It was the time of morning, the sun was shining in the sky over the Rathore mansion and the curtains were flying because of the wind. The sun peeped into Avni and Aditya’s room where they were sleeping peacefully.

Aditya turned his face and hugged Avni in sleep because he has the habit of sleeping by hugging a pillow. Aditya felt cozy so he smiled and slept after adjusting his head. Soon, Avni stirred and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. Avni opened her narrowed eyes and cleaned them to clear her vision. Avni frowned feeling something so she opened her eyes. Avni looked at her stomach and she was surprised to see Aditya’s hand on her stomach. Avni looked at Aditya who was sleeping. Avni stared at Aditya for some time and then she thought and bit her lip.

Avni moved up and kept her hair behind her ear. Avni tried to remove Aditya’s hand carefully and slowly. Aditya felt that and he thought it is a pillow so he pulled her to him and Avni fell over Aditya who flinched and opened his eyes. Avni also opened her eyes and their eyes locked. They got lost in their moment. Aditya kept Avni’s hair behind her ear and slowly touched Avni’s face. Aditya caressed Avni’s cheek and Avni shivered.  Avni came back to reality and she broke eye contact. Aditya also came out of his thoughts. Avni wiped her upper lips. They felt embarrassed.

Avni stammered while talking: so, sorry. woh, woh, you, you were hug… I, I mean, your hand was on my… I mean.

Aditya saw his hand on Avni’s waist and realized what Avni wants to say. Aditya took his hand back and Avni sat on the bed. There was an awkwardness between the two. Aditya sat.

Aditya: ab, sorry, Avni. Actually, I have a habit of sleeping by hugging a pillow. So, I, I, I thought you are a pillow… sorry.

Avni nodded and gulped by looking down.

Avni: its, it's ok. I, I understand.

Aditya nodded by looking down and remembered something.

Aditya: by the way, good morning.

Avni smiled.

Aditya: Happy first day of our marriage.

Avni blushed.

Avni: Happy first day of our marriage and good morning.

Aditya smiled.

Later, Avni came after taking a shower and drying her hair with a towel.

Aditya entered the room and the phone was in his hand. Aditya stopped to see Avni who was busy with her work. Avni felt Aditya’s presence so she turned her face. Avni was surprised to see Aditya whose heart skipped a beat. The water was dropping from Avni’s hair and she was looking beautiful. Aditya was just staring at Avni who felt odd. Aditya came to Avni looking at her and Avni avoided eye contact. Aditya realized that he is staring at Avni. Aditya cleared his throat.

Aditya: Avni.

Avni looked at Aditya.

Aditya: you are looking beautiful.

Avni looked down and said thank you.

Aditya smiled. Avni turned and went to the dressing table and started to dry her hair. Aditya went to bed looking at Avni. Aditya sat. Aditya was admiring his new bride but his moment was broken by the knock at the door. Aditya turned his face and Avni also turned.

Anjana and Ambika were standing at the door and they were smiling. A big round plate was in Anjana’s hand.

Anjana: can we come inside?

They looked at each other and then they looked at Avni and Aditya. Aditya got up.

Aditya: Mom, grandma, come, please.

They smiled and then they came. Avni and Aditya moved and Avni came to Aditya and then they moved to Anjana and Ambika. Avni and Aditya took blessings from them.

Anjana: Did you sleep well last night?

Avni smiled and she was about to reply.

Ambika: Is this a question to ask? They are a newlywed couple. Last night was their first night.

Aditya and Anjana widened their eyes and Avni lowered her gaze in awkwardness.

Ambika: How can they sleep? They must be busy in...

Ambika cleared her throat and Anjana and Aditya looked at Avni who was melting in embarrassment. Anjana suppressed her lips and Avni took her hair behind her ear and wiped her upper lips. Aditya thought to change the topic. Aditya's gaze fell on Anjana's hand.

Aditya: Mom.

Anjana and Ambika looked at him.

