Chapter -28

Double update because today is my.... birthday💗

The humid air hung heavy, thick with the scent of jasmine and the distant rumble of the city. A BMW i7 pulled up to the curb, its polished surface gleaming."We have reached," Abhimanyu informed Aarushi, who was busy on her phone.

She nodded her head and turned off her phone. The bodyguard stepped forward, opening the door with a practiced ease.

Abhimanyu emerged first, tall and composed, his dark eyes scanning the scene as he stepped onto the cobblestone path.

He turned to the passenger side and opened the door for Aarushi, his smile softening as he helped her out."Thank you " Aarushi muttered stepping outside from the car.

As Aarushi stepped onto the ground, a gentle breeze caught her hair, causing her to momentarily stagger. Her eyes sparkled as they roamed over the temple's decorations—vibrant marigold garlands adorned the entrance, and incense wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers.

Families gathered near the entrance, chatting animatedly, while the head pandit stood waiting, his white robes billowing in the breeze. "Khamma ghani hukum, Khamma ghani rani sa," he greeted them with deep reverence, his palms pressed together in a traditional gesture.

"Ghani khamma" Abhimanyu replied, his voice steady, while Aarushi followed suit, her tone bright and welcoming.

"Come, everything is ready for the pooja," the pandit gestured, leading them forward.The scent of incense hung heavy in the air, a fragrant veil draped over the ancient stone of the temple.

Sunlight, filtered through the intricate carvings, painted dappled patterns on the floor as Abhimanyu and Aarushi made their way inside.  The murmur of chanting priests and the soft tinkling of bells created a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere.

Aarushi's gaze fixed on the beautifully sculpted deities lining the walls, moved forward without thinking.  Her hand, as if guided by an unseen force, drifted outwards and found purchase.  Without conscious thought, she was holding Abhimanyu’s hand.

The connection felt… natural.  She didn’t even register the contact at the moment, her mind lost in the serenity of the temple.

Abhimanyu felt the soft touch of her hand in his, a surprising warmth spreading through him. A small, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips as he glanced down at their joined hands.

He noticed how her fingers curled gently around his, a silent and unconscious gesture of trust.

Aarushi continued to walk, her focus still on the intricate artwork.

She glanced sideways at Abhimanyu, noticing the slight curve of his mouth.  She raised an eyebrow in silent question, wondering what had amused him.

He simply shrugged, his smile widening slightly.  He didn’t want to break the spell of the moment.

Aarushi frowned, a little puzzled, and turned her attention back to the path ahead.

It was then, as she felt a slight p pressure on her hand, that she finally looked down.  Her eyes widened in surprise.  There it was, her hand firmly clasped in Abhimanyu’s.

She was clutching his hand, not the other way around.  A blush began to creep up her neck.

Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand away.  But as she tugged, Abhimanyu’s grip tightened.  He didn’t release her.

He looked at her, his eyes holding a playful glint, and held her hand firmly.  The warmth of his touch seemed to radiate through her, making her heart beat a little faster.

The pandit gestured for them to take a seat on the plush mat laid out before the altar. As they settled down,The pandit began reciting the mantras, his voice deep and rhythmic.

Aarushi closed her eyes, focusing on the vibrations around her, the sounds weaving a tapestry of blessings.

As the pooja continued, Abhimanyu participated with a seriousness that Aarushi found endearing. They followed the pandit’s instructions, offering flowers and lighting the diyas with reverence. With each gesture, this moment shared between them as a newly married couple.

Once the pooja concluded, the pandit blessed them, his hands radiating warmth as he sprinkled sacred water over their heads. "May your married life be filled with joy and harmony," he declared, his voice resonating with sincerity.

Abhimanyu nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "Now, it is time for some daan dharam," the pandit continued, guiding them to the next part of their ritual.

They stepped outside, where a small gathering of less fortunate families awaited them. Aarushi's heart swelled as she saw the eager faces, their eyes shimmering with hope.

"Let’s start by offering something to the temple,"Abhimanyu suggested, his expression serious .

