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Chapter 64 ( Naina re-appearance) and chapter 65 ( Love's sanctuary ) available in scrollstock,

Pallavi's POV:

The morning after Arjun's birthday party felt strangely quiet without his presence. He had left early for the office to close an important deal, and though I knew he'd be busy for the day, a part of me already missed his teasing glances and those playful little moments that only he could create.

I would be joining the office next week-doctor uncle had finally given me the green light. But today, I had no plans and plenty of free time. As I wandered around the house, I noticed Dadi sitting in her usual spot, but something about her demeanor felt off. Her usual warm smile was replaced by a faint sadness, and I could tell something was weighing on her heart.

I couldn't leave her like that.

I walked over, quietly settling beside her, and without saying a word, rested my head in her lap. Her fingers immediately started to stroke my hair gently, the way only she knew how.

"Kya hua, Dadi? Aap upset dikh rahe ho," I asked softly, already suspecting the reason behind her mood. I knew she was worried about the long-standing tension between Arjun and Papa . They hadn't spoken properly for years, and that weighed heavily on her mind.

"Kuch nahi, beta..." Dadi sighed, but the sadness in her voice betrayed her words. "Just thinking about this ongoing fight between Avinash and Arjun. I had hoped things would get better by now, but... Arjun is still angry. It's been 20 years ... I don't know when this grudge will end."

I could hear the deep pain in her voice. Twenty years was a long time to hold onto such anger, and the impact on our family was evident. I needed to understand this better if I was ever going to help bring peace between them.

"Dadi..." I said softly, tilting my head up to look at her. "Will you tell me about Papa and Maa? Arjun knows everything about me, but I hardly know anything about his parents. What happened between them? Please, tell me their story."

Dadi's eyes softened as I asked the question, and for a moment, the sadness lifted. It was as if the memories of those old days brought some comfort to her.

"Jarur, beta." She nodded, a faint smile returning to her face. "I'll tell you everything. And maybe, while telling you, I can remember those days too... the good ones."

Dadi began to speak, and I found myself lost in her words as she transported me to a time long before I had entered this family.

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

Avinash Srivastav, your father-in-law, was a cold-hearted and ruthless businessman. He was the kind of man who believed in power, success, and control. Meanwhile, Vasundhara, your mother-in-law, was the daughter of a village Sarpanch from Punjab. She was fiery, strong-willed, and fiercely independent, the complete opposite of the stoic Avinash.

They had met, of all places, in her small village.

oh, their first meeting... it was anything but ordinary.

---

Flashback :

The sun was blazing as Avinash sped through the narrow roads of Punjab in his sleek, black car. He was in a hurry-business deals waited for no one, after all. The dusty village roads didn't bother him until thump! His car hit a pothole, splashing a wave of muddy water across the street.

"Arghh!" came an angry shout from behind him.

He glanced in his rearview mirror to see a woman standing there, drenched in mud. But before he could process the situation, something roared in the distance. A loud, throaty sound-a motorcycle engine-getting closer.

In seconds, Vasundhara appeared on her royal Enfield, her eyes burning with anger as she chased after Avinash's car.

"Kya yeh aadmi apne aapko samajhta kya hai?" Vasundhara muttered under her breath, her hands gripping the handles tightly as she sped up.

Before Avinash knew it, the bike was right beside him, and Vasundhara overtook him with a dramatic skid, cutting him off. He had no choice but to slam his brakes as her motorcycle screeched to a halt, blocking the road.

"Kya bakwaas hai!" Avinash muttered to himself, stepping out of his car angrily.

"Aap dekh kar gadi nahi chala sakte kya?" Vasundhara shouted, storming toward him. "You drenched me in mud! Aur tum yeh samajhte ho ki yeh chalta hai?"

" Excuse me , Meri galti nahi thi, woh gadde ( pathole) ke pass aap the ..." Avinash tried to explain, clearly irritated.

"Oh, toh ab gaddha ka excuse milega tumhe!" Vasundhara's hands were on her hips, and her eyes narrowed dangerously. Without warning, she stepped forward, grabbed Avinash by his suit jacket, and with surprising strength, shoved him-straight into a nearby talaab (pond).

Splash!

Avinash flailed in the water for a second, completely taken by surprise. His crisp, expensive suit was now soaking wet, and he emerged from the pond sputtering, his hair plastered to his face.

"Tum pagal ho kya?" Avinash yelled, glaring at her.

