Chapter -36

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The hospital room was quiet, save for the faint beeping of machines and the rustling of crisp white sheets.

Aarushi had just said goodbye to the family in the waiting area—their faces a mix of concern and relief as they reassured her that Abhimanyu would be fine. As she stepped back into the VIP room, the air felt heavier, charged with an undercurrent of emotions.

Abhimanyu lay propped up against the pillows, his face pale but a hint of color returning to his cheeks.

Yet, as Aarushi walked in, he turned his head away, avoiding her gaze. It was a childish act that made her smile despite the worry that had clenched her heart since the moment he’d been admitted.

"Still sulking, are we?" she teased, her voice light, but her eyes were filled with concern.

He didn’t reply, his stubbornness palpable. Aarushi stepped closer, her heart aching at the sight of her husband, the cold and arrogant CEO reduced to this vulnerability. "Mai aapko aise sabke samne nahi daatna chahati thi , vo to bas tension tension mai nikal gaya. Aapko dhyan rakhna chahiye na aapna. Acha sorry , maaf ker do " She said softly smiling a little.

His silence spoke volumes, a wall built around him that she knew would take more than words to breach. She placed her hand over his, feeling the warmth radiate from his skin. "Ker do na maaf patidev"

Inside, Abhimanyu’s mind was a battlefield of emotions. "Don’t you dare melt," he reprimanded himself, but that familiar warmth in her eyes was breaking down his defenses. He relished her attention, the way she made him feel seen amid the chaos of his life.

He is not angry at her , he can never be angry at her but he is acting like one because he enjoys her attention a lot.

"What do I need to do to make you forgive me?" She asked, her voice soft and coaxing.

Abhimanyu smirked, an impish glint flickering in his eyes. In one swift motion, he pulled her towards him, and she gasped, surprise evident on her face as she hovered over him.

"Aaram se " she exclaimed, her heart racing.

"I’m okay. But if you give me a kiss, there’s a chance I might agree to forgive you." He said in a teasing tone.

Aarushi raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. "Oh really? Is that all it takes?"

Abhimanyu nodded, feigning seriousness. She took a deep breath, then cradled his face in her hands, her heart racing with a mix of mischief and affection. She planted a kiss on his right cheek.

"Now okay?"she asked, her voice playful.

"Not really" he replied trying to hold his smile.

She kissed his left cheek."Ab" and asked  "Still not." Abhimanyu replied shaking his head .

Aarushi giggled, the sound like music to his ears. She kissed him again, this time on the tip of his nose, then his forehead, then his cheeks, each kiss accompanied by playful murmurs of "now" and "how about now?"

Finally, Abhimanyu could no longer resist. He grinned, the corners of his mouth lifting as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her nose. "Ab thik hai , kiya aapko maaf"

Their laughter faded, replaced by a

A sweet moment of silence as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Abhimanyu caressed her cheeks, his thumb gliding over her skin as he got lost in her gaze.

"You have beautiful eyes," Aarushi whispered, her heart swelling with warmth.

"Not more than you," he breathed, the intimacy of the moment enveloping them like a warm blanket.

It was a magical bubble, one that felt as if it could last forever, until a soft knock on the door shattered the tranquility. Aarushi and Abhimanyu snapped back to reality, the spell broken as she quickly adjusted her dupatta standing up.

"Of course," Abhimanyu muttered, rolling his eyes in irritation. "Why does someone have to interrupt?"

After some time ~

Abhimanyu lay back against the crisp white hospital sheets, His phone buzzed softly in his hand, a distraction from the sterile environment around him. He glanced up just as Aarushi, his wife, slipped out of the room, a small bag clutched in her hand.

"Just getting your medicine, I’ll be right back," she said, a reassuring smile lighting her face. Abhimanyu nodded, watching her go with a twinge of annoyance at his own helplessness.

