तेरे इश्क में जो सुकून पाया,

वो सब सुखों से सबसे प्यारा है।

पहले प्यार की मिठास में बसी,

हर खुशी अब तुझसे ही है, ये सच बयां है।

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Avantika POV

"Avantika, you didn't do anything again, right?" Dadu asked, his eyes filled with concern as they drifted toward my hands, searching for signs of the past.

"No, after marriage... I haven't," I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady as I met his gaze. He had always been able to read me like an open book, even when I tried to hide everything behind a smile.

"Tum strong ho, tumhe pata hai na, beta?" He said softly, his voice weak and strained from the persistent cough that seemed to cling to him.

"I know," I whispered back, forcing a smile that I knew didn't reach my eyes.

I had come to see him by myself after college today. Samarth had told me that Dadu's health wasn't improving, and he wanted to meet me. I knew it was important, even if I didn't want to face the reality of seeing him like this-fragile and fading.

"Kaisa hai Avyansh?" Dadu asked, his eyes softening with genuine curiosity, trying to take the focus off his own deteriorating health.

"Ache hain," I replied, looking down at my hands, unable to meet his gaze. It felt like a lie, even though it wasn't. Everything was supposed to be fine, but I couldn't help feeling a weight deep inside me-one that neither Avyansh nor anyone else seemed to notice.

Dadu coughed again, and I looked up, concern clouding my expression. His health was worsening, and there was nothing I could do to change that. But what could I do? Everything in my life seemed like it was slipping out of my control.

"Medicine time," Samarth said, entering with a tray of water and medicine. His face was a mix of concern and determination as he approached Dadu.

I helped Dadu take his medicine, carefully assisting him with each step. He took the pills with a shaky hand and sipped the water, his eyes expressing gratitude.

"I should go now," I said after a while, standing up to leave.

"Can't you stay?" Dadu asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and disappointment.

"I will come to see you soon," I assured him, trying to keep my own emotions in check. I knew that my absence would weigh on him, but I had commitments I couldn't ignore.

Samarth gave me a nod of understanding, his eyes reflecting his shared concern. As I made my way to the door, I glanced back at Dadu, who gave me a weak smile.

"Take care," I said, forcing a smile. I hoped my words would bring him some comfort, even if I couldn't be there with him all the time.

"Let me drop you," Samarth offered, his voice soft yet firm.

"Nahi, mai chale jaungi," I replied, walking out of the room and carefully closing the door behind me. My heart was heavy, but I masked it with a small, forced smile.

"Di," he called out again, his voice trailing behind me.

"Hm," I responded, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Aaj ruk jao na," he pleaded, his eyes full of concern.

"I can't," I replied, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. I was trying to keep things normal, but I knew deep down that nothing was.

Just as I took another step, a sharp voice echoed behind me, cutting through the stillness like a knife.

"Aree, aree, dekho toh Maharani ko! Shaddi ke baad saare sanskar he bhool gye hai lgta hai Bina Pranam Paati kiye ja rhe hai."

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was-Chachi. Her tone, dripping with sarcasm, stung more than I wanted to admit.

I looked at her, our eyes meeting. Her gaze was challenging, harsh. She was waiting for me to respond, to snap back, to give her a reason to continue.

Before I could open my mouth, Samarth stepped forward, positioning himself between us like a protective shield.

"She just came for an hour, and even in that, you can't give her peace? You can't even-"

"Samarth!" I interrupted, gently placing my hand on his arm to stop him from saying more. His heart was in the right place, but I knew this would only escalate things. There was no point in fighting a battle I had already lost so many times before.

I gave him a reassuring look, silently asking him to let it go. He hesitated, anger still simmering beneath the surface, but eventually, he stepped back, allowing the tension in the air to dissipate slightly.

Chachi smirked, clearly satisfied that she had struck a nerve, and I bit my tongue to keep from responding. There was no use in engaging with her now. This was how things had always been.

I took a deep breath and turned to leave, my heart heavy with emotions I couldn't name. Samarth's concerned eyes followed me, but I just smiled softly at him, silently thanking him for standing up for me.

This was my reality now, and I had learned to navigate it quietly, without making waves.

I stepped outside, feeling the cold air hit my face as Samarth followed closely behind. The house was quiet, but I knew everyone was aware I had come. And yet, not even my own parents had bothered to come see me.

Not Papa. Not even Maa.

The words "Maa" and "Papa" tasted bitter on my tongue, the sting of abandonment sharper than ever. How could they turn their backs on me like that? After everything?

Samarth's voice broke through my thoughts. "Should I book a cab?" he asked softly, concern laced in his voice.

"No," I replied, turning towards him, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Without warning, Samarth pulled me into a tight hug. I felt him tremble, and then a lone tear slipped from his eye onto my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Di," he whispered, his voice heavy with guilt.

