The honeymoon phase wasn't just a concept for Avni and Divyansh; it was a quiet, unfolding reality. A week had slipped by since the wedding, and the tentative edges of their relationship were finally beginning to soften. They had found their rhythm in the small things—most notably their post-dinner walks with Scooby. It was a sacred hour, the one part of the day they both guarded with unspoken ferocity.
Within the household, Avni had found an unexpected anchor in her father-in-law, Vinayak. There was a familiar warmth in his presence that mirrored her own father’s, and Vinayak, still feeling the quiet ache of his daughter Risha’s absence since her own wedding, had folded Avni into the family with effortless grace. Even Dadi had transitioned from skeptical observer to an outright fan.
Divyansh, for his part, was living in a state of quiet euphoria. To him, this marriage was the single best decision of his life. He had developed a morning ritual: pretending to be deep in sleep just so he could watch Avni get ready. He thought he was being subtle; Avni knew exactly what he was doing. She never called him out on it, though. There was a secret thrill in being the subject of his gaze.
Yet, there was a shadow in the corner of the room: Ridha. It wasn't that she disliked Avni, but she was a woman of buried preferences. In her mind, Avni would have been a perfect match for Vivek, the brother she had favored since childhood. While she kept her peace, the undercurrent of her bias was palpable enough that even Avni had begun to sense the chill.
The tranquility of the first week shattered on Monday morning. The "Back to Work" reality hit with the force of a whirlwind.
The bedroom, usually a sanctuary, became a battlefield of lost items. Divyansh had turned the wardrobe upside down in a desperate search for a specific tie, while Avni paced the floor, hunting for her watch. Amidst the frantic searching, Scooby added to the cacophony, barking incessantly at Divyansh’s heels, offended by the sudden lack of attention.
Divyansh felt a pang of genuine annoyance—not at the lost tie, but at the lost ritual. The chaos meant no time to linger and watch Avni get ready. For Avni, the feelings were a tangled mess. She was hungry for the professional spark of her office and a catch-up with Ariyansh, but the thought of a day without Divyansh felt like a sudden fast. She realized she would miss the mundane things: the balcony coffee, his long-winded summaries of books she didn't read, and even his inevitable afternoon tantrum when he realized lunch was dal chawal again.
Marriage, she realized with a start, was far more addictive than she had anticipated.
By the time they made it to the dining table, the rest of the family was already settled. Scooby immediately bolted toward Vinayak, seeking the sanctuary of a calm lap.
"So," Vinayak began, looking up from his paper. "Are the professionals ready to reclaim their desks?"
"I’m going to miss the vacation, Dad," Divyansh admitted, sliding into his chair and instinctively serving Avni her breakfast before taking his own.
"It wasn't a vacation, Mr. Lazy," Dadi teased. "It was a wedding. What about you, Avni? Ready to lead?"
"I’m excited, Dadi, but a little anxious," Avni confessed. "I know Priya is waiting for me with a mountain of files to sign. I’ve never been away this long—I’m actually impressed Avyansh managed to keep the place standing without me."
Vinayak smiled warmly. "Don't overthink it. It’ll all fall back into place. And you," he added, gesturing at Divyansh who was currently preoccupied with a paratha, "make sure you drive her to her door."
"Actually, Dad, she’s dropping me," Divyansh corrected. "My office is on her route."
Dadi frowned slightly. "Why should she chauffeur you? Let the man drive, Avni. It isn't right for him to sit back while you work the wheel."
Avni offered a diplomatic smile. "It’s okay, Dadi. Divyansh will drive until we hit his building, then I’ll take over for the rest of the commute. It’s efficient."
"If you say so," Vinayak conceded.
"We should move, Avni, before Dad starts his morning lecture," Divyansh joked, grabbing his laptop bag. "By the way, where are Mom and Vivek?"
"At the court," Dadi replied. "A client meeting."
Divyansh paused. "Then why are you still here, Dad? Don't you have a hearing?"
Vinayak took a slow sip of his tea. "I’m actually thinking of retiring, son. I want to hand the rest of my cases over to Vivek."
The table went quiet for a beat. "That’s a massive step, Dad," Avni said softly. "Are you certain?"
"I’ve worked my entire life, beta," Vinayak said, his voice tired but content. "I think I’ve earned a little rest."
"You definitely have," Divyansh said, checking his watch. "But if we don't leave now, we’ll be the ones retiring early—out of a job! Bye, Dad!"
Vinayak’s laughter followed them out the door. "Jao, jao! Be late on your first day back and see what happens. Good luck, you two!"
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