CHAPTER 36
Yacht – Next Morning
“Good morning,” Aanya whispered near his ear.
Reyansh stirred at the sound of her voice, his eyes fluttering open to the sight of his wife sitting beside him on the bed.
She was wrapped in the same robe he had hastily grabbed for her last night, to wear after making love.
Her hair was tousled, her cheeks were still flushed, and she had a glow that made her look both angelic and wildly irresistible.
God, it was so easy to love her. Even though she had once been a challenge, a mystery, he had come to realize that all she ever wanted from him was what he was finally ready to give: love, respect, and commitment.
“Damn,” he cursed under his breath, suddenly remembering something. “I was supposed to wake up before you.”
He leaned back against the headboard and tugged her into his arms.
“Why should you be the only one giving me surprises? I owe you a few too.”
“You are a surprise package yourself,” he said, grinning as he nuzzled her cheek. “That’s more than enough for me.”
She giggled as he tickled her with his nose.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes searching hers. “I mean… last night was—”
“Never felt better,” Aanya interrupted, nestling closer.
“Liar,” he smirked, unconvinced.
She sighed, pouting before finally admitting, “Well, if you really want to know the truth, then my back is hurting.”
His brows pinched. “Want a quick massage?”
He reached for her but she laughed and quickly slipped off the bed.
“No thanks.”
“What the—?” he groaned in mock frustration.
“We’re getting late, Rey. Our families are probably waiting for us at the hotel. We should head back.”
Reyansh crossed his arms like a stubborn child. “I want my wife all to myself today. I’m not going anywhere.”
Aanya widened her eyes, then shrugged dramatically. “Fine. Stay here with Jack. I’m leaving.”
She walked to the mirror to brush her hair, only to be stopped by Reyansh’s arms sliding around her from behind.
“You’ll be leaving tomorrow ,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
Aanya’s face fell. “I know. I wish I could stay back too, but—”
“I know,” he interrupted gently, turning her to face him. “But I have a solution. We can stay together.”
She blinked, confused.
“What solution? You’ve got work here in Cape Town and in India. I have almost three months left to complete my project in California. How exactly do we stay together through that?”
“I’m nearly done with the joint venture with the Malhotras.
My presence here isn’t essential anymore.
Even if it is, I’ll manage to fly in once a week for a day or two.
Sunny and upper management are handling things in India.
So technically,” he grinned, “I can move to California with you for the next quarter.”
Aanya stared at him in awe.
“Is that… really possible?”
“Nothing is impossible for your husband, sweetheart.”
She jumped into his arms, hugging him tight. “I love you for this. I was so worried about another long separation, and here you are with a solution already. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
“Me neither,” he whispered, kissing the crown of her head and holding her close.
Though he wouldn’t be traveling with her tomorrow , he wouldn’t delay long. A week—maybe less. He’d use the time to wrap up everything and then join her. With Nani already at Radhika’s, it would be good to have the family back together under one roof, even if it was halfway across the world.
Hotel
“Welcome, welcome, my children. Welcome back to us!” Anand beamed as soon as the couple returned to the hotel.
The Negis and Malhotras were gathered at the breakfast table, mid-meal, but their attention shifted to the newlyweds as soon as they walked in. The contentment on Reyansh and Aanya’s faces spoke volumes. No words were needed. They were glowing, bonded, and deeply happy.
“I hope you both had a good night’s sleep?” Radhika whispered with a sly grin, leaning closer to Aanya.
“Ask your Rey,” Aanya replied, biting her lip mischievously.
Radhika burst into laughter and handed her a plate of fruit. Reyansh took the seat beside his wife and began helping himself to breakfast, perfectly composed.
As they ate, Reyansh casually announced his decision to join Aanya in California soon. The Malhotras responded with heartfelt approval.
“That means we won’t see them again for three months,” Kyle said with mild disappointment.
“Dad,” Aanya added quickly, “why don’t you both visit us there? Last time, Kyle didn’t come, and you barely stayed for a day. Come stay longer this time. Please.”
Anand looked thoughtful, but Kyle nodded instantly.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Aanya. I’ll make sure he agrees. We’ll see you both very soon.”
Anand smiled quietly, pleased to see Kyle making this effort for their family. She was slowly but surely weaving herself into the fabric of their lives and his daughter’s happiness.
Reyansh rested his hand gently on Aanya’s thigh beneath the table, pulling her attention back to him.
