Chapter -18

The aroma of sizzling vegetables and spices filled the air, a comforting symphony that usually brought a sense of warmth to my stomach. Today, however, the delicious smells did little to quell the churning in my gut. It wasn't the food, it was the proximity. Siddharth, her best friend.

He sat beside Aarushi, their shoulders brushing as they leaned in to speak."Why she didn't sat with me" I thought to myself and scoffed.

Her laughter, light and melodious, filled the room, but it wasn't directed at me. It was for him. I watched as they bantered, their conversation flowing effortlessly, a comfortable intimacy that made my chest tighten.

"How's the food , do you need anything else hukum" Aarushi mother asked me . i shook my head and replied " No , I am fine. It's good "

Her mother picked up a bowl of chole and served Sid saying " Beta or lo ,tumhare pasandeeda chole hai . Arushi ke banaye hue chole se bhi bhadiya hai " she passed a teasing smile to Aarushi.

Sid shook her head and said " Nahi aunty bas bas or waise bhi meri Aru ke hath ke chole ke aage sabke chole fail hai " Aarushi chuckled listening him.

What the fuck, meri Aru ,M-E-R-I A-R-U. How is she his Aru , she is mine. She is my jaan , my love , my baby. Fucker. My jaw clenched listening him . Can't I kill him.

I forced myself to chew, the food tasting like ash in my mouth. I feel the pang of jealousy, digging into my ribs. I tried to ignore it thinking he is her friend, to focus on the conversation at the table, but my eyes kept straying back to them.She didn't even glance at me.

Suddenly sid held my jaan's held when she was going to take gulab jamun from a bowl and said " Take mine Aru , i already eaten one you take this one. I don't feel like eating one more " First of stop calling her Aru and second if he didn't leave her hand in next five second I will kill him, after three second he finally left her hands . She nodded and take his untouched gulab jamun.

I didn't like this , no matter how much I try to convince myself but still I felt jealous from him. The way Aarushi is comfortable with him , the way she is calling him with nickname, stirred something deep with in me . I want to be the one with whom she felt comfortable. Why she didn't gave me any nickname.

Aarushi, oblivious to my internal turmoil, leaned closer to Siddharth, her eyes sparkling with amusement. He responded with a playful grin, his hand briefly touching hers as he gestured with emphasis. The casual touch, the shared laughter, the way their gazes lingered - it was a silent declaration of their easy camaraderie, a comfortable intimacy I yearned for with her.

I felt a surge of resentment, a bitter taste in my mouth. Why was it so easy for her to be herself around him? To laugh, to touch, to share confidences without a second thought? With me, there was always an unspoken barrier, a cautiousness that hung in the air.

I watched as Siddharth leaned back, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. Aarushi, in turn, playfully swatted his arm, her eyes crinkling in amusement. My jaan looked so cute while smiling whereas he is looked like a donkey. The scene played out before me like a cruel taunt, a reminder of the distance between us.

I tried to remind myself that they were just friends, that their closeness was innocent. But the serpent of jealousy tightened its grip, whispering doubts and insecurities in my ear.I trust her but I still felt insecure what If she never loved me , what if we never come close.

After what felt like an eternity, the meal finally ended. As the family began to clear the table, she noticed me glaring at Sidharth. Her brow furrowed in concern.

I avoided her gaze, feeling a surge of anger at her concern. Why did she care? She was too busy enjoying Siddharth's company to notice my discomfort. She didn't even glance at me whole lunch.

She hesitated looking at me , her eyes darting towards Siddharth, who was now engaged in conversation with her father.

The silence that followed was heavy, laden with unspoken emotions. I watched as Aarushi resumed her conversation with Siddharth, her smile returning, her laughter once again filling the room. I hate it.

She is my possession , I never craved attention until I tasted her's. He is her friend and she will hate me if I try to control her. She is also human being, she is free to do everything. I already forced her in this marriage , I don't want to hurt her more.

I felt a wave of resentment wash over me, drowning out any attempt at composure.I couldn't bear to watch anymore. I abruptly stood up and said " I have an important meeting, it will be good if we take our leave "

Aarushi father nodded and told Aarushi to bring her luggage. She headed upstairs with Sid. Why the fuck he is trailing behind my wife.

