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A fourth phase of their marriage! The phase everyone has been waiting for including me💜💜

Excited?😁

Kasi Yatra: It's a ritual performed in South Indian marriage where the groom gets ready to go to Kasi and remain celibate. The bride's brother requests him to marry his sister describing her as a great girl. Tempting him with gifts is a fun segment in modern days. It's nothing related to dowry and is purely for fun.

22. Paradise

❤"Paradise is nothing compared to resting in the arms of your better half!"❤

"Avni...." Siddharth's soft and concerned voice pierced through the silent atmosphere. His baby girl sobbed hard, wiping away her tears. She cried, resting her chin on her knees pulled to her chest.

Avni slowly lifted her head and turned to her right, not believing the voice. She assumed it was all in her head. Her vision was blurred due to tears continuously forming in her eyes.

Avni gently wiped her cheeks and eyes with her cold palm. She hesitantly lifted her lashes, trying hard to ignore the hope that Siddharth was near.

There he stood at a few feet distance with concern evident on his face! The moonlight and few fairy lights in the park brightened his face in that darkness surrounding him.

Avni took a few moments to believe the reality. A teardrop from her cheeks fell onto her palm, and she confirmed her husband's presence.

A river yearns to embrace the ocean!

A plant craves sunlight!

A honeybee searches for flowers!

A fish needs water to survive!

Avni ran into the arms of Siddharth in lightning speed with the same feelings. Time froze, and all she could feel was his presence and touch. Siddharth stumbled with the force but balanced himself soon. He hugged her as she rested her face on his chest and nuzzled against him, not even leaving space for air.

Siddharth rested his palm on her head and hugged her back, whispering sweet nothings. The fact that he loved her was confirmed once again. Her tears stabbed his heart, and her hug completed him.

Avni needed his touch more than oxygen. She cried hard like a little girl sniffing in between and mumbled, "Don... Don't.... leave me!"

"Never ever!" Siddharth kept repeating till her sobs subsided and her grip loosened.

Avni cried silently every single time to date except now. As much as Siddharth hated her tears, he found her cute, crying like a little girl for candy. The way she sniffed after a continuous crying session for two minutes and relaxed for a moment, and began again recalling something he doesn't know yet was a treat to watch.

Little did Siddharth realize he was her candy, but he knew Avni was a part of his soul.

Siddharth smiled as she lifted her lashes and looked into his eyes after an exhaustive session. Those hazel blue orbs are as deep as an ocean. Drowning into them is a sweet adventure he's looking forward to.

His thumb grazed across her cheeks, gently wiping away her dried tears, and she blushed a deep shade of crimson red. Her stomach was in knots as her skin burned under his touch.

"If your cheeks color with a small touch, I can't imagine your face when we kiss," Siddharth whispered in her ear, giving her goosebumps.

Avni hugged him tight, hiding her face in his chest, and he laughed. He wanted to whisper his eternal love for her, but he had plans for that.

Siddharth lifted her and carried her to a nearby bench. Avni tugged at his arm as he turned to walk away. He held her cheeks in his palms, and his lips lingered on her forehead for long enough.

"Just a moment. I'll be back," Siddharth assured. He returned in two minutes as promised with a water bottle.

Avni washed her face and sat next to him, drinking them. He wiped her face with his handkerchief, and Avni giggled as it became black with her kajal. Luckily she did not apply any makeup other than a cream, lip balm, and kajal. She wasn't used to anything else.

"Girls!" Siddharth rolled his eyes. He joined her, and they laughed together.

Siddharth removed his jacket and forwarded it to her sensing her shivering in the cold.

"Why are you here?" Avni asked, all of a sudden hugging his hand and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Shouldn't I be?" Siddharth chuckled, playing with her words.

"No, no!" Avni answered in a hurry lifting her face, and explained, "I meant that I did not expect you."

"Okay!" His answer was plain and simple. Avni sulked, not hearing what she wanted to.

