Published a mysterious short story, 'Encounter.' Do check it out if interested:)

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Avni's eyes wandered across the wedding hall, searching for her dear husband. The priest announced that it was time for seven pheras.

"Looking for me?" Siddharth whispered in her ear from behind, and Avni smiled, turning around. She pulled him to a corner and listened intently to the priest.

Avni looked deep into Siddharth's eyes and entwined their hands as the priest explained the ritual. She couldn't put her heart into what was happening during their marriage, but it's time to renew vows. She wished to fulfill every promise she made during their wedding.

* The groom promises to take care of his bride, children, and the family. In return, the bride undertakes to look after the groom's home and his food.

* The groom promises to protect his bride under all circumstances. In return, the bride promises to stand by her husband through his agonies and ecstasies.

* The groom promises to work hard to earn enough wealth for the family. In return, the bride promises to effectively take care of the income and expenses.

* The groom promises to entrust the responsibility of his household to his bride and respect her wise decisions regarding the same. In return, the bride promises to fulfill her duties to the best of her abilities for a respectful living.

* The groom promises to consult his wife in all crucial matters. In return, the bride promises to support her groom in all his endeavors.

* The groom promises to remain committed and loyal to his bride besides considering her alone as his wife. The bride, in return, promises to stay faithful to her husband.

* The groom promises to lead his entire life with his bride, who is not just his wife but his friend forever. In return, the wife too promises to spend her life with him until the very end.

Avni smiled, realizing how Siddharth has always kept his promises and treated her preciously. Siddharth pulled her closer by her waist, and Avni whispered, standing on her toes, "Let's begin our relationship." 

Siddharth's smile became bright, and his eyes shone as he registered her words moments later. She could sense the happiness engulfing him as if she gave him the most precious gift.

"With pleasure, Wifey!" Siddharth winked.

Avni stared at Ishaan and Piya, wishing the best for them. She smiled when Piya's face glowed with happiness.

"You were the most beautiful bride," Siddharth uttered in a trance, recalling Avni descending the stairs on the day of their wedding. He clearly remembered every moment of the day she became his.

"Is that so?" Avni playfully questioned.

"I missed your smile, though," He spilled even before realizing and instantly regretted it.

"Blame yourself. It was always with you," Avni giggled.

Siddharth was taken aback by her instant reply. Did he hear it right? He couldn't believe it. "Are you implying...?" He couldn't complete as he was scared of attending a 'No.'

Avni quickly scanned her surroundings to check if anyone was noticing. She rested her palm against his cheek and smiled as his day-old stubble tickled her.

Avni's hand grazed his cheek as she stood up on her toes. Siddharth involuntarily held her by her waist, supporting her.

"Yes, Husband. You brought back the happiness I lost," Avni whispered into his ear as her chest collided with his. She blushed furiously as his hot breath hit her neck.

Siddharth was on cloud nine, feeling the totally unexpected proximity. The next few seconds were bliss.

Avni's lips lingered on his cheek for a moment, and his eyes widened in surprise. Her lips were softer than any rose petal against his light stubble.

They were interrupted by loud claps and whistles as Piya and Ishaan competed for talambralu. [Bride and Groom pour rice grains mixed with turmeric on each other's head, and it's an entertaining segment.]

Avni encouraged Piya while Siddharth focused entirely on her. She appeared truly happy and carefree without a hint of any bad memories. That put a smile on his face. He encouraged Ishaan while Avni cheered Piya.

Siddharth loved every bit of her craziness, insecurities, and goodness. He found her flaws beautiful. Avni's entry into his life bid bye to the emptiness he felt inside. She colored his life with her presence in simple terms.

A loud whistle in his ear broke his trance. Avni laughed hard as his eyes grew wide in surprise.

"You and whistling?" Siddharth's mouth dropped. He never imagined her behaving carefree among the crowd in his wildest dreams.

"Just breaking my shell and fulfilling my bucket list," Avni shyly giggled. She could finish off her naughtiest desires without fearing people's judgment with Siddharth next to her. What people think doesn't matter anymore. What her husband doesn't approve of only counts.

