Chapter-41

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Aarushi stood at the school gate, her heart brimming with a mix of nostalgia and relief as the final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day.

The children, a flurry of vibrant uniforms and laughter, rushed toward her like little tornadoes, their energy infectious.

"Alright, everyone! Line up, please!" Her voice carried over the excited chatter. The students scrambled to form a line, some giggling, others pushing playfully.

Aarushi smiled, straightening her posture, and adjusted her glasses. "Let's keep it orderly. We don't want to hurt anyone "

As she ushered the children toward the waiting buses, she exchanged small talk and smiles, bending down to tie a shoelace here, to pat a back there. "Goodbye, Shanaya. See you tomorrow!"

"Good afternoon, ma'am!" the chorus of voices chimed back, bright and cheerful. Ten minutes ticked by, and the last of the students trickled out.

When the last bell rang again, a wave of quiet washed over the school. Aarushi watched as the final batch of children bid her farewell with enthusiastic waves, their backpacks bouncing with each hurried step.

Priya approached her, a grin spreading across her face. "Let's go! First, I need to grab a gift from my scooter. "

"Mine's in my almirah already," Aarushi replied, her smile mirrored in Priya's eyes. Together, they made their way back inside the school, the corridor echoing with their footsteps.

As they reached the staff room, they paused. The atmosphere was thick with a bittersweet tension. Radhika Ma'am, their beloved colleague, stood surrounded by the other teachers, each taking turns to hug her tightly and present her with gifts.

"Miss you all so much," Radhika said, her voice tinged with emotion. "This job has meant the world to me, but I'm ready for the next chapter."

Aarushi's heart ached a little. She approached Radhika, wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace. "We will miss you. I hope you achieve even greater success."

"Thank you, Aarushi. You're going to be an amazing teacher," Radhika replied, pulling back to look into Aarushi's eyes.

Priya stepped forward, hugging Radhika as well, and then pulled away . Aarushi smiled and handed her gift to Radhika, followed by Priya. "Here's yours! I'm so excited for you to see it later !" Priya said.

"Same but I have to call someone to pick this up. I can't carry it all," Radhika said, glancing at the pile of gifts growing larger.

"Absolutely but we're going to party first. I'm starving!" Priya said in an enthusiastic tone.

Radhika chimed in, "Correct...Our favorite restaurant, yes?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, a lightness returning to the atmosphere.

They helped Radhika load her things into her brother's car before climbing into Mrs. Ahuja's vehicle, the chatter picking up once again.

As the car pulled away, Aarushi's phone pinged. She fished it out, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Abhimanyu's name lighting up the screen.

"Did you reach the restaurant?" his first message read.

Before she could respond, another message popped up: "What are you doing?"

She felt a warmth spread through her.

"Baby, I'm missing you," followed by, "Oh, you're online. Why aren't you responding?Are you ignoring me ?"

A chuckle escaped her lips.

The next message made her roll her eyes playfully: "You didn't give me a kiss in the morning. That's why I don't feel like working today."

Aarushi sighed, a smile still tugging at her lips. How could he be so adorable?

She quickly typed back, "Abhi, you keep asking so many questions! I'm not ignoring you. We're on our way to the restaurant. And about the morning kiss-every helper was there! What was I supposed to do?"

"What's wrong? You were going to kiss your husband, and I can kiss you in front of everyone," he messaged, his playful tone evident even through the screen.

"Yes, you can, because you are besharam. Have some shame, old man!" Aarushi typed, laughter bubbling within her as she remembered their playful banter.

Suddenly, a wave of nostalgia hit her. She was reminded of the day they had spent at the amusement park for their one-month anniversary. They had stopped at an ice cream stall, the sun setting in a kaleidoscope of colors behind them.

"Look at that ice cream!"Aarushi had exclaimed, pulling on his arm.

Once they had placed their order, she noticed a little girl staring at Abhimanyu.

The girl, no older than six, tilted her head, her mouth slightly agape as she studied him.Curious, she leaned in. "Why are you looking at him like that?"

The girl's gaze flicked back to Aarushi, then returned to Abhimanyu. "He looks... old," she said, her tone matter-of-fact, as if she were stating the weather.

Abhimanyu's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Old? Me?" He scowled at the little girl, glaring at her "What the hell are you saying , I'm only twenty-seven!"

