TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

10 years ago... (Part 1)

A/N - I just wanted a moment you express how HAPPY I am because this book has reached so many people! Like most of these were a bunch of stories piling up in google docs and now I have somewhere to write which is amazing and I'M SO SO SO SO SO THANKFUL to those of you have read and commented on my stories. Again, THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOO MUCH LOVE U FOREVER ❤️❤️

- Vee (●ˇ∀ˇ●)

Aru Shah turned 26 years old ten days ago, meaning today was the 10 Year Anniversary of the Restoration of Peace in the Otherworld. In other terms, the day they won. The day her father died.

Aru took in a deep breath as she sat on the floor of the bedroom she shared with her husband and stared at the parcel that lay on the floor.

In the parcel was a dress Nikita had made for her, the one she was supposed to wear today.

A knock came at the door that made Aru look before it opened gently.

There stood Aiden Acharya, clad in a black dress shirt, Shadowfax slung over his shoulder.

"Why aren't you ready?" he asked, approaching her.

"I'm not so sure I want to go," said Aru reaching for the parcel.

Aiden sighed and crouched down in front of her, "I understand." he looked at her, "We don't need to if you don't want to."

"No," said Aru. "It's just that everyone remembers my dad as "The Sleeper" or "The Demon that tormented the Otherworld" but they don't remember him as Suyodhana Shah. My dad. The person who gave up pieces of his should to make sure his family would be okay."

Aiden shook his head in understanding. "I get it."

"It's like Lady M.," said Aru. "She didn't want to be remember as Shurpanakha, the demoness who ruined Rama and Sita's life, but as Meenakshi, a patient, non-judgmental person who wasn't seen for who she truly was."

Aiden clicked his tongue and got off the floor, "Then don't we need to tell them?"

"What?"

"Don't we need to prove that? We should tell the world that your dad isn't what they think he is," Aiden held out a hand for her to take. "Get ready, because we're going."

Aru smirked and took his hand, "How smart of you, Wifey."

Aiden chuckled, "I try."

As soon as Aiden left, Aru got to work.

She undid the parcel and let out a gasp.

The dress was beautiful, much like the rest of Nikita's hand-crafted dresses. Nikki had referred to the dress as an Inspiration from the French couture brand Aconiconi. It was elegant, in a citron colour with puffed sleeves and delicate floral designs.

It also looked great on Aru.

She paired the dress with the necklace Indra had given her, as well as a simple gold bracelet that was gifted to Aru by Malini Acharya, her mother-in-law. She tied her long hair into a loose French-braid and lined her eyes with kajal to finish off the look.

"Aru are you ready to-"

She tensed at the voice and looked to the doorway where Aiden was standing.

His eyes trailed her figure and back up to her eyes in awe.

Aru felt a blush coat her cheeks.

In times like this, she felt like a teenager all over again, dorky smiles, giddy laughs and everything else that came with it.

She felt her insides turn to liquid as she asked; "How do I look?"

Aiden smiled.

That gorgeous, dimpled smile that made her so happy every time. She knew that from the first time she saw him smile, she wanted to see it for the rest of her life, for he lit up her world like nobody else could and made her feel a certain way that no one else could replicate. It was that feeling of being around him that made her compelled to say yes when he proposed and that feeling she wanted to experience forever.

"You look beautiful," he said softly, making his way towards her.

Aru stared up at his starry eyes and saw all the things Aiden would refuse to say, except-

"I love you," he said.

The way he said it with confidence, that assurance that made Aru instantly remember that they had been together in every life before, and will be together in every life to come.

"I love you too."

Aiden's eyes glimmered before he kissed her.

It was soft and gentle, just like most of his kisses were. He smelled like clean laundry and spices, a scent Aru had became hopelessly attached to over the years.

It was all love and sweetness until Aiden's phone went off.

She heard him grumble something incoherent before picking up. "Hello?"

"Are you guys here yet?" Came Brynne's voice over the line.

Aiden frowned, "Bee, we haven't started yet."

Aru could practically hear Brynne scowl. "Why not? I swear if you two were making out or somethi-"

Aiden disconnected the call as Aru burst out laughing.

"How did she know?"

Aiden shrugged but smiled as he held her hand, "Before she calls again, why don't we leave?"

"Good idea," said Aru, trailing after him.