XXVI. Comfort

🎶Willow

I groaned when sunlight hit my face. I snuggled deep into the pillow preventing the light to fall on my face. I sighed inhaling the earthy smell, which was my favorite smile in the world. I snuggled deep into it trying to take the smell in.

I tried to hold the pillow close but I met with a hard surface, I frowned but kept exploring only to find it hard.

I cracked my eye open but closed it instantly when I saw light. It caused me a headache.

I groaned in pain when I felt like drums were beating in my head loudly that I clutched my head hard to control the pain I felt.

"Are you fine, angel?" I heard his words, I shook my head in reply unable to respond as the pain in my head intensified.

"Here," he pulled my hands from my head and something was dropped into my palms.

I took the tablet into my mouth and glass was pressed to my lips. I took a sip of it, not recognizing its taste from the first sip. I heaved a sigh of relief still closing my eyes.

"Drink this up." And the glass was again on my lips.

I drank the glass, not having the energy to fight. I recognized the drink, it was orange juice, my favorite. I completed the drink and curled myself into a ball, with my knees bent and pulled up to my chin.

I knew that I was having a hangover, I am a lightweight, and very handful while drunk, the main reason for me to avoid drinking. I sighed, my headache slowly disappearing with the medicine I took. But I was concerned with whom I spent my last night.

The last thing I remembered was Akky stopping me from having more drinks, and I hope that I was with her last night and didn't embarrass myself even though I heard Abhi's voice a few minutes prior.

I don't know how long it has been till I took the medicine but my head was feeling good. I didn't feel anyone's presence in my room. I cracked my eyes open slowly testing the waters.

I opened my eyes completely, there was less light in the room considering the curtains were drawn close. But my head felt good. I sighed and sat up straight searching the room.

I was in my room, I thanked the gods that I didn't stay with Abhi last night. I think that Abhi visited me in the morning.

I combed my fingers through my hair trying to tame it. Then only did I observe the clothes I was wearing.

I was in some shirt, which was Abhi's. My head was bursting not with pain, but with the different scenarios playing in my head regarding last night's incidents. I started panicking and started cursing myself loudly. I smacked my head.

"Stupid Avni, can't you tell the difference between water and a drink. You know how you get when you are drunk but there you go drinking and creating a scene. I just hope I didn't do anything overboard. Stupid girl!" I cursed loudly and bent my head making my hair create a curtain around my face.

Then I heard his voice. "Who is stupid, Angel?" I whipped my head in his direction that my neck could have snapped.

"Ouch," I held my neck, which started to pain because I whipped my neck.

"Are you okay, angel?" I felt his hands on my neck massaging it slowly reliving the ache formed there.

"Oh," I moaned in pleasure feeling the ache reduce in my neck. My face flushed when I realised that I just moaned infront of him.

I cleared my throat when his hand left my body. I prepared myself to bombard him with questions.

"You didn't answer my question?" I looked at him confused, and then I remembered his question and sighed. I looked down.

"Did I do something last night?" I questioned him in a small voice.

"Specify your question, angel." He ordered. I finally sighed and asked him.

"Dididoanythingstupidlastnight," I asked him in a single breath.

I looked up at him when he sighed. Then only did I notice that he was shirtless with some sweats loosely hanging on his hips.

Damn! Was the only thought in my brain. I was internally drooling seeing the man's chiseled body.

Someone snapped their fingers infront of my eyes waking me from my daydreaming.

"You can stare all you want at me, angel. But first your question." I groaned at him and was unable to make eye contact with him again but I can feel the lazy smirk on his face. I wanted to wipe it out of his face, but I needed some answers. I swallowed my pride and asked him the question slowly.

"Did I Do Anything Stupid Last Night?" I stressed each word.

"Mmm, let me see. First, you pushed me into a pool, then sang nursery rhymes and then danced on the bed." My eyes widened slowly listening to the things I did but it was better than the things I did when I was drunk. But that relief lasted only for a second.

"Oh, yes there is one more interesting thing you did." I looked at him waiting for him to complete the answer.

He leaned close, his face almost touching mine giving me goosebumps all over my arms.

"You wanted my shirt, you stripped me out of it and wore it." I closed my eyes at that.