He hated being stuck here, feeling like a caged animal. The door creaked open again, and Abhimanyu looked up to see his PA, Aakash, stepping in, followed closely by Rudra. Their faces bore with the lines of worry, but as soon as he caught sight of Abhimanyu, their expression softened.

"Good evening sir " Aakash said, a hand on his shoulder." How are you sir "

"Teri halat to pahle hi kharab lag rahi thi , kaise hai " Rudra chimed in, his voice teasing but laced with genuine concern.

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. “I’m better now,Just a minor setback" he replied, waving a dismissive hand.

"Minor," Rudra's voice echoed, lifting an eyebrow. "You had pneumonia, brother. That’s not exactly a walk in the park."

"Skip the lecture; it won't change anything," he muttered, leaning back against the pillows.

Rudra crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "How long are you stuck here, then?"

"At least a week," Abhimanyu said, his voice steady despite the underlying frustration. "But I can work from here. Just need my phone and a quiet room ,But she isn't letting me work "

Aakash sighed and said " Sir you need to focus on getting better. Vikram Sir is handling things at the office and everything is going smoothly and I will keep you updated through the phone"

"Don’t stress yourself too much."Rudra added. "Yeah, that's the only thing I have to do for a whole week" Abhimanyu muttered, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone.

Abhimanyu shifted slightly, as he remembered something and said to Rudra "I need you to tighten security around the hospital. Just in case. I don’t want anyone sneaking in here looking for trouble."

Rudra nodded, a glint of understanding in his gaze. "I can manage that. But you need to be specific. What do you want? More guards?"

"No," Abhimanyu interjected, shaking his head. "Just make sure they’re present but don’t look like guards. I want them in plain clothes, blending in. No one should feel threatened."

"I will take care of it"Rudra said nodding his head.

The banter continued, a mix of light-hearted jabs and genuine concern.

Abhimanyu asked about the latest project deadlines to Aakash while Rudra as usual kept teasing and annoying him . Abhimanyu listened, his mind flickering between the conversations and the dull ache in his chest.

"Did you hear about the new marketing strategy?” Rudra asked, his voice animated. "I think it could really work, but some of the team is skeptical."

"Let them be skeptical," Abhimanyu replied, a hint of ice creeping back into his tone. "They need to understand that innovation comes with risk."

"For now, let Bade Papa handle the day-to-day,"Abhimanyu conceded. "But I’ll need updates. I don’t want any surprises when I get back."

"Don’t worry, I will  keep you updated sir" Aakash assured him.

Abhimanyu looked at the door and said , shifting the topic. "Where is she ? She better not be taking too long at the pharmacy."

"Are chinta mat ker aati hongi , bhabhi ke bina raha nahi ja raha "  Rudra said, a teasing grin on his face. "Besides, I think she’s just trying to get some peace and quiet away from you." Abhimanyu shot him a glare and said "Fuck off"

"Look , you are such a manner less person , koi apne itne pyare dost se aise baat kerta hai chii, mujhe jaise seedhe bacche to bigade ga ye"  Rudra said dramatically.

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes at him and started checking his phone ignoring him completely. "Sahi hai bhai , ja ab tu bulayega tab bhi nahi aaunga" Rudra said and started leaving from there with Aakash.

Abhimanyu looked at him taking really slow steps toward gate , he shook his head and called him "Rudra"

Rudra turned towards him and said " Ab tujhe rone ki jarurat nahi,bas ek baar sorry bol de mai maaf ker dunga , mera dil bhot bada hai tere jaisa nahi  " Rudra said again walking towards him.

Abhimanyu smirked at him and said "Mai yahi bol ral raha tha ki.....wapis mat aana ,get lost " Aaksh snorted as Rudra glared at Abhimanyu.

"Kutta kahi ka ,mujhe koi shok bhi nahi hai aane ka " Rudra shouted leaving along with Aaksh.

A hush fell over him for a moment, the atmosphere shifting as Abhimanyu’s thoughts turned inward. He hated being sidelined, especially when he was used to being in control. A week felt like a lifetime, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lurking just beyond the hospital’s walls, waiting for the right moment to strike.

