Chapter - 86
I entered the library carrying two cups of tea. Siya was sitting there, book in hand, but her mind wasn't on it at all. She didn't even notice me.
I placed a cup on the table and sat beside her, close enough to feel her presence.
Still... she didn't notice. My angel had been disturbed since the day she met Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh.
A few days had passed since their accident, and they got discharged today.
I had asked them to come to the palace, but they hadn't—because of her, I knew.
She met them, listened to them, even asked how they were, but not in the way they expected. She didn't share everything with me, but I know my angel too well. I knew what was disturbing her.
I put my hand on her shoulder. Slowly, she lifted her gaze and realized I was there.
"When did you... come, Avi? I didn't realize..."
I cut her off gently. "It's okay. I brought tea for us. It's been so long since we drank tea together, baby."
She took the cup and started sipping, her hands trembling slightly. I watched her carefully.
"Siya..." I said.
She looked at me and replied, "Ji."
"Do you... want to talk about Mumma? Or Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh?" I asked softly.
She just nodded, and I waited, letting her collect her thoughts.
Finally, she put her cup down. Her voice was quiet, almost trembling. "Avi... tell me... does my mother's mistake... is it really that big that she wasn't allowed to see her father the last time?"
I tightened my grip on her hand. My heart ached hearing her like this.
She took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering.
"I... I accept, Avi, that Mumma made a mistake.
But... her mistake wasn't that she chose Dad.
Maybe she chose him at the wrong time. Maybe she should have told her brother or done things differently.
.. but we can't control everything, right?
Mumma must have had her reasons. But... her mistake shouldn't have been so big that she was punished like that. "
I held her hand tightly, feeling the tremble in her fingers. My baby... my angel... she carried so much pain inside her heart, and no one had the right to put it there.
"Siya..." I murmured softly, keeping my eyes on hers. "Listen to me carefully. Whatever happened... whatever they did... it wasn't your mother's fault. She made her choices the way she felt she had to, and no one... no one... has the right to punish her for it. Understand?"
She nodded slowly, her lips trembling. "I... I know, Avi... but... it hurts. I just... I feel like she suffered so much."
I leaned closer, my voice firm but gentle, the edge of my usual coldness still there but softened by care.
"She did... and it was unfair. But that pain is over now.
It's not yours to carry anymore. You don't have to carry it for her.
Not alone. I'll carry it with you, baby. Every single piece of it."
She blinked, looking into my eyes, and I could see her heart slowly relaxing, trusting me.
"I'll never let anyone hurt her memory in front of me... and I'll never let anyone hurt you either," I said, squeezing her fingers gently. "You're my responsibility, Siya. My life... and my heart. And I will protect both, no matter what."
She leaned slightly into me, resting her head near my chest. I held her closer. Her soft sigh against me told me she finally felt a little lighter, a little safer.
"I... I just want to know everything about Mom and Dad, Avi," she whispered. "I want to understand... even the things I can't change."
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my thumb tracing her cheek. "Then we'll find out. Slowly. Step by step. And I'll be there... always. You don't have to be scared or confused, baby. I won't let anything hurt you while I'm here."
Her fingers tightened around mine, and I felt her small nod. She trusted me, even in her pain. That was enough.
I leaned back slightly, still holding her hand, watching her finally take a deep, steadying breath. "We'll face this together, Siya. No one can touch your mother, no one can hurt you, and no one... will ever make you feel alone. Not ever. Do you understand?"
She whispered softly, "Yes... Avi. I understand."
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Good. Now... just relax, baby. Everything else... we'll handle together."
And for the first time in days, I felt her let go of some of her burden. And I silently promised myself... no one would ever take that peace away from her again.
After the heavy thoughts of last night, the next morning felt lighter. I wore a pastel pink embroidered long kurta with full sleeves, paired with matching palazzo pants and a light dupatta. Soft and simple, it made me feel comfortable yet a little festive.
After breakfast, I went to sit with Dadi Maa, Maa, and Chachi. They were discussing Karva Chauth already, full of excitement.
Chachi clapped her hands and said,"This is Siya's first Karva Chauth. We have to make it so grand that all of Rajasthan knows our Rani sa's first Karva Chauth!"
Maa smiled softly, and Dadi Maa added, "Yes, yes! We will do everything to make Siya's first Karva Chauth unforgettable."
I listened quietly, a small smile tugging at my lips. They were so happy... and it made me happy too.
Maa patiently explained everything I had to do for the Karva Chauth rituals. I listened carefully, trying to remember every little thing.
Even when I asked if I could help with any preparations, they all shook their heads. "No, Siya. It's your first Karva Chauth. You don't have to do anything. Just enjoy your day," Dadi Maa said with a gentle laugh.
I tried to protest, but they wouldn't let me. How could I win against these ladies? In the end, I just agreed, smiling softly.
After the discussion, I left Dadi Maa's room and went to my room to grab my bag. Today, Avi had told me he would drive me to college.
When I entered my room, he was already sitting on the sofa, checking his phone while waiting for me. The moment he saw me, he put his phone in his pocket, came over, and smiled. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
"Let's go," he said, holding my hand gently and leading me to the car.
My heart skipped a beat. He held my hand as we walked to the car. I didn't know what happiness looked like for everyone else, but for me... just his hand in mine felt like the most precious thing in the world.
When we reached the college gate and I was about to open the car door, he gently stopped me while still holding my hand.
I raised an eyebrow at him, the same way he sometimes did at me. He laughed, pinched my cheek playfully, and said, "Why are you so cute?"
Then he added with a teasing smile, "Anyway... now give me my fare."
I blinked. "Fare? For what?"
