"à¤à¥à¤ तॠहà¥à¤ हà¥, à¤à¥à¤ हॠà¤à¤¯à¤¾ हà¥,
दिल बà¥à¤à¤°à¤¾à¤° सा, à¤à¥à¤¯à¥à¤ à¤à¥ à¤à¤¯à¤¾ हà¥à¥¤
हवा मà¥à¤ à¤à¥à¤¶à¤¬à¥, à¤à¥à¤µà¤¾à¤¬à¥à¤ मà¥à¤ रà¤à¤,
शायद यॠपà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤° à¤à¤¾ पहला सà¥à¤°à¤à¤à¥¤"
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Author's POV
As usual, after the tension of the previous night, neither Avantika nor Avyansh had said a word to each other.
They both came downstairs to the dining table, which was typically buzzing with chatter and laughter. But today, an unusual silence had settled over everyone.
The younger ones exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening. Ruhaan, however, sat at the head of the silence, smirking mischievously.
He had instructed everyone earlier to stop talking and instead give the couple teasing glances without explaining why. Not knowing the reason, the youngsters had decided to play along.
Even the elders looked surprised by the sudden lack of noise.
Avyansh walked in, his eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on Ruhaan, who was sitting with a smug grin plastered on his face.
Avyansh muttered under his breath, "Saale," before heading to his usual seat, followed closely by Avantika.
Avantika reached for a plate, but before she could pick it up, Avyansh grabbed it instead. Without saying a word, he began forwarding food to her plate, his actions deliberate but calm.
Ruhaan, ever the instigator, leaned over to Vijay and whispered conspiratorially, "Mausa ji..."
"Hm?" Vijay responded, mid-bite, glancing at him curiously.
"Avyansh ke neck pe kuch laga hai..." Ruhaan whispered, feigning a confused expression.
Vijay frowned, looking up to examine Avyansh. Sure enough, there was a faint reddish mark on the side of his neck.
"Avyansh" Vijay called out, his tone laced with curiosity.
Avyansh turned to look at him, his face as calm and unreadable as ever. "Ji, Dad?"
"There's something on your neck," Vijay said, pointing slightly toward the mark.
The entire table went still, all eyes now on Avyansh. Ruhaan bit his lip to suppress his laughter, while the younger ones exchanged glances, some stifling giggles.
Avantika, sitting beside Avyansh, stiffened slightly but kept her gaze firmly on her plate, pretending to be completely engrossed in her food.
Avyansh blinked, his expression carefully composed as he reached up to touch his neck. "Huh?" he said, feigning confusion. "What's on my neck?"
Vijay squinted slightly, pointing again. "There's something reddish there. Looks like... a mark or something."
Avyansh's fingers grazed the spot, his face remaining neutral as if he hadn't noticed anything unusual. "Oh," he said casually, lowering his hand. "Must be from shaving, Dad. You know how these razors are-sometimes they leave a mark."
Ruhaan coughed, poorly disguising his laughter as a choke, and quickly reached for his glass of water.
"Shaving?" Vijay repeated, still looking skeptical.
"Yeah," Avyansh replied smoothly, nodding. "Happens sometimes. No big deal."
"Nahi, nahi, shaver toh mai bhi wahi use karta hoon jo tu karta hai," Ruhaan chimed in, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, earning a sharp glare from Avyansh.
"Ha, Avyansh, bohot zyada lag raha hai," Pakhi added, her curiosity piqued. "Idhar aaye,dikhaye zara..."
Avyansh's jaw tightened slightly, but he maintained his calm. "Maa," he said, his tone firm but respectful, "it's nothing. Can you guys just focus on breakfast and let me eat too?"
Pakhi frowned slightly but relented, leaning back in her chair, though she didn't look entirely convinced.
Ruhaan, on the other hand, leaned closer to Dev and muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Avy ka 'shaving' ka excuse bohot weak tha."
This earned a few stifled giggles from the younger ones at the table, while Avyansh shot Ruhaan a look that clearly said, You're going to pay for this later.
Avantika, meanwhile, kept her eyes firmly on her plate, trying her best to stay out of the conversation. But the slight pink tint on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed by Eveyone,Devika who nudged Anjali with her elbow, her grin widening.
The table buzzed with quiet amusement again, and though Avyansh resumed eating, the glances and teasing smiles around him were impossible to ignore.
