Twisted Hearts 2 – Chapter 9

The results were out and Pallavi’s classes resumed for the next semester. Aditya joined the company and both were happy and content as they moved forward with their responsibilities. Aditya could no longer drop her at college but he gave her plenty of instructions regarding her safety. Pallavi would always send him a message upon reaching college and Aditya would feel relieved whenever he saw it.

Pallavi would return home on time and Aditya never failed to call her at the exact time to ensure that she had reached safely. They would talk briefly since Pallavi constantly had Deepika watching her.

After returning from work, Aditya would meet Pallavi for a few minutes after dinner. Sometimes, he would buy dinner for both Pallavi and Deepika since he did not want anyone questioning him, at least not before Pallavi completed her studies.

Saturdays were Aditya’s off days, so he would go to the coaching centre and take Pallavi out for a movie, shopping or to the beach to spend time together. Their romance had never crossed beyond holding hands, playing with each other’s fingers, kissing on the cheek and sharing gentle hugs.

Deepika stayed at home and her parents never forced her to do anything against her wishes. She enjoyed being at home and helped her mother with household chores. She had learned cooking and would bring dishes to Aditya at night after he returned from work, but Aditya never stepped out of his room until Deepika left his house. He would not even touch the food she brought.

Two months later, on a very particular day, Deepika and Pallavi were on the terrace eating the snacks their mother had made for them.

Pallavi noticed Deepika glancing at the street as though she was expecting someone, but she had no idea that it was the same day, in the past, when Aditya had arrived with the news of his opportunity to fly to New Zealand.

Aditya arrived a little late and parked his bike in front of his gate. Seeing Pallavi and Deepika on the terrace, he rushed to their terrace. He smiled at Pallavi and silently raised his brows, asking if everything was fine. She nodded and he stood near the wall with one hand resting on it and the other silently touching her fingers.

“Aadhi, how was your day? It seems like you are enjoying your work. I can see a change in your face. Did something happen?” Deepika asked casually as she stood before him.

Aditya understood that she was expecting news about the New Zealand project and chuckled softly.

“I’m absolutely enjoying my work, Deepika. I chose this career out of passion and nothing is going to stop my growth. In fact, you are right, something did happen. There was a discussion about selecting a team for a project in New Zealand and I was busy with it,” Aditya said.

Deepika smiled as though she had won something. “So, are you going to New Zealand? Wow, Aadhi, you are a genius and I’m so proud of you,” she said and tried to hug him.

Aditya immediately stopped her.

He looked at Pallavi, whose face had fallen. He knew that expression well. He was still haunted by the memory of leaving for New Zealand for more than two years, the grave mistake that had almost made him lose his Pallavi.

“Why are you upset, Pavi?” he asked.

She simply shook her head and remained silent.

“I said there was a discussion. There were two projects and I chose to work in Chennai. Last week, I gave a project presentation to prove my capability and my manager finally approved me for the Chennai project. Depending on my efficiency, I might even be promoted to Senior Software Developer. In fact, they were quite impressed with my work,” Aditya said.

Pallavi sighed in relief.

Deepika stood frozen in shock. Aditya had rejected the New Zealand opportunity. The frown on her forehead and the way her nose scrunched in disgust revealed an anger and frustration that words could hardly describe.

“You are being foolish, Aadhi. Who would miss such a golden opportunity to work abroad, explore the world and grow their talents? You will regret losing this opportunity,” Deepika said before stomping away.

Aditya completely ignored Deepika. Instead, his fingers played with Pallavi’s as they stood near the wall. Pallavi remained silent for a moment before Aditya took a deep breath and handed her a chocolate.

“Aadhi, did you give up that opportunity because of me?” she whispered, guilt evident in her voice.

Aditya shook his head and gently lifted the corners of her lips into a smile using his thumb and forefinger.

“What if you regret it in the future? What if I’m the reason you missed such a golden opportunity?” Pallavi asked, lowering her gaze to the floor.

“I would have regretted it if I had chosen that opportunity, baby. Nothing…..absolutely nothing is more important to me than you. You are my golden girl, my greatest treasure and the one I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. But honestly, the Chennai project is far more important than the New Zealand project, so there is nothing to worry about,” Aditya said.

Then, after glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he quickly leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Finally, Pallavi smiled and broke the chocolate into two pieces, sharing one with him.

“We are going to get caught someday because of everything you are doing. What if Deepika or someone else had come while you were kissing me?” Pallavi whispered and pinched his arm.

“I’m just waiting for you to finish college so that I can do something beyond these cheek kisses and here you are worrying about this,” Aditya muttered.

Unfortunately for him, Pallavi heard every word. She immediately punched him in the stomach and turned away.

“I love it when you blush, Princess,” he said with a grin.

Pallavi glared at him. Unable to endure his teasing any longer, she walked downstairs and Aditya followed her with a smile.

A few days passed and Deepika joined a nearby school as a computer instructor, teaching basic computer skills to primary school students. She had tried her best to secure a job in several companies but failed every interview.

Meanwhile, Aditya and Pallavi continued to grow steadily in both their careers and personal lives. Pallavi had now become a trained and certified programmer. With Aditya’s guidance and support, she joined a software firm as an intern to gain practical experience. She successfully balanced her college studies and internship with his help. Aditya was her pillar of strength, always supporting and protecting her.

