"Let me hold you in my arms tonight and show you how much I love you."

Atharva started the engine, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The sun had already set, and the sky was painted in various shades of red and orange. The cool evening breeze seeped through the open windows, carrying the pleasant scent of blooming flowers.

"Why did you have to invite Jay?" 

"Because I wanted to." Aahana grinned. "Dinesh is coming too."

"I don't mind Dinesh, but Jay..." he trailed off, his expression turning sour.

"I know," she said, leaning over to pinch his cheek. "You are afraid of Jay."

Atharva slapped her hand away and glared at her. She giggled at his reaction but stopped quickly and raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, sorry, I won't tease you."

Atharva shook his head, sighing. He focused on the road again and slowed the car in front of the enormous iron gate when they reached home. The guards let them in, and Atharva dropped Aahana off in front of the house before parking the car in the garage.

He loosened his tie once he was inside and strode to their bedroom. He changed into his sweatpants and T-shirt, then climbed into the bed with his laptop and files. The door creaked open, and he looked up to see Aahana approach him with two mugs of coffee. She smiled and handed him his mug, sitting beside him on the bed. He returned the smile and patted her cheek with a gentle touch before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Are they here yet?" Atharva glanced at the clock and realized he had been cooped up in the room for five hours straight.

"Twenty minutes."

"Okay." He nodded. "I have got tons of work to do, so I'd rather stay here during dinner."

"C'mon, Atharva, you can't skip dinner."

"I'm not hungry anyway." He placed the mug on the nightstand and picked up his laptop again. Aahana chuckled and snatched it from his hold, taking it out of his reach. He scowled at her, but when she settled herself in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, he had to look the other way to hide his smile.

"No?" Aahana asked, brushing her fingers through his hair.

"No," he replied, seeking comfort in her presence.

"You're okay if Jay eats all the Lasagna?"

His ears perked up, and he faced her with raised eyebrows. "Lasagna?"

Aahana nodded with a serious expression. "Yeah, but it's okay. Dinesh and Jay won't mind having it all." She slid out of his lap, but he grabbed her waist, pulling her back.

He couldn't resist the lure. "I'm kinda starving." He nuzzled his face into her neck and stood up with her in his arms. She squealed, holding his shoulders tightly. "Let me go, Atharva, please."

He finally put her down when they reached the dining room and motioned for her to bring the lasagna as he sat on the chair. Aahana stuck her tongue out at him before heading to the kitchen.

"Gita, go and set the table," she instructed. "They'll be here in a minute."

Just then, the doorbell rang and Aahana's face lit up. She rushed to the door and opened it to reveal Jay and Dinesh. Jay immediately pulled her into a tight hug. "I missed you, sweet pea."

"What the hell is sweet pea!" Aahana heard Atharva grumble behind her, and she laughed to herself while she hugged Dinesh.

They walked in Atharva's direction, who stepped back and held out his hand when Jay tried to jump on him.

"Alright, if that's what you want, hotshot."

"It is Atharva." He glared at Jay.

"Of course, hotsh-"

"Call me by my name," he repeated through clenched teeth.

Jay backed away slightly. "Yes, yes, Atharva."

Dinesh and Aahana just smiled at the little exchange between them.

"Alright, dinner is ready," she announced once Gita finished setting the table.

A few minutes later, Harshvardhan and Nisha joined them at the table. Jay and Dinesh grinned and waved at them.

"Gita, you can leave now. Be here on time tomorrow." Aahana smiled to which Gita nodded.

She settled and served her plate and began eating but she stopped mid-chew when her eyes landed on Gita standing in a corner and looking at Atharva. Aahana frowned and she couldn't stop herself when she abruptly stood up and marched towards Gita.

"Did I not tell you to leave?" She was fuming.

"Yes ma'am. I was just leaving."

"Good." Aahana smiled. "And you need not come from tomorrow."

"But ma'am-"

"I'll send your payments to your bank account. You can leave."

The room had fallen silent when she turned around. She gave them a small smile and sat down again.

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing serious."

Aahana stuffed her mouth with roti to avoid any other question. They simply nodded and resumed eating, talking with Jay about his restaurant while Atharva and Aahana remained silent.

"Thank you for inviting me. See you soon sweetpea." Jay said, after which he and Dinesh left.

"See you soon. Call once you reach." She waved at them and locked the door. Everyone had already gone to their room, so she switched off the lights and walked to their room.

She jumped in surprise when he grabbed her by the waist and pinned her to the wall while shutting the door with his leg. His lips descended on hers and he worked his fingers into her hair, pulling her closer. She kissed him back, sliding her arms around his neck. They felt an immense amount of warmth envelope them and he walked them in the direction of the bed and pushed her down without breaking the kiss. She let out a soft moan when he landed atop her.

"Jealousy suits you," Atharva whispered into her mouth, nipping her lower lip. She shivered and clutched his shoulder, her cheeks warming up in utter embarrassment.

"Atharva..." He looked up at her and met her hooded eyes. "Y-you heard?"

His lips slowly curled up into a smile and he kissed her again. "Aren't you the cutest?"

She frowned and hid her face in her palms, shaking her head. She rolled out of the bed but before she could escape, he gripped her wrist and pulled her back. "Uh-huh, not so fast."

"I-" She paused, blinking when he unbuttoned his shirt and discarded it on the floor. "What's going on?"

"Not what you are thinking." He threw the ointment on her lap and turned around, facing the wall.

Her eyes widened and she scowled at him, opening the lid with more pressure than necessary. She squeezed the cream onto her finger and dabbed it over his scars.

Atharva waited for the anxiety and memories to enter into his head but nothing of that sort happened. In fact, her fingers felt so cool and soft to his skin, like a feathery caress.

"Turn around."

He did so with closed eyes and felt her finger brush against the rough skin of his torso. His stomach clenched and he trembled slightly. When his eyes fluttered open, his pupils were dilated and he stared at her with such intensity, she felt her fingers ball into fists, her knuckles turning white as she tried to control her desire.

"Atharva..." She reminded herself that he wasn't ready yet. "I- we should sleep."

He looked away and nodded. Aahana brought another bedsheet and put it on his side of the bed to avoid getting his ointment everywhere. She then washed her hands and came back to find him under the covers, his eyes closed. She switched off the lights and climbed onto the bed beside him.

"Good night, love," Atharva whispered, and she smiled when he wrapped his bare arms across her midriff, resting his palm on her stomach.

"Good night." She placed her palms above his and sighed in contentment, drifting off to sleep.

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