I made a fool of myself. I don't want to face him. I stripped him. Oh god! When the words sank into my skull. My eyes opened and became wide as saucers, no need for a mirror to confirm it.

"Oh god!" He laughed aloud at my outburst. I gave him a flat look.

"No need to be sad that you missed the show angel, but you need to get your cute butt to freshen up and meet me at the pool. All the family will be there waiting for you. Don't be late, or I may tell others about your last night adventures." I kept glaring at him not moving an inch.

"Your 20 minutes starts now, angel. Better be there on time." I waited until he was out of the door.

When he was out of the door, I rushed inside the washroom and got a mini heart attack by seeing my reflection. I looked like a homeless person, my makeup was not removed and I had raccoon eyes. I sighed and got into the shower.

I took a fast bath, I covered myself in a fluffy robe. I came out and found a two-piece bikini along with a one-piece swimsuit and a mesh cover-up waiting for me.

"Yay, I have a choice in choosing what to wear," I said aloud sarcastically. I contemplated on what to choose.

With a sigh, I picked the one piece. It was a simple black suit, I changed into it and checked my reflection. I looked good. I wore the white cover-up and gained confidence that it was covering everything. Then only did I leave the room.

I kept looking for the pool for the past 30 minutes but when I found a pool there was no one there, so I kept searching for it where the others gathered.

I can't, was the only thought running in my mind. My feet are aching from walking long.

"Why did I forget my phone?" I said out aloud unable to control my frustration.

"Excuse me, ma'am." I jumped when a voice sounded out of nowhere. I looked in the direction by pacing a hand over my terrified heart and found a resort worker there.

"You scared me," I blurted out and his facial features changed to a terrified expression.

"Sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to make you afraid," his hands were trembling, but he maintained his voice. He looked my age.

"It's ok. I am looking for my family, do you know where they are?" He nodded his head.

"Yes, ma'am. Please follow me." I nodded and followed him wordlessly. I observed my surroundings taking in the details. He guided me out of the building and near to the ocean. I blurted out the question that piqued my curiosity.

"What is the ocean?" I pointed towards the massive water body, unable to control my curiosity. He looked in the direction I pointed.

"That is Indian ocean, ma'am." I stared at it amazed. I was giddy with excitement and wanted to reach it as soon as possible, as I wanted to enjoy the swim in the ocean.

When I saw Akky, I rushed towards her leaving him behind me shouting a thank you over my shoulder.

I tackled Akky to the ground, she was startled by my sudden attack giving me an advantage. I stood up leaving her groaning in the sand. I smirked at her in triumph.

"Bambi, are you alright?" Nihal came rushing towards my best friend. He gave her his hand, which she swatted. I observed them with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't need your help, Cochon." She stood up and now directed her glare towards me.

I raised my hands in surrender. "I didn't do anything. You just left me with Abhi last night knowing how I can get when I am drunk?" Nihal laughed at me.

"Damn, I missed this." He cackled up. I beat him on his head. He scowled at me rubbing the spot where I hit him.

"You guys, need to tell me what is happening between you two?" I pointed my finger at those both.

Akky scowled at me. "Nothing."

"Oh, you know just dating." Both answered me at the same time and glared at each other.

"Ok fine. I believe you, Nihal. When everything is settled we three are going to have a long chat." I left them and went near Abhi and Diya.

Abhi was dressed in swim trunks, showing his body. I stopped staring at him before he can see me.

"Princess." At my voice, Diya came rushing to me. She was dressed in a two-piece bikini, looking adorably cute.

"Mama, see my hands." She stretched her hands excited to show me her hands.

"Wow, they are so red princess. Your husband will love you so much." I flicked her nose and she scrunched it adorably.

"I no marry, I stay with you and dada." She said with a straight face as if I was asking her to marry now.

"Well said princess, you will marry after 50 years." I looked at him and kept staring at him, he is really mad.

"Yes dada," his daughter agreed, and they did a hi-fi. I shook my head at the duo.

"Mama, show me your hand." She pulled my hand and awed at the design. My hands were red from the mehndi.

"Oh mama, it red than me. You also have a good huband." I chuckled at that.

