Chapter 35 A City of New Beginnings
Morning...
The soft golden rays of the London sun slowly peeked through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the honeymoon suite.
The city outside had just begun to wake up.
Cars moved peacefully along the streets.
People hurried towards cafés.
The cool breeze gently swayed the curtains.
Inside the room...
Everything was silent.
Arjun slowly opened his eyes.
For a brief moment...
He forgot where he was.
Then...
The unfamiliar ceiling.
The luxurious suite.
The large balcony overlooking London's skyline.
Everything reminded him.
"We're in London..."
He turned slightly.
Aadhira was still asleep.
She lay on the opposite side of the king-sized bed, maintaining the distance they had silently agreed upon the previous night.
Her hair had fallen loosely over the pillow.
Her face looked completely peaceful.
No cold expression.
No guarded eyes.
Just...
Peace.
Arjun unknowingly continued looking at her.
"...She actually looks younger when she's asleep."
The thought escaped before he could stop himself.
Realising what he was doing...
He immediately looked away.
"What am I doing?"
"It's just because I woke up first."
"That's all."
Trying to distract himself...
He quietly got out of bed and walked towards the balcony.
The chilly morning breeze immediately greeted him.
He took a deep breath.
"It's beautiful..."
Behind him...
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Good morning."
Arjun turned around.
Aadhira had already woken up.
She gently adjusted a few strands of hair behind her ear before walking towards the balcony.
"Did I wake you?"
he asked.
She shook her head.
"No."
"I usually wake up early."
"I've never been able to sleep late."
Arjun nodded.
"I thought I was the only one."
For a few seconds...
Both simply admired the view.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It had slowly become familiar.
Finally...
Aadhira spoke.
"The weather is pleasant."
"It feels different from India."
Arjun smiled slightly.
"I was thinking the same thing."
"Maybe that's why everyone loves this city."
Aadhira simply nodded.
"We should get ready."
"If we stay here much longer..."
"Our family will probably call to check whether we woke up."
Arjun laughed.
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Especially Vivaan."
Almost as if on cue...
Arjun's phone rang.
The screen flashed...
**Vivaan Calling...**
Arjun answered immediately.
"Good morning, champion."
On the other side...
Vivaan's energetic voice echoed through the room.
"Bhaiya!"
"Did you wake up?"
"I called because Dadaji said not to let you sleep the whole day."
Arjun chuckled.
"I've been awake for quite a while."
Vivaan gasped dramatically.
"Really?"
"Then that's a miracle."
"I thought Bhabhi would have to pour water on you."
Standing nearby...
Aadhira couldn't stop the faint smile forming on her lips.
Arjun noticed it.
Again...
That tiny smile.
It somehow made the entire morning brighter.
"You've become very brave."
Arjun replied.
"I'll deal with you when I come back."
Vivaan laughed loudly.
"You can't."
"You're in London."
"And I'm safe in India."
The entire Rathore family laughed in the background.
Rajveer took the phone.
"Arjun..."
"Don't spend your honeymoon inside the hotel."
"We didn't send you there to attend online meetings."
Mahendra's voice came from behind.
"And remember..."
"If you even open your laptop..."
"I'll freeze your office access."
Arjun sighed dramatically.
"Is everyone against me?"
Riya quickly grabbed the phone.
"No."
"We're all on Bhabhi's side."
Karan added immediately,
"And Bhai..."
"Smile in the photographs."
"We're tired of your CEO face."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Aadhira quietly laughed this time.
A genuine one.
Arjun looked at her.
For a brief second...
He forgot the conversation.
He simply watched her.
She looked...
Beautiful.
Not because of expensive clothes.
Not because of jewellery.
But because...
She looked happy.
"Bhai?"
Vivaan's voice pulled him back.
"Are you listening?"
Arjun blinked.
"Yes."
"I was listening."
Vivaan laughed mischievously.
"I don't think so."
"I think you were looking at Bhabhi."
The entire family erupted into loud laughter.
Arjun coughed awkwardly.
"You're imagining things."
"Now go and let everyone have breakfast."
Before Vivaan could tease him again...
Arjun quickly ended the call.
The room became quiet.
Aadhira looked at him.
"They tease you a lot."
Arjun smiled helplessly.
"I've learned that arguing only encourages them."
Aadhira nodded thoughtfully.
"I noticed."
"They're very close."
"They're lucky."
There was something in her voice.
Not sadness.
Not jealousy.
Just...
A quiet observation.
Arjun looked at her for a moment.
"Would you like to go out after breakfast?"
"We can explore the city."
"We don't have any schedule."
Aadhira agreed without hesitation.
"That sounds nice."
"I know a few places."
"But this time..."
"I'd rather explore them as a tourist."
Arjun smiled.
"Then today's plan is simple."
"No business."
"No work."
"No responsibilities."
"Only London."
Aadhira nodded.
"Agreed."
...
An hour later...
Both stepped out of the hotel.
Aadhira wore a light blue full-length dress with a white long coat.
Minimal jewellery.
Simple earrings.
A small handbag.
Her hair was left open.
Arjun, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, looked at her for a second longer than usual.
He quickly looked away.
"You look..."
He stopped.
Aadhira looked at him.
"Yes?"
Arjun cleared his throat.
"I mean..."
