A little thing called FIRST LOVE ft.Avneil

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Avni tiptoed into the house, careful to avoid making any noise. She was almost at her bedroom door when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Avni, where were you?" her mother, Neela, asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and authority.

Avni froze, biting her lip as she turned to face her mother. "Woh, Ma... Actually, I went out for some fresh air," she mumbled, trying to sound casual.

"At this time?" Neela questioned, glancing pointedly at the clock on the wall, which read 1 a.m.

Avni stammered, searching for words. "Ma, actually... I, uh... Oh..." Her excuses ran dry, and she looked down, unable to meet her mother’s eyes.

Neela crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, but there was a glint of amusement in her gaze. "Did you get your fresh air in that black car parked outside?"

Avni’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?"

"Come on, Avni," Neela teased, unable to hold back a chuckle. "Do you think I didn’t notice? That was your... what should I call him? My future son-in-law?"

"Ma!" Avni exclaimed, her cheeks turning crimson. She lowered her head again, trying to hide her blush.

"Ohooo, my Avni knows how to blush now!" Neela teased further, laughing as Avni’s embarrassment grew.

"Ma, please," Avni groaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Okay, okay," Neela said, her tone softening but her smile still intact. "What happened? Why did he come at this hour? Is everything okay?"

Avni hesitated but decided to be honest. "We had a fight... so he came to sort things out."

Neela’s smile widened. "Very good. That settles it—I approve of him as my son-in-law!"

"What?" Avni looked up, confused by her mother’s declaration.

Neela patted the sofa beside her. "Come, sit. Let me explain something to you."

Reluctantly, Avni shuffled over and sat next to her mother.

"Avni," Neela began, her voice full of wisdom, "in any relationship, arguments are bound to happen. But the key is to never let them fester. Always clear things up before going to bed. A beautiful relationship deserves care and effort." She paused, giving Avni a pointed look. "And he did exactly that by coming to you."

Avni nodded slowly, absorbing her mother’s words. "Okay, Ma. I’ll keep that in mind."

Neela studied her daughter for a moment before asking, "When will you introduce him to me?"

Avni smiled shyly. "When I’m ready for everything, Ma."

Neela tilted her head in exasperation. "Oh God. When will that happen?"

Avni smirked mischievously, standing up. "I don’t know. Maybe ten more years?"

"Ten years?" Neela repeated in mock outrage, but before she could say more, Avni dashed toward her room, laughing.

Neela shook her head, a fond smile on her face as she watched her daughter go. "This girl..." she muttered to herself, before heading to her own room to sleep.

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The library, usually Avni’s sanctuary, buzzed with a faint hum of activity. Seated at her usual spot near the large bay window, she had her books spread out, fully immersed in her notes. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she tried to solve a particularly challenging equation, oblivious to the world around her.