chapter 18

Advik lounged on the sofa, his anticipation for the evening's event evident in the slight smirk playing on his lips. His attention was soon drawn to the entrance as Ishan entered the room, cradling Pragya in his arms as she slept peacefully.

“I guess this time period was short for your romance huh?” Advik quipped, his smirk widening as he teased his brother.“Bhaiya, didn't anybody teach you not to poke your nose in their love life?” Ishan retorted with a playful grin.

“i am just waiting for my nephew or niece to call me 'chachu',” Advik replied with a chuckle, enjoying the banter with his younger brother as Ishan rolled his eyes and made his exit.

As Advik reached for his coat, his attention was suddenly diverted by the sound of clicking heels on the stairs. His gaze shifted towards the staircase, his breath catching in his throat as Anika descended, adorned in a breathtaking green ankle-length dress.

Advik found himself captivated by her beauty, his eyes never wavering as he drank in the sight of her, unable to tear his gaze away. “You are looking gorgeous,” Advik complimented, his eyes gleaming with admiration."Thanks, you too," Anika replied with a smile, returning the compliment.

"What, beautiful?" Advik teased, a playful smile tugging at his lips.Anika glanced down shyly and shook her head. "I mean, you are looking good," she corrected herself."Only good?" Advik prodded, his playful mood evident. "Abababa, no, I mean you look handsome," Anika hastily amended, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as Advik stifled a chuckle.

"Let's go," Advik suggested, offering his arm to Anika, signalling for her to take it."With you?" Anika questioned, her uncertainty evident."Or who else?" Advik quipped, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "No, I mean, nobody knows about me being married," Anika explained, her voice tinged with hesitation.

"You dropped 'Saxena' from your profile," Advik recalled, remembering the recent change."Yes, but now I've added another initial, 'M,'" Anika confirmed."Okay, come with me. I'll drop you off a little distance from the venue," Advik offered, and Anika nodded in agreement.

As they settled into the car, Anika made a request. "Can you please take me to my company? Mr. Gupta's gift is there," she explained."What gift, by the way?" Advik inquired, focusing on the road ahead.

"All my books, signed by me. He personally asked for them," Anika replied."Ah, I see," Advik acknowledged.

Outside Mr. Gupta’s mansion, Anika expressed her gratitude. "Okay, thank you so much," she said, stepping out of the car, and Advik nodded in response

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Mr. Gupta approached Advik with a smile. "Hello, Mr. Malhotra, how are you?" he inquired.

"I am fine. How are you?" Advik responded politely."Very happy. I invited Ms. Saxena today," Mr. Gupta revealed to Advik, his excitement evident."Ah, my son's crush," he added, and Advik's grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly.

"Just a moment, I will introduce you to her," Mr. Gupta continued, leading Advik along with him.As they approached, Advik spotted Mr. Gupta's son, Alok, engaged in conversation with Anika.

"Hello, Ms. Saxena, meet Mr. Malhotra," Mr. Gupta introduced them, and Anika nervously nodded, extending her hand to Advik."Let's come, Ms. Saxena," Mr. Gupta urged, and Anika followed his lead.

Onstage, Mr. Gupta addressed the crowd, his voice filled with warmth. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today for my beloved son's birthday," he greeted, eliciting applause from the guests.

Anika glanced in Advik's direction, her curiosity piqued. Was he drinking alcohol or a cold drink?Advik noticed her gaze and intercepted a passing waiter, exchanging his drink for a glass of cold beverage. He subtly showed it to Anika, who looked away with a smile playing on her lips.

"And now, I would like to present the best gift for my son. Ms. Saxena, please come on stage," Mr. Gupta announced, gesturing towards Anika.Anika ascended the stage, clutching a stack of books. She approached Alok and handed them over with a warm smile.

"Happy birthday, Alok," she greeted him."Thanks," Alok replied with a grin, accepting the gift.

"I would like to ask Ms. Saxena to marry my son Alok and be the daughter-in-law of our house," Mr. Gupta suddenly announced, prompting applause from the guests.Anika was stunned, and Advik, who was drinking a cold beverage, tightened his grip on the glass, causing it to shatter in his hand.

"I am sorry, Mr. Gupta. I am married," Anika responded, breaking the silence that followed.

