UTKARSH'S POV:

Keeping my hands on her shoulders, I massage them gently as she continues fuming— which seems an understatement now.

"Aaraya, the love of my life, don't be mad at me please. Look at me, talk to me." Placing my fingers on her jaw, I forcefully make her face me.

Her eyes glisten with tears—making me feel as if someone has ripped my heart into two halves. I go down on my knees until I reach the height of hers' as she sits on the corner of her bed.

Cupping her face, I watch her lips apart as she inhales harshly. I messed it up, maybe my only chance to be with her is ruined.

It's been ten minutes since I've confessed everything. Every. Fucking. Thing, but Aaraya hasn't spoken a single word.

I run my fingers through my hair and say as my voice comes out shaky, "Please talk to me, I beg you. Say something Aaraya—"

"What the fuck do you want me to say, Utkarsh?" She yells and I watch tears spill down her cheeks—which causes my hand to involuntarily reach for it and wipe it away.

She points a finger at my chest and says, "screw you Utkarsh. How do you manage to be so heartless? I would've killed anyone who would've thought about my little sister that way. But look at you, you still live in the same house as them, you eat food with the same people who almost killed your brother and at the end, you support them. And your parents, what kind of assholes are they? Do you not feel like strangling them to death? No wait, why would you? You're like them too, a heartless human being, right Utkarsh?"

With her words, she makes me want to kill myself. Have I been that disgusting? Is my presence a curse? She hates me, she hates me so much.

I want to change everything I've ever done, live my life a better way. But I hate her words, I'm not heartless, I'm a human being.

Punching my temple violently, I say as tears continue to flow down my face, "Don't say that, Aaraya, please. I'm not like them, I could never be that bad. I was too young— I didn't know what to do-"

"Are you too young right now also? You're fucking 32, Utkarsh. Why don't you leave them? Why do still have to live with them?! You could have—if you wanted to, but no, that's not the case. Stop lying to yourself. It's just money that matters to you, not your brother. Don't you think—you should stay away from Raghvansh now, you've given him enough pain."

She stops for catching breath and continues, "they're you're inspiration right? Your parents. You want to become like them one day, don't you? No, wait, you've already become like them. I cannot believe I trusted someone you. You disgust me, UTKARSH BIRLA-"

"Aaraya," I press my face against her knees. "Don't say such things, it's breaking my heart. I know you don't mean it. I'll do everything in my will, there must be a way out of this, right? I promise I'll do every-everything. Trust me, please."

I hear her let out a bitter laugh as she says breaking my heart further, "Raghvansh trusted you too, didn't he? But what did you do? Let your parents throw him out of the house and even after so many years, you live with those people and be their slave. You're such a coward!"

"I'm not a coward! I just didn't know what to do, who to go to, Aaraya. We just pretend to be a happy and a fine family, but we're not. I don't even consider them my family." I wipe another stream of tears down her cheek and she slaps my hand away.

Glaring at me once again, she says as I see anger take over her, "then why waste time pretending? You can leave them and live somewhere else, the media won't even find out about it. You're a very brilliant and dedicated person when it comes to buisness, Utkarsh. You could have started a company of your own, why'd you chose to work with such people?" She shakes me by my shoulder as I think of her words again.

You could have started a company—if you wanted to.

I could have. I've thought about it so many times, but I couldn't get myself to do so because I had no one to support me, no one to be with me. But now, I do. I have Raghvansh and her, the two people I love the most on this universe.

Now, I can. I can afford to risk this. It'll all be okay once I start it. Both of them would support me, I don't doubt that.

Yes, I'll do it. However ever late it is, I'll stand for my brother which I wanted to do for years.

They have to suffer what Raghvansh has suffered, people can't get away with whatever they do. According to the law, they can't go to jail for such a thing, but I'll make their life worse.

The person who they trust the most— will break their trust like they did 26 years ago.

I won't pity you Shahid and Meera Birla. I won't be satisfied until I see you in the condition Raghvansh was back then.

Only evil can destroy evil.

Catching hold of both her hands, I stare into her brown orbs, "I'll do it, Aaraya. I won't let them be a part of my life any longer. That's not my home, it's here, it's you. They are not my parents, they're just people who are related to me biologically. I won't spare them, not this time."

I yell and remove all the frustration bottled up within me.

Catching my breath, I look at Aaraya as she smiles and wipes her tears away, "That's what I wanted to hear, Utkarsh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to use my harsh ways, it's just that—it was important for you to understand your wrong doings and correct them. Don't worry about it, you'll do it. We'll get through this together, okay? I'm so proud of you."

She bends forward and kisses my forehead—making my heart flutter at the sensation.

As if it was not enough to destroy me, she grazes my cheek with her soft finger and attaches her forehead to mine, throwing the arms around my neck the usual way.

"Aru, you'll always be with me, right?" I whisper staring into the pair of happy eyes as they twinkle.

A mischievous smile plays on her lips at which I become curious and to increase my curiosity, she says, "Okay, before I answer the question of yours', I need to tell you something, Utkarsh."