Aarushi soon came downstairs with a polythene in her hand and Sidharth following her behind with her suitcase. I took some steps forward and take polythene from her hand softly . He also came there and stood next to her. I glared at him and snatched suitcase from his hand .

He frowned his eyebrows in confusion and whispered something to my jaan. She shrugged her shoulders at him and went towards her parents. Ek din isko bhot marunga .

After some minutes we took out leave from there. I placed suitcase and other things in back of my car and opened door for her. I also took my seat and started the engine.

I was driving silently but still I can feel uneasiness in my chest. My grip of steering wheel tightened as i remembered the way he touched her.I have to control myself . I shook my head to clear my mind .

"Kya hua , aap thik hai " Suddenly my jaan asked in a soft voice.

I turned to face her, my gaze lingered on her face for a moment but I again started focusing on driving without saying anything.

"Bataiye to kya hua hai , aap lunch kerte time bhi Sid ko ghoor rahe hai . Kuch baat hai " She again asked turning a little in my direction.

I shook my head and said " Nothing " she didn't agreed with me and said "No there is something tell me "

"You seem to be having a wonderful time with Siddharth . You were being all comfortable with him but didn't even glance at my direction" I said, my jaw tightened as i spoke.

She frowned her brows and said " what do you mean by , he is my best friend ofcourse I would be comfortable with him . Do you want me look at you time to time ."

" I also want your attention jaan. You didn't even sat with me. You were serving him , having a cosy conversation with him but you didn't even looked me. I agree he is your friend, everyone spend time with their friend but you completely forgot me. I know I am sounding ridiculous but I didn't like it " I said and looked away unable to meet her gaze.

I knew I was being irrational, that my jealousy was unfounded. I don't want to behave like jerk who control their wife. I will not control her but I can't help but feel jealous from everything which is close to her while I am not.

She remained silent for a moment, her eyes searching my face. Then, she softly " He is my friend and you are my husband , a forced one but still. You both have different place and importance in my life . Don't worry you will always be my bad man because no is like my khadoos hukum, you are Irreplaceable " she finished last line with a mischievous smile.

My heart pounded my chest listening her .I felt heat rising in my neck. Don't blush , Don't blush I repeated in my mind. She said I am ' her bad man.' Let's focus on ' her ' not on 'bad man '.

I am her yrr.

Suddenly she squealed and said "Are you blushing , hayee cutie "

I cleared my throat and said " Wha-what are you saying . Why would I b-blush." Why the hell I am blushing like a teenager.

"Na i saw you , you can't lie. Don't worry i won't tell anyone that this rude man blushed" she said , her voice filled with mischievous and amusement.

"It's not like that " I said again. " It's nothing wrong in blushing. I didn't knew that I can make you blush. " She again teased me. " Baby you don't know how much power you have on me " i muttered to myself. She didn't paid any attention to me and keep giving me teasing smile.

Her smile , simple yet profound, washed over me, easing the tension that had been building within me.

The serpent of jealousy, momentarily forgotten, seemed to loosen its grip. I looked into her eyes, a sense of peace washing over me.

After few minutes she said " Do you know , I went shopping today. I bought gifts for everyone in the family " I nodded my head at her words. Just then something clicked in my mind. Did she buy something for me also? " Should I ask her .

I said trying to sound casual" Do you buy something for me also " Please , say yes. It's not like I am desperate for something but I am definitely desperate to get something from her. Things related to her always matters to me ,alot.

" Why would I buy something for you, you know na I still didn't like you " she said and turned her face towards window. Oh....yeah why would she buy something for me. Don't behave like this.

" You really expect her to buy something for you , bro you forced her remember this thing " my subconscious mind again mocked me . Isko alag jale per namak chidakna hai .

After an hour we reached our mansion. I stepped outside from the car and went towards her side to open door for her ." I have hands , I can open door for me " she said stepped outside from the car. " Let them rest for a moment when I open door for you " I said smiling softly.

She scrunched her nose at me and shook her head. I chuckled and went inside trailing behind her with suitcase.

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Do you think that Aarushi bought something for him ?

Abhimanyu has to work hard to earn her forgiveness.

My schedule is fucked up these days. I am trying to manage my work with this story. From now on I will try to do everything on time , I hope i don't disappoint you.

Thank you everyone for showing support.... 😙 I am glad that you are enjoying my story.

Love you 💌