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The following morning, Avani travelled back to Pune via a flight. As she emerged from the airport, Anish stood patiently waiting for her outside.

“Avani!” he called, waving his hand to catch her attention. “Anish..." Avani shouted waving her hand in direction of her brother and pushed her trolley with all baggage in his direction with a big smile.

"How are you, big brother? And how is Siya doing?” Avani bombarded him with questions, embracing him tightly.

“Oh god! So many questions in one go. Let’s go home first. And why do you have so much baggage with you? Are you settling back in Pune?” he inquired, eyeing her bags.

Avani chuckled and replied, “It’s your would-be wife’s belongings, Mom specially ordered me to buy all this from Delhi.”

He chuckled in response, taking all the baggage and loading it into the car trunk. They settled into the car, and as they drove back home, familiar roads brought back a flood of old memories. Anish and Avani caught up on many things that they had missed discussing while he was in the US and she was in Delhi.

Upon reaching home, Shreya was waiting for Avani. She rushed outside, embracing her tightly. Entering the house, her mother, Anjali and father Anil enveloped Avani in their warm embrace.

“Mom, it's our brother’s wedding. Don’t you think we should look fabulous, and his in-laws should say that Anish has beautiful sisters?” Shreya winked at Avani, addressing her mother.

Anjali immediately twisted her ears and replied, “Yes, sure, why not?” Anil(Avani’s Father), Anish, and Avani laughed at Shreya’s expression. She is the naughtiest among all of them and the darling of

their house.

“Avani, go freshen up, and I have made aloo paratha for breakfast. I know it's your favourite,” Anjali said to her.

“Yes, Mom,” Avani said and took one bag, which was hers, upstairs. Shreya came running behind her and put her hand on Avani's shoulder. “Okay, let's go to your room,” she said and helped her take her bag upstairs.

Avani settled in her room, put her things in her cupboard, and Shreya was watching her closely.

She saw Shreya staring at her and finally turned to look in her direction. “Shreya, whatever you want to ask, just ask. Stop staring like a creep,” she said and continued her work.

“Di, how are you holding up?” Shreya asked her.

She paused at her question and then continued, “I am good,” she said while giving a small smile.

“I know he is back,” Shreya said to her, standing in front of her, stopping her.

She froze and looked at Shreya in utter shock. her pain was not hidden from Shreya.

“Even if he is back, it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I have moved on,” Avani averted her gaze and said while keeping her stuff in the cupboard and closed the door.

Shreya took her hand and made her sit on the bed. “Look into my eyes and say the same,” she said while looking at her, and she knew Avani was lying.

She paused and looked at Shreya. There was utter silence from Avani. “Di, I know you still love him deeply. You can’t lie. I know he did wrong, and frankly speaking, I want to kick his ass for that. But the way he is trying to persuade you, you should give him a chance,” Shreya said to her, and Avani was in utter shock.
'How does she know about all this?

Avani asked her out of curiosity, “How do you know about this?”

“I know, Di, even if you don’t tell or share your pain with me. I have my ways. I know everything that happened this whole last year,” she said to her with sadness on her face.

Avani squeezed her hand and said, “Sorry, baby sister, I didn’t share this with you. I was so devastated at that time, and I didn’t want to disturb you, as you were busy with your new job. But I am fine now. Look.,” she said taking a deep breath with a smile. “Regarding Rishabh, he did ask me for a second chance.”

“Are you going to give him?” She asked her with a lot of curiosity.

'Am I?' She is searching for the answer to this question. Her trust is broken once, and her heart is hesitant to give him one more chance.

Before she can answer, Anjali called them downstairs. “Let’s go!” Avani said to her, and they both came downstairs and started having breakfast.

At the breakfast table,

"Have one more!" Her mother insisted, giving Avani the third paratha in a row.

"Mom, I don’t want. I am full now," Avani said, placing the paratha back.

"Avani, finish your breakfast. Let’s sit in the living room. Your father and I want to talk to you about something important," Mom said.

Avani exchanged a glance with Shreya, silently asking, "What is going on?"

Shreya shrugged, saying, "I don’t know." Anish avoided eye contact with Avani, adding to her sense that something fishy was happening.
They settled in the living room, Avani facing her parents, Anish sitting beside her, and Shreya on another sofa.

"Avani, we have started looking for your marriage proposal as you already said 'Yes', and we liked one proposal very much. They are interested in meeting you, so..." Her mother paused and exchanged her glance with her father.

"So?" Avani asked with scrutinizing gaze.

"So, they are coming tomorrow at home," Her mother threw a bomb at her.

"What?" Avani exclaimed in shock, jumping from her place.

"Avani, sit. First, listen and then decide. No one is forcing you to get married tomorrow. Just meet him and see. You may like him," Anish said, coaxing her back into her seat.

"Come on, please. I came home after so many months today. Mom, I agreed, but I didn’t say this soon. I am not ready. Give me some time, please," Avani pleaded with them. "And besides, I think I came here for this person's wedding not mine." Avani said with anger.

"Avani, I know. But they were not ready to wait and wanted to meet you as soon as possible. Just meet them. If you don’t like them, say no. It’s a good family, and I like the boy very much," Her mother urged.

"Don’t you think it’s too soon?" Avani asked her mother, her inner self was crying out, 'Please, no. I love Rishabh. I cannot marry anyone else.'

"Avani dear, just meet him. They are good and quite influential people. The boy is handsome and well-settled. I personally like him very much. No one is forcing you to say yes. Just meet them," Anil, her father reasoned. He knew, Avani never denied or said no to him.

"Okay, fine," Avani reluctantly agreed.

She looked at Shreya and her gaze asked for help. Avani went upstairs, closed the door, and touched her back to it.

'What I am going to do?' She thought and closed her eyes.

'Shit...' She mumbled and touched her both palms to her head wondering,

Now what?