"Alright! I missed my gorgeous wife and the sound of her laughter," Siddharth whispered, finally uttering the words she craved to hear.

They spoke on random topics. It's Avni who babbled, and Siddharth enjoyed her musical voice, to be more precise.

Siddharth glanced at his wristwatch that indicated 1 am. Avni yawned, and he carried her to the car. Avni didn't realize when she dozed off as the day had been lengthy and tiresome.

Siddharth tucked her in the bed and wished her a good night.

Avni stretched, waking up, and opened her eyes. She recalled last night and smiled, welcoming a beautiful morning with Siddharth's memories. She found the other side of the bed empty and panicked for a moment at the possibility of dreaming everything.

Avni's eyes wandered across the room, hoping to see him. She spotted Siddharth sleeping in an uncomfortable position on her study chair. There was no couch in her room, and they had never shared a bed to date.

Avni was deeply moved by the vision. Her husband is a billionaire whom the whole world admires. He slept like an ordinary man for her sake.

Avni shook him gently, and Siddharth partially opened his eyes. She gestured him to occupy the bed, and he drowned into a deep sleep inhaling her fragrance from the sheets. He missed that very much!

Siddharth woke up at 7 am as the sun rays peeped in. He stretched lazily and walked out after a quick shower.

Everyone in the hall, including Siddharth's parents and Avni's relatives, were equally shocked spotting him. Questions bombarded about his arrival, and he answered in a word, "Midnight!"

Siddharth sat with everyone and indulged in small talk, but his eyes searched for Avni.

"Avni is not at home. She went out," Renuka chuckled, giving him the much-needed information. He was disappointed for a moment as he wished to take her out. Just then, he heard the sound of anklets from behind, and he knew it was Avni.

Siddharth glanced at his mother, who laughed. Avni bent to his level from behind and whispered in his ear, "We'll go to the temple. Get ready," as it was Dussehra.

Siddharth placed a box on the bed, walking out of the room. There was no one as all of them left for the wedding in the meanwhile.

Avni curiously opened the box, walking out of the washroom after a relaxing shower. The peach-colored saree and diamond jewelry in the box were lovely.

She felt extremely special and beautiful with his gift. It's not the first time he got her something, but a saree is extra special.

Siddharth was engrossed in reading the newspaper when Avni opened the door. He slowly shifted his gaze and glanced in that direction anticipating her appearance.

He was confused seeing her in a white T-shirt and petticoat. He gestured her to speak, and he heard her, "I need your help in pleating the saree."

Siddharth was taken aback by her reply. "But, it's not your first time," He expressed his doubt.

"Amma helped me," Avni gulped down her throat and wet her lips. Siddharth groaned, finding it sensual. How he wanted to be the one licking her lips!

Siddharth stood up and took slow steps towards her in a trance. Avni could see the desire in his chocolate brown eyes, and he was only a few feet away. With every step he took forward, she involuntarily stepped backward until she hit the wall.

Within the time she could realize, she was trapped between his torso and the walls. He was very close. The only sound she could hear was of her escalating heartbeat.

Siddharth's left hand grazed her right arm, slowly moving towards her shoulder. He lifted her chin with the other hand to look into her eyes, but she closed them as his touch evoked new feelings.

Siddharth kissed her eyelids, relishing her beauty and his lips devoured every inch of her face with sweet and soft kisses. Avni never knew the meaning of butterflies in her stomach until that day.

"Open your eyes, baby," Siddharth whispered in her ear, tickling her with his hot breath, and she shook her head in negative feeling shy. "Avni..." He called her in a low husky voice, and she couldn't deny it anymore.

Avni's eyes held shyness, comfort, and beautiful anticipation that's so new to him. She messed with his senses, and he couldn't think straight anymore. A phone beep broke his trance before it went beyond.

Siddharth brought her left hand to his lips and kissed his name on her mehndi, looking into her hazel blue orbs. His heart skipped a beat when he observed it last night!

Siddharth held her hand and guided her to the center of the room. Avni came out of the trance when he asked, "Did you like it?" holding the saree.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder!

