Chapter 53- The Favorite Son
As Aarav and Ira descended the stairs, the first thing they saw was Kabir, wrapped in a thick blanket, snuggled up against Sunita like a baby. His head was resting on her lap, his eyes closed as if he was in deep suffering, while Sunita gently ran her fingers through his hair.
Across from them, Nandini stood with her arms crossed, looking beyond furious.
And right next to her, Vihaan and Anika looked like guilty criminals caught red-handed.
"You two!" Nandini scolded, glaring at them. "I told you not to sneak out at night! But no, you had to go and eat junk food!"
"It was just a little pizza-" Vihaan started, but Nandini cut him off.
"-And now look at Kabir! Fever, body pain, and acting like he's on his deathbed!"
Vihaan and Anika winced, looking anywhere but at their mother.
Meanwhile, Kabir groaned dramatically from Sunita's lap. "bade Maa... my head is spinning..." He clutched Sunita's hand as if he was seconds away from meeting his maker.
Sunita shushed him gently, "Don't worry, beta. You'll be fine. I've made soup for you."
Kabir nodded weakly. "Only you care about me, Bade Maa... others just want to yell at me..."
Nandini's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?! I am your actual mother, Kabir!"
Kabir simply closed his eyes and ignored her, snuggling deeper into Sunita's lap.
Aarav smirked at the scene and leaned closer to Ira. "This is better than a morning news show."
Ira giggled, covering her mouth. "He's acting like a five-year-old."
Just then, Anika spotted them. "Bhai! Bhabhi! Look at this drama! Kabir bhai ate spicy noodles at midnight, got a fever, and now he's behaving like a lost puppy!"
Vihaan groaned. "And now we are getting scolded instead of him!"
Nandini shot them a glare. "Because you two convinced him to sneak out and eat unhealthy food!"
Vihaan rolled his eyes. "He's a grown man, chachi ! It's not like we forced food down his throat!"
Kabir weakly opened one eye and whispered, "You two are traitors."
Aarav finally stepped forward, smirking at his younger brother. "So, Mr. Tough Guy is now playing the innocent baby in front of my Maa, huh?"
She is my mom more than you bhai..... Kabir said in ready to fight tone
Ooh really Kabir!!!
Kabir groaned but didn't open his eyes. "Bhai... I am in pain... this is not a joke..."
Aarav chuckled and crossed his arms. "Pain, huh? Maybe I should take you to the hospital."
Kabir's eyes flew open in horror. "No! I mean... I'll be fine soon. Just let me rest here."
Ira shook her head, amused. She walked to Sunita and smiled. Maa, should I bring some warm water for him?"
Sunita patted Ira's hand affectionately. "That would be nice, beta."
Kabir peeked at Ira. "Thank you, sweetest Bhabhi. Unlike some people, you actually care about me."
Aarav raised a brow. "Some people?"
Kabir coughed weakly. "No offense, Bhai, but you lack emotional warmth."
Aarav scoffed. "And you lack shame."
Ira laughed softly and walked toward the kitchen. Meanwhile, Virendra, Rajesh, and Hitesh entered the scene, all looking curious.
Virendra raised a brow. "What's going on here?"
Nandini turned to her father-in-law, looking exasperated. "papaji, Kabir has a fever because these three decided to act like street kids and sneak out at night."
Virendra's sharp eyes landed on Vihaan and Anika, who both gulped.
"Is this true?" he asked, his deep voice making them stand straighter.
Vihaan cleared his throat. "Well... technically, we didn't sneak out. We just... left quietly."
Anika nodded quickly. "Yeah! And we were going to tell someone, but-"
"You two are horrible liars," Rajesh muttered.
Hitesh sighed, shaking his head. "We have raised a group of delinquents."
Sunita, however, continued pampering Kabir, completely ignoring the scolding happening around them.
Virendra observed the scene and shook his head. "Sunita, you're spoiling him."
