to cover, to hide, to conceal
薆 centers on covering or hiding something from view: to conceal, cover, or keep hidden.
薆 combines 艹 (grass) with 愛, which likely contributes the sound. The idea of covering or hiding may come from grass covering something, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Grass 艹 growing over something beloved 愛 hides it from sight. Picture thick grass covering a cherished object, concealing it completely.
For アイ, imagine an eye (アイ) peeking through the grass, trying to see what is hidden: eye -> アイ, and the grass covers the secret.