Page 74 of ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire
The sunlight spilled into the room like a glowing bulb, adorning the marble tiles with its rays and warming the room around me.
After a public shooting at a press event, police were actively investigating the area, collecting CCTV, and interviewing witnesses.
But they found nothing. Strange.
I stood by the hospital window, my right arm bandaged for four days now, while my left hand clumsily worked to button up my shirt.
It was stupid how even something this small made me feel so dependent.
The button slipped again from my fingers. Frustrated, I let out a hiss, nearly tossing the shirt away.
I decided to go for a t-shirt when her voice echoed behind me. “Need help?”
I turned just enough to see Aridhi walking in, wearing a casual top and trousers, her hair openly dangling up to her shoulders.
She paused in front of me as I gave her a small nod, watching her intently.
There was something different about her, again. Nowadays, she changes like weather, never stable.
Currently? She was more like a strategist than the sophisticated.
The fact that how easily I could make out all the differences in her, memorising each and every step.
Her fingers brushed against my shirt, and I felt my heartbeat shifting to new heights.
Buttoning the shirt one by one, from top to bottom, her hands went behind my neck, setting the collar right.
Her familiar scent swirled around my whole body.
“You’ve been glowing.” I complimented, a way to tease her.
She blinked slowly. “I thought I was losing my glow because of all the tears and breakdown sessions I spent on you.”
I smiled faintly, my voice carrying on. “Never in my eyes.”
She didn’t reply, but her lips twitched as her fingers caressed a strand of hair from my forehead.
“And, you don’t need to cry for me. Those eyes are very precious.” I caught her wrist, not to stop her, but to get her attention.
A frown took over her face before my fingers met her chin, lifting it.
[These oceanic eyes of yours, these windy hair locks of yours, that if you ignore me, just think what will happen to me.]
A beat passed between us after I punctuated my words in a melodious poetry.
My eyes scanned her face, noticing the faint blush on her cheeks.
Parting her lips, she took a step closer, her hands resting on my shoulders now. Gently.
As if she was scared to hurt my wounds, even by mistake.
[This audacity of your eyes, these words of your love, that I don’t understand your intentions, but it feels as if I have been yours for a long time.]
It felt like the time stopped or simply, it didn’t matter in that moment.
We kept staring into each other’s eyes, my heart fluttering against my ribs.
Aridhi was good at singing but poetry? That’s new.
I chuckled, despite the heat creeping on my neck. “Sangat ka asar, hone wali patni ji?”
[Effect of company, Mrs. Soon-to-be Wife?]
She returned my question with a giggle. “Hanji. Aesa keh sakte hain, hone wale patidev ji.”
[Yes. You can say that, Mr. Soon-to-be Husband.]
I rested my forehead against her. “God, when will we get married?”
“Does it matter?” She mumbled. “We already behave like a married couple.”
My right arm, however it hurt, met the curve of her waist, pulling her flush against mine.
“It does matter very much, sweetheart.” My voice was low, almost like a whisper.
“There is a difference between behaving like a married couple and actually being married.”
“And what is the difference?” She asked, holding my gaze as well as trailing her fingers on my shoulder.
“Officiality.” I muttered, fingers tracing a feather-like touch down her sides.
Her eyes narrowed. “Right. Officiality.”
“Aridhi,” I called out softly, pulling away from her. She hummed in disappointment.
“You want to tell me about something?” Out of habit, I wanted to fold my arms but the bandage stopped me from doing so.
She raised her eyebrows. “Don’t pretend like I don’t notice you.” I added. “You are everywhere I see. You are the only one I see.”
“I know.” She whispered. “I have hid enough from you, but not this time.”
“Then wae aren’t you still telling me?” I asked. “Every time I bring up the assassination, the investigation and the—”
“I am waiting.” She intervened. “For what?” I questioned.
“You were shot, Ruvit. But the bullet was for me which means someone wanted to kill me. And yes, I know who did it. In fact, I have connected all the dots of our past. But I don’t have any proof against him, yet.”
I huffed. “Who is that him eager to be buried six feet under the ground?”
“If I told you right now, you will go and kill him directly. And given your condition, we can’t act on that.” She replied cheekily.
“So, ultimately, you are hiding something from me. Again.” I mumbled, my tone light and almost teasing rather than accusing.
Because of course,
I was downright obsessed with my Ardhangini to ever lay a finger on her and whatever she does.
She shook her head, smiling brightly. “I am planning something. Get out of this hospital and you will know everything. We are in this together.”
?
For the remaining three days, we found rhythm in chaos.
I was recovering very soon, got discharged from the hospital this morning, but progressed slower than I liked.
The doctor made it official with a clipped warning. “No stress, no heavy work and keep the arm immobilised for another week.”
Detectives had been in and out, taking various statements.
The hospital had been a controlled zone, ensuring my safety. But deep down, it was all damn suffocating.
And Aridhi? She was fire and thunder—contrasting, I know—wrapped in her iconic business attire and ready with smug smiles.
Meetings. Calls. Documents.
She did all her late-night planning sitting beside my hospital bed.
Her expressions softened only around me, but behind those soft eyes was something sharper meant for the world.
I recognized it—the same steel determination I’d needed when I rose through cutthroat business ranks.
Yesterday, I found her sketching something on her tablet while she was feeding me side by side.
Blueprints. Race track layouts. Investment charts.
Her fingers flew with a kind of furious grace and I was sure enough that she was resuming her work on the car racing site.
She wasn’t afraid of failing again.
