Chapter 53: ✿Chapter 47✿

हिसाफ़त करूँगा तेरी, बस "ना" तू न कहना,

हर दर्द सह लूँगा, तुझे कुछ ना सहना।

तेरी हँसी ही मेरी दुनिया की रौशनी है,

बस तू मेरे साथ रहे, कभी दूर ना रहना।

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Avyansh’s POV

“What did I tell you?” I growled, my voice cutting through the quiet of the office like a blade. My secretary flinched, his shoulders tense as he stood before me, visibly shaken.

“To find every single fucking detail about her!” I snapped, slamming a file onto my desk with a force that made the pen holder rattle.

“Where is her fiancé’s name? Where is Akshat’s elder brother’s name? Where is it?” My voice echoed, barely masking the fury simmering beneath my composed exterior.

“Sir… I—I thought you only…” he stammered, his words tumbling over each other as he struggled to explain himself. “I mean… I thought you didn’t need that specific—”

“You thought?” I interrupted sharply, my tone laced with disdain. My glare bore into him, and he visibly shrank under the weight of my gaze. “You don’t get paid to think. You get paid to do what I tell you.”

He nodded hastily, his hands trembling slightly as he fumbled with the files in his arms.

I exhaled sharply, my hands curling into fists on the desk. “I want every piece of information. Every connection, every name, every damn detail about her past and the people tied to it. Today is 5 minutes.”

“Yes, sir,” he mumbled, his voice barely audible as he scrambled to pick up the file I’d slammed.

“And don’t come back until you have everything I need,” I added coldly, dismissing him with a flick of my hand.

He hurried out of the room, leaving me alone in the tense silence. I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair as my jaw clenched tightly.

Akshat. Her fiancé. His elder brother. Something wasn’t adding up, and I wasn’t going to stop until I had answers. No matter what it took.

After barely five minutes, my office door creaked open, and my secretary walked in, his face pale but determined.

“Sir,” he began, his voice trembling slightly as he placed a fresh file on my desk. “I’ve found the connection.”

I raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.

“Akshat Singhania’s elder brother and Avantika Ma’am’s fiancé are the same person—Raghav Singhania,” he said, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

I stilled, my fingers tightening around the edge of the desk. “Raghav Singhania,” I repeated, my voice low and steady, though the storm brewing inside me threatened to spill over.

“Yes, sir,” he confirmed, shifting nervously under my gaze. “He didn’t opt for the CEO position of Singhania Enterprises. It was… a punishment from his grandfather.”

My jaw clenched as I leaned back in my chair, processing the information. “Punishment?” I asked, my voice sharp.

The secretary nodded quickly. “Yes, sir. Apparently, he made some personal or professional mistake that caused the family significant embarrassment. His grandfather, who controls the company, stripped him of any opportunity to lead. Instead, the position went to Akshat.”

I tapped my fingers on the desk, my mind racing. Raghav Singhania. The man who was once engaged to Avantika. The man who was supposed to protect her, cherish her. And yet, the very mention of him sent shivers down her spine.

“What else do you know?” I demanded, my tone colder now.

“Sir, the details are sparse,” the secretary admitted, his hands clutching the edge of the folder tightly.

“But from what I’ve gathered, the punishment was linked to some incident involving his personal life. I’ll dig deeper to get more specifics.”

I nodded curtly. “You have until the end of the day to bring me everything—his mistakes, his connections, and anything tying him to Avantika’s past.”

“Yes, sir,” he said, quickly gathering his things and hurrying out of the room.

As the door closed behind him, I leaned forward, my elbows resting on the desk, and rubbed my temples. Raghav Singhania. The name churned in my mind like a relentless storm.

What had he done? What was the truth behind Avantika’s pain? And more importantly, why did the mere thought of him make me want to destroy everything he stood for?

I left the office early today. The sun was still setting, casting an orange glow across the city, but for me, it marked the beginning of something darker—something I had been waiting for.

It was time to ruin him.

The moment I saw her avoid eye contact with him, her body stiffening like she was bracing herself for impact, I knew.

The slightest flicker of confusion and unease on her face when his name came up—she didn’t have to say a word. Her silence told me everything.

Raghav Singhania.

