ch 67 my possessive woman
Ashiana's pov
Aarav had just stepped out of the bathroom, towel around his neck, hair still damp looking way too calm for someone who had absolutely destroyed my ability to function last night.
Meanwhile me?
I stood in front of the mirror, wrestling with six meters of fabric like it was a wild python.
"Ufffff... ye saree bandhnaa is world's most difficult task!"
I huffed, twisting it, turning it, managing to tangle it even more.
"Ohh gooooddd... ab kya karu meeii..."
The saree slipped from one side.
I caught it.
It slipped from the other.
I caught that too.
Then everything slipped together.
I threw my hands up, glaring at the cloth.
"I swear this saree is plotting against me. Aaj hi kyun? WHY?"
Behind me, Aarav leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me with that annoyingly sexy smirk.
"Problems, Mrs. Malhotra?" he drawled.
I spun around dramatically.
"No! I am totally fine! Bas... saree mujhe pasand nahi karti!"
He chuckled low, deep and walked toward me.
Before I could protest, his hands gently caught the slipping fabric from my waist.
"Aarav, don't I can handle.... "
"You've been fighting with it for ten minutes," he said, lips curving. "And losing."
I puffed my cheeks.
"I wasn't losing. It was cheating."
He shook his head, amused, and began wrapping the saree around me with slow, practiced ease like he'd done it a hundred times before.
My eyes widened.
"You... you know how to do this?"
He tugged me closer by the pleats.
"Three brothers. Weddings. Functions. Do you think I survived all that without learning?"
My irritation melted instantly.
His fingers brushed my waist as he tucked the pleats in.
A shiver shot up my spine.
"Aarav..." I whispered, suddenly shy.
"Hmm?" he murmured, leaning in dangerously close as he adjusted the pallu over my shoulder.
"You're... distracting," I muttered.
He smirked.
"Good."
I smacked his chest lightly, cheeks burning.
He wrapped the last pleat, stepped back, and looked at me — really looked.
His eyes softened.
"You look perfect," he said quietly.
I blinked, heart doing somersaults.
Then he stepped closer again, brushing a kiss to my forehead.
"Next time," he whispered, "tell me up instead of fighting the saree alone."
I grinned.
"Next time... YOU will wear it."
He raised a brow.
"ohh.. me?"
I laughed.
"Bilkul!"
"Mrs. Malhotra," he murmured, lifting my chin, "don't tempt me because if i can make you wear it.. then i can..'' he leans his breath in her ears '' take it off too.. very smoothly."
I blushed hard.
Aarav slid one arm around my waist slow, claiming, warm pulling me back into his chest.
His chin settled on my shoulder, his breath ghosting over my neck as we both faced the mirror.
His reflection looked calm.
Mine looked like a tomato wrapped in a saree.
I swallowed, eyes flicking down shyly.
"Aarav..." I whispered.
"Hmm?" he murmured, tightening his hold on my waist just a little.
"I can't believe..."
I bit my lip, nervous excitement bubbling inside me.
"...we're married."
His eyes softened in the mirror.
"I mean—I... I'm actuallyyy... youuursssss," I said, voice cracking because I was blushing so hard my brain stopped working. "Completely. Officially. Forever."
Aarav's smirk grew slow and sinful.
"And last night was..."
I stopped.
My face heated up, turning crimson.
I covered my eyes with both hands.
"Oh god... I can't even say it—"
Aarav chuckled, low and dark, the vibration rumbling against my back.
He moved my hands gently away from my face, kissing my cheek.
"Last night was what, Mrs. Malhotra?" he asked teasingly, his lips brushing my skin.
I hid my face in his chest instead.
"Aarav... stoppp... you know!"
He wrapped both arms fully around me now, chin resting on my head as he whispered:
"I know. And trust me... I remember every second."
My heart flipped.
I looked up at him shyly.
"We're really husband-wife now..." I whispered.
He smiled that rare, soft smile he only showed me.
"Yes," he said, brushing his thumb along my jaw.
"You're mine. And I'm yours."
I melted completely in his arms.
The entire Malhotra dining hall was buzzing laughter, teasing, the clinking of cutlery but my heart was beating louder than all of it.
My pehli rasoi.
My halwa.
My moment.
I stood there with the bowl in my hands, eyes sparkling, waiting for reactions like a kid waiting for exam results.
As Ashiana placed the bowl in front of each of them, her hands were actually trembling.
Kabir took the spoon first, tasting it with that dramatic judge-like expression.
Aditya leaned forward with curiosity, Raghav already smirking, Prerna smiling proudly, little Raj bouncing in his seat, and Aarav watching only her, like nothing else mattered.
Kabir finally said,
"Hmmm... interesting..."
Ashiana's eyes widened in panic.
Aditya burst out laughing, "Kabir stop teasing my sister... she'll faint."
