Hello everyone, thank you for reading the chapter and giving this book a chance. I'll do my best not to disappoint you. 

So let's begin the beautiful journey of ARTHA. 

~~~

~ Maybe in a better way~

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The clicks on the keyboard were the only thing that could be heard; everyone was seated in absolute silence. Any outsider could never believe they were all a family—gathered in the main hall, waiting for their son and daughter-in-law to come.

The news they got was enough to gather them together. However, the work remains more precious than ever. Right? Despite being in the same room, they were all busy with their work and phone calls, making it hard to understand whether they even remembered the reason for their gathering.

Gaurangi Singhania stood from her seat, watching the main door slowly open, and there they were standing, her grandson and granddaughter-in-law in all their glory.

They also didn't expect this, did they?

Of course not.

"Kya Lagta Hai Bhabhi, what did we miss here?" Aksh Singhania said. He looked at every person present except for the certain someone he was looking for, stopping at the lady beside him who just raised her eyebrows at him.

( What do you think, Bhabhi? What did we miss here?)

"Don't talk like those Mohalla ki aunties. Maybe they were doing some work?" This is all Roop Kashyap Singhania could make at that moment, as even she was shocked, except that while dining together, it was hard to see all members together, as work was the only thing they used to do.

Aksh narrowed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "What?! Me-"

Their little discussion stopped when someone cleared their throat, snapping their head at the voice. Pratham Singhania—the first son of Gaurangi and the head of the empire. 

Everyone stilled and looked at the man, waiting for his next words, only to get a simple nod and watch him retreat towards his room, making Aksh release his breath, which he didn't realise he was holding.

"What was that?" Asked Krishna Mehra, looking at her husband, knowing that nobody here would answer her question or even acknowledge her presence. This is her life here; she is almost invisible to them as if she doesn't even exist, and she had accepted it from the time she got married, as she knew the reason for all this was herself. 

"Tareef kar rahe the." As she expected, her husband was the only one who answered, like always. She looked up at Reyansh Singhania, who just sighed. "It's his way, bab- ahm Krishna."

(he was praising them)

Receiving a glare from his wife, he looked at the elders awkwardly, and he diverted his gaze.

Gaurangi sighed. Shaking her head as she moved towards her grandson and granddaughter-in-law.

"Congratulations on the awards you have achieved. I'm so proud of you," saying that, she too turned and left. Leaving her second son and youngsters alone

Ekansh Singhania looked at his son. Knowing everything that is happening in this family. The twisted past still haunts him.

He smiled at his son a little, giving an encouraging nod, looked at his daughter-in-law, patted her head, and left for his room. At least he smiles and is not like his brother, the living dead.

The atmosphere was tense, with everyone looking at each other, waiting for someone to start, to break the cold silence. Why did they even wait here? Can't they behave like usual? That was the thought running through their minds until Ayaan Singhania decided to save them by moving closer to his wife.

He engulfed her in his arms, and she just melted there, feeling his soft lips on her nape. Squeezing her tightly in her arms, moving towards her earlobe, he murmured, "Congratulations, Roop."

From his shoulder, she looked at the empty hall as everyone left the couple alone. Probably running away from the growing awkwardness. 

"You were the one who wrote the script, I just played the protagonist and got the award, why didn't you come, it would've been more fun with you," she said, knowing very well how much he hates those shows and media. If it were up to him, he would rather vanish to a dark, isolated island than spend a single day in forced human interactions. 

She snuggled more into his warmth, resting her chin on his chest. She looked up at him with a wide grin. Ayaan couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head and pecking on her nose.

"If I did, how come I would've planned you a surprise?" Her tiered eyes were lifted in joy, and Ayaan swore he could see a sparkle in them. 

"You did? What is it, Ayaan? Tell me. You don't have to bu-"

"Take a deep breath, Roop, and it's up there. Now let me hug my favorite superstar for her achievement," he said and smiled as she huffed and buried her face in his chest. Patting her ass, he again said, "Now come on, let's remove your makeup. I know you hate heavy ones, and then bathe."

"No," she said, understanding the whole meaning of his simple words. But does she want to change it?

Nope.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Coming out of the shower, Aksh did not expect to get engulfed in a very tight hug. Knowing very well who it could be, he sighed, feeling relieved as he hugged her back, placing his cheek over her head.

"I'm so, so, so sorry, Aksh. I couldn't manage to come here on time to welcome you in the first place or come with you on your special day. Trust me, I tried but yo-"

"Shh... Dhwani, I know, I know you tried I trust you. Don't worry, I'm not sad because I know you are the reason I got the award. Because when things went downhill, your support helped me launch the album." He looked down at his wife, brushing away the strands that were falling over her face and wiping the tears from her eyes, which she didn't know were already falling.

"Oh, come on, Aksh, don't say that. You have millions of fans who love you, right? They all prayed for you. Everyone loves you, right?" She said as she tried to boost his happiness..

If only she knew

Not her fault; she couldn't spend much time with elders, being a gynecologist she herself is busy. Bringing a new life to the world is the biggest joy for her, he knows that, and he smiles at her for that.

"Yeah," slightly nodding, he made his way toward his bed, not wanting to spoil his special moment with his wife with something he thinks didn't matter anymore.

"Let me take a bath, till you relax," she said, only to hear a whine from him. "Don't be a baby now, you know I just came from the hospital."

Much to his displeasure, he let go of her hand. Sulking, he lies on the bed, determined not to sleep and wait for her.

