( 64 ) sunset and secrets

Hai ..

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Chapter 65 and 66 uploaded on scrollstock ..

Author pov

Next day

Shree mansion

The study room was silent, the ticking of the clock the only sound accompanying Avinash as he sifted through his papers. Lost in thought, his gaze fell on a small piece of paper lying on his study table. A note. The handwriting was unmistakably Arjun's. His heart thudded in his chest as he carefully opened the note, the weight of his earlier argument with Arjun still lingering heavily.

---

Arjun's Note to Avinash:

"Dad,

I know my words have hurt you. I was wrong, and my pride stopped me from admitting it sooner. I've always looked up to you, yet I let my anger cloud my respect. I'm sorry for being disrespectful and for distancing myself when you needed me most.

Forgive me.

Your son,

Arjun"*

********

Avinash's grip on the note tightened as he felt a rush of emotions. His mind flashed back to their last heated argument ,, the frustration, the hurt. But now, in this moment, all that melted away, replaced by the overwhelming realization that his son had come back to him.

Meanwhile, Ragini walked towards her car, about to leave the house. Her eyes caught something tucked beneath the windshield wiper - a note. She frowned, puzzled, before pulling it out.

"Maasi,

I know I haven't been myself, and I've hurt you with my coldness. It was never your fault. You have always been my support, and I failed to acknowledge that when I should have. Please forgive me for my silence and my harsh words.

I love you like a mother, and I hate that I made you feel otherwise.

Aaru"

Tears welled in Ragini's eyes as she finished reading. She clutched the note to her chest for a moment, taking a deep breath before heading back into the mansion.

---

Avinash stormed out of the study room, his pace quickening as he reached the living room. There, Arjun stood, hands by his side, waiting. Their eyes met, and without a second thought, Avinash strode forward, wrapping his arms around his son in a tight embrace. It wasn't just any hugn, it was one of longing, of forgiveness, of a love that had been restrained for far too long.

Arjun hesitated for a moment but then hugged him back fiercely, the weight of the past weeks slowly lifting from his shoulders.

"Why didn't you hug me like this sooner?" Avinash muttered, his voice thick with emotion.

By then, Ragini entered the room. She paused at the sight of father and son in a long-awaited embrace, a smile playing on her lips, her heart swelling with relief.

Arjun, noticing her presence, broke the hug and turned to face her. He slowly walked towards her, and to Ragini's surprise, he folded his hands in front of her, his eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry, Maasi," he whispered.

Ragini shook her head, her eyes softening as she lowered his hands gently.

"No, Aaru," she said softly, her voice tender, "It's not your fault. I was just tired of the world's taunts, that's all."

Tears glistened in her eyes, but there was no bitterness. Only love and understanding.

Avinash moved closer, his arms opening wide as he pulled Arjun into a warm embrace.

"Thank you, beta," he murmured to Pallavi, who stood beside them, witnessing the moment. "Thank you for bringing my son back to me."

He patted Pallavi's head lovingly, as if acknowledging her role in healing the wounds that had separated father and son.

From the corner of the room, Dadi watched, her heart lightened, as if the guilt that had weighed on her for so long had finally lifted. She had feared for her family, feared they'd break beyond repair, but now she could see the mended cracks, stronger than ever before.

From a distance, Adit and Anant stood, grinning at the scene unfolding before them. A loving family, reunited.

"I told you this would happen," Adit whispered to Anant, nudging him playfully. Anant smiled, nodding in agreement, happy to see peace restored.

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

From that day, Arjun was a changed man. No longer the cold-hearted figure who had distanced himself from his loved ones, he was now a man who smiled, who laughed. He teased Pallavi at every chance, his eyes twinkling with affection. And pallavi started called him Aaru as after his mother and maasi , no one calls him with his name except Aradhya and unawate of the truth pallavi started calls him Aaru..

To the outside world, he might still be dangerous , a ruthless man in the business world. But for his family, he was no longer the demon they feared. He was their Arjun again, full of warmth and love.

The days passed like a gentle breeze, each one blessed with more laughter and love than the last. For Pallavi and Arjun, these weeks were filled with teasing moments, stolen glances, and romantic interludes that left them breathless and content.

Everything seemed perfect ,, too perfect, perhaps. Until that day, when Arjun's phone rang, and Aman's name flashed on the screen.

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Arjun's POV

As I looked at the caller ID, a mischievous grin spread across my face. It was Aman, calling from Santorini. Without wasting a second, I picked up the call.

"So, how was your Santorini trip? And how's your ' safed kabootari ' doing?" I asked, knowing full well that Aman was probably rolling his eyes at my words.

"First of all," he scoffed, "we didn't come here for a trip. It's all part of Mr. Goutham Sharma's trap. And secondly, she is not my safed kabootari , nor can anyone call her that."

