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Chapter ( 63 ) unfolding he truth is updated in scrollstock link is in my Instagram bio

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

Pallavi pov

As I stepped downstairs with Arjun, my heart was a mix of excitement and curiosity. Tonight was special, not just because it was Arjun's birthday, but because of the small, intimate gathering we had planned. I glanced at my reflection in the glass window, adjusting my red gown. It flowed perfectly, making me feel elegant, while Arjun beside me looked absolutely dashing in his Maroon shirt and black trousers. I couldn’t help but smile as we walked into the living room where only our closest, Sharma and Khurana families ,, waited.

Her outfit

His outfit

The first thing I noticed was Abrahm bhaiyya wrapping Arjun in a tight hug, wishing him a happy birthday. My heart lifted at the sight. "So everything is okay now," I thought. Bhaiyya and Arjun had been distant recently, but this hug felt like a sign that they had patched things up, and it eased my worries.

After Arjun cut the cake, he started feeding it to everyone, and soon enough, the room was filled with laughter. I was happy to see everyone so carefree. However, when Papa stepped forward, holding out a piece of cake, Arjun suddenly excused himself, mumbling something about a phone call and walking away.

I tried to keep smiling, but my heart sank a little. I know something’s wrong between Arjun and Papa, but no one is telling me anything. The pain in Papa’s eyes was unmistakable, but for now, I had to pretend I didn’t see it. It was Arjun’s birthday; I couldn’t let anything ruin it.

A few minutes later, Arjun returned, and I knew it was time for the surprise I had planned. I signaled to Adit and Anant, who had already set up a screen and projector in the living room. Everyone settled on the sofas, and the lights dimmed. I felt Arjun's fingers slip into mine, and without thinking, I leaned my head against his chest. The darkness provided a sense of intimacy, and with everyone focused on the screen, I could feel his warmth surrounding me, making me feel secure.

The video started, and immediately Abrahm bhaiyya's voice broke the silence.

"Hey, isn’t this from Arjun’s sixth birthday? We were just kids back then! Remember, Aman?" Bhaiyya sounded excited, reminiscing about their childhood.

"Haan, I remember," Aman chimed in, "And after that birthday, Arjun never celebrated again."

I could hear the excitement in everyone’s voices as they watched the video of a young Arjun, running around and laughing. But what really tugged at my heartstrings was the sight of Vasundhara maa , my mother-in-law. She was so beautiful, probably in her early thirties, but even then, there was something ethereal about her. Papa had been standing next to her, clearly mesmerized by her beauty, unable to take his eyes off her.

“Wow, Badi Mom is really beautiful,” Adit commented, and I turned to see Arjun’s eyes glistening with unshed tears. His usual strong demeanor cracked for just a moment, and I quickly wiped his eyes with my knuckles before planting a soft kiss on his cheek. I knew how much he missed her, even if he didn’t say it. To the world, Arjun may appear tough, but to me and his mother, he was still just a boy who needed comfort.

On the screen, Vasundhara maa’s voice filled the room. "Arjun, stop running! You’re always causing trouble for everyone!" she scolded, but the tenderness in her voice made it clear she wasn’t really angry. And then, Papa came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and said, “Let him be, jaan. He’s just having fun.”

I couldn’t help but smile. They were so cute together, so deeply in love. But then, my heart clenched with confusion. How could he have married Ragini aunty after loving Maa so much? No, no, not now, Pallavi. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. There was still more of the surprise left, and I wasn’t going to ruin the mood.

Suddenly, the scene changed, and Abrahm bhaiyya appeared on the screen, causing everyone to laugh. "No wonder Arjun calls him adha pagal Abrahm," I thought. Even as a child, Abrahm bhai was full of mischief, popping balloons that the servants were trying to blow up.

"Raja saab, even now, your habit of breaking things hasn’t gone away," Janvi bhabhi joked, and bhaiyya chuckled along.

At that moment, a loud balloon pop startled Reeva, who was around three years old in the video. She started crying, and no matter what anyone did, she wouldn’t stop. Even Aman and Arjun tried calming her, but nothing worked. Then, out of nowhere, a little girl, slightly older than Reeva, came into view, wearing a mask. She started dancing in front of Reeva, tickling her and making her giggle.

“Who’s that?” I whispered to Arjun, curious about the masked girl.

“Our aaru " he replied, smiling softly. "She’s the only one who could handle anyone like that."

"Oh, so this is Aaradhya, his childhood friend," I thought, my curiosity piqued. The girl had such a playful energy, and soon, all the kids in the video were running around, playing and laughing, though Aaradhya kept her mask on the whole time.

