39 | tiny things
_________________________________________
After dinner, everyone slowly headed toward their respective rooms.
Renuka was forced to take her medicines and rest.
Ruhi disappeared into her room after making sure her mother had eaten properly.
Meanwhile, Krish had already reached his room. And was pretending not to wait.
For exactly seven minutes.
Then ten.
Then fifteen.
Then he checked his phone again.
Nothing.
"Unbelievable."
On the other side, Siya was sitting with Ruhi and Avantika.
Her own phone was still unavailable, so she quietly borrowed Avantika's.
The moment she opened Krish's chat, her eyes widened.
Dozens of messages.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good night.
Random memes.
Random complaints.
Random updates.
And multiple messages saying:
"Still angry?"
"Hello?"
"Alive?"
"Blink twice if you're alive."
Siya couldn't stop herself from laughing.
Finally she typed.
"I'm alive."
The reply came within two seconds.
"SHE LIVES."
Siya smiled. And just like that, the conversation started again.
---
Meanwhile, Avantika had gone back to her room. Standing in front of the mirror, she examined herself carefully.
Turning left.
Turning right.
Then looking down.
"Hmm."
A few more seconds passed.
Then she frowned.
"Did I get fat?"
She turned sideways again.
"No..."
Then again.
"Maybe a little."
Then immediately shook her head.
"No."
Then looked again.
"Maybe."
She was still busy arguing with herself when Avyukt finally finished his last important call.
The moment the call ended, he almost ran upstairs. He pushed open the bedroom door.
And before Avantika could react-
He picked her up.
Completely off the ground.
"Avyukt!"
He spun her around once.
Twice.
Then suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
Instant panic.
"Wait."
He carefully placed her back on the floor. "You're okay, right?"
"You're not dizzy?"
"Sit down."
"No, actually stand."
"No, sit."
"Wait."
Avantika stared at him.
Completely confused.
"What happened to you?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you acting like this?"
"Nothing."
"Avyukt."
He immediately pulled her into a hug.
A tight one.
As if he was making sure she was actually there.
As if he still hadn't completely recovered from the fear of losing her.
After a few moments he quietly said,
"Nothing."
Then after a pause- "I'm just happy."
Avantika blinked.
"What?"
"You're finally here."
His voice was softer now.
"With me."
Avantika's confusion faded.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Still, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "That's all?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"Yes."
"You look guilty."
"I always look guilty."
That made her laugh.
---
A little later, both of them got ready to sleep. Avantika adjusted her pillow and laid down.
Avyukt laid beside her. Then after a few seconds he casually pulled her closer.
Much closer. Until she was comfortably resting against him.
Avantika looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Avyukt."
"Hmm?"
"You're being weird."
"I'm being normal."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Sleep."
Avantika rolled her eyes. But eventually closed them. Within minutes, exhaustion won.
Her breathing became steady.
She fell asleep.
Avyukt remained awake.
One hand gently resting over hers.
The other absentmindedly brushing through her hair.
For a long time he simply watched her.
The woman he had spent years loving.
The woman he thought he had lost.
And the woman who had somehow found her way back to him.
Only when he was finally convinced that she was truly beside him...
Did Avyukt close his eyes. And after so many restless nights—he slept peacefully.
________
The next morning, Avantika woke up before Avyukt. Which was already suspicious. Because usually, if she woke up early, it meant one thing.
A dangerous amount of mischief was being planned.
After getting ready, she quietly sat on the couch, waiting.
A few minutes later, Avyukt slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Avantika.
Sitting there. Looking unusually calm.
He immediately smiled.
"Good morning bachha."
Avantika smiled back.
"Good morning husband."
Avyukt got up and started walking toward her. But before he could reach her-
"Stop."
He froze.
"What?"
"Go freshen up first."
Avyukt looked offended.
"Are you saying I look dirty?"
"I'm saying go."
"That's rude."
"Go."
"Fine."
Still muttering to himself, he headed toward the washroom.
A few minutes later- A confused expression appeared on his face.
On the sink was a brand-new toothbrush.
A very tiny toothbrush.
Avyukt picked it up.
Turned it around....Looked at it.
Then looked at himself in the mirror.
Then looked at the toothbrush again.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Oh."
