The heavy silence that usually draped the Vinayak household had finally lifted, replaced by the soft clinking of porcelain and the low hum of the evening air. It was Sunday, a rare pocket of peace in a week defined by legal battles and corporate maneuvering. With Vinayak and Ridhu away at a function, the sprawling living room felt unusually intimate. Divyash, Vivek, and Avni sat gathered around the coffee table, the steam from their mugs curling into the dim light.
Vivek leaned back, the visible tension that had tightened his shoulders for months finally beginning to dissolve. He looked at Avni, his expression softening with genuine relief.
"Thank you, Avni. Seriously," Vivek began, his voice thick with gratitude. "You managed to do what none of us could. You actually convinced Dad to drop the Khosla case." He let out a long, weary breath. "The final hearing is in two days, and now that Kajal’s father is set to testify against Khosla Corp instead of being buried by them... I can finally sleep. I couldn't stand seeing Dad tied to those dirty rats. Because of you, he finally listened."
Avni offered a modest smile, blowing gently on her coffee before taking a slow, teasing sip. "It was the least I could do, Vivek. Besides, it’s nice to know that both of your fathers value my opinion a little more than they value yours."
Divyash let out a bark of laughter, shifting his position on the sofa. He dropped his voice an octave, perfectly mimicking the stern, authoritative baritone of their father. "'I’ve finally found someone on this team with a brain,'" he droned, wagging a finger in the air. "'If you two idiots told me the sun rose in the East, I’d check the compass just to prove you wrong.'"
He reverted to his normal voice, grinning at Vivek. "Let’s be honest, Bhai. Scooby gets more affection and respect from him than we do. We’re just the help; Avni is the consultant."
Vivek rolled his eyes, though a smirk played on his lips. "It’s annoying because it’s true. I spent months presenting facts and logic, and he treated me like I was reciting nursery rhymes. Then Avni says a few words, and suddenly it’s a stroke of genius."
Divyash’s grin took on a more mischievous edge. He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Speaking of strokes of genius... are you ever going to tell Mom about Kajal? Or should I start practicing how to say 'Bhabhi' in front of her?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Vivek’s posture went rigid. "She isn’t your Bhabhi yet," he said, his voice dropping to a cautious whisper. "And no, I’m not telling Mom. Not yet. Kajal has been through a legal and emotional meatball grinder. The last thing she needs is to be put under the microscope of a ‘Maa’ examination."
"Caring, caring, huh?" Divyash teased, winking broadly. "I’ve noticed that since Kajal Bhabhi entered the picture, my big, tough brother has turned into a total softie."
"Ansh, shut up," Avni interrupted, her voice turning firm. She set her mug down and looked Vivek dead in the eye. "Vivek, let’s be real for a second. Are you serious about her? Do you actually see yourself marrying her?"
Vivek didn't hesitate. "I’ve never been more sure of anything, Avni. I want to marry her. But Maa... she terrifies me. I saw the hoops she made you and Divyash jump through. I saw the 'obligations' and the conditions she slapped onto your wedding. I don’t know if Kajal is ready for that kind of battle."
Divyash sighed, his playful mood momentarily dampened by the memory. "Don't remind me. I still don't get why Maa was so hell-bent on marrying Avni to you originally. I mean, I’m the one who met her, I’m the one who fell for her, and then suddenly you were in the picture like a pre-arranged obstacle." He shook his head, then his eyes brightened with a sudden thought. "Wait, how old is Kajal again?"
"Twenty-seven," Vivek answered, puzzled.
Divyash clapped his hands together, a look of pure, chaotic joy on his face. "Great! That is absolutely perfect!"
Avni looked at her husband with a mixture of confusion and concern. "Why are you so happy about her age?"
"Don't you see? Think about how Maa acted regarding our age gap. She made it such a huge deal," Divyash explained, his dimples flashing. "I can’t wait to see the mental gymnastics she performs when she hears about Vivek and Kajal. It's going to be poetic justice."
"Divyash, this isn't a game," Vivek snapped, frustrated by his brother’s lack of gravity. "This is my life."
"Fine, fine. Do whatever you want," Divyash said, waving a hand dismissively. "But do me a favor? Wait three weeks."