“Aunty, does your daughter love wearing masks? She hasn’t taken it off once,” I asked Jaya aunty, but before she could answer, Arjun leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Just wait, you’ll see.”

Then came the cake-cutting scene. Arjun’s younger self fed a piece to Vasundhara maa first, then to Papa, and then both of them fed him together. It was such a touching moment. But the real chaos started when Aaradhya grabbed a huge piece of cake, walked over to Arjun, and, with the most innocent smile, smashed it all over his face!

"Oh my god, this girl is a little devil!" I thought, laughing as the room erupted in laughter. Without missing a beat, Arjun chased her with another piece of cake, and soon, all the kids were engaged in a full-blown cake fight.

Except for Aaradhya. She stayed back, carefully protecting her mask. "So that’s why she kept it on," I realized, smiling to myself.

But then, something strange tugged at my heart. As I watched Arjun and Aaradhya laughing and playing in the video, a small, irrational pang of jealousy hit me. They were just kids, and yet, seeing how close they were, I couldn’t help but feel possessive. "How silly," I thought, shaking my head.

Just then, Arjun leaned down and whispered softly, "You don’t need to be jealous, wifey. Arjun was always yours, is yours, and will always be yours." He sealed his promise with a kiss on my forehead.

In that moment, every doubt, every little twinge of jealousy melted away. Arjun was mine , now and forever. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t imagine sharing him with anyone else.

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

Author pov

Masoorie

Orchid Enclave, 12th Floor:

A calm afternoon filtered through the large glass windows of the 12th-floor apartment in Orchid Enclave. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of the city below created an almost surreal atmosphere. Naina Agarwal, seated in her recliner, gently sipped her coffee. Her sharp brown eyes, framed by semi-transparent glasses, scanned the woman sitting across from her. The nameplate on the table between them read: Naina Agarwal, M.S. Psychologist.

Naina, a vision of grace and poise, looked like a character pulled from the pages of a novel. Her chiffon saree hugged her slender frame, and the simple watch on one hand contrasted beautifully with the delicate bangles on the other. A small nose pin sparkled as she adjusted her glasses slightly, her expression calm but discerning.

Opposite her sat Veena, a woman troubled, her eyes heavy with worry. The tension was palpable, but Veena tried to maintain her composure.

Naina leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but firm. “So, Veena ji, how has your husband's behavior been lately? Any noticeable changes?”

Veena fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta, her eyes darting nervously before she spoke. “Yes, Naina, he's changed a lot. He doesn’t get angry with me anymore, no fights. In fact, he’s been more...loving, just like you suggested. I stopped questioning him, and even when he comes home late, I don't get upset. But now... he barely comes home at all, maybe once every three or four days. I think it’s just work pressure.”

Veena's words trailed off as if seeking reassurance. Naina’s eyes flickered with an emotion that Veena couldn’t place. A painful smirk curled at the edge of Naina's lips as she set her coffee cup down on the table. She gestured to her assistant, who promptly handed her an envelope.

Naina passed the envelope to Veena. Her hands trembling, Veena opened it. The color drained from her face as she looked at the photos inside. Her husband, the man she had loved and trusted, was wrapped in the arms of another woman. Veena’s mind went blank; her world shattered in an instant.

“What... what is this?” Veena's voice was barely above a whisper, her breath shallow as if the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.

Naina's voice was steady, almost cold. “Veena, I won't sugarcoat this. Your husband is having an affair with his PA. He’s no longer interested in your marriage, which is why you've been facing all these problems. You need to decide what comes next, but keep your children away from this as much as possible.”

Tears welled up in Veena’s eyes, and without another word, she rushed out of the office, leaving the envelope behind.

As the door closed, Naina sat back in her chair, lost in her thoughts. Her sharp gaze softened, but the bitterness in her heart remained.

"You should never trust a man's love; once they've gotten what they wanted, they call it a 'mistake' and walk away. Are all men the same, never satisfied with the love of just one woman "

Her hand clenched into a fist, and she bit her lip, suppressing the emotions flooding her mind. Memories of her past came rushing back , the day she discovered that she got rejected. She had been pregnant, excited to share the news with him, and only got abundance.

The pain, the betrayal , it was all too familiar.

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

Flashback

London, University Campus

The autumn breeze brushed past Naina’s face as she clutched the scarf tighter around her neck. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anxiety and determination swirling inside her. 

She walked up to the tall, sleek building where he lived. The weight of the news she carried made each step heavier. Finally, standing outside his door, she knocked, her hands trembling. The door opened, and there he was , her friend, her confidant, but now something more, or perhaps, something much less.

"Hey, Naina," he greeted, a surprised but casual look on his face.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes.

