I Became His Replaced Bride

Chapter 5

Modi Bhawan, 8:00 am.

In the soft morning light that filtered through the curtains, Aashna slowly stirred awake. As she blinked her eyes open, she couldn't believe what she found – she was sleeping closely with Aarav on the bed, and her hand was intimately entwined with his. A surge of surprise and warmth rushed through her, causing her heart to flutter like a gentle butterfly.

In a moment of confusion, Aashna jumped to a sitting position, her hand still nestled in Aarav's. How had this happened? She felt a tinge of embarrassment, realizing that she must have unconsciously held his hand in her sleep. Biting her bottom lip, she tried to gently pull her hand away, careful not to wake him.

To her surprise, instead of letting go, Aarav's grip on her hand tightened, and he frowned slightly in his sleep. Aashna's breath caught in her throat as a mix of emotions washed over her – nerves, excitement, and uncertainty.

"Come on, Aarav, let go," she whispered softly, trying once again to free her hand. But he seemed to sense her attempt and held on even tighter. Aashna couldn't help but squeal inaudibly, her heart racing as she realized she was caught in this endearing but slightly awkward situation.

She didn't know what to do. Should she wake him up and explain herself, or should she wait it out and see what happened? Before she could decide, Aarav started to stir. With bated breath, Aashna watched as his eyes fluttered open.

Aarav frowned slightly at the sight of her panicked face, but his expression quickly softened. Aashna's heart pounded as she immediately apologized, "I am s-sorry! I didn't know when I h-held your hand. Please—"

"It's fine," Aarav cut in, his voice gentle and reassuring. He sat up, still holding her hand but not making her feel uncomfortable about it. His face remained neutral, but inwardly, he couldn't help but find her utterly endearing.

In truth, Aarav had been awake for a while, enjoying the intimacy of the moment as Aashna unconsciously held his hand. He found her reaction to the situation adorable, and a smile played on his lips.

Feeling her face burn like a tomato, Aashna tried to avoid his eyes, her heart still pounding in her chest. She felt a mix of embarrassment and nervousness coursing through her veins.

Deciding she needed a moment to collect herself, Aashna excused herself, mumbling something about going to the restroom. She didn't dare to look back as she hurriedly left the room, feeling both flustered and excited about what had just transpired between them.

Meanwhile, Aarav watched her leave with affectionate eyes, a soft smile lingering on his face. He knew he had caught her off guard, but he couldn't help but find her reactions utterly charming. He leaned back against the headboard, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him.

Aashna stepped through the door, emerging from the restroom connected to the walk-in closet in the east wing. She glanced around, taking in the luxurious surroundings that now surrounded her. This was a world she had never imagined being a part of—an opulent mansion owned by the Modi family, into which she had married.

As she stood there, contemplating her newfound reality, her mind wandered to Bela and Brijesh. They had never been the kind to lavish her with money or luxury. Aashna had always relied on her own earnings from her teaching job to buy things for herself. But now, everything was different. She found herself surrounded by wealth and privilege, and it made her feel uneasy.

Sighing softly, Aashna realized that she had no choice but to adapt to this new life. After all, she was the daughter-in-law of the Modi's, and she needed to present herself as one among them. As she pondered this, her eyes fell on the racks of designer sarees neatly displayed before her. She knew she had to pick one for the upcoming family event.