Clicking the door open, she comes out of the bathroom feeling all fresh in her night shorts. Making her way to the bed. She doesn't have any particular night routine; if she remembers to do something, then she will. On other days, life goes on.

She looked at her husband with a soft smile. He was sleeping like a baby with a small frown dancing on his handsome face. Lying next to him, she kissed his frown away from his forehead and cuddled with him, waiting while sleep consumed her.

Finally falling into her comfort's arms.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Reyansh again opens his eyes and looks at his wife. Huffing, he again closed his eyes, trying hard to sleep, which was all he had been doing for the past hour. As his pretty wife is a wholesome workaholic.

This always made him doubt who she loves more.

Work, his subconscious answers every time.

Her boss gives her so much work, and she never complains. Much to his displeasure, he doesn't have any say in it, because it's his wife who loves her work the most.

To her boss, who is a devil with green eyes and a very handsome face, just like his own.

'Maybe blood also his?' consciousness again retorts.

Reyansh groaned, cursing his eldest brother in his mind, 'Vihaan Singhania,' who is the boss of his wife. Grumbling about his displeasure, he just shifted between the sheets and did not say anything. Not wanting to make things more complicated than they already are.

"Krishnaaaaa," he whines. What can he do? He cannot sleep without his wife in his arms and her head on his neck, nuzzling, engulfing her in his arms. 

"Don't be a baby, Ansh. Mr. Singhania specially gave me this file. To prepare for the upcoming meeting." She said, not looking up from the screen. "He'll kill me or worse, fire me."

She also doesn't like all this, but what else can she do, not wanting to create any more ruckus in her life and theirs.

She knows her husband can't sleep without her, nor can she, but this time, her work needs her more. 'Mr. Singhania trusted her with this, despite having so many problems, and she had to do this without any false.

Reyansh was also shocked hearing this from her and knowing how important this was. But can you blame a husband who needs his wife close to him always? Call him clingy or whipped, he didn't mind.

Reluctantly,  a small 'okay' passed from his mouth, and he again went into his sulking mood. Peeking at her from time to time. His face lit up when he saw her getting out of her seat, only to go back in sulking when she picked up her boyfriend, AKA laptop, moving towards the bed.

"What- "

She sat beside him, pulling the comforter on herself and him. She put a pillow on her lap, setting her laptop on it, and then she looked at him, who was still confused.

"I'm sorry, Ansh. I can't sleep right now, but you can, right? Sleep. I will join after this is complete, I promise. This is important, otherwise, I won't be doing this and sacrificing my sleep an - "

" Hey, hey, hey, I understand. Don't worry, I know this is very important to you, and you need to do this. Don't worry too much, it'll give you a headache. I was just joking, I'm sorry I disturbed you." Reyansh looked at her with wide eyes, tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed by his wife. He looked at her in disbelief.

"No, you didn't." She shook her head, leaning down, she placed an open-mouth peck on his lips, and smiled. "You have to go to work early in the morning; you should rest now."

"Now that you are here, I don't need anything, but you surely will sleep on time after completing this, hmm?" Reyansh asked, concern evident in his eyes. 

After getting a nod from her, he sighed, lying comfortably on the mattress, and he buried his face in her waist, releasing a relieved sigh as he slept. As she was engrossed in her work, for how many hours, she couldn't even cunt.

Sighing, she finally decided to call it a night when she saw it was already 3:20 in the morning. Putting the laptop away after making sure she mailed some copies to the secretary. She lay down beside him, face hidden in his neck, engulfed in his embrace. Sleep took over her.

In the arms of her haven.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Avyaana woke up when she heard some noise beside her in the room. Still half asleep, the irritation crawled up in her head.

She slightly knew who it could be. Of course, her 'Pati-dev'.

The only thing she doesn't understand is what is in this project that he isn't taking care of himself. They are both passionate about their work, that's why they are at such high now. But these days, he is looking more and more tense.

"Sleep, Avi. I'm joining you in a minute; sorry for the disturbance," he said without looking up. Knowing his movements disturbed her sleep

She looked at him, who was sitting beside her on the floor, searching for something in the drawer of the night table. And then at the digital clock, and sigh.

"You are on the way to becoming a vampire, you know," she said out of nowhere

"Huh?"

"Time?" She pointed at the clock beside him. "It's 3:30 in the morning. You are still awake, and then you'll not wake up at time,"

"How'd that make me a vampire?" He frowned, giving her his sole attention. Completely forgetting the work he had to finish.

"They are the only handsome, and they work at night." Avyaana mumbled, high on sleep, and Vihaan knew she blabbering all of this because of the same. He couldn't help but smile at how cute his wife looks.

"You know I'm jealous of you, I have a whole ass face care routine still dealing with such problems, and you? Barely does anything while waking up like a vampire and still walking in all glory. How?" She traces his cheekbones with her fingerprints, traced his smile and caressed his lips.

He just chuckles at her. His wife is a very calm person who doesn't speak much, but when half asleep or drunk. It is a sight to see as she can't stop blabbering.

For now, he just peppered her whole face with feathery kisses. His way of telling her how beautiful she was and went back to his work. Leaving his wife giggling.

"I'm coming, don't worry. Krishna just sent this to me; after rechecking it, I'm coming; you should sleep, hmm?" He said, already being engrossed in his work.

She stopped smiling and looked at him. And then again smiled at the change and closed her eyes.

'Maybe in a better way?'