Aarushi struggled to suppress a laugh, her shoulders shaking as she leaned closer to the girl "What do you think makes him look old?"she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

The girl scrunched her face in thought, her tiny finger tapping her chin. "He has... a lot of hair on his face ," she said, pointing at Abhimanyu's beard and his slightly tousled hair "And his face looks... like my dad's. Is he your husband,but you look so small infront of him"

Abhimanyu's brows furrowed, a mixture of indignation and amusement flickering across his features.

"What can I do , I had to marry this old man." Aarushi said in a pitiful voice.

The girl then offered, "My dad helps women whose husbands are bad. If you want to leave him, I can call him!" She had pointed to a man walking toward them.

Abhimanyu, looking horrified, had quickly taken the ice cream from the vendor and handed it to Aarushi. "Let's go, babe. We don't need any help!This little girl is crazy, I am not old" Abhimanyu drag her with him towards their car.

Aarushi laughed a little and turned back, waving goodbye to the little girl, sending her a flying kiss, which Abhimanyu pretended to catch, glaring playfully at the girl, who had pouted in response.

The memory faded back to the present, and Aarushi found herself smiling at her phone.

She looked at her phone again and noticed few messages from Abhimanyu with an angry emoji saying "I am not old , that girl was crazy"

"We already talked about that , you will not stop teasing me with that. Will you ? "

"Baby, see, I am not old; I am just a little more mature than you,okay?"

"Hey? Why are not responding...Still thinking about that....? I am not old jaan....don't think about that crazy girl"

"Okay, okay! I'm not saying anything. You focus on your work. I gotta go, my dear old man," she typed, then turned off her internet and slipped her phone back into her purse.

Priya nudged her shoulder, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Who were you chatting with and laughing all alone? My jiju?"

"No one," Aarushi shot back, though Priya's teasing grin told her she didn't believe it.

Just then, Mrs. Ahuja announced,

"We've arrived!"

Exiting the car, Aarushi felt a wave of excitement wash over her. The restaurant was a familiar sight, a cozy place filled with the mouthwatering aroma of spices.

Laughter and chatter floated through the air, mingling with the clinking of cutlery against plates.

As they entered, Radhika led the way, her face glowing with joy. The group settled at a long table adorned with a cheerful centerpiece. Radhika stood, her hands raised, and called for attention.

"Thank you, everyone, for being such an important part of my life. This is just a small goodbye party for me, and I appreciate all of you so much!"

Cheers erupted from the table.

"I still can't believe you're leaving us," Priya exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.

"Don't worry! I'll still be around! Just a little farther away," Radhika assured them, her smile brightening the room.

The food began to arrive, platters piled high with fragrant biryani, crispy naan, and rich curries. The sound of laughter grew louder as they dug in, sharing stories and memories.

"Remember that time we had the surprise quiz?" Mrs. Ahuja laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

As the evening wore on, they took turns snapping pictures,capturing the moments of joy, friendship, and bittersweet farewells.

"Say cheese!" Priya shouted as she positioned her phone, the rest of the group crowding around Radhika for one last group photo.

Later, as they prepared to leave, Radhika felt a bittersweet ache in her heart. She hugged Aarushi tightly, whispering a promise to keep in touch.

"I'll miss you!" Radhika said, her voice quivering.

"Me too! Don't forget us!" Aarushi replied, pulling back to wipe away a tear.

With hugs exchanged and laughter echoing in the parking lot, they climbed back into their cars, the warmth of friendship lingering in the air like the scent of spices from the restaurant.

In evening ~

The mansion stood silent, its grandeur muted by an unusual stillness that enveloped the air like a thick fog.

Abhimanyu passed the guards stationed outside, their stern expressions betraying no hint of the anomaly.

He entered, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors. No maids scurrying around, no distant laughter or chatter of aarushi from the kitchen or living room-just an oppressive hush that made the shadows seem to whisper.

Something felt off, but he brushed it aside. Perhaps Aarushi was simply in her room. He glanced toward the living room for her , but it was also empty.

Shrugging off his coat, he draped it over his arm and headed upstairs. The second floor was dim, the only light filtering through the heavy curtains that adorned the windows.

As he walked toward their bedroom, a flicker of anticipation crept in. He had a feeling she was up to something.

He pushed the door open, the hinges protesting.

