"Get ready, soon! We have to cross-check if everything is done," Sahil shouted, sipping on his coffee.

Avni opened the door, adjusted her top, and gracefully walked out of her bedroom. The morning freshness added to her beauty, but her eyes were swollen.

"What's ...?" Sahil began, but Avni cut him off, understanding his question. They had their breakfast and proceeded towards the car.

"Why are your eyes swollen? Haven't you slept at all?" Sahil broke the silence once they settled inside the car.

"I couldn't sleep. I told Siddharth to read my diaries," Avni mumbled.

"Why would you do that? Gone completely mad?" Sahil gasped in shock. He knew Avni's honesty, but it was way too much this time. Their relation entered the right track only a few days ago, and Siddharth probably doesn't know Avni too well.

"I felt he should know my past. You know I read a lot. The twist in most stories is due to these sorts of hidden sensitive issues or misunderstandings. Thought it's better to reveal everything beforehand cause my life is no novel."

Sahil shook his head in amusement and opened the door for her upon reaching their destination. They proceeded into the wedding hall and started inspecting the decorations.

"But, what if he can't handle it? Every husband desires to be the only man in his wife's life," Sahil expressed his doubt counting the boxes of gifts. It was he who advised Avni all the time when she asked such questions. But, today, she acted more mature and collected. He wanted to test it.

"Well, I don't think there's a woman on earth who has only one man in their life," Avni chuckled.

"What?" Sahil frowned, not expecting the answer. He could feel his training had become fruitful.

"The relationships we share with different people are different. I have my father, friends, brothers, and, similarly, Santosh. Siddharth should understand he has his place in my life, and Santosh is no competition."

Avni thought she could never replace Santosh with someone else. But, situations taught her that there is no need for replacement.

A woman's heart is an ocean with unlimited love. She doesn't have to empty the love she has for Santosh to give it to Siddharth.

The only problem she had throughout was his memories that haunted her every moment and hurt her. They don't anymore as Siddharth remained by her side, welcoming new happiness every moment.

"That's clarity, girl!" Sahil chuckled. He couldn't help wondering if she was the same girl he had met four years ago.

"Also, I want him to sense my weaker side and how stubborn I can be when I know I'm not wrong. I am eager to see how it ends up, though," Avni added, tying her hair into a bun.

They wrapped the gifts and attached tags to deliver them to the right people, happily chatting about everything under the sky.

"Let's have lunch?" Sahil suggested noting the time on his wristwatch.

"Yeah. Let's go to Piya's house."

Avni smiled, having lunch with a bunch of friends, but it didn't reach her eyes. She checked her phone every few minutes, expecting a call or a text from Siddharth, but none came. She sighed in disappointment. She hoped he would understand her.

"Tonight is the girls' night. Yayyyy!" One of her friends cheered.

_________

Siddharth entered his cabin returning from a conference, and settled on his chair. He grabbed a remote and pressed the button to close the sliding door.

He glanced at Avni's painting and melted right away. How could he be pissed off with this angel? Her bright smile is his happiness. He remembered her closing his eyes, and his lips turned up.

He thought about the recent happenings. The more he thought about things from her perspective, the better he realized why she did what she did.

Siddharth was frustrated thinking of her obsessive behavior. But today, he realized it's nowhere near to obsession.

People obsessed with something lose their peace. But, every night, Avni cried silently, recalling him and hoping he would accept her someday. She could've called from a different phone or stalked him on social media, but that wasn't the case.

She wasn't frustrated or angry from what he understood. It wasn't like 'why wouldn't he answer my call' kind of ego and stubbornness. It's more like 'he would answer my call someday understanding me' hope. That's the fine line between obsession and love.

He thought about movies where guys follow girls everywhere they go, and girls love them back after a specific period. Why does that happen? Actions speak louder than words.

If someone you never saw proposes, you are likely to say 'No' after laughing hard. But if they take good care of you, understand you, and stand by your side, building a beautiful bond, you would be fine with it. Why? Their actions scream their love for you and eventually gain your affection.

Avni only tried showing him how much she loved him through her actions. He knew that well about his wife.

He couldn't blame Santosh, though. Santosh seemed a strict guy with principles but lacked compassion and soft nature that are the essence of life. He's as good as a flower without fragrance.

Avni's behavior and ideology changed drastically throughout the period. She was an impulsive and gutsy girl who didn't mask her feelings. Now, she's a patient woman with a tinge of bitterness towards life.

Siddharth realized how her loved ones' presence brought out traces of that teenage girl who enjoyed life to the fullest from little happenings.

Siddharth felt a stab in his heart as her questions rang in his head. He got to teach her a few things about life. Not everyone is kind and beautiful like her.

There's cruelty and selfishness in this world, meaning one has to protect their heart very carefully. People are too cruel to consider others' pain and be sweet.

Siddharth finished his lunch and went on rounds for regular inspection.

"What are you doing?" He questioned finding an assistant carrying a chip in the lab.

"It's not clean and is useless. I'm placing it aside," The guy timidly answered. He is a research assistant who has joined lately.

"It's diamond film. Place it back in its original position," Siddharth said and added, "Inform your Instructor to meet me in ten minutes."

The diamond film is the latest advancement in the semiconductor industry, and SM Automation is researching its pros and cons.

It's purely Siddharth's discovery that diamonds could create wonders, and the news isn't out yet. He assigned people to test it after publishing a research paper.

