CHAPTER 13 #2
“No,” Aanya refused quickly. “I don’t want help from anyone. Otherwise, I would’ve asked Dad or Reyansh.”
“Alright, alright,” Radhika conceded, “but at least let me help you get started the right way. Going through these newspapers isn’t going to get you anywhere fast. You need to prepare a proper resume first.”
Aanya’s eyes lit up. Why hadn’t she thought of that?
“That’s a great idea! But... I don’t have any experience. Will my resume even count?”
“Of course it will. Everyone starts somewhere. I’ll get Rishi’s laptop. We’ll make a stellar resume and upload it to every job portal we can find. I’m sure something will come up.”
Aanya jumped with joy, her heart lighter than it had been in days. If this worked, she’d finally feel like she was doing something meaningful, something for herself .
But Radhika’s next question struck her still.
“Have you spoken to Reyansh about this? I mean... he is your husband. Shouldn’t he know?”
Aanya’s smile faltered.
Explaining things to Reyansh was never easy.
He had never really understood her, not truly.
Would he now? He was the one who had pushed her to consider independence.
Surely, he couldn’t object if she was finally taking him seriously.
Besides, their deal was temporary. He had no say in her future after that.
“I’ll tell him, Di. Not right now. Once I get a job, I’ll talk to him.”
Radhika seemed satisfied with that. She gave Aanya a hopeful nod having no doubt this girl would thrive, wherever she landed.
Chopra Group Office – Later That Day
Sunny could tell his boss was not in his usual form. Reyansh appeared distracted and burdened. Wanting to lift the tension, Sunny tried to make conversation.
“Boss, I hope the party turned out the way you expected?”
Reyansh didn’t even look up. “Hmm.”
Sunny blinked at the monosyllabic response. That confirmed it, something was off.
“Did Aanya ma’am impress everyone at home? I assume Radhika ma’am didn’t suspect the truth?”
Reyansh set his pen down sharply and gave him a pointed glare. Sunny gulped, backing off.
“Sorry, Boss. I’ll leave.”
“Wait,” Reyansh said suddenly. “I need your advice.”
Sunny blinked in disbelief. Did Reyansh Chopra just ask him for advice?
“Of course,” he said, recovering quickly. “Anything.”
“What do you give a woman when you’ve hurt her… and want to make it right?”
Sunny’s brows shot up. So that’s what this is about.
“Well… something she genuinely likes. Something personal,” he said thoughtfully. “And maybe a handwritten apology card. But honestly, Boss, no gift can match a real apology. Say it to her face. That’s what matters most.”
Reyansh nodded, processing his words. “Got it. You may leave.”
Once Sunny left, Reyansh leaned back in his chair, thinking.
He had never been in a situation where he had to make amends like this.
Normally, he didn’t bother explaining himself.
But Aanya wasn’t just anyone. She was his wife, at least for now.
And whether he liked it or not, her pain last night had left a mark on him too.
He knew exactly what he needed to do. Tonight, he would fix what he broke.
Chopra Mansion
Aanya had spent the entire afternoon uploading her resume across every job-hunting website she could find.
She prayed that at least one good company would give her a chance despite her lack of experience.
She really wanted to pursue her career in interior designing.
It was her dream now. Radhika had been a tremendous help.
She had sorted through the best sample resumes for freshers and guided her through every step.
Aanya couldn’t help but wish she’d met Radhika earlier; maybe then, her life wouldn’t have taken such a chaotic turn.
She’d already returned Rishi’s laptop and was now back in her room, her gaze glued to her phone, checking the job portal apps for any hint of a response from employers or recruitment agencies. She knew it was too early to expect results, but she hoped nonetheless.
So absorbed was she in her search that she didn’t realize Reyansh had returned from work. He stood quietly by the doorway, something hidden behind his back, waiting for her to notice him. When she didn’t even lift her head, he cleared his throat with deliberate impatience.
“What’s so interesting in that phone?” he asked sharply.
Aanya startled, nearly dropping her device. It hit the floor with a soft thud, but thankfully didn’t crack. Her hands trembled slightly as she bent to pick it up, barely masking her surprise at his early arrival.
Reyansh narrowed his eyes, sensing her unease. He stepped forward, bending to retrieve her phone but she snatched it first, hiding it behind her back.
“What are you hiding from me, again?”
“Nothing,” she replied far too quickly.
“Don’t lie to me,” he pressed, eyes glinting with suspicion. “You were reading something. What was it?”
