*Avani's POV"

"Avani, your engagement to Aarav already happened, didn't it?"

"Avi, I heard you're engaged! Congratulations!"

"Avani beta, you'll listen to your grandmother, won't you?"

"Shobha ben, you're really going to get your grandson engaged to your best friend Lata ben's granddaughter, aren't you?"

The voices echoed endlessly in my sleep.

One after another. Louder. Closer.

My breathing turned uneven as sweat beaded across my forehead. My fingers tightened around the blanket, clutching it so hard my knuckles turned white. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately trying to block the voices out.

But they wouldn't stop. Suddenly-My eyes flew open.

I lay frozen on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling fan spinning above me.

I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself.

"It was all just a rumor..." I whispered to myself. "None of it was real. They can't just decide who I'm going to marry. I'll simply refuse."

I swallowed hard. "I still have a career to build."

For a moment, my heartbeat began to slow...Until last night's scene flashed before my eyes.

The way he had looked straight into my eyes. The smirk on his face.

"My rumored fiancée." My stomach twisted.

"Why does he still remember all of that?" I muttered, burying my face into the pillow. "And why was he talking like that yesterday?"

I shut my eyes again.

"What does he want from me...?"

"Ughhh..."

Groaning in frustration, I pulled the blanket over my head, hoping it would somehow silence the storm raging inside my mind.

"Now wake up, Maharani. It's already 8 o'clock" mom said while entering my room.

"Mumyyy... just five more minutes, it's sundayy" i groaned lazily, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

"Arehh sambhalo chhoo!"

[Hey, are you listening!] mom shouted toward Dad dramatically.

I jumped up immediately.

"Mummy, yaar!"

She walked out laughing, clearly enjoying annoying me.

"Papa ki chamchii," I muttered irritably.

Still half-asleep, I dragged myself to the bathroom for a quick shower.

But even under the shower, my thoughts refused to calm down.

Last night's moments kept flashing in my mind.

The way he was giving those mischievous smiles...he literally sat next to me at the dinner table. I wasn't even making eye contact with him. My entire existence was shaking at that moment.

And the last smile he gave when we were leaving...That smile felt like it was hiding an entire story behind it.

Why am I even thinking about this so much?

Avani, get a grip.

The day in our house started unusually relaxed because Dadi had announced that she would stay one more day at kishor Uncle's place.

Everyone was neutral about it...

Except Aadi.

Of course he was happiest ..Dadi had given him gifts.

Laalchi kahika.

Since we had nowhere to go today, I simply came downstairs with my wet hair, wearing my everyday kurti and the pajama I practically live in.

The moment Mom saw me, she stared like one day she'd donate this kurti to the maid in exchange for a spoon.

Ignoring her look, I casually sat down at the dining table.

Dad was reading the newspaper, clearly disappointed with whatever news he was reading. His tea beside him had already gone cold.

Suddenly he folded the newspaper, took a deep sigh, and said dramatically..

"What will happen to this country?"

Aadi and I looked at each other... and burst into quiet laughter.

Before I could even grab my breakfast..

"Here you go, Kachra Queen. Eat your breakfast," mom said, placing the plate in front of me.

"Hahahahaha! New name!" Aadi's Ravan-style evil laugh echoed in the background.

I glared at Mom, ready to protest, but before I could say anything Dad asked..

"What did she do now, Devi ji?"

He gave me a look that clearly said Don't worry, I'll save you today.

I nodded in agreement.

"Oh please, you don't need to take her side. I'm watching everything," mom said suspiciously.

"But what happened?" dad asked innocently.

"What will happen papa? Your beloved daughter has zero civic sense," Aadi added dramatically, pouring fuel into the fire.

"Tu chup reh, samjha na!" I snapped at him.

Now Mom was staring at me even harder.

"Oye, first you keep quiet and answer my question," she said.

"You didn't even ask me anything, how would I answer?" i said, trying to act innocent.

"See how she talks back? You've spoiled her."

"Arre biwi ji, at least sit down calmly," Dad said while pulling a chair for Mom.

But Mom was already in full scolding mode.

"You don't comb your hair. You don't dress properly. How long is this going to continue?"

"If I'm not going anywhere today, should I wear a lehenga at home?" I replied. "And I just washed my hair, so obviously they'll stay open till they dry."

Excuse-making is my hidden talent.

"You keep giving smart replies. Just because you're not going anywhere doesn't mean you roam around the house in pajamas. What if someone visits? How will it look?"

