"आंखों की गहराइयों में छुपी हैं कहानियां,
तुम्हें पाकर लगता है मिल गई सब खुशियां।"

◇

As Avantika sat at the dining table, the aromas of freshly prepared food filled the air, but her mind was elsewhere.

She glanced at the empty seat beside her, the one Avyansh usually occupied.

The rest of the family was already gathered, chatting and laughing, but she felt a little out of place, her introverted nature making her hesitant to join in.

"Bhabhi, why do you look so lost?" Dev teased, noticing her silence. "Waiting for someone?"

Avantika felt her cheeks heat up, but she managed a small smile. "No, I'm just..."

"Just waiting for bhaiyya to come home, right?" Devika interjected with a grin, her playful eyes twinkling as she nudged Avantika lightly.

"Oh, don't worry, Avantika," Pakhi added with a warm smile. "He often comes home late. You should eat; he wouldn't want you to wait for him."

The gentle teasing made Avantika feel both embarrassed and touched. They were trying to make her feel comfortable, but she couldn't shake the feeling of awkwardness that came with the attention.

"You know he always came late" Anjali chimed in, chuckling softly. "Always busy, but you can't go hungry waiting for him."

Avantika nodded, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. She knew they were right, but the thought of eating without him made her feel strange, almost as if she was breaking some unwritten rule.

"Come on, bhabhi," Dev said with a wink.

With a small smile, Avantika reached for her plate, the playful banter helping to ease the tension she felt inside.

Despite the warmth of the family around her, she couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty, wondering if she was doing the right thing, if this new life was something she could truly fit into.

After everyone had finished their meal and retired to their rooms, the house gradually grew quiet.

Avantika had barely eaten, only managing a few bites before losing her appetite.

The warmth of the family's company was comforting, but it couldn't chase away the lingering thoughts that weighed heavily on her mind.

Finding solace in the quiet, Avantika made her way to the balcony, seeking the cool night air. The sky was clear, and the moon shone brightly, casting a soft, silvery light over everything.

She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the gentle breeze against her skin, and let out a sigh.

Her eyes drifted from the moon to her hands. She stared at them, her fingers lightly tracing the scars on her wrists, the physical reminders of her past struggles.

In the moonlight, the marks seemed more pronounced, and she felt a familiar wave of insecurity wash over her.

The scars were a testament to the battles she had fought with herself, the moments when everything felt too heavy to bear.

They were a part of her that she could never escape, no matter how hard she tried to hide them.

As she looked at them now, the taunts and whispers she had heard throughout her life echoed in her mind.

"She's too fragile."

"She's damaged."

"She'll never be enough."

"You're not even a good daughter."

The cruel words, spoken by others and often by herself, replayed in her thoughts, making her question everything-her worth, her place in this family, and her role as Avyansh's wife.

She wondered if he saw her the same way, if he noticed the scars and the insecurities she tried so hard to conceal.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and she felt a lump rise in her throat as the overwhelming sense of inadequacy took hold. She knew she wasn't like the others-confident, self-assured, and unscarred by the past.

As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, the night grew darker, and the moon seemed to glow even brighter, casting a gentle light on her as if to offer some comfort.

But no matter how beautiful the night was, Avantika couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in her own mind, struggling to find her place in a world that seemed to demand so much more than she felt capable of giving.

As Avantika continued to stare at her hands, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Her vision began to blur, and the world around her seemed to spin slightly out of focus. The once-crisp night air now felt heavy, and she struggled to keep her balance as she sat on the balcony.

Her heart raced, and she felt a sudden urge to steady herself, to grab onto something solid. Panic started to creep in as the sensation grew stronger, her head feeling light as if she might faint.

A sick feeling churned in her stomach, making her feel like she might vomit.

Avantika glanced to her left, then to her right, her eyes searching for something-anything-to help anchor her in the moment. But the balcony was empty, the night silent except for the distant sounds of the city beyond.

The comforting presence of the moon now seemed distant, unreachable, as she fought to regain control over her senses.

