The Seven Phases Of Marriage

5. Happiness

Avni's heart beat erratically as his hand rested on her waist. Everyone stared at the couple gossiping, but it didn't affect her as they strolled back into the hall. Her mind is occupied with Siddharth and the new feelings he evoked inside her.

Does she hate his touch? No.

Does she like it? Not yet! 

It felt strange in simple one word.

Avni had mixed feelings about the whole situation- She wasn't comfortable yet felt protected and cared for. There were famous guests whose every minute was precious inside the hall. The way he still understood her unsaid anxiety and helped her out instead of yelling multiplied her respect for him.

Siddharth held her hand, and Avni was entirely under his spell as they cut the cake. His eyes indicated feelings she couldn't comprehend.

Siddharth picked a piece as Avni seemed lost and unbothered by her surroundings anymore. He held it in front of her mouth, and she hesitantly took a small bite.

Avni felt a shiver run down her spine as Siddharth's thumb brushed her lips. The crowd around cheered and clapped for the couple.

Gowri nudged Avni as she stood dazed. Avni was searching for the knife that's suddenly missing when Renuka suggested giggling, "Feed him the same piece. I'm sure your husband would love the taste!"

Their friends around laughed and encouraged her. She hesitantly forwarded her hand as he put the piece in her hand and fed him with trembling hands.

Siddharth carefully took a bite, putting her at ease. His friends and cousins rubbed the cake all over his chin, feeding him. He let his friends do whatever they wanted so they wouldn't go near her.

Avni laughed hard as his face was full of whipped cream. He always behaved like a man in control around her and seeing him covered in cake cracked her up.

Siddharth washed his face and returned after the cake cutting finished. He stood beside Avni, standing alone at a corner, peacefully staring out of the window.

Avni smiled, turning to face him, inhaling his scent. She felt at ease and comfortable around him for some reason today.

She smiled, observing the corner of his lips still not clean from the pastry, and wiped it with her handkerchief involuntarily.

It took Siddharth enormous control not to let his facial expressions indicate his pleasant surprise. This probably is the first act of hers like HIS Wife with no force. They seemed to be a couple in love at that moment.

He summoned the waiter and grabbed a mango juice feeling thirsty. Avni searched for the same mango juice as it's her favorite, but the previous one was the last on the tray.

The waiter offered to get one more, but she rejected, not having the patience to wait.

Siddharth finished almost half glass chuckling at Avni, who stared at him swallowing. He found her complaining eyes too cute and teased her, sipping the juice ever so slowly.

Avni muttered under her breath, realizing his tease. Her patience died as she couldn't take it anymore. She quickly grabbed the glass from him and gulped down the juice.

Siddharth laughed hard as she behaved like a baby that moment.

Avni realized what she did moments later -His lips lingered on the same rim of the glass moments before. She looked away, embarrassed.

--

Siddharth introduced Avni to his friends on their constant pestering. They greeted her with a huge smile and babbled to Avni as they relished the dinner in the buffet-