Chapter 52 - The Great Escape
Ira woke up to something warm pressed against her, something firm and stubbornly refusing to let her move.
Her brain took a few seconds to process the situation, and then— Aarav!
Her eyes snapped open. Her husband, the biggest businessman in the world, the same man who could strike fear in anyone with just a glance, was currently sleeping with his face buried in her neck, his arm draped possessively over her waist.
She blinked. Oh.
For a moment, she simply stared at him. In sleep, he looked… different. Softer. Less like the ruthless CEO and more like the man who had spent the night kissing her senseless.
Her lips tingled at the memory.
But before she could get lost in her thoughts, reality hit her.
Her mother was in the house. Her brother was in the house. And Aarav was still in her bed!
Panic rushed through her. If anyone caught him here, she was done.
Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!
She tried to move, but the moment she did, the arm around her waist tightened.
"Ira," Aarav mumbled sleepily, pulling her even closer.
Her breath hitched as his lips brushed against her neck.
She gulped. No distractions!
"Aarav," she whispered urgently, shaking him. "Wake up!"
A deep groan vibrated against her skin, followed by a very lazy, "Hmm?"
Ira gritted her teeth. This man!
"Aarav, get up! If anyone sees you—"
"Let them." He nuzzled her neck, voice still thick with sleep.
Ira’s jaw dropped. "Are you insane?! My mother will kill us both!"
Aarav hummed, completely unfazed. "Sweetheart did you forget we are married."
Ira smacked his arm. "That’s not how this works!"
He finally lifted his head, eyes still heavy with sleep, but amusement danced in them. "You’re so dramatic in the morning."
She pushed at his chest. "And you’re a nightmare! Now, get up before—"
Knock! Knock!
Her heart stopped.
Aarav froze.
"Ira beta?" her mother’s voice called from outside. "Are you awake?"
Ira felt all color drain from her face.
No, no, no, no!
Aarav, on the other hand, had the audacity to smirk. "Perfect timing."
She glared at him. "Shut up!"
Her mother knocked again. "Ira?"
Ira cleared her throat, trying to sound normal. "Yes, Maa! I—I just woke up!"
Aarav kissed her cheek. "That’s a lie. You woke up in my arms, sweetheart."
She slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide. "Do you have a death wish?!" she hissed.
He chuckled, his lips brushing against her palm.
Her mother sighed. "Alright, freshen up and come down for breakfast. Ansh is already awake."
Ira nodded rapidly, even though her mother couldn’t see. "Yes, yes! I’ll be down soon!"
They both stayed silent until they heard retreating footsteps.
Then, Ira collapsed back onto the bed, covering her face with her hands. "That was too close."
Aarav, meanwhile, looked completely unbothered. "I could’ve just said good morning to her."
Ira yanked the pillow from under his head and smacked him with it. "Get out!"
He laughed, catching her wrist before pulling her against him again. "Not before I get my morning kiss."
Her mouth fell open. "Are you serious right now?!"
He tilted his head. "I risked my life sneaking in. Shouldn’t I get a reward?"
Ira was ready to strangle him. "Your reward is that you’re still alive! Now leave!"
He sighed dramatically but finally got up. His shirt was crumpled, his hair a mess, and he looked way too pleased with himself.
He walked to the window, glancing at her with a teasing smirk. "Until next time, my little wife."
She crossed her arms. "There won’t be a next time."
He winked. "We’ll see."
And with that, the world’s biggest businessman climbed out of her bedroom window like a lovestruck teenager, disappearing into the early morning light.
Ira shook her head, collapsing onto the bed.
This man was going to be the death of her.
Aarav Malhotra, the ruthless businessman feared by the corporate world, was currently lying in his bed with a ridiculous smile on his face.
Last night had been... perfect.
He had spent hours teasing Ira, kissing her until she was breathless, and then sneaking out like a criminal. And now? Now he felt like a kid who had just gotten his favorite candy after waiting for ages.
Vihaan, his younger brother, walked into his room and froze. He stared at Aarav like he had grown two heads.
"Bhai… are you smiling?"
Aarav immediately wiped the grin off his face. "No."
Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "You were. You looked like a lovesick fool."
Aarav glared. "Say that again, and I’ll throw you out of my room."
Before Vihaan could respond, Kabir and Anika walked in, already smirking.
Kabir leaned against the doorframe. "So, where exactly were you last night, big brother?"
Aarav rolled his eyes. "None of your business."
Anika gasped dramatically. "Oh my God! You were at Bhabhi’s place, weren’t you?"
Aarav look at her with shocked....
Don't look at me like that, bhabhi told me anika said
Vihaan’s eyes widened. "You sneaked into Ira Bhabhi’s house?"
Aarav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t have time for this nonsense."
Kabir grinned. "Oh, this is too good! Mr. ‘I-Don’t-Believe-in-Love’ broke into his own wife’s room like a desperate teenager!"
Anika burst out laughing. "What did you do? Climb the window like Romeo?"
