Chapter 1

Writer's pov.

Aayushi was sitting in the middle of the bed, dressed in bridal wear, waiting for her worst nightmare to enter the room. He was none other than her husband.

She never wanted to marry Ansh Malhotra but her father arranged her marriage with him. Ansh was her father's business partner and according to him, Ansh can be the best husband. The reason behind her denial was because Ansh was a divorcee and had a daughter from his 1st marriage. Aayushi didn't want to become someone's second choice.

She denied this marriage but her father wasn't ready to take her denial. He was firm regarding his decision and wanted Aayushi to agree on it. After a lot of fights, she finally gave in and said yes to this marriage. She thought that maybe Mr. Malhotra will deny it. But to her worst nightmare, he agreed to marry her.

"How can he bloody do this with me? He spoilt my whole life." She thought angrily while fisting her palms.

She was even afraid of his intentions. "What if he tries to harm me or do something without my permission?" Many thoughts were roaming in her head when she heard him entering the bedroom.

He walked towards the bed and sat in front of her. Aayushi was continuously looking at her hands which were kept on her lap. He cleared his throat to get her attention but she didn't look up at him. She felt his hand approaching her and she leaned back not wanting him to touch her. Many thoughts were roaming in her brain "He can do many things with me but I am ready with my pepper spray and if that doesn't work then I will punch him right on his face."

"Aayushi." He called her and she slowly looked up at him for the 1st time. She has only seen his pictures before. He wasn't present in any of their marriage functions because of his tight work schedule. He didn't even attend their engagement which angered Aayushi a lot.

Ansh looked at her face and the look of disappointment was evident in her eyes. He never wanted to spoil her life but his mother insisted him for this marriage. He even wanted his daughter to get mother's love and so he agreed to the marriage.

He looked at her face and noticed her beautiful features. She was looking eternally beautiful in her wedding dress. The main reason for marrying her was his daughter, Aarohi. But deep down he even wanted a life partner. He was tired of taking all the responsibilities alone and he wanted to share his life with someone.

Aayushi felt his intense gaze making her uncomfortable. He noticed the look of discomfort in her eyes and asked. "Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?” He asked and she nodded in no.

“You didn’t want this marriage, right?” Ansh asked and this time she nodded in yes.

“Then why did you agree?” He asked again.

Taking a few deep breaths she replied.

“Because my dad almost forced me and I thought you will deny this marriage.” She said in a low tone.

“I am sorry, Aayushi.” He said with a guilt-filled voice.

Ansh took a glass of water kept on the side table and extended it to her. She took the glass from his hand and drank some water. He saw a tear on her cheeks and took his hands near her to wipe it. But she moved away not wanting him to touch her.

“Don't worry, I won’t do anything with you. I just wanted to wipe that tear.” He said and pointed towards her cheeks. She immediately wiped it.

“Aayushi, you are free to do anything in your life. You can love someone else or if there is a person in your life then tell me right now. I will divorce you as soon as possible." Ansh said looking at her.

"I don't love anyone, Mr. Malhotra. It's just I never wanted to be someone's second wife and you even have a daughter. I don't know if I will be able to take responsibility for a child or not. I don't know if I will be able to fulfill the duty of mother or not." She said in a low tone while looking into his eyes.

He nodded his head understanding her point of view. "It's okay, Aayushi. I don't want you to do anything that you don't wish for. It is your life and you can live it in your way. Till the time we are together, I will try my best to fulfill all the responsibilities of a husband. And don't worry I won't touch you ever without your permission."

She nodded her head agreeing with him. While Ansh was sad because all his hopes for Aarohi getting mother's lover died.

After a minute of awkward silence, he said in a low tone. "I have already kept a maid who looks after Aarohi. You don't have to do anything related to her. I can understand that it's hard to accept someone else's child and I will make sure that she doesn't bother you.”

She just nodded in yes. Aayushi has never met his daughter. She knows that his daughter's name is Aarohi and she got a glimpse of Aarohi during their wedding. Aarohi was mostly with her mother-in-law and looked cute in her dress.

