"कुछ तो हुआ है, कुछ हो गया है,
दिल बेकरार सा, क्यों खो गया है।
हवा में खुशबू, ख्वाबों में रंग,
शायद ये प्यार का पहला सुरंग।"
✧
Author's POV
As usual, after the tension of the previous night, neither Avantika nor Avyansh had said a word to each other.
They both came downstairs to the dining table, which was typically buzzing with chatter and laughter. But today, an unusual silence had settled over everyone.
The younger ones exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening. Ruhaan, however, sat at the head of the silence, smirking mischievously.
He had instructed everyone earlier to stop talking and instead give the couple teasing glances without explaining why. Not knowing the reason, the youngsters had decided to play along.
Even the elders looked surprised by the sudden lack of noise.
Avyansh walked in, his eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on Ruhaan, who was sitting with a smug grin plastered on his face.
Avyansh muttered under his breath, "Saale," before heading to his usual seat, followed closely by Avantika.
Avantika reached for a plate, but before she could pick it up, Avyansh grabbed it instead. Without saying a word, he began forwarding food to her plate, his actions deliberate but calm.
Ruhaan, ever the instigator, leaned over to Vijay and whispered conspiratorially, "Mausa ji..."
"Hm?" Vijay responded, mid-bite, glancing at him curiously.
"Avyansh ke neck pe kuch laga hai..." Ruhaan whispered, feigning a confused expression.
Vijay frowned, looking up to examine Avyansh. Sure enough, there was a faint reddish mark on the side of his neck.
"Avyansh" Vijay called out, his tone laced with curiosity.
Avyansh turned to look at him, his face as calm and unreadable as ever. "Ji, Dad?"
"There's something on your neck," Vijay said, pointing slightly toward the mark.
The entire table went still, all eyes now on Avyansh. Ruhaan bit his lip to suppress his laughter, while the younger ones exchanged glances, some stifling giggles.
Avantika, sitting beside Avyansh, stiffened slightly but kept her gaze firmly on her plate, pretending to be completely engrossed in her food.
Avyansh blinked, his expression carefully composed as he reached up to touch his neck. "Huh?" he said, feigning confusion. "What's on my neck?"
Vijay squinted slightly, pointing again. "There's something reddish there. Looks like... a mark or something."
Avyansh's fingers grazed the spot, his face remaining neutral as if he hadn't noticed anything unusual. "Oh," he said casually, lowering his hand. "Must be from shaving, Dad. You know how these razors are-sometimes they leave a mark."
Ruhaan coughed, poorly disguising his laughter as a choke, and quickly reached for his glass of water.
"Shaving?" Vijay repeated, still looking skeptical.
"Yeah," Avyansh replied smoothly, nodding. "Happens sometimes. No big deal."
"Nahi, nahi, shaver toh mai bhi wahi use karta hoon jo tu karta hai," Ruhaan chimed in, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, earning a sharp glare from Avyansh.
