Ch 24 Wiggle Giggle
The morning light spilled softly through the tall curtains, warming the elegant room. ashiana blinked her eyes open, rubbing them groggily, only to notice a small figure at the door.
Raj stood there, clutching a brightly colored toy car in his little hands, peeking at her with wide, curious eyes.
A smile tugged at her lips despite the heaviness inside her. she pushed herself up slowly, patting the bed beside her.
"Hey... little boy... come here."
He hesitated for a moment, then padded across the floor with tiny steps. she reached for him gently, lifting him onto her lap. His small body fit easily against her as he held onto his toy tightly.
she chuckled lightly, her fingers gently squeezing his soft cheeks. "Raj... such a big name for such a little boy."
He giggled, scrunching his nose at her teasing, and then without hesitation wrapped his small arms around her neck, resting his head on her shoulder as if he had known her forever.
For a moment, the room felt lighter. The pain, the bruises, the heaviness all of it melted away in the warmth of a child's innocent affection.
But at the doorway, unseen by her, a tall figure stood quietly watching arms crossed, expression unreadable. Aarav's gaze lingered on the way she smiled for the first time in front of his family.
Raj's squeals of laughter filled the room as ashiana wiggled her fingers into his sides, making him collapse into giggles. His toy car clattered to the floor, forgotten, as he wriggled free and darted across the room.
ashiana grinned, springing up despite the ache still lingering in her body, chasing after him with playful steps.
"Ohh... come here, shaitaan bacche!" her laughed, her voice light and teasing as her hair tumbled around her face.
Raj ran in circles, his small feet pattering against the marble floor, his joy infectious. she lunged, missing him on purpose just to hear his giggles grow louder.
Unaware, behind the half-opened door, four figures had gathered.
Aarav stood tall at the center, arms folded, his sharp gaze fixed on her not with his usual icy detachment, but with something softer flickering beneath.
Kabir smirked, leaning against the doorframe with a cigar unlit between his fingers. "Well, well... who knew Raj would find a new partner in crime so soon?"
Raghav adjusted his glasses, a rare curve at his lips. "It's... unusual. I've never seen her laugh like that. Not once since she entered the office."
Meera pressed her hands together against her chest, her eyes glowing warmly. "See? She's good for him. And maybe..." her gaze flicked toward Aarav, "...good for someone else too."
Aditya said nothing, his eyes instead studying Aarav's expression carefully the stiffness of his shoulders, the way his eyes lingered on her as if he couldn't look away.
Inside the room, she finally caught Raj in her arms, both of them tumbling onto the bed in a heap of giggles. "Got you!" ashiana declared, tickling him again as he squealed.
Raj suddenly froze in her arms, his little eyes widening as he spotted the figures at the door. He wriggled free, running straight toward Meera with a laugh of recognition.
ashiana followed his gaze and her heart dropped.
There they were. All of them. Aarav in the middle, Kabir smirking with mischief, Raghav standing with that unreadable sharpness in his eyes, Aditya as steady as ever, and Meera smiling softly with Raj now clinging to her side.
ashiana breath caught, and instantly she straightened, her laughter vanishing like it had never been there. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she fumbled with her dupatta and stammered,
"S... sorry, sir... I was just..."
her voice trailed off under Aarav's piercing stare. He hadn't spoken a word yet, but the weight of his presence alone was enough to make her feel caught like a child busted for mischief.
Kabir chuckled lowly, lighting the cigar now, his eyes flicking between ashiana and Aarav.
"Relax, little one. No crime in laughing with a kid."
Raghav adjusted his glasses, his expression as calm as ever, but his words edged with subtle teasing.
"Though I must admit, it's the first time I've seen our brother smile without realizing it."
Aarav's jaw flexed slightly, a flicker of irritation or maybe something else passing through his eyes.
Meera broke the tension, her warm voice lifting the air. "Don't apologize, Ashiana. Raj hasn't laughed this much in weeks. You made him happy."
Aditya's gaze lingered on ashiana a moment before shifting back to Aarav, the corner of his lips twitching as if he was holding back a smirk.
And still, Aarav said nothing. He just stood there, his eyes locked on her, sharp and unreadable.