•𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄• /𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒚𝒂 𝑺𝒆𝒏/

' 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 10 '

Laughter and chatter filled the air as they stepped into the home, where maasi awaited their arrival with a warm smile.

"Finally you both are back!!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Have you looked at the house?? It looks so dull from outside!! Doesn't even look like there was a wedding in this house a few days ago!"

Lakshya's lips curled into a playful grin. "What do you want, massi? Should we go dance outside and announce that look, we both are married!!"

Massi's expression turned stern, her voice firm. "No!! I want you to decorate it from outside!!"

Lakshya's voice trailed off in protest, "No!! It's not..."

But massi's words flowed like a gentle brook, interrupting his dissent. "We've called some neighbors for the 'Mooh dikhai rasam', and the house should look pretty for that!!"

Aarohi's eyes widened in surprise, "What??" she exclaimed, her voice laced with confusion.

Lakshya's face mirrored her frustration, his eyebrows furrowed in dismay.

But Aunty remained resolute, her hands on her hips. "Yahh!! So decorate it!!" she insisted.

Lakshya threw up his hands, "Ohh God!! Okay, I'll call the decorators tomorrow!!" he relented.

But massi was having none of it, "No, the function is tomorrow, and I don't want any delay in that... So I want you both to decorate it!!" she said, her voice firm.

Aarohi and Lakshya exchanged a disbelieving glance, "What!! But how will we..." they protested in unison.

Aunty thrust a bundle of fairy lights into their hands, "Take this and go do it!!" she commanded, her eyes sparkling with determination.

At Terrence-

As they worked, Aarohi's words hung in the air like a challenge. Lakshya's hands paused, fairy lights dangling from his fingers.

"We both know it's an arranged marriage!! And you're married to me, but still, you're free to do your things!!" Aarohi said, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and nonchalance.

Lakshya's eyes narrowed, "What?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"I mean, you can have your girlfriends... Flings... Affairs... Whatever you want!!" Aarohi continued, her gaze fixed on him.

Lakshya's face contorted in a mix of pain and frustration, "Huh... I can't do this all again!!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aarohi's eyebrows shot up, "What? Don't tell me you've never had a girlfriend!!" she teased, her tone light.

Lakshya's eyes dropped, his mind racing back to the memories he thought he'd buried. "Umm...." he trailed off, his voice lost in thought.

In his mind, he saw Arya's smile, her laughter, and her tears. He relived the moments they shared, the promises they made, and the lies she told. He felt the sting of her betrayal, the ache of her absence, and the weight of his shattered heart.

Aarohi's hand on his arm shook him back to reality, "Lakshya!!" she said, her voice soft with concern. "Hey, are you okay? You spaced out on me!"

Lakshya's eyes refocused, his gaze meeting Aarohi's. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them palpable.

As they finished decorating, Lakshya handed Aarohi the plug to check if the lights were working. She took it, a sly smile spreading across her face. She thought to herself, "Perfect opportunity for some payback!"

Aarohi pretended to touch the live wire, her body jerking in mock shock. "Ahh!" she cried out, her eyes wide with feigned pain.

Lakshya's eyes widened in alarm, "What happened?!" he exclaimed, quickly throwing the wire away from her.