Suite Room, Veer's Hotel

Bathroom

Kavya leans back against the bathtub, filled with warm, soapy water and stares at the ceiling with teary eyes. She inhales the soothing fragrance of the bath salt, but it does nothing to calm the havoc in her senses.

After Armaan's question in the conference room, she was shocked to analyse the sincerity and hope in his eyes. It made her realise the question wasn't just a few words spoken in the heat of the moment. It was asked with a genuine intention to start a relationship with her.

She fails to believe, he is that same person, who denied to consider her as his wife and declared their marriage meant nothing to him about a month back. The one, who abandoned her after getting his benefits, today was asking for a chance.

However, she didn't receive an opportunity to react, as Rihan interrupted their moment to inform about the press conference. Even at that time, she noticed a hint of disappointment in Armaan's eyes because he had to go without getting an answer from her.

Nevertheless, he escorted​ her to the room, after taking the room keys from Rihan. The journey from the conference room to the suite room passed in an awkward silence, where she avoided to face him, whereas he kept gazing her, still waiting for the answer to his question.

Though, he didn't pressurise her as he sensed her dilemma. He even took his bag, which has the party clothes and shifted to Rihan's room to give her privacy for which she was thankful.

Kavya needed some alone time to understand the change in Armaan from the past few days. Since the land incident, he has never argued with her, instead he agrees to each word as if it's a command for him.

Plus, he is constantly attempting to diminish the differences between them. Last night, he came to sit and talk with her as he knew Ruhi's disappointment was bothering her.

A part of her was happy to know, he has noticed her sadness and offered some comfort. Though he didn't help much, his initiative and concern were appreciated by her heart.

However, her mind keeps reminding, Armaan is the same person, who used her for his benefits then abandoned her without a care before going for a business trip.

Kavya closes her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm her raising heartbeats and kill her inner turmoil. But she finds herself drowning in Armaan's hopeful eyes and words from earlier-

"You become my lucky charm.....So, how about we have now?"

Kavya opens her eyes and blinks away the tears, while straightening up. She collects some water in her palms and splashes on her face to fade away the sensation of Armaan's touch still lingering on her cheek.

She turns her face to the right and watches her reflection on the mirror, catching a hint of those feelings in her eyes, which she was hiding from long time. It seems they were pushing the barriers, she created when she decided to stand for her self-respect.

But Kavya still can't trust Armaan and decided to keep them masked, while maintaining a distance with him. He has tricked her once, he can do it again and this fact can't be ignored.

She shakes her head, while staring at her reflection in a way to convince herself to not fall for Armaan again.

However her betraying eyes fall on the back of her right shoulder through the mirror to glance at the epitome of her love.

The tattoo.

FLASHBACK

Tattoo Parlor

Kavya enters the parlor with enthusiasm and a hint of nervousness in her heart. She has been planning to have a tattoo of Armaan's initial since the engagement, but she was uncertain of his reaction.

She believes, this is a big step in a relation to have your partner's initial inked on your body. But as the days passed, her love for him only kept increasing and she can no longer stop herself from planning her confession.

She had decided to confess her love to Armaan on the wedding night by showing the tattoo.

Kavya takes a deep breath and walks towards a tattoo artist, who welcomes her, "Hello, my name is Gayatri. What can I do for you?"

Kavya blushes before informing, "I want a special tattoo with my fiance's initial."

Gayatri smiles knowingly and asks, "First time?"

Kavya nods and the artist assures, "Don't be nervous, it does pain, but I will be careful."

Kavya smiles and Gayatri asks again, "Do you just want his initial or with a design?"

Kavya blushes as she removes a paper from her handbag and shows to her, while asking, "Can you make this?"

Gayatri grabs the paper and asks, "Yes, I can. But tell me, did you draw this?"

Kavya nods in positive, suddenly feeling shy and Gayatri comments with a grin, "Wow, this is a beautiful design. But what is the meaning of this design?"

