Chapter - 69
Hello, beautiful people! ??
As soon as I stepped inside the house, I noticed the soft glow of diyas lighting up every corner. Their warm light made everything look magical. The silence... the peace... the way the diyas flickered gently—
It felt like a dream.
Aarav placed the aarti ki thali on a side table and then came close to me, holding my hand.
He looked into my eyes and said softly,
"At the palace, we are Rana Sa and Rani Sa... but in this house, Siya... we are just Aarav and Siya."
I looked at him, my heart suddenly so full.
He smiled and continued,
"We'll come here whenever we want to just be ourselves. No duties, no responsibilities... just us."
I couldn't stop myself from asking,
"But... what about the family? They'll wait for us..."
Before I could say more, he gently placed his finger on my lips.
"They know, Siya. I already told them. You just focus on me. The rest... I'll handle."
I nodded quietly. Somehow, he always knew how to calm the little chaos in my mind.
Then he smiled and said,
"Chalo... let's go."
He held my hand again and led me upstairs.
We walked together in silence, and I didn't ask anything this time. I just followed his steps... trusting him like I always do.
And then... we reached the terrace.
My breath caught in my throat.
It was...
Beautiful.
The whole place was decorated with flowers and lights, glowing softly under the moonlight. In one corner, a little hut was made, and beside it, there was a cozy sofa with a small table.
It felt like I had stepped into a fairytale.
I turned to him with a soft smile,
"Avi... this is..."
He didn't let me finish. He simply made me sit on the sofa, carefully tucking my lehenga so I would be comfortable. But instead of sitting beside me...
He sat on the floor, near my feet.
I got startled,
"Avi... what are you doing?"
But before I could say anything else, he shook his head and softly said,
"Ssshhh... Today, you won't say anything. You'll listen. And I will speak."
I looked down at him—my Aarav, who looked at me like I was his entire world.
And in that moment...
I forgot everything.
Every doubt, every fear, every overthinking thought that usually dances in my mind.
I just... looked at him.
And waited.
Because I knew... my heart already understood what he wanted to say.
But still... I wanted to hear it from his lips. Feel it in his words.
He gently held both my hands in his warm ones and looked into my eyes.
His voice was soft, but his words carried so much weight.
"Siya," he said, "you are the light in my dark world... the one who brings peace to the storms inside me."
My heart stopped for a second.
He continued, slowly, carefully... like he had carried these words inside him for a long time.
"Today, I want to tell you a truth. A truth I never wanted to hide... but I was scared. Scared that maybe you wouldn't understand. That maybe... I would lose you."
My fingers tightened around his.
Without saying anything, I held his hand—silently telling him I was here.
That I would always be here.
He looked down for a moment and then said,
"The first time I saw you was in the Mahadev temple. Two and a half years ago."
A strange mix of warmth and confusion bloomed inside me... I used to go to the temple so often—how could I know which day he meant?
"I didn't see your face that day... but the sound of your payal, your presence... it did something to me. Something I couldn't explain. For the first time in my life, I felt something I didn't understand."
I was frozen.
"I told my men to find out who the girl was. I only found out your name... what you were studying... and your picture."
He paused.
"Other than that... I never interfered. Never stalked you. Never crossed a line. I stayed away because I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't even understand why I felt like this for someone I hadn't met."
Tears formed in my eyes.
And then his voice changed—deeper now, more filled with pain.
"But when I saw you at Rathore Haveli... on the wedding day... I couldn't stop myself anymore."
I blinked. Trying to understand.
He looked at me with guilt in his eyes.
"If I had seen you before that day... or if I had known earlier that it was you... I would have never let it happen like that."
He held both my hands now, tightly.
"I didn't want to marry you like this. You deserved better. A wedding with dreams and joy... not confusion and pain."
My throat felt dry.
Still, I asked softly,
"Then... what did you do, Aarav?"
He looked away for a second... then back at me.
"I gave Natasha the opportunity. And... she ran away."
I stared at him.
I didn't understand at first.
My voice trembled. "Aarav... does that mean you knew... it was me? The one getting married to you?"
He slowly nodded.
And in that single nod, so many thoughts ran through me.
I was his choice.
Not a replacement.
Not a last-minute decision.
I was his from the beginning.
Should I feel happy?
Should I be upset that he didn't tell me earlier?
But... would I have even understood him... if he had told me on the first day?
Probably not.
Because that Siya... back then...
She didn't even understand herself.
She was scared. Confused. Lost.
But he understood me...
Even when he barely knew me.
Even now... he does.
That thought made my heart ache... but in the most beautiful way.
I didn't even realise I was crying until he gently wiped the tears from my cheeks and said softly,
"You're not allowed to cry, Siya."
Before I could say anything, he reached into his coat... and pulled out a small box.
He handed it to me without a word.
I looked at him, confused... and slowly opened it.
And what I saw inside...
My heart skipped a beat.
My feather pendant.
The one I lost 2.5 years ago...
The only thing I ever felt was a blessing from my parents.
My fingers trembled as I picked it up, gently holding it close to my chest.
My voice barely came out—
"Is... Is it the same? The one I... I lost?"
He nodded.
And my eyes filled again with tears.
"I missed it so much, Avi," I whispered, "This... always felt like a blessing from my parents."
He reached out and gently placed his hand over mine, over the pendant resting on my heart.
"I found it on the ground... that day at the temple. After you left.I didn't know why, but I couldn't leave it there."
He looked down, his voice softer now.
