𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲

Chapter 44

A U T H O R

A soft knock at the door stirred Nikshant from his uncomfortable slumber a low groan slipped from his lips as he stretched his stiff arms and arched his sore back.

Another knock followed, firmer this time.

He slowly stood up, pushing aside the duvet and pillow, and rubbed his face, trying to shake off the sleep still clouding his mind, he opened the door and found Dadi standing there.

"Dadi?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?"

"I came to wake you both up," she said, her voice laced with concern. "You have to head to the Kuldevi Mandir today... to seek blessings for my Aaravi. I know you both just got back home yesterday, but this is important, beta. Pata nahi kis kaal mukhi ki nazar lag gayi meri bacchi ko..."

He nodded with quiet understanding. "I'll wake her up, Dadi. We'll be ready."

Dadi gave a small, approving nod. "Good. Now don't just stand there like a statue - go get ready," she added, swatting his arm lightly before turning away.

Dadi walked away, while Nikshant gently shut the door. He turned back toward the room, his gaze softening as it fell upon Aaravi, still curled up in bed, sleeping.

He walked toward her, lowering himself beside the bed, he kneeled down and gently caressed her hair, his fingers gliding through the soft strands.

His eyes brimmed with love, admiration... and a pinch of guilt. How could someone look so serene while sleeping? A part of him wanted to let her sleep, but he knew they had to leave soon.

"Aaravi," he whispered, his voice barely audible, like a breeze through silence. "Wake up."

Still caressing her hair, he leaned in slightly closer. "Wake up, Cherry..." he murmured.

Aaravi stirred, her lashes fluttering before her eyes opened slowly. And the first thing she saw... was him kneeling beside her. Looking at her like she was his whole world.

Nikshant smiled tenderly and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. His voice was gentle as he whispered, "Now get up, we have to leave soon."

Aaravi frowned sleepily, her brows scrunching in confusion. "Go where?"

"To Kuldevi Mandir," he replied, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Dadi wants us to seek blessings... especially for you."

The mention of Dadi's care tugged at something deep inside Aaravi. Her heart clenched, and her eyes welled up with sudden emotion - the kind of love she never knew she could receive from someone else's family... a motherly warmth she had craved all her life after her mother death.

Nikshant noticed the tears in her eyes. He instantly cupped her cheek, his expression shifting to concern.

"Hey... why are you crying, baccha?" he asked softly, his thumb brushing away the tear that dared to fall.

"I'm not used to someone caring for me this much... other than Veer Bhai," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

A soft, knowing smile curved his lips as he gently tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch lingering with tenderness.