Now, as I sat beside her in the passenger seat while she drove the car through the traffic, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone already informed her about the library.
My family had been staying at her home and maybe they had told her about it, by accident.
Or they didn’t because of the mess we currently were in.
“You said you will tell me about your plans once I get discharged, so where is it?” I asked. “Or do I have to read your mind? P.S. I have been doing that for the past week.”
“Patience, Ruvit.” She replied, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. “Our families have been waiting for you at home so enjoy the welcome first.”
I shook my head. “No, you tell me first. I waited like an obedient puppy all this time.” I protested.
Before taking a sigh, she glanced at me, her grip on the steering wheel becoming tighter.
“As you have noticed, I have started the construction of the racing hub again. But this time, I am not alone.”
“You were never alone in that.” She had me and will have me.
Always.
She gave me a nod, then a smile appeared on her face. “Mentally, yes. But from now on, physically and officially, it’s going to be our project.”
Something about the way she said it made my stomach knot.
The fact that she was adding me to her dream project as an official partner made me smile.
Because they were rich words coming from an independent businesswoman like her.
I was glad to know that she gave me such a chance willingly. It wasn’t just an agreement of a site, but unshaken trust.
“And one more person.” She added as if it was an afterthought. So, I simply asked. “Who?”
She hesitated. Then, like a volcano deciding to finally erupt, she answered. “Ishir Khurana.”
The air between us changed.
My left eyebrow twitched, already informing me that there was something wrong about it.
My eyes narrowed in slits. “You’re collaborating with him? On this? Your dream project.”
She nodded, calm like the ocean before a tsunami. “Yes.”
I sat up straight, possessiveness rushing through my veins. “Out of 823.16 crores of population, you want to collaborate with him? Wae, baby?”
A chuckle escaped her lips, maybe because of the face I was making. “I know what you are thinking. But you will understand after this.”
“What?” She just gave me her phone.
A video played. Three men were standing in crisp white suits, but sweat was visible on their forehead.
And when I got to know the reason behind it, my heartbeat increased, my ears turning red.
In front of those three men sat the woman with one leg on another, who could kick me and I would still thank her for blessing me with her touch.
Aridhi Agarwal.
The woman I love.
The woman who thinks I am worthy enough of her and her life.
The woman who could bring any men to their knees—including me, especially me.
Meanwhile, the three men were the top managers of the Jayant Infrastructure Group—who once apologised publicly for causing the trouble on Aridhi’s site.
“Five minutes. I want the truth.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “Otherwise, your Jayant Group will collapse entirely.”
“Please, don’t do this, Miss Agarwal.” One of the men pleaded. “Don’t leak our private videos.”
The other two men joined their hands. “Yes, we won’t do such things again. We won’t harass our weak clients anymore.”
A disgusting knot settled in my stomach before Aridhi nodded in the video. “Tell me why you tried to ruin my project? Why did you mess up with the machines?”
“It was purely out of competition and rivalry.” A man replied, wiping his sweat with his handkerchief.
“Why the public apology then?” Aridhi’s tone was as sharp as her gaze. “It wasn’t out of genuine guilt, I am sure.”
The three men looked at each other before reluctantly nodding their heads. “Someone forced us.”
Aridhi gestured for them to continue when a name rolled out of their tongues. “Ishir Khurana.”
I paused the video and looked at Aridhi who was still driving while humming an off tune as if she didn’t scare three grown up men.
That too, her rivals.
Ishir is a polished and publicly respectable businessman.
He has access everywhere, and the right faces know his name.
He must have used insider connections or paid his way into Jayant Group after cultivating a facade so well that security didn’t see him as a threat.
I continued watching the video in which Aridhi’s eyebrows rose when a man started explaining abruptly.
“He injured many of our main builders, out of sick pleasure. Before we could take action against him, he blackmailed us with the footage of our men messing up with your machines at the site. So, out of helplessness, we had to apologise publicly.”
“He didn’t care that you could reveal his name? He let you know his real identity?” Aridhi asked carefully.
The man hesitated. “He bribed us with strong projects in the future. He said and I quote, ‘I want Aridhi to actually know about me. I want her to find out it was me who saved her reputation by playing the hero. I was there for her when she needed me, not that Ruvit.’”
My blood boiled. I was about to throw the phone out of the window when I realised it was my Ardhangini’s phone.
I dropped a kiss on it muttering a sorry.
I turned to face Aridhi who, this time, was already staring at me. The car was at a stop due to the red light.
Before I could react, Aridhi broke out laughing. “Did you just kiss my phone?”
“Not funny.” My eyes darkened. “How dare that Ishir compare himself with me?” I scoffed. “And hero? Seriously? Does that bastard know you prefer villains?”
Her laughter slowed down. “Apparently, you aren’t a villain either. You are my cutie pookie baby.” She pinched my cheeks, lightly.
“But seriously, I wanna beat him right now.” I gritted my teeth, anger coursing throughout me.
But suddenly, her lips met my cheek and I melted instantly.
My head hung low, my palm flat against my forehead to check the rising temperature.
Weird. Very weird.
My body reactions were too abnormal yet felt normal, only around her.
“Uh-huh, someone is shy.” Aridhi teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Ghar chaliye aap, batata hu kon hain shy.” My eyes met hers, her cheeks becoming red like a strawberry.
[Let’s go home, I will tell you who is shy.]
She flickered my shoulder, averting her gaze back to the road.
When she realised that other cars have been honking behind us for the past one minute, she accelerated so fast out of embarrassment.
