17 | drunk Avantika
“Even in the middle of her chaos, his calm never broke—he just held her closer and handled everything silently.”
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As we entered the villa hall together, every eye immediately turned toward us. My hand was holding Avantika's, and the moment we stepped inside, I felt her fingers tighten around mine. She looked a little nervous.
A smile appeared on my face.
"Oh God... aren't there too many people here?"
I chuckled softly. "These are only the important guests. The real crowd hasn't even arrived yet."
She stared at me in shock. "What? This is just the beginning?"
"Hmm," I teased. "Stay close to me, or someone might kidnap you."
She laughed. "You should stay close to me. What if I make you disappear instead?"
I laughed louder. "You think that's possible?"
"Absolutely," she said proudly.
Before I could reply, Siya, Ruhi, and Raghav came running toward us.
"Oh my God! What a beautiful couple!" all three shouted together. "At least one dance is mandatory tonight."
I was already ready for that.
Avantika smiled at them. "You all look beautiful too."
"First go meet the family," Ruhi said dramatically.
"Why not?" Avantika replied.
The three of them stepped aside.
We walked toward our parents and took their blessings together. Both mothers immediately performed nazar utarna for us.
"You both look wonderful together," they said with warm smiles.
The dads were about to say something when Avantika's attention drifted elsewhere.
Just then Anna walked over with a grin.
"Wow, perfect couple. But technically, we're the ones twinning tonight."
Her little daughter pointed at Avantika and said, "Didi, I want sweets!" while trying to drag her away.
I was about to stop her when Ruhi quickly stepped in.
"I'll get you sweets."
Siya joined us and smiled mischievously.
"So... are you two ready for the dance?"
I looked at Avantika.
"There are so many people here..." she whispered nervously.
I gently squeezed her hand.
"So what? They're here for us. I'm right here. Nothing will happen."
Before she could refuse, I led her toward the dance floor.
She looked at me as I carefully placed her hand on my shoulder. Then I rested my hand on her waist.
A visible shiver passed through her.
The soft music filled the hall as we started moving slowly with the rhythm. Seeing her nervous expression, I pulled her just a little closer.
There was barely an inch of distance between us now.
Avantika's entire face had turned red.
And gradually, the guests around them seemed to disappear.
Avantika wasn't looking at anyone else anymore.
She was looking only at him.
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Even after the dance ended, my heart was still racing. Avyukt was busy talking to some of his important clients while I sat with Siya, Ruhi, and Raghav. That was when I noticed Anna walking toward him.
Her earlier words immediately echoed in my mind-that they were twinning.
I felt irritated instantly.
She looked far too happy about matching outfits with my husband.
My husband?
...Whatever.
Now, I didn't like my husband's suit at all.
Just then, a waiter walked past our table carrying drinks. Without thinking twice, I grabbed a glass and drank it in one go. Then another. And another.
"Arey, Bhabhi, wait-!" Ruhi shouted.
Author's note: Too late.
I picked up yet another glass and emptied it.
Raghav burst out laughing. "Yep. She's gone."
Ruhi placed a hand dramatically on her forehead.
Siya immediately grabbed my arm. "Avantika di, are you okay? What are you doing?"
Of course, it wasn't juice.
A slight dizziness washed over me, and then suddenly... my real personality made a grand entrance.
The three of them tried to stop me, but failed miserably.
Marching straight to the DJ booth, she demanded a song.
And then...
***Boom.
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She started dancing in the middle of the party to "Kya Karu Ram Mujhe Budha Mil Gaya."
Every head in the ballroom turned toward her.
Avantika's performance instantly became the center of attention.
Avyukt's parents were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. While Avantika's parents and aunt feeling embarrassed.
On the other side, Ruhi, Siya, and Raghav were hiding behind the table, trying to avoid Avyukt's gaze while secretly enjoying every second of the show.
The guests, clients, employees, and business associates looked absolutely terrified.
Many of them practically covered their eyes.
No one knew what Avyukt might do after seeing his wife dancing like this in front of everyone.
Some were probably convinced they were about to lose their jobs, promotions, deals, or entire careers.
But guess what happened?
Avyukt simply took out his phone...
And started filming her.
The song finally ended, but he continued recording.
Still slightly stumbling, Avantika made her way over to him.
The moment she reached him, she pointed at his suit and declared,
"Take off your dress."
The entire hall froze.
Several people immediately covered both eyes with one hand and one ear with the other.
Without reacting, Avyukt calmly lifted her into his arms.
As he carried her toward the exit, he glanced at Ruhi, Siya, and Raghav.
"Hide while you still can. I'll deal with the three of you later."
All three jumped to their feet.
"What did we do?" they protested together.
Ignoring them completely, Avyukt carried Avantika outside and settled her into the back seat of the car before sitting beside her. He instructed the driver to start driving.
"I told you to take it off," Avantika complained again, grabbing the front of his coat. At one point, she even placed one leg across his lap. Avyukt immediately adjusted her position so she wouldn't fall.
"Sit properly," he said patiently. "We'll go home first."
"No. Take it off now," she demanded stubbornly.
Sighing, he gently caught both her hands in one of his and held them still.
"Behave."
She tried to free herself for a few seconds before finally giving up and sitting there with a dramatic pout.
Then Avyukt looked toward the driver.
"Is the car camera recording?"
"Yes, sir."
A slow smile appeared on the corner of his lips.
"Good. Wait until tomorrow, bachha. You're going to regret all of this."
The car eventually stopped in front of the mansion.
Avantika was still sitting with her arms crossed and her face turned downward in protest.
Avyukt stepped out, walked around to her side, and lifted her into his arms once again.
Holding her bridal style, he carried her inside and headed toward their room while the night's chaos finally came to an end.