___
"Ye tu tuna lekar baitha hai," Ruhaan said, eyeing Dev, who was holding Avantika's guitar with an awkward grip. "Tu bajana bhi sikha hai isse kabhi?"
Dev looked up with a sheepish grin. "Main... bas dekh raha tha," he muttered defensively, strumming a random, off-key note.
"Isse thussne se fursat mile tab na koi aur kaam bhi sikhe ye," Devika chimed in, smirking at her brother.
Tara giggled from her spot on the bed, where she sat cross-legged beside Devika.
"Op bezzati," Argya muttered dramatically, sprawled on the other side of the bed with his twin Aarya, who nodded in agreement.
"Keep it back before Bhabhi comes and sees you with her guitar," Ruhaan said from his spot on the couch, his tone mock-serious. "You won't survive her wrath."
Just as he finished his sentence, the door creaked open.
Everyone froze as Avyansh walked in, his expression calm at first but quickly scrunching into one of mild irritation.
He removed his glasses, rubbing his face as he took in the scene-Dev on the mat, the guitar clumsily in his hands, Ruhaan on the couch, and the rest of them lounging in his room like it was a public space.
His voice was low and unimpressed as he spoke. "This house has so many rooms. Why are you all sprawled in mine?"
Dev quickly put the guitar down, pretending as if he hadn't been holding it moments ago. Tara suppressed a giggle, while Devika and the twins exchanged amused glances.
Ruhaan leaned back, smirking as he gestured to the chaos. "Kya karein, Avy tera room sabse zyada comfortable hai."
Avyansh sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Comfortable for me, not for an entire battalion."
The room erupted in quiet chuckles, but no one made a move to leave, clearly enjoying testing his patience.
"Aur who took the guitar from its place?" Avyansh asked, his voice calm but with an edge of authority.
Immediately, everyone pointed their fingers toward Dev without hesitation.
"Wo Bhai-main toh bas check kar raha tha, you know... hehe," Dev stammered, his nervous grin failing to mask his guilt.
Avyansh rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed, before shoving Ruhaan slightly to make space on the couch. He sat down, picking up the guitar and inspecting it.
"Bhabhi ne kabhi bajaya bhi hai ya sirf showpiece ke liye?" Aarya asked, his tone teasing.
"Showpiece only. I haven't seen her playing it, I think," Avyansh replied casually, running his fingers over the polished wood. "Look, it's too new. I don't think she's played it much."
"Bhai, play it for us! Ek gaana ho jaye aaj," Tara piped up enthusiastically. "Aur jab Bhabhi aayengi, unke saath aapka competition karenge. Then we'll see who knows how to play better!"
"Aree, yeh bhi koi puchne wali baat hai? Avy will play it better," Ruhaan said confidently, leaning back with a smug grin.
"Of course," Avyansh replied, shrugging as though it was a given.
But the room went eerily quiet. No one teased back, and no one even responded to Avyansh's confidence. Instead, all of them stared past him, their expressions frozen in a mix of amusement and trepidation.
Frowning slightly, Avyansh raised an eyebrow. "Kya hua? Sab chup kyun ho gaye?"
Ruhaan cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded behind Avyansh. Confused, Avyansh turned his head-and there stood Avantika, her arms crossed, her hazel eyes narrowed slightly.
Avantika's POV
It was past 11 when I finally returned from the library. I had spent the last few hours with Dadi ji, reading some of her favorite old-time stories.
It had been a peaceful evening, a rare moment of calm in a house that was currently full of family and noise. After the teasing and awkwardness of the morning breakfast, I had been craving this quiet time. Everyone-and I mean everyone-had teased me.
From Dadi to Papa to Chote Papa, no one spared me. Even the maids had been giggling behind their hands as I huffed and tried to escape their relentless teasing.
I thought I'd left all that behind for the day. But as I opened the door to my room, the peace I carried was instantly shattered.
The sight before me made me pause. Everyone-Dev, Devika, Ruhaan, Tara, and even the twins-was sprawled out in my space as though it were their personal hangout spot. And then there was Avyansh, sitting on the couch, holding my guitar.
I blinked, taking in the scene as the words from Avyansh's mouth hit my ears.
"Showpiece only. I haven't seen her playing it, I think," he said casually, running his fingers over the polished wood of the guitar. His tone was nonchalant, like he was making an observation about the weather. "Look, it's too new. I don't think she's played it much."