A few moments later he walked out.
Avantika immediately looked up expectantly. And Avyukt said the exact wrong thing.
"So it's confirmed."
"What?"
"You really are a small child."
Avantika narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
He held up the tiny toothbrush.
"Using tiny things now too?"
Then he laughed.
"Who even uses such a small toothbrush?"
For two full seconds, Avantika just stared at him.
Then her eyes widened.
"Pagal aadmi!"
And she immediately stormed out of the room.
Avyukt blinked.
"What did I do?"
No answer.
The door slammed.
And Avyukt remained standing there.
Completely confused.
---
A little later, everyone gathered for breakfast.
Renuka was looking much better.
Ruhi was busy talking.
Krish was pretending not to stare at Siya. And Siya was pretending not to notice.
Everything felt normal again.
Then Avantika walked into the dining room.
Still annoyed.
Avyukt immediately sensed danger.
Unfortunately, he didn't know why.
Everyone started eating.
Avantika quietly served breakfast.
Then she placed a plate in front of Avyukt.
Two large parathas.
And one tiny paratha.
Very tiny.
Suspiciously tiny.
Nobody said anything.
Avyukt looked at the plate.
Then at Avantika.
Then back at the plate.
Then shrugged.
And ate all three.
Including the tiny one.
Tiny one in one bite.
Avantika's jaw dropped.
"Seriously?"
"What?"
"You just ate it?"
"Yes."
"It was tiny!"
"So?"
"It wasn't for eating like that!"
"Paratha ka aur kya karte hain bibi ji?? Usse frame karke deewar pe thodi latkate hain."
(What else do you do with a paratha, wifey? It's not like you frame it and hang it on the wall.)
At that point, Siya burst out laughing.
A loud laugh.
The kind she was desperately trying to hold back.
Everyone looked at her.
Especially Avyukt.
"What happened?"
Siya immediately looked down.
"Nothing."
Krish was already shaking from trying not to laugh.
Ruhi was suspicious.
Renuka looked confused.
And Avyukt looked completely lost.
Meanwhile, Avantika had her face in her hands. Because after carefully planning her good news...This man had still managed to miss the point.
Entirely.
And somehow that only made everyone laugh even harder.
______
While everyone was still laughing, Avyukt's father suddenly looked toward Krish's mother. "You've been smiling since morning."
Krish's mother immediately defended herself. "And what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you pointing it out?"
Dad leaned back comfortably.
"Because whenever you're this happy, it means you've already started planning something."
The entire table became interested.
Krish's mother looked completely innocent.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Really?"
"Really."
Dad pointed toward siya.
"Then why have you looked at her more than your own son since morning?"
Everyone immediately looked toward Krish and Sia.
Siya nearly choked on her tea.
Krish looked very pleased with himself.
Krish's mother smiled shamelessly.
"They look good together."
"That's not the point."
"It is the point."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Renuka started laughing.
Ruhi immediately joined her.
Meanwhile, Krish was enjoying every second of this.
Siya wanted to disappear.
Finally, Krish's mother folded her arms.
"Fine. Since everyone wants honesty."
The entire table went silent.
She pointed toward Avyukt and Avantika. "When these two got married, I thought they were the cutest couple."
Avantika smiled.
Avyukt smirked.
Then she pointed toward Krish and Sia.
"But these two..."
Krish sat up straighter.
"...are even more entertaining."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Mom!"
Krish protested.
"What?"
"You are supposed to support me."
"I am supporting you."
"How?"
"By trying to get you married before you ruin your chances."
Even Avyukt laughed at that.
Krish looked betrayed.
Then Dad added fuel to the fire.
"Actually, she's right."
Krish turned toward him.
"Not you too."
Dad nodded seriously.
"We should get Siya's opinion quickly."
"Why?"
"Before she comes to her senses."
This time even Renuka laughed so hard that she had to hold her stomach.
Siha covered her face in embarrassment.
And Krish looked genuinely offended.
"Wonderful."
"Nobody in this family respects me."
Avyukt calmly took a sip of tea.
"We love you."
"That's not the same thing."
"Close enough."
The laughter started all over again.
The dining room finally felt exactly the way a home should feel—
Warm.
Noisy.
And full of people who loved each other.