Aryamann's pov!

"Aryamann, the media is going crazy. The Karnataka tabloids spread the news of Bhumi and the twins this morning. Here's a picture of all four of you." Daksh said and he forwarded his iPad towards me.

I cursed under my breath, seeing the tabloid headlines.

'Aryamann Mehrotra back with another business trick?' Was the headline.

The content that followed was even more ugly.

'Three years ago, in order to sign a business deal with a family oriented Karnataka business group - The Brahmas, Aryamann Mehrotra faked his marriage. He hired a bride for a huge sum of money. The act had convinced a lot of people and the Cinderella of the story, Bhumika Basu, had become the apple of eye in the social media pages and tabloids. All an act for money! She disappeared three years ago. And apparently, she is back. With a set of twin boys. What new game is Mehrotra and Basu planning? Who are they trying to trap now? Stay tuned to know more.'

"Rubbish. How did they even get this picture? This is so absurd." I cursed furiously.

"Make sure Bhumi doesn't see it," Gaurav said.

"What shouldn't I see?" We looked in horror as Bhumi came towards us.

"It's nothing," I said, quickly locking the iPad and taking it behind me.

Bhumi frowned at my behaviour.

"What are you hiding, Aryamann? What am I not supposed to know?" Bhumi asked and snatched the iPad from me.

I cursed Gaurav when I realised that his iPad wasn't password protected.

I saw Bhumi's eyes widening in horror reading the tabloid content.

"Just ignore it, Bhumi. They write rubbish." I said softly.

"It is the truth. We did deceive people, Aryamann." Bhumi said quietly.

"I will deal with this," I said. Daksh and Gaurav left us to ourselves.

"Did you lose the contract with the Brahmas?" Bhumi asked me anxiously.

"No, Bhumi'' I said, not wanting her to go on a guilt trip.

"No? Really? Mr Brahma was ready to do business with you after I ran away. I knew the tabloids were full of our news following my departure." Bhumi said.

"Mr Brahma was furious. He threatened to call off the business with us. But his grandson Yuvan Brahma, stepped up. Yuvan is not a family oriented man. He doesn't believe in the old man's stupid logic. According to him, a good focus and skills are enough to do business. He refused to pull out of the business. But it was news." I admitted.

"I am glad that you didn't lose business because of me." Bhumi said.

"It wouldn't have mattered even if I lost it." I said honestly and she simply nodded.

"You are more important, Bhumi. Never forget this. You are the most important thing in my life now." I said and placed a tender kiss on top of her head.

She looked up at me in surprise, which made me want to laugh.

"Give us a chance, Bhumi. We both have faced so much pain in life. If anybody deserves to be together, then that's us. You and me. We would be able to heal each other's pain. We would be able to make each other happy. Think about it." I said, trying to convince her.

"Aryamann, I-"

"I know you agreed to give us a chance for the boys. But I want you to give us a chance for 'us'. We deserve this Bhumi. Please. I can't bear this distance anymore." I said pleadingly.

"Aryamann," she whispered softly.

"I have been alone all my life. My life was a dark pit, until you entered Bhumi. You are the light in my dark world. Don't make it dark again," I said softly, taking her hands in mine.

"I don't know what to do," she admitted.

"Listen to your heart, Bhumi. Only your heart." I said and left her to herself, so that she can make a decision.

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

Bhumi's pov!

You are more important Bhumi!

We deserve this Bhumi!

Listen to your heart!

Those words kept ringing in my head even after hours.

"Bhumi, where are you lost?" Bani asked me.

"Nothing. I was just wondering about the tabloid news." I said with a defeated sigh.

"Don't worry, the Karnataka media has declared war with the Mumbai media by that tabloid clip. Do you think the Mumbai media would stay quiet after this?" Arohi asked with a laugh.

"What do you mean by war? The news would be airing in Mumbai media too now." I said sulkily.

"Oh darling! You don't know what happened three years ago? You didn't see the tabloid contents?" Bani asked.

"I saw one. The first one that broke out after my leaving. It called me all sorts of names. I just couldn't bear to read anything more. I even stopped checking the news for over six months." I said.

"That explains it. Bhumi, you have made a special place in the hearts of many people. You remember the paparazzi people you befriended?" Arohi asked.

"Yeah. Kabir bhaiyya, Karan, Emily and Sathya. How can I forget?" I said, with a smile as I remembered them.

"Well, the tabloid news which you read was released by some local site owned by someone who got paid by Harini." Arohi said.

"Harini? Ranbir Mehrotra' wife?" I asked in confusion.

I remember them both from the party three years ago. The two people who have some strong connection to Aryamann's terrible past.

"Ranbir Mehrotra's ex wife. I don't know what her relationship was with Aryamann. Gaurav didn't tell me. All he said was, it was Harini who leaked the news of the contract marriage." Arohi said.

"What happened after that was war, Bhumi. A tabloid war." Bani said and I looked at them curiously.

"What do you mean? Tell me in detail, please" I asked curiously.

"The four people you were close with, did everything in their power to clear your name and character. They aired an interview with Lekha di and little Ayaan, who explained to the world that you did it to save Ayaan. For his surgery. Then they aired an interview of Sofia, the foster home in charge, who talked about how you have always helped. So, Bhumi, there is nothing to worry about now. Mumbai media will handle this." Arohi said and I felt the warmth all over.

