chapter 71- A love sick puppy
Ira stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Aarav’s strong arms wrapped around her. She tried to move, but his grip tightened, pulling her closer. His breath was warm against her neck as he mumbled sleepily, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Aarav…” she whispered, trying to free herself.
He let out a lazy hum before kissing her shoulder, then her neck, his lips trailing slow, drowsy kisses that sent shivers down her spine. “Five more minutes,” he murmured.
“We’ll be late for breakfast,” she reminded him, but he responded by nuzzling into her, tightening his hold.
After much coaxing—and a lot more lazy kisses—they finally got up and got ready. Ira wore a pastel pink saree, draping it elegantly as she tied her hair into a loose braid. Aarav, dressed in his crisp black shirt and slacks, watched her in the mirror. His eyes darkened when she adjusted her saree pleats, the small movement somehow drawing his full attention.
“You’re testing my patience, Mrs. Malhotra,” he murmured, walking up behind her.
She have last night so fresh in her mind...
Ira blushed but ignored him, knowing if she entertained his teasing, they’d never leave the room.
As soon as Ira and Aarav entered the dining hall, a mischievous wave of excitement spread through the younger family members. Anika, Vivaan, and Kabir exchanged glances before surrounding the couple, cutting them off before they could reach the elders.
“Oh ho! Look at our so in love couple!” Anika smirked.
“We should give them a standing ovation for making it to breakfast at a decent time,” Kabir added dramatically.
“Why do I feel like they were running late for some reason?” Vivaan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Ira’s cheeks turned crimson as she quickly shook her head. “N-No! We weren’t—”
“Oh please, bhabhi,” Anika giggled, “We all know Aarav bhai is obsessed with you. It’s honestly surprising he even lets you leave the room!”
Aarav, completely unfazed, leaned closer to Ira and whispered just for her, “That’s true, you know.” His deep voice sent a thrill down her spine.
“Stop it,” she hissed under her breath.
“Ira bhabhi, why do you look extra pretty today?” Kabir teased, pretending to inspect her. “Aarav bhai, are you taking her somewhere special?”
Before Ira could deny it, Aarav smirked, “I’m trying to, but someone is being difficult.” His eyes gleamed with challenge as he glanced at Ira.
“Ohhh, a trip?” Anika gasped. “Where are you taking bhabhi?”
Ira widened her eyes and shook her head quickly, “Nowhere! He’s just—”
“She’s shy,” Aarav cut in smoothly. “But I had make her say yes.”
His confidence made her heart race, but before the teasing could go further, Sunita called from across the table, “What’s going on there? Come sit, all of you.”
The young ones stifled their laughter and quickly took their seats, while Ira glared at Aarav, who simply winked at her.
After breakfast, Aarav went upstairs to get something from their room. But when he returned, Ira was nowhere in sight. His eyes searched the hall until he heard laughter coming from the lounge.
Curious, he stepped closer—and then froze.
Ira and Anika were dancing.
Not just any dance.
The song Chhan Ke Mohalla played through the speakers, and both girls were completely lost in the rhythm, twirling and swaying in perfect sync. Ira’s saree hugged her curves, her graceful movements making every step look effortless. The way she arched her back, let her hands glide through the air—it was hypnotic.
Aarav’s jaw clenched.
He wasn’t just staring at his wife. His baby sister was dancing just as boldly beside her.
Vivaan and Kabir stood at the side, hooting and cheering them on.
Aarav took a slow, deep breath, his fingers instinctively curling into fists. He loved seeing Ira happy, and he trusted her—but his protective instincts kicked in hard. His sharp eyes scanned the room, making sure no outsiders were watching, before stepping closer.
Vivaan, noticing the sudden tension in his brother’s stance, smirked. “Uh-oh, bhabhi, I think someone’s jealous.”
Ira, breathless from the dance, turned to see Aarav watching her. His dark, brooding eyes sent a shiver down her spine. She gulped, realizing he wasn’t just looking at her—he was looking at Anika too, and that only meant one thing.
Possessiveness.
“Aarav bhai, don’t give that look!” Anika pouted. “We were just having fun!”
He exhaled sharply. “Anika, dancing is fine. But this? You and Ira don’t need to dance like that in front of these idiots.” He gestured at Kabir and Vivaan, who raised their hands in mock innocence.
Ira bit her lip, slightly embarrassed. “We were just—”
Aarav didn’t let her finish.
In one swift motion, he reached forward, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her flush against him. “You can dance,” he murmured against her ear. “But if you want to dance like that—” his fingers traced her spine lightly, making her shudder, “—do it where only I can see you.”
Her breath hitched.
Vivaan groaned, “Alright, alright, I take back what I said about jealousy. Bhai is crazy possessive.”
Anika, laughing, pulled Ira away from Aarav. “No more romance! Ira bhabhi, come on, we have another song to dance to!”
Aarav watched as Ira gave him a playful glance before twirling back to Anika.
His lips curled into a smirk. This woman…
She wasn’t making it easy for him.
But he was up for the challenge.
After the little dance fiasco, the family eventually dispersed, and Aarav and Ira headed to the office. The drive there was peaceful, with Ira lost in thought as she gazed out the window. Aarav, however, had other plans.
“Ira,” he called softly.
She turned to him, humming in response.
He smirked, tapping the steering wheel. “Are you still thinking about the dance?”
