11. SM Automation

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The chemistry lab in her twelfth standard lasted for over a month.

Avni was apprehensive during the lab when the instructor warned them to be careful. The experiment involved Phenol, a weak acid that's slightly harmful.

She carefully performed the experiment but time wasn't in her favor.

One of her classmates was heating the acid in a water bath and liquid spilled on her hand just below her elbow.

"Don't overreact, for heaven's sake! It's water," The guy exclaimed as Avni hissed in pain.

The skin in that area started becoming white, and everyone surrounded her. The instructor panicked, questioning her about how it happened, but she chose to remain silent.

The instructor was applying burnol when the most unexpected happened.

Santosh stood at the door coming from the Physics lab for water. Avni glanced at the door, hearing his friend's voice, and she smiled as soon as his face came into vision.

The confused look on his face, unable to comprehend what was happening, remained unforgettable.

The black mark on her elbow still didn't fade after seven years. It always reminded her of the guy who blurted out, "Don't stand near the sink. I don't want to burn you again," and Santosh too.

Avni smiled sadly, recalling the incident. She is surprisingly not angry with the guy even after he blamed her for his fault. Santosh being there when she was in pain remained to be one of her sweet memories.

Avni's face remained expressionless, observing her finger that didn't burn like every other time. She is used to mildly burning her skin, accidentally touching hot vessels while cooking.

Avni was pouring milk in a glass when she heard Siddharth shouting, "Avni, You coming?"

She quickly wiped away the forming tears and covered the distance between the kitchen and their room with a heavy heart.

"I can't breathe, Siddharth. Please stay by my side," Avni implored with glistening eyes and hugged him tight, unable to control her emotions anymore.

Emotions probably become uncontrollable when a person has a shoulder to lean onto.

A part of her felt guilty for marrying Siddharth, and the other couldn't let go of Santosh's memories. What an irony! Santosh means happiness, and his name only brought tears along from the past few years.

Siddharth couldn't comprehend what changed her mood all of a sudden. She was smiling before he marched upstairs, finishing his dinner.

Siddharth could sense her broken state and pale face. The worst part is he knew the reason behind it. He wasn't angry but deeply hurt -Avni's tears stabbed his heart, and he could do nothing.

He wrapped his arms around her resting his hand above her head. She cried inconsolably, feeling safe and secure. His hug was promising and soothing.

They stood there for none knew how long. She cried more and more as time passed unusually. His T-shirt became wet with her tears, but she didn't care, fisting it in her palms. That moment he realized how deeply Santosh must've hurt her and the intensity of her love.

Siddharth didn't feel bad that she loved someone else like before. No! He made peace with that.

The day he said yes to her, he got himself ready to accept 'Santosh' in their life. The only reason for his agreement being his mother's affection towards Avni that day. But equations did change over time, and she began making her place in his life.

Siddharth decided to give her time, even if it takes a life. The only reason Avni should accept him is that she loves him. Not because of forces like he is her husband, he was hurt, or she has to keep him happy.

Siddharth was confident of one thing -He deserves her. That indeed kept him going and remained a ray of hope. The changes in the past month added to his faith. Avni started caring for him and grew fond of his presence.

What to do, damn it!

How to calm her burdened heart and bring back those sparkling eyes and joy?

Siddharth whispered sweet 'Nothings' in her ear, rubbing her back as soon as an idea struck. She did calm down a little, and he wiped away her tears as she glanced at him.

"Wait," Siddharth said and rushed outside the bedroom. He came back with Bluetooth Speakers, and Avni stood where he left her.

He chuckled, playing the music louder, and held her hands. They started swaying to the soft music.

"What......" Avni began, and Siddharth cut her off soon, "Shhhhhh."

The music started becoming fast-paced, and Siddharth yelled, enjoying himself, "Let go and Dance like there's no tomorrow."

Avni imitated his steps, putting her thoughts aside, and lost herself entirely to the music.

Their dance in simple terms? Any dance choreographer will die of a heart attack if he witnesses their dance.

Both fell onto the bed, panting with their energy fully drained. They laughed hard, looking at each other.

"That was..." Avni began, and Siddharth finished, "hilarious."

Sleep soon overtook, and Avni dozed off hugging her Teddy tight. Siddharth smiled, witnessing her cute pout and his gift enveloped in her arms. He desired to occupy the place of Teddy someday.

--

"The presentation we're supposed to do after two weeks is preponed, Sid. Mr. Williams is visiting the office tomorrow," The PA informed hurriedly, rushing into Siddharth's cabin upon receiving the information.

"Are the designs ready?" Siddharth questioned, partially aware of the response. The project would've been ready before a week if he hadn't suggested the changes.

"Tell me one good news, Gaurav," Siddharth let out a frustrated sigh resting his palm on his forehead.

Mr. Williams is an important client, and losing him might ruin their chances of business expansion into the industrial sector. Williams owns an automobile industry and would place a heavy deal if their design is satisfactory. And he is not an easy man to convince.

"Mr. Williams is disappointed with Texas Instruments' design. He is looking forward to an exceptionally brilliant service," Gaurav began and added, "Our first trial is a success."

"What's the use! We need at least a day more to put together and demonstrate a working model," Siddharth sighed, unable to think of a quick solution.

"Find some loopholes. Also, inform our staff to finalize it as soon as possible. Let's not give up," Siddharth instructed, typing away on his Laptop.

It's a huge opportunity which he isn't willing to let go of. The prestige of SM Automation is at stake, and he wouldn't accept defeat until the last moment. He just hoped for a miracle that would postpone this meet by a day.

The day had been hectic, and he skipped lunch, working continuously. Time passed in a blur as the whole staff worked extra hard to finish their task.