Two years passed, and Pallavi graduated with flying colours. Shortly after receiving her results, she attended an interview and was selected as a Junior Software Developer. Her parents were overwhelmed with pride and happiness at her achievement.

To celebrate her success before she joined the company, Aditya took her to an amusement park. They enjoyed every ride and Aditya captured countless photos of her as she screamed and laughed throughout the day. Hand in hand, they wandered around the park, cherishing every moment together.

On her first day of work, Aditya stopped his bike outside her house. Pallavi stepped out, dressed in a beautiful pastel pink cotton salwar. Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders, making her look effortlessly beautiful.

Aditya flashed her a thumbs-up. With a smile she placed her handbag on the petrol tank and climbed onto the bike behind him, holding onto his shoulder.

Standing nearby, Deepika watched them leave.

A wave of envy washed over her as she saw Pallavi riding away with Aditya. They looked like the perfect couple. By now, both families were more than ready to hear the news they had been silently waiting for from their children.

Aditya stopped the bike at a flower shop and bought her a white rose. By now, Pallavi had grown used to him surprising her with white roses whenever he felt like it.

“I’m so proud of you, baby and I definitely need some time with you. We are grown-ups now and we have already waited long enough. Now that you have graduated and secured a job, let’s plan a trip. Your office might organize a training program or a welcome party for freshers, so tell your parents that you will be going on a weekend trip to a resort with your colleagues for two days. Let’s plan it for next week.

I’ll call a few of my friends to join us. That would be safer since we aren’t married yet. I will leave two days earlier, saying it’s an official office trip and then you can join our plan later so that no one suspects anything. I’ll return two or three days after that,” Aditya said.

Pallavi raised her brows and looked at him teasingly.

“Is that an order or a suggestion?” she asked.

Aditya pulled her closer and looked at her pleadingly. Pallavi chuckled and nodded her head. He felt overjoyed and raised his fist in the air triumphantly.

Ten days passed. Aditya informed his parents that he would be going on an official trip for a week. He even visited Pallavi’s house and informed her parents to avoid raising any suspicions. At the same time, he made sure to arrange a cab for Pallavi so that she could travel safely to work.

Two days later, Pallavi informed her parents about the welcome party at the resort. She packed her clothes and bid goodbye to her parents and Deepika.

She arrived at the location Aditya had mentioned and a car stopped in front of her. Aditya gestured for her to get in and she settled into the passenger seat. She noticed a couple sitting in the back and smiled at them.

“He is my friend and senior at the office and that’s his wife. This is their car. We have a few more people joining us and they are following us in another vehicle. We shall buy our own car after we get married,” Aditya said as he started driving.

They reached a resort on East Coast Road in Chennai. Two more cars arrived shortly after and several of Aditya’s friends stepped out one by one. Aditya introduced each of them to Pallavi.

Finally, he pulled one man closer and wrapped an arm around his neck.

“This idiot is Karan, my partner in crime. He is my age and the only single guy in our group,” Aditya said.

Pallavi looked at Karan thoughtfully.

“It feels like we have met before,” she said.

Aditya smiled at her words. He interlaced his fingers with hers and carried her luggage while Karan collected the room keys.

Aditya and Pallavi entered their room and the moment the door closed behind them, Aditya lifted her into his arms.

Pallavi squealed in surprise and excitement as he twirled her around.

“Pavi, I’m so happy. Oh my God, tell me this is real and that we aren’t dreaming,” he said before gently setting her down.

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead before resting his forehead against hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Aditya softly kissed her eyelids.

“Thank you, baby, for trusting me and coming on this trip,” he whispered.

Pallavi wrapped her arms around him and rested her cheek against his chest.

“I trust you more than I trust myself, Aadhi. I love you so much, baby,” she said.

Aditya’s heart felt completely at peace as he held her.

They joined his friends for lunch. Pallavi laughed as everyone cracked jokes and teased one another. Aditya never let go of her hand and Karan groaned dramatically when he saw Aditya feeding her.

“Poor single me,” he complained.

Aditya immediately threw a tissue paper at him.

After lunch, they watched a movie and in the evening, they spent time at the beach. Aditya and Pallavi clicked countless photographs together and at one point, Aditya even carried her in his arms as they walked along the shore.

Later, they sat by the water. Pallavi leaned comfortably against his chest while Aditya kept an arm wrapped around her.

They eventually returned to their room to freshen up before dinner. Aditya let Pallavi use the bathroom first and waited outside on the balcony to give her privacy.

When she stepped out, dressed in a T-shirt and track pants, she looked exactly as she had during the life they had once shared after marriage in the past.

Aditya stood there, completely lost in the sight of her. Pallavi had to shake him lightly to bring him back to reality.

Once Aditya got ready, they joined their friends for the buffet dinner. After spending some more time together, they finally returned to their room.

Pallavi stood near the door, suddenly feeling shy and hesitant. Aditya noticed the blush spreading across her cheeks and gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“Relax, baby. Nothing is going to happen before our marriage, but I’d love a little romance……only if you are comfortable with it,” he said softly before kissing her cheek.

His arms tightened slightly around her waist and Pallavi could feel his warm breath against her shoulder.

“Shall I kiss you, Princess?” he asked softly.

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