41. Punishment

Hello everyone!! I'm back!!

There was no network at the place I had gone to. So it was impossible for me to update you guys..

But, I am updating today!!

Enjoy!!

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The office was unusually busy for an evening past working hours. The sound of keyboards clacking and faint murmurs filled the air as employees buried themselves in tasks assigned by none other than Ananya.

Aaryansh stepped into Dreamlight, his sharp gaze scanning the room.

As if on cue, every female employee lowered their eyes, avoiding his gaze—a silent testament to Amrita's earlier warning.

He smirked, remembering his wife's possessiveness.

Mahima approached him with a polite smile. “Aaryansh Sir! You’re here?”

“Yeah,” he replied, offering a small smile in return.

“But sir, Amrita isn’t here…” Mahima informed him hesitantly.

“Oh? Did she go home?” Aaryansh asked, a slight frown crossing his face.

“No, sir. She went to meet her Mama regarding some urgent paperwork.”

Aaryansh nodded in understanding and turned to leave, but something caught his attention. He stopped and looked back at Mahima.

“Office hours ended an hour ago, didn’t they?”

“Yes, sir,” Mahima confirmed.

“Then why is everyone still working?”

Mahima sighed and hesitated before answering. “Let’s just say…it’s a punishment.”

“Punishment?” His brows furrowed. “What punishment?”

An employee walked up, head bowed, and handed Mahima some files. Without meeting his eyes, she spoke softly, “Yes, sir… a punishment.”

Mahima continued, “Ananya has been assigning extra work every evening after hours. A silent punishment, you could say.”

“Punishment for what?” Aaryansh asked, growing curious.

“For the same reason Amrita warned everyone earlier—jealousy,” Mahima replied with a chuckle.

Aaryansh’s lips twitched into a smirk. “So, my sweet little sister gets jealous too.”

“More than you’d expect,” Mahima laughed lightly. “And the funny thing is, she always insists she doesn’t like Aditya sir at all.”

“Typical Ananya,” Aaryansh said with an amused shake of his head.

The employee added hesitantly, “Honestly, sir, we didn’t know the connection. We knew Ananya ma’am was married because of her sindoor, but we had no idea her husband was…well, that sir.”

“And what about Amrita?” Mahima prompted.

“Amrita ma’am? We…we didn’t even know she was married. No one dares to look up at her face, let alone notice such details.”

Aaryansh couldn’t suppress his proud smile. The respect—and fear—his wife commanded was something he deeply admired.

“Alright, you can go now,” Mahima dismissed the employee.

Once they were alone again, Aaryansh cleared his throat. “Mahima…can I ask you something?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Could you…stop picking and dropping Amrita to and from the office?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Huh? But sir, if not me, then who will?” Mahima questioned, puzzled.

“I… I will,” Aaryansh said with a soft smile.

A knowing grin spread across Mahima’s face. “Ohhh. Alright, sir. The duty is officially transferred!”

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Amrita was on her way back home, the sky turning dusky as darkness crept over the horizon.

The drive was long, and her mind was still replaying her conversation with her Mama.

Suddenly, the car jerked, sputtered, and came to a complete stop.

“What the hell now?” she muttered, stepping out to check the engine.

Her fingers grazed the internal machinery, but she quickly realized the problem was beyond her expertise.

“Aww man!” she sighed, closing the hood.

As if the universe wasn’t done mocking her, heavy rain began pouring out of nowhere, soaking her within seconds.

Grumbling, she slipped back into the driver’s seat, drenched and shivering. “Could this day get any better?”

She grabbed her phone, dialing a number hurriedly. It picked up on the first ring.

“Mahi! Come and pick me up, please! My car broke down, I’m in the middle of nowhere, it’s raining like crazy, and I’m drenched!” she blurted out in one breath.

But the voice on the other end wasn’t Mahima’s.

“Buttercup, it’s me.”

Amrita froze, eyes widening slightly as she pulled the phone away to check the caller ID. Sure enough, it was Aaryansh.

“Aary–Aaryansh…?” she stammered.

“Yes, it’s me, Buttercup. Don’t worry, I’m coming to get you.” His voice was calm, steady, and laced with care.

“Aaryansh, no. You don’t need to come. I’ll just book a cab or—”

“No way. How could I leave my pyaari wifey stranded in the rain? I’m on my way.”

Amrita couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. “Pyaari wifey, huh?”

“Yes. My pyaari, lovely, sweetest wifey.”

A soft giggle escaped her lips.

“Are you…are you laughing?” Aaryansh said dramatically. “Aww, I’m so unlucky I can’t see it!”

“Come slowly, Aaryansh! I’m not standing in the rain. I’m in my car. So slow down,” she said calmly.

“But I miss you so much! I didn’t see you the whole day!” Aaryansh whined, his voice filled with playful exaggeration.

Amrita chuckled again, and that soft sound sent a flutter through Aaryansh’s heart. Her laugh was rare, and every time he heard it, it felt like a treasure.

“Oh Buttercup, you’re laughing again! I can’t wait to see you and your beautiful laugh!”

Amrita’s smile widened, warmth spreading through her chest. “Don’t worry. I’ll laugh as much as you want after you come.”

“Then I’m coming in five minutes!”

“Five minutes? Mr. Aaryansh, it takes at least forty minutes to reach here!”

But the call had already ended

“He hung up!” she said with a pout before her smile returned.

Her thoughts drifted back to their conversation, and despite the rain, the car breakdown, and the chaos of the day, Amrita felt lighter.

Her heart fluttered as she realized—he always had a way of making her smile, even in the most frustrating moments.

And here she was, smiling again, just thinking about him.

The rain continued to pour outside, but inside the car, Amrita felt warm and comforted.

Even with miles separating them, Aaryansh had an effortless way of making her feel cared for, cherished, and…happy.

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Did you guys miss me??

By the way, how many of you watch k dramas or c dramas or any type of dramas like them??

Comment!! :)

SHE DIDN'T ASK FOR LOVE... BUT HE GAVE IT ANYWAY 💝