30 | water war
"Water fights, stolen chocolates, protective husbands, hidden worries, and unspoken happiness-just another morning at Vardhan Villa. ?"
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Vardan villa that morning was unusually quiet... too quiet.
Almost suspicious.
There were two "babus" missing from their usual spots-one legal, one "almost illegal"-and both husbands immediately sensed danger.
---
Early morning, Avyukt shifted in his sleep and instinctively reached for Avantika.
Empty.
His eyes snapped open. Within seconds, he was sitting up.
"Avantika?"
Silence.
He got up immediately.
---
At the same time, Krish woke up and walked out toward Ruhi's room.
Empty.
Then Siya's room.
Also empty.
His sleepy expression turned serious.
"Ruhi... Siya?"
No answer.
---
Both men rushed downstairs. And stopped. Avyukt and Krish stared at each other. For one second, pure panic.
Then-
"Siya?"
"Avantika?"
Both spoke at the same time.
Ruhi's voice suddenly came from outside. "Guys, come to the garden!"
---
They rushed out.
And froze.
---
In the garden... Avantika and Siya were standing near the garden pipe.
And Ruhi...Was filming like it was the best content of her life.
Because-
Avantika was holding the pipe and casually spraying water everywhere...While Siya was trying to escape and laughing helplessly.
"Stop it!" Siya shouted.
"No, you look too serious all the time!" Avantika laughed.
Ruhi: "This is gold."
---
And then-
WHOOSH!
A sudden splash hit both Avyukt and Krish.
They had walked straight into the "attack zone."
Silence.
Krish wiped his face.
Avyukt slowly looked down at his soaked shirt.
Then at Avantika.
Then at Siya.
Both girls froze.
Ruhi stopped recording.
---
Krish whispered: "We came for rescue... and got attacked."
Avyukt calmly said: "This is war."
Avantika blinked. "It was an accident!"
Siya added quickly: "Mostly Ruhi's idea!"
Ruhi immediately stepped back. "I was just documenting history."
----
The garden was still messy after the water fight, but now it had turned into a full argument session.
Avyukt looked at the wet ground, then at Avantika. "Holi is still weeks away."
Krish, still dripping water, pointed at Siya. "And you have exams. Do you even understand that?"
Siya immediately crossed her arms. "I understand everything. Unlike you."
Avantika nodded seriously. "Exactly."
Krish stared at her. "You're supporting her?"
"She started it."
"She literally attacked me."
---
Ruhi, still recording, whispered, "This is better than any show."
---
Avyukt sighed and walked closer to Avantika. "You're going to get sick."
Avantika shrugged. "I'm fine."
He gently took the pipe from her hand anyway.
Not harsh.
Just careful.
"You always say that."
Avantika looked up at him.
"Because I always am."
A small pause. Then he quietly wiped a drop of water from her cheek with his thumb.
"Still."
---
On the other side, Krish stepped closer to Siya.
Siya immediately stepped back. "Don't start lecturing me again."
Krish raised his hands slightly. "I'm not lecturing."
"You are."
He softened a little. "I was saying... you shouldn't catch a cold before exams."
Siya blinked. That tone was new. She looked away quickly.
"I won't."
Krish nodded but still pulled his hoodie slightly closer around her shoulders without asking.
Siya froze for a second.
"Krish..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
---
Ruhi zoomed in on her camera. "Okay... why are they fighting like married couples but caring like parents?"
---
Avyukt finally sighed and turned to Avantika. "Next time, no water fights."
Avantika smiled sweetly. "Next time, don't lose."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "I didn't lose."
She tilted her head. "Then why are you wet?"
A beat.
He leaned a little closer. "Because I was making sure you didn't get cold."
Avantika stopped talking for a second.
Then softly muttered. "Excuses." But she didn't step away.
---
Krish pointed at them. "This is exactly why I need rules in this house."
Siya replied instantly, "You are the rule breaker."
Krish looked offended. "Me?"
She nodded. "Yes."
He smiled despite himself. "Fine. But only for you."
Siya looked away again, hiding a small smile.
---
Ruhi lowered her phone, completely done. "I came for entertainment... I got romance, drama, and emotional damage."
____
Both men didn't call staff. They simply handled it themselves.
Avyukt gently dried Avantika's hair with a towel, his fingers careful but firm, like he didn't trust anyone else with her comfort. On the other side, Krish did the same for Siya-slightly clumsy, but surprisingly focused.
Siya kept arguing softly, "I can do it myself."
Krish calmly replied, "I know." and still didn't stop.
Ruhi watched like she was witnessing live entertainment.
---
Soon, both men went into the kitchen and made kada themselves.
No staff. No help.
Just two "overconfident husbands" and one very questionable recipe strategy.
---
When they came back, both girls immediately made faces.
"Again?" Avantika sighed.
"I don't want this." Siya added at the same time.
But there was no escape.
Avyukt sat beside Avantika, already holding the cup.
"Drink."
She pouted. "It's bitter."
"Good."
And before she could argue more, he gently but firmly made her drink it like a small child.
On the other side, Krish blocked Siya's protest with pure confidence.
"Krish-"
"Drink."
"This is torture."
"This is medicine."
Siya rolled her eyes but still drank it, still complaining between sips.
---
Once done, both girls leaned back dramatically.
"Survived again," Avantika muttered.
"Barely," Siya added.
Ruhi whispered, "This villa is turning into a hospital with romance."
---
Then Avyukt quietly took out a chocolate from his pocket. Without a word, he fed Avantika a piece.
Her face immediately softened.
"Okay... forgiven."
Then he passed another piece to Krish.
Krish frowned. "Why do I also get it like a kid?"
Avyukt replied calmly, "Because you behave like one sometimes."
Siya chuckled softly.
He fed her.
---
A moment later, Avyukt turned to Krish. "You have your interview today."
Krish nodded. "I know."
Then looked at Siya. "I'll come back and then we'll prepare for your physics exam."
Siya immediately protested, "I didn't agree to that."
Krish smiled. "You don't need to."
---
Meanwhile... Everything looked normal in the villa... but it wasn't.
Ruhi was laughing and talking as usual, but there was something she hadn't told anyone. Something that only she knew... and it was quietly eating her from inside.
And strangely- it wasn't just her feeling the pressure.
Avantika had noticed it.
Siya had noticed it too.
But all three of them were pretending very well.
Too well.
---
Ruhi smiled brightly. "I'm fine, don't worry."
But her fingers kept fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.
Avantika exchanged a quick glance with Siya.
Both understood immediately. Something was wrong. But Ruhi wasn't ready to talk yet.
So they didn't push her.
They just stayed closer than usual... quietly supporting her without saying it.
---
At the same time, Siya and Avantika were also hiding something of their own.
Not a problem.
Something softer.
Something they were waiting for the right moment to share.
They kept exchanging small looks, small smiles... like they were holding back a secret happiness until everything felt right.
---
Ruhi noticed it too. "You both are acting weird today."
Avantika immediately shook her head.
"No we're not."
Siya added quickly. "You're just imagining things."
Ruhi narrowed her eyes. "Hmm... okay."
But she didn't believe them.
Not even a little.
---
From the corner, Krish watched Siya laughing softly with Avantika and Ruhi.
And this time... he also felt that strange silence behind their smiles.
But he said nothing.
Neither did Avyukt.
Because sometimes... the loudest tension is the one everyone silently agrees not to speak about.