I've noticed some new readers on last  update. Do say Hey to me!😁💜

I'm extremely sorry for the late update. Been terribly busy with acads and some unplanned work. Don't be mad at me!

Also, Kindly leave a comment about how you enjoyed the update rather than asking me for an update. It would encourage me to write an interesting chapter. Just a request.

Will reply to your comments on last update later. I'm being super busy with things. Sorry!

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"Are you alright?" Santosh asked, walking into the cabin.

"Huh?" Avni frowned, unable to comprehend where the question was leading. When did he start caring if she was alright? The last time they spoke, he called her feelings bullshit and insulted her in the best way possible.

"You look pale. Lack of sleep?" He repeated, sensing her lost in thoughts.

"No. I'm alright," Avni denied focusing back on her work. She has to prepare notes to address the questions in today's meeting at Marshall's office.

"Here's your file to read. Scarlett suggested both of us go together," Avni handed him a file along with some cookies.

"I made them last night," She answered his unspoken question. Sleep was far away after Siddharth left, and cooking was the only way to keep herself busy. How could she sleep without the warmth of her personal teddy!

"Something's a miss," Santosh commented, tasting them but couldn't pinpoint what lacked.

Avni didn't make them with enthusiasm, and it showed. Cooking is an art that requires interest and calculation. Most people might consider it an art requiring no brain, but that's incorrect. The lack of interest reflects taste, and the miscalculation can ruin the entire dish making it inedible.

"I made it out of boredom," She admitted, and Santosh nodded knowingly.

Avni brightened receiving a text message and read it instantly, "Reached just now. I have an immediate meeting. Will call later." His one message has the power of bringing a smile to her lips and color to her cheeks.

"Shall we leave?" Santosh asked, interrupting her after a while.

"It's too early. Don't you think?"

"Nope. The traffic is high, and it takes time to reach the office," Santosh clarified, and Avni agreed, grabbing her things.

"You didn't have a car last time," She asked, spotting a brand new Toyota car.

"Scarlett came to me with an excellent EMI plan a week ago. The company deducts a small amount from the paycheck. It's way better than hiring a cab every time," He explained in excitement.

Avni learned to read between the lines when it came to her husband. She might not seem a keen observer or anything, but she silently notices. The last time Santosh waited for her a week ago, Siddharth arranged a car for him. He immediately helped Santosh purchase his own vehicle just because he mattered to her. But does he really matter?

"Get in," Santosh said, bringing the engine to life. It took Avni a few moments to decide and settled inside, unable to deny him. The company drivers are busy, and it might take a few minutes to reach the building.

Avni closed her eyes, leaning against the window. For an outsider, she might seem asleep, but her brain is wide awake.

Why does Santosh feel like a stranger after all these years? She still cares for him and has the same amount of concern she once had but love? She wouldn't think about it.

Why is he acting so different? She is used to his harsh self, but his casual attitude is confusing. She has come a long way from where he left her, and why is he back now? When she accepted the job at SM Automation, the only goal was to be close to her husband and shut everyone else. As per her previous analysis, she expected Santosh would mind his business and never cross paths with her, but he is doing it often in a friendly way which is frustrating.

"Avni," Santosh called, parking the car, but she was too lost in thoughts. Santosh reached her shoulder, asking, "Are you alright?" She instantly moved away as if his touch burnt her.

"Do you expect me to adjust to your care too soon?" Avni had a sudden urge to ask but controlled herself. No! She wasn't prepared for this. His sweetness seems too fake, and she would instead appreciate the rude attitude.

It took a moment for her to realize she was not with Siddharth. It's become a habit of holding his hand and balancing herself on the pointed heels after opening the door for her.

"Hello, We're here to follow up on our last presentation," Avni spoke to the receptionist showing her ID Card. She isn't usually the girl who takes the lead, but with Santosh by her side, the last thing she wanted was to follow him. Facing new people or situations intimidates her, but she's slowly getting used to it.

The receptionist guided them towards a conference hall and requested them to wait. Avni rechecked her phone for calls or texts and put it on silent. She sucked in a deep breath, cross-checking if she remembered everything right.

"Hello, Mr. Marshall," Santosh greeted as a very handsome man in his late twenties entered. He was six feet tall with brown hair and deep green eyes.

"Call me Gregory," He chuckled, shaking hands with Santosh. His gaze was fixed on Avni, who observed her surroundings.

"You like it?" Gregory turned to Avni shaking hands with her. "The interiors are good," She replied with a polite smile, and the presentation proceeded.

Avni could feel Gregory's constant attention directed towards her every movement. His interest in her was evident, but he didn't seem like a man with bad intentions.

"Coffee?" Gregory asked as Avni and Santosh got up to leave.

"Sorry, Mr. Marshall. I'm married," Avni didn't hesitate to disclose the truth. Santosh would know one or the other day anyway, and that's the last thing he would care about.

Gregory's face showed disappointment, but he backed off instantly, glancing at her ring.

"That was a good lie," Santosh laughed, walking out of the cabin.

Avni halted, unable to comprehend his intention. Why would he think she's unmarried? She was about to ask, but Santosh hurried her, opening the door. "The dinner reservation is at 8. Walk fast."

"You booked a table for us?" She frowned.

"Scarlett did. There's a nice restaurant nearby, and it'll be too late by the time we reach home." Avni knew who ordered Scarlett, and she smiled, shaking her head. Her cheeks picked color, and her heart picked pace as his thoughts engulfed her.

Santosh yawned, stretching his hands, standing near the car.