"Enough of this chit-chat. Let's go swimming."

We three swam in the ocean and played with waves until Diya was tired.

👙👙

"No, definitely not," I exclaim.

"Once mama, it be fun," Diya begged me and gave me her best puppy eyes. I am unable to resist that look. I glared at Abhi who was looking triumph of the victory.

"It is all because of you. I said that I don't want to go diving but you have to get that idea in her mind and she will never leave it alone until I do that!" I exclaim at him.

"Come on, don't be afraid. I am going to be there with you and the view will be amazing. And it is your punishment for being late." He tried to convince me.

"Oh, you need to learn a few things about giving directions otherwise people will get lost. You informed me to be at pool but the resort is filled with many number of pools, it was your mistake for not specifying the directions properly. Don't blame me for your mistake." I folded my hands over my chest after giving him a lecture.

"You could have brought your phone with you. Anyway, let's forget about it, are you coming now or not?" He gave me a pointed look.

I looked at Diya and then at Abhi and sighed in defeat. "Ok, fine."

And like that, I did all the possible adventures possible on that island.

That night, I laid on my bed with Akky beside me lying beside me.

"What is happening between you and Nihal?" I looked at her but she kept staring at the ceiling ignoring my eyes.

"I don't know." She sighed. I turned and looked at the ceiling.

"Good enough," I replied because at least she believes that there might be a chance between them.

"What about you Avni?" She questioned but I just kept looking at the ceiling.

"I know that I love him, and am starting to believe that he feels the same," I answered her genuinely. She is my best friend for a reason, I can always be honest with her.

"But.." she trailed off. And this is another reason for her being my besty. She understands me like I am her soul.

I sighed before answering. "But I have this feeling that something is about to happen and change my life completely. And I feel like I will be alone in the fight." I closed my eyes and felt myself tremble in fear.

I felt her hand over my arms and squeezing it gently. "No matter what you will always have me and we together can face any force and win against it."

"I know." I slept that night hugging her close to me.

It provided me the comfort, and confidence that I have a person to protect and take care of me when I am at my worst.

The next day, everything was chaotic. I woke up late, as I did not keep an alarm and Akky my dear friend didn't think to wake me up, the bride for the important ceremony.

Today Haldi ceremony is held, it is an auspicious event in Hindu marriage. The bride and groom will be covered in sacred turmeric powder paste. It is an important event for adults but for us, it is like holy not leaving anyone without yellow color, everyone will be covered in that colour and now here I was getting ready in a hurry.

I was dressed in a yellow lehenga with a gold blouse. I let my hair free. I choose the flower ornaments placed on the table.

Akky came rushing into the room dressed in a yellow dress. She did not wear any ornaments probably protecting them from being spoiled.

"Avni, come on, we need to hurry." She rushed, I controlled my urge to roll my eyes.

"One second, just let me hang this earing." Once I was done, I checked my reflection and turned towards Akky. "Done, shall we leave?" Akky rushed me outside.

We reached behind the building. White and yellow clothes were hanged and two stools were placed on the grass. The clothes were decorated with various flowers.

Abhi was seated on one stool, he looked completely hot in his yellow and white outfit. I directed my gaze when he caught my eye.

I was seated beside him. First, the elders applied the paste it was minimal then others showered us in it.

"Akky don't drown me in it. You were supposed to apply that on my cheeks." But she ignored me completely.

"I get this chance only once and will definitely utilize it." She drowned me in it.

"Mama, you look funny," Diya said once the ceremony was over and when the bride and groom were allowed to leave their seats.

"It is all because of your aunt. Let me teach her a lesson." I took a handful of paste and approached Akky sneakily. I stood behind her.

"Dear friend," she turned towards me hearing my voice and I attacked her applying everything on her face.

Someone lifted me from behind detaching me from Akky. I squealed when the person twirled me by holding my waist.

He placed me on my feet and turned around to stare at his blue eyes, I knew it was him from his touch. He raised his hand and applied the paste on my cheek, he did the same for my other cheek slowly causing my breath to escalate.

His hand slowly dipped to my neck and stayed near my chest. I raised my hands and applied the remains of paste to his cheeks and slowly dragged it down his body and let my hands linger on his chest.

