Chapter 37: ✿Chapter 31✿

तेरे चेहरे की मुस्कान में एक खास बात है,

दिल को छू जाने वाली तेरी हर मुलाकात है।

तेरी आँखों में खो जाने की ख्वाहिश रहती है,

तू जब पास हो, तो दुनिया ही साथ है।

◇

Lo bhai kr diya update aap log se vote toh ho nhi rha na Mehndi jo lga kr rakha hai na silent readers ne... vote krne mai bhai problem kya hai I don't understand. Mat karo vote aur ho skee toh decorate krke rakh lena ghar mai apne apne sb ik ik Tara.. !!

Btw..Luv you loyal Readers ❣

Vote Target - 470+

Comment Target - 100+

Avantika's POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the mirror in front of me, my fingers lightly twirling a strand of my hair.

Should I leave it open or tie it? I'd never thought about my appearance in front of anyone before, but today... today I just wanted to look-no, feel-special. For... him.

The door opened suddenly, without a knock. I looked up, startled, and there he was, walking in with the casual confidence he carried everywhere these days.

He didn't even hesitate anymore when entering my space, as though it were second nature to him.

He was dressed in a tailored cream suit with a sage-green shirt underneath, left slightly unbuttoned at the collar.

His sharp features and effortless poise made it hard not to stare. My eyes lingered on him for a second longer than I should have.

And then he looked at me.

His eyes swept over me, slow and deliberate, and in that instant, I felt the air in the room shift. I felt exposed-not just because of my outfit but because of the intensity of his gaze.

My blouse was a little low, the neckline gently dipping to reveal a hint of my cleavage. The soft, rose-pink silk saree draped perfectly over me, paired with an intricately embroidered sage blouse that hugged my frame snugly.

The heavy gold necklace resting on my collarbones added a regal touch, but his gaze made me feel far from regal-vulnerable, perhaps.

He began walking toward me, and I quickly dropped my eyes to the mirror, pretending to fuss with my hair. My heart pounded in my chest, and I tried to steady my breath.

"Uh-uhm... should I open my hair or tie it?" I asked, my voice betraying the nervous energy simmering inside me.

He stopped just behind me, so close I could feel the faint warmth radiating from him. Reaching out, he caught a loose strand of my hair between his fingers, tucking it back gently.

The brief touch sent a shiver down my spine, and my breath hitched involuntarily.

"Apne baalon ko baandh lijiye," he said softly, his deep voice resonating in the quiet room. His eyes met mine in the mirror, and for a moment, it felt like everything around us stilled.

I froze, my hands falling limp in my lap as I stared at him. Tie it? Why tie it? Did I not look beautiful with my hair open? But then, I remembered that one night-when he'd been drunk, he'd told me I looked breathtaking with my hair open.

As if sensing my unspoken thoughts, he shifted slightly closer, his gaze flickering down before returning to my eyes.

His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "It'll distract me too much. And I might-" He stopped, taking a sharp breath, his sentence hanging in the air like an unspoken confession.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing as his words lingered between us. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of my saree, unsure of what to say-or even if I could say anything. His presence was consuming, his nearness electrifying.

Whatever he might have said next, he didn't. Instead, he stepped back slightly, his gaze lingering on me for just a moment longer before turning away. But the weight of his words-and his closeness-remained, a quiet storm brewing inside me.

---

We descended the stairs, my heels clicking softly against the marble, the faint hum of conversations and laughter growing louder as we approached the party.

My hair was tied into a neat bun, not a single strand falling on my face. The vermillion on my hairline grazed my forehead, a subtle but striking mark of my new identity.

Earlier, one of the maids had helped me hide my scars with foundation, just as she had before. Though the blemishes were invisible now, I could still feel them under the layer of makeup, a reminder of my past that refused to fade away entirely.

Avyansh walked beside me, his steps steady, his presence commanding. His hand rested gently on my back, not touching me fully but there to guide me, to anchor me. It was a small gesture, yet it made me feel seen in the bustling crowd.

I hadn't yet met Uncle and Aunt, and frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to. This was their party, a celebration of their anniversary, and I knew they'd be surrounded by people.

We would leave later tonight, anyway. Just a few hours, I told myself.

The party was a grand yet simple affair. The house was decorated with fairy lights and floral arrangements, soft instrumental music playing in the background.

