CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR : WHEN LOVE BREAKS THE RULES
“Yes, Dad, it was all fake, and now I have to finish it because…” Aryan’s voice wavered slightly, as if he was struggling with what he was about to say. His eyes flicked to Priya, his expression softening for just a moment as he saw her pain. He hesitated, the words catching in his throat as he fought against the overwhelming urge to comfort her. But then, with a deep breath, he steeled himself and completed his sentence, “Because now we are going to get married in reality.”
A stunned silence filled the room as everyone processed his words. Priya, who had been sobbing uncontrollably, looked up at him with mixed feelings, her mind racing to catch up with what he had just said. “Huh?” she uttered, her voice thick with emotion. Her tears slowed as confusion replaced her despair, and she searched Aryan’s face for an explanation. Was this some kind of cruel joke? She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or angry, or both.
Aryan’s lips curved into a small, mischievous smile as he looked at her. “And before marriage, she has to go to her home… right?” he continued, his tone playful as he glanced around the room, gauging everyone’s reactions. His eyes sparkled with a lightheartedness that contrasted sharply with the tension that had filled the room just moments before.
For a moment, no one spoke. The shift in Aryan’s tone and expression was so sudden and unexpected that it took everyone by surprise. Priya, who was still trying to process the rollercoaster of emotions she had just experienced, stood up on shaky legs. A mix of anger and relief bubbled up inside her as she realized that Aryan had been playing with her emotions. Her face flushed with indignation as she balled her fists and punched him lightly in the arm. “You… you just gave me a heart attack!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief.
Aryan, seeing the fire in her eyes, chuckled softly and reached out to pull her into a hug. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry. And how did you even think that I could leave you? I have loved you, not your name. You are mine as you are.” His voice was tender, filled with sincerity and love. The warmth of his embrace and the softness of his words soothed the raw edges of her emotions, easing the pain that had gripped her heart.
Priya’s anger melted away as she buried her face in his chest, her tears now ones of relief rather than sorrow. “Then why did you do all this drama?” she asked, her voice muffled against his shirt. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her cheek, strong and steady, a reassuring rhythm that anchored her in the moment. The fear that had nearly consumed her was slowly fading, replaced by the comforting knowledge that Aryan truly loved her.
Aryan leaned back slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he looked down at her. “So that you don’t even think of hiding anything from me next time,” he teased, his smile growing wider. His playful tone was a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation just moments before, and it brought a small, reluctant smile to Priya’s lips. He knew that his little stunt had been risky, but he also knew that Priya needed to understand the importance of honesty between them.
Priya pouted slightly, but there was a spark of playful defiance in her eyes. “I hate you, Aryan,” she declared, though her tone was far from convincing. She pushed him away lightly, her lips twitching as she fought to keep the smile from fully breaking through.
“But I love you,” Aryan replied without missing a beat, his voice filled with warmth and affection. His eyes locked onto hers, and the sincerity in his gaze made her heart flutter. He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle and loving. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for her.
The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief and contentment. “Thank God everything is okay,” Mrs. Khanna sighed, placing a hand over her heart as she took a deep breath. The weight of the emotional rollercoaster had taken its toll on everyone, and the collective sigh of relief was almost palpable. She smiled warmly at the couple, her eyes misting with happy tears as she watched them banter and tease each other.
With the atmosphere in the room now lighter, everyone settled down, a sense of peace and calm returning to the house. Mr. Khanna, who had been watching the exchange with a fond smile, turned to Mr. Oberoi, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Once you gave me a proposal for your daughter’s marriage, but this time I’m asking you,” he began, his voice steady and sincere. “Would you give me your daughter as my daughter-in-law?”
Mr. Oberoi looked at Priya, his eyes filled with love and pride. He had always wanted the best for his daughter, and seeing her happy was all that mattered to him. But this time, he knew that the decision had to come from her. He turned to Priya and asked her gently, “This time I’m asking you what you want?”
Priya, still holding Aryan’s hand, smiled through her tears. She could see the love and concern in her father’s eyes, and it warmed her heart. “I agree,” she replied softly, her voice filled with emotion. She squeezed Aryan’s hand, feeling the solid warmth of his presence next to her. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly at peace with his father’s decision.
But just as the atmosphere in the room seemed to settle, Aryan suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the moment like a sharp blade. “But I am not,” he said firmly, his words sending a ripple of shock through the room.
