Dil Ki Bandagi (Early Access: Chapter 34)

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The plates clattered softly against the wooden table as Aarti placed the last chapati down. The smell of fresh dal and spices filled the small room, but something had shifted — a heaviness lingering between the breaths and smiles.

Rajeev ate quickly, his eyes flicking between Aarti and Raghav. The easy warmth they’d shared earlier felt fragile now, like the cracked mirror that had just been taken down. Outside, the city’s pulse seemed louder—less forgiving.

Aarti’s hands trembled slightly as she reached for her plate, her mind tangled in the question as her eyes still lingered on the space the books once occupied on the shelf. Raghav's gaze was distant, lost in thoughts that seemed to pull him further away from the present moment. The silence between them grew, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tensions.

Rajeev cleared his throat, breaking the tense atmosphere that had settled between them. "I am done… Bhai, bhabi, maybe I should leave, or else it will be so late," he said, rising from his seat.

Aarti and Raaghav got up too as Rajeev packed his bag, the tension still palpable in the air.

"Devar ji, the sun has already set. Maybe you should stay till tomorrow," Aarti said with concern, remembering he had crossed the forest to reach the village. "He will find it is not his first time getting back late," Raaghav added with a reassuring smile.

Rajeev nodded with a smile, "And don't worry, Bhabi; maybe men travel daily day and night through the forest, so I won't be alone."

Aarti remained concerned—she still remembered the night Rajeev came home bloodied, how the house had descended into chaos, and how Nandini, newly pregnant with their second child, had nearly fainted. "Just be careful, Devar ji," Aarti said softly, worry flickering in her eyes. "Or I can never face Didi if something were to happen to you." Rajeev nodded, and he leaned down to her feet, but Aarti pulled back. "No, I am younger than you; you shouldn't touch my feet," Aarti said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

But still Rajeev touched both her feet. "So…you are my bhai's wife, my Babhi, and no less like a mother to me," he said with a teasing smile.

Aarti blushed, grateful for his lightheartedness in such a tense situation.

As she watched Raghav hug Rajeev tightly, she couldn't help but feel a surge of love for her family. Their bond was unbreakable, and she knew they would always be there for each other no matter what. "Let me drop you to the edge of the city," Raghav offered, breaking the emotional moment with a practical gesture.

Rajeev nodded and walked out the door; Raghav stayed and watched Aarti. "Close the door from inside and don't open unless it's me," he reminded her gently before following Rajeev out.

Aarti secured the latch and made the bed for the night before settling down to process the whirlwind of emotions she was feeling. Her eyes still lingered on the books kept neatly on the shelf, mainly on one particular book that burned curiously in her mind. She knew she would have to wait until Raghav returned to find out what secrets it held. But she couldn't help but wonder what was so intriguing about that Raghav read to learn about love; the book felt sinful to her with its mysterious allure.

Almost without thinking, Aarti’s feet carried her to the shelf. Her fingers trembled as she lifted the book, a strange warmth prickling her skin — as if the weight in her hands held secrets waiting to unravel her world.

With a deep breath, she ran her hand on the title and tried to read the name with broken Hindi characters, struggling to make out the words.

KAMASUTRA.

She whispered the title, unaware of its meaning. Intrigued by the unfamiliar title.

Her pulse quickened, fingers trembling as she hesitated before turning the next page. A flutter of excitement and unease stirred deep inside, each new illustration beckoning with whispered secrets she had never dared to imagine. The first few pages were only words, and all the words are too difficult for her to grasp.

Her lips moved silently, sounding out unfamiliar syllables, but meaning slipped through her grasp like water. She continued to flip through the pages, hoping to find something that would make sense to her. The illustrations made her heart race; never had she imagined such raw intimacy — whispered taboos inked in delicate strokes.

"Can man and woman really connect like this?" She thought as no one told her what couples do, she just had basic knowledge of that too from married friends who shared their experiences.

The sharp knock shattered the fragile bubble of silence. Her heart skipped, and she snapped the book shut, cheeks burning hotter than before. "Aarti…,"

The book’s spell hadn’t lifted, nor had her curiosity and excitement that the book had sparked within her.

"Why are you so red in the face, Aarti?" Raghav asked with a concerned look as he touched her forehead, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. Aarti quickly brushed it off, making up an excuse about feeling warm from the weather outside. "Woh ji…," she stammered, her fingers twisting the edge of her saree pallu. She knew she couldn't reveal the real reason behind her flushed face, not yet at least.

"What happened? Are you feeling sick, or is this new house and place too much for you?" Raghav persisted, his worry evident in his tone.

Aarti's eyes widened, and she shook her head, realizing she couldn't keep up the facade any longer. "I... I don’t know if I should. Will you be angry?" Raghav's concern deepened as he gently pressed for the truth. "Please, Aarti, you can tell me anything."

Aarti took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly before finally blurting out, "Kamasutra..."

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✨ Author’s Note – Chapter 34 ✨
Whoa… Kamasutra, huh? 👀 Did your heart skip a beat like mine when Aarti whispered it? 😳🔥

This chapter isn’t just about a book — it’s about awakening. Soft, hesitant, and deeply human. Aarti’s curiosity is blossoming into something bigger — a search for herself, her desires, and what love truly means beyond tradition.

And Raghav? He’s standing at the edge of a storm he can’t see coming.

💭 What happens when innocence meets raw knowledge?
💔 What if he mistakes her questions for shame or confusion?
💡 Or worse — what if she starts asking things he’s not ready to answer?

Chapter 35 will shake the very foundation of their world. The quiet between them? It won’t last.💥

👇 Ready for the sparks to fly? Comment below and share your thoughts — what do you think Aarti will discover next?
💌 Want to read Chapter 35 early? Stay tuned—new chapters drop tomorrow at 9pm (Sunday)!

Thanks for reading, you amazing humans! Sending all the love and chai vibes your way ☕✨

— Shaar Shree.