Chapter 47: ✿Chapter 41✿

Nazar chahti hai deedar karna,

dil chahta hai pyaar karna,

kya batau is dil ka aalam,

nasib me likha hai intezaar karna~🌙🌠

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Avantika's POV

Today was the big day-the wedding was going to be held at the majestic Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, a place known for its divine energy and breathtaking architecture.

I was in my room, struggling to get ready. The saree I wore was gorgeous, but the massive dupatta was giving me a headache. Yes it has a dupatta too.I couldn't figure out how to tuck it properly.

Standing in front of the mirror, I sighed. "First, I have to bring it from the back, then to the front, then roll it-ugh! Nahi ho raha."

The frustration was evident on my face as I tried again, but it just didn't work.

To make things worse, Avyansh ji wasn't here yet. He had been angry with me ever since the market incident.

I knew it was my fault for not informing him before going to help that child. But it wasn't entirely my fault, was it? I sighed again, guilt mixing with my nerves.

As I fumbled with the dupatta, the door creaked open. Startled, I turned around. I hadn't even realized I hadn't locked it.

It was him-Avyansh

He stood there, dressed in a crisp green dhoti and kurta, looking effortlessly handsome, the angavastram draped over his shoulder adding to his charm. His sharp eyes softened as they landed on me, and I froze, unsure of what to say.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His gaze traveled to the mess I was making with the dupatta.

"Ye ho raha hai Aapse?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone half amused, half serious.

I flushed, trying to look anywhere but at him. "Nahi... woh... bas...," I stammered.

He sighed, walking toward me. "Hatiye" he said firmly, gesturing for me to step aside.

"What? Nahi, main-"

"Mishti..," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Move."

Reluctantly, I stepped aside, and he picked up the dupatta, examining it for a moment. Then, with practiced ease, he began draping it.

"Pehle yahan se piche...," he muttered, tucking one end at the back of my waist. His fingers brushed against my skin, and I stiffened. He didn't seem to notice, his focus entirely on fixing the drape.

"Phir yahan se samne...," he said, bringing the fabric over my shoulder. His hands worked deftly, pinning it in place.

I couldn't help but stare at him, his proximity making my heart race. His jaw was set, his eyes determined.

"Bas, ho gaya," he said finally, stepping back to look at his work.

I glanced at myself in the mirror. The dupatta was draped perfectly, better than I could've ever managed.

"Thank you," I mumbled, looking down.

He didn't respond immediately. When I looked up, I found him staring at me.

"Chaliye," he said.

I glanced at him, hoping to catch a hint of something in his expression-anything. But no, he didn't even look at me much.

My heart sank slightly, and I felt a pang of disappointment. I mean... what was I even expecting? That he'd say something more? Do something more?

"Wth are you thinking, Avantika? Focus," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head to clear the unnecessary thoughts.

We walked together, side by side, heading downstairs. The sound of our footsteps echoed softly in the corridor, and I felt hyper-aware of the space between us.

I stole a glance at him. He seemed calm, his hands tucked behind his back, his expression unreadable. He wasn't angry anymore, at least not outwardly, but he wasn't exactly warm either.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, the faint chatter of family members and the clinking of jewelry reached us. The house was bustling with wedding preparations, but all I could focus on was him and the odd silence between us.

When we entered the main hall, the attention of a few relatives shifted to us, and someone remarked teasingly, "Ah, dono saath aa rahe hain! Kitne sundar lag rahe ho!"

I felt my cheeks heat up, but Avyansh, ever composed, simply nodded politely and moved ahead, leaving me standing there, feeling flustered.

This man... why does he always make it so hard to figure him out?

I stood quietly, watching Dev approach me. He looked cheerful, wearing a crisp lavender shirt paired with a white dhoti, perfectly blending into the festive vibe.

Nearby, Ruhaan was laughing with Manvi, while Shaswat stood with them, donning a bright red shirt , clearly enjoying himself.

"Bhabhi," Dev called out with a warm smile. "Chaliye, mere saath. I need to show you something," he said, gesturing for me to follow him.

I nodded, ready to walk with him, but before I could take a step, I felt a firm grip on my hand.

Startled, I turned around and found myself staring into Avyansh ji's intense gaze.

"What?" I asked, confused by his sudden action.

"Yahi rahiye," he said firmly, his voice low yet commanding. His hand tugged me closer to him, as if silently declaring something to the world. "Abhi mere saath," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I blinked at him, caught off guard by his sudden possessiveness. His grip was gentle but unyielding, and I could feel the warmth of his palm against mine.

