Avi's pov:

It's been a week since I saw her in that lifeless condition. I thought I would lose her. It's like a nightmare for me. Every night, I would wake up in the middle of the night to check on her. For the first two days, she used to shiver and mumble something in her sleep. She used to sweat profusely, and her body would turn cold. To be frank, I never had proper sleep this week. I used to stay awake and stare at her serene face all night, assuring myself that she was with me. I won't lie, but now I'm afraid of losing her. I don't know why my intuition is saying something bad is going to happen.

And after that day, she never spoke about what happened in the hospital. I didn't even ask her. Well, I want to propose to her on her special day. Well, it's our special day. The best part is that we were born on the same day four years apart. So, I'm planning to take her on a small vacation after our birthday, which is next month, because I know how much she loves to celebrate with the family. So, I'm trying my best to finish all the pending work so that I won't be disturbed by office calls then.

But I'm loving her attention. Every morning, she places all my essentials on the bed. She sends me and Dad lunch daily, as mom does not come to the office unless it is important, as she wants to give company to Maya. She used to cook my favourites at least once a day. Though the elderly ladies have strictly prohibited her from entering the kitchen, would she listen to them? She would give them an innocent look, which would eventually melt them. Of course, who could not melt by looking at her innocent face?

*******************

Author's Pov:

"Avi, come on, get up. We are getting late. I've placed your clothes on the couch. Go and get ready fast," Maya said, coming out of the closet.

"Beautiful!" was all he could say, looking at her.

She is looking elegant in the black silk sari. His heart jumped with joy at looking at her wearing the saree he had selected. She tied her hair into a bun and adorned it with a gajra.

Her cheeks turned red with his intense gaze. She looked down, blushing while playing with the end of her sari pallu. He moved towards her with baby steps, while she took a step backward. Soon, she hit the wall. He leaned a bit towards her and pulled her closer by her waist. He looked into those chocolate-brown eyes of hers. All he could see was love for him.

"You are looking beautiful, bunny," he said, kissing her forehead lovingly, to which she closed her eyes.

He moved down and kissed her eyes. He then kissed her nose and both cheeks. He then embraced her in his arms. He knows she needs time, and he is ready to wait for her all his life. They stayed in that position for a while.

*************************

Soon both of them reached downstairs. They saw Vani and Shekar waiting for them, as they were getting late. They need to attend the engagement of one of their clients' daughters. He was their old client and a good friend of Shekar. And also, the bride is a classmate of Avinav and a good friend of him.

(Vani-Shekar attires)

"Wow! You look so beautiful, Amma," Avi said, kissing Vani's cheek.

Shekar pulled Vani towards him and said, "At least stop kissing my wife now."

"Amma, someone is getting jealous," Avi said, pulling his mother towards him.

"Of course, I'm jealous," Shekar said, pulling Vani towards him and hugging her tightly.

Maya giggled, looking at their banter, and shook her head.

*************************

Soon, the four of them reached the venue. They moved towards the newly engaged couple and congratulated them. Vani took Maya with her to introduce her to some of her friends who didn't attend the wedding, while Avi and Shekar got themselves busy mingling with the people they knew.

Even though Avi was talking to the others, he was checking on Maya in between. He knew his mother was there with her, but he knew she was not comfortable meeting new people. He looked around and saw her standing with his mother and her friends.

Maya looked at her mother-in-law, who was eager to introduce her to her friends. Since her childhood, Vani has been a bubbly person. She mingles with people easily. She got married at the young age of 18 as Shekar's father was on his deathbed, and he wished to see his son's marriage before he died. Shekar is the only child of Gayatri and Venkatraman. Shekar had just completed his graduation at the time of his marriage. After their marriage, he asked Vani if she wanted to study. He always wanted Vani to be independent. She was pursuing her BBA when she got married, and she pursued an MBA after her marriage. Gayatri always supported her.

Maya was immersed in her thoughts when she saw two ladies approaching them.

"Hi, Vani! Long time, ha! You seem to be very busy these days," the first lady asked Vani.

"Why won't she be, Sarala? After all, she got her son married. So, she must be busy with all the things," said the second lady.

"Oh! I didn't know that. You broke my heart, Vani. I thought to ask Avi's hand for my daughter after she completed her studies. But you got him married already," said Sarala.

"Who is this beautiful girl standing beside you, Vani? I had never seen her before," asked Mohini.

"She was my niece, Maya," said Vani.

Sarala interrupted her, saying, "Vani, you know right, I'm looking for a bride for my son. Why don't you give me her father's number? My husband will speak to him. What did she study? You know, my son recently got a promotion."

Vani was about to say something when that lady cut her off again, turned to Maya, and spoke, "What do your father and mother do?"

Maya looked at that lady and said, "Umm, my father is a private equity associate, and Amma is a senior drug manufacturer at XYZ formulations and.."