“Anyways,” I interrogated. “Is it true that Jayant Group harass their clients? And, how did you know about it?”
“I wanted something against them, as evidence. So, I asked Abhir and Rishika for help. They have access to cyber forensics. So, it wasn’t difficult to recover site CCTV and calls. Plus, I got additional information related to their clients.”
“Ek teer se teen do nishane, huh?” I let out a whistle.
Because god, her smartness was attractive.
[Two targets with one arrow.]
She winked at me. “Now, I can file a suit against Jayant Infrastructure for two things. Harassment and sabotage. As my biggest rivals, it would benefit me to eliminate them.”
“Great.” I smirked.
“And, Ishir’s actions to injure innocent people serves as little evidence to make a probability that he is related to your assassination. Even Jayant Group is now ready to give their statements against him.”
“Oh, gre—” I paused, my smirk instantly dropping. “Wait! What did you say?”
“I saw him at the press conference when you got shot. And because of his actions, I think he is behind it.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, my whole body froze, feeling every unusual feeling in my gut.
Before I could even form something, she began. “I don’t have any proof yet. In fact, I am still not sure. But the way he looked at me, it gave me the direction to doubt him.”
“So,” Processing the newfound information, I said. “On the one hand, he helped you with Jayants’. On the other hand, he wanted to kill you.”
“Kind off.” She shrugged. “This is so confusing, right?”
I couldn’t say anything, as if my throat was tied.
“Wae would he want to kill you?” My jaw clenched.
I was about to blast due to the anger and frustration because hell, I wanted to kill that man with my bare hands.
How dare he even think about my Aridhi in an inappropriate way!?
“As much as I know, he is obsessed with me.” She whispered silently, driving the car at a slower speed now.
I curled my hands into fists. “Obsessed with you?” I repeated her words, and she could sense the tension in my tone.
After a beat, I sighed, speaking more deliberately. “That means he loves you, Aridhi. But, in a disastrous way.”
Her head snapped in my direction. “What do you mean?”
“C’mon, baby. Think about it.” I ushered. “He wanted to separate us. When he couldn’t do so, he tried to kill you as if it was a movie going on.”
The car screeched against the road, coming to a halt.
“Uh, like,” Seriousness etched on her beautiful face. “Agar vo meri nahi ho sakti to me use kisi aur ka bhi nahi hone dunga?”
[If she can’t be mine then I won’t let her be anyone else’s?]
Nodding my head slightly, I intertwined my right hand with her left hand.
She was staring. Blankly.
My eyes softened. “As a man, we can sense other men’s intentions. When I first saw him hugging you, I literally wanted to kill him right there.”
“Ruvit.” She suddenly called out. “Ishir is the same guy who sent me those anonymous messages and that accident video.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, scanning her worried face.
Lazily, my fingers smoothed hers in a comforting manner.
With her phone still in my hand, I scrolled through that certain number which was now confirmed to be as Ishir’s.
Aridhi had already shown me all the messages after the accident video but now? Looking at it ignited something primal inside me.
“Ridhima’s wedding.” Aridhi said as I glanced at her.
“That was the first time when he called me with this number. You even noticed that it was an unknown number and I barely received them on my personal phone. I said that it was one of my close friends. Sorry for starting all this with a lie.”
I tightened my grip on her hand, assuring her. “How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to apologise for anything from me, Aridhi? I can never ever say or even think about you being wrong.”
She wasn’t done yet. “Then, he even congratulated me on our engagement. After that, he sent that accident’s video on our first date. And it successfully separated us.”
“Temporarily.” I finished for her, my tone a bit sharper. “And only because you needed space. You won’t feel guilty over it, understood?”
“But—” She tried to counter but I pulled her in a kiss by grabbing the back of her neck with my left hand.
Of course.
Our lips moved against each other in rhythm, in melody and in every sense of the world.
When we pulled away, I nearly growled. “What did I say, Jaan?” That made her blush.
Good.
“Open the email.” I did like she said.
From an unknown email ID, there were two photographs, sent a few days ago.
I opened each one of them—both were hers—when she started explaining. “The first photograph holds the moment when I first met Ishir.”
They met under the rain?
My inner self was burning but I kept myself in check.
I stared at her, reading every line of her face as she told me how she met him and they became friends afterwards.
There was no anger, no frustration, just a need to clarify things between us.
But I was surely angry.
“The second photograph—” I stopped her, completing the sentence by myself. “That black car guy who silently challenged you for a race was also Ishir.”
She took a long breath, fury vibrating beneath her skin.
“Through these photographs, it was enough to make out that Ishir is the anonymous guy who had been traumatizing me. He manipulated every detail to stay near me.”
Her voice shook for the first time and I hated it.
“Aridhi,” I coed. “Calm down.” But she didn’t. She broke out.
“The worst part? I still don’t know his side of the story. Like how he got that accident’s footage when your grandmother cleared it all? Did he know War was my grandfather?”
A heavy silence fell between us.
My fingers, slowly, gently, railed over the veins of her hand.
“I knew something was wrong with him.” I admitted after a moment.
Aridhi stared at me, confused.
“It was after I became the Business King. We had a few meetings before it too, but they never really mattered.”
She looked at me, quiet as I simply told her about my memories with him.
“He came up to me and congratulated me with that rehearsed smile, saying that he admired my work and I deserved the title. But—”
“But?” She prompted.
I leaned back against the seat.
“His compliments were fake. Polished from outside, deadly within. There was envy in them as if he was jealous of my success.”
