Avi and Dev were enjoying a rare day off, lounging in their cozy living room. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the windows, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Avi was curled up on the couch with a book, while Dev was flipping through channels on the TV, occasionally glancing at her with a contented smile.

"Kuch aa raha hai kya?" Avi asked, looking up from her book.

"Not really," Dev replied, settling on a sports channel. "But I don't mind. Just happy to relax with you."Avi smiled, her heart fluttering.

Moments like these were precious, and she cherished every second. Just as she was about to return to her book, the doorbell rang, echoing through the quiet apartment.

"I'll get it," Avi said, putting her book down and rising to her feet. She walked to the door, wondering who it could be. They weren't expecting anyone.When she opened the door, her heart nearly stopped.

Standing there, looking slightly out of place in the modern hallway, were her parents."Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Avi stammered, shock evident in her voice.

Her mother, Mrs. Ahuja, stepped forward, her expression a mix of determination and irritation. "Avi, hume tumse baat karni hai."

Her father, Mr. Ahuja, gave a small nod, his face stern and unyielding. "andar aaye bhi?"

Avi hesitated, glancing back at Dev, who had stood up from the couch and was now watching the scene unfold with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She took a deep breath and stepped aside, allowing her parents to enter.

"Of course," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Come in."Her parents walked in, taking in the surroundings with silent judgment. Avi closed the door and led them to the living room, where Dev was waiting.

"Mom, Dad, this is Dev," she introduced, her voice tense. "You know him."

Dev extended his hand, his demeanor polite and respectful. "It's nice to meet you again, Mr. and Mrs. Ahuja."

Mr. Ahuja shook his hand briefly. "Likewise, Dev."

Mrs.Ahuja gave a tight smile, her eyes narrowing. "Yes, nice to meet you."

There was an awkward silence as they all stood there, the air thick with unspoken tension. Finally, Avi gestured for everyone to sit down. They settled into their seats, her parents on one side of the room and Avi and Dev on the other.

"What brings you here?" Avi asked, trying to break the ice.

Her mother sighed, looking directly at her. "Avi, we've been worried about you. We haven't heard from you in a while, and then we saw some news articles and... well, we decided it was time to come and see you."

Avi frowned, confusion written across her face. "News articles? What are you talking about?"Her father cleared his throat.

"There's been a lot of speculation about your relationship with Dev. Your face was not visible but we figured it would be you. We just wanted to make sure you're okay and that you know what you're doing."

Avi felt a mix of frustration and defensiveness rising up inside her. "I'm fine, Dad. Dev and I are fine. I don't understand why you had to come all this way just to check up on me."

Her mother leaned forward, her expression hardening. "Avi, you have always been naive. This relationship, with a celebrity, it's a lot to handle. You wouldn't even be able to handle all of that."

Avi glanced at Dev, who gave her a reassuring nod. She took a deep breath and turned back to her parents.

"I appreciate your concern, but maa, I can handle it. Dev and I are happy together. We're figuring things out."

Mrs. Ahuja's eyes narrowed further. "We just don't want you to get in over your head. Remember what happened last time."

Avi felt a pang of pain at the memory. The last time her parents had interfered, it had led to her breaking up with Dev, believing she wasn't good enough for him. She had been plagued with insecurities ever since.

Her father spoke up, his tone harsh. "And Dev, you should know better than to get involved with someone who has so many issues. Avi needs stability, not the chaos of a celebrity lifestyle."

Dev's expression darkened, but he remained calm. "Sir, I understand your concerns, but Avi is strong and capable. We support each other, and geniunely I love her ."

Mrs. Ahuja's expression turned icy. "Love isn't always enough, Dev. There are other considerations. Stability, security, compatibility. Avi, you need someone who can provide all that, not someone who is constantly in the spotlight."

Avi's frustration bubbled over. "Mom, stop. I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions. Dev and I are together because we want to be, and we make each other happy."

Her mother stood up, anger flashing in her eyes. "You're being foolish, Avi. You always have been. You think you know what's best, but you don't."

Avi stood up too, her hands shaking with anger. "No, Mom. You don't get to decide what's best for me. You never did. All my life, you've made me feel like I wasn't good enough, like I didn't deserve to be happy. Well, I'm done with that. Dev loves me for who I am, and I love him. That's all that matters."

Her father scoffed. "This is just another one of your phases, Avi. You'll see. This relationship won't last."

Avi felt a surge of determination. "Maybe it won't. Maybe it will. But that's for us to decide, not you."

Mrs. Ahuja's eyes flashed with anger. "You're making a mistake, Avi."Avi took a deep breath, feeling a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in years. "No, Mom. The mistake was listening to you and leaving Dev the first time. I'm not making that mistake again."

Her mother stood up, anger flashing in her eyes. "So now you're going to fight with us for this guy? After everything we've done for you?"

Avi stood up too, her hands shaking with anger. "It's not even about him and me anymore, mom. It's about you and me. Where were you when i needed you? You were never there for me when I needed you. Every time something went wrong, you made me feel like it was my fault, like I didn't deserve to be loved. Do you have any idea what that did to me? Do you know how many nights I cried myself to sleep, believing I was worthless?"

Her parents exchanged a stunned glance, but Avi was on a roll now, unable to hold back the years of pain and frustration.

"You always told me I wasn't good enough," she continued, her voice shaking with emotion. "That I didn't deserve anything good in my life. But Dev was there for me. He made me feel loved, supported, and valued. He showed me that I am worth something. And now, you want to take that away from me again? I won't let you. I am not letting you control my life anymore."

There was a long silence as her parents exchanged a look.

Finally, her mother nodded, though her expression remained stern. "Fine, Avi. If you want to throw your life away, go ahead. But don't come crying to us when it all falls apart."

Avi's heart ached at the harsh words, but she stood her ground. "I won't, Mom. I promise."

Her parents turned and walked towards the door, their footsteps echoing through the apartment. Avi followed them, her mind racing.

As they reached the door, her father turned back one last time."Consider this the end of our relationship, Avi," he said coldly. "Aaj ke baad, don't you dare call me your father."

Avi's breath caught in her throat, but she managed to nod. "If that's what you want, toh theek hai."Her parents walked out, leaving Avi standing at the door, feeling a mix of heartbreak and liberation.

She closed the door behind them and leaned against it, her knees threatening to give way.

Dev was by her side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. "Shit.I'm so sorry, Avi," he whispered. "You didn't deserve that.

"Avi clung to him, tears streaming down her face. "I know, but it's better this way. I need to be free from their control."

Dev kissed her forehead, his touch gentle and comforting. "You are free now, Avi. And we'll face whatever comes next together."