"I need to talk to you... it's important."

He stepped aside, letting her in. The apartment smelled like coffee and old books, a stark contrast to the storm inside her heart. She stood there, feeling smaller than she ever had in her life.

"I... I'm pregnant." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.

His face froze, the easy smile vanished as reality hit him. He stared at her, unblinking, before turning away, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

"You can't be serious." His voice was cold, a tone she had never heard from him before.

"I’m serious. I found out a few days ago. It happened that night at the farewell party… after we… you know." Her voice wavered, her heart breaking a little more with each word.

He didn’t speak for what felt like an eternity, pacing back and forth. Finally, he stopped and turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"So, what are you expecting from me? Marriage? A family? I can't ...." he snapped, his words slicing through the air.

Naina felt her chest tighten. "I’m not asking you to marry me out of obligation. But this is your child too. How can you just… act like this doesn’t matter?"

He laughed bitterly. "Of course, it matters. But I can’t marry you. I don’t love you, Naina. That night .... it was a mistake, an accident. I never wanted this to happen."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "An accident?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "You think this child is an accident? How can you be so heartless? This isn’t just about you. It’s about life .... a baby. Our baby."

His face hardened, his eyes cold and distant.

" Absolutely I am heartless, Naina " he smiled bitterly "

"I’ll take responsibility for my child. I’ll provide whatever is necessary, but that’s where it ends. I can’t marry you. There’s no place for any woman in my life. I hate women, Naina. You should’ve known that by now." He said bluntly

The cruelty of his words hit her like a wave, leaving her gasping for breath. She had expected fear, confusion, maybe even anger, but not this.

"You… hate women?" She repeated, trying to comprehend. "You hate me?"

"I don’t hate you, Naina. But love? Commitment? That’s not something I can give you. I’m not built for it. That night was just…" He stopped, searching for the right words. "It was a mistake."

Her heart shattered completely. "A mistake," she repeated softly, as if testing how it felt on her lips. "So, that’s what I was to you?"

He didn’t answer, his silence screaming louder than any words.

Naina turned away, blinking back the tears that were now spilling uncontrollably. She had come here to seek answers, perhaps even some support, but all she found was rejection.

"I don’t need your money," she said, her voice shaking but strong. "I’ll raise this child on my own. You don’t have to worry about us. But don’t ever think I’ll forgive you for turning your back on me like this."

She grabbed her bag, her hands trembling, and without looking back, she left the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

---

Months Later

The hospital room was quiet, save for the soft cries of the newborn in her arms. Naina looked down at her baby boy, a tear slipping down her cheek. He was perfect , small, fragile, yet full of life. She gently ran her finger over his tiny hand, watching as he grasped it instinctively.

"I’ll protect you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I’ll love you enough for both of us."

There was no room left in her heart for the man who had abandoned them, no space for his apologies or his regrets. As far as she was concerned, that part of her life was over. He didn’t deserve to be a part of this child’s life, and she wouldn’t allow him to hurt her son the way he had hurt her.

With a final glance at her baby, Naina made a silent vow , she would never look back. The city, the memories, the pain , all of it was behind her now.

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

Snapping out of her thoughts,   , a lively voice broke through, shaking her out of the reverie.

"Mom! Are you already thinking of eating all the pizza without me?" Ansh’s playful tone echoed as he entered the room, his wide grin and bright hazel brown eyes lighting up the space more than any of the lights could.

Naina smiled, pushing her thoughts aside. "Why would I eat it all? I was waiting for my partner in crime."

Ansh dropped onto the couch beside her, grabbing a slice of pizza with enthusiasm. "Good. Because everyone knows pizza tastes better when you eat it with your favorite person."

"Flattery won’t get you out of trouble when you eat too much of this," Naina teased, reaching for a slice herself.

"Trouble?" Ansh raised an eyebrow, biting into his pizza with exaggerated drama. "Ansh Agarwal never fears for the trouble you know , and You’re the one who promised this junk food date."

"Yeah, but I didn’t promise to deal with the stomachache you’ll get later," Naina quipped, shaking her head with a laugh.

Ansh shot back with a smirk. "I’m strong, Mom. Stomachaches fear me."

"Oh, do they now?" Naina raised an eyebrow. "You forget how you turned into a dramatic patient the last time we had this ‘junk food feast.’ Who was it that couldn’t get out of bed the next morning, hmm?"

Ansh’s eyes twinkled as he leaned back, casually throwing a fry in his mouth. "That wasn’t a stomachache. That was a tactical rest day. Athletes need to recover, you know?"

Naina couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "Athlete, huh? Since when did eating pizza count as a sport?"

