Chapter - 90
Two days.
That's how long it had been since he left for that urgent meeting.
He came home after midnight — when I was already asleep — and left before I even woke up. Every morning, I'd find a small note beside me: Good morning, angel. Sometimes, a simple Take care or Eat on time.
He'd message me during the day, asking, How are you feeling? Did you eat?
But he never said anything about himself.
Not where he was, not what was keeping him away.
Everyone said he was busy — meetings, office work, business matters.
But my heart... it wouldn't believe it. Something didn't feel right.
Even when I smiled around others, my heart stayed heavy. The silence of our room reminded me of him — the way his voice softened only when he said "angel", the way his eyes carried warmth even in his anger.
He said he would come early today. So I waited.
Bhai and bhabhi had already left. Anaya asked me to come with her for Diwali shopping, but I couldn't. My mind was too full of him.
It was strange — I had everything around me, yet it all felt incomplete without him.
Hours passed. The clock struck twelve, then one.
Still, no sign of him.
I sat on the bed, staring at the door, my eyes heavy with sleep and worry.
Maybe he won't come today either, I thought and finally lay down.
But just as I was about to close my eyes, I heard it — footsteps.
My heart stopped for a second.
It was him.
I didn't even think. I just ran.
And there he was — standing near the door. His hair was messy, his tie half undone, his eyes tired... but he was there.
"Avi..." I breathed, my voice breaking with relief.
Before I knew it, I was in his arms.
He wrapped his arms around me tightly, burying his face in my hair. "Hey... easy, angel," he whispered, his voice low and rough.
I shook my head against his chest. "You said you'd come early... I waited," I said softly, my words trembling.
"I know," he whispered, kissing my head gently. "I'm sorry. I got caught up in work."
I wanted to believe him. I really did. But something in his eyes — something quiet, hidden — told me there was more.
Still, I didn't ask.
Not tonight.
Because right now, all I wanted was to feel him close — to know he was real, safe, mine.
So I held him tighter, whispering, "You're late."
He smiled faintly. "I know. But I'm here now, aren't I?"
But even as he smiled, his hand brushed through his hair in that restless way he did when something was wrong. His eyes — those calm, steady eyes — looked heavier than before, like they were carrying too much truth to meet mine for long.
And just like that, all the waiting, all the worry, melted away.
For that moment, I didn't need answers.
I just needed him.
He pulled back a little, his hands still resting on my arms. His eyes searched my face — slow, gentle, yet full of something I couldn't name.
"Were you crying?" he asked softly.
I shook my head quickly, but my eyes betrayed me — they were still wet.
"I wasn't... I just..." I trailed off, looking down.
He sighed quietly and tilted my chin up with his fingers. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"
I tried to smile, but the lump in my throat made it hard. "I just missed you, Avi. The house felt so empty without you."
His expression softened, and for a second, the tiredness in his eyes faded. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and whispered, "I missed you too, angel. More than you think."
I looked up at him then — really looked. The dark circles under his eyes, the slight stubble, the tension still visible in the way his shoulders held weight.
He looked strong as always, but there was something fragile in his silence tonight.
"You didn't eat, did you?" he asked.
I hesitated. "I... I waited for you."
He closed his eyes for a second and exhaled. "Siya..." he whispered, his voice full of both guilt and affection. "You shouldn't skip meals because of me."
"I can't help it," I said quietly. "When you're not here, even food tastes different."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, angel," he murmured — but his voice was laced more with affection than anger.
Without another word, he turned and left the room.
I blinked, confused. "Avi?"
A few minutes later, he returned with a small plate in his hands. He sat beside me, setting it gently on his lap. "If you won't eat alone, then I'll feed you myself."
Before I could protest, he took a small bite with his hand and brought it near my lips. I hesitated for a moment, then finally took it.
His eyes softened as he watched me eat — every gesture slow, unhurried, as if each moment mattered. The silence between us felt warm, not empty anymore.
He wiped a tiny grain of rice from the corner of my mouth with his thumb and smiled faintly. "Now, my angel won't sleep hungry."
I looked at him, my heart melting a little more. "You're tired, and still you—"
He cut me off softly, "Taking care of you never tires me."
He placed the empty plate aside, his hand brushing mine for a second — gentle, grounding. In that small touch, I felt everything I'd missed these two days.
He looked at me for a long moment, then smiled faintly — that rare, gentle smile that always melted me.