I couldn't believe that the tabloid people had fought for me. It was such an unbelievable surprise.

I wish to see them again.

Hopefully, someday soon.

"And obviously, Aryamann isn't going to stay quiet either. He wouldn't hesitate to kill to protect you. Don't you remember what happened when you were kidnapped." Bani said.

I do!

He was so caring! Maybe that's when I started having serious feelings for him.

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

Aryamann's pov!

I was sitting on a stone bench outside the hospital. I looked up when I felt a presence beside me.

I saw Bhumi standing there, probably trying to make a decision whether to sit or leave.

"Come here," I called out and she didn't need a second invitation.

As she sat next to me, I moved closer to her and placed an arm around her shoulder. She placed her head on my chest and we sat like that for a while.

"Why do you make it so difficult?" She asked. Her words were a mere whisper, and I would have totally missed it if I hadn't been paying close attention to her.

"What are you talking about?" I asked in confusion.

"Why do you make it so difficult for me to stay away from you?" She asked and my heart skipped a beat hearing that.

"The distance between us is just physical, Bhumi. We are close where the matters of hearts are concerned." I said and I heard her sucking in a sharp breath.

"Do you mean it?" She asked.

"With all my heart." I confessed honestly.

"I won't be able to bear it if you hurt me again, Aryamann. I tried very hard to keep my distance. But you are making it impossible for me," she said softly.

"I will die before hurting you again Bhumi." I said and leaned down to kiss her.

As I placed my lips over hers, emotions flooded through my entire being.

How long has it been! Since I kissed her?

Three years!

Three damn years!

And it felt like heaven, to finally feel those soft petal-like lips against mine.

Our lips moved in sync, in a slow passionate kiss. I swiped my tongue over her lip and she parted her lips in answering. Without waiting, I probed my tongue into her mouth, tasting every corner of her sweet mouth.

The sound of an ambulance siren, pulled us out of our passionate lip lock. I pulled away lightly and placed my forehead over hers and chuckled.

"That was awesome," I said and she turned pink.

"How much I missed making you blush." I whispered against her lips, making her blush more.

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

Bhumi's pov!

I don't know whether I am doing the right thing or not.

I don't know if I am being a fool!

But I couldn't stay away anymore!

I am tired of being lonely.

I am tired of the longing.

I want this companionship.

Maybe we can work this out without giving chances for more hurt.

"What are you thinking about?" Aryamann asked.

"Nothing," I said, shaking my head.

"You won't regret this, Bhumi," he vowed and it calmed my mind.

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

Third person's pov!

Harini Bhatia stared at the tabloid picture with absolute loathing.

It was one of Aryamann Mehrotra. But the object of her hatred wasn't Aryamann. It was the woman behind him.

Bhumika Basu!

The woman who managed to make Aryamann Mehrotra's heart melt.

Harini had always believed that it was only her who was capable of bringing such deep emotions in Aryamann.

Well, a decade ago, that was the truth.

Aryamann was madly in love with her. But Harini was blinded by greed.

Aryamann's decision to give up his position at family business and take up a mere art course has shocked the hell out of her.

And Naksh Mehrotra threatened to disown his son if he wasn't willing to join the business. Aryamann was okay with even that. Naksh has then chosen his late cousin's son, Ranbir to take over the position Aryamann was willing to give up. Even declared that he will be giving Aryamann's shares to Ranbir. Aryamann didn't care about that either.

Ranbir Mehrotra has always had an eye on Aryamann's beautiful girlfriend Harini Bhatia . Harini was well aware of it too. So when the opportunity came, Harini didn't hesitate from reciprocating.

Things took a turn and Aryamann found out about her affair with Ranbir, before the shares were given to Ranbir.

The series of events that followed were a nightmare.

Aryamann decided against taking up the art course and instead joined the family business, pushing Ranbir out of the way.

And she ended up marrying a penniless Ranbir, who was a lowly employee at Mehrotra empire at that time.

Naksh Mehrotra, gave Ranbir a compensation with which Ranbir started a new business. The business was a huge success in the beginning, and she didn't regret leaving Aryamann.

But after a few years, the business dwindled, thanks to Ranbir's gambling, they lost everything.

But Harini was confident that Aryamann would fall at her feet, when she returned to him. Because over the years she has seen him going from one girl to the other, not able to connect to anyone emotionally. And she knew, only she was the woman who was capable enough for that.

But Bhumi's arrival had been a shock. When Aryamann announced his engagement, she was shocked out of hell.

She had watched them closely over the months and soon realised things were not as portrayed.

But it was also very clear that Aryamann was starting to get emotionally attached to the woman. She had seen a different spark in his eyes, when he looked at Bhumi. He hadn't been like that even with her. And that made her furious.

So she did everything in her power to break them apart. And she succeeded.

She thought she got rid of Bhumi Basu for good.

And over the three years, after her divorce, she tried to get close to Aryamann multiple times. But he was stuck on Bhumi.

But she succeeded in her plan once.

And now she knows how to make him hers forever.

She placed a hand over her still flat tummy and smirked evilly.

"You are mine, Aryamann Mehrotra. I will win you by hook or crook."

A/N

Here goes the next shot...

Until chapter 68 is posted on my stck page. And I post there daily. If anyone wish to read the further chapters in advance, please check out the book in stck. My stck page : SFwrites

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