But that lady again cut her off and spoke, "Oh! That's nice. How much do they both earn per annum? Do you have any siblings or are you a single child?"

Vani just wants to bang her head somewhere. On the other hand, Maya could only stare at the woman in front of her. Can't she see the sindoor in her hairline and her nuptial chain? And she is not at all giving them a chance to answer her either.

Maya was just standing there, tapping her foot lightly on the floor in annoyance, listening to that lady's non-stop blabbering. She looked around to search for Avi and spotted him with the bride and groom. As if sensing her gaze, he looked at her while she pouted, looking at him. He shook his head at her and excused himself, making his way towards them.

"What did you study, by the way? You know, my daughter is a college topper. She is always into books in her spare time. I'll tell her to take a rest, but will she listen to me? She says, "Mama, I want to be the college topper and make you guys proud. Oh, I forgot to tell you about my son. He is handsome and also a topper. Now, leads a team in an MNC. And you would definitely like him," Sarala said, boasting about her children.

Before she could continue, Avi cut her off, saying, "Sorry, aunty, but she is happily married to me."

He pulled Maya towards him by her waist and held her possessively. Of course, he is damn possessive about his things, and on top of that, this lady wants to do his wife's wedding again with her son. Is she mad or what?

Thank God. That was what Vani and Maya thought in their minds.

"What? But Vani, you said she's your niece," Sarala said, making a sad face. 

"Of course, she is my niece and also my DIL. I was about to say that, but you didn't give me or Maya a chance to say it," Vani said, rolling her eyes at her.

"Oh! Sorry." Sarala said, smiling awkwardly. "And she does not look like a married woman."

"Aunty, if you have noticed, she is wearing a nuptial chain, and there is vermilion in her hair. And now, if you'll excuse us, Anu is asking for her. So," Avi said with a poker face.

"Arey, wait a while, what's so hurried? Let her stay here for a while. We won't eat your wife. We should know about her, right? What do you say, Mohini?" She said this while looking at the second lady, who simply shrugged her shoulders.

"What are you doing at present?" She inquired with her gaze fixed on Maya.

Before Maya could answer, Avi answered, "She worked as a software architect before our marriage."

"Oh! What is your salary package? You know, my son earns 20 LPA," Sarala said, flaunting her son.

"She used to earn 40 LPA before our marriage, Aunty. You see, being the university topper, it wasn't that hard for her to bag a good job. So, now will you please excuse us if your question is over?" saying that he dragged both ladies along with him.

Sarala twisted her mouth in annoyance and left from there to gossip with others.

*************************

"Amma, tell me one thing. Are all your friends this annoying, or only she? Oh God! What a crazy woman she is. If I were there for a second, my head would have burst with her non-sense talks," Avi said, with a poker face.

"Oh! Hello! That lady is not my friend. She is just our neighbour who loves to flaunt her son and daughter as if they have achieved some gold medal for the country," Vani said, with an irritated face.

"Yeah! I can see that," Avi said, twisting his mouth in annoyance.

"Arey, what are you guys doing here? What is this, Avinav? Won't you introduce your wife to me?" Ananya asked, coming towards them.

"Oh! I forgot. Ananya, this is my wife Maya, and Maya, this is Ananya. We call her Anu. She is my classmate and my little sister," Avinav said, introducing Maya and Ananya to each other.

"Hi, Maya! Finally, I'm meeting you. You know, what? He used to talk a lot about you. Ayyo! We have a lot to discuss. Now, come with me; the mehendi function is going to start. I heard that you love to apply Mehandi. Is it true?" Said Ananya.

"Yeah! Atta, shall I go?" Maya asked Vani.

"Of course, go, Kanna," Vani said, patting Maya's cheek lovingly.

Maya looked at Avi, who gestured for her to go.

"Come, let's go," Anu said, dragging Maya with her.

*************************

"So, Maya, tell me something about you," Anu asked while getting her mehendi done.

"What's there to tell?" Maya said, scrutinising the mehendi designs.

"I heard that you bake delicious cakes. You know, I love cakes a lot. I tried to bake once, but it turned out to be a disaster," Anu said, pouting.

"That's a big disaster, Anu baby. It looked like coal," Harsh said, joining them (Harsh is Ananya's fiancé).

Ananya made a face, listening to his words, and pinched Harsh's shoulder.

"I'll see you after the marriage," Anu said, glaring at him.

Harsh raised his hands in surrender and sat there selecting her mehendi designs for her legs.

"Which flavour do you love?" Maya asked Anu.

"Red velvet. That's my favourite," Anu said, licking her lips.

Maya and Harsh laughed, looking at her.

"Okay! I'll bake it and bring it to you tomorrow. Anyways, we will come here tomorrow also right for the other functions," said Maya.

"Thank you, Maya. You are so sweet," Anu said, side-hugging Maya.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen," Avi said, joining them and settling down beside Maya.

"Your wife is so sweet, Avinav. She said that she would bake my favourite red velvet cake," said Anu.