PRESENT TIME

Kavya murmurs, while staring at the tattoo's reflection in the mirror with teary eyes, "It means Armaan is...is the king of my heart and I...I am his guarding angel, who...who will protect him from any negativity in this world. I....I will protect him....with my...my life."

A lone tear escapes her eye as she reaches to trace her fingers over the tattoo at the back of her shoulder. She has been hiding this tattoo from everyone, not even Myra and Ruhi were aware.

Kavya wanted Armaan to see first and wished to cherish the epitome of their love within themselves.

More tears escape her eyes as she confesses to herself, "I love you, Armaan. I still love you."

A painful sob slips her lips as she continues, "But why did you do this to me....why?"

Kavya continues to cry, failing to control herself and her strong feeling for Armaan.

Piano Room, Raichand Mansion, Delhi

Yash enters the room to find Sonia playing a sad tune with her eyes closed again. He sighs in helplessness as he is witnessing the same scenario since Kavya became a tenant in Armaan's Mansion.

Sonia has been blaming herself for ruining Kavya's life and has isolated herself. She hardly talks, eats and leaves the mansion. Her day passes in the piano room, playing the similar sad tune over and over again.

Yash has been trying to talk and assure her, but she has avoided him each time. She only talks to remind him, if Kavya isn't happy within a few days, then she will fly to Mumbai with the divorce papers.

Sonia wasn't ready to acknowledge the facts that Armaan has realised his mistake and making efforts to gain forgiveness by doing activities to make Kavya happy.

Yash makes his way towards his wife and places his hands over her shoulders, which stops her actions and she opens her dull eyes.

He suggests, "Why don't you hurt me, instead of hurting yourself?"

Sonia remains silent and he states after a defeated sigh, "I cannot see you in this condition, Sonia. You are my strength. Please don't do this to yourself."

She accuses, "I doubt, I am anything to you, Yash. Last what I remember, I wasn't allowed to interfere in your decision of your son Armaan's marriage."

Yash please with a hint of irritation in his tone, "Can't we end this topic now? I am assuring you, Kavya will be happy in a few days. Armaan is guilty and has started rectifying his mistakes, plus Kavya is not pushing him away. She accepted the lands and finance for her dream projects. This is a great progress."

Sonia chuckles humorlessly and comments, "Accepting a piece land is equal to accepting a backstabbing husband. Great thinking Raichand men own."

Yash states after a helpless sigh, "I can't convince you, Sonia. I know my mistake is huge, the innocent child is hurt. But mark my words, the way Armaan is trying to handle this situation, Kavya will soon forgive him and they will start living a happy married life."

He turns around to leave the room without giving Sonia a chance to respond.

Rihan's Room

Rihan and Armaan enter the room after the press conference to dress up for the party.

Rihan asks with a frown, "I don't understand, when Kavya didn't object on sharing the room with you, then why did you shift?"

Armaan makes his way towards the bed and thinks as he recalls last night's conversation, 'Because I am nothing, but a stranger to her.'

He sighs not voicing out the same and explains, "She might have not objected, but I know, she is still not comfortable with me."

Rihan challenges him with a mischievous smirk, "Are you sure?"

Armaan turns to face him with a frown and Rihan teases him, "I mean, even after you were holding Kavya in front of 30 people in the conference room, she didn't give you a black eye or broken nose, so I thought she is comfortable with you."

Armaan glares at Rihan, making him laugh at his imagination, where Armaan has a black eye and broken nose.

Rihan teases, while imagining, "How funny you would look!"

He laughs again and falls on the bed, making Armaan roar in annoyance, "Shut up, Rihan."

However, Rihan laughs louder, increasing Armaan's anger, who then chooses to ignore him. Armaan removes his blazer, watch and tie. He tosses them on the bed and makes his way towards the bathroom, after giving a death glare to a laughing Rihan.

After some time, Armaan exits the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He still seems angry, as he makes his way towards the bed to dress up.

However his anger subsides, the moment he finds his party outfit on the bed, instead of those stuffs he tossed earlier. He glances around and finds Rihan grabbing his own bag before moving towards the bed.