They approached the donation box, Abhimanyu forwarded a bundle of notes in Aarushi's direction and gestured her to donate them from her hands but she shook her head and  clasped his hand with her and placed a generous sum inside, "It's for us ,not for me only"  she whispered, glancing at Abhimanyu.

As they turned to the families waiting nearby, a little boy, broke away from his mother's side. He ran toward Aarushi, his eyes wide with admiration. "You are so beautiful!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with innocence.

Aarushi couldn't help but giggle, kneeling to meet his gaze. "Really? You think so?"

The boy nodded vigorously. "You come with me to my house! My doll is also beautiful. You will live with me ,with  her!" His excitement was palpable, and Aarushi’s heart melted.

Abhimanyu’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer, a protective instinct flaring within him. "Ohh Chotu" he said, kneeling to the boy's eye level"Vo meri biwi hai ,vo mere sath rahegi.you go live with your doll"

Aarushi burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the air like music. She watched the interaction, delighting in the way Abhimanyu's possessiveness over her was both charming and amusing.

The little boy pouted, crossing his arms. "Look he is saying that you won’t come me. Please come me; I will buy you toffees!"

Abhimanyu's glare intensified, though it held an undercurrent of humor. "I’ll buy her more toffees than you can," he countered, his tone mock-serious.

The boy’s eyes widened, and tears began to brim at the corners. "You’re so ba–d!" he wailed, turning away. Aarushi instinctively wrapped her arms around the boy, pulling him close to her. "Hey, baby don't cry." she soothed, her voice gentle.

Abhimanyu shifted uncomfortably, feeling a pang of jealousy. "Baby why are you hugging him Don't hug him" he whispered, his tone a mix of irritation and jealousy.

"Don’t be a child with a child," Aarushi scolded lightly, giving Abhimanyu a pointed look. "He is such a cute boy.You made him sad."

The boy peeked up at her, a small smile breaking through his tears. "You think I c–cute?" he asked softly.

She nodded and smiled down at him. "Of course! And you will grow up to be a good boy for your mummy and papa," she encouraged, brushing his hair back. "Then I will come with you to your house, okay?"

The boy's face lit up with joy. "Okay!" he exclaimed, his tears forgotten. He turned to Abhimanyu, a playful challenge in his eyes. "Look, she will come me!"

Aarushi saw other children gesturing her to come to them. She smiled at them and went in their direction leaving Abhimanyu alone with that boy.He turned to Abhimanyu, a playful challenge in his eyes. "Look, she will come me!"

Abhimanyu couldn’t suppress his smirk "Bete jab tak tu bada hoga na tab tak mere 10-15 bache paida ho jayege"  The boy’s eyes widened again, and he dashed back to his mother, a mix of excitement and mock fear on his face. "Mummy! She has ten children!"

After the lighthearted exchange, they turned their attention back to the families waiting. Abhimanyu and Aarushi worked together, serving food and distributing small gifts.

Each family beamed with gratitude, and Aarushi felt her heart swell with joy as she watched their smiles.

"Thank you, beta," an elderly woman said, clasping Aarushi's hands in hers. "May you always find happiness."

Aarushi smiled warmly, returning the gesture. "Thank you, Aunty," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

As they finished serving, the crowds began to disperse, and Aarushi turned to Abhimanyu, her eyes sparkling. "You know, I feel much better now," she said, her voice playful.

After some time ~

Aarushi sat cross-legged on her bed, a mess of papers and textbooks scattered around her. The warmth of evening provided a little ease to her. She was deep into her assessment work, her pencil scratching notes on a sheet when the sharp trill of her phone broke the silence.

"Ugh," she groaned, setting the pencil down with a frustrated thud. She stood up, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders, and trudged over to her desk. As she reached for the phone, a familiar voice echoed through the receiver, halting her in her tracks.

"Aarushi, why do you keep ignoring me? Listen, I’m sorry. Please, at least meet me one time. I love you a lot." Kabir's voice was a desperate plea, tinged with a sense of entitlement that made her stomach churn.

