Authors Note:

hello pretty readers, I hope you are all good. I would love to hear your perspective on the story so far what you’re enjoying, what you’re curious about, and even what you’d like to see more of. Your feedback helps me grow and makes this journey even more special. Feel free to share your opinions I’m listening! I will reply everyone!!

Arvi's pov:

I was lying on the bed, scrolling aimlessly through my phone, the soft hum of the AC filling the otherwise quiet room. I wasn't really paying attention to what I was seeing just tapping and swiping, trying to pass time.

The door creaked open, but I didn’t look up. I knew it was him.

The bed dipped slightly beside me, and then I felt it Rayaan’s lips pressing a warm, lingering kiss to my cheek.

I smiled without meaning to, still pretending to focus on my phone, even though my heart had already skipped a beat.

"Get ready," he murmured near my ear, his voice sending a little shiver down my spine. "I want to take you somewhere."

I finally looked up, meeting his dark, intent gaze.

"Somewhere?" I asked, trying and probably failing to sound casual, even as excitement bubbled quietly inside me.

He just nodded, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips, and reached out to take my phone from my hand, placing it gently on the nightstand.

"Now," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument.

And just like that, I found myself already getting up because when it came to Rayaan, there was something about him that made me want to say yes, even before I knew the question.

The seatbelt clicked into place as I settled into the passenger seat. Rayaan was already behind the wheel, one hand casually resting at the top, the other adjusting the gear. The engine purred to life, and we pulled out of the driveway with ease.

I sneaked a glance at him  the way the setting sun carved golden lines along his sharp jaw, the quiet focus in his eyes. He hadn’t said a word since we left the room, and the suspense was slowly starting to drive me crazy.

I cleared my throat softly. "Are you going to tell me where we’re going, or am I just supposed to sit here and guess the whole way?"

He smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Patience, Mrs. Oberoi."

folding my arms over my chest in mock annoyance. "Khadus."

"I know," he said, casting me a sideways glance that made my heart skip.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. With him, even the not knowing felt... safe. Exciting.

As the city lights started to blur past us, I gave up trying to figure it out and leaned back against the seat, letting the soft hum of the car and the quiet between us fill the space a quiet that felt more like a promise than silence.

Wherever he was taking me, I realized, it didn’t really matter.

As long as it was with him.

The car pulled to a stop, and I blinked, still unsure of where we were. I looked out the window, but the streets were unfamiliar. We were in a quieter part of the city now, surrounded by more greenery and fewer people.

Rayaan turned off the engine, and I looked at him, confused. "Where are we?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he got out of the car and walked around to open my door, his face unreadable. "Come with me," he said softly, holding out his hand.

I took his hand, stepping out of the car and following him. The air was cool, the evening sky stretching above us, but it felt heavy, like something important was about to happen.

As we walked down a narrow path, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly, I saw a large building ahead an old stone building, its structure familiar, yet strange. My breath caught in my throat as recognition slowly dawned on me. It was the orphanage.

I stopped in my tracks. The memories flooded back: the long hallways, the shared rooms, the caretakers, the years of waiting. The years of feeling abandoned. This place was where I had spent eighteen years of my life.

Rayaan didn’t stop walking. He kept holding my hand, leading me toward the entrance. I could barely move. I hadn’t expected this. Why had he brought me here?

When we reached the gate, I turned to him. "wh... why here?" I whispered, my voice shaky.

He stopped and gently turned me toward him, his eyes locking with mine. "Look at the sign," he said softly.

I blinked, my gaze drifting to the newly painted sign on the front gate. The words read, “Arvi's Orphanage.”

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. My name. It said my name. My breath caught as emotions swirled inside me disbelief, gratitude, and something deeper I couldn’t put into words.

"You did this?" I whispered, the weight of his gesture sinking in.

Rayaan nodded, his expression soft. "This place shaped you. I wanted to honor that. I want my wife to be close to her childhood no matter which place is"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. This was something I never could have imagined. For a place that had once felt like a cage, now it was something else entirely it was a part of me that I could finally breathe into, with no shame, no fear.

"I don’t know what to say," I breathed, overwhelmed.

Rayaan’s hand tightened around mine, his eyes filled with understanding. "You don’t have to say anything," he murmured. "Just know that I’m with you. Always."

I stood frozen, my eyes locked on the sign. “Arvi's Orphanage.”  my name, staring back at me. It felt surreal, impossible. The place that had once been my world, my cage, was now part of me in a way I hadn’t expected.