"Oh! Don't worry, I'll bake one for you too. Or else you'll eat it before Anu Akka," Maya said, sarcastically, making Avi pout.

"How can I forget this foodie boy?" Anu teased Avinav.

"Whatever! Food is love," Avi said, thinking about food with dreamy eyes.

The other three laughed while looking at him. Avi just shrugged his shoulders, looking at them.

"What happened? Why are you guys laughing like that?" Harini (Ananya's mother) said, coming towards them.

"See, Aunty, these three are teasing me," Avi said, pouting.

"Why are you teasing my son, ha? And you, Anu, don't you have any other job besides teasing him?" Harini said, twisting Anu's ears.

"Ayyo, Amma, leave my ears. It's paining. And for your info, I didn't tease him, it's Maya," Anu said, whining.

"Then it's okay. Shall I bring food for you both?" Harini asked Anu and Maya.

"I'll eat after a while, Aunty," said Maya.

"You don't worry, Aunty. I'll bring her and feed her," said Avi.

"Aww, how sweet of you, Avinav?" said Anu. She then turned towards Harsh and said, "Learn something from him."

Harini shook her head at her daughter's drama and said, "Okay, you guys sit here. I'll send lunch for you guys."

"Come on, Aunty, let's go," said Avi.

"No problem. You sit here with her. I'll send it with someone as I have work," With that, Harini left.

Maya was done with her mehendi and sat there, leaning her head on Avi's shoulder, while Harsh arranged some soft cushions behind Anu so that she could sit comfortably.

"Avi, how is it?" Maya asked, showing her hands to him.

"Beautiful," he said, kissing her hands and making her blush.

"Ahem," Harsh said, coughing a little.

Maya hid her face in Avi's chest, making them laugh.

"Aww, you are so cute, Maya. If I were a boy, I would have married you before this guy," Anu said, pointing at Avi.

"Aye, she is my Bunny. Harsh, be careful with your girl," Avi said, pulling Maya close to him.

Ananya's mehendi

Mehendi artist: Mam, it's done.

Anu: Thank you, guys! Do have your lunch before you guys leave.

Mehandi artist: Sure, ma'am. And happy married life, ma'am.

Anu: Thank you, guys.

Soon, the three mehendi artists left.

Four of them sat there talking about different things. The boys fed the lunch to the girls sent by Harini while feeding themselves.

"By the way, how is Veeru? He apologized to me as he is going out of town for a week," said Ananya.

"He is fine. We will meet once after your wedding. But, when did you guys come to India? No calls, no messages. Do you know how many times I've tried to contact you at the time of my wedding? Then I came to know that the madam went on a trip," said Avinav.

"Sorry, ra. Actually, we went to visit Harsh's brother as his wife's delivery was near. And about the marriage, we really have no idea that our parents are planning for it. They just told us a week earlier. They have planned everything, and see here, we're getting married in two days," Anu apologised to Avinav.

"Okay, I'm forgiving you. By the way, how is she now?" asked Avinav.

"Both mother and baby are fine. It's a baby girl," said Harsh.

"Oh! That's good, then. Won't they come for the wedding?" Avinav asked Harsh.

"They will come to India, but only Bhai will attend the wedding, as Bhabhi was a little weak," said Harsh.

"Oh! Do Harsh parents know about your past, Anu?" Avinav asked Anu.

"Yeah! In fact, I was afraid of their reaction, but their response did amuse me," said Anu.

"I'm so happy for you, Anu, and I'm glad that you have moved on," said Avinav.

"One day or the other, we have to definitely move on from the past. We can't carry that baggage all our lives and cry about it," said Anu.

"I know, right? But some people won't understand that," Avi said, looking at Maya from the corner of his eyes.

"Is it that easy to forget everything when every day those bitter memories of the past haunt you, Akka?" asked Maya.

"Of course, it was not easy, Maya. You know, I was in a relationship during my college days. At the start, he used to be normal, like every other guy. But after some months, he started to show his true nature. He used to demean me and suspect me. He ordered me to get his permission, even if I had to talk to my parents. My parents never liked that guy. I expected them to accept him over time. He used to keep me restricted. He used to scold me if I wore western clothes, if my phone was switched off, or if I went somewhere without informing him. In fact, because of him, I left my modelling offer too. For a year, I didn't talk to Avinav either. But suddenly I felt my self-respect at stake," Anu said, thinking about her past.

"One day, he saw me talking to my cousin's brother, who had come to meet me. He made a big scene in front of the whole college. He said I was cheating on him behind his back. My brother beat him as he slapped me in front of him. That was the moment I realised he was not the one. That time, I realised my parents and friends were correct about him all the time. It was me who, like a fool, ran after him. After that, he spread rumours throughout the college that I was having an affair with various men. He couldn't digest the fact that I broke up with him. I was suspended for a month. My parents were called to meet the higher authorities. I was ashamed of myself