His Angel

Chapter - 40

I looked into his eyes and smiled softly. "Mujhe aap acche lagne lage hain, Avi..."

(I've started liking you, Avi...)

For a moment, he didn't say anything. He just... stared at me.

Did I say something wrong? Or maybe too much?

I tilted my head, blinking at him. "Avi...?"

And then—before I could understand anything—he fell.

"Avi!!" My heart stopped for a second.

I immediately dropped to my knees beside him, my hands trembling as I cupped his face.

"Avi, uthoo! Why are you not saying anything?" (Avi, wake up! Why aren't you saying anything?) My voice wavered, panic slowly creeping in.

But he didn't move.

"Oh no... oh no... what do I do?" I looked around frantically, my mind spinning, everything feeling slightly blurry.

Then—I saw a glass of water nearby.

"Water! Yes! Water fixes everything!"

Without thinking, I grabbed the glass and dipped my fingers in, letting a few drops fall onto his face.

"Avi, please uthoo..." (Avi, please wake up...) I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

And then—he moved.

His eyelashes fluttered, and the faintest smile appeared on his lips as he slowly opened his eyes.

A deep breath escaped me, relief washing over my chest. "Avi..."

I quickly put the glass aside and fanned him with the pallu of my saree. "Are you okay? Haan? What happened? Why did you fall?"

But instead of answering me—he just smiled.

A slow, soft, really strange smile.

Wait.

Why does that smile look so... nice? So warm?

I frowned. "Aap... aise kyun dekh rahe hain?" (Why are you looking at me like that?)

His smile widened just a little. "Aapne abhi kya kaha?" (What did you just say?)

I blinked. "Kya?" (What?)

He leaned in slightly. "Aapne kaha ki aapko main accha lagne laga hoon?" (You said you've started liking me?)

I felt my cheeks warm, but instead of my usual hesitation, I nodded without thinking. "Haan, bilkul! Aap bohot ache ho!" (Yes, absolutely! You are really nice!)

He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Kitna acha?" (How nice?)

I paused for a moment, then stretched my arms out as wide as I could.

"Issss bhi jyada acha!" (Even more than this!)

A chuckle escaped his lips, deep and warm. "Aur kya pasand hai aapko mujhme?" (And what else do you like about me?)

I blinked again, thinking.

And then I gasped as if I had just discovered something amazing. "Aapki eyelashes!!" (Your eyelashes!!)

He tilted his head, clearly entertained. "Meri eyelashes?" (My eyelashes?)

I nodded, completely serious. "Haan! Bohot lambi hain!" (Yes! They're so long!)

Then, my shoulders slumped, and I sighed dramatically. "Par mere paas itni sundar eyelashes nahi hai..." (But I don't have such pretty eyelashes...)

His lips twitched slightly as if holding back a laugh. "Aur?" (And?)

I leaned a little closer, studying his face intensely. "Aapki aankhein..." (Your eyes...)

His gaze softened. "Meri aankhein?" (My eyes?)

I nodded again, completely enchanted. "Haan... aisa lagta hai jaise main kho jaungi unme." (Yes... it feels like I'll get lost in them.)

Aarav exhaled a soft chuckle, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Aur?" (And?)

I sighed dreamily. "Aapki smile!" (Your smile!)

Another chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Aur?" (And?)

I bit my lip, thinking hard. Then, with a soft, almost whispered voice, I said, "Aur aap... aap meri saari baatein samajh jaate ho bina bole." (And you... you understand everything I say without me even speaking.)

For a second, he didn't say anything.

Then—slowly—he cupped my face, his touch warm and gentle.

"Bas itna hi?" (That is all?)he murmured, his voice deep and soothing.

I frowned, thinking again, trying to remember if there was more. But my thoughts felt like clouds—soft, floating away before I could catch them.

I scrunched my nose, making faces as I thought harder. "Mujhe abhi aur kuch yaad nahi aa raha... jab yaad aayega, bata dungi." (I don't remember anything else right now... I'll let you know when I get it.)

He chuckled—soft, low. It made my heart skip. "Okay, Angel. Now, let's go to our room."

I nodded, letting him take me inside. The moment we entered, he made me sit on the bed.

