His Angel

Chapter - 72

Hello, beautiful people! ??

Suresh and Meenakshi were now living in a luxury bungalow. From the outside, it looked grand—like the kind of house rich people dreamed of. But there was one problem: it was far away from the city. There were no neighbors, not even a small shop, for at least five kilometers.

Dev had arranged this house quickly and promised to find something better soon. Until then, they had to manage.

Every morning, Suresh had to drive a long way just to get basic things like milk and vegetables. Life was no longer easy. Especially after he lost everything—his business, respect, and position.

He couldn't return the money he borrowed from investors. The board forced him to resign. And since the company was never officially in his name, he had no legal right to fight back.

Now, he sat at home all day, angry at everything and everyone.

That morning, Meenakshi went into the kitchen to make tea for both of them. Still sleepy, she turned on the tap to fill the kettle.

But what came out... wasn't normal.

It wasn't water.

It was red.

Dark red, like blood.

Meenakshi froze for a second. Her breath caught in her throat. She stepped back. Then she screamed,

"Suresh ji! Suresh ji!"

Suresh came out, irritated, his hair messy from sleep.

"Why are you shouting so early in the morning?" he snapped.

Meenakshi's voice shook,

"W-Water... the water turned red..."

He frowned, still half-asleep.

"What nonsense? What red water?"

She pulled his hand and took him into the kitchen. But when she turned on the tap again—

The water flowed clear.

No red. No sign of anything strange.

He looked at her, irritated.

"This? This is what you woke me up for?" he scoffed.

"There's nothing wrong with the water, Meenakshi! Are you dreaming with open eyes now?"

She tried to explain, "I swear, it was red just now. I'm not lying."

"Don't talk rubbish. First, your mind roams somewhere else, and now you've started seeing things? You ruined my sleep for no reason!" he shouted and walked out angrily.

Meenakshi stood there, confused and shaken.

Was I really seeing things? But... it looked so real...

Trying to calm herself, she made the tea anyway and took it to him along with some cookies she had baked the previous evening.

Suresh was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone with a grumpy face.

She quietly placed the tray on the table.

He took a cookie, took a bite—

—and immediately spat it on the floor.

"What nonsense are you feeding me, Meenakshi!" he shouted.

"It tastes like ash! Bitter and burnt!"

Shocked, Meenakshi picked up another cookie and smelled it.

"How is this possible? I made these yesterday evening... they were perfectly fine."She said, checking the rest of them.

Suresh pushed the plate away in anger.

"You can't even bake cookies properly now? You've ruined my whole morning!"

He didn't touch the tea either and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

Meenakshi looked at the cookies, her mind spinning with questions.

The water... the cookies...

Was it really happening... or was something messing with them?

A strange chill ran down her spine.

Something felt... wrong.

Very wrong.

And the bitter taste of fear... slowly began to rise.

The whole day felt like a beautiful dream.

We didn't go anywhere, didn't do anything grand.

.. yet it felt so perfect. Aarav made lunch for me again, and we ate together, laughed, watched a movie, and talked about random little things.

He didn't leave my side for even a second.

And all day, he just pampered me like I was the most precious thing in his life.

We were now sitting on the living room sofa, holding hands. My head rested lightly on his shoulder, and his thumb kept gently rubbing the back of my hand.

I looked at him and softly said,

"Avi... next week my college will start."

He turned to me and smiled,

"Hmm, so?"

I hesitated,

"How... how will I face so many people?Everyone will look at me differently now... they'll stare..."

He chuckled lightly and squeezed my hand.

"Don't think too much, my overthinker queen. No one will stare. And even if someone dares, I will—"

I cut him off, a little frustrated,

"You're not understanding, Avi."

He immediately cupped my face, his touch calming me,

"Then make me understand, Siya."

I looked down, biting my lip, trying to find the right words.

"Before, no one knew who I was. It was easy.

I was just Siya. But now... now everyone knows I'm the Rani Sa of Rajasthan.

What if they think... I shouldn't be studying?

What if they say things like, 'What's a Rani Sa doing in college? '"

He looked at me for a long moment. Not with judgment, but with so much love.

Then he softly said,

"Why are you thinking from that angle, jaan?"

"Think about it this way—what if, after seeing that the Rani Sa is completing her education, other girls feel inspired?"

I blinked, listening carefully.

"Many girls are forced to marry after 12th... some even earlier. But if their families see that even a queen values education, maybe they'll let their daughters or daughters-in-law study too."

I stared at him. His words... were so simple, yet so powerful. And so full of heart.

"You're right," I whispered. "I was just stressing for no reason again..."

He smirked and said,

"Hmm. That's your favorite job, na? Stressing. And no matter how much I try, you won't resign from it."

I glared at him playfully.

"Very funny."

