His Vengeance Wife

chapter 18

Advika awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the sheer curtains. Her tiny companion, a fluffy golden furball named Buddy, stretched beside her, yawning adorably. She reached out to stroke his fur, which felt like the softest velvet against her fingertips.

The engagement was only a day away, and the reality of it was finally sinking in. With a sigh, Advika sat up and glanced around her room. The delicate scent of jasmine from the flower garlands decorating the house wafted in, reminding her of the celebrations that lay ahead. Her mother’s voice called out from the hallway.

“Aadu, are you awake? We have so much to do today! Come have breakfast quickly,” her mother, Saanvi, said, her tone urgent but full of love.

“Coming, Maa!” Advika replied, scooping Buddy into her arms and giving him one last snuggle before setting him on the bed.

She changed into a simple yellow kurta, its fabric light and airy. The day ahead would be filled with shopping and last-minute preparations, and comfort was key. As she made her way down the hallway, she passed by her father’s study, the door slightly ajar. She paused, seeing her father, Kabir Bakshi, seated at his desk, poring over an old photo album. The smile on his face was tinged with nostalgia.

“Papa,” she said softly, stepping inside.

He looked up, his eyes lighting up when they met hers. “Ah, Aadu. Look at this,” he said, gesturing for her to come closer.

Advika walked over and leaned against the desk, peering at the photo he pointed to. It was a picture of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi, on their wedding day, eyes full of hope and love. Both looked radiant, the glow of love and care evident on their faces.

“It was the happiest day of my life,” Mr. Bakshi said, his voice thick with emotion. “And tomorrow, you’ll have your own moment.”

Advika felt a lump form in her throat. She reached out to hold his hand, their fingers intertwining. “Thank you, Papa. For everything. I don’t know if you and Maa hadn’t been there that day, m-maybe I wouldn’t be alive—”

Before she could finish, Kabir gently placed his palm over her mouth, then playfully tapped her head. A lone tear escaped her eyes.

“Never—” He wiped her tear away and took her hand in his. “Parents will do anything for their children’s happiness, and we have never discriminated between Aahan and you, have we?”

Advika shook her head.

“Then no more apologies. You came into our lives as a light in the darkness. We call you a goddess, and we mean it. My little princess has grown up, and now she is going to be the queen of her king.”

Hearing her father’s words, she hugged him tightly, her sobs filling the room.

“I don’t know about kings and queens, but my king is the best, and his princess is beautiful, right?” she said, looking up at her father,  her little red nose making him laugh. Kabir’s eyes were wet, but he held back his tears, knowing Advika would start crying even more if he didn’t.

“Of course, my princess,” he whispered, placing his hand on her head in a blessing.

“Oh, you two! It's early in the morning and already making my flower cry!” Saanvi called from the doorway. Advika turned to see her mother watching them with love, feigning annoyance as she glanced at Kabir, who raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Both of you, come down for breakfast. Then we’ll leave for shopping.”

Advika hugged her mother and kissed her cheek. “Okay, Maa.”

Saanvi hugged her back and looked at Kabir, who shook his head as if telling her not to cry. She blinked away her own tears.

¤¤¤

Meanwhile, at the Agarwal residence, Akhil sat in his room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The crisp white kurta he had tried on earlier fit perfectly. He ran a hand through his hair, the anticipation of the upcoming day creating a storm of emotions within him.

“You’re too lost in thought, Bhai,” a playful voice broke through his reverie. Akhil turned to see his younger sister, Siya, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Shouldn’t you be helping Maa instead of spying on me?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Siya laughed, stepping into the room. “Maa sent me to check on you. And by the look on your face, I’d say you’re more nervous than excited.”

Akhil’s jaw clenched for a moment before he let out a sigh. “It’s not nerves,” he lied, turning back to the mirror. But his reflection told another story—the subtle tightening around his eyes, the restless tapping of his fingers against the dresser. Siya wasn’t fooled.

“You know, it’s okay to be nervous,” she said, her tone softening. “This is a big change, even for someone like you.”

Akhil glanced at her, his expression softening. “I guess it’s just… unexpected,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Siya’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “Akhil Agarwal admitting something is unexpected? Now I’ve seen it all.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle, the tension easing a bit. “Alright, enough. Go help Maa before she sends an army after you.”

With a wink, Siya skipped out of the room, leaving Akhil alone with his thoughts. He sat down on the edge of his bed, fingers brushing the fabric of the kurta. The memory of Advika’s smile, the way she tilted her head when she was deep in thought, crept into his mind.

“Am I really falling for her?” he whispered again, the question hanging in the air like an unspoken promise.

¤¤¤
After shopping, both families said their goodbyes. However, Advika felt a little confused today. Usually, Akhil would tease her, but today he seemed frustrated and distracted, masking it with a small smile. Advika felt both happy and sad.

Divya nudged her arm, noticing she was lost in thought.
“He’s busy on his phone and not giving attention to his fiancée, who secretly craves it. Meanwhile, his fiancée insists she isn’t interested and wants to break off the marriage. Oh, what a tangled web!” Divya said dramatically, teasing Advika.

“I’m not dying for his attention, and as for breaking the marriage, I don’t think it’s possible now. Only Lord Ram can save me from this Ravan,” Advika said, pouting cutely. Divya just smiled and playfully pinched her cheek, prompting Advika to bat her hand away.

“Whether you admit it or not, he’s your Lord Ram, not Ravan,” Divya laughed, seeing Advika’s frustrated expression. They were childhood best friends, or rather, sisters from different mothers.

“Girls, let’s go,” Saanvi called out to them.

“Coming, Maa,” Advika replied.

Before getting into the car, she glanced at Akhil’s retreating figure. He was about to put on his sunglasses but caught her gaze. Their brief, romantic eye contact was interrupted by Divya and Siya.

"Tera hi hai bhen, bas kuch din aur sabar karle"  Divya teased, trying to hold back her laughter.
(“He’s yours, sis. Just wait a few more days,”)
Advika’s eyes widened at her words.

Meanwhile, in Akhil’s car, Siya teased him,
"Uff bhai itna pyar, Aapki hi hai shadi ke bad ji bhar ke lena lekin abhi tho janna padega na hume"
(“Oh, so much love! She’s all yours. You can stare as much as you want after the wedding, but for now, we need to go.”)

Akhil pretended to glare at her, and she smiled sheepishly. Before putting his sunglasses back on, Akhil winked at Advika, who was already blushing. Seeing him, she turned even redder, muttering a single word as she settled into her seat.

“Pagal (Crazy).”

♡♡♡TBC♡♡♡