Chapter 16 Small Changes
The early morning silence wrapped Rathore Mansion in a calm embrace.
The first rays of sunlight slowly spread across the marble floors, giving the grand mansion a peaceful warmth.
Aadhira slowly opened her eyes.
She remained lying on the bed for a few moments, staring at the ceiling.
Another day.
Another beginning.
Beside her, Arjun's side of the bed was already empty.
She wasn't surprised anymore.
Ever since their marriage, he had always woken up before her.
Not because he wanted to avoid her...
But because work had always been his priority.
Quietly, Aadhira freshened up and wore a simple lavender cotton saree. She tied her long hair into a neat braid and wore only a pair of pearl earrings.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled faintly.
"Let's begin."
Downstairs...
The kitchen had already come alive.
The servants immediately greeted her.
"Good morning, Bhabhi ji."
"Good morning."
One of the elderly cooks smiled awkwardly.
"Madam... if Dadiji finds out you're helping again, she'll scold us."
Aadhira laughed softly.
"I'll take responsibility."
Within minutes...
The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.
Fresh vegetable sandwiches.
Stuffed paneer parathas.
Mixed vegetable cutlets.
Fresh fruit juice.
Masala chai.
And homemade chocolate pancakes.
As she finished decorating the pancakes with chocolate syrup...
A familiar voice came from behind.
"So that's why the kitchen smells so good."
Aadhira turned.
"Good morning, Dadiji."
Savitri smiled.
"I've stopped telling you not to cook."
Aadhira smiled politely.
"I only cook because I enjoy it."
"I know."
Savitri replied gently.
"And that's exactly why I don't stop you anymore."
For the next few minutes...
The two women arranged the dining table together.
It wasn't a grand moment.
But it was comfortable.
Natural.
Neither of them noticed...
Nandhini was quietly watching from the entrance.
She had expected Aadhira to try winning everyone's hearts.
Instead...
The young woman simply did what she loved without expecting appreciation.
For some reason...
That left an impression.
Soon...
The Rathore family assembled for breakfast.
Rajveer occupied his usual seat.
Mahendra and Sunita arrived together.
Vikram and Nandhini followed.
Raghav joined them with Aarav.
Aditya entered while checking messages on his phone.
Arjun walked in moments later.
Finally...
Karan and Riya came downstairs arguing about something.
"You cheated!"
"I won fairly."
"You changed the rules!"
"I improved the rules."
Everyone ignored the siblings' usual argument.
Just then...
Vivaan came rushing downstairs carrying his school bag.
"Bhabhi!"
He stopped beside Aadhira.
She looked at him.
"What happened?"
He smiled sheepishly.
"I woke up late again."
"You still have time."
"I know..."
He looked towards the pancakes.
"Did you make those?"
"Yes."
His eyes sparkled.
"Are those chocolate pancakes?"
"They are."
"Can I have two?"
Aadhira nodded.
"You can have three."
Vivaan grinned.
"You really are the best."
The family watched silently as Aadhira served him first.
She even remembered to pour extra chocolate sauce because she had noticed he liked it.
Vivaan happily began eating.
After taking one bite...
His eyes widened.
"This is amazing!"
Karan immediately stole one pancake from Vivaan's plate.
"Let's see."
After one bite...
He looked at Aadhira.
"Bhabhi..."
"I officially forgive my brother for marrying you."
Everyone laughed.
Even Rajveer smiled faintly.
Riya rolled her eyes.
"As if anyone asked for your approval."
"I know quality food when I taste it."
The cheerful conversation made the atmosphere lighter than usual.
Only Arjun remained quiet.
Not because he was uncomfortable...
But because he found himself watching Aadhira.
She wasn't trying to become the center of attention.
She only responded when someone spoke to her.
She smiled only when Vivaan spoke.
Everything about her seemed...
Effortless.
Halfway through breakfast...
Vivaan suddenly remembered something.
"Bhabhi!"
She looked up.
"Hmm?"
"My Family Day is next Friday."
"I already told my class teacher you'll come."
The adults looked toward him.
Aadhira smiled.
"I remember."
"I promised."
Vivaan sighed dramatically.
"I was scared you'd forget."
"I don't forget promises."
His face immediately brightened.
Rajveer quietly observed the exchange.
Children rarely became attached to someone this quickly.
Especially Vivaan.
Yet...
The boy looked completely comfortable around Aadhira.
That alone made Rajveer think.
Perhaps...
Children noticed goodness before adults did.
Breakfast ended.
One by one...
Everyone prepared to leave.
Outside the mansion...
Arjun adjusted the cuffs of his shirt before walking towards his car.
Aadhira's driver hadn't arrived yet.
Seeing her waiting quietly near the entrance...
He stopped.
"Driver's late?"
She nodded.
"Traffic."
A brief silence followed.
"I can drop you."
She looked surprised.
"You don't have to."
"It's on the way."
After thinking for a moment...
She nodded politely.
"Thank you."
The drive began in complete silence.
Neither of them seemed uncomfortable anymore.
It had slowly become normal.
The city bustled outside.
Inside...
Only the soft sound of the air conditioner filled the car.
After nearly ten minutes...
Arjun finally spoke.
"Vivaan seems comfortable around you."
Aadhira looked outside the window.
"He's a sweet child."
"He doesn't trust people easily."
She turned towards him.
"I know."
"He just needed someone to listen."
Arjun thought about her words.
Someone to listen.
Perhaps...
That was exactly what Vivaan had been missing.
The car stopped outside Astra Global Headquarters.
Aadhira unfastened her seatbelt.
"Thank you."
Arjun nodded.
"Have a good day."
"You too."
She stepped out.
As she entered the magnificent glass building...
Arjun unknowingly watched until she disappeared through the entrance.
