Page 57 of ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire

Ugh!

Something is different.

"Ruv." Aridhi's soft voice whispered in my ear, shattering the vivid nightmare that had transported me back to that fateful day.

I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit interior of the car, and realized that I was drenched in sweat.

The memories I had long forgotten came flooding back, and I felt like I was reliving the horror all over again.

Why did those moments come crashing back now?

Was it because of the similar situation I found myself in?

The questions swirled in my head like a vortex, refusing to let go.

But amidst the chaos, one thing was certain, the moments I had no memory of had finally resurfaced.

I glanced at Aridhi, her face etched with concern, her hand gently rubbing my arm.

"Jaan," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She squeezed my arm reassuringly, her eyes locked onto mine, "I am here."

The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them, "I didn't kill your grandfather on purpose."

Aridhi's expression changed, a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Her demeanor shifted completely.

"Why are you talking about that?" She asked, her tone laced with confusion, "I already believed you that you wouldn't do such a thing on purpose."

A small smile crept onto my lips.

"On that day, it was raining. I was going home after buying my first car, but then suddenly the brakes failed. And it hit–" The words hung in the air, unfinished.

Aridhi's finger pressed against my lips, silencing me, "Shh," She whispered.

Her voice was like a gentle breeze, "Let's worry about the current situation first."

But I knew better. Behind her calm exterior, a storm raged, threatening to consume her.

As I gazed into her eyes, I saw the faintest glimmer of nostalgia, a longing for a past that could never be recaptured.

My heart ached, knowing that I was the cause of her pain.

But in this moment, all I could do was hold her hand, and pray that somehow, someway, I could get her rid of this memory.

?

We made it to the home after Aridhi called Abhir to pick us up, while sending my car for repair.

Everyone was worried about us. I received at least 20 missed calls from bhaiya during the whole situation.

But I decided to not tell them the truth so I went with a lie they accepted.

"There was a lot of traffic and due to the rain, we were stuck. And my phone was silent." Which actually was.

Besides, Aridhi's phone was out of battery.

However, mum still insisted Aridhi to stay at Rathore's mansion for tonight. So here she is in my room—our room.

Her head resting on my thigh while I covered her legs with a blanket.

My fingers absently threaded through her tresses as I found myself ensnared in my own thoughts.

Memories of the accident lingered, like the whispers of a mournful breeze, haunting me with the weight of guilt.

I was not able to sleep because I still couldn't shake off the shadows of the past. But Aridhi's tranquil presence was healing my frayed nerves.

Her gentle breathing was a soothing melody that calmed the turbulent waters of my mind.

I couldn't help but steal glances at her, drinking in the serenity that radiated from her like a warm, golden light.

Yes, It was a tragic memory for me but for her, it was worse. She lost someone special because of me.

And yes again, it was purely accidental but this will forever haunt me. I will blame myself—

"Ruvit, don't dare think about it." She whispered, her voice a tender reprimand, as if she could see into the very recesses of my soul.

I smiled, a small, wistful smile, as I met her gaze, her oceanic blue eyes shining like stars in the darkness.

"So now you can read my mind with your eyes closed?" I teased, my voice barely above a whisper to ease off the atmosphere.

Aridhi's face scrunched up in a mock scowl, and I felt my heart skip a beat at the adorable sight.

"It's so obvious." She sighed, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"It's true, I will never forget that day as it made me hate something I used to like so much, rain. But it can never make me hate you. Hate us. Hate everything that's between us. That was between us. In fact, I think I have started making peace with rain again because of you."

My heart swelled with emotion as I listened to her words.

The words that spoke of forgiveness, of understanding, and of a love that transcended the boundaries of guilt and blame.

Aridhi is soft and gentle as a beautiful memory of a peaceful day.

Without any effort, she pierced the veil of my self-recrimination and I felt the weight of my guilt slowly lifting.

"At first, I thought it was intentional. Someone planned all of that against my grandfather as there were so many people jealous of his success and I wanted to figure out the truth."

As I engraved each and every word coming out of her mouth in my brain, I couldn't help but feel the way her eyes were fixed at me.

Like she was looking at the most perfect creature out there in the world, when I'm not.

Despite everything, she is staring into my eyes as if she don't want to look away for even a second.