Aarushi’s eyes narrowed, disbelief washing over her. "Kabir, please try to understand. You’re being delusional.You keep calling and messaging me the whole day. Can't you understand this simple thing?Even if you love me, I’m sorry. I don’t love you. I’m married now, Stop disturbing me."

"Please, Aarushi! Just meet me once. I can’t handle this anymore!" His voice rose, a mix of desperation and anger, the kind that twisted in her gut.

"No. I will not meet you, no matter what you say."Aarushi's voice was firm, but inside, a storm brewed. She felt the frustration rising, the memories of their tumultuous past flooding back.

"Why can’t you understand? I love you! I can’t live without you!" Kabir’s voice was frantic now, as if her rejection was a knife twisting in his heart. "You’re being selfish and a bitc–

"Stop!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the air like a whip. “I don’t care if you think I’m being selfish. If that’s what you want to believe, then fine. But I already told you, you are nothing to me now. You made my life hell in the past. You have no idea how hard it was for me, but you can’t understand a thing!"

The silence on the other end was heavy, but it didn’t last long. “"ou’re behaving like a mean person , Aarushi. Just give me a chance! I can change. Just meet me once, and we can talk about everything."

"I won’t give you a chance! This is blackmailing, Kabir. You’re manipulating me, and I won’t let you." Her heart raced, anger coursing through her veins like fire.

"I’m not manipulating you! I’m just asking for one chance! Otherwise, what do you want me to do? Live in misery forever? You know I might as well end it all if you don’t give me this opportunity!" His voice cracked, laced with desperation.

Aarushi felt a chill run down her spine. "Are you really threatening me right now? That’s so low, Kabir. You think that’s going to work? Do you think I’m going to feel sorry for you? This isn’t love "

" I just want you back! I can’t live without you! You can't throw my feelings like that "His voice was rising, frustration evident in every word.

"I’m not throwing anything away! You need to understand that we never had anything. You’re are so toxic and immature, and I’ve worked too hard to get away from that part of my life."Aarushi’s voice trembled with the weight of her emotions.

"Just give me one chance! You’re being so selfish, Aarushi! You don’t care about how I feel at all!" He said again.

Aarushi felt her hands clench into fists. "You’re making this all about you! You don’t care about my life, my happiness. You just want to drag me back into your mess! I won’t let you"

"Fine! If you don’t want to give me a chance, then you’re just a cold-hearted bitch! You’ll regret this!" His voice dripped with venom.

"Regret? I’ve regretted enough because of you!” she shot back, her heart racing. "You have no idea what I’ve been through because of you. I’m filing a case against you now. You can do whatever you want!"

With that, she ended the call, her heart pounding in her chest. The anger that had been simmering inside her burst forth like a dam breaking. She felt a mix of relief and rage, her breath coming in quick gasps as she paced the room.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Abhimanyu stepped inside. Aarushi looked up, frustration painting her features. He paused at the threshold, taking in the chaos of the room and the storm brewing in her eyes.

The tension in the room was palpable, but she didn’t have the energy to mask it. Aarushi noticed him and averted her gaze as she was already so angry, and she wanted some time alone to calm herself.

The air felt heavy, charged with an unspoken tension that made his heart race. Aarushi stood by the bed. He could see her fists clenched at her sides, a storm brewing behind her usually warm brown eyes.

"Love, what happened?” he asked stepping towards her, his voice gentle but laced with concern.

Aarushi didn’t turn to face him, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun dipped below the trees. Her jaw tightened, and he could almost hear the grinding of her teeth. The silence stretched between them, thick with her frustration.

"Baby, please," he urged, stepping closer "Talk to me." Still, she remained silent, her body rigid.

Abhimanyu felt a wave of unease wash over him. He reached out, placing a hesitant hand on her back. "Tell me what’s going on," he said softly.

"What the fuck is your problem" she snapped, pushing his hand away with a force that surprised him "You are so irritating"

The words hit him like a slap. He took a step back, eyes wide in shock. He had never seen her so angry, so unyielding. "Jaan I–"

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😁😶

I am not saying anything.......

Tell me what are feeling about Aarushi's current situation.....

Next update will be on 13feb....

Thank you

Love you💌