Avni checked the time on Siddharth's wristwatch and scurried away from there.

"Your Medicines Dad," Avni forwarded a glass of water and tablets to Kishore, who was talking to random people. She always kept track of their parents' health either physically or through phone.

"Learn from our daughter, Renu," Kishore exclaimed, teasing Renuka. Renuka nodded, laughing away.

"Namaste," Avni joined her palms, greeting the couple whom Renuka introduced. They seemed familiar, yet she couldn't recognize them. Avni excused herself, letting go of the thought.

"You've raised your daughter very well," The lady next to Renuka praised.

"She's our son's wife. Our friends indeed gave her an amazing upbringing," Renuka explained to the lady.

"Daughter-in-law? She's a treasure," The lady gasped upon realization. "I wish we find such a girl for our Santosh," The lady's husband smiled, gazing at Avni's retreating form.

.

.

.

.

"Here we go," Avni smiled brightly, placing the plate on the table where Siddharth is waiting for her.

"You got only one plate, and I'm definitely eating," Siddharth uttered, pulling a chair for her next to him. He was going to get their dinner, but Avni offered to do it. He tried denying it, but her puppy eyes convinced him.

"We can share," Avni mumbled in shyness.

"I'm already loving the food," Siddharth remarked, embarrassing her more. He loves the small, thoughtful things she does for him. It's slow progress, but they have a whole life to reach the destination.

"Let's hope I don't starve," Siddharth chuckled.

"Really? You were the one complaining about how less I ate a few days ago," Avni laughed.

"But this is all junk, and you crave for it."

"I eat healthy foods too," Avni pouted, making her point, and smiled, letting go. 

"Nooooo. Don't mix paneer curry with rice," Avni's mouth twisted in denial. She hated mixing paneer items with rice and ate them with roti alone.

"Trust me, baby girl. You won't regret it," Siddharth chuckled, enjoying her expressions. Her face reflects her thoughts, and she never masks them.

"Alright! But..." Avni hesitated. She hated wasting food, but she wouldn't eat anything she didn't like.

"I'll finish if you don't like it," Siddharth assured, feeding her a spoonful.

"I'll become used to this," Avni giggled, gesturing for him to take a bite. Her mother fed her till marriage as she was lazy to eat.

Siddharth laughed in response. They finished the dinner teasing each other and laughing on various topics.

"Take care, sweetheart. I'll come tomorrow morning," Avni chirped, bidding bye to Piya after all the rituals finished.

The drive home with soft music playing in the background was just as she desired, taking away all her tiredness. The car came to a halt all of a sudden, and she opened the door, presuming they were home.

Avni's eyebrows shot up in surprise before Siddharth spoke, "Ice cream?"

"Butterscotch," Avni exclaimed enthusiastically. He definitely knew how to cheer her up and put a bright smile on her lips.

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Avni blushed, spreading the sheets and arranging the pillows on the bed. She bit her nails as the washroom door unlocked, and Siddharth walked out.

He appeared handsome and boyish with perfectly messy hair. The plain white T-shirt with full sleeves never suited anyone more than it suited him. His toned chest muscles contracted and relaxed as he inhaled and exhaled. The intense workout he did every morning was pretty fruitful.

Avni's eyes widened in surprise as Siddharth poured water into a glass from the bottle. She was too messy to not spill the water in the process. She watched as he gulped down the water. Time seemed to move in slow motion. She realized how everything he does is perfection and attention-worthy.

Siddharth turned to her in a blink, feeling her stare. He knew she would avert her gaze if he gave the slightest hint and chuckled, catching her. She blushed, getting back to straightening the sheets. One thing she always hated was sleeping on wrinkled sheets.

Siddharth noticed two pillows adjacent to each other as he observed her actions. Avni always put a pillow in a vertical position to cuddle if there was no teddy. His eyes automatically wandered across her multicolored room and smiled, finding none.

"Goodnight, baby. I'm sleeping in the guest room," Siddharth said in a serious tone grabbing his phone.

