Unexpectly Yours:The Journey Of An Arranged Marriage

PART 28

[Before she could respond, Rohit, Virat, Jaddu, Jassi, and shubhman circled her, each one of them wearing a smile that was a mix of mischief and brotherly affection.]

Rohit (pulling her into a bear hug): "You're not just Abhay's wife, Kavya. You're like a sister to all of us. We may not say it often, but we all rely on you more than you realize. Thank you for always taking care of us, even when we're driving you insane."

[Kavya chuckled through her tears, knowing full well how chaotic her life had become managing these boys.]

Virat (his voice soft, but sincere): "You know, Kavya, I've seen a lot of wives, a lot of families, but there's something about the way you handle everything. Whether it's Abhay's life or our team's crazy schedule, you manage it all with such grace. You may not be there in the stands for every match, but trust me, we feel your presence in everything we do."

Jaddu (grinning): "Yeah, and let's be honest, if you weren't around, we'd all probably forget half the things we need to do! You've become the glue that keeps us grounded."

Ishaan (winking playfully): "Kavya Bhabhi, you've handled Abhay's stubbornness like a pro, and for that, we're all grateful. The way you've brought out the best in him... well, let's just say, we owe you big time."

[Kavya could barely hold back the emotions that surged in her chest. She had been so busy adjusting to her new role as Abhay's wife, the team's extended family, and managing her own professional life, that she hadn't realized just how much she had become a part of this family. And hearing these words from her "brothers" felt like the validation she didn't know she needed.]

Jassi (his tone more emotional): "You've made Abhay happier than we've ever seen him. And for that, you'll always be our sister. No matter what anyone says, you're family."

[Kavya blinked, her vision blurry from the unshed tears. She hadn't expected such a wave of love to hit her on this day. She looked around at the faces she had come to love over the past months, her heart filled with gratitude.]

Kavya (her voice trembling): "I... I don't even know what to say. I didn't expect any of this, and honestly, I thought today was just another workday. But hearing this from all of you... it means more to me than you'll ever know."

[She looked at Abhay, who was standing silently beside her, his eyes filled with something that resembled both pride and affection. She walked over to him, her hands resting gently on his chest.]

Kavya (smiling): "You didn't have to do all this... but you did. And I love it. Thank you, Abhishek."

[Abhay's heart skipped a beat. He knew he had feelings for her, but hearing her say those words made everything so real. For the first time, he could feel the weight of those three little words linger in the air, even though she hadn't said them outright.]

[As the party continued around them, the guests eating and laughing, Abhay gently took Kavya's hand and led her away from the crowd, into a quieter corner of the room. The warmth of the celebration still surrounded them, but here, they could have a moment to themselves.]

Abhay (softly): "Kavya... I'm sorry I forgot your birthday at first, but I couldn't let the day end without making it special for you."

[Kavya smiled at him, her hand still intertwined with his. She didn't mind that he had forgotten initially; the effort he put in afterward meant more to her.]

Kavya (teasing): "You made up for it, and then some."

[Abhay's gaze softened, his thumb gently caressing her hand. There was a growing tenderness between them, something unspoken that had been building for weeks. His heart raced as he felt the emotions he had been holding back bubble to the surface.]

Abhay (his voice filled with emotion): "You know, Kavya, I've never been good with words, and I'm not always the most expressive guy... but I want you to know that you mean everything to me. I know we've had our ups and downs, and this marriage... it wasn't exactly how either of us imagined it. But I care about you. A lot."

[Kavya's breath hitched slightly as she listened to him, her own emotions stirring. She could feel that same unfamiliar feeling blooming in her chest—the sense of belonging, of being loved and appreciated, that she had never expected in an arranged marriage. She hadn't realized how much she had grown to care for Abhay, until now.]

Kavya (softly): "Abhishek.... I don't know what to say. I didn't expect any of this, but... I'm happy. Being with you, being part of this family—it means so much to me."

[Abhay pulled her closer, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them. The world outside the room faded, leaving only the two of them and the unspoken words lingering between their hearts.]

[As they returned to the main room, Abhay gently wrapped his arm around Kavya's waist, keeping her close as they cut the birthday cake. The cheers and claps from their friends and family filled the room, but all Abhay could focus on was her—her radiant smile, the way her eyes sparkled with happiness, and the way she looked at him like he was the only one in the room.]

[Harry and Rishabh, of course, couldn't help but throw some jokes into the mix, trying to make the cake-cutting as chaotic as possible.]

Harry (grinning): "I dare you to feed each other the cake like it's your wedding again. And don't hold back!"

Rishabh (laughing): "Yeah, we need a good photo of this moment."

[Kavya and Abhay both laughed, indulging in the playful moment, their hands meeting as they fed each other small bites of cake. The sweetness of the dessert couldn't match the warmth that was growing between them.]

[The night ended with everyone gathered around, sharing memories and laughs, but in the back of her mind, Kavya couldn't stop thinking about that quiet moment with Abhay. Something had shifted between them, something deeper, and it left her with a fluttering in her heart that she couldn't quite explain.]

[Later that night, after everyone had left and the house was quiet again, Abhay and Kavya sat together on the balcony, watching the stars. The party had been a success, but the real gift was the connection they had found in each other.]

Abhay (softly): "Happy Birthday, Kavya."

[Kavya leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as they sat together, comfortable in the silence.]

Kavya (whispering): "Thank you for everything, Abhishek."

[And for the first time, in the stillness of the night, both of them felt the stirrings of something much deeper than affection—something that felt a lot like love.]
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