Vihaan joined in. "Did Bhabhi kiss you goodbye before you left?"
Aarav grabbed a pillow and threw it at them. "Shut up, all of you!"
His siblings only laughed harder.
Ignoring them, Aarav stood up and stretched. "Laugh all you want. Today, I’m bringing Ira home."
The room went silent.
Kabir blinked. "Wait… what?"
Anika tilted her head. "You mean—?"
Aarav smirked. "I mean, I’m going to bring my wife back to where she belongs. And this time, I won’t let her leave."
Vihaan whistled. "Well, well. Look who’s acting like a real husband now."
Kabir grinned. "Ira Bhabhi won’t know what hit her."
Aarav simply smirked and walked toward his wardrobe. "I’m going to get ready. If any of you try to annoy me, you’re dead."
His siblings saluted him mockingly as he shut the door.
Time to bring his wife home.
---
The Sharma House
Ira was in the kitchen, helping her mother, when she heard the doorbell.
"Ansh, get the door!" her mother called.
A moment later, she heard her brother’s loud voice. "Oh wow! Look who’s here. The great Aarav Malhotra!"
Ira’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly turned, only to find Aarav standing in the doorway, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever.
But what surprised her wasn’t just that he was here.
It was the way he stepped inside with quiet respect, walking straight toward her father.
Harsh Sharma looked at Aarav with mild surprise as Aarav bent down, touching his feet.
"Papa."
Ira sucked in a sharp breath.
Her father’s eyes softened instantly. "Aarav, beta…"
Aarav straightened up and met his father-in-law’s gaze. His voice was firm yet gentle.
"How are you feeling? Is your health okay?"
Harsh smiled slightly. "Much better now. Your wife has been taking good care of me."
Aarav nodded, glancing briefly at Ira before turning back to him.
And then, in the most unexpected move, Aarav folded his hands slightly and spoke with genuine sincerity.
"Papa, can I take my wife back home?"
Ira’s breath hitched.
Harsh blinked, clearly surprised.
"You want my permission?" he asked, a faint smile appearing.
Aarav nodded. "Yes. I know she came here to spend time with you. But I also know I can’t stay away from her any longer. She’s my wife, but she’s also your daughter. So, I’m asking you first."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then, Harsh chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "You really love her, don’t you?"
Aarav’s jaw tightened slightly, but his voice was clear.
"More than anything."
Ira felt her chest tighten as warmth spread through her.
Her father patted Aarav’s shoulder. "Then take her home, beta. But only if she agrees."
Aarav finally turned to look at her.
His eyes locked onto hers, full of unspoken emotions.
"Ira?"
She swallowed hard, her heartbeat racing.
Was she ready to go back with him?
Ira stood frozen, her father’s words echoing in her mind.
"Then take her home, beta. But only if she agrees."
Aarav’s intense gaze never wavered. He was waiting.
Her heart pounded. This was the man who had once treated their marriage as a contract. The same man who now stood in her home, calling her father Papa, touching his feet, and asking—not demanding—for her to return with him.
Her throat felt dry as she struggled to process everything.
Did she want to go back?
Yes.
Did she want to make it easy for him?
No.
So, she lifted her chin and folded her arms. "And if I say no?"
Aarav’s lips twitched, but his eyes darkened. "Then I’ll convince you."
Ansh, who had been watching the scene with popcorn-worthy amusement, jumped in. "Oh ho, jiju. What’s your convincing strategy?"
Aarav shot him a look. "Would you like me to throw you out before I demonstrate?"
Arsh grinned and stepped back. "No, no. Please, continue. I support my jiju’s love story."
Ira’s mother shook her head. "Arsh, behave." Then, she turned to Aarav with a smile. "Beta, have lunch with us before you take Ira home."
Aarav nodded respectfully. "Of course, Maa."
Ira’s breath caught. Maa.
This man was impossible.
The family had lunch together, and to Ira’s frustration, Aarav blended in as if he had always belonged there. He helped clear the table, teased Arsh, and even got her father to laugh.
By the time lunch was over, Ira had run out of excuses.
Aarav leaned against the door as she packed her bag, arms crossed, watching her every move with amusement.
"You could help instead of standing there like a king," she muttered.
"I could," he agreed. "But watching you struggle is more fun."
She threw a pillow at him. He caught it effortlessly, smirking.
Finally, she zipped her bag and turned to face him. "Okay. Let’s go."
Aarav’s smirk widened, but he didn’t say anything. He simply took her bag, slung it over his shoulder, and held out his hand.
She hesitated for only a second before placing her hand in his.
As they walked out, her mother hugged her tightly, whispering, "He’s a good man, Ira. And he loves you. Let yourself be happy."
Ira swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.
When they stepped outside, Aarav opened the car door for her like a true gentleman.
"Ready, Mrs. Malhotra?" he asked, voice laced with mischief.
She rolled her eyes but slid into the car. "Drive, Mr. Malhotra."
With a satisfied smirk, Aarav got in, started the engine, and drove them home—together.