Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 46

Aarohi POV

Before I could ask more, my phone rang, the caller ID flashing Mayank's name. My heart lurched, anxiety surging as I quickly answered.

"Mayank? Where have you been? What happened? Why couldn’t I reach you?" The questions tumbled out of me, rapid and breathless. Tara, sensing my alarm, sat up straighter, her attention sharp the moment I mentioned his name.

"Shh, Ru, relax. I'm fine," Mayank's voice was calm, trying to ease the tension in mine. "There was an emergency back home, and I had to leave unexpectedly. I'm sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you. I’ll explain everything tomorrow." And with that, before I could ask more, the call ended.

I stared at the screen, still processing the abruptness. "What did he say?" Tara asked, her expression mirroring my confusion.

"He just said he'd explain everything tomorrow," I muttered, still reeling from the suddenness of it all, trying to make sense of Mayank’s abrupt disappearance.

Tara threw her hands up in exasperation. "He's going to drive us insane!" Her frustration was palpable, and rightfully so—days of silence, only to reappear with vague promises. Her anger mirrored my growing impatience.

I shifted in my seat, deciding to drop the bombshell I’d been holding onto. "We're getting engaged this week."

Tara’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. "This week? Why the rush?" she half-shrieked, her voice a mixture of shock and concern. "There's so much to organize!"

Her reaction was immediate like a protective older sister suddenly caught off guard by the speed of everything. The rapid-fire questions, the anxiety in her tone—every bit of it revealed how deeply she cared, not just about the engagement, but about making sure everything was perfect for me.

"Calm down," I reassured Tara, trying to ease her escalating anxiety. "I’ll first discuss it with my dad and then update you on the outcome." Although my voice wavered, Tara’s expression softened as she clasped my hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry, he’ll come around," she said with a comforting smile.

After parting ways with Tara, I stepped into my home, feeling the weight of what I was about to do. The entire family was there—Aarav bhai, back from his trip, my dadi, dad, and mom, all present, their eyes fixed on me as if they could sense the storm I was about to unleash.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Dad, I need to talk to you," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. His gaze was unreadable, but he gestured for me to go on.

"Dev and I... we're planning to get engaged this week," I blurted out, my heart racing. "But only if you approve."

There was a moment of silence, a brief second where I feared the worst. But then, without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped me in his arms. My father—this man who had kept his distance for so long—was holding me. It felt surreal, like a dream I didn’t want to end.

A tear slipped down my cheek as he whispered, "I am so happy," pulling me closer as if letting go would make the moment disappear.

This was the moment I had yearned for—a fatherly embrace I had envisioned in countless daydreams. As his arms enveloped me, the warmth of his newfound affection cascaded over me, and I found myself wishing to suspend time, relishing this rare intimacy.

"You've finally accomplished something commendable," he remarked, his words slicing through the emotional fog. For a brief moment, they stung, a reminder of past grievances, but the sheer bliss of being held by him, of feeling cherished, overshadowed any lingering hurt.

"Are you truly happy?" I whispered, almost hesitant to disrupt the fragile tranquillity enveloping us, my heart swelling with the hope that this moment could serve as a balm for years of estrangement.