Chapter -20

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room where Abhimanyu stood at the threshold, a smile creeping across his face. His gaze fell on Aarushi, who lay cocooned in her blanket, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

The clock on the wall ticked towards 8:00 AM. He stepped closer, the floor creaking softly beneath his feet as he leaned down, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Wake up, jaan," he whispered, shaking her gently.

"Mmm… five more minutes" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

Abhimanyu smiled, settling back on his heels as he waited, glancing at the clock again. Five minutes passed in a blink, and he shook her again, more insistently this time. "Come on, sweetheart. You have to eat something , you can sleep later ."

Aarushi blinked her eyes open, groggy and dazed. "Good morning" she murmured, her voice a soft melody in the quiet room.

"Good morning, love," he replied, a soft expression crossing his face as he took in her disheveled hair and the way her cheeks were still slightly flushed from sleep. She looked like a cute little baby, and he couldn’t help but feel a rush of affection.

Aarushi's eyes drifted to the side, and she frowned, noticing her beloved soft toy was missing from the bed. "Hey! Where's my pillu?" she exclaimed, sitting up abruptly.

Abhimanyu feigned innocence, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips "I don't know , what are you talking about"

"Don’t play dumb, my Pillu. It's not here, "she pointed out, scanning the room until her eyes landed on the couch, where Pillu lay, a little crumpled from being tossed aside.

She turned towards Abhimanyu and glared at him . Abhimanyu said trying to keep his face straight. "I have no idea how it got there."

Aarushi narrowed her eyes at him, a huff escaping her lips. "You know exactly how it got there! You threw him, didn’t you?"

"Me? Never! Why would I throw him there . I am a child who will play with him " He crossed his arms, trying to look as innocent as possible, but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed him.

"Right," she said, rolling her eyes. "I suppose he just decided to take a little vacation on the couch?"

"Exactly! He needed a change of scenery. I think we should place him in another room; it will  change the atmosphere for him," he replied with excitement , trying to get rid of Pilu

She passed him a tight lips smile and said "No thanks ,he don't need that. He will live here with us but you know if you need any change of atmosphere you are free to go anywhere you want" Abhimanyu passed her a bore look and went into closet. A small smile came on her lips looking at his retreating figure. "He's  impossible."

Abhimanyu stepped outside of the bathroom and spotted Aarushi in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, a vision of beauty in her casual attire.Aarushi also spotted his reflection in mirror. "Banda handsome to hai kuch bhi kaho" she said in her mind and averted her gaze from him.

(Aarushi outfit)

(Abhimanyu outfit)

"Inki khubsurti kisi din meri maut ka karan banegi" He mumbled to himself.  He couldn’t resist pulling out his phone, snapping a quick picture, the flash barely flickering before he tucked it away.

"You are looking so beautiful bacche" he said stepping closer to her reflection in the mirror. "I look beautiful in everything," She replied, flipping her hair.

"You will look beautiful in nothing also " Abhimanyu muttered under his breath. She turned to him and asked "What " He shook his head and said in a flirty tone "If beauty were a crime, you’d be serving a life sentence "

She giggled, the sound light and airy. "You think you can butter me up that easily "She asked in a mischievous tone "I am just stating facts darling" he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.

She waved him off, turning back to the mirror, her cheeks warming slightly. "Thank you for the gift jaan" Abhimanyu said in a soft voice .

Aarushi again turned to him and said " Mai aapko thodi kuch Dene wali thi , vo to bas mujhe vo pasand aa gaye per vo mere kisi kam ke nahi the to socha aapko hi dedu "

Abhimanyu raised his eyebrows listening her and said "Whatever makes you sleep at night love"

Aarushi scrunched her nose at him and pushed him a little. "You know na you are bad man" she asked him. Abhimanyu nodded his head and replied " Yes ,your bad man "

"Good don't forget that ,now come downstairs for breakfast" she said heading out the door, leaving Abhimanyu grinning like a fool.

At the dining table, the family was gathered, the clatter of plates and chatter filling the air. Aarushi comes downstairs with Abhimanyu trailing behind her . "I am really sorry I got late.  " She apologized. Abhimanyu pulled out a chair for her and said " You don't need to apologise to anyone . You can do whatever you want , you don't have to answer anyone " Aarushi sat down and said "Don't listen to him, I am sorry "

"It's okay, beta, " Badi Ma said, smiling at her. Aarushi looked towards Abhimanyu and whispered to him " Have some manners . They are my in laws, you can't say something like this in front of everyone"

"Main to sirf bol nahi bhot kuch kerke bhi dikha sakta hu aap kaho to " Abhimanyu said in a flirty tone and served her. She shook her head at him but didn't say anything.

