They entered a grand party hall together. Pretending to be a newlywed couple. As they walked further into the crowd of guests, people began congratulating them on their marriage.

Aadi and Rini were mumbling thank you's with fake smiles on their pressed lips. Rini, for a moment, felt guilty to put Aadi and herself in this situation.

But her guilt didn't last long as she came face to face with her parents. Her toxic parents, to be exact. Their faces showed anger and hurt. However, she couldn't feel the guilt of betraying her parents.

Aadi stepped forward to hug his and her parents. But Rini didn't move an inch from her place. There was no room for fake greetings when she felt displeased to see her parents again. If it was up to her she would leave them forever and never come back. And she won't feel guilty to leave them. Because they are the root cause of her messed-up psychology.

Aadi could feel the coldness between Rini and her parents. And he was afraid. Guests were looking at the scene. The uneasiness was lingering in the atmosphere.

And out of the blue Rini's father went to hold a mic. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.” His voice gained the attention of the guests. Everyone fell into silence.

“Thank you for joining us on this memorable night. It is a very special occasion, for me at least. Because tonight I officially declare my son in law Aadijay Chauhan as my sole heir.”

Aadi facepalms himself. He knew Mr. Mathur was going to declare his heir, but he thought it was Aarini, not him. He could never understand why this couple discriminated against their only child. The way Rini was looking at him with eyes filled with hatred, he knew her father did this to hurt her.

How he will explain this to her? It's not his fault that she has toxic parents, nor it's her fault.

Without uttering a word Rini exited the venue. Aadi followed her but didn't stop her.

Tears kept flowing from her eyes. Her Kohl now traced the path of her tears, making her look like the emotional mess that she was. She knew he was following her. She let him. It wasn't his fault that she has toxic parents. And she knew once she got tired she will need his hug. She couldn't hate him anymore for something he was not responsible for. She kept walking forward, thinking about her messed-up life. And he was at fault for nothing.

All of a sudden she stopped and wiped her tears. Turning around, she saw him standing a few steps away from her. He had tears in his eyes and he didn't bother wiping them up. He wanted her to see what she did to him. How she hurt him for no reason. How he was angry with her yet he was there for her. How he loved her enough to endure the pain she gave him again and again.

And she ran to hug him, mumbling a series of sorry in her crying voice. And kissing every inch of his face. Making him cry and smile at the same time. He hugged her back tightly, not willing to leave here ever again.

•••

She was blank as her eyes fluttered open that morning. And the first sight she noticed was him, and his palm softly caressing her forehead.

“Good morning.” He greeted with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

She nodded to his greeting as she had no energy left to even utter a simple good morning.

“Brush quickly, I'll bring breakfast for you.” Saying so he withdrew his palm from her cold forehead and exited the bedroom.

Aarini kept looking at the door before she decided to freshen up. As she stepped out of the warm embrace of a duvet, she realized she was not wearing the black dress from the last night but his t-shirt and sweatpants. He changed her clothes — without her permission.

But she doesn't even have the energy to get angry.

So she let this thought slip away. He must have done this for her comfort only. And she entered the ensuite bathroom for a fifteen-minute long brush. Well, brushing-cum-overthinking, to be exact.

“Rini, are you done brushing?” Aadi had an idea that Rini zones out while doing the simplest of tasks, just like his mother does.

After a minute Rini was out with a damp face and wet hair strands. She had makeup on her face, probably Aadi removed it last night. She sat down on the bed again. Aadi placed the tray of food in front of her and sat facing her.

Rini started with grapes. Aadi had a strange theory about people who like eating grapes a lot. These people are lazy. They like grapes because they don't have to peel them or cut them like other fruits. And Rini was one of those people. But it didn't bother him at all.

“Don't you want to ask about your clothes?” He asked. Scared that she assumed he slept with her. Well, he slept with her but didn't touch her. Well, he touched her but not in the way you are thinking, okay? 🤨

Rini smiled at his nervousness.

“What should I ask about my clothes?” She had a latent smirk on her lips.

“That who changed your clothes.” He suggested with utter innocence. Her fingers urged to pull his cheeks.

“Alright, who changed my clothes?” She asked, amused.

“I did.”He smiled a little.

“Okay.”And Rini continued eating her breakfast.

“Don't you want to ask why I changed your clothes?”He asked again, with the same innocent expression.

“Why did you change my clothes?” She asked.

“Because you would feel uncomfortable while sleeping in a party dress. So I changed your clothes. And by the way, you were wearing undergarments. I have seen you in a bikini once. So I thought it wasn't a big deal.”

“Okay.” A blush crept on her cheeks remembering that incident a year ago. When she was swimming in the private pool in her house, all thanks to the fact she was all alone in the mansion. However, out of the blue Aadi showed up, to check up on her. And that's how their bikini encounter happened.

“Aren't you angry with me for changing your clothes without your permission?” He asked again, making her roll her eyes at him.

“Aadi, I am too exhausted to argue over such a petty issue. Seeing me naked is not a crime especially when we are intimate to some level.” She said straightforwardly.

“If you say so.” He smirked, the way her Angry Bird Aadi will do. He gave her a peck and left. Leaving her in a much-needed solitude.