💓WITH HER IN MALL-CHAPTER-13

Third pov:

At the bustling entrance of the mall, Rudhran arms crossed, watched Vishnu, Priya, and Dhivya disappear into the crowd. His lips curled into a sly smirk as he turned back to Aaradhya, who stood awkwardly, nervously tugging at the end of her shawl. She had her head bowed, her eyes fixed on the polished marble floor.

Rudhran's gaze softened as it landed on her. She looked simple yet stunning in her modern kurti—a soft pastel shade with delicate embroidery, paired with a neatly pressed patiala pant and a matching shawl draped over her shoulder. Though he loved seeing her in sarees, this new look somehow added a fresh charm to her innocence. For a moment, he stood mesmerized, his dark eyes tracing every detail of her. But then he snapped out of it, clearing his throat to mask the thoughts swirling in his mind.

"So... are we planning to stay at the entrance forever, Aaradhya?" Rudhran's voice held its usual gruffness, but the teasing edge didn't go unnoticed.

Aaradhya's head shot up, her eyes wide. "No... no, sir!" she stammered, her cheeks deepening in color.

Rudhran chuckled, the sound low and warm, making her stomach flutter in a way she couldn't understand. He tilted his head slightly, his smirk growing. "Give me company. I've never shopped for myself before. You can guide me."

Guide him? Aaradhya blinked, completely lost. She barely shopped for herself, let alone knew how to guide someone like Rudhran. She looked at him wide-eyed, her innocence shining through, and he found himself tempted—just for a moment—to close the space between them and taste the softness of her lips. But he pulled himself back, shaking the thought away.

Without waiting for her reply, he gestured for her to follow. "Come" he said, his tone gentle but firm.  Rudhran's jaw clenched every time Aaradhya addressed him as "sir." That word—so distant, so formal—gnawed at him.

She nodded, clutching her shawl tighter, and walked beside him, her steps hesitant. Inside the mall, the world seemed larger than life—the towering glass ceilings, the glittering lights, and the endless rows of stores left Aaradhya in awe. She tried her best not to stare too much, but her wide eyes and soft gasps gave her away. Rudhran, walking beside her with his casual confidence, noticed every little reaction. His heart tugged at her innocence.

When they reached the escalator, Aaradhya froze. Her feet rooted to the spot as she stared at the moving stairs with a mix of curiosity and fear. She had never seen one up close, let alone stepped on one. Raised in a small village, such modern conveniences were alien to her. She bit her lip nervously, debating whether to tell Rudhran. But before she could say anything, he had already read her like a book.

Rudhran, asked, "You have never been in Escalator before?"

she looked down, embarrassed. "I... I haven't, sir," she admitted quietly.

For a moment, Rudhran just stared at her, marveling at how honest and untouched her world was compared to his. He stepped closer, his voice soft but teasing. "Dont worry, Let me teach you."

Without waiting for her response, he intertwined his fingers with hers. Aaradhya's eyes widened as she looked down at their joined hands. His large, warm grip engulfed her smaller one, and she felt a strange flutter in her chest.

"I'm here with you. Let's step on together, okay?" Rudhran said, his tone gentle, as though speaking to a child.

Aaradhya nodded quickly, focusing on his polished shoes as he guided her forward. They stepped onto the escalator at the same time, and she let out a tiny gasp as the stairs began to move. For a second, she wobbled, but Rudhran tightened his grip on her hand, steadying her.

"Relax, ma," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "It's just a moving staircase, not a roller coaster."

Aaradhya felt a wave of happiness as she adjusted to the strange, gliding sensation. She couldn't help but giggle softly, feeling a childlike thrill from experiencing something so new.

Rudhran, meanwhile, had his gaze fixed entirely on her. Her joy was infectious, her innocence magnetic. The way her delicate hand fit into his made him feel protective in a way he hadn't experienced before.

As they reached the top of the escalator, Aaradhya turned to Rudhran, her eyes sparkling with childlike excitement. She couldn't help the wide grin on her face as she looked up at him.

"Hey, wow, you did it, Aaradhya!" Rudhran said with a small  smile, his tone carrying the warmth of a teacher applauding a student who'd just aced their test.

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, thumping louder than she thought possible. Why did his simple praise make her feel like this? She shook the thought away, trying to focus on the bustling mall around her.

Rudhran, on the other hand, wasn't in any rush to let go of her hand. He led her through the crowd, his grip firm and steady. Aaradhya, initially too caught up in her own excitement to notice, suddenly realized that their fingers were still intertwined. Her steps faltered, and she glanced at him hesitantly.

"Sir... uh... you're still holding my hand," she said softly.

Rudhran stopped, turning his head to look at her with an amused glint in his eyes. Then, with the smallest tilt of his lips, he looked down at their joined hands, his thumb grazing over her delicate fingers as if testing the feel of them.

"Yes, Aaradhya," he said matter-of-factly, in calm deep voice"This place is crowded. I don't want to lose you in the crowd."

The way he said it, like she was a fragile little thing he had to protect, She nodded, unsure how to respond, her fingers unconsciously curling a little tighter around his. Rudhran noticed the small gesture and couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Her innocence was something else—it tugged at parts of him he didn't even know existed.

