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A
uthor POV
It was late evening, and the faint hum of work buzzed through Avyansh's office.
The door to his cabin swung open without a knock, and Devika walked in casually.
"Oops," she muttered, noticing someone else sitting there.
Her face turned slightly pink as she said, "Sorry, Bhai," and turned to leave.
"Wait," Avyansh's voice stopped her mid-step.
He glanced at the man seated across from him. "You may leave," he said calmly.
The man nodded, bowing politely to Devika before greeting her with a small smile and walking out.
As the door clicked shut, Avyansh tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on Devika.
"Let's eat something outside," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Or should I order something here?"
"Yaha nahi," Devika said quickly, her face lighting up. "Japanese Restaurant."
Avyansh gave her a small nod, standing up and rolling his sleeves slightly.
It wasn't unusual for Devika to drop by his office. She often came by to share gossip or random updates, and these moments had always been a way for them to bond.
But since his marriage, she hadn't visited even once-not until today. It wasn't her usual carefree, spontaneous self this time. He had called her himself, knowing there was more to the story than she had let on.
"Let's go," he said, grabbing his car keys. As they walked out together, he couldn't help but notice the faint tension in her shoulders, hidden beneath her usual cheer.
Tonight, he decided, he'd finally get her to open up.
The restaurant was cozy, with dim lighting and a faint aroma of spices wafting through the air. It was a Japanese place-one of Avyansh's favorites, and coincidentally, Devika's too.
Both cousins shared a deep love for Japanese cuisine, which often led to playful arguments with Dev, who wasn't a fan. Their constant bickering on the topic was a family joke at this point.
After placing their orders, the two settled into a comfortable rhythm.
"And then Sruti ne plan kiya ki sabko aise darayenge," Devika said, her face lighting up as she recalled the haunted house prank. "Ruhaan bhai bhi uske support mein the."
She took a bite of her food, clearly enjoying it, while Avyansh nodded, his lips twitching slightly at the memory.
"Of course, Ruhaan would be involved," he said, shaking his head. "That man lives for chaos."
Devika chuckled, twirling her noodles on her fork. "You should've seen Vishal's face, though. He was ready to run back."
Avyansh smile but didn't say much, letting her chatter on. He watched her closely, noting the way she spoke with ease about lighthearted things but still seemed to avoid the real topic.
He decided to give her time. For now, he listened, his mind cataloging every detail of her behavior. If she wasn't ready to talk, he wouldn't push her-yet.
After a while, as their plates were nearly empty, Avyansh took the last bite of his sushi and placed his chopsticks down.
He wiped his face with a napkin, his movements calm but deliberate. "Tell me," he said, his voice steady yet firm.
Devika frowned, confused. "Huh?"
"Piku," he said, using her childhood nickname, his tone softening slightly. "About yourself. Now."
Devika's fork froze mid-air. Her expression faltered, and she slowly lowered her gaze to her plate.
"Bhai-" she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the napkin in her lap, the usual spark in her eyes replaced by hesitation. She took a shaky breath but didn't look up.
Avyansh leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. His sharp gaze never left her face. "Devika," he said firmly, but not unkindly. "I know something's wrong. I'm not asking-I'm telling you to talk to me."
Devika bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the napkin. She looked torn, as though weighing whether she should say it or not.
"Let's go upstairs to the terrace area." Avyansh said.
Devika nodded silently, following him as they made their way up the narrow staircase to the private terrace he had already booked.
The terrace was quiet and dimly lit, with a gentle breeze carrying the faint aroma of food from below. The view of the city skyline was serene, but neither of them noticed it.
They sat down at a small table near the edge, the silence stretching between them.
"Bhai-" Devika began, her voice trembling. She paused, looking down at her hands, which were tightly clasped in her lap.
Avyansh didn't say anything, giving her the space to gather her thoughts.
Finally, she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush. "My boyfriend... he cheated on me. With Priya."
Her voice cracked, and the tears she had been holding back spilled over, streaking her cheeks. She wiped them hastily.
Avyansh clenched his fists under the table, his jaw tightening as he tried to keep his anger in check. "Priya? Your best friend?" he asked, his voice calm but cold.
Devika nodded, sniffling. "I... I trusted them both, Bhai. I never thought they'd... I feel so stupid."
"Don't," he said immediately, his voice firm. "You're not stupid, Devika. They're the ones who betrayed you."
She looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes searching his face for reassurance. "I didn't tell you because... you were busy, and I didn't want to disturb you. But it's been eating me up inside."
Avyansh leaned forward, placing a hand gently on hers. "Piku," he said softly, "you should've told me. I'm your brother first. Work and everything else come second."
Her lips trembled as she tried to suppress a sob. "I just didn't know how to face you... I felt like I'd failed."
