The next morning,

Sunlight directly fell on Arhaan's face, and he woke up.

Arhaan's POV.

I slept on the balcony. I sat up and stretched my hands, yawning.

When I heard someone knocking on the door, I stood up and went inside, where I found Ariya sleeping on the bed. I chucked it and went to open the door, covering her properly with the duvet.

"Good morning, beautiful." I wished as soon as I opened the door, I knew it was Daadi (grandmother).

"Good morning, handsome," she replied, "Ariya uth gay?" (Is Ariya awake?) I nodded in the negative.

"Okay, wake her up, and her outfits are here. Her parents sent her luggage and also her phone," she said, pointing towards the butler who was holding the luggage.

"Keep that luggage here; I'll take it inside," I said. He dropped the luggage and went downstairs.

"Go freshen up and come downstairs for breakfast and give her the phone," she said, handing her phone to me.

I nodded and she left.

I took her luggage inside and placed her phone beside her.

After taking out my outfit, I went to the restroom.

________________________

When Arhaan came out of the washroom, he saw Ariya was already up, and she was using her phone. He looked at her for a few more seconds as she was desperately trying to call someone.

He shook his head and said, in his same bossy tone, "Come to the living room after freshening up," and he left.

Ariya's POV

"Come to the living room after freshening up." He and his bossy tone, ugh, I just hate it.

Damnn Vihan picked up the call. He must be very angry with me. I called him more than 10 times, but he didn't pick up my call.

I was tired once more, and he answered the phone. Before I could say anything, he started, "Oh wow, finally, you got time to call me Mrs. Ariya Arhaan Mehra." He never talked with me in this tone.

"Vihan I." He didn't let me complete my sentence, and he started once again, "I hope you enjoyed your first night with your husband." Tears started forming in my eyes, hearing him.

I sobbed. "Vih. An, please allow me to expound."

"What do you want to explain? Is there anything left, Mrs. Mehra?" he shouted from the other side.

"The thing is, Ariya, you didn't love me that one year was just time passing, right? You were just time passing with me," he said.

Vihan said, "I love you, but please don't behave like this with me. My life is so messed up right now." I cried harder.

"Stop crying first and meet me in the evening," he said from the other side.

I can't meet today as it's Sunday, and I don't want the media to capture us, so tomorrow at college, "I said, wiping my tears."

"You don't love me? hainaa Arhaan?" he asked.

"Vihan, I love you. I only love you," I told him.

"Bye," he said rudely.

"Hello... Vihan... hello? Are you there?" he said, but he had already hung up.

Why are you doing this with me, Ayyiappa (God)?

Arhaan, I despise you; your presence has ruined my life.

I stood up and went to the restroom. I took a shower and changed into a pink banarsi saree as instructed by my mother because I needed to go to my house for pagh phere ki rasam today. Don't give me those looks. I know how to wear a saree. I wore a pink chooda (bangles). I left my hair open and did the middle partition. I filled my hairline...I walked out of the room after spraying perfume and taking my phone off.

_______________________

"Good morning, everyone," Ariya wished, descending the stairs.

Arhaan was sipping his coffee when he heard her voice. He turned his face, his breath hitching. She looked beautiful.

"Bhai, close your mouth," Riyan whispered in his ear.

Arhaan turned towards him and gave him a glare while he made an innocent face and started sipping his bournvita.

"Ariya, my darling, you are looking so beautiful," Usha said lovingly.

"Thank you, daddy." She smiled and touched her feet, and then she touched Santosh's feet, taking the blessing.

"Chalo, let's have breakfast. We were waiting for you only," Usha said, and she nodded.

They were talking about the reception while Ariya was silently having her breakfast, but she was listening to everything.

"I want to say something," she said, all of a sudden, grabbing their attention.

"Yeah, Ariya, say na," Usha said.

Ariya requested softly, "Daadi, can you please postpone the reception because I have my exams at the end of this month and I can't take leave from the college anymore. I have to cover up all the syllabus."

"Of course, beta, then we'll plan for the reception next month," Usha said.

"Even though there is so much workload, it's fine to postpone the reception," Santosh said.

"Thank you," she said softly and started having her breakfast.

_______________

After breakfast,

"Ariya, today is your first rasoi. If you want, you can cook any dessert," Usha said.

"Umm, daadi, I don't know much about cooking, but I know how to make waffles and shakes. Should I make this for everyone?" she asked excitedly, making Usha smile.

"If you want to make it, then you can. You will get all the essential things in the kitchen; just ask the butler," Usha said. She nodded and went to the kitchen.