Only then did he drive away.
For some reason...
He found himself wondering...
Who exactly was Aadhira Devraj?
The woman everyone judged...
Or the woman he was slowly beginning to know?
Aadhira walked through the glass doors of Astra Global Headquarters.
The reception staff immediately stood up.
"Good morning, Ma'am."
"Good morning."
She acknowledged each greeting with a polite nod before stepping into the executive elevator.
Her secretary, Priya, was already waiting outside her cabin.
"Good morning, Ma'am."
"Good morning, Priya."
"The board members have arrived."
"The Singapore investors have joined the meeting online."
"The legal documents are ready for your approval."
Aadhira accepted the tablet from her secretary.
"I'll be there in five minutes."
"Yes, Ma'am."
---
Inside the boardroom...
Nearly twenty executives stood up as soon as she entered.
"Good morning, Ma'am."
"Please have a seat."
The room immediately became silent.
Aadhira connected her laptop to the large screen.
"Our first agenda..."
"The Singapore expansion."
The presentation began.
For almost an hour...
She discussed investments...
Future partnerships...
Risk assessments...
Employee welfare...
Every decision she made was backed by facts.
Not once did anyone interrupt her.
Because everyone inside the room trusted her judgement completely.
Finally...
The meeting came to an end.
One of the senior directors smiled.
"Congratulations, Ma'am."
"The investors have officially approved the proposal."
Aadhira smiled politely.
"This success belongs to the entire team."
A round of applause echoed throughout the boardroom.
Just then...
The doors suddenly opened.
Kabir walked inside carrying three paper bags.
"Permission to interrupt?"
The executives laughed.
Aadhira looked at him.
"What did you do this time?"
Kabir placed the bags on the table.
"I come bearing peace."
Shanaya entered behind him carrying another file.
"I told him to wait."
"He refused."
Kabir placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"Important celebrations require immediate snacks."
One by one...
He handed everyone pastries.
The room immediately became livelier.
One executive chuckled.
"Mr. Malhotra..."
"You only appear during food."
Kabir looked offended.
"I also appear during cyberattacks."
Everyone laughed.
Aadhira simply shook her head.
"You've successfully distracted my entire board."
"You're welcome."
Kabir replied proudly.
---
A few minutes later...
Inside Aadhira's cabin...
Shanaya closed the door.
"You've had a busy morning."
Aadhira leaned back in her chair.
"It has only just begun."
Kabir comfortably sat on the sofa.
"So..."
"Mrs. Rathore."
Aadhira looked up from her file.
"No."
"What no?"
"You are not starting."
Kabir grinned.
"I haven't even asked anything."
"You were about to."
Shanaya couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"She's learned your habits."
Kabir sighed dramatically.
"I miss the old Aadhira."
"The one who tolerated me."
"I still tolerate you."
"That hurts."
All three laughed.
For a few moments...
The cabin felt less like an office.
And more like old friends catching up.
---
Kabir suddenly became serious.
"I checked our security logs."
Aadhira immediately looked at him.
"What happened?"
"Someone tried accessing confidential company files around three this morning."
Shanaya's smile disappeared.
"Were they successful?"
Kabir shook his head.
"No."
"But whoever it was..."
"They're skilled."
Aadhira closed the file in front of her.
"Can you trace them?"
"I'm already working on it."
"I'll know more by tonight."
She nodded calmly.
"Don't inform anyone else."
"I don't want unnecessary panic."
Kabir understood immediately.
"I'll handle it."
"And if they try again..."
"They won't leave empty-handed."
A faint smile appeared on Aadhira's lips.
"I expected nothing less."
---
Meanwhile...
Rathore Group Headquarters.
Arjun had just finished reviewing quarterly reports.
Several department heads stood before him.
"The presentation for tomorrow?"
"Ready, sir."
"The London clients?"
"The meeting has been confirmed."
Arjun nodded.
"Good."
"You may leave."
As the employees exited...
The cabin door suddenly opened without knocking.
Rohan walked inside confidently.
Behind him came Siddharth and Dev.
Rohan looked around dramatically.
"So..."
"Where is everyone?"
"They left."
"Good."
He sat opposite Arjun.
"Now we can discuss important matters."
Arjun continued reading his file.
"What important matters?"
"Your marriage."
Siddharth laughed.
"I knew it."
Dev quietly sat beside him.
Rohan leaned forward.
"So..."
"How's married life?"
Arjun didn't even look up.
"The same."
Rohan frowned.
"You're giving me nothing."
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know."
"Anything romantic."
"There isn't anything romantic."
Siddharth smiled.
"Give them some time."
Rohan ignored him.
"So..."
"Have you at least argued?"
"No."
"Had coffee together?"
"No."
"Watched a movie?"
"No."
"Went on a date?"
Arjun finally looked up.
"No."
Rohan dramatically looked at the ceiling.
"This man is hopeless."
Dev couldn't help smiling.
"You've been married for nearly two weeks."
"And all you've managed is breakfast."
Arjun remained silent.
His friends weren't entirely wrong.
Most of his conversations with Aadhira lasted less than a minute.
Yet...
For some strange reason...
The silence between them no longer felt awkward.
He simply...
Didn't mind it anymore.
Rohan noticed the thoughtful look on Arjun's face.
A mischievous smile slowly spread across his lips.
"Oh..."
Siddharth looked at him.
"What?"
"I know that face."
"What face?"
"The 'I'm thinking about my wife without realizing it' face."
Arjun looked at him blankly.
"I have work."
Rohan laughed loudly.
"Exactly!"
"You're escaping."
Even Dev chuckled quietly.
For the first time in years...
They had something new to tease Arjun about.
And none of them intended to stop anytime soon.
To Be Continued...