RESTART

chapter 38

The days leading up to the wedding were filled with hustle and bustle, but Jiya seemed to have made it her mission to be around Abhiman every chance she got. Whether it was asking him to help open a jar or requesting him to hand her things that were within arm's reach, Jeevika knew exactly what Jiya was trying to do.

"Abhiman, yeh jar khol do na," Jiya asked sweetly, handing him a small pickle jar that Jeevika was sure didn’t need opening. She stood nearby, fuming silently.

Abhiman, completely oblivious to the manipulation, smiled and took the jar. "Yeh lo, khul gaya." He handed it back, clearly thinking he was just being helpful.

Jiya flashed him a grin. "Thanks, Abhiman. Tum kitne helpful ho!" Her voice was dripping with sweetness, and Jeevika rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck.

It wasn’t just Jeevika who noticed Jiya’s antics—Abhiman’s siblings were also watching closely. Riddhi leaned over to Jeevika with a smirk, "Bhabhi, isko dekh ke lagta hai jaise koi movie chal rahi ho. Hero heroine ko help kar raha hai, bas background music missing hai."

Jeevika let out a small, irritated laugh, "Bas ab isse hero mat bolo. Meri already kharab ho rahi hai mood."

As if to make matters worse, Abhiman’s bua couldn’t stop gushing about how “perfect” Abhiman and Jiya looked together. "Main toh pehle se hi kehti thi ki yeh dono kitne acche lagte hain saath mein. Jiya toh humari hi beti jaisi hai," she declared loudly at dinner, clearly trying to stir something.

Jeevika felt the sting of bua’s words, and though she tried to hide it, her temper was starting to bubble beneath the surface. Abhiman, however, was still clueless. He kept helping Jiya, thinking it was all just part of the wedding preparations, while Jeevika’s frustration grew by the minute.

Veer, who had been watching from the sidelines, exchanged a knowing glance with Riddhi. They had noticed Jiya's antics just as much as Jeevika had. Riddhi leaned over and whispered something to Veer, and in no time, they were up to something.

Later that evening, as everyone gathered for snacks and drinks, Veer slipped something into Jiya's glass of juice—a special ingredient designed to give her a rather unpleasant surprise.

"Yeh dekhna, abhi maza aayega," Veer whispered to Riddhi, who stifled a giggle.

Jiya, still fluttering around Abhiman, took a sip of her juice, unaware of the mischief. Moments later, the effects started to show. Jiya's face paled, and she excused herself from the room hurriedly, her hand clutching her stomach.

Within minutes, the embarrassing sounds of Jiya’s discomfort filled the quiet of the house. Everyone tried to hold back their laughter, but when Jiya returned, red-faced and clearly mortified, the entire room erupted in giggles.

Jeevika, who had no idea what had happened, couldn’t contain her laughter either. She laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face. Seeing Jiya’s perfect composure shattered, even for just a moment, was enough to brighten her mood.

Abhiman, completely clueless about what had just unfolded, stood there watching his wife laugh like she hadn’t in days. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He didn’t know what was so funny, but seeing Jeevika so happy was enough to make his heart swell with joy.

Veer and Riddhi exchanged a triumphant high-five, proud of their successful prank. Meanwhile, Jiya’s face turned a deep shade of crimson as she awkwardly excused herself from the gathering.

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