𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝔻𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕞𝕞𝕒 [on hold]

The Reception!

NEXT MORNING, RECEPTION DAY

Siddharth stirred as the warm morning sun cast its first light through the window, its rays softly caressing his face. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, before his eyes focused on the room around him. He felt a gentle weight against his chest, and as he looked down, a tender smile spread across his face.

Avneet was nestled beside him, her face burrowed into his chest, her hair splayed out like a dark halo. The peaceful rise and fall of her breathing matched the rhythm of his heartbeat, and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. Carefully, he shifted slightly to avoid waking her, but she stirred, snuggling closer to him with a contented murmur.

Siddharth gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her soft skin. The golden sunlight illuminated her features, casting a serene glow. He felt a surge of affection as he watched her sleep, appreciating the quiet moments they shared away from the world's demands.

"If she wakes up next to me, it would be awkward for her. I should go now" he thought and went from the room with disturbing Avneet.

An hour later, Avneet also woke up with a headache. After doing her morning chores, she came downstairs holding her head and sat on the couch in the living room.

Siddharth walked in from the kitchen, a glass of water in one hand and a couple of aspirin in the other. He smiled softly at the sight of Avneet, recognizing the signs of a difficult night.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said gently, kneeling beside the couch.

Avneet squinted up at him, her face showing the strain of the night before. "Morning," she muttered. "My head is pounding."

"I can imagine," Siddharth replied sympathetically, handing her the water and aspirin. "Here, take these. They should help."

Avneet accepted them gratefully, swallowing the pills with a grimace. "Thanks, Siddharth. You're a lifesaver."

"Anytime," he said, sitting down beside her on the coffee table. "Would you like something light to eat? Maybe it'll settle your stomach."

"That would be great," Avneet sighed, closing her eyes briefly.

Siddharth returned from the kitchen a few minutes later with a tray of fresh fruit, toast, and a cup of ginger tea. He set it down carefully on the coffee table and helped Avneet sit up.

"Here you go," he said, handing her the tea first. "Ginger tea should help with the nausea."

Avneet took a sip, feeling the warmth and soothing spice ease her discomfort. "This is perfect, Siddharth. Thank you."

As Avneet nibbled on the toast and fruit, they spoke softly about the events of the previous night. Siddharth listened attentively as Avneet recounted her argument with her brother, her voice tinged with lingering frustration and hurt.

"You were really upset," Siddharth remarked gently, recalling the emotional turmoil he had witnessed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Avneet sighed, setting down her tea. "It's just... he's trusting someone else over me. He allowed 'him' to come over tomorrow. He thinks of me as a burden to our family? Siddharth , I can't believe what happened to Jai that he's acting so weird. My brother, whom I've loved the most made realise that I don't belong to this family. That I'm adopted. I love him. I love my family."

"You're strong, Avneet," Siddharth said softly. "Sometimes people don't see that, but I do. You don't need to prove anything to anyone, least of all him."

She looked at him, her eyes filling with gratitude. "Thank you, Siddharth. You always know what to say."

They sat together in companionable silence for a while, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. Siddharth understood the importance of their friendship, how their moments of vulnerability strengthened their bond.