Chapter 64 - The Battle for Her Heart
Ira sat in the corner of the garden, staring at the book Aarav had left for her. The weight of it felt heavier than it should. She should have ignored it, tossed it aside, but she couldn’t.
"I know I can't erase the past. But maybe I can start making better memories. One page at a time."
Her fingers curled around the note, her heart warring with her mind.
No.
She couldn’t let herself soften.
She wouldn’t.
Aarav Malhotra had broken her heart in ways she never thought possible. She had cried enough. She had been hurt enough.
She wasn’t about to fall into his trap again.
Aarav’s Next Move –
Aarav knew Ira wouldn’t come running back to him just because of a book. She was stubborn. Too stubborn.
But he was even more determined.
That evening, Ira was in the kitchen, reaching for a plate on the top shelf. The moment she stretched on her toes, struggling to grab it, a strong hand reached over her shoulder and took it for her.
She stiffened instantly.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Aarav placed the plate in front of her and stepped back, but she could still feel his presence like a burning flame at her back.
"You should ask for help when you need it, Ira," he said, his voice low and calm.
She turned, her gaze sharp. "And you should stop interfering in my life, Aarav."
He tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Interfering? I thought I was just being a good husband."
Ira let out a bitter laugh. "You don’t get to play that card now."
She grabbed the plate and walked past him, but before she could escape, his voice stopped her.
"I made tea for you. Just the way you like it."
Her steps faltered for a split second, but she quickly composed herself and walked away without another word.
Aarav smirked to himself.
She could pretend all she wanted.
But she had paused.
And that meant he still had a chance.
From his study, Aarav watched as Ira sat alone in the living room, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over the book he had given her.
She hadn’t thrown it away.
She hadn’t accepted him yet, either.
But this wasn’t over.
Vihaan’s words echoed in his mind. "She needs to believe that you regret hurting her. And that takes more than just saying it."
Fine.
If she needed proof, he would give her proof.
No more empty words. No more reckless mistakes.
Only actions.
Because this time, he wasn’t just trying to win her back.
He was trying to deserve her.
And he wouldn’t stop until she was his again.
Aarav had always been a man of control, a man who dictated his own rules and never apologized for them. But for the first time in his life, he found himself changing—not because he had to, but because he wanted to.
He started waking up earlier than usual, making sure Ira's favorite coffee was ready before she even stepped into the kitchen. He didn’t hand it to her, knowing she would reject it outright, but he left it on the table, exactly the way she liked it.
At first, she ignored it.
Then, one day, he caught her taking a hesitant sip when she thought no one was looking.
He didn’t say anything, but a small smirk played on his lips.
Progress.
He began spending more time with his staff, something he never cared to do before. He listened, paid attention, and even helped when needed. Word spread through the house—Aarav Malhotra was changing.
And Ira noticed.
She saw how he no longer barked orders at the maids, how he thanked the cook after meals, how he stepped in when a worker made a mistake instead of lashing out.
She wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
This wasn’t the Aarav she knew.
Or maybe… this was the real Aarav—the one she never got to see before.
It happened on a quiet evening.
Ira was sitting on the swing in the garden, lost in thought, when she sensed someone approaching. She didn’t have to look up to know it was him.
Aarav stood a few feet away, silent for a moment, before he finally spoke.
"I was wrong, Ira."
Her hands clenched in her lap, her heart tightening.
"I hurt you, and I can’t change that. But I need you to know—I regret it. Not because I lost you. But because you didn’t deserve it."
She turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face.
There was no arrogance this time. No expectations.
Just pure, raw sincerity.
"I’m not asking you to forgive me," he continued. "I just wanted to say it. Because you deserve an apology, whether you accept it or not."
Ira swallowed the lump in her throat. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to throw his words back at him.
But for the first time, she saw a man trying.
And it terrified her.
Because if she wasn’t careful, she knew she would start believing in him again.
So instead of answering, she stood up and walked away.
