Chapter - 31 ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʟᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ɢᴏ

I came out of her cabin, and as soon as Maa Sa saw me, she walked toward me and asked what Aanya had said.

"Maa Sa, she said I'm totally fine," I reassured her, and she let out a deep breath.

"Okay, then let me meet her."

I quickly stopped her, not wanting her to see Aanya in that state. "Maa Sa, she's busy. She has patients lined up, so let's not disturb her."

She nodded, and we both left. As usual, she didn't let me work because, according to her, I still needed rest. I sighed and sat on my bed, thinking about her.

Even after all these years, her name still carried a weight in my chest—one that I couldn't shake off no matter how hard I tried. I had broken her heart two years ago, walked away when she needed me the most. And now, she refused to even look at me.

She said she didn't love me anymore.

I wanted to believe that was a lie.

The way her hands trembled slightly when I was near, the way she avoided my gaze, the way her voice faltered for just a second when she spoke to me—it all told a different story. But could I blame her for pretending? After all, I was the one who had left her with no explanation, no closure.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at me.

I had my reasons. Reasons I couldn't tell her.

But now, sitting in this room, drowning in memories of what we used to be, I wondered if those reasons were worth losing her forever.

Would she ever forgive me?

Would she ever let me in again?

Or had I truly lost her?

The thought sent a sharp ache through my chest.

I had to try. No matter how many walls she built, no matter how many times she pushed me away, I had to find a way back to her.

Because even after all this time, she was still the only one I ever loved.

And I wasn't ready to let her go.

I love her just the way she is, and no one in this world can separate us. I will make her mine at any cost, even if I have to lose something to gain her. This time, I won't let anyone come between us. She is mine—Aarav's Rani Sa.

I didn't know when I drifted into a deep slumber, and the next thing I knew, I was woken up by Jiya—my little princess.

Looking at her still filled me with guilt. She had suffered because of me, and for years, I had neglected her. But not anymore. I would do everything in my power to earn her forgiveness.

I looked at her and smiled, and she reciprocated—but it was a forced smile, the same one she wore in front of the others. My gaze shifted to her wrist, and my jaw clenched.

I had promised her that I wouldn't hurt the one who had spoken those cruel words to her. But the ones who had bullied her? They had paid the price. A brutal punishment—one they would never forget for as long as they lived.

They thought they could get away with it. That their cruel words and actions would fade into the past, forgotten like a bad dream.

They were wrong.

I made sure of it.

The night I found out what they did to Jiya, I saw red. Every bruised memory she carried, every tear she had shed—became a fire burning inside me. They had laughed at her pain, humiliated her, made her feel worthless. I swore to make them feel the same.

One by one, I hunted them down.

Arjun—the loudest of them all—was the first. I made sure he felt true fear, the kind that seeped into his bones and never left. He woke up in the middle of nowhere, tied to a chair, his phone shattered beside him. No way to call for help. Just me and him. I didn't have to touch him—fear did all the work. I told him exactly what would happen if he ever looked Jiya's way again. He pissed himself before I even finished.

Then there was Kunal. He was smart, thought he was untouchable. But fear has a way of humbling even the most arrogant. I let the rumors spread first—whispers of his deepest secrets, the kind that could ruin reputations. And when he was at his lowest, drowning in shame, I paid him a visit. He begged. I smiled.

And then there was Raghav. The one who had laid hands on my sister.

I wasn't as merciful with him.

He woke up in a hospital bed, two fingers broken, his knee shattered. "An accident," they called it. He knew better. And so did I.

They would never forget.

Because I made sure that the pain they inflicted on Jiya came back to them tenfold.

And as for Ishaan...

I clenched my fists. My patience was running thin. The only thing keeping him alive was the promise I had made to my little princess.

But that promise wouldn't protect him forever.

Because one day, Jiya would realize that some people don't deserve mercy.

And when that day came...

I would be ready.

And after that, I was shot.

I still didn't know who had pulled the trigger and the identity of the man who had taken my Alora. I needed to find out. But no matter how much I tried to piece it together, the answers remained out of reach. The only thing I knew for sure was that he felt familiar—yet, in the darkness, I couldn't see his face.

I pushed the thoughts aside and looked at my little sister.

"Princess, you don't need to pretend in front of your bhai," I said gently.

The moment the words left my mouth, her eyes welled up with tears, and before she could say anything, I pulled her into a hug, holding her close.

