ch 33 Their Lips Met
But Aarav paused. His gaze caught a quiet corner of the living hall, near a large, cushioned couch.
There, leaning back in the corner, he saw Raj fast asleep peacefully, completely at ease cradled in ashiana's arms.
she was sitting on the floor, her back resting against the couch, holding Raj gently in her lap, his tiny head tucked under her chin.
His soft breathing rose and fell steadily, completely unaware of the world around him.
Aarav's usual stern expression softened slightly as he watched.
Every detail seemed to etch itself into his mind the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she held Raj, the protective tilt of her arms, the way her hair fell forward as she leaned slightly to shield him.
He stepped closer, careful not to disturb the peaceful tableau.
His eyes lingered, sharp and possessive, tracing every curve of her posture, every breath she took while sitting there with Raj.
No one else touches her... no one else lays a finger on her. Not tonight, not ever.
A soft exhale escaped him, almost invisible, but enough to betray the storm of protectiveness swirling inside.
The mansion might have been emptying, guests leaving, laughter fading, but in that corner, time seemed to pause for him just long enough to take in the sight of them,
the small, quiet scene that had stolen a piece of his heart without his permission.
Slowly, one by one, the rest of the family arrived, peeking around the corner.
Kabir stopped mid-step, a smirk tugging at his lips as he took in the sight of Raj asleep in her arms, me seated quietly beside him.
Raghav chuckled softly, nudging Meera.
"Look at them... she's completely wrapped around him," he whispered, amusement in his tone.
Meera's eyes softened, a small, fond smile appearing as she shook her head.
"Oh, Ashiana... and Raj... you two are a sight," she said gently.
Aditya came next, raising an eyebrow and smirking.
"Guess we found our little escapees," he said quietly, trying not to disturb the peaceful scene.
Even Kabir's laughter, deep and throaty, echoed softly.
"Bhai," he murmured, glancing at Aarav, who remained near the couch, arms crossed, eyes still sharp, protective. "You look... outnumbered."
Aarav's gaze didn't shift, but a small, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips a rare, private acknowledgment.
The room filled with soft chuckles and quiet laughter, the family quietly observing the serene tableau.
Everyone knew, without saying it, that this moment Ashiana holding Raj, calm and protective was something special.
And Aarav... he remained still, silent, possessive in his watchful stance, letting them all chuckle while he silently vowed that no one would ever touch what was his to protect.
Raghav gently lifted Raj from her arms, careful not to wake him, and whispered softly,
"Let me take him to his room. He needs his sleep."
Meera reached out, brushing her shoulder lightly as if to wake her, saying softly,
"I'll wake her, and she too will sleep in her room.."
But before she could step closer, Aarav's deep voice cut through, calm but commanding:
"No. I'll take her myself."
Then, without a word, he bent down and carefully scooped her up into his arms one arm under her knees, the other supporting her back.
The movement was smooth, protective.
her hand instinctively clutched the front of his sherwani coat, fingers curling into the fabric as if afraid to let go even in sleep.
Aarav froze for a second, feeling the tug against his chest something soft and unfamiliar tightening inside him.
As he walked through the quiet corridor toward her room, the faint hum of the night surrounded them the chandeliers dimmed, laughter fading in the distance.
His gaze dropped to her face, peaceful, tired, yet delicate like a whisper.
He muttered under his breath, almost too softly to hear,
"You don't even realize what you're doing to me, do you?"
His jaw tightened, his hold unconsciously firmer not rough, but as if he was afraid the moment would slip away.
And as he pushed open the door to her room, the only sound echoing was the quiet rhythm of his steps... and my soft breath against his heartbeat.
Aarav slowly laid her down on the bed, careful not to wake her brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her breathe softly, the faint moonlight falling across her skin.
He turned to leave... but suddenly felt a gentle tug on his hand.
her fingers, still half?asleep, had wrapped around his wrist.
"Don't... go... please..." she murmured in her sleep, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with exhaustion.
Aarav froze mid?step.
