46. THE ARRIVAL
CONTINUE
After tying the knot, Vivan walked downstairs…
but his mind didn’t follow him.
It was still stuck upstairs.
On her bare back.
Her shiver.
Her voice when she said his name.
He tried to push it away, but the memory came back in flashes, sharper than he liked.
He stood near the doorway, scrolling through his phone just to look occupied, but he could feel Pragya’s eyes on him.
Watching him.
Studying him.
Judging him.
She had that knowing mother-look — the kind that said she absolutely understood something happened upstairs.
Vivan kept his face blank.
Expressionless.
Unbothered.
At least on the outside.
Just then…
the soft tinkling of anklets drifted into the hall.
He didn’t even realize he turned until he saw her.
Aarvi descended the last step, her white saree glimmering, the knot on her back perfectly tied — the knot he had tied.
Her eyes met his.
Almost instantly, she looked away, cheeks warming.
Vivan’s jaw tightened for a moment.
Something twisted in his stomach when he saw that knot — his fingers remembering the feel of her skin beneath them.
He cleared his throat. “Let’s go,” he said, brushing the emotion aside.
Aarvi nodded and followed him out.
---
The car was silent.
Too silent.
He drove with one hand on the wheel, the other tapping lightly out of habit, but his mind wasn’t on the road alone.
Aarvi sat with her hands clasped in her lap, looking out the window… stealing tiny glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking.
Finally, she broke the silence.
“You… you said this marriage is private,” she said softly. “Then why are we going there as a couple?”
He glanced at her — just for a second — before turning back to the road.
“They’re our family friends,” he replied calmly. “They know about our marriage. They were there at the reception too.”
Aarvi absorbed his words.
Her fingers relaxed slightly, and she nodded, understanding.
The silence returned…
but this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable.
It was full.
Heavy.
Charged.
Neither of them dared fill it.
After some time, the car slowed to a stop. Aarvi glanced at Vivan, confused, but he had already stepped out. He came around to her side, reaching for the door handle—only for her to quickly open it herself.
He paused, hand mid-air. She avoided looking at him as she stepped out.
Her eyes lifted to the board in front of them. Nug Jewellers.
She frowned slightly. “Why… here?”
“We need to buy a gift for Aadhya,” he answered simply, tilting his head toward the entrance.
Inside, the cool air and soft golden lights greeted them. A salesman approached instantly, smiling brightly the moment he saw them.
“Good evening, sir, ma’am,” he said, hands clasped. “How may I assist you?”
Vivan nodded. “Show us something for engagement—”
“Oh of course, sir!” the salesman cut in eagerly. “We have beautiful ring collections for both men and women. Perfect for couples like you. Very popular choices.”
Aarvi’s breath caught.
Vivan’s brows twitched, the only sign that he understood exactly what the man assumed.
He cleared his throat, correcting politely, “Ah, not for us. We’re attending an engagement and need a gift for the bride and groom. Something other than rings.”
“Oh! Yes, sir, certainly.” The salesman hurried to the display counters.
They walked side by side, maintaining just enough distance to avoid brushing shoulders.
The salesman brought out several options, explaining each enthusiastically.
Aarvi leaned closer to examine, her bangles softly chiming; Vivan’s eyes flickered to the sound—then back to the pieces, acting unaffected.
Finally, they agreed on a pair of elegant couple bracelets—minimalistic diamond with a thin strip of embedded stones. Graceful, classy, perfect for Aadhya and her finance.
At the billing counter, Aarvi got distracted by a different tray of ornaments on the far side, her attention caught by a delicate necklace on display.
That’s when Vivan saw it.
A pair of diamond earrings—
slender tear-drop shaped pendants,
a single fine chain attached to each,
leading down to a shimmering diamond that caught light like ice.
Elegant.
Soft.
Understated.
Very… her.
He tried not to imagine them against Aarvi’s skin—yet he did.
Tch.
He looked away, questioning himself.
Is it even okay to buy her something?
It shouldn’t matter.
But his fingers tapped the counter once… twice…
Before he could stop himself, he heard his own voice quietly say,
“Pack those earrings too.”
The salesman smiled knowingly.
Aarvi still hadn’t noticed—lost in observing the necklace from afar.
Vivan exhaled slowly, almost annoyed at himself for slipping.
But he didn’t take the words back.
Not this time.
_
As they stepped out of the showroom, Aarvi carried the neatly packed box containing the couple bracelets. Vivan walked beside her, hands in his pockets, the secret earring box tucked safely inside his blazer.
The door closed behind them, and for a moment they stood there in the gentle bustle of the street. Aarvi shifted the bag slightly, brushing a loose stand of hair behind her ear.
He opened the car door for her this time.
She hesitated.
Just for a fraction of a second.
Not enough to question, just enough for him to notice.
She sat inside without a word.
