Chapter 42
Veeransh and Aariv were sitting inside the temple with their eyes closed.The air was still. Only the faint sound of the temple bell and the fragrance of incense surrounded them.
Hours ago they had closed their eyes and suddenly their minds were flooded with memories.
Both of them suddenly opened their eyes at the same time.
They looked around quickly, their breathing uneven. The temple walls.
The deity in front of them. The quiet morning light.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
They were no longer seeing the temple. They were seeing Randhir and Aaryan's life flashing inside their minds.
Aariv looked at Veeransh in shock.
Veeransh's eyes were wide too, his chest rising and falling heavily. They slowly turned their heads.
A few steps away, Harinarayan was sitting peacefully. His eyes were calm.
A soft, knowing smile rested on his face as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Veeransh swallowed.
"Ye... sab..." he whispered.
Aariv's voice trembled.
"Hum... Randhir aur Aaryan ..."
Harinarayan didn't look surprised. He simply nodded gently.
Veeransh's eyes were still wide with shock and longing. He looked at Harinarayan almost impatiently.
"Nanu... mujhe puri kahani dekhni hai."
Harinarayan chuckled softly, the sound echoing gently in the quiet temple.
"Tum dono ki hi kahani hai," he said calmly. "Pata to tumhe chal hi jayegi."
Aariv was still trying to process everything he had just seen. His voice came out softer, slightly trembling.
"Par... aise achanak se sab dikhna band kyun ho gaya?"
Harinarayan sighed lightly and leaned back a little.
"Kyuki meri shaktiyaan kamzor pad gayi hain," he replied honestly. "Main kuch din baad phir koshish karunga tumhe wahan bhejne ki."
He paused and looked at both of them meaningfully.
"Lekin tab tak... tum dono ko intezaar karna padega."
Veeransh glanced at Aariv. Aariv looked back at him, still overwhelmed by the memories that felt both familiar and distant. Without saying anything, Veeransh stood up.
He gently held Aariv's wrist and pulled him up with him.
"Chalo," he said quietly.
Together, they walked out of the temple.
Behind them, Harinarayan watched the two figures leave.
His eyes fell on their joined hands. A small, knowing smile appeared on his face.
As if he had just witnessed fate slowly finding its way back.
.............................
The drive back to the haveli was unusually quiet.The engine hummed softly as the car moved along the road, but inside, silence stretched between them.
Aariv sat by the window, his gaze fixed outside. Trees passed in blurred streaks, but he wasn't really seeing them. His mind was tangled in the memories they had just witnessed.
Everything felt too close.
In the driver's seat, Veeransh kept his eyes on the road. But every now and then, his gaze drifted sideways... falling on Aariv. The way his fingers rested on the door.
The slight tension in his shoulders.
The quiet way he breathed. Something inside Veeransh tightened.
Neither of them spoke. Finally, the car rolled to a stop in front of the haveli.
Aariv opened his door handle. It didn't move.
.He tried again but it's still stuck.
Veeransh noticed and leaned toward him from the driver's side.
Aariv instinctively leaned back a little.
Suddenly the space between them disappeared.They were close enough to feel each other's breath.
But Veeransh wasn't looking at him.
His attention was fixed on the stubborn door handle as he tried to push it open.
.Aariv's heartbeat stumbled..His hand slowly moved to his chest, fingers pressing there as if trying to calm it.
Heat rushed up his neck and across his cheeks.Veeransh pushed the handle again.
Aariv: Kya hua?
Veeransh: I think it's jammed.
He straightened slightly.
"Come from my side."
Aariv blinked.
"Ka... kaise?"
Veeransh leaned back in his seat, thinking. Then suddenly he leaned forward again.Before Aariv could react , Veeransh's arm slid around his waist.
He pulled him toward himself.
In one smooth motion, Aariv landed on Veeransh's lap. Aariv froze.
"Ye... aap....."
His words tangled as he struggled to find balance. Veeransh's lips curled for a split second at the sight of him so flustered but he hid it quickly.
"Nothing," he said calmly.
With one hand still steadying on Aariv, Veeransh opened the driver's side door. Cool air rushed in.
He stepped out of the car still holding Aariv in his arms.
Aariv immediately protested.
"A... ab chhodiye."
Veeransh looked down at him.
"Itni kya jaldi hai," he said casually. "Chhod dunga."
Aariv's brows furrowed, confused and breathless.
"Aap aise react kyun kar rahe ho?"