But as she entered the house, her heart whispered something she wasn’t ready to hear.
"He’s changing… and I don’t know how to stop myself from falling again."
That night, Aarav stood in front of the mirror in his room, staring at his reflection.
"Who are you becoming?"
He barely recognized himself.
Gone was the ruthless man who believed control was the only way to keep people close. In his place stood someone who was learning to love the right way.
And yet, fear crept in.
What if it wasn’t enough?
What if she never trusted him again?
For the first time in his life, Aarav Malhotra was terrified of losing something—someone.
And that’s when he made a silent vow.
"I will become the man she deserves. Even if it takes a lifetime."
The days passed, and Aarav continued his silent battle—not with Ira, but with himself.
He no longer demanded things from her. He no longer tried to force his way back into her life.
Instead, he made small, thoughtful efforts—ones she couldn’t ignore, no matter how much she tried.
One afternoon, Ira was in the kitchen helping the chef prepare lunch when the knife slipped from her hand, nicking her finger.
She winced, but before she could react, a firm, familiar grip took her wrist.
"Careful," Aarav’s voice was low, his touch gentle as he inspected her finger. Without a word, he led her to the sink, running cool water over the cut before taking out a band-aid from his pocket.
"You carry band-aids now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I’ve learned to be prepared," he murmured, securing the bandage carefully.
Ira bit her lip, watching him.
There was something different about this Aarav. Something… softer.
Before she realized it, a tiny smile played on her lips.
And Aarav saw it.
His heart skipped a beat.
She quickly turned away, as if realizing her mistake, but it was too late.
Aarav had seen it.
She was melting.
Aarav knew he couldn’t rush this.
He had to win her back without pushing her away.
So, he started paying attention to the small things—things most people overlooked but meant the world to her.
He took care of her plants. Every morning, before she even woke up, she would find her plants watered and fresh.
He played her favorite songs. Not in an obvious way, but if she walked into a room, a soft tune she loved would be playing in the background.
He gave her space. When she needed distance, he respected it. But when she needed help, he was always there—without her having to ask.
Ira noticed.
And that scared her.
Because every little thing he did chipped away at the walls she had built around her heart.
One evening, Ira was walking through the house when she heard Vihaan, Kabir and anika laughing—loudly.
Curious, she followed the sound and froze at the sight in front of her.
Aarav Malhotra… in the kitchen… struggling to make jalebis.
Flour was on his shirt. His sleeves were rolled up. And his usually perfect, arrogant expression was twisted in deep concentration.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath as he attempted to shape the batter into spirals.
Vihaan leaned against the counter, grinning. "This is a disaster, bhai. Just accept defeat."
"Shut up, Vihaan," Aarav snapped, attempting another spiral—which ended up looking more like a dying snake.
Ira bit her lip, trying so hard not to laugh.
But when Aarav finally gave up, muttering "Jalebis are overrated anyway," she couldn’t hold it in.
A soft, genuine giggle escaped her lips.
Aarav’s head snapped toward her.
And for the first time in weeks, they locked eyes—without pain, without anger.
Just… something soft.
Something hopeful.
That night, Ira sat in the garden, staring at the sky, lost in thought.
She heard footsteps behind her, but she didn’t turn around. She knew who it was.
Aarav sat beside her—not too close, not too far.
For a few moments, there was only silence.
Then, he spoke.
"You laughed today."
She swallowed. "It was funny."
"I’ve never heard you laugh like that before."
She hesitated. "I… I didn’t mean to."
Aarav exhaled, leaning back against the chair. "I like it, you know. Your laugh."
Ira’s heart skipped a beat.
"You should do it more often," he added softly.
She turned to look at him, surprised by the pure honesty in his voice.
There was no arrogance. No demands. Just… a man who wanted to see her happy.
For the first time, she didn’t feel the need to run away.
Maybe, just maybe…
She didn’t hate the idea of smiling around him anymore.