Without another word, he started walking again, still holding her hand. Aaradhya followed him obediently, feeling a safety in his grip. Every now and then, her shawl brushed against his arm.

Rudhran, though composed on the outside, was internally savoring every second. Her small, soft hand fit perfectly in his large ones, and he wasn't ready to let go just yet.

They entered the mobile store, the sleek interior filled with displays of the latest gadgets. Rudhran guided her past the glass counters, his thumb subtly brushing against her knuckles as if he needed the constant reassurance that she was there. Aaradhya, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to the subtle gestures, too busy taking in her surroundings with wide eyes.

Rudhran stood casually in front of the phone display, Beside him, Aaradhya stood nervously, her fingers twisting the edge of her shawl. She glanced at the phones, wondering who he was buying phone for but kept her thoughts to herself. She had learned long ago not to question things too much, especially regarding Rudhran.

He picked up a phone with an elegant ocean-blue finish and held it out to her. "What about this one?" he asked, his voice calm but expectant.

Aaradhya glanced at the phone, then at him, and whispered, "It's good, Sir."

He raised a brow, then put it down and picked up another model. "And this?"

Her response was the same. "It's good, Sir."

This went on for four phones,  Finally, he turned to her fully, his gaze sharp yet filled with something softer she couldn't quite place. "Tell me, Aaradhya," he said, his tone firm but gentle, "which one do you want?"

Aaradhya blinked, her wide eyes darting between the phones and him. She looked down, her voice barely audible as she said, "I-I don't need a phone like this, Sir. I've never used anything so expensive, and it's not for someone like me." She fiddled with her shawl, her shoulders shrinking as though she wanted to disappear.

Rudhran's jaw tightened. He took a step closer, his presence overpowering yet oddly comforting. "Listen here, Aaradhya," he said, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "A phone isn't some luxury—it's a basic need. And you need one."

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Rudhran played his ace. "Get it, Aaradhya," he said, his voice soft but rigid, "if you truly respect me and Patti."

Her head snapped up at the mention of Patti, her conflicted expression clear as day. She couldn't argue with that. Respect for Patti—and for Rudhran—was something she held close to her heart. She bit her lip, unsure, but finally nodded hesitantly.

A small smile tugged at Rudhran's lips as he turned to the salesman and finalized the purchase, choosing a phone that was both practical and elegant. He knew she'd never pick something for herself, and he wasn't going to let her continue using that outdated basic phone she barely managed with.

Walking out of the store, the bag containing the phone swinging lightly in his hand, he glanced at her. Aaradhya was silent, her head slightly bowed.

"Don't worry," Rudhran said casually, "I'll help you figure out how to use it."

She looked up at him and nodded shyly. "Thank you, Sir."

Rudhran chuckled softly, "Just don't lose it in some corner of your room, okay?" he teased, again intertwining her fingers with his, and walked to his next destination.

It's a dress shop, its colorful displays and elegant mannequins drawing Aaradhya's wide-eyed attention. Rudhran,  led her in with a casual wave to the staff, who immediately gave them their full attention. Aaradhya hesitated at the entrance, unsure if she belonged in a place so dazzling. Rudhran turned slightly, his brow quirking in that mix of patience and amusement only she could bring out in him.

"Come on, Aaradhya. You're not just here to window shop," he motioning for her to follow.

"S-sir, I don't need anything," she stammered, clutching her worn purse nervously.

Rudhran arched a brow. "If you don't pick something right now, I'll make sure Patti knows you refused."

Her mouth opened in protest, but she quickly shut it, realizing she was cornered. "Everyone is blackmailing me these days," she muttered under her breath, but Rudhran heard her clearly and chuckled softly.

"Good girl. Now, let's get started," he said, motioning to the racks of sarees.

Aaradhya reluctantly began looking through the sarees, her fingers grazing over the fabrics. She paused at a soft cotton saree with a simple green-and-gold border. It wasn't extravagant, just elegant, and exactly what suited her taste. She glanced at the price tag and nodded to herself, relieved it wasn't expensive.

Rudhran, watching her with folded arms, stepped closer. "That's all? You're in a mall, Aaradhya. You can pick something better," he said, his tone slightly teasing but firm.

"This is more than enough, Sir," she replied softly, hugging the saree close to her chest.

Rudhran smirked. "I should've guessed. Simple and modest, just like you. But let's not stop there." He reached out and plucked another saree off the rack—a soft lavender one with delicate silver detailing. "Try this one."

Aaradhya's eyes widened. "But, Sir—"

"No arguments." He handed her the saree and continued searching, easily finding sarees and dresses that matched her understated style. His choices surprised her—how did he know exactly what she'd like? She didn't realize that Rudhran had already committed her preferences to memory, imagining her as his wife, draped in sarees that brought out her natural elegance.

As they went along, Aaradhya suddenly stopped in front of a particular saree—a beige one with a maroon border. Her face softened as she touched it, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"For yourself?" Rudhran asked.