I raised an eyebrow. Showpiece?
"Bhai, play it for us! Ek gaana ho jaye aaj," Tara's voice chimed in enthusiastically. "Aur jab Bhabhi aayengi, unke saath aapka competition karenge. Then we'll see who knows how to play better!"
"Aree, yeh bhi koi puchne wali baat hai? Avy will play it better," Ruhaan said confidently, leaning back with his usual smug grin.
"Of course," Avyansh replied with a shrug, as if it was an indisputable fact.
The room fell eerily silent after that. I noticed the sudden shift in energy as everyone froze, their eyes darting toward the door-toward me.
My arms crossed instinctively, and I tilted my head, narrowing my gaze slightly. Their wide-eyed expressions of amusement and mild panic told me everything I needed to know.
Avyansh, still unaware of my presence, frowned at the silence. "Kya hua? Sab chup kyun ho gaye?"
Ruhaan cleared his throat awkwardly and gave a small nod in my direction.
Confused, Avyansh turned his head to look behind him. The moment his eyes met mine, his casual confidence wavered. I saw it.
Ruhaan stretched his arms dramatically, letting out a loud, exaggerated yawn as he stood up. "Haww, it's so late now. I should go and sleep," he announced, his tone laced with fake innocence.
Turning toward us, he added with a mischievous grin, "Good night, Avy. Good night, Bhabhi ji," emphasizing the last two words just enough to make Avyansh's jaw tighten slightly.
Before I could respond, he strolled out of the room, clearly enjoying the tension he'd left behind.
The others followed his lead, one by one, offering their goodnights with varying levels of amusement.
Aarya smirked as he walked past, Devika whispered something to Argya and stifled a giggle, and even Tara gave knowing glances before leaving.
Dev was the last to leave. He paused at the door, turning back to face Avyansh. "You're dead now, Brother," he said with a grin, his tone filled with mock sympathy.
And with that, he walked out, leaving the room eerily quiet.
I turned my attention back to Avyansh, raising an eyebrow as he sat frozen, his hand still resting on the guitar. His usual confidence seemed to falter slightly as I stared at him, waiting for him to say something.
I walked toward him, my steps steady but my gaze sharp, and snatched my guitar from his hands.
"Showpiece, huh?" I muttered, scrunching my nose at him, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
His eyebrows rose slightly, as if he hadn't expected me to be so direct.
"I take great care of it," I continued, brushing my fingers over the strings, my voice softer now. "I've had it since-"
I stopped mid-sentence, the words catching in my throat as a memory surfaced. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, it felt like the room around me blurred.
I tightened my grip on the guitar, trying to steady myself.
He looked at me, his expression shifting from mild amusement to quiet concern. I could feel his gaze, but I avoided it, not wanting him to see the flicker of vulnerability that must have crossed my face.
Without another word, I walked to the corner of the room, carefully placing the guitar back into its transparent bag.
My hands trembled slightly as I zipped it shut, and I placed it gently on the stand where it belonged, its familiar presence grounding me again.
"Don't touch my guitar again," I said quietly, my voice steady but soft, not looking at him. Turning toward the bed, I added, "It's important to me."
I walked over to the bed, smoothing out the slightly crumpled bedsheet, my hands moving automatically as I tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
"Mishti..."
The sound of his voice made me pause.
I turned slightly, glancing at him as he stood up from the couch, his expression unreadable but his eyes fixed on me.
That name-Mishti.
My heart fluttered, the earlier sadness that had gripped me fading away as warmth spread through my chest.
It was as though the heaviness from the memory had been swept away in an instant. He rarely called me that, but when he did, it was like a secret only we shared, something that felt deeply personal and intimate.
I looked at him fully now, my hands still resting on the bed. "What?" I asked softly, trying to keep my voice steady despite the way my heart was racing.
He didn't respond immediately, his gaze searching mine as though he was trying to figure out what to say next.
He smiled, just a little, the corners of his lips curving upward in that infuriatingly smug way of his.
"Lekin, apko isse sach mein bajana aata bhi hai?" he asked teasingly, tilting his head slightly, his tone light but challenging.
I narrowed my eyes and made a face, scrunching my nose in mock irritation
"Suniye toh," he said softly, shifting closer to me on the bed. His tone was laced with both mischief and an attempt to catch my attention.
"You're angry about how I said ki you don't know how to play guitar?" he asked, his voice teasing but cautious.
