chapter 66 - His 𧮫y' is Coming!
Ira was in the kitchen, angrily chopping vegetables.
She was still seething from last night. She had spent weeks ignoring him, yet here he was, smiling like an idiot on calls, flirting, calling someone baby!
And now, this morning, he had the audacity to drop hints about someone "special" coming.
"Someone I love a lot." His words replayed in her mind, making her chop the cucumber more aggressively.
"If you kill that poor vegetable, it won’t change the fact that I’m still your husband, sweetheart."
She stiffened as his deep voice came from behind her.
She ignored him.
Aarav leaned against the counter, watching her with amusement. "Still mad?"
She said nothing.
"Or…" he smirked, "are you just jealous?"
The knife in her hand paused mid-air.
Then she turned around, giving him a saccharine smile. "Jealous? Why would I be? It’s not like my so-called husband was calling someone ‘baby’ while I was in the next room!"
Aarav chuckled, stepping closer. "Aww, jaan, you were listening? That’s so cute."
She clenched her jaw, glaring at him.
"Who is she?" she demanded.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"
"I don’t!" she snapped, crossing her arms. "I just—"
"You just?" he teased, trapping her against the counter.
Her heart pounded. "I just think it’s funny. You keep annoying me to talk to you, but here you are, busy with someone else."
Aarav leaned in, his smirk widening. "Ira, jaan, if you want me to call you baby, you can just say it."
Her eyes widened.
"I— YOU—" she pushed him back. "Just go! Your ‘special someone’ must be waiting for you."
Aarav laughed, stepping back. "Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. You’ll meet her soon. And trust me… you’re going to love her."
With that, he winked and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Ira fuming.
Just after breakfast, the doorbell rang.
Sunita walked to open it, but the moment she saw who was standing there—
"RITVIK?!"
A tall, charming man with a mischievous grin stood at the door, looking way too smug, beside him a woman is standing nearly his age.....
"Missed me, Auntie?" Ritvik laughed as the entire Malhotra family rushed forward.
"Oh my god, it’s been so long!" Anika said and hug nisha (ritvik wife) gasped, pulling her into a hug.
"You didn’t even tell us you were coming!" Aarav’s father scolded, but his smile gave away his happiness.
Vihaan patted his back. "Still alive, huh? Thought you ditched us forever."
"As if I could," Ritvik smirked.
Ira stood a few steps away, completely confused.
Wait… this is the ‘special someone’?
Before she could process anything further—
A small blur of energy ran inside and straight into Aarav’s arms.
"CHACHUUUU!"
Aarav grinned widely, immediately picking her up and twirling her around.
"There’s my princess!"
The little girl giggled, hugging him tightly.
"I missed you so much, Chachu!" she said, her tiny hands cupping his face.
Aarav chuckled, kissing her cheek. "Missed you more, baby."
Ira froze.
Baby.
BABY?!
Her jaw dropped as realization hit her like a truck.
This entire time—he was calling a child baby?!
Not a woman?!
She turned to glare at Aarav, but before she could open her mouth—
"Ira, meet Natasha, Ritvik’s daughter." Aarav smirked, watching her reaction carefully.
Natasha turned to look at Ira with big, innocent eyes. Then, she beamed.
"Are you my Chachu’s princess?"
Ira choked on air.
The entire room burst into laughter.
And Aarav?
He just stood there, watching her with pure, evil satisfaction.
Ira was beyond mortified.
She had been jealous, furious, and hurt for NOTHING.
All because of a ten-year-old child!
She turned on her heels and stormed upstairs.
Aarav grinned, watching her go.
Vihaan nudged him. "You are one cruel man, bhai."
Kabir shook his head, laughing. "Damn, Aarav. I think you just killed your wife’s entire ego in five seconds."
Aarav just smirked, twirling Natasha again.
"Totally worth it."
Ira stormed out of the living room, her face burning with embarrassment.
She had been angry with him thinking he was cheating—
Only to find out that the ‘baby’ he was sweet-talking was a ten-year-old child?!
"Unbelievable." She muttered under her breath, picking up her pace.
She just needed to reach her room, slam the door, and scream into a pillow.
But just as she reached the hallway—
A hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her into a corner.
