---

Next Morning:

The morning sun gently streamed into the room. Both were sound asleep when Aakash stirred, feeling a soft weight on his arm. He opened his eyes slowly—only to see his wife hugging his arm tightly, her face buried in his bicep, long braided hair spread across the pillow.

He chuckled softly, “Lagta hai, isse mera bicep zyada pasand hai is moron pillow se.”

[Seems like she prefers my bicep over this maron pillow.]

He smiled, mesmerized. “How can you look so beautiful even in the morning, jaan…”

Carefully, he slid his arm from under her and replaced it with a pillow. She instinctively hugged it tightly in her sleep. Shaking his head with a soft smile, he headed to the gym.

Two hours later, he returned to find Shashi getting ready in the closet. After his shower, he stepped out, only to lose his breath—there she stood in a soft pink anarkali, hugging her curves perfectly, her dupatta lying casually on the ottoman.

She was fastening her jhumka but winced slightly in pain. Instantly, Aakash was by her side.

“Can I?” he asked gently.

She blinked and gave a slight nod.

He fixed one earring easily, but the second one resisted.

“Is it too rough?” he asked.

Shashi shook her head. “Push it harder—don’t warn me.”

“But what about your pain?”

“It’s fine. I can take it. Just do it.”

He hesitated, then took a deep breath and pushed the earring into place.

“Aaahh,” she winced.

“Anhh,” he groaned in empathy.

“You okay?” she asked.

Instead of answering, he gently touched her earlobe, applied some moisturizer and whispered, “Hope it didn’t hurt you too much.”

“You didn’t,” she replied softly.

He gave a nod. “Are you going somewhere?”

She smiled lightly. “Shiv Mandir.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Yesterday, I performed a high-risk surgery. Both mother and child were critical. But Shivji blessed me—we saved them. I just want to thank him.”

He felt something stir in him at her words. She was halfway out the door when she turned back.

“Ah—I forgot to ask. Did I do anything in my sleep last night?”

He shook his head.

She left with a nod, unaware that he whispered to himself:

“If only you knew, you were hugging me the whole night like I was your personal teddy bear.”

He chuckled, lost in the memory.

---

At the Breakfast Table:

Everyone was enjoying breakfast when Aarav began throwing his usual tantrum.

“Mumma, this tastes…” he paused, catching his mother’s warning glare. He looked down, pouting.

“Aarav,” Shashi called gently. His eyes brightened.

“Which sport do you like?” she asked.

“Football!” he answered eagerly.

“Favourite player?”

“Sunil Chhetri!”

“Do you want to be like him one day?”

He nodded enthusiastically.

“Then you must know… sportsmen only eat healthy food.”

Aarav's smile dimmed.

“Aarav, everyone gives up their favourites to become what they dream of,” she said gently.

He nodded and began eating again.

“Aarav, can I ask you something?”

“Yes?”

“Can I see that priceless smile of Aarav Singh Rajput?”

A small smile curved his lips—but she wasn’t satisfied. She leaned in and started tickling him. Laughter exploded in the dining room.

“Haha, chachi, please stop!” he giggled.

She stopped immediately. “Hey, don’t call me that!”

“Why?” the whole table echoed in amusement.

“I mean… it feels odd. Let’s do one thing, Aarav—how about we give each other nicknames?”

“That’s a great idea, chachu ki wife,” he giggled mischievously.

“Aarav…” Aakash gave him a mock glare.

“What? I’ll give her a good nickname soon. Till then—chachu ki wife works just fine!” Aarav grinned.

The room was filled with smiles as everyone left for their day.

---

On the Way to the Temple:

Shashi’s POV:

It’s been so long since we had a quiet conversation, Shivji. Let's have it today.

Yes, I lied to him… but I don’t care. All I want is peace, and I know you’ll give it to me. Your child has many questions. Let’s sort them out.

The last time I came here, I was an Oberoi. Now, a Rajput. But what’s the point? In the end, I’ll be all alone—fighting my battles, living a life that doesn’t even feel like mine.

Six months from now, I’ll have to go back to that hollow house… a place I can’t call home. It doesn’t feel good, Mahadev.

All I ever prayed for was a loving family. If I have to stay single, fine. But you could’ve given me friends at least. Instead, you gave me betrayal.

And the man I trusted the most… the one who felt like home…

You took him away too.

I always wished… one day, my parents would say,

“We’re proud of you.”

But I’m still that child—desperate for love, yet denied it.

---

Dear Readers,

Hope you liked this heartfelt chapter!

Questions to ponder:

• Who is the man Shashi trusted the most?

• How was he taken away from her?

• What kind of relationship does she have with her parents?

Comment, vote, and share

your thoughts!

Until next time…

With love, always.

–

---