chapter 18 - YOU'RE ONLY YOU'RE.
As soon as they stepped into their room, Ira turned to face Aarav, hands on her hips, her eyes filled with questions.
“Where exactly are we going?” she demanded.
Aarav casually removed his watch, placing it on the dresser as if he hadn’t heard her.
“And why did you cancel your morning meeting for me?” she continued, her voice rising slightly. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
He raised an eyebrow, amused by her frustration.
“And,” she added, waving her hands dramatically, “why did you say in front of the whole family that we’re going somewhere?! Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was?! Everyone was staring at me as if—”
Before she could finish, Aarav grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward, caging her between his body and the wall.
Ira gasped, eyes widening as her back pressed against the cold surface. “Aarav—”
His arms rested on either side of her, trapping her in place. He leaned in slightly, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. “I didn’t realize my wife was so shy,” he murmured.
Ira swallowed, her heartbeat picking up. “I-I’m not shy. It was just—”
“Embarrassing?” he finished for her, tilting his head. “Or did you secretly enjoy it?”
She glared at him, determined not to fall for his teasing. “You’re impossible.”
A smirk curved his lips. “And you’re adorable when you’re flustered, Ira.”
Her breath hitched. It was the first time he had said her name like that—soft, teasing, with a hint of something… deeper.
Before she could process it, he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. “Now, be a good girl and get ready.”
Her cheeks turned red at the way he said “good girl,” and before she could snap back at him, he stepped away, leaving her breathless.
Aarav chuckled at her stunned expression. “I’m waiting, sweetheart.”
Ira’s eyes widened even more. “D-Did you just call me—”
But he was already walking toward the closet, as if nothing had happened.
Ira clenched her fists, her heart hammering in her chest. She wasn’t sure what had just happened, but one thing was certain—Aarav Malhotra was dangerous for her sanity.
The car ride was quiet, filled with stolen glances and unspoken words. Ira was still processing their earlier moment, but one question lingered in her mind.
Finally, she turned to him. “I need to ask you something.”
Aarav hummed, keeping his eyes on the road.
Ira hesitated, then spoke. “Ananya… she used to like you, didn’t she?”
Aarav sighed, as if he had been expecting this. “She had a crush on me. That’s why she behaved like that at the event.”
Ira bit her lip. “And you?”
Aarav’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “I don’t have anything for her.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “Not now, not ever.”
Ira looked down, feeling a bit foolish.
Aarav suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to her. “Look at me.”
She hesitated before meeting his gaze.
His eyes were intense, unwavering. “I am yours. Just yours.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “So, there’s no need to get jealous, sweetheart.”
Ira’s face turned crimson, and she quickly turned away, staring out of the window. “I-I wasn’t jealous.”
Aarav smirked, starting the car again. “Sure, Mrs. Malhotra. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
When they finally arrived, Ira’s breath hitched.
A secluded lake, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, surrounded by peaceful greenery. The water shimmered, reflecting the sky beautifully.
She turned to Aarav, stunned. “You brought me here?”
Aarav got out of the car and opened her door. “Come.”
She stepped out, still trying to understand why he had done this. “But… why?”
He looked away for a moment before replying, “Because you needed a break.”
Something in his voice made her chest tighten. He had noticed.
She watched as he loosened his tie and shoved his hands into his pockets, staring at the water as if lost in thought.
“You’ve been tense lately,” he added, as if that was enough of an explanation.
Ira’s heart softened. This man… he wasn’t as unreadable as she thought.
Maybe, just maybe… she was starting to understand him.
The silence between them stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Ira stood near the water, watching the gentle ripples, her heart still racing from his earlier words.
"I am yours. Just yours."
She glanced at Aarav, who was standing a few feet away, gazing at the lake with a distant expression. His sleeves were still rolled up, his tie loosened, making him look more relaxed than she had ever seen him.
A soft breeze played with her hair as she hesitated before asking, “Do you come here often?”
Aarav turned to look at her, his gaze unreadable. “Not really.”
Ira frowned slightly. “Then why did you bring me here?”
He let out a small sigh, stepping closer. “Because I wanted to.”
She raised an eyebrow. “That’s not an answer.”
Aarav smirked, amused by her persistence. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I wanted to see you like this.”
Ira blinked, her lips parting slightly. “Like what?”
He tilted his head. “Relaxed. Not overthinking, not worrying about anyone else.”
Ira looked away, biting her lip. She wasn’t used to someone noticing her so deeply.
Aarav took her silence as an opportunity to continue. “I know you keep yourself busy, always doing things for others. But who takes care of you, Ira?”
Her breath caught in her throat. She didn’t have an answer.
Aarav stepped even closer, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m asking you something, sweetheart.”
She swallowed, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “I… I don’t know.”
His eyes darkened slightly as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her hand before he gently took it in his.
“Then let me,” he murmured.
Ira felt her heart stop for a second. She searched his expression, trying to understand what he meant.
But before she could say anything, he suddenly pulled her toward the water’s edge.
“Come with me.”
Ira gasped as her feet stumbled forward. “Aarav! What are you doing?”
Aarav smirked, stepping into the shallow water with his shoes still on. “It’s just water, Ira.”
She shook her head, stepping back. “No way. I’m not ruining my clothes.”
Aarav arched an eyebrow. “Afraid?”
Ira narrowed her eyes at him. “I am not afraid.”
He took another step forward, the water swirling around his ankles. “Then prove it.”
Ira hesitated. He was challenging her again, teasing her just like always.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her dress slightly and stepped into the cool water. A small shiver ran through her, but she ignored it.
Aarav smirked. “Good girl.”
She glared at him. “Stop saying that.”
He chuckled, pulling her a little further. “Why? Does it do something to you?”
Ira’s face burned. “You—”
Before she could finish, he suddenly splashed water at her.
Ira gasped. “Aarav!”
He smirked. “What? You looked too serious.”
She huffed, bending down to splash him back.
And that was how it started.
For the next few minutes, Ira forgot everything—her worries, her overthinking, her doubts. She was just a girl, playing in the water with her husband, laughing as he dodged her splashes, feeling lighter than she had in years.
Aarav watched her with a soft expression, his heart doing something unfamiliar in his chest.
Maybe bringing her here had been a good idea after all.
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