Chapter 33 A Surprise. From the Family
The following morning...
Soft golden rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains of Arjun and Aadhira's room.
The room was peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Arjun slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds...
He simply stared at the ceiling.
His mind, however...
Wasn't blank.
Instead...
It replayed a moment from the previous night.
"...Whenever you want to tell me... you can tell me."
"...Just because we're married doesn't mean you don't have your own freedom."
Then...
That smile.
A smile that lasted barely a second.
Yet...
For some strange reason...
He remembered it clearly.
He frowned.
"Why am I thinking about that again?"
He sat up, running a hand through his hair.
"It was just a smile."
"So why does it keep coming back to my mind?"
Before he could think any further...
The bathroom door opened.
Aadhira stepped out, already dressed in a simple cream-coloured kurti.
Her hair was neatly tied.
No heavy jewellery.
No makeup.
Simple...
Elegant...
Graceful.
She noticed Arjun sitting on the bed.
"Good morning."
Arjun looked at her for a brief moment before replying.
"Good morning."
Neither of them spoke again.
Surprisingly...
The silence no longer felt uncomfortable.
It had slowly become...
Natural.
...
Nearly half an hour later...
Both of them walked downstairs together.
The moment they entered the dining hall...
Arjun stopped.
Every single member of the Rathore family was already seated.
Even Raghav.
Everyone looked unusually cheerful.
Arjun narrowed his eyes.
"Dadaji..."
"Why does everyone look like they're hiding something?"
Rajveer looked at Mahendra before smiling.
"Is it that obvious?"
Mahendra laughed.
"I told you we'd never be able to hide it from him."
Riya giggled.
"Bhai has had that suspicious face since childhood."
"If someone buys him a surprise gift..."
"He'll interrogate the entire family before opening it."
Karan nodded dramatically.
"Exactly."
"He should've become a detective instead of a businessman."
Everyone laughed.
Arjun looked helplessly at his younger siblings.
"Very funny."
"I hope both of you enjoyed insulting me before breakfast."
Riya grinned.
"We're only warming up."
"There are many more opportunities today."
Even Aadhira's lips twitched ever so slightly.
She quietly took her seat beside Arjun.
Vivaan immediately got up from his chair and came running towards her.
"Aadhira bhabhi!"
"I saved your favourite orange juice."
He proudly pointed towards the glass kept beside her plate.
"I didn't let anyone drink it."
Aadhira looked at the little boy.
"You remembered?"
Vivaan nodded proudly.
"Of course."
"You always drink orange juice in the morning."
"I noticed."
For the first time...
A softness appeared in Aadhira's eyes.
She gently ruffled his hair.
"Thank you, Vivaan."
The little boy beamed with happiness.
Arjun quietly watched everything.
Somehow...
Aadhira always looked different around children.
She wasn't cold.
She wasn't distant.
She became...
Gentle.
Almost...
Comforting.
Rajveer noticed Arjun watching them.
A faint smile crossed his face.
Breakfast soon began.
Conversations flowed naturally.
Raghav reached for the pickle jar.
Immediately...
Vivaan stopped him.
"Papa!"
"The doctor said no spicy food."
Raghav sighed.
"It was only one piece."
Vivaan shook his head seriously.
"One piece becomes two."
"Then three."
"Then Mummy would've scolded you if she was here."
For a brief second...
Silence filled the table.
Everyone knew Vivaan still missed his mother.
Raghav smiled gently.
"You're right."
"I won't eat it."
Vivaan happily nodded.
"Good."
"Otherwise I would've complained to Dadaji."
Rajveer laughed loudly.
"So now I'm the family judge?"
Vivaan answered confidently.
"Yes."
"Because everyone listens to you."
Rajveer chuckled.
"I think he's right."
"You've been promoted."
The atmosphere became light once again.
After breakfast...
Rajveer wiped his hands with a napkin before looking towards Arjun and Aadhira.
"I think it's time."
Arjun immediately looked suspicious again.
"Time for what?"
Mahendra leaned back in his chair.
"For the surprise."
Vikram smiled.
"Actually..."
"It isn't only our surprise."
"It's the entire family's surprise."
Arjun sighed dramatically.
"I suddenly don't feel safe."
Everyone laughed.
Rajveer folded his hands on the table.
"It's been several weeks since your marriage."
"You've attended family responsibilities."
"You've balanced work."
"You've stood beside everyone whenever needed."
He looked at both of them.
"But..."
"You've forgotten something important."
