His Unrequited Love

Chapter ~ 26

Reyansh parked the car as they arrived at the entrance of Aadrika's maternal home. He stepped out of the car while Aadrika adjusted her saree. Reyansh opened the door for her, and she thanked him as they both made their way to the main door.

Upon their arrival, they were warmly greeted by Aadrika's mother and sister-in-law. Aadrika's sister-in-law performed aarti for them before welcoming them inside the house.

Aadrika's mother then instructed, "Aadrika, take Reyansh to your room so he can rest for a while. I will have the helpers prepare some food and send fresh juice to your room."

Aadrika glanced at her mother and replied, shaking her head,

"No, Mom. Reyansh won't be staying here as he has an important meeting to attend."

Turning to Reyansh, she smiled and said,
"Isn't that right, Reyansh?"

Reyansh looked at her, smirked, and then turned to her mother, saying,

"Actually, she's right. I did have a meeting, but.." He gazed at Aadrika, faced his mother-in-law and continued.

"I've decided to postpone it. I've been feeling a bit under the weather and think I need to rest."

He said this with a pained expression, as if he were suffering from a serious headache.

Aadrika's mother glanced at Reyansh, while Aadrika looked at him with confusion.

"Aadrika, go take him to your room. I will send a balm for his forehead. It will help him, okay?" her mother instructed.

Aadrika exchanged looks with Reyansh, who smirked as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Okay, mom," Aadrika replied.

Afterwards, they both left for Aadrika's room.

______

Both Aadrika and Reyansh entered Aadrika's room. As soon as they crossed the threshold, Aadrika turned to Reyansh, her eyebrows raised in a mix of inquiry and challenge.

"What was that,” she demanded, masking the confusion swirling in her mind. Reyansh met her gaze, feigning ignorance, his expression a blend of innocence and mischief.

"What are you talking about, Patni ji?"
He replied, his tone airy yet laden with a subtle hint of amusement.
Aadrika peered at him, her smile growing wider as she leaned into the playful confrontation.

"You don’t know what I’m talking about? Didn't you say you would leave after dropping me here because you had an important meeting? So why the sudden change? And that headache you mentioned—where did that come from?"

Her words flowed with the rhythm of their light hearted banter, yet they echoed with an earnest quest for the truth. Reyansh, unperturbed, glanced at her, his trademark mischievous smile widening.

"Well, I didn’t lie about the meeting; it’s just a minor thing. But then I thought…" He paused for a dramatic effect, a cunning sparkle in his eye.

"Why not take my revenge? After all, you made me eat that salty phirni! I figured, why not enjoy the hospitality of my in laws while making my beloved wife tend to my needs? You do love taking care of me, don’t you, Patni ji? And let's not forget, I’m your one and only husband—also the sole son-in-law of the Singhs."

Aadrika raised her eyebrows further, a playful challenge in her eyes as she countered,

"You already made me eat that phirni—we shared it! What kind of revenge do you think you’re plotting?"

Reyansh nodded, a smirk still dancing on his lips.

"Agreed, but I only shared it because I’m smart. The truth is, you did try to pamper me, and now I’m making sure you extend that special treatment here, too."