"Tired?" Avni asked, observing his actions. "I'll drive," She offered, shocking Santosh to the core.

"That is a very experienced person's drive!" He complimented, awed by her skill, as Avni struck a perfect balance between good speed and a smooth journey. She smiled, feeling proud of her hubby.

Driving through the busy roads diverted her focus from her personal life and cleared her rather clumsy mind.

"Schezwan noodles and Butterscotch, please," She dictated, going through the menu.

"Pasta and a choco-chip cookie dough for dessert," Avni blurted what Santosh would order without much thought. She instantly regretted it as he stared at her with a smile. It's difficult to forget his likes that were etched in her heart once upon a time.

"I... I just remember." And he asked no further questions sensing her discomfort.

"Gregory is into you throughout the meeting," Santosh chuckled, reading a message from him.

Avni remained silent, thinking of a few moments with Siddharth. He doesn't even blink while looking straight into her eyes with intense emotions. Her heart skips a beat witnessing his warm smile reserved only for her.

Why is life so complicated? When she quickly gave her heart the first time, Santosh crushed it brutally. Now, when it comes to the person who really deserves it, she is backing away...

Siddharth might treat her like a princess, but what about the fear in her mind? She has chased Santosh so much that she lost faith in herself. There were times when she wondered if she had committed a great sin to experience all the struggle. The word love remained a nightmare from then.

"Avni," Santosh called, sensing her lost. "You're not eating," He replied as she lifted her eyes.

"You can leave. I don't mind," Avni said, glancing at a clock nearby. It's probably getting late for him.

"No. I'm fine. Take your time but eat something," Santosh replied, taken aback by her response.

"So, what are weekend plans?" He asked, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

Avni started coughing hard all of a sudden. She gulped down a carrot piece without chewing.

Santosh instantly moved to her side. He gently patted her head and helped her drink water.

"Thank you," Avni mumbled, witnessing a genuine concern in his eyes for the first time.

"Goodnight," Santosh whispered, dropping her off at home. She waited till his car disappeared and walked inside.

Avni fell into the couch, opening the door to their penthouse. The house felt lonely without her dear husband. She let the lukewarm water relax her stressed muscles while her brain was busy remembering Siddharth.

Her eyes fell upon Siddharth's white shirt. She automatically took it into her hands after running her hands over it. Inhaling his fragrance from the shirt, she blushed, recalling his touch. She wore the shirt and buttoned it up, leaving the top one open. She tied her hair into a messy bun and tiptoed to the kitchen.

She heated a glass of milk and grabbed an ice cream tub to cure her boredom. She settled in front of the Television and started switching through the list of series.

"Awake?" Avni brightened instantly, reading a text message from Siddharth.

"I miss you, baby girl!" She heard his voice for the first time in the past four days. She eagerly checked her phone, thinking it could be a call.

"Turn to the television screen." A bright smile formed on her lips as he appeared on the video call.

"You're tired," Avni said, scanning his face. Dark circles formed under his eyes that were obviously red from lack of sleep. His face was pale, and his hair was messy. But he still managed to look dashing! She wondered if there could be a time he looked otherwise.

"What are you wearing, baby girl?" Siddharth smiled, seeing her dressed in his shirt. He hadn't smiled in the past four days, but once a glimpse of her could calm him and take away all his stress. She is his happiness.

"I missed you too," Avni blushed, trying to close the top buttons.

He left for a week to give her the freedom to make a choice without confusion. If she still feels something for Santosh, she would figure it out in his absence. Avni's innocent act and words gave him a ray of hope and relief.

Siddharth's pupils dilated as he observed her actions.

"How do I look?" Avni couldn't stop herself from asking. Desire was clearly evident in his chocolate brown eyes, and she wanted to hear it in his own words.

"Sexy."

Avni's eyes widened in shock at the totally unexpected answer, and her stomach was in knots. Siddharth was bold for the first time, and she liked it.

Avni licked the ice cream that stuck to her lips, and Siddharth groaned in frustration.

"I badly want to grab you into my lap and kiss you senseless," He uttered in a trance. The husky voice sent her heart into a frenzy.

"After that," Avni encouraged him to proceed, leaving her shyness behind. She badly missed him.

"I will place feathery kisses all over your neck and shoulder while you arch your face sideways, giving me more access," Siddharth whispered in a husky voice giving her goosebumps.

"And..." Avni's voice was merely a whisper as her breath hitched.

"You'll pull me closer as I run my hands along your waistline," He continued.

"Mmmm..." Avni couldn't speak as her throat went dry, reminiscing their intimate moments. She crossed her legs, running her fingers through her thick locks of hair.

Avni jumped in shock as a sudden phone call disturbed their sweet moments.

"Santosh..." Avni read, checking her name, and was about to cut the call.

Siddharth, on the other side, was taken aback. He could decipher the name her lips uttered even when her voice wasn't loud. "Attend it. We'll talk later," He said and immediately cut the call without waiting for her response.

Just when he saw a ray of hope, it was brutally crushed. Did they become close enough that he called her at midnight? Will Avni choose Santosh over him?

Warm tears ran down his cheeks for the first time in the past few years. He learned to withstand every struggle and still proceed forward. He remained strong no matter how many problems came his way. But, he crumbled down when it came to her.

Siddharth was sure to leave Avni if she chose Santosh, but it wouldn't be easy. Can he live after that? Sleep was far away from his eyes, and he spent all night staring blankly at the sky.

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Thankyou for reading,

AishuPurple

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