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Now let's begin the story .

******

Pallavi's POV:

It's been a month since that dreadful incident happened in my life. A month since I felt like my world had been torn apart. Maine kabhi socha nahi tha uss raat ke baad kabhi Suraj ki kiran dekh pavungi-I never imagined I would see the light of the sun again after that night. But deep down, I had faith-faith in Arjun. I knew he would get me out of that place, and I wasn't wrong. He rescued me just in time.

In this past month, Arjun has taken care of me in a way that only a mother would care for her child, with every detail and every need being tended to. Bahar ke ghaav toh dheere se chali jayengey, par ander ke ghaav ki kya?-

The external wounds will heal with time, but what about the ones inside? Even today, I still wake up with nightmares. Whenever I wake up screaming in the middle of the night, Arjun is there, holding me close, wrapping me in his arms as if to shield me from the dark memories that try to invade my mind.

Maybe even God has grown tired of testing me, which is why He finally ended all my problems by sending Arjun into my life as my life partner. In this one month, I've created memories that will last a lifetime.

Sometimes, Arjun makes me laugh, and sometimes, he annoys me. Teasing me has become his favorite hobby. He enjoys it when I call him a shameless man. "Besharam admi."

Today is his birthday. Can you believe he hasn't celebrated his birthday in years-not since Maa passed away? But last night, at midnight, we celebrated. My family and I brought him into the new day with smiles and love. He only agreed to celebrate because it made me happy.

We've arranged a surprise birthday for him today, although it's hardly a surprise anymore. He's installed CCTV cameras in every corner of the mansion, leaving no room for secrets. What's the point of a surprise when he can see everything? Still, I'm determined. We even sent him to the office, though he has no work there today.

He's built an office right here in the mansion so he can stay close and take care of me, but for today, we forced him to leave for a while. If Neil Bhaiyya were here, he'd manage everything effortlessly, but he's still recovering and has chosen to stay in his apartment.

Arjun had insisted that Neil Bhaiyya move into Shree Mansion, but he declined. Then there's Basanti. She's a lovely girl who talks too much but cares deeply for my brother. She's moved into his apartment, though neither of them has confessed their feelings yet. We all know she loves him, but I don't understand what's holding him back from admitting his own feelings.

On the other hand, Vipul Bhaiyya is recovering from his neck injury. Thankfully, the bullet didn't pierce his neck-it just grazed him. He's doing much better now, but Arjun gave strict orders that he wasn't to return to work until he was fully healed. Today, Vipul Bhaiyya rejoined duty.

There's something else I've noticed over the past month. Abhram Bhaiyya has been acting strange-emotional, even vulnerable-whenever he sees me. Maybe he's afraid of losing another sister. He already lost his Chutki years ago, and now this incident... It's understandable, but still, it's hard to see him like this.

Lately, he's been ignoring both Arjun and Aman. Last night, he only called my husband to wish him on his birthday, and then immediately disconnected the call. I saw something strange in Arjun's expression-was it guilt? But why? I don't know what's going on, but it can't continue like this.

They're all pretending to be normal in front of others, but they can't hide their emotions from me. Even at last week's get-together, Abhram Bhaiyya didn't bother speaking with Arjun or Aman.

---

Flashback

The large hall was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and warm conversations, but I could see the cracks behind the smiles. Abhram Bhaiyya had been distant throughout the evening, exchanging pleasantries with everyone except Arjun and Aman.

Arjun tried to make casual conversation, "Abhram, you've been busy lately. How's work going?" His voice was light, but his eyes betrayed his concern.

Abhram barely glanced at him, responding with a curt nod. "It's fine, handling it."

Aman, ever the peacemaker, jumped in,

"You know, I heard there's a new project you're heading-sounds exciting." He smiled, hoping to lighten the mood.

But Abhram only shrugged, muttering something about it being just another task. He didn't engage further and quickly excused himself, leaving both Arjun and Aman standing awkwardly, their efforts to break the ice falling flat.

I could see the tension. They were best friends once, almost like brothers, but now it seemed like an invisible wall had risen between them. I couldn't bear to watch the three of them like this, especially knowing how much they'd been through together.

******

And then there's Aman, poor Aman, stuck in the middle, trying his best to resolve things between his best friends. He's been running between Arjun and Abhram, trying to patch things up, but it's like trying to mend something that's already been torn too deeply.

Oh, and speaking of Aman, I've heard his "safeed jhoot bolne wali safeed kabootari" has re-entered his life. Not only has she come back, but she's also taken over his office, his house-and, from what I've heard, even gate-crashed his bedroom! The way he describes her fiery personality and sheer stamina in arguing with him, it reminds me so much of my dear Shalini. I can't wait to meet his safeed kabootari once I've fully recovered.