"Failed?" Avyansh's voice rose slightly, his anger bubbling to the surface. "The only people who've failed here are those two. You've done nothing wrong, Devika."
His words seemed to break something in her, and she finally let the tears flow freely, her shoulders shaking as she cried.
Avyansh stayed silent, his hand still on hers, offering quiet comfort. Inside, though, his anger simmered, and he made a silent vow. Whoever this guy was, he'd pay for hurting his sister.
Avyansh stood up and walk towards her bending slightly, leaning to her level as she kept her gaze fixed downward, avoiding his eyes.
His expression was calm but curious, his voice soft when he finally spoke. "Devika," he said, his tone urging her to continue.
Devika exhaled shakily, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she began to speak, her voice trembling but steady enough to convey her pain.
"A few months ago, Priya told me about him," she started, her tone distant as she recounted the memories.
"She said he had a crush on me... that he'd been asking her about my favorite things and all sorts of little details. I thought it was sweet-almost like one of those fictional stories you read about. The way he tried to learn about me, it felt... genuine."
She paused, her lips pressing together before continuing. "He proposed to me, with Priya right there beside me the entire time. I accepted. I mean, I knew he liked me... or at least I thought I did. Priya seemed so happy for me too."
She let out a bitter laugh. "I didn't know then that her happiness was fake."
Avyansh stayed silent, his intense gaze fixed on her, urging her to go on.
"At first, everything was fine," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "The first week felt like a dream. He was attentive, caring... everything a girl could want. But then, slowly, things started to change. I noticed he'd view my messages but reply late-or sometimes not at all. I told myself he must be busy."
She swallowed hard, her hands clenching into fists as she continued. "But it wasn't just him. Priya started acting... differently too. Whenever we hung out-the three of us-it was like I was the third wheel. They had these inside jokes, these shared glances, and I... I felt invisible."
Her voice cracked slightly, and she looked away, blinking back tears. "I tried to ignore it at first, but the more I saw, the more obvious it became. And then... I realized the truth."
Devika glanced up at him hesitantly, unsure of what he might say or do next. But in his eyes, she saw neither pity nor judgment-only understanding and a simmering anger that wasn't directed at her but at the people who had hurt her.
Devika broke down into more sobs, her cries echoing in the quiet room as she clutched her phone tightly. Her nose had turned red, and her shoulders trembled with the weight of her emotions.
"Bhai... am I not enough?" she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. "Was there something wrong with me?"
Avyansh crouched beside her, his fists clenched at his sides, struggling to stay calm for her sake.
"I confronted them," Devika continued, her words spilling out between sobs. "And Priya... she didn't even apologize." Her voice cracked, and her tears flowed harder.
"Instead, she said I was so boring that my man got tired of me. That I wasn't exciting enough. That I didn't know how to keep him interested."
Avyansh's jaw tightened further, but he let her speak, his heart breaking with every word she uttered.
"She said... she didn't mean to fall for him, but the way he talked about me... how I was too predictable, too shy, too ordinary... it made her feel like she could offer him something I couldn't. And then... when he started giving her mixed signals, she said it wasn't her fault. That I pushed him away by being... by being me."
Devika buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled as she continued. "She said I didn't deserve someone like him. That I was better off alone because I'm not 'girlfriend material.' Bhai..." Her voice broke entirely as she sobbed harder. "Why? Why wasn't I enough?"
Avyansh's chest burned with anger and helplessness as he watched his sister unravel before him. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts, but his focus remained on her, on pulling her out of the darkness she'd been thrown into.
"Devika," he said softly, his voice steady and calm, like an anchor in the storm of her emotions. "Look at me."
She hesitated, her tear-streaked face still buried in her hands. Slowly, she peeked up at him, her red eyes meeting his.
"Listen to me carefully," he began, his tone firm yet soothing. "What they did... says everything about them and nothing about you. Do you understand that?"
Devika sniffled, her lips trembling as she tried to process his words.
"You're not boring. You're not predictable. And you are not ordinary," he said, emphasizing each word.
"You are Devika Raghuvanshi -my sister. A woman who is kind, smart, and so much more than they'll ever understand."
She shook her head weakly. "But Bhai-"
"No," he interrupted gently, his thumb brushing away a tear on her cheek. "No 'but.' What they said to you... it was meant to hurt you because they couldn't handle their own guilt. Priya doesn't deserve to call herself your friend, and he-" His jaw tightened for a brief moment before softening his expression.
"He wasn't your man. Someone who truly loves you doesn't leave you feeling like you're not enough. They make you feel like you're everything."
Devika's breathing hitched, her sobs quieting slightly as his words began to sink in.
"They betrayed you, Devika," Avyansh continued, his voice unwavering. "That's on them. That's their failure, not yours. And one day, you'll see that clearly. I promise you."
