"ओ बेदरदिया, इश्क हुआ मुझे दूसरी बार,

दिल के अरमानों को सजाया फिर प्यार में इस बार।

क्या खता थी मेरी जो पहली दफा मिट गई,

फिर से चोट खाई, फिर से मोहब्बत हुई बेक़रार।"

◇

Avyansh's POV

"Avantika ji?" I called softly, trying to wake her, my voice barely a whisper. She didn't stir. Her face looked pale, her hair slightly damp from the rain.

I had an important meeting today, one that couldn't easily be rescheduled, but when one of my bodyguards-who I'd discreetly assigned to keep an eye on her from a distance-called to inform me that she was walking aimlessly in the rain, my mind went blank. I couldn't just ignore it.

Shashwat was nearby, so I told him to pick her up. I trusted him to get her home safely, but it didn't ease the worry gnawing at me. I needed to see her for myself, make sure she was okay. The meeting could wait. So, without a second thought, I canceled it.

And now, standing here, looking at her curled up in bed, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and frustration. Why does she do this to herself?

I moved closer, sitting gently on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake her. She had a habit of hiding her pain, but I could see the weight she carried, even when she slept. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she were caught in some distressing dream.

I reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her forehead. She stirred and wake I sighed, leaning back.

"You didn't take the medicine, did you?" I asked, noticing the untouched pills on the side table. There was a slight edge of frustration in my voice; I couldn't help it.

She mumbled something incoherent, turning slightly away from me, and I saw her hair was still damp against the pillow. "I don't need it," she said, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

I sighed, stepping closer. "You're not a kid," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady. "You should've dried your hair properly. Now you're running a fever."

As I watched her shiver slightly under the blanket, concern overtook my frustration. Without thinking, I walked over to the bed and gently pulled the blanket off her head. My fingers brushed against her damp hair, and I could see the hint of a blush on her cheeks.

"Sit up," I coaxed, my voice softening. "Let me dry your hair properly. You're going to get sicker like this."

After a moment of hesitation, she finally pushed herself up, looking weak and dizzy. I quickly grabbed a towel from the nearby chair and sat behind her, pulling her gently onto my lap. I began drying her hair, my movements as gentle as I could manage.

"Itna he nahane shock tha toh itna bara bathroom hai, waha shower on krke bheeng leti," I teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

She rolled her eyes, but I could see a small smile tugging at her lips despite her fatigue.

I concentrated on my task, the warmth of the towel against her scalp soothing both of us. The air between us felt different-less tense and more comfortable.

Once I was done, I tossed the towel aside and noticed her shivering again. "You should've taken your medicine, Mishti ," I reminded her, though this time my voice was softer, more concerned.

"I'm fine," she muttered, but I could see the signs of her discomfort. Her runny nose and the way she rubbed her temples told a different story.

I shook my head, refusing to let her dismiss her well-being. I walked over to the side table and poured a glass of water, grabbing the medicine that sat there untouched. "Take it," I insisted, handing both to her.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering between the pills and my face. Finally, she took them from my hand and swallowed, albeit reluctantly.

"Good," I said quietly, placing the glass back down on the table.

Instead of leaving, I sat down on the edge of the bed, my gaze lingering on her. I could see the concern etched in her features, and it stirred something deep within me-something protective.

Reaching out, I adjusted the blanket around her, ensuring she was warm and comfortable. "Rest," I said softly. "I'll check on you later."

For the first time in what felt like ages, I didn't feel the weight of our forced arrangement. I felt a connection-something real, something that made me want to be there for her, no matter what.

Timeskip

Two hours had passed, and I couldn't shake off the worry gnawing at me. Is she still sleeping? I wondered. I hadn't gone back to check myself, but I had sent Devika to see if she needed anything.

When she returned with a simple nod, saying Avantika was still asleep, I felt a mix of relief and concern.

I was in my office room, having changed out of my suit into a comfortable pair of black T-shirt and shorts. I closed my laptop, feeling the need for a break. The thought of her resting peacefully brought a small smile to my face.

As I walked towards our room, I looked at Dadi who now looked at me standing there in front of the door now with her usual playful grin.

"Ah, look who decided to come out of his cave!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

She stepped inside, glancing around the room. "So, is the lovely bride still snoozing? I hope you didn't tire her out too much with all your caring antics!" she winked, crossing her arms.

I smiled, shaking my head. "No, I think she just needed the rest. She's been under the weather."

Dadi raised an eyebrow, the teasing tone never leaving her voice. "Oh, dekho toh mere pyare pote ko."

I rolled my eyes playfully, knowing how she always pushed for family bonds.

"Now go."" Dadi said, giving me a gentle nudge toward the room.

With a nod, I walked past her and opened the door.

I entered the room, and at that moment, the bathroom door opened. My gaze snapped to her, and I froze for a moment, taking in the sight before me.

Avantika stood there, wearing a pair of shorts and an oversized tee that hung loosely on her frame. The fabric swayed gently around her, accentuating her delicate features.

I couldn't help but admire her. She looked effortlessly beautiful, a stark contrast to the anxiety and tension that often clouded her eyes. The oversized tee made her look almost childlike, and I found myself smiling at how cute she appeared.