"Jaan" he called out, testing the stillness.The darkness inside swallowed him momentarily, but he quickly moved to switch on the light.

Aarushi stood near the closet, her back to him, clutching a remote. The sight was both intriguing and perplexing.

(Her outfit)

She turned, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she approached him, pressing a button on the remote before tossing it onto the bed.

Suddenly, the air vibrated with the playful sounds of a familiar song.

"मैं क्या करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

हाय, हाय बुड्ढा मिल गया"

"मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

मैं क्या करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया ..."🎶

Abhimanyu's initial confusion morphed into a mix of irritation and amusement.

He narrowed his eyes, feigning annoyance while secretly enjoying the spectacle unfolding before him.

Aarushi's laughter filled the room as she began to act out the lyrics, her body swaying with a lightness that was infectious.

"मैं गुड़िया हसीन मेरी मोरनी सी चाल है

सर में सफ़ेद उसके दादा जी सा बाल है

बिगड़ेगा हर काम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

मैं क्या करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया ..."

She spun around, arms outstretched, mimicking the motions of a peacock. She sang, her voice playful, teasing.

Abhimanyu crossed his arms, his expression one of mock boredom. "Really?Nahi manegi aap?"he quipped, though inside, a warmth blossomed at the sight of her joy.

"सब जो गये बाग़ मेरा बुड्ढा भी चला गया

सब तो लाये फूल बुड्ढा गोभी ले कर आ गया

मैं हो गई बदनाम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

मैं क्या करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया ..."🎶

Aarushi's eyes sparkled with mischief. She dramatically tossed her head back, a hand on her hip, as if to emphasize her point.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but smile despite himself. She danced closer, her movements fluid and graceful, twirling away and then back toward him with a flourish.He get the deja vu of the time when he first time saw her and fell in love with her. Her playful demeanor drew him in, and he admired how effortlessly she commanded the space around her.

He watched, completely captivated, as she continued to embody the character of the song.

"सर में सफ़ेद उसके दादा जी का बाल है -२

अब क्या होगा अंजाम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

हाय का करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

होय होय बुड्ढा मिल गया

हाय बुड्ढा मिल गया

मैं का करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया"🎶

Aarushi pretended to stroke her chin thoughtfully, glancing up at him with wide eyes.

"अब क्या होगा अंजाम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया

मैं क्या करूँ राम मुझे बुड्ढा मिल गया..."

Abhimanyu loved these moments-her silliness, her carefree spirit.

As the song continued, Aarushi danced around him, each lyric an invitation to join her in this playful banter.

She twirled again, her hair flowing, and he felt a rush of affection.

"Acha ji" he replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Hanji budhe hi to hai aap, boliye kya karenge" she teased, stepping closer, her face alight with laughter.

He feigned a wounded expression, placing a hand over his heart. "Mai kya karuga" he said more like questioning himself.

"Mai aapse pyaar karunga " he said with a smirk Aarushi's playful demeanor shifted slightly, her smile softening at his words. "Oh, is that so?" she challenged, tilting her head back and narrowing her eyes playfully.

He picked up the remote and scanned for another song, pressing play with a flourish.

The familiar melody filled the room as he turned to her, ready to dive into the next playful exchange.

"ये परदा हटा दो

ज़रा मुखड़ा दिखा दो

ये परदा हटा दो

ज़रा मुखड़ा दिखा दो

हम प्यार करने वाले हैं कोई ग़ैर नहीं

अरे हम तुम पे मरने

वाले हैं कोई ग़ैर नहीं"🎶

He sang, his voice deep and teasing, as he moved closer.

Aarushi raised her eyebrows, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

"ओ मजनू के नाना

मेरे पीछे ना आना

जा प्यार करने वाले तेरी ख़ैर नहीं

अरे ओ हमपे मरने वाले तेरी ख़ैर नहीं"

She shot back, twirling away, her giggles echoing in the spacious room.

"एक तो सूरत प्यारी

ऊपर से ग़ुस्से की लाली

बचना ऐ दिल आज है कोई

बिजली गिरने वाली"

He replied, his tone filled with mock seriousness, and he reached out, trying to catch her.

She danced just out of reach, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"बिजली गिरी तो

तुम्हीं पे गिरेगी

जा प्यार करने वाले तेरी ख़ैर नहीं

अरे ओ हमपे मरने वाले तेरी ख़ैर नहीं "

He lunged toward her, and she squealed, darting to the side, her movements graceful and unrestrained.

