"तेरी बाहों में हर दर्द भूल जाता हूँ,

तेरी नजरों में एक नई दुनिया पाता हूँ।

तेरा साथ पाकर ऐसा लगता है,

जैसे खुदा ने मुझे कुछ खास दे दिया।"

◇

"Feel free to leave comments, but I’d appreciate if they’re meaningful and relevant rather than just for the sake of meeting a comment target. Let's keep the quality of conversation high. Thanks for understanding!"

◇

Vote Target :- 500+

Comment Target:- 100+

Avantika Pov

I sat quietly, staring out the window as the car started moving. My thoughts twisted in a loop, replaying everything that had happened, every silent second of abandonment from my own family.

I scoffed bitterly, "My own"-what a joke. Not a single one of them had come, not even for the sake of formality. I was teetering on the edge between life and death, and they still couldn't be bothered.

I tried to shake off the ache in my chest, to ignore the sting of that reality. Instead, I focused on Pakhi Maa sitting beside me, her gentle hand resting on mine.

She hadn't left my side since I woke up, her presence both comforting and unfamiliar. Dev ji sat up front, casually chatting with him about the hospital paperwork, throwing in a joke here and there, like he was trying to lift the mood.

They were doing everything they could to make sure I felt safe, cared for. It was more than I'd ever felt with my own family.

Avyansh ji though... he was different. He didn't talk much, just asked if I was okay, if I needed anything, a glass of water, an extra blanket. His words were brief, but his actions spoke louder.

The way he checked on me every hour, the way he sat outside my room, as if silently keeping vigil-it confused me. I couldn't tell what he felt, if he was just doing this out of responsibility or if there was something more.

The road stretched ahead as I sank deeper into my thoughts. His family... they treated me with a kindness I wasn't used to. Pakhi Maa's warm hugs, Anjali Choti Maa's laughter, Devika's endless stories to distract me, Dev's lighthearted teasing.

And even Dadi Maa, who'd held my hand so gently, reassuring me that everything would be okay. It felt... strange. Like I had somehow stumbled into a different world where people didn't keep their love hidden behind sharp words or judgmental looks.

But Avyansh ji, he was a puzzle. I glanced at him, his hands steady on the wheel, his face unreadable. He had seen me at my most vulnerable, had witnessed the scars I'd tried so hard to hide. Yet he hadn't asked, hadn't pried. Just offered quiet comfort and presence.

As we drove, I couldn't help but wonder if this was what it felt like to have a family, to feel like someone genuinely cared. It was terrifying and beautiful all at once, and a part of me wanted to pull back, to shield myself before I got too used to it.

We reached home, and as the car pulled up, Dev hopped out, ready to open the door for me with his usual playful grin. I managed a small smile, reaching for his hand, but before I could grab it, it was replaced by a different hand-his hand.

I glanced up at him, momentarily startled, but his gaze was gentle, steady. Slowly, I took his hand, letting him guide me out. Just as I shifted my weight, a sharp pain flared up in my stomach, making me wince and bite back a hiss.

"You okay?" he asked, his brow creasing with concern. "Chalne mein problem ho rahi hai?" His voice was calm, but there was a note of worry I hadn't expected.

I nodded slightly, trying to brush it off. "I'm fine... bas halka sa pain hai," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.

He didn't look convinced, his grip on my hand tightening just a bit as if daring me to keep any pain from him.

In that moment, his care felt overwhelming, grounding me. The pain eased a little as I leaned on him, letting myself trust, just for this small moment.

I stood there, trying to steady myself, but before I could fully comprehend what was happening, I felt myself gently lifted into the air. It wasn't rough or hurried-no, it was slow, almost as if I were something delicate, something precious.

My body instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck for support, and his grip was strong but tender, like he was afraid I might break.

I glanced around, feeling the eyes of the family on us. Their faces softened with understanding, some with teasing smiles, others with happy expressions.

The teasing glances from both mothers brought a lightness to the air, and despite the discomfort in my stomach, I couldn't help but feel a small fake smile tug at my lips.

"Wait outside for 5 minutes," Pakhi maa said gently, nudging choti mummy as she led the others outside.

I nodded, watching as they all made their way in, their laughter and warmth filling the hallway as they left.

Moments later, the door opened again, and both returned but this time with Dadi Maa, who looked at us both with a knowing smile. As she walked in, she muttered something under her breath in a low voice-something that felt oddly like a prayer.

Then, with a flick of her wrist, she gently waved her hand in the air, making a small gesture towards both of us.

Dadi Maa muttered something, her voice filled with a warmth that made the room feel even more intimate.

The energy in the room shifted as Dadi Maa performed a light ritual, as if warding off any negative energy, her eyes never leaving us. The air seemed charged, and for a brief moment, I felt like I was shielded, wrapped in the love of this family who cared for me more than I had ever allowed myself to realize.

As Dadi Maa finished, she looked at us both with a satisfied expression, her gaze softening. "Tum dono khush aur sehat mand ho, bas yehi dua hai meri," she said, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

Avyansh ji stood still, holding me carefully, his eyes still scanning the room as though absorbing everything. His expression softened, and I could feel the silent promise in his gaze: that I was safe now, surrounded by people who truly cared.