We both kept staring at each other, we moved our heads together when our lips were about to touch, I heard a cough and jumped aside leaving his hands hanging.

"Let's keep it pg. for the kid people," Akky said pointing towards Diya who was playing with paste on her hand.

"Now let's get the bride to shower." Akky dragged me back to my room and forced me to take a shower.

I came out of the shower and found Akky waiting in my room with her pajamas on. She handed me a similar pair.

"Change into these." She forced me to change not giving me a chance to question.

I changed into it and came out. Akky and Diya were sitting on the bed with many food items present.

"What is going on here?" At my question, Akky looked up but Diya was more interested in her food.

"We girls are going to hang out today since we can't have a bachelorette party for you." Her eyes have excitement.

"You are elder than me but always act as my younger sister. You know tomorrow is my marriage right, so I need to sleep early." She nodded and gave me a look as if saying. You are just a bride and you do is just sit, but I am the one who needs to do all the work.

"We were supposed to eat and gossip all the evening so we can have a good sleep." I sighed knowing that there is nothing to convince her and joined them on the bed.

We had a stomach full lunch and Diya was having her nap leaving Akky and me alone.

"So, are you going to open your own firm for decorating?" I broke the silence and asked her.

Akshaya was lazily sprawled over the couch, she turned her head and looked at me, and nodded her head.

"Yes, that is my plan. But I was planning on opening it in different place. Let's see what will happen." I did not press her for answers knowing that she will inform me when she is ready.

"What about you Avni?" She questioned me.I shrugged my shoulders.

"There is no question there. I will work in the company." I ignored her looking straight, knowing that she must be glaring at me.

"Avni, you know what I am asking you about." I sighed at that.

"Yes, I still have a dream to establish my own publishing house. But now is not the time to pursue it, I will think of it after 2 or 3 years." She did not press me further knowing my limits, my dream was always books and Akky was the only person who knew about it.

I made it look to others as if I am interested in our company when my dream was in books. Maybe after marriage, I can convince Abhi and the board members to invest in the publishing field, then my dreams will be true. But all I can do is hope that I can get my dream fulfilled at the right time.

We chatted until Diya woke up, and with Diya, we did some girly things and played with my daughter until she was tired. We had dinner in the room and now my company was asleep leaving me alone.

I kept staring at the ceiling listening to light snores from Diya. I was nervous, maybe some pre-wedding jitters. I rolled in the bed unable to sleep.

I rolled out of the bed and took a silk robe. I went outside to have some fresh air. I reached a pool, sat down near it, and placed my feet in it enjoying the coldness offered by the water.

I sensed his presence before he sat beside me, he immersed his feet in the water. I kept staring ahead ignoring him.

"Couldn't sleep?" He broke the silence between us. I didn't want to speak so I nodded my head.

"Me too, we will be married tomorrow. And you will be living with us." I looked in his direction and observed him, he was looking into the water with a concentrated look on his face.

I returned my gaze into the darkness ahead of me. "Abhi, can you promise me one thing?" I observed him look at me from the corner of my eye he nodded his head.

"Will you promise me that if there is any doubt in your mind about anything you will listen to my explanation first?" I faced him and observed his facial expressions.

"Are you hiding something from me?" He questioned me looking into my eyes.

"No, even if I am hiding something it will be for your benefit. All I am asking is that listen to my explanation first before coming to a judgment." He searched my eyes for honesty, which was there.

I knew that he always preferred truth and despised cheaters in his life and I don't want him to think of me like that.

"Yes, I can do that." I sighed in relief after hearing his words. I believed him.

I placed my head over his shoulder and let the time start a new chapter in my life.

Unknown

Tomorrow, my plan starts and I will have you both under my foot.

Avni and Abhi enjoy the moments in your life as you will definitely not enjoy your life as married couple. And it is my promise.

A new storm will be waiting for you.

Hello guys,

New chapter! I don't know where I got the motivation but I completed it.

Next chapter is their marriage and the turning point to our story. And I am excited to write it.

So to get the next chapter I will need let's take 150 views and 50 votes for this chapter and next chapter individually.

See you guys, there.

Vote and comment it makes my day.