Chapter 58: chapter 57

Vihaan stepped into the room, kicking the door shut behind him, still carrying Aarohi in his arms.

She gasped. “Vihaan! Put me down!”

He smirked, tightening his hold. “Not yet. I’m enjoying this way too much.”

Aarohi glared at him. “Enjoying what? Torturing me?”

He chuckled. “If by ‘torturing,’ you mean carrying my beautiful wife in my arms while she blushes adorably… then yes.”

Her blush deepened. “You’re impossible.”

Vihaan finally set her down, but his hands didn’t move from her waist. His dark eyes swept over her face, his smirk widening. “Now that I think about it, maybe I should’ve bargained for a kiss in exchange for putting you down.”

Aarohi gasped, stepping back. “Vihaan!”

He raised an eyebrow. “What? I’m your husband. I think I deserve at least a thank you kiss.”

She crossed her arms, trying to look stern. “You’re getting nothing.”

Vihaan sighed dramatically. “What a cruel wife I’ve got. Just married a few hours ago, and she’s already rejecting me.”

Aarohi rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Like you’re some helpless victim.”

He grinned. “You’re right. I always get what I want.”

Her heart skipped a beat as he took a step closer, tilting his head. “So, how long are you planning to stand there, Mrs. Malhotra?”

Aarohi’s lips parted slightly. The way he said her new name sent warmth through her. “I… I should change.”

Vihaan smirked. “Good idea. You must be uncomfortable in that heavy lehenga.”

She nodded and turned toward the dressing table, but Vihaan’s voice stopped her.

“Need help?”

She spun around, her eyes wide. “Excuse me?”

He leaned against the bedpost, watching her with amusement. “I was just offering my assistance, biwi.”

Aarohi grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at him. “Shameless!”

Vihaan caught it effortlessly, laughing. “Fine, fine. Go, change. I’ll be waiting right here… behaving myself.”

She gave him a suspicious glance before rushing into the bathroom.

Vihaan shook his head, smirking. She was too much fun to tease.

When Aarohi returned, dressed in a silk nightdress, her long hair falling loosely over her shoulders, Vihaan’s eyes darkened slightly.

She hesitated. “Why are you staring?”

He smirked. “Admiring my wife.”

Aarohi rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the warmth spreading over her cheeks.

Vihaan patted the space beside him. “Come here.”

She crossed her arms. “Why?”

His smirk widened. “Because I said so.”

Aarohi stayed put. “And if I don’t?”

Vihaan sighed dramatically, lying back on the bed. “Then I’ll have no choice but to pull you here myself.”

Aarohi’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t—”

Before she could finish, Vihaan grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward. She yelped, landing right beside him on the bed.

“Vihaan!” she scolded, trying to move away, but he had already trapped her under his arm.

He grinned. “See? Much better.”

She huffed. “You’re impossible.”

Vihaan brushed a strand of hair from her face, his voice dropping to a softer tone. “And yet, you married me.”

Aarohi swallowed. “Not exactly by choice.”

Vihaan smirked. “Doesn’t matter. You’re mine now.”

Her heart did a little flip at the possessiveness in his tone.

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her skin. “So… are you going to sleep?”

Aarohi blinked. “What else would I do?”

Vihaan’s fingers traced slow circles on her arm. “Oh, I don’t know… maybe we could talk, cuddle a little…” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “Kiss?”

Aarohi gasped and smacked his chest. “Go to sleep, Vihaan!”

He laughed, pulling her closer. “Fine, fine. No kissing. For now.”

Aarohi sighed but couldn’t help the small smile playing on her lips.

As the night stretched on, Vihaan’s arm remained around her, his warmth surrounding her.

Aarohi closed her eyes, feeling safe, comfortable… and surprisingly happy.

Maybe, just maybe, this marriage wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Aarohi stirred as the golden morning light peeked through the curtains, warming her skin. She blinked, trying to move—only to realize she couldn’t.

Something heavy was wrapped around her waist.

Her eyes shot open.

Vihaan.

Her newly wedded husband was sleeping beside her, his arm lazily draped over her waist, his face relaxed and peaceful. His usual sharp, arrogant expression was gone, replaced by something softer, almost boyish.

For a moment, she just stared.

How does someone so annoying look so… innocent while sleeping?

Then reality hit.

She was in Vihaan’s arms. In his bed.

Her cheeks burned.

Oh God. What do I do?

Carefully, she tried to move his arm.

Bad idea.

Vihaan groaned, frowning in his sleep, and pulled her closer.

Aarohi froze.

Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he’d wake up just from the sound of it.

His breath was warm against her neck, his grip firm around her waist.

This was dangerous.

She took a deep breath and tried again, prying his fingers off her waist one by one.

Just as she was about to escape—

“Where do you think you’re going?”

A deep, sleepy voice rumbled against her ear, making her jump.

Aarohi gasped. “You’re awake?”

Vihaan cracked one eye open, smirking. “I was sleeping just fine… until you started wiggling around.”

“I wasn’t wiggling!” she defended.

Vihaan arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Then what were you doing?”

Aarohi huffed, pushing against his chest. “Let me go, Vihaan!”

He smirked, but instead of letting go, he tightened his grip, rolling onto his side and pulling her with him.

Aarohi let out a startled squeak as she ended up half on top of him, her hands pressed against his solid chest.

His smirk deepened. “Comfortable?”

She gaped at him. “You—! Let me go!”

Vihaan sighed dramatically. “Why are you in such a hurry to run away from your dear husband?”

Aarohi glared. “Because my dear husband is insufferable!”

Vihaan chuckled. “That hurts, biwi.”

“Good,” she snapped, still struggling.

But Vihaan wasn’t done teasing. His grip remained firm, and he leaned in just a little, his breath fanning against her cheek.

Aarohi stilled.

Too close. Way too close.

Her heartbeat went into a full sprint.

Vihaan tilted his head. “You’re blushing, aren’t you?”

“I—I am not!”

His smirk was pure mischief. “Liar.”

Aarohi shoved at his chest. “Vihaan, let go, or I swear I’ll—”

Before she could finish, a loud knock interrupted them.

“Bhai! Bhabhi! Wake up! It’s your first morning as husband and wife!”

Aarohi’s eyes widened. “Oh no.”

Vihaan sighed, finally releasing her. “Looks like we’ve been summoned.”

Aarohi scrambled off the bed, her heart still racing.

On the other side of the door, Karan’s voice came again. “Come on, guys! We’re waiting for the rasam!”

Aarohi quickly grabbed her dupatta and fixed her hair, panic setting in. “Vihaan, hurry up! We can’t be late!”

Vihaan stretched lazily. “Relax, it’s just Karan being dramatic.”

Aarohi shot him a glare. “Everyone’s waiting downstairs, and you’re acting like we have all the time in the world!”

Vihaan smirked. “We do. It’s our wedding morning. No one’s going to scold us.”

Aarohi huffed. “I will if you don’t hurry up.”

Vihaan chuckled but finally got out of bed.

“Fine, fine, Mrs. Malhotra. Let’s go.”

As they stepped out after getting freshen up, Aarohi couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.

This was just the beginning of her new life.

And with Vihaan by her side, she knew one thing for sure—

It was never going to be boring.