"Haan, hoon!" Vasundhara shot back. "Aur agar tumne phir se koi bewakoofi ki, toh dekhlena !"

The two exchanged furious glares, standing their ground as they hurled insults at each other. Neither of them was willing to back down.

End of flashback...

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

Present

Dadi chuckled softly as she recalled the scene.

"Aur yeh thi tumhare papa aur maa ki pehli mulaqat," she said, smiling down at me. "Un dono ki chemistry tab se hi aisi thi... Jaise ek aag aur paani ka rishta."

I couldn't help but laugh at the image. Arjun's father, the cold-hearted businessman, is bested by a fierce village girl. No wonder Dadi always said that Vasu maa had been the only one who could ever keep papa in line.

I looked up at Dadi, my heart fluttering with anticipation. "And what happened next, Dadi?"

She smiled, clearly enjoying the trip down memory lane. "The next part of the story is even more interesting... Your grandfather and Vasundara's father were childhood friends. Your grandfather arranged Avinash's marriage to Vasundara. Both tried hard to avoid the marriage, but your grandfather was no fool. He somehow made them marry because he believed that Vasundara was the one who could handle Avinash." Dadi said, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia.

As I listened, a curious mixture of humor and warmth enveloped me."Then what happened, Dadi?"I asked, my eagerness bubbling over.

Dadi chuckled, her laughter like a gentle breeze, soothing my nerves. "Then after the marriage, they fought a lot, just like you and Arjun." A blush crept onto my cheeks, the comparison both endearing and a little embarrassing.

"I still remember when Vasu got angry and force-fed Avinash bitter gourd ( karela ) rasgullas." she said, her face lighting up with the memory.

---

Flashback...

In the bustling kitchen, the atmosphere crackled with tension as Vasundara and Avinash stood glaring at each other. The argument had begun over something trivial, as usual, but both were too stubborn to let it go.

"You never understand, Avinash!" Vasundara exclaimed, her hands on her hips, her voice sharp and cutting through the air like a knife. "Don't you realize your mistakes?"

Avinash, his brow furrowed, shot back,"And you never think from my side, Vasu!" His voice was thick with frustration, his arms crossed defensively. And with a most irritating face he left the kitchen .

With a spark of mischief igniting in her eyes, Vasundara decided it was time to turn the tables.

"Today, I'm going to feed you something special." she muttered with a smirk, the corners of her mouth curling up as she turned toward the counter.

Just then her sister Ragini entered into the kitchen and enquired what is special dish today ..

"Karela ki rasgulla!" she announced triumphantly, grabbing the bitter gourd from the fridge. The mere mention of karela made ragini's stomach churn,

"This is going to be very interesting!" Ragini laughed, leaning against the doorframe, thoroughly entertained.

Vasundara set to work, preparing the rasgulla with meticulous care. She mixed the sweet syrup with the karela, and arranged the food on the dining table

Her father-in-law entered just in time, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "vasundhara , yeh kya hai?" he asked, chuckling at the sight of his son's predicament.

" Papa yeh Avinash keliye special hai " vasundara grinned widely , Avinash already sensed something cooking in her mind

With no other choice, Avinash put on a brave face, forcing himself to take a bite of the rasgulla. The moment the bitter taste hit his tongue, his expression shifted from forced politeness to sheer horror. He chewed, swallowing hard, all while trying to maintain a smile for his father's sake.

"Bahut tasty hai!" he exclaimed, his voice strained as he grinned through gritted teeth, feeling the bile rise in his throat.

Ragini and Vasundara couldn't hold back their laughter any longer. They doubled over, tears of mirth streaming down their faces as they witnessed Avinash's miserable struggle.

"Kya kuchh khaas hai? Jiju " Ragini gasped, pointing at Avinash, who was now fighting the urge to vomit.

Once he finished the plate, Avinash bolted from the kitchen, his face pale as he raced to the bathroom. The sounds of retching echoed throughout the house, but even that didn't stop Vasundara and Ragini from laughing uncontrollably.

"what an innovative punishment di ?? " Ragini managed between fits of laughter, wiping her tears.

"Agar inhone phir se gussa kiya, toh aur bhi kuch khaas banakar laungi!" Vasundara called out, her laughter ringing through the air, a victorious smile on her face as she enjoyed the sweet victory over her husband's stubbornness.

