"You are my muse, my reason, my everything."

- Shakespeare in Love

~ A A R O H I ~

The Oberoi mansion had always been loud. Not just with voices. With presence.

Movement. Opinions.

People constantly walking in and out of rooms like the house itself never truly slept.

But today...

The noise felt distant somehow.

Like I was hearing everything from underwater.

Because unfortunately, adjusting around Sneha and Aditya together inside the same house was proving far more difficult than I wanted to admit.

Not because either of them treated me badly. Actually...that almost made it worse. Sneha had been nothing but kind.

Gentle. Careful around me in a way that somehow made the guilt sharper.

And Aditya... Aditya behaved normally.

Too normally.

Like the past didn't exist anymore.

Like the broken mandap, the humiliation, the whispers, the abandonment...had become some distant family scandal everyone had collectively decided to move on from.

Except me.

Because every time I entered a room and found them together... something inside me stiffened automatically.

Not love. Not longing. Just memory.

And memories were dangerous things.

Especially in houses that never let people forget anything completely.

This became painfully obvious three days later during another family gathering in the downstairs sitting area.

The elders had occupied the larger sofas while tea circulated endlessly through the room.

Sneha sat near Dadiji today while badi maa excitedly discussed baby names with alarming seriousness.

"No modern nonsense," Dadiji declared firmly. "The child needs a proper meaningful name."

"Dadi," Aditya sighed, "the baby isn't even born yet."

"Exactly why planning should begin early." Dadaji looked deeply invested already."If it's a boy, names from our family lineage should be considered."

"Oh God," Adheera whispered dramatically beside me. "That means the child will end up named something terrifyingly royal."

"Pushkar Junior" Adesh Joked .

"Gangaram.... JayeshKumar..Shantiram....

...Suryavardhan...... Joginder.. Pushpender..." Advik started reciting his ancestors names.

Sneha coughed once.

"What if it's a girl...?" Aditya asked next.

Advik rubbed his temple as if remembering, then sighed once "Jayakumari...Mayavati...Savitridevi..

Kamalaben.....-"

I physically stopped him.

"Bss." I laughed ," you will give generational trauma to the baby before it is even born"

Pushkar dada ji grinned widely though "Savitri is very nice name."

"Papa" Bade papa groaned "woh aapke childhood neighbour ka naam tha"

(It was your childhood neighbours name)

"Toh kya???" Dadu smiled "accha naam hai"

(So what ...it's a nice name)

"Dadu bade rangeen meejaz ke the bhabhi" Adesh nudged me as I , Adheera, Adesh and Sneha bursted out laughing.

(Grandpa was very open minded in his time)

"Kya bola??" Dadu asked immediately.

(What did you say??)

"Kuchh nahi dadu" Adesh grinned then whispered "Advik bhai ke genetics idhar se aye hain" he pointed in between Advik and dadu.

(Nothing grandpa....Advik bhais genetics are from dadus side)

Advik facepalmed himself.

Adheera was full on wheezing.

I clutched my stomach.

"Those names are Better than whatever your generation chooses," Vivek uncle replied dryly. "You people name children like WiFi passwords."

Laughter spread softly again.

Sneha smiled this time too, one hand resting unconsciously against the slight curve of her stomach now.

"Ohh ...Kiara, Siara, Nia, Tina , Inaya.... meaning kya hai inka??" Badi maa asked.

(What is the meaning of them)

"Those names are goated maa" Aditya argued.

"Naam toh hamare jamane mai hote the... " Badi maa continued ignoring Aditya completely. "Janki, Maya, Chaya, Rama, Ratna, Gauri , Reshma"

(Names were good in my generation...Janki, Maya, Chaya, Rama, Ratna, Gauri,, Reshma)

"Aur kya naam hai aaj kal ke ladko ke

Bade papa added...."Kiaan, Shreyansh, Ayansh, Siaan, Jian.."

(And the names of today's generation kids?? Kiaan, Shreyansh, Ayansh, Siaan, Jian)

Vishal uncle mentally slapped himself

"Adi manav chale gaye...inhe choodh gaye"

(Apes left ... leaving them behind)

"Uncool Grandparents" Swarna aunty pointed "Kitna pyara nam hai Kiaan...ekdm cute"

(Kiaan is such a good name..very cute)

"Chalo koi toh hai modern iss family main..." Adheera teased.

(Finally someone modern in this family)

"I will name my Advik's child after Some Hollywood billionaire" Swarna aunty added next .

I choked on literal air. Advik went still.

"Maa" he managed somehow.

"Yes. " Vishal uncle added " Something elite... exquisite...my granddaughter should be named precisely"

"Granddaughter??" Adheera blinked.

"Hypothetical hai" Adesh whizzed.

