Page 36 of ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire

The Bride has finally stepped inside her new house after all the Byes and cries — that wasn't supposed to rhyme.

Come to think about it, The couple aren't here yet since It was a long night.

If you know, you know.

Today, It is going to be the first official day for our newly weds. And for that, Rishika and Abhir — don't know when they started to blend with each other — have planned something special.

I'm here, sitting at the dining table of Rathore Mansion. I came last night to accompany my best friend since she was 'nervous'.

And then the elders, too, insisted that I spend the night here only. So, I just went with the flow.

It was awkward at first but Ruvit made it interesting by all his talks and teases.

P.S. I didn't sleep in his room.

"Aridhi, when is your family coming?" Manoj Uncle, My Future Father-in-law aka Ruvit's father directed the question at me.

"They should be here by 12 PM." I replied after looking at the wall clock showing 9.

He nods in acknowledgement before turning his attention towards his breakfast; a cup of tea with bread and butter.

When did I start to notice those things? The question struck in my mind. Probably because that will help in future, or not, who knows.

I stood up from the table because of two reasons:

1. To go in kitchen and help Aunty or simply take a tour.

2. I can't sit here all alone by myself. It's just uncle and this Hitler Granny.

The latter is glaring at me since I stepped inside this mansion. I don't think she learnt anything from her mistake.

Uncle tried to stop me but I was out of his sight before he could. I walked towards the big corridors and stared at the portraits and art pieces lining the walls.

Rathore Mansion is as big as it can be — screaming royalty and wealth. My house in Mumbai is kinda similar.

Portraits of extinct generation of Rathores blinked back at me as if trying to figure out who am I and what I'm doing here.

The corridors led to the kitchen — as elegant and sophisticated as we see in movies or shows.

My feet come to a halt when I saw Ruvit standing in the kitchen. Aunty was standing in front of him with a hand on her hips.

"Mom, Please let me na" Ruvit looked at his mother with those cute puppy eyes.

"You will burn down the kitchen!" Aunty protested, not looking at his eyes.

"I won't!! I know how to cook" Ruvit crossed his arms around his chest.

"You even know the difference between salt and sugar??" Aunty rolled her eyes playfully.

A chuckle left my mouth on her words which also gained their attention on me.

"Oops sorry" I smiled awkwardly.

"Seriously Ardhangini? You also think I don't know the difference between salt and sugar?" He raised a perfect brow.

The way he can call me Ardhangini in such situations will be the cause of my death one day.

"If you don't know how to cook then it's totally fine Ruvit." I teased while moving closer to the mother-son duo.

"Let Aunty and me handle it." I spoke out but it sounded like a suggestion.

"Seriously!? Give me a chance at least. It's not my first time, I have cooked before" Ruvit whined like a kid.

"I know you have cooked before but it was years ago." Aunty sighed and looked in my direction,"But I don't have any problem if you two will cook together."

She glanced at Ruvit before walking out of the kitchen.

"It's only 9 AM and you started to prepare Lunch!?" I asked Ruvit after observing my surroundings.

Everyone has already taken their Breakfast except Ridhima and Manish Bhaiya.

"Leave that question. First of all, Answer me. Shouldn't you support your husband?" He placed his hand on the counter while looking straight in my soul.

"You think I did wrong by supporting Aunty instead of you?" I questioned with a playful rage in my eyes.

"No Madam, You are always right." He smiled, more in a sarcastic way.

"You know how to cook?" I asked, ignoring the way my body feels hot in his gaze.

"Ofcourse." He lifts a shoulder as if he is some sort of professional in cooking.

"Okay! What are you going to make?"

"What do you want to have?" He asked.

"You available?"

A heart throbbing smile broke out on his face as he pulled me closer by my waist. I swear it's his favourite position.

Not like I'm complaining. I Love it too.

"Always. For you."

"Mhm..that means I can have you anytime?" My fingers started to play with the upper two buttons of his shirt.

"Anytime." He repeated while a playful smirk lifts on his mouth.

I looked up at him, still not habitual to how broad his shoulders look and always stretch whenever he is wearing a shirt.

No doubt, His Body is Lean yet mascular and his tall body could easily cut off my peripheral vision.

Whenever he is around me, all I see is him and his hot as hell body.

"I'm hungry but I am in no mood to eat Dog food." Rishika's voice reached our ears as she cleared her throat before speaking.

"And to witness your PDA!!" Dhruv proceeded further while coming from behind her.

"Screw them both." Ruvit cursed under his breath as I hit his shoulder. He let me go from his grip.

"It's a rare sight to see you standing here, bro." Rishika sat on the near counter where Ruvit was standing.

"His rare sights always make an appearance around Aridhi" Dhruv wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Even though I can't see my own face right now, I'm damn sure they must be a shade red by now.

"Remove that arm before I break it" Ruvit glared at Dhruv and the latter immediately removed his arm from me.

