"Hey, careful," Santosh yelled upon entering the conference hall. Avni climbed onto a chair to fix the direction of the projector, and her foot was at the edge.

She was about to trip and fall, but Santosh rushed to her side and held her hand firmly. "Thank you," She smiled, balancing herself, and got down. His eyes had the care she once craved. She would've given him her entire life if he showed this little care while she was madly in love with him.

"Everything done?" Santosh questioned as his eyes wandered across the hall, admiring its perfection. Avni always takes her work seriously and puts in her best effort.

"Yes. Do you find anything missing?" She asked, wiping her hands with tissue nearby.

"Nope. Everything's perfect," He shrugged.

"Alright then! Let's go." Avni proceeded towards her cabin, followed by Santosh.

"Ewww. Why is your desk a mess?" Avni was taken aback, noticing the most clumsy file mountain.

"I didn't have time," He said, walking towards his desk and picking a file for her.

"Why do you have this file?" Avni frowned, taking the summary sheets she placed in Scarlett's cabin.

"Scarlett threw it in a bin. Probably to avenge yesterday," He casually spoke, occupying his seat.

"Thank you," Avni smiled, and she really meant it. He might not have saved her job or done a great deed considering Siddharth is her boss, but he showed some concern. It means a lot that he tried helping her. The new Santosh is a very changed man. Avni always considered him an unfriendly creature, but it's a surprise that even he knows being friendly.

"You should pay for it instead of thanking me," Santosh smirked. God! The smirk doesn't suit anyone except her hubby.

"Really?" Avni raised her brows.

"Clean my desk," He requested in a cute tone, and she couldn't deny it. She smiled, recalling Siddharth. He is the same while working and messes up everything. There would be multiple files, teacups, laptop, and a few pens scattered all over the desk in their house and she enjoys arranging them.

Siddharth entered his cabin just then, and Avni smiled brightly, glancing at him. She left the work she's been doing and proceeded towards his cabin.

"Ugly bitch," Avni muttered, noticing Scarlett entering his cabin. She stood at the entrance observing her actions. Siddharth seemed stressed and leaned against the chair with his eyes closed. Scarlett tiptoed near him and forwarded her hand, eventually trying to massage his neck.

Avni fisted her hands and knocked loudly on the door before Scarlett could touch her husband.

"Yes," Siddharth instantly opened his eyes and frowned upon noticing Scarlett dangerously close. He immediately moved backward, maintaining distance, and Scarlett smiled sheepishly. She was burning inside due to missed opportunity but faked a smile.

"Please come in," Siddharth turned to Avni with a smile.

"Please?" Scarlett frowned upon the usage. She had a wicked grin welcoming Avni. "Are you done with the file, Ms. Kashyap?" She innocently questioned.

"Yeah. Yesterday evening, I placed it on your desk," Avni responded, doing a LaLa dance inside.

"My desk? No, Ms. Kashyap. I locked it before leaving, and you never came before I left," Scarlett said, challenging her.

"No. I remember placing it on your desk," Avni played along.

"How could you be so reckless, Ms. Kashyap? I left locking my cabin like every other day. There's no way you could open my cabin. Also, the file is crucial for our presentation about to take place in an hour," Scarlett rambled on without ever slowing down. Avni enjoyed the show.

"You went to the washroom in the evening while I placed the file upon your desk," Avni answered calmly. This is going to be fun. Siddharth tried intervening in between, but Avni signaled him to remain quiet, and she would take care.

Scarlett couldn't speak further. She couldn't deny going to the washroom as she ordered medicines for diarrhea.

"Also, here is the file I placed on your desk. It's found in the bin," Avni finished with a final touch. It would've really been a problem if Santosh didn't identify.

The file is crucial and confidential. The summary will be discussed in the presentation today, and there is no other copy. It could've been a significant loss to the company and her husband. Of course, the cleaning staff takes care that no essential documents are thrown out, it's better to find it in the initial stage.

"What's this, Scarlett? How can you not take care of your desk? I'm paying you for the same," Siddharth spoke in a flat tone, and it's enough to send shivers down her spine.

"There won't be next time. Keep that in mind and work," He warned. Avni bit the insides of her cheek, controlling her laughter. Scarlett threw a glare her way, but who cares!

Avni sat on the couch, and Siddharth walked to her. He rested in her lap and closed his eyes.

"Shall I get you something? You seem stressed?" She asked, massaging his forehead.

"Long meeting," Siddharth mumbled grumpily. Avni kissed his forehead while he snuggled into her waist and dozed off.

"Time to eat," Avni shook Siddharth after half an hour. "Ugh! I'm not hungry," He groaned, unwilling to wake up. The position is too comfortable to let go of.

"Have something," Avni tried convincing him and chuckled hearing his reply, "Five minutes." It used to be her constant reply every morning, and those five minutes never ended till she heard her mother's scolding.

"Five minutes are done," Avni giggled, reminding him. "Two more minutes," He pleaded.

"You're my sweetest hubby, right!" Avni coaxed him and continued, "Siddharth is waking up... He's waking up..."

"Woke up," Siddharth got up smiling.

"What do you want to eat?" Siddharth questioned.

"I can't stay in your office for longer. It's already been an hour," Avni reminded.

"We'll eat in our penthouse upstairs," He suggested, and she agreed.

"I want Paneer Biryani. It's been really long," Avni moaned as her mouth watered, recalling its taste. They had their lunch together, chit-chatting and teasing each other.

Avni and Santosh later attended the presentation and took down notes. Scarlett was thrown out of the conference hall as usual.

--

"Hello," Avni answered her phone in a sleepy mode.

"Good morning, cupcake," Brett chuckled, greeting her from the other side. That's when she noticed that Siddharth's phone opened to her fingerprint.