Avni's mouth dropped in shock. She gulped down, imagining all her efforts going futile.

"Noooo," She shrieked, and he chuckled, turning to the opposite side. Avni bit her nails, racking her brain for ideas to convey her intentions.

"You have to say it out loud, baby girl!"

"What happened, baby? You need something?" Siddharth pretended to be clueless, and Avni's eyes were wide as saucers in a hurry to stop him.

Avni's nose and cheeks colored as she pouted thinking. "We can share," She blurted as he proceeded towards the door. He was enjoying her cuteness all the while.

"Share? Share what, baby girl?" Siddharth's eyes held a mischievous glint, and Avni realized that he was playing with her.

"Two can play a game, husband!"

Avni chuckled quietly, planning her next step. She took slow seductive steps towards Siddharth, removing her earrings one by one. Her hazel blue orbs locked with his chocolate brown eyes throughout.

Siddharth's breath hitched, witnessing the dare in her actions. His throat went dry, noticing her placing the jewelry on the table and turning to him. It was a treat to watch his wife's movements.

Avni dropped a glass in the process, but Siddharth hasn't even blinked. He was unaffected by the noise. She was shell-shocked with his focus on her eyes. The act she started for fun surprised her to the core.

Avni's beauty reflected in his eyes and multiplied numerous times. It was much more intense compared to what she witnessed in her father's eyes every time she got ready to go out with him.

Siddharth never realized that moment in the process where he forgot the world getting lost in her hazel blue orbs. It was as if her eyes created a spell on him, and he couldn't avert his gaze even if he wished to.

"Siddharth," Avni called softly, patting on his cheeks breaking his trance.

"We can share the bed," Avni suggested, and Siddharth smiled, settling on the bed.

Siddharth closed his eyes, turning to the opposite side, thinking of the previous incident. Is this what love does to a person? Time froze when she looked into his eyes, and he forgot the world drowning deeper into her eyes. He smiled, getting lost in thoughts.

A soft, warm hand circled his waist after a while, and he smiled, turning towards Avni.

"I can't sleep without cuddling," Avni mumbled, hiding her face in his chest and playing with the buttons of his T-shirt.

"My pleasure," Siddharth chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist and securing her in his embrace. Avni gently hit him with her palm, and he laughed, exclaiming, "That's the truth!" embarrassing her more.

"I might twist and turn a lot. Wake me up if I disturb your sleep," Avni explained.

"Don't worry about anything, baby girl! Sleep tight," Siddharth patted her back.

"Mmmm..." Avni hesitated with a naughty glint in her eyes.

"What's it again?" Siddharth asked with amusement lacing his voice.

"Can you read a story?" Avni got up suddenly, requesting him in an excited voice. Siddharth was astonished by her request, but what can be expected from his childish wife! Siddharth was about to deny, but she pestered.

"You don't want a lullaby?" Siddharth questioned sarcastically.

"That would be great but let's postpone it to another day," Avni prattled, ignoring the sarcasm dripping in his voice.

"Really?" Siddharth rolled his eyes in amusement.

"Really!" Avni uttered with determination, and Siddharth agreed, not having another option.

"Woah! I never even asked my mother to read. What are you making me do, baby girl!" Siddharth exclaimed.

"Once upon a time, there lived Raju in a village," Siddharth began, and Avni babbled throughout, bombarding him with the weirdest of questions.

Avni hadn't expected him to read in the first place though she loved listening to a story before sleep. She intended to have fun with him and annoy him, having never known his irritation. She was in awe of his patient answers to her silly questions.

"You'll make a great father with this amount of patience," Avni complimented the first thing that struck her head without pondering much.

Siddharth remained quiet, letting her register what she uttered. Avni blushed, hugging him tight and squeezing her eyes shut. Siddharth chuckled, embracing her and drifted into sleep as her breaths sang his lullaby.

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Thanks for reading,

AishuPurple

*Don't forget to vote and comment!*

I know it's been really long. So sorry! Been terribly busy with college after returning back to hostel.

How was the update? It's one of my favorites so far!