10

Avyaan woke up late, having stayed awake for another half-hour after the phone-snatching incident the previous night, which ended with Varahi calling him “mean.” Her taking his phone while he was clearing emails had angered him, though he tried to stay sweet, even if he was a jerk at times.

After a long warm bath, he dressed casually, planning to stay home today and tomorrow for his brother’s birthday. Heading downstairs, he found the hall empty and assumed everyone was scattered across the mansion. Feeling hungry, he went to the kitchen.

His steps paused as he saw Varahi in a light green saree with red embroidery, her bangles softly clinking as she chopped vegetables.

“Good Morning, Sir,” Ritika said, entering with a tray.

“Good Morning, Ritika,” Avyaan replied, aware Varahi was now watching him.

“Good Morning,” Varahi said as he approached, checking what was cooking.

“Morning,” he replied, prompting her to glance at him. Meanie, she thought.

“Fried aloo and parantha or noodles?” Varahi asked as he settled on a stool, resting his hands on the counter.

“How long for the noodles?”

“15-20 minutes,” she said, chopping capsicum while Ritika did dishes.

“I don’t want parantha, but I’m hungry,” Avyaan said. Varahi signaled Ritika to get dessert.

Ritika washed her hands, fetched a box of rasmalai from the fridge, and handed a bowl to Avyaan, placing another piece on the counter.

“Whose is this?” Avyaan asked, pointing to the second piece.

“Mam’s,” Ritika said, rinsing noodles. He nodded, setting his bowl aside.

“Eat mine too,” Varahi said, done chopping, moving to the counter.

“Won’t you eat?” Avyaan asked, serving the second piece into his bowl and offering it back.

“Kya pata, yeh kha kar aap mujhse mitha-mitha bolne lag jaye,” Varahi teased. (Who knows, maybe after eating this, you’ll speak sweetly to me.) Avyaan paused, looked at her, and set the spoon down.

“Kha lo tum—”

“Acha, nahi, I was kidding,” Varahi said quickly, as Ritika chuckled.

The couple glanced at her, catching her fond look.

“Cute,” Ritika said, chuckling before leaving.

“What cu—” Avyaan started, but she was gone.

“Eat it.”

“You eat too,” Avyaan said, pushing the bowl toward her.

“Feed me,” Varahi said softly, earning a deadpan look.

“You have hands, by God’s grace, working ones. Thank God and do the honors,” Avyaan said sarcastically, crossing his arms.

Varahi made an annoyed face, took a bite with another spoon, and returned to cooking noodles, tossing the spoon in the sink.

Avyaan ate, suppressing a smile at her reaction.

Everyone gathered at the dinner table, joking and talking, with Trisha helping Varahi serve.

“Hmm, so tasty,” Dhruv said, savoring the noodles.

“I agree,” Yuvaan nodded.

“Bhai, how’s that?” Yuvaan asked Avyaan, who ate quietly.

“Sufferable, quite opposite to your Bhabhi,” Avyaan said, glancing at Yuvaan, then back to his plate as silence fell.

“Toh mat khaiye na,” Varahi muttered, loud enough for him to hear. (Then don’t eat.)

“What the heck?” Trisha whispered, eyeing her brother, who ignored her. Varahi felt hurt.

“Bhabhi, ignore Bhai. Sit, eat,” Yuvi said, reaching to serve her.

“No, I’ll eat later. I don’t feel like it now,” Varahi said, stopping him.

“You eat, I’ll be back,” she said, heading to the kitchen.

“Bhai, what’s wrong with you? Bhabhi felt bad.”

“Can you stop asking foolish questions? Let me eat in peace,” Avyaan snapped.

“It wasn’t foolish, Bhai. Just say ‘nice’—it’s not hard,” Yuvi said calmly, unlike Avyaan’s tone.

“You know what, Yuvi, just eat,” Avyaan said, irritated.

In the kitchen, Varahi leaned against the counter, arms crossed, brows knitted. What the heck? She bit her cheek, holding back her emotions to avoid snapping back, which would’ve been worse.

The Singhanias gathered in the guest room, deciding on the next day’s birthday decorations.

“Sir, here are some designs, please look,” the man said, handing an iPad to Ranvijay, seated between his sons.

“This looks fine,” Yuvaan said, liking a color combination.

“Hm, check more,” Avyaan said, gesturing to swipe further.

“Sir, based on your taste, it’s black-black, black-white, or black-silver,” the man suggested, knowing Avyaan’s preferences.

“Or golden-white,” Varahi whispered playfully to Yuvaan.

“No, Bhabhi, thanks,” Yuvaan chuckled.

“Bhai, black or black-silver?”

“Any you like,” Avyaan replied.

After much discussion, they settled on metallic black, silver, and transparent white themes.

Rishi and Ankita, Sanjana Massi’s kids, arrived around 6 p.m. for Yuvi’s birthday. Everyone sat for dinner, with the house help setting the table.

“Yuvi, I haven’t seen Kia since I got here. I wanted to meet her,” Sanjana said, sitting beside her sister.

“She planned to come tonight but canceled. Let’s meet tomorrow,” Yuvaan said, smiling.

“Bhabhi, the paneer’s so good,” Dhruv said, enjoying his meal. Varahi smiled, and others agreed.

After dinner, everyone left the dining hall except Avyaan, who stayed, scrolling through his gallery.

With so many people, Varahi and Trisha hadn’t eaten, having served others. Trisha brought two plates of food and set them on the table.

Avyaan glanced at Varahi, who avoided his eyes and sat far from him, with Trisha on her right.

“Bhaiya, want more?” Trisha asked.

Avyaan nodded, moved to sit beside Varahi, and said, “One bite.” She slid the plate toward him. He took a piece of poori with curry and held it to her mouth.

Varahi looked confused. “Eat it,” he said softly.

“I have hands, and they’re working. I’ll do the honors,” she replied flatly, reaching for the morsel. Avyaan grabbed her wrist, pinned it to her lap, and leaned closer, ignoring Trisha’s curious stare.

“I will—” she started.

“I’m sorry,” Avyaan cut in. Varahi froze, lips parting in disbelief.

His lips curved slightly as she opened her mouth, letting him feed her.

“For the morning and more sorry for the dining thing,” he said, releasing her hands and leaning back. Trisha squealed, abandoning her food to hug Avyaan and kiss his head.

“You’re so sweet, Bhaiya!” she said. The couple smiled at her as she resumed eating.

Varahi said nothing, starting her meal and offering Avyaan a few bites.

Avyaan smiled, feeling lighter. He was genuinely sorry for his words, which he hadn’t meant.