"And in all these years... this pendant... it gave me a peace I didn't even know I needed."
"That's why... I never returned it."
His eyes held so much emotion.
"After our marriage, I decided... I would return it the day I told you the truth."
I couldn't stop myself.
I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.
"Thank you... Thank you so much for keeping it safe... with you," I whispered against his shoulder.
He held me tightly too.
Like he had been waiting for this moment for a long, long time.
After a while, he pulled back gently and cupped my face.
"Siya," he said softly, "I wanted to start our relationship with truth. That's why I waited... until you were comfortable with me. Until I knew... you'd listen and understand."
He paused for a moment, eyes filled with regret.
"But still... the way I married you was wrong. I can't ever justify it. I'm sorry for that."
My heart squeezed at his words.
The honesty. The guilt. The love.
"If you want your dream wedding... I'll give you whatever you want. Just say it."
I quickly shook my head.
"No..." I said softly, "I don't want anything. I'm happy. Whatever happened... it happened because Shivji wanted it that way."
He smiled faintly, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
"Then I should say thank you to your Shivji... for sending an angel into my life."
I looked at him with so much emotion inside me I could barely speak.
"No, I should thank Him... for bringing you into mine. And even thank you feels so small, Avi..."
He took a deep breath. His eyes never leaving mine.
And then he whispered, while gently cupping my face—
"I love you, Siya."
I forgot to breathe.
My heart... it stopped for a second.
Tears welled up in my eyes again.
Not because I was sad.
But because I had never been this happy.
And maybe...
This was the moment I had been waiting for all along.
He looked into my eyes, and I could feel every unspoken word he had been holding inside.
And then... he finally let it all out.
"I loved you from the beginning, Siya."
"From the moment I saw you... I melted in love with your presence, with your pendant... with your smile, your voice... your soul."
"I love everything about you."
I could see he was pouring his heart out. Every word, every pause, carried the weight of his feelings.
"These months... you don't know how many times I've wanted to tell you how much I love you, jaan."
"My day starts with you... and ends with you."
His voice cracked a little... like he was finally letting go of something he held tightly for too long.
I couldn't hold back anymore.
I slowly brought my hands up... and gently cupped his face.
He looked at me—his eyes filled with so much emotion.
And I finally said it.
"I love you too, Avi."
His expression shifted—like he had been waiting for these words more than anything else in this world.
And in the next second, he pulled me into the tightest hug.
Not the kind that just wraps your arms around someone...
But the kind that says: "You're my everything. Don't ever let go."
"Thank you, Siya," he whispered into my hair.
"Thank you for coming into my life... and accepting my love."
We stayed like that for a few minutes... just holding each other.
Letting our hearts speak in silence.
And then...
I felt something soft fall on my hand.
A drop.
Then another.
And another.
We both looked up.
It had started to rain.
I smiled.
Before I could even say anything, Aarav held my hand tightly, looked at me like I was his most precious treasure, and said—
"Come, Rani sa... let's go inside before you catch a cold."
I nodded with a shy smile.
He tightened his grip around my hand—warm, strong, and safe—
And we ran inside together.
Soaked in rain...
And soaked in love.
We both came into our bedroom...
It was warm, cozy, and soft.
The lights were dim, the wooden wall gave such a peaceful vibe, and the bed looked so comfortable after the long day.
Compared to the palace, this room was smaller... but it felt ours.
Like a little world away from the big one.
Aarav smiled and said,
"There's an attached closet in the bathroom. Your belongings are already placed in the wardrobe."
I nodded with a small smile and quietly walked in.
When I stepped into the bathroom and saw all my suits, nightwear, and accessories already arranged, I don't know why... but my heart felt a little emotional.
He thought of everything. Even this.
I picked a soft, light cotton suit and sighed in relief.
Finally! I can get out of this heavy lehenga.
It looked dreamy in pictures... but after hours of wearing it and meeting so many people...
Dream had started to feel like a disaster.
As I sat on the small stool, removing the pins from my dupatta and undoing the jewellery...
One thought played over and over in my mind:
We confessed.
He said it.
"I love you."
And I... I said it back.
"Oh my god," I whispered, covering my face with my hands.
I could feel the blush crawling all over my cheeks.
Okay, Siya. Calm down.
You're acting like a teenager. But then again...
How can I not?
I looked at myself in the mirror—
My face was red, my heart was racing, and a silly smile just wouldn't leave my lips.
I started removing the pins from my dupatta and carefully placed it aside.
Then I tried to open the blouse buttons.
It didn't open.
My arms were already tired from the weight of the dress and the jewellery.
I took a deep breath and tried again...
No use.
My hands were hurting now.
It was getting frustrating. But I didn't want to ruin the blouse either.
Should I call Aarav?
Who else can I call?
Only he can help me now.
So I grabbed my dupatta again, draped it quickly over myself, and opened the bathroom door just a little bit.
In a small voice, I called out,
"Avi..."
He was fixing something near the bed and said,
"Hmm?"
But he didn't turn fully.
So I said again, a little louder,
"Avi..."
This time he looked up and turned towards me.
He walked closer with a soft smile and asked,
"What happened, Siya? Go and change,"
I looked down at the floor, too shy to meet his eyes.
In a whisper, I said,
"I... I need your help..."
He paused, taking a step closer.
"What help?"
I held the edge of my dupatta tightly and bit my lip nervously.
"I... I can't open the buttons of my blouse. It's too tight and my hands are hurting..."