CHAPTER 43
A week later
“Hey, Rohan,” Aanya greeted Navya’s fiancé with a warm smile.
“Hi, Aanya. Finally, we meet. Navya’s told me so much about you, I was starting to feel jealous.”
“That makes two of us, brother,” Reyansh’s voice came from behind as he joined them, wrapping an arm around Aanya’s waist. “I get the same feeling every time she talks about Navya... especially when we’re in bed.”
“Reyansh!” Aanya gasped, elbowing him with a glare for dropping their bedroom secrets so casually.
Both men burst out laughing like long-lost friends.
“Navya,” Aanya turned to Navya with a smirk, “let the men bond over their fragile egos. I’ll show you your room.”
Throwing her husband a playful warning glance, she pulled Navya inside the penthouse.
“This place is stunning,” Navya said, her eyes scanning the sleek interiors.
“It is,” Aanya agreed. “Reyansh and I designed it together. It finally feels like home.”
Navya paused, her tone softening. “How’s your shoulder now?”
Aanya groaned. “I’m seriously tired of answering that question. I’m fine, Navya. It wasn’t a deep wound.”
“Still… if it had been worse, I think Reyansh would’ve gone full John Wick on both Vicky and Shagufta.”
Aanya laughed. “You’re not wrong.”
“What’s happening with them now? Have they been deported?”
“Yeah. Two days ago. Delhi police took them into custody. Reyansh hasn’t told me much, but he’s in constant touch with the authorities.”
“He handled it all so well. And to think, I was Vicky’s target too, that was genius. If Reyansh hadn’t asked Sunny to watch my back, I don’t even want to imagine what could’ve happened.”
“But it’s over now,” Aanya said firmly. “Let’s not ruin today talking about the past.”
“Agreed. And hey, I heard you and Kyle are reconnecting. When did that happen?”
Aanya smiled, her confidence glowing. “Why shouldn’t we? She’s not a bad person. We just never really saw each other. She misunderstood me, I judged her—it was a loop. But things have changed.”
“Everything about you has changed. And I have to say Reyansh is your lucky charm. Just like you are his.”
Aanya fluttered her lashes with mock drama. “So dreamy.”
“Where’s Kyle and your dad?”
“They left yesterday. Dad had to return for work in India. Now come on—we’ve got so much to prep before the party tomorrow.”
They headed inside, spending the rest of the day catching up, laughing, and making memories. Although Reyansh offered to let Rohan stay at the penthouse, but he declined since all his friends were staying at the hotel. Navya, however, stayed back with Aanya.
Later That Night
“No,” Reyansh groaned dramatically, blocking Aanya’s way. “You spent the whole day with your best friend. Now spend the night with me.”
“Reyansh…” she reached out and trailed her fingers across his chest, playing with the fabric of his T-shirt. “We still have so much to talk about. Let me go just for tonight?”
He held a stony expression until he cracked a smile.
“Fine. Go sleep with your best friend. But don’t stay up too late. I don’t want dark circles on my wife.”
Aanya grinned. “And what if I do get dark circles?”
“Then I’ll love you with them too,” he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her forehead.
Her breath hitched slightly when he nuzzled her cheek.
“If you don’t stop this, I might just change my mind and stay,” she warned, voice husky.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” he whispered, brushing his lips close.
Laughing, she broke away and darted to the door before he could pull her back in.
“Good night,” she called, blowing him a kiss before closing the door.
Reyansh sighed, rubbing his face in frustration.
“Another night of torture…”
Next Day
Rohan had come over for lunch, and Navya and Aanya were in the kitchen still chit chatting.
“ I am the bride but you are glowing,” Navya said, giving Aanya an appreciative once-over.
“That’s the bright side of being married to a man who loves you,” Aanya replied with a grin.
Navya chuckled. “It’s obvious. But honestly, Aanya, I’m genuinely impressed.
Reyansh… the way his eyes search for you the moment you’re not around, the way he’s present in all the small, thoughtful ways…
it’s really something. He’s not just in love with you, he truly values this marriage.
And that’s exactly what you’ve always deserved. ”
Aanya nudged her playfully. “Rohan’s not bad either. The man worships you and all your drama.”
“True,” Navya laughed. “He’s a sweetheart. I just hope marriage turns him into a Reyansh-level husband.”
Just then, Reyansh stepped into the kitchen, making both women straighten instinctively.
“Sweetheart,” he said, locking eyes with Aanya, “Rohan’s waiting on the salad.”
