25

You remind my heart to beat

Aradhya entered inside her cabin and like daily there was the flower bouquet placed and a small note with it.

She picked up the note and threw it in dustbin and placed the bouquet on couch.

She knows the worth of flowers, people pluck them because they are beautiful but don't let them grow just because they are beautiful.

As the day went on,her mood turned foul more and more as the employees which were given respective works hadn't completed it in given deadline and moreover the periods and mood swings.

She entered inside her room and fell down on the bed.

Karan who saw her going in her room, followed her to her room.

"What happened aru?"he questioned sensing her mood off.

"Nothing"she mumbled pressing her face more into the pillow.

He sighed and sat down on the bed and hold her hand"tell me what is it?"

"Periods"she whispered and realisation hit him.

Oh how could he forget that?

"I am sorry aru,I had forgotten wait I will bring chocolates and hot water bag for you"

He said hastily and stood up to get her chocolates and hot water bag.

As he left the room,a groan escaped her mouth due to cramps.

Reyansh on the other side,not able to see aradhya in balcony today grew concerned.

He moved towards the door and dhruv who was sitting on couch scrolling down his phone questioned"where are you going?"

"Aradhya's apartment"

"Why?"dhruv questioned frowning.

"She didn't come in balcony today,what if she is sick or something"saying this he left.

Dhruv also stood up from the couch and followed him out.

.......

"Do you want something else?hot chocolate?"Karan asked softly.

She shook her head in no.

As karan was about to say something they heard the bell ring.

"I will go and see who is it"

She nodded at his words and he left.

"Who else could it be at this time, it's ofcourse him"she muttered under her breath.

The door swung open and there stood him,his face laced with worry.

"You okay,jaan?"he asked coming towards her and settling down on the chair beside her bed.

She just hummed at his words.

"Does it pain so much?"he questioned again and aradhya shoot a glare to Karan.

"Aree don't look at me like that,he forced me"Karan complained and this time aradhya glared at Reyansh.

"I was worried for you,you didn't show up in your balcony today for reading your book like you do daily"he replied defending himself.

When her gaze didn't shift away he sighed and said"acha sorry"

Dhruv who was just standing there,walked upto her and caressed her hairs.

"If it pains too much take painkillers okay?"

She smiled at his care and nodded.

"As you say bhaiya"

"The hell,I have been taking care of you for 5 years and you never called me bhaiya that sweetly"Karan complains dramatically.

"Oh cutiepie,we are of same age"aradhya giggled.

"Ok ok but don't call me that"he Huffed.

She laughed but soon she winced when she felt sharp pain in her abdomen area.

Reyansh's eyes widen as he gently holds the water bag and press it on her stomach.

"Should I bring painkiller?"he questioned but she shook her head as no.

"You all go and take rest,I am okay.i will also get some sleep"aradhya said passing them a small smile.

Dhruv and Karan left the room but Reyansh stated back.

"Do you need invitation card to go out?"she snapped at him.

"Jaan,you are in pain.i will just stay here so I can take care of you"he gently said looking at her.

"I have survived more pain than this,this is nothing so you can go from here"

Her words made his heart ache.

"I know jaan,you are so strong.you survived the pain all alone but now let me take care of you please.i am sorry"

He said staring into her eyes which showed nothing but blankness.

"You think a simple sorry is enough?"she questioned,her eyes staring back into his.

He closed his eyes as he heard his own words in hers.

You think a simple 'sorry' is enough.you need to learn to listen.

How much will he be made to remember that how much pain he has caused her.

"It's not enough,it will never be but maybe it can show you my sincerity so it will be enough"

She scowled at his words"sincerity?my foot!where was your this thinking when you accused me being useless when all I did was make your favourite dishes and you claimed it yourself that those were inedible without even tasting it"

She remembers it all,every painful word,every moment where her heart,the flower's petals fell one by one.

She didn't want to bring it all up as it will hurt herself even more but mood swings aren't helping the situation.

"I was a fool aradhya,a big fool.i did not appreciate you and your efforts.i was so stupid but I do not want to commit same mistakes ever again"

"Just get out, reyansh before I say something else that would only hurt us both"aradhya said being irritated.

He nodded timidly and stood up from the chair and moved towards the door.

Standing there he turned back and looked at her.

"You know its a human nature that they don't appreciate something when they have it and regret when it's gone"

Saying this he left from there.

_____________________________________

'why the fuck am I even here?'she thought to herself.

The moment she said that she wants to go to shopping to Karan,it was a wrong move she knew.

He wanted to attend the art exhibition of Ishaant aghinotri as he has come to visit Italy and would go back in a month.

So Karan called Reyansh and asked him to take her to shopping.

'i will chop off his head'aradhya cursed Karan.

"You look so cute in this dress"came his voice from behind and she turned around.

Her eyes stayed more than few seconds on his body,it was the first time she saw him in casuals.

"I am honoured that you are checking me out,jaan.but we will get late"he smirked and his eyes sparkled with tease.

She cleared her throat and rolled her eyes.

"There is nothing in you to check out"

She replied.

"Oh come on,hate me all you want but you can't ignore the fact that I am good looking"he smiled cheekily.

"So arrogant aren't you?"she replied,her eyes locking to his.

"It's called self awareness baby"he winked at her.

Her cheeks turned slightly red before she broke the eye contact.

"Should we go madam?"he questioned.

She nodded and he opened the door of passenger seat for her.

As she saw him settling down on the driver's seat,she questioned"you will be driving?"

"Yes I am your personal driver"he gave her a wide smile.

Maybe it did something to her,she felt butterflies in her stomach.

