25 | jhumkas
"Some husbands bring flowers. Avyukt memorizes Instagram reels. The standards have officially become unrealistic." ???
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It was well past midnight when Avyukt finally returned home.
The day had been exhausting. Meetings, investors, reports, and endless market fluctuations had drained every bit of energy from him.
As soon as he entered the room, he found Avantika sitting on the bed, waiting for him.
The moment their eyes met, something inside him relaxed. The tension in his shoulders eased. The tiredness on his face softened.
Avantika didn't ask about work immediately. She simply handed him a glass of water and quietly listened while he spoke about his day.
since morning finally, Avyukt felt at peace.
As the glass was set aside, the distance between them dissolved. His hand found hers, not in haste, but with a quiet, undeniable gravity that pulled them together.
The air in the room grew thick, charged with a sudden, breathless warmth.
When his fingers gently traced the line of her jaw, the last of his exhaustion burned away, replaced by a deep, simmering intensity.
Avantika's breath hitched, her gaze locking onto his as the unspoken barriers they had carried for long days finally shattered.
The world outside ceased to exist.
No board members.
No stock market.
No responsibilities.
Just the rhythm of their shared breaths, the unhurried warmth of skin against skin, and a night that belonged entirely to them.
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******
The next morning, Avantika woke up later than usual. Sunlight was already filling the room, catching the faint, lingering scent of his cologne on her skin and the slight tangle in her hair.
She blinked in surprise, a blush rising to her cheeks as the memories of the night rushed back.
She noticed Avyukt sitting nearby with a cup of coffee, already dressed for work, though his tie hung loosely around his neck.
A slow, knowing smile appeared on his face when he saw her awake, his eyes holding a warmth that hadn't been there the day before.
"Good morning, Mrs. Vardan."
Avantika looked at the clock and immediately sat up, pulling the sheet a little closer around herself. "Why didn't you wake me?"
Avyukt's smile widened, his gaze dropping for a second before meeting hers with soft intensity. "You looked too comfortable. And... I wanted to watch you sleep."
And for once, neither of them seemed in any hurry to explain the smiles, or the beautiful, unspoken shift that had just changed their marriage forever.
----
"Okay, bachha, bye."
Avyukt pressed a quick kiss to Avantika's forehead before picking up his car keys. "If you need anything, just message me. I'll bring it."
Then he pointed toward the kitchen.
"And I brought pancakes yesterday. It's in the fridge. Eat it if you're hungry."
Avantika smiled and nodded.
"And I'll try to come home early today. We'll go somewhere."
Before she could ask where, Ruhi, Siya, and Krish entered the room together.
"What are we discussing?" Ruhi asked suspiciously.
Avantika's eyes immediately lit up.
"We're going out!"
"Where?" Siya asked.
"Amusement park!" Avantika said excitedly. "We'll go to the haunted house and the giant swing too."
Everyone stared at her. Then burst out laughing.
"You're excited for the haunted house?" Ruhi asked.
"Of course!"
Avyukt shook his head with a smile. "My wife wants to go there, so that's where we're going."
Avantika looked ridiculously pleased with that answer. Meanwhile, Krish quietly glanced at Siya.
Haunted house... Best. Possible. Option.
If Siya got scared... Maybe she'd hold someone's hand.
Maybe she'd stand closer. Maybe-
"Krish?" Ruhi called.
He blinked. "Huh?"
"You've been smiling at nothing for thirty seconds."
Siya immediately looked away, already knowing he was probably planning something.
Krish cleared his throat. "I was just thinking."
"That's dangerous," Ruhi replied.
Everyone laughed.
Except Krish.
Because he was still staring at the words haunted house like they were the greatest invention in human history.
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*******
For once, Avyukt managed to finish his work early. The moment the last meeting ended, he picked up his car keys and left for home.
On the way, his eyes landed on a small roadside stalls . He was about to drive past when something caught his attention.
A colorful stole.
Immediately, a reel popped into his mind. One of the many reels Avantika had liked.
Avyukt frowned slightly. "Wasn't there something else too?"
He parked the car, opened Instagram, and went straight to his saved reels.
After watching the video twice and comparing it with the stall's collection, he finally pointed at a few items.
"Pack these."
The shopkeeper looked surprised when Avyukt ended up buying seven pairs of jhumkas.
After paying, he handed over extra money.
The shopkeeper quickly shook his head.
"Sir, this is too much."
Avyukt simply smiled. "Keep it."
The confused man thanked him repeatedly.
As Avyukt walked back to his car, one thought crossed his mind. My wife is going to be happy.
And that was enough.
Before leaving, he even told the shopkeeper, "I'll come back next week."
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*****
Meanwhile, at home, everyone was ready for the amusement park. Siya, Krish, and Avantika were already waiting in the living room.
But at the last moment, Ruhi grabbed her bag. "You all go. I have college work."
"Ruhi!" Avantika protested.
Ruhi laughed and backed toward the door. "Enjoy your double date. Bye!"
Before anyone could stop her, she escaped.
Now only Avantika, Avyukt, Siya, and a very happy Krish were left.
Especially Krish. Because the haunted house plan was still alive.
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*****
The moment Avyukt entered the house, he ignored everyone else and walked straight toward Avantika.
She looked up in confusion. "You're early."
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just do it, bachha."
Suspicious but curious, Avantika closed her eyes.
A few seconds later, something cold touched her palms.
"Open them."
She looked down and froze.
Jhumkas.
Not one pair....Several pairs.
Different designs, different colors.
Her eyes widened. "You bought all these?"
Avyukt looked surprisingly pleased with himself. "You liked them."
"How do you even know that?"
"Instagram."
Avantika stared at him. He had actually remembered a random reel she had liked.
Meanwhile, a few steps away, Krish watched the whole thing.
Then he looked at Siya.
Then at the jhumkas.
Then back at Siya.
Siya deserves gifts too.
Without saying a word, he pulled out his phone and started searching online.
Siya noticed. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
Which obviously meant he was doing something.
A lot of something.
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A little later, everyone headed outside.
Avantika and Avyukt naturally walked together toward the car. Avyukt took the jhumkas shopping bag from her before she could carry it herself.
As for Krish...
The second he saw an empty seat beside Siya, he sat down before anyone else could.
Siya looked at him.
Krish smiled. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Good."
And just like that, the four of them finally left for the amusement park.
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The moment we got out of the car, I naturally took Avantika's hand in mine.
She looked at me for a second but didn't pull away anymore.
A small victory.
Of course, Krish was not the kind of person to miss an opportunity. The second he got out
of the car, he started walking suspiciously close to Siya.
Before Siya could notice what his genius plan was, I called him. "Krish."
He immediately turned around. "Yes, bhaiya?"
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small box. "I have a feeling you're going to need this."
Confused, he opened it. Inside was a pair of jhumkas.
For a second, he just stared.
Then his eyes widened. "Bhaiya..."
"Don't make me regret helping you."
The next thing I knew, he hugged me. Actually hugged me. Right there in the parking lot.
"Thank you! You're the best!"
I pushed him away immediately. "Go away."
He grinned like he had won the lottery.
Across from us, Avantika was trying-and failing-not to laugh.
Siya looked between us in complete confusion. "What happened?"
"Nothing," Krish replied instantly, hiding the box behind his back.
I looked at him once.
He looked at me once.
A silent agreement.
Mission Jhumka had officially begun.