Avni smiled, answering, "I've never seen a more beautiful saree in my entire life." It melted his heart to hear that reply from her. His hard work of searching too many malls for four hours paid off.

Avni requested him to hold the pallu, and she pleated it as he held it upwards. She pinned it and mumbled, "Turn around."

Siddharth chuckled, following her instructions, and she tied the saree removing her T-shirt.

"Done," Avni announced. Siddharth was mesmerized by the beauty in front of him. She appeared gorgeous in the saree that matched her skin tone perfectly well. He helped her with the jewelry and admired her.

Siddharth changed into a plain peach-colored shirt and grey trousers matching her saree, and they traveled to the temple.

"Thank you, Ma! You blessed me with the best husband. I wish to start a new life with Siddharth and give him every happiness he deserves. Bless us and keep him safe," Avni prayed, standing in front of the deity and lighted a Diya.

She recalled the words Natasha uttered the day before and continued, "Please keep us together always, Ma," holding his hand tight. It gave her peace after she let out all her worries to the Lord. She believed that the Lord would protect them and their loved ones.

Siddharth smiled, realizing what she must've prayed. He prayed the same too.

Avni took the aarti opening her eyes, and showed it to him, praying for his wellness. The priest gave her prasad after the pooja and suggested Siddharth fill her partition with sindoor.

Avni touched her hair to realize she forgot doing it. She felt delighted when Siddharth did it.It was almost 10 am, and they drove to the wedding hall.

"What happened, Aunty?" Avni questioned, finding Piya's mother in distress.

"Piya's cousin's flight got delayed. The bride's brother must pester the groom to call off his trip and marry," Piya's mother explained.

They planned it during their childhood as both were the only children of their respective parents. They weaved dreams that the spouse of the first person to get married will perform the rituals of the other one's brother.

Avni glanced at Siddharth and dropped her wish. He has done a lot for her already and is no ordinary man to convince a stranger.

Siddharth proceeded forward before she noticed and finished the ritual. The way he requested Ishaan to marry Piya and not leave to Kasi was a treat to watch. Siddharth gifted honeymoon tickets to Paris, and Ishaan laughed, agreeing.

He literally offered honeymoon tickets to the man who got ready to remain celibate and convinced him! Pretty tempting offer!

Avni laughed hard, and Siddharth adored it. He could bring the sky down to earth to bring a smile to her face. The moment Avni glanced at him and turned aside, he knew what she wanted. Piya is her best friend, and he accepted her as a sister at that moment.

"I'm the bride, and your face is glowing equally well. What's the matter?" Piya raised her brows as Avni helped her arrange her lehenga and accessories in one place.

"You're no less than Amma," Avni laughed.

"Smart but let's stick to the initial question," Piya grilled.

"Siddharth came last night," Avni answered, knowing her best friend.

"I know but is that all?" Piya winked, facing her.

"Yeah," Avni blushed at her friend's naughty thoughts and continued her work. She was about to walk outside, but a question stopped her.

"How do you know about his arrival?" Avni frowned in confusion. She had an idea of what was coming but hoped that wouldn't be true.

Sahil, who entered the room just then, answered, "He rang me last night asking about Natasha showing a video clip."

Avni sighed, understanding the situation. She felt sorry for the poor soul as Siddharth must've made her regret terribly. She smiled anyway, understanding his means of answering her tears.

Avni texted him to let go and leave her. After a lot of pestering, he agreed as he had already shown Natasha the price of messing with his wife.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blink as they indulged in greeting the guests and inspecting everything.

________________

AishuPurple

Hope you enjoyed the update!

Liked their little romance❓

The saree is beautiful, right? 🥰🥰

Fireworks about to start in their relationship! Hehehe🤩😁

I think I'm falling in love with Siddharth! I know I'm sick but he's damn sweet Lol!🙈😅

Natasha paid the price for messing with Avni but I want her to be strong soon and back answer❗