Ye Ishq Hai

ch-21

     Avantika came down with sore mood. The moment she came down, Aditya too came back. He looked towards her but she avoided looking at him and went to stand beside her parents. He was used to it, so he didn't find her behaviour unusual and went to help his parents.

   After that Pooja started and everybody got busy in that. After almost 2 hours,it ended and it was time for havan. Malini signalled Aditya to go away, so he went out of the house. Avantika saw him going away, she thought he got some call and felt irritated by his behaviour that he could not wait even for few minutes.

    After havan, pandit ji went away. All rituals were completed now.

    " Malini, congratulations once again. Now give us house tour, I am so excited to see your house." Arundhati said to her.

   " Yeah, definitely. Let's go." Malini said.

      " Where is Aditya gone? He will not come with us?" Dev asked.

   " Bhaisahab, let him be outside for few minutes, he is allergic to smoke. He can't tolerate it, that's why I told him to go away when havan started." Malini told him.

     Avantika heard that and immediately regretted for her thoughts.

     " Avantika beta, as you have already seen, go and be with Aditya or you will feel bored sitting here alone." Malini told to her.

    Avantika just nodded at her. After that all elders got busy in the house tour. Avantika went to back side of ground floor and sat there looking at the back garden thinking about her feelings.

     After some time, when they had seen whole house, both elder men sat in hall and both ladies went to kitchen as Malini needed to cook something in new house as per rituals. She had already decided to cook kheer poori and all arrangements were already done for that previous day only.

   Aditya had nothing to do outside, so he called in his office, got busy in his work and forgot about time. Soon food was ready and after keeping a certain portion in front of God, they brought it to dining table and called everyone. Avantika and Aditya both came at the same time. They all sat and started eating.

     " Malini, your Pooja successfully happened now you guys have to come at our house for a special occasion. I will send official invitation too but for now I am saying it verbally. After 10 days, it's our 25th wedding anniversary. So, you guys have to come to celebrate it with us and Aditya you can't make any excuses because it's Sunday. You better come with your parents." Arundhati told him.

   " Congratulations in advance, off course we will come. " Malini told her.

  After little bit more chit chat, they were ready to leave.

    " Thank you once again for inviting us and making us part of your family. If you need any help in shifting, please let us know." Dev said.

   " Most welcome and definitely we will." Harsh replied with smile.

   Elders were talking in front of gate and Aditya was noticing Avantika. She was lost somewhere. He had never seen her very enthusiastic in family gathering earlier also but today she was looking more lost than usual times. He decided to talk to her.

  " Avantika, how did you like my house?" He asked casually.

   Avantika was not expecting this sudden question, she just looked at him for few seconds then replied.

" Nice." she formally replied.

    He felt little disappointed with her formal reply. He was expecting more but he realised it's never going to happen. So, he didn't ask anything further and just nodded his head.