She declared  in a serious tone" From now on , you need to eat properly. You will not skip any meal otherwise you will see me wrath" serving Abhimanyu a generous portion.

Abhimanyu smiled and said  "Aap jaisa kaho madam ji " She muttered a small good and everyone started having their breakfast.

After breakfast, Abhimanyu started leaving for office , his mind already racing with plans for the day. He was going to sit in his car when a sharp call cut through the air "Hukum!"

He turned offering a sheepish grin when Aarushi stepped in front of him.

"You are going office" she asked as her gaze swept over his shirt. The two top buttons of his shirt were undone, showcasing a glimpse of his perfect collarbone and chest.

"Yes , is something wrong " he asked, trying to maintain his nonchalant air though his heart was doing a little tap dance against his ribs.

"You're going to the office, Hukum," she said, her voice laced with amusement.  "Not a fashion show."

Before he could say anything, her hand shot out, her fingers closing around the collar of his shirt.  Abhimanyu blinked, surprised by the sudden contact. He found himself being gently but firmly pulled down, his carefully cultivated posture crumbling slightly.

He looked down to see her focused on the buttons of his shirt.  Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she deftly fastened the top button, then the second.  Her fingers brushed against his skin, sending a shiver down his spine.  He could smell the faint scent of her jasmine perfume, a familiar and comforting aroma.

"There," she said, stepping back to assess her handiwork.  "Much better."  She gave him a small, approving nod.  "Now you look like you're ready to conquer the boardroom, not the runway. " She didn't want anyone to see him like this. She was feeling jealous, thinking everyone would ogle at him like this.

Abhimanyu, still slightly bent from her earlier tug, straightened up slowly.  He looked at her, a slow smile spreading across his face." I am yours love ,you don't need to feel jealous"

Arushi rolled her eyes, a playful glint in her eyes. " I am not jealous of anyone . I  buttoned them because–because you will look more presentable like this . I don't want you to embarrass yourself okay . " she retorted, giving his now-buttoned shirt a final, light pat.

She smiled and walked away, leaving Abhimanyu standing there, a little breathless and thoroughly charmed.  He touched his now-closed collar, a smile playing on his lips.  He might be going to the office, but She had definitely just made his day a whole lot more interesting.

In evening ~

Aarushi found herself perched on the balcony, boredom creeping in as she scrolled through her phone.

“I should probably get back to work soon,” she muttered, glancing out at the view.

"What should I do , I am bored. " She muttered moving back and forth. An idea sparked in her mind, and a mischievous smile spread across her face. She decided to annoy Abhimanyu. She quickly opened his WhatsApp and sent him a hello message.

"Hello , Look it's something important" she typed again, sending it off before quickly following it with a meme that had been making the rounds online.She giggled thinking about his reaction.

Whereas Abhimanyu was deep in a meeting when his phone vibrated. He ignored it at first, focusing on the discussion, but when it vibrated again, annoyance flickered in his chest. He clenched his jaw and took out his phone from his pocket.

As he glanced at the screen, his anger dissipated instantly upon seeing Aarushi’s name. He frowned his brows in confusion and quickly stood up ,Excusing himself, he stepped out of the meeting room, curiosity piqued.

He opened her chat, his brow furrowing as he read a message "Look it's important". He quickly opened that video but he couldn't able to understand that . “What the heck is this?” he murmured, confusion swirling in his mind.

Without a second thought, he dialed her number, his impatience barely contained. The phone rang a few times before she picked up, her voice cheerful yet slightly teasing "Hanji boliye"

" Jaan daru or ghanja badhiya nahi hote aapko kyu peene hai vo . Aapko seb or mosambi hi khane chahiye, doctor ke pass chalte hai unhe batayenge aapka ghanjha phukne ka man ker Raha hai vo kuch karenge . I am coming there. Give me ten minutes, then we will go to the doctor,  " he ranted,   walking out from his cabin.

Aarushi stared at her phone with open mouth. This man is unbelievable."Are you out of your mind .  Kya kya bolte rahte ho aap . Mujhe na daru peene hai ,na ghanjha phukna hai , kaise baate kerte ho aap. It's a meme pagal aadmi . I want to annoy you that's why I sent this, " She shouted at him .

Abhimanyu muttered a small oh listening her and again went inside his cabin. "You seriously don't know anything about memes " she asked in amusement.

"No , You were saying it's important. I thought you wanted to have a drink," he replied in a low voice. " Kya pati banenge aap mere agar aapko memes ke bare mai hi nahi pata" she said at him in half serious and half teasing tone.

