TANGLED WITH YOU ✓ [COMPLETED]

19|• Phone call

"Hello," he said in his deep, hoarse voice, and my heart started dancing listening to him.

"Hello," I replied back, and Ishika leaned in, putting her ear to the back side of the phone.

"How's your father?" he asked.

"He's better now," I replied.

He breathed deeply, which I could hear through the phone call before he said, "Aana I'm really sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me," referring to his condition. It's true, I needed him, and I needed a lot of courage too.

"Aana," Ishika whispered and teased me.

"It's alright, you don't have to apologize. You were away and unaware of the situation here. Everything is fine now."

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I hummed in response.

"How's your work going there?" I asked out of the blue after a pause between our conversation.

"It's going fine," he replied. I bit the inner skin of my lips. Should I ask him when he'll return?

Gulping down the lump in my throat, I asked, "Vo Dadisa puchh rahi thi ki aap vapas kab aayenge."

("Grandma was asking when will you come back.")

"Achha," he said. "Par meri baat to unse Hui thi kal, unhone kuch nahi kaha."

("Oh, okay. But I spoke to her yesterday, she didn't say anything.")

Ishika was controlling her laugh at my failed attempt of asking him.

"Umm... I totally forgot. Chachi was asking me to ask you when will you return."

I heard his chuckling sound from the other side before he said, "Chachi ji must be missing me a lot."

Ishika put her hand on her mouth to hide her laughter while I just stayed there as I lost words to utter.

"When will you return?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"Some work came up, so I'll try to return as soon as possible," he said. I don't know why my heart started to ache as he replied. He has been away before, why it's bothering me now?

"Ooh, okay!" I replied.

"Kaam se hi shadi kar lete," I muttered under my breath, not for him to hear.

"Did you said something?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied.

"Aana," he called. Why does he do this to my poor heart? I melt immediately when he calls me by these names. It's not fair; I wanted to get mad at him.

"Han," I replied slowly while Ishika was looking at me teasingly, then again she leaned to hear the conversation.

"I miss you," he said, and a whole zoo of butterflies released in my stomach.

"Bolna," Ishika gestured for me to say that back, but I felt extremely timid to say anything.

"I will return soon, okay?" he replied. "Take care," he said, and he waited a little before he hung up.

Guilt rose inside me. I should have said something in response.

"Tu thori si pagal hai," Ishika said firmly, facepalming herself. I ignored her antics.

"Chachi was asking me to ask you when will you return," she mimicked me, making an annoying face.

"Shut up," I glared at her. She laughed and said slowly in a teasing way, "Aana."

"Stop," I said, heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Ooho ohoo, blushing blushing," I palmed my face to hide it, pressing my lips to stop my smile.

"Haaah, I have never felt this single," Ishika said. "Should I date someone?" she looked at me.

"But koi mile bhi dhang ka tab na," Ishiks said.
("Only if I got someone decent at least.")

"Alex volkov ki expectation se dhudhegi toh koi nhi milega behan". I mocked at her.

(If you run away from Alex Volkov's expectations, you won't find anyone, sister. i mocked her)

"Are, kahi na kahi to hoga mera Alex Volkov," she said.

("Oh, he'll be somewhere, my Alex Volkov.")

"Delusion me," I mocked shaking my head.

"Delulu is the only solulu," she replied immediately to my remarks.

"Bas ye boring lecture will kill me one day. Urrghh, I hate my life," she said, and I laughed while patting her head as she put her head on the desk.

______________

AUTHOR'S POV

As Avni arrived home with her father, relief washed over her despite the tension brewing within. Her father, weakened by his recent heart surgery, leaned on her for support as they entered the house.

Aaram se ! She said as she held and helped him to climb the stairs.

"Oh dear, I had no idea your  was in such a critical state," her stepmother Poonam exclaimed, feigning concern as she approached them.

Avni's father, glared at his wife she removed her which she forwarded to held him,his voice was tired but firm, replied, "It's been a difficult time, but we're managing."

Ignoring her ponam's insincere words, Avni guided her father to his room, making sure he was settled before turning to face her stepmother and sister, who had finally decided to grace them with their presence.

"Why weren't you here when Papa needed you the most?" Avni's voice trembled with a mixture of frustration and hurt.

Her stepmother's response was laced with false sympathy, "I were out looking for Sobha,. We didn't know the situation was this dire."

Avni's sister chimed in, her tone dripping with disdain, "Typical Avni, always keeping us out of the loop. You never cared about us."

Feeling the sting of their accusations, Avni retorted, "I had enough on my plate dealing with Papa's health. I didn't need your drama on top of it."

Like marrying my fiance",
her step sister's hostility escalated,

Hurling insults about Avni's marriage to her fiance but she was the one who left him at the altar.

The memories of her marriage gathered in her mind how she was helpless to do anything but marry the man whom her step sister left to runaway for god knows what reason.

Fighting back tears, Avni stood her ground, refusing to let their words break her.

Such a shameless woman you are, marrying your sister's fiancé," her sister shouted, her hand raised to strike,

Avni closed her eyes as she excepting the slap but.

DON'T YOU DARE!!

An commanding voice echoed through the mansion, putting an abrupt halt to the chaos.

To be continued...

So here's the update guys
I am sorry for the short chapter.
Actually i burt my hands and it's terrible and it's hurting and burning a lot i am even typing by my self as I am taking someone's help.

This chapter was already written forgive me if you find typos or grammatical mistakes.

I just wanted to fulfill the promise I made .
I decided to post two chapters together but ...leave it.

I can't write so you have to wait for the next updates a little until my hand heals.

Till then wait for me 🥺
And vote.