(It's hypothetical)

"Daphne, Violet, Francesca" Vishal uncle repeated. "Ruhani, Saranya, Shravya"

"France- kya? " bade papa blinked twice.

"Spelling bolo"

(France-what?? Spell it)

"Papa" Advik groaned.

"Children help in bonding" Badi maa smiled . "It's time"

"You are next" Adesh nudged Advik.

"Mai khud baccha hun" Advik said through gritted teeth.

Then whispered only to Adesh "Bahot bolta hai tu"

(I am myself a kid )

(You speak too much)

"You will mature " Dadu suggested.

"Hamare time mai toh pyaar baad mai, bacche pehle hojate the" Dadi looked up in sky , as if remembering.

(In our time, love used to happen later on.... before that kids would be born)

"I like it now then " Sneha smirked.

"We are supposed to be family friendly"

Adheera burried her face in pillow.

"Mujhe chakkar arahe hai" I said dramatically.

(I feel like fainting)

"Bhabhi good news??" Aditya barked.

Advik threw a pillow on his face.

"Bacche ka naam toh bua hee rakhegi" Dadi announced "Adheera you better not disappoint me"

(Baby's name will be decided by Paternal aunt...it's a tradition)

"Dadi...she is little dumb" Advik said " She will name the kid after some Italian mafia"

"Ha" Adesh encouraged " Alessandro Aditya Oberoi, Michelle Oberoi, Dante Oberoi ........Savitridevi Oberoi sounds safer now"

"Shut up" Adheera smacked him on shoulder hard ," Aya bada kutta"

(Dog)

"Mere bacche ka naam mai rakh lunga" Aditya announced.

(I will name my child myself)

"Nah" Adesh stopped him "bacche ka naam Oberoi khandan ka sabse cool banda...yane mai" he pointed at himself " Adesh rakhega"

(The baby's name will be decided by Oberoi families most cool guy...I mean myself)

"I am the cool one" Advik protested "I have tattoos "

"Doesn't make sense"

"You will name the child after Anime character"

"Point toh hai" I said .

(That's a valid point)

"Naruto Oberoi, Saitama Oberoi, Goku Oberoi " Adheera Started reciting.

"Goku is cool" Adesh tried to negotiate. "I will name my child Itachi "

"Bass" Dadi stopped everyone " baccha ane main time hai "

(Stop...their is time in baby's arrival)

"Yah...4 months" Sneha nodded.

"Enough time " Aditya agreed.

"You don't even wake up before ten," Adheera informed him. "How will you handle a newborn?"

"I can adapt."

"You cried when your plant died."

"That cactus mattered to me."

Sneha burst out laughing softly while Aditya looked offended.

And before I could stop myself...

I smiled too.

Because despite everything...they did look happy together. Messy. Chaotic. Slightly disastrous.

But real.

Then suddenly I became aware of Advik still watching me.

Across the room, Sneha suddenly gasped dramatically.

"Oh!"

Everyone looked toward her instantly.

"What happened?" Aradhna asked alarmed.

Dadiji pointed directly toward Sneha's stomach looking emotional already.

"The baby kicked."

Chaos erupted immediately.

"Wait seriously?"

"Again?"

"Aditya move let me see."

"Why are all of you acting like it's a cricket match?"

Sneha laughed helplessly while half the family surrounded her instantly.

Even Dadaji looked emotional now.

Meanwhile Aditya placed his hand carefully against Sneha's stomach with an soft expression and stunned that the entire room collectively melted.

And somehow... Instead of pain,

I felt something else this time.

Warmth. A strange quiet warmth watching people love each other so openly despite all their flaws.

Beside me, Advik followed my gaze silently.

Then very casually...

his fingers brushed mine against the sofa cushion. A small touch.

I looked toward him instinctively.

And there it was again.

That look in his eyes lately.

_____

_____

~ A D V I K ~

Oberoi Group headquarters looked exactly like everything I hated before noon.

Glass walls. Board members pretending PowerPoint presentations were life-threatening situations.

Assistants walking around with expressions of panic. And somewhere in the building, my father probably terrifying three executives simultaneously .

Corporate culture. Beautiful.

I leaned back lazily inside the conference chair while bade papa discussed quarterly expansion numbers with someone over speakerphone.

Beside me, Vishal Oberoi , my dad sat perfectly composed as usual.

Calm. Precise. Controlled.

My father looked like the human version of some mafia .

Unfortunately for society, he was also brilliant. Which meant everyone listened when he spoke. Including me.

Occasionally against my will.

The meeting had ended fifteen minutes ago.Most executives had already escaped the room carefully.

Only the three of us remained now.

Vivek uncle closed one file before looking toward me over his glasses.

"You were late again."

"I arrived on time."

"You arrived forty minutes late."

"Traffic."

"That's not an excuse"

"Mumbai traffic exists everywhere."

Bade papa sighed deeply .