“I think I should go and change my clothes.” She said.

He nodded in yes and they both changed themselves in their nightclothes turn by turn.

“Mr. Malhotra, you sleep on the bed and I will sleep on the couch,” Aayushi said but he nodded in no.

He said, “No, You sleep on the bed and I will adjust myself on the couch."

"I don't think you will fit in this couch, Mr. Malhotra," Aayushi said looking at his height. He was a very tall person with a height of 6ft.

Before Ansh could reply, they heard a faint knock on the door. Ansh walked towards the door and opened it only to see his princess standing with tired and tears-filled eyes. He picked her up in his arms and she started sobbing.

"What's wrong baby girl?" Ansh asked in a soft tone while caressing her back.

Ansh was a great father but he can never give her the warmth and love that a mother gives to their baby.

"Is my baby tired?" He asked and she just hummed in response still sobbing.

Aayushi walked towards them and cleared her throat to get their attention. Aarohi immediately looked at her and spoke in between her sobs."Mumaaa."

Aayushi was shocked hearing this. They have never met each other and yet Aarohi called her Mumma. Someone might have informed her that Aayushi is her mother.

Aayushi looked at Aarohi and saw her cute little features. Aarohi was a very cute child with big eyes and chubby cheeks. Her hair was long and curly at the bottom. She kept looking at Aarohi who was held by her husband. The kid was her husband's child.

Aayushi extended her arms towards Aarohi to which Ansh said. "You sleep, I will take care of her. Please Don't bother yourself because of her. I will take her to another room."

Aayushi ignored him and picked Aarohi from his arms. Aarohi was so cute, innocent, and pure soul that Aayushi was already in love with this cute baby girl.

"I think she is tired from all the marriage functions and even these clothes are uncomfortable for her," Aayushi said looking at Ansh. Ansh nodded his head agreeing with her.

"She is so cute," Aayushi said and caressed her cheek lovingly. “Mr. Malhotra, can you please bring her nightsuit? She needs to change her clothes.”

"Yeah, give her to me I will change her clothes and make her sleep in another room." He said looking at Aayushi

"Where does she sleep every night before our marriage?" She asked.

"Before marriage, she always slept with me in this room."

"Then why can't she sleep here with us tonight?" Aayushi asked.

"Will you be comfortable with her?"

"Of course, I will be comfortable with her sleeping here and Mr. Malhotra I love babies and she is so cute." She replied while caressing her cheeks.

"Okay fine, I will go and bring her nightsuit," Ansh said and left the room.

Aayushi walked towards the bed and sat there with Aarohi in her arms. Aarohi was still crying a little. Aayushi caressed her back lovingly and Aarohi kept her head on Aayushi's chest.

"Let's take off your clothes," Aayushi said and slowly took off her clothes. She kept her clothes aside and wrapped her with a duvet so she doesn't feel cold. Aayushi hugged her and patted her back. Aarohi started sucking her thumb indicating that she wants to sleep. Soon Ansh came with a baby pink color nightsuit. Aayushi took it from him and made her wear that. Aarohi was looking so cute in that Dora pink night suit.

Aayushi laid her down on the bed and started patting her head. Aarohi was so tired that she fell asleep in no time. All this while, Ansh was looking at them with a big smile. He always wanted Aarohi to get mother's love.

His smile faded as he remembered what Aayushi said to him a few minutes back "I don't know if I will be able to take responsibility for a child or not. I don't know if I will be able to fulfill the duty of mother or not."

He sat on the bed and said. “Thank you Aayushi for making her sleep”.

She smiled and said. “No need Mr. Malhotra even you can sleep on bed”

“Are you sure?” he asked in a shocked tone.

“Yeah, Mr. Malhotra”. She said. He nodded and laid beside Aarohi and kissed her cheeks.

“Aayushi, from tomorrow a maid will look after her every need. I have even talked to Aarohi that from now onwards she has to sleep with her grandmother." Ansh said.

“Hmm.” She just hummed.

They closed their bedroom door and slept with Aarohi in between them.

To be continued...

By J.