"She fell unconscious due to dehydration, not eating properly and stress." the doctor said, making everyone's eyes widen. The doctor injected Avantika.
"Please make sure she stays hydrated and eats nutritious food. Give her these medicines once she wakes up, she will regain consciousness soon," the doctor said, handing Ranvijay a few medicines.
"Thank you so much Doctor, for coming." Ranvijay thanked the doctor, who then left. "Ranvijay, I think she’s stressed because of all this resignation and everything." Avani said as she got up from the bed.
"I know, but I didn't realize she was this stressed." Ranvijay replied, surprised at how much the job and the resignation was affecting her.
"Thank God you were there when she fell unconscious otherwise, who knows what could have happened." Vikrant said, patting Ranvijay’s back.
"Ranvijay, you should have dinner now while Vikrant is here." Avani suggested. Ranvijay thought for a moment, then nodded.
Vikrant sat beside Avantika while Avani and Ranvijay left the room. "I’ll change my clothes and come." Ranvijay said.
Ranvijay went to change, and Avani arranged the food on the dining table. When Ranvijay returned, she motioned for him to sit and start eating. Avani also sat down and began eating. Ranvijay took some food on his plate but found he didn’t have the appetite to eat.
Avani noticed he was simply staring at the food. "Is the food looking beautiful?" she asked, snapping him out of his trance.
"No, it’s not," Ranvijay replied.
"I thought the food was looking beautiful or something since you were staring at it." Avani said with a smile and Ranvijay chuckled at her humor.
"Ranvijay, I know you’re worried about Avantika, but trust me, she’ll get better." Avani said, placing her hand on Ranvijay's.
"I don’t know, Avani. Something is definitely going on with Avantika and I can’t figure it out." Ranvijay said, clearly distressed. He suspected that her resignation had a deeper reason but didn’t know what it was.
"Let her wake up and then we’ll figure something out. We’ll definitely help her with whatever’s troubling her." Avani assured him, gently squeezing his hand.
"Thank you so much, Avani. We won’t let her leave until we know what’s wrong." Ranvijay said, now determined to get to the bottom of Avantika's troubles.
Ranvijay and Avani continued their dinner, talking and joking. But someone was watching them, hurt by the sight.
Vikrant stood at the door, watching them with a pained expression. He noticed how Avani kept her hand on Ranvijay’s and how he allowed it.
"But isn’t that supposed to happen? Why does this hurt me?" Vikrant questioned himself.
"Because you love Avani." a voice came from behind.
Vikrant turned to see that Avantika had woken up. "I was about to call Bhai and Avani," Vikrant said, but Avantika stopped him and gestured for him to come closer.
"Avantika, you scared us so much, especially Bhai. I was terrified." Vikrant said, sitting beside her and handing her some water.
"Vikrant, you love Avani. Admit it." Avantika said, ignoring his concerns.
"I DON’T," Vikrant replied firmly, though his eyes betrayed him.
"Vikrant, you can still make things right. They haven’t fallen in love yet." Avantika tried to convince him to pursue Avani.
"Nothing is going to change and I don’t love Avani, okay." Vikrant said as Avani and Ranvijay entered. Thankfully both of them didn't hear anything.
"Avantika, how are you? Why aren’t you taking care of yourself?" Avani asked with concern.
"Yes, what would have happened if I hadn’t come back to grab my file? You would have been lying there unconscious all night." Ranvijay said angrily, while Avantika looked down.
Avani placed her hand on Ranvijay’s shoulder to calm him. "Avantika, you’re staying here until you get better, and that’s final." Ranvijay declared before leaving the room.
"He’s right. You’re staying here until you recover, okay." Avani said with a small smile before she also left.
"Vikrant, Ranvijay accepted my resignation." Avantika said, shocking Vikrant.
He couldn’t believe Ranvijay would actually accept Avantika’s resignation. "I’ll talk to him and make sure he cancels it." Vikrant said angrily, heading out of the room while Avantika tried to stop him.
Outside, he found Avani and Ranvijay talking and smiling. Avani’s smile, however, lacked the same warmth she showed when she was around him. She stopped smiling when she noticed Vikrant.
"Bhai, why did you approve Avantika’s resignation?" Vikrant asked angrily.
"I had to, Vikrant. I can’t hold off her resignation forever, and Avani thought it was best to let her go." Ranvijay explained.
Vikrant clenched his jaw, frustrated by Ranvijay’s decision. "You know how Avantika’s parents are. They don’t even accept her as their daughter. She’s been through so much, and there must be a reason for her resignation. Please, I beg you, look into her eyes, she’s suffering." Vikrant said angrily, then stormed off to his room before Ranvijay could respond.
At the door, he paused. "I hope next time, you don’t take advice from someone who doesn’t even know us properly." he said, looking directly at Avani before slamming the door shut.
Avantika, standing nearby, noticed Avani’s tears and understood why Vikrant was acting this way to push Avani away. But he was hurting her even more.
"Avani, I’m sorry. Vikrant has never behaved like this. He shares a very strong bond with Avantik, that's why he said all those things." Ranvijay tired to explain. He didn't like the way Vikrant behaved.
"It’s fine, Ranvijay. Even if he acts this way, I know how he truly feels." Avani said loudly, making sure Vikrant could hear. She understood his motives, but she could also see his true feelings and the pain he was hiding.
"I’ll be back in a bit." Avani said, leaving to get some fresh air. It was suffocating to be in the same house as Vikrant but still feel so distant.
---
Vikrant’s POV
I slammed the door and threw myself onto the bed, face down. Tears streamed down my face.
"I’m sorry, Avani. I love you, but I have to make you hate me so that you can move on with Bhai." I whispered to myself, choking on my tears. I wanted her to despise me, to find happiness with my brother.
I knew he would make her happier than I could.
Suddenly, I heard her voice from outside, loud and clear: "It’s fine, Ranvijay. Even if he behaves this way, I know how he truly feels."
Hearing this, my breathing became uneven. I knew Avani could see through me, understand my emotions, my feelings, and my pain.
But I wanted her to focus on Bhai. I didn’t want to ruin his life. She was my sister-in-law now.
Khushi hoti hai uske Khushi dheke,
Kya hogaya agar woh chalagaya kisi aur ka haath leke,
Shayad yahi gham hai pyaar ka,
Ke hum roh kar bhi muskurate hai uske muskurata dheke.
(I feel joy seeing her happy,
What does it matter if she walks away holding someone else’s hand?
Perhaps this is the sorrow of love,
That even while crying, we smile seeing her smile.)
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Also Happy Diwali and Happy New year to everyone in advance.
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Entwined Vows
RomanceRanvijay and Avani are two people who are forced in a marriage because Avani's sister ran away from the wedding. While Avani is unknown that she already loves someone else, Ranvijay is slowly falling in love with her while trying to make their marri...