"शुकर करो के पड़े नहीं हैं

मेरी माँ के डंडे

एक हाथ में हो जाते

अरमान तुम्हारे ठंडे

शुकर करो के पड़े नहीं हैं

मेरी माँ के डंडे

एक हाथ में हो जाते

अरमान तुम्हारे ठंडे" Aarushi quipped, throwing a playful glance over her shoulder as she danced back toward him.

"माँ को भी समझा दो

बस इतना बता दो......"🎶

he shot back, grinning,

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside the mansion faded away. The atmosphere was charged, filled with laughter and warmth, a cocoon of their shared joy.

"जहाँ मिलें दो जवाँ नज़र

होती तकरार वहीं है....." he continued, his voice low and playful as he stepped closer again. The tension in the air thickened, a mixture of teasing and undeniable chemistry.

"दिल की बातें दिल वाले

नज़रों से ही पहचानते....."🎶she challenged, her tone daring yet affectionate.

Aarushi's smile widened, and she danced closer, the distance between them nonexistent.

"लेकिन कुछ ऐसे हैं अनाड़ी

जो ये भी ना जानते" she said, her voice a teasing whisper.

"हम प्यार करने

वाले हैं कोई ग़ैर नहीं

अरे हम तुम पे मरने

वाले हैं कोई ग़ैर नहीं"🎶

Abhimanyu felt his heart swell with affection as he pulled her closer, their bodies swaying together to the rhythm of the song.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their playful banter and the love that filled the space between them.

As the song reached its climax, Abhimanyu's heart raced. He was struck by the realization of how much he cherished these moments with Aarushi,with his jaan-the laughter, the teasing, the shared joy that seemed to bloom in the air around them.

He paused for a moment, just taking her in-the way her eyes sparkled with delight, the way her laughter rang like music in his ears. He had never felt so alive, so connected to someone.

"Are you ready for round two?" he asked, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as the song came to an end.He can dance like this his whole life for her....to see her happy.

Aarushi grinned, her expression one of pure delight. "Always!"

With that, they dove into the next song, both of them ready to act out another playful duet, the laughter echoing through the mansion, drowning out any lingering silence.

The walls of their home, usually so grand and imposing, became a sanctuary of love and playfulness. Here, in this moment, they found joy in each other's company, the world outside forgotten.

And as they danced, they both knew: this was where they belonged-together, in love, forever.

After sometime ~

The last echo of the song faded, leaving a tender silence in the room, thick with unspoken words and lingering glances.

Abhimanyu and Aarushi stood mere inches apart, their breaths mingling in the intimate space between them.

He leaned closer, his heart racing as he closed the gap, ready to capture the moment with a kiss, but the soft knock on the door shattered the spell.

"Ugh," Abhimanyu groaned, stepping back as Aarushi whipped around, her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

"Go check who it is," she urged, her eyes darting from the door to him, then back again.

"Leave it.Give me a kiss. You haven't kissed me all day," he said softly, his tone playful yet desperate. He didn't get any kiss from morning and now when he was going to get a kiss , someone disturbed him again.

Aarushi hit him playfully on his arm and said, "No ,Go check! You're not getting any kisses until you find out who's there"

He sighed dramatically, "Jab dekho marti rahti hai," he muttered rubbing his arm, casting her a playful glare before turning to the door.

"Abhi, Mera duppata "Aarushi called, her voice light and teasing as she pointed at the duppata draped around his neck.

"Oh, right," he said, tossing it to her with a smirk. As she caught it, he leaned in quickly, pressing a peck on her lips before striding to the door.

He swung it open, rolling his eyes at the sight of Rudra, leaning casually against the frame. "Why are you here, and who let you in?"

Rudra grinned, arms crossed. "I didn't come to see you, man. I came to see bhabhi. Bhabhi where are you?"

Aarushi's face lit up as she stepped into view. "Rudra bhai!" she exclaimed joyfully, making her way toward him.

Just as she reached the threshold, Abhimanyu pulled her back, placing a firm hand on her shoulder, casting a glare at Rudra.

"Uhuh. No, she doesn't want to meet you," Abhimanyu stated, irritation threading through his voice.