I looked up at him as he turned to leave. Wait... where is he going?

I quickly held his hand, stopping him. "Avi... I want to talk to you."

He turned back to me, his eyes gentle. "Hmm... I'll listen. But first, let me bring something for you so you sober up."

I shook my head, gripping his hand tighter. "No, no! I don't want anything. I just... just want to talk to you."

He sighed, sitting beside me. "Okay. Tell me, Angel."

I swallowed, suddenly feeling something heavy in my chest. My fingers curled around the fabric of my saree. "Till now, no one has ever been there for me to talk to..."

His hold on my hand tightened slightly.

I bit my lip again, blinking quickly as my vision became blurry. "No one ever asks me what I like or don't like."

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I didn't stop. The words just kept coming. "I... I don't even remember if I ever played Holi before. I always used to sit alone in my room... just watching others from the window."

My voice cracked. "I wanted to play too... but no one ever called me."

A sob left my lips before I could stop it.

But then—warm hands cupped my face.

Aarav wiped my tears gently, his thumb brushing my cheek in a way that made my heart ache. His eyes held something deep—something I couldn't quite understand.

"But I'm here now, Angel," he said softly. "I'll always listen to you. Always ask what you like... what you don't like."

I looked at him, blinking away my tears. "Really...?"

He nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Really. And from now on, we'll play Holi together. Every year."

For a moment, his words made me feel warm inside. Safe.But then—a memory rushed in, sharp like a knife.

"Siya! How dare you step outside?"

A slap. The burning pain. The voice full of anger.

My stomach twisted. My hands turned cold.

I grabbed Aarav's hand tightly, my nails pressing into his skin. Fresh tears filled my eyes, and my breath turned shaky. "But... but what if they find out I played Holi?"

His brows pulled together. "They? Who are you talking about, Angel?"

I looked around quickly, my heart racing, as if someone was watching me. My voice dropped to a whisper. "Yes... yes, they are very bad. I don't want to play Holi... and you shouldn't either."

Panic started to take over. I clutched his arm, holding on like my life depended on it. "They can hurt you too. I don't like them. They are very, very bad!"

My heartbeat grew louder, drowning everything else. My chest felt tight. Too tight.

I can't breathe.

I grabbed my saree, gasping. "I... I can't—"

Strong arms wrapped around me.

"Shh, Angel... I'm here. Just breathe."

Aarav's voice was calm, steady. His hand moved slowly over my back, soothing me. "No one can hurt us. I won't let anything happen to you."

I wanted to believe him. His voice felt like a light pulling me out of the dark. But everything still felt too much.

His warmth surrounded me. His steady breaths calmed mine.

Slowly, the fear started to fade.

My eyes grew heavy. My body, tired and weak, sank into his arms.

And before I knew it... I fell asleep against his chest.

Siya slept in my arms, her breathing soft and even. Maybe it was because of the bhang.

Carefully, I laid her properly on the bed. She looked so small, so delicate.

I removed her jewelry one by one—her earrings, bangles, necklace. She would be uncomfortable sleeping with them.

Then, I went to the bathroom, took a wet towel, and returned. Sitting beside her, I gently wiped the color from her face. She shifted a little but didn't wake up.

Once done, I pulled the blanket over her. She needed rest.

I stepped back, watching her for a moment. Peaceful. Innocent. Mine.

I left the room and went to my study. Sitting on my chair, I exhaled sharply.

"Her tauji and taiji..." I muttered, my fingers tapping against the desk.

She was talking about them. Those people. The ones who made her cry. The ones who filled her with fear.

Rage burned inside me like wildfire.

They will answer for every tear my Siya has shed.

But first, I need the full truth. The truth Siya knows... and the truth she doesn't.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number. The person picked up instantly.

"Find out everything about the Rajputs. I want every detail—what they've done, what they're hiding. I don't care how you do it. Just get me the truth."

"Ji, Rana sa," the voice on the other end responded.

I cut the call and leaned back in my chair. My jaw clenched. My fists tightened.

"Count your days."

Whoever is responsible for Siya's tears... I will make their life a living hell.

And since it's Holi, I should send my dear in-laws a little gift.