Aridhi’s gaze dropped to the steering wheel. “How did I never notice? How did I let him become my friend?”
My shoulders tensed. “Don’t blame yourself, sweetheart.
You were just 21 back then with no experience with the world.
You may have become the Business Queen by your extraordinary talent.
But, no one is perfect. Everyone has cracks and it’s obvious someone would use them to enter in your life and take advantage of it. ”
“So, it wasn’t just business to him.” Aridhi asserted. “He wanted to be you. In business. In love. He did all this to own me?”
I hummed. “On the basis of everything we have discussed, there is a huge possibility that he was behind my car brake failure too. Maybe, he didn’t mean to involve your grandfather in the accident, but just wanted to kill me. In that way, he would have accomplished my title as well as you.”
“Like hell, he would.” She glared ahead, before turning her head in my direction.
“I am not planning to file a case on him or just getting him into the jail. That would be too easy. That bastard deserves torture.”
A smug smile formed on my lips. “As expected from my Mrs. Rathore. I will, by my side, investigate the brake failure matter more thoroughly.”
Nodding, she duplicated my expression. “I will use him, avenge him, and make him regret his whole existence.”
“That’s my girl.” I bit my lips, our eyes locked together.
“But for now,” She suddenly leaned towards me, resting her elbow beside mine, on the armrest.
The air changed. It became sharper.
The intensity in her eyes told all the unsaid feelings.
“For now what, darling?” I asked in a huskier tone, letting our lips brush against each other playfully.
The spark ignited.
Her lips parted, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief and I could feel the heat radiating off her skin.
Within a moment, she pressed her soft lips on mine and I responded instantly, our scents surrounding each other.
Fuck, one week of not touching her, kissing her, loving her enough.
We didn’t close our eyes.
Looking into her eyes while my lips were ravaging hers was a different kind of turn on.
It was as if our lips were fighting against each other and it was all so intoxicating.
But then she pulled away, winking at me, testing my restraint.
“Be my only weakness?” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. “So that no one can reduce me to my knees except you.”
Before she could even say anything, I crushed my lips onto hers in a brutal, hungry kiss, this time.
My tongue demanded entry into her mouth, and she let it.
I kissed her as if I was marking my territory again, as if I was claiming ownership, as if I would die without breathing her in.
The taste of her lips, the feel of her body, it all fueled the fire that settled within me.
She kissed me back, mirroring my desire when my tongue roamed through her mouth, tasting, exploring, conquering.
Groaning, I kissed her until she was breathless, until all she could think about was me.
Not anyone else.
As we pulled away, panting, my gaze roamed over her face, taking in her flushed cheeks, her swollen lips, the way her chest was heaving with each labored breath.
I had reduced her to a quivering mess, and damn if it didn’t make me more desperate.
“Tsk, Ardhangini.” A shiver ran down her spine. “We just kissed and you are already breathless.” I commented.
“Shut up.” She attempted to say it properly and firmly but failed miserably.
I leaned down, my breath fanning across her neck.
Then, with a sinister edge, I teased. “You’re gonna handle our kids with that stamina?”
“Yes.” A red hue spread across her cheeks. “After all, they will be born with this stamina only.”
It sounded sassy in her opinion but to me, it sounded sexy as my blood rushed straight to my ears and neck.
The image of her being pregnant with our children was nothing less than any fantasy, any desire.
“By the way, I want three kids.” She chuckled, counting them on her fingers.
“Aridhi.” I warned. She looked at my hardened face, stammering. “W-What?”
“My lap or my face?” She blinked rapidly, processing what I was referring to.
Her lips widened in realisation, an audible gasp escaped her lips.
I broke out laughing, looking at my blushing mess. “What? Don’t want kids now?”
“You ASSHOLE!” She cursed loudly, her voice easily echoed in the emptiness. “Not before marriage.”
I grunted when her slap met my shoulder.
“Chillax, I was just teasing you.” I lifted my both hands in surrender, feigning innocence.
A sharp pain development in my arm before I rested it on my lap.
I quickly hid it with a smile.
I didn’t want Aridhi to be worried because only I knew how exhausted and anxious she already was.
But my Ardhangini had different plans.
With all the care and affection in the world, she held my hand and planted a kiss on it.
“When I was little, I used to think wae a woman needs a man when it’s the other way round.
From taking care of his parents, family, home to giving birth to a new life so that his family legacy continues.
Women sacrifice so much in her entire life.
For whom? Men. And yet, they don’t treat her right.
They think that they should be in control otherwise it hurts their fragile egos. ”
I let her continue, observing the each and every little detail of her movements.
She sighed. “I am not saying men are useless. Of course, they mean something if god created them. But with their cheap actions and words, aren’t they just embarrassing the god?”
“Not every man is the same—” I intervened, referring solely to myself, but she cut me off.
“Yes, I know. Not every man is the same but eventually they will make you realise that they are no different.”
Ah, her iconic dialogue.
That was the reason I wanted to change her opinion.
Not on men. But me.
I wanted her to know that I was different from those men. I was worthy of being an exception.
She is absolutely free to hate all the men—however they are—except me because I have proved myself to be worthy of her love, they haven’t.
Not that I will let them.
Yes, that’s my possessiveness speaking.
“But, let’s be honest. Some men are really good, who are raised very well. For example, you.” She pointed her finger at me, smiling.
“No.” I sulked. “I didn’t change your opinion on men to end up as an example. In fact, Ardhangini, all men are really the same, except me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She scrunched her nose in utter confusion.