Aditya: what is this?

Anjana looked at the things. Avni looked at Aditya and then she looked at Anjana and saw the things.

Anjana: these? These are gifts for Avni.

Aditya smiled. Anjana passed the huge plate to Avni.

Anjana: hmm.

Avni: what was the need for it?

Anjana: Ummm.

Anjana showed fake anger and everyone smiled. Anjana passed the gift to Avni who accepted them.

Avni: Thank you, Mom.

Anjana cupped Avni's face and said: your welcome.

Ambika:  today when you will go for pagphare then wear these things.

Avni: ok.

They smiled.

Anjana: breakfast is ready. Get ready fast and come.

Avni: I am sorry, Mom, I woke up late today. I promise I will wake up earlier tomorrow.

Anjana and Ambika smiled. Anjana cupped Avni's face.

Anjana: relax. No need to take the stress. I am your mother, not your mother-in-law.

Avni smiled slightly. Anjana tried to cheer up Avni.

Anjana: and you are a newlywed bride. How can I make you work on the first day? Have rest for some days then I will make you work the whole day.

Everyone smiled.

Anjana looked at Aditya: what is this, Adi, you didn't get fresh till now?

Aditya: I am going.

Anjana: go fast.

Aditya nodded. Avni smiled and thought.

Later, everyone was sitting at the dining table. Everyone started breakfast but Avni was feeling awkward as it was her first day. Aditya took the plate of sandwiches and saw that Avni is fidgeting her fingers. Aditya sighed and filled his plate with a sandwich, paratha, and omelet and exchanged his plate with Avni's plate. Avni saw that and then she looked at Aditya who was pouring the juice in the glass. Aditya looked at Avni and signed her with his eyes to eat. Avni smiled and looked at the plate. Aditya kept the glass of juice near Avni. Avni saw that and then they smiled to see each other. Aditya was about to have food on his plate. Ambika saw tha.

Ambika: Adi?

Aditya and Avni looked at her.

Ambika: what are you doing?

Aditya smiled at Ambika’s question.

Aditya: I am putting food on my plate.

Ambika: I know that. But why are you doing it?

Aditya asked while smiling: why?

Ambika: don’t you know?

Avni was looking at them. Ambika looked at Anjana.

Ambika: You didn't tell them?

Anjana looked at Ambika and then she looked at Avni and Aditya. Anjana saw the plate in Aditya’s hand and then she saw Avni’s plate.  A bell rang in her mind.

Anjana: ab, woh, I forgot.

Ambika gave a look at her.

Anjana: sorry.

Avni and Aditya looked at each other and then they looked at Ambika and Anjana.

Aditya: what happened?

Anjana: Nothing, Adi. Actually, it is our tradition that the newlywed couple eats from the same plate and fed each other the first bit.

Avni and Aditya looked at each other and then they avoided eye contact.

Aditya: oh.

Arjun: what oh? Feed Bhabhi.

Avni was looking down and here and there. Aditya nodded. Aditya broke the bit and Avni saw that. Aditya passed the bit to Avni who looked at the bit and then she looked at Aditya who signed her eat. Avni ate that and everyone clapped. Aditya smiled.

Arjun: now it’s Bhabhi’s turn to feed Bhai.

Avni looked at Arjun and Aditya looked at Avni. Aditya thought.

Aditya: ab, It…

Avni took the bit of paratha and dipped it in yogurt and passed it to Aditya. Aditya smiled and ate the bit. Everyone smiled and clapped. Avni and Aditya looked at each other and then Avni looked down and Aditya smiled.

Later, Aditya was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and was using his phone. Avni came out from the bathroom and Aditya looked up and then he looked at his phone but the next second Aditya again looked at Avni.

Avni directly went to the dressing table to get ready because she was going to meet her family. Avni started to get ready and Aditya was looking at her or I say, he was adoring his beautiful wife. Avni wore earrings, a locket, and bangles. Avni brushed her hair and she saw Aditya in the mirror who was looking at her. Avni looked down and kept the hairbrush on the table. Aditya smiled and Avni turned.