The atmosphere and attitude of staff in SM Automation travels along a different lane. Every employee shows utmost dedication and enthusiasm.

The company shares its profits with its staff -from guard to CEO, Siddharth Malhotra gets a percentage according to their income. The profits are distributed in a way to provide a decent living to every employee.

Gaurav paced into Siddharth's cabin as he didn't respond to the continuous knocking. He exclaimed, "The microprocessor is working perfectly well. The support circuits will be ready by tomorrow morning, and integration might take few hours. We need a miracle, Sid!"

"Let's pack up. We can start at early hours tomorrow," Siddharth spoke with disappointment evident in his voice. He would try till the last moment to finish off and leave the rest to fate.

He exited the cabin grabbing his laptop bag and jacket. He casually checked his phone descending the stairs, and his eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

'34 missed calls - 2 from Ma and 32 from Wife!' He didn't notice them as his phone was on silent.

His lips turned up with his tiredness long forgotten as his gaze fixed on the word 'Wife.' Yes, That's what he saved her number as just after marriage, and he forgot about it as she never called him later.

He opened the inbox, which indicated seven messages -All from the Wife.

"Busy?" [9:12 am]

"Why are you not answering my calls?" [9: 56 am]

"You forgot your wallet. Should I send it with the driver?" [10:39 am]

"At least text me back!" [11:46 am]

"Did you have lunch? I rang your secretary, and she informed me you're busy." [2:12 pm]

"It's past 8 pm. When are you coming home?" [8:26 pm]

"I'm waiting." [10:45 pm]

Siddharth smiled, rereading the last text. The idea of someone waiting for his arrival excited him. He did feel guilty for not answering her calls and texts.

He was about to get into his BMW but decided against it. Hopping into a Ferrari, he impatiently drove at high speed on an empty highway. The journey that usually lasted for about forty minutes is covered in around ten minutes then.

Avni's face beamed in delight hearing the car horn. She sat idle all evening, unable to focus on any task.

Avni knew Siddharth forgot the outside world in his cabin. But a simple text would've been sufficient to answer her worries! It hurt her that work is his utmost priority.

Siddharth could see the bright smile turning to a glare as he paced towards the main door. She said nothing grabbing the bag from his hands, and walked inside, uttering, "Freshen up soon. Dinner is ready!"

"I've mailed your documents to verify, Sid. Please make the necessary corrections and let us know," Gaurav informed him as he was about to go downstairs.

Half an hour passed, but there was no sign of Siddharth as she waited downstairs. Avni understood he was tied up with something. She filled the plate with food and walked into their bedroom.

Avni sighed heavily, spotting Siddharth engrossed in his Laptop. She was the same during college, and his behavior is thus understandable.

"Eat," Avni muttered after good two minutes of holding a spoon in front of him.

She smiled brightly as he said, taking a bite, "You too eat."

They soon finished the dinner with Avni eating and feeding him alternatively.

Even she skipped her lunch after his secretary informed her that he neglected his meals. She rang the secretary every afternoon to find out if he ate.

An hour passed, but Siddharth didn't seem to move by an inch. She sat next to him, moving into the room after clearing the dining table.

Siddharth handed her earphones, feeling her presence. "Try them and let me know if they work fine."

Avni realized the mistake she made. She presumed work to be his utmost priority. The fact that he remembered her struggling with spoilt earphones delighted her.

Avni is Siddharth's priority. She smiled, replacing the previous assumption.

"Siddharth, It's 1 am now. Aren't you going to sleep?" Avni suggested observing his eyes turning red.

"There's a lot of pending work. The meeting is scheduled tomorrow at 11 am," He answered in a low flat voice, still engrossed in verifying the documents.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Avni couldn't control herself from asking. His exhausted state is written on his face.

"No. You sleep!"

"I want to help. Please?" Avni implored, unable to take it anymore. It bothered her that he was tired.

"There's a lot, Avni. I might have to stay awake all night. It's best if you sleep."

"We'll sleep together if I save time for you," Avni tried hard in no mood to give up.

"Mail the corrections to respective people," Siddharth said, handing her an iPad.

He explained the procedure and continued with his work. Avni did as told.

They wrapped up the work at around 4 am, and Siddharth stretched, getting up from the couch.

"Please wake me up by 5 am in case the alarm goes off. I need to be there in office by 6:20 am."

"Sleep on the bed," Avni blurted out, sensing him move towards the recliner. Siddharth was too exhausted to argue, and sleep overtook him as soon as he hit the bed.

Avni arranged his Laptop, files spread all over, etc., in place, and dozed off on the recliner.

--

Siddharth panicked, looking at the time. It was 5:30 am, and the alarm was switched off.

He quickly got up, upset with Avni, who just entered with breakfast.

"Don't panic. I'll make sure you get ready in ten minutes," Avni explained, and Siddharth rushed into the washroom.

She quickly arranged everything in the meantime and fed him as he got ready for office. He smiled as everything was done five minutes before his scheduled time.

"The circuit designs are ready, Sid. The integration will take a minimum of eight hours. The presentation needs to be checked, and few additions to the final document are pending," Gaurav informed, rushing to him upon Siddharth's arrival.

Siddharth calculated the time left. The demonstration would be ready only by 2:30 pm, but the meeting is at 11 am. He nodded curtly, hoping for a miracle that seemed almost impossible. Mr. Williams is a punctual man.

Little did he know miracle already happened 41 days ago -the moment Ms. Avni Kashyap became Mrs. Avni Siddharth Malhotra, his to adore and cherish.

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Thank you for reading,

Love,

AishuPurple

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How's the miracle going to happen? Mr. Williams seems a tough guy❗ 🙃

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