𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼

CHAPTER ~ 17

♡

AUTHOR'S POV

The morning light was soft, spilling across the room in gentle streaks. Aishna stirred awake only to realize she was nestled in Ayaan's arms, his steady heartbeat under her cheek. For a moment, she froze—her mind flashing with the reminder that this is so new yet it feels so comfortable to always wake up in his arms.

Then she looked up, only to find his eyes already on her. He wasn't drowsy, wasn't just waking up. He had been watching her.

Her face flushed instantly. "You've been awake this whole time?" she whispered, half-embarrassed, half shy.

Ayaan's lips curved in a quiet smile, but there was something almost boyish in the way he shifted his eyes away for a second. "Maybe... maybe for a while."

Her heart skipped. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly very aware that this —this arranged marriage, this closeness, his eyes on her like she was something precious.

"You didn't leave for your morning gym today? Also what's the time? You should've woke me up" she murmured trying to change the conversation.

"And miss watching you sleep?" Ayaan teased softly, until realisation hit him, clearing his throat. "I mean... you looked peaceful. And it's still early morning. "

Aishna's blush deepened, and to hide it she snuggled more in his arms hiding her face.

His lips curved into a slow, amused smile. "You know I really like watching my wifey blush especially when the reason is me." His voice was warm, teasing but gentle. "But I guess , she likes to hide it more."

Aishna looked a little up, and no she doesn't need to speak words her soft eyes are enough for Ayaan to realise how she is loving this moment.

"You sleep in my arms like you've always belonged there." Ayaan said staring softly and deeply in her eyes, then planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

Aishna's heart thudded. She lowered her eyes quickly, the heat rushing to her cheeks too much to hide. "You're... you're impossible, isn't it very early morning to flirt Mr Raghuvanshi? " she muttered, trying to slip away, but his arm only tightened around her for a moment.

"We do not call this flirt Mrs Raghuvanshi , I only say the things that comes from heart , these are feelings not flirt darling ." Ayaan replied gently before loosing his grip a little around her.

The words made her chest flutter, her throat tightening in that shy way she wasn't used to. Mrs Raghuvanshi? Darling? This marriage might've been arranged, but every moment with him felt like a surprise she wasn't ready for. And she is surprised how she finds it cute and comfortable to be like this with him.

"You and your logics" Aishna replied getting out of Ayaan's grip, sitting on bed, tying her long hairs in a bun, while Ayaan was just taking in the most beautiful view, that's when she remembered 'the mother-daughter date'

"I should... I should wash up. Maa booked me for the day. Remember ? "

Ayaan blinked. "Do we call it Booking?"

"Yes," she chuckled, getting out of the bed now.
"She said it's our day together, but she didn't tell me where we're going or what we'll do. Just said I shouldn't make any other plans."

He frowned, a little pout tugging at his lips as he too got off the bed. "Yaah yaah I remember you told me all this last night!! But, basically, it's not booking you are ditching me! "

Aishna laughed at his mock-offended tone. "Ditching you? You will go to your office what will I do alone? It's great to spend time with Maa and I could never deny her. Can I?"