Sunita patted Kabir's head. "He's sick, papaji. Let him rest."
Kabir smirked triumphantly at Nandini and the others.
Aarav sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Alright, enough drama. Kabir, if you're still sick by tomorrow, we're calling the doctor."
Kabir gasped. "Why do you want me to suffer?"
Aarav smirked. "Because I know you're faking at least 50% of this."
Kabir looked offended. "Wow. No love, no concern. What a heartless brother."
Ira returned with a glass of warm water and smiled at the scene. "What did I miss?"
Aarav wrapped an arm around her waist. "Just the usual-Kabir acting like a dying prince, Vihaan and Anika being publicly shamed, and chachi planning a revenge lecture."
Ira giggled. "So, a normal morning?"
Vihaan groaned. "Sadly, yes."
Sunita kissed Kabir's forehead, making him sigh dramatically. "Bade Maa, I don't need anything else. Just your love and care."
Nandini, completely done, threw a cushion at him. "Get well soon, you little brat!"
Everyone burst out laughing, even Virendra shaking his head with a small smile.
The Malhotra family was crazy, dramatic, and full of chaos-but at the end of the day, they were full of love, too.
After the morning chaos finally settled, the Malhotra family gathered for breakfast. Despite the teasing and scolding, they all enjoyed the meal together. Kabir, being the family's biggest drama king, sat wrapped in his blanket, eating as if he had fought a war, while Vihaan and Anika sulked about their punishment.
Once breakfast was done, Aarav left for the office, while Ira stayed home since she still had a few remaining leave days.
---
Afternoon - Aarav Returns
It was around 2 PM when Aarav unexpectedly returned home. He had left an important file in his study, and since he had some time between meetings, he decided to pick it up himself.
As he entered the house, he noticed how unusually quiet it was.
"Where is everyone?" he muttered to himself.
He expected Ira to be in their room, but when he checked-she wasn't there.
His brows furrowed.
He walked around the house, searching for her, until he finally stopped near Kabir's room. The door was slightly open, and as he looked inside, his steps halted.
There she was. Ira.
Sitting at the edge of Kabir's bed, holding a bowl of soup, gently feeding him.
Kabir, who was still wrapped like a burrito in his blanket, looked miserable but was enjoying the attention.
"Bhabhi, I really don't want to drink more..." Kabir whined.
Ira gave him a strict look. "No complaints. Finish the soup. You need strength to recover."
Kabir groaned but opened his mouth as she spoon-fed him.
Aarav leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene silently.
His cold, unreadable expression slowly softened.
She was taking care of his brother like her own.
Not because anyone asked her to. Not because it was her duty. But because she wanted to.
His strong, independent wife-who once hesitated to accept his family-was now treating them like her own.
Something warm spread through his chest.
"Bhabhi, can I have some chocolate after this?" Kabir asked, using his best puppy eyes.
Ira chuckled. "No chocolates. Only healthy food until you get better."
Kabir pouted. "You're worse than Maa."
Ira raised a brow. "Oh? Then should I call her here?"
Kabir immediately panicked. "NO! Fine, I'll behave!"
Aarav bit back a smile.
She was handling Kabir so well, something not many people could do.
At that moment, Kabir noticed Aarav standing there.
His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Bhai, you're home early," he said loudly, making Ira turn her head.
The moment Ira saw Aarav watching them, she straightened, blinking in surprise.
"Aarav! When did you get back?" she asked.
Aarav stepped into the room, his eyes still fixed on her. "Just now."
Ira quickly stood up, adjusting her saree. "I was just-"
"Taking care of my little brother?" Aarav interrupted smoothly.
Ira hesitated, feeling suddenly shy under his intense gaze.
Kabir, however, grinned. "Bhai, Bhabhi is the best! She even made soup for me."
Aarav hummed, looking at Ira. "Is that so?"
Ira nodded quickly. "He wasn't eating properly, so I thought-"
Aarav stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You didn't have to, Ira."