Aarushi shot him an incredulous look. "What are you saying?" she said, exasperation lacing her tone. "Don't listen to him, bhai. Come on, let's go. I want to make tea for you."

"Tea sounds great, bhabhi," Rudra replied, nodding enthusiastically. "But I forgot to tell you, everyone's here. They just got back from the trip and are in the living room waiting for you."

Aarushi's eyes widened in delight. "Oh, everyone came early? I thought they were coming tomorrow!" She turned back to Abhimanyu, her expression bright. "Abhi, you go freshen up first. I'll go down and meet everyone, and you can join us after."

Abhimanyu nodded, still scowling at Rudra. "Okay," he grumbled, closing the door behind Aarushi as she left with Rudra.

Meanwhile, Aarushi rushed downstairs, greeted by the warm embrace of family. "Badi Ma! Bade Papa. Chacha,chachi !" she called, her heart swelling with joy as she hugged them one by one tightly. "I missed you all so much!"

"We missed you too, beta!" Badi Ma replied, her voice thick with affection. After talking to them a little about their journey, she stood up and asked if they wanted a cup of tea. Everyone nodded at her question."Okay,Tea for everyone!" Aarushi declared, already heading toward the kitchen.

Abhimanyu followed moments later, having freshened up. He entered the living room, exchanging greetings with family members, his demeanor polite yet reserved. "How was the trip?" he asked, maintaining a semblance of casual interest.

"Oh, it was wonderful," Chacha chimed in. "We visited some beautiful places along the temple"

"How's everything going here and at the company" Bade papa asked after few minutes. Abhimanyu replied" Everything okay"

Bade Papa nodded his head at him... Abhimanyu sighed, glancing around, his eyes searching for Aarushi. "Where's Aarushi?"

"Kitchen,"Rudra answered, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"I'll check on her," Abhimanyu replied, moving toward the kitchen, his pace quickening as he imagined her smile.

Inside, Aarushi stood by the stove, stirring a pot of boiling water. She looked up, her face brightening at the sight of him. "Did you meet everyone?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

He nodded, wrapping his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder."Just a quick hello," he murmured, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

"We'll go next time, right?"Aarushi asked him , shaking her head at his acts. He can't keep his hand to himself."As you say " Abhimanyu replied in a soft voice enjoying the calm moment.

"Need any help?" he asked, his tone softening as he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Nope, it's almost ready," she replied, her heart fluttering at his warmth.

Suddenly Aarushi pushed him when she heard someone's footsteps.

Rudra peeked in, a sly grin plastered on his face. "What's going on here? Is he actually helping or just making things harder for you bhabhi?"

Abhimanyu clenched his jaw and shot him a bored look, knowing exactly that he was trying to tease him. Aarushi giggled, glancing at her husband. "It's nothing like that. He is sometimes helpful," she said, her voice filled with affection as she looked at Abhimanyu.

Rudra raised an eyebrow, feigning disbelief. "By the way, bhabhi, how will you manage with him? He doesn't even listen to anyone!"

Aarushi rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in defense "It's not like that bhai. He listens when you speak calmly." She smiled, recalling moments of tenderness shared between them. "He looks rough and cold, but he's really a sweetheart."

Rudra burst out laughing. "Sweetheart? Him?" He pointed dramatically at Abhimanyu, who was now scowling at his friend.

"Why not? Isn't he" Aarushi challenged, her tone innocent yet playful. "Aren't you, Abhi?"

Abhimanyu grinned widely, nodding his head and said "Yes ,I'm". He can be anything for his jaan.The one and only women who wrapped him around her little fingers.

"Look , he is" she said softly, and turned away , walking towards the cabinet to take out cup from there.

Abhimanyu's smile vanished as Aarushi moved to grab cups.

"You're-- Rudra opened his mouth to say something ,still giving Abhimanyu shocked and strange looks. "Fuck off," Abhimanyu cutted him, the edge in his voice cutting through the playful atmosphere.

"Abhi, please hold this," Aarushi called, offering him a stack of cups.

"Coming, baby," he said softly, turning toward her with a gentle smile, his earlier annoyance fading.

Rudra shook his head in mock disbelief. "Dogla insaan," he muttered, watching as the couple exchanged tender looks.

As Aarushi poured the tea, the warmth of family and love enveloped them, a gentle reminder of how sacred the simple moments could be.

____________________________________________________________________________

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Next update on 6 march.....

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