He laughed and quickly kissed my cheek.

"I'm just kidding. Don't glare at me like that, Rani Sa. It's dangerous for my heart."

I blushed and looked away, trying to hide my smile.

Then he stood up and stretched.

"Now let's go. Everyone at home is waiting for us."

I nodded and stood beside him. As we walked to the door, hand in hand, I thought—

Maybe I will always be an overthinker... but with him by my side, I'll always find my way back to peace.

Back to love.

Back to myself.

We were in the car... Aarav was driving, but I slowly realized we weren't going in the direction of the palace.

I was about to ask him where we were going when my phone rang.

It was Trisha.

I picked it up and before I could even say hello properly, she shouted,

"We're going shopping tomorrow! No excuses, okay? College is starting next week, and we need to look cute. I'll come to the palace after breakfast—done deal!"

"But Trisha I—" I tried to speak, but she cut me off.

"I'm not asking, Siya. I'm telling. Bye, see you tomorrow!"

And she cut the call.

I let out a small sigh, smiling softly at her madness. But when I looked up, I froze a little.

We were outside the Shivji temple.

I turned to Aarav and softly said,

"Avi... we...?"

Without looking at me, he calmly replied,

"I saw you for the first time here, Siya. So how could I not come here... to thank Shivji for giving me you—my angel?"

I looked at him, surprised.

"But you don't even believe in Shivji..."

He finally turned to look at me, his expression serious but full of warmth.

"I do now. Because you made me believe. Come... let's go inside."

We both got out of the car and walked into the temple together. The moment I stepped inside, a strange kind of peace filled my heart.

We did the evening pooja with Pandit ji and other people. Aarav stood beside me the entire time—his hands folded, eyes closed. I couldn't stop myself from looking at him... and silently saying thank you to Shivji.

Thank you for giving me this man. This love. This family.

After the pooja, we took prashad and blessings from Pandit ji and walked back to the car. But before Avi could start driving, I hesitated and softly said,

"Avi... can I ask you something?"

He looked at me gently,

"Siya... you don't need permission to ask me anything."

I took a breath and asked the question that had been in my heart for a long time,

"The Shivji temple at the palace... why was it always closed?"

He leaned back slightly and spoke after a pause,

"It was built by my great-grandfather... for his wife. But one day, right outside that temple, someone killed his younger sister."

I gasped. My heart skipped a beat.

He continued,

"After that, he couldn't bear to go near the temple. But he didn't shut it completely... because it meant something to his wife. Later, Dadaji and Dad... they just never thought of opening it again."

He looked at me with something unreadable in his eyes.

"You made me believe again. You showed me that what happens is not always in our hands. So why should we stop our prayers?"

I couldn't stop the question that followed,

"Who... who killed her?"

Avi's jaw clenched slightly.

"I don't know all the details... but I was told it was a neighboring king. She had refused a marriage alliance with him, and he couldn't take the insult."

My eyes widened. My breath caught in my throat.

"How can anyone... kill someone just because they said no?"

A chill passed through me. I didn't know whether it was shock... or anger.

"That's not rejection... that's cruelty... madness. How can someone be so heartless?"

Avi didn't say anything. He just placed his hand gently on mine for a second, as if telling me that he felt the same.

But I didn't speak for the rest of the drive. My mind was spinning. I was disturbed, and Avi didn't force me to talk. He gave me the space I needed... like he always does.

But inside, my mind was running fast.

Thinking... feeling... and hurting—for a woman I never met, but whose story broke something inside me.

I woke up and stretched my arms with a soft yawn. The first thing I did was check the time.

7 o'clock?!

My eyes widened.

I had clearly set the alarm for 6 AM last night. I know I did.

Only one person could be responsible for this.

Avi.

I'll deal with him later. I didn't have time to argue or even think. Today was my first day of third year—a new beginning—and I was already late.

I quickly rushed to the bathroom and got ready in a royal blue floral Anarkali. I wore matching jhumkas, a light sheer dupatta, and carefully put on my mangalsutra and a little sindoor in the parting of my hair.

As I looked into the mirror, my fingers gently touched the mangalsutra.

I smiled at my reflection.

No more hiding.

This is me now—Siya Aarav Singh Rathore.

A small warmth bloomed in my chest... but it quickly disappeared when I realized I was still running late.

I hurried downstairs and saw Maa and Chachi setting the breakfast table. They looked so calm, so graceful... I felt a tiny pang of guilt for not helping them.

I quickly took my seat and greeted them with a small smile.

Aarav was already there. He gave me a soft look, like he was trying to say sorry without words. But I didn't look at him.

Why would I?

Because of him, I was late. Because of him, I had to get ready in a rush.

And because of him, I didn't even help Maa and Chachi.

I kept my eyes on my plate.

