𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐇𝐈: 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑-𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄 ♡

【17】 Princess ~

< AUTHOR’S POV >

“Did you notice it when Aridhi and Ruvit stepped inside the house at the same time, just like a married couple—perfectly in sync?”

Ruvit’s mother, Ritu, asked her husband, Manoj, her eyes twinkling with a shared observation.

“I did.” Ruvit’s father replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

“Manoj Ji!” Ritu called out lovingly, earning a smile from her husband.

“I’ve decided that Aridhi will become the next daughter-in-law of our house.” She declared, happily joining her palms.

“That’s great, but Ruvit has to agree with it too.” Manoj reminded his wife, ever the pragmatic one.

“How can you be so clueless?” She facepalmed. “Our son is so much in love with Aridhi, and you don’t even know?” A sigh escaped her lips.

“Like you two share anything with me about such matters.” Manoj retorted, a sigh escaping him, copying his wife.

Ritu opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, they heard a small cough. Their eyes darted to Dhruv, who stood sheepishly at the doorway.

“I’m really sorry, Uncle, Aunty.” An immediate apology came out of Dhruv’s mouth.

“I was just going to the kitchen to grab some water, but I happened to overhear your conversation.” He explained nervously, his cheeks flushing.

“It’s okay, son. Come here.” Ritu said, her voice softening, patting the empty seat beside her.

Dhruv walked inside the open door and settled down. Ritu gently caressed his hair. “Were you missing them?”

Dhruv gave a curt nod. “You know me well.” 

“Yes, dear. You get up to drink water at night when you start having memories of them.” Ritu smiled bitterly.

Dhruv’s smile mirrored her smile.

“I can understand how hard it is to live without a family.” Ritu murmured. Tears welled up in Dhruv’s eyes, glistening on his lashes.

“No,” He shook his head. “You are my family. Manish bhaiya treats me like his own younger brother.”

Dhruv said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I may not be your biological son, and yet, you made me feel like one.”

Ritu patted his back when he continued. “You always figure out what I am thinking, what I need. That’s the mother’s traits.”

Manoj stood up from his seat and sat beside Dhruv, patting his back comfortingly. “Even uncle helped me in my business.”

“A mother is a mother; she never cares whether the child is hers or someone else’s.” Ritu said with a tender smile, wiping away his tears.

“You know how Ruvit was, right? He never liked to make friends. I thought I gave birth to a robot unless you became his first best friend and stayed.”

She got lost in the past. “What I appreciate the most is that you both are still together. You know each other since you two were just 15.”