*************

I was about to lift a decorative item to hang on the wall when Adit immediately swooped in and grabbed the string from my hand.

"I will do this, Bhabhi," he said firmly, his face set in a determined expression. "You are not allowed to do anything. I hope you remember our deal."

I couldn't help but frown, feeling a bit helpless. Why me? I thought. I didn't want to sit like a patient anymore. Everyone was treating me like glass, but no one was willing to give me even the smallest task.

Just as I was about to protest, Anant appeared with a canvas in one hand and a handful of watercolors, paints, and brushes in the other. He set them down in front of me with a knowing smile.

"I think you're getting bored, Bhabhi," he said, his tone playful. "Bhai told us you paint really well. So, why don't you paint something on the canvas and kill some time? We'll finish up the rest of the decorations before Bhai gets home."

I sighed, realizing I didn't have much of a choice. This was the only compromise they'd allowed me. Adit and Anant had agreed to this surprise party on one condition, that I wouldn't do any of the actual work. They had been adamant about it.

I glanced at the blank canvas in front of me, the colors tempting me. It had been a while since I picked up a brush, and in this moment, maybe creating something would be a good way to distract myself.

I dipped the brush in water, letting my mind wander as I thought of Arjun. His laughter, his protective arms around me, his quiet moments when he thought I wasn't looking , everything about him had become a source of comfort and warmth in the past month.

With each stroke of the brush, the colors on the canvas began to take shape-soft hues of blue, a touch of gold. I smiled to myself, remembering his expression last night during the midnight celebration. His eyes had softened when we brought out the cake, the flickering candlelight reflecting in his gaze. For a brief moment, I had seen a glimpse of the boy he used to be, before all the pain, before all the loss.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Adit and Anant working around me, setting up the decorations and whispering to each other about last-minute changes. Every now and then, Adit would glance over at me to make sure I wasn't sneaking in to help, and each time I just rolled my eyes at him, holding up my brush as if to say, See? I'm painting, like you asked.

***********

I stared at the blank canvas in front of me. What do I paint? My mind wandered, but no image settled. It's not like I don't know how to paint. I do. But today, I feel...clueless. And then, as if summoned, his face appeared in my mind, and a smile tugged at my lips. From my lips, that smile traveled to my eyes, spreading warmth across my cheeks. Oh no, I could feel the blush rising, and I couldn't help it.

I picked up the brush, inspiration finally striking. I began to paint, not landscapes or flowers, but the moments between us, the small, precious things that happened this past month. With each stroke, I could see our memories coming to life-the playful glances, the teasing smirks, and the gentle touches.

I glanced at my brothers-in-law-they were all deeply engrossed in their work, completely unaware of what I was up to. Even the staff was busy running around. Perfect. I quietly took the canvas to a corner where the cameras couldn't catch me. I knew he had been sneaking peeks at me from his laptop screen. Always watching, even while he was working. It didn't bother me. I never felt uncomfortable under his gaze. If anything, it made me feel...protected, cherished.

But this? No, he couldn't see what I was painting just yet. It's a surprise. I knew from my expressions alone, he must be dying of curiosity, wondering what I was up to.

"Ugh, these red hues!" I muttered, tapping my cheek in an attempt to get rid of the blush that had settled in.

I dipped the brush back into the paint and started to work on something else, my mind drifting to that one late night when he pulled that little stunt in the middle of his online meeting...

---

Flashback

Arjun was attending one of his late-night online meetings, sitting at his desk with his laptop. I was beside him, comfortably settled on the couch. From the camera angle, no one on the other side could see me, but I could see him perfectly. His hand, the one not on his laptop, was playing with my fingers, lazily twirling my nails, while his other hand was busy typing away, instructing his men.

I stole glances at him, at the focused crease of his brow, the sharp line of his jaw, the veins popping slightly on his hand as he worked. He looks so damn hot when he's focused, I thought to myself, unable to tear my eyes away from him.

Just then, he did something unexpected. He switched off his laptop camera for a brief moment, leaned over, and pecked my lips. It happened so quickly that it took me a second to realize what he had done.

I blinked, my hand automatically flying to my lips, touching the spot where he kissed me. A shy smile spread across my face, my heart doing a little flip.

"Even men like to hear compliments from their lady, wifey," he murmured quietly, eyes never leaving the screen.

"Was I too loud?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, still a little stunned.

"No," he said with a teasing smile, "I can read your eyes."

He winked at me before turning his attention back to the meeting. I could feel my face heating up again. The man knew how to fluster me, no matter the time or place.

And here I was, drawing this very moment on the canvas , each stroke infused with the warmth and playfulness that defined us.

