Finding Home

Chapter 1

A/N: Hello Readers!

How are you all doing? It has been a while since I posted anything. I may update the other book soon, but I cannot say anything for sure. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your reads, votes, and comments, though!

This book is a short story exploring Aryan and Imlie falling in love post the Pagdandiya trip. It will mainly focus on Aryan and Imlie and not so much on Aditya, Malini, and the Tripathis, but they will make appearances here and there. 

Hope you all like it!

-- Cos

Trigger warnings: None

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Pal pal yeh dil ghabhraye, pal pal yeh dil sharmaye
Kuch kehta hai, aur kuch kar jaaye
Kaisi yeh paheli, mua dil mar jaana
Ishq mein jaldi, bada jurmana

Aryan and Imlie sat on the backseat of the car as Arpita drove with Narmada in the passenger seat. They had just returned from Pagdandiya after a close shave with death, and they were tired. Imlie looked at Aryan; he looked knackered and Imlie realized that she had never seen him look anything less than impeccable. 

"You both must be so tired. Tell me what you would like to eat for dinner, and I will make it for you," Narmada said, turning to look at her two exhausted children.

"Kaki Maa, can you make some of those noodles for me? I love them," Imlie said, struggling to keep her eyes open.

"Of course, beta. Aru what about you? You want me to make you the Sheera?"

Aryan nodded, easing his mother with a tight-lipped smile. Imlie knew that if she reached out to touch his arm, it would be burning with the fever he had been nursing since last night. She kept on staring at him. This Akkadbagga will sit in pain but won't ask for help. Idiot!

Sensing her gaze on him, Aryan turned to look at her. Ever since Aryan had known Imlie, she always looked tired. She always looked like she was fighting a battle with the world. But today, despite being fatigued, she looked content. She looked like she had conquered a life-long dream, and in a way, she had. She had managed to eradicate a tyrannical rule that had plagued the innocent lives in her village for years. A rule that had ruined her. A rule that took away a year of her life.

It was no secret that Imlie inspired Aryan, and everything that had happened today only increased the admiration he upheld for this girl who had risen from the ashes. Today, as she had willed to break free from the shackles of a traumatic past, and had succeeded in spades, she had only inspired Aryan to try and do the same for himself. She had inspired him to move away from the pain that caged him. She had inspired him to learn to be happy again.

Aryan still wanted to punish Aditya Kumar Tripathi for the crimes against his family, but he was going to try to not put his happiness in the way of that. He had people he cared about – his mother, his sister, and Imlie. Because she is your employee and tenant, Aryan. That is the only reason you care for her. Nothing else.

As Aryan was brought out of his reverie, he searched for pain in Imlie's eyes. Upon finding none, he averted his eyes to look out the window, allowing the sides of his mouth to lift in a tiny smile.

Imlie continued staring at Aryan even after he turned his head. This trip to Pagdandiya had ignited something in her that she couldn't put her finger on. Every time she saw Aryan now, it was like she was seeing him in a new light. She saw her boss, her mentor, her friend in him, but she also saw her partner in him. She saw a person who stood by her through every tribulation thrown her way from the day he had met her. When she saw Aryan now, Imlie felt her heart find peace.