Ira blinked, confused. "But I wanted to."
Aarav's fingers brushed against her hand gently, his thumb lightly caressing her skin.
Kabir cleared his throat loudly. "Excuse me, sick patient here! No romance in my room, please."
Ira flushed and took a step back, while Aarav shot his brother a glare.
"I should let Nandini know you're feeling well enough to make jokes," Aarav said.
Kabir panicked. "NO, NO, NO! I'm still very sick! Very, very sick!"
Ira laughed softly. "Alright, enough teasing. Kabir, get some rest."
She turned to Aarav. "You came home for something, right?"
Aarav nodded. "My file. But I think I found something more interesting instead."
Ira tilted her head. "What?"
Aarav smirked. "A wife who's becoming the heart of this family."
Ira's breath hitched slightly at his words.
Aarav leaned closer, his voice husky. "I like seeing you like this, Mrs. Malhotra."
Before Ira could respond, Kabir groaned dramatically. "OH MY GOD, GET OUT! I AM TOO YOUNG TO WITNESS THIS!"
Ira laughed, while Aarav smirked before finally stepping away.
"Rest well, Kabir," Aarav said. "And don't trouble my wife too much."
Kabir grinned innocently. "I would never."
Ira just shook her head fondly.
As they left the room together, Aarav's hand found hers, intertwining their fingers.
And Ira?
She didn't let go.
As Aarav and Ira walked down the corridor, his fingers still laced with hers, Ira could feel her heart racing.
Aarav wasn't saying much, but his thumb was slowly stroking the back of her hand, sending small sparks up her spine.
When they reached a quieter spot near their room, Aarav suddenly pulled her closer.
Ira gasped as she collided against his chest, her hands resting on his firm muscles.
"Aarav-" she began, but he silenced her by tilting her chin up with his fingers.
His dark eyes held a mischievous glint. "You take such good care of my family, Mrs. Malhotra..."
Ira's cheeks flushed. "They're my family too."
Aarav's smirk deepened. "Hmm. I like how that sounds."
His hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer.
Ira's breath hitched as his face inched closer, his lips almost brushing against hers-
"OH MY GOD! NOT AGAIN!"
A loud, dramatic voice rang through the corridor.
Aarav closed his eyes in pure frustration.
Ira, on the other hand, jumped away as if she had been caught stealing.
Turning their heads, they found Vihaan and Anika standing there, their faces a mix of shock and amusement.
Vihaan crossed his arms, smirking. "Bhai, don't you have an office to go to?"
Anika gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her forehead. "Oh no, is our business empire in danger because our CEO is too busy romancing Bhabhi?"
Aarav glared at them both. "Should I fire you two?"
Vihaan immediately hid behind Anika, using her as a shield. "I was just asking, bro! No need to be violent!"
Ira bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
Aarav let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "You two are insufferable."
Vihaan grinned. "It's a special talent."
Anika giggled. "And it's fun ruining your moments."
Ira giggled too, covering her mouth.
Aarav narrowed his eyes at his wife. "Are you enjoying this?"
Ira cleared her throat, pretending to fix her saree. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Aarav let out another sigh before checking his watch. "I should go before I actually strangle someone."
Vihaan and Anika exchanged high-fives.
Ira, feeling slightly guilty, stepped forward and adjusted Aarav's collar.
"Don't be late coming home," she said softly.
Aarav's gaze softened immediately.
Without caring about their audience, he grabbed her hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"I won't," he promised.
Vihaan and Anika groaned loudly.
"UGH! STOP!" Vihaan covered his eyes.
Anika sighed dramatically. "It's like watching a romance movie in real life."
Aarav smirked. "Then get used to it."
Shooting them both a final glare, he turned to Ira. "I'll see you in the evening."
Ira nodded, smiling. "Take care."
With that, Aarav finally left for his office, while Ira watched him go, feeling an odd warmth settle in her heart.