Vivan circled to the driver’s side and slid in, the small velvet box pressing lightly against his ribs with his every move. It felt… significant. More than it should. He ignored the thought and started the engine.
For the first few minutes, silence filled the car again. Not uncomfortable, not exactly comfortable—just something in between, like both of them were carefully thinking around each other.
Aarvi, looking forward, finally spoke.
“Did we… take too long?”
Her tone was light but he could hear the small awkwardness beneath it.
“No. It was fine.”
His reply was short, but steadier than he felt.
She nodded, fingers tracing the edge of the shopping bag on her lap.
At a red light, Vivan glanced sideways—only for a second.
She was looking out the window, but her earrings glinted under the streetlight.
For a moment, he imagined the ones he bought there instead.
He looked away the next second, jaw tightening.
Ridiculous.
When the light turned green, he drove again.
As they neared Aadhya’s house, the lights, decorations, and music started becoming clearer. The celebration aura grew, warm and inviting.
Aarvi shifted, fixing her saree pallu carefully, smoothing the pleats.
He noticed—again—more than he should.
“We’re almost there,” he said.
She exhaled, a small nervous breath.
“Okay.”
The car rolled to a stop outside the house.
And just before getting out, Vivan discreetly pressed his palm against the inside of his jacket, feeling the tiny earring box hidden there.
It stayed warm against his hand.
A secret between him… and himself.
_
The moment Vivan and Aarvi stepped into the house, they were greeted by warm lights, soft music, and the warm chatter of family. Aarvi adjusted her saree lightly, trying to calm her nerves.
But then—
a sudden excitement rippled through the room.
Aarvi followed everyone’s gaze just in time to see a girl running straight toward Vivan.
She looked effortlessly beautiful even in her simple, casual outfit — an oversized lavender sweatshirt, light blue jeans, her hair tied in a messy ponytail with soft strands escaping around her face.
No jewellery except a tiny silver bracelet.
Her entire aura was warm, lively… the type of person who makes a room feel brighter just by entering it.
Before Aarvi could process, the girl threw her arms around Vivan.
“Aadhya?” Vivan breathed out, smiling instinctively as he hugged her back with a softness.
Aarvi froze, confused.
When Aadhya pulled back, she finally noticed Aarvi standing a step behind him.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
“Oh! I’m sorry— I almost forgot he has a wife now.”
Aarvi gave a small, awkward smile.
Aadhya instantly understood that Aarvi felt out of place. So she stepped closer and extended her hand with a bright, warm grin.
“I’m Aadhya. Aadhya Sharma.”
Aarvi hesitated only for a second before shaking her hand.
But Aadhya didn’t let go — she leaned in and hugged Aarvi too, soft and comforting, like she had known her for years.
When she pulled back, she added teasingly,
“And don’t worry — your husband is safe.”
Aarvi’s eyes widened.
She looked at Vivan.
Vivan looked at her.
Both confused.
Aadhya laughed at their expression and continued,
“I mean — he considers me his little sister. And I consider myself his big sister.”
Vivan let out a sharp exhale, suddenly understanding why she had said that.
Aarvi’s cheeks warmed in embarrassment as she quickly looked away.
“Ah… let’s go inside,” Vivan said, clearing his throat.
Aarvi nodded — a little too quickly — and followed them in, her heart still beating strangely fast.
As Vivan, Aarvi, and Aadhya stepped further inside, the house felt alive — laughter echoing from every corner, music floating in the background, relatives talking over one another, children running past with squeals.
A proper engagement-home chaos.
Aadhya smiled softly beside them, but something in her eyes looked tired… like she had been carrying the entire celebration on her shoulders.
Just then, Mrs. Sharma approached with a wide, affectionate smile.
“Vivan!”
Vivan immediately stepped forward and bent to touch her feet.
She blessed him warmly, placing a hand over his head.
Aarvi followed politely, bending as well—
but before her hands could touch Mrs. Sharma’s feet, she stopped her gently mid-way.
“No, no, beta… daughters don’t touch feet.”
And she pulled Aarvi into a hug instead.
The gesture was warm.
But the sentence…
made Aadhya’s smile disappear instantly.
Her eyes dropped to the floor.
The shift was tiny, but Aarvi saw it.
Mrs. Sharma continued hugging Aarvi.
“I’m so sorry, beta. We couldn’t welcome you properly… there’s just so much work—”
But before she could finish, Vivan stepped in lightly, saying,
“It’s okay, aunty. We’re family, right? We don’t need formalities.”
Mrs. Sharma nodded gratefully.
“Yes, yes… of course.”
Then she turned to her daughter.
“Aadhya, take them to their room.”
Aadhya nodded with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes this time.
Aarvi noticed it instantly —
that flicker of hurt that Aadhya tried to hide behind the polite grin.
Aarvi didn’t say anything…
but she walked beside Aadhya, quietly wondering what exactly had caused that sudden sadness.
~?~