"Why was he left in the lab without proper guidance?" Siddharth questioned in a flat tone as his eyes wandered across the lab, checking if everything was perfect.

"I went out for lunch. Sorry sir," The person answered, shivering on a hot sunny day.

"Collect your firing orders and compensation from the front office. It was pleasant working with you so far, Mr. Mathur," Siddharth declared and marched away from there.

"Why was he fired?" Gaurav casually questioned, propping a few files against his desk for signatures.

"Mr. Mathur's assistant couldn't identify the diamond film on a silicon chip and considered it useless.

Leaving the assistant in the lab without explaining everything is his first mistake. The assistant joined three days ago, and he still doesn't know about diamond filming, which means Mr. Mathur has been very lenient and lazy. That's expensive damage." Siddharth explained.

"We offer hefty package compared to every other company out there. If they cannot work with dedication in return, it's a wastage," He added, and Gaurav agreed.

"The poor guy couldn't identify the diamond hidden behind those layers," Gaurav remarked, exiting the cabin leaving Siddharth in deep thoughts.

Avni is a diamond hidden in layers of unattractive clouds. Siddharth realized his luck which allowed him to know her authentic self.

He smiled contently and mentally thanked his mother for her advice that helped him surpass the toughest of situations without losing the essence of their relationship.

It's high time to clean the unattractive mess around his diamond!

Siddharth was wrapping up with his work when Gaurav walked in.

"The design team has a new solution to the problem we faced last time. Would you like to review?" Gaurav asked.

"You needed us to find a better transistor to replace the old one. But, we came up with a different solution altogether, Sid," An old man, the head of that project, began.

Siddharth nodded, gesturing him to go on.

"Space is not a constraint. Getting rid of the already fabricated transistor is a huge wastage. Instead, we can add a more powerful transistor adjacent to it in parallel and override the previous one. The new chip with the latest transistor would function perfectly well as if the old transistor is not present at all." and the conference ended with a huge round of applause.

"That's amazing, Old man. Your brain still works," Siddharth joked after everyone left. He shared a special bond with this old man, Mr. Kulkarni, and they teased each other.

"Old is gold, young man. Don't underestimate," Kulkarni laughed, and they proceeded to his private penthouse on the above floor meant for relaxation.

"What's bothering you?" Kulkarni questioned, sipping on his coffee.

"My wife. I think I've fallen in love with her," Siddharth uttered in a low voice and explained the whole story.

"She's in love with someone else. I thought I should remove that feeling from her heart, but I was wondering if what you said could work."

"What do you mean?"

"I was worried about replacing him, but I realize I should make my place after accepting him. A very powerful place that would heal her to the core and make her heart mine," He smiled, loving the idea of their togetherness.

Santosh didn't bother him anymore. He has no problem with her love for her parents, friends, and Santosh fell into the same category. He was confident that Avni wouldn't leave him for Santosh even today, and it didn't matter anymore.

Her love for Santosh today would be nothing in front of what Avni would have for Siddharth in the days to come.

Siddharth Malhotra loves his beautiful, kind-hearted, innocent baby girl, his wife, Mrs. Avni Siddharth Malhotra. He smiled brightly, concluding.

Siddharth had an urge to see her immediately and made a call to arrange his chartered plane. He didn't want to disturb Avni's time with everyone, but he couldn't wait anymore.

_____________________

Piya and Avni settled at the bar counter after dancing for half an hour.

"Scotch on the rocks, please," Piya purred, ordering her drink, and Avni's eyes widened. Avni never touched alcohol while Piya could drink any amount and remain sober.

Avni anticipated Piya would go for a beer, not wanting a hangover on the wedding day. Piya let go and celebrated her last bachelor night as usual.

"What shall I get you, beautiful?" The bartender turned to Avni, smiling sweetly. He was smitten by Avni dressed in skinny jeans and a royal blue see-through crop top.

"Mango juice, Handsome," Piya answered on behalf of Avni, diverting his attention.

Avni sipped her drink while Piya gulped down a few shots till she was satisfied.

"How many are these?" Avni giggled, raising her hand and showing four fingers.

"Four, Idiot. I'm still sober," Piya laughed. They settled on the couch, cheering for the girls on the dance floor.

The girls' night has been amazing so far. Piya rushed to the dance floor while Avni watched her sway to the music.

"Wow! Avni Malhotra! Nice to meet you," Natasha, a schoolmate, and an uninvited guest greeted her walking into their space. Her voice screamed arrogance.

"Same here," Avni smiled.

"So, How's life?" Natasha smelled full of alcohol, and Avni couldn't stand anywhere near her.

"It's good," She replied and was walking away when Natasha's words hit her.

"Of course. You ditched the poor guy for a billionaire. You're such a bitch feigning innocence."

Avni stood rooted to her spot as her words registered in her head. She was about to give her a proper reply when Natasha added, "It wouldn't take long for Sid to see your true colors and leave you.'

"Leave you"

Two words reverberated in her head, and she felt lifeless. Piya came to her side, sensing her discomfort, but Avni smiled at her, not revealing anything. She couldn't spoil her best friend's happiness.

Avni rushed outside, unable to breathe anymore, and sat inside the car. She got down at a park on the way home and cried hard. How could Natasha be so cruel? The thought of Siddharth leaving her was devastating. She tried assuring herself that it wouldn't happen, but nothing worked.

Avni's phone rang as she cried harder. She answered the call presuming it to be her parents. They would worry if she didn't.

Avni sobbed uncontrollably, hearing Siddharth's voice.

___________________

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