The Enchanted Love✨ [Barsatein]

Chapter 52

Aradhana is sipping coffee in their sunlit living room, scrolling through her laptop. Reyansh walks in, his hair slightly damp from a shower. He's wearing a casual shirt that's unbuttoned halfway, and his eyes glint with mischief.
Reyansh: (leaning against the doorframe) "Good morning, Mrs. Lamba. Should I feel jealous that you're paying more attention to your laptop than your handsome husband?"
Aradhana: (glancing up with a teasing smile) "Handsome, huh? Someone's feeling confident today."
Reyansh: (walking closer and sitting beside her) "Can you blame me? You've been swooning over me for weeks now."
Aradhana: (pretending to think) "Hmm, I do recall some swooning. But that might've been for your cooking skills."
Reyansh: (mocking offense) "Excuse me! I was told my smoldering eyes were your weakness."
Aradhana laughs, and Reyansh pulls her closer, placing a soft kiss on her temple.
Reyansh: (softly) "Let's have breakfast together before you dive into work. Deal?"
Aradhana: (snuggling closer) "Deal. But only if you make pancakes."
Reyansh enters the agency office, where Vikram is busy reviewing some mission files. Their earlier misunderstanding still lingers in the air, evident in the awkward tension.
Vikram: (without looking up) "Reyansh. You're back."
Reyansh: (sighing) "Yeah. Thought I'd check in before my next assignment."
Vikram: (coldly) "Right. Keeping busy, huh?"
Reyansh: (stepping closer, frustrated) "Look, Vikram. I know the last mission didn't go as planned, but you need to stop acting like I betrayed you."
Vikram: (finally looking up) "It's not just about the mission, Reyansh. You didn't trust me. You went rogue, and it nearly cost both of us our lives & most importantly the trust, the bond that we used to share."
Reyansh: (earnestly) "I was trying to protect you! That guy had dirt on you, Vikram. I couldn't let you take the fall."
Vikram: (softening slightly) "So was I. You could've told me. We've always had each other's backs, and this time, you acted like I wasn't good enough to handle it."
Reyansh: (running a hand through his hair) "You're like a brother to me. I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I just... panicked. I'm sorry."
Vikram: (after a long pause) "Fine. But next time, no secrets. Deal?"
Reyansh: (grinning) "Deal. Now, can we please stop acting like an old married couple?"
They share a chuckle, and the tension finally dissipates.

Aradhana is in a meeting with her editor, Mr. Sinha. He hands her a folder with a serious expression.
Mr. Sinha: "This one's big, Aradhana. A high-profile corruption scandal. We need someone sharp and relentless on this, and that's you."
Aradhana: (opening the folder and skimming through the details) "Government officials, bribery, and cover-ups. This is going to ruffle some feathers."
Mr. Sinha: (nodding) "Exactly. Start digging. But be careful. These people won't hesitate to silence anyone who gets in their way."
Aradhana: (smiling confidently) "Don't worry. They haven't met me yet."
Aradhana is on her laptop, piecing together clues from her new investigation. Reyansh walks in, loosening his tie, and notices her furrowed brow.
Reyansh: (leaning over her chair) "You look like you're plotting world domination."
Aradhana: (without looking up) "Close. Just exposing a few corrupt officials."
Reyansh: (kissing the top of her head) "That's my fearless journalist. Want some help?"
Aradhana: (smirking) "Unless you have a secret informant in the government, I think I've got this covered."
Reyansh: (teasing) "I might, but I'll only share my secrets for a price."
Aradhana: (turning to face him) "Oh? And what's the price?"
Reyansh pulls her up and wraps his arms around her waist.
Reyansh: (whispering) "One kiss for every secret I reveal."
Aradhana laughs as he leans in, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. The intensity grows, and they end up on the couch, tangled in each other's arms.
Aradhana visits a local source for her case, gathering key information. Meanwhile, Reyansh and Vikram are at the agency gym, sparring as they discuss their plans.
Vikram: (dodging a punch) "So, honeymoon over. How's married life treating you?"
Reyansh: (landing a jab) "Better than I expected. She's... amazing."
Vikram: (grinning) "Never thought I'd see Reyansh Lamba this smitten."
They laugh, their friendship fully mended as they continue sparring.