Ansh crossed his arms confidently. "In my world, everything’s a sport. And guess what? I’m the undefeated champion!"

Naina rolled her eyes playfully, watching her son’s infectious energy. He always had a way of turning the tables, no matter how serious the conversation started. He was too much like she stopped mid-thought and muttered under her breath, "Like father, like son."

Ansh caught it. "What did you say, Mom?"

She waved him off with a soft smile. "Nothing, just talking to myself."

He leaned in closer, eyes narrowing with anger. "Uh-huh, I heard that. You were talking about Da.... Him , weren’t you?"

Naina smiled, brushing off the bitter memories. ". You do have some stubbornness and charm, you know?"

Ansh smirked. "Well, obviously. That’s what makes me awesome."

She chuckled, tousling his hair. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Awesome. Now, are you going to finish your pizza or let it get cold?"

Ansh grinned, grabbing another slice. "I’ll finish it! But only if you promise not to fall asleep mid-bite like last time."

Naina shook her head, and she knows this is never going to be end ,  Her heart felt lighter, the weight of her past lifted, if only for a moment. Ansh had that effect , he always knew how to brighten her world with his teasing and effortless charm.

"Like father, like son," she whispered again, this time with a smile, knowing she had everything she needed right here with her boy.

Important note : don't come to a conclusion so soon , you know something ?? People used to call me " twist ki devi " 😉

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

Shree mansion

As the birthday celebrations drew to a close, Arjun and Pallavi retreated to their room, the warmth of the gathering still lingering in the air. They slipped into the familiarity of their routine , changing into comfortable clothes before finding solace in each other's arms. It was a ritual they cherished, an unspoken understanding that no matter how chaotic the world outside might be, in each other's embrace, they found peace.

"Thank you for that beautiful surprise, my love," Arjun whispered, planting a soft kiss on Pallavi's nose, his breath warm against her skin.

Pallavi chuckled softly, resting her head on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. "Thank you is for strangers," she teased, her voice playful yet tender. "When you're with someone you love, you can say 'I love you' instead."

Arjun smiled, his hand running through her hair as he thought about her words. He wanted to say "I love you," but not in the usual way. Pulling her closer, he whispered into her ear, his voice low and intimate, "I love you the way the night loves the stars , endlessly, quietly, and without needing to say it aloud because it's always there."

Pallavi smiled, her heart swelling with affection at his words. But before she could respond, Arjun broke the moment with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Now, where’s my real surprise gift?"

Feigning innocence, Pallavi lifted her head from his chest and looked at him, wide-eyed. "What surprise?" she asked, though the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her.

"That painting you were working on… the one you were blushing so much while making," Arjun grinned, knowing exactly what he was doing.

Pallavi's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and without a word, she reached into the side drawer, pulling out a neatly folded chart. Unfolding it carefully, she revealed a beautiful painting. The artwork captured an intimate moment between them , lost in each other’s world, sharing a kiss, oblivious to everything else.

Arjun’s face lit up with a broad smile as he admired the painting. The attention to detail, the softness in the brushstrokes , it was more than just a picture. It was a memory, immortalized by Pallavi’s hands.

"Biwi sahiba," Arjun said, pulling her into his arms, "don’t you think you’re becoming a bit bold these days? Almost like me."

Pallavi looked up at him, her eyes glinting with affection and mischief. "Haan, maybe it's the influence of your company," she responded, her voice laced with playful romance.

They laughed together, their bodies fitting perfectly as they held each other close. The world outside ceased to matter. The noise, the responsibilities, the uncertainties , everything faded into the background as they surrendered to the comfort of the night and the warmth of their love.

As they lay down, Pallavi nestled into Arjun’s arms, her head resting on his chest once more. His arm wrapped protectively around her waist, and the soft rise and fall of his breath became her lullaby. Arjun kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than usual, as if trying to soak in every bit of this peaceful moment.

Outside, the world moved on, indifferent to the serenity that enveloped them. But inside their room, time seemed to slow down. In each other’s embrace, they were untouchable ,  oblivious to the brewing storm that awaited them. The coming days would bring challenges they couldn’t yet foresee, but for now, all that mattered was the gentle rhythm of their breathing, the warmth of their skin, and the love that cocooned them in a peaceful sleep.

The night stretched on, cradling them in a cocoon of love and safety, unaware of the storm that was waiting just beyond the horizon, ready to shatter this fragile peace.

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

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

What do you think ??

Who is Naina Agarwal, how she is connected to ArVi ??

Will ArVi able to pass this difficulty or something else is awaiting for them ??

For that you have to wait for next chapter ..

Precap: Arjun's bitter past ..

Thank you bye