Aanya sighed, exasperated.
“I’m an adult, Reyansh. I can read, watch, or listen to whatever I want. Stop acting like a father monitoring his teenage daughter.”
He sighed. If her father had taken that role more seriously, maybe she wouldn’t have turned out like this. She began to walk away, but his voice rang out again.
“Wait.”
She halted, though she didn’t turn around. Reyansh stepped forward and handed her the bottle he’d brought.
Her face lit up instantly. “That’s my favourite wine,” she said, surprised.
“I know. Take it,” he urged.
She reached for it, but hesitated. Her eyes met his once more.
“Is this a gift?”
“It is,” he confirmed with a curt nod.
“Why? It’s not my birthday, and it’s certainly not our anniversary.”
“Just take it,” he repeated, turning the bottle slightly so she could see the card tied to its neck.
She read it silently:
For my errant behaviour last night.
Her eyes shimmered. She hadn’t expected him to apologize, least of all like this. It was clear he regretted what he’d said.
“This feels more like a bribe than an apology,” she remarked.
“Call it whatever you want,” he muttered, taking off his coat.
Aanya stiffened at the sight. The last thing she needed was a bedroom strip, even if the man undressing was her legal husband.
“Fine. I’ll accept it,” she said, holding the bottle firmly. “We’ll open it together someday… perhaps on the last day of this ridiculous deal. That day, you and I will finally be free to choose our lives again.”
She walked away, leaving Reyansh motionless. That last line echoed louder in his head than anything else she’d said.
Few Days Later
Reyansh and Anand Malhotra met to finalize the joint venture that would bind their companies together. The meeting went smoothly. Both men were confident in their alliance, believing it would prove beneficial for both families. Contracts were signed; hands were shaken.
Later that day, Anand messaged Aanya thanking her for making it happen.
He even sent an invitation for a dinner at Malhotra Mansion.
Aanya read the message but chose not to respond.
She had done her part. Her father had secured his deal.
That was enough. She no longer cared for her share of the monthly pocket money, as she had once planned.
She didn’t want her father’s money or her husband’s.
She intended to earn her own, and that conviction now burned fiercely inside her.
Just then her phone pinged with an email notification. She clicked it instantly, her heart racing when she read the subject line. It was from a renowned company in the field of home interiors. She read the message and gasped in joy.
“Di! Di!!” she called out, rushing out of the room.
Radhika emerged from the kitchen, holding a ladle and wearing a soft smile. “Aanya? What is it? Why are you screaming?”
Aanya flung her arms around her and planted kisses on both cheeks.
“Di, they’ve called me for an interview tomorrow!”
“What? Oh my God, that’s amazing! Which company?”
Aanya showed her the details on her phone. Radhika lit up with joy.
“I didn’t think they’d pick my profile,” Aanya admitted.
“They saw your determination, Aanya. That’s what brought this opportunity to you. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.”
“I won’t,” she whispered, hugging her again.
“You’re going to tell Reyansh now, aren’t you?” Radhika asked.
Aanya stepped back, her smile fading. “No, not yet. Let me get the job first then I’ll tell him.”
Radhika accepted her decision with a quiet nod. “As you wish. Now let me finish the kheer and tell Rishi the good news.”
Aanya beamed as she watched her leave.
***************
Reyansh tossed in bed that night, staring at the faint glow from beneath Aanya’s quilt. It was nearly 1:00 a.m., and she was still on her phone. He reached over and pulled the cover down, revealing her startled face.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snapped.
Aanya jerked upright, clutching her phone.
“Why do you care?” she hissed. “I’m not disturbing your sleep, am I?”
“You’ve been avoiding me for days. What’s going on? Are you still mad about what I said at the party?”
His hand moved almost on instinct, brushing a knuckle gently along her cheek. Soft. Unthinking. Like his fingers had a mind of their own. His touch lingered longer than it should have.
Aanya blinked, thrown by the tenderness in his touch, the concern in his voice. She sat up, struggling to breathe through the sudden intensity of the moment.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Reyansh. I don’t take your words to heart, and you shouldn’t either. This is a deal , remember? Nothing serious or permanent.”
Reyansh didn’t like what she said.
“This deal might end, but our marriage doesn’t. Don’t forget, I’m and I’ll still be your husband. I have every right to know what’s going on behind my back.”
She snapped. “There’s nothing happening that might tarnish your saintly public image, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“That means something is going on.”