Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*dusre ka pati bhi chahiye!*

***author's pov***

Arjun stood up, his towering presence sending a wave of unease through Aayara. Without warning, he leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering just long enough to make her stiffen in response. The unexpected gesture caught her off guard, and she felt her body tense, her breath momentarily held as his warmth contrasted with the cold dominance in his demeanor.

He pulled back, his smirk still present, as if he enjoyed watching her reaction. Without another word, he turned and headed toward the washroom, leaving Aayara standing there, her heart racing. The room felt heavy with the intensity of the moment, and she struggled to steady her thoughts, trying to process the layers of emotions swirling inside her.

As the sound of the shower started, Aayara's hand instinctively moved to her cheek, the spot where he had kissed her still tingling. Her mind raced, confusion and frustration intertwining with something else she couldn’t quite define—a part of her drawn to his intensity, while another part of her resisted the control he held over her.

Aayara hurried down to the kitchen, her mind still clouded with thoughts of Arjun. As she stepped in, she saw Dia, Rudra's wife, already busy with preparations. Meera, her mother-in-law, was standing nearby, chatting and giggling with Dia, their shared smiles fading as soon as Aayara entered the room.

Aayara sighed, aware of the coldness from both women. They had never made it easy for her, and it was clear she wasn’t a part of their circle. The tension hung in the air, but she moved to the stove, her hands busy as she began preparing breakfast for Arjun. She knew their judgmental glances would follow her every move, but she had learned to endure it.

As she worked in silence, she overheard bits of their whispered conversation, but she didn’t let it break her focus. This was her duty, and even if they didn’t like her, she wouldn’t falter.

Meera walked over to Aayara, a smirk tugging at her lips, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes in a way that made her expression even more unpleasant. She stood beside Aayara, her presence looming as she gave her a condescending look.

"So," Meera began, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "our beloved bahu is up early, huh? Making breakfast for your husband? How sweet." Her voice held a mocking edge, as though she found Aayara’s efforts laughable.

She let out a soft chuckle, her smirk widening. "You really think all this will change anything? Winning his heart? Or maybe winning our approval?" Meera’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of disdain and amusement, as if Aayara’s every action was beneath her.

Aayara clenched her jaw, feeling the sting of Meera’s words but kept silent. She had grown used to the taunts, but they never stopped hurting.

Dia’s smirk mirrored her mother-in-law’s as she chimed in, her voice dripping with malice. "Mummy ji, bhabhi se apna pati toh sambhala nahi jaa raha, aur inhein dusre ka pati chahiye," she said, casting a sidelong glance at Aayara. Her words stung, each syllable carrying a deliberate insult.

Aayara froze, the taunt hitting harder because of the underlying truth. Dia knew that Rudra had a soft spot for Aayara, and it fueled her hatred. She took every opportunity to make Aayara feel small, and this was no exception.

The room felt heavier as the words lingered in the air. Aayara kept her head down, her heart aching, but she refused to give Dia or Meera the satisfaction of seeing her break. She bit her lip, her hands continuing to work on breakfast, though the hurt weighed on her.

Dia, sensing Aayara’s silence, leaned back, satisfied with herself, while Meera chuckled lightly, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Aayara knew she had to endure this, just as she had every other time, but it didn’t make the pain any less real.

Arjun's jaw tightened as he overheard Dia’s remark, and his temper flared. Without hesitation, he strode over to them, his presence sending a wave of tension through the room. His cold gaze locked onto Dia, who instantly regretted her words.

“To isme tumhari galti hai ke tum apne pati ko kaabu mein nahi rakh sakti... Shayad mere bhai ko tum mein koi interest hi nahi hai,” Arjun smirked, his voice cold and cutting. Dia’s face paled, her earlier smugness vanishing as she realized the weight of his words. Aayara, surprised by Arjun's sudden defense, glanced at him, unsure of what to make of the situation.

Arjun stepped closer to Dia, his stare menacing. "Ek baar meri wife par nishan kiya tha, phir se mat karna... warna apni shaadi se bhi haath dho baithogi. Samjhi?" His voice was low, but the threat was unmistakable. "Yeh meri wife hai," he declared, his possessiveness clear.

Before walking out, Arjun’s hand slid to Aayara’s waist, a brief yet deliberate touch, as if reminding both Dia and Meera of his claim over her. Aayara felt the warmth of his hand, but his touch only added to her confusion. As he left the kitchen, the tension he left behind was thick, and Dia stood frozen, her face drained of color.

Arjun paused at the staircase, glancing back at Aayara with a commanding look. "Upar... AAYARA... abhi!" His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing with authority.

Aayara stood still for a moment, her heart racing. She gulped nervously, glancing at Dia and Meera, who were both watching her closely, their eyes filled with a mix of disdain and curiosity. She quickly took the breakfast tray, her hands trembling slightly as she followed him upstairs, unsure of what was waiting for her.

Dia scoffed, her eyes narrowing as jealousy flared within her. "This pathetic woman... she has both men of the Singhania house wrapped around her finger," she muttered under her breath, bitterness dripping from her words. Her anger simmered, unable to comprehend how Aayara, someone she deemed inferior, could hold so much power over not just Rudra but Arjun too.

Meera, on the other hand, watched the unfolding scene with a calculating smirk. After years of observing her so called son, she finally found what she believed to be his weakness—his wife, Aayara. Meera’s eyes gleamed with intrigue as she realized that Aayara could be the key to controlling Arjun, something no one had been able to do before. The smirk on her face deepened, her mind already plotting how she could use this newfound leverage.