Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 19 : The Hidden Bonds

Hidden Bonds and Unspoken Desires

The day had started like any other. The sun had risen, bathing the world in its golden light, and Arjun and Aaradhya had shared a quiet breakfast together. The palace was abuzz with activity as the court went about its usual duties, and though Arjun was often called away for matters of state, today, it seemed, there was a brief respite. The air was lighter, filled with an unspoken sense of peace between the two lovers.

But as they walked through the corridors of the palace, Arjun's gaze lingered on Aaradhya with a sense of protectiveness. He had noticed the subtle but inevitable questions that had been swirling in the air ever since their marriage, and with the knowledge of what they had shared, there was a growing tension that he couldn't ignore. Their love was sacred, but the world outside the walls of their chamber wasn't ready for it.

As they reached a quiet corner of the palace garden, Arjun turned to her, his eyes serious but full of care. He lowered his voice, ensuring that no one else could hear. "Aaradhya," he said softly, "There are things that we must keep hidden. I know our hearts are bound together, but the world... it's not ready for what we share. It's not ready for us."

Aaradhya looked at him, a soft frown creasing her forehead. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. She had known for some time that their love was something forbidden, something that couldn't be freely displayed, but hearing Arjun say it out loud made the reality more apparent.

Arjun's gaze softened as he reached out to take her hand, his fingers brushing against hers in a comforting gesture. "I need you to hide your sacred thread, the symbols of our marriage, the sindoor," he said, his voice low and filled with an unspoken plea. "Until the time is right, we must keep this between us. No one can know the truth of our bond—not yet."

Aaradhya's heart sank a little at his words. She had hoped that, someday, they could stand together openly, without fear or hesitation. But she understood the dangers, the challenges that came with being the wife of Arjun, the son of Indra. They were bound by fate, but their love was still fragile in the eyes of the world.

She nodded slowly, her eyes meeting his with understanding. "I'll do as you ask," she said softly. "For you, Arjun, I will hide it. But I need to know that we are not hiding ourselves—our love—from each other."

Arjun smiled, his heart swelling with love for her. "We will never hide from each other, Aaradhya. Our hearts are forever entwined. This is just for the world outside, to protect us both."

They shared a brief but intense moment of connection, their fingers entwining as they both understood the unspoken depth of their feelings. No matter the challenges, their love would always be their anchor.

That evening, after the evening rituals had been completed and the palace had settled into a quiet calm, Arjun sought Aaradhya once more. The night had descended, casting the palace in a soft, silvery glow. The corridors were quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves outside the windows, but the weight of their love was unmistakable.

As Aaradhya walked through the door to his chamber, she found Arjun standing by the window, gazing out at the stars. His broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of the world, but his heart, she knew, was full of love for her. He turned when he heard her footsteps, and their eyes met with an intensity that spoke volumes.

"Come," Arjun said softly, his voice low and filled with longing. "Come, Aaradhya."

Without a word, Aaradhya walked toward him, her heart racing in anticipation. The subtle tension between them, the unspoken desire that had been building over the past few days, was finally coming to the surface. She could feel the pull, the magnetic force of their bond drawing them closer.

Arjun reached out to her, his hands gently cupping her face as he gazed into her eyes. His thumb traced the curve of her cheek, and a small sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into his touch. "Aaradhya," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. "Will you stay with me tonight? Will you sleep with me?"

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, the intimacy of the moment not lost on her. She had never imagined that the day would come so soon, but the connection between them was undeniable. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Arjun. I will stay with you."

Arjun's eyes softened as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as if she were the most precious thing in the world. The warmth of his embrace enveloped her, and she felt a sense of safety, of belonging, that she had never known before. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the comfort of his presence.

As the night wore on, the two of them shared quiet moments together. Arjun had always been gentle with her, and tonight was no different. They talked, shared stories, and basked in the peaceful quiet that surrounded them. The world outside seemed to fade away, and for that one night, it was just the two of them.

Eventually, as the hours passed, Arjun led her to the bed. He pulled back the covers and gestured for her to lie down. Aaradhya hesitated for just a moment, her breath catching in her throat as she looked into his eyes. Arjun smiled reassuringly, his expression tender. "Don't be afraid, Aaradhya," he said softly. "I'm here with you."

Slowly, Aaradhya climbed into the bed, and Arjun followed her, wrapping his arms around her once more. She felt his warmth against her, and she snuggled closer to him, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax into the safety and security of his arms.

In the quiet of the night, they both drifted off to sleep, the unspoken promises of love and protection between them. Though the world outside remained unaware of their bond, Arjun and Aaradhya knew that, together, they had created something indestructible. They had found each other in a world full of uncertainties, and no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together.

As sleep claimed them, Arjun whispered one last time, his voice barely audible. "I love you, Aaradhya. Always."

And with those words, they both fell into a peaceful slumber, their hearts beating in perfect harmony.