Avni was slowly coming to Aditya while looking down and avoiding eye contact and she was fidgeting her hand.

Avni: ab, I am ready. You get ready then we have to go for pagphare.

Aditya nodded.

Aditya: ok.

Aditya got up and moved to Avni.

Aditya: if you look this much beautiful then how can I let you go?

Avni blushed. Aditya smiled because he likes Avni’s red cheek.

It was daytime, a car stopped outside the Chauhan mansion. Avni and Aditya were sitting in the car. Aditya sighed and looked at Avni who was looking at her home happily. Aditya looked at the home and then he looked at Avni. Avni looked at Aditya. Aditya signed at the home.

Aditya: here we reached your destination.

Avni: you will not come inside?

Aditya halted.

Aditya: ab, aa. N, no, Avni. I told you about that project issue so, I have to go office. There is some urgent work. But, I will come back soon.

Avni: Come for some time. Everyone will get happy.

Aditya lowered her gaze.

Avni: If you go from here then they will get hurt.

Aditya didn't say anything so Avni took that as a no. Avni looked down.

Avni: It's ok... Bye.

Aditya looked at Avni who turned and got out of the car. Avni was moving toward her home and she heard the sound of opening the door.

Avni was going and she felt something beside her so she turned her face. Avni saw Aditya and she was surprised. Avni stopped and when Aditya felt it, he also stopped. Aditya turned.

Aditya: what happened?

Avni: you were going office?

Aditya: I will go after meeting our family.

Avni stared at Aditya who snapped his finger in front of Avni. Avni came out from her wonderland and looked at Aditya.

Aditya: what happened?

Avni looked down while wiping her upper lips because of awkwardness. Aditya smiled and leaned toward Avni.

Aditya: you can stare at me as much as you want but later. Right now, let's go inside.

Avni blushed and Aditya smiled. Aditya and Avni moved to the mansion and before Aditya rings the bell, the door opened. Avni and Aditya saw Alka who looked excited like a kid. Avni smiled to see her mother and hugged her. Alka smiled and caressed Avni's hair.

Alka: how are you?

Avni: Fine. How are you?

Alka: Absolutely, fine.

Aditya smiled to see them. Alka kissed Avni's hair while hugging her and they got emotional.

Aditya: knock, knock.

Alka and Avni looked at Aditya and were still hugging each other.

Aditya: I am also present here. So, please.

Avni and Alka smiled and the family came there. Avni and Alka broke the hug. Avni saw her family and met them one by one. Aditya took blessings from Alka and others. Everyone got busy with Avni except Amar. Amar and Aditya looked at each other and smiled.

Aditya: wow.

Avni and others looked at Aditya.

Aditya: The son-in-law came home for the first time after marriage and instead of welcoming him royally. You all are ignoring me. Wow. I am going.

Avni saw Aditya turn to go but everyone stopped him.

Indravati: no, no, stop.

Everyone moved to stop Aditya and said sorry, sorry.

Avni was looking at Aditya and all. Aditya stopped and smiled.

Aditya: Relax, guys, I was just kidding.

They took a sigh of relief.

Alka: you scare us.

Aditya and Avni smiled.

Indravati: come inside.

Aditya nodded and they moved inside. Everyone sat in the living area. Avni intervened her arm in mother's arm who smiled and kept her hand on Avni’s hand and kissed her forehead. Aditya smiled to see them.

Everyone was sitting in the living area and they were talking.

Indravati: Alka, Aarti. Go and get refreshments.

They nodded and were about to move.

Aditya: no, no, please, sit.

Everyone looked at him.

Aditya: I have to go office. There is some emergency. I just came to meet you all. Now, I should leave.

Indravati: how can it be possible? You came for the first time after your marriage how can we let you go like this?

Aditya: it's ok. It is my home too so no worries.

