen?" Rahul asked his voice uncertain.

I didn’t answer. I ran a hand through my hair frustration clawing at me. "I don’t know" I muttered standing up abruptly.

I stormed back to my cabin and slammed the door shut. Who was behind this? I had checked that pen drive last night. Everything was perfect. I couldn’t let my name suffer not in front of anyone.

Mr. Martin’s words echoed in my head again. Maybe you upset an angel. Aaradhya’s face appeared once more.

If this was my punishment I would take it. But one thing was clear I would not let this slide. Whoever did this would pay. I was Aarav Yaduvanshi. And no one could pull me down.

Aaradhya’s POV

“Hahaha See this is how you take revenge" Maa said laughing loudly while I smiled at her. The thing is she deleted Aarav ji’s project the one he’d been working on for weeks. Papa helped her too.

“But he must be embarrassed now  right?” I asked looking at her curiously.

Maa shot me a glare. “He made you eat chili right? Now I’ll make him taste poison! Even if he’s my son he should know how to respect women.”

I smiled at her words. Wow what a mother! I thought to myself. I want to be a mother like her someday, one who teaches her children when they are wrong.

“Maa I love you so much” I said hugging her tightly.

She hugged me back warmly. “I love you too mera bachcha.You are not my daughter-in-law, you are truly my daughter"

Her words made me smile even more. I always wanted this kind of bond with my mother. Anyway at least I have her now.

At Night

The moment Aarav ji entered the house he looked angry. “Papa you checked my pen drive yesterday didn't you? Then how did all the information get deleted?”

“I don’t know anything” Papa said casually like he hadn’t done a thing.

Really Papa? Acting so innocent now!

“Then how did it get deleted?” Aarav ji asked again looking straight at Papa.

Papa just shrugged his shoulders not offering any answers.

"Forget everything let’s eat. I’m hungry" Riya quickly said changing the topic. Everyone started walking toward the dining table.

I followed them trying to escape the situation. But.....

“Ahh!” I let out a small shriek as someone grabbed my hand gently.

I turned around and looked up. It was Aarav ji. He was holding my hand.

Does he think I’m the one who deleted it? My heart started pounding. What will he do now?

“I didn’t do anything” I blurted out folding my hands nervously.

To my utter shock he smiled. Yes, Aarav Yaduvanshi actually smiled!

Oh my God. I’m going to faint.

But then what he said next almost killed me on the spot.

“Sorry” he said softly leaving my hand and walked upstairs without another word.

Am I dreaming?

I stood there frozen staring at his back as he disappeared up the stairs. My jaw dropped.

“What just happened?” I whispered to myself. Did Aarav ji just say sorry to me?

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