"Come here," he murmured, and I did.
He wrapped me in his arms again, tighter this time, resting his chin on my head.
For a while, we just stood there — no words, no questions, just the sound of our breaths blending into the night.
After a few minutes, he whispered against my hair, "Let's go to bed. You need to rest."
"I wasn't sleepy," I said, my voice muffled against his chest.
He chuckled softly. "You will be now."
He lifted me in his arms before I could protest and walked toward our room. I hid my face in his neck, feeling his warmth, his scent — the only thing that could calm the storm inside me.
He placed me gently on the bed, brushed my hair back from my face, and kissed my forehead. "Sleep, angel. I'm here."
I looked at him, my voice barely a whisper. "Promise you won't leave before I wake up tomorrow?"
He paused for a second, then smiled — not his usual smirk, but a tired, honest smile. "I promise."
I nodded, my eyes growing heavy. He lay down beside me, pulling me close until my head rested on his chest.
The steady beat of his heart was the last thing I heard before I drifted off to sleep.
And for the first time in two days, my heart felt calm again — because my Avi was finally home.
Suresh and Meenakshi sat on the cold floor of their small, dimly lit room. The chill of the night seeped through the cracked walls, but neither of them cared anymore. Their days had become long and hopeless — every hour spent waiting for a message, a call, anything that could change their fate.
The bed was broken, the sofa torn; only silence and fear lived with them now. Meenakshi had her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, her eyes red from crying.
"It's been more than a week, Suresh ji," she said in a trembling voice. "Not even a single reply from him. Try calling again, please."
Suresh looked exhausted, his fingers shaking slightly as he held his old phone. "I tried, Meenakshi. The number goes straight to voicemail now."
He sighed heavily and leaned his head back against the wall. "The message I sent him... still shows no reply."
Meenakshi wiped her tears, her voice breaking. "Only R-9 can save us now. If he doesn't help, then what will we do? I never thought our own children would turn their backs on us. How can they be so heartless?"
Suresh placed a tired hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry, Meenakshi. I'm trying. We'll find a way out. Something will happen... it has to."
For a few moments, silence filled the room again — the only sound was the faint hum of the old fan above them. Just then, Suresh's phone buzzed. Both of them jumped, eyes wide with hope.
He quickly picked up the phone and opened the message. His eyes scanned the words, and for a second, he didn't breathe.
"I need Siya now. She is no longer of any use to you, as the reason for her being alive — you failed to fulfill it. I'll tell you what to do and when. You'll get what you want — money. – R-9."
Suresh's lips curved into a faint smile. "Meenakshi... look." He handed her the phone.
Her eyes widened as she read the message. "He replied... he finally replied!" she said, her voice trembling with relief.
Tears of joy replaced the ones of sorrow. "Our bad days are over, Suresh ji," she whispered, clutching the phone as if it were a lifeline.
Suresh nodded, though a shadow flickered in his eyes — a feeling he couldn't quite name. "Yes... maybe now things will change."
But as the cold wind blew through the half-broken window, even the night seemed to whisper — or maybe, they will see worse than ever before.
When the first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains and touched my face, I slowly opened my eyes — half expecting to find the space beside me empty again. But to my surprise... he was there.
Avi hadn't left.
His face was just a few inches away from mine, calm and peaceful, like the world couldn't touch him in that moment. For the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe too. The tightness in my chest eased just by looking at him.
I don't know why these days I feel this way — like I can't stay calm unless he's in front of me. It's strange... everything around me seems fine, but my heart keeps whispering that something isn't. And that thought alone scares me.
I was lost in those thoughts when I suddenly felt his fingers trail softly along my waist, pulling me a little closer. My breath hitched as I looked at him — his eyes were half open now, carrying that lazy, sleepy smile that always made my world pause.
"What are you overthinking early in the morning, my little overthinker?" he murmured, his voice deep and soft.
I couldn't help but smile, moving a little closer to him. I placed a small kiss on his forehead and whispered, "Nothing... just thinking about you."
His eyes opened fully then, filled with that familiar warmth that always melted me from inside. He hovered over me, brushing his thumb across my cheek.
"Then I should make sure," he said in a low, teasing tone, "you don't think about anything — except me."
Before I could say anything, his lips found mine — soft, warm, and full of love. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us wrapped in a silence that spoke more than words ever could.