Even I didn’t know what I was blabbering.
I leaned towards her in such a way that her elbows rested on the half of the armrest. And on the other half, mine did.
Our faces were so near that our breaths were mingling.
“I. Am. Jealous.” I confessed.
A furious shade of pink spread across her cheeks. “Jealous of the fact that you are praising other men.”
“When did I?” She started defending. “I just said some of them are actually nice.”
“Nice. Adjective. Praise.” I raised my eyebrows, because she fucking chuckled.
“So,” She tilted her head, teasingly, purposefully. “What you mean to say is I should still consider that all the men are the same? Except you, apparently.”
The hair coming on my forehead touched hers.
I hummed, closing my eyes.
I took her mesmerizing scent, my lungs swelling with her fragrance.
“But how can that be?” She stifle a small huff. “I mean my papa, your papa, Vinayak bhaiya, Abhir, Manish bhaiya, even Dhruv and Naksh. They all are good too.”
My eyes snapped open, darkening like the clouds above the car.
I pressed closer and her breath hitched.
“It’s going to rain, soon. Do you want me to pin you down on the car’s bonnot and worship you like my own personal goddess under the rain? That way, you will never remember your trauma ever again.”
I trailed my lips along her jaw. “Mhm?”
The gulp she took was loud enough.
She was about to back away but then, my mouth found her neck, licking the spot.
“Mhm. Ruvit—” She breathed out.
“Yeah?” I asked, snuggling into the crook of her beautiful neck. “Sweetheart.”
I glanced at her. Her lips parted, her eyes hooded, her cheeks flushed.
How sensitive yet gorgeous.
She opened her mouth to speak but no words fell out.
And suddenly, we flinched in unison when her phone started ringing.
“I swear I should not have kissed this phone.” Pulling back slightly, I picked her phone from my lap.
The screen lit up, flashing “Gungun dadi” on my face.
As I was about to pass the phone to Aridhi, she picked up the call, putting it on the speaker.
The phone was still in my hands when grandma’s voice erupted from the other side, worried. “Aridhi, where are you? What’s taking so long? Are you two alright?”
“Y-yes, everything is fine.” Aridhi replied, as cheerfully as she could despite our little kissing session a few minutes ago. “We are just on our way.”
“Okay.” A sigh of relief was the only thing we heard from grandma’s side.
I hit the hangup button, turning my attention back to Aridhi. “We are not done y—”
“Shh.” She kept her index finger on my lips, silencing me. “We will get plenty of time later on.”
“Like hell I have that much patience.” I whined. She glared.
And in that moment, her radiant oceanic eyes were enough to make me quiet.
?
The car rolled to a stop outside her mansion, the familiar gates opening slowly.
Aridhi parked neatly, killed the engine, and exhaled. “Wait for me.”
I stared at her, confused, when she stepped out and closed the door behind her.
For a moment, I just sat there, watching her through the glass.
The world outside blurred into insignificance, but she was sharp, significant like she carried her own spotlight.
Which she actually does by the way.
Aridhi walked around the car with that quiet grace of hers, every step unhurried yet certain, as if she already knew I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off her.
Then she reached my side.
Her hand wrapped around the door handle, the metal catching a faint glint under the lights.
With one smooth pull, the door swung open, and she bent slightly, her other hand reaching out towards me.
Not casually, not playfully, not filmy.
It was deliberate, almost regal, as if I wasn’t a man sitting inside a car but someone being invited into her world, her court.
The corners of her lips curved, just enough to make it personal. “Are you coming, Mr. Rathore?” She teased softly.
There was a warmth beneath the words that made it feel less like a question and more like an unspoken promise.
And me?
For the first time in a long while, I felt like royalty.
Not because of the gesture.
But because it was her hand, her eyes waiting only for mine, her presence making something as simple as stepping out of a car feel extraordinary.
I slipped my hand into hers, steady yet unwilling to let go too soon.
And as I stood, I realised that this wasn’t just the entrance she was offering me.
It was a place by her side.
My palm slid against hers before we stepped towards the threshold.
And there they were.
Both of our parents, Manish bhaiya, Vinayak bhaiya, Ridhima bhabhi, and even grandma.
They were all standing near the entrance, waiting as if we were returning from war.
The tension broke instantly when Aarti aunty—no, my future mother-in-law—hurried forward with a silver thaal, flame already flickering.
Her eyes glossed with unshed tears as she applied tilak on our foreheads, performing aarti on the two of us.
“No more nazar on both of you.” She whispered, circling the flame in front of our faces. “Just get married soon and enjoy the rest of your lives.”
The lump in my throat grew.
I wasn’t the emotional type, never had been, but in that moment I felt something warm and solid in my chest.
“Bas, mummy.” Aridhi’s voice cracked playfully as she was about to bend to touch her mother’s feet.
[Enough, mum.]
I followed, awkwardly bending—one arm stiff against the bandage.
“Arey, no need.” She stepped back, stopping us both. She just patted our foreheads in exchange.
“You haven’t even recovered yet and you have already started using this hand.”
Mum rushed to my side, her hands hovering protectively as if one wrong breeze could hurt me again.
“You must be in so much pain.” She added, with a concerned look.
“I’m fine, mum.” I reassured, though the sting in my arm said otherwise. “Theek ho jaunga.”
[I will be fine.]
Papa stepped closer, his stern gaze sweeping over me like a doctor’s. “Don’t act reckless, Ruvit.”
“Ji, papa.” I gave a faint smile, knowing full well that behind his strict tone was genuine fear.