He wasn’t just a name from her past. He was a shadow that lingered over her, one that had left its mark far deeper than she ever let on. And now, it was my turn to erase him. To make sure he paid for every ounce of fear, pain, and confusion he’d caused her.

As I drove through the city, my grip on the steering wheel tightened. My phone buzzed on the console—a message from my investigator with the details I had been waiting for.

I pulled over, unlocking the file with a swipe. My eyes scanned the screen, taking in every detail. Each line I read fanned the flames of my anger.

His mistakes, his arrogance, the way he had thrown away responsibility—not just toward his family, but toward her.

He thought he could get away with it. He thought no one would hold him accountable.

But that ended now.

Starting today, I would dismantle everything he valued, piece by piece, until there was nothing left of the man who thought he could break someone like her and walk away unscathed.

This wasn’t just vengeance. It was justice—for her. And I wouldn’t stop until he was nothing more than a memory she could look back on without fear.

My mind drifted back to last night—her tear-streaked face, the way she clung to me, seeking comfort in my arms as if I was her lifeline. The raw vulnerability in her eyes, the way her body trembled but found solace in my presence.

And then, the kiss.

I froze in my seat, my breath hitching as the memory played in vivid detail. The softness of her lips against mine, the unspoken emotions in that moment—it wasn’t just a kiss. It was more than that.

It was her trust, her surrender, her seeking something she didn’t have to say aloud.

My first kiss.

Shit.

The realization hit me like a freight train, and I felt my face heat up, my ears burning as the weight of it settled.

What the hell is wrong with me? I thought, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

I couldn’t help but replay the moment over and over, the way she leaned into me, the faint hitch in her breath, the way her fingers had gripped my shirt like I was the only thing keeping her anchored.

I groaned inwardly, leaning back in my seat as I rubbed the back of my neck. Focus, Avyansh. This is not the time to lose your head over a damn kiss.

But no matter how much I tried, the memory wouldn’t fade. Instead, it lingered, a constant reminder of what had happened—and the feelings I wasn’t ready to admit even to myself.

I reached home, the familiar hum of voices filling the air as I stepped inside. Before I could even take a breath, Ruhaan’s loud complaints greeted me.

“Haww! Ik toh apna kaam chhod ke mai aaya hoon. Aur aap log ke saath Diwali celebrate karne , aur aap log mujhe hi suna rahe ho!” Ruhaan was saying dramatically, his hands gesturing wildly as he addressed the group.

( Ruhaan ke bina chapter jag suna suna lgta hai isliye usse bula lete hun..and I didn't remember ki akhir Ruhaan tha kiska relative😅)

I ignored him for the most part, my gaze searching the room until it landed on someone I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Maasi,” I said, a hint of surprise in my voice as I walked toward her.

Ruhaan’s mother smiled warmly at me, her eyes filled with affection.

“Avy, itne jaldi aa gaya?” Ruhaan called out, his tone playful as always.

But I barely acknowledged him, my gaze drifting instead to the figure sitting beside Maasi.

There she was—Avantika. Her posture was calm, her head slightly tilted as she listened to the conversation around her.

The soft glow of the evening lights seemed to highlight her delicate features, and for a moment, I felt the rest of the room fade into the background.

“Haan,” Choti Mummy chimed in, breaking my train of thought. “Aaj kal toh Avyansh jaldi aane laga hai office se.”

Mom, sitting nearby, let out an exasperated sigh. “Jab Maa kehti thi tab toh sunna hi nahi tha inko.”

I winced slightly, knowing there was some truth to her words. Without responding, I stepped forward and bent to touch Maasi’s feet in respect.

“Khush raho, beta,” Maasi said, her voice gentle as her hand rested on my head in blessing.

Straightening, my eyes flickered to Avantika again. She was looking at me, her expression calm but unreadable, as if she was carefully masking whatever she felt. But then, something changed.

Her face turned red—so subtly at first that I almost missed it. A faint blush crept across her cheeks, spreading to the tips of her ears. She quickly lowered her gaze, breaking the eye contact.

That caught me off guard. Avantika never broke eye contact. I’d noticed this about her before—how her gaze was always steady, confident, unwavering. But now, her sudden shyness, the way she avoided my eyes, it was… different.