"Bhai... what did I do to deserve this?" she sobbed against my chest. "Why did they bully me? And why did you all ignore me, as if I didn't even exist? I can't forget any of it... no matter how hard I try."

Her broken voice shattered something inside me.

Tears burned in my own eyes, but I held them back. She had suffered alone for too long. And even if I couldn't change the past, I would do everything in my power to make sure she never felt that pain again.

Not while I was still breathing.

After some time, she calmed down and wiped her tears away. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead—my precious little princess.

"Better?" I asked gently.

She gave me a small nod, her forced smile still in place. It wasn't perfect, but at least she wasn't crying anymore. That was enough for now.

Hand in hand, we headed downstairs, where everyone was waiting for us at the dining table.

As soon as we took our seats, Maa Sa spoke up, her voice carrying a certain excitement that immediately put me on edge.

"Aarav, tomorrow we are going to see a girl for your marriage."

The words hit me like a slap.

I froze, my grip on the fork tightening as her casual announcement sank in. My jaw clenched, and a wave of anger surged through me.

Marriage?

She was planned this  without even asking me?

I exhaled sharply, trying to rein in my temper, but the fire inside me burned too hot. My mother, oblivious to my growing fury, continued, "She's from a good family, well-educated, and she will be perfect for you."

Perfect?

No one could be perfect when my heart already belonged to someone else.

I slammed my fork down, the sound echoing through the dining hall, making everyone fall silent. My mother looked up, startled.

"I'm not interested," I said coldly, my voice laced with finality.

Maa Sa frowned. "Aarav, this isn't just about you. It's about the family, our reputation—"

"I said I'm not interested!" I cut her off, pushing my chair back and standing up abruptly. My blood boiled, and the thought of anyone replacing her—My Alora—was unbearable.

Without another word, I stormed out of the dining hall, my fists clenched.

They could try all they wanted.

But no one else would ever take her place.

Not in this lifetime. Not in any.

"Aarav Singh Rajvansh!" she thundered, her voice sharp and commanding. "Stop right there. If you take one more step, forget you ever had a mother, and don't you dare show me your face again if you refuse this alliance. I've had enough of your nonsense about not getting married. If you don't want to marry her, then you're free to leave this house."

Her words boomed through the room, and the force with which she spoke made it clear she wasn't joking. The tone she used—it was the voice of a queen, a woman who could suppress even the king without breaking a sweat.

I felt my frustration rise, my chest tightening. This wasn't fair. She was blackmailing me "Maa Sa, this isn't fair. You can't do this to me." I couldn't hide the frustration in my voice, but she stood her ground, her gaze unwavering.

I sighed, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Fine. I'll go. But don't expect me to accept this alliance. And if you're so obsessed with saving the family's reputation, then get her married to Atharva."

I glanced over at Atharva, who looked shocked and confused.

"Why are you guys dragging me into this?" Atharva protested.

"Sahi hai! Agar bhai nahi mane, toh Atharva se karwa denge." Vihaan smirked, laughing at his misery.

(If bhai doesn't agree, then Atharva can get married instead.)

"Oh bhai, why me?! If we go by age, you're older than me, so shouldn't you be the one getting married first?" Atharva shot back.

They both launched into a heated argument, their bickering making my head throb. These so-called adults were acting like kids.

"Enough, both of you! And Aarav, you better get inside your room," Chachi sa ordered before I could even open my mouth.

Maa sa and Chachi sa's sharp glares left no room for protest, so I turned on my heel and headed straight to my room.

I sank onto my bed, running a frustrated hand through my hair. How the hell was I supposed to reject this girl? And I swear, if they try to force me into marrying anyone except Her, I'll destroy the damn world. Because if this world won't give me Her, then it's not worth it.

My phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—Dev.

"You bastard! So much has happened, and you didn't even bother to tell me?" The moment I answered, he shouted—no, barked—at me.

"Hello to you too, Mr. Rathore," I replied dryly. "And before you start with your barking, Vihaan said you didn't pick up his calls. That shitty excuse of a phone of yours was unreachable. So unless you were hiding in some cave, this isn't my fault."

"Oh, so now it's my fault?" Dev scoffed. "And what's this nonsense I'm hearing about you getting married? Have you lost your damn mind?"

I exhaled sharply, leaning back against the headboard. "Trust me, if it were up to me, I wouldn't even be having this conversation. The entire family is on a mission to get me married, and I have no idea how to get out of it."