"But it hurts so much," she whispered, her tears falling again.
"I know it does," he said softly, pulling her into a hug. "And it's okay to hurt. It's okay to cry. But don't let their words plant doubts in your mind about your worth. You are more than enough, Devika. Anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve to be in your life."
He held her as she cried into his shoulder, his hand rubbing slow, comforting circles on her back. "You're going to be okay," he murmured. "And I'm here. Always. We'll get through this together."
She clung to him, letting herself believe, even if just for a moment, that maybe she wasn't as broken as she felt.
"They said I got fat. Chubby," Devika whispered, her voice breaking as she clung to Avyansh, her cheek pressed against his chest.
Avyansh tightened his hold on her, one hand patting her head gently. He let her cry, his calm presence steadying her storm.
"But didn't your Bhabhi compliment your look every day?" he said softly, his voice soothing yet firm. "Didn't our family tell you how much they love you just the way you are?"
Devika sniffled, her fingers clutching his shirt as she hiccuped. "They said I talk too much."
Avyansh chuckled lightly, his chest vibrating under her cheek. "Oh, you do," he teased, his tone playful. "Look at you, spouting nonsense even now."
Devika scrunched her nose and whined, lifting her head slightly to look up at him. "Bhai!" she said, her voice part indignant, part whiny.
"I'm just saying the truth," Avyansh said with a small smile, ruffling her hair gently.
"You've taken the bakwas of worthless people and let it weigh on your good heart. Why?"
Devika blinked, her tear-filled eyes searching his face.
"Devika," he said, cupping her cheek gently, "you're letting the words of people who don't even matter take up space in your mind. They don't deserve that. You are loved. By me, by your Bhabhi, by this whole family. That's all that matters. So why let their negativity win?"
Devika bit her lip, her emotions still raw, but her brother's words were like a balm to her bruised heart. She let out a small sigh and rested her head against his chest again, nodding slightly as his words began to take root.
"Khana ho gaya. Rona ho gaya... should we go for some shopping now?" Avyansh asked, his voice light and teasing as he pulled back slightly to look at Devika's tear-streaked face.
Devika blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone. "Yes!" she said, her voice brightening, a spark of excitement breaking through her sadness.
Avyansh smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "Let's go, then," he said, standing up and offering her his hand.
Devika took it, her grip firm as she let him help her up. She wiped her face quickly, a small smile tugging at her lips despite everything.
"Bhai, you're the best," she murmured as they headed out, a sense of relief washing over her.
"And don't you forget it," Avyansh replied with a smirk, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Now, let's go spend some money and distract you properly."
After what could only be described as the best shopping spree ever, Devika returned home with Avyansh, both of them looking pleased with themselves.
Behind them, several servants carried an impressive number of bags and boxes, filled with gifts for everyone-from the maids to Devika's family and her beloved twin, Dev.
As they walked into the house, Anjali was the first to spot them. Her sharp eyes immediately narrowed as she took in the scene.
"Aree, kaha se aa rahe ho dono?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"Shopping se, Choti Maa," Avyansh replied casually, his tone light but confident.
Anjali's gaze shifted to Devika, her expression turning to one of resigned exasperation. "Money waste again?" she asked pointedly.
Devika, entirely unbothered, nodded cheekily, flashing her best mischievous smile.
At that moment, Dev appeared from the corner, his eyes immediately widening as he noticed the shopping bags.
"Kya!" he exclaimed dramatically. "Bhai! You never take me shopping! Or on family dates! It's always Devika!"
Pakhi, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle at his theatrics. "Poor you, Dev," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Ajay and Vijay, lounging on the sofa, burst into laughter. " Itne naensaafi kyu humare Dev ke sath Avyansh " Ajay teased, earning a dramatic groan from Dev.
Dev, however, was not done with his complaints. He turned to Avantika, his expression exaggeratedly forlorn. "Bhabhi, why don't you take me on a shopping date? Bhai toh bas Devika ko leke jata hai!"
Avantika, who had been quietly observing the chaos, raised an eyebrow. "Shopping date?" she asked, amused.
"Yes!" Dev whined. "We'll go shopping, and you can buy me everything I point at!"
The room erupted into laughter again as Avantika shook her head, smiling despite herself. "We'll see, Devar ji..". she said, her tone indulgent but noncommittal.
"See? There's hope!" Dev said, brightening immediately, while Avyansh sighed.
----
Everyone's routines had settled back into place after the wedding week.
Avantika was at the university, in the library's store room. She had sought permission to look for last year's question papers amidst the stacks of dusty books and files.
Wearing a simple blue kurti with jeans, she focused on her task, unaware of her phone lying in her bag on a nearby bench.
Meanwhile, Avyansh sat in his office, trying to call her for the fifth time. He frowned at the screen as his call went unanswered yet again.