I ignored him again, turning another page of the novel, though I still wasn't reading it.
"Btw, which novel are you reading?" he continued, clearly undeterred. "I read novels too, you know. Tell me about it."
I sighed internally. Isn't he speaking too much now? Like, too much? Non-stop.
"Avantika," he said again, his tone shifting to amusement, "the novel is upside down."
That made me pause. I focused on the book, quickly scanning the page. The words were perfectly fine-it wasn't upside down at all.
I looked at him, my eyes narrowing into a glare, but he only smiled, leaning back slightly with an innocent expression.
"It's not upside down," I said firmly, my voice quiet but laced with irritation.
"Achha?" he said, holding back a laugh. "I was just checking if you'd finally say something."
I put the book aside, letting it rest on the bedside table, and turned away from him, pulling the duvet over myself. Closing my eyes, I pretended to sleep, hoping he would stop trying to talk and let me have a moment of peace.
For a while, there was silence, and I thought maybe he had finally given up.
But then, I heard him again. "Mishti doi," he said softly, his voice warm and teasing.
I didn't respond, keeping my breathing even, determined to keep up the act.
A moment passed, and I felt the bed shift slightly. He was moving-but not getting down. Instead, I could sense him leaning closer, his presence filling the space around me.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, I felt him slide back under the duvet.
My heart skipped a beat as his hand gently rested on my waist. Before I could react, he pulled me suddenly, turning me toward him in one swift motion, my body landing slightly on top of his.
My breath caught in my throat, and my body stiffened at the sudden closeness. His arm was secure around me, his warmth enveloping me completely.
But still, I didn't break my act. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep, though my heart was pounding so wildly I was sure he could hear it.
He let out a low chuckle, his voice soft and full of certainty. "I know you're not asleep," he said.
I stayed still, my breathing steady but shallow, my body tense against his. His arm around my waist felt like a vice, firm but somehow gentle, and I could feel the heat radiating from him.
"Mishti," he murmured, his voice quieter now, almost a whisper. "Stop pretending."
I didn't move, my mind racing. If I stay quiet, maybe he'll let it go.
But he didn't.
I felt his fingers lightly trace a line along my waist, sending shivers down my spine despite my best efforts to stay composed. "You think I can't tell when you're awake?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
My lips pressed together, determined not to give him the satisfaction of a response.
"You're breathing faster," he noted, his voice soft but teasing. "And your body is too stiff. That's not how someone who's asleep feels.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I kept them shut, hoping my silence would convince him to stop.
But then, he shifted slightly beneath me, his other hand coming up to brush a strand of hair away from my face. The movement was slow, deliberate, and impossibly intimate.
"You're really going to keep this up?" he asked, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Fine. Let's see how long you can pretend."
He adjusted his grip on my waist, pulling me even closer, and I gasped involuntarily. The sound was soft, but it was enough to break my act.
I opened my eyes slowly, my face heating up as I found myself staring directly into his. His expression was smug, his eyes glinting with triumph.
[ There is more in this part that will be revealed in next chap ð ]
Avyansh's POV
Morning.
The ignorance was still going strong. It was morning now, and I was already dressed for the day. Meanwhile, Avantika had been doing yoga for the past thirty minutes, completely ignoring my presence in the room.
"Avantika, baat toh kijiye humse," I said, trying to catch her attention.
She didn't even glance at me. Instead, she finished her pose, stood up gracefully, and walked toward the washroom. I sighed and waited for her to come back, determined to get at least a word out of her.
When she returned, I tried again. "Suniye na..."
But she brushed past me without a word and walked straight into the closet. I frowned, following her movements, but stayed patient. She came out a few minutes later, fully ready, looking as elegant as ever.
She walked toward the door, clearly intent on leaving.
"Aree, ab aap kaha ja rahi hain?" I asked, stepping toward her.
She finally stopped, turning her head just enough to glance at me. Her expression was calm, but her reply was anything but. "Bhaad mein," she said curtly, before opening the door to leave.
I stood there for a moment, stunned, before a smile crept onto my face. She was angry, sure, but she was also adorable when she got like this.
"Acha, rukiye," I called out, following her quickly. "Hum bhi aapke saath chalte hain."
She didn't stop, but I caught the faintest hint of her sigh as I trailed behind her. This is going to be fun, I thought, my grin widening.
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