MY ONLY ONE

12. Moments That Fooled Me

Not every lie sounds like a lie.

Some feel like comfort.

And I believed every one.

- - -

ABHIMANYU'S POV

It was 5 a.m., as usual. I woke up and went to the gym with Aarav. There, he told me that the Singhania's were planning something big to bring us down.

The Singhania's have been our biggest rivals for the past five years. We've been battling each other for so long. They are strong-just like us-but neither side ever accepts defeat. I heard they had gone to Russia, and now they're coming back to India.

That means one thing-something big is about to happen.

I didn't want Aaradhya to be involved in any of this. So I decided to send her on a college trip. I don't want her to be here when they arrive.

Who knows what will happen when they come?

I am not ready to risk her life.

After all this, I went back to my room and saw her. She was still sleeping. Seeing her like that-so peaceful-it felt like the world around us had stopped for a minute.How can someone be this pure, this innocent, and this beautiful at the same time?

I know I've been cruel to her from day one. I know I've been a jerk.

But from now onwards, I will treat her like my princess.

I went to the bathroom and freshened up. I wore a white shirt with black pants and styled my hair perfectly.

When I entered the room again, she was still sleeping. I walked towards her, placed my hand gently on her shoulder, and shook her lightly, trying to wake her up.

The moment my cold hands touched her shoulder, she immediately opened her eyes and looked at me.

She sat up on the bed and asked softly,

"What happened? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything is fine," I said calmly. "But you're late for college. It's already 8:00 a.m."

As soon as she heard my words, she rushed to the bathroom to freshen up.

God, she's so cute.

After a while, she came out wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. She looked at me and asked,

"Shall we go now? We're already late."

"After you, madam," I said.

She looked confused for a second, then moved forward, and I followed her.

When we reached the dining table, all the family members were already there, having their breakfast.

Aaradhya and I sat down and started eating. That's when Aarav spoke up,

"Kya bhai, aap toh bade aashiq nikale."

(What is this, brother? You're looking like a complete Romeo.)

Oh God, someone shut him up. Him and his disgusting lines.

I looked at him and said calmly,

"Do you have any problem with that?"

Suddenly, everyone's eyes were on me, their mouths hanging open in shock.

Why do I have a family like this-so much drama?

After finishing breakfast, Aaradhya and I left for college.

ARADHYA'S POV

Oh God, please take me back to where I belong. This Abhimanyu sir... he is really something.

His behavior has been so weird since yesterday. Yesterday he was being nice, and this morning he woke me up without shouting.

And at the dining table, he openly accepted that he's a Romeo. Like seriously-what is happening in my life?

Calm down, Aru. Calm down. You have to stay strong. Don't fall for his cheap tricks. Maybe he'll change, or maybe this is all part of his plan to break me down.

Lost in my thoughts, I walked into the classroom. I saw Kavya and went straight to her, sitting beside her. She looked upset.

So I asked her,

"Kav, what happened? Is everything alright? Why are you looking so upset?"

She looked at me with her puppy eyes and said,

"Tum hi toh bola tha na ki tum trip par nahi aaogi. That's why I'm upset."

(You were the one who said you wouldn't come on the trip. That's why I'm upset.)

"Arey Kav, I am coming on the trip. So now please give me a smile," I said with a grin.

Her eyes widened in pure shock as she asked,

"You're not lying to me, right? Is it true? You will really come on the trip?"

I smiled and replied,

"Yes, I'm coming on the trip. Let's enjoy it together."

She hugged me tightly and said,

"I'm so happy! We're going to Manali together."

"And Aru, pack lots of clothes-especially winter wear. It's Manali, it'll be very cold, and we're leaving tomorrow only," Kav said excitedly.

"Yes, Kav, we're leaving tomorrow. We don't have much time to pack," I replied.

Just then, the lecturer entered the class and started solving some sums on the board. But honestly, Kavya and I weren't interested at all-we were busy discussing our Manali trip for tomorrow.

Suddenly, the principal entered the classroom and asked the students who were interested in going on the trip.

Kavya and I immediately raised our hands in excitement and told the principal that we were interested and would pay the amount by today.

But what the principal said next shocked me.

"Miss Aaradhya, your trip fees have already been paid. There's no need to pay again."

I took a step back at his words.

Wait... my college trip fees are paid? But who paid them?

After that, the principal left. I was still lost in my thoughts, wondering who could've paid for my trip, when suddenly my phone buzzed with a message.

"Don't overthink it. I paid because now you're my wife-it's my duty to do so. Have a nice day."

-Abhimanyu sir

Uff, again with the wife thing.

What has gotten into him, seriously? I'm his wife, that's why he's paying for my college trip?

Anyway... let it be.

As the classes ended, I saw Abhimanyu sir waiting for me in the parking lot. I walked towards him and quietly took the passenger seat.

We drove away. I didn't say anything at first, but after some time, I finally asked him,

"Did you pay my college trip fees? Why would you do that? I could have paid it myself-I have my own money."

He didn't say a word during the entire ride.

When we reached the mansion and I was about to get out of the car, he suddenly held my hand.

"I know you can take care of everything on your own," he said calmly. "But you're my wife, and it's my responsibility to take care of you. You just have to say what you want, and I'll bring it in front of you-no matter what. You just have to say it."

My stomach twisted at his words.

Seriously... how did he suddenly become so nice to me? I think I'm falling for him, and the worst part is-I can't even control my feelings.

I didn't know what to say. His sudden words left me speechless, so I just nodded silently.

With that, he let go of my hand, and I walked towards the mansion without looking back.

Because if I did... I was sure I'd never be able to move away from his sight.

As soon as I entered the mansion, I went straight to Meghana's room. I needed someone to talk to, and Meghana knew Abhimanyu sir better than anyone. So without thinking twice, I went to her.

I opened the door without knocking-and what I saw next was horrible.

Meghana and Aarav... kissing.

No-this wasn't just kissing. They were completely lost in each other.

My eyes widened in shock. I immediately shut the door and ran straight to my room.Oh God... at what time did I enter?

What must they be thinking about me?

This is not good, Aru. This is really not good.

As I stepped into my room, I froze.

Abhimanyu was there-shirtless.

Yes... shirtless.

My breath hitched the moment my eyes landed on him.

What is happening to me right now?

First, I walked in on Meghana and Aarav kissing... and now-

now Abhimanyu, my husband, is standing right in front of me... shirtless.

No. No. No.

"Aru, control yourself," I muttered under my breath.

"You didn't see anything. Don't look at him like that."

But the truth was impossible to ignore.

His bare chest was distracting-far too distracting. My fingers almost itched to touch, to feel... but no. I couldn't do that. Not with him.

Suddenly, I squeezed my eyes shut.

"No... no," I whispered.

And then-I felt something soft brush against my lips.I froze and slowly opened my eyes.

His chest was pressed against mine. One of his hands rested near my lips, while the other slid firmly around my waist, pulling me closer to him. His face was dangerously close-so close that I could feel his breath.

I couldn't breathe.

For a moment, the world disappeared, leaving only the pounding of my heart and the heat between us.

That's all for this chapter.

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