"For driving you to college, of course," he said, grinning.
I pouted, folding my arms. "But... I don't have enough money to pay the King of Rajasthan."
He cupped my face gently in his hands. "Only you can give me my fare, baby. And if you don't... I'll just take it myself."
Before I could react, his lips claimed mine. Soft... warm... demanding, yet full of love.
My heart thundered as I melted against him, losing myself in the taste of him, the strength of his hold.
I tried to pull back, aware of a few students glancing our way, whispering. My cheeks burned.
But Aarav only held me tighter, whispering against my lips, "Let them stare... you're mine."
The world around us blurred. In that moment, it wasn't a college gate. It wasn't Rajasthan. It was just us.
His kiss was the only reality I wanted to live in.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his smirk back in place.
"Now that," he murmured, brushing his thumb over my lips, "is the only fare I'll ever accept."
And just like that, my shy little world felt completely perfect.
Dropping Siya off felt like leaving behind the only piece of peace I had.
Because the moment I entered Rathore Industries, peace didn't exist.
Here, every word carried weight, every command was law, and one mistake could cost a man his life.
I reached my office with the same expression that makes people afraid to even look at me. Silent. Cold. Deadly.
As soon as I sat in my cabin, Rohan came in with my usual black coffee. He quickly briefed me about today's schedule and left without wasting a second. That's why he's still around—he knows when to speak and when to vanish.
I began working, going through files, but barely half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" I said sharply.
Rohan entered, his face pale. "S...sir... th-that Veer... he... he's dead."
I looked up sharply, my eyes narrowing. "What? How?" My voice carried anger that made him flinch.
"I-I don't know, sir. He couldn't handle the torture anymore," he stammered.
My jaw clenched. "I haven't visited him for the last few days, and this happens?" My tone was ice cold, the kind that cuts deeper than shouting.
Rohan swallowed hard, waiting for me to explode, but I just leaned back in my chair and spoke with deadly calm. "Fine. What about Chopra? Did he open his mouth?"
He hesitated before answering. "Sir... he's still not ready to open his mouth. I don't think he will ever give us any name."
I already expected that. I smirked, but there was no humor in it. "I know. He's a coward. But I want him alive. At least till I find that person. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Rohan nodded quickly.
I tapped my fingers against the desk. "And? Did you find anything about R-9?"
Rohan looked uneasy. "Sir, no solid proof yet... but from what I've gathered... R-9 knows everything about Rani Sa's parents. The land where Sukoon Orphanage was built... it's prime land for a hotel. And R-9 wanted to buy it. But... Mr. Rajput didn't let that happen."
My eyes darkened. So that's where this all connects...
"But sir," Rohan continued nervously, "no one knows who R-9 really is. It's just a name... nothing more."
I stood up slowly, walking toward him. Rohan's face was pale, a bead of sweat glistening on his temple.
My silence made him even more restless. Finally, I said in a low, dangerous tone, "I don't care if R-9 is a ghost. I want that person.
I don't care from where you dig, or how.
.. but I want him in front of me. Alive. "
"Yes, sir," Rohan said quickly, bowing his head before leaving the cabin.
When the door shut, I leaned back against the desk, my fists tightening.
"Whoever you are, R-9... I will find you. And when I do..." my voice dropped to a whisper, "you'll regret crossing me... and touching anything related to my angel."
But not now.
My eyes softened for a brief moment as a thought struck me. My focus—my priority—is my angel. Siya's birthday is coming. I want to give her every happiness she's missed all these years... all the birthdays she spent without Mumma and Papa.
After her birthday... I'll deal with you, R-9. And I promise... when I do, it will be the end of you.
I returned home, my mind still spinning with thoughts about R-9. Who is this person? Where do I even begin to find them? Every lead seems useless, but I can't stop until I know.
Then I saw her. Siya, sitting with Maa, her face lit up with a smile so pure, so full of life. That smile... it could melt the coldest parts of my soul. For a few minutes, I just stared, completely captivated. I couldn't help it. I adore her—everything about her.
My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. Siya noticed me, and when our eyes met, I smiled. She returned it softly, and I picked up my phone, walking to my room and then to the closet to change into comfortable clothes.
After changing, I returned to find her sitting on the sofa, waiting with my coffee. She looked up at me, her eyes soft, yet full of curiosity. I walked over, sat beside her, and then lay my head on her lap.
Her tiny hands moved through my hair. "What happened, Avi? Are you having a headache?" she asked softly.
I closed my eyes. "No... I just need some calmness," I murmured.
She didn't say anything after that. Just kept moving her hands on my hair. It felt... good. Peaceful. Something I never get anywhere else. Then she bent down and kissed my forehead.
I touched my cheek with my finger. She kissed me there.
I did the same with my other cheek. She kissed me there too.
Finally, I put my finger on my nose. She kissed me there as well.
But when I put my finger on my lips and waited... nothing.
I opened my eyes. She was looking at me with that little angry face of hers.
"W-what? What did I do now?" I asked, trying to hide the amusement in my voice.
She huffed. "I remember now... because of you, Trisha teased me. She... she showed us in the morning."
I got up from her lap and smiled down at her. "So what, baby? You and I are husband and wife. We love each other. We can kiss."
She pouted. "But why does everyone tease me? Not you?"
I leaned closer, a smirk tugging at my lips. "How should I know?"
She glared. "You know. They're afraid of you."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "So you want people to be afraid of you? Baby... that's not possible. How can anyone be afraid of this cute little face?"
Her cheeks flushed, and I could see the mixture of embarrassment and annoyance on her face. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that even when she tries to act mad, she's utterly adorable.