Her breathing quickened, and she gripped the edge of the balcony tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She knew she needed to get inside, to find some relief from this overwhelming feeling, but her body felt heavy and uncooperative, as if it were betraying her.

The dizziness intensified, and Avantika squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to will away the sensation.

But it remained, a relentless force that made her feel small and powerless. She was terrified of losing consciousness, of being trapped in this state of vulnerability, alone and without anyone to lean on.

Desperation surged within her as she forced herself to open her eyes, blinking rapidly to clear the haze. She needed to get up, to move, but her legs felt weak, and the room around her seemed to sway. For a moment, she wondered if she would even make it inside before collapsing.

"Just breathe, Avantika. You're not weak,"

she whispered to herself, her voice trembling as she fought to steady her breath. Her chest felt tight, as if the very air around her was too thick to inhale.

"Just breathe," she repeated, trying to focus on the rhythm, in and out, forcing herself to slow down. She could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage, each beat loud and frantic in her ears.

For a moment, the dizziness threatened to overwhelm her again, but she clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms, using the sharp sting to ground herself.

"You're not weak," she reminded herself, teeth gritted against the wave of nausea that rose within her.

Her breaths came in ragged bursts, but she kept at it, focusing on one at a time. Slowly, the world around her began to settle, the spinning lessening as she forced herself to remain present, to stay conscious.

She closed her eyes, counting in her head. One, two, three-deep breath in. Four, five, six-slow breath out. It was a struggle, but each counted breath brought a small measure of calm.

The dizziness started to fade, just slightly, enough for her to feel more in control. Her hands stopped trembling, though they were still cold from the fear.

"You're not fucking weak," she said again, this time with more resolve. She wouldn't let herself fall apart, not now. Not when she had fought so hard to keep herself together.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Avantika felt stable enough to open her eyes fully. The night still loomed around her, but it no longer felt like it was closing in. The air was cool, and she let the breeze brush against her face, helping to clear the last remnants of panic.

She let out a long, shaky breath, and for the first time in what felt like hours, she believed the words she had told herself. She wasn't weak. She was still here, still standing.

Avantika noticed the faint headlights of a car sliding into the driveway, the sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires reaching her ears.

From her vantage point on the balcony, she guessed it was Avyansh returning home.

The tension in her chest eased slightly, but her heart was still heavy from the evening's events.she made her way to the kitchen.

The house was still, everyone else having retired for the night. The kitchen, too, was silent, except for the faint hum of the refrigerator.

Avantika moved almost mechanically as she heated up the food, the task keeping her hands busy while her mind raced.

Once everything was ready, she carefully placed the dishes on the dining table. As she set down two plates, one for herself and one for him, she glanced towards the stairs and noticed him heading up.

A fleeting thought crossed her mind-perhaps he hadn't seen her sitting there in the dim light. Or maybe he simply didn't care.

With a soft sigh, she took her seat at the table, staring at the empty plates in front of her. She couldn't bring herself to eat alone, so she waited, her fingers tracing the edge of her plate absentmindedly.

After a few minutes, she heard his footsteps descending the stairs. She straightened slightly, her heart beating a little faster.

Not wanting him to see her anxiety, she started serving herself, trying to appear nonchalant.

Avyansh walked towards her, his expression softening when he saw her at the table. "Aap abhi tak soye nahi?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"Nahi," Avantika replied quietly, focusing on the food in front of her.

He frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing in concern. "Aapne dinner bhi nahi kiya?"

"No," she answered, trying to keep her tone steady.

A brief silence settled between them, thick with unspoken words. He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.

"You don't need to wait for me," he said, his tone more matter-of-fact than reproachful.

"I wasn't waiting for you," she quickly responded, her voice firmer than she intended. She kept her gaze fixed on her plate, unwilling to meet his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow at her reply, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Oh really?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Before she could respond, he casually took out his phone and placed it on the table between them.

She glanced at it, her heart stopping as she saw a small video playing on the screen. It was a clip of her from earlier in the evening, sitting at the dining table, her eyes downcast, merely pushing her food around her plate.

Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed the accompanying text:

Bhai, come back soon. Bhabhi is not eating dinner without you, look.😏

It was from Devika.

Her breath caught in her throat as the realization sank in. That was why he had come home quickly, why he had left his work unfinished. He had come back because of her, because he knew she was waiting.

She felt a wave of embarrassment and something else-something deeper and more confusing. It was as if the vulnerability she had been trying so hard to hide had been laid bare in front of him.

Her cheeks flushed, and she struggled to find words, her mind racing.

After finishing dinner, Avantika returned to their room, feeling a mix of emotions from the evening.

She quickly made her way to the bed, pulling the blanket over herself as she tried to settle her thoughts. But just as she was about to close her eyes, something important came to mind.

"Suniye..." she called out softly, sitting up a little.

"Hm?" Avyansh hummed in response, his attention on his laptop as he sat on the couch.

"My college has already started. I want to join as soon as possible," she said, her voice carrying a note of urgency.

Avyansh looked at her, immediately sensing the importance of her request. He set his laptop aside and focused on her. "What are you studying?"

"Business management," Avantika replied.

"Oh. You know Dev is studying the same," he said with a hint of surprise.

She nodded. "I want to get admission to the same college as Dev."

"Okay," he said, his tone supportive. "I'll get the important forms and arrange your admission there."

"No," she quickly interjected. "I can do it myself. I'm just informing you about it."

Avyansh smiled softly at her determination. "Alright," he agreed. "But if you need any help, just let me know."

Avantika gave him a nod appreciating his understanding. She lay back down, feeling a little more at ease, knowing that she was one step closer to resuming her studies.

Two days later, Avantika found herself in the living room, trying to politely decline Devika's offer to go shopping. "I have my old clothes; I don't need new ones," she insisted, hoping to avoid the trip.

But Devika was persistent. "Bhabhi, it's not just about the clothes. It's about getting everything ready for college. Come on, you can't wear the same old stuff!"

Avantika shook her head, feeling a bit uncomfortable. She didn't like the idea of spending money unnecessarily, especially on herself.

Not one to give up easily, Devika went to Anjali, who was busy in the kitchen. "Maa, bhabhi is refusing to come shopping with me. She says she doesn't need anything new!"

Anjali looked up, frowning. "Avantika, why are you refusing? You need to be prepared for college. It's important to have everything you need."

Avantika hesitated, but Anjali's tone left no room for argument. "Go with Devika, and don't argue about it. You're part of this family now, and we want to make sure you have everything you need."

Reluctantly, Avantika agreed, knowing that Anjali was right. She didn't want to cause any trouble, and deep down, she appreciated the concern. With a resigned sigh, she grabbed her bag and joined Devika, who was already beaming with excitement.

As they headed out the door, Devika threw her arm around Avantika's shoulders. "Don't worry, bhabhi, we'll find you some amazing outfits. You're going to look stunning at college!"

Avantika managed a small smile, trying to push aside her discomfort. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.As they wandered through the mall, Devika eagerly held up various outfits, her enthusiasm evident in every suggestion.

"This one?" Devika asked, holding up a bright yellow kurta with intricate embroidery.

Avantika shook her head, "No, it's too bright."

"How about this?" Devika suggested, picking out a stylish denim jacket.

Avantika glanced at it briefly before responding, "No, not really my style."

Undeterred, Devika continued her search, pulling out a chic floral dress. "This one?"

Avantika sighed softly, "No, I'm not sure about the print."

Devika pouted slightly, her excitement waning. "Bhabhi, you're saying no to everything! What do you like then?"

Avantika looked at her, feeling a bit guilty for being so picky. "I'm just... not used to this kind of shopping. I usually go for simpler clothes."

Devika smiled, her frustration quickly melting away. "Alright, let's find something simple yet stylish. We'll get you outfits that you'll actually love wearing."

Avantika nodded, appreciating Devika's determination. "Okay, let's try that."

They continued browsing, this time focusing on more subtle, elegant outfits. Eventually, Avantika found herself warming up to the idea of adding a few new pieces to her wardrobe.

Avantika's POV

As I sifted through the rack of clothes, trying to keep my focus on shopping, I noticed a group of men lingering a little too close to us. Their leering stares and whispered comments were unmistakable.

I felt a surge of protectiveness toward Devika, who was trying her best to ignore them. My grip tightened on the hanger in my hand, my heart beginning to race.

Devika, with her usual cheerful demeanor, turned to me, holding up a bright kurti.. "How about this one, Bhabhi?"

Before I could answer, one of the men muttered something under his breath, loud enough for us to hear.

Devika's smile faltered, and I could see the discomfort in her eyes. My blood boiled. How dare they?

I stepped forward, trying to shield Devika from their view.

"Let's move to another section," I suggested, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling inside me.

But they didn't back off. Instead, one of them had the audacity to step closer. "Kya baat hai, madam? Itni jaldi kahan ja rahi ho?" His voice was slimy, laced with arrogance.

Devika shot him a glare, but I could see the unease in her eyes. She wasn't used to dealing with this sort of thing, and honestly, neither was I. But there was no way I was going to let them intimidate us.

"Move away," I said, my voice cold and firm.

The man just smirked, clearly amused.

"Aree, why are you so angry now?"

Before I could react, he reached out as if to touch Devika's arm. That was it. Without thinking, I dropped the clothes I was holding and grabbed his wrist, twisting it sharply. His smirk vanished, replaced by a yelp of pain as I wrenched his arm behind his back.

"Ladki ko cherega?" I snarled, my voice low and dangerous."Teri maa ne tujhe yahi sikhaya hai?"

The other men were caught off guard, clearly not expecting me to fight back. One of them tried to step forward, but I was faster. I kicked him in the knee, sending him stumbling backward into a display rack.

Devika, wide-eyed and shocked, took a step back. She wasn't used to seeing me like this, and to be honest, I wasn't used to it either. But there was no way I was going to let them get away with this.

"Get security!" I heard someone shout in the distance, but I was too focused on the men in front of me.

Another one of the goons lunged at me, but I sidestepped, grabbing a nearby shopping basket and swinging it at his head.

He grunted as it connected, stumbling to the side. The sound of the basket hitting him echoed through the store, drawing the attention of other shoppers. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devika.

One of the men was sneaking up behind her, a sick grin on his face. My heart dropped. "Devika, behind you!"

But before I could move. Devika reacted on instinct. She spun around and, with surprising force, kicked the man right in the stomach.

He doubled over, clutching his midsection, completely winded. Devika stared at him, her eyes wide with shock, as
if she couldn't believe what she'd just done.

She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes still wide. "Oh my God, did I just..?" she murmured, half in disbelief, half in horror.

The situation was spiraling, but I wasn't about to let them win. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devika talking with someone on her phone.

I heard Devika's voice, almost casual despite the chaos. "Hello? Bhai?"I didn't have time to process who she was talking to.

My attention was locked on the man in front of me, who was trying to swing at me. I ducked, then slammed my knee into his stomach.

He doubled over, and I grabbed his collar, ready to throw him to the ground.But Devika's voice cut through the noise, and I couldn't help but catch her words.

"Nahi bhai, abhi bhabhi gundo ko maar rahi hai."

What? I blinked, momentarily distracted by her calm statement.

Did she just say I was fighting goons... to her brother?My distraction was short-lived.

Another man tried to grab her, but I was already moving. I slapped him hard across
the face, the sound echoing through the store. "Stay away from her!" I shouted, my voice filled with rage.

He staggered back, holding his cheek.where I'd hit him. "You'll pay for that," he hissed, but his bravado was fading fast.

I was ready for more, but suddenly, a pair of security guards rushed in, grabbing the remaining men and pulling them away.

The manager was right behind them, his face pale and frantic as he apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry, ma'am! We'll handle this immediately!"

Devika quickly ended her call, and I could see the shock and amusement in her eyes as she glanced at me. "Oh my gawwddd bhabhi you're a super women.Bhai is going to be surprised."

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Q. Do you think Devika secretly sent that video to Avyansh just to stir up some drama between the newlyweds?

Q.After that incident, do you think the goons now shop exclusively online to avoid running into Avantika and Devika again?

Voteee and Commenttt !