chapter 20 - A date?
Ira stirred in her sleep, shifting slightly as the warmth around her made her sigh softly. She felt… safe. Comfortable. Almost too comfortable.
It wasn’t until she tried to move that she realized something— no, someone—was holding her.
Her eyes fluttered open, and her heart nearly stopped.
Aarav’s arm was draped over her waist, his body close, his face inches away from hers. His breathing was slow, deep, completely at ease.
Oh god. Not again.
Ira swallowed, trying not to panic. How does this keep happening? She knew she had placed pillows between them last night—she had made a whole wall! But now, those pillows were on the floor, and she was… in his arms.
She carefully turned her head to look at him. His sharp features were relaxed in sleep, the usual coldness in his face replaced by something almost peaceful.
For a moment, she just stared.
This was a different Aarav—the one nobody else saw. The one without his ruthless mask, without his unreadable expressions.
And somehow, it felt… intimate.
Too intimate.
Okay. Don’t freak out. Just move. Slowly. Carefully.
She tried to lift his arm, but the moment she did, he mumbled something and pulled her closer.
Ira’s eyes widened. WHAT?!
Her heart started hammering in her chest.
She pushed at his arm again, whispering, “Aarav… move.”
Nothing.
She tried again, more firmly this time. “Aarav, wake up.”
A slow smirk tugged at his lips before he lazily opened his eyes. Oh, he was awake now?
Ira glared. “Let me go.”
Instead of releasing her, he tightened his hold slightly. “Why?” His voice was deep, husky from sleep.
“Because I need to get up.”
Aarav tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening. “You’re already up.”
Ira sucked in a sharp breath. Is he seriously flirting this early in the morning?!
She pushed harder against his chest. “Aarav!”
He sighed dramatically before finally loosening his grip, allowing her to move. She scrambled out of bed, grabbing her dupatta and fixing it as if she had just survived a battlefield.
Aarav stretched lazily. “Good morning to you too, Ira.”
She shot him a glare. “What happened to the pillow wall?”
Aarav smirked. “It betrayed you.”
Ira grabbed the nearest cushion and threw it at him. He caught it effortlessly, laughing.
As Ira and Aarav walked downstairs for breakfast, she immediately regretted it.
The moment they entered the dining area, all eyes turned to them.
And the smirks began.
Kabir was the first to speak. “Good morning, lovebirds.”
Ira stiffened. Aarav, of course, remained perfectly calm.
Nandini grinned. “You two look… well-rested.”
Ira nearly choked on air. OH MY GOD.
She turned to glare at Aarav, expecting him to shut everyone down, but the man just sat down at the table completely unbothered.
“You canceled a meeting yesterday,” Rajesh added, raising an eyebrow at Aarav. “For the first time in years.”
Aarav casually poured himself some tea. “I wanted to take my wife out.”
STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!
Ira clenched her jaw. Why does he sound like some romantic husband when he’s the most frustrating person alive?!
Anika leaned toward her, whispering, “Bhabhi, was it a date?”
Ira glared at him. “Eat your breakfast.”
Anika just grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Sunita, completely unaware of the teasing, smiled warmly at Ira. “Beta, I’m so happy you both are spending time together. It’s important for a husband and wife to bond.”
Aarav nodded. “I agree.”
Ira whipped her head toward him, eyes widening. Since when does he agree with all this?
Kabir whispered again. “Bhabhi, I think Bhai is changing.”
Ira didn’t know how to respond to that. Because… maybe Kabir was right.
Maybe something was changing.
And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.
After breakfast, Ira excused herself and went to the kitchen, needing a distraction. Cooking usually calmed her down, and after the teasing, she definitely needed it.
She was kneading dough when she felt a presence behind her. She turned around sharply—only to find Aarav leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching her with a lazy smirk.
She narrowed her eyes. “What?”
Aarav raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
Ira scoffed. “I am not avoiding you.”
“Oh?” He took a step closer. “Then why did you leave the dining room so quickly?”
“I was busy.” She turned back to the dough, pretending to focus.
Aarav leaned in slightly. “You’re a terrible liar, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira stiffened. “I… I am not lying.”
He hummed in amusement, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
She froze.
His fingers barely grazed her skin, but the simple touch sent shivers down her spine.
She turned her head slightly, looking up at him. His eyes held something unreadable—intense, as if he was studying her reaction.
“Ira,” his voice dropped lower. “Are you still thinking about last night?”
Her breath hitched. Damn him. He was enjoying this way too much.
“N-No,” she lied.
Aarav smirked. “Then why are you stuttering?”
Ira groaned in frustration, shoving a piece of dough into his hand. “If you have so much time, make yourself useful.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You want me to cook?”
“Yes.”
Aarav rolled up his sleeves. “Fine. But if I do this, you owe me something.”
Ira blinked. “What?”
He leaned in, whispering near her ear, “A proper date.”
Ira gasped, turning to look at him. “You—what—”
Aarav simply smirked, turning away to start kneading the dough.
Ira stood frozen, her heart racing.
What the hell just happened?
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I know this chapter is short but.... But in next chapter some drama is going to happen just wait.......
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