Chapter 15 A New Routine
Morning arrived once again at Rathore Mansion.
Like every other day...
Aadhira was the first one downstairs.
The servants smiled as they saw her enter the kitchen.
One of them spoke hesitantly.
"Bhabhi ji... we've already started."
Aadhira smiled politely.
"I'll help."
Within minutes...
The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast spread throughout the mansion.
Soon...
The Rathore family gathered around the dining table.
Rajveer looked at the spread before him.
"This looks different."
Aadhira nodded.
"I thought everyone might like to try something new."
Karan rubbed his hands together dramatically.
"As long as it tastes like Bhabhi's cooking, I'll eat anything."
Riya rolled her eyes.
"You only think about food."
"I have priorities."
Everyone smiled faintly.
Even Vikram's expression relaxed for a moment.
Breakfast began.
Halfway through the meal...
Vivaan suddenly looked at Aadhira.
"Bhabhi."
"Yes?"
"Our school is organizing a Family Day next week."
Aadhira looked at him attentively.
"They said one family member should come."
He looked down at his plate.
"Papa is always busy..."
"Aditya Bhaiya has meetings..."
"Everyone else also has work."
He hesitated before asking quietly,
"If you're free..."
"Will you come with me?"
The dining table became silent.
Everyone looked towards Aadhira.
She looked at Vivaan for a few moments.
Then she smiled softly.
"If I don't have an important meeting that day..."
"I'll come."
Vivaan's face immediately lit up.
"Really?"
She nodded.
"Really."
"Thank you, Bhabhi!"
His excitement made even Savitri smile.
Across the table...
Arjun silently noticed the happiness on Vivaan's face.
Later...
Astra Global Headquarters.
Employees moved quickly through the luxurious office.
As Aadhira entered the executive floor...
Everyone greeted her respectfully.
"Good morning, Ma'am."
"Good morning."
Inside her cabin...
Shanaya was already waiting.
She placed several files on the table.
"The Singapore project has been approved."
Aadhira reviewed the documents.
"Excellent."
"The legal team?"
"Already informed."
"The investors?"
"Meeting at four."
Aadhira nodded.
"Good."
Just then...
Kabir walked into the cabin without knocking.
Holding a coffee cup in each hand, he grinned.
"Before anyone says anything..."
"Yes."
"I stole your coffee."
He handed one cup to Aadhira.
She accepted it without complaint.
"Thank you."
Shanaya shook her head.
"One day security is going to stop you."
Kabir laughed.
"They've tried."
"I know too many passwords."
Aadhira looked up from the file.
"Don't encourage them."
Kabir placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"You wound me."
For the first time that morning...
Aadhira smiled.
A small one.
But genuine.
Shanaya noticed it immediately.
"There it is."
Kabir frowned.
"What?"
"She smiled."
Kabir looked at Aadhira.
"Oh."
"I deserve a bonus."
Aadhira calmly closed the file.
"You deserve more work."
Kabir groaned.
"I liked you better when you ignored me."
The three friends laughed together before returning to work.
Meanwhile...
At Rathore Group Headquarters...
Arjun was reviewing a presentation when the cabin door opened.
Rohan entered first.
Followed by Siddharth and Dev.
Rohan leaned against the table.
"Important question."
Arjun didn't even look up.
"No."
"I haven't asked yet."
"The answer is still no."
Dev chuckled quietly.
Siddharth sat down.
"He's impossible."
Rohan ignored both of them.
"So..."
"Have you and Bhabhi become friends yet?"
Arjun closed the file.
"We're getting to know each other."
Rohan gasped dramatically.
"Progress!"
Siddharth smiled.
"Don't tease him too much."
"Oh, I definitely will."
Rohan replied.
"It's my responsibility as his best friend."
Even Arjun couldn't hide the faint smile on his face.
Devraj Mansion...
Meera stood in Aadhira's old room.
Everything had been kept exactly the way it was seven years ago.
She gently dusted the bookshelf.
Her fingers paused over a framed childhood photograph.
Two little girls.
Aadhira and Vedha.
Both laughing.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I miss you..."
She whispered softly.
Outside the room...
Rajesh silently watched his wife.
His heart grew heavier.
He wanted to walk inside.
To comfort her.
Yet...
He knew he had no words that could erase the past.
Elsewhere...
Vedha's fashion studio.
Kavya entered once again.
"You'll love this."
Vedha looked up.
"What is it?"
"I've arranged for Aadhira to be invited to a charity fashion event."
Vedha frowned.
"So?"
Kavya smiled.
"Let's just say..."
"Not everyone there will welcome her."
A slow smile appeared on Vedha's face.
"Interesting."
Kavya smiled back.
Neither woman said another word.
That evening...
Back at Rathore Mansion...
Vivaan sat beside Aadhira in the living room.
His schoolbooks were spread across the coffee table.
"Bhabhi..."
"I don't understand this equation."
Aadhira took the notebook.
Instead of solving it herself...
She explained every step patiently.
Vivaan listened carefully.
Five minutes later...
"I got it!"
Aadhira nodded approvingly.
"Good."
"You solved it yourself."
Vivaan smiled proudly.
Just then...
Arjun entered the living room after returning from work.
His eyes immediately fell on the two of them.
Vivaan looked happier than he had in days.
Without realizing it...
Arjun stood there watching.
Aadhira looked up.
" meeting ended?"
Arjun nodded.
"Just now."
Vivaan proudly showed him his notebook.
"Bhai!"
"Bhabhi taught me."
Arjun glanced at the neatly solved page.
Then at Aadhira.
"Thank you."
She simply nodded.
"There wasn't much to do."
As she walked towards the kitchen...
Arjun found himself watching her leave.
For the first time...
The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.
It felt...
Peaceful.