Together For-Ever

Chapter Twenty-two

Adrika

I know I'm behaving like a teenager, but technically, I am one. I'm twenty, for god's sake.

I can feel Arjun's gaze on me, but I'm focused on his Adam's apple, which is moving in a strangely mesmerizing way. And then, just as I lose myself in that detail, Mr. Husband decides to go without any support and lands straight on top of me, his face buried in my neck.

Oh god! Why do I have to experience all of this at once? And he's heavy.

I can't handle him and everything else happening right now. This is just too much for me today.

"Arjun, move!" I finally manage to say, trying to push him away. I think he gets the hint, because he shifts off me and lies beside me, facing me.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Being this close to Arjun feels so unfamiliar. I've always wanted to be near him, and now that I finally am, it's overwhelming. Maybe it's cringe-worthy, but that's how I feel about Arjun.

I don't even know if he feels the same, but that's okay. My love and obsession are enough for both of us.

"Adrika?" he says, breaking my thoughts. I look at him, silently encouraging him to continue.

"I want you to join me on my trip after our temple visit," he says, not asking but stating it in a polite way.

"What do you mean by 'trip,' Arjun?" I ask, a bit confused.

"I'm going to visit our offices in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala," he explains.

"Oh, a business trip? I don't want to tag along for those boring things," I reply, pulling a face.

This feels... normal.

"They're not boring. And I wasn't asking for your opinion," he says, giving me a look.

"Huh! Do you even know where you should be taking your wife?" I ask, trying to sound serious.

He smirks playfully. Oh god, what did I just say?

"So, you're up for going on a honeymoon with me, wifey?" he teases.

I don't want to back down, so I say, "Yeah, what kind of question is that?"

I can feel my cheeks warming, that telltale blush and flustered heat spreading across my face. And as if that wasn't enough, he moves closer to my face, his lips grazing my left cheek. I hear him murmur, "Then be ready for a honeymoon. But first, we're going on that business trip." Then he kisses me on the cheek.

Parameshwara!

I'm too stunned to even react. I look at him, and he's laughing.

"Oh god! I love how you blush, wifey!" he says, his smile making my heart race even more.

My face feels like it's on fire. I can still feel the warmth of his lips on my cheek, and that playful smirk of his—it's like he knows exactly what he's doing to me. My heart is racing, pounding so loudly I'm sure he can hear it.

I bite my lip and look away, hoping he won't notice how flustered I am. But his soft laugh tells me he's already noticed. Typical Arjun.

"Stop! Arjun, don't you have any work to do?" I say, trying to sound normal.

It was just a simple kiss on the cheek! Don't think too much about it, Adrika!

"Trying to change the topic, are we?" he teases.

Without answering, I sit up and lean back against the headboard, looking out at the trees. The sky is a little gloomy today, which somehow feels fitting.

I try to keep things casual, still avoiding his gaze. "Arjun, please don't take this the wrong way, but... please don't switch personalities with me. Just... be consistent, okay? And don't ask why. I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Adrika?" he says, his tone softer.

I turn to look at him.

"Alright. I won't ask. But from now on, you need to tell me everything—where you're going, who you're with, and when you'll be back. And I want you to have security with you at all times. No negotiation. Understood?" He's not asking; he's practically ordering me.

And I don't like it.

"What? Arjun, I don't always know where I'm going to be, and I might forget to tell you! And about the security—I can't have them everywhere I go. I need my own privacy. Your trusted employees don't need to be watching me all the time. I only skip security when I'm going to Anna's place or one other place. If you want, I can show you. But I can't take security there," I reply, feeling irritation simmering under my skin.

"Didn't I just say this isn't negotiable?" he asks, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"No security! If you insist, you can just come along with me wherever I go!" I say, knowing he'll never agree.

But he pauses, thinking, then says, "Fine. Just let me know, and I'll be there."

What?

"No, I don't want you coming with me when I'm with Anna and my friends! I'll be safe if I'm with them," I say quickly, instinctively avoiding mentioning Rudra by name.

"Why, Adrika? Why can't you listen to me?" he says, his disappointment clear. But I'm not about to let that sway me.

"It's not about being rebellious, Arjun. There are things going on in my life that no one knows about except Anna and his friends. I'll tell you everything eventually, but I need time. If you keep sending security, I'll just have to sneak out! But I promise, I'll take you to that place soon," I declare, hoping he understands.

"Alright, alright. Let's not argue today. We can talk about this after the temple visit. Now, do you want to rest, or would you like to join me in my meeting? It's just a regular meeting to discuss the details of my trip," he says, shifting the conversation.

A meeting? Can I handle it? For Arjun, I think I can.

"How many people will be there? And where is it?" I ask.

"At HQ, with my PAs," he replies.

"Okay, I'll come. But how many PAs do you have?" I ask out of curiosity.

I decide to go mostly because I don't want to run into my mother-in-law or anyone else in the house. Kind of an escape.

"Three," he replies.

Wow.

"And here I am, struggling just to keep up with my attendance," I mumble, standing up.

He looks at me, a question in his eyes.

"I'll go change into something simple," I say.

"A simple saree?" he suggests.

"What's with your obsession with sarees?" I ask, exasperated. Who wears a saree all the time?

"I like sarees. And you're coming to the office for the first time," he says, clearly enjoying himself.

I roll my eyes. "Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"No. Now go and get ready in a saree," he insists.

With a resigned sigh, I head to the walk-in closet.

***********

Sorry for the delay. I have so many things going on. And also lack of  motivation I delayed the update. 

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I will try to give regular updates.