Dev paused and raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing the interaction. "Uh, okay... bhabhi baad mein chaliye," he said with a small teasing smile, walking away .

I looked back at Avyansh ji, whose expression was unreadable. His focus was ahead, but his hand remained on mine, as if ensuring I wouldn't stray again.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though I quickly suppressed it. This man-so infuriatingly hard to understand-yet here he was, silently telling me where I belonged.

Avyansh's POV

I wasn't angry at her. I could never be, no matter what she did or might do. But I was annoyed at her carelessness-how could she not think before wandering off like that? Yet, as I watched her now, all those feelings faded.

She was standing near the bride and groom, holding a plate full of flower petals, laughing softly with everyone around her.

Her smile was radiant, her movements more natural. It was good to see her stepping out of her shell, blending so well with my family-now hers, too.

"Bas bhi kar, kitna bhabhi ko dekhega?"

Shashwat's voice broke my thoughts. He was smirking, his tone dripping with mischief.

I sighed and smirked back. "At least I'm not gawking at my childhood sweetheart and still too much of a coward to confess," I retorted.

That shut him up.

Sruti.

She had been a part of our lives for as long as I could remember. Shashwat, my best friend since childhood, had fallen for her long ago. She was younger than us, carefree, and oblivious to his feelings. And he? He knew she never saw him that way, which was why he never dared to confess.

It was painful to watch him struggle, especially when I knew he avoided Chennai for nearly a decade because of her.

Holidays that we once spent together in this city became rare for him as he tried to distance himself from feelings he couldn't control.

The teasing smile faded from his face. His jaw clenched, and he muttered, "Shut up," before turning away, jerking his head in frustration.

I sighed. Shashwat might not realize it, but his emotions were written all over his face whenever Sruti was near. It was the same way I probably looked at Avantika-though I wasn't one to deny my feelings or let them fester.

As Shashwat walked away, I glanced back at Avantika. She was looking at the petals, carefully arranging them on the plate. A faint breeze lifted a strand of her hair, and she tucked it behind her ear, unaware of my gaze.

I smiled to myself. At least one of us had the courage to take a step forward. Now, it was time for Shashwat to do the same-or risk losing what might have been.

My thoughts returned to her. She was now standing with Ruhaan and Tara, smiling as they teased her about something. Seeing her laugh like that-it made something in me feel lighter.

When the time came for the thalli charadu (tying the sacred thread), everyone gathered around the bride and groom. Avantika stood close to me, her eyes shining as she watched the moment unfold.

I noticed how she clutched her saree tightly, clearly moved by the significance of the ritual.

I leaned closer, my voice low so only she could hear. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She glanced at me, startled for a moment, before nodding. "Yes," she whispered, her voice soft but full of emotion.

As the wedding concluded, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of contentment. It wasn't just about the ceremony or the festivities-it was about seeing her here, part of this family, part of my life.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was exactly as it should be.

As the ceremony continued, Chitra came and stood beside me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Avantika bending slightly forward, her gaze fixed on Chitra. Her eyes narrowed for a moment before she straightened back to her place, her expression neutral but clearly curious.

I sighed internally. What is she doing now?

Chitra had been my friend for years. Every time I visited Chennai, we'd meet. She worked as a Kathak dancer here, dedicated to her craft.

But her attitude-it had always been an issue. She was too self-obsessed, and honestly, I had no idea when or why she became like this.

"Your wife," Chitra began, her tone laced with mockery. "Isn't she too... nakhre wali? I don't eat this, I don't eat that. I can't wear half-sleeves because of mosquitoes-when there aren't even mosquitoes!"

She scoffed, clearly amused by her own words. "She was fussing so much before you came."

My brows furrowed at her tone, the way she dismissed Avantika's choices as trivial.

"It's her choice," I said firmly, my voice steady but sharp enough to cut through her chatter. "You don't have any right to comment on it."

Chitra's mouth opened slightly, as if she was about to argue, but she caught the edge in my tone and quickly shut it.

I turned my attention back to the ceremony, ignoring her presence. Avantika is a picky eater, yes. She doesn't like half-sleeve clothes, and I know why.

Her preferences weren't just quirks-they were hers. They were a part of her past, her experiences, and I respected them. No one had the right to question or ridicule her for that-not even me.

I glanced to the side again, my eyes automatically finding her. Avantika had walked away from the crowd and seated herself on the floor with the others. She sat quietly, her hands resting in her lap, her gaze fixed ahead on the ongoing rituals.

I couldn't read her expression-calm, perhaps a little distant. But she didn't look at me, not even once.