She shook her head, hesitating before replying, "This is for Ganga Patti. I thought it would suit her."His heart softened at her words. She wasn't thinking about herself, even in a place like this. "You're something else, Aaradhya," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a small smile.

Before they could finish, Aaradhya turned hesitantly toward him. "Sir, where is the kids' section?"

He gestured toward the corner, watching curiously as she walked over and carefully selected two dresses—one in a pastel pink girls frock and another in a bright yellow t-shirt and shorts. She held them with a tender smile that tugged at Rudhran's heart.

"For Kamala akka and Selvi akka kids," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "They don't get new clothes often."

Rudhran didn't say anything, just watched her with a strange mix of admiration and smile. Just as the shopkeeper was about to bill everything together, she spoke up. "Please bill the saree and the kids dresses separately. I'll pay for them."

Rudhran's jaw tightened, and his brows knitted together. "Aaradhya, you don't need to do that," he said firmly.

"I saved some money from my salary, Sir," she said, her voice quiet but determined. "Please let me pay for these."

"No." His voice was calm but resolute.

"Sir, at least let me pay for Patti's saree," she pleaded, her big eyes looking up at him.

Rudhran sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he relented, "But you're not paying for the kids' dresses. That's final."

She nodded reluctantly, her cheeks burned. Gratitude warred with embarrassment as she accepted his offer. As they exited the shop, Rudhran, carried the bags in one hand and gently intertwined their fingers with the other. "Let's grab some food, okay? Don't say no!" he coaxed, his voice warm and inviting. She nodded obediently.

As Rudhran guided Aaradhya toward the food court, her fingers still lightly intertwined with his, two foreign couples approached them with friendly smiles. The lady on Aaradhya's side, wearing a breezy floral dress, leaned closer and spoke with genuine curiosity.

"Hey, your dress is lovely! What's it called?" she asked warmly.

Aaradhya froze for a moment, blinking in surprise. Rudhran immediately prepared to step in, assuming she'd feel embarrassed. After all, he couldn't let her to get embrass in front of strangers But before he could utter a word, Aaradhya spoke up, her voice soft yet clear.

"It's called a kurti," she replied with a small smile. "You can find similar ones in that shop over there." She gestured toward a store nearby.

Rudhran stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded. He stared at her, his expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief. Where did this side of her come from?

The tall man beside the lady nodded appreciatively. "Oh, thank you! And you two make such a cute couple," he added with a friendly grin.

Aaradhya's eyes widened in shock, her cheeks instantly flushing. She opened her mouth to protest, but Rudhran smoothly cut in before she could.

"Thanks, buddy," he said, flashing a charming smile. His grip on Aaradhya's fingers tightened slightly, his possessiveness kicking in.

As the couple walked away, Aaradhya turned to Rudhran, her expression flustered. "Sir... they might misunderstand us," she murmured hesitantly.

Rudhran glanced down at her, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement. He liked the sound of that. Cute couple, huh?

"Let it be, Aaradhya," he said casually,  "I'm starving, and we don't have time to go around explaining everything."

She stared at him, her lips slightly parted, while her heart pounded against her chest. The butterflies in her belly seemed to have orchestrated an entire concert.

Rudhran smiled, noticing her dazed expression, and gently tugged her along.  As they reached the food court, Rudhran chose a cozy corner table for them,  Aaradhya settled across from him, She couldn't shake off the foreign couple's words—or Rudhran's lack of denial.

He handed her the menu and watched her eyes scan the options, though her nervousness was evident.

"What do you want to eat, Aaradhya?" he asked, leaning back in his chair with his usual casual confidence.

"Anything is fine, sir," she murmured.

Rudhran smiled at her timid reply and waved over a server. "Pulav and some chicken tikka for starters," he ordered confidently, glancing at Aaradhya. "That okay with you?"

She nodded quickly,still avoiding his intense gaze.

Once the server left, Rudhran leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his chin propped on one hand as he studied her. He was still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened.

"So, Aaradhya," , his tone casual but laced with curiosity, "you never told me you could speak English like that."

Aaradhya's eyes darted up to meet his, and she froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. "Uh... it's... not that good, sir," she stammered.

Rudhran frowned slightly, sensing her discomfort. "Hey," he said gently, softening his tone, "I'm not asking to tease you or anything. I just didn't expect it, that's all. You spoke really well, and I was... impressed."

Her head shot up at the word impressed, her wide eyes meeting his in surprise. "R-Really?"

Rudhran smiled, "Yeah, really. So, where did you learn to speak like that?"

Aaradhya hesitated, her hands fiddling with the edge of her dupatta. "I... I finished my B.Com," she said softly.

Rudhran's eyebrows shot up, genuinely surprised. "You've completed your B.Com? Then why are you working here, ma? With that degree, you could've easily gotten a better job,"  his voice laced with curiosity and concern.

He wasn't mocking her or prying—he was genuinely intrigued. Aaradhya's simplicity and humility had always puzzled him, and now, knowing that she had the qualifications to aim higher, his admiration for her deepened.

Aaradhya stiffened slightly at his words, her fingers instinctively tightening around the spoon in her hand. She stared at her plate, her lips pressing into a thin line, as if debating whether to respond.

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