Chapter 22 - The Silent Punishment
The clock struck 3 AM when Ira heard the faint sound of the door unlocking.
Her heart, which had been restless the entire night, leaped.
She immediately rushed out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor as she ran towards the door.
And there he was.
Aarav Malhotra.
Her husband.
The man who had left the house because of her.
His suit was slightly wrinkled, his tie loosened, and there was a weariness in his posture that made her stomach twist with guilt.
But more than that—his face was blank. Cold.
As if nothing mattered.
And Ira hated that.
Without thinking, she threw herself into his arms.
“Aarav!” she breathed, her arms wrapping around his waist as she clutched him tightly. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean to hurt you, I swear! Please don’t be mad—please, just talk to me—”
For a moment, he froze.
But then, before she could even process it, he gently but firmly pushed her away.
Not harshly. Not angrily.
Just enough to create distance.
Ira’s breath hitched.
Aarav stepped past her without a word, walking into the room as if she wasn’t even there.
Her heart dropped.
He was ignoring her.
Her Aarav—the man who never let a fight end without teasing her, the man who always had a smirk or a sarcastic remark—was completely shutting her out.
No. I can’t let this happen.
She turned quickly. “Aarav, please—I know I said something hurtful, but I didn’t mean it like that.”
Silence.
He unbuttoned his cuffs, his movements slow, detached.
She swallowed. “Will you at least say something?”
I have already said mote than I should have ira he said in cold tone
Ira exhaled sharply, stepping in front of him, forcing him to look at her. “Aarav—”
He walked past her. Again.
She clenched her fists.
Fine. If words don’t work…
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she stepped in front of him again, blocking his way.
He stilled.
She smiled sweetly. “You’re mad, right?”
No response.
“So I guess that means… I have to cheer you up.”
Before he could move, she lifted her hands and squished his cheeks.
Aarav’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“See? Now you can’t be mad anymore,” she grinned, stretching his cheeks playfully.
But instead of reacting, he simply removed her hands… and turned away.
Ira felt like crying.
Why wasn’t he saying anything? Why was he so distant?
She watched helplessly as he grabbed a pillow from the bed and walked toward the couch.
Her eyes widened. “Aarav! What are you doing?”
He placed the pillow down and sat on the couch without sparing her a glance.
“I’m sleeping here,” he said coldly.
Ira rushed forward. “No! No, you’re not.”
He didn’t reply.
She grabbed his wrist. “Come to bed. Please. You’ll be uncomfortable—”
“Go to sleep, Ira.”
His voice was flat, emotionless.
She flinched.
But she wasn’t giving up.
“No,” she said stubbornly, tightening her grip on his wrist. “If you’re sleeping here, then so am I.”
His jaw clenched. “Ira—”
“I’m not leaving,” she said softly.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. She was impossible.
But right now… he was too drained to fight her.
So he gave up.
“Do whatever you want,” he muttered, turning away.
Ira let out a small sigh of relief and sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around her knees.
The room fell silent.
Minutes passed.
Aarav closed his eyes.
Ira? She stayed there, watching him.
She wanted to hold his hand. To fix things.
So… she did.
Slowly, she reached for his hand and held it gently.
Aarav stirred, trying to pull away, but she tightened her grip.
“Ira—”
“Shh.”
She smiled softly, resting her head against the couch.
“Goodnight, Aarav.”
He sighed heavily, but he didn’t pull away this time.
Morning –
When Ira opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was that she was still holding his hand.
The second thing?
Aarav was already up, fixing his tie, preparing for work.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Aarav?”
No response.
She pouted. “Are you really still mad?”
Nothing.
She sat up and grinned playfully. “Aarav, come on, I said sorry.”
Silence.
Ira bit her lip. Time to tease.
She got up and stood beside him, watching as he buttoned his shirt. “You know, you look really handsome when you’re ignoring me,” she said dramatically.
Still no reaction.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “But you’d look even better if you smiled.”
Aarav barely blinked.
She huffed. “Wow. So now you’ve decided to completely freeze me out?”
He adjusted his cufflinks. “I have work.”
Ira gasped.
“He speaks!” she exclaimed, clutching her heart.
Aarav almost smiled. Almost.
But he caught himself, grabbed his blazer, and walked out.
Ira’s jaw dropped.
Oh, he is not getting away with this.
She rushed after him, standing in front of the bedroom door with her hands on her hips. “Excuse me, Mr. Malhotra?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I just spent the entire night holding your hand while you slept like a baby. The least you can do is accept my apology.”
He exhaled. “Ira—”
She cut him off. “Anddd maybe give me a little smile?”
Aarav stared at her for a long moment.
Then, without a word, he stepped past her.
Again.
Ira gasped. “Aarav!”
No response.
She watched as he walked down the stairs, acting as if she didn’t even exist.
And just like that…
She realized that her punishment wasn’t over yet.
But if he thought she was going to give up?
He clearly didn’t know who he was dealing with.
Game on, Mr. Malhotra.
Ira huffed as she watched Aarav walk away, completely ignoring her existence.
Fine. Be like that, Mr. Malhotra.
But she wasn’t going to let this continue.