Meanwhile my father didn't even look up from the documents in front of him.

"At least he attended the meeting today"

Vivek uncle hid a smile behind his coffee.

Then suddenly dad closed the file in front of him neatly.

"I've been thinking about Aarohi."

My entire nervous system became suspicious.

I narrowed my eyes slowly.

"Why?"

"Because she's wasting time sitting at home."

There it was.

I leaned back further in the chair carefully now while Vivek uncle looked mildly interested.

"She worked in her father's company before marriage," Dad continued calmly. "She's competent. Disciplined. Intelligent."

I blinked once.The praise felt suspicious.

"And?" I asked slowly.

"And she should join Oberoi Group."

Absolutely not.

The refusal nearly left my mouth instantly. But something stopped me.

Because annoyingly... the idea itself wasn't bad.

Aarohi actually was capable.

Probably more capable than half the people currently employed here.

Still.Something about the timing felt wrong.

Bade papa nodded thoughtfully now.

"Actually that isn't a bad suggestion."

Traitor.

"She already understands corporate operations," he continued. "And she'll adjust faster because she's family."

Family. Interesting word inside this building. My father finally looked toward me properly now.

"What?"

"You planned this already?" I asked flatly.

"No." Lie. I knew that face.

Vishal Oberoi only used that specific calm tone when he was pretending something wasn't calculated six months in advance.

"You think too much," he said coolly.

"And you manipulate too much."

Bade papa immediately looked between us like he sensed incoming warfare.

My father ignored the accusation entirely.

"Aarohi has potential. Why should she sit isolated inside the mansion all day?"

Because if she comes here she'll be around me constantly. The thought arrived so suddenly it almost annoyed me.

Meetings. Lunches. Cabin visits.

Her walking through these hallways.

My already unstable concentration would officially die.

Fantastic. And worse...

I still didn't fully trust my father's intentions anymore.

Ever since France.

Ever since the study conversation.

Ever since I started noticing the way he observed Aarohi sometimes.

Like she wasn't merely my wife.

Like she was part of some larger equation already running inside his head.

I folded my arms slowly now.

"What department?"

Dad answered immediately.

"Strategy and operations."

"You already decided everything?" I stared at him.

"It makes sense."

"You didn't even ask her."

"I will."

"No," I corrected sharply. "You informed us. That's different."

Very few people dared to speak with Vishal Oberoi so bluntly.

But I always didn't.

Probably because I inherited the exact same temper as him.

Bade papa cleared his throat carefully.

"Advik..."

"No bade papa seriously," I looked at my father now. "Every time something happens suddenly you already have a plan ready."

His expression hardened faintly.

"That's called leadership."

"That's called dictatorship." Then I added flatly, "Dictator ho aap."

(You are a dictator)

Vivek uncle actually choked on coffee.

Meanwhile my father simply stared at me. Cold. Unmoved.

Then annoyingly...

one corner of his mouth almost twitched.

Almost.

"You'll thank me later."

.

Finally bade papa sighed tiredly.

"Both of you are exhausting."

Neither of us responded.

Then dad spoke again. "Advik."

I looked toward him reluctantly.

"Aarohi needs something that's hers too."

That made me pause.

Because beneath all my suspicion...

that part actually mattered.

Aarohi had spent months adjusting to the family.

The house. Always adapting. Always accommodating. And somewhere in the process...her own life had quietly paused.

Damn him.

Because now I couldn't tell whether this was manipulation...or whether my father had simply chosen the perfect argument intentionally knowing it would work on me.

Probably both.

I rubbed a hand over my face tiredly.

"Hate how your brain functions."

"Likewise," Dad replied instantly.

Genetics. Tragic situation.

Vivek uncle stood finally collecting the files.

"I'll speak to HR."

"Excuse me?" I looked at him immediately.

"It's decided."

I stared at both of them in disbelief.

"This family is actually insane."

"Runs in blood," bade papa replied calmly before leaving the room.

Unbelievable. Now only my father and I remained inside the office.

The silence between us felt heavier suddenly. Because beneath the sarcasm...

something else still existed.

Suspicion.

I looked toward him slowly.

"You really think bringing her here is a good idea?"

Dad met my gaze ."Yes."

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked quietly.

My father looked away first.

Toward the rain outside.

And that alone terrified me more than any answer could have.

"Something's are better left to be burried in the past"

_____

By the time I returned to my cabin,

I already had a headache.

From genetics.

Specifically Vishal Oberoi's genetics.

The glass door shut behind me while I dropped into the chair dramatically and loosened my tie with the expression of a man personally betrayed by his bloodline.

And unfortunately...

My assistant witnessed all of it.

Pratik looked up from the couch immediately, entirely too entertained already.

"Good morning, corporate majesty."

"It's afternoon."