---

present,

I found myself giggling uncontrollably alongside Dadi, the warmth of their memories wrapping around me like a cozy blanket.

"How much fun they must have had together." I mused, realizing that despite the arguments, their love had a way of shining through, much like Arjun and I.

" Fhir kya hua dadi ?? " I questioned in btw my laughter..

Suddenly I had seen those changed expression in dadi eyes , they became teary , i stopped laughing by seeing her expression and squeezed her hand with my hand , assuring that it was past , it won't effect our future ..

Dadi's eyes filled with tears once again as she began to speak, her voice trembling slightly as she relived the memories. The weight of the past seemed to press down on her, but still, she continued, determined to share the story.

"Then slowly, they started understanding each other, giving their relationship a chance. They stood by each other in difficult times. Avinash cherished Vasu as if she were his entire world. For Vasu, Avinash had become her life."Dadi started, her words soft yet full of emotion.

" The love and connection between Avinash and Vasu were palpable. Though their marriage had begun with challenges, they had grown closer with time, finding solace in each other. Dadi's voice softened even more, her eyes distant, as if she could see them standing before her, holding each other up.

"Then two years later, Vasu was going to be a mother... Arjun was in her womb."Dadi continued, a faint smile forming on her lips as she remembered the joyous moment.

Dadi paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. I could feel the significance of that memory, the excitement and hope that had filled their lives. She took a deep breath and went on.

" Avinash didn't let Vasu strain herself, not even for a moment. The months passed so quickly, we didn't even realize." she added, the image of a doting husband playing in my mind.

Her expression shifted, a tenderness surfacing as she recalled Arjun's birth.

"Then Arjun came into this world... Our entire world changed. There was happiness everywhere in the house." she whispered, the joy in her voice unmistakable.

The room felt warmer, filled with the memories of a happier time. I could picture the celebrations, the laughter, the joy that must have radiated through their home when Arjun was born.

"Vasu always wanted Arjun to become a good person, that was her only wish. She would always teach him about our culture." Dadi said, her voice filled with pride.

The years passed in Dadi's memories, and her eyes clouded over again as she spoke. "Just like that, eight years passed, and no one even realized."

Her voice dropped, the mood in the room shifting once more as darker memories crept into the conversation.

"Then Vasu was going to become a mother again... The doctors had said that after Arjun, Vasu wouldn't be able to conceive again, but Avinash had always wanted a daughter." Dadi's voice broke slightly as she spoke of papa's long-held wish

Her hands tightened on her lap, and I could see the pain in her eyes as she continued.

"When we found out Vasu was pregnant again, everyone was overjoyed... But the happiest were Avinash and Arjun." she said, forcing a weak smile.

I could imagine the scene , papa and Arjun, thrilled, caring for maa with even more love and protection. But Dadi's next words sent a chill through me.

"Lekin khushiyon ko grahan lagne mein kitna waqt lagta hai?"

"But how long does it take for happiness to be eclipsed by sorrow?" Dadi whispered, her voice suddenly hollow.

She stopped, her chest heaving with emotion. Tears filled her eyes, and she struggled to go on.

"What happened that day, none of us have been able to forget till this day." Dadi said, her voice trembling as the memories came rushing back.

I leaned closer, my heart pounding in my chest. "Kya hua, Dadi?" I asked softly, my voice barely a whisper.

Dadi wiped at her tears, taking a moment before she continued. " Vasu had completed her 8th month of pregnancy... and was in her 9th." she began, her voice shaky.

"Avinash had gone abroad for a business meeting... He didn't want to go, but his father had fallen ill, so he had to." she explained, her voice heavy with regret.

I could sense the fear and helplessness that must have consumed them all during that time. Dadi continued.

" Vasu's pregnancy had complications... We knew that. Her instincts were never wrong. That day, even though she felt something bad was going to happen." Dadi said, her eyes teary with the memory.

The room seemed to grow colder, and I could feel the tension in the air as Dadi spoke.

"She was anxious... but she had faith in Mahadev, so in the evening, she went to the nearby Shiva temple." Dadi's voice broke again, the memory too painful to bear.

She took a deep breath before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper now. "The temple was close, so she went with a few guards..."

"Then it started raining heavily... so she decided to stay in the temple for a while." Dadi recalled, her voice shaking

But then, Dadi's expression darkened. "Two hours, three hours passed... her phone was off... When we reached the temple, everything had changed."she said, her voice filled with dread.