"Yeah, yeah. Only you have the right to call Ms. Deshmukh your safed kabootari . Happy now?" I replied, teasingly. Aman's possessiveness over her had always been amusing to me.

"Lately, you're sounding more and more like that adha pagal Abhram," Aman complained, clearly irritated by my constant teasing.

Before I could reply, Abhram's voice cut in.

"Oi, ladke! I'm on a conference call too. Watch what you say, or else I'll file a complaint with your safed kabootari" His laughter echoed, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing as well.

Abhram's playful nature had always been infectious, but he was also quick to switch gears, especially when it came to serious matters. And before long, he brought up a topic that was bound to get under Aman's skin.

"By the way, we've seen those pictures of you and Ms. Deshmukh," Abhram said with a sly tone. "The ones where you two were kissing quite intensely. What's going on between you two?"

I chimed in, stoking the fire. "Yeah, Aman, those viral photos are something. Your fan following has definitely shot up! So, when are you two planning to take this reel couple thing to the next level? Goutham uncle would be over the moon!"

Aman's irritation was palpable. "Both of you, just shut up," he snapped. "I called because I needed to share something important."

His shift in tone was enough to make me and Abhram straighten up. There was a weight to his words that couldn't be ignored.

"What happened?" both Abhram and I asked in unison, our earlier amusement replaced by concern.

"Guess who I saw today," Aman said, his voice carrying a hint of tension.

"Who?" Abhram asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm sending a picture. Look at it," Aman replied, and within seconds, a message notification popped up on my phone. I opened it, and my eyes widened at what I saw.

"Naina?" Abhram's voice cracked through the silence.

"Yes," Aman confirmed. "She's here. After almost seven years, I saw her today."

The world seemed to still for a moment. Naina. The name alone stirred memories of a past long buried, of a woman whose disappearance had left deep scars.

"No, you won't carry this baby. That's my final decision," .

"Who are you to say this to me?"

"Of course I can say this to you, Naina. After all, you're my responsibility,"

Naina clenched her fists, her voice trembling with emotion. "Then you're free from all responsibilities. You don't need to care for my baby. He's my baby, you understand? My baby-and I am fully capable of taking care of him."

"We're coming there," Abhram and I said simultaneously, no longer hesitating.

"Until then, keep an eye on her. Follow her," Abhram instructed, his tone resolute. Aman agreed, but then, his voice faltered.

"But Pallavi bhabhi..."

"Not yet," Abhram interrupted. "Don't involve her for now. First, we need to talk to Naina."

I stayed quiet for a beat, my mind racing. Involving Pallavi now could complicate things, but not involving her at all... That wasn't an option. Not anymore.

"If not now, then it'll never happen," I said, my tone firm. "Pallavi's coming with me to Santorini. We'll meet you both tomorrow." I didn't give Aman time to argue. I cut the call, knowing that he understood where I stood on the matter.

I stared at the phone for a moment longer, my thoughts clouded with uncertainty. My heart ached at the idea of keeping secrets from Pallavi, but this was different. Naina's reappearance could unravel things we'd carefully stitched together over the years.

"No more secrets between us, Pallavi," I murmured under my breath, determination seeping into my words. She deserved the truth. She always did.

"I hope you trust me beyond all these circumstances," I whispered to myself, a quiet prayer as much as a wish. The weight of the past hung heavy on my shoulders, but this time, I wouldn't face it alone.

"Maybe I have always made mistakes and taken wrong decisions, but now this Arjun is not the same as the old Arjun. I can't change what I did to Naina, but for the mistakes I made, I can at least ask for forgiveness, right? And I hope this time too, Pallavi will stand by my side

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Pallavi's POV:

The excitement of heading to Santorini should've kept my mind buzzing with joy, but instead, I found myself staring nervously out the window of our private jet. The clouds outside were thickening, and the slight turbulence had me gripping the armrest tighter than I cared to admit.

Arjun had casually invited me to Santorini, a place I had secretly wanted to visit for a long time, not just to spend time with him but also because I had promised Gautam uncle I'd talk to Aman's "safeed kabootari" ,, a girl he was supposedly in love with, according to some viral photos. I hadn't even seen those photos, thanks to Adit smashing my phone during a random silly argument, so I'd only heard bits and pieces of the gossip.

I had asked Swamy about the girl too, hoping for more insight, but all he could offer was, "Woh hamesha young madam bulaata hai use," making the mystery even more frustrating. Great. Just what I needed, a name like 'young madam.'

But that was fine. I would be meeting her soon enough anyway.

As I glanced at the time, I realized we were six hours into the journey. We were so close to Santorini now, I could practically smell the salty sea air. Yet, here I was, sweating through every jolt and shake of the jet.

