Chapter - 85
The last two days have been all about Siya. I made sure she ate on time, did her yoga, and followed everything Mrs. Arora told us. I didn't leave her side—not even for a moment. She pretends to get irritated sometimes, but I know she likes the way I care.
I told her everything about her parents. That day, when I spoke, the doctors were waiting for my sign—because I was scared. I arranged everything; I couldn't take even the smallest risk when it came to my angel. But she is brave. She broke, yes—but she didn't shatter.
I gave her Mumma's jewelry for two reasons: first, so she feels close to Mumma; second, so she can share memories with me. And she did—she told me everything she knew. Yet, she still doesn't remember the men who killed Mumma and Papa. Her memory can't help us catch them—not yet.
There's one thing I haven't told her—about Rajput family. She doesn't need to know. She wants to meet them, and she will... but only after I'm done with them my way.
I already told Mr. Rajvansh that Siya isn't ready to meet them.
He understood, but he mentioned something else—a name.
.. R-9. He said Papa was threatened by this R-9 before he died, connected to a deal at Sukoon orphanage.
The deal was meant for the children, but maybe R-9 had another plan.
Right now, it's just a name... but names are enough for me to destroy someone.
I've already asked my PA to dig into it.
Amidst all this... Siya's birthday is coming. The one thing she missed all her life after losing Mumma and Papa—I will give her. Something special. Something she deserves.
And now... now I have to deal with my angel's anger. Because of the nonsense I said at dinner about the "mosquito bite." Maa and Chachi were already teasing her. I know Siya must be plotting a thousand ways to kill me right now.
When I enter our room, I see her arranging pillows and a blanket on the sofa.
What the hell?
Why is she doing this? No... no way. She can't sleep there. And I definitely can't sleep without her beside me.
I walk closer. She still doesn't look at me.
"Baby... what are you doing?" I ask carefully.
She replies softly, too softly, "Arranging the pillow and blanket."
Her voice is calm, but that calmness is more dangerous than her anger. Damn.
"But... why? I mean, why do you want to sleep here?" I ask again.
And then her next words hit me like a storm.
"Who said I'm sleeping here?" she says, still not looking at me. "I'm arranging this royal bed for the one who deserves it."
My jaw clenches. She means me.
This little angel of mine... she's planning to throw me out of my own bed.
Unbelievable.
But also... adorable.
I lean closer, my cold voice low but teasing, "Siya Aarav Singh Rathore, do you really think I'll let you punish your King like this?"
She finally looks at me, her eyes shy but stubborn.
And for the first time tonight, I feel like the great Aarav Singh Rathore is standing in front of his biggest enemy... his angel's silent treatment.
She's planning to win this battle... and yet, I don't even want to stop her.
When Aarav said, "Siya Aarav Singh Rathore, do you really think I'll let you punish your king like this?" I blinked. Oh... so he remembers he's the king? Where was this "king" when he embarrassed me just now?
He's always the same—rude, arrogant, never answering questions he didn't find important. But now... now he answers to Maa. And for what? Just to make me embarrassed in front of Maa and Chachi. How unfair!
No. I couldn't let this go. Never.
I straightened up, folded my hands over my chest, and looked him in the eye. My voice soft but firm, "Yes, I can punish my king however I want. And no one can stop me... not you. Right?"
Avi stuttered, "Y... yes, baby... n... no one can stop you... but don't you think you should—"
I cut him off before he could finish. "No hugs. No kisses. Even no touching... for one week."
His eyes went wide, jaw dropping. "WHAT? No... no, Siya baby, you can't do this to me! I... I can't sleep without cuddling you. I can't start my day without... touching you, baby. I'll do anything you say, Siya baby! If you want, I'll even apologize in front of Maa and Chachi... on my knees!"
I shook my head gently, cheeks warming. "I don't want your sorry, Avi. I'm giving you this punishment. If you misbehave... I'll increase the time."
I turned and walked toward the bed, lying down carefully. I glanced back at him—he was still standing there, looking at me, then the sofa, then back at me again, like he was trying to figure me out. Finally, he sighed and sat on the sofa, realizing I wasn't going to change my mind.
I buried my face in the pillow. A little guilty... but also... happy. My chest fluttered at the thought of making him sleep on the sofa. He would be uncomfortable all night, but the look on his face just now... priceless.