"Possesive much..huh?" Dhruv tilted his head at his Bestfriend.

Ruvit picked up a knife and held it in Dhruv's direction in a threatening manner.

Dhruv showed his tongue and started running here and there around the kitchen.

Ruvit being the devil here, chased his best friend.

"You know, Bro is Perfect in cooking and I swear he looks like a Greek God when he cooks but he left it 4-5 years ago" Rishika started as she took a bite of her apple.

I nodded at her. But I actually wanted to ask why Ruvit left cooking and decided to cook today out of nowhere?

But I kept the question to myself. Probably will ask Ruvit himself in the future.

There are a lot of questions to ask him, by the way.

Dhruv ran outside the kitchen and Rishika winked at me before leaving too.

It was now me and Ruvit alone. Again.

"Why did you leave cooking in between?" I asked now. What? Curiosity kills the cat!!

He started to cut tomatoes with the knife which was in his hand.

"Remember when you said: I like Men who knows how to cook, huh?" He asked instead of answering my question.

"Yeah, I said that in 10th class." I answered while taking a bowl of rice from the container.

"I learnt to cook after that you know." He said nonchalantly.

But I stood surprised. He learnt to cook? For me? Because of me?

It clearly means he had something something for me since 10th.

"But after you went to abroad for studying, I didn't feel like cooking any more." He gave a reply to my question this time.

"It wasn't me alone who had crush, was it? Huh?" I asked him in a teasing tone.

He stopped and looked at me,"I never had that crush thing for anyone."

My chest suddenly ached at his words. If he never had a crush on me then why did he treat me that way? Or he is lieing?

?

"Wow!! It's so Yummy!!" Exclaimed Rishika.

"Aridhi never cooked in her own house but look at her now!!" Matashree — they arrived an hour ago — took a spoon of rajma chawal in her mouth.

I grinned at her. It's true I barely cook because I never liked cooking but It doesn't mean I don't know how to cook.

I can cook. Decently atleast. To be more true, I can do anything if Ruvit is with me. I can never miss a chance to be with him.

Anyways, he was the one who cooked. I was just staring at him and yeah, he does look like a Greek God just as Rishika mentioned.

When the lunch was ready, He told me to taste it. He said,"After I marry you, I'm going to make you taste my food before eating."

That literally made me blush hard. I used to think these things are cringe but now that cringe things only fills excitement and feeling of love in me.

Everyone made a comment on his cooking while having lunch. And yeah, newly weds are also here. Don't ask me about all the love marks!!

I have already made my comment in the kitchen which was,"After I marry you, I'm not going to cook for a single day and will make you cook instead."

He smiled in approval which will be the most memorizing thing of the day.

When almost everyone was done, I sat on the dining table and Ruvit walked towards me. He placed the plate in front of me and served the food in the plate.

"She can do this by herself. You don't have to act like a maid!" The Hitler Granny made her remark.

Did anyone ask for her opinion?

"When she was serving others on my behalf, you were quite..why?" Ruvit questioned.

"It's simply her duty!" She — whom I have no interest to address — flairs her nostrils in my direction.

"She is a guest, Grandma. And as you have taught us, Guests are no different than any God! She is still the Goddess of my life." Ruvit grinned, although his tone was sharp and cold.

"And If I and my useless life can be blessed with this goddess, then I am happy even being the maid." He continued, saying his words or rather fluttering my heart.

The Taste of Rajma Chawal mended in my mouth as I took a spoon.

"How is it?" Ruvit looked at me with hopeful eyes, despite the answer I gave him back.

"As I told you before!" I replied while taking another spoon.

"I asked you again to hear another compliment." His nose scrunched as he sat on the chair beside me.

The one whom I have no interest in addressing walked away, maybe towards her room and Thanks God for that.

I bent towards Ruvit's side and pressed my lips on his cheek before speaking, "it's as Perfect as you!!"

His face bloomed like a flower when a charming smile made its way on his lips.

"You think I'm perfect huh?" He repeated in a slightly husky voice.

Divine!! What is he even trying to do?

In this moment, neither him nor I was focused on our surroundings. It was just us. Our eyes — who were conveying various messages.

His hand went to his pocket and took out a plain handkerchief from it.

He passed it in my direction but I was too lost in the moment to take it.

He wiped the corners of my mouth with the handkerchief by himself. Though I preferred his hand rather than that handkerchief.

Ruvit pulled up his chair close to mine and bent towards my ear. His hot breath touched the earlobe.

"I could have used my hand instead of hankey but what would have happened after this might not be good." He whispered in the same husky tone again as if he just read my mind.

"Let me be the judge of that" My voice was low with confusion shining in my eyes.

"I might have worshipped your body!" His smile widened, turning into a smirk as he continued.

My eyes widened as I processed his words. Worshipped your body.