I could feel the weight of what was coming. Dadi's eyes filled with tears once again, and she whispered the words that tore through my heart.

"Vasu's blood was all over the temple floor...and we found her body in nearby forest that to burnt , some of Avinash 's enemy burnt her alive ."

Dadi couldn't hold back anymore, her sobs breaking through. The weight of the past, the tragedy that had shattered their lives, overwhelmed her. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as she cried, my own heart aching for what she had lost.

After a long moment, Dadi finally calmed down, wiping her tears. " Arjun... Arjun could never forget that day... and he always blamed Avinash for everything."she said softly

I stayed silent, allowing Dadi to continue, knowing there was more to the story.

"Whatever happened to Vasu, that pain will never lessen..." she said, her voice filled with pain.

Her voice trailed off, and the room was filled with a haunting silence, the weight of the past pressing down on both of us.

As I sat beside Dadi, a sense of unease slowly settled over me. Her eyes, usually filled with warmth and love, now carried a weight , a burden that seemed too heavy to bear. There was guilt in those eyes, deep and haunting. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

Gently, I placed my hand on hers and sat up straight, trying to catch her attention.

"Dadi," I called softly, searching her face for answers, "Kya hua? " I knew, even as I asked, that nothing was fine. Something was festering beneath the surface.

"Dadi, if there's something bothering you, you can share it with me. I promise, I won't tell anyone. At the very least, it'll help lighten your heart," I reassured her, squeezing her hand gently. To my surprise, she lifted my hand to her forehead, and that's when I felt it-the dampness of her tears soaking the back of my hand. My heart clenched at the sight of her pain.

"Beta," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I've kept this inside for so many years. Today, maybe sharing it with you will give me some peace, some relief from this guilt."

I held her hand tighter, my thumb gently stroking the back of it, trying to offer comfort. "Dadi maa," I began, trying to soothe her, but she interrupted me before I could continue.

"Just a week after Vasu left us," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "we found out that Ragini was pregnant."

Her words hit me like a bombshell, and the ground beneath me seemed to vanish. My mind was spinning, trying to piece together the implications of what she had just revealed.

"Wait... Does that mean Papa was cheating on Vasu maa with Ragini aunty?" I asked, horrified by the realization. "How could he do that? How could he betray his own wife like that?"

The thought of it made my stomach churn, and the words rushed out of my mouth before I could stop them. That's why Arjun always hated Mr. Srivastav.

In that moment, it no longer felt like I was talking about my father-in-law. He had become Mr. Srivastav to me in a bare moment, someone who could deceive and betray the very people he was supposed to love.

"How could he cheat on his wife?" I thought bitterly. "Even if a husband has bad habits , drinking, gambling , a wife can tolerate it to some extent. But being with someone else? No. No wife can bear that."

But then Dadi's voice pulled me out of my storm of thoughts.

"No, beta," she said, shaking her head. "You're misunderstanding. Avinash didn't have any relationship with Ragini."

Another bombshell. My confusion deepened. "What?"

Dadi nodded solemnly. "Ragini loved someone else. But her father didn't approve of the boy because he wasn't a good man. And just after Vasu's death, Ragini's lover left the city and fled to another country."

I could hardly keep up with the revelations that Dadi was dropping one after the other.

"After that, Ragini's father and your Dadaji decided that Ragini should marry Avinash because they didn't want to ruin the life of an unborn child," she explained, her words now filled with the weight of years of secrets.

"Wait... so, between Papa and Ragini aunty...?" I started but stopped midway, unable to find the right words.

"There was no one else for Avinash other than vasu , Pallu," Dadi said softly. "In his heart, in his life, there was only ever Vasu."

My head spun. How could this have all been hidden from us for so long? The secrets, the half-truths, the misunderstandings , it all seemed too much to take in.

"From that day," Dadi continued, her voice heavy with sorrow, "a rift grew between Arjun and Avinash. One that has never healed."

I looked at her, feeling her vulnerability, her pain. I gently placed my hand over hers again, giving her silent assurance. "One day, Dadi maa, things between Papa and Arjun will get better. All the misunderstandings will clear up. I promise."

Dadi gave me a faint smile, her hand reaching up to caress my hair. "Since you've come into this home, slowly, everything has started to get better. I believe it will continue to improve, my child," she said, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

In that moment, I felt a surge of warmth. So many relationships have blossomed in my life because of Arjun. All the empty spaces, the voids I had carried within me, were slowly filling up. Life was becoming complete in ways I hadn't anticipated.