Tables were set with an assortment of dishes, and the air smelled of spices and sweets. It was more intimate than I'd expected, with close family and a few friends mingling and congratulating the hosts.

Avyansh and I met a few of my cousins. He spoke with them politely, his usual composed and respectful self, while I stood beside him, glancing around every so often.

The laughter and chatter felt uncomfortable the way they glance at me. I know they are talking to him to gain profit knowing who is he.

As I scanned the room, Samarth appeared beside me. "Come with me Di," he said, motioning for me to follow.

I nodded, giving Avyansh a small glance before following Samarth across the room. He led me to the corner where Dadu sat, his frail frame resting in a wheelchair.

His once-strong face was pale and aged, yet there was still a spark in his eyes as he spoke softly with Raj Uncle and Kishan Uncle, both of whom I recognized from childhood.

"Dadu," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

His head turned sharply at the sound of my voice, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then his eyes widened in recognition, and he gasped.

"Oh, my Princess," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.

I felt my throat tighten as I moved closer to him. His words, his tone-it was like I was a little girl again, running to him for comfort and love. He extended his hand toward me, and I knelt beside him, taking it gently in mine.

"You came," he said softly, his eyes glistening.

I nodded, unable to speak. For a moment, the noise of the party faded away, leaving just the two of us in our little bubble of reunion.

Dadu coughed lightly, breaking the moment, and I quickly turned to him with concern.

Before I could speak, Raj Uncle approached me, his kind smile making me feel at ease.

"Avantika, bete," he said warmly, opening his arms. Without hesitation, I stepped forward and hugged him, feeling a sense of comfort I hadn't felt in years.

Kishan Uncle followed, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His voice was soft as he said, "Kitni pyari lag rahi hai humari Avantika."

His words were filled with genuine affection, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt... good. Too good.

This was what I'd missed-being around people who cared for me, who didn't bring negativity or judgment into my life. For a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of their presence, their love.

Then I felt it-a familiar presence behind me. I turned around, and there he was.

Avyansh stood just a step behind, his expression composed, yet his eyes carried something unreadable. He moved forward and bent slightly, touching the feet od Dadu , Raj Uncle and Kishan Uncle, seeking their blessings.

Both uncles looked taken aback for a second but then smiled, visibly impressed by the gesture.

"Nice to meet you, sir," Avyansh said politely, his deep voice steady yet respectful as he straightened up.

Raj Uncle patted his shoulder approvingly, while Kishan Uncle chuckled

I glanced at Avyansh, watching as he stood tall and confident, effortlessly winning them over.

There was something about the way he fit into this space, into my world, that made my heart stir in a way I couldn't quite understand.

A strange chill ran down my spine, and goosebumps spread across my arms. Something felt... off. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Avyansh stood nearby, talking to Dadu with his usual calm demeanor. Samarth had shifted closer, animatedly explaining his studies and some upcoming projects. I tried to focus on what he was saying, but my attention wavered.

The sensation of being watched grew stronger. I turned my head slightly, my gaze sweeping across the crowd. My heart thudded uneasily as my face turned cold.

But there was no one. Nothing. Just the buzz of chatter and laughter. I let out a shaky breath and tried to brush the feeling off, though my fingers nervously fidgeted with the edge of my saree.

---

The hall filled with cheers and claps as the cake was brought out. It was a grand, multi-layered cake, intricately decorated with gold and white frosting to celebrate Uncle and Aunt's milestone anniversary.

Everyone gathered around them, their faces glowing with happiness.

I stood at the edge of the crowd, feeling the warmth of the celebration but not truly a part of it. My smile felt frozen, plastered on my face, though my eyes gave away the unease simmering inside me.

"Come here!" someone called, but the voice wasn't directed at me. It was meant for someone behind me.

Samarth's phone buzzed, breaking my thoughts. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "It's Dad. I have to take this. I'll be back in a bit."

I nodded silently, watching as he walked away, leaving me more alone than before.

Uncle and Aunt cut the cake amidst cheers, the sound of laughter echoing around me. Everyone clapped, some leaning in to feed them a piece of cake while others clicked pictures. I glanced around, observing the joy in every face.

But when their eyes landed on me, they quickly shifted away, ignoring my presence as if I didn't belong.

A loud voice broke through. "Let's click a family picture!" one of my cousins shouted, pulling everyone toward the center of the room.

"Dadu, come here," Piya, my cousin, said with enthusiasm. She gently guided Dadu toward the group, her hands steadying his frail frame.