*****************

As I was completing my painting, another memory came rushing in , this time, it was me who had pulled him into an embarrassing situation. I couldn't help but chuckle, the scene was still fresh in my mind. It was the day he shifted his office to home, thinking he'd get more work done in peace. Little did he know, I had other plans.

---

Arjun was in the study room, surrounded by his staff, buried deep in paperwork and meetings. His focus was unbreakable. Meanwhile, I was lounging in our bedroom, absolutely bored out of my mind. With nothing better to do, I decided to have a little fun. I grabbed my phone and called him.

"Arjun," I whined, "I'm bored. What are you doing?"

"Working, Pallu darling ," he responded in that deep, no-nonsense tone, though I could hear the smile hidden behind his words.

"Come to the room for just a minute. I need you for something."

"Later," he said, ending the call.

I pouted and tried again. This time, I sent him a voice message

Dil se nikli hai ek baat, khud se bhi zyada tumhe chaaha hai,
Har pal mere saath ho tum, jaise duaon mein likha hai.
Mere armaanon ka hai aangan, teri khushbu se mehka hai,
'Main tumse mohabbat karti hoon,' yeh dil tumhara hi rehna hai

I smirked a little with a blush on my cheeks..

It took him exactly three seconds to reply, "Stop being romantic, my khurafati biwi , other wise I couldn't control myself from kiss you passionately"

But I wasn't done. On my third attempt, I sent him a meme with the text, When your husband loves his work more than his wife.

That did it.

Moments later, I heard footsteps. Before I could even process what was happening, Arjun walked into the room, scooped me up in his arms in bridal style, and started marching toward the study.

"Arjun! What are you doing?" I shrieked, half-laughing, and half-shocked.

He didn't say a word until we entered the study room. His staff, a dozen people or so, all turned to look at us. The expressions on their faces? Priceless. Every single one of them had their mouths hanging open in shock, eyes wide, some even forgetting to blink.

He placed me down gently on the chair beside him and, without missing a beat, said, "Now you can sit here and drive me crazy all you want."

He then opened his MacBook and continued working as if nothing had happened, his serious expression back in place, but I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

I glanced around the room, ahhhhh why is it on the earth , he is unpredictable?? . His entire staff looked as if they'd just witnessed a miracle. Some had yet to recover from the shock of seeing their stern, no-nonsense boss turn into a patni peedita pati in front of their eyes.

I smiled to myself, remembering the way they blinked and gawked, their brains probably trying to comprehend what they had just seen. That day, Arjun might have been embarrassed, but he never admitted it. Instead, he wore his usual stoic expression, acting like carrying me into his office was the most normal thing in the world.

And that, I thought to myself as I finished the painting, was the beauty of us ,, our little moments of madness, embarrassing or not.

*******

"We didn't just share blissful moments; we shared some emotional ones too...

After being discharged from the hospital, he took me to the temple with him. Even though I was in a wheelchair and couldn't perform the parikrama on my own, he pushed the wheelchair for me. Together, we circled the temple - he walked behind, gently pushing me forward.

'So, now you're not mad at him?' I asked, breaking the silence that had settled between us.

He paused for a moment before replying, 'Nahi, usne saalon pehle meri khushi cheen li thi, par ab usne meri khushi mujhe wapas di hai... isliye ab gussa nahi hu.'

("No, he took my happiness from me years ago, but now he's given it back to me, so I'm not mad anymore.")

Just then, the pujari ji approached with the aarti plate in his hands. Arjun moved his palm over the flame, then touched my head with it, bestowing Mahadev's blessings upon me. Afterward, he brought his palms to his own head, seeking peace that I knew he deeply deserved.

A tear escaped my eye, but it wasn't one of sadness. Watching him, his soul finding peace, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. He had carried the weight of so much pain for so long.

The pujari ji handed him a pinch of sindoor, taken from Maa Parvathi's feet. Gently, Arjun filled my maang with it. I felt blessed, the divine red powder resting in my hairline like a sacred bond.

As usual, a little bit of sindoor fell onto my nose. He smiled, bending down to carefully blow it off while cupping one hand in front of my eyes, shielding them. His touch was tender, filled with love and care.

A lone tear escaped again, and before I could wipe it away, he gently brushed it off my cheek, his voice firm yet soft. 'Ab humari zindagi mein in aansuon ke liye koi jagah nahi hai, Pallavi.'

("Now, there's no place for tears in our lives, Pallavi.")

But how could I explain that these were tears of happiness, ones I couldn't hold back even if I wanted to?

Just as I was about to add the final touches, Anant's phone rang, and he picked it up quickly.

"Bhai's on his way back," he whispered to Adit, and I felt a surge of excitement rush through me.

The surprise was almost ready. Now, it was time to see how Arjun would react.

**"**************

So that's it for today i hope you like it..

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Precap: Arjun side story..