CHAPTER 14 #2
He was still a puzzle she hadn’t cracked. Why he married her in the first place, why he hadn’t walked away yet when he clearly could? And how could she trust a man who guarded his heart like a fortress?
“You should talk to him,” Radhika urged. “He’ll understand your desire to work, if you just explain it nicely, calmly and with love.”
Aanya wasn’t so sure, but she considered Radhika’s words. She would talk to Reyansh, if not now, then soon.
Later that Day
“Party? But where?” Radhika asked, blinking in surprise.
“The Bristo club. It’s the best in town,” Aanya replied casually.
Radhika hesitated. “What would I even do there? You should celebrate with Navya.”
“No way,” Aanya protested. “If I’m celebrating, it’s with you all. You helped me get that job, Di. I want you there.”
Radhika smiled, touched but sceptical. “Will Reyansh even agree to this?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Aanya teased, nudging her gently.
“Me? Oh no. You should ask him. And maybe check if he wants to come too.”
Aanya made a face. Reyansh was not easy to convince, but she had no choice. As long as their deal lasted, she couldn’t take such liberties without his nod.
She found him in the gym, lifting weights with an intensity that screamed frustration. Why was he burning calories at this hour? Probably to burn off the emotions he didn’t know how to handle.
“Navya’s throwing a party for my new job tonight,” she said, keeping her voice neutral.
Reyansh didn’t even look at her. His arms strained as he lifted, sweat dripping down his temple.
“Di and Jeeju are coming too. I wanted to ask… Can I go?” she asked cautiously.
He dropped the weights with a loud thud and turned to face her. His face was flushed, his muscles tense, anger radiating off him.
“Did you ask my permission before going for the interview?” he snapped.
Aanya understood the sting behind his words. “I won’t go if you say no. The deal still matters to me while I’m under this roof.”
He moved toward her swiftly, cornering her until her back hit the wall. He planted his palm beside her head, glaring down at her.
“F*ck the deal,” he growled before storming out.
Aanya stood there, breathless. She had never seen him that angry. Maybe she should cancel the party. Not because she feared him, but she didn’t want to celebrate without his approval tonight. That she was sure of!
*****************
Radhika, noticing Aanya’s shaken demeanour, quickly put the pieces together. Without delay, she went to confront her brother.
“Rey,” she said softly, entering his room.
“Don’t defend her, Di,” he said firmly. “I’m not against her working, but she’s impulsive.
One day she’s determined to be independent, the next she might walk away from it like it meant nothing.
This isn’t something to take lightly. Her reputation’s on the line.
People have already judged her, mocked her…
even her own parents. I won’t let anyone else have the chance to break her down again. ”
“Just give her the benefit of the doubt this time,” Radhika urged gently. “Maybe she’s really serious about it now.”
She sensed her brother’s anger beginning to thaw. His concern for Aanya was surfacing.
“Rey,” she said softly, moving closer to sit beside him on the recliner.
“She needs encouragement, support and she’ll only find that within her family.
From you. From all of us. If we don’t stand by her now, she’ll lose faith.
Do you want her to return to that same purposeless life she was living before? ”
“No,” he replied, almost growling the word.
“Then support her. I know you’ll find a way to watch over her without making it obvious. You’ll protect her before she can make any choices that might hurt her.”
He turned his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “You think I haven’t already considered that?” he asked, voice low and tight. “I know how to safeguard what’s mine. I’ll do the same for her.”
Radhika smiled softly. “Then that’s all she needs. Let go of your anger and come with us to the party. If anything, you should be the one throwing it for your wife, who’s finally chasing something she truly wants.”
He didn’t respond at once. He wasn’t sure if this celebration made sense to him, but if it would make his sister happy, he wouldn’t object.
“Go on and take a shower,” Radhika said, rising to her feet. “I’ll let Aanya and Navya know.”
Reyansh gave a silent nod and headed for the bathroom, while Radhika left the room with a knowing smile.
*****************
Radhika didn’t inform Aanya yet that Reyansh had agreed for the party.
On the other hand, when she told about it to Nani, the latter showed almost no interest in Aanya’s career decisions.
Still determined to make the evening special, Radhika had called Navya, sharing the plan and requesting she keep it a surprise.
Navya agreed, just as excited to be part of the celebration.
When Aanya emerged into the living room later that day, she spotted Navya at the living room of Chopra Mansion, already dressed up for the night. And standing just a few feet away, straightening the cuffs of his dark navy blazer, was Reyansh.
Ignoring him, she made her way to Navya instead.
“Navya? I told you we weren’t going,” Aanya said, puzzled.
“You did,” Navya replied, barely holding back her grin. “But then your sister-in-law happened to call...”
“And,” Radhika chimed in, stepping forward, “we’re all going out to celebrate. Reyansh has agreed.”
Aanya’s breath hitched. “He… agreed?” she repeated in disbelief. Her gaze flicked from Radhika to Reyansh, who stood tall and impossibly handsome, fully suited up for the evening, and looking at her.
A broad, incredulous smile broke across Aanya’s face.
“Oh my God. Thank you, Di!” she squealed, throwing her arms around Radhika and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
Caught in the rush of excitement, she turned toward Reyansh without thinking. Before logic could catch up to emotion, she crossed the short space between them and wrapped her arms around his neck, landing a soft, impulsive kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Rey,” she whispered breathlessly, using the nickname again without hesitation. As she pulled back from the kiss, her arms slid down slowly from around his neck, her palms grazing over his broad chest, lingering with soft affection. “Thank you for saying yes.”
The pure, flushed look on Reyansh’s face in the aftermath of her kiss made her realize what she had just done.
She had kissed Reyansh Chopra. On his cheek. In front of his entire family!
Though a spark of shock flickered across her face, she masked it quickly, schooling her features into cool indifference, as if what just happened meant nothing at all.
But Reyansh saw it.
Both her panic and her cover-up.
She might’ve tried to hide it, but he read her like a book.
Without another word, Aanya stepped back and gently smoothed the front of his shirt, patting it lightly, like a wife checking to make sure she hadn’t creased the perfectly ironed fabric during their embrace.
“I’ll go change,” she said, dismissively, turned on her heel and bolted toward the bedroom.
Reyansh stood frozen, his entire face red like a tomato. His heart thudded, his ears burned, and his mind? Blank. Absolutely blank.
Radhika sauntered over to her brother and slipped her hand into his.
“So…” she said with a grin. “All that anger melted pretty fast, hmm? Aanya should have used this trick much earlier. Would’ve saved you a hundred hours at the gym.”
His flush deepened, but he quickly masked it with a scowl. He didn’t reply. Just turned away and walked off with his face still burning, chest tight, and the warmth of her lips still etched into his skin.