I felt the warmth creeping into my chest again, but I brushed it off, unwilling to dwell on what it might mean. Turning away, I refocused my attention on the room.

“Hum kapde badal kar aate hain,” I said, keeping my tone even, before walking toward the stairs.

I could still feel her presence behind me, like a quiet hum in the background, but I didn’t look back.

As I climbed the stairs, I found myself frowning slightly, the image of her blushing face refusing to leave my mind.

I changed my clothes, running a hand through my hair before stepping out of the washroom.

The sound of the door creaking open caught my attention, and as I looked up, I saw her entering the room.

Finally, some time alone, I thought, a momentary relief washing over me. But before I could say a word, my gaze shifted behind her, and there they were—my cousins, barging in with arms full of clothes.

My brows furrowed instantly, the fleeting sense of peace vanishing. Great.

I stood there, annoyed, watching as they bustled into the room like they owned the place, completely ignoring my presence.

“Tum log ko koi aur kaam nahi hai kya?” I said, my tone sharp as my gaze shifted to the group of troublemakers invading my space.

“Hum kaam hi toh kar rahe hain,” Dev replied with a wide grin, clearly enjoying himself.

I rolled my eyes, already regretting engaging with them.

“Sidha sidha bol na, tereko quality time chahiye,” Ruhaan teased, smirking as he leaned casually against the wall.

I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair, and looked at her. She was almost done folding something, her gaze flickering between the cousins with quiet amusement.

She straightened, turning toward them. “Chaliye, bahar chalte hain,” she said calmly, her voice steady but carrying that firm undertone I’d come to recognize.

“Ha… ha, chaliye, Bhabhi,” Devika said, her grin widening as she began ushering the boys out of the room.

One by one, they started dispersing, their laughter trailing behind them. At last, it was just her, turning to leave as well. But before she could step out.

I reached out, my hand wrapping around hers, pulling her gently but firmly toward me.

Her startled gaze shot up to meet mine, her soft gasp filling the now-quiet room.

“Aap kaha chale?” I asked, my voice low but certain, my other hand reaching to close the door behind her with a soft click.

Her breath hitched, and I could see the faint blush creeping up her cheeks as her eyes searched mine for a moment. She didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes.

"Ji?" she asked softly, looking up at me with those captivating eyes of hers—eyes that usually carried so much confidence but now seemed to have turned tender and doe-like.

"Apko nahi lagta ki apne pati ke saath aap kuch waqt bitaayein?" I asked, my voice low, teasing, but laced with an undertone of sincerity.

She blinked, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but then she mumbled under her breath, "Aap hi nahi rehte ghar par, toh kaise waqt bita sakte hain."

Her words, though quiet, hit me with more weight than I expected. My brows raised slightly in surprise before softening, a faint smirk tugging at my lips.

I leaned in slightly, tilting my head to catch her eyes more clearly. "Toh yeh shikayat hai, ya bas itni si baat?" I teased, but there was a warmth in my tone, a small effort to ease whatever lingered in her words.

She looked away, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dupatta.

“So… Kaise hain aap?” I asked, my voice light, trying to coax her into speaking.

“Achhe hoon,” she replied softly, her tone careful, almost reserved.

“Aur pyari bhi,” I added with a teasing smile.

Her gaze shot up briefly, surprise flashing in her eyes before she looked away again.

“Nahi?” I asked, arching an eyebrow as I leaned closer.

She nodded hesitantly, still avoiding my eyes. “Hn?,” she murmured, her voice almost inaudible.

I frowned playfully. “Idhar dekhiye, Avantika,” I said firmly, reaching out to gently place my fingers on her jaw.

With the lightest pressure, I tilted her face upward, making her meet my gaze.

“Ek baat kahein?” I asked, my voice soft but with a hint of mischief.

“Kahiye,” she replied, her voice quiet but steady.

Something about her was different tonight—her usual fierce demeanor seemed to have faded, replaced by a quiet shyness that made her all the more alluring.

Her hesitation, her lowered gaze—it was drawing me in, making her seem even more irresistible.

“Ek kiss kar lein?” I asked teasingly, a grin tugging at my lips.