A gift they won't like... but I will.

I smirked and made another call.

"Do what I told you. Make sure they remember this Holi forever."

Before I could put my phone down, another thought crossed my mind.

She said she likes me.

Not love. Not yet. But it's a start.

A slow, rare smile spread across my face.

Siya, my innocent angel, likes me.

For someone like me—feared, ruthless, untouchable—it was more than enough for now.

My mood was lighter than it had been in a long time.

I picked up my phone again.

"Announce double bonuses for all employees."

"Sir?"Rohan sounded shocked.

"Holi bonus," I added. "And because I'm in a good mood."

A pause. Then, "Yes, sir!"

I ended the call, a smirk still lingering on my lips.

Siya likes me.

She had no idea what she had started.

I blinked a few times, my eyes feeling heavy. Everything around me was blurry for a moment.

My head... it felt so heavy. A dull ache throbbed in my temples. I felt tired, as if I had run a marathon. My mouth was dry too.

I slowly sat up, trying to make sense of what was happening. Before I could think too much, a glass appeared in front of me.

I looked up and saw Aarav standing there. His face was calm, but his eyes held something I couldn't quite read.

"Lemon water," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "Drink it. You'll feel better."

I hesitated for a second before taking the glass from his hand. The cool liquid soothed my throat as I drank. I still felt exhausted, but a little better.

I placed the empty glass aside, my mind struggling to make sense of everything.How did I end up in my room? I didn't remember walking here... or even sleeping.

I had so many questions, but my headache wasn't letting me think properly.

Aarav's voice broke my thoughts.

"Take a bath. You'll feel better. I'll arrange food."

I nodded, not trusting my voice, and got up. My legs felt weak, but I managed to reach the bathroom.

After a long, warm bath, I felt much better. The headache had eased a little, and I didn't feel as tired anymore.

I got dressed in a white and gold floral suit. The soft fabric felt comforting against my skin.

When I stepped out of the room, Aarav had already arranged the food on the table. The sight of it should have made me feel hungry, but my mind was too restless to focus on food.

I walked towards him and sat on the sofa. He silently served me, but my thoughts were all over the place. There was something bothering me... something I needed to know before I could eat.

Taking a deep breath, I finally asked, "Aarav, how did I get to our room?"

He looked at me—his expression unreadable. Like I had asked something unexpected. Did I say something wrong? Why wasn't he answering?

I swallowed and asked again, "Aarav?"

Instead of answering, he asked me back, "You don't remember anything?"

I frowned and shook my head. "No."

He sighed and leaned back. "What's the last thing you remember?"

I thought for a moment. "I remember drinking thandai with Arjun bhaiya and Anaya."

The moment I said that, something clicked in Aarav's eyes. "Oh, thandai?" He raised an eyebrow. "Was there bhang in it?"

I froze. "I... I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't have drunk it!"

My heart started racing. My stomach twisted in anxiety. "Oh my god... did I do something embarrassing? Aarav, did I—did I say anything I shouldn't have?"

I could feel panic setting in. My throat tightened, my eyes burned. "What if I embarrassed you? What if—"

Tears welled up before I could stop them. I didn't even know what I was saying, but the fear of the unknown, of what I might have done, was making me anxious.

Before I could spiral further, Aarav suddenly pulled me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me, firm and warm.

"Sss... angel, why do you always start crying?" His voice was soft, yet filled with amusement. "You didn't do anything. Don't worry."

I sniffled against his chest. "Really?" I asked, my voice small.

He pulled back slightly, his hand cupping my cheek. "Really. You just came to my study room, then I brought you to our room, and you fell asleep."

I studied his face carefully. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Yes. And even if you did something, you could never embarrass me, Siya baby."

Baby?

My breath hitched.

Baby?

Memories from earlier today crashed into me like a wave.

I had called him Avi...

And—I told him—I liked him?

Oh. My. God.

Right now, my story is mostly about Siya, or sometimes Siya and Aarav together.

But Aarav's role is very limited. Should I give him more space in the story?

Maybe show his perspective more? Or should I keep it focused on Siya's journey?

I keep thinking about this while writing.

What do you think? Let me know your thoughts!