Love you all, we've crossed 300k views ❤️🤧 literally wasn't expecting this when I first started the book

Don't forget to comment, now enjoy with our Aarshika ~~~

Mishika's pov
I once again shuffled through the needed cash and spare keys in my canteen purse before redirecting my gaze at my reflection in the mirror. I had put on a plain halter neck top paired with a black accordion mid-calf skirt. Picking up the hair tie I quickly pulled my hair into a high ponytail before making my way out.

As I approached the main door a whistle made my steps halt and my head whipped to spot Aarav sprawled on the couch. He had moved the centre table closer to himself where his fingers worked on the keyboard of his laptop. "Where to, little wife ?" I followed his gaze which flickered to the wall clock, where the short needle was pointing past nine.

"Grocery shopping." I shrugged. Usually I get the things delivered but I enjoy shopping for the groceries myself whenever I've some time off from the office. Also at this hour the stores are hardly crowded letting me have the chance to bask in some me-time.

"Wait" once again he interrupted me. Now what ? "I'm coming along."

Shooting a dubious look at him, I crossed my arms and watched as he clumsily shut his laptop and hurriedly got off the sofa. "Someone once boasted that he has and can hire people for doing such trivial work."

"Ohh baby! You keep notes of everything I say or do. Such a loving wife." I ignored his knowing gaze and heard his chuckle halfway while he retreated into the bedroom.

Earlier his incessant present, continuous mention of our marriage and calling me his wife used to irk me and remind me of the catastrophe I got myself caught into. I guess in past months I've involuntarily got accustomed to all that.

A couple of minutes later he emerged back, now his glory clad in a brown summer sweater and black pants rather than the sleeveless tee and sweat shorts. Ain't devils supposed to look horrendous ? It's a crime that the devil of my life looks so sight worthy. A handsome face jerk.

"You can sit down and gawk for however long you want." Rolling my eyes, I quickly averted my gaze off. Why you've to embarrass yourself in front of him, Mishika!? "No need to unnecessarily cause pain to those pretty legs of yours when I can give them pretty reasons to ache for."

It took me a second to realise the hidden diabolical meaning behind his words and I shot him a glare before muttering "Asmodeus"

Finally we reached the supermarket. I practically had to storm away since he was being stubborn about bringing his car even when we had to come just two blocks away.

Pushing the cart I went through the list on my phone and picked up the things needed. Meanwhile Aarav trailed beside me, looking around like a lost kid. "Are you just going to roam around or lend me a hand ?" Casting a glance his way, I forwarded the list to him.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket as it chimed and then his eyes squinted and lips tugged in an impressed curve.

Two hours later, we still were not done. If I was alone I would have gone back home by now. Giving Aarav the list was the most annoying situation I called for myself. He was throwing tantrums about anything and everything.

Though watching someone like Aarav taking part in something so domestic is beguiling. Everytime I see him helping Yami maa in the kitchen, I feel intrigued. The sight is so_ charming!?

My eyes raked through the rack jammed with delicious snacks, my finger tips inadvertently surfs through them.

"Put those already in the cart." I shake my head as I hear him grumbling from behind.

"We are following a budget, remember ?" I repeated for him for the umpteenth time. In the meantime I dropped a box of cookies in the cart and placed the other one back on the rack after I finished analysing their prices. "Pick up anything tasty."

The sultriness suddenly looming over me seized my actions, my fingers tightly clutched around the handle of the cart feeling his lips softly nibbling my skin. "Tastiest" His husky whisper made goosebumps crawl on my skin.

Gulping down, I tried to calm my stupid marathon running heart and tilt my head up to glare him away. However I palsied for another time when my lips brushed to his five o'clock shadow jaw, almost on the outlines of his lips.

I couldn't move when he took over the league of the cart, his hoarse voice melting into my ears. "Enough shopping done, Honey-eye."

"I won't mind joining you for another time, then next and then next to that." Not knowing how to deal with the embarrassment and the flutters surging inside me, my head timidly dipped down. "Tumhe apni baahon mein kaid karne ke liye to jannat ki unchaiyon tak bhi jana manjoor hai aur jahannum ki gehraiyon tak bhi."

