𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲

Chapter 11

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Aaravi's pov:

I sat quietly with Mom and Dadi, their warmth wrapping around me like an old, comforting shawl. They were flipping through an album filled with memories—photos of Aahana, Aarav Bhaiya, and him.

They all looked so adorable, their smiles frozen in time. But my eyes stopped on one particular photo—him, laughing freely, his eyes crinkled in genuine joy as Aahana clung to his back. That carefree smile... so different from the man I know now.

A soft smile tugged at my lips.

"You know, Aaravi beta," Mom began with a nostalgic sigh, "Nikshant troubled me the most. He was such a mischievous child."

I turned to look at her, giving a small, genuine smile.

"He never let go of my pallu when he was little. Wherever I was, he had to be right there, clutching onto it. His father used to get jealous, thinking I gave more love to Nikshant than to him," she chuckled, but her eyes betrayed a deep sadness.

Her voice faltered slightly, like a note in a song that almost cracked.

Why does God always take the good ones away first? I thought bitterly. Don't they see how much pain a single absence can cause a family?

I reached out and gently placed my hand over hers, offering quiet support.

She smiled, but that pain didn't hide—it shimmered just beneath the surface.

"Hey... don't worry, Mom," I said softly. "Wherever Papa is, I'm sure he's still here, watching over you. Right by your side."

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Aaravi beta," she said, her voice trembling just slightly.

Then, as if wanting to lighten the mood, she added with a small smirk, "And listen, if Nikshant ever says anything to trouble you, just let us know. Mummy ji and I will scold him properly."

I laughed. She didn't know how much I needed that moment of lightness.

If only she knew... what he's already done, I thought, the smile on my face fading for a second. But I could never tell her. She loves him too much—she believes he's incapable of hurting anyone.

"Yes, Mom," I said instead, nodding with another practiced smile.

Just then, Dadi leaned forward with interest. "Aaravi beta, why don't you tell us something about yourself?"

"Yes," Mom chimed in. "We'd love to know more about you."

I blinked, momentarily stunned. No one had ever asked me that before.

"I'm a medical student," I began, my voice soft but steady. "I love classical dance... and I really enjoy cooking."

They both smiled warmly.

"Oh, we knew you were studying medicine—that's one of the reasons we sent the proposal," Dadi said, chuckling. "You see, I'm getting old. Now I have a doctor in the house who won't charge me a single rupee for a check-up!"

My smile faltered a bit.

Was that... a joke?

Mom quickly intervened, gently tapping Dadi's arm. "Mummy ji loves to joke around. Don't take her seriously, beta."

I let out a small breath of relief and nodded.

After a few seconds of silence, I decided to ask something that had been quietly bothering me.