"Hiii bhabhi, need any help? Wais bhai is very khadoos ( arrogant), but I can help you," Riyan said, stepping inside the kitchen.

"Isn't it awkward for you to call me bhabhi? I mean, I am younger than you," Ariya said, turning towards him.

"Toh kya bolu?" (so what should I call you) Ariya, Choti, Smally, or Shorty? "He asked, and her eyes widened."

"Small is nice," he grinned, and Ariya shook her head grumpily.

Ariya scowled. "I'm not small, okay? It's just that you two brothers are giraffes,"

"But you are short of that, without any doubt," he said, and she stomped her feet in anger.

"You said you came here to help me, but you are actually teasing me," she said, and he laughed.

"Okay, Sally, I'll help you. Just tell me what you need," he said.

"I don't need your help. Thank you," she said with a tight-lipped smile.

"But I want to help you," he said.

"But I don't need your help anymore," Ariya argued.

"Okay, but aap mujhe bhi sikha do yeh sab kaise banta hai (okay then, please teach me how to make all these) so that I can make these for girls to impress them," he said, and Ariya laughed.

After some time,

Ariya simply stared at him.

"Arre, don't look at me like that. I am a very sharif (innocent) boy," he said, raising his invisible collar.

Ariya inquired if her focus was on the waffles.

"Yes, I am his little sibling, but I am not khadoos (arrogant) like him," he said, and Ariya giggled.

"Okay, so the waffles and shakes are ready," she said.

"This seems so tasty, smally," he said, licking his lips.

________________

"It's so tasty, Ariya," Usha said.

"Thank you, daddy," she smiled, taking the waffle.

"Bhai aap bhi tarif kardona (bhai at least say something good about this). It's actually very tasty," Riyan said to Arhaan, who was busy sipping the shake silently.

"It's nice," he said, and Ariya just forced a smile.

"This is a small gift for making the tastiest shake and waffles," Usha said, making her wear the diamond necklace.

"Daadi, it's not needed," she tried to deny it.

"It is.. you are now the DIL of Mehra's," Usha said...

"Arhaan, you have to take Ariya to her home for pagh phera," Usha said.

(Pagh phera is the ritual that happens after marriage.. usually, the bride's brother comes to pick the bride up from her in-laws, but Ariya doesn't have any brothers.)

"The driver will take her," he said, his gaze fixed on his iPad.

"No Ariya, you will take her and it's final," Ram said sternly.

"All right," Arhaan sighed, defeat stoically.

___________________

If they tell you to pose, think about your father's name and reputation, so at least smile, "Arhaan said," and Ariya just smiled and wore her sunglasses.

As Arhaan said, there were media outside, but Ariya being Ariya, didn't care about anything and straightly sat inside the car, ignoring everything, making Arhaan angry.

"What type of behavior was that, Ariya? I told you to behave in front of the media," Arhaan shouted as soon as the driver started the car.

Ariya looked at him and took out the AirPods from her ear. "Kuch kahan apne?" (Were you saying something?)" she asked innocently.

He shut his eyes tightly and balled his palm into a fist to control his anger. Ariya smirked and started using her phone.

They reached Mittal Mansion in 20 minutes. Ariya's older sister and two closest friends were present.

After some time,

Arhaan was talking with Yogesh while Ariya was sitting with her best friends.

"Arhaan, I won't come home tonight. I will stay here and will come tomorrow after college," Ariya said all of a sudden.

"Okay," he nodded. After some time, he left.

______

Ariya went to her room with her two best friends, and her two best friends bombarded her with questions.

Geet Oberoi: Ariya's best friend. She is also 19 years old and studying at St. Xavier's. She is a bomb (forever single)

Ahana Kapoor: Ariya's best friend no. 2! She is also studying at St. Xavier's..in a relationship with her long-distance boyfriend..

____________________

"Bitch, how's your first night?" asked Geet as soon as they stepped inside the room.

"Damn, Ariya, you got one hell of a hot guy. He must be really good in bed," Ahana said excitedly.

"Shut up, bitches!" Ariya shouted angrily and threw her phone on the couch. She sat on the bed.

"After all, you finally lost your virginity to The Hot Arhaan Mehra," Ahana said as she sat beside me.

"Guys, I'm still a virgin," Geet said, tearing up.

"Keep your filthy mouths shut, fucking please!" she yelled. "You both know how much I adore Vihan, so how can I spend the night with that jerk Mehra?"

Ahana and Geet made faces at her.