"Simple. Just say no."

I let out a dry laugh. "You think I haven't? Maa sa is not asking, Dev. They've already decided. It's like a war I didn't even enlist in."

Dev was silent for a moment before speaking again, his tone serious. "And her? What about her?"

My grip on the phone tightened. "She's the only one I'll ever marry. If they try to force me into anything else, I swear, I'll—"

"You'll what? Burn down the world?" Dev snorted. "Dramatic much?"

I ran a hand over my face, frustration simmering beneath my skin. "I don't care how it sounds. If I can't have her, then I don't want anyone else. It's that simple."

Dev sighed. "Alright, lover boy. What's the plan?"

"Still figuring it out," I muttered. "But one thing is certain—I won't let them decide my fate."

"Okay, my brother, we'll handle this later. First, find out who the girl is. But before that, tell me—how are you feeling now? I'm sorry I couldn't come visit you in the hospital." His voice carried a hint of guilt.

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "I'm fine, Dev. You don't have to sound so guilty. It's not like I was dying."

"Still, I should've been there," he muttered.

"Forget it. What's done is done," I said, shifting under the covers. "Right now, I just need to figure out how to get out of this mess."

Dev chuckled. "Yeah, good luck with that. If Maa sa has decided, even God can't save you."

I groaned. "Thanks for the encouragement."

"Anytime," he said smugly. "Now get some sleep. You'll need all your energy to fight this war tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah." I yawned, my body finally giving in to exhaustion. "Goodnight, Dev."

"Goodnight, lover boy. Don't dream about your her too much."

I rolled my eyes and ended the call, tossing my phone aside. As soon as my head hit the pillow, sleep pulled me under, but even in my dreams, she was the only one on my mind.

NEXT MORNING

The loud blaring of my alarm shattered my sleep. I groaned, reaching out blindly to hit the snooze button, but the damn thing wouldn't shut up. Squinting at the screen, I saw it was already 5:30 AM.

Great. Another day of dealing with this marriage nonsense.

With a heavy sigh, I forced myself to sit up, running a hand through my messy hair. My body screamed for more sleep, but my routine wouldn't wait.

I made my way to the bathroom. The cold splash of water on my face finally pushed away the last traces of sleep and got ready for my morning routine.

The gym in our house was my escape—one place where I could clear my head. I wrapped my hands, set up the punching bag, and began my workout. Each punch was fueled by the frustration of last night's conversation.

I wasn't going to let them decide my future.

I wasn't going to let anyone take her place.

I hit harder, sweat dripping down my forehead. I needed a plan. Fast.

After finishing, I took a quick shower and slipped into my black trousers and a T-shirt before heading downstairs for breakfast. Everyone was already seated, so I quietly took my place.

We ate in silence—something I truly appreciated. But, of course, my father had no intention of letting me enjoy even a few moments of peace.

"Aarav, be ready before four. We're going to the girl's place."

I simply nodded and continued eating.

Once breakfast was over, I turned to Vihaan and Atharva. "Meet me in the palace office."

Without another word, I got up and left.

Palace Office

I sat in my chair, and for the first time in a week, I was finally back to work. To be honest, not doing my work had made me restless.

Just then, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I said.

Vihaan and Atharva stepped inside. "Bhai sa, you called us?" Vihaan asked.

I gave a curt nod, maintaining my cold demeanor. "What's the progress on Aarohi's matter?"

At my words, Atharva's face turned stoic, his jaw clenching.

"Bhai sa, we still haven't found out who sent it. We're doing everything possible to uncover the truth," he said, his voice firm yet hesitant.

I slammed my fist on the desk, frustration boiling over. "For the past two years, you've been trying to find that bastard, and still, nothing? Because of him, I broke her heart. Because of him, Aarohi is in this condition!"

I knew I shouldn't be taking my anger out on them, but it had been two years—two damn years—and we were still empty-handed.

"Do whatever it takes—I want that bastard here," I ordered.

"We will bring him to you, Bhai sa!" they both said in unison before leaving.

I grabbed my phone and dialed my assistant, Manav. "Find out everything about the man with Aanya," I instructed. "And update me on the pending work."

After the call, I buried myself in work, losing track of time until a knock on the door pulled me back to reality.

"Come in," I said.

A servant entered, bowing slightly. "Hukum sa, Rani Maa has asked you to get ready. It's time to go to the girl's house."