Avni grinned, placing a sound kiss on his forehead. She couldn't realize when he set her fingerprint to his phone but smiled anyway.

Her heart melted watching her picture on lock screen and wallpaper. He probably clicked it during Piya's wedding.

She shuffled through the Gallery and noticed a few of his childhood pictures. Renu Ma and Kishore Dad were a beautiful couple. She could see love in their eyes for each other.

Siddharth was quite a naughty kid. There was a picture where he dialed numbers on a landline phone standing on a chair.

He sat with a frown in another picture with chocolate smeared all over his body. He was fighting for a car with Nikhil in another one.

Avni couldn't control her laughter when she saw him holding Renu Ma's pallu and pouting. That was really cute.

"Why are you laughing?" Siddharth yawned, stretching his hands, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Brett called. The guys asked us to tag along for cycling," Avni giggled, tickling his ear with her lips.

Siddharth groaned, trying to calm her down, but she was super excited already. He caught her by her waist, and his sleep flew away instantly. He pinned her hands and began tickling her.

"Please," Avni pleaded, bursting in laughter, but he was in no mood to stop.

"My stomach hurts," Avni continued struggling to free herself. "Lesson learned?" Siddharth smirked and let go.

She was lying on the bed in exhaustion, trying to catch her breath. Would she appear the same way after they make love? A thought crossed his mind, and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to focus on something else.

He could feel the soft feathery touch of her lips on his moments later. The kiss started off slow, and he deepened it holding her neck. They were about to continue, but a phone call disturbed them.

"Stop making out and come down, guys," Caro shrieked into the phone, and Avni blushed furiously.

Siddharth laughed hard as Avni picked his brush out of habit. "You have the most beautiful laughter," She uttered in a trance, watching him and quickly averted her gaze before he could look at her.

Siddharth recalled giving her the same compliment during the initial days of their marriage. It felt nice to be on receiving end.

"Are you comfortable in their company?" Siddharth questioned for confirmation once they were ready.

"Not really! But I try mingling since they are your friends," Avni responded, tying her shoelace.

"Really?" He was taken aback by her answer. They are more like family to him.

Siddharth's phone started ringing, and he picked it up hesitantly. "I.." He began trying to deny going along.

"We're near the elevator, guys," Avni chirped, snatching his phone.

"I was only joking," She laughed. Siddharth signed in relief and twisted her ear. "You're becoming naughtier day by day!" He exclaimed, bending down and tying her lace correctly.

How could she not like his friends? Everything related to him is very special to her.

"Woah, cupcake! You look gorgeous," Mike winked, and Siddharth instantly pulled her closer, glaring at him. Everyone laughed.

The group began cycling to a nearby lake to watch the sunrise. Avni sat in front while he peddled. She blushed, hugging his neck and leaning onto his chest. She was in a trance as she observed the movement of his Adam's apple, his deep breaths. It became challenging to avert her gaze as his face shone under the sweat beads forming on his forehead. Her chest collided with his every time he applied breaks.

The lake was beautiful, with birds chirping in the background. Everyone sat enjoying the early morning sun.

"Aren't you a morning person?" Caro questioned casually, watching Avni yawning.

"Not at all. But I'm getting used to it," She replied, leaning onto Siddharth.

"All of us love watching the sunrise. I think that's what brought us together," Noah added.

"Tell me more," Avni listened intently.

"We used to go trekking during holidays. Beaches, snorkeling, bungee jumping... We tried everything. It's pure luck that we're still alive," Brett laughed.

"Weekends were fun. Siddharth and Noah participated in a car race, and we cheered for them. It involved a lot of risks, though," Caro spoke enthusiastically.

"We bunked classes to watch films," Mike laughed.

"Really? Even Siddharth?" Avni's mouth formed an 'O', and she immediately turned to Siddharth for confirmation.

"You don't know? He was the one purchasing tickets in black," Noah stated as a matter of fact.

"The list doesn't end there, Cupcake. He once hit a policeman with a tennis racket cause he misbehaved with Caro. We stole our neighbor's newly bought pet and gifted Caro," Brett listed one after the other.

"Huh? Snoopy is a stolen dog?" Caro turned to Brett in astonishment.

"No, babe," Brett tried his luck, but Caro had already started hitting him. "It's Sid's idea. Hey man, Do something," Brett shouted, and everyone flew away from there.

"That was totally unexpected," Avni giggled, astonished by the little details about him. "I had fun," Siddharth shrugged like it was normal. He excused himself as his phone rang.

"Baby girl," Siddharth called, holding her hand after everyone left. Avni smiled, moving closer and placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I have an important conference in London. Have to leave immediately," He revealed.

"What?"

"Yeah. I am leaving for a week, and I'll be extremely busy there," He explained, answering her.

"Can I come along?" She pleaded.

"I'll be really busy there, and it's only a week," He tried convincing himself more than her. He would've taken her along, but there are some crucial follow-up meetings she can learn from.

"Okay," She half-heartedly agreed, playing with the buttons of his shirt. "If it ends soon..." She hesitated.

"I'll immediately come back," He completed understanding her.

They later traveled home, and Avni helped him pack.

The journey to the airport was filled with silence. Avni pestered to accompany, and he agreed, unable to deny.

"Please come soon," She reminded, hearing the final call.

"I will," He assured, handing her a bouquet of white lilies. "Stay safe, baby girl," He whispered, kissing her forehead and bid her bye.

_______

Thank you for reading,

AishuPurple

_______

*Please don't forget to vote and comment!*

Does Santosh still seem a bad guy? On a scale of one to ten... How much do you like him now?

With Siddharth gone on a trip, will their misunderstandings intensify or end?