Her eyes widened instantly, shock and disbelief flashing across her face. Her brows furrowed as her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, she just stared at me, utterly flustered.

“Hatiye!” she said sharply, her voice rising as she pushed me back lightly, her palms pressing against my chest.

I laughed, stepping back just enough to let her regain her composure. “Bas ik...ji..” I teased, holding my hands up in mock surrender.

She glared at me, her lips pursed in defiance, but the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks gave her away.

The dining table was as noisy as ever, filled with the usual chatter and teasing. Maa’s and Dadi's announcement about the Choti Diwali preparations had set off a chain of comments and counter-comments, each louder than the last.

“Kal Choti Diwali hai. Itne saare preparations karne hain,” Maa said, her voice carrying the urgency of someone about to manage an army.

“Aree Di, hum sab toh hain hi. Aur bache bhi hain, mil jul ke ho jayega kaam,” Maasi replied calmly, trying to assure her that everything would be under control.

“Haan,” Papa chimed in, nodding as if his agreement would somehow lighten the workload.

Maa immediately turned toward him, her spoon pointed like a weapon. “Aap chup rahiye! Haan bol kar kaam ke waqt doston ke saath rehte hain,” she retorted, making everyone burst into laughter.

“Sahi kaha, Bhabhi,” Chote Papa added, grinning as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the exchange.

Papa huffed dramatically, pretending to sulk. “Main toh bas bol raha tha,” he muttered, though the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his act.

Ruhaan, as usual, couldn’t resist stirring the pot. “Don’t worry” he piped up, grinning widely. “Hum sab mil kar karenge preparations. Aur agar kaam zyada ho gaya, toh Avy aur Bhabhi ka shift lamba kar denge.”

I shot him a glare, but he was already grinning at Avantika, wiggling his eyebrows in that annoyingly smug way of his.

“Ruhaan,” I warned, my voice low, though I could feel a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Before he could reply, I turned to Maasi. “Maasi, iski shaadi karwaye jldi. Bolna band kare yeh. Bohot zyada bolne laga hai.”

The entire table erupted into laughter, including Maasi, who shook her head fondly. Ruhaan, of course, feigned offense, clutching his chest like I had wounded him.

I shook my head, exhaling a sigh, but couldn’t hide the small smile forming on my face. This was my family—loud, chaotic, and impossible to ignore.

“Haww, Bhai, aap yeh kehna chah rahe ho ki shaadi ke baad biwiyan apne pati ko bolne nahi deti?” Dev chimed in, his tone overly dramatic as usual.

“So bad, Bhai! Aap Bhabhi ko aisa bol rahe ho,” Devika added, her eyes wide with mock surprise.

“Dekh rahe hain, Bhabhi?” Ruhaan said, turning toward Avantika with a grin. “Aapko kya bol raha hai.”

I glanced at Avantika, already bracing myself for her reaction. She was looking straight at me, her hazel eyes narrowed slightly, her expression a mix of curiosity and challenge.

Her stare was unyielding, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was being silently interrogated.

“Bas bas,” Dadi interrupted, her voice cutting through the noise. “Ab chup chaap se sab khana kha lo. Bohot bol liya tum logon ne.”

I took the opportunity to break eye contact with Avantika, looking down at my plate instead. Picking up my spoon, I focused on my food, hoping the teasing would shift to someone else.

But out of the corner of my eye, I could still feel her gaze lingering on me. For some reason, it made my chest tighten—not with discomfort, but something I couldn’t quite place.

The chatter continued around us, but for the rest of the meal, I kept my focus on my plate, stealing occasional glances at her when I thought she wasn’t looking.

Avantika’s POV

Kiss? The word echoed in my mind as I stepped into our room, still replaying the teasing conversation from dinner.

But then, another thought took over, one that made my steps falter. Shaadi ke baad maine unhe kabhi bolne se mana kiya hai kya?

Kabhi nahi, I told myself firmly, shutting the door behind me.

Har waqt toh chapar-chapar bolte rehte hain. Phir niche dinner table pe aise bol rahe the ki Ruhaan ji ki shaadi karwa denge toh wo bolna band kar denge… jaise khud experienced ho.*

I frowned, placing the dupatta I had draped earlier on the bed. The audacity! Acting like he had all the knowledge about marriage dynamics.