In the next moment, our clothes are on the floor, and everything else disappears — all I could feel was the rhythm of his heartbeat against mine. It wasn't just closeness; it was comfort, safety, and a kind of love that made my heart ache in the sweetest way.
When everything finally went still, I lay quietly in his arms, tracing small patterns on his chest while his hand gently brushed my hair. He kissed my forehead and whispered, "You have no idea what peace you bring me, angel."
Later, as we stood beneath the shower together, laughter replaced silence. The water ran over us, and he helped rinse the shampoo from my hair — his hands careful, almost protective. Every touch spoke comfort more than desire, every smile whispered, I'm here.
Afterwards, I wore a light blue floral saree with a matching sleeveless blouse. The soft pearls around my neck shimmered faintly, and as I adjusted my pallu, Avi came behind me. He brushed a stray strand of hair away and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
"Beautiful," he said quietly. "Just like always."
He left for his study to take a call, and I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast — but even there, my heart stayed with him. Every sound of his footsteps, every voice from the other room... somehow, I kept listening for him.
I was helping Maa and Chachi arrange the dining table. The soft clinking of plates and the smell of freshly made parathas filled the air. Dadi Maa had gone out for some temple work, and the men — Chachu, Papa, Arjun Bhaiya, and Avi — were in his study, probably discussing... God knows what.
Just then, Anaya came in, yawning and stretching like a sleepy cat. She sat on her chair and said, "Good morning, everyone."
Chachi looked at her, half annoyed, half amused. "Good morning? Is this the time to wake up, Anaya? God knows what you do alone in London... How you wake up, what you eat—"
"Mom!" Anaya interrupted, grinning. "I'm managing things pretty well there, okay? Don't take tension."
"How can I not?" Chachi sighed.
Maa smiled softly and said, "Meera, she's still a child. Let her be."
Anaya then turned her gaze to me, and her eyes lit up instantly. "Oh my God, Bhabhi! You're glowing day by day! What's the secret?"
I looked down, hiding my face, trying to act normal. "Nothing," I said, sipping water.
She smirked. "Bhai's love, huh? That's why you're glowing... and maybe looking a little tired too."
Before I could even react, Chachi gave her a light slap on the head. "Don't talk nonsense! She's elder to you — have some shame!"
"Ouch! Mom, why do you always scold me?" Anaya pouted. "She's my best friend too. I can tease her, right Bhabhi?"
My cheeks turned pink instantly. I couldn't say anything, so I just nodded with a small smile.
Maa, probably noticing my embarrassment, quickly changed the topic. "What are the men discussing so much? They've forgotten it's breakfast time!"
And just then, as if she had called them by magic, all of them walked in — Papa, Chachu, Arjun Bhaiya, and Avi. My eyes automatically found him. He looked tired, but the moment he sat beside me, it felt like everything inside me calmed.
After two long days, we were finally having breakfast together. And it felt... right.
Once breakfast was over, Maa told me and Anaya to go shopping for some household items. Anaya clapped her hands in excitement. "We'll go at noon, Bhabhi! That way we can also have lunch outside!"
I nodded with a small smile, and after everyone dispersed, I went to our room. Avi was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. The sight of him made me forget everything else.
Without thinking, I went and sat beside him, wrapping my arms tightly around him.
He froze for a second, then hugged me back. "What happened, baby?" he asked softly.
I didn't reply. I just stayed in his arms, feeling the beat of his heart against mine.
After a moment, he pulled back slightly, cupping my face. "What's wrong, angel?"
I looked into his eyes, my throat tight. "I... I don't know, Avi. I just don't feel good. Something feels off... like something bad is going to happen. I can't explain it, but it's scaring me."
He sighed and brushed his thumb across my cheek. "Nothing is going to happen, baby. I won't let anything happen to you. Ever."
His tone was firm, reassuring — the kind of voice that could calm storms.
"Don't think too much, hmm?" he added softly. "Go and enjoy with Anaya. Buy everything you like and show me tonight, okay?"
I nodded quietly.
He kissed my forehead and smiled faintly. "And don't go without the driver and bodyguard, understand?"
"Okay," I murmured.
He looked into my eyes for a long second, and something in his eyes made me want to stop time right there — like he was hiding a storm behind that calm.
Then he whispered, "I love you, Siya. I really love you so much. Nothing wrong will ever happen. I'll protect you — and our family — always."
My throat tightened as I wrapped my arms around him again, holding him close like my heart already knew it needed to remember this moment.