The turbulence was getting worse, the plane shuddering with every drop. My heart raced, and I clenched my hands even tighter, feeling utterly out of control. I didn't want to admit it, but I was scared. A soft laugh escaped Arjun, who was sitting beside me, casually flipping through some files as if we weren't thousands of feet in the air, bouncing like a toy in a storm.

"Relax, Pallavi," he said, his deep voice calm, soothing. "It's just a little turbulence. Nothing to worry about."

I shot him a look, my anxiety plain on my face. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one imagining every possible disaster scenario right now!"

He chuckled, shaking his head slightly, and before I could protest, he gently grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap.

"What are you doing?" I gasped, heat rushing to my cheeks. This man had no concept of boundaries sometimes.

Arjun wrapped his arms securely around my waist, holding me against his chest.

"Making you feel safe," he murmured against my ear, his breath sending a wave of warmth through me. His heartbeat was steady, unlike mine, which was racing. "Close your eyes, Pallavi. Trust me."

I hesitated for a moment, then let out a shaky breath and rested my head against his shoulder, my fingers slowly unclenching as I leaned into him. His arms were my fortress, his presence calming the storm raging in my head.

"I hate flying," I mumbled, half embarrassed and half relieved that he was there.

"I know," he whispered back, his lips brushing my temple. "That's why I'm here."

Just as I began to relax, feeling the tension leave my body, I noticed a flight attendant lingering nearby. She had been overly attentive since the start of the flight, and I hadn't missed the way her eyes constantly wandered to Arjun. Now, she was practically drooling as she watched him hold me. The audacity.

She approached us, her eyes glistening with what I could only describe as admiration - toward my husband, no less. Her voice was sickeningly sweet as she asked, "Is there anything I can get you, sir? Perhaps another drink?"

I narrowed my eyes, glaring at her as she blatantly ignored my presence.

Arjun, completely unfazed, glanced at her with his usual polite indifference. "No, thank you," again thank you ?? Nowadays he uses these words often ,

" we need some privacy " he said, then shifted slightly, tightening his grip around me, making it clear who he was focused on.

I smirked to myself, feeling a small surge of triumph.

The flight attendant hesitated, looking flustered for a moment before quickly turning and walking away.

"Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath, frowning at her retreating figure.

Arjun chuckled again, his chest rumbling softly against my back. "Jealous, Mrs. Srivastav?"

I scoffed, lifting my head to look at him. "Of her? Please."

But the teasing glint in his eyes made my heart flutter. He knew exactly how to get under my skin, and the worst part was that I liked it. I let out a sigh, leaning back into his warmth. "Still, I don't like other women drooling over you."

Arjun's lips brushed against my ear, his voice soft but firm. "Good. I don't want anyone but you to look at me like that."

A blush crept up my neck, and I quickly averted my gaze. Why did he always have to say things that made my heart race?

The turbulence had almost completely faded now, but I stayed in his lap, feeling safe and secure, the earlier fear slowly melting away. We would land soon, and there was a lot waiting for us in Santorini, but for now, I just wanted to enjoy this moment ,, me and Arjun, thousands of feet in the air, but feeling more grounded than ever in his arms.

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

Santorini island, Greece

As the plane touched down, I peered out of the window, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Santorini. The whitewashed buildings, topped with domed blue roofs, cascaded down the cliffs, meeting the deep azure waters of the Aegean Sea. It was like a painting come to life, with the golden sunlight draping everything in a warm, magical glow.

The air felt different here ,, crisp, fresh, and almost tinged with the scent of the ocean. The narrow streets wound through charming villages, each corner revealing a new postcard-perfect view. Bougainvillea flowers bloomed in shades of pink and purple, adding splashes of color to the pristine white walls.

"How beautiful this place is, Aaru," I whispered, my eyes wide with wonder, completely lost in the beauty of the place.

"Yes, very beautiful... so beautiful that I can't even take my eyes off it," he replied. But his eyes weren't on the view ,, they were on me. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as I met his intense gaze.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Vipul Bhaiyya's reflection in the rearview mirror. His face was a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness, clearly uncomfortable with Arjun's romantic comment.

"This Arjun... he starts anywhere, anytime," I thought , with a sigh and gave his shoulder a light smack with my small palm, making him chuckle softly.

We soon arrived at our resort, and as the car came to a stop, my eyes scanned the name on the board, "Rose Gold Resorts."

"Is this resort ours?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

Arjun simply nodded, a smug smile on his face. Without saying a word, he slipped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as we made our way to the VVIP lounge ,, exclusively reserved for my husband, of course.