(As long as I get to cage you in my arms, I can join you to the absurd heaven and even to the Hades's inferno.)

Like that he was gone for billing leaving me numb and puzzled.

Why does he have to say things like that ? Like he actually meant it.

And why the hell does my insides convert into a pool of puddles even when I know he is capable of trifling with my emotions and breaking my heart into shambles ?

Stop doing this to me, Aarav.
~
~
~
Soft breeze grazed past us as we walked on the deserted road, the yellow street light illuminating above our head. We didn't have to carry the groceries with us since the store will deliver it by morning. When we stepped outside the store, Aarav took my purse to carry it with him even when I tried to protest.

I don't want him to carry my purse because I don't want to rejuvenate the memories of the past.

I don't want to reminisce about the things he once made me feel and the things he is making me feel.

No matter how much I'm trying to brush it off, I know it no longer is just the hate, the anger, the loathing I had for him. A forbidden emotion is slowly getting attached to it. And I wonder if it's possible to feel them all at the same time ?

And I don't want to feel it because it is wrecking my guard loose and will only push me to despise myself.

My head and heart was upheaval with thoughts and emotions but on the contrary he was as cool as a cucumber, busy whistling. From my peripheral view, I noticed him rummaging through something in his pocket and I know it's the packet of cigarettes he always carries with him. Lately I've noticed that he avoids smoking in my presence.

Engrossed in my thoughts I got startled from Aarav's abrupt vociferation. I couldn't even get enough time to process it when he held my wrist and ushered me along. And I found myself standing before the twenty-four/seven ice-cream parlour.

My gaze flickered to Aarav whose eyes were already fixed on me, a knowing glint available in those dark orbs of his.

No, I will not allow you to toy with me again Aarav.

"I don't want it." Crossing my arms, I asserted in a clipped tone. However he dismissed my denial with a wave of his hand.

"You don't know what you want, sweetheart." An annoyed breath vented past my nose as I looked away.

It was already past eleven yet many couples and some group of friends were around here. They must have witnessed the banter between me and my nightmare husband and must have realised Aarav was carrying a ladies purse on his shoulder since some girls giggled and some shot heart eyes in our direction.

This unexpected attention is making me feel uneasy.

I heard Aarav's voice. "One chocolate caramel for my wife." My eyes widened after hearing that. Did he still remember? Nevertheless I avoided his eyes, aware of the exaggeration he added on the last two words.

"And what flavour would you prefer, sir ?"

"Coco-honey" Upon hearing his demand, my eyes twitched in his direction. And I instantly ducked my head low as our eyes clashed and a smirk crawled on his lips.

God! Why does my cheeks suddenly feel so warm ?

"Sorry sir, we don't have that." The shopkeeper apologetically said, but he was busy in taking delight in my flushed state. Jerk.

Aarav then ordered the same flavour as mine and paid for the ice-cream before handing over one to me. His arms came on my lower back as we turned to leave and I didn't squat his arm away because we were under so many eyes and I didn't intend to create a scene.

**F L A S H B A C K B E G I N S**

Aarav quickly straightened up when he finally noticed the person he had been waiting for, appearing in his sight. He watched as she waved bye at her coaching mates and readjusted her backpack on her shoulder before ducking her head low and got a move on her way.

"Hey", Mishika ostensibly got startled by the sudden intrusion. A second later her surprised filled honey orbs collided with his charcoal blackholes and recognition swam through her eyes.

"Hii" she responded in her soft voice, a smile grazing on her lips that forthwith warmed his insides.

Couple of minutes rolled on as they spoke nothing but just stood under the shade of the tree. The deepening shade of scarlet on her cheeks was intensifying his urge to stroke his fingers over them. Whereas she had her head hung low but was aware of his heating gaze.

However soon her calm composure began to turn uneasy under the gazes of the passerby or the few students standing a little away. Many students of her college go to the same coaching and they must have recognised Aarav since he is one popular guy of the college.

"I'm getting late. I should go."

Before she could leave, Aarav quickly forced his brain to work for an excuse and interrupted her. "Let's eat icecream and then I'll drop you."

Her lips parted to speak out a protest but he beat her off by taking her backpack from her and hanging it over his shoulder. At the last she had to agree with him however she tried to get her bag back, worried about him carrying her baby blue bag with a unicorn flying across a rainbow printed on the front.