"Why three weeks?"
"Because," Divyash said, sliding an arm around Avni’s waist, "my wife and I are finally heading off on our honeymoon. You can start your domestic third world war once we’re safely out of the blast zone. Besides, you were zero help when I was fighting for my marriage, so don't expect me to stick around and mediate for you."
"It is not a honeymoon," Avni corrected, though she didn't pull away from him. "It is a high-stakes business meeting that I happen to be bringing my husband along for. He’s just refusing to acknowledge the professional side of it."
Vivek stood up, shaking his head at the pair. "Good for you both. Call it a business trip or a honeymoon, I don't care. Just enjoy it. I’m not saying anything to the parents yet anyway. Kajal and I need some actual peace before the storm hits." He turned toward the hallway. "Finish your coffee. I’m heading to my chamber to get some work done."
"We all know what kind of 'work' you do in your chamber, Vakil Saheb!" Divyash shouted after him. Vivek’s only response was a middle finger held high over his shoulder as he disappeared around the corner.
Avni turned to Divyash, a playful scold on her lips. "You really are a piece of work. Can't you stay serious for even five minutes, Dimples?"
"I've told you before, Jaana," Divyash murmured, his voice losing its edge and becoming low and husky. He slid closer until their shoulders touched. "Serious isn't really my brand. And besides... we're finally alone in the house."
Avni felt a familiar flutter in her chest. She set her empty mug on the table, her eyes searching his. "I can see the gears turning in your head, Dimples. What are you planning?"
"You know me too well," he whispered. He stood up and offered a hand to her, bowing slightly with mock gallantry. "Would you care to join me for a dance? No audience, no expectations. Just us, in our living room."
Avni looked at his outstretched hand and sighed, though her smile gave her away. "Phir wahi baat. Why does it always come back to dancing with you, Ansh? Every time I try to say no, you give me those puppy-dog Scooby eyes and I just melt." She placed her hand in his, her fingers interlacing with his. "Fine. Let's cut to the chase. You have my permission."
"Music to my ears," he cheered. He clicked a button on the remote, and the TV flickered to life, a soft, cinematic romantic ballad filling the room. He pulled her into the center of the floor, one hand settling firmly on her waist while she draped hers over his shoulder.
They moved slowly, the world outside the living room walls fading into insignificance. Divyash leaned in, pressing soft, lingering kisses to her cheeks and forehead. Avni let out a low chuckle, her heart racing, before she pulled him down to capture his lips in a soft, tender kiss.
The sweetness quickly deepened. The rhythm of the dance slowed until they were barely moving, lost in the heat of the moment. Avni eventually broke the kiss just long enough to lead him toward the sofa, pushing him back and settling onto his lap. Their hands began to wander, exploring with the frantic energy of two people who had been waiting for this silence all week. Every kiss felt more desperate than the last, tasting faintly of the coffee they had shared only minutes before.
Divyash pulled back for a breath, his eyes dark with desire. He reached for the hem of Avni’s top, pulling it over her head in one fluid motion. He began to trail kisses down her neck, his lips grazing the skin just above the lace of her bra. Avni’s breath hitched as she fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her fingers trembling. As the fabric fell open, she leaned forward to press a kiss against his chest, right over his beating heart.
The room was silent save for the music and the ragged sound of their breathing. Divyash looked down at her, his gaze intense, silently asking for the next step. Avni gave a small, slow nod, her consent written in the flush of her cheeks.
His hand slid around to the small of her back, his fingers reaching for the hooks of her bra. He was just about to undo them when a sharp, persistent ding-dong echoed through the house.
They both froze like statues, eyes wide as they stared at the front door. The romantic haze shattered instantly.
Divyash groaned, burying his face in her neck for a second before looking up at the ceiling. "I swear... is there a conspiracy? Is every single person in this house legally obligated to ruin our romance?"
"Divyash, go open it," Avni hissed, breaking the hug and frantically grabbing her top from the floor. "I’m going to the bedroom."
She scrambled to dress, tossing his shirt at his face as she bolted toward the stairs. Divyash stood there, disheveled and sighing, as he began to button his shirt to meet the unwanted guest.
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