His eyes softened for the first time that night, a storm of emotions flickering behind them. He looked down at their joined hands her smaller one holding onto him like a lifeline.
He exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing.
Then, without a word, he sat back on the edge of the bed. His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles as he whispered under his breath,
"I'm not going anywhere... sleep."
For a long moment, he just stayed there the feared king of the underworld, sitting quietly beside a girl who unknowingly made his walls crumble.
--------------
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains as she slowly opened her eyes, stretching lazily. her gaze drifted across the room... and froze.
There he was Aarav, sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, still in his night clothes, arms resting casually, yet every bit as commanding as ever.
she jolted upright, her hands clutching the bedsheets, eyes wide.
"Sir... you're... here?" she stammered, her voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
Aarav's gaze met mine, calm and unreadable, yet there was a hint of something softer behind those stormy eyes.
He gave a small, almost imperceptible smirk.
"Did you think I'd just leave?" he said, his voice low, steady.
"Sir... but , how did I come here?" she asked, blinking in confusion, then suddenly froze.
'' kya m neend m chalne lag gyi hu kyaa ab..'' she said in shock.
her gaze darted from him still calm, still collected, sitting there to herself, still in the same lehenga, hair slightly messy, blanket half draped.
"Wait... you're here... like this... and—" she gasped dramatically, eyes going wide. "Oh myyy goodddddd!"
Realization hit like a storm and she almost jumped up, pointing a finger at him. "That means you took me hereeeee!" she shrieked, half mortified, half embarrassed, covering her face with both hands.
Aarav just raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. "You were asleep on the couch,"
he said in that deep, calm tone, "and I wasn't going to let you spend the night there. Someone had to bring you here."
I peeked through my fingers, still blushing furiously. "Still... you could've... you know... called someone!"
He leaned slightly closer, voice dropping. "I did. But you held onto me," he said, his smirk widening. "Didn't really leave me much of a choice, Miss Sharma."
I froze, eyes wide again, mumbling under my breath, "Oh God... ground please swallow me now..."
For a second, silence hung between us.
but he cant able to stop himself he laughed.
A deep, rich sound that filled the entire room. It wasn't the sharp, polite kind of laugh he gave at meetings it was real. Warm. Effortless.
she blinked in shock, her jaw dropping a little. Did Arav Malhotra just laugh?
He tried to hide it by turning his face away, but it was too late the corners of his lips had curved into a genuine smile, his eyes softening in a way she'd never seen before.
"Sir... are you laughing?" she asked, pointing at him dramatically.
He cleared his throat, trying to pull back his usual composure, but the faint trace of amusement still danced in his voice. "You should've seen your face, Miss Sharma. You looked ready to call the police on me."
she crossed my arms, pouting. "Hmph. Not funny."
she scrunched her nose, puffed her cheeks, and grabbed a nearby pillow.
"You laughed at me... sir!" she said, her voice half-angry, half-teasing as she smacked the pillow against his chest. "That's not good at all! How dare you!"
Aarav caught the pillow effortlessly with one hand,
amused chuckle. "Not good at all, huh? I think it's perfectly justified," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.
she huffed, crossing her arms in mock annoyance, "Just wait... I'll get you back for this, sir!"
He leaned back slightly, still holding the pillow, smirk dancing on his lips. "I'll be waiting, Miss Sharma. And somehow... I think you won't be able to resist smiling when you try."
The pillow fight escalated quickly laughs, playful shoves, and feathers flying everywhere. Soon, the entire room was a soft storm of cotton and pillow fluff drifting in the air.
ashiana lunged for him with another pillow, but in her haste, her foot caught on the bed sheet.
Time seemed to slow as she stumbled forward... and landed right on him.
their lips accidentally touched.
she froze. Eyes wide. Heart pounding.
Aarav's eyes were just as wide, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his usual calm, composed face. The world seemed to pause around them only the two of them remained in that instant.
she could feel his breath, and her mind went blank. This... this can't be real...
He didn't move, didn't pull away immediately just stared, his dark eyes locked on her, unreadable yet intense.
then he suddenly...