She makes me feel loved.

"Now that I know it was all just an accident, it doesn't bother me anymore. What bothers me now is you." She asserted.

"Me?" I tilted my head, waiting for her to break down her point.

Her head disappeared from my thigh as she sat in front of me while her hands cupped my cheeks.

"Stop blaming yourself. Stop being guilty. You said it was a new car and you checked it thoroughly before buying. So how can brake failure happen suddenly?"

Her words rang in my ears, hitting every nerve of my brain.

It was that time when I realised something which made my eyes widened.

"It wasn't my grandfather who was the target but you."

"It's wasn't your grandfather who was the target but me."

We said at the same time. Who the fuck wants me dead?

Our eyes locked in a silent understanding, the words tangled in our throats, but our gazes spoke volumes.

"You know, my grandfather kept his personal life a closely guarded secret," She whispered, her voice low and gentle in the dark.

"He believed that success breeds jealousy, and with great power comes great opposition. He wanted to shield his family from the prying eyes of the world."

Aridhi's fingers danced across my cheeks, leaving a trail of sparks in their wake.

I nodded, entranced by the truth she shared voluntarily, "And that's wae you also kept your true identity hidden, just like him."

Aridhi's lips curved into a sly smile, "Maybe. But god had other plans."

My fingers traced the contours of her face.

"Now that your grandma knows my true background, she's treating me like royalty." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and I laughed.

"Ah, that's just her way of showing love," I joked, my eyes crinkling at the corners, "But on a serious note, you know as well as I do that she's just concerned about her reputation."

Aridhi playfully rolled her eyes as I continued, "As long as you toe the line and follow her rules, you will be favoured."

My voice was laced with a hint of bitterness when I added, "If you go against her, she will try everything to look down at you."

She was just staring into my eyes to let me continue while listening to my words carefully.

"Mum and Rishika are already victims of such behaviour of hers. I just don't want the same for you. I lost as a son and a brother but I can't lose as a husband."

Pressing a kiss on her forehead, I mumbled the last two words, "Your husband."

"I promise to always be there for you, to support you, and to love you, no matter what." Aridhi's eyes sparkled with happiness.

Suddenly, she giggled, a melodious sound that sent shivers down my spine.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, strangling my lap, "Say it again." She whispered, her voice muffled against my chest.

I chuckled, my arms secured around her waist, "Say what?"

She pulled back, her eyes shining with mischief, "Husband." I felt my heart skipping a beat as she added, "Say that you are my husband."

My lips curved into a sly smile, "I'm not your husband yet."

Aridhi pouted, her lower lip jutting out in an adorable expression.

"Oh, c'mon, Mr. Rathore. I'm sure you must have already decided to make me your wife the day we met." She batted her eyelashes, and I laughed.

"Uh-huh," I teased, rolling onto my back and pulling her on top of me.

"And don't forget, you're my fiancé now." She tapped her finger against my chest.

"Hm?" A smirk lifted up my lips when I flipped our position.

Aridhi's hands wrapped across my shoulders as I pinned her down on the bed.

"Now say it." Her voice was slow and husky with desire.

Our bodies flushed against each other, the heat between us palpable.

I whispered into her ear, "I'm your husband." I bit her earlobe, soothing the pain with a gentle kiss.

Aridhi's eyes sparkled with delight, and she moaned softly, pulling me closer.

The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the depths of our passion.

But there is something about that accident I didn't tell to Aridhi. Yet.

Because that piece of memory needs to be confirmed first.

?

As I slowly opened my eyes, the warm rays of the sun peeked through the window, casting a golden glow on the room.

A yawn escaped my lips, and I stretched, feeling the softness of the blanket beneath me.

But as I shifted, I realized that the space beside me was empty.

My heart skipped a beat as I sat up, scanning the room for any sign of Ruvit.

The room was spotless, except for the blanket that still covered my lower body.

I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in the room's decor.

The furniture, once predominantly black, now boasted a soothing blue hue that seemed to mirror the exact shade of my eyes.

I know because I felt like I was staring at my own reflection, and a shiver ran down my spine.

My gaze wandered around the room, taking in the new additions.

That's when I spotted the guitar, nestled in a cozy nook surrounded by a plush, rounded sofa.