"The weather suits that outfit."
Aadhira looked down at herself before replying calmly.
"Thank you."
"You look nice as well."
For some reason...
That simple compliment made Arjun smile.
Neither of them realised...
Their conversation had become much more natural than it was a few days ago.
As they began walking through the beautiful streets of London...
Neither knew...
That today...
Would quietly become another unforgettable memory.
The streets of London were slowly coming alive.
Elegant cafés welcomed their first customers.
Street musicians tuned their instruments.
The cool breeze carried the aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee.
For the first few minutes...
Arjun and Aadhira simply walked side by side.
Neither of them spoke.
Yet somehow...
The silence felt peaceful rather than awkward.
Arjun glanced at Aadhira.
" Have you been to london before."
"Yes l have countless times"
"So..."
"Where do you usually go whenever you visit London?"
Aadhira thought for a moment before answering.
"Mostly office."
"Hotel."
"Airport."
"My business trips never lasted long enough to explore."
She smiled faintly.
"I've seen London through meeting room windows more than its streets."
Arjun looked at her with surprise.
"So you've never actually travelled around?"
She shook her head.
"Not really."
"I always thought..."
"I'll come back one day when I have time."
She looked around the beautiful streets.
"I guess today is that day."
Arjun smiled.
"Then today..."
"We'll pretend neither of us knows anything."
"We'll explore like first-time tourists."
Aadhira nodded.
"I like that idea."
...
A few minutes later...
They stopped in front of a famous street café.
The outdoor seating overlooked a beautiful flower-lined road.
Arjun looked towards Aadhira.
"Coffee?"
She nodded.
"Coffee sounds nice."
As they walked towards the counter...
Aadhira quietly scanned the QR code on the table.
Before Arjun could even take out his wallet...
The payment was completed.
The cashier smiled politely.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Arjun looked confused.
"You already paid?"
Aadhira nodded naturally.
"Yes."
"You bought dinner yesterday."
"So today was my turn."
Arjun folded his arms.
"I was going to pay."
"I invited you."
Aadhira calmly picked up the coffee.
"And we'll be here for one month."
"If you pay every time..."
"I'll feel guilty."
Arjun couldn't help laughing.
"So now we're keeping score?"
She looked at him with a completely serious expression.
"No."
"We're sharing."
For some reason...
That simple answer stayed in Arjun's mind.
Sharing.
Not because they had to.
Because she wanted to.
...
They found a quiet table near the window.
For a while...
Both enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
A group of children suddenly ran past the café.
One little girl accidentally dropped her teddy bear.
Without thinking...
Aadhira stood up.
She gently picked it up before kneeling in front of the little girl.
"I think this belongs to you."
The child's eyes lit up.
"My Teddy!"
"Thank you!"
Aadhira smiled softly.
"You should hold him carefully."
"He looked frightened."
The little girl giggled.
"I'll protect him."
"You promise?"
"I promise!"
The child happily hugged her teddy before running back to her parents.
Arjun watched the entire scene quietly.
The little girl had only spoken with Aadhira for less than a minute.
Yet...
She trusted her immediately.
As Aadhira returned to her seat...
Arjun spoke.
"You really like children, don't you?"
She looked at him for a second.
Then answered honestly.
"They're simple."
"They don't judge people."
"They don't care about status."
"If you treat them with kindness..."
"They return it with their whole heart."
Arjun found himself listening carefully.
Every sentence she spoke...
Seemed to come from experience.
Not imagination.
Before he could ask another question...
His attention shifted elsewhere.
Three young men walking nearby suddenly turned around.
One of them smiled politely.
"Excuse me..."
He looked at Aadhira.
"We're really sorry if this sounds strange..."
"But we thought you looked beautiful."
"Would you mind if we knew your name?"
Arjun's smile disappeared.
He didn't know why...
But hearing another man compliment his wife...
Didn't sit well with him.
Aadhira remained polite.
"I'm sorry."
"But I'm already married."
She slightly turned towards Arjun.
"My husband is waiting."
The three men immediately looked embarrassed.
"Oh!"
"We're really sorry."
"We didn't know."
"Have a wonderful day."
They quickly walked away.
Silence.
Arjun quietly picked up his coffee.
Aadhira noticed his expression.
"Is something wrong?"
He answered a little too quickly.
"No."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You don't look convinced."
Arjun looked away.
"I just..."
He stopped himself.
"What?"
He sighed.
"Nothing."
Aadhira studied him for a few seconds.
Then...
For the very first time...
She teased him.
"Were you..."
"...jealous?"
Arjun almost choked on his coffee.
"What?"
"No."
"Why would I be jealous?"
"They were talking to you."
"Not me."
Aadhira nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
"I must have misunderstood."
Although her face remained calm...
There was the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes.
Arjun quickly changed the topic.
"We should continue exploring."
Aadhira quietly stood up.
"Alright."
As they continued walking...
Arjun frowned to himself.
Jealous?
Me?
Impossible.
They're complete strangers.
Anyone would've reacted like that.
...Right?
For some reason...
Even he wasn't convinced by his own answer.
Far behind them...
Someone quietly clicked a photograph.
Neither Arjun nor Aadhira noticed.
Nor did they know...
That someone very familiar...
Had just arrived in London.
To Be Continued...