Rihan smiles at Armaan, while removing his clothes and places the bag at its earlier position. Then giving a pat to Armaan's back and apologising, Rihan makes his way towards the bathroom to have a shower.

But Armaan doesn't react and keeps gazing at his clothes, as Kavya's words clouds his mind-

"He is your friend, Armaan, not your slave....Don't be so rude, just because he obeys, you can't make him do anything."

Armaan remembers how Kavya speaks politely with everyone, including the servants at his Mansion. Never has he seen her ordering or misbehaving with anyone, even if they commit a mistake.

He has witnessed a surprisingly deep bond between her and Mary in a short span of time. Mary takes care of Kavya in the similar manner, she does for him and Kavya got a watch as gift from her earnings of DID. They held a relation beyond a maid and boss's wife connection.

Additionally, Kavya even apologised to Max and agreed to keep him back as her driver and secret bodyguard, though she doesn't need one.

Armaan has learned, Kavya appreciates other's efforts and doesn't punish the innocent. She doesn't remove one's frustration on others unlike him, who has always yelled and misbehaved with everyone whenever he is stressed over work.

His chain of thoughts halt, when he hears Rihan's voice, "Are you planning to come to the party in a towel?"

Armaan turns around and finds Rihan standing at the bathroom's door with a towel wrapped around his waist. Rihan raises his eyebrows, eyeing Armaan's appearance with a teasing smile.

However, Armaan ignores his mischievous​ reaction as his eyes land on the bullet mark on Rihan's stomach and he remembers how he saved his life by taking the bullet, which was aimed at him. His pain during the time of treatment comes running in his mind, making him guilty again.

Rihan frowns, witnessing the wave of emotions in Armaan's eyes and walks closer to stand in front of him. He places his hand over Armaan's shoulder, which breaks his trance.

He enquires in a soothing voice, "Are you alright, Armaan?"

Armaan announces in a low voice, "I am so arrogant and self-obsessed."

Rihan demands in confusion, "What?"

Armaan sighs and confesses, "You took a bullet to save my life, stayed in the hospital for a month, you missed college. Plus your mother....she saw her only son, only family she had in danger because of me, still never blamed me for anything. She struggled to manage looking after you and attending​ office....and here I...I am throwing orders at you, making you wait in the office till late or sometimes overnight to help me in my work. I never allow you to take long holidays and sometimes I call you to work on Sundays. I take complete advantage of your leniency for my company's progress. It's so wrong."

Rihan raises his eyebrows and widens his eyes in amusement at his sudden blabbering. He couldn't believe these words were spoken by the arrogant himself.

Though he remembers something and composes himself before demanding, "Wait. Is this your thinking or Kavya's words in the conference room has affected you?"

Armaan runs his hand in his damp hair in frustration and confesses, "Kavya's​ words."

He points his index finger at Rihan and continues, "And you know what, this makes me punch myself for not realising it on my own."

Rihan chuckles at his frustration and makes him sit on the bed. Armaan obeys wordlessly and Rihan settles besides him before ordering, "Throw. Whatever else is running in your mind, just let it out."

Armaan stares at Rihan, who gives him an encouraging nod, which was enough for the arrogant to start blabbering again, "Mary. She has practically raised me, when my parents, not even my Mom had time for me, she took care of me, my health, everything.....But what I do? I shout at her, sometimes remove my anger and misbehave with her. Still she...she never complains."

Rihan raises his eyebrows and thinks, 'Impressive.'

Armaan gets to his feet and runs his hand in his hair again in frustration, while walking towards the floor length window. He glances outside, taking a deep breath and closes his eyes after pinching the bridge of his nose.

Rihan stares at his reflection on the window and smiles to witness the arrogant is realising his mistakes and feeling guilty. Though it makes him sad as well.

Rihan thinks, 'How much ever this realisation is important, seeing him guilty feels so wrong.'

Rihan stands to console Armaan, only to be interrupted by his words, "And the worst part is Kavya's words and actions make me realise my mistakes. I am so stupid to not even realise on my own. I feel so angry on myself."

