chapter 16 - no pillow wall, no escape
Aarav is supposed to be working, but all he can think about is Ira’s fiery little attitude at breakfast. He leans back in his chair, smirking, remembering the way she snapped at him. "Go ask your so-called friend." His assistant enters to discuss business, but Aarav isn’t even listening properly. He keeps replaying Ira’s glare, the way she looked away when he tried to catch her eyes. Instead of being annoyed, he finds it adorable. His wife is jealous. Over him. Tapping his pen against the desk, he considers whether he should push her a little more just to see her reaction.
That evening, the Malhotra Mansion is in shock. The entire family sits in the living room, sipping tea and chatting, when suddenly, the front door opens. Aarav steps inside, rolling up his sleeves, looking as calm and confident as ever. Silence. Absolute silence. Everyone stares at him as if he’s an alien.
“Did the office catch fire?” Rajesh, his father, asks. “Or did someone hack your company?” Hitesh, his uncle, adds. “Wait, did you get fired?” Vihaan, his brother, chimes in. Kabir is the first to recover from the shock. Clapping dramatically, he announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, history has been made today! The Great Aarav Malhotra, who only breathes office air, has graced us with his presence before midnight!” More shock. Even Sunita and Nandini whisper among themselves. Aarav ignores them all, his eyes subtly searching for one person.
In the kitchen, Ira pretends not to care. She slices vegetables, acting as if her husband’s early arrival doesn’t affect her at all. But when she hears Kabir shouting about it, her hands freeze for a second. Why is he home so soon? And why is everyone acting like it’s a miracle? Just then, she hears Kabir’s teasing voice getting closer. Uh-oh.
Kabir smirks as he enters the kitchen. “Bhabhi, tell me honestly… what black magic did you do? How did you make my workaholic brother leave the office before dark?” Ira rolls her eyes. “I didn’t do anything.” Kabir gasps dramatically. “You mean to tell me that after five days of marriage, you already have him wrapped around your finger?!” Ira glares at him. “Stop talking nonsense.” Kabir grins. “It’s okay, Bhabhi. No need to be shy. Joru ka ghulam (wife’s slave) looks good on him.” Ira, irritated, throws a spoon at him, but he laughs and dodges it.
Just then, Aarav enters the kitchen, rolling his sleeves down, looking effortlessly powerful. Kabir, never missing a chance, smirks. “Look who’s here. Bhabhi’s magic is stronger than we thought.” Aarav raises an eyebrow at him. “Don’t you have anything better to do?” “Nope,” Kabir replies without hesitation. Ira quickly turns back to the stove, refusing to acknowledge Aarav’s presence. Aarav notices and deliberately leans against the counter, close to her. “Dinner ready?” he asks. Ira coldly replies, “Why don’t you ask your friend? Maybe she’ll cook for you too.” Aarav chuckles under his breath. This is too fun.
At dinner, Ira completely ignores Aarav, serving everyone except him. Kabir grins. “Bhabhi, why aren’t you serving Bhai? Is this the silent treatment?” Aarav smirks. “She’s mad because of a friend.” Kabir gasps loudly. “OH. MY. GOD. Bhabhi is jealous! This is the best day of my life.” Ira shoots a deadly glare at Kabir, but he just laughs harder. Aarav, thoroughly enjoying this, leans in, his voice low. “Jealous, Mrs. Malhotra?” Ira huffs and focuses on eating, refusing to entertain him.
After dinner, Ira storms into their room, her annoyance still bubbling inside her. Without even looking at Aarav, she grabs the extra pillows from the bed and begins stacking them in the middle like a fortress.
“This,” she mutters, placing the last pillow, “is your side. And this is mine. Do not cross.”
Aarav watches her in amusement, arms crossed over his chest. The way she huffs and puffs, acting like she’s completely unaffected by his presence, is making him enjoy this even more.
“Noted, Mrs. Malhotra,” he replies smoothly, his lips twitching in amusement.
Ira turns her back to him, pulling the blanket over herself, determined to sleep. But no matter how much she tries, her mind refuses to rest. The warmth of his presence on the other side of the bed is too distracting. She hates how aware she is of him. How just knowing that he’s right there makes her body feel restless.
Minutes pass. Maybe an hour.
Her breathing evens out as sleep finally begins to take over. That’s when Aarav makes his move.
With a smirk, he reaches out and, without hesitation, grabs the pillows one by one, tossing them onto the floor. The "great wall" she built is now gone.
Half-asleep, Ira stirs slightly. “Hmm…?” she mumbles, her voice groggy.
Before she can register what’s happening, a strong arm wraps around her waist, pulling her against a firm chest. A gasp escapes her lips, but Aarav tightens his hold, caging her in his warmth.
“Go to sleep,” he murmurs against her hair, his voice husky and low.
Ira stiffens. Her mind is screaming at her to push him away, to scold him for crossing the line, but her body betrays her. The warmth of his embrace seeps into her skin, and for some reason, it feels… safe. Comforting.
She swallows hard, her fists clenching the fabric of his shirt. She doesn’t even realize she’s holding onto him, as if seeking reassurance in her sleep.
Aarav notices, his smirk softening. She’s stubborn, feisty, and impossible to deal with… but right now, in this vulnerable state, she looks so small. So delicate.
He exhales slowly, letting himself relax for the first time in days. Holding her like this… it feels natural. Right.
As the night deepens, Ira unconsciously shifts closer to him, her forehead pressing against his chest. Her breathing syncs with his, and a strange sense of peace settles between them.
Aarav tightens his hold just a little more.
For the first time, he doesn’t fight the urge to keep her close.
He lets himself have this moment.
Just for tonight.