A sly smile spread across my face as I envisioned a romantic evening, with Ruvit strumming the guitar while I snuggled up beside him.

I pictured us laughing, singing, and lost in our own little world.

Lost in my daydream, I didn't notice Ruvit's approach. But as his scent wafted through the air, I felt a flutter in my chest.

"Good morning, sunshine." He whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I snapped my head in his direction, raising an eyebrow, "You changed your room?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant despite the excitement building inside me.

Ruvit chuckled in his deep enriched voice, "You like it? If you don't, feel free to order me around."

He winked, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Uhm...the color looks odd," I said, tilting my head as if examining the shade more thoroughly.

Ruvit's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, "You think your eye color is odd, Ardhangini? I spent hours trying to find the exact shade."

He handed me a steaming cup of coffee, and I took it, feeling the warmth spread through my hands.

"You really found the exact shade of my eye color for your room?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

"Our,"

"What?"

"Our room, sweetheart."

Ruvit's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity as he corrected me, his voice low and husky.

A blush crept up my cheeks as I fake-coughed, looking away.

"I appreciate it, and it's perfect. But you didn't need to do this, you know." I glanced back at him, my heart skipping a beat as our eyes met.

Ruvit's fingers intertwined with mine, his touch sending sparks through my body.

"This is nothing," He whispered, his breath dancing across my skin as he caressed the knuckles.

"It's my responsibility to make you feel like no man would ever love a woman the way I love my woman."

As he spoke, Ruvit's eyes never left mine, his gaze burning with a passion that left me breathless.

I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his love, and I knew that this moment is going to become our morning routine very soon.

The coffee in my hand seemed to fade into the background as Ruvit's lips brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine.

The world outside didn't matter, only the two of us did, lost in the magic of our early morning romance.

Ruvit's kiss deepened, and I felt myself getting lost in the sensation.

His hand tightened around my hand when I moaned and Ruvit's lips curved into a smile against mine.

As we broke apart for air, Ruvit's eyes sparkled with mischief, "I have a surprise for you." The excitement in his voice was evident.

"What is it?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You'll just have to wait and see." He teased, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I pouted, pretending to be disappointed. But Ruvit just chuckled, pulling me into another kiss.

When we broke apart, he mumbled, "I was thinking there is something missing in this coffee but now it's perfect since I tasted you."

My cheeks deepened with a shade of red as I giggled, lightly slapping his shoulder.

As we lost ourselves in the little fight, our beautiful day began, filled with love, laughter, and surprises.

?

I stared at Ritu aunty, my eyes wide with surprise, as I held the book in my hands.

"You mean you completed this book for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ritu aunty's smile was enigmatic, her eyes glinting with a hint of mystery.

"I thought you wanted to know why I left the first book incomplete." She replied, settling beside me on the bed.

The afternoon was bright with sunshine when Ruvit left for one of his office meetings and initially, I also planned to leave.

But then, aunty insisted I stay for a while so here we were, in her room.

I frowned, my mind racing with memories of our previous conversations.

"But you already told me and Ruvit wae you did so, right?" I asked, unsure of my own thoughts swirling in my mind.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as I awaited her response.

Ritu aunty nodded as she replied, "But that was a summary, a glimpse into the past. I wrote everything in detail in this book."

"Trust me, it might help you in the future." She added when I didn't say anything.

My brain processed her words as I stared at the book in my hands, feeling an unexpected sense of trepidation.

I had never been one for mysteries or secrets, but Ritu aunty's words had piqued my curiosity.

I thanked her, my voice sincere, as I opened the book to reveal the newly white pages within.

To my daughter-in-law,

Thank you for giving me another chance I thought I never needed again.

Thanks to your push, I'm back here.

It's all yours. Read it.

You deserve a happy ending.

As I stared at the dedication, I realized that I had never really cared about wae she left the book incomplete.

I had been content with meeting the author, and hearing her story which I did, by god's grace.

But now, with the book in my hands, I felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

What secrets lay hidden within these pages? And how can those things help me in the future?

I glanced up at Ritu aunty, who was watching me.

Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if she could see the very thoughts racing through my mind.

Turning the page, I began to read, the words in the book coming alive as I delved into her mysteries past.