Priya’s smile faltered, confusion knitting her brows together as she turned to look at Aryan. “What?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She searched his face for any hint of what he was thinking, but his expression was unreadable, his eyes serious and intense.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Oberoi… I can’t marry your daughter Priya,” Aryan said, his tone grave and sincere. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped. Everyone in the room froze, their eyes fixed on Aryan, trying to comprehend what he had just said.
“And why?” Mr. Khanna asked, his voice low and filled with a mix of concern and confusion. He couldn’t understand why Aryan, who had just professed his love for Priya so passionately, would suddenly change his mind.
Aryan looked around the room, his gaze finally settling on Priya. The serious expression on his face softened slightly, a hint of playfulness returning to his eyes. “Because I love someone else,” he said, pausing dramatically for effect. The tension in the room skyrocketed as everyone held their breath, waiting for his next words. Priya’s heart clenched painfully in her chest, and she could barely breathe as she waited for the bombshell that she feared was coming.
“As he said this, Priya’s face turned red with anger. She stood up abruptly, her hands clenched into fists as she glared at Aryan. “And who the hell is she?” she demanded, her voice sharp and filled with righteous fury. She felt a surge of jealousy and betrayal, her mind racing with thoughts of who this mysterious other woman could be.
Aryan kept his serious expression for a moment longer before finally breaking into a mischievous grin. “The girl I love, her name is Riya,” he said with a playful twinkle in his eye. He barely finished the sentence before Priya screamed his name in exasperation.
“Aryan…” she screamed, her voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. Without missing a beat, Aryan jumped back, a playful grin on his face as he dodged her incoming swat. Priya, her anger quickly turning into playful indignation, started running after him, her laughter mixing with her mock threats as she chased him around the room. “I’ll kill you!” she shouted, though there was no real malice in her voice, only the playful exasperation of someone who had just been the victim of a well-played prank.
Aryan laughed, his apologies ringing out as they both darted around the furniture, making laps around the room while everyone else watched, bemused. “Sorry… Sorry!” Aryan called out, his tone light and teasing as they completed a few rounds of the entire house, their footsteps echoing through the corridors.
Finally, they both collapsed onto the couch, breathless and grinning from ear to ear. The playful chase had dissolved the last of the tension, leaving behind only the warmth and joy of their love for each other. Priya, still catching her breath, looked over at Aryan, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “So now?” she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Aryan, still grinning, shrugged nonchalantly. “Now what… If your dad allows, then I will marry you now,” he replied, his voice filled with a mix of sincerity and playful teasing. He looked over at Mr. Oberoi.
Mr. Oberoi chuckled, shaking his head at the antics of the young couple. “Relax, son,” he said with a smile, his tone warm and understanding. “I have dreamed a lot for her marriage, so it will take some time to fulfill it… Because now I want to do everything better than before.”
Aryan looked over at Priya, his expression turning serious for a moment. “Will you wait till then?” he asked, his voice soft and filled with genuine concern. He needed to know that she was willing to wait for the perfect moment, just as he was.
Priya, her heart swelling with love, nodded slowly. “Hmm… And if I can’t, I’ll run away again… But this time not alone,” she replied, her voice soft and teasing “But with you,” she winked at him. The playful glint in her eye made it clear that she was joking, but there was also a hint of determination behind her words.
Mr. Oberoi, catching the teasing tone in her voice, raised an eyebrow and looked at her sternly. “What did you say?” he asked, his tone mock-serious as he tried to keep a straight face.
Priya giggled, flashing him a cheeky grin. “Relax, Dad, I am just kidding,” she said with a smile, her voice light and carefree.
Mr. Oberoi couldn’t help but smile back, the warmth and love he felt for his daughter filling his heart. “I am also kidding,” he said with a laugh, shaking his head at his daughter’s antics.
The room filled with laughter and lighthearted banter as the family came together, the earlier tension and drama now a distant memory. Priya and Aryan, sitting close together on the couch, exchanged a look that spoke volumes of love, understanding, and the promise of a future filled with happiness. The journey had been difficult, but they had come through it stronger, ready to face whatever the future held, as long as they were together.
The room was filled with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled it only moments before. The air was light, and the atmosphere warm, as the family gathered close, their hearts swelling with the joy of togetherness. Priya and Aryan, seated close together on the couch, exchanged a glance that spoke volumes—more than words ever could. Their eyes locked, and in that silent exchange, they found reassurance in each other, a promise of a future bright with love and the strength to overcome anything that might come their way. The journey to this point had been anything but easy; it had been fraught with obstacles, misunderstandings, and doubts. But now, as they sat together, the tension and drama seemed like a distant memory, something that had only served to strengthen their bond. They were ready for whatever the future held, as long as they were together.
❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁
❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀
♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡
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