As he carried me inside, I felt a strange, unsettling weight pressing down on my chest. It was as if a voice from deep within whispered, "You don't deserve this." My mind began to replay the words I'd grown up hearing-being called a burden, a bad omen, an unfortunate presence.

I almost scoffed at myself, wondering if this warmth and care was just a temporary moment, something that would eventually slip away.

I glanced up at him, taking in the signs of fatigue etched across his face. He looked exhausted, his skin slightly pale, shadows darkening beneath his eyes.

Yet, there was still something undeniably captivating about him. His quiet strength, the subtle tenderness as he held me-something about it felt like a balm against all those dark thoughts clawing at my heart.

Just then, his gaze met mine, catching me off-guard. I quickly turned my head, hoping he hadn't noticed I'd been studying him, pretending I was oblivious. My heart thudded as I focused on the soft, rhythmic sound of his footsteps on the floor.

He carefully lowered me onto the sofa, his movements slow and gentle, like I was something fragile. The way he cradled me, making sure I was comfortable before stepping back, left me feeling unsteady in a way I couldn't fully understand.

I clutched the edge of the sofa, avoiding his gaze, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar feeling pooling in my chest.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked softly, his voice steady yet carrying a hint of concern that made my heart ache.

I nodded, swallowing back the mix of emotions stirring within me. I didn't want to let these feelings show, didn't want to let him see the conflict within me. All I managed was a quiet, "Thank you," my voice barely a whisper.

He stood there for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he gave a small nod. "Just rest now," he murmured, his voice a bit gentler than I was used to. As he turned to leave, I watched him for a brief moment, still unable to shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, I was allowed to feel safe here.

"Maa," he called out softly, his voice pulling Pakhi ji's attention as she stood beside me, her presence a quiet reassurance in this unfamiliar moment.

"Inhe kuch khilaye... medicine lene ka waqt ho gaya hai," he instructed her, glancing at me before continuing.

His tone was calm, but his words held a quiet urgency, as if ensuring my well-being had become his responsibility. I looked up, catching his gaze for just a moment before he looked away.

"Hum abhi fresh hone ja rahe hai," he added, his voice quieter, almost a murmur as if to himself. He gave me a brief, unreadable glance before stepping out of the room, leaving me with a feeling I couldn't quite name.

Pakhi maa looked down at me with a soft smile, her eyes filled with a warmth I wasn't used to but found strangely comforting. "Chalo, beta, kuch kha lo," she said gently, guiding me as she brought over a tray with a bowl of soup.

As I took the spoon, I couldn't help but replay his words in my mind, the way he'd left with that last look. A strange warmth settled over me, an unfamiliar comfort that was beginning to feel like something I'd always longed for but never truly thought I'd have.

I sat there on the sofa, feeling the weight of the silence in the room. It felt like I had done nothing but sit around for the past two days.

First in the hospital, now here, in the comfort of a place that should've felt like home, but instead, it felt so foreign. My mind wandered as I stared at nothing in particular, wondering why I couldn't just feel normal again.

"Bhabhi," I heard Dev ji's voice break through my thoughts, pulling me from my reverie.

"Hn?" I replied, blinking at him, trying to focus on what he was saying.

"Apko pata hai, aapke liye hum sab kitne pareshan the," he said, his voice a mix of concern and affection. He paused for a moment, then added with a teasing grin, "Aur sabse zyada pareshan kaun tha?"

I frowned slightly, confused. "Kaun?" I asked, trying to figure out what he meant. My first thought was that it must be Maa, considering how much she had been fussing over me since I got home.

"Aur kaun, apke pati-Avya-" Dev ji's teasing voice was suddenly interrupted as the door creaked open.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. There he was-Avyansh ji, standing in the doorway. His usual confident aura surrounded him, though today his face looked slightly pale, and there was a worn-out look in his eyes.

The stress and exhaustion were evident, but despite it all, the charm that always defined him remained.

He didn't say a word as he walked toward me, but I couldn't help the way my heart began to race. Humara dil toh change nahi kar diya doctors ne? Itna zor se yeh kyun dhadak raha hai? I thought, feeling a flutter in my chest I couldn't explain.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The room suddenly felt smaller, my breath hitched, and I tried to steady myself.

He came closer, and I felt my pulse quicken with every step he took. The air seemed to crackle with something unspoken between us. Then, just as I thought I might lose my composure, he bent down, his face coming level with mine, his intense gaze still fixed on me.

"You want to rest in our room?" he asked, his voice gentle, yet laced with concern, making my heart race even faster.

For a moment, I couldn't find the words to respond, my emotions tangled in the way his presence seemed to overwhelm me.

I watched him as he straightened up, his figure towering above me, and though his words were calm, there was something in the air that made it hard for me to breathe normally.

"No, I am fine here," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended. I didn't want to worry him, not after everything that had happened.

He nodded, though his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, as if checking for any sign that I was lying.