"Listen, Ariya, I am telling you once again, Vihan isn't a good guy," Geet said seriously,

"Don't start again, get," Ariya said, uninterested.

"Geet isn't saying anything wrong. Everyone knows in the college that Vihan is a playboy," Ahana said, and Geet nodded, agreeing with her.

"It's just a misconception; he isn't a playboy," Ariya said confidently.

"Ariya, you are married now. Leave Vihan and move on with Arhaan," Geet said.

"I think you are very much interested in Arhaan. I'll give him a divorce very soon. After that, you can marry him. He will satisfy you in bed," Ariya said, making Geet shocked.

"Seriously, Ariya? I didn't expect this type of behavior from you!! You know what, Ariya, you've changed, and I'm telling you, one day, you'll be very sorry," Geet yelled angrily.

"Now you are fighting with me for that, Arhaan Mehra," Ariya also shouted.

"I'm not fighting; I'm just telling you the truth; you're going to regret it very soon, Ariya, because you're on the wrong path," Geet said.

"Guys, please stop fighting," Ahana said softly.

"I am not fighting; I am just trying to put some sense in her mind, but she has completely lost her mind," Geet said angrily.

Ariya looked at her in shock because her best friend had never talked with her in that tone.

"Bye, Ariya," Geet said and turned to leave, but Ahana stopped her.

"Where are you going to get it?" Ahana asked.

"I am going to my place because the person who is standing in front of me isn't my best friend whom I have known for 14 years. She is some other girl who can't differentiate between wrong and right," Geet said and left while Ariya looked at her with teary eyes.

"Geet wait yaar." Ahana also left.

Ariya's POV

I despise you, Arhaan Mehra. Because of you, my best friends have turned against me. I despise you so much.

_______________________

Next day,

Ariya dressed in jeans and a shirt and left for college. She had already told her parents that after college, she would go straight to the Mehra Mansion.

She walked straight to the canteen while everyone looked at her and whispered something to themselves.

"Yes, I am married to The Millionaire, Arhaan Mehra. Do you all have any problems, huh? At least I am not like you all, who are always ready to get into rich boys' pants," she exclaimed.

She spotted Ahana and Geet and sat with them.

Geet stood up, seeing Ariya. "Geet, don't you dare go sit here with me," Ariya shouted.

"Stop ordering me," Geet said angrily.

Ariya stood up and hugged her tightly. "Bitch, I love you so much. Okay, don't you dare to fight with me," she said.

"I wasn't fighting yesterday. I was trying to knock some sense into you, but I forgot Ariya Mittal is a certified brainless bimbo," Geet said, hugging her back.

"So now everything is fine, right?" Ahana asked, and they nodded, breaking the hug.

Just then, Ariya's phone beeped with the message.

From Vihan:

Meet me now!

"Guys, I am coming," Ariya said and left without listening to their reply.

"She is wrong, yaar," Geet admitted with a defeated sigh.

"Let her be." Woh nahi sunne wali (she won't listen). She is stubborn, "Ahana said."

__________________________

"Babe, I've missed you so much," Vihan said, hugging her, but Ariya didn't hug him back.

"Vihan, I want to say something," she said, breaking the hug.

"Say na, I am all ears," he said.

"Vihan, I want a break," she said with a sigh.

"I want a break too. Let's go somewhere just you and me," he said, smiling, and she shook her head.

"I want a break from you," she said, startling him. "I want a break from this relationship," she said, startling him.

"What-what are you are talking about, huh?" he was shocked. "Did you fall for him? Ohh yeah, right, so finally you accepted that bastard!" he shouted.

"Vihan, please listen to me first," she yelled. "Let me explain everything."

I don't want Arhaan to think that I am cheating on him. I don't think that I love him. I hate him. I just hate him to the core, but I love my parents. I will tell him to divorce me, and I know he can't divorce me this soon. At least 6 months is needed, "she said," and he was mentally cursing Ariya in his mind.

"But at least we can be friends," he asked.

"Of course," she said with a smile.

_____________________

Ariya was done attending all the classes, so her two best friends planned to go somewhere to have something to eat as they were hungry and didn't want canteen food.

They went to Joey's Pizza and enjoyed their best friend's time.

It was evening when Ariya reached Mehra Mansion; her driver dropped her off.

She rang the doorbell, and Riyan opened the door.

"Hiii smally." Ariya glared at him and stepped inside.

She sat on the couch with a thud, placing her bag aside as she was a little tired.

"Ghar par koi nahi hai kya?(Isn't no one at home?)." she inquired as she entered the kitchen. Riyan was making noodles.