Should I... let him sleep on the bed? No, Siya, you can't forget this so easily. He made you embarrassed. What will Maa and Chachi think of you? How will you face them tomorrow?
I turned left... then right... but sleep didn't come. I peeked at him again. He was lying there, eyes wide open, clearly not sleeping. I had given him this punishment... but now it almost felt like the punishment was for me.
What should I do? I can't sleep without him either.
Finally... I made a decision. I took a deep breath, got up slowly, and went to him. Carefully, I rested my head on his chest. His arms wrapped around me instantly, holding me tightly.
"Sorry, Siya... I will—" he started, his voice trembling.
I cut him off softly, "No... no kisses, no hugs... they're still part of the punishment. But... let me sleep in your arms."
He held me even tighter and whispered, "So... you want to sleep here only?"
I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "It feels... cozy. And comfy too."
He smiled softly, adjusting me so I could lie properly. "Okay... let's sleep," he said, and finally, the warmth of his arms and the steady beat of his heart wrapped around me like a blanket.
I slowly woke up the next morning, feeling the warmth of his arms around me.
He was holding me like he would never let me go.
My heart skipped a beat. Just looking at him.
.. just being in his arms... gave me a peace I couldn't find anywhere else.
It felt perfect—just him and me, like the world had disappeared around us.
My life felt so complete now. I couldn't ask Shivji for anything more. He had given me everything in my Avi.
Without thinking, I pressed my lips gently to his forehead. The softness of the moment made my heart flutter. But then... his voice broke the quiet.
"So... my angel... taking advantage of me while I'm asleep?"
I froze, blinking at him. "Advantage? Me? When... when did I take advantage?"
I didn't even have a chance to react before he was hovering above me, his hands finding my face as if claiming it. "So... you said no hugs, no kisses for one week, and here you are... breaking it. Isn't that unfair? Isn't it taking advantage?"
I stammered softly, "T... that punishment... it's for you. I can do anything I want."
He came a little closer, his eyes searching mine."That's unfair, Jaan. I was following your rules... but you're making it so hard for me now. So... now you have to give a reward."
"A... reward? For what?" I asked, my heart fluttering.
"For behaving nicely, baby," he said. Before I could even respond, his lips were on mine. But he didn't move, didn't rush—he just let his lips rest gently against mine. I felt the warmth of his lips, the faint scent of his cologne, and my fingers trembled slightly against his chest.
In that moment, I melted completely in his arms. My fingers trembled slightly as I touched his chest, and slowly, hesitantly, I moved them across him.
He mirrored me instantly, responding to every soft touch, every gentle brush of our lips.
The kiss was tender, slow, full of warmth and love, as if the world had stopped just for us.
When I felt I couldn't breathe, he pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against mine.
His eyes shone, and his voice was soft and steady.
"I love you, Siya. You make my life perfect.
After you came into my life... everything has meaning.
Thank you, baby... for coming into my life. .. for being my angel."
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I whispered back, "I... I love you too, Avi... more than I can ever say."
Being here... in his arms... I realized... this was exactly where I was meant to be.
After our lecture was over, Trisha nudged me. "Siya, let's go! A new café has opened near college. I've heard their coffee is amazing. We should try it!"
I smiled softly. "Sure, why not," I agreed, quickly messaging Avi that I would be a little late since he was waiting for me at the palace.
As we walked, Karan joined us. We had cleared things between us, and he knew I was Aarav's wife. Trisha, of course, didn't know until... the kidnapping incident. I told Karan to behave as a friend, as he always had.
The three of us reached the café and ordered our coffee. We talked, laughed a little, and clicked pictures. Trisha and Karan, as always, started a small argument—within two minutes, it turned into a lovey-dovey scene, and I couldn't help but smile quietly, feeling happy for them.
After finishing our coffee, Trisha left with Karan, and I was about to step into my car when... I collided with someone. A phone slipped from their hand and hit the ground. I bent down quickly, picking it up.
"Oh! I'm so sorry—" I started, looking up... and froze.
Mrs. Rajvansh. My mami. Standing there. And behind her... Mr. Rajvansh. My... my mom's family.
They both just said, "Siya..."
I... I didn't know what to say. Swallowing hard, I quietly got into the car and told Kaka to start the car. Their voices called me again, softly, but I ignored them.
What should I say to them? I wondered, my heart beating faster.
A few days ago, they were strangers.... and now, suddenly, they're family.
