Talab - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Arohi's POV
He left me.
Two whole months.
Not a single call, no message... nothing.
I heard from his PA that he's been in New York.
Every day, my mom calls and asks about him.
And every day, I lie. "He's just out for work, Ma."
But inside, I knew... he ran away.
When he comes back, oh, I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget. I'll beat him with my chappal.
But I'm not the same Arohi anymore. These past two months changed me.
I've become a strong, confident woman.
Her brain: "Oh really? Confident? Let him come, then we'll see who hides under the bed."
Her heart: "Shut up, we'll see."
Ting tong.
The doorbell rang. She walked over casually and opened the door—
—and her jaw dropped.
It was him.
John stood there, looking nervous, about to say something.
But before he could speak, she held up a finger and snapped,
"Wait. Don't you dare move. If you take even one step inside, the consequences will be... well, let me show you."
She stormed away, leaving John standing there like a guilty puppy.
Moments later, she returned.
With a broom.
John blinked. "Wait... is that my surprise? A broom?!"
"There's no need to forgive this criminal," he mumbled dramatically.
"Who said I forgave you?" she hissed, then pointed behind him. "Look there!"
He turned—
WHACK!
A broom smacked his backside.
"AHH! Damn, woman!" he yelped, jumping forward.
"You monster! You left me alone that night! You—wait—you ran away after that?!"
She grabbed his ear.
"Ow ow ow! Arohi, please! Let go! I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry!"
"Sorry, my foot, Mr. Elliot! Today, I'll remind you who your wife is!"
She chased him with the broom across the living room, swinging with vengeance and dramatic flair.
From the hallway, John's mother and Alex arrived just in time to witness the circus.
"Uh... did we come at a bad time?" Alex said, watching John run like a cartoon character.
Arohi, still chasing, lifted a cushion and flung it—
WHUMP!
It hit Alex straight in the face.
"OW! Hey! That was meant for him, not me!"
Arohi gasped and bolted upstairs. John, red like a tomato, turned to them sheepishly.
"We... uh... we were playing... cushion cushion?"
"Really? With a broom?" Alex said with a smirk.
"And why is your ear so red?" his mom teased.
"A-a-anyway, I think you two should... leave now," he stuttered and dashed upstairs.
⸻
John's POV
What just happened?
She beat me. With a broom. And a cushion.
Is she still Arohi? Or did I marry her evil twin?
She might kill me tonight.
Knock knock.
"Arohi, bacha... I'm really sorry," he said, voice low.
The door opened—and she yanked him in by his collar.
"You know what, Mr. John? I wanted to pull your hair too. But that's enough for today. Sleep."
John blinked. This new Arohi was unpredictable.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said softly.
"Who the hell leaves a naked wife alone and runs away?" she snapped.
John's jaw dropped.
"N-not cursing, Arohi..." he whispered.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! Nothing! I'm sorry, wife!" he said quickly.
She folded her arms.
"That night, I saw your... devilish side. And I liked it. But next time, instead of jumping to conclusions, talk to me. This was your last warning, Mr. John Elliot."
Then she softened.
"Now go freshen up. I'll serve lunch."
⸻
John's POV
Wow.
Indian women are powerful.
But also incredibly hot when they're bossy.
Also... those rules? I'll happily follow them.
⸻
Later, at Lunch
It was quiet. Tense.
Then Arohi spoke.
"If you want to live with me... you'll have to follow my rules."
"Rules?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She listed them like a queen issuing a royal decree:
• No more emotional disappearing acts.
• Love me.
• Care for me.
• Breakfast and dinner together, no excuses.
• One romantic dinner date per week.
• Spend quality time.
"That's it, Mr. Elliot. And I hope you won't disappoint me."
She walked off with grace. He sat there like a scolded schoolboy.
Damn, I love her.
⸻
Later That Night
John came out of the bathroom and sat on the bed.
"AHH!" he yelped, clutching his bum.
Arohi looked up from her laptop, concerned.
"Let me help you, John ji," she said sweetly.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Is this the same woman who almost beat me to death with a broom?!
She returned with a soothing cream.
"Remove your pants and boxers."
"Are you serious?!" he gasped.
She smirked. "Yes. Do it now."
He clutched the bedsheet.
"No! I'm shy!"
She laughed. "Oh wow. The same man who told me to trust him when I was shy. Now you're shy, huh?"
He stood up with a dramatic sigh, snatched the cream, and ran to the bathroom.
She laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes.
"I never knew my husband was shy of me! Come out, I won't eat you!"
⸻
Midnight
Arohi lay beside him, fingers gently stroking his hair. She kissed his forehead.
He opened his eyes, smiled, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Love you, sweetheart," he whispered.
"Love you too, bacha," she replied with a soft smile.
"Seriously, wife... today's version of you was dangerous. I didn't know Indian women were this strong!"
She blushed.
"Wife, don't be shy. You already beat me like a criminal."
"Sorry ji..." she giggled.
He cupped her face.
"No... I think I needed that."
They both laughed.
"I love this side of you too," she said shyly.
"And I loved your devilish side that night," she teased.
He grinned.
"Can I kiss you, wife?"
She smiled and closed her eyes.
"You can do more than that."
"I love you, bacha," he whispered before kissing her—slow, deep, and full of the love that no words could ever capture.