Tears welled up, and before I could stop them, they started to fall. I reached out for Rayaan, throwing myself into his arms.

I buried my face against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close. His hand stroked my hair, and his voice was soft, comforting.

"Don’t cry, jaan," he whispered, his words gentle. "I’m right here. Always."

I clung to him, unable to let go, the tears still falling, but somehow, they didn’t feel like just sadness anymore. There was relief, gratitude, and love. For the first time, I didn’t feel abandoned.

Rayaan gently pulled back, lifting my chin to meet his eyes. "Let’s go inside," he said softly, his thumb brushing away the tears on my cheek.

I nodded, my voice shaky. "Okay."

He smiled, his touch reassuring. "One step at a time, together."

He led me toward the entrance, and I followed, holding on to him as if he were the anchor I’d always needed.

As we stepped inside the orphanage, the familiar sounds and smells surrounded me  the laughter of children, the scent of old wood, and the distant hum of caretakers going about their duties. But today, everything felt different.

The moment the staff saw Rayaan, a tense silence filled the room. They froze, eyes widening as they recognized him. Rayaan Oberoi. His presence made them uneasy, and I could feel the tension rise.

Rayaan walked forward, his posture relaxed, pulling me gently along with him. The staff straightened, their nervousness palpable, but they didn’t dare speak.

From the back of the room, I spotted her the caretaker. Her silver hair and wrinkled face had aged, but her eyes were as kind as ever. When she saw me, her face softened, and she gasped.

"Arvi..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Before I could say a word, she rushed toward me and pulled me into a warm, tight hug. I squeezed her back, feeling the familiar comfort and safety.

"How long has it been?" she asked, pulling away to look at me with tears in her eyes.

"It’s been years, Aayii" I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.

Meanwhile, the staff stood in silence, exchanging glances. They were still unsure of how to react. Some of the older girls watched from a distance, whispering among themselves. They had known me as one of them  the girl who had spent years here. Now, everything had changed.

Rayaan broke the silence, his voice clear and commanding. "From now on, Arvi is your mam. And more importantly, this is her property now."

The staff froze, understanding the weight of his words. The girls were shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had never imagined this day would come.

After a few more moments of conversation and greetings from the staff, Rayaan and I finally made our way back to the car. My emotions were still running high, but I couldn’t stop the feeling of gratitude that filled me.

I turned to him as we got in the car. "Thank you, Rayaan," I said softly, my voice full of appreciation.

Rayaan didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and kissed me gently on the cheek, his lips warm against my skin. "For you, anything," he whispered, his eyes locking with mine.

He started the car, and we drove in comfortable silence for a while, but as we neared the road leading to the mansion, his phone suddenly rang. Rayaan answered it, his voice low and steady as he spoke to his security team.

I glanced out the window, but then something caught my eye Rayaan’s phone screen. It was a photo of me. A photo from that night the girls and I had spent together. The same one Aleesha had uploaded to her story.

I raised an eyebrow, a little confused. "Wait... that’s my photo?" I asked, pointing at the screen.

Rayaan smirked, his lips curling into a playful grin. He chuckled softly and glanced at me. "Oh, Yes love" he said, his voice teasing. "The one who sent that message to Aleesha… that was me."

I blinked, a little taken aback. "What?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.

Rayaan let out a small laugh. "And you were looking hot, I must say." He gave me a sly grin, his eyes glinting mischievously.

I felt my cheeks warm as I processed what he said. "You sent that message?" I asked again, a little surprised but also flattered.

Rayaan’s smirk never left his face as he nodded. "I couldn’t help myself. You looked stunning, and I needed to let you and her know that make sure no one should see."

My heart fluttered, I smiled and whispered to myself “I love you rayaan”

Rayaan’s smirk deepened as he looked at me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I heard you, wifey," he teased, his voice dripping with affection. “I love you more, mera bacha.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the way he said it. It was playful but sincere, and it made my heart flutter. I glanced at him, my smile widening as I shook my head in disbelief.

"You’re impossible," I whispered, my voice soft but filled with warmth.

Rayaan chuckled, his eyes softening as he glanced at me, then back at the road. We both laughed, the sound of it filling the car, a shared moment of lighthearted joy between us.

It felt like everything had shifted, in the best way possible. The way he cared for me, the way he made me feel seen and cherished, even in the smallest gestures, made my heart swell with happiness.

As we drove in the direction of the mansion, the night seemed to hold a promise  one of love, laughter, and the beautiful connection we were continuing to build.