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Chapter  : 66 consumation chapter uploaded on scrollstock, have a look and enjoy ..

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Arjun pov

I took a deep breath and reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "I'm sorry, Naina. For everything that happened. That day... I never should have said what I did. I'm really, really sorry." My voice cracked slightly, but I didn't care. I had to own up to my mistakes, no matter how vulnerable it made me feel.

Naina’s face softened, her shock evident. She stared at me as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "You’re… apologizing?" Her voice was filled with disbelief, as if the idea of me saying sorry was beyond comprehension.

Before I could answer, a familiar voice cut through the moment.

"Haan, haan, meri behen ne isse sab kuch sikhaya hai!" It was Abhram, walking over with Aman, both grinning like idiots. Abhram placed his hands on Pallavi’s shoulders, leaning in with a wide smile.

"Meet Pallavi Srivastav, Arjun's boss these days," Abhram said, his voice dripping with teasing as Pallavi looked even more confused. "The same Arjun who never listens to anyone is now completely under her spell."

Aman chuckled, joining in, "And not just that, Naina. Arjun now says 'sorry' and 'thank you' like a normal human being!"

I saw Naina’s expression shift from shock to amusement as she cupped her mouth, trying not to burst out laughing. The disbelief on her face was priceless, and I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, but also relieved.

Meanwhile, Pallavi was still piecing everything together, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She looked between Naina, Abhram, and me, as if trying to understand the dynamics of this odd reunion.

Finally, Naina spoke again, her tone lighter this time. "Arjun, you fell in love? The same heartless Arjun Srivastav? I can’t believe it!" She stood up and hugged Pallavi, clearly excited by this revelation.

I watched them, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It was strange to see Naina like this, and even stranger to hear her say that about me. But she wasn’t wrong , I had fallen in love, and it still felt surreal at times.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself, realizing just how far I’d come. Maybe it would take time for everyone to believe it, but the truth was, Pallavi had changed everything. And now, I was ready to make things right.

Arjun’s jaw clenched as Naina’s voice echoed in the sorroundings, her teasing words cutting through his guarded exterior, even after all these years.

"You know what, Pallavi? People meeting Arjun for the first time won’t like him at all, but the ones who stay with him… they’ll definitely end up hating him!" she said with that familiar, mischievous glint in her eyes.

Her laughter filled the air, joined by Abhram, Aman, and Pallavi. The sound of their amusement grated against him, and he shot a hard glare at Naina, but as usual, she dismissed it with a smile as she turned to chat with Pallavi. Her cheerful laughter, her disregard for his anger – it all pulled him back to a time he tried hard to forget, to a painful memory he buried in the depths of his heart.

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Flashback – Seven Years Ago

Back in college, Naina was a ray of sunshine, vibrant and endlessly optimistic. She wasn’t just another friend; she was more like a sister. Arjun had always admired her innocence but kept his distance, unwilling to let anyone close enough to see the vulnerabilities he guarded so fiercely. Despite his stoic demeanor, he cared deeply for her, but never allowed her to call him a friend.

Then came the day that shattered the fragile balance between them. It was a chilly evening in their third year, and he had just learned the truth – Naina was pregnant. She was barely 23, carrying the child of someone who had left her heartbroken and betrayed.

"Are you out of your mind, Naina?" Arjun's voice was harsh, unyielding. "How can you even think about bringing a child into this world at this age? You don’t know what you’re getting into."

Naina’s hopeful expression faltered, her voice a whisper as she defended herself, "Arjun, this child… it’s all I have left of him. Maybe you don’t understand, but I loved him."

"Love?" Arjun scoffed, his face hardening. "There is no such thing as love, Naina. It’s all an illusion, a fantasy people create to fill the emptiness. What you had wasn’t love; it was physical attraction, a temporary desire that clouded your mind. This pregnancy is nothing more than a burden – a burden you shouldn’t have to bear."

His words cut deep, leaving Naina stunned. Her eyes glistened, hurt replacing the initial hope she held onto. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time, her voice trembling with anger and betrayal

A tense silence settled between them, thick with unspoken pain. And then, in a swift, raw moment of heartbreak, Naina’s hand struck across his cheek, the sound sharp and final.

"You’ll never understand what love is, Arjun. You don’t know what it feels like to give your heart to someone, to hold onto something that makes you feel alive. Not everyone lives in a world as cold and closed-off as yours." Her voice broke, but she held his gaze defiantly.

"Maybe you’re right, Arjun. Maybe love doesn’t exist in your world. But it does in mine, and I’ll keep this child. Even if you think it’s a mistake."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone, with a stinging cheek and a hollow ache in his chest. That was the last he saw of her – she left the city shortly after, cutting all ties.

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Present Day

Arjun’s gaze softened as he watched her from across the room. Her laughter mingled with the others, and for a moment, he saw her as that girl from years ago, the one who held onto love, no matter how hard life got. He had hurt her, pushed her away, and she had every right to hate him, but here she was, teasing him like old times, pretending the past hadn’t shattered their bond.