My thoughts ran wild as I moved toward the dressing table. Aise kaise? Ruhaan ji ki shaadi ka idea toh theek hai, par is baat ko mere upar kyun ghuma diya? Main toh chup rehti hoon zyada.

I huffed softly, looking at my reflection. But as much as I wanted to hold on to my irritation, I couldn’t ignore the faint smile tugging at my lips.

He was teasing me, wasn’t he?

And worse—he’d succeeded. My cheeks felt warmer at the thought, and I quickly shook my head, brushing it off. “Bas Avantika, zyada sochne ki zarurat nahi hai,” I muttered under my breath, determined not to let his teasing affect me further.

Timseskip

“Pehle toh keh rahe the ki waqt bitana hai,” I mumbled under my breath, glancing at him as he remained engrossed in his call. “Phir dekho, khud hi baith kar kaam kar rahe hain.”

Shaking my head, I walked over to the shelf, running my fingers along the spines of the neatly arranged books. If he was going to stay glued to work, I might as well keep myself busy.

I pulled out a book, its familiar cover bringing a small smile to my face. Flipping it open, I sat down on the edge of the bed, adjusting the pillow behind me for support.

I could still hear him talking, his calm voice filling the room, but I tried to focus on the words in front of me. The soft rustle of pages mixed with his low conversation, creating a strange kind of background noise.

But no matter how much I tried to concentrate, my eyes kept drifting back to him.

I sighed quietly, shaking my head again before diving back into the book, determined not to let his workaholic tendencies bother me.

Kiss.

As I read the word on the page, my mind betrayed me, springing back to our kiss.

My first—no, it wasn’t my first. But it was. It was the first kiss with my consent.

The way his lips had moved, the way his hands had held me so securely, like I was the only thing that mattered in that moment…

I felt my heartbeat quicken, the warmth creeping up my cheeks. And there it was again—that fluttering in my stomach, like butterflies taking flight.

“Avantika!” his voice snapped me out of my trance.

I blinked, looking up at him. “Hn?” I managed, my voice a little shaky.

“Kya padh rahi hain aap?” he asked, shifting closer to me. His laptop and phone were nowhere in sight now, and his glasses were still perched on his nose, making him look both serious and slightly playful.

“Dikhaiye,” he said, and before I could react, he snatched the book from my hands.

“Hey!” I shouted, reaching out to grab it back, but he held it just out of my reach, a teasing smirk on his face.

He flipped the book open, scanning the page I’d been reading. “Oh,” he said, his tone suddenly laced with mischief as he raised an eyebrow at me.

My cheeks burned even more as I lunged forward, trying to grab it. “Give it back!”

But he leaned back, holding the book higher. “Interesting choice of reading material, Mrs. Raghuvanshi,” he said, his smirk widening.

"Dijiye book ko wapas," I said, trying to snatch it from him, but he leaned back, keeping it just out of my reach.

"And he grabbed her by her waist, pulling her closer," he read aloud, his tone teasing.

My cheeks burned, and I closed my eyes in embarrassment, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.

But before I could protest, I felt his hand on my waist, and my eyes flew open.

He pulled me toward him gently, his gaze locking with mine. "Aise?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with mischief.

I stared at him, my breath hitching.

He glanced back at the book, his smirk widening. "Peck her forehead," he read, and before I could react, he leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Aise?" he asked again, his eyes never leaving mine.

My heart raced, and I struggled to find words, but he wasn't done.

"Her eyes, her nose, her cheeks," he continued, reading each word as though it were a script.

He kissed my closed eyes, one after the other, his lips warm and featherlight. My breath caught as he moved to my nose, brushing it softly with his lips.

When he kissed my cheeks, I felt my entire body flush, my eyes instinctively closing as the warmth of his touch overwhelmed me.

I couldn't think, couldn't move. It was as if the world had faded away, leaving just the two of us, his gentle actions echoing the words on the page.

"He kissed her lips, passionate and unyielding, a touch that spoke of longing and possession all at once."