Arjun frowned.
"What did we forget?"
Before Rajveer could answer...
Riya couldn't stop herself.
"Honeymoon."
The dining hall instantly became silent.
Arjun blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
Karan burst into laughter.
"I knew he'd react like that."
Mahendra smiled proudly.
"The family has decided to send both of you on your honeymoon."
Arjun looked around the table.
"Wait..."
"When exactly did all of this happen?"
Savitri smiled warmly.
"For the last three days."
"We've been discussing where to send you."
"We wanted both of you to spend some peaceful time together."
Vikram added,
"Every destination suggested had someone objecting."
"So your Dadaji made the final decision."
Rajveer smiled proudly.
"London."
Arjun looked completely speechless.
"London?"
Mahendra nodded.
"The tickets are booked."
"The hotel is booked."
"The car is arranged."
"The itinerary has been planned."
Karan whistled.
"Dadaji..."
"You've organised everything."
Rajveer laughed.
"When it comes to my grandchildren..."
"I don't believe in doing things halfway."
Everyone smiled.
Finally...
Rajveer looked at Aadhira.
"What do you say, beta?"
Every eye turned towards her.
Aadhira remained quiet for a few moments.
She looked around the table.
Every face carried warmth.
Affection.
Expectation.
Especially...
Vivaan.
He looked as if he were waiting for the most important answer of his life.
Aadhira finally spoke.
"If everyone has put so much thought into this..."
"It wouldn't be right for me to refuse."
"I'll go."
Vivaan jumped from his chair.
"Yessss!"
"Aadhira bhabhi said yes!"
He happily hugged her arm.
"I knew you wouldn't disappoint us."
Aadhira looked at him before gently smiling.
"How could I disappoint my favourite little boy?"
Vivaan's eyes sparkled.
"I'm your favourite?"
She nodded.
"You are."
Vivaan proudly looked at Arjun.
"Hear that?"
"I'm her favourite."
Arjun placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"I see."
"So I've already lost my place."
Riya laughed.
"Bhai..."
"You never had that place."
Karan nodded.
"You're still trying to earn it."
Even Aditya, who had been quietly watching everyone, finally joined the conversation.
"Don't worry, Arjun."
"Marriage isn't a hundred-metre race."
"It's a marathon."
"You still have plenty of time."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"Since when did you become a relationship expert?"
Aditya simply smiled.
"Watching people teaches you more than talking."
His answer made everyone laugh.
Only Aadhira noticed...
For the briefest second...
Aditya's smile carried a meaning no one else understood.
She quietly looked away before anyone could notice.
Rajveer clapped his hands together.
"Then it's decided."
"You both leave tomorrow evening."
"So today..."
"No office."
"No meetings."
"No business."
"Only packing."
Arjun sighed in defeat.
"I don't think anyone was going to ask my opinion anyway."
Mahendra smiled.
"We already know your opinion."
"So we saved everyone's time."
The entire dining hall echoed with laughter once again.
Little did anyone know...
This journey to London...
Would quietly become the beginning of countless memories...
Unexpected friendships...
Unspoken feelings...
And a love story...
Neither Arjun nor Aadhira saw coming.
The dining hall slowly returned to its usual lively atmosphere.
But unlike before...
The topic of conversation had changed completely.
Now...
Everyone was discussing only one thing.
The honeymoon.
Riya leaned forward excitedly.
"Bhabhi..."
"You've travelled abroad many times for work, right?"
Aadhira looked at her before giving a small nod.
"A few times."
Riya smiled brightly.
"Then this time don't think about work."
"I want you to actually enjoy the trip."
"And please..."
"Take lots of pictures."
Karan immediately interrupted.
"Not of Bhai."
"If she starts taking his pictures..."
"The whole album will be filled with his serious face."
Everyone laughed.
Arjun looked at his younger brother.
"I can still cancel your pocket money."
Karan shrugged confidently.
"You can."
"But you can't cancel the truth."
Another round of laughter filled the dining hall.
Even Savitri covered her smile.
"He's right, Arjun."
"You rarely smile in photographs."
Rajveer nodded in agreement.
"When you were ten..."
"We had to bribe you with ice cream just to get one decent family picture."
Mahendra chuckled.
"And even then..."
"He looked like someone had forced him to attend a board meeting."
Arjun sighed.
"I never knew my childhood would become today's entertainment."
"It seems everyone has been waiting for this moment."
Aditya smiled before speaking.
"Don't worry."
"After this trip..."