He shifted on the hospital bed,as  he prepared to lay down. Just as he was about to close his eyes, the door creaked open, and a flicker of hope ignited in his chest. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, thinking it was Aarushi, his wife, coming to check on him. But the moment he saw Isha, the company’s CMO, his smile faded, replaced by a tightness in his chest.

Isha sashayed into the room, her long legs elegantly crossing the threshold. She flashed him a bright smile that felt overly rehearsed, her sharp jawline and perfectly styled hair framing a face that could have graced the cover of a magazine.

Abhimanyu poked his tongue in his cheek getting irritated; he had never been fond of the way she sometimes clung to him, her attention feeling more invasive than supportive.

Before he could utter a word, Aarushi entered, her eyes widening at the sight of Isha. Isha turned to Aarushi, her smile faltering, and Aarushi’s brow furrowed in confusion.Aarushi looked at Isha from top to bottom.

"Hey," Aarushi managed, stepping forward, her expression mix of curiosity and eagerness.

Abhimanyu cleared his throat. "Baby, this is Isha, our company CMO." He gestured toward his wife, his voice steady. "And Miss Isha, this is Aarushi Abhimanyu Rathore, my wife."

"Nice to meet you," Aarushi said, extending her hand .Isha lightly touches her hand , avoiding much contact with Aarushi like she is some kind of disease.

"Thank you," Isha replied without much interest , her gaze darting back to Abhimanyu with an eagerness that made Aarushi’s palms sweat. With a flourish, Isha presented a bouquet of brightly colored flowers to Abhimanyu. "I brought this for you, sir. Get well soon."

The casual dismissal of Aarushi stung. Aarushi felt a strange mix of jealousy and irritation as Isha turned her back, pulling a stool close to Abhimanyu’s bedside. Aarushi’s hand tightened around the bouquet as she forced a smile. "I’ll just place these in the pot," she said, turning away, feeling the heat of Isha’s gaze linger on her.

"Sir," Isha continued, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, "I was waiting for you at the office, but when I learned you were in the hospital, I couldn’t help but come meet you. You know I deeply care for you, sir."

Aarushi halted mid-motion, her heart racing at the condescending tone. There it was , that possessiveness in Isha’s voice, the way she leaned in just a little too close to Abhimanyu, her laughter a touch too light and airy.

Aarushi glanced back at them, her heart sinking further when she saw Isha gazing at Abhimanyu, her expression softening as if they shared an intimate moment. She noticed her perfect figure with long legs. She looked at herself and then Abhimanyu and isha. Abhimanyu was already looking in her direction but she turned away avoiding his gazes.

"I’m fine,You don't need to worry about me " Abhimanyu replied, his attention focused on his phone, a clear signal that he was uninterested.

"Sir"  Isha persisted, her voice a purr, "you should really take it easy. I can handle everything at the office while you recover. It’s not the same without you there, you know?"

Aarushi’s stomach twisted at the way she spoke, as though she were the one who held the reins of his well-being. "I will be alright in some time " Abhimanyu said, his tone clipped. "You should go back to the office and do your work. You don’t need to waste your time here."

"You are always like this sir , always worried about company and others," she insisted, stepping closer, her hand brushing against the edge of his bed. "That's why I like you, sir; I mean, everyone likes you a lot because you are a great CEO."

Aarushi clenched her fists, the warmth of her skin contrasting sharply with the cold grip of jealousy that wrapped around her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to control herself.

"I wish I had her confidence. She's so beautiful, and she knows it" Aarushi whispered to herself.

Isha continues to talk–cum–flirt with Abhimanyu, oblivious to Aarushi's thoughts. Aarushi watches them, feeling a pang of jealousy. She knows that Isha is just colleague, but she can't help but feel jealous.

