𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙚 (𝙄𝙢𝙡𝙞𝙚 & 𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣)

Chapter Twenty Two

My mum ignored Aditya and stepped inside the room. He attempted to follow her in when Aryan blocked his path.

He was still calling out to her when Aryan cut him off.

'Enough, Mr. Tripathi, have some decency and shame. Quietly eat your food and go sleep in your room.' Aryan stated.

'And if I choose not to, what will you do about it?' Aditya asked, and I started to wonder if he inhaled something while he was still outside.

Aryan sighed and walked into his room. I shook my head at him and entered my mum's room.

I hope the silence gave him the answer he needed, or he would be all alone shouting like a mad person.

I lay beside my mum, she was fast asleep already. I was exhausted but couldn't sleep. Different feelings were coursing through my body. Feelings of fear, anger, and excitement.

Excitement that Aryan was here, anger that Aditya chooses to cause a scene all the time and fear of the unknown.

After 30 minutes of tossing around, I got up quietly and left the room. The candlelight was still on, and I couldn't find Aditya.

I glanced over at where his food was kept and saw that he had already eaten.

I smiled and shook my head. The earlier he knew no one would indulge with his stubbornness, the better for him.

I knocked at Aryan's door, but there was no response. I tried the doorknob, and the door opened.

I quietly slid in and closed the door. I turned and bumped into someone. I yelped, and a hand quickly covered my mouth

'It's me Imlie, keep your voice down.' Aryan muttered.

'God! You scared me.' I said, trying to calm my breathing.

'What are you doing here?' He asked.

'I came to see you, but if you don't want to see, I will go back to my room.' I replied and tried to move away from his grip, but he only held me tighter.

'Why are you trying to free yourself from my grasp? You came to see me, right? Or do you want to go check up on Aditya?'

'Don't be silly.' I say, freeing myself from his grasp, pushing past him and sitting on the bed.

'I thought you were asleep.' I muttered after a few minutes of silence between us.

'I couldn't sleep,' he said.

'I couldn't sleep either, and I came to check up on you.' I told him truthfully that the events of the past few days shook me, and I couldn't bear to hide my feelings from him anymore.

'I missed you badly,' I said and turned to face him. I just couldn't hold back how I was feeling anymore.

He pulled me into a hug, and we both lay down on the bed. 'I missed you so much. You had no idea how worried I was when I couldn't reach you.' He said, tracing his fingers lightly across my face, his thumb slightly brushing my lips.

"I'm glad you are here now, and everything will be fine.' I say, holding his hand. 'I'm surprised that you actually missed me, and you are admitting it.'

'Why won't I? I have a heart, Imlie.'

'A cold heart.' I replied and chuckled.

'A cold heart that warms up for only you. You are the most important person in my life after my mum and sister.'

'I can't bear the thought of losing you, Imlie.' I could hear the pain in his voice.

'I'm all yours Aryan, all yours.' I say, kissing him gently on the forehead, then his nose and brushing my lips gently with his.