On the other side, grandma muttered something under her breath. “Bhagwan ka shukr hain, dono theek hain.”
[Thank God, both are fine.]
For once, there was no criticism in her eyes, only relief.
Ridhima bhabhi jumped in next, hugging Aridhi tightly before poking me with a glare.
“You scared us all. Do you even know how horrible it was to see you collapse on the hospital bed like that?”
I smirked lightly, trying to defuse her anger. “Acha, toh aapko meri bhi chinta thi, bhabhi? Mujhe laga aap sirf Aridhi ke liye aayi thi.”
[Oh, so you were worried about me too, sister-in-law? I thought you came just for Aridhi.]
Her glare deepened, but the corner of her lips betrayed a small smile.
“I saw you two hugging more than I could even count. And that thing hurt me more than any bullet wound.” The possessiveness rose in my tone.
Everyone shook their head, laughing.
Vinayak bhaiya walked forward and placed a hand on my shoulder—the good one, thankfully—and squeezed gently.
“You are the Business King, but even kings need to rest. Remember that.” I nodded, humbled by his words.
And then, grandma spoke, voice calm yet sharp, like always.
“Family ki jaan ho tum dono. Jitna bhi strong ban lo duniya ke saamne, ghar wapas aane pe tum dono hamare bachche hi ho.”
[You both are the life of the family. No matter how strong you act in front of the world, when you come back home you both are our children.]
For the first time since hospital discharge, the weight pressing on my chest eased.
I glanced at Aridhi, who was already watching me, her eyes shimmering.
We didn’t need words at that moment.
We had a home, a family, and each other.
Nothing else mattered.
?
Inside, the living room was already buzzing with activity.
The table had been set with a spread that could feed an army. There were so many dishes, and various varieties.
“Have lunch first.” Mum insisted, guiding me towards the chair like I was still a kid with a scraped knee.
Aridhi plopped down beside my chair, hand resting lightly on the table.
Before anyone could dig in, Manish bhaiya, who was sitting across from me, pulled out his phone.
“Wait. Two people are missing from this welcome-home drama.” Within seconds, the screen lit up with a video call.
Abhir’s annoyingly smug face filled half the frame, while Rishika tried pushing him aside to get a better angle.
But with his strength, it seemed impossible.
“RUVIT BHAIYA!” Rishika shouted, practically bouncing through the camera. “Are you okay? How’s the pain? Do I need to kill someone—”
“Ruk jao, meri maa.” Abhir cut in, grinning. “He’s absolutely fine. Dekho toh sahi, jiju shirt mein swag maar rahe hain.”
[Have patience. Just look, brother-in-law is slaying in that shirt.]
I chuckled, adjusting my bandaged arm. “As expected from a law student. Peak observation skills.”
Rishika rolled her eyes so hard they might have popped out. “Observation skills my foot. He just wants to show off that smug smile everywhere.”
Abhir gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Excuse me? That smug smile pays my rent.”
“Really Abhir?” Vinayak bhai interrupted with raised eyebrows. “I thought you paid rent through your live streaming.”
The whole family laughed, while Abhir’s face turned mock-offended. “Bro, you are leaking corporate secrets. Not fair.”
Meanwhile, Rishika finally focused back on me, her voice softening.
“Honestly, though, I was really scared when I heard about you. Don’t you ever do this again. You are free to take care of Aridhi bhabhi but don’t neglect yourself.”
I gave her a small nod, my heart oddly full at her genuine concern.
But of course, Abhir ruined it. “Dekha? Kitni possessive hain aapke liye. Mujhe toh kabhi itna concern nahi dikhati.”
[See? How possessive she is for you. I never saw her being so concerned for me.]
“Because you’re a certified idiot.” She snapped, shoving him so hard that the phone nearly toppled, making the whole family erupt in laughter again.
“And why should I even?” Her question was directed more at Abhir than us.
Aridhi leaned closer to me, whispering. “Look at them. They fight more than they talk, but one day…” She trailed off, giving me a knowing smirk.
I hummed in agreement, eyes locked on the bickering duo on screen. “One day, they’ll realise they’re already acting like husband and wife.”
Before Rishika could protest, grandma leaned towards the phone, smiling. “Stop it. Both of you come to Mumbai soon. Then we will start the wedding rituals.”
“Done deal.” Abhir saluted, while Rishika facepalmed beside him. “That’s deal done.”
“Same same but different.” Abhir winked at her, a smug smile forming on his lips she was complaining about a few minutes ago.
Rishika’s flushed cheeks was the only sight I saw when the call ended with everyone in high spirits.
After a week, the dining table filled with laughter, teasing, and clinking of plates.
And though the storm of revenge still brewed ahead, for tonight, it felt like home.
But one thing was clear—we were ready for whatever Ishir was planning next.
Because this time, we already knew how to stop him before he could reach us.
?
Later that night, Aridhi was curled into me, her legs tucked up, head on my shoulder like it had always belonged there.
I could feel her breath slowing down, the tension fading from her spine.
I glanced toward the corner of the room where I’d left my guitar.
It had just been sitting there. I borrowed it from Abhir and yet, I didn’t play the song back then.
And now? I was regretting it.
With my right arm injured, I was in no condition to play it.
But I could still use my left arm, without actually picking the guitar.
“Aridhi.” I called, nudging her. “Sit up.”
She blinked, pouting. “Wae?”
“I’ve been holding you for such a long time. It’s hurting.” I replied, my voice carrying a hint of sarcasm and tease.
