"You need not give an explanation every time to prove yourself right."
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"Aahana?"
"Mhmm?" Aahana stared at him through the mirror as she braided her hair into a side fishtail.
He was towel drying his hair, his face a book of emotions. He looked conflicted. "I'm really sorry about yesterday. I don't know why I behaved li-"
Aahana stood up and walked up to him. "Atharva, it's really okay. I know you need space." She pecked his cheeks and looked into his eyes. "So, don't worry about it, alright?"
Atharva nodded and that brought a smile to Aahana's lips. "I promise to make it up to you."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"Help you cook today?"
"Really?" Her face brightened.
"Of course."
"Atharva... I was thinking, uh, if you want to see Dr. Gupta again?" Aahana asked quietly as they both headed out of the room in the direction of the kitchen.
"No," he was quick to answer. Aahana waited for him to say something else, but he left it at that.
*****
"So, this is how you wanted to help me?"
Aahana pushed him away, stifling a giggle. He snaked his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder as he watched her chop the veggies for lunch.
He hummed in response.
"You are distracting me!"
"Do you not like it, love?" He whispered in her ear, his voice deep and husky all of a sudden. He nipped her earlobe and she stiffened, dropping the knife on the chopping board. She felt a shiver run down her spine and when his fingertips rubbed smooth circles along the side of her exposed waist, she couldn't help but melt into him.
Her eyes closed and she fell back in his arms, and he didn't mind pressing her closer to his chest. "Love?"
Hot breath fanned her neck and she swallowed audibly. She was in a daze, into him completely. "Love?" she squeaked.
Atharva laughed. "That's my nickname for you." He loved that he could affect her senses so easily.
She blinked her eyes open and heaved a sigh, wriggling out of his arms and turning around to face him. "Very original, eh?"
He grasped her waist and leaned towards her, his lips nearly touching hers. "Is it not?"
"Well—"
He kissed the corner of her mouth and she felt all the words die down in her throat. "Yes, love?"
She sucked in a sharp breath as goosebumps dotted her arms.
"Ahem..." She heard a cough resonate near her. Her eyes widened in sheer horror and a blush crept up her cheeks when she saw Nisha standing in the doorway with a huge smirk. "Dad is asking if we would get lunch today?"
She pushed away a scowling Atharva and ran her fingers through her hair, looking everywhere but at Nisha. "Uh, actually we—"
"I was helping her cook," Atharva said flatly.
"Yeah, sure. I'll tell him the same." Nisha chuckled, her eyes holding amusement. She threw a wink Aahana's way and left.
"Atharva!" Aahana cried out, pinning him with a glare, her face scarlet now. "What is she going to think?"
"That..." he drawled out, enclosing her in his arms. "I don't care."
Frowning, she tore out of his hold for the umpteenth time and gestured for him to stand afar. "Don't come near me. I have to cook."
"This is why I told you to keep a cook," he groaned and reluctantly took a seat on the stool.
"We do have a cook, Atharva." She rolled her eyes and shook her head at him blankly. "But she doesn't come on Sundays, remember?"
"Whatever, be quick."
She looked at him in disbelief but kept quiet and focused on the work in question while he busied himself on his phone. When Aahana was finally done, Atharva helped her carry the trays to the dining hall. Nisha had already set the table and was talking to Harshvardhan.
"Dad, I cooked your favourite butter chicken. I hope you like it." She served his plate and placed it in front of him.
"Of course, dear. Everything you cook tastes delicious."
"For me?"
"Of course, Palak paneer."
Aahana smiled at Nisha who looked like a kid in Christmas as settled on her chair beside Atharva. She served herself and dug into her own food.
"So, how's work Atharva?"
Sunday was the only time they spend with Harshvardhan and Nisha entirely otherwise meetings and work hardly gave them any free time.
"Great, Dad. We are working on a new product."
Harshvardhan nodded. "You are doing good. I'm so proud of you son. If Urvashi was here, she'd have been proud too."
Atharva froze and choked on his food. His heartbeat rose at the mention of her name. He wanted to forget everything about her, but she was like a permanent mishap in his life. He didn't want to be reminded again and again. He despised her.
He still hadn't told Harshvardhan anything and though he felt like he should, he didn't want to break the fragile man's heart.
Aahana rubbed his back and handed him a glass of water. He gave her a small smile, remembering the previous night when he had gone out of control. He felt ashamed and horrible.
She was trying so much and he still wasn't able to give himself to her completely. He knew her touch had evoked those memories and he wondered if this would happen again.
Today morning when Aahana had suggested meeting Dr. Gupta, he had refused. He had taken the doctor's support for ten years already but he couldn't be on medicines all his life. He would, whatsoever, move on only for Aahana.
"Yeah," he mumbled shortly to Harshvardhan.
"So Nisha, did you make the dress yet?"
"Working on it. I'll show it to you tomorrow." She smiled.
"Okay, can you add a bit of sequin work on the skirt?"
"Sure."
"Wow, thanks! I can't wait to wear the dress." Aahana grinned at Nisha with a dreamy look who laughed in return.
"And I can't wait to see you in it," Atharva discreetly whispered in her ear. Aahana felt her cheeks warm up and she shyly looked down at her plate.
When they were done, they gathered in the living room and watched Doctor Strange, talking occasionally and enjoying themselves. Aahana couldn't help but smile to herself as she leaned on Atharva's shoulder and heaved a sigh.