Although Aarav shrugged it off, grabbed her forearms and dragged her to the ice-cream stall.

"I don't have any money on me." Fiddling with her fingers, she voiced out her embarrassment.

And in response he softly patted her shoulder, cooing her to not stress about it. "This is on me."

He then asked for her choice before placing the order. "One chocolate caramel here for my friend."

Mishika thanked him and smiled as he passed her the ice-cream. As he paid for it, she noticed he didn't buy one for himself. "Won't you accompany me ?"

Pleased by her innocent request, he couldn't bring himself to put her down even when he wasn't a fan of ice-cream. "I'll have the same."

Savouring their respective ice-cream, they fell into step to her house. Silence stretched across them but they didn't mind because it felt peaceful. He felt peaceful with her.

"Your house is a block away, go safely from here." She nodded at his instructions and smiled for another time before waving a bye. Only if she hadn't been so flustered in his presence, she would have realised that he knew her house was a block away even though this was his first time there.

He let out an exasperated sigh, not wanting to let her go yet and somewhere she also wished to stay longer.

**F L A S H B A C K E N D S**

Pov continues
The night was growing darker and the gust of wind was turning chillier. We finished eating our ice-cream a few minutes ago. We only went for ice-cream a few times in the past, so why does he still remember my usual preference ?

My feet stopped when I felt him tugging at my hair and realised he released my pony tail and wore my hair tie on his wrist.

Scrunching my nose, I graced him with a questioning look. My annoyance only shot up when his lips quipped in a sight worthy yet devilish smile. "What ?"

"Don't confine them with a stupid hair tie." I instinctively took a step away when he took one closer to me. His arms naturally found their way around my waist as he ventured me close to him, I took a sharp intake of breath when our chest clashed together. "They would rather look better fisted around my palms when I'll make you see stars and make you realise how charismatic you are over this stupid universe."

His lips grazing the shell of my ear rippled tremors in my entire body. This is wrong. A whole set of butterflies erupted inside my tummy when his lips tenderly landed on the slight bump of my nose bridge.

Doesn't he find it ugly like everyone told me so ?

"Every fucking single thing about you drives me crazy." Automatically my lips parted with the incessant stroke of his lips on my cheek as he spoke. "You are my apricity, Honey-eye."

How can I stop myself from getting ashtrayed in his sinful temptation when he makes my ordinary self feel so extraordinary ?

I blame it on his incendiary thronged charcoal blackholes which always look at me as if there's nothing more important to see in the world.

Four months in this marriage and my guard of six years is already flickering. The string of the past is what I'm thriving on to keep me sane from the effect the devil is casting on me.

The memories of the past are a constant reminder that this is the same boy who made me a laughing stock in the world's eyes.

Caught up in striving to untangle my tangled emotions, when abruptly my lips got sealed by his soft yet rough lips bolting me immobilised. My clutch on his sweater tightened when he moulded his lips over mine. Meanwhile my numb mind and instinct fought against the urge to give into the sinfully tempting sensation that could lead me to destruction.

I was about to push him away however he himself pulled away as if he knows how long it takes my body and mind to retaliate.

My breath came out rugged and angry as I panted.

Is it possible to hate someone and at the same time feel completely opposite emotions for the same person ?

My feelings for my nightmare are contrasting like his personality. And I'm hating myself for it.

He might get successful in melting the iceberg shielding my heart, but the path to reach there will still be full of thorns.

I found my breath hitching when he stroked his thumb over the throbbing nerve of my neck, whereas his fingers snaked around my nape, forcing my head to jerk up and look at him.

"How long will you deny that I make you feel things, darling ?" My mouth dried to the extent that I forcefully had to gulp. Goosebumps layers my skin overwhelmed by his scrutinising gaze on my visage.

Is it that obvious ?

Feeling too exposed off my guards under his heated stare, I hung my head low not believing my words at the moment. And although I did not agree with what he said, I could not deny it either.

Chapter Word- 2660

So, this is the last update. I'll see you guys after Holi. I'll ve available a few more days to answer the comments though. ✨ Until then take care.

Aesthetics for the chapter

Signing off
~T.R