His Vengeance Wife (On Hold)

chapter 20

Advika’s POV

I leaned against the marble railing, staring at the twinkling lights decorating the tree, willing myself to stop overthinking. Everyone was enjoying the party except me. I felt suffocated, standing there like a statue with a bright smile plastered on my face. My cheeks hurt, man.

The ring on my finger felt heavier than it should have. A sigh escaped my lips as I glanced at the sky. The moon looked beautiful tonight.

I turned around, only to meet his piercing gaze. He was talking to someone, but his eyes never left mine. No doubt, he looked too good.

"And…"

"Too irresistible. U-uhh."

I tore my gaze away from him, only to find my partner in crime, Divya, standing nearby. Was I too loud?

I raised an eyebrow at her, and she simply shrugged, sipping her orange juice.

"You were loud enough," Divya teased.

I groaned internally, pressing my palm to my burning face. Great. Now she wouldn’t leave me alone.

"You’ve started liking him, huh? Not bad," she said, a mischievous grin on her face.

My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced nervously in his direction. He was still engrossed in conversation, his expression unreadable. Yet the way his suit fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders and toned physique, wasn’t helping. His face was sharp and striking, his jawline so well-defined it looked like it had been sculpted by an artist.

But it was his eyes that really got to me—dark, intense, and piercing, like they could see straight into my thoughts. He carried himself with such confidence, every movement deliberate, as if he knew exactly how good he looked.

Suddenly, as if sensing my gaze, he turned his attention toward me. His left eyebrow arched in a questioning manner. I quickly shook my head, looking away, only to find Divya smirking at me.

"Chhupana bhi nahi aata, dikhana bhi nahi aata...

Humein tumse mohabbat hai, batana bhi nahi aata," she sang, swaying a little to her own words.

"I-I don’t feel anything for him," I muttered defensively, crossing my arms. "He’s just..."

"Too irresistible?" Divya mimicked, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I glared at her, and she held up her hands in mock surrender, giving me a thumbs-up.

"Oh, by the way, Aunty was asking for you," she added.

"Where is she?" I asked, glancing around to find her.

"Maybe in kitchen," Divya replied with a shrug.

I nodded and left to find my mother.

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Author’s POV

Vivaan handed a drink to Akhil, who shook his head in refusal.

"Why? Aadu ne mana kiya ya kya? Mera bhai aagyakar pati ban gaya, mera bhai..."

Vivaan smiled, bringing his hand up in the traditional nazar utarna gesture—the back of his fingers brushing his lips before flicking the gesture away, as though casting off an evil eye.

"Kisiki nazar na lage, thuthuthu..." he added with a playful glint in his eyes.

Akhil chuckled and lightly hit his head. "Don’t you have any work besides irritating me?"

"Of course, I do! But irritating you is my favorite," Vivaan replied, winking.

"Kisi ladki ke saath jaakar flirt kar le, at least pat toh jayegi," Akhil suggested dryly.

"Ladkiyan toh mujhpe fida hi hain," Vivaan replied, styling his hair dramatically.

Akhil gave him a bored look and started walking away, but Vivaan stopped him.

"Umm... Aunty is calling you in the kitchen."

Akhil frowned in confusion. "Why?"

"Shayad roti belne ke liye help chahiye hogi. Dekh le," Vivaan replied, feigning irritation.

"Toh tu bhi chal le, saath mein belenge," Akhil quipped, smirking.

"Apni biwi ko leke ja," Vivaan muttered under his breath, smirking in defeat.

Without replying, Akhil made his way inside the house. Vivaan, still standing in the garden, gave a thumbs-up toward the corner with a wide smile.

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TBC...