𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲

Chapter 43

A U T H O R

Nikshant stood silently, his eyes roaming over each face in the room—heavy with guilt, silently pleading for forgiveness.

Dadi, who had just stopped scolding and hitting him with her stick, turned away from him and walked towards Aaravi. Her stern face softened as she gently placed her hand on Aaravi's head.

"Khush raho, beta," she said warmly. "Agar tumhe isse maaf nahi karna, toh hum sab tumhare saath hai."

(Stay happy, dear. If you don't want to forgive him, we are all with you.)

Nikshant's eyes widened, and he looked at Dadi helplessly. "Dadi..." he murmured, but Aaravi softly interrupted.

( Grandmother.)

"Main pehle hi maaf kar chuki hoon unhe, Dadi," she said, her voice calm

(I have already forgiven him, Grandmother.)

Dadi leaned closer, brought her lips near Aaravi's ear, and whispered with a smirk, "Mujhe pata hai... par phir bhi keh rahi hoon, itni jaldi maaf maat karna. Thoda satana banta hai, uske baad sochna, hmm?"

(I know but still, I'm telling you—don't forgive him so easily. He deserves a little payback first, then you can think about it, hmm?)

Aaravi couldn't help the small, teary smile that touched her lips, and said."Ji Dadi!"

( Yes, Grandmother.)

"Aaravi, beta, jaa ke thoda aaram kar lo," Nikshant's mother said gently, placing a loving hand on her shoulder. "Main dinner ke time utha dungi tumhe. Itni lambi journey ke baad thak gayi hogi na."
Dadi nodded in agreement, giving her a small smile of approval.

(Aaravi, dear, go get some rest I'll wake you up at dinner time. You must be tired after such a long journey, right? )

Aaravi looked at everyone—her eyes lingered a little longer on Nikshant—and then silently climbed the stairs to her room.

Nikshant watched her disappear and then turned to his mother with a dramatic sigh. "Main bhi toh thak gaya hoon, Maa... aapne mujhe toh kuch nahi bola," he whined, like a kid.

(I'm tired too, Maa but you didn't say anything to me.

His mother gave him a sharp look, her arms crossing over her chest. "Main tumse baat hi nahi kar rahi hoon. Tumne meri bacchi ke saath jo kiya na... uske baad mujhse koi sympathy expect mat karo."

(I'm not even talking to you. What you did to my daughter... after that, don't expect any sympathy from me.)

Nikshant's smile faded a little, and he lowered his eyes like a scolded child. "Maaa..."

But she turned her back on him with an exaggerated huff. "Don't Maa me."

Dadi chuckled softly under her voice hard. "Abh bhugto, beta. Pyaar mein tooti chhadi se bacha liya, par maa ke gusse se nahi."

(Now suffer, son. Love saved you from the stick, but not from mother's wrath.)

"Okay fine, I'll go sleep by myself," he muttered with a sigh, and climbed the stairs with long steps, heading toward his room.

But as he pushed open the door, he paused.

There she was—Aaravi—standing by the closet, gently folding clothes and placing them neatly inside.

He frowned, watching her for a moment before walking toward her.

"What are you doing?" he asked softly.