She gasped, spinning around—
Only to find herself pinned against the wall.
By none other than Aarav Malhotra.
Damn it.
He was so close. His tall frame caged her in, one hand pressed beside her head, the other holding her wrist.
"Going somewhere, jaan?" His voice was husky, amused.
She swallowed hard, trying to push him away. "Move."
"Aww, don’t be mad, sweetheart." Aarav smirked, tilting his head. "You were so jealous… it was adorable."
Ira’s face turned even redder.
"I— I was NOT jealous!"
Aarav chuckled. "Oh, really? So that dagger-stare you gave me at breakfast was just… love?"
"I DID NOT STARE!"
"Mmm…" His fingers lightly brushed her cheek. "Maybe not. But you did get mad. And now, you’re running away from me."
Her breath hitched.
"I am NOT running!" she huffed. "I just don’t want to see your smug face!"
Aarav laughed softly, then lowered his voice.
"Okay, okay… I won’t tease anymore."
Ira blinked, surprised. "Huh?"
His expression turned serious.
"I’m sorry, jaan." His thumb gently caressed her knuckles. "I shouldn’t have let you misunderstand. I just… I wanted to see if you’d care."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"And now that I know you do…" he leaned in, whispering near her ear, "I promise, I’ll make it up to you."
Ira’s breath caught. "W-What do you mean?"
Aarav pulled back, his eyes twinkling. "You’ll see soon, sweetheart. But let’s just say… I owe you some pampering."
Her lips parted slightly.
Before she could say another word—
He leaned down and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Now, go to your room before I change my mind and start teasing again." He winked.
Ira stood frozen for a few seconds.
And then, without another word, she spun around and rushed away.
Her heart was racing.
She hated how easily he affected her.
But worse?
She knew she’d be thinking about that kiss for the rest of the day.
Ira stood in her guest room, folding her clothes and packing her things into a suitcase.
Her heart was thudding in her chest.
She told herself—She had no choice.
With Ritvik and his family staying over, they needed rooms. So, obviously, she had to move back to their shared bedroom.
"It’s just practical," she muttered under her breath. "Nothing else."
Except…
Her hands stilled over her clothes.
Was it really just about the room?
Or was she using it as an excuse to return to where she actually belonged?
Because deep down, she missed it.
She missed her place in that room.
She missed the way Aarav would subtly glance at her before bed.
She missed the way his scent lingered on the pillows.
She missed… him.
But she shook her head fiercely.
"No, no. I’m just doing this for the guests. That’s all."
Yet, as she zipped up her suitcase, a small secret smile played on her lips.
Aarav had just walked past the guest room when he saw the door slightly open.
Curious, he peeked inside—
Only to find Ira, packing her bags.
His heart leaped.
Was she…?
"Sweetheart," he drawled, leaning against the doorframe. "Running away?"
Ira jumped and spun around, glaring. "None of your business!"
Aarav smirked, stepping inside. "Oh, but it is. Because last I checked, my wife lives in my room."
Ira huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, your best friend and his family need space. So, I have to move back. That’s all."
Aarav narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Mmm… That’s all?"
Ira averted her gaze. "Yes."
His smirk widened.
"So, it’s not because you missed me?"
Her cheeks flushed. "Dream on."
Aarav chuckled, tilting her chin up. "Oh, sweetheart. You can lie to yourself all you want… but I can see it in your eyes."
Ira swatted his hand away. "You’re annoying."
"And you’re adorable when you’re in denial."
Ira grabbed her suitcase and stormed out.
Aarav watched her go, his grin growing.
"Welcome back, Mrs. Malhotra."
Little did she know… she had just walked back into his trap.
______
"My dear readers,
I see you, I appreciate you, and I’m so grateful for every single one of you who takes the time to read my story. Your support means the world to me! But can I ask for a tiny favor?
If you’re enjoying the story, please, pretty please, tap that vote button! It might seem small, but for me, it’s the biggest motivation to keep writing and bringing you more updates. Your votes tell me that you love what I’m creating, and that keeps my heart (and my fingers) working even harder!
So, if you like what you’re reading, show some love and hit that vote button—it truly makes a difference! Thank you for being here with me on this journey. Love you all!"