CHAPTER 9 #2
Aanya giggled softly. “Grow up, Reyansh Chopra. I’m not some schoolgirl afraid of detention.”
“Rey!” Radhika suddenly called out.
Aanya raised her eyebrows at him, smug. This time it really wasn’t me.
They both popped back up just as Radhika turned to them.
“What were you two whispering about under the table?” she asked with a knowing smile.
Reyansh opened his mouth to explain, but Aanya beat him to it again.
“Nothing, Di,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “I told him I wanted to do some shopping, and he flat-out refused.”
“What the—” Reyansh turned to her, eyes narrowing.
“See?” she pouted. “He never listens. How is our relationship supposed to grow if we don’t understand each other’s needs?”
Reyansh muttered something under his breath. Whatever it was, Aanya couldn’t make it out but she was sure it was a silent promise of vengeance.
“Rey,” Radhika intervened, “what’s the harm in going shopping with her?”
He didn’t reply, just clenched his jaw.
“ Rey, you’re lucky your wife even asks you to come along,” Rishi added with a chuckle. “My wife just sends me out like her personal shopper. I slog through all of California alone.”
Radhika gasped and smacked his arm while the others laughed. Aanya was thoroughly entertained.
“Di, you and Jeeju just arrived. How can I leave you both alone?” Reyansh tried again.
“We’ll rest,” Radhika assured. “You two go and come back soon. Besides, I have a few things to prepare.”
Aanya and Reyansh exchanged a glance. Neither of them had a clue what those “preparations” were.
“Fine,” he finally agreed. “I’ll take her.”
“Thank you!” Aanya chirped. “Di, you’re the best!”
“You’re welcome,” Radhika said warmly as they continued eating.
****************
Reyansh pushed open the bedroom door with force. Aanya stood with her back to him, fumbling to tie the knot of her kurta. She hadn’t locked the door.
“Ever heard of locking the door before changing?” he snapped.
She sighed without turning around. “I forgot. I’ve never stayed in a family before. It’s always been just Navya and me. But I’ll remember next time.”
“What was that drama about shopping?” he shot back, stepping further inside.
She exhaled and draped the dupatta over her shoulder. “What else do you want me to sleep in? Your shirt again?”
Oh yes. Nightwear. He had missed that in her wardrobe prep.
“Sunny can get it,” he offered, his tone less sharp now.
“Nope,” she said firmly. “No other man gets to pick what I wear at night. It’s my body, my decision. But if you can’t accompany me, I’ll let Di know why.”
He stormed forward, pointing a finger at her face.
“Stop playing games. You don’t get to blackmail me with Di. I’m the one who holds all the power in this deal. Not you.”
Aanya raised both hands in mock surrender and then without warning, looped them around his neck and pulled herself close.
He froze. What the hell was she doing?
She whispered against his cheek. “We have an audience.”
His eyes darted toward the hallway and realized his sister was coming along. Of course. He composed himself immediately.
“Next time, you lock the door before starting a fight,” she added with a smirk.
He was still trying to decode this woman. A minute ago, she was baiting him, and now she was saving him.
“Shall we go?” she asked sweetly, stepping back.
Just then, Radhika entered.
“Sorry,” she said cheerfully. “I just came to borrow a phone charger.”
Reyansh grabbed one from the bedside drawer and handed it to her.
“Thanks. You’re heading out now?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Just about to leave.”
“Great. Have fun. Bye!”
Shopping Mall
Reyansh leaned against the wall of the boutique, scrolling through his emails while Aanya browsed through racks of nightwear.
“Pack all these,” she told the salesgirl, dropping a selection of satin sets on the counter.
Reyansh lifted his head from his phone. “Done?”
“Almost,” she said with a teasing smile, enjoying his boredom.
Suddenly, her expressions changed as she saw someone across the store. Reyansh followed her line of sight and spotted Kyle Malhotra.
“That’s your mother,” he said under his breath.
“Step-mother,” she corrected curtly.
“Whatever.” He pulled out his wallet. “Do you want to say hello?”
She gave him a look of disbelief. “Do you seriously think I want to acknowledge her?”
“Why not? You don’t like her?”
“She’s the last person I’d ever want to greet.”
“I thought I was the last on that list,” he muttered with a half-smirk.
Aanya’s expression shifted. Something wicked gleamed in her eyes.
“I need a favour,” she said suddenly.
He narrowed his eyes. “Favour?”
She leaned up on her toes and whispered in his ear.
When she was done, he pulled back and rolled his eyes. “That’s stupid.”
“Maybe. But it’ll entertain me. Please?”
“That’s not in the deal,” he reminded her.
“Try showing some humanity once. Think beyond the deal.”
He stared at her for a second, then sighed. “Fine.”
“Yes!” she beamed.
A moment later, Reyansh approached Kyle with a polite nod.
“Hello, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Kyle nearly dropped her purse. “Reyansh! What a surprise. What are you doing in a women’s store?”
“My wife needed a few things.”
Kyle blinked. Wife? Did he just say wife ?
Aanya joined them with a bright smile. “Baby, I’m done—” she paused, feigning surprise. “Oh. Kyle. What a coincidence.”
Kyle’s eyes widened as she noticed Aanya slip her fingers into Reyansh’s, and to her greater shock, Reyansh didn’t resist.
“H-hi,” Kyle stammered. “So this is real? You and Reyansh are... together again?”
Aanya nodded confidently. “Yes. We’re working on our marriage. Right, Reyansh?”
He offered a smug, unreadable smile.
Kyle still couldn’t process what she was seeing.
“We have to leave,” Aanya added. “Reyansh’s sister is in town for her birthday. It’s in two days. We’ll send you the invitation. Please come with Dad.”
Kyle managed a stiff nod. “Of course. We wouldn’t miss it.”
“Wonderful,” Reyansh added. “Bye, Mrs. Malhotra. Give my regards to Mr. Malhotra.”
“I will.”
The two of them exited the store, leaving Kyle behind in a daze. She kept staring at the door long after they vanished from sight.
Something was off. Reyansh Chopra wasn’t a man anyone easily won back. Not unless there was more to the story than met the eye.
But for now, she was glad. If they truly had reconciled, it meant the business deal with the Chopras would go through, exactly what she and Anand needed.