Without thinking much, I made my way over and sat down beside her. The distance between us was small, yet it felt vast. She didn't even glance in my direction, her focus entirely on the ceremony.

The soft chants of the priest filled the air, blending with the occasional rustle of sarees and the muted whispers of the crowd. I leaned back slightly, stealing a glance at her again.

What's going on in that mind of yours, Mishti?

Time Skip

The wedding finally ended, and the bride and groom were escorted out amidst laughter, blessings, and the showering of petals. It had been a long day, but the warmth of family and the beauty of the rituals made it all worth it.

As the crowd began to disperse, I noticed Avantika walking ahead, her saree trailing behind her as she helped guide a few elders to their seats. She didn't stop, didn't look back.

I sighed, watching her disappear into the crowd, my chest tightening slightly.

Tomorrow, Mishti. Maybe tomorrow you'll finally look at me the way I look at you.

Avantika's POV

I looked across the courtyard. Again. Chitra and him.

There she was, standing far too close to my husband, talking and laughing like they were childhood sweethearts in some cheesy film.

Inko toh baad mein batayenge hum.

It's not like I'm jealous... but seriously? Did he forget he has a wife now? And that wife is me?

Kuch din pehle toh shaadi ko chance dena tha, toh ab baat kyun nahi kar rahe? Din bhar iss Chitra-Phitra ke saath hi lage rehte hain!

My thoughts spiraled as I stabbed another pani puri with unnecessary force, stuffing it into my mouth. The crispy pani puri, handmade by Anushree Dadi, cracked under my frustration, but my eyes remained glued to them.

"Mtlb hadd hai bhai... mere pyare bhai ka yeh aurat picha chhod hi nahi rahi..." Ruhaan muttered beside me, shaking his head in fake disgust.

I shot him a look, pausing mid-bite.

"Apko Manvi ke paas jaana chahiye," I said, narrowing my eyes, hoping to divert attention from my situation.

Ruhaan shrugged casually, popping a puri into his mouth. "Woh toh already kisi ke saath secret relationship mein hai. I give up."

The way he said it so casually-like spilling the tea was no big deal-made me choke on my pani puri.

"Ughh-ughh-" I coughed violently, my eyes watering as I clutched my throat.

"Water!

Pani!

Thanni!" Ruhaan shouted in Tamil dramatically.

Suddenly, everyone at the table thrust their glasses of water toward me in synchronized panic.

My coughing fit continued as I blinked, overwhelmed not just by the cough but by half the family offering me water like I was the center of a health emergency.

And then-one hand extended closer than the rest, firm yet gentle.

I knew that hand. His.

I blinked through watery eyes, my gaze meeting Avyansh's. His face was tense, concerned, brows furrowed in worry. But before I could soften, my eyes darted to her.

Yeh Charitr-heen aurat. Heeng ki tarah isko kut denge hum.

Fuming, I shoved his hand away lightly and took the glass from Ruhaan instead.

The moment went silent for a second.

"Bhabhi naraaz hai..." Dev muttered under his breath, raising a brow.

"Haan... Naraaz hai..." Argya echoed, nodding dramatically.

"BHABHI NARAZ HAI...!!" everyone shouted in unison, the teasing echoing loudly across the courtyard.

I blinked, my eyes widening as all the cousins-every single one of them-grinned like they'd just discovered the ultimate entertainment for the day.

"HAAN, NARAZ HAI...!!" they chorused again, louder this time, clearly enjoying the drama.

The pani puri forgotten, my cheeks burned hotter with every chant. I felt my face turning a deeper shade of red as I avoided looking at him.

"Kya kar diya apne bhaiya?" Devika added, her eyes twinkling with pure mischief.

"KYA KAR DIYA APNE BHAIYA??" everyone echoed like a perfectly rehearsed choir.

I shot Devika a glare that only made her smirk widen.

I could feel his gaze on me now-intense, confused, searching.

Avyansh was staring, lips parted slightly, his brows furrowed in complete confusion. He looked like he was mentally rewinding every interaction from the last hour, trying to figure out where he'd gone wrong.

And the fact that he still didn't get it made me even more irritated.

His eyes narrowed, clearly aware he had messed up, but completely clueless how.

Men.

After dinner and the endless teasing, I finally made my way towards our room, hoping for some peace and quiet. The entire day had felt like a rollercoaster, and I needed a moment to breathe.

I pushed the door open, stepping inside and gently closing it behind me.

Before I could process anything-thud.

I was suddenly pinned against the door, my back pressing into the wooden frame.

My breath hitched.

There he was.

A towel loosely wrapped around his neck, damp strands of hair clinging to his forehead. His bare chest-toned and glistening from his shower-was inches from me.

