15 | his angry baby
He smiled at another woman. She declared war.
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I was sitting in the living room when I asked Ruhi to call Avantika downstairs.
Ruhi had barely started talking to her when my phone rang.
It was one of my old classmates.
She was coming to India and didn't really know anyone here.
Since she would be staying in the city for a few days, I thought it would be easier if she stayed with us.
Besides, Avantika was preparing for her exams, and my classmate could probably help her too.
The moment I mentioned my wife, the conversation took a completely different turn.
She started asking questions.
What was Avantika like?
How did we meet?
What did she study?
Was she shy?
Did she like me?
The questions just kept coming.
Normally, I hated long phone calls.
I didn't enjoy talking much, and I avoided unnecessary conversations whenever possible.
But if the topic was my wife, I could apparently talk for hours.
By the time I checked the duration, almost ten minutes had passed.
And she still wasn't ending the call.
Finally, after several failed attempts, I somehow managed to hang up.
I turned around, planning to spend some time with my wife.
Only to find out she had already gone upstairs.
And now she wasn't opening the door either.
Maybe Ruhi could help.
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I sat on the bed hugging a pillow.
Honestly, he could have tried one more time.
Just one.
But no.
Apparently preparing a room for his friend was more important.
My phone suddenly rang.
Ruhi.
I answered immediately.
"What, Bhabhi? Are you jealous?" she laughed.
I instantly sat up straight.
"Why would I be jealous?"
"Oh really? Then why is your door locked? And why didn't you eat your ice cream?"
"I was in the bathroom."
Both Ruhi and Siya burst out laughing.
"Sure, Di. Then open the door now."
And as I could argue, the call ended.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then, with an annoyed sigh, I got up and unlocked the door before returning to the bed and sitting cross-legged with my arms folded.
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Finally.
The door opened.
I walked inside carrying an ice cream box and a spoon.
Without saying much, I placed it beside her.
"Eat."
She snatched the box with an expression that clearly said she was still angry.
Then she started attacking the ice cream with the spoon like she was trying to stab someone.
It was actually adorable.
She sat cross-legged on the bed, the ice cream balanced on her legs, aggressively scooping spoon after spoon into her mouth.
The pout on her face was impossible to miss.
She was trying very hard to look intimidating.
And failing miserably.
My angry little bird.
Those pouting lips.
For a moment, I had the ridiculous urge to kiss her first and ask questions later.
And if she still refused to answer, maybe another kiss as a bonus.
Unfortunately, imagination and reality were two very different things.
I could handle stubborn children.
But how exactly was I supposed to handle this big baby?
You could scold small children.
But Her?
I didn't have that kind of courage.
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Meanwhile, Avantika's jealousy had reached an entirely different level.
Avyukt's silence wasn't helping either.
Obviously he's thinking about his new friend.
She's probably his age too.
Of course he'd prefer someone his age.
I'm four years younger than him.
Why would he like me?
Then she immediately got annoyed at her own thoughts.
And if he wanted someone his age, why did he marry me?
It's not my fault I'm younger!
What exactly am I supposed to do? Grow older overnight?
Completely unaware of the battle happening inside her head, Avyukt finally spoke.
"Why are you angry?"
The word escaped Avantika's mouth before she could stop herself.
"You Old man."
Avyukt's eyes widened.
"What did you just call me?"
Still lost in her thoughts, she continued.
"You should've waited four more years."
Now Avyukt was genuinely confused.
"What?"
"It isn't my fault!"
She pointed at herself dramatically.
"I'm younger. What am I supposed to do about that?"
Avyukt blinked.
"...What are you talking about?"
"If you wanted someone your own age, then go to them!"
Silence.
A long silence.
Avyukt stared at her as if she had suddenly started speaking another language.
Then realization slowly dawned on him.
His lips twitched.
"Wait."
A smile appeared.
"You think I look old?"
Avantika crossed her arms.
"Yes."
She paused.
Then added with full confidence,
"Uncle."
"Uncle."
Room went silent for two seconds.
Then Avyukt slowly stood up from the couch.
Avantika immediately became alert.
"Why are you standing up?"
Avyukt folded his arms.
"So, I'm an uncle now?"
"Yes."
"An old uncle?"
"Very old."
Avyukt nodded seriously as if he was considering her argument.
"Interesting."
Avantika narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
He took out his phone and opened the camera.
"Come here."
"No."
"Just come here."
"No."
Avyukt walked over himself and held the phone in front of them.
"Look."
Avantika glanced at the screen.
A twenty-something handsome man was staring back.
She immediately looked away.
"Camera quality is good."
Avyukt almost laughed.
"That's your defense?"
"Yes."
He sat beside her on the bed.
"Then tell me something."
"What?"
"If I'm an uncle, why were you angry because of my friend?"
Avantika froze.
"...I wasn't."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
"You locked the door."
"I was tired."
"You refused ice cream."
"I wasn't hungry."
"You called me uncle."
"Because you're old."
Avyukt nodded.
"Of course."
Then he leaned back comfortably.
"Should I call her and tell her not to come?"
Avantika's head snapped toward him before she could stop herself.
"Why?"
The smile on Avyukt's face grew wider.
"See?"
"See what?"
"You do care."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
"Then I'll tell her to stay here for a month."
"What?!"
Avyukt finally laughed.
A proper laugh.
The kind that instantly made Avantika realize she had walked straight into his trap.
"Avyukt!"
"Hm?"
"You're annoying."
"And you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous!"
"Okay."
"Okay."
A few seconds passed.
Then Avyukt casually added,
"By the way, my 'friend' is married."
Avantika blinked.
"What?"
"And she has a six-year-old daughter."
...
"Oh."
...
"Oh."
The realization hit her like a truck.
Avyukt watched her face turn pink.
Then red.
Then completely red.
He looked away before he started laughing again.
Unfortunately for him, Avantika grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it directly at his face.
"Get out."
He moves closer and says:
Why should I leave without proving myself?
He keeps moving closer while Avantika keeps backing away until her back hits the headboard.
Then he softly says:
"Look at me and say you weren't jealous."
Avantika tries to argue but gets nervous.
At that moment she stands up to leave,
her foot gets tangled in the bedsheet,
and she loses balance.
Avyukt catches her by the waist.
Both freeze.
Their faces are suddenly very close.
No teasing.
No jokes.
Just silence.
Avantika can hear her own heartbeat.
Avyukt's eyes drop to her lips for a second.
Then, unable to stop himself, he
places a very brief kiss on her chin.
And immediately steps back.
That one chin kiss can have more impact than a long kiss because neither of them expects it.