𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞

24 ALLIANCE

Key 🗝️ for next chapter 📖: 10 VOTES ⭐ AND 5 COMMENTS 💬 from you all. Answers the questions in the end of the chapter.

AVNI'S POV:

I step down from the stage after thanking everyone. As I descend, Aarohi, Dev, Aarav, Mahi, Neha, and Vikram ji approach me. I immediately apologize to Aaru for not informing her about my arrival and explain everything about how I got here. She smiles, understanding my reasons.

Soon, we all go our separate ways as today is an important day for Aaru’s family, and they are all busy attending to the guests. I find a quiet corner to sit in, but it isn't long before a few people from the corporate world approach me, wanting to discuss potential collaborations. Before I can respond, Shekhar Bhai steps in, handling the situation with effortless professionalism.

"Please contact Ms. Desai’s assistant. We will discuss it later. Today is a day of celebration, not work," he replies firmly yet politely.

I stare at him in shock. Since when do I have an assistant? Until now, I have been working alone or with Arjun ji. Maybe he just said it as an excuse to avoid business discussions today.

As the evening progresses, I meet and interact with more people discussing my work and education. Soon, it’s time for dinner, and I decide to find my family and apologize for coming here without their permission or even informing them. Summoning my courage, I walk towards them and greet them with a small, hesitant “Hello.”

"Look who has graced us with her presence," Tauji sneers, his voice dripping with venom.

"Why are you here, Avni? What do you want now?" Bhai asks, his tone filled with anger.

"I came here to meet you all and—"

"And to show off that you are designing your boring jewelry for Arjun and his family? What do you think you are?" Anya interrupts me, her voice laced with malice.

I shake my head, silently denying her accusations, while tears brim in my eyes. Thank God Shekhar Bhai, Maya, and Shruti aren't here with me. If they had heard this, it wouldn’t leave a good impression on me. I stare at the ground, listening to their taunts in silence.

After a moment, Bhai speaks again, his voice sharp as a knife.

"Why are you still standing here? Go and entertain your clients."

I don’t say a word. I simply turn around and walk away. I have no energy left to argue or explain myself. Finding a secluded spot, I settle on a chair, far from everyone’s sight. No one notices me, and honestly, that’s for the best.

Just then, I sense someone’s presence in front of me. Raising my eyes, I see Amar ji sitting across from me.

"Avni, aap akele kyun baithi hain?" he asks gently.

(Avni, why are you sitting alone?)

"Bas aise hi," I reply politely, forcing a small smile.

(Just like that.)

"Shall I have dinner with you?" he asks, his tone almost requested.

"But what about your family?" I ask hesitantly.

"They won’t mind whether I eat with them or not," he chuckled.