And... Oh God. Another towel. Lower. Way too low.

I forced my gaze up, blinking rapidly, refusing to let my eyes wander further. Look at his face, Avantika. Eyes up. Face only.

But my heartbeat had other plans, racing wildly as I felt the heat radiating from his body.

His gaze was intense, piercing straight through me, yet calm-like he knew exactly what he was doing.

I opened my mouth to speak, to ask what he thought he was doing, but no words came out. My mind was an absolute mess.

Where is my introverted, sensible self? Where has my pure mind gone?

"I-uh-" I stammered, my voice betraying me.

His lips curled into a faint smirk as he leaned closer, his voice low and teasing.

"You've been avoiding me all day, Avantika. Not anymore."

And just like that, my heart nearly exploded.

Thud!

I pushed him-yes, I did.

Because someone had knocked.

I quickly stepped away, my heart still racing as I fumbled with the door handle. My face instantly morphed from flustered to my signature cold, irritated expression.

I opened the door.

There she was. Chitra.

I crossed my arms. "Hm?"

"Where is Ansh?" she asked, her voice sugary sweet, her kohl-lined eyes scanning the room as if she had any right to.

Before I could answer, he spoke from behind me.

"Haan?" Avyansh's deep voice echoed, and suddenly, he appeared right beside me-still shirtless, still in that ridiculously low towel.

Oh my god.

Iss aadmi ne dhang se towel bhi nahi rakha hai khud pe! At least try to hide your body, man!

I turned my head sharply, eyes narrowing as I glared at him, clearly signaling,

Cover. Yourself.

But did he listen? No.

His smug expression remained while Chitra's gaze lingered far too long on him.

That was it.

Without thinking, I grabbed the towel from his neck, yanking it off with more force than necessary.

He blinked, startled as I unfolded the towel completely and flung it back at him like a dupatta.

"Cover yourself," I muttered under my breath, my glare making sure he understood.

His smirk vanished as he fumbled with the towel, while Chitra's face twisted slightly, clearly unimpressed with my interruption.

"What?" I finally asked, turning back to her with a raised brow.

Chitra pouted slightly and extended a small bottle toward him. "Mosquito bite cream... for the rashes on his arms."

I took the bottle from her hand without missing a beat. "Thanks. Good night."

Before she could say anything else, I shut the door right in her face, twisting the lock with finality.

Enough of this Chitra drama.

When I turned around, Avyansh was standing there, holding the towel awkwardly against his chest, looking half amused, half confused.

"At least cover yourself when you come in front of other women," I snapped, my voice colder than I intended as I threw the mosquito bite toward him.

He caught it effortlessly, his brows raising in mild amusement while I scowled harder, ignoring the heat rising in my cheeks.

Without giving him a chance to respond, I turned on my heel, grabbing the outfit I had set aside earlier. My fingers curled around the fabric tightly as I stormed toward the washroom, my heart still pounding from the chaos.

What is wrong with him?

Slamming the door shut behind me, I exhaled sharply, resting my back against it for a moment. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror-flushed cheeks, narrowed eyes, and lips pressed in a thin line.

Get a grip, Avantika.

But the image of him standing there, shirtless, the towel hanging dangerously low, his sharp gaze fixed on me-Ugh!

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away as I changed into my outfit, determined not to let his effect on me show.

I came back from the washroom, my face calm but my mind still swirling with irritation.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed now, finally dressed, wearing a plain cream t-shirt and black trousers. Thank God.

As I began tying my hair into a bun, he glanced up from his phone, slipping it into his trouser pocket.

"Bahar walk pe chalengi?" he asked, his voice soft yet casual.

I didn't reply, focusing on fixing my bun perfectly.

There was a pause. Then his voice broke the silence again-louder this time.

"Fine. Chitra aur sabke saath chale jaate hai hum," he said, standing up with a shrug.

My head snapped toward him instantly, eyes narrowing.

Before I could say anything, he sat back down-quickly.

"Aap nahi jayengi toh akele hum kaise jaa sakte hain?" he added, his voice gentler, the teasing glint returning to his eyes.

I stared at him, lips pressing together, trying to figure out if he was just messing with me.

This man is impossible.

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Thanks for Reading

Do comments for another chapter too.

Shoutout goes to~

Adhe se zyda logo ne Chitra ke baare mai kya likha by God mza aagya.. sbke comment bohot ache se aur bhi comment kijiye..😉

Btw I love 2 rupye ki papdi wala comment the most . 🤣

Credit for the shayari goes too. Cloudymuffinx