Chapter-29 "Mark Your Territory, Aarohi!"

Night – 10 PM

Aarohi thought about calling Nirvay.

She dialed.

Nirvay:

"Hello."

(His voice still carried the weight of sadness.)

Aarohi:

"Did you have dinner?"

Nirvay:

"Hmm…"

(His unsure reply told Aarohi his mood hadn't improved much.)

Sensing this, Aarohi quickly decided to shift the conversation to something lighter.

Aarohi:

"So, where are we going on Wednesday? You still haven't told me."

Nirvay:

"It's a surprise."

Aarohi: (trying harder to cheer him up)

"Your birthday is on Wednesday, and you're the one giving surprises? Isn't that my job?"

Nirvay: (smiling lightly)

"You can give me a surprise too."

Aarohi noticed his voice slowly starting to lift.

Aarohi:

"What kind of surprise should I give you?"

Nirvay:

"That's for you to decide. You should know what would make me happy."

Aarohi: (playfully dramatic)

"My only plan is to stay away from you the entire trip."

Nirvay:

"What? Why? Why would you do that?"

Aarohi:

"Sukhi told me about this incident from school… when you used to tutor me… You would always stare at me."

(On the other side of the call, a smile appeared on Nirvay's face.)

Aarohi: (teasingly continuing)

"One day, you stared at my lips and said they looked really soft. I didn't even react—I just looked at my notebook and calmly told you, 'It's because of the herbal balm. You should try it too.' And your face completely dropped."

Nirvay burst out laughing this time.

Aarohi's heart felt lighter hearing his laugh.

Aarohi:

"Sukhi notices everything."

Aarohi:

"Okay, now you should get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow. Or… do you still want to talk?"

Nirvay:

"Go get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow. Bye."

Aarohi:

"I love you. And I'll always stay by your side—watching you, noticing every little thing."

Nirvay:

"I love you too. Good night."

The call ended.

---

Next Morning – Office

Nirvay called Aarohi into his cabin.

Nirvay:

"I have to head out for a meeting this evening. When I'm back, I'll drop you home, okay?"

Aarohi:

"It's fine. I can go by myself. You focus on your meeting."

Before leaving, Nirvay gently kissed her forehead and walked out.

---

Lunchtime – Cafeteria

Aarohi joined her friends from the marketing department: Dhruv, Shruti, and Pooja.

Shruti: (looking at Aarohi)

"Tell us honestly—what's really going on between you and Nirvay sir?"

Aarohi paused, unsure how to answer.

Pooja: (smiling)

"Don't stress so much."

Aarohi:

"I'm not stressed. There's nothing like that."

(She tried to change the topic.)

Dhruv:

"Then why does Nirvay sir drop you home every day?"

Aarohi: (shocked)

"How do you know that?!"

Shruti:

"Dhruv has secret sources. The watchman at the back gate told him."

Pooja: (teasing)

"Okay now, confess!"

Aarohi:

"We're just… friends."

Dhruv:

"Ruby told me too. Now spill the truth."

Aarohi hesitated but then admitted—

Aarohi:

"Okay, fine. We're in a relationship."

Dhruv: (pretending to be heartbroken)

"Ouch! You just shattered my heart!"

Aarohi: (surprised)

"What?!"

Pooja: (laughing)

"He's just messing with you. Don't take him seriously. We're all really happy for you both."

(Shruti smiled and nodded in agreement.)

Dhruv:

"Not me! I'm not happy at all."

Shruti:

"Dhruv, enough with the drama!"

Dhruv:

"This isn't drama. I was seriously thinking about making Aarohi my girlfriend… but then Nirvay sir stole her. Now I'll have to look for another girl." (grinning)

Aarohi:

"I'll help you find someone."

Dhruv:

"Then it's settled—I'm not mad anymore."

The group burst into laughter and returned to their desks.

---

Evening – Aarohi's Flat

After work, Aarohi reached her flat.

Nirvay's message:

"Did you get home?"

Aarohi's reply:

"Just now."

After freshening up, she sat down for dinner when Sukhi called.

Aarohi:

"Hello?"

Sukhi:

"Tomorrow's going to be so much fun for you, Aarohi."

Aarohi:

"It's not what you're thinking, okay?"

Sukhi: (teasing)

"Then tell me—what is it? You're spending two whole days and two nights together. Just thinking about it is thrilling. Aarohi, make sure you mark your territory on Nirvay's muscular body!"

Aarohi:

"Sukhi! Please, can you install a filter in your mouth? You say whatever comes to your mind!"

Sukhi:

"I'm just telling the truth. You might control yourself, but Nirvay won't. I know him."

(Sukhi laughed out loud.)

Aarohi:

"I've already told him to book two separate rooms. So, Madam, please control your imagination."

Sukhi:

"Who told you that everything happens inside rooms? There's also the car—"

Aarohi: (interrupting)

"Shut up, Sukhi! I need to sleep now."

Sukhi:

"Okay, fine. Sleep. Although, I doubt Nirvay will let you sleep tomorrow night!" (laughing again)

Before Aarohi could reply, Sukhi had already cut the call.

Aarohi's heart started racing.

What is this feeling? It's not like I don't want to go with him. I do… but I'm also nervous. Strangely nervous. But this nervousness isn't stopping me…

Just then, Nirvay called.

Nirvay:

"I'll be waiting outside your flat tomorrow at 8 AM sharp. Don't be late. It's a long drive."

Aarohi:

"Okay, I'll be ready."

Nirvay:

"Did you have dinner?"

Aarohi:

"Yes."

Nirvay:

"Good. Now go to bed. We'll have to wake up early tomorrow. Good night."

Aarohi:

"Good night."

The call ended.

Aarohi's heartbeat was still fast. She kept trying to sleep but couldn't. Sometimes she smiled thinking about Sukhi's words; sometimes she felt nervous. Time kept slipping by, and she didn't realize she'd forgotten to put her phone on charge. Eventually, she fell asleep just before dawn.

---

Morning – 7 AM

Nirvay called her.

Switched off.

Maybe she forgot to charge her phone, he thought.

He tried calling her two or three more times, but it remained off.

Feeling a bit worried, he quickly got ready and went to her flat.

He kept calling, but her phone was still off.

He decided to go up to her door—a little risky, since neighbors might tell her family. Aarohi had always avoided letting him come to her flat for this reason.

He rang the doorbell several times.

Aarohi was in such deep sleep, she didn't hear it at first.

He kept pressing the bell, starting to get anxious now.

Finally, Aarohi, half-asleep and with her eyes barely open, came to the door and opened it.

Aarohi: (groggy)

"Who is it…?"