Chapter 42 - The Confession That Couldnt Wait #2
The plan began immediately.
Dev walked over to Kabir.
"Kabir."
"Hmm?"
"I heard there's an old record shop two streets away."
Kabir's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"They sell vintage cameras too."
Kabir gasped dramatically.
"Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?"
He immediately grabbed Rohan.
"Come on!"
"We're going!"
Rohan looked confused.
"What about everyone else?"
"They'll survive."
Dev quickly stepped in.
"You two go."
"We'll wait here."
Kabir nodded enthusiastically.
"Perfect."
Without another word...
He dragged Rohan away.
Dev turned around and gave Arjun a discreet thumbs-up.
Go now.
Arjun smiled gratefully.
He walked toward Aadhira, who was quietly watching the river.
"Aadhira."
She turned.
"Hmm?"
"Would you..."
He smiled gently.
"...like to take a short walk?"
She nodded without hesitation.
"I'd like that."
The two of them slowly began walking along the quieter side of the promenade.
For the first time since morning...
There was no one between them.
No interruptions.
No teasing.
Only the gentle sound of the river flowing beside them.
Arjun smiled to himself.
Finally...
Maybe...
Just maybe...
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
The riverside had grown quieter.
Away from the bustling crowd, only the gentle sound of the Thames and the occasional laughter of passing tourists filled the air.
Arjun and Aadhira walked side by side at an unhurried pace.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
Surprisingly...
The silence didn't feel awkward.
It felt... peaceful.
Aadhira rested her hands lightly on the railing overlooking the river.
"The view is beautiful."
Arjun looked at her instead of the river.
"It is."
She turned and caught him looking.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Weren't you going to tell me something?"
Arjun suddenly forgot every sentence he had rehearsed.
"I..."
Before he could continue-
"There you are!"
Both of them turned.
Kabir came running toward them, slightly out of breath.
Behind him were Rohan, Dev, Siddharth, Shanaya and Naina.
Dev closed his eyes.
We were so close...
Kabir smiled proudly.
"I've been looking everywhere!"
Arjun sighed.
"I had a feeling."
Kabir slung an arm around Arjun's shoulder.
"Don't be upset."
"I found an even better place."
"What place?"
"A little café overlooking the river."
"They serve amazing desserts."
Rohan nodded enthusiastically.
"I've already checked."
"They're excellent."
Naina looked at him.
"You've already eaten there?"
"I only sampled."
"You sampled four desserts."
"I needed a fair comparison."
Everyone laughed.
A few minutes later, the group settled into the outdoor seating area of the café.
The tables overlooked the river, and soft music drifted through the air.
After placing their orders, everyone relaxed.
Kabir suddenly looked at Aadhira.
"Aadhi."
She looked up.
"Hmm?"
"I found another beautiful spot after this."
"It's perfect for portraits."
"We should go together."
Before Aadhira could answer-
Arjun spoke.
"I'll come too."
Kabir blinked.
"You?"
"Yes."
"But I only need Aadhira."
"I know."
"I'll still come."
Kabir looked confused.
"Why?"
"So you don't steal my wife again."
The words came out naturally.
Everyone at the table went silent.
Kabir slowly turned toward Dev.
"Did he just say..."
Dev nodded, trying not to smile.
"He did."
Kabir looked back at Arjun.
"So..."
"You've finally accepted she's your wife."
Arjun didn't answer.
Kabir leaned back dramatically.
"This is wonderful."
"I've been waiting for this character development."
Shanaya laughed.
"Stop teasing him."
"I'm only observing."
Kabir replied innocently.
Then, with a mischievous grin, he looked at Aadhira.
"Aadhi..."
"If your husband refuses to let you take pictures with me..."
"I'll just have to convince you myself."
He stood up dramatically and offered her his hand.
"Shall we?"
Aadhira looked at Kabir, amused by his antics.
Just as she was about to respond-
Arjun stood.
His chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor.
Every pair of eyes turned toward him.
Kabir looked confused.
"What?"
Arjun took a slow breath.
He had endured this for days.
Every conversation interrupted.
Every opportunity stolen.
Every moment with Aadhira ending with Kabir appearing out of nowhere.
This time...
His heart answered before his mind could stop it.
"Because I love my wife."
Silence.
The cheerful sounds of the café seemed to disappear.
Kabir's smile froze.
Rohan blinked.
Naina's eyes widened.
Shanaya covered her mouth in surprise.
Even Siddharth looked speechless.
Dev simply smiled.
He had been waiting for this moment.
Aadhira slowly lifted her gaze to Arjun.
For the first time since their marriage...
There was no hesitation in his eyes.
No confusion.
Only honesty.
Only love.
Arjun himself froze.
His eyes widened.
He looked around the table.
Then at Aadhira.
Then back at everyone.
Realization hit him.
...I said it.
Out loud.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I..."
"I didn't..."
For perhaps the first time in his life...
Arjun Rathore had absolutely no idea what to say.
Kabir was the first to recover.
He placed both hands dramatically over his heart.
"I..."
He sniffed loudly.
"I always knew this day would come."
Rohan laughed.
"Don't cry."
"I'm not crying."
"It's called emotional appreciation."
Naina rolled her eyes.
"You're impossible."
Dev stood up and patted Arjun's shoulder.
"Took you long enough."
Arjun looked at him in disbelief.
"You knew this would happen."
"I hoped."
Dev corrected with a grin.
All eyes slowly shifted toward Aadhira.
She remained calm.
Composed.
But inside...
Her heartbeat had betrayed her.
She had waited so long to hear those words.
Yet she couldn't tell him the truth.
Not yet.
Not until every secret was revealed.
Not until the people who had destroyed her lives paid for what they had done.
She met Arjun's nervous gaze.
A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
A smile only he noticed.
Then she spoke softly.
"Thank you..."
"...for being honest with me."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
But somehow...
Those words eased the storm inside Arjun's heart.
Kabir suddenly clapped his hands together.
"Well!"
"I officially declare today a historic day."
Shanaya laughed.
"Why?"
Kabir grinned.
"Our dear Mr. Businessman finally confessed."
"And I was the reason."
Arjun groaned.
"You were the reason I lost my patience."
"Exactly."
Kabir replied proudly.
"So technically..."
"I deserve some credit."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Arjun couldn't stop himself from smiling.
As the laughter filled the riverside café...
None of them noticed the way Aadhira quietly looked at Arjun.
Her smile lingered.
Hidden behind that calm expression...
Was a heart that had loved him long before he even knew her name.
To Be Continued...