He had planned to take her out for dinner tonight-a rare moment of time carved out just for them. But her lack of response was starting to frustrate him.
His mind flickered to the fact that she no longer had bodyguards with her. She had requested their removal, insisting she didn't need them. Despite his reservations, he had relented, unable to refuse her anything.
Running a hand through his hair, he sighed and dialed Dev's number.
"Hello?" Dev answered.
"Dev, where is Avantika?" Avyansh asked, his tone clipped but calm.
"Bhabhi? Class mai hongi" Dev replied.
"She's not answering her phone," Avyansh said, glancing at the clock.
Dev paused for a moment. "Do you want me to check?"
"Yes" Avyansh replied.
"What happened?" Dev's friend asked curiously.
"Bhabhi isn't picking up her phone, and bhai is worried. Let's check where she is," Dev replied casually, standing up from his seat.
They began roaming around the campus, looking for Avantika.
"She isn't in her classroom," Dev's friend said, walking out after checking the empty room.
"Where else could she be?" Dev wondered aloud, glancing around when his another friend handed him a microphone with a sly grin.
"What's this for?" Dev asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Use it. If she's here, she'll hear you," his friend replied, smirking.
Dev couldn't help but smile mischievously as he held the microphone. "Alright then," he said, turning it on.
"Uh-uh. Hello? Hello? Mic testing!" Dev's voice echoed across the campus as he tested the microphone, his tone lighthearted and playful.
"Let's go~!" Dev shouted, his voice booming through the microphone.
"Mere bhai ki patni, meri bhabhi, kho gayi hai! Kisi ko mile toh mujhe contact kare!" he announced dramatically, drawing the attention of nearly everyone around.
The students in the area paused, some bursting into laughter while others simply watched the scene unfold with amused smiles.
A few started whispering and giggling among themselves, clearly entertained by the unexpected drama.
"Yaar, kya kar raha hai?" his friend asked, chuckling.
"Kya? Public service announcement kar raha hoon!" Dev said, grinning mischievously.
Meanwhile, a group of students further away pointed toward the library, trying to hint at where Avantika might be, but Dev was too busy enjoying the moment to notice.
Dev raised the microphone again, his grin widening. "BHABHI! KAHA HO AAP???" he shouted, his voice echoing through the corridors.
His friends joined in enthusiastically. "Bhabhi! Kaha hai aap??" they called out, mimicking his dramatic tone.
A few amused students couldn't resist joining the fun, their voices ringing out across the campus.
The growing commotion drew more attention, and soon, even the professors emerged from the staff room, their expressions ranging from curiosity to exasperation.
Standing at the doorway, Mr. Pallav pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath, "Dev Raghuvanshi again!"
"Yeh kabhi nahi sudhrega," another professor added, shaking his head in disbelief.
Before they could intervene, Dev noticed them and, with a mischievous glint in his eye, turned to face them.
"Hii Sir!" he shouted gleefully into the microphone, his voice so loud that it made Mr. Pallav and the others wince, covering their ears in irritation.
"Dev! Stop this nonsense immediately!" Mr. Pallav bellowed, though his sternness was met with Dev's signature cheeky grin.
The scene was pure chaos, with Dev at the center, enjoying every moment of it.
Meanwhile: Avantika
"Done!" Avantika muttered to herself as she placed the last of the five years' question papers on the nearby table.
Satisfied, she turned around, only to bump into someone. She staggered slightly and looked up, her breath catching when she saw Akshat standing there, his expression unreadable.
Her chest tightened, and she quickly turned back, grabbing the papers from the table as if to shield herself from the wave of memories that suddenly flooded her mind.
Flashback
It was her 11th standard.
"Bhoo!!" someone shouted from behind her.
Startled, Avantika jumped, disbalancing herself and landing squarely on her butt. The old dusty papers she was holding scattered around her.
She turned, flustered and annoyed, to see Akshat laughing uncontrollably.
"Hahaha!" he laughed, clutching his stomach.
"You dumb!" she muttered under her breath, glaring at him.
Akshat, still grinning, stepped forward and extended his hand to help her up. "Come on, Drama Queen. Get up."
She hesitated but reluctantly placed her hand in his. But as he tried to pull her up, the unexpected weight caused him to lose balance.
"Whoa-!" he yelped, and before either of them could react, he fell, landing right beside her on the dusty floor.
For a moment, there was silence. Then Avantika couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter, her irritation forgotten.
"You're worse than me!" she said between giggles, pointing at him.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Akshat grumbled, though the corners of his lips twitched in amusement.
The memory faded, pulling her back to the present. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the papers tighter. Her mind raced with a mix of emotions-annoyance, unease, and a hint of something she couldn't quite place.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice firmer than she expected, as she avoided looking directly at him.
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