Why does my name have to sound so sexy when she says it? Anyway, that's for later.

Getting up, I take a seat beside her and turn her to me as my palms cup her face, "What is it Aaraya? Is it something important? Is it about us?"

I question and watch her smile as she replies, "Yes, Utkarsh, it's about us."

"Tell me," I simply say.

She chuckles and takes both my hands in hers' as she bends forward and kisses my cheek causing me to blush like a teenager.

I smirk as my own mind reminds me of my words and I say- "I remember someone saying 'I won't even kiss you in my dreams', but I can't remember who it was, how about you help me recall the same. Yes, Aaraya?"

Instead of looking away and feeling teased, she mirrors my smirk.

"Was it just a cheek-kiss you were talking about, Utkarsh?" Bending for, she whispers in my ear. "I thought you were daring and courageous."

Pulling back, she runs her fingers through my hair as I continue to be dazzled by my love—who just can't stop messing with me for once.

Until my brain can even frame a response, she presses her lips upon mine, only for me to widen my eyes.

Not caring about anything else at the moment, I press my palm to her stomach and push her against the pillow. I begin to kiss her madly, deeply, crazily and the taste of sweet mouth engulfs me until she stops me and her breath fans my face as we stare at each other.

Fuck it, only if I imagined our first kiss was this magical. I bend as her lips seem to attract me towards them, but a hand reaches my chest— preventing me from claiming her lips.

Doesn't she want to do it? My sight dissolves into her luminous orbs as I intake the view of her soft lips which temps me once again.

"Do you want me to stop, Aaraya? Let me tell you—I do not want to," I say and wait for her to respond as she smile again.

What's wrong with her?

She continues to stare at me and taking a deep breath, she staightens up causing me to do the same.

"I need to tell you something," she orders.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her and place her on my lap, "Make it quick, love. You know I cannot wait to get my lips back there."

She hits my chest— not so lightly and says, "Utkarsh, I'll throw you out of my house. Stop flirting with me!"

"I don't see any wrong in kissing my girlfriend."

"You!" She yells dominantly. Okay, that is enough. She has to stop being so damn hot.

I attach my lips to the corner of her mouth and pull back instantly, "Hmm. Tell me, what is it that you want to say."

I sternly say and wait for her to state what she has been keeping in herself for the past five minutes.

Placing her palm on my chest, she brushes away the curls falling on my forehead- "I love you, Utkarsh. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Utkarsh, I love you. It's you who I want to spend all my time and life with. I know this is crazy, but I found the person I was meant to be with maybe that's why my previous relationships haven't worked. It's you, it has always been you. Like for real, love, you make me the happiest I've ever been. I cannot thank God enough for you."

_______________

UTKARSH'S POV CONTINUES:

"Ishaani Aunty, don't worry about it. I'll register your leave. Just enjoy yourself," I say and she grins at me.

Giving my head a pat, she says- "Thank you so much, Utkarsh beta, take care of yourself and Aaraya too, okay? I'll see you both soon."

She grabs her purse kept on the island of the kitchen and takes the car keys.

To inform— Ishaani Aunty, Aaraya's mom, is about leave for her parents place which is also in Pune and for those reasons, she needed a day off. Given that Birla Empire and Swiss Ltd India are working on a project which she is a part of, I have the authority to grant her or any one involved in the project a leave.

I turn my feet to Aaraya, who is currently sitting on the sofa of the living room— snorting, given that she hates her grandparents and thus doesn't want Ishaani aunty to meet them.

"Mom, why would you go to meet that witch?" She yells.

Turning towards the door, I see Ishaani aunty sigh, "Aaraya, she's not that bad, and shouldn't speak about elders that way."

My lady gets up from where she's seated and glares at her mother, "Mom, even you know how bad she can get. She threw you out of the house, and now just because we are well off, she keeps using us for money."

Raising my eyebrows at Aaraya, I watch her continue,

"Maa (mother), you're well aware of the way she treats me and Piha. Is it necessary to stay associated with her?"

"Do you think I would like to talk to someone who treats my kids that way, no I don't, Aaraya. But she has given birth to me, there are still responsibilities I have." Ishaani Aunty tries to justify, but that doesn't seem an appropriate one.

Aaraya takes a deep breath, "Okay mom, but be back within an hour and if you need anything, just give me a call."

Ishaani Aunty nods and closes the door behind her.

"Do you hate your grandmother to that extent?" I chuckle.

Nodding, she says, "Why wouldn't anyone? What a two-faced bitch."

I bite back a laugh at the annoyed Aaraya. Hot.

"Language Di, and what are you both talking about?" I hear a voice and turn to see Piha descending down the stairs. She doesn't really seem okay with her puffed eyes and messy hair.

"Pihu, what's with your appearance? Have you been crying again?" Aaraya says and runs to her sister's side.

Again? I mean, she does looks like she has cried to sleep and maybe I should inform Raghvansh, but he would be worried about it. So maybe not.