She didn't even glance at me. Not even for a second.

I stood there, my hands clasped in front of me, watching them gather together like a perfect picture of family love.

"You should go too," Avyansh's voice came softly from beside me, his tone calm but encouraging.

I shook my head without looking at him. "No, I'm okay," I said, my voice steady but quiet.

He didn't press me, but I could feel his gaze linger on me, as if he wanted to say something more. But instead, he stayed there by my side, silent and unwavering, as I watched the family I was supposed to be a part of take their picture without me.

I stood there, watching them all pose together, the picture of a happy, united family. But I knew better. My gaze flicked to Samarth, who had turned back for a moment, giving me a small, forced smile.

A smile that told me he knew why his father had called him away. A smile that told me I was right-there were things I wasn't meant to know, but I could feel them in the air.

Then, Chachi's voice cut through the noise.

"Aao, Avantika, idhar aao. Photo click karwao," she said, her smile syrupy sweet but hiding the venom I had grown used to over the years.

Her words made everyone pause and glance at me. The spotlight was suddenly on me, and I could feel the weight of their eyes-some curious, some pitying, some indifferent.

"Damad ji ko bhi bolo aane ko," Chacha Ji chimed in, his tone almost mocking as he gestured toward Avyansh.

I turned to look at him, unsure, seeking some reassurance. He caught my gaze and gave me a small, encouraging nod. His eyes, calm and steady.

Reluctantly, I took a step forward. The sound of my heels clicking against the marble floor felt deafening in my ears.

Avyansh walked beside me, his presence somehow grounding me, his hand gently brushing against mine as if to silently remind me he was there.

But the closer we got, the more the discomfort grew. My stomach churned, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest.

I hated this. I hated how fake it all was. How they had never cared to include me in anything before, but now, for the sake of appearances-just to show off to him-they were suddenly inviting me into the family fold.

I glanced at the group, seeing how the space they'd left for me was almost on the center. Memories of past family photos flashed in my mind, where I'd been made to stand at the very end, barely visible, like an unwanted piece of the puzzle.

And now, here they were again, pretending. Pretending I belonged.

My jaw tightened, but I plastered on a neutral expression as we reached the group. I could feel Chachi's overly-sweet smile piercing through me as she gestured for me to stand next to her.

Avyansh's hand lightly touched my back, his warmth a small comfort as he stood close to me. I caught his quiet gaze, steady and unreadable, and it felt like the only thing keeping me from walking away.

"Smile, Avantika," Chachi said, her tone dripping with fake affection. I forced myself to comply, though it felt like my face would crack from the effort.

The camera clicked, capturing the moment. But no photograph could ever capture the truth hidden beneath the surface-the unease, the lies, the pain I carried silently.

Later...

Chachi approached me, a slice of cake delicately balanced on a fancy silver plate in her manicured hand. She was dressed extravagantly, as always-her crimson saree shimmering with intricate gold embroidery, a heavy necklace adorning her neck, and bangles clinking with every movement.

Her face was plastered with thick makeup, her lipstick a shade too bright, and her smile overly sweet-a mask that barely hid the malice behind it.

I glanced at her, my face cold and unreadable. She leaned closer, holding out the cake toward me. "Too cold, aren't you, Avantika? Always pretending to be strong."

Her voice dripped with false concern, though the venom in her words was unmistakable.

I didn't flinch. Instead, I stared at her, unblinking. "No, thanks, Cha-chi," I said evenly, my voice as cold as steel yet laced with subtle mockery. I pushed the plate back gently, refusing her offer.

Her smile faltered for a moment before she recovered, tilting her head slightly as if appraising me. "Look at you, Avantika," she began, her tone sharp beneath the surface.

"Your dressing sense is so... unique. And that heavy makeup-it's almost convincing, you know. Hiding all those ugly little scars of yours."

Her words hit like a slap, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I smiled back-bitter, sharp, and just as fake as hers.

"Better scars than the ugliness you carry inside, Chachi," I said softly, my voice a whisper only she could hear.

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a brief moment, the mask slipped. But she quickly composed herself, narrowing her eyes at me. "Careful, Avantika," she said sweetly, but the warning was clear.

"You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself-or your husband-in front of everyone now, would you?"

I tilted my head, meeting her gaze with unwavering calm. "I'll leave the embarrassing to you, Chachi. You're far better at it."