Her outfit

His outfit

They both the reached mall and a evil idea popped in aradhya's mind.

'aaya bada personal driver,ab dekhti hun'

"So where are we heading first?"Reyansh asked looking at her.

"I need to get some new clothes first"she says going inside a shop and Reyansh followed her.

She picks out two outfits and looks at him"do they look good on me?"

"Oh darling,if you even wear the dirtiest clothes in the world,you will still look the prettiest.you make clothes look good"

His cheeky reply made her blush slightly but she composed herself.

"Hold them for me"she commanded and he gladly did to which she smirked internally.

She continues to  pick up the clothes and he follows her holding all the clothes.

She does it for half hour but now she herself feels tired and also what would she do of as many dresses?

She goes towards trh reception to pay and signals him to follow her.he nods and comes behind her.

"That's it jaan?you only bought these clothes.i thought we will be getting more clothes for you."

She looks at him bewildered and then clears her throat"I am tired"

'The hell this man is!even I got tired and he still says that these clothes are very less.he is the one holding them not me.'

Aradhya smiles at receptionist and she smiled back.

Reyansh place the clothes on counter and leans down to whisper in her ear"I saw a dress which seemed to like made only for you.wait for me I am getting it"

Saying this,he left to get the dress.

The receptionist lady initiated the conversation"is he your boyfriend,mam?he is so sweet"

"Yes-i mean no how do you know?"

Aradhya facepalmed herself internally.

"He really loves you,mam.he looks at you like he wants to worship the ground you walk on,if he could,he would just stare at you forever.you both make a beautiful couple."

The receptionist lady smiled softly.

She doesn't really know how to react to her words.a red hue covers her cheeks at receptionist lady's words.

'he doesn't look at me like that, right?'

"Here,the dress!"Reyansh's voice brought her back to reality.

"How is it?"he questioned.

"It's pretty"she replied monotonously.

"What happened?your mood seems off suddenly"he asked concerned.

"Nothing,I will pay for it"she tries to give her credit card to the lady but he holds her wrist and gives his card from another hand.

"What do you think you are doing?I will pay for myself"she looked at him with her angry gaze.

"I never knew that someone could look this lovely even in anger"he whispered in her ears.

She pushed him lightly and rolled her eyes.

"Get the clothes"saying this she exited the shop and he took the clothes bag and followed her.

"Where are we heading next?"Reyansh asked walking beside her.

"I am craving for icecream"she said and looked at the icecream parlour.

"Alright let's go"he said passing the clothes bags to the guard who was following them and held her hand.

She didn't protest,she couldn't.

"What is your favourite flavour?"he questioned settling down in front of her.

"Strawberry"she replied and he smiled.

"Two strawberry icecreams"he said to the waiter.

After a few moments,the waiter brought the icecreams for them.

"I don't want to eat it sitting down,I like walking while eating"she says standing up.

"Ok you go,i will follow you after paying for it"

She nodded and he continued to look at her until she was out of his sight.

"Itne nakhre dikha rahi hun fir bhi kuch nahi keh Raha"she mutters to herself and pouts while walking.

(I am throwing tantrums and still he isn't saying anything)

She was busy in her own thoughts when suddenly she bumped into someone and the icecream fell down from her hands.

The woman she bumped into,Burned with anger.

"You girl can't you see where you are going? stupid"

Aradhya paid no attention to her words and continued to look at her fallen icecream with a pout.

"Hey you!I am talking to you, apologise to me"

The lady snapped her fingers in front of her and aradhya looked at her.

"Oh miss,why should I say sorry to youwhen it's not entirely not my fault.you could have also paid attention where you were going"aradhya calmly said trying her best to not create a scene without backing down and saying sorry.

"You mannerless girl,jusr accept your fault and apologize to me."lady said angrily.

"You said something true, it's my fault that i am talking to a barking bitch who got no sincerity in her"

"You--i can't stand you"

"If you can't stand her,then fucking kneel"

Reyansh's deep voice ringed in her ears.

The lady's face turned red with anger and embarassment.

"Apologise to my wife or i will call guards and throw you out from here"

Reyansh warned her and the lady visibly shivered.

"I am sorry"lady said with displeasure and left from there seething with anger.

"Mr Reyansh Rajput I am not your wife, correct yourself it's ex wife"

Aradhya's eyes spitted fire and it might burn him but he cared less.

"Doesn't matter,jaan.all that matters is that I am yours till the eternity"

"Let's go"she said ignoring his gaze.

She settled down on the passenger seat  and he also settled down on driver's seat.

He looked at her and asked"can I play music?"

"Whose car is this?"she questioned and he looked at her confused.

"Ours?"

"Not ours, it's yours.so do whatever you want, don't ask from me"

"Oh you believe it or not but it's ours"he muttered and it would be a lie if she didn't find it cute.

He turned on the music and smiled as he heard the song.

Tu mera koi na hoke bhi kuch Lage

Tu mera koi na hoke bhi kuch Lage

Kiya re Jo bhi tune,kaise kiya re

Jiya ko mere bandh aise liya re

Samajh ke bhi na samajh mein sakoon

Saveron ka mere tu sooraj lage

Tu mera koi na hoke bhi kuch Lage

Tu mera koi na hoke bhi kuch Lage

Tu mera koi na hoke bhi kuch Lage

Apna bana le piya,apna bana le piya

Apna bana le piya,apna bana le piya

Dil ke nagar mein shehar tu basale piya

As the song played Reyansh sang with it lost in the tunes and her presence,she stared at him as he sung,  he glanced at her few times before looking at front back.

He wished that this moment could last forever.

She and him only they two forever.