But as I sat there, feeling content in Dadi's embrace, I realized I was unaware of something else ,, another layer of pain that still lingered within this house, hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.

**************
Author pov

Adit's room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the walls. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with the silent weight of Anant's tears as he sat slumped on the floor. Adit knelt beside him, trying to soothe him, though he was struggling with his own emotions. His hands gently rested on Anant's shoulders, his voice low but steady.

"Shush... sush... chup hojao, Anant. Kuch nahi hai, chup ho jao," Adit murmured, his own voice betraying the cracks of emotion he tried so hard to hide.

Adit, the one who never took anything to heart, was the funniest person of the family. He was the carefree one, always laughing, always making sure there was a smile on everyone's face. Especially for Arjun , his brother in every way that mattered. But today, after everything he had just heard from Dadi, his heart felt heavy, shattered by the truth.

Flashback:

Earlier that morning, the kitchen had been filled with the smell of freshly steamed momos. Anant's eyes lit up as he popped one into his mouth, savoring the taste.

"Umm... these momos are amazing! Meera di, you've outdone yourself," Anant said with a wide grin, his excitement infectious.

Adit, ever the playful one, grabbed a few more momos and piled them onto a plate. "Let's take some for Bhabhi! Poor thing's been on a strict diet for the past month because of Bhai. Today's her cheat day!" he said with a cheeky smile, already heading towards the living room.

He called out to a servant as they walked, "Where's Bhabhi?"

"Madam and Dadi are in the living room," the servant replied.

Adit and Anant headed that way, both chattering happily, the plate of momos balanced in Adit's hands. But as they approached, their footsteps halted at the edge of the doorway. They heard Dadi's voice, quiet but heavy with emotion, and instinctively stopped.

"Just a week after Vasu left us, we found out that Ragini was pregnant," Dadi's voice echoed in the room, hitting them like a punch to the gut.

Adit and Anant stood frozen, their minds racing as they processed the bombshell Dadi had just dropped. They could feel the earth shift beneath their feet. Adit, in shock, immediately grabbed Anant's hand and pulled him away before either of them could fully react. He led him quietly back to their room, his heart pounding.

End of Flashback:

Now, in the aftermath, Anant's sobs filled the silence.

"This means... we aren't even really part of this family, Adit," Anant choked out, his voice broken. "We're the reason for all of Bhai's problems. It's us, Adit, we ruined everything..."

"Shut up, okay? Just shut up, Anant," Adit snapped, but there was no anger in his voice , only a deep, fierce protectiveness. "How can you even think that? Bhai is our brother. Whether or not we share the same blood doesn't matter. He is our brother. And Pallavi bhabhi is our bhabhi. Dadi, Papa , they're all ours. No one ever made us feel different, so why are you?"

Adit's eyes gleamed with determination as he held Anant's shoulders firmly, shaking him slightly to drive the point home. "This is the truth, Anant. Bhai is our Bhai, and nothing will change that."

"But Bhai... Bhai hates Papa," Anant whispered, his voice filled with pain.

Before Anant could continue, Adit pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close. "Remember what Dadi always says

'Bhagwaan ke ghar mein der hoti hai andhera nahi.' Trust in Bhabhi's Mahadev, Anant. He'll make everything right. And one more thing," Adit's voice turned serious, as if sealing a pact, "We heard nothing. Understood? Nothing."

Anant nodded slowly, his breathing still shaky but steadier now. He wiped his tears, trying to compose himself, the words sinking in. He knew Adit was right. They had to hold on, had to believe that somehow, everything would be okay.

Adit's eyes remained fixed, determination solidifying in him like never before. He wouldn't let this tear their family apart , not now, not ever.

**************
At evening

Pallavi entered their room late in the evening, her face heavy with concern as she dialed Arjun's number for what felt like the hundredth time. He wasn't answering. Anxiety clung to her every step as she pushed the door open, greeted only by the deep silence of the room. It was pitch dark.

"Why is it so dark in here today?" she thought, her fingers automatically reaching for her phone again to try Arjun's number.

This time, she didn't even get the chance to hear the dial tone. Instead, she heard a familiar ringtone echoing faintly through the room.

"That's Arjun's phone..." Her heart quickened as she realized that he was nearby. Immediately, she flicked on the lights, her eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness.