The moment we stepped into the lounge, I rushed to the balcony, eager to soak in more of Santorini's charm. The view was breathtaking. The sun was setting, casting shades of pink and orange across the sky, which reflected on the shimmering sea below. Boats bobbed lazily on the water, and in the distance, I could see the silhouettes of other islands.

As I stood there in awe, I suddenly felt warm hands slide around my waist. Arjun's chin rested gently on my shoulder, and I could feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"You like it?" he asked softly, his voice low and gentle.

I nodded, too entranced by the view , and his proximity , to speak.

"Freshen up quickly now, we have somewhere to go" he murmured, pressing a kiss to my shoulder before stepping back.

I nodded again and quickly made my way to freshen up.

---

After a few minutes, I emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush white bathrobe. On the bed, I noticed a sleek package, neatly placed with a note from Arjun. Curious, I opened it to find a beautiful knee-length dress, soft and elegant, with matching accessories. A shy smile crept onto my lips as I realized how well he knew my taste.





I quickly changed into the dress, its fabric hugging my curves just right, and made my way to the door when I heard a knock. I opened it to see Vipul Bhaiyya standing there, a polite smile on his face.

"Madam, sir is waiting for you downstairs. Shall we go?" Vipul Bhaiyya asked.

I nodded, grabbing my handbag before following him downstairs.

---

As we reached the restaurant, I spotted Arjun sitting casually at a table , a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, Bluetooth in his ear. His casual yet effortlessly handsome appearance was enough to make my heart skip a beat. But I wasn't the only one who noticed - several girls seated nearby were openly staring at him, their eyes filled with admiration.

I couldn't help but pout. "Kya yeh thoda kum handsome nahi lag sakta?" I muttered to myself, annoyed by the attention he was getting.

("Can't he look a little less handsome?")

As I approached him, I saw Vipul Bhaiyya moving to pull out a chair for me, but Arjun waved him off with a casual hand gesture.

He stood up, his eyes locking onto mine with that familiar teasing glint, and pulled the chair out himself.

" Páre ti thési sou, vasílissá mou," he said something in some foreign language, his voice low yet clear

I blinked, confused. "What?"

He smiled, leaning in slightly. "I said, 'Take your seat, my queen,' in Greek ."

Before I could respond, he leaned down and pecked me on the lips, right there in the middle of the restaurant. My eyes widened in shock. "Yeh ladka bilkul besharam hai," I thought, my heart racing as I felt the envious stares of the other women around us.

("This guy is completely shameless.")

We sat down, and despite my flustered state, I couldn't help but smile. As we sipped our coffee together, I felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the hot drink. This was our journey, our adventure in Santorini - and with Arjun by my side, I knew it would be unforgettable.

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Arjun POV

As we walked into the restaurant after a few hours journey from our resort , my mind was racing. This was it - the place where things had gone wrong between Naina and me. I kept glancing at Pallavi, who was walking beside me, probably sensing the tension but not asking any questions yet. I could feel my pulse quicken, but I masked my anxiety behind a calm face.

Naina was seated at a corner table, typing away on her laptop, completely absorbed in whatever she was working on. I swallowed hard. It had been a long time since we last spoke , since the day I had said things I regretted. "I hope she can forgive me," I thought, my chest tightening with each step closer to her.

Pallavi's eyes flicked between me and Naina, clearly confused but patient. She trusted me enough to wait for an explanation, and for that, I was grateful. Vipul, trailing behind us, knew the situation and was silent, like a shadow following our every step.

I stopped a few feet from Naina's table, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I needed to fix this, no matter how awkward or painful it was going to be.

"If we sit here, will that be a problem?" I asked, my voice low but firm. Naina's head shot up from her laptop, her eyes wide with surprise. For a second, she just stared at me, her expression a mixture of emotions I couldn't quite read. Was it anger? Shock? Regret? Maybe all of them.

Pallavi was looking at me now, completely confused, probably wondering why I was asking permission from a woman she didn't know. I didn't offer her an explanation yet. There were things I needed to say to Naina first.

I pulled out a chair for Pallavi, making sure she sat down before she could object. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but I simply gestured for her to sit, and thankfully, she did without a word.

""Will you give me a chance? To explain? Ms. Naina Agarwal?" I said, trying to sound casual, but I knew the edge in my voice betrayed my nerves. Naina blinked a few times, her eyes still wide as she processed what was happening. There was something in her eyes , an emotion that made my gut twist, but I couldn't tell if it was anger or sadness.

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.

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

So what do you think ? Will Arjun really cheated on pallavi ? Will Naina forgive Arjun so easily ?

For that you have to wait for the next chapter..

And the next chapter is already published in scrollstock you can check there and I will upload in Wattpad after a good amount of response..

Thank you

Love you all

Precap : pallavi got to know about the truth

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