Prerna hit Kabir's arm, "At least let her breathe!"
Kabir finally dropped the act and grinned warmly,
"It's perfect. Bilkul maa jaisa."
Raghav nodded,
"Seriously, Ashiana... it's amazing."
Prerna added,
"I'm so proud of you. Pehli rasoi and you nailed it."
Little Raj stuffed a big spoonful into his mouth and squealed,
"Didi! Yeh toh super yummy hai!"
But then...
I turned to the one whose opinion mattered the most.
Aarav.
He calmly took a bite.
Everyone went silent.
I leaned forward nervously.
"Aarav..." I whispered. "Kaisa hai??"
He didn't answer.
He took another spoon.
Then another.
Then he finally looked up at me, eyes warm and voice deep.
"Mrs. Malhotra," he said, "if you cook like this everyday..."
I gulped.
"...I'll never leave the dining table."
Aditya choked on air laughing.
Kabir shook his head. "Bhai, romance kam, halwa zyada kha lo."
(brO.. romance later fist eat it)
Aarav ignored everyone, pulled me by the wrist gently, and made me sit beside him.
His voice lowered so only I could hear.
"It's perfect," he said. "Just like you."
I blushed so hard I could've melted the silver bowl.
"Th—thank you..."
Aarav smirked.
"Waise... halwa thoda zyada meetha hai."
( by the halwa is too sweet)
My eyes widened.
"Sach?? Bahut meetha ho gaya??"
(realyy.. is it really too sweet)
He leaned close, brushing a kiss to my temple.
"Haan," he murmured, "kyunki tumhara pyaar jo h isme."
(yes, because your love is there in it)
I hid my face in my dupatta as everyone at the table erupted in teasing whistles.
The reception
hall shimmered with warm golden lights, crystal chandeliers reflecting off the marble floor. Soft music played in the background, and the air smelled of orchids and luxury.
Ashiana entered with Aarav, both in matching deep emerald outfits she in a stunning embroidered gown, he in a perfectly tailored suit. Together, they looked like a power couple straight out of a magazine.
As they moved through the crowd, Aarav's hand rested securely on the small of her back—possessive, protective, claiming her without words.
Every time someone approached, he introduced her proudly:
"My wife, Mrs. Ashiana Malhotra."
Her heart skipped every time he said wife.
They talked with CEOs, politicians, business partners.
Ashiana smiled politely, answered warmly, but she could feel Aarav's thumb gently stroking her back whenever she got nervous an intimate reassurance only she could feel.
At one point, an elderly industrialist laughed and said,
"Aarav, tumhari wife bahut graceful hai."
(Aarav your wife is so graceful)
Aarav looked at Ashiana with a soft, admiring smile.
"She is. More than anyone here."
Ashiana blushed, looking down.
As they walked to greet the next group, Aarav leaned slightly toward her and whispered near her ear,
"You look breathtaking tonight... and I love having you by my side."
His warm breath on her neck made her shiver.
Just then, a group of influential guests approached—one of them a very elegant businesswoman who clearly had a past sort of familiarity with Aarav.
She smiled too sweetly at him and said,
"Aarav... long time. Didn't expect your reception invitation."
Aarav's hand on Ashiana's back tightened slightly.
The elegant businesswoman's smile faltered for a split second when Ashiana smoothly stepped closer and wrapped her hand around Aarav's arm, leaning into him like she belonged there because she did.
Ashiana looked at the woman with wide, mock-innocent eyes and said sweetly,
"Ohh... my husband gave you the invitation? I also didn't expect that."
She emphasized husband just enough.
Aarav's lips twitched in a barely-hidden smirk, proud and amused at his bold wife.
The woman's expression tightened.
"Well... Aarav and I go way back. So it was a surprise."
Ashiana tilted her head and replied with a sugary smile,
"Acha? But ab toh everything is new. New relation, new life, new priorities..."
She patted Aarav's arm possessively.
"...and new people in his heart."
Aarav slid his hand gently around her waist, pulling her even closer.
His voice was calm, deep, final.
"Exactly. My wife comes first now '' then he looks at that businesswoman with sharp eyes his voice cold '' and one more thing don't misinterpret professional to personal there is difference understood'' then he looks at Ashiana his eyes softening only for her ''Ashiana is my first my current and my last "
The businesswoman's smile completely dropped.
She muttered, "Congratulations," and walked away stiffly.
As soon as she turned, Aarav leaned down to Ashiana's ear and whispered, trying not to laugh,
"Mrs. Malhotra... you flipped the tables today."
Ashiana raised her brows smugly,
'' ofcourse... I told you already if someoe dares to breath near you wrong I will not spare her..''
Aarav chuckled softly, brushing his thumb against her waist.
"my .. Possessive woman?"
She looked up boldly,
"Very."
He pulled her closer in the crowd, his eyes suddenly darker, softer.
"Good. Because I'm worse."