"You arrived at noon . Likewise"

Fair.

Pratik had been my assistant officially for three years.

Unofficially? Professional babysitter.

Crisis manager. Best friend.

Occasional emotional support system against the Oberoi family.

Poor man deserved compensation from the government.

He narrowed his eyes at me now.

"You fought with your father again?"

"I don't fight."

"Haan. Bilkul." He nodded seriously. "United Nations peace ambassador ho tum."

(Yes correct. You are United Nations peace ambassador right???)

I ignored him and grabbed the nearest file aggressively.

Pratik watched me for another second .

"So...why exactly did Vishal sir nearly terrify two finance managers outside?"

I went still for one second.

Then narrowed my eyes.

"How do you know?"

"Sir," Pratik deadpanned, "the entire office knows when you both argue. "

Valid.

I leaned back again dramatically.

"My father has lost his mind."

"Specific karo. Bohot broad category hai."

(Specific details. The category is too broad)

I pointed at him immediately.

"See? THIS is why HR hates you."

"HR fears honesty."

Then he paused.

"Oh wait." His eyes widened slowly with horrifying realization. "No."

I looked at him suspiciously. "What?"

"No no no..." he sat forward now looking delighted. "This is about bhabhi, isn't it?"

Silence.

Pratik slapped the couch triumphantly.

"I KNEW IT."

I regretted employing him instantly.

"My father wants Aarohi to join Oberoi Group."

Pratik blinked once.

And suddenly the idiot started laughing so hard. I stared at him in betrayal.

"What exactly is funny?"

"You." He pointed at me wheezing. "Your problem is not the company joining part."

"It absolutely is."

"Liar."

I looked offended immediately.

Pratik stood dramatically now and began imitating me.

"'No papa .. .don't hire my wife because then she'll sit beside me in meetings and I'll stop understanding basic economics.'"

"I will fire you."

"'No papa..... please don't make the pretty wife stay near me all day or my already dead concentration will become ashes.'"

"Pratik."

"'No papa...'"

I threw another pen. This time he dodged.

He collapsed back onto the couch laughing uncontrollably while I glared murderously.

Finally he wiped imaginary tears dramatically. "Bhai..." he looked genuinely emotional now, "you are down ."

"I hate this ."

"You are SIMPING."

"I will throw you out of this building."

"You literally danced with her in Paris Rain."

"That was one time!!!"

"You extended the France trip ."

Silence.

"..it was for business purpose"

Pratik stared at me blankly.

"Jhootha " He looked victorious now.

"Aur bolo."

(Liar....tell me more)

I rubbed my face tiredly.

"This is exactly why friendships in workplaces are dangerous."

"No seriously," he grinned now, "imagine the office gossip."

I already hated where this was going.

"'Sir suddenly attending meetings on time.'"

I narrowed my eyes.

"'Sir wearing ironed shirts.'"

"Okay that's exaggerated."

"'Sir no longer threatening murder during presentations because bhabhi is watching.'"

Disrespectful behavior honestly.

Pratik leaned back smugly now.

"You know what's funniest?"

"What?"

"You used to say marriage would ruin your freedom."

"It has."

"Bhai you literally smile at your phone now."

I froze. That bastard gasped dramatically.

"Oh my GOD YOU DO."

"I absolutely do not."

"You have soft eyes now."

I looked genuinely horrified.

"Soft eyes?"

"Haan. Like hero from Netflix series."

"This friendship is over." Pratik grinned lazily. "Nahi seriously...you're happier."

The teasing softened slightly then.

And annoyingly...that sentence hit somewhere uncomfortable inside my chest.

Because before Aarohi...

Home was just home. Family was chaos.

Life was movement.

Temporary cities. Temporary people.

Temporary feelings.

But now?

Now my brain automatically wondered whether she'd eaten lunch.

Whether she was still annoyed at Adheera for stealing her skincare products.

Whether she'd smile slightly if I called unexpectedly.

Disgusting behavior honestly.

Pratik watched my expression carefully now. The idiot smirked again.

"Bhai."

"What?"

"You're gone."

I sighed deeply. "Unfortunately."

He looked deeply proud suddenly.

"Vishal sir must be so happy."

That immediately ruined my mood again.

Because unfortunately... there it was.

The suspicion. The manipulation underneath everything. Pratik noticed instantly.

His smile faded "What happened?"

I stayed quiet for a second before finally muttering,

"I don't trust my father's intentions anymore."

That made hI stared at him flatly.

"Emotionally insane?"

"Haan." He nodded confidently. "Protective psychopath category."

Fair . Because the moment I even suspected Aarohi was being treated like strategy instead of a person..

Let's hope for the best.

_______

_______

What names will you suggest for the baby Oberoi????

Did you enjoy the chapter and do you think Vishal is hiding something else?im straighten properly now.