Veeransh tilted his head slightly.
"Kaise?"
Aariv struggled for words.
"Aap... vo... vo..."
His voice faded. Veeransh finally put him down gently on the ground.
But the moment Aariv steadied himself Veeransh's fingers closed around his hand again.
He started walking toward the haveli, pulling him along. Their steps echoed against the stone path. The evening air felt heavier now but Neither of them let go.
The heavy wooden doors of the haveli opened as Veeransh and Aariv stepped inside.
The moment they entered Yug practically launched himself at Aariv.
"Tu kaha tha, Aru?!" he burst out, grabbing him in a tight hug. "Tujhe pata hai mujhe kitni tension ho rahi thi?"
Aariv blinked in surprise but quickly patted his back.
"Main theek hoon, Yug," he said softly.
Across the hall, Ridha crossed her arms, clearly not amused.
"Kahan the tum dono?" she demanded.
Before Aariv could answer, Veeransh spoke calmly.
"We went to the temple, di."
At the center of the hall, Rajnath looked at them sternly.
"Call to kar sakte the ek baar," he said. "Tumhari maa tabse pareshaan hai.
Before the tension could grow heavier , Rudra leaned casually against the railing, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Ab rehne bhi do," he said teasingly. "Dono newly married hain... thoda ghoom bhi liya toh kya ho gaya?"
Yug immediately shook his head at him.Aariv opened his mouth to explain again but suddenly his words stopped. Because Veeransh had grabbed his wrist .
"Room mein chalo," Veeransh said simply.
And before Aariv could properly react
Veeransh started pulling him toward the staircase.
"Aree..... par suniye toh.....!" Aariv protested, stumbling slightly as he was dragged along
But Veeransh didn't stop. The family watched them go.
Rudra smirked knowingly. Ridha sighed. Yug just stared after them in confusion.
.....................
Veeransh pushed the door of his bedroom open and pulled Aariv inside with him.
The moment the door closed behind them Aariv had enough.
He jerked his wrist free from Veeransh's grip.
The sudden movement made Veeransh stop in his tracks.
He turned toward him, confusion written clearly on his face.
Aariv stood a few steps away, breathing unevenly.
"Aap hamesha mujhe itni zor se kyun pakadte hain?" he asked, frustration finally slipping into his voice.
Veeransh frowned slightly, not understanding at first.Then his eyes dropped to Aariv's wrist. There were faint red marks where his fingers had been holding him. His expression changed immediately. The confusion vanished, replaced with concern.
He stepped closer slowly.
"Did I hurt you?" Veeransh asked quietly.
Aariv instinctively pulled his wrist back a little.
"Nahi... itna bhi nahi," he muttered, avoiding his eyes. "Bas... har baar aap aise kheench kr le aate ho."
Veeransh looked at the marks again, his jaw tightening slightly as if annoyed with himself. Without asking, he gently reached for Aariv's wrist again but this time his hold was soft.
He turned Aariv's hand slightly, examining the faint marks.
"Sorry," he said quietly.
Veeransh lifted his wrist gently and pressed a soft kiss against it.
Aariv froze for a second, then immediately pulled his hand back, his face turning bright red.
"Mr... Rathore..." he stammered. "Kya ho gaya hai aapko?"
Veeransh didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he slowly stepped closer.
Aariv instinctively stepped back until his back touched the wall. Before he could move again, Veeransh placed one hand beside his head, caging him there.
His presence felt overwhelming.
"Tumne hi kaha tha," Veeransh murmured softly, leaning a little closer, "ki pati hoon tumhara."
Aariv's breath stumbled.
"L.... lekin... aap pehle aisa n....nahi karte the..."
Veeransh leaned in even more, his voice dropping lower.
"Tum chahte ho... main pehle jaisa ho jaaun?"
Aariv's eyes widened. He immediately shook his head.
"N.... nahi... please," he said quickly. "Agar aap mujhe chhod denge... to mujhe koi nahi apnaega."
The fear in his voice was raw and real.
Veeransh's expression changed instantly. All the intensity in his eyes softened. Without thinking he pulled Aariv into a tight embrace. The sudden hug took Aariv completely off guard.
"Main kabhi tumhe nahi chhodunga,"
Veeransh said firmly, holding him close. "Jaan ho tum meri."
His voice trembled slightly with emotion.
