DREAMY TALES

Arylie || Shiddat Reprise ||

Wednesday, 10:43 PM, At Rathore Mansion's Terrace.

He joined their foreheads. "You trust me. I feel content, but...why did you come back to me, Imlie? Do you not hate me now? Do you want this marriage? Do you want me to be with you?"

Her throat felt dry. "Hum... hum tumse kabhi nafrat nahi kiye, Aryan. Bahut koshish ki par nahi kar paye kyunki tumse nafrat karna humare liye aasan nahi hai. Aur humhe yakeen hi nahi tha ki jisne humhe ladna sikhaya humare khud ke swarth ke liye, voh humhe kaid kaise kar sakta hai apne khud ke swarth ke liye. Hum bas tumse thoda disappoint huye the, kahe ki uspar sirf tohar hi copyright naahi hai."

Aryan smiled, his grip tightening slightly as she spoke her next words. "Hum tohar paas vapas isliye aaye kyunki..."

He stepped closer, hoping glimmering in his eyes. "Kyunki?"

She met his gaze directly. "Kyunki voh humari choice thi, Aryan. Kyunki tum humari choice ho. Amma ne sahi kaha tha, humare liye tumse behtar jeevan saathi ho hi nahi sakta. Aur tumne hi kaha tha na ki humko bhi khush rehne ka haq hai. Aur hum tumhare saath khush hai, Aryan. Aur... aur shaadi ek bahut pavitra bandhan hota hai, Abp. Humhe is shaadi ko ek chance dena chate hain. Tum doge na humare saath 50-50, partner?"

Aryan felt overwhelmed like never before. A lone tear escaped his eye and fell onto Imlie's hand. Though she hadn't confessed her love, her words "I trust you" and "I want to be with you" meant more to him than a simple "I love you."

She rested her head on his chest, calming her own racing heartbeat to the rhythm of his.

Aryan couldn't contain his laughter as he heard Imlie's stomach growl. "Junglee ke pet mein hui gud... what did you used to say, haaa... junglee ke pet mein hui gud gud." 😂

Imlie buried her face deeper into his chest. "Kaa gud gud."

Aryan laughed again. "Gud gud is gud gud."

A wave of nostalgia hit them as they remembered that night in Pagdandiya, a turning point in their lives. Aryan could feel her wide smile against his chest.

He smiled, planting a soft kiss on her hair. "Let me bring something for you to eat."

After a while -

Imlie wiped her mouth with a napkin after savoring her favorite food, kadi chawal, wholeheartedly.

She furrowed her brows as a hand came into her view. She looked up with a raised eyebrow, mirroring his ironic smile.

"Ka?"

"Ka? Ka?... May I have your hand, please?"

"For what?" She crossed her arms.

He leaned closer with a knowing smirk. "For the dance steps."

Imlie's breath quickened, her eyes widening. "Ka?"

Aryan shrugged, grinning. "Of course, dance steps, Imlie. Tumne hi toh kaha tha ki date mein dance bhi hota hai, remember?"

She placed her hand in his, and Aryan pulled her closer, her head now comfortably resting on his chest as they swayed to a soft, sweet melody.

Dil kho gaya, ho gaya kisi ka
Ab raasta mil gaya khushi ka
Aankhon mein hai khwab sa kisi ka
Ab raasta mil gaya khushi ka

Imlie smiled, recalling every moment she had smiled because of him. At Tripathi House, post-wedding day, when Aditya and Malini called her to select photos and insulted her, Aryan deliberately referred to him as "Mr. Former" just to bring a smile to her face. And he succeeded.