After a beat, he stood up, his expression unreadable, and said, "Kuch zaroorat hogi toh Maa ya ghar mein kisi ko bata dijiye ga."

His words were kind, but there was a certain distance in them, as if he was trying to maintain control, to not let any emotion show.

Just as he turned to leave, Chote Maa, with her playful grin, teased, "Why don't you just stay if you care about her well-being?"

I glanced at her, but before I could respond, Avyansh ji had already walked toward the door, ignoring the teasing remark.

"I am going," he said, his tone flat as he exited the room, leaving me feeling a mix of confusion and something else I couldn't quite name.

I sat there, still, my thoughts swirling around his words, his actions. What was I supposed to make of this? Why did he seem so distant? And why did his presence make my heart race, even when he was so far away?

Author's POV

Avyansh reached the secluded location where the men responsible for so much pain were being held. This wasn't a place he would typically find himself.

He wasn't some underground mafia boss who found pleasure in torture or violence. But this time, everything was different. There were high-ranking police officers here, men who respected him because of his influence, his power. They knew why he was here, and none of them questioned it.

This wasn't just about justice. This was personal. He was here to make them feel every ounce of pain they had inflicted on her and his family.

He took a steadying breath as he approached the entrance, memories swirling in his mind. He hadn't done something like this in years - not since that one incident he'd never regretted.

Fighting and taking matters into his own hands wasn't his usual way. Typically, he'd leave this sort of thing to Shashwat or someone else. But today, this wasn't something he could delegate.

Today, it was about her and his family. About protecting what was his, ensuring they understood the depth of their crime.

Avyansh entered the room, the air thick with a heavy silence. The officials immediately stood up, nodding in respect.

He returned the gesture, his expression calm but with a chilling resolve beneath it. Shashwat was already waiting, a familiar smirk on his face as he walked toward Avyansh.

"Long time no see, my new-form best friend," Shashwat said, a hint of amusement in his voice, attempting to lighten the moment.

Avyansh allowed himself a small smirk but didn't waste time on pleasantries. "Where are they?" he asked, his voice cold, razor-sharp.

One of the officers stepped forward, gesturing toward a door on the other side of the room. "In this room, sir."

Avyansh nodded, his gaze fixed ahead, his mind focused. This was it. He would make sure they understood, make sure they regretted every choice that led them here.

Whatever happened next, he knew he wouldn't stop until they felt every bit of what they'd caused. This wasn't about him. Not anymore. This was about her - his family, his world. And he wasn't leaving until they paid for what they had done.

Avyansh's presence filled the room with a chilling menace, his eyes gleaming with a darkness that made the men tied to the chairs tremble.

He walked around them, dragging a thick metal pipe along the floor, its grating sound raising the hair on the back of their necks. Each man squirmed, sensing the violence simmering beneath his calm exterior.

With no warning, Avyansh swung the pipe, slamming it into one man's ribs. The sickening crunch echoed, followed by a pained, guttural scream. He didn't flinch; his expression remained cold and detached.

He turned to the next man, gripping his hair tightly and yanking his head back, forcing him to meet his unblinking gaze.

"Did you think her pain was a game?" His voice was dangerously low, a whisper that sliced through the silence.

"You made her bleed, didn't you?" He dragged the knife's blade across the man's cheek, pressing it down just enough to leave a thin line of blood.

He moved on, a smirk of bitter satisfaction creeping onto his face as he saw their fear deepen. "Remember when you raised your filthy hand against my sister?" he spat, slamming his fist down so hard the man's head jerked back.

Blood trickled down his lip, his face contorted in agony. Avyansh watched without a hint of sympathy, his eyes glinting with pure, cold rage.

Avyansh leaned down, his face inches from theirs. "You think I'm finished?" he taunted, lifting the metal rod again. "This is just the beginning."

He picked up a lit cigarette from a table, pressing it slowly against the arm of the leader, who writhed in his chair, his skin sizzling and the sharp, acrid smell filling the air.

The man's cries were hoarse, but Avyansh didn't release the pressure, watching him suffer with an unyielding stare.

Turning to the others, he grinned, a chilling, merciless expression. "Each scream from you will never compare to the torment you put her through."

His fingers tightened around a small metal tool, and without hesitation, he dug it into another man's shoulder, twisting until the man's scream filled the room.

Finally, he took a step back, surveying the broken men before him. Their faces were a mask of terror, their bodies slumped and bloodied, and they realized there was no mercy coming. Avyansh's voice cut through their whimpers one last time, low and deadly.

"Pray this is the last you ever see of me," Avyansh said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with an edge sharp enough to cut through the silence.

He took a step closer, his gaze piercing, unyielding. "Because it is."

A cold chuckle escaped his lips, the sound chilling, void of any warmth or mercy. It was a laugh that warned them of the storm they had brought upon themselves.

For a fleeting moment, a flicker of fear crossed their faces as they saw the depth of rage hidden behind his calm facade.

He tilted his head slightly, observing them with the calculated patience of a predator. "You had your chance to walk away... but now, you'll wish you never crossed me," he murmured, letting his words sink into the air.

□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□

Thanks for Reading

Do vote and follow me!