"You'll probably smile without anyone asking."
Arjun looked at him suspiciously.
"And how are you so sure?"
Aditya simply shrugged.
"I've heard London changes people."
"Maybe it'll change you too."
Aadhira quietly lowered her gaze.
She remained silent.
But somewhere...
She wondered...
Would this journey really change anything?
...
Just then...
Vivaan suddenly stood on his chair.
"I have an important announcement!"
Everyone turned towards him.
Rajveer laughed.
"Go ahead."
"We're listening."
Vivaan pointed proudly at Aadhira.
"I'm helping Aadhira bhabhi pack."
"No one else."
Riya burst into laughter.
"You?"
"You'll probably pack your own toys instead."
Vivaan immediately defended himself.
"I know how to pack."
"I even folded my clothes yesterday."
Karan raised an eyebrow.
"Were they actually folded..."
"Or stuffed inside the cupboard?"
The entire family laughed.
Vivaan pouted.
"They were folded."
"...Kind of."
Even Aadhira couldn't stop a faint smile.
She gently looked at him.
"I'd appreciate your help."
"But only if you promise not to pack your superhero collection."
Vivaan gasped dramatically.
"I wasn't going to..."
He paused.
"...Okay..."
"I was thinking about it."
Everyone laughed once again.
Arjun quietly watched the interaction.
Somehow...
Vivaan managed to make Aadhira smile more than anyone else.
He had noticed it before.
But today...
He noticed it even more.
Without realizing it...
His own expression softened.
Raghav noticed.
He leaned slightly towards Vikram.
"I think something is changing."
Vikram smiled knowingly.
"I noticed it too."
"He doesn't realise it yet."
"But he has started watching her."
Raghav nodded.
"And not just watching..."
"Understanding."
Neither of them said another word.
Some feelings...
Needed time.
...
After breakfast...
Everyone slowly dispersed.
Mahendra and Vikram left for a short meeting.
Rajveer returned to his study.
Savitri went to the temple room.
Riya immediately ran upstairs.
"Bhabhi!"
"I'm coming with you."
"I want to help you pack."
Before Aadhira could reply...
Karan spoke from behind.
"I'm coming too."
"Someone has to stop Riya from packing the entire wardrobe."
Riya glared at him.
"I have excellent fashion sense."
"You wear black, white and blue every day."
"You don't get an opinion."
Karan laughed.
"I wear practical colours."
"You buy dresses because they match flower pots."
Riya folded her arms.
"They were beautiful flower pots."
"They deserved matching dresses."
Aditya shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Please..."
"Try not to start another argument before lunch."
"We have guests next week."
"I'd like the house to remain standing."
Everyone laughed.
Standing near the staircase...
Arjun looked towards Aadhira.
"You don't mind if they help?"
Aadhira looked at the cheerful siblings.
For a brief second...
She felt something she hadn't experienced in years.
A noisy family.
Playful arguments.
Carefree laughter.
She quietly replied,
"I don't mind."
"I think..."
"It'll be nice."
Arjun noticed the tiny pause before her last sentence.
For some reason...
That small hesitation made him wonder...
How long had it been...
Since she had lived in a home filled with laughter like this?
Before he could ask anything...
Vivaan grabbed Aadhira's hand.
"Come quickly!"
"If Riya Didi starts first..."
"She'll fill your suitcase with shopping space."
Riya protested loudly.
"That's called planning ahead!"
Karan laughed.
"That's called buying half of London."
Their voices slowly disappeared upstairs.
Arjun remained standing where he was.
Watching them.
Watching her.
Without realizing it...
A smile appeared on his face.
A genuine one.
Aditya quietly walked over and stood beside him.
"What are you looking at?"
Arjun answered without taking his eyes off the staircase.
"Nothing."
Aditya smiled knowingly.
"Hmm..."
"If you say so."
Arjun finally looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
Aditya casually slipped his hands into his pockets.
"It means..."
"Sometimes we notice someone..."
"Before we realise we're noticing them."
Arjun frowned.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
Aditya chuckled softly.
"I didn't expect you to."
With that...
He simply walked away.
Leaving Arjun standing there...
Thinking about words...
He didn't quite understand.
Or perhaps...
Didn't want to understand.
Far away...
Inside her room...
Aadhira quietly opened her wardrobe.
Completely unaware...
That someone had already begun noticing...
Every little thing about her.
And neither of them knew...
That tomorrow's journey to London...
Would quietly change everything.
End of Chapter 33