"No...no I will learn about them. Don't say like this " Abhimanyu said worriedly. Aarushi laughed and said "Learn about memes , seriously. Memes are just some funny short videos sometimes relatable or sometimes without any context.They spread rapidly around internet.When someone send you a meme you have to react on them. Okay " she said.

Abhimanyu muttered a small okay and listening carefully."Now i ending the call continue your work. I will think something else to disturb you " Aarushi said in burgeoning excitement.

After they hung up, Abhimanyu leaned against the wall, a smile plastered on his face. Aarushi had a knack for making him feel lighter, even on the most stressful days. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head at the absurdity of their conversation.

Back on the balcony, Aarushi leaned back in her chair, satisfied with the morning’s antics. She felt a sense of excitement at the idea of annoying Abhimanyu a little more next time.

At dinner time ~

"Aarushi beta, why are you standing? Have dinner, " Badi Papa said, looking at her, standing awkwardly near the dining table. She cleared her throat and said "I will have dinner with him "

"We already discussed it yesterday, come have dinner " badi ma said with simple directness in her tone. "I want to wait for him , let me. Don't worry i just had some snacks I am not feeling hungry " Aarushi said with a conviction.

Badi ma was going to say something but bade papa stopped her and said " Okay as you wish but tell him to come home early"

Aarushi nodded her head and left from there. She picked up his phone and dialed his number. After a ring he picked her call and said "Boliye jaan"

"When will you come home " she asked in soothing tone. " Are you missing me " He asked her in a flirty tone.

"No I am not missing you , just tell me " she again asked him. " I am currently out of office because of a deal. It will take me an hour to get there. Is something wrong , wait I am coming there now . tell me what's wrong " Abhimanyu said  worriedly.

"No....no take your time I was just asking. Don't you dare to leave from there , focus on your work , bye," She said and quickly ended the call.

Abhimanyu frowned in brows in confusion and called his PA . " We are leaving , schedule this meeting Tommorow " He ordered him and his Pa nodded at him and called his driver.

Aarushi paced the living room, the soft glow of the table lamp doing little to soothe her restless energy.  Her stomach rumbled, a loud protest against its emptiness. She glanced at the clock again.  He’d said an hour, and but it's only been twenty minutes and she was already feeling hungry.

Ten more minutes crawled by, each one punctuated by another grumble from her stomach.  Finally, the front door clicked open.

Abhimanyu entered, a crease of concern etching his brow.  He spotted Aarushi in the living room and hurried towards her. "Jaan, what's wrong? Is everything okay?"

Aarushi looked up, a slight flush rising on her cheeks. "You said an hour," she pointed out, a touch of playful accusation in her voice. "You're early"

Abhimanyu shrugged, offering a small smile. "The meeting wrapped up faster than expected." He didn't mention that he'd practically bolted from the meeting the moment he could, his thoughts solely on her.

"Oh that's good come on" Aarushi said, gesturing towards the dining room. "Let's have dinner"

Abhimanyu frowned slightly. "You haven't eaten yet?" Aarushi hesitated. "I… wasn't very hungry earlier. I thought I'd wait."She didn't want to tell him that she waited for him , the thought of him having dinner alone had simply not appealed to her.

A beat of silence hung in the air as Abhimanyu absorbed her words. A slow smile spread across his face, a mixture of warmth and something akin to disbelief.  "You were waiting for me?" he asked, his voice soft.

Aarushi’s eyes widened slightly.  She hadn't expected him to pick up on that so easily.  "No! Why would I wait for you?" she stammered, the denial unconvincing even to her own ears. "I just… wasn't hungry."

Abhimanyu’s heart swelled.  He knew she was fibbing, and it only made him feel… incredible. It was a fluttering sensation, this warmth that spread through his chest.

No one had ever really waited for him like that, had prioritized having a meal together.  It was a small gesture, but it resonated with him deeply.  A wave of emotion washed over him, a mixture of gratitude and something akin to tenderness. He didn't want anyone's attention but her. No one tried to understand his emotions in the past so he buried them inside and started maintaining distance from everyone.

Everyone started thinking that he doesn't need anyone ,he is capable for everything and he also want everyone to think like.  He felt inexplicably vulnerable, yet at the same time, stronger than he had in years.He looked at Aarushi, her eyes darting away, a hint of pink still coloring her cheeks.  The urge to pull her close and hold her was overwhelming.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.  He knew it can make her uncomfortable, but he couldn’t help himself.  He needed that connection, that physical affirmation of this unexpected emotional connection.He want a hug from her.

____________________________________________________________________________

So Hello everyone. I am really happy to see your response on the story.......❤️✨

Thank you soooooooooo much *bhot bade wala*

Love you 💌