Not that I don't want to talk to them, but.
.. I don't even know how. Do I act like Siya.
.. like the same girl they never really knew?
Or do I act like my mom's daughter... the one they might expect me to be?
Their eyes followed me, warm but cautious, silently asking for connection. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of years I hadn't shared with them.
For now, I chose silence. I let the car move forward, leaving the initial awkwardness behind, though my mind stayed tangled in questions about family, expectations, and who I was supposed to be.
And yet... a small part of me hoped, deep down, that maybe—just maybe—this was the start of something I had always missed: belonging.
As soon as I reached the palace, I ran straight to Aarav's study. I opened the door and saw him talking to someone. But today... today I didn't care about anything else. All I wanted was to be in his arms. I needed him... more than ever.
As soon as he saw me, he cut the call. Without a second thought, he stood from his chair and ran toward me. I didn't even have to move—I just let myself fall into his arms, hugging him tightly as tears started streaming down my face.
He held me gently, rubbing my back. "What happened, baby? Did someone say something to you? Or did you hurt yourself anywhere? Tell me," he asked softly.
I could barely speak, my voice trembling. "R...Rajvansh... I met them... they..."
He cupped my face gently, looking worried. "Did they say something?"
I shook my head. "No... nothing."
He tilted his head, concern deepening in his eyes. "Then... what happened?"
"I... I didn't meet them properly. They wanted to talk to me, but... I ignored them and came home," I whispered.
He led me to the sofa and made me sit on his lap, holding me close. He wiped my tears gently. "Don't cry, baby. I don't like seeing your tears. If you want to meet them, you can. And if you don't want to, that's okay too."
I bit my lip, feeling torn. "I... I don't know what to say to them."
"You don't have to say anything," he said softly. "Just listen. If you feel like saying something, you can. If not... then it's okay too, baby."
I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting. "Do... do you think I should meet them?"
He held me tighter. "Do you want to?"
"I... I don't know. But... I want to know about Mom," I admitted quietly.
He nodded, his voice gentle but firm. "Then meet them, Siya. Listen to what they have to say."
I looked up at him, my heart racing. "Will you... be there when I meet them?"
"Always," he said, smiling softly. "I'll never leave you, baby."
I leaned into him, feeling a little calmer. With him by my side... maybe I could face anything.
This morning felt heavier than usual. Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh were coming for breakfast, and I still hadn't figured out what I would ask them.
.. or what I should even say. My heart was restless, but one thing was clear—I wanted to know about Maa.
Maybe... just maybe, they knew something about Papa too.
I had some memories of them, but they were few and incomplete. There was still so much I didn't know.
I draped my pastel beige saree carefully, the one with soft floral embroidery. Simple earrings, my mangalsutra—that was enough. I didn't want anything heavy today. My hands were busy making halwa in the kitchen, but my mind... my mind was everywhere.
After the halwa was done, I made tea for myself and coffee for Avi. Balancing the tray carefully, I walked to his study.
He was working, but the moment he saw me, he closed his laptop and came to sit on the sofa. My heart always melted a little at how he left everything just for me.
We sat together, sipping quietly. Then he looked at me with a little smile. "We'll go shopping this evening."
I blinked. "Shopping? Why?"
He tilted his head. "What do you mean why? Can't I take my wife shopping? And the festivals are coming too."
I looked down at my cup. "But... I already arranged clothes for everyone, and—"
He cut me off, his tone playful but firm. "But I want to buy things for my wife. And besides, we've never gone shopping together. So... we'll call it a shopping date. Okay?"
A small smile tugged at my lips. "Okay..."
Soon we were talking about what we would buy, what we would eat.
I found myself saying, "But Avi, we'll buy things from the market, not from malls.
They charge so much for simple things. In markets, it's cheaper.
.. and it helps small shopkeepers too. If people like us buy from them, it really makes a difference. "
He didn't interrupt. He just looked at me with that quiet smile of his, the one that always made my heart flutter.
For a while, everything felt perfect. Just us, laughing, planning, dreaming...
And then his phone rang.
He picked it up, still smiling, but as soon as he heard the voice on the other end, his expression changed completely. The smile vanished, replaced by shock. His hand froze, the coffee cup still in his other hand.
I leaned forward nervously. "Avi... what happened?"
He didn't answer. He just kept listening, his face growing more serious with every passing second.
My heart pounded. What could it be?
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