A thought crossed my mind-I wish I could see her in my shirt someday. The idea sent warmth coursing through me. It would be nice to have her wearing something that belonged to me, a simple gesture that would make our bond feel even more intimate.

She seemed to ignore me completely, her focus shifting as she crawled onto the bed and opened a book. The cover caught my eye: Whispers in the Dark: A Tale of the Forgotten. It looked like one of those murder mysteries with an eerie twist, and I couldn't help but wonder what had drawn her to such a dark story.

I walked toward her, my heart racing for reasons I couldn't fully understand. As I approached, I gently placed my hand on her forehead, checking for a fever.

Her gaze snapped to mine, surprise flickering in her eyes, almost as if she hadn't expected me to care. In that moment, I felt a strange mix of confusion and warmth; my actions felt instinctive, but I also questioned why I was so drawn to her.

"Are you feeling any better?" I asked softly, my hand lingering on her forehead longer than necessary. She blinked, processing my question, and for a fleeting moment, I hoped she would let me in, if only just a little bit.

"I'm fine," she replied, her voice lacking its usual conviction.

"Yeah, I can see that," I said, my finger gently touching the tip of her nose, which was bright red from the fever.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and I noticed her entire face flush a deeper shade of crimson. What did I do? Why is her face turning red now? I thought, feeling a mix of confusion and intrigue.

"Are you okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

She blinked a few times, her expression flustered. "I-uh, I'm fine!" she stammered, but the way she fidgeted with her hair told me otherwise.

"You're clearly not fine. You're burning up, and your face is as red as a tomato." I said concern still lingered in my voice.

I get up and walked toward the cupboard.

"What do you want to have for dinner, Mrs. Raghuvanshi?" I asked, rummaging through the cupboard for one of my files.

She didn't respond, instead choosing to burrow deeper under the sheets. Is she angry? I wondered. "Are you angry?" I asked again, but she remained silent. What did I do now?

"I'm going," I said, feigning an exaggerated walk towards the door and making a loud, dramatic sound with the door handle. Before I could even step out, I quickly made my way back to the bed.

One minute... two minutes... three minutes. Finally, she peeked out from under the sheets, letting out a sigh before grabbing her book again.

I couldn't help but tap gently on her back, watching as her body stiffened in surprise. She hesitated, then placed the book on the table and drifted back inside the blanket.

I stepped in front of her, bent down to her level, and smiled. "Come on, don't hide from me."

With a swift motion, I picked her up in a bridal style.

"Aee!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. It seemed like she was surprised every time I did something spontaneous.

Avantika's POV

"Yes? Biwi," he said with that teasing tone of his. My heart started thumping faster. Why is he doing this? I wondered, looking up at him. Our faces were close, so close that I could see his hair falling over his forehead, freshly clean-shaven as always. He never let a beard grow.

"Kya kar rahe hai aap? Put me down," I said, trying to sound firm, but my voice wavered slightly.

"Let's go downstairs," he replied casually, continuing to walk, ignoring my protest.

"I can walk by myself," I muttered, shifting in his arms, attempting to break free from his hold.

"Okay, fine, I'll eat anything you bring to the room. Just put me down," I said, my voice muffled by the blanket.

With a hint of amusement, he turned and gently placed me back on the bed. The soft mattress cradled me, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" he teased, giving me a playful grin. I rolled my eyes.

As he walked out, I settled back against the pillows.

In this forced marriage, I never expected to feel cared for. Maybe it was moments like this that made it a bit more bearable. I grabbed my phone, planning to distract myself with some mindless scrolling while I waited for him to return.

I never thought things would turn out this way. When we got married, I assumed it would be cold, distant. I never imagined he would care, or that his family would be so warm, so kind. Every single one of them treats me better than I deserve.

But me? I don't fit in here. They deserve someone better. He deserves someone better. Someone who isn't damaged, who isn't carrying the weight of a broken past. Someone who isn't me.

Every time he looks at me with those gentle eyes, it makes me feel even smaller. What can I give to someone like him? How long can this go on before he realizes he made a mistake?

How am I ever going to tell him about my plan? That once I complete my studies, I intend to leave him?

The thought weighs on me, but I can't see another way. I never belonged here in the first place. This isn't my life. He deserves freedom-freedom from a forced marriage, from me.

But every time I think about saying the words, something stops me. His care, his kindness-it's too much. He doesn't know that behind all this quietness, I'm already preparing to walk away. How can I break it to him? How can I leave after everything?

The thought of him discovering my past sent a shiver down my spine. What if he knows? I clenched the bedsheet tighter, my heart racing with fear.

He'll hate me. The certainty of that thought was like a weight pressing on my chest. He'll look at me with disgust, just like everyone else did. He'll want nothing to do with me. His family, who had been nothing but kind, would surely feel the same.

The idea of him abandoning me, like so many others had, tore at me. I could feel the panic building, threatening to spill over. Why would anyone want someone like me in their life?

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OMG, what's going to happen if Avyansh finds out about her past? Do you think he'll be supportive, or will things get messy? Spill your theories! 😬

Here's a big one - will Avantika actually go through with her plan to leave after her studies? Or is she starting to catch feelings? 👀