Guardian

-:chapter 19:-

Avyansh came downstairs slowly, his small steps echoing in the quiet house as he held Alex’s leash loosely in his hand. The little puppy trotted ahead, his tail wagging in excitement. As Avyansh reached the living room, his eyes caught sight of someone familiar , His heart warmed instantly as a smile crept onto his face.

“Adhya di,” Avyansh called softly, his voice filled with joy.

Adhya, who had been adjusting her bag on the couch, turned at the sound of his voice. Her face lit up with the brightest smile, a smile that spoke of the deep affection she held for the boy standing before her. She had missed him so much-more than she realized until that very moment.

“Avy!” she exclaimed, rushing towards him and wrapping him in a tight hug. She held him close, her arms gentle.Avyansh melted into the embrace, feeling the warmth and love radiating from her.

“Aap kab aaye, di?” Avyansh asked softly, his voice muffled by her shoulder.

she was only away for two days, but he missed her badly.

“Bas abhi abhi aayi, baccha,” Adhya replied, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on his shoulders.  “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, di,” Avyansh replied with a small smile, his eyes sparkling despite the weight he carried from the previous night.

Adhya’s gaze softened as she noticed the slight tiredness in his eyes. She ruffled his hair gently, the playful affection she had always showered on him. “Kaise ho? Mr. Grumpy ne thik se khayal rakha na tumhara?”

Avyansh’s smile faltered ever so slightly at her question. His gaze dropped to the floor, his hands fiddling with the leash. He didn’t answer, unsure of how to explain what had happened between him and Abhimanyu. it was all too much to put into words.

Just then, Alex barked excitedly, pulling Adhya’s attention. The puppy jumped up on his hind legs, begging for her affection. Adhya laughed, her mood instantly brightening as she knelt down to scoop Alex into her arms.

“Alee! Mera baby!” she cooed, cuddling the small dog. “Did you miss me, huh?”

Alex wagged his tail furiously, licking her cheek as if to answer her with an enthusiastic ‘yes.’ His reaction made Adhya chuckle. She scratched behind his ears, whispering soft words to the playful pup.

Adhya stroked Alex gently, the warmth of the moment soothing, but her attention shifted back to Avyansh. Something was off. She could sense it in the way he was standing, in the way he hadn’t met her eyes properly since she arrived.

“Mr. Grumpy kahan hai wese? Dikh nahi raha,” Adhya asked, her voice laced with curiosity. Usually, Abhimanyu would be around, watching over Avyansh like a hawk.

Avyansh’s face fell further. His small voice barely carried as he replied, “I don’t know.”

Adhya frowned,Kuch hua hai kya, Avy?” she asked, her tone gentle, probing but without pressure. She placed Alex down, now fully focused on the boy in front of her, hoping he’d open up.

Avyansh remained silent, his eyes glued to the floor. His hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, a telltale sign of his discomfort. Adhya’s concern deepened. She hated seeing him like this-closed off, weighed down by something she couldn’t yet see.

She sighed softly, ruffling his hair in an attempt to lighten the moment. “Koi na,” she said with a reassuring smile, “Mr. Grumpy se hi puchhlungi main.” She wasn’t going to press him further. If Avyansh wasn’t ready to talk, she would find out in her own way.

Adhya barged into Abhimanyu's room without a second thought, not bothering to knock. She was too caught up in her thoughts about Avyansh to think about anything else. But as soon as she entered, her eyes widened, and she froze. There he was—Abhimanyu Singh Rajput— standing in the middle of the room, a towel casually wrapped around his waist, water droplets cascading from his freshly washed hair, trickling down his neck to his bare chest. His six-pack abs glistened in the light, making him look like something straight out of a dream-or rather, a forbidden temptation.