chapter 75 - Love at 40,000 Feet
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, but instead of waking up feeling refreshed, Ira felt something heavy on her. Correction—someone.
“Aarav,” she groaned, trying to push the muscular weight off her. “Let me breathe!”
Aarav, half-asleep, only snuggled closer. “Mmm… five more minutes.”
“You said that ten minutes ago! We have a flight to catch!” She tried prying his arm off, but he only tightened his grip.
“Correction,” he mumbled against her neck. “A private jet to catch.”
Ira rolled her eyes. Rich people and their fancy problems.
After another five minutes of struggle (which ended with her tickling him to escape), they finally got up and started getting ready. Ira was bustling around, making sure everything was packed, while Aarav stood in front of the mirror, fixing his hair like he was about to walk a red carpet.
“Aarav, can you please check if we packed the passports?” she asked, struggling with her bag’s zipper.
“Of course, my love,” he said smoothly, then turned to the mirror. “Passports, did we pack you?”
Ira threw a pillow at him.
Once they were dressed and ready, Aarav pulled her close. “Since we’re flying today, can we have five minutes of alone time before we take off?”
Ira raised an eyebrow. “Five minutes?”
“Fine, ten.”
She chuckled as he leaned in, wrapping his arms around her. “You know,” he murmured against her temple, “this is the longest we’ll be alone before our families interrupt us again.”
And right on cue— knock knock knock!
“Aarav! Ira! Breakfast is ready!” his mom called from outside.
Ira burst out laughing, while Aarav groaned. “I swear, my family has a sensor for when I try to romance my wife.”
“Come on, Mr. Malhotra, we don’t want to keep your sensor-equipped family waiting.”
At the breakfast table, the entire Malhotra family was gathered, chatting and laughing. Aarav’s father, Rajesh, clapped him on the back. “So, ready to take my bahu away to LA?”
Before Aarav could answer, his father gasped dramatically. “Wait! You’re not taking her in economy class, right?”
Aarav looked deeply offended. “Dad. I would never.”
“Good,” Rajesh sighed in relief. “Because if you put my bahu in economy, I would disown you.”
Ira, who had never even flown business class before, choked on her juice. “W-what?”
Rajesh waved a hand. “What’s the point of having multiple private jets if my son doesn’t use them properly?”
Ira blinked. MULTIPLE PRIVATE JETS?!
Aarav casually placed a hand over her mouth before she could say anything. “Yes, Dad. We are taking the private jet. No need for emotional drama.”
Rajesh wiped a fake tear. “That’s my boy.”
After breakfast they left, Once inside the car, Ira settled in beside Aarav, stretching her arms. “Finally! Peace and quiet.”
Aarav smirked, reaching out to pull her closer. “Oh, baby, we’re not going to be quiet at all.”
Ira’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
Aarav leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “We have a long car ride ahead. Plenty of time for some... fun.”
Ira crossed her arms. “If your definition of fun is annoying me for two hours, I swear I’ll—”
“Annoy? Me?” Aarav gasped, dramatically placing a hand on his heart. “Baby, I adore you. Worship you. How could I ever annoy you?”
Ira narrowed her eyes. “Oh really?”
“Absolutely.” Aarav then reached for her hand, interlocking their fingers. “In fact, I’m thinking of making this ride more interesting.”
Ira raised a suspicious eyebrow. “How?”
Aarav smirked and suddenly tapped the driver’s shoulder. “Turn on the partition.”
The driver, used to his boss’s antics, smirked and pressed a button. The partition between them and the front seat rolled up, giving them complete privacy.
Ira’s mouth fell open. “Aarav!”
He shrugged. “What? I just want to admire my beautiful wife in peace.”
“Admire?” Ira scoffed. “That’s a fancy way of saying trouble.”
Aarav gave her a lazy smirk. “Define trouble.”
Ira tried to glare at him, but it was hard to ignore the way his fingers slowly traced patterns on her palm. His touch was warm, teasing, distracting.
“Aarav,” she warned.
“Hmmm?” His voice was pure amusement.
“Stop.”
He leaned closer. “Make me.”
Ira’s heart raced, but she was NOT going to let him win. So she did what any smart woman would do—she bit his hand.
“Ow!” Aarav pulled his hand away, staring at her in shock. “Did you just—”
Ira smirked. “You said to make you stop.”
Aarav stared at her, then burst into laughter. “You are something else, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira flipped her hair. “I know.”
Aarav leaned back, shaking his head. “You bite, you fight, and yet you’re still the most adorable thing in the world.”
Ira rolled her eyes. “Just sit there quietly and behave.”
Aarav gave her a teasing look. “Oh, baby, I never behave.”
She groaned, already regretting the long car ride ahead.
And so, with laughter, banter, and a dangerously flirtatious husband, their journey to LA officially began… in peak Malhotra style.
The Malhotra private jet was nothing short of luxury—soft leather seats, dim golden lighting, and a cozy atmosphere that screamed romance.
Ira stepped inside and sighed in relief. “Finally. No more car ride nonsense.”
Aarav, right behind her, chuckled. “Oh, baby, you sound exhausted. Let me help you relax.”
Ira turned around, narrowing her eyes. “Aarav. No.”
Aarav smirked and, without a word, scooped her up bridal style.
“AAH! Aarav!” she shrieked, smacking his chest.
“Shh, baby. You’re disturbing the pilot,” he whispered teasingly, carrying her to the wide, plush sofa that was practically a bed. He placed her down gently, trapping her with his arms.
Ira huffed. “Do you always have to act like a dramatic hero?”
Aarav smirked. “Of course. That’s how I keep you entertained.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the small smile creeping onto her lips. The jet’s soft hum, the dim lights, and the sheer coziness of the space made it impossible to argue.
Aarav kicked off his shoes and pulled Ira towards him, making her rest against his chest. “There. Now you’re exactly where you belong.”
Ira wiggled, trying to escape. “Aarav, I—”
“Shh.” He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent. “Just a few minutes.”
Ira sighed, finally giving in. His warmth, the steady sound of his heartbeat, and the way his arms wrapped around her like a protective cocoon—it was impossible not to melt.
Aarav’s fingers lazily traced patterns on her back. “Are you excited for LA?”
Ira, resting her head against him, mumbled sleepily, “Mmm… only if you behave.”
Aarav chuckled. “No promises.”
Silence settled between them, not awkward, but comforting. The world outside the jet didn’t exist. It was just the two of them, wrapped in warmth, flying above the clouds.
Aarav’s lips brushed against her forehead. “You should sleep. Long flight ahead.”
Ira hummed but didn’t move. She was already drifting into sleep, her fingers lightly clutching his shirt.
Aarav smirked, pulling a blanket over both of them. “That’s right, baby. Sleep in your husband’s arms.”
And as the jet soared through the sky, Aarav held Ira tighter, knowing there was no place in the world more perfect than this moment.
___________
Did you like this chapter? Let me know with a vote!