If he thought she would just sit back and watch him freeze her out, he was so wrong.
Ira marched downstairs, determination burning in her eyes.
As it is still early morning no one is on breakfast table except them.
Aarav was sitting at the head of the table, calmly reading the newspaper while sipping his black coffee. He looked impeccable as always—his crisp white shirt hugging his frame perfectly, his hair neatly styled.
And his expression? Completely unreadable.
As if nothing had happened.
As if she didn’t exist.
Ira narrowed her eyes. Oh, so this is how you want to play?
Fine.
She walked toward him, sat in the chair beside him, and leaned closer.
“Good morning, patidev,” she said sweetly, resting her chin on her palm.
Aarav didn’t even blink.
He flipped the page of his newspaper, acting as if he hadn’t heard her.
Ira’s jaw dropped.
This man was seriously taking his ignoring game to another level.
She huffed and reached for the sugar bowl, stirring a spoonful into her coffee.
Then she smirked. Time for plan B.
“I had a dream last night,” she said casually, taking a sip of her coffee.
Silence.
She continued, “It was about rahul.”
Aarav’s grip on the newspaper tightened slightly.
Ira bit back a smile. Oh, so now you’re listening, huh?
She let out a dreamy sigh. “In my dream, he was taking me on a long drive. It was so romantic. The way he looked at me, the way he smiled—”
The newspaper snapped.
Aarav folded it with precise, controlled movements and placed it on the table.
Then he finally turned to her.
Ira blinked innocently. “Oh, are you done reading?”
He stared at her for a long moment before speaking. “Eat your breakfast.”
She grinned. “Only if you forgive me.”
Aarav exhaled, clearly running out of patience.
Ira leaned closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “Or should I continue talking about rahul?”
Aarav’s jaw clenched.
Then, without a word, he stood up, grabbed his blazer, and walked away.
Ira gasped. “You’re seriously leaving?!”
No response.
She watched as he walked out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
Aarav had been in meetings all day, keeping himself busy to avoid thinking about her.
But of course, she had other plans.
At exactly 3 PM, his office door burst open.
And there she was.
Ira Sharma Malhotra.
His stubborn, impossible, and completely unpredictable wife.
She walked in as if she owned the place, plopping down in the chair across from him.
Aarav sighed, rubbing his temples. “Ira—”
“So, are you done being mad at me?” she interrupted, tilting her head.
He gave her a blank look. “I’m busy.”
She gasped dramatically. “So you’re still mad?”
Silence.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on his desk. “Okay, fine. I was wrong. I said something hurtful. I admit it. I apologized.”
Aarav didn’t respond.
Ira’s lips twitched. Fine. Let’s up the game.
She stood up, walked around his desk, and leaned down dangerously close.
Aarav stilled.
Her soft voice tickled his ear. “You know… if you keep ignoring me like this, I might have to find someone else to talk to.”
Aarav turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting hers. “Try it.”
His voice was low, challenging.
Ira smirked. “I just might.”
Aarav exhaled slowly. This woman…
Then, suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap.
Ira’s eyes widened. “Aarav!”
His arms locked around her waist, keeping her in place. “I was ignoring you to teach you a lesson,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “But you never learn, do you?”
Her heartbeat skyrocketed. “I—I just wanted you to talk to me.”
Aarav smirked. “Oh, now I’ll talk.”
Ira gulped. Maybe she had pushed him a little too far.
His fingers traced lazy circles on her waist. “So, tell me, Mrs. Malhotra,” he said smoothly, his voice teasing, “you were dreaming about another man?”
Ira bit her lip. “It was just a joke.”
Aarav leaned in, his nose brushing against her cheek. “Then maybe I should remind you exactly who you belong to.”
Ira’s breath hitched.
But before she could reply, the intercom beeped.
Aarav groaned in frustration and pressed the button. “What?”
His secretary’s hesitant voice came through. “Sir, there’s an urgent call—”
“Later,” he snapped, hanging up.
Ira giggled. “Are you really ignoring work for me?”
Aarav looked at her with narrowed eyes. “yeh because I have already ignored you a lot now I can't.”
She smiled sheepishly. “Okay, okay, I deserved that.”
He arched a brow. “And?”
She sighed dramatically. “And I won’t do it again.”
Aarav smirked. “Good girl.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Stop flirting with me!”
He chuckled, finally loosening his grip.
Ira quickly scrambled off his lap, fixing her dress. “Okay, so does this mean you forgive me?”
Aarav leaned back in his chair, smirking. “You’re halfway there.”
Ira groaned. “Ugh! You are impossible.”
Aarav’s smirk widened. “And you love it.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’ll see about that, Mr. Malhotra.”
As she turned to leave, he called out, “Be ready by 8 PM.”
She paused. “For what?”
Aarav’s eyes darkened with amusement. “Our date.”
Ira’s heart skipped a beat.
She swallowed. “You’re still taking me?”
Aarav tilted his head. “I don’t change my mind that easily, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira stared at him for a long moment before a soft smile spread across her lips.
“Okay. I’ll be ready.”
And with that, she walked out, leaving Aarav with a smirk on his lips.
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