She rolled her eyes. “No.”
“You looked beautiful.”
A soft blush crept up her cheeks, but she kept her gaze ahead, pretending his words didn’t affect her. “Focus on driving.”
He chuckled. “I am focused. Just… on something better.”
Ira sighed, knowing exactly where this conversation would lead.
At the office, the usual routine began—meetings, reports, and endless discussions. But there was one thing that was becoming a daily occurrence now.
Aarav Malhotra, the ruthless CEO, was acting like a love-struck puppy in front of his wife.
It started the moment they entered.
Instead of taking his usual seat across from her, he pulled up a chair beside her. Close. Too close.
She raised an eyebrow. “Aarav?”
“Hmm?” He was already distracted, watching her with a lazy smile.
“Why are you sitting here?”
“I like this seat better.”
Ira sighed, trying to focus on the reports, but he wasn’t making it easy. Every time she moved, he leaned in just slightly, his cologne wrapping around her like a cocoon. Every now and then, she’d catch him staring at her.
And of course, their colleagues noticed.
Vivaan, entering the office, groaned dramatically. “Oh god, not this again.”
Ira looked up, confused. “What?”
Vivaan, smirked. “Our boss, the one who was once known as the stone-hearted Malhotra, now follows his wife around like a lost puppy.”
Aarav shot them a glare. “Get out.”
“Correction—he’s a possessive lost puppy,” Vivaan teased.
“Ira bhabhi, what black magic did you do?”
Ira, embarrassed, quickly shook her head. “Nothing! He’s just—”
“she is my, and happy wife happy life,” Aarav cut in smoothly, reaching for her hand and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “That’s all.”
Vivaan dramatically clutched their hearts.
“I can’t. I physically can’t. This man is not our boss.”
“He’s a simp, Vivaan. A full-blown simp.”
Ira wanted to disappear. Aarav, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered, even smug.
This man.
This utterly shameless man.
Shopping Spree & A Love-Sick Puppy
After a long day at the office—where Aarav had spent most of his time acting like a love-struck fool, stealing kisses when no one was looking and showering Ira with unnecessary compliments just to see her blush—they finally left early. Or at least, that's what Ira thought.
She expected to head home, maybe get some rest, but no—her dear husband had other plans. Instead of driving home, he pulled up in front of one of the most high-end shopping malls in the city.
Ira frowned. “Aarav, why are we here?”
Aarav smirked, unbuckling his seatbelt. “We’re going to L.A., sweetheart. You’re not wearing only sarees there. I want to see you in jeans and T-shirts.”
She crossed her arms, raising a brow. “So, you’re telling me what to wear now?”
He leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear. “I’m just saying... I want to see all sides of my wife. You wear sarees for me every day, but I want to see you in everything that makes you feel comfortable too and also don't lie I know you used to wear everything before marriage.”
Despite the sweet words, Ira huffed. “I am comfortable in sarees.”
Aarav chuckled, stepping out of the car. “Fine, but you’re still shopping.”
And just like that, she found herself dragged into the massive store, her husband already picking out outfits at lightning speed.
At first, Ira was amused—watching Aarav go through the racks like a man on a mission, selecting clothes as if he were preparing for a fashion show. But soon, it became clear that he was enjoying this way too much.
“Aarav! This is too short!” Ira hissed, pushing back a dress he held up.
He pouted. “It’s a summer dress.”
She shot him a glare. “It’s a scrap of fabric!”
He tried again, handing her a pair of shorts.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do you want me to kill you?”
Aarav sighed dramatically, as if she was breaking his heart. “Fine, fine! You choose!”
And just like that, the great Malhotra CEO—feared in the business world—became her little lost puppy, following her around as she picked out what she actually wanted. Every time she rejected something, he sulked. Every time she picked something herself, he smiled as if she had won a prize.
Then, at one point, he hesitantly handed her a dress. A simple yet elegant one.
Ira looked at it, then at him.
He shifted uncomfortably. “I... think this would look nice on you.”
For some reason, the way he said it—soft, unsure, but still wanting her to accept it—made her heart melt.
She smiled, taking it from him. “Okay.”
Aarav blinked. “Just like that?”
She nodded, holding the dress close. “It’s cute.”
And just like that, his entire face lit up as if she had just gifted him something instead.
“You’re cute,” he muttered under his breath, making her roll her eyes.
And so, after an exhausting shopping trip filled with Aarav’s ridiculous antics, they finally left—with Ira holding bags filled with her choices, and one single dress that Aarav had picked.
And if he was looking at her like she was the best thing in the entire world? Well, she pretended not to notice.
__________
Dear Amazing Readers,
I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for being here, for reading my story, and for supporting my journey as a writer. Every chapter I write is a piece of my heart, and knowing that you're enjoying it means everything to me.
But today, I want to be honest with you—I’ve been feeling a little unsure about myself and my story. Writing is my passion, but like every writer, I sometimes question if I’m good enough or if my words truly resonate with you. Your votes and comments remind me that my work matters, that the time and effort I pour into each update are worth it.
So, if you love this story, please vote, comment, and share your thoughts—not just to support me but to let me know you're with me on this journey. Your words mean more than you know. They inspire me, push me to write better, and remind me why I started in the first place.
Thank you for being part of this world I’ve created. Your love and support are what keep this story alive.
With all my heart,
[Author_simran]