I sighed in frustration. This girl... I didn't even know who she was, yet she had already captured my mother's attention. That in itself was rare—Maa sa wasn't someone who easily gave out compliments or affection.

Shrugging off my thoughts, I headed to my room to get ready.

Half an hour later, I walked into the living room, where the rest of the family was already gathered. Their excitement was evident—they were all eager to meet this girl.

"You'll like her the moment you see her," Maa sa said with a knowing smile.

I let out a low scoff. As if.

We got into our respective cars, following Maa sa and Baba sa's vehicle—obviously, since they were the only ones who knew the address. As we neared our destination, the surroundings felt oddly familiar. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next.

Malhotra Mansion.

Shock coursed through me.

Everyone stepped out of the cars and made their way to the entrance. Aanya's mother greeted us warmly, smiling at me before turning to welcome the rest of the family. Aanya's brother approached, extending his hand for a handshake. I merely gave him a curt nod, keeping my expression cold. He smiled nervously and quickly took his seat on the couch.

"Where is she? I'm eager to meet her," Maa sa said, her voice laced with excitement.

Who is she talking about? My heartbeat picked up. Is it her? Could it really be her?

A rush of anticipation surged through me. If it's her... I'll marry her. No second thoughts.

Avni excused herself to call the girl, but when she returned alone, a frown settled on our faces.

"She's coming down," she announced.

And then, I saw her.

Draped in a breathtaking royal blue saree, she descended the stairs with an effortless grace, looking nothing short of divine.

A goddess.

For a moment, everything around me blurred. My breath hitched as I took in her presence—every step she took felt like slow motion, every sway of her saree an unspoken poetry.

Her eyes met mine, and for a fleeting second, I saw something flicker in them—surprise? Recognition? But just as quickly, she looked away, her expression unreadable. She greeted everyone,

Maa sa beamed. "Come here, beta," she said, extending her hand. " Aanya beta, I'm truly happy you agreed to marry Aarav" This let me to another shock, she agreed to marry me?

When her mother mentioned that I was her father's choice, I saw it—the slight welling of her eyes before she blinked it away. For a fleeting second, emotions flickered across her face, but she masked them flawlessly.

Chachi sa suggested we speak privately, and I followed her to the garden. She wandered through it, her delicate fingers grazing the petals of the flowers as she admired them.

She was breathtaking.

Those mesmerizing blue eyes, the way she found beauty in the smallest things, the softness in her every movement—Uff! She had no idea what she was doing to me.

I finally broke the silence, initiating the conversation. But to my surprise, she chuckled softly, shaking her head as if amused.

"You think I planned this?" I asked, raising a brow.

She smirked. "Didn't you?"

Even for me, this was a shock—a twist I never saw coming. But if fate had placed her in front of me again, I wasn't about to let her slip away.

When I asked for a chance—for this marriage—her response sliced through me like a dagger.

"I'm marrying you solely because of my father's wish. Don't assume that I love you."

A sharp pang settled in my chest, but I masked it just as she had masked her own emotions. Instead of stepping back, I took a deep breath and closed the distance between us.

Lifting my hand, I gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. My fingertips brushed against her soft skin, sending an unfamiliar but intoxicating rush through me.

My other hand found her waist, pulling her closer. A sharp inhale left her lips, her body betraying her words. I smirked. So she still reacts to me the same way.

Every time I spoke, she shivered under my touch. I loved it. Craved it. Wanted this moment to last forever.

"You think you know me so well," she whispered, her voice trembling.

I leaned in, my lips barely grazing the corner of hers. Her breath hitched.

"I'm willing to spend my entire life proving it," I murmured against her skin.

Her lashes fluttered, her chest rising and falling as if struggling to steady herself.

She could deny it all she wanted, but her body told me everything I needed to know.

And I wasn't letting her go this time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aakhri saans ko bhi tere naam kar diya

Khud Ko tere hi khaatir nakaam kar diya

Badnamiyan mili, tanhaiyan badhi

Badnamiyan mili, tanhaiyan badhi

.

.

.

.

Heyya my lovely readers, I hope you guys are doing fine.. And thank you for supporting me loving this novel. I have written a very long chapter, i hope it doesn't bore yo guys please bear with it coz my end semester exams are starting from14 feb, so i hope you guys understand me.

Do vote and comment your reviews, it helps me to improve.

Thank you,

your Author,

Aeris