“Why don’t we finish the rest in our room?” he asked softly, his eyes glinting with something more than mischief.
She arched a brow, but he pulled her closer by the waist, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “I want you on my bed again, stripped and moaning my name.”
Aanya gasped, her breath hitching as goosebumps rose on her skin.
“Think again,” She said, eyes glittering as she teased back. “Maybe you won’t last that long until I strip.”
“We’ll see who lasts, baby,” he replied calmly before wiping his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
“We are heading to the suite. See you all for lunch,” Reyansh said, already holding Aanya’s hand and leading her away.
No one stopped them.
No one wanted to.
They had earned this time, the privacy, and their families knew better than to stand in the way.
A few hours later
“Reyansh, stop avoiding the topic,” Aanya snapped, crossing her arms as she sat facing him on the bed.
He lay beside her, shirtless and looking infuriatingly perfect, as if they hadn’t just spent the last few hours wrapped around each other.
“You’re leaving tomorrow,” he replied with a groan. “And we just made love. That’s more important than any topic right now.”
Tempting logic. But she wasn’t letting it slide.
“Please, baby,” she said, sitting up, folding her knees. “This will mess with my head if I don’t know. You still didn’t give me any details on what was Vicky doing in California? What happened with him? I need answers.”
Reyansh sighed, running a hand through his hair before pushing himself upright against the headboard.
“Okay. You want the truth, I’ll give it. But promise me… no freaking out.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Is there something to freak out over?” she asked, voice tight.
“Depends,” he said darkly. “On how you take it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. He’s finished and so are his intentions. But I know you… and you won’t let it go so easily.”
“Then stop stalling and tell me what happened,” she demanded.
He hesitated. Then exhaled. “Vicky… was the same guy who used to bully you in college?”
Aanya nodded slowly, her eyes blinking rapidly like she was trying to force out the memories before they surfaced. He noticed the shift in her demeanour.
“Will you tell me what he did?” he asked gently, taking her hand.
She hesitated, then met his eyes. “I told you once that I have nightmares sometimes. But I never said who they were about or why. I didn’t think it mattered. I didn’t trust you enough then to believe it would make a difference.”
“You still think that way?” he asked.
“No,” she whispered. “It’s just... the memories are bitter. And I didn’t know how you’d take it.”
He pulled her closer. “We’ve come too far, Aanya, to judge each other now. Let it out.”
She drew a deep breath.
“Vicky was my senior in college. He used to rag girls—target the quiet ones. Most of us kept our heads down. But one day, he tried to harass a friend of mine. I couldn’t stay silent. I slapped him. Hard. In front of the entire college.”
Reyansh’s expression hardened.
“He was suspended for a week,” she continued. “I gave my statement to the principal, backed by other students who had suffered. He got off easy, honestly. A warning. That’s all.”
“And when he returned?” Reyansh asked, though he already knew the answer.
“He seemed calm. Too calm. We never interacted again after that, but I knew he hadn’t forgotten. His silence was his weapon. I never felt safe around him after that.”
She paused, her throat constricting.
“It was the last day of college. There was a farewell party…”
Her voice trailed off. Reyansh gently caressed her back.
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” she interrupted firmly, raising her chin.
He nodded letting her speak but never letting go of her hand.
“He spiked my drink. Waited until I was alone, drowsy and disoriented. Then he cornered me, tried to humiliate me.”
“What did he ask you to do?” he asked, clenching his jaw.
“He.. he asked me to… strip,” she sobbed.
That’s it. Reyansh punched his hand hard on the table aside.
“I am going to kill him for this,” he growled in anger.
But he knew. She needed his strength now more than anything. She needed him to hold her up, to stand by her side. And he would.
He pulled her into his arms, letting her lean into his chest as she broke down softly. Her quiet sobs soaked into his skin, each one carving a hollow space in his heart. He rubbed her back in slow, comforting circles, whispering against her hair.
“It’s okay... I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Aanya. God, I wish I had been.”
She lifted her face, eyes swollen, lashes damp. He reached up and gently wiped away her tears.
“You couldn’t have done anything back then, Reyansh,” she said, voice trembling less now. “We didn’t even know each other.”
“Still,” he growled, his jaw tightening. “I should’ve known. I should’ve known everything. I would’ve made him regret every damn breath he took after what he did to you.”