Shadow of redemption

Rakshit's emotion toward Aaravi

Hello everyone welcome to new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

As Aaravi was about to respond to Rakshit, another sneeze escaped her.

Rakshit’s frown deepened as he watched, his frustration surfacing. "You’re so unwell, and yet you don’t have time to care about yourself. All you want is ice cream. You’re so childish!" he said, his tone sharp. "Are you really a doctor, or did you just buy your certificate with money?"

Aaravi's eyes widened in anger, her cheeks puffing up in frustration. But even in her anger, there was a cuteness about her that made Rakshit want to laugh out loud. Her reaction was far from intimidating—it was endearing.

"Excuse me?" Aaravi snapped, crossing her arms defensively. "I am the best doctor! I studied for years, read every book I could get my hands on. Don’t you dare question my profession!" She huffed, glaring at him.
Rakshit’s lips curled into the faintest smile, almost teasing. "Oh, I see. So you know all this medical knowledge, and yet you can’t even take care of yourself?"

Aaravi opened her mouth to argue, but Rakshit’s phone rang, cutting off their playful bickering. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious. "I have to go," he said, standing up. "Take care of yourself, Aaravi."

She watched as he walked away, noticing once again that familiar loneliness in his eyes. As tough and arrogant as he seemed, there was a certain vulnerability about him that tugged at her heart.  Why does he seem so lonely?  she wondered, her heart softening.

Just as she was lost in thought, Aryan appeared, his voice breaking her reverie. "Princess, what are you doing sitting here alone?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.

Aaravi looked up, smiling faintly. "Just needed a break, Bhai. But I’m fine."

Aryan raised an eyebrow. "Fine? You’ve sneezed like a hundred times since we got here. You sure you’re okay?"

She pouted, knowing Aryan was about to start his overprotective routine. "I’m just a little under the weather. Nothing serious. Besides, you won’t even let me have ice cream to cheer up."

Aryan chuckled, shaking his head. "You know why I won’t let you have it. Your health comes first, Aaravi. But since you planned this whole outing, come on, at least eat something. I don’t want you going hungry."

She sighed, leaning into him. "You’re always such a responsible elder brother. Can’t you let me be a little irresponsible for once?"

Aryan smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "If I let you be irresponsible, who will take care of you when you fall sick again? I can’t risk that. You know how important you are to me, right?"

Aaravi smiled softly, feeling the love and protectiveness in his words. "I know, Bhai. You’re always looking out for me, even when I don’t want you to."

"That’s my job," Aryan said with a grin. "Now come on, let’s eat. Just promise me, no more sneezing fits, alright?"

Aaravi laughed, playfully bumping her shoulder against his. "I’ll try my best."

And with that, they returned to the table, their bond as strong and warm as ever—filled with love, teasing, and the unspoken promise that they’d always look out for each other.

Rakshit stood at a distance, watching Aaravi and Aryan laughing and teasing each other. Their bond was evident—the way Aryan ruffled her hair, the way Aaravi playfully bumped his shoulder, and how easily they shared moments of love and care. It was a warmth Rakshit wasn’t familiar with, a connection he had never truly experienced.

For a moment, a deep sense of longing washed over him. His usual cold, arrogant demeanor slipped just enough for him to wonder,  Is this what family feels like?  He had always been surrounded by power, wealth, and control, but never by the simple affection that this family seemed to share so effortlessly.

The sight tugged at something in him that he had buried long ago—a need for warmth, for connection, for a place where he could feel at home. But that wasn’t his world. His world was dark, ruthless, and dangerous, where attachments were a weakness and love a liability. Yet, watching Aaravi with her family, the ache in his chest deepened.

Could something as simple as family really make a person feel this... complete?  He thought, staring at them for a few more moments before he quietly turned away, heading back to his own cold, isolated life.

For now, he couldn’t afford such thoughts. Not in his world.

The next morning, Rakshit woke up early, his mind sharper and more focused than it had been the previous night. Aaravi’s words still lingered, her genuine concern for him warming a part of him he had long kept buried. But he couldn’t afford to dwell on that softness now. Today was crucial.

He stood before his mirror, meticulously dressing in an elegant, tailored suit—his armor in the battlefield of power and control. His piercing eyes reflected back at him, devoid of the warmth he had felt the night before, replaced by the cold determination that had earned him his empire. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and the crispness of his outfit radiated authority.

Raj arrived just as Rakshit adjusted his cufflinks, offering a quick nod of approval. “You look ready to conquer the world again,” Raj said, a hint of amusement in his otherwise serious tone.

Rakshit smirked but remained silent as they made their way to the office.

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