At last Abhimanyu couldn't stop himself and said in an annoyed tone " I have to take rest Miss Isha , you should go back to office and continue your work "

Isha smiled, but it felt forced. "Yes, sir. I will go and do my best for you." The way she emphasized "for you" sent a jolt of anger through Aarushi.

As Isha stood to leave, Aarushi’s heart raced, feeling the tension in the room. Isha glanced at Aarushi, her smile a mix of condescension and triumph, and then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

The moment the door closed, Aarushi turned to Abhimanyu, her patience worn thin. "I couldn’t help but come meet you. You know I deeply care for you, sir."  she mimicked, her tone dripping with sarcasm."What a lovely visit"

Abhimanyu looked at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You’re really good at impressions,baby"  he teased, unable to suppress a smirk.

Aarushi plopped down on the stool beside him, her fingers fidgeting as she played with the hem of her dupatta.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. "Did you find her beautiful?" she blurted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow, his amusement shifting to confusion.

"Nothing," she replied quickly, avoiding his gaze. "I just… she was very… attentive and beautiful, wasn’t she?"

"Honestly, I didn’t even notice," he said, shrugging nonchalantly. "I was busy looking at my wife."

Aarushi felt her cheeks heat up, a mix of embarrassment and relief flooding her. "Don’t flatter me," she said, but a smile crept onto her lips despite herself.

"I’m not flattering you. It’s the truth," he replied, his tone serious now. "And don’t worry, I’m only interested in one person on this planet and that’s you"

Aarushi didn't said anything, and looked down , playing with the hem of her duppata. Abhimanyu smiled and said " Come here " shifting a little, making space for her. Aarushi bit her lower lip and laid down on the bed , beside him , placing her head on his chest.

"She… she was all over you" Aarushi protested, the jealousy bubbling to the surface. "I mean, she practically trying to flirt with you"

Abhimanyu chuckled softly, reaching out to hold her hand. "If she is making you feel like this.... Then we can change our CMO..if you want "

"No..no , there's no need to fire her it's just I didn't like the way she was trying to be close to you "Aarushi echoed, her heart racing. " It sounded like she wanted you to notice her"

Abhimanyu hugged her tightly and thought it was time to have a talk with Isha . He turned a little and faced her , caressing her cheeks"I won't notice anyone other than you , jaan "

Aarushi’s heart fluttered, the tension easing as she leaned into his touch. "I just…" She hesitated, her insecurities creeping back. "She’s so beautiful. And I feel so… ordinary next to her. Aapne dekha usko face kitna perfect tha , perfect jawline ke sath or mera chahra aloo jaisa nahi lagta "

Abhimanyu tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You’re extraordinary to me, jaan. I don’t care about anyone else. You’re the one I want to come home to every day. You’re the one I want to share my life with . Aapse khubsurat mere liye na koi hai or na koi hoga. Or rahi baat jawline ki mujhe meri choti si aloo hi pasand hai , mujhe kya matlab kisi or se"

Aarushi’s heart swelled at his words, the warmth of his gaze melting away her doubts. "Sachhi" she asked, needing to hear it again.

"Bilkul"he affirmed, his voice low and sincere.

She leaned into him, drawing comfort from his steady presence. "I’m sorry I got jealous," she murmured, feeling the weight of her insecurities lift, if only slightly.

"It’s okay," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer. "I understand. But you don’t need to feel that way. You’re the love of my life, and nobody can change that."

Aarushi smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. “Thank you for assuring me ."

"Don't worry, I’ll always be here to remind you of how much you mean to me. Whenever you feel like this , I will reassure you again and again,baby "

Aarushi smiled and kissed his right cheek. Abhimanyu pouted a little and thought for a second. "Ek or" He said forwarding his left cheek. Aarushi giggled and kissed his left cheek also and hugged him tightly.

As they lay together, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them cocooned in their own space. Aarushi knew she would have to confront her feelings of jealousy, but for now, she was content to simply be with Abhimanyu, the man she liked a lot.

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I will upload next chapter around 4'o clock today after returning from college.....

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