He said, looking at her, "Bhai is upstairs." He had just come back from the office, and Daadi and Dadoo were packing their things in their room. He said, looking at her, "Continued his work."

"Packing stuff, why?" she asked and took out a bottle from the refrigerator.

Riyan said, "They are going back to London because some important work is lined up."

"What's cooking, btw?" she asked.

"Noodles!! Chahiye apko? (Want someone?)" he asked, and she nodded no and walked out of the kitchen.

She went upstairs to Usha's room... She met with Usha and Santosh. She was a little bit sad that they were going this soon, but they had to go back because of important office work.

They dropped them off at the private jet terminal and went back to the mansion.

It was already 10. They had their dinner. After that, no one feels sleepy. Riyan and Arhaan were watching some cartoons while Ariya was sitting on the recliner using her phone.

Riyan stood up and asked, "You both aren't feeling sleepy, right?" He asked the both of them, and they nodded yes.

"How about a horror movie?" Riyan asked.

"Yes, I am in," Ariya said excitedly.

"I am not," Arhaan said .

"Yeah, bhai, I know you are scared of horror movies," Riyan said, rolling his eyes at him.

"Rii, it's not like that, okay," Arhaan said, his gaze fixed on him.

"Yeah, I know you very well," Riyan said and turned towards Ariya.

"Smally, you know, bhai is scared of horror movies," Riyan said, giggling, and Arhaan was glaring at him hard.

"Riyan shut up; I'm not scared." "All right, let's watch your so-called horror movie," Arhaan said as he rose from the couch.

"Bhai, you arrange food items. I am checking all the essential things in the theatre room," Riyan said, and he nodded and went to the kitchen.

Ariya went to the bedroom and changed into comfy nightwear, and tied her hair in a bun.

She took her phone and went to the theatre room. She saw Arhaan was using his phone, and Riyan was checking something.

"Which movie, smally?" Riyan asked Ariya.

"Annabelle comes home, evil dead or the nun," she said, giving them options.

"No, not evil dead!" Arhaan exclaimed, and Ariya looked at him as if he were an alien.

Riyan giggled, seeing Arhaan's face. "Okay, Annabelle comes home," Riyan said, bobbing his head and turning on the movie.

But Riyan sat beside Arhaan while Ariya was also beside her patidev (husband), as Arhaan was in the middle between them. But Ariya maintained a good distance.

They started watching the movie by having cheese puffs, popcorn, and cold drinks. Arhaan was actually getting scared, but he made a stern expression. He wanted to use his phone, but his evil baby brother had already snatched it.

Riyan uploaded a picture on his Instagram handle.

"Bhoo," and the bowl of popcorn fell from Arhaan's hand as Riyan scared the shit out of him.

"Riyan!" Arhaan yelled, and Ariya laughed loudly.

"Bhai got scared," Riyan said, laughing and high-fiving Ariya.

"I am not scared. Okay, that's just a misconception," he said sternly and continued watching the movie.

And finally, the movie got over, and Arhaan sighed in relief. Poor him. He didn't know the plan of his evil little brother.

"Hey, smally, let's watch The Nun," Riaan said.

"No, no, it's late. It's already past midnight. We should sleep," Arhaan said, shaking his head no.

"I am not feeling sleepy," Riyan and Ariya said in unison.

Arhaan said to them, "Ariya, you have college in the morning, and Ri, you have to go to the office."

"Aahaa, it's alright. I am not feeling sleepy. I want to watch that movie," Ariya said, looking at him.

"Bhai, don't take tension. I will be there on time. Let's watch this movie together," Riyan said like a baby.

"Okay, fine," Arhaan said, sighing in defeat.

They turned on the movie The Nun and started watching while Arhaan was looking down, or sometimes here and there.

The lights of the theatre room were also dimmed, and it was scaring him more.

It was already the second half of the movie when he felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned and smiled, seeing Riyan sleeping like a baby, keeping his head on his shoulder.

His body literally got jerked up, feeling a weight on the other shoulder. He turned, and his eyes widened as he realized Ariya was also sleeping. He smiled as he saw her sleeping soundly. He took the remote and turned off the movie.

For the first time, he looked at Ariya's face, her chubby cheeks, her eyes, and the mole on her brow, his gaze shifted lower and locked on her lips, her pouty kissable lips.

He wanted to feel these lips.

He wanted to feel those lips against his.

He wanted to suck those petals.

His one hand encircled her shoulder as he gazed at her face, and soon he also drifted into a peaceful slumber.