Crying to sleep is so overrated. If you want to cry, you have the entire day. Why waste your precious sleep?

"No ya Di, do not worry about it, okay?" She laughs it off. Okay, now I want to know what's wrong.

Not wanting to rack my brain anymore, I walk upto them and narrow my eyes accusingly, "Why're you crying, Piha? Tell me fast, I'm curious. I mean, it's sad that you're crying but it's also questionable. So yes, now that I'm your family or to be brother-in-law, I guess I deserve to know."

I rub my index finger on my chin and wait for them to open their mouth.

She turns towards Piha and lets out a nervous and awkward laugh, "You might be hungry right? Go eat something, Pihu."

Saying, she pushes Piha into the kitchen and grabs my hand, dragging me towards the her room again.

Does she want a repeat of our heated sessions? I smirk at that as she locks the door behind me.

"Aaraya...do not pull me in this way. You could have just said you wanted to kiss me," I say and step closer to her and feel her breath on my face.

I feel a sharp pain in my stomach only to realise— the love of my life has kicked me hard.

Holding on to my abdomen, I panic, "Ouch! That hurt Aaraya. Why would you do something like that?!"

"This is first and last time I'm telling you Utkarsh. Do. Not. Talk. About. Piha's. Love. Life," She yells.

Huh?

Composing myself, I stand straight, "What are you talking about? When did I talk talk about her love life?"

Her sigh falls onto my ear as she takes a seat on the corner of the bed. I just asked her why was she upset, Why're they making a big fuss about it?

Getting to my knees, I catch hold of her hand, "Aaraya, did I say something wrong? I just wanted to know why she was upset? I'm sorry if I hurt you two, I didn't mean to. I'll apologise to Piha, it's not a big deal. I consider y'all my family, there's no way I would think of hurting you all. Tell me, please."

She looks into my eye and strokes my hair- "It's nothing, Love. I've seen her cry everyday— for the past seven months, but she won't tell me. She doesn't share her pain or how she feels. She'll just put up a smile on her face and say it's okay, but she's not okay, Utkarsh. The past few weeks, I did see her giggling and smiling. It was natural of me to think that she's accepted the truth, finally. But she didn't. We were sitting, talking to mom and suddenly the topic of surgeries and surgeons came up. I knew she would think of him, I knew she would cry, and that was okay, we are her family, we are going to support her in every possible way. Do you know what she said? She said she want-wanted to die."

I see thick tears leave her eyes and pull her too my chest almost on reflex.

It's crazy how the young girl, who seems joyous than ever as if she has everything she wishes for—has that side to her. But why the hell would she want to die? She has a perfect family, she's well off as a doctor, has people who support her, what else does one want?

I rub her back and pull away to look at her as she sniffles and I say, "Aaraya do not cry like this, please. Tell me, talk to me. Why does she feel this way? And also, you do not have to feel guilty about it, it's not in our hands to make someone feel the way we want them to feel."

"Utkarsh, that does make sense, but I can't help but wonder if she'll ever be the person she was seven months ago. I want see her happy, that's it. I do not wish for something else."

She begins to sob— breaking my heart into two.

Kissing her forehead, I further question, "But what is it? Why is she being so upset? Maybe we can help her Aaraya."

She pulls back and wipes her tears, clarifying, "Utkarsh, she has lost someone she loved, not just her—mom, dad and I, we loved him. He was such a nice person. The thought of you even leaving me scares me so much, I cannot imagine how it must be for her. He passed away something 7-8 months ago in an accident, he wanted to surprise her at her graduation. He called me and told me—not to inform her about it. Do you want to know something else? Utkarsh, he was going to propose her, and all she got was a call informing her that Roman got into an accident.

"Mom, Dad and I, we couldn't be there due to grandfather's death anniversary, but I wish I was there with Piha, I wish she wouldn't have to go through all this alone. After her graduation, I neither received her call nor Roman's. It was normal for me to think they were enjoying their time as a newly engaged couple. A week passed by, she still wouldn't pick up our calls. I was so pissed. I had to call Rahul. Rahul, my ex-boyfriend—the one I told you about. He was Roman's elder brother. He told me Piha had a lot of assignments to complete, she had been busy lately. But something felt oddly weird. However busy Piha way, she would always call me.

"She came home six days later with puffed eyes, under eye bags and looking like a zombie. The first thought in my mind was—that they broke up, but I surely did not expect it to be this devastating. Why does god have to be so unfair with her? If they weren't supposed to be together, then they shouldn't have met!" She yells.

How could it so unfair? But things happen for a reason, don't they? Maybe it was for them to be happy,

Be it in two different worlds.

~√~√

Author's note*

Okay, I love writing Utkarsh's POV given that he is as annoying as me :')
Here comes the the first reveal of this book. The next few chapters are quite emotional and strong talking from the content part of view. Heads up!
Do let me know about Utkarsh and Aaraya—about how you find them as a couple.
Do vote and take care!