Rihan shakes his head in disbelief and makes his way towards​ Armaan, he places his hand on his shoulder to turn him and stares in his guilty eyes.

Rihan explains in a soothing voice, "It's alright, Armaan, people act as per their nature and surroundings."

Armaan opens his mouth to speak, only to stop with Rihan's words, "So important is that you realised your mistake. Now you can't change the past, but you can definitely improve in the present to change your future. It's not the end of the world, right?"

Armaan nods in response and Rihan explains, "And Armaan, there is no need to feel angry, frustrated or stupid, if Kavya's words and actions helped you in realising your mistakes. She is your wife and that's her job, plus how much ever you both deny to acknowledge this marriage, but in reality, you both are behaving as husband and wife."

Armaan frowns and Rihan continues to explain, after a nod, "You are taking care of her safety and comfort, you are curious to know what she is doing, you helped her in the school and hospital projects, you are not arguing with her and accepting whatever she wants. What is this? Aren't these a husband's duties?"

Armaan lowers his gaze, analysing his words and Rihan continues, "And Kavya. She is correcting you where you go wrong, she is making you realise your mistakes and changing you for good. She has turned your Mansion into a Home and do you realise, you have started staying at your home more now."

Armaan meets Rihan's gaze, realising he has indeed started spending more time at home, instead of staying in office till midnight to work.

Rihan smiles, reading his eyes and continues, "That's what a wife does, Armaan and everything you both are doing are those duties, which life partners do for each other. One corrects and motivates his or her partner. Without each other's help, they can't survive and achieve a happy life."

Armaan lowers his gaze again, analysing Rihan's words again. He recollects his actions from the past days and the way he wants to care for Kavya and want her to forgive him. He even craves to convert her sadness and pain into happiness.

Though, on the other hand, he doesn't even want to force Kavya for forgiveness and accepting him as a husband. He wishes to give her as much time as she wants.

Rihan reads the dilemma in his eyes and gives a gentle squeeze to his shoulder, which grabs Armaan's attention.

Rihan explains, "Armaan, I know you are guilty and you want to give Kavya ample time to forgive you, but you can't sit idle. You have to do something to win her trust back and to earn that chance, which can improve your and her relationship."

Rihan bites his lower lip, before gathering the courage to share an important fact, "And Armaan, I know this will be discouraging to say, but Kavya has already gone too far from you."

Armaan frowns at his words and demands, "What do you mean?"

Rihan hesitates, while informing, "The day, I informed her about the purchase of lands, she became angry and she...she addressed herself as...."

Rihan bites his lip again in hesitation and Armaan demands impatiently, "As what?"

Rihan informs, "Kavya Ranveer Kapoor."

Armaan asks with shock, "What?"

Rihan nods in response and informs, "Even I was shocked. Later, when I patiently thought about her struggles to earn a living and how she denied to depend on you for anything. It implies, she has no hope from you and has determined to live independently."

Armaan shifts his eyes, feeling guiltier for his actions and Rihan concludes with concern, "That's not a good sign."

Armaan meets his eyes and demands, "Can I blame her for reacting in this way and planning an independent life? Rihan, everything is my fault, she has just secured herself from further damage."

Rihan replies, "I agree Armaan, but it's high time you start making efforts. Waiting till she forgives and trusts you, won't help. Stop her before she goes further away from you and bring her back in your life."

Armaan stares at Rihan, as he gives his shoulder a squeeze and requests, "Don't waste more time."

A wave of fear rushes through Armaan's senses, hearing Rihan's words. Though he hasn't realised his feelings for Kavya, he just knew he can't let her go and needed to seek forgiveness as soon as possible.

Armaan shakes his head and announces, "I won't let her go further away from me. I am truly trying and will invest more efforts to seek forgiveness."

Rihan smiles, giving him an encouraging pat on his shoulder and states, "That's good and now let's end this discussion, we have a party to attend and Kavya must be waiting for you."

Armaan nods in response and Rihan moves towards the washroom to dress up, while he starts dressing up in the room.

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

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....hope you liked this part, do give your reviews...till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

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