DIWALI DINNER

DIWALI DINNER
10 days passed by, and Rishabh didn’t contact or text Avani after the day she broke up with him.

His firm statement echoed in her mind, "Don’t you dare say this again to me, I am not accepting this."

Despite his stubbornness, she believed it was for the betterment of both. Avani thought he needed a strong girl, someone he could trust wholeheartedly while on the field, without the burden of worrying about her. A girl who would not be his weakness.

As Diwali evening approached, Avani adorned herself in a maroon Georgette saree with delicate work. Her hair was loose on her shoulders, and she wore matching jewellery to go with it her attire. With one last look at her own reflection in the mirror, she went downstairs. While placing Diwali Diya lights on the rangoli in the front lawn, Shreya clicked pictures of her and took numerous selfies together. Concealing her pain behind a fake smile, Avani got mentally prepared and convinced herself to go for the Diwali dinner at Rishabh’s home.

After completing the Diwali prayers and offerings at home, they headed to the Malhotra residence in the cantonment area. During the car ride with Anish, Avani, lost in her thoughts, was startled when he addressed her.

“Avani, I know Rishabh is the guy who broke your heart one year back. and, regarding your conversation with him few days back. “

Looking at Anish in shock, Avani stammered, "Bhai, it’s..." as she put a strand of hair behind her ear, looking down in utter embarrassment.

“Week before your arrival at home, Rishabh came home and he told us about everything. He also explained the reason, why he broke up with you. He came to ask for forgiveness from Mom and Dad. Think about it, Avani. He had already broken up with you, so why would he come and ask for forgiveness from Mom and Dad for breaking their daughter’s heart?" Anish's words left Avani astonished.

The revelation that Rishabh had come home in her absence, seeking forgiveness from her parents weighed heavily on Avani's conscience, causing a surge of guilt. Anish's words continued to resonate in her ears, offering a perspective that tugged at Avani's emotions.

“…That’s because he is madly in love with you. It required a lot of guts to do what Rishabh did. He is an influential person, Avani. He doesn’t need to come and beg forgiveness from civilians like us. He did that just for you. So that you can forgive him for the mistake he did one year back.” Anish said and looked straight on the road.

Tears welled up in Avani's eyes as a profound sense of pain and guilt enveloped her. Unable to meet her brother's gaze, she looked down at her lap, and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. Anish gently caressed her head in a brotherly manner to comfort her restless self.

“I can’t do anything now. I pushed him away. He deserves a better life partner than me. I am not angry because he broke up with me, but I am hurt. He lied to me, and he thought I am weak and could not handle it,” Avani confessed to her brother, wiping her tears away.

“Look, it's your life and your decision, Avani. But think twice before taking any decision. And whatever decision you make, you will always find me beside you.” Anish consoled her while his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

The pain Avani felt couldn’t be explained in words. Her life had been completely turned upside down in the last one and a half years. She pushed Rishabh away from her thinking he lied to her. But after understanding what he did, the guild and pain strike her like thunderstorm. She didn’t know, if even her apology could bring him back into her life. Her love would always be with him, wherever he goes. She pledged to keep him in her prayers, wishing for his long life and happiness, even though he might not be part of her life’s picture in the future. Closing her eyes, a fresh pool of tears escaped.

They reached the Malhotra house which was a grand bungalow with tight Army security. After security clearance, both the cars entered inside. With a heavy heart, Avani stepped out of the car. Kriti came running to her and hugged her happily, and Avani embraced her back.

Together, they entered the Malhotra home, accompanied by Kriti. Neetu and Rajeev, Rishabh's parents came to welcome them.

"Welcome, welcome Anil ji, Anjali ji, please come," Neetu said, extending warm greetings for Diwali. Anish began searching for his

fiancée, Siya, who was already in the living room, engrossed in preparations. Avani touched Rishabh's parent’s feet, offering them Diwali wishes. Her eyes scanned the room for Rishabh, but he was nowhere to be found.

'Was he that upset? Or Is he avoiding me? No wonder, I hurt him bad.' Avani thought to herself.

“Bhai is not here, Bhabhi… Sorry, but he is in Ghaziabad. He left 7 days ago and still has not returned. You don’t know…?” Kriti informed her.

Avani shook her head, "No." She excused herself, taking out her phone, and dialed his number.

He disconnected the call. Avani tried again, but he ignored her call once more. Frustrated, she sent him a text,

'Where are you?' Tapping her phone continuously, she awaited a response, but none came.

Growing more impatient, she called him again, only to find his phone switched off. His silence was making her restless; she had hurt him this time, and his expected response was now a void. Desperately she waited for his call for some more time.

But, no response.

Finally, keeping her phone aside, she joined the ladies in the kitchen and helped to set up a table for dinner party.

Neetu, addressing Anjali, Avani's mother, said, "Sorry, Anjali ji, Rishabh is not here. He had to go back to Ghaziabad as he received some calls 7 days ago and left that very day. He is officially on leave for 4 months, but he had to go." Avani's mother smiled.

"It’s okay Neetu ji; we understand," her mother responded.

Avani's mind was preoccupied, though her hands were at work. Neetu's words lingered in the air, lost in her thoughts, Avani tucked her hair behind her ears, feeling upset and unproductive in his absence. Despite being surrounded by family and friends, a sudden sense of loneliness overcame her, she was missing him dearly.

‘Where are you, Rishabh? Call me, please. I need to talk to you,’ Avani thought to herself.

Siya approached her and gently squeezed her shoulder with her right hand. “I know, Avani, what you are feeling right now. Rishabh told me everything. He is my little brother and more of my best friend."

Avani looked at Siya and then glanced down. Everyone understood, how much Rishabh loved her, but Avani herself had failed to comprehend the depth of his feelings. Guilt surged in her heart.

But her logical mind pitched in and again tried to turn the gears of her brain. 'He had broken my heart. He considered our relationship a mistake. How could he? I trusted him, but he didn’t seem to reciprocate that trust. He wanted me to move on, yet he seemed oblivious to the fact, that my very existence was intertwined with him.'

Suddenly, a young and beautiful girl entered the room and hugged Siya from behind, “Hi Siya, Happy Diwali.”

Siya hugged her back and introduced her to Avani, “Amaya, this is Avani, Anish’s sister.”

Amaya greeted Avani with a wave, and Avani reciprocated, saying, "Hi, Happy Diwali."

After dinner, Avani's parents, along with Siya's parents, along with Neetu and Rajeev Malhotra gathered on the lawn to finalize the dates for the marriage functions. The wedding was scheduled for the first week of December. Avani sat with Kriti, Shreya, and Amaya, while Anish and Siya were nowhere to be seen.

“Avani, do you know where Rishabh is?” Amaya asked suddenly. "No, I don't. Why?" Avani inquired curiously.

"Just like that..." Amaya began to share details about Rishabh. The way she talked about him made Avani realize that Amaya had strong feelings for Rishabh. Avani felt a surge of anger as Amaya shamelessly expressed her love for Rishabh, as if he belonged to her. Avani clenched her fists with her nails piercing into her flesh, leaving marks on her skin. "Hey, Back Off! he is mine," Avani wanted to shout at her, her frustration was bubbling up. Avani ignored her, but she kept talking about Rishabh non-stop without a break with dreamy eyes. Eventually,

Avani excused herself and went inside for a glass of water, in an attempt to swallow her jealousy.