20 | jealousy again
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Avyukt didn't feel like going to the office today, but he had no choice. Of course, the Vardhan Group couldn't function properly without him.
The entire day, his mind kept drifting back to his wife. Even during meetings, he found himself thinking about Avantika. Somehow, he managed to finish his work.
The funny thing was, people in the office were scared to even look at him properly. Not because he was angry, but because everyone knew how protective he was of his wife. They joked that if Avyukt thought someone was looking at Avantika the wrong way, that person's career would end the same day.
In reality, Avyukt was in an extremely good mood.
After all these chaos, Avantika had finally accepted him as her husband. Maybe it wasn't a grand confession, but for Avyukt, it meant everything.
He also preferred keeping his private life private. Even the media coverage of his wedding was strictly controlled. Only what Avyukt wanted to be published would be published.
Soon, he left for home.
On the other side, Avantika was getting ready in the red suit Avyukt had arranged for her after their wedding. She had done all her makeup and styling herself.
Every few minutes, she would remember her recent interactions with Avyukt and start smiling.
Then she would blush.
Then smile again.
Suddenly, two hands covered her eyes from behind.
Thinking it was someone she knew, she happily touched the hands.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
The person didn't reply.
Avantika removed the hands and turned around.
Before of she could react, she was pulled into a hug.
For a second, she froze.
Before she could even understand what was happening-
"What is going on here?!"
Avyukt's thunderous voice echoed through the room.
His jaw was clenched.
His ears had turned red with anger.
The boy immediately stepped back from Avantika.
Avantika looked at Avyukt, completely confused.
"You... and..."
The boy jumped back in panic.
"Oh God! Bhaiya, I thought she was Ruhi! Look, this isn't my fault!"
Avyukt took a step forward.
"Have you lost your mind? You can't tell the difference between Ruhi and my wife?"
"Bhaiya, yaar..."
Just then Ruhi and Siya entered.
Ruhi immediately hugged the boy.
"Krish! Bua said you'd come tomorrow."
Krish scratched his neck awkwardly.
"Yeah... I thought I'd surprise everyone. Besides, I'm the younger brother-in-law. I should have some rights."
Avyukt looked straight at him.
"Don't even think about it. The only person who has rights over my wife is me."
Ruhi burst out laughing.
"True."
Siya walked toward Avantika.
"What happened, Di?"
Avantika first looked at Avyukt and then at Siya.
"I honestly don't know."
Krish smiled and looked at Siya.
"And who is this beautiful girl?"
Before he could continue, Ruhi smacked his arm.
"Don't even think about it. That's Bhabhi's sister."
Siya made a face and turned away from him before looking at Avyukt.
"Jiju, are you okay?"
Avyukt glanced at Avantika and then at Siya.
"I'll be okay if your sister stops giving me heart attacks."
Avantika immediately frowned.
"What did I do?"
Siya looked at Ruhi.
"What kind of people keep showing up here and creating problems for my Di and Jiju?"
Ruhi laughed.
"Krish has always been like this."
Krish mischievously looked at Siya.
"If it had been someone else instead of Bhabhi, I would've given an even better hug."
Before He could say more, Avyukt placed a hand on Siya's shoulder.
"Stay at least a hundred feet away from my sister-in-law."
Then he started walking toward the dining area with Siya.
Krish immediately shouted,
"Can I stay close to Bhabhi then?"
Both Avyukt and Siya turned around together.
"Stay a thousand feet away from her."
Everyone laughed.
Ahead of leaving, Avyukt glanced at Avantika once.
Ruhi wiped her tears from laughing.
"Bhabhi, this is Krish. He's our bua's son. He's around our age."
Krish extended his hand.
"Hello, Bhabhi. I'm your devar."
Avantika shook his hand politely and smiled.
But her mind wasn't on Krish at all.
She was only wondering whether Avyukt was still angry.
Tomorrow was also her exam. Because of the wedding, she had missed several classes and she is good student, but she still needed some guidance.
And Anna had already left.
---
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Everyone was seated at the dining table.
I quietly took the seat beside Avyukt.
Mom looked at Krish.
"Beta, sit down. You must be tired. I've prepared all your favorite dishes."
"Thank you, Mami."
Krish smiled and was about to sit in the chair next to me.
Before he could sit, Avyukt looked at Siya.
Without saying a word, Siya immediately sat in that chair.
"Sorry, but this seat is mine."
Ruhi put a hand on her forehead and called Krish to sit beside her instead.
Krish sat down but wasn't done teasing.
"I can sit next to Bhaiya's sister-in-law too."
Everyone except Avyukt laughed.
I looked at Avyukt.
Just then Dad spoke.
"For that, you'll need Avyukt's permission. Avantika and Siya are his responsibility here."
For a second, I wondered if Avyukt was the reason Mom had allowed Siya to stay with us.
Mom, Ruhi, and Krish exchanged amused smiles.
Avyukt calmly replied,
"Before thinking about my sister-in-law, become worthy of her first. Clear the Vardhan Group interview. Then I'll consider whether you're suitable."
Mom looked shocked.
"Now even he has to give an interview?"
Dad laughed.
"What next? Family members also need interviews?"
Avyukt shrugged.
"What do you expect? I haven't opened a charity center. The Vardhan Group needs capable people, not useless ones."
Then he glanced at Siya.
"And my sister-in-law deserves the perfect partner."
I couldn't stop the smile that appeared on my face.
Siya lowered her head awkwardly.
Krish pointed at himself.
"Fine. Then I'll pass."
Ruhi immediately showed him a thumbs-up.
"My dinner is done. Siya, let's go."
Siya stood up.
"Mine too."
Krish grinned.
"You two sleep together?"
Ruhi rolled her eyes.
"Yes. And your room is ready too."
The mischievous smile on Krish's face returned.
Just then Avyukt stood up.
Instinctively, I stood too.
Without hesitation, he grabbed my hand.
Then he looked at Siya and said,
"Don't open door for any monkey."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Without giving me a chance to react, Avyukt led me upstairs with him.
_______
The moment the bedroom door closed behind us, the room fell silent.
I turned around, confused, only to find Avyukt already looking at me.
There was something different in his eyes tonight.
Before I could say anything, he stepped closer and gently held my wrist.
My heart immediately started racing.
"Do you really still not recognize my touch?" he asked softly.
I blinked, completely caught off guard.
The memory of what had happened downstairs flashed through my mind, and suddenly I understood why he was upset.
"Avyukt..."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his gaze returning to me.
For a split second, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Such a small gesture.
Yet it made my heartbeat even faster.
His eyes never left mine.
"Do you have any idea what I felt when I saw that?" he asked quietly.
I swallowed nervously.
There was no anger in his voice anymore.
Only honesty.
Only emotion.
"I know it sounds stupid," he continued with a small smile, "but I didn't like it."
I couldn't stop the smile that appeared on my face.
"You were jealous?"
"Very."
The answer came so quickly that I almost laughed.
A new side of his personality being revealed, the great Avyukt Vardhan actually looked embarrassed.
He took another step closer.
"Will you forget this moment too?" he asked.
The softness in his voice made my chest tighten.
I looked straight into his eyes.
"No."
His gaze softened.
"Never?"
I slowly shook my head.
"Never, Avyukt."
A small smile appeared on his face.
The kind of smile that was only meant for me.
And somehow, standing there in the quiet room, with his hand still holding mine, that moment felt more special than the entire reception.