Chapter 37 - The Battle for Forgiveness
A soft ray of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bedroom. The peaceful silence was broken by the rustling of sheets as Aarav stirred awake. His head throbbed with a dull ache, and his mouth felt dry.
With a groan, he ran a hand through his hair, trying to piece together the blurry fragments of last night. The business party… whiskey… Ira…
Wait.
His eyes snapped open, and he turned his head to see Ira standing by the dresser, her back to him. She was brushing her hair aggressively, her entire posture radiating anger.
Something told him he was in deep trouble.
"Ira?" he croaked, his voice rough with sleep.
No response.
Aarav sat up, rubbing his temples. "Ira…" he tried again.
This time, she turned around, her arms crossed, her eyes sharp as daggers. "You’re awake."
The way she said it made him feel like she had been waiting to scold him.
"Good morning?" he offered hesitantly.
She let out a sharp laugh. "Morning? Oh, it’s a great morning, Aarav. I spent the night babysitting my drunk husband, who was acting like a spoiled child."
Aarav frowned, trying to recall what exactly he had done. "I was drunk?"
Her jaw clenched. "Oh, you were drunk? Thank you for the information, Mr. Malhotra. I had no idea while dragging your clingy self out of a party, listening to you whine about dancing, hearing you blabber about how beautiful I am, driving you home while you clung to me like a lost puppy, and then—oh, the best part—hearing you talk about forgetting the contract like it was some joke!"
Aarav blinked. He had said that?
Damn.
"Ira, I—"
"Oh, and let’s not forget the part where you refused to change your clothes because you just had to hold onto me like I was some teddy bear!"
Aarav had the decency to look embarrassed. "Okay… maybe I drank a little too much."
"A little?!" she snapped, throwing her hairbrush onto the dresser. "Aarav, I hate alcohol! I hate people who drink!"
That caught him off guard. "You do?"
"Yes! And I can’t believe you—" She cut herself off, taking a deep breath, clearly trying to calm down. "I don’t like alcohol, Aarav. I don’t like what it does to people. I hate it."
Her voice cracked slightly on the last part, and something in his chest twisted.
He had never seen her this upset.
Aarav swung his legs off the bed and stood up. "Ira, I’m sorry," he said, his tone sincere.
She turned away from him, shaking her head. "Sorry doesn’t change anything. Just don’t expect me to forgive you that easily."
Aarav sighed, stepping closer, but she moved away. That stung.
"Ira…" he tried again.
"No," she said firmly. "I need time."
Aarav nodded slowly. "Okay. I understand."
He wasn’t used to apologizing. He wasn’t used to someone not instantly forgiving him either.
But this was Ira.
And he would wait as long as it took.
At the breakfast table everyone senses that ira is upset about something and today aarav is also not teasing her
The entire Malhotra family stood there—Sunita, Nandini, Kabir, Anika, and Vihaan—all looking at her with concern.
Ira, beta what happened? Rajesh asked her (aarav dad)
“What happened? Why do you look upset?” Nandini asked, placing a hand on her cheek.
Ira opened her mouth, but before she could respond, Kabir turned his sharp gaze toward Aarav, who is standing away from ira, looking guilty.
“Did you do something?” Kabir’s voice was accusing.
Aarav’s lips parted in shock. “What? No!”
Anika squinted at him. “Then why does she look upset?”
Sunita placed a hand on her hip. “Aarav Malhotra, what did you do?”
Aarav groaned. “Why is everyone assuming I did something?”
Vihaan smirked. “Because nine out of ten times, you’re the reason for Ira bhabhi’s mood swings.”
Nandini crossed her arms. “And today seems like the tenth time too.”
Before Aarav could protest, his entire family started scolding him at once.
Hitesh: “How could you upset my bahu?”
Anika: “Ira bhabhi is so sweet. Why are you troubling her?”
Kabir: “You should be ashamed, Aarav.”
Aarav stared at them in disbelief. “Can someone at least tell me what crime I’ve committed before sentencing me?”
Ira simply turned away, ignoring him.
Sunita looked at her son’s guilty face and then at the broom lying nearby.
“Ira beta, move aside.”
Ira blinked. “Huh?”
Before she could react, Sunita grabbed the broom and started whacking Aarav on the head.
“Ow! Maa! What the hell?!” Aarav yelled, shielding himself.
Nandini joined in, grabbing another broom. “Haan haan, beat him more, bhabhi. This idiot deserves it.”
Kabir burst into laughter as his brother ran around the room, dodging blows.
Anika cheered. “Hit him, Mom! Make him regret whatever he did!”
Vihaan leaned against the door, smirking. “This is the best morning ever.”
Aarav glared. “You all are the worst family ever!”
Sunita smacked him one last time before throwing the broom aside. “Now tell me, why is Ira upset?”
Aarav rubbed his sore head. “Because I… um… drank last night.”
Sunita gasped. “YOU DRANK?!”
Ira crossed her arms. “Now you understand why I’m upset?”
Nandini clicked her tongue. “Shame on you, Aarav.”
Rajesh look him with anger : is this is what we taught you aarav, say sorry to my daughter now
Aarav look at his dad with guilty,
Dad I said sorry but still I'm sorry ira, maa, chachi I promise I'll not drink again
Kabir sighed dramatically. “I never thought I’d see the day when our great Aarav Malhotra would fall this low.”
Anika grinned. “This is the best gossip of the year.”
Aarav groaned. “Oh my God, all of you please get out!”
Vihaan snickered. “Fine, fine. Good luck surviving, bhai.”
As the family finally left, Aarav sighed in exhaustion and turned to Ira.
She was still angry.
The Battle for Forgiveness Begins…
The rest of the day, Aarav did everything to win Ira’s forgiveness.
First attempt:
He sent a beautiful bouquet of red roses to her room with a note that said, I’m sorry, my love.
Ira took one look at it and shoved it aside.
Second attempt:
He personally brought her favorite chocolates, holding them out with his signature smirk.
Ira raised an eyebrow, took the chocolates, and handed them to Anika.
Third attempt:
He made her favorite coffee and placed it on her desk while she was working.
She didn’t even glance at it.
Aarav groaned. “Ira, yaar. Itni bhi kya nafrat?”
She finally looked at him. “It’s not about hatred, Aarav. It’s about principles. I don’t like alcohol, and I don’t like people who drink. It’s something I cannot compromise on.”
Aarav exhaled deeply. “I understand. And I promise, I won’t drink again. Ever.”
Ira searched his face for sincerity. He looked genuinely regretful.
“Fine,” she said finally.
Aarav’s face lit up. “So… I’m forgiven?”
Ira let out a small sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
Aarav groaned again. His wife was impossible. But God, he loved her.