“Okay.” She groaned, sitting up anyway. “Happy now?”
I walked over to the dresser, grabbed the guitar, and came back to the bed.
Her eyes widened just a little. “Wait, how can you play guitar with one hand?”
I shrugged like it was no big deal, even though my stupid heartbeat was throwing a rave.
Keeping the guitar in front of me, I started tuning the strings with the fingers of my left hand.
Her eyes softened.
I glanced at her, and gave a small smile. “I apologize in advance because it may not come out as perfect as I had planned earlier.”
Her voice felt like a whisper. “It’s okay. You are already perfect in everything you do.”
I looked down at the strings, diverting my shyness from her.
My right arm entirely rested on my lap as I started playing the guitar with my left hand.
It wasn’t polished because I messed up a note or two.
My thumb slipped again and again. But she didn’t seem to notice or care.
She just watched me. Adored the way I played each and every tune.
By the time I strummed the last note, her eyes were shiny.
Her blue eyes shone the brightest, and for them, I unsee even the moon.
“Shut up.” She said before I could speak.
But I didn’t say anything.
“You’re about to make a remark. But don’t. Let me just—” She waved her hand around her face. “have my moment.”
Her hand grabbed mine. And it said more than any love song ever could.
“Yes, moment.” I laughed, set the guitar down, and looked at her. “So, coming to the original moment, what is it for tomorrow?”
She suddenly got up, walked over to the closet, and pulled out a black file.
Then, she returned, passing me that file.
“This is the racing hub proposal. All legal and professional. Ishir won’t be able to say no, given that I have mentioned his interests.”
“But he’ll suspect something.” I opened the file, reading it.
“He already does, but he still wants more and I will just give him that.” She admitted. “That ego of his—it won’t let him step away. According to his interests, collaborating with me is the best one he could ever have.”
I shook my head, impressed. “In that way, won’t he realize that you’re baiting him?”
“He will. But by then, it’ll be too late.” She answered like an absolute strategist she was.
I closed the file.
Because there was no point in reading it when I believed this woman more than anything.
“So, we are gonna act oblivious to the whole situation, huh?” A smirk twitched my lips.
“Yes. I am going to act like I considered his presence at the conference a pure coincidence. Furthermore, I have already told Jayant Group to not open their mouths regarding anything, if Ishir questions. If they do, they know the consequences, which they can’t afford.”
She explained like we were not in her room, but in a meeting.
“Mhm.” I processed her words, thinking for a moment before asking. “What if he asks why are you doing this partnership with him? You have mentioned his interests but not yours.”
Looking at me intently, she flipped her hair. “As you can see, Ruvit is not in his best condition. Being the lead designer of my racing hub, he can’t help me with the designs. So, I think you are the perfect substitute for being the next designer.”
Exactly what she will be replying to Ishir if he asked that question.
“And, Ardhangini, where is it written that I was the lead designer when you have made me your partner today only? Your words are powerful but from now on, he is going to doubt every action of yours until you really prove your obliviousness towards him.”
I investigated, not because I didn’t have faith in her but if she was starting a war, I was ready to fight along with her.
“I have already mismatched the files’ information perfectly. And since, I don’t reveal my whole project at once, no one is gonna doubt that. Even the outsiders.”
Her confidence was a burning flame, striking up higher and higher with each word she spoke.
“Mismatch?” I scoffed. “Baby, if you think you’re the only one with moves, let me remind you—I had competed with Ishir for the title of the Business King. So, you can’t expect him to be so stupid.”
Her lips curved, amused. “Oh, so now the businessman is awake.”
“Very much awake.” I leaned back, watching her with a sharp gaze.
“Tell me one thing, Ardhangini. If tomorrow Ishir asks anyone else why you chose him, what story do we have? Because ‘Ruvit’s injured so he can’t design’ is too weak and transparent. You are actually exposing your weak points.”
She tilted her head. “So what do you suggest?”
“Give him—and everyone else—a backup reason. Say he has the best tech firm around the world, and that gives him international contacts easily. And, we need that advanced technology in our racing circuit. Basically, flatter him. Sell him the illusion that only he can provide you with such tech.”
Her eyes narrowed, admiration flickering. “Smart. Very smart. He will eat that up because his ego won’t let him deny it.”
“Exactly.” I tapped the file. “Ego is the softest spot of a man like him. You don’t fight it, you feed it until he chokes.”
She chuckled softly, but there was fire in her eyes. “Then let’s overfeed him.”
I smirked. “Not so fast. One more thing, we deliberately let him think he has outsmarted us once.”
Her brows arched. “You mean, slip up on purpose?”
“Yes. Something small. Like forgetting a percentage margin in the file or letting him ‘correct’ you. He’ll think you are careless because of the stress. Once a man believes you’re weaker, he lowers his guard. And—”
“Then he exposes himself.” She finished, her voice sharp as a blade.
We stared at each other, the same thought vibrating between us.
This wasn’t just a partnership anymore. This was war disguised as business.
“And we need proof.” I added firmly. “No matter how much you bait him, words vanish without evidence.”
She gave me a knowing look, almost smug. “Already handled. The file spine has a recorder built in. He can’t see it. And the meeting room is ours. We’ll control every camera angle.”
For a moment, I just stared at her. “You scare me sometimes.”
“Good.” She smiled slyly. “I need you to be scared enough to trust me.”
I didn’t answer right away, just let my fingers trail along her wrist. “I already trust you more than myself.”