“Oh shoot, it’s ready.” Aanya reached for the bowl, but Navya snatched it up with a sly wink.
“I’ll serve him,” she said and slipped out, leaving the couple alone.
Reyansh leaned against the counter with a smirk. “Have you seen my wife? Because ever since her best friend arrived, she’s been MIA.”
Aanya pouted, guilty. He wasn’t wrong. Between all the catch-ups and late-night chats with Navya, she’d accidentally neglected her husband.
“Oh really?” she teased, stepping close and running her hands over his shirt. She knew exactly what that did to him. “Should I pass on a message if I happen to run into your wife?”
“That would help,” he said, eyes narrowing with playful heat. “Tell her to behave herself tonight at the bachelorette party. The way she’s been looking lately, I know half the men at the party are going to stare. I don’t want her giving anyone else even a sliver of attention.”
Aanya arched a brow. “Oof. That’s a serious warning. But what if she does flirt a little? It is a party after all…”
Reyansh’s arms wrapped around her like steel.
“Then tell her…two can play dirtier, darling. You don’t want to see me flirting back, do you?”
Her mood shifted in a snap. Of course not. She was far more possessive than he was and every woman who even looked at Reyansh the wrong way was already on her mental hit list.
“Thought so,” he said with a smug grin, tapping her nose before pulling away. “Now, shall we? Rohan and Navya are probably wondering where we vanished.”
“Let’s go,” she nodded, still flustered from his teasing, but loving every second of it.
Bachelorette Party Night
The pub was buzzing with energy, reserved exclusively for the event.
Rohan and Navya were undeniably the centre of attention, surrounded by friends, showered with love, teased with cheeky games that would have embarrassed any other couple.
Laughter echoed, drinks flowed, and the air pulsed with celebration.
Aanya tried to stay focused on the chaos around the soon-to-be-weds, but her eyes kept scanning for one particular face— Reyansh . As host, he was everywhere yet nowhere. She hadn’t caught a glimpse of him for a while, and his absence felt oddly heavy.
While she tried to keep her focus on the soon-to-be-weds, her phone buzzed in her palm.
It was an email and the moment she opened it, her eyes lit up with delight.
At last, she’d caught her husband’s attention.
It was one of his classic, mock-annoyed complaints.
Their email banter had never really stopped.
Even now, they continued exchanging messages during work hours, sneaking in plans for the night…
and slipping in just enough flirtation to keep the spark burning bright.
Mrs. Chopra,
Isn’t that dress a little too short and dangerously tight? If I recall correctly, that one was meant for my eyes only.
Your annoyed Husband,
Mr. Chopra
Laughing softly to herself, she quickly typed back a reply, still unable to spot him in the flashing disco lights and the thick crowd.
Mr. Annoyed Chopra,
Glad you finally noticed me. This is my best friend’s big night. She made me wear this. But hey, I’ve got my wedding ring on. That should keep the boys in check, right?
P.S. I miss you.
Your Miserable Wife,
Mrs. Chopra
A minute later, her phone buzzed again.
Mrs. Chopra,
What can I do to fix my miserable wife’s mood?
Curious Husband,
Mr. Chopra
Her grin widened as she replied.
Mr. Chopra,
Just come to me. That’s enough.
Dreamy Wife,
Mrs. Chopra
She hit send and looked up…and there he was. Standing just a few feet away.
Everything else in the room seemed to fade.
The noise, the lights, the crowd, it all vanished in the background.
They moved toward each other, the pull between them stronger than ever.
Without thinking twice, she pressed her lips to his in a soft, heated kiss.
It still felt brand new, even after all this time.
It was hard to believe they had been married for quite some time now. They still looked like a couple hopelessly in love, unable to keep their hands off each other, even for a moment.
When they broke apart, his eyes stayed locked on hers.
“Let’s skip the party for a few minutes,” he murmured.
“Sounds fun,” she whispered back. “But what about Navya and Rohan?”
“They’re too busy to notice,” he smirked, slipping his hand into hers and leading her quietly away.
Two Months later
It was Aanya’s final day at work in California.
Her one-year contract with the client had officially come to an end, and she’d declined their offer to extend her stay.
Reyansh had told her he would’ve stayed back with her if she had agreed but she had other plans.
She wanted to return to India… and to their family.
Everything was set. Their flight was scheduled for the next morning, and their bags were already packed.
As much as they would miss Radhika, Rishi, and baby Ruhi, the idea of going home filled them with excitement.
Rishi, in fact, had started discussing a possible business move to India.
If that happened, the Negis wouldn’t be far behind.