Alka: but...

Aditya: Mamaaa. I said, no worries. And I will come in the evening to pick up Avni.

Alka: then you have to have dinner with us.

Aditya: ab...

Alka: No arguments.

Avni was looking at them. Aditya smiled.

Aditya: ok, done.

They smiled.

Aditya: ok now, I should go.

Amar: ok, if you want it then ok otherwise we want you to stay here.

Aditya smiled.

Aditya: I will come later.

Amar: ok.

Aditya: ok, Avni, bye.

Aditya wanted her to drop him outside but Avni didn't understand his sign.

Avni: hmm, bye.

Aditya nodded in disappointment.

Aditya: I will come in the evening to pick up you.

Avni nodded. Alka and Aarti made a face at Avni's dumbness.

Aditya: ok, then...

Aditya got up.

Aditya: Bye.

Everyone smiled and said bye.

Aditya looked at Avni who was sitting.

Alka: Avni?

Avni looked at Alka who signed her to go with Aditya but Avni frowned. Aditya saw that and looked down. Alka smiled fakely.

Alka: Avni. Go to drop Aditya outside.

Avni looked at Aditya who looked at her and then looked down. Avni looked at Alka who signed her go. Avni nodded and got up. Aditya moved and they went outside. Alka shook her head and sighed. Alka looked at Aarti who smiled.

Avni and Aditya came to the car. Aditya looked at Avni.

Avni: Thank you for coming.

Aditya: Thank you?

Avni was looking at him.

Aditya: Avni, I don't like this formality between us.

Avni: sorry.

Aditya: I even don’t like it.

Now what Avni say, she was puzzled.

Aditya: Avni, we are husband-wife.

Avni felt horripilate to hear husband-wife.

Aditya: if we will not do things for each other then who will do?

Avni looked down. Aditya moved a step to Avni and held her upper arms.

Aditya: Avni, I understand that things will take time to come to their place but at least don’t be formal. I don’t like it. It hurts when talks to me like a stranger.

Avni looked at Aditya and felt bad. Avni held her ear and Aditya was surprised to see her and he found Avni cute.

Avni: I am sorry. I said thank you because I liked that you came with me inside knowing that you have to go office that’s why I said thank you. If I had an idea that you don’t like it then I would not have said that. I am sorry.

Aditya smiled at Avni’s cuteness.

Aditya pulled Avni’s cheek: it's ok, my cute wife.

Avni smiled.

Aditya: by the way, I said that I don’t like sorry also.

Avni looked at Aditya cutely and sniffed her nose. Aditya found it difficult to hold him from kissing Avni’s cheek.

Aditya: relax, I am kidding.

Avni made a sad face. Aditya leaned toward Avni.

Aditya: Don't be so cute that I lose control.

Avni felt shy and her lips were trembling. Aditya smiled and kissed Avni’s cheek whose breath stopped. Aditya smiled to see Avni and leaned to Avni’s ear.

Aditya: If you blush like this then everyone gets doubted that something has happened between us.

Avni felt a shiver in her body. Aditya looked at Avni who also looked at Aditya and Avni’s heart was beating fast.

Aditya: bye, take care. And wait for me, I will come in the evening.

Aditya winked and Avni looked down. Avni was blushing. Aditya enjoyed and cursed his office work because he has to go office for that leaving his new bride.

Aditya: bye.

Avni gulped and said bye looking down.

Aditya smiled and moved to the driving seat. Aditya smiled to see Avni who was avoiding her gaze. Aditya got in the car and pressed the horn. Avni looked at the car and Aditya leaned and waved his hand. Avni blushed hard and smiled looking down. Aditya smiled and moved back. Aditya start the car and went from there.

Avni took a deep breath keeping her hand on her heart and closing her eyes. Avni remembered Aditya kissed her cheek. Avni kept her hand on her cheek and blushed.

Avni: Avniii… stop blushing.

But no use of it. Avni smiled and her cheeks turned red.