I hugged him back, trying to be the strong one for the both of us. "It's not your fault, Samarth," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, but firm. "None of this is your fault."

He held me tighter, as if he could shield me from all the pain with just his embrace. But we both knew the weight I carried was far heavier than any hug could bear.

"I'm going, okay? Take care," I said softly, pulling away from Samarth.

Without waiting for his reply, I turned and walked away. Each step felt heavier than the last, but I kept moving forward, leaving behind the house that no longer felt like home. Soon, I found myself near a park, far enough from the suffocating silence of my parents' indifference.

As I sat down on one of the benches, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Dev, asking if he could pick me up. A part of me wanted to say yes, to let someone take me away from all of this, but I couldn't bring myself to reply.

Then, a missed call from his mother, not mine-asking if I was okay, if I needed to stay longer or if everything had gone well.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. His mother, not mine. The thought stung more than I wanted to admit.

I leaned back on the bench, staring up at the sky as the clouds above grumbled, their deep rumble mirroring the storm brewing inside me. It felt as though even the heavens were angry, ready to burst.

A few drops of rain began to fall, light at first, as if testing the ground. One landed on my hand, cold and sharp, followed by another, and then a few more. The rhythm of the rain quickened, each droplet adding weight to the air, like the unshed tears I had been holding back for too long.

I didn't move. I let the rain fall around me, over me, each drop washing away the bitterness, if only for a moment. It was as if the sky was crying for me when I couldn't.

"I just can't bring my tears to fall," I whispered to myself, feeling the lump in my throat tighten.

I looked around at my surroundings, the rain now falling steadily, but the park was empty. Not a single soul in sight.

The trees swayed gently in the wind, their leaves rustling, but no human presence-just me and the rain.

"Not in reality either," I thought bitterly. No one was really there for me. Not my parents, not anyone. The silence was deafening, the loneliness more profound in the emptiness of the park, in the coldness of the rain.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold in the sadness that threatened to spill over, but I couldn't.

It was as if something inside me was stuck, unwilling to let go. Even in this moment, alone with the storm, I couldn't allow myself to cry.

"I can't," I repeated, almost as if I was trying to convince myself that holding it all in was the only way to survive. But deep down, I knew the weight of it was slowly breaking me.

Suddenly, someone called, and my phone vibrated in my hand. I looked at the caller ID: "A."

"Why is he calling now?" Curiosity piqued, I hesitated before answering.

"Hello?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Kaha hai aap?" Avyansh ji asked, his tone both concerned and insistent.

"I-I..." I stammered, unsure of what to say.

"Don't get sick in the rain. The car is near the entrance. Aap ghar jaiye safely, hm?" he instructed, his voice soft but commanding.

My eyes widened in surprise. How does he know?Wait... has he been having someone follow me?

"He's waiting outside." Avyansh said, as if reading my mind.

Before I could respond, he ended the call. I stared at the phone, still processing his words. The rain had started to fall more heavily..

I took a deep breath and decided to follow his advice. As I walked towards the entrance, I saw the car waiting there, just as he had said.

I looked at the person standing near the car, his presence unmistakably familiar, though I couldn't place him.

As soon as he spotted me, he hurried over with an umbrella, shielding me from the rain while he got soaked himself.

"Pranam Bhabhi ji" he greeted warmly, offering me a smile despite the rain drenching him.

Confused, I looked at him, unsure of who he was.

We walked together, and he opened the car door for me. I hesitated before sitting down.

"I know you must be thinking, who am I?" he asked, his tone light and friendly.

"Huh?" I replied, still trying to piece together the situation.

"I'm Shashwat," he said, settling into the driver seat while I sat behind . "Aapke Pati Parmeshwar ka chaddi buddy.Wo bhi bachpan se usse diapers bhi maine hi pehnaye hain. Actually, mai usse 4 months bada hoon."

He chuckled, as if the shared history made this revelation amusing. "You know, big bro from another mother responsibility."

I looked at him, his explanation making the situation clearer. I managed a small smile, touched by his kindness and the effort he'd made to help me.

"Bhabhi, there's a cloth behind you. You can dry yourself with that while I turn on the heater." Shashwat said as he adjusted the controls.

I grabbed the cloth and wiped myself, my movements slow and tired. He tried to engage in some conversation during the ride, but I only gave short, vague replies.

To my surprise, he didn't even ask me what I was doing in the park at this time. It was almost as if he knew not to pry.

Soon, we reached home. A guard opened the gate for him, and then Shashwat opened the door for me.

"Chaliye Bhabhi." he said with a wide grin.

As we stepped inside, he suddenly started shouting, "Maa! Maa!"

I looked at him, confused. Who is he calling 'Maa' here?