Avyansh ji's voice softened as he read the line, his eyes flicking to mine, holding a glint of something I couldn't name.

He paused, the book lowering slightly in his hand as he looked at me.

My breath hitched as he leaned in, closing the distance between us. His gaze was locked on mine, and the intensity in his eyes made my heart race wildly.

I couldn't move, couldn't think. Slowly, I felt my eyelids flutter shut, my body anticipating the warmth of his lips against mine.

I waited, every nerve in my body alive with anticipation, as the space between us disappeared, inch by inch.

“That’s enough for today,” he said, his voice low but teasing.

My eyes flew open, and I stared at him, stunned. My cheeks burned, the heat spreading down my neck as I tried to process what just happened—or didn’t happen.

He smirked, clearly enjoying my flustered state. “Aaj ke liye itna book padhna kaafi tha,” he added, stepping back slightly and letting go of my waist. “Ab kal...”

His words trailed off, leaving an air of playful ambiguity, and he turned away, leaving me standing there, frozen in place.

I looked at him, my face hot, my thoughts a tangled mess of embarrassment, confusion, and... something else I couldn’t name.

He picked up his laptop from the table as if nothing had happened, his calm demeanor only making my flushed state worse.

I wanted to say something—anything—but no words came out. Instead, I just stood there, glaring at his back, clearly flustered, embarrassed, and utterly speechless.

Embarrassed beyond words, I quickly placed the book on the table beside the bed, my hands trembling slightly.

Without a second glance at him, I hurried to the bed, slipping under the duvet and pulling it over my head, my back firmly turned toward him.

My heart was racing, my cheeks still burning as I lay there, trying to process everything.

Why does he tease me this much? I thought, biting my lip. And what was I thinking? Why was I thinking that?

I groaned softly, scolding myself in my mind.

But no matter how much I tried to shake it off, the memory of his touch, his closeness, and that almost-kiss played on repeat in my mind, making my heart flutter all over again.

Bas, ab so jao. Forget everything, I told myself firmly, pulling the duvet tighter around me as if it could shield me from my own thoughts.

Even after 10 or 20 minutes, sleep refused to come. My mind was restless, replaying everything that had happened earlier.

What if he teases me again? I thought, the embarrassment creeping back.

But my throat was dry, and I couldn’t ignore my need for water any longer. Slowly, I peeked out from the duvet, turning slightly to see him still working, his glasses perched on his nose, the faint glow of his laptop lighting his face.

I sat up quietly, reaching for the glass of water on the table. As I drank, his voice broke the silence.

“Aap soye nahi?” he asked, his tone calm but curious.

For a fleeting second, the words “Aapke khayal sone nahi de rahe” danced on my tongue, but I swallowed them back, shaking my head internally.

I didn’t reply, simply taking another sip of water as he stretched, leaning back slightly. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he finally switched off the laptop, placing it aside.

Quickly, I finished the water and slipped back under the duvet, turning away from him again. My heart raced as I felt the bed shift slightly.

Moments later, he got in beside me, the lights switching off with a faint click.

I closed my eyes tightly, pretending to be asleep, even as I felt the warmth of his presence so close. My mind wouldn’t stop racing, and my heart wouldn’t stop fluttering.

Why does he have this effect on me? I thought, trying desperately to calm myself.

I felt his hand snake around my waist, pulling me toward him effortlessly. My back hit his chest, and my breath caught for a moment.

Isn’t he getting too comfortable touching me nowadays? I thought, my heart racing.

His warmth surrounded me, and I tried to ignore the way my stomach flipped. Why does he always tease me? I wondered. I can do that too.

Determined, I tried to remove his hand from my waist, tugging at it lightly. But he didn’t budge.

“Should I remove my hand?” he asked, his voice soft but laced with amusement

I didn’t reply, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer

He took my silence as permission, tightening his grip instead.

I tried again to remove his hand, my movements more insistent this time, but he only pulled me closer.

“Kya hai?” he asked, his tone both playful and serious.

I turned my head slightly, glaring at him over my shoulder. His face was so close, his expression unreadable yet teasing, and I could feel my cheeks heating up again.

“Let go,” I said firmly, though my voice lacked the conviction I wanted.

“Why?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, his smirk growing.