Meanwhile, Dad and Aadi were watching the entire scene like it was a live cricket match.

"Mummy, don't make false accusations. I didn't wear these clothes yesterday."

"Oh really? Then day before yesterday? How many times have I told you not to wear such old clothes?"

"But these clothes are comfortable, Mom."

"All your clothes are like this. And you call them comfortable."

Silence.

Then Mom suddenly said..

"Kiran ben's daughter is your friend, right? Learn something from her. She looked so pretty yesterday."

I hate it when my mom compares me to anyone..even if they're people I'm close to.

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I looked pretty yesterday too, didn't I?" I said with a side glance.

Mom's anger cooled a little.

Good. Time to distract her. Hehe.

"Did you see Kiran aunty's saree, Mom? It was nice, right?"

"Yes... she looked very pretty too," Mom said, a small smile appearing on her face.

"But you looked prettier, right Papa?" I teased.

"Yes..my wife is the prettiest." Dad said proudly.

"Inko to aadat hai..apni beti ki side lene ki," Mom said while walking toward the kitchen.

Then she turned back and said...

"Finish your breakfast quickly. After that, I'll fix your hair."

"Aalsi kahin ki."

"Areee Mummy!!"

And just like that... another peaceful morning in the Gujju Patel household turned into a full family drama.

___________________________

"Umm... Mumyyy, the theplas you make are literally heaven!"

Praising breakfast = making mom happy. Hehe.

"Yeah yeah, don't butter me up too much now."

Classy mumma...

The doorbell rang.

And the moment it did, Aadi got up from the sofa and started walking upstairs in a robotic way. As he passed by me, he pointed an imaginary gun with his hand and said,

"Looks like the enemy is beyond that door... I shall now go to my kingdom."

"Don't be so dramatic, okay? Now go open the door. Can't you see I'm having breakfast?"

(My plate didn't have even a single piece of thepla left.)

"Looks like your breakfast is done. Now go open the door."

Irritating.

I got up from my chair and, as I walked past him, I leaned close and whispered in his ear,

"Remember chocolates??? Hahaha."

And I walked ahead to open the door.

Aadi just stood there, glaring at me in anger.

Without even caring what I was wearing, with my hair completely messy, I opened the door with attitude.

Someone was standing there. (Of course.)

The perfume felt a little familiar, so I looked at that person.

The sunlight hit my face directly like a slap, so my gaze went straight down.

White shoes.

White jeans.

Pink shirt!!!

And who was it?

AARAV SHAH.

For one horrifying second, my brain completely stopped working.

The sunlight was hitting my eyes, but I didn't lower my gaze even once. I was looking straight at him.

He looked like some anime character, standing there, cutting through the sunlight, right in front of me...looking into me.

There was a slight sparkle in his eyes... and he was just standing there, looking straight into mine...

And I was standing there like a complete idiot.

My soul left my body.

The piece of thepla in my hand was shaking along with me.

I stood there like a wooden statue, staring at him in shock.

Then-

"Who is it, avii??"

My darling mom, interrupting my filmy eye contact.

I was lost in him when suddenly my dadi came out of syllabus and said,

"areyy thodo aagal to chal ahiya kem ubhho rai gyo?" [step ahead, why are you standing here?] Dadi asked him.

She came ahead and saw me.

"Ohhh... now I understand." she gave both of us a naughty stare.

"So avii, planning to just stand here?"

"No no, dadi!" I hugged her tightly. "You were supposed to stay there, right? Then...?"

"Hey, it's my house. I can come whenever I want. Why, do you have a problem?"

Savage dadi.

Dadi chose the perfect moment to roast me.

"Nooo dadi, I'm the happiest that you came!" I said, hugging her and taking her inside.

"Of course you would be happy..." she nudged me with her elbow.

"Come beta, Aarav, come inside."

Dadi left me and walked ahead.

I nervously looked at him.

"Hello again!" he said, smiling. His eyes briefly flickered to my messy hair.

The smile on his face grew.

Oh no.

I gave him a fake smile and walked off.

As I walked towards the kitchen to get water, I saw myself in the mirror near the stairs.

I looked at my reflection.

Messy hair.

Oversized kurti.

Thepla still in my hand.

Aarav Shah had seen me like this.

I looked like a living zombie.

I should have listened to mom.

I screamed in my head....

Lag gaye behen!!.