Papa noticed.

"Siya beta, what happened? Why are you not saying anything today?"

I quickly put on a small smile and said softly,

"Nothing, Papa. I'm just feeling a little nervous. It's the first day... you know."

Maa smiled and served me another idli.

"Don't worry, beta. You'll get used to it again. Just eat properly and don't think too much."

She doesn't know overthinking is my default mode.

Avi tried to hold my hand under the table.

But I gently pulled it back and kept eating like I didn't notice.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him look at me.

I didn't look back.

After breakfast, I got up and turned to Arjun Bhaiya.

"Bhaiya... will you drop me to college today?" I asked politely.

"Driver Kaka is on leave?"

Avi had told me last night that he would drop me... but I didn't want that anymore.

Arjun Bhaiya looked at Avi for a second. I don't know what passed between them, but he smiled at me and said,

"O... okay, Bhabhi. Let's go."

I grabbed my bag and walked out with Bhaiya, still refusing to look back.

Even though a part of me... wanted him to stop me.

But he didn't.

And maybe... just maybe... that made me even more upset.

Last night, when Siya got her periods, I knew she was in pain. She tried to smile, tried to act like everything was normal... but I could see the discomfort in her eyes.

She didn't sleep well either.

So I reset her alarm.

Just one hour more sleep—she needed it.

If I can do nothing else, at least I can make sure she gets proper rest.

But this morning, when she came down... she didn't look at me even once.

Not even for a second.

She sat quietly.

Ate her food silently.

And when I tried to hold her hand under the table... she moved it away.

I kept looking at her, hoping she'd glance at me, just once. But nothing.

And then, when she asked Arjun to drop her off to college—

Even though last night I clearly told her I would...

She still chose to go with him.

I saw Arjun glance at me, confused.

But what could I say?

When she doesn't want to come with me, I can't force her.

So I let her go.

A small smile still crept onto my face.

Because this was the first time—

She got upset with me like a wife.

Without overthinking, without fear.

She was just... being mine.

Dad's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

He looked at me sharply and said,

"Why are you smiling like an idiot when she didn't even look at you once?"

I turned toward him and said with a soft chuckle,

"Because today, for the first time, she got angry at me with full rights. Without hesitation."

Dad rolled his eyes but smiled too.

"Then stop smiling like a fool and go pacify my daughter."

I stood up.

"I was just about to, Dad."

Because now... I can pacify her openly.

No hiding. No pretending.

She's mine.

I called my PA, gave him a small instruction—

Something that will bring a smile to her face—

And then headed to my car, on the way to my office.

But my mind?

It was only on her.

My angry little queen.

As soon as I reached college, I thanked Arjun Bhaiya and said goodbye.

At the gate, I saw Trisha and Karan waiting near the entrance.

"Finally!" Trisha said and pulled me into a quick hug.

Karan smiled and nodded, "Morning, Siya. I have to rush, see you both later."

And with that, he went towards his lecture.

Trisha and I started walking toward our class, and as I took a few steps...

But I could feel it...

Eyes.

So many people were looking at me.

Some looked with curiosity, some with soft smiles, and some...

Some with clear jealousy.

A few months ago, I might've looked down and walked faster.

I might've overthought everything—

"Are they judging me?" "Do I not look good enough?" "Why me?"

But today...

I remembered what Avi told me last night.

"Let them look. You're mine. And you deserve to walk with your head high."

So I did just that.

For the first time in my life—

I ignored everything and walked straight, silently holding his words like a warm hug.

I was just about to reach my class when a man in a black uniform appeared in front of me.

"Rani Sa?" he asked politely, holding a bouquet of white lilies.

My eyes widened, and I instantly knew who had sent him.

I slowly took the bouquet from his hands and whispered,

"Thank you..."

He nodded and left.

I looked at the flowers and saw a small folded note tucked inside.

My fingers opened it carefully, and my heart skipped a beat as I read it:

"My angry queen deserves extra sleep. But I know she hates being late too.

Sorry for choosing one over the other.

Let me make it up to you tonight?"

– Your Avi

Mylips curved into a soft smile, and I could feel myself blushing hard.

Trisha peeked from beside me and gasped.

"Awww, Siyaaa! This is so cute!" she giggled and nudged my shoulder.

I just looked down and smiled, trying to hide my face behind the flowers.

We walked inside and sat at our usual bench.

I placed the bouquet gently beside me, still holding that note in my fingers.

And then...

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Avi:

Forgive?

I smiled again... I wanted to reply right away.

But before I could type anything, our professor walked into the class.

I quickly kept the phone aside and sat straight.

But the smile on my face stayed.

I thought to myself,

"Let the lecture get over first, Avi...

Then I'll tell you that your angry queen already melted the moment she saw those lilies."

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