I hated how my heart fluttered in response. Why does he always have the upper hand?

“Sone dijiye hume,” I said, glaring at him, trying to sound annoyed.

“Haan toh so jaiye,” he replied, his tone casual, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

“Humne kab apko mana kiya hai?".

I rolled my eyes, frustrated by his teasing.

“Why so moody?” he asked, his voice light, like he genuinely didn’t know what he was doing to me.

I turned fully toward him, ready to retort, ready to let him know exactly why I was annoyed. But as soon as I faced him, the words caught in my throat.

His face was so close—too close. The faint light from the window illuminated his features, making every detail more striking.

His eyes, dark and intense, held a glimmer of curiosity. His lips, slightly parted, looked so...

Am I really falling in love?

The thought struck me like lightning, my heart skipping a beat. Is it real? Could it be?

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him, my mind spinning with questions I wasn’t ready to answer. His expression shifted slightly, his teasing smirk softening as if he noticed the change in my demeanor.

“Avantika?” he said, his voice quieter now, almost unsure.

I blinked, realizing I’d been staring too long. “Kuch nahi,” I muttered quickly, turning away again, pulling the duvet up to my chin.

But my heart wouldn’t stop racing, and the warmth spreading through me wouldn’t fade. Is this what falling in love feels like? I wondered, closing my eyes tightly, hoping sleep would save me from the whirlwind inside.

When I felt his arm tighten around my waist, pulling me closer to him. My heart raced wildly, but it was nothing compared to what came next.

I stopped breathing altogether when I felt his warm breath near my face.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, only to find him already looking at me, his gaze steady and mischievous.

“Ek good night... kiss?” he asked, his voice a teasing whisper, the word lingering on his lips.

My cheeks burned, and my mind went blank. His proximity, his tone, and that playful smirk—it was all too much.

“Kya?” I managed to whisper, though my voice came out weaker than I’d hoped.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Thank you," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. His words barely registered before I felt the pressure of his lips against mine. It was sudden—too sudden—but there was something about the way he kissed me that made the world slow down.

His lips were warm, firm yet gentle, and they moved against mine with a soft, deliberate rhythm. I felt my breath catch in my throat, my heart racing so fast that it seemed to drown out everything else.

It was as though time itself had frozen, and the only thing that mattered was the kiss.

I wasn’t sure what to do. His lips teased mine, pulling away just to come back, nibbling softly as if he was coaxing a response from me.

I felt a flutter in my chest, my body unsure, unprepared for this moment. How was I supposed to kiss him back suddenly?Was I doing it right? My mind spun in circles, and I couldn’t focus on anything except the feeling of his lips, the gentle pressure, and the warmth between us.

I stayed frozen, my hands at my sides, unsure of what was expected of me. I felt the weight of my inexperience, every second of it obvious in the way I couldn’t seem to move, couldn’t seem to return the kiss.

His lips paused, and I felt his breath against my skin as he seemed to sense my hesitation. Slowly, his movements softened, pulling back just a little, as if giving me the space to catch my breath.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he pulled away completely, and I opened my eyes to find him looking at me, his gaze soft yet amused.

My face flushed with embarrassment, the heat rising up my neck as I quickly ducked my head, burying my face into the duvet, hoping it would shield me from his teasing smile.

“Good night, Mrs. Raghuvanshi,” he said, his voice light, teasing, yet with a hint of warmth.

I peeked out from the duvet, only to hear him continue, a playful smirk in his voice.

“And now, it’ll be our daily routine, so... gussa mat hua kare. Aur uss time hum mazaak kar rahe the.”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, my face turning even redder as the realization of what he said sank in. The smile that had been threatening to escape earlier now fought its way out, but I quickly suppressed it, my embarrassment overwhelming me.

I buried my face back in the duvet, hoping the warmth would soothe the heat spreading across my skin, but the truth was, I didn’t know how to handle this—how to handle him.

My heart was still racing from the kiss, and his teasing only made it worse. How was I supposed to deal with this new dynamic? I thought, biting my lip to suppress the smile that was now tugging at the corners of my mouth.

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More than 5000 words mtlb yahi double update samjh lo aap log itna lambe lambe chapters..