Lost in thought, he barely noticed Pallavi slipping her hand into his. She looked at him, worried about clouding her eyes. "Arjun, are you okay?"

He took a deep breath, forcing a slight smile. "I’m fine, Pallavi. Just… old memories."

As the group continued to laugh, Arjun’s heart felt an unspoken regret. He may have been too proud to admit it, but in that moment, he realized – love did exist. He saw it in Pallavi’s gentle eyes, in Naina’s resilience, and, painfully, in the cracks of his own guarded heart.

As the laughter died down, Arjun glanced at Naina, memories of their painful past swirling in his mind. He took a breath, steadying himself. This was long overdue, and he owed her this, more than he could put into words.

He cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention. "Naina, can we… talk for a moment?"

Naina looked up, surprise flashing across her face. But she nodded, her smile softening. They stepped outside, the evening air cool and quiet around them.

Arjun hesitated, his voice low. "Naina… I know I’ve hurt you, more than I ever admitted to myself. Back then, when you needed support, I just… I couldn’t understand. I was too blind, too stubborn to see what you saw, what you felt."

Naina looked at him, her expression thoughtful yet open, allowing him to continue.

He swallowed, struggling to find the right words. "I didn’t believe in love. I thought it was… weak. I was too focused on keeping my guard up, and I took it out on you. I hurt you because I was afraid. But meeting Pallavi, being with her… it changed everything. She showed me what love could be, how it could… soften someone like me, open up parts of me I didn’t even know existed. I was wrong about love, about you. I’m sorry, Naina."

For a long moment, silence settled between them, stretching and heavy, as the weight of his words lingered in the air. Naina’s eyes shimmered, but she quickly blinked away the tears, a small smile breaking through.

"I can see that, Arjun," she said softly. "You’ve changed. And seeing the way Pallavi looks at you… I believe you. Back then, I wanted you to see what I was holding onto, but I never thought you’d understand. And now… here you are."

Pallavi, who had quietly followed them, stepped closer, her face bright with a smile. She gently reached for Arjun’s hand, her warmth and pride radiating through her touch. “I’m proud of you, Arjun,” she said, her voice barely a whisper, but it was filled with joy and love that made his heart swell.

Naina watched them, her gaze tender. "Pallavi, you’re good for him," she said, her voice filled with gratitude and sincerity. "Thank you… for bringing out this side of him."

Arjun felt a surge of warmth, and for the first time, the hollow part of his heart felt whole. He looked at Naina, offering her a gentle smile. "Thank you, Naina. For forgiving me, for being patient… and for letting me make amends. I didn’t deserve it, but you’ve always been kinder than I knew how to be."

Naina chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, Arjun, I forgave you long ago. And maybe, just maybe, we all needed this. I see now that even when you tried to keep everyone at arm’s length, you cared. You just didn’t know how to show it."

The three of them shared a moment of understanding, the past pain easing, replaced by a quiet peace. Pallavi squeezed his hand, her joy evident. It was in her eyes, in her smile, in every part of her presence that had made him believe again.

As they stood there, he realized he wasn’t just apologizing to Naina; he was finally letting go of the walls he had spent years building, opening his heart fully to the woman who stood beside him, filling his life with a love he once thought impossible.

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Author pov

As Arjun and Naina shared their quiet moment of forgiveness, a sudden wail pierced the air. Ansh, who had been playing nearby in the garden area, had tripped and fallen, scraping his knee. His cries filled the garden, his tiny face twisted in pain and confusion.

Before anyone could react, Vipul, who had been watching from a short distance, immediately ran to the little boy’s side, his face filled with concern. Naina’s heart raced as she darted towards Ansh, her protective instincts kicking in, but as she drew closer, she noticed Vipul was already crouched beside him, murmuring gentle, soothing words to distract the child.

"Hey, buddy," Vipul said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "You know, the bravest warriors sometimes get a scratch or two. This just means you’re extra brave, right?" He flashed a warm smile, wiping away Ansh’s tears with the corner of his handkerchief, keeping his tone light and playful. "How about we find a treasure hidden in the garden? I’m pretty sure there’s one right here if we look hard enough."

Ansh sniffled, his cries slowing as he focused on Vipul’s voice. Vipul continued to talk to him about imaginary treasures and hidden mysteries, the sweet distraction working like magic. Before long, Ansh’s tears faded, replaced by a shy smile as he looked up at Vipul with newfound admiration.

Watching this unfold, Naina felt a wave of gratitude for Vipul’s gentleness. She mouthed a heartfelt “thank you” to him. He looked up and, with a small nod, acknowledged her gratitude, his expression warm and genuine.

A little while later, as Ansh recovered from his fall, he, Pallavi, and Vipul ended up playing together in the garden. The laughter of Pallavi’s inner child bubbled up as she joined in wholeheartedly, her carefree spirit lighting up the atmosphere. She was running after Ansh and Vipul, pretending to chase them, her laughter echoing through the garden as she let herself get lost in the playful moment.