“Now tell me this.” She asked. “What’s the exit plan? What if he still refuses after all this planning, or plays hard to get?”
My smile didn’t waver.
“Then we let him go. And wait for him to come back, which he will. Because his obsession with you will not let him resist you and your willingness to work with him.”
“Right.” She mumbled. “I am sure he has been desperate to work with me, since our friendship.”
I exhaled slowly, my jaw tight. “You’re playing fire against fire.”
“And?” She leaned closer, her breath ghosting against mine. “You are the water I am going to need after burning him down.”
God, she was right.
I pulled her closer until her forehead touched mine. “Fine. We’ll play your way. But make no mistake, Aridhi.” My voice dropped to a growl. “If he so much as looks at you wrong, I’ll end the game my way.”
Her smile softened, but her eyes glinted like steel.
“That’s wae I want you there, Ruvit. Not to stop me. To finish it with me.”
“Always.” I promised.
Tomorrow wasn’t just a meeting. It was the opening move of a war we’d already decided to win.
?
The next morning, the conference room smelled faintly of polished wood and expensive cologne.
It was the kind of cologne that men like Ishir drowned themselves in to hide their rot.
Aridhi walked two steps ahead of me, back straight, chin high, her heels clicking with a rhythm that screamed control.
She didn’t just enter rooms.
She owned them.
Dressed in a red tailored suit, her presence automatically demanded attention.
I followed her at a slower pace.
To anyone else, I looked like a recovering patient, not a threat.
And then, there he was.
Ishir Khurana.
Dressed in a crisp navy blue suit—which looked like mine, and fake charm plastered on his lips, his eyes scanned Aridhi the way a predator sizes up prey.
My jaw tightened, but I reminded myself of her words.
Patience, Ruvit. Don’t kill the pawn before the checkmate.
“Aridhi.” He rose, extending his hand with exaggerated warmth. “It’s been too long.”
She shook it lightly, smiling like she hadn’t already dissected his entire soul. “Ishir. Thank you for agreeing to meet. I know how busy you must be.”
His eyes flickered with pride, stroking his ego.
“And Mr. Rathore.” He turned to me, feigning surprise. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
I shook his hand, firm but cold. “I never miss an important meeting.”
“How are you? Heard you got shot?” As if you weren’t behind it.
I grinned, but my usual coldness was still there. “I am much better now.”
We took our seats.
Aridhi slid the black file across the table with a deliberate casualness, without wasting any time.
Ishir opened it, scanning the pages.
I watched closely, not the file — him.
The way his jaw ticked when he saw his name listed under the international outreach partner.
His ego puffed like a balloon.
“You’ve mentioned my Dubai contacts here.” He glanced up. “Smart. Not many know about those.”
Aridhi tilted her head, playing innocent. “You underestimate how well I know my partners.”
He leaned back, smirking. “Partners, hmm? I thought you always worked alone.”
“She did.” I cut in smoothly. “But she realized lately that some visions need bigger shoulders.”
His eyes flicked to me, searching for insults, but found none.
Make him believe that he’s the bigger shoulder among us.
“You’ve left a gap here.” He tapped on a percentage figure in the file, sinister.
“Profit margin doesn’t balance. If I were to accept, I’d suggest correcting that.” I bit back a smirk on his words.
The fake ‘mistake’ we’d left, and he walked right into it.
Let him think he’s smarter.
“Ah.” Aridhi leaned forward, eyes wide in a mock surprise. “Thank you for catching that. I’ll have my team correct it.”
“You should.” He said, his chest swelling. “Details like these can ruin empires.”
My fingers curled under the table.
Details like sabotaging brakes, you bastard?
Aridhi gave a faintest shake of her head. “Maybe out of tension.”
He nodded with pity, flipping through more pages, his interest sharpening. “Your design layouts are ambitious. Who’s behind them?”
“Ruvit.” Her voice was clear.
I raised my brows at her, almost playing dumb. “Except, I’m not in the best shape right now.”
“And that is where we need you, Ishir.” She continued smoothly, “You’ve always been skilled at designing, too. With your technology and design, this hub can dominate the global racing scene.”
There it was, the golden bait.
His pupils dilated just slightly, his lips twitching as if he wanted to hide a grin.
The predator in him thought he’d just been invited into the heart of the hunt.
“Global racing, huh?” He leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.
“You know, Aridhi. I always imagined we’d build something big. Together.”
I almost snapped the table in half, but Aridhi’s hand brushed mine under it, grounding me.
She smiled politely, her voice silk wrapped around steel. “Then imagine no more. This is it. Let’s make it a reality.”
The recorder hidden in the file spine blinked faintly, catching every word.
Wait for the slip.
He threw a smile. Fake. “I would glad to be a part of your project. Thank you for considering me, Aru.”
Relax, Ruvit. He is testing you.
~·~
MY WATTPAD IS GLITCHING.
Like it’s not that I don’t want to update. It’s because my wattpad isn’t allowing me to.
I don’t know what kind of issue is this but I have tried uploading this chapter two times.
And it failed. I didn’t even have backup at first try. So, I wrote the whole 8,800 long chapter again. ????
Now, finally after doing god knows what, it’s working properly.
But now, this wattpad is removing the name and description of TLB again and again. ?????
I think the name is a bit inappropriate. That’s why? ??
But that’s the whole vibe of the story. This is also the reason I didn’t start TLB.
I will keep a new name for it, if it works. Otherwise, I will just delete it whole and make it again. ??
Because of all this, my whole schedule got messed up.