"Advik, your hand is bleeding," someone pointed out, and Anika rushed to his side."Show me your hand," she urged, concern evident in her voice."Relax, Anika, it's nothing," Advik reassured her calmly.But when Anika examined his hand, it was covered in blood. "Let's go, Advik," she said, leading him out of the venue as everyone watched.

In the taxi, Anika held Advik's hand, trying to stem the bleeding. "How did you get hurt?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. Advik noticed the hint of tears in her eyes and felt his heart soften. He didn't know why her tears affected him so deeply.

"It's just from the glass. It was fragile, and it broke when I tightened my grip," Advik explained."You should be more careful," Anika chided gently."I will be," Advik promised, his gaze fixed on her.

As a song started playing, Anika continued to tend to his hand, oblivious to her surroundings. The lyrics resonated with their current situation, and Advik couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the thought of Anika Marrying someone else

"Anjaane ho tum jo," the song played softly in the background as Anika tenderly held Advik's injured hand, her concern overriding any thought of her appearance."Anika was holding his hand carefully," showing her care without reservation.

Advik's gaze was fixed solely on her, feeling the emotions stirred by the music.How much she was caring for him when he never showed her love Advik pondered, realising her selfless affection despite his own reservations.

She is just so beautifully amazing, she is everything a boy could ever ask he thought, admiring her deeply. He felt jealous when Mr. Gupta mentioned the proposal and saw her with Alok. His hold tightened on the glass automatically," his emotions surging as he struggled to contain his feelings.

"Jab tujh ko pata hai dil muskurata hai, Kya tujhse hai vaasta," the lyrics echoed the sentiments swirling in Advik's mind as he found himself smiling, his heart responding to Anika's presence.."They both had eye contact which was broken by the driver," Their eye contact was interrupted by the driver's voice, signalling their arrival at the hospital.

"Mam," the driver said, and Anika acknowledged him before paying the fare.Inside the hospital, the doctor assured them that the wound wasn't severe and proceeded to dress Advik's hand.

"It's okay, the wound is not deep," the doctor reassured them. "Just avoid working with this hand for a while," he advised, and Advik nodded in understanding. As the doctor started working Advik winced in pain, Anika instinctively placed her hand on his shoulder, offering comfort.

"Just bear it for some time," she said reassuringly, and he nodded, grateful for her presence. Advik couldn't help but smile as he watched her, feeling like one of the love-struck boys in her novels. "It's done," the doctor announced, and Advik thanked him before they left.

As they exit the hospital,Anika turns her attention to him and said "Sorry I took you here hurriedly, your car is left there only," Anika apologised with a remorseful expression.

"It's okay. I'll take it tomorrow," Advik reassured her with a smile.

Anika's eyes lit up when she spotted an ice cream parlour, and she suggested they go in.

"Sure," Advik agreed.

In the park, Anika playfully fed Advik a spoonful of her ice cream, and he accepted it with a smile. Then, she accidentally got some on his nose. “There is ice cream on your nose,” he pointed out, chuckling.Embarrassed, Anika quickly wiped it away, but Advik found it endearing.

As they walked, Advik noticed some boys staring at Anika, and he glared at them protectively, causing them to quickly look away.

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Once home, Advik went to the kitchen to switch off the lights, grateful for the quiet moment with Anika.

Anika found herself in an awkward situation when the bathroom door jammed while she was changing.  She waited for Advik to come to her rescue, but when he didn't arrive, she decided to change in the room itself. However, just as she was loosening her dress, the door suddenly opened, revealing Advik standing there in shock.

Anika quickly covered herself, but in her haste, she forgot about the open back of her dress.

Advik hurriedly stepped out, allowing Anika to compose herself, but she couldn't shake off the embarrassment. She changed into her clothes, hiding her face under the duvet on the sofa.

A few moments later, Advik returned and asked for help with unbuttoning his shirt. Anika reluctantly got up from the couch, already feeling flustered. As she began unbuttoning his shirt, she could feel Advik getting closer, causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach.

Focused on the buttons, Anika didn't realize how close Advik was until she felt his hand on her waist, sending shivers down her spine. She finished unbuttoning his shirt, and as he thanked her, his whisper near her ear made her heart race."Done," she whispered back, her voice barely audible over the sound of her racing heartbeat.

"Thanks," Advik murmured softly, his proximity leaving Anika breathless.