There he was. Sitting on the floor in front of the bed. His head rested against the mattress, eyes closed, his hair tousled as though he had run his hands through it a thousand times. His clothes were a mess; the overcoat discarded carelessly beside him, his tie loosened, and shoes still on as if he had just collapsed in place after a long day.

"Arjun..." Pallavi whispered, her voice tight with worry as she rushed to his side, kneeling next to him. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin, and then something else ,, a tear, sliding down, landing on her fingers.

"What happened, Arjun?" Her voice was soft but urgent, pleading for him to respond, to tell her what had shattered him like this.

He didn't speak at first. Instead, he shifted, placing his head in her lap, as if seeking refuge in her presence. Pallavi's heart ached at the sight. She knew he needed time, space to compose himself, to gather the pieces of whatever had broken inside him.

Minutes passed in silence, each one heavier than the last. Finally, Arjun spoke, his voice barely a whisper, raw with emotion.

"How can I fix everything, Pallavi?" he muttered, the words escaping his lips like a confession he had been holding inside for far too long.

Pallavi's brows furrowed in confusion, her hands running softly through his hair, urging him to continue.

"How can I apologize to Papa and Maasi? He breathed, his voice cracking. I've been so rude to them all these years... I never stopped to think about how much I hurt them. All those harsh words, the anger... it was all for nothing. If I was a victim... weren't they too?"

His words were filled with regret, his pain so palpable it made Pallavi's heart clench. She could feel his tears soaking into her saree as he spoke, his voice trembling under the weight of his guilt.

Unable to bear seeing him in such turmoil, she gently lifted his head from her lap, forcing him to look at her. What she saw in his eyes broke her heart even further. Guilt. Deep, soul-crushing guilt.

"Arjun... who were you talking about?" she asked, though her voice wavered. She had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer, and it terrified her.

He didn't respond with words. Instead, he gestured toward the laptop on the table nearby. Pallavi's stomach twisted in knots as she slowly rose to her feet and walked toward it. The screen showed a recording, a video of her and Dadi, sharing a private, emotional conversation.

It all hit her at once. Arjun knew. He knew everything.

She closed her eyes for a moment siding her head a little.

And then she noticed Adit and Anant in the background of the video, standing just a little distance away, overhearing every word. They had quietly left, their emotions barely contained.

Pallavi turned back to Arjun, her eyes wide in shock, silently asking, "Now what? How will we handle Adit and Anant?"

Arjun seemed to read her thoughts. His voice, though still broken, carried a quiet resolve.

"I know my brothers, Pallavi. This truth won't change anything between us. I'll always be their elder brother, and they'll always be my little brothers. Nothing will change that. But..." His voice faltered, and he dropped his head, unable to continue.

"But how do I face Papa? How do I face Ragini Maasi? My mother... she'll never forgive me." His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his hands, completely broken now, his body shaking with suppressed sobs.

Without hesitation, Pallavi knelt beside him again, pulling him into a fierce embrace, wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could.

"Arjun, calm down," she whispered, her voice soothing as she stroked his hair. "Papa is a good man. You know how much he loves you. And Ragini Maasi... she may act tough in front of the world, but in her heart, she loves you just as much as she loves Adit and Anant."

She pulled back slightly, her fingers still running through his hair. "Do you remember when your aunt spoke out of turn that day? Ragini Maasi was the first to defend me, remember? She cares, Arjun."

He clung to her words like a lifeline, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer, as if afraid she might disappear. His face rested against her stomach, his breath warm against her skin as he mumbled,

"Why did you come into my life so late, Pallavi? If you had come earlier... maybe everything would have been fixed by now."

Pallavi's heart twisted at his words. She gently lifted his chin, her eyes soft but firm as she met his gaze.

"We can't change what's happened, Arjun. But we can change what comes next." She kissed him softly, a kiss filled with reassurance and love. "Tomorrow, you will apologize to them. I Haan jaanti hunn aapko sorry bolne ki aadat nahi hai but you'll do it. For us."

Despite the tears still lingering in his eyes, Arjun let out a small chuckle, the sound both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

"You've changed me so much, wifey," he said, a mixture of awe and gratitude in his voice as he buried his face back into her lap, finding comfort in her presence.

"No matter what, you're mine now," Pallavi whispered, resting her head on his.

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

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We will meet in next chapter after a good amount of response..

Precap : Naina's re-appearance in Arjun's life

Bye

Keep smiling