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Avyansh standing at a distance, still talking on the phone but watching me intently. His brows were slightly furrowed, as though he could sense the tension from across the room.

I gave him the faintest shake of my head, silently telling him I was fine, before turning away to compose myself.

Chachi hadn't left yet. Of course, she hadn't. Aur kitni bezzati chahiye inhe? I thought bitterly, watching her take a deliberate step closer, the smugness practically oozing off her.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes flitting from my left side-where Avyansh stood, still on the phone but watching us cautiously-to my right.

Her gaze lingered there for a moment, something almost gleeful flickering in her expression.

Confused, I followed her gaze to the right, and the air was suddenly sucked out of my lungs.

I froze. No, no, no. He was here. He was here.

My chest tightened, a nauseating wave of dread crashing over me. I should've known. Of course, he would come. Of course, they would invite him. How could they not, knowing exactly what it would do to me?

He stood there, leaning casually against the wall like he owned the place, his eyes locked onto me with that same smirk I'd seen in my worst nightmares.

That smirk that had haunted me for years. My stomach churned, but I clenched my fists and forced myself not to show a single flicker of emotion.

I turned my gaze back to her, my face cold as ice. If she was expecting me to crumble, she was in for a disappointment.

Chachi noticed the flicker of recognition in my eyes, and her lips curved into a wicked smile. She leaned in slightly, her voice low but venomous enough to cut through the noise around us.

"Does your husband know about your... good deeds, beta?" she asked, feigning sweetness but making sure her words were sharp enough to draw blood.

My jaw tightened, but I didn't react. She wanted me to lash out, to break, to give her and him the satisfaction of seeing me weak. Instead, I straightened my posture, lifted my chin, and met her gaze with quiet defiance.

"You mean the good deed of tolerating you all these years?" I said, my voice calm but icy. "Oh, don't worry, Chachi. My husband knows everything that matters."

Her smirk faltered for a split second, and I felt a flicker of satisfaction. But the unease lingered, because out of the corner of my eye, I could still see him. Watching me. Waiting.

I exhaled silently, steeling myself. Whatever game they were trying to play, I wouldn't let them win. Not this time. Not ever again.

The tension in the air thickened as Avantika's words cut through the silence.

"Do you feed your husband the same thing you did before the wedding to your..? The way he's caring for you-it's all a lie, right? Does he treat you like a...?" she sneered, her voice dripping with venom.

"Bakwas band kijiye isse pehle... I do anything to you." My voice was cold, barely holding back the anger that surged within me.

She didn't flinch. Instead, her smile turned darker as she grabbed a glass from the waiter, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Drink this," she commanded. I could already tell it was alcohol by the way she handled it.

I gripped the glass tightly, hesitating.

"Drink it now, or I might tell him," she threatened, her voice laced with evil.

I was trembling, but I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. Still, the words stung.

"Drink," she urged again, more forcefully.

I took a sip. The burn was instant, scorching my throat, and I felt my senses start to blur.

"Drink it all, Avantika,".

I had no choice. I swallowed the remaining contents, my neck burning with the heat of the alcohol.

"Good." She took the glass from my hand. "Now, enjoy," she said before walking away, leaving me drowning in her words and the bitter taste of what I'd just consumed.

I turned toward Avyansh, my heart pounding. Not again, I thought. I couldn't go through this again. I felt dizzy and hot suddenly.

"Avyansh ji," I whispered, my voice trembling.

He stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowed in concern. "What happened?" His voice was thick with worry. "Aap thik toh hain?" He stepped closer, his eyes scanning me.

I shook my head, my tears threatening to fall. "Ho-," I murmured, barely able to form the words.

"Do you want to go to your room?" he asked, his voice soft, though the worry in his eyes didn't fade.

I met his gaze, feeling the weight of his concern wash over me. "No... your home," I whispered, barely holding myself together.

His jaw tightened as he studied me, his protective instincts kicking in. His eyes searched mine, left and right, as though looking for answers in a place he couldn't find.

My vision blurred. The alcohol and the emotions swirling inside me were too much to handle. "Avyansh... please," I whispered again, my voice breaking.

He immediately stepped forward, his expression hardening, but there was also an undeniable softness in his eyes. "Let's go," he said firmly, his hand reaching out for mine.

I took it, clinging to him as though he was my only lifeline in a world that seemed to be falling apart around me.

□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□

Thanks for Reading

Do vote and follow me.