"Maaf kar do mujhe... main tumhe khud se bas isiliye door karna chahta tha taaki tum safe raho."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Par main pagal tha. Meri rooh mujhse door kaise reh sakti hai?"
Aariv's fingers tightened in the front of Veeransh's shirt.Tears began slipping down his cheeks.
"Maaf kar do mujhe tumhe insecure feel karane ke liye," Veeransh continued softly. "I swear... I never meant to."
Aariv was now sobbing quietly, holding onto him like he was afraid he would disappear.
Veeransh gently placed his hand on the back of his head.
"Pehli nazar mein hi tumse pyaar ho gaya tha mujhe," he confessed. "Lekin main kismat badalne chala tha."
He let out a small, bitter laugh.
"Mujhe laga tha khud ko tumse door rakhunga to tum safe rahoge."
He tightened his hold.
"Par ab main kisi cheez se nahi darta."
His voice became steady again.
"I will protect you from everyone... and everything."
He tilted his head slightly, whispering near Aariv's ear.
"Itna capable to hoon ki tumhe har shraap se bacha sakun."
A pause then he softly said.
"I love you... Titli."
The moment that word left his lips Aariv broke completely and he clung to Veeransh even tighter, crying against his chest.
They stayed like that for a long time.
Aariv clung to Veeransh's shirt as if letting go would make everything disappear again. His shoulders trembled with quiet sobs, his face buried deep against Veeransh's chest.
Veeransh didn't move.
One hand rested on Aariv's back, slowly rubbing circles there, the other gently cradling the back of his head.
The room was silent except for Aariv's soft crying.
After a while, Veeransh let out a small chuckle.
"Bas, baby... kitna roge, huh?" he murmured softly.
He tilted his head down, trying to peek at Aariv's face.
"Aankhen dard hongi baad mein."
Aariv immediately shook his head stubbornly, hiding his face even deeper in Veeransh's chest.
Veeransh sighed, half amused and half helpless.
"Ziddi ho bilkul," he muttered under his breath.
Then, without warning he slipped his hands around Aariv's waist and lifted him up. Aariv gasped softly at the sudden movement. Veeransh carried him the few steps to the bed and sat down, settling Aariv on his lap as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Aariv instinctively held onto his shoulders to balance himself.
Veeransh leaned back slightly, still holding him securely.
"Ab ro lo araam se," he teased gently.
But his hands were still gentle on Aariv's back, slowly calming him.
After a while, Aariv's sobbing slowly faded. His breathing steadied, and he finally lifted his head from Veeransh's chest. His face was still teary and flushed red, his lashes wet, lips slightly pouted from crying.
In Veeransh's eyes He looked unbearably cute.
Aariv sniffed softly and looked at him accusingly.
"Aap bohot bure hain," he said, pouting. "Aise tang kyun karte hain mujhe?"
Veeransh smiled faintly.
"Sorry, darling," he replied softly. "Par tang karne ka to haq hai na mera?"
Aariv immediately looked away with a huff.
"Jaiye," he muttered. "Main aapse baat nahi karunga."
Veeransh leaned a little closer, amused.
"Achha baba... nahi karunga ab tang."
Aariv turned back slowly, still suspicious.
"Sach keh rahe hain aap?"
Veeransh raised his hand slightly as if taking an oath.
"Haan. Sacchi."
Aariv studied his face for a second.
"Thik hai."
But Veeransh's expression changed suddenly. He looked at him more seriously now.
"Aur kya keh rahe the tum..." he said slowly. "Koi tumhe nahi apnaega?"
His hand tightened slightly around Aariv's waist. His eyes turned possessive.
"Even if someone dares to look at you with that intention..." he said quietly, "tumhare saamne uski chita jalaunga."
Aariv's eyes widened.
"Ye... aap k....kya keh rahe hain?
"
Veeransh didn't look away.
"Sach keh raha hoon."
His voice was calm but deadly serious...
"Don't even think of another man," he continued softly. "Not even in your dreams, Mrs. Aariv Veeransh Rathore."
Aariv's cheeks turned pink again.
A shy smile appeared on his lips.
He poked Veeransh lightly in the chest.
"You too, Mr. Veeransh Rathore," he said softly. "Ab kisi aur ke baare mein socha bhi na...."
Veeransh chuckled.
"Tumhare alawa koi dikhta hi nahi hai mujhe," he said warmly. "Sochne ki baat chhod hi do."
Then he pulled Aariv closer again, wrapping an arm around his waist and hugging him gently.