मोहब्बत दिल के दरवाज़े पे दस्तक दे रही है,
पर अंदर की उदासी अब भी वहीं है।
उसकी बाहों में मिलती है राहत,
पर दर्द की परछाई अब भी साथ है।
◇
Vote Target:- 470+
Comment Target:- 100+
Avyansh was feeling utterly drained, his body begging for rest after the whirlwind trip to Manhattan. The sleepless nights, the never-ending meetings, and the unexpected run-in with her had left him in a daze.
The memory of that encounter was still vivid, haunting him. It had felt surreal, as though time had warped for a brief moment just for the two of them. He shook his head, trying to focus, but exhaustion clung to him stubbornly.
The altercation with the guy at the mall earlier hadn’t helped. His bodyguards had handled it, of course, but the incident left a sour taste. It was Avantika who had momentarily pulled him from his irritation. She was like a quiet balm to his agitated mind.
As the car pulled up to her family home, the grand sight of servants bustling about decorating the entrance greeted them. The hum of activity felt almost foreign to him in his weary state, like he was stepping into a parallel world of energy and celebration.
A servant hurried toward them, bowing slightly before reaching for their luggage.
“Madam, to your room, right?” he asked politely. Avantika nodded wordlessly, her expression distant.
The car ride had been unusually quiet.Her gaze had been locked on the passing scenery, her eyes betraying a heaviness that she wasn’t ready to share.
Avyansh observed her with a mix of concern and frustration. Something was wrong, but she wasn’t letting him in. As they stepped toward the door, he gently offered his hand.
“Chale?” he asked softly.
She flinched, her reaction startling him. She nodded after a pause but still didn’t meet his eyes. The unspoken distance between them felt heavier than usual.
Stepping into the house, Avyansh’s sharp eyes immediately caught movement ahead.
A woman in her mid-40s appeared, her bright face lighting up as she spotted Avantika.
“Avantika! Meri bachi, kitna miss kiya tujhe!” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with affection.
The woman—Chandni, Avantika’s another aunt—hurried forward, throwing her arms around her niece in a tight hug.
Avantika stood frozen, her body stiff against the embrace. She didn’t return the gesture, her hands remaining awkwardly at her sides. Her distant demeanor was palpable, and Avyansh’s confusion deepened.
Chandni, however, seemed unbothered. She pulled back, her beaming smile aimed at Avyansh now.
“Damad ji bhi aaye hain?” she said teasingly, her eyes appraising him as though he were part of some inside joke.
Avyansh arched an eyebrow, his expression guarded. Her words hung in the air, thick with unspoken meaning. There was something almost too sweet about her tone, something that unsettled him.
He glanced at Avantika, hoping for some cue, but she kept her head down, her lips pressed tightly together.
The tension in the room was impossible to ignore. Chandni, still smiling, acted as though she didn’t notice, her laughter breaking the uncomfortable silence.
