Obsession

Chapter 26: A Night To Remember

Author.

The air in the room shifted as everyone settled into their seats. The teasing laughter from moments ago faded into quiet chatter, but the observant ones, like Sakshi, couldn’t miss the subtle signs—the hickeys, lipstick smudges, and rosy cheeks.

“Well,” Sakshi began, her voice teasing yet gentle, “looks like I’m not the only one having a good day.” Her eyes twinkled as she glanced meaningfully at her brothers and their partners.

Shyam, ever the confident one, gave a small laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Sakshi raised a brow, leaning forward. “You’re going to be brother in law to a lawyer, bhaiya, but your neck has all the evidence anyone needs.”

Her words made Komal, sitting beside Shyam, instinctively look down. She felt the room’s attention shift toward her, and though she was usually poised, a faint blush crept up her cheeks. Her fingers lightly grazed her neck, brushing away a strand of hair that fell from her perfectly styled bun. “It’s nothing,” she murmured, her voice soft.

Sunidhi, seated next to Rishabh, chuckled lightly, her own bashfulness evident as she adjusted her scarf. “I guess... it’s a mark of love,” she said quietly, trying to deflect the attention. Her usual confidence wavered as she avoided eye contact, her fingers fiddling with her bracelet.

Across the table, Avni, Siddharth’s wife, sat quietly. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, and her gaze shifted nervously between the others. She felt out of place in the lively family dynamic, her reserved nature making her hesitant to join the banter.

Siddharth noticed her unease and leaned closer, his voice low. “Relax. They’re just teasing. No one’s judging you.”

Avni nodded, her cheeks warming under his reassuring gaze. “I know,” she whispered. “It’s just...a lot.”

“It’ll settle down,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “Just be yourself.”

Rishabh, eager to ease the tension, smirked at Sakshi. “Should we focus on the fact that you, are ahead of us, the bride-to-be while all of us are clearly...” He gestured vaguely, earning a laugh from the group.

Sakshi threw a breadstick at him, her tone playful but light. “I’m with him for almost 3 and a half years now, we deserve to get married. If you feel like it, why don't you just get married "

Her comment made Sunidhi’s blush deepen, and she quickly looked down at her plate. “We’re not rushing,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sakshi’s teasing softened as she noticed Sunidhi’s bashful demeanor. “I’m just kidding,” she said with a warm smile. “You’re lovely, Sunidhi. I can see why Rishabh is so smitten.”

Sunidhi’s lips curved into a shy smile, and she glanced at Rishabh, who winked at her playfully.

Komal, though reserved by nature, cleared her throat softly. “It’s nice to see everyone together,” she said, her voice measured but with a hint of shyness as she addressed the group. She rarely expressed such sentiments openly, and the others noticed her effort.

Shyam placed a hand on hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s even better with you here,” he said quietly, his tone affectionate. Komal’s lips parted in surprise, and she lowered her gaze, her heart fluttering at his unexpected compliment.

Avni observed the warmth between the couples, her own nerves gradually easing. She glanced at Siddharth, who was watching her with a small smile. “You’re doing great,” he said, as if reading her thoughts.

“Am I?” she asked, her voice soft.

He nodded, leaning closer. “Better than you think.”

A faint smile touched her lips, and she took a sip of water to compose herself.

---

As the night progressed, the laughter and chatter filled the room. The warmth of the family dynamic enveloped everyone, even the more reserved ones like Avni and Komal, who began to open up.

At one point, Sakshi leaned toward Sushant, her voice low. “You’ve been quiet tonight. Is something on your mind?”

Sushant sighed, his usual confidence replaced by a rare vulnerability. “I’ve been offered a partnership,” he admitted. “In Bangalore.”

Sakshi’s eyes widened. “Bangalore? That’s far.”

“I know,” he said. “I haven’t made a decision yet. I didn’t want to ruin the evening by bringing it up.”

Sakshi placed a hand on his arm, her voice gentle. “You should have told me. We’ll figure it out together.”

Meanwhile, Siddharth found Avni standing near the balcony, her arms crossed as she gazed at the city lights. He approached her, draping his jacket over her shoulders.

“Cold?” he asked softly.

“A little,” she admitted, pulling the jacket closer.

“You’ve been quiet,” he observed, his tone gentle.

“I just... I’m not used to all this,” she confessed, her voice shy.

“You’re doing fine,” he reassured her, his eyes warm. “They already like you. How could they not?”

Her lips curved into a soft smile, and she looked down, her shyness making it hard to hold his gaze.

Back inside, Rishabh raised his glass, breaking the moment. “To family,” he said.

“And to new beginnings,” added Sushant, his eyes flickering to Sakshi.

The clinking glasses and shared smiles marked the end of the evening, but for the couples, it felt like the beginning of something much deeper.

---

As the last of the dishes were cleared, the evening began to draw to a close. Laughter and casual chatter lingered in the air, but the unmistakable feeling of warmth and belonging filled the room. The group stood together, sharing heartfelt goodbyes as they prepared to leave.

Rishabh stood up first, his hand lightly resting on Sunidhi’s shoulder. “It was a good night,” he said, his voice warm as he smiled at the group.

Sakshi smiled, giving a playful wink. “Of course. It’s family.”

Komal stood slowly, her eyes meeting Sushant’s with a soft, affectionate glance. “I agree,” she murmured.

Avni gave Siddharth a look of silent appreciation as they made their way toward the door. The evening had been everything she hadn’t expected—and yet, everything she needed.

As the last of the guests left, the home that had once seemed like a strange place to many now felt like a space where they all belonged. The memories of the evening lingered, and though it had only just begun, it already felt like a chapter in a story they would cherish for a long time.

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Also, kindly review the old chapter.
They have been edited and improvised.

Revised and edited
Word Count:1080~