Arjun found himself unable to take his eyes off her. There was something mesmerizing in the way Pallavi’s laughter rang out, so free and unrestrained, her childlike joy infectious as she played with Ansh and Vipul. She had a way of turning the simplest of moments into something magical, and it struck him, once again, how deeply he loved this woman – the way she brought light into every corner of his world.

Lost in his admiration, Arjun didn’t notice Naina observing him with a knowing smile.

She nudged him playfully, her voice laced with amusement. "Arjun, don’t stare too hard, or she might catch you," she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Who knew the stoic Arjun srivastav could look so smitten?"

Arjun blinked, a faint blush rising to his cheeks as he tried to compose himself. He cleared his throat, looking away, but the hint of a smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. "I… wasn’t staring," he mumbled, but Naina’s laughter told him she wasn’t fooled.

Meanwhile, as Naina’s gaze shifted back to the garden, she noticed something curious. Ansh, who had been shy around new people, was already at ease with Vipul, laughing and running alongside him as if they had been friends for ages. A gentle warmth spread through her chest as she watched them – how effortlessly Vipul had connected with Ansh, how he seemed to understand the boy’s needs without a second thought.

For a moment, Naina felt a wave of wonder and admiration. It was rare to see someone form a bond so quickly, especially with a child as reserved as Ansh. She glanced at Vipul again, a thoughtful smile on her face as she saw how natural, how at ease he was in this moment. It was as if he belonged in this little scene of joy and laughter, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his presence.

As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the garden, the group laughed and played, savoring the simplicity of the moment. And in the midst of it all, Arjun felt his heart soften a little more, the love he held for Pallavi deepening as he witnessed the beautiful chaos she brought into his life, and the bonds that were forming between all of them, shaping into something stronger, something worth cherishing.

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Pallavi’s POV

As I leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the road unwind before us, my mind kept wandering to everything Naina had shared with me, and to the warmth I’d felt from both Abhram bhaiyya and Aman. Yet, despite my thoughts, my curiosity about Arjun’s surprise grew with each mile we traveled. Arjun had always been one for grand gestures, yet this time felt different. Special. Almost as if we were on the verge of starting a new chapter, just the two of us.

The car veered off the main road and took a path lined with towering trees that seemed to arch over us, creating a lush, green tunnel. The deeper we went, the softer the world around us became, as though it was welcoming us into a secret realm. I couldn’t resist glancing at Arjun, hoping he’d offer a hint about where we were headed. But he simply smirked, one hand confidently on the wheel, the other resting gently on mine, a silent reassurance.

“Are we almost there?” I finally asked, unable to contain my excitement.

He looked over, his eyes gleaming with mystery, “Patience, Pallavi. Just a little further.”

Eventually, he pulled the car to a stop near a hidden pathway that seemed to lead nowhere. Arjun stepped out and circled to my side, holding out his hand. The moment I took it, I felt an electricity between us, something raw and undeniable. Together, we began to walk down the path, each step enveloped in a stillness that seemed to hold its breath just for us.

When the narrow path opened up, I gasped. In front of us, nestled in the rugged embrace of nature, stood a magnificent cave house. It was hidden away, as if waiting only for us to discover it. Sunlight spilled through cracks in the rocks above, casting warm, golden patterns on the stone walls, and ivy crawled around the entrance like delicate lace. I could hardly believe such a place existed.

“Arjun, it’s… beautiful,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He tightened his grip on my hand, his gaze soft. “I thought we needed a place just for us, somewhere we could leave the world behind.”

As we stepped inside, the air changed, taking on a cool, earthy scent. The interior was breathtaking—a blend of natural stone and warm wooden accents. The ceiling arched high, with small openings allowing beams of light to filter in, illuminating the space with a soft, magical glow. A cozy seating area lay to one side, furnished with plush cushions and a low wooden table. Candles were arranged throughout, their flames dancing gently.

I felt Arjun’s arms wrap around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder as he whispered, “Welcome to our little paradise, Pallavi.”

My heart swelled. For a moment, I forgot everything—the dangers, the fears, the roles we had to play outside these walls. Right now, it was just us.

Turning to face him, I managed a smile through the lump in my throat. “You really brought me to paradise, Arjun.”

His fingers brushed against my cheek, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “This is just the beginning, Pallavi,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving mine. “I want to create memories here, moments that are only ours.”

His words melted away the last of my defenses. I let myself lean into him, feeling the solid warmth of his embrace, allowing myself to be vulnerable. We had been through so much, yet here he was, giving me a piece of peace, a sanctuary where we could simply be.

As we stood there, the world beyond felt far, far away.

" There are many surprises that are waiting for you my love " he asserted in a low yet husky voice which is enough to shiver run in my spine .

"I hope this time my insecurities, hesitation, and my past don't hold me back."

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

So the most awaited consummation chapter is ahead , which is already uploaded in scrollstock, you can read there or I will upload after a good amount of response..

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