Pakhi Mummy entered the room, looking slightly annoyed. "Kyu chilla raha hai 'Maa Maa'? Bol kya hua?" she scolded, wiping her hands on her apron as she glanced around.

Shashwat stepped aside, giving her a clear view of me, still drenched from the rain. "Maa, send some clothes to my room. And look, Bhabhi is also drenched in rain!" he exclaimed with concern.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. "Avantika! Bola tha maine, kisi ko bhej dete hain, lekin nahin, inko meri baat hi nahi maan ni hai," she said, shaking her head .

I stood there, feeling slightly overwhelmed by her motherly concern, while Shashwat gave me a playful grin, clearly amused by the entire situation.

Devika guided me up the stairs, and I followed quietly, still feeling the weight of the rain on my clothes. My nose had started running like Niagara Falls, making me feel even more miserable.

"Chaliye Bhabhi, You must dry off or you will get sick." Devika said, giving me a soft smile as she opened the door to my room.

I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. It was still strange to hear someone care about my well-being so openly. I wasn't used to it.

As I entered my room, I could feel the cold from the rain clinging to my skin. I grabbed a tissue from the nearby table and wiped my nose, feeling pathetic as ever. My thoughts drifted back to the park, to the rain, and to that phone call from Avyansh.

"Why does it even matter to him?" I thought bitterly, tossing the tissue into the trash bin. This wasn't the life I imagined, being stuck between a forced marriage and the unfamiliar warmth of people who were supposed to be my family now. It was overwhelming.

"Bhabhi, aap thoda rest karo. Main aapke liye chai le aati hoon," Devika offered as she adjusted her headphones around her neck, heading towards the door.

I glanced at her, feeling the tension in my chest ease slightly. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

She gave me another reassuring smile before she left, closing the door gently behind her. I sat on the edge of the bed, the warmth of the room slowly pushing away the coldness of the rain, but inside, I still felt frozen.

I changed into a comfortable t-shirt and shorts, my body too drained to bother with anything traditional. The fabric felt soft against my damp skin, but it didn't soothe the growing ache in my head. I wrapped myself tightly in the blanket, cocooning myself from the world.

The throb in my head was getting worse, each pulse like a reminder of everything weighing me down-my family, this forced marriage, the constant pretending. My thoughts swirled, but I was too tired to focus on any one of them.

All I wanted was to disappear, even if just for a little while.

A knock came at the door, and I hazily turned my head to see Shashwat, Devika, and Maa standing in the doorway. Shashwat grinned widely, but Maa's face was a mix of concern and light frustration.

"Hii, Bhabhi!" Shashwat chirped, stepping inside with Devika close behind. "Aapko-"

Maa cut him off, her voice firm but caring. "Avantika, tumhe apne health ka dhyaan rakhna hoga. Aise baarish mein bheeg kar aana?" She approached the bed, brushing the hair away from my face and feeling my forehead with her palm. "Dekho, tabiyat bhi kharab ho gayi hai."

Devika crossed her arms, shaking her head.

Choti Maa who just entered already fussing, bringing a towel to wrap around me more tightly. "Itni bari ladki ho gayi ho, samajh nahi aata kya? Kya zarurat thi bhaagne ki bina soch samjhe?"

Shashwat chimed in again, a teasing edge in his voice, "Maa is right, Bhabhi. Aap heroine thodi ho jo baarish mein gaana gaate hue bheegti rahengi!" He gave me a wink, clearly trying to lighten the mood, but Maa shushed him with a quick glare.

"Chup karo, Shashwat! Yeh mazaak ka time nahi hai," she scolded, then turned back to me, her eyes softening. "Ab tum yahan araam karo, aur agar kuch chahiye, toh humein bulana. Samjhi?"

I nodded, feeling a strange warmth in my chest from their care, though I remained quiet, unsure of how to respond to the sudden attention.

As everyone left, I glanced at the cup of tea they had insisted I drink. I sipped it slowly, feeling the warmth spread through me. The medicine they'd left on the bedside table remained untouched. I didn't want to take it. I could manage. I always managed.

Once the tea was finished, I placed the cup aside and lay back down on the bed, the heaviness in my body pulling me deeper into the mattress. My hair was still wet, but I didn't have the energy to dry it.

The headache was pounding, and my body felt cold, but I didn't care. Wrapping the blanket tightly around me, I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would come quickly and take away the lingering ache inside me.

Half asleep, I barely registered the soft creak of the door being opened. I knew it had to be either Dev or Devika; no one else would bother to check on me this late. My body ached too much to move, and I couldn't find the energy to open my eyes and confirm.

Whoever it was, they didn't speak or make much noise. I felt their presence